USB also called Universal Serial Bus presently comes in 2 versions.
USB 2.0 and USB 3.0

USB 2.0 transmits data at 60 megabytes per second.
USB 3.0 transmits data at 400 megabytes per second.

Physical distance is stated at 10ft maximum according to various text books however in the real world I have successfully used USB cables exceeding 25 ft without any problems.

USB can also be used to transmit power which is how a USB hub, USB mouse or other USB device lights up when it is plugged into a powered USB port. USB can transfer and transmit Data and Power.

USB works well with printers, keyboards, digital cameras, camcorders, external ROM – drives such as CD and DVD burners, external hard drives and other devices that support USB that are physically close to the USB port / HUB or computer.

Ethernet on the other hand does not transmit power and only transmits data.
Ethernet presently comes in 2 versions.
Category 5 and Category 6.

Category 5 transmits data at 100 megabytes per second.
Category 6 transmits data at 1000 megabytes per second.

Physical distance is usually around 100 yards / 300 ft however I have seen Ethernet cable runs that exceed this distance and perform well. Generally if your Ethernet run is more than 300 ft you may or may not need a (Ethernet repeater – switch) which will vary from physical situation to situation.

Ethernet is used for networking computers, routers, switches, networked printers and other networked devices.

The subject of this particular apple phishing email reads “Account Info Change,” the phishing email appears to look like it comes from APPLE, but the email address shows it came from do not reply@itunes.comvia smtp.com,”. This means this email did not really come from apple and instead came from a fraudulent third party email service provider. (Real APPLE emails will show “id.apple.com” as the address. If you are unsure if the email you receive is real or bogus then it’s a good idea to call your network administrator of a qualified computer consultant to look at the email for you.

The fake emails look identical to real emails from APPLE which makes it dangerous for unsuspecting victims of fraud.

The bogus email informs email recipients that their Apple ID was “updated” and includes a link users can click on “to review and update their APPLE account security settings”. The fake link tricks users into believing the link goes to the real apple website but in fact the link takes users to a fake webpage that is cloned to look like the real apple web page.

The bogus APPLE page asks for users to log in with their APPLE ID and password, which of course ais sent to cyber criminals which then take your user name and password and access your real APPLE account and steal your credit card information along with your home or business address, your phone numbers and this quickly turns you into a victim of identity theft.

This kind of cyber crime is blooming up all over the internet and is very popular in Orlando Florida.

It is also important for APPLE users to understand that APPLE laptops, computers, iPhones and Ipads, which are thought to be safer and more secure then Microsoft computing platforms are not immune from online cyber crime and cyber attacks. A long list of new malware and computer viruses have recently emerged targeting and crippling APPLE computers – Macs. Rather than hoping your Apple product will be safe it is best for users to install commercial quality anti-virus software and better yet to use a high quality firewall designed to filter malware and computer viruses.

Of course, there is no substitute for knowledge and common sense. No antivirus software, firewall or reputation.com review can completely protect you from cyber crime like this. If you ever receive an unsolicited email like this, pick up the phone and call your network administrator and computer consultant and have him or her look at the email and whatever you do not click on any links in the email as this can open up a serious threat to your computer and your network. A good Managed Services Provider will proactively monitor your computer and network safety and will filter content so you do not have to worry about doing so but it is not always possible to detect and block these kinds of emails because of the never ending trends of technology and trickery.

If you thought Google+ is just for personal use you may be in for a surprise.

Google+ is now available on Google Apps, the online suite of Google tools used by millions of businesses and universities worldwide.

When Google+ was released this year to the general public, its practical uses for businesses were still unclear. One of the setbacks was this social media tool was not available on Google Apps which is Google’s suite of online office tools used by many businesses and universities. Google recently announced that Google Apps users would now be able to use Google+.

Google stated that over 4 million businesses in a wide range of industries are using Google Apps for common day to day tasks. If an organization has chosen to automatically enable the new Google services, Google+ will become available to employees almost immediately. Otherwise, network administrators can now enable Google+ for their organizations.

While Google Apps users will have access to all of the standard features of Google+, there are other elements your network administrator can add. Users will have the option to share with other Google+ enabled users in their organization.  Google+ already boasts over 50 million users worldwide, and adoptions like this are sure to bring more business users to the light. The business possibilities for Google’s new site seem endless, from online staff business meetings to document collaboration.

Google’s easy to use filtering tools means fast segregation of work related material, not to mention personal material. Google also announced an easy to use migration tool for users that already have a personal Google+ account.  For users that have already started using Google+ with their personal Google accountants, Google is already building a tool to help users move over. With the tool Google is building, users will not have to rebuild their circles, and the people that have already added you to their circles will automatically be connected to your new Google profile.

The integration of Google+ with Google Apps sounds like it is the beginning of Google’s push for the social media website to be a business tool.  Does your company or organization plan on using Google+ as a business collaboration tool in the near future? How do you envision Google’s role for your business or organization?

To learn more about Google+ visit the Google+ website.

