FozTech

We're Moving

2009-03-30T00:30:00.001-06:00

FozTech will be moving from blogger to wordpress over the next few days.

You can now find us @ www.foztech.wordpress.com.

Must Have Online Tools for Small Business

2009-01-29T00:55:00.001-07:00

Bloomtools provides a list of the latest "must haves" for growing your small business. Best of all, most them are free!

A functional website

Is your website up-to-date and a true reflection of your business strengths? Do your customers get value from it? Does it actively get results for your business? If not, then you are missing out on the value that many businesses are gaining from the internet. Find a developer that can identify what will work for your business online. They need to supply you with a simple content management system so you can easily update the site yourself, a variety of features like a shopping cart and a photo gallery that can be added to the site at any time and, most importantly, reliable ongoing support.

Email marketing

According to the Direct Marketing Association, email marketing has a return on investment of almost $50 for every dollar spent. It is a must-have for anyone that is serious about growing their business, particularly in these quiet times because it is so cost-effective. Newsletters, promotions, event invitations, welcome letters and numerous other strategies work really well with email marketing because it’s highly targeted, personalised and easy to measure results. Look for an email marketing system that can integrate with your website and has in-built spam compliance and reporting capabilities.

Google Analytics

Ever wondered how many people come to your site and where they come from? Your site should generate basic statistics on its own, but you can find that out a lot more with Google Analytics. To set it up, simply sign up for a free account, put the tracking code on your website and you’re good to go. Analytics measures how many visits your site gets, how long users spend there, what pages they look at and much more. You can also also set up ‘goals’ to find out how many achieve a certain objective on the site, such as buy something or fill out your contact form. Visit www.google.com/analytics for more information.

Facebook

Facebook was a country, it would have the world’s 8th largest population, with more than 150 million members, so it’s definitely worth getting your business on it. Set up a profile for your business and use it to communicate with your customers in a creative way – promote your products, list your events, upload pictures and create online discussions. There are also paid advertising options on Facebook as well, which can be a very valuable option if your target consumers are social networking users. Being on Facebook will be one of the biggest marketing trends of the year, so jump on board now. Check out www.facebook.com for more information.

Looking for a Better Web Browser?

2009-01-28T22:28:00.004-07:00

In addition to better security, even more good news about Firefox and Google Chrome.

From CNET: Google Chrome and Firefox speeds blow past IE, Opera

And for those of you already addicted to Twitter, you can now "tweet" your MP3's.

Download and Print Our Holiday Coupon

2007-12-26T17:31:00.000-07:00

(click the image to download and print)

Holiday Gift Guide

2007-12-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

The folks at PCMag have put together another useful gift guide for the holiday season, with an amazing deal on a new ThinkPad notebook. Check it out:

Save up to 45% on select ThinkPad notebooks thru December 19th
and get Free Shipping. (Use ecoupon code USPDSAVEDEC to get the Savings Today!)

Call 1-877-67THINK
Buy Now: http://ct.enews.pcmag.com/rd/cts?d=184-5173-39-145-341495-658152-0-0-0-1

Holiday Gift Guide

ThinkPad Notebooks:
http://ct.enews.pcmag.com/rd/cts?d=184-5173-39-145-341495-658155-0-0-0-1

Desktops:
http://ct.enews.pcmag.com/rd/cts?d=184-5173-39-145-341495-658158-0-0-0-1

Accessories:
http://ct.enews.pcmag.com/rd/cts?d=184-5173-39-145-341495-658161-0-0-0-1

Gifts from $100-$500
http://ct.enews.pcmag.com/rd/cts?d=184-5173-39-145-341495-658164-0-0-0-1


Gifts from $500-$1000
http://ct.enews.pcmag.com/rd/cts?d=184-5173-39-145-341495-658167-0-0-0-1

Gifts from $1000-$1500
http://ct.enews.pcmag.com/rd/cts?d=184-5173-39-145-341495-658170-0-0-0-1

Gifts Over $1500
http://ct.enews.pcmag.com/rd/cts?d=184-5173-39-145-341495-658173-0-0-0-1

MSN Messenger Virus Spreading Quickly

2007-11-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

A warning for MSN Messenger users from eWeek:

A Trojan is introducing malware into thousands of computer systems worldwide, and the number is growing by the hour.

