Computers for Classrooms Donation Program
Computers for Classrooms Donation Program

Ophtek Donates to World Computer Exchange

Company Updates,
20
Apr 2015

Computers for Classrooms Donation Program

Re-purposing old computers as a learning tool is a project close to our hearts here at Ophtek. Learn how the WCE project helps support the less privileged.

Our ethos of helping to repurpose computers for underprivileged schools and families through our Computers for Classrooms donation program has just gotten better.  We’ve recently donated 35 computers and 16 LCD monitors to the World Computer Exchange, a non-profit organisation with a newly opened chapter in Silicon Valley. There are many benefits to re-purposing old computers as you may have seen through our Computers 4 Classrooms donation program.  Here’s a recap of the benefits of reusing old computers:

Why donate old computers?

  • Greener for the environment– keeps computers out of landfills and reduces toxic waste emitted when they’re incinerated and crushed.
  • Considers worker’s well being– reduces the need for workers to be exposed to chemicals.
  • A valuable tool for the underprivileged– gives those without access to a computer the opportunity to use a computer. For instance families and schools who may lack funds to purchase computer equipment and for children in third world countries.

How does the World Computer Exchange Help Those in Need?

WCE will pre-load free open source educational software onto old computers.  They then ship the ready to be used computers and any new equipment to various underprivileged groups who sign up to partner with them. For instance, this can be schools, libraries, NGOs, orphanages, youth centers, government institutions, learning academies, universities and so forth.

 

Ophtek_Donation

Some of the computer recently donated by Ophtek to the World Computer Exchange.

The aim is to provide computer access in public settings to young adults, up to the age of 24, who are members of underprivileged groups in developing countries. This helps keep running costs low, such as Internet use in public educational establishments.

Donated Computer shipments are sent in containers which hold up 250 to 500 computers to help reduce shipment fees.  If less computers are required by a single organization in need, then containers are arranged to be shared when more than one partner within the same nation requests a shipment. The more partners who request a shared container to their country, the less number of computers available to each individual partner.

The donated computers are intended to be used in public facilities and aren’t to be resold.

Ophtek Principal Arash (middle) with WCE Team Members.

Ophtek Principal Arash Shokouh (middle) with WCE Team Members.

So far, WCE has helped install 3,050 computer labs, shipped computers to 43 developing countries of which 3.8 million underprivileged youths have connected to in order to benefit and learn.

For organizations that do not have access to the internet, WCE sets up offline content so the computers can still be put to good educational use.

Have computers to donate?

computers. By repurposing computers for the greater good, you’ll also touch many people’s lives across the globe whilst going green too.

For more ways to efficiently repurpose your office computers, contact your local IT professionals.

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What Are Your 3 Office Printing Options?

Office IT, ,
14
Apr 2015

Printing

It is essential to have a working printer in an office of any size. Here are 3 ways to connect printers as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

Depending on how many staff you have working at your office and the printing requirements needed, you’ll want the most efficient setup available for them. Below are 3 office printing options for you to consider:

1 – Local printer shared over a networkPrinters-HP-OJ-4500-DESKTOP-ALL-IN-ONE-PRINTER-1

Advantages–

  • Local printers are relatively cheap to purchase, prices can vary, however the cheapest you can buy new can range from $35-40 or more.
  • They are very straightforward to set up.
  • They fit easily onto a desktop.
  • Suitable for a small team or office to use.

Disadvantages–

  • In order for the shared printer to work, the computer hosting the device needs to be online over the network so that other users can print to it.
  • Not suitable for large offices, where hundreds of print jobs need to be processed daily.
  • Most cheap desktop printers that are set up as a shared printer tend to print slower, producing less printed pages per minute than, say, a heavy duty laser jet printer.

2 – Network printer connected over Wi-Fi

Dell wireless printer-p713w-1

Advantages-

  • Moderately priced, prices can range from $100 upwards for a cheaper end laser jet printer.
  • As long as the printer is connected and online, everyone can use the printer.
  • Suitable for medium to large offices who need access to a heavy duty printer such as a laser jet.

Disadvantages-

  • A little more complicated to set up, this usually requires an IT administrator to configure.
  • This setup depends heavily on a wireless connection; therefore the quality of Wi-Fi is essential for this to work efficiently.
  • The distance between the printer to the router is also essential. The bigger the distance, the weaker the connection will be. For instance, the router being too far away from the printer could mean lack of Wi-Fi signal for there to even be a connection. You’ll also need to assess anything that may disrupt Wi-Fi signals, such as the use of microwaves in eating areas nearby.