A few days ago a business in Orlando Florida contacted us and asked us for information about an Order entry software at www.Netsuite.com which is a software package that would be an alternatives solution to common off the shelf accounting software that can be integrated into their E-commerce web site for more advanced reporting options. After a brief discussion with the accounting department and the owner of this business we learned the company’s requirements are pretty deep and they want a web based order entry software package that includes Enterprise Resource Planning also known as (ERP), advanced accounting features and modules, Customer Relationship Management also known as CRM, that can function with their E-commerce website.  Of course when planning to jump into deep water a small business must consider cost to implement, deploy and maintain such a high end solution and the business better be serious about doing business on the internet to justify the cost associated with running a truly customized back office system.  We wound up recommending a customized software package using software from a company we are familiar with based out of San Mateo California. The software vendor is NetSuite and they do develop some pretty impressive order enter software packages that can be custom tailored to any E commerce web based back office system.

We decided to review the software hands on and this stuff is very feature rich and here are our thoughts.

NetSuite is an online accounting and business management software package that is very useful for larger E-commerce web sites and it can be customized and modified providing you have access to an experienced and reliable computer programmer and a web-master. We reviewed the demo version of the small business accounting software and found that it offers extensive financial reporting and covers many needs beyond basic accounting. This software package without modification can track sales, marketing, projects and even customer service tasks. The possibilities are really endless if you have access to a well versed information technology firm to work with you to help you achieve your technical goals.

This E-commerce business solution is very flexible and user friendly. It really is everything a business needs, from tracking phone calls, emails,  to managing employees and even outside business consultants. However, it may be too much for small businesses of only a few employees and way too much for freelancers or consultants that do not need much beyond basic invoicing where QuickBooks will fit the needs better. But a mid sized company of about 30 or more employees  may find that a customized NetSuite system can help them become more organized and efficient and ultimately more profitable.

A lot of websites for small and medium sized businesses and organizations waste more money on their website money than their website generate.  This is because most of the websites are thought to be nothing more than a stagnant electronic brochure collecting dust in cyberspace according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and experienced webmasters.

This fantastic notion of a problem has strong roots in the phases prior to launching or re-designing a website. It all starts with the 5 most common misconceptions small and medium sized business owners should avoid when launching their website.

Mistake #1: A website made by an amateur web designer will yield professional results.
Your business or organization website is not the place to publish an amateur representation of your company, organization or services. You are not just presenting your business image to your local community and surrounding areas, but to the entire world. Obtaining the professional services of an experienced and knowledgeable webmaster will save you thousands of dollars in the design and development of your website and business growth goals utilizing the World Wide Web.

Mistake #2: Developing a low ball “Bargain Basement” website will make your phone ring.
Ask any real business owner who has ever purchased a budget website from somebody on Craigslist or elsewhere if they are completely happy with their results. Focus on finding professional and quality web services at fair prices rather than the lowest price.  No college educated professional is going to use his or her experience and knowledge to make you a professional website for a few hundred bucks.

This goes back to the old saying “You get what you pay for”.

Mistake #3: You’re going to be #1 on Google and you are going to get rich!
 Steer clear of anybody that proposes such a false statement. The truth is, once your website goes online, a high quality website marketing strategy using Organic Search Engine Optimization must be used in order to generate any real and relevant website traffic to your website and this is not a task but rather an ongoing process that only an experienced SEO consultant can deliver. There is a lot involved with professional SEO and the truth is amateurs or hobbyists – many which can be found advertising super low rock bottom prices that seem almost free can be found on places like Craigs List and are desperate to take your money. A good SEO professional will not beg for work because they will be too busy optimizing their own websites or the websites of their paying clients.

Mistake #4: If you build a website, people will find you
One of the biggest mistakes today is business owners fail to recognize the high importance of Internet Marketing programs such as an ongoing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) website marketing campaign. Obtaining a high volume of website visitors to your website is a must for real success. There is absolutely no website that just generates business for you without being properly optimized and operated by an experienced SEO consultant. There is no “luck” involved in the SEO / Internet Marketing Process. Your website needs to be designed and developed by a professional webmaster and needs to include a real internet marketing plan in mind from the get go. Anything less is a formula for guaranteed failure and disappointment.

Mistake #5: All you can do is put up a cheapO website site and hope for the best
You know what we are talking about, those wannabe web geeks that practically beg for work and offer to make you website for a few hundred bucks. Do not be satisfied with a service that only hopes for the best. A professional and successful website is the result of an experienced webmaster that knows web design – development and (SEO) inside and out. The truth is most web designers do not give much if any thought to your success once they have built your website and have been paid. This is exactly why you should not hire an amateur to make your website.

A real webmaster / SEO consultant will monitor your website traffic daily, weekly and monthly to see who is visiting your website and will make adjustments to your website on a monthly basis. High quality websites do not sit in cyberspace and collect dust but are updated on a regular basis and are built and optimized following Googles strict webmaster guidelines and this is what will make you money.

Guests that stay at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels in Lake Buena Vista Florida get FREE WiFi high speed internet access in their rooms. Not every Disney Resort offers FREE WiFi so it is important you call the resort you are interested in and ask if they are one of the Disney Resorts Orlando Florida offering free internet access in the rooms of their guests.