The malware is being introduced by MSN Messenger files posing as pictures, mostly seeming to come from known acquaintances.
The files are a new type of Trojan that has snared several thousand PCs for a bot network within hours of its launch earlier on Nov. 18 and is being used to discover VNCs—remote PC connections—as a means of increasing its growth vector.
[...] The Trojan is an IRC bot that's spreading through MSN Messenger by sending itself in a .zip file with two names. One of the names includes the word "pics" as a double extension executable—a name generally used by scanners and digital cameras: for example, DSC00432.jpg.exe. The Trojan is also contained in a .zip file with the name "images" as a .pif executable—for example, IMG34814.pif.

FozTech Anniversary Celebration

2007-10-23T13:34:00.000-06:00

To celebrate our 3 year anniversary, we'd like to show our appreciation for valued customers.

Keep an eye on your inbox through October and November for more information about pricing discounts and give-aways, including a complete home desktop PC package, coupons, drawings for free business services, and more.

If you are not currently on our mailing list, and would like to be, provide your email address via the "Contact Us" link to the right.

Hyrum City Library - Grand Opening

2007-05-22T23:57:00.000-06:00

Hyrum City Library celebrates their grand opening Saturday, May 25th with tours, keynote speakers, and entertainment. Events are free to the public.

FozTech will be onsite both Saturday and Monday (Memorial Day) to give residents hands on experience with the advanced public internet applications, and wireless networks.

The project broke ground in June 2006, and Hyrum City is excited to announce it's completion. In addition to a new building and expanded catalog, the library offers free Wi-Fi, eight public internet workstations, and four stations for children. With expanded seating, and the latest Cisco and Dell equipment, patrons will experience the fastest, safest, most convenient spot in the valley for their library and internet needs.

Come check out your all new Hyrum City Library, brought to you by Hyrum City, the Utah State LSTA Grant Board, Foz Technology Solutions, and numerous donations of valley residents.

CNET Video

2007-04-23T23:48:00.000-06:00

Top 5: Most Embarrassing Gadgets

More Web Based Applications

2007-03-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

Following the growing trend of web based applications, Adobe plans to make Photoshop available online.

Read More...

Windows Vista

2007-02-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

has officially hit the stores. The new operating system, released by Microsoft after nearly a year of unexpected delays, provides some of the most impressive and innovative changes in computer management and use, both for home and business users, of any operating system to date. It provides the tools and resources (finally!) to manage everything, from your home or office network, to your iPod and wireless devices, all with a few simple clicks.

But before you make the switch from XP to Vista, Microsoft provides you with a few simple tips to make the transition painless.

First, download and run the Vista Upgrade Advisor (Free Download) to make sure your system is ready for the Vista installation. The Advisor will provide you with suggestions and recommended changes or upgrades before you attempt the Vista upgrade.

Also, check out the Tip's and Tricks section (once you've made the switch) to see what is new and what Vista can do for you or your business.

As always, a new system from Microsoft means many changes, and many adjustments. But with just a little planning, migrating from XP to Vista can be quick, easy, and well worth the time.

Feel free to contact us if you are planning the move to Windows Vista and have any questions. If we can't find the answer for you, we will find someone who can!

Enjoy!

Boosting Your Business

2007-02-07T11:19:00.000-07:00

with innovative technology.

PC Mag supplies us with another list of products available in 2007 for growing, and streamlining your small to medium sized business.

Covering everything from communication to reducing costs, this latest collection of tips provides some cost effective ways to take your business to the next level.

Check it out at: PC Mag: A Dozen Ways to Boost Your Business

Today's Tip...

2007-01-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

comes from the experts at PC Magazine, who have produced, in the past year, over 100 tutorial videos, covering everything from "getting the most out of your laptop battery" to "protecting your online identity."

Now all of these videos are available, FREE, right here.

Enjoy.

PC Mag's Holiday "How To" Guide

2006-12-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

from PC Magazine:

You finally got that gift you always wanted--a new PC, digital video camcorder, phone, etc. Now you're thinking, "This is great, but I wonder how I can keep my PC safe, create a visually pleasing home movie with my new camcorder, get the best shots out of my digital camera? In our special How-To Help Center we've collected some of our best how to stories and tips to help you find the answers to your technology questions and problems. For more, click here.

So, You got a new computer for the holidays...

2006-12-26T10:21:00.000-07:00

...and you're itching to start using it? Before you do,
check out PCMagazine's advice on how to turn your new
system into the one you really want (which is not
necessarily the one the vendor thinks you should have).