 

3-Hard wired network printer connected with Ethernet26754_00_1000x1000

 

Advantages-

  • Like the Wi-Fi printers, hard wired network ones that are able to connect via Ethernet are also moderately priced.
  • Suitable for medium to large offices that also require a heavy duty printer or even a multi-functional one with scanning capabilities.
  • A more stable connection compared to Wi-Fi, making it the most reliable solution of them all as far as shared network printing goes.
  • Anyone on the network can connect to the printer without having to rely on it being on a single PC.

Disadvantages-

  • The inevitable use of cables, but can be tidied away with a cable tidy accessory.
  • Even Ethernet printers need to be set up by an IT administrator to allow it to reside on the network and make it available for all to use.
  • As this setup will likely use a heavy duty printer, it’ll also need its own space in the office.

As you can see, the best solution for a small office (or even for a home-based office) is to have a local printer shared over the network. On the other hand, if reliable is important for users at all times within a medium to large sized office, a hard-wired network printer is a much better choice.

For more ways to optimize your printer network setup or network infrastructure, contact your local IT professionals.

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Windows Server 2003 End of Life Approaching

Network
13
Apr 2015

server-2003-grave800

With Windows Server 2003 end of life fast approaching, find out why it’s essential to migrate systems sooner rather than later to avoid problems.

The official date for Microsoft to end their support for Server 2003 is July 14 2015. We’ll outline here why businesses ought to update their systems in a timely manner to prevent difficulties and disruption to business operations.

End of Life Impact on Business

For businesses running Windows Server 2003, it’s important to consider the fact that Microsoft will stop releasing security updates and patches; leaving systems open to vulnerability on a network.

High priority should be given to a migration strategy ASAP to protect the IT infrastructure from any risk of attack due to, what will soon come to be, un-patched vulnerabilities.

Another significant consideration is third party vendors also ending their support of their programs running on Windows Server 2003. Resources and efforts to continue to support the soon-to-be legacy operating system will be reduced to focus on supporting newer OS builds.

Why Migrate?

Now is the time to migrate all Server 2003 machines to be sure that:

  • Any new vulnerability can be patched and updated to help lock down security.
  • All crucial applications can continue to be supported by vendors.
  • A newer operating system will also help improve performance.
  • Receiving faster response times to any given issue as well as access to quick fixes.
  • Complying with HIPAA regulations as it states under section 164.308 (a)(1)(ii)(B) that such security measures need to be in place to lower the risk of vulnerabilities to a manageable degree.
  • Complying with PCI section 6.1, which reiterates the same safety measures as HIPAA, stating for all businesses to protect their systems from vulnerabilities by applying updated patches from the vendor.

If a high majority of Servers in a data center run Server 2003 past Microsoft’s end of support period, this will infringe on both HIPPA and PCI regulations, especially for those businesses covered under it.

Windows Server 32-bit Issues

Another known problem to consider is a design flaw of the memory pool for Server 2003 32-bit systems when running newer third party applications.

Any third-party applications running on this particular version of Server 2003 are known to take up paged pool and non-paged-pool memory. The problem arises from these newer applications depleting both paged pool and non-paged pool on the already limited Server 2003 32-bit systems.

This particular problem originates in the boot.ini file which specifies a 3GB limitation option. This setting causes the memory to be first allocated to a program running within the server causing the page-pool or non-page pool memory to diminish. Many newer programs require a larger amount of memory to be “pooled” causing the server to lock-up. This usually leads to a server crash.

Final thoughts

windows-server-2003-end-of-life1-940x589

We suggest to plan a migration to Server 2012 R2 or Server 2008 R2 assuming your business operations really need a dedicated server. It can take some time to approve any change requests and to plan a migration within an organization, therefore it’s best to start now to ensure the least amount of disruption to business operations.

For more ways to securely migrate your old systems, contact your local IT professionals.

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Internet as a Utility: What Does This Mean For You?

Network, ,
09
Apr 2015

The internet has recently been classified as a utility by the FCC. Read our article here to find out what this means for you and your business.

