Hello!

I'd like to thank you for all the positive feedback we've had since launching our newsletter. We've listened to all of your comments, and I'd like to think this month's newsletter is better because of your feedback. Keep those ideas coming!

It's hard to ignore the fact that Christmas is getting ever closer. We've tried to think of articles that will help you during the run-in to the Christmas festivities. Sarah's written an article on the merits of paper vs. electronic Christmas Cards, and I've written about my experiences in choosing a new PC for my kids.

And, to ensure we're all in a stronger position to start the New Year, John Kearney of Easyreach Management has given us all some good tips to ensure we're prepared for the economic gloom that awaits us.

And, if that isn't enough, we've finalised the plans for our Badminton Evenings - so you'll be able to start the New Year fit and healthy too. We'll send an update on this next week.

Steve Coburn.

Choosing a new PC for the kids

We’ve had an old Windows XP PC on the kids' desk at home for a few years.  I think it’s getting on for 8 years old now – and it’s done them well.  After all, the CBeebies website is pretty lightweight stuff! 

But, my daughter is now 6.  She’s using the SMART Board at school, and has discovered that she can do lots more things on the computer at home.  She’s writing ‘stories’ in Word (including pressing the space bar lots of times until she gets a ‘finger space’ between every word!).  And, here’s where this article starts, she’s discovered GOOGLE! To read the rest of the article, click here...

In the Crucible - John Kearney

Woolworths and MFI were consigned to the history books as they were put into administration.  Woolworths has 815 stores and 25,000 employees, but a rescue package could see the number of stores drop to 200, with many staff members facing redundancy.

One fact is certain: we are in an economic crucible and the heat is starting to increase. Mr Darling is throwing in all sorts of additives but neither he nor even Alan Greenspan knows if he has the right formula.

Click here to read the whole of John Kearney's guest article

Christmas Cards: Paper or Electronic

That time of year is fast approaching when we get our Christmas card lists together and work out who we need to add (or remove!). The list of clients and suppliers, staff and volunteers, and potential new customers has to be carefully managed to ensure nobody gets left out.

We have to choose the cards, write and sign them, then mail merge the address list and send them out in plenty of time. And these days there is another choice to make as well - you could choose to send paper or electronic cards. To understand which choice is right for you, you need to read the rest of Sarah's article...

What are we doing this month?

Err, Christmas Shopping? We're working on some interesting stuff for next year - we've got some new solutions we're testing, and some new clients we'll be working with. Like any business, we're looking at how we can do things better next year - so watch this space.

In the meantime, we're working on some Virtual PC technology, a Captive Portal site for public Wireless connections, and Microsoft SteadyState (ideal for Kiosk PCs or computers in public areas). And, we've got the latest Smart Phones on test - you'll be able to see our opinions in the next techbytes newsletter.

Thank you for reading techbytes - we hope you found it useful.