We have stocked and recommended Trend Micro antivirus and will continue to do so while it remains the number 1 anti virus software in the world.

When you consider that Facebook has now partnered with Trend, that’s a pretty big endorsement, which goes a long way in supporting our long standing belief that this