Read the steps here:
http://ct.enews.pcmag.com/rd/cts?d=184-3687-5-55-358407-460730-0-0-0-1

Competition Coming for Cable Companies (finally!)

2006-12-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted Thursday to make it easier and faster for telephone companies to enter markets with television services, clearing the way for a showdown with cable companies for the right to deliver bundles of products into consumers' homes.

What does this mean for the homes and businesses of Cache Valley? Simply better and cheaper phone, cable, and high speed internet services.

How to speed up your PC’s performance (5 quick tips)

2006-12-15T15:13:00.001-07:00

If you’ve noticed that your PC isn’t running as fast as it did when you first brought it home, the following 5 suggestions may help you regain some of that performance. Follow the steps outlined below at least once a month to keep your PC in tip-top shape.

1. Spyware and Adware Removal - remove unwanted and possibly harmful programs
2. Virus Removal - detect and remove viruses
3. Startup Programs - stop unnecessary programs from running
4. Run Defrag and Scandisk - simple tools to keep your hard drive running smoothly
5. Update Windows and Drivers - keep your operating system up to date

Microsoft Office 2007 Overview

2006-12-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

The latest release of Office is redesigned to make it easier for the end user to find and use the tools they need to accomplish their tasks. The new Office 2007 design goal is for the new user interface is to make it easier for people to find and use the full range of features the applications provide. It is also designed to preserve an uncluttered workspace that reduces distraction for users. Office 2007 offers many new features:

Galleries
Galleries provide users with a set of clear results to choose from when working on their document, spreadsheet, presentation, or Access database. Galleries simplify many operations by presenting a set of results that users can simply select to achieve the desired results.

Live Preview
Live Preview shows the results of applying an editing or formatting change as the user moves the pointer over the results presented in a Gallery. This new, dynamic capability streamlines the process of laying out, editing, and formatting so users can create excellent results with less time and effort.

Mini Toolbar
The Mini toolbar pops up near the selected text whenever some text is selected and provides easy access to most used formatting commands. When the mouse pointer is away from it, the toolbar becomes semi-transparent but when the mouse pointer moves over it, it becomes ready for use.
The Ribbon
The traditional menus and toolbars have been replaced by the Ribbon, a new device that presents commands organized into a set of tabs. The tabs on the Ribbon display the commands that are most relevant for each of the task areas in the applications.

Web Based Applications - The Future

2006-12-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

Advances in design and functionality have lead to a newfound popularity in web-based applications, such as word-processors, spreadsheet/presentation design, and complete office suites.

The appeal is that they are, or course, free, but in addition they can be used anywhere. Web-based software applications, just like any web-page, can be accessed from any computer, and many now provide the same features and user-friendly environment of more expensive office suites.

There are hundreds available online, but for starters, test-drive the top two:

1. gOFFICE: http://www.goffice.com/
2. Google Doc's & Spreadsheets: http://www.docs.google.com

Freeware Grab-Bag

2006-12-13T00:12:00.000-07:00

Many people will be buying a new computer this Christmas season, and as most of us have experienced, out of the box, a new machine often lacks the software needed to truly enjoy a home PC. Before you purchase a bundled software package from the retail stores, check out some of the freeware (meaning exactly that: Free!) programs available for download in the links below:

Cd Burning/Copying: Deep Burner
MP3 Converting: WAVtoMP3
Photo Editing: Picassa
Spyware/Malware Protection: SuperAntiSpyware

Symantec to Offer On Site Services in 2007

2006-12-12T20:46:00.000-07:00

Symantec (Norton Internet Securities) plans to formally launch on Wednesday two ways for businesses to tap its data protection and antivirus management services.

Under Symantec Operational Services, customers pay the company to handle their IT security functions, such as data protection work, under a service-level agreement. The services can use Symantec or third-party technology and can be provided at the customer's location, delivered remotely, or a combination of both.

The Symantec Residency Services program, meanwhile, supplies security consultants to businesses on a fee basis. These consultants, who operate as part of the customer's internal IT team, can focus on areas such as the backup and recovery of data; assessment of data protection readiness; and evaluation of the client's ability to respond to emergencies.

Data protection under both the Operational Services and the Residency Service schemes are already available worldwide, Symantec said. Symantec Antivirus Residency Services are also already up and running. Other functions will be launched in 2007, the company added.

Both service models come under the umbrella of Symantec Global Services.