This new WiFi policy was announced on October 17 2011 and we were told if this freebee turns out to really put a smile on guests faces that other Disney Resorts in Florida may follow along by providing this free service to their guests.

Central Florida Computer Engineering also provides premium emergency computer repair services to Disney Guests which is targeted towards families and traveling business professionals in the Orlando, Lake Buena Vista , Kissimmee and surrounding Central Florida areas. If you are on vacation in Central Florida and need fast on-site emergency computer help call  Central Florida’s Premium Technology Service Provider for fast, professional and reliable computer support.

QUESTION:
What is the difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0?

ANSWER:
USB 2.0 is capable of data transfer speeds of 480Mbps which is a little shy of 0.5 Gigabits per second.
USB 3.0 is capable of data transfer speeds of 5GBPS which is 10 times faster than USB 2.0.

Simply put without getting into a bunch of technical jargon. This means transferring data would be noticeably faster with USB 3.0 when compared to USB 2.0. When we say transferring data we mean between a computer to a USB hard drive or thumb drive. This has absolutely nothing to do with computer networking data transfer speeds. Keep in mind your computer will have to support USB 3.0 in order for you to benefit from a USB 3.0 devise such as a USB 3.0 hard drive or USB thumb drive.

Microsoft unveiled its next generation operating system which is called Microsoft Windows 8. Windows 8 is a drastic overhaul when compared to previous versions of Microsoft windows including Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Microsoft is gearing its focus on touch screen devices in an effort to compete against the Apple Ipad tablet. During a software developers conference in Anaheim California Microsoft’s Steven Sinofsky whom is the president of Microsoft’s Windows and Windows Live division. Steven spoke in depth about the new and upcoming operating system Microsoft Windows 8. Microsoft is going to be facing an uphill battle when it goes to sell its new operating system to businesses. Microsoft Windows 8 is expected to be released sometime in 2012 but as of right now nobody knows for sure. Now on the other hand consumers will most likely jump to the new operating system and many personal computer and laptop manufactures will likely roll out future computers with windows 8 for consumers to enjoy. This means that it is very possible we may see new computers in retail stores with windows 8 pre loaded on then again nobody knows for sure. Microsoft Steven Sinofsky stated he believes this new OS will be powering the table computers of the future. “We are going to completely reimage Microsoft Windows from the ground up inside out so it functions completely different with the memory in a computer all the way to how it interacts with new CPS’s – computer processors and all the way up to a brand spanking new GUI – graphical user interface. Some of the GUI changes are going to be focusing on the touch input controls which geared more for tablet computers – touch screens. Other features will include a built in “pop up keyboard inside the operating system and a built in spell checker.

QUESTION:
How much memory can you use with Microsoft Windows 7 ?

ANSWER:
First without getting into a bunch of technical detail here is a straight to the point breakdown of how much memory is supported with the different flavors / versions of Microsoft 7.

Microsoft offers it’s Windows 7 operating system in six different versions.

First you need to know that the maximum RAM – memory limit for 32-bit Windows 7 operating system editions is 4GB.
Which is more then enough for the average user.

For power users, special application computers, etc 4 GB of memory may not be enough.

The 64 bit editions of Microsoft Windows 7 support the following amounts of memory.

Microsoft starter Edition: 8GB
Microsoft Home Basic Edition: 8GB
Microsoft Home Premium: 16GB
Microsoft Professional : 192GB
Microsoft Enterprise: 192GB
Microsoft Ultimate: 192GB

These memory limits are similar to those with Microsoft Vista flavors / editions.

Which version is right for you?
We will get to that in another article….:)

What is Image Geo tagging anyways?

Did you know today’s smart phones and digital cameras embed hidden data into the photographs you take. The photos you take can tell others:

• Where you live

• Where you work

• Where you go to school

• Where you spend your free time

• When there is nobody home

• Where you park your car

Now it may not be a big deal if you are taking photographs of yourself or a loved one in a public place like Lake Eola, Cranes Roost Park or another well known public place. On the other hand if you are taking photos in your home, at your job or any other place you don’t want a stranger to know then you probably should continue reading this article.

How does it happen?
When you take a photograph with a smartphone or digital camera, it takes much more then just a photograph. Most of today’s smart phones such as the DROID or the IPHONE have the ability and do so  by default add Geo Tags to the photographs you take which include information about the EXACT location where the photograph was taken, what date and time the photograph was taken and this poses a real security threat to consumers.

Lets pretend you take photos of yourself with your Iphone, DROID or other modern smartphone.
Now lets pretend you upload those photos to your facebook, myspace, a singles website or even email them to somebody you don’t know very well.

Sounds pretty normal so far, right?

The hidden danger is anybody with the know-how or technical knowledge if you will can view the hidden data embedded in your photographs and see exactly where the photos were taken, when the photos were taken and much more…

How do you protect yourself?

You can turn off the GPS feature on your smart-phone, but you might still need the GPS feature turned on for GPS navigation. So if you want to protect yourself you would turn the GPS functionality off on your smart phone when you are taking photographs and turn the GPS function back on if you happen to need to use the GPS features in your smartphone.

Written by Chris Ondo
CFCEcorp.com