As of February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission ruled to classify broadband internet as a utility. This is a landmark achievement for individuals and groups supporting net neutrality or the movement to ensure the internet remains free and open to the public.

According to FCC Chairman, Tom Wheeler, the decision was needed to protect innovators and consumers preserving the internet’s role as the “core of free expression and democratic principles”. The two other commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Mignon Cyburn who voted in favor of the decision are also supporters of net neutrality. Cyburn cited the important role broadband internet plays for low-income families as their only opportunity to get access to the internet. Other notable supporters of the net neutrality include Google, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Netflix, and President Barack Obama.

But not all the parties are happy with the ruling. Internet service providers (ISPs) such as Verizon are expected to sue the FCC and make a court appeal on its recent policy decision. Verizon claims that instead of making the internet free, it’s actually putting the network under stricter government control. Instead of price reductions to internet services, it will likely help promote the emergence of higher or new taxes since the new ruling can discourage the entry of new ISPs that would ensure strong competition.

What does this mean to personal or home broadband users?

FCC_Chairman_Tom_Wheeler

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. Credit FastCompan.com

 

How will this new FCC ruling affect ordinary broadband users in the United States?

  • Better and wider access. Once a product or service is classified as a utility, the government is recognizing that it has become an essential part of daily living similar to water and electricity. This means having broadband internet is already a right for the public including those living in remote areas.
  • No more blocked content. Some web pages and content, even if they are lawful, are blocked due to geo-targeting or marketing only to certain locations. The new ruling prohibits unlawful blocking of content.
  • Eliminating the data capping problem. Perhaps, the most significant effect of the FCC ruling is the elimination of data capping concerns. If you are using broadband or wireless internet, you certainly have experienced slower and even hampered internet connection even if your internet provider has promised an unlimited plan or higher speeds. Have you also noticed that wired internet is faster than broadband internet? It’s not really about signal or connection but the speed throttling practices of ISPs.

How about websites and corporate users?

This is certainly good news for website owners and corporate users of broadband internet or the internet in general. The new ruling will eliminate the existing paid prioritization or pay-to-play fast scheme of ISPs. For websites and companies who need massive bandwidth and speeds like Netflix, they often need to pay more to ISPs just to ensure their viewers can experience uninterrupted media streaming.

Additionally, the FCC classification will improve internet media competition. New ventures won’t be discouraged to spend more just to gain faster speeds. This will eventually result in expanded internet use and provide further media options to the public.

It’s important to note that the FCC doesn’t plan to meddle with each ISP’s pricing scheme and engineering decisions.

For more information on how the FCC’s ruling can impact your business and operations, contact your local IT professionals.

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3,000 Patient Data Breach Emphasizes Security Importance

Security,
08
Apr 2015

Data_Breach

A Wisconsin based Chiropractic clinic has leaked data from approximately 3000 patients. Read the story here and learn how to protect your data.

The chiropractic clinic in Wisconsin had to notify all 3000 of their clients regarding an incident which involved their data being breached. It had come to light late November of last year when it was realized that an ex-employee and chiropractic practitioner had extracted critical client information.

The former employee had access to client data to carry out their daily role in the clinic. They went a step too far by stealing client information away from the business. The information breached included details such as client’s names, direct contact details, date of birth, insurance information and even social security numbers. The perpetrator soon resigned after carrying out the dirty deed. Officials believe that this was a classic ploy to solicit clients for the perpetrator’s own gain.

What was the motive?

Without a customer base, there’s no business. So what makes customers highly valuable besides what they may spend on your product or service? In short, it’s their data. With client data, a business will have a deeper insight into the demographics of their client base, along with contact details and other personal information. There is much power to be gained by having a list of hot leads.

In this case, this former employee has stolen the business right from under the clinic’s feet.

How to protect your business from data breaches

Although it’s easier said than done, simply setting up protective measures to safeguard your business information is an essential step.

Practical solutions that can be implemented right away

Non technical solutions

  • Be sure to carry out background checks to ensure that potential employees have no criminal offences- especially if it pertains to fraud. The same can be done periodically for existing staff.
  • Have new and existing staff sign a disclosure document to protect the business’ data, where breach of data can lead to liability.
  • Training and educate staff on what constitutes potential data breaches.
  • Have your attorney update your company’s T&Cs to protect the business in the event of a breach.

For more ways to secure your data and systems, contact your local IT professionals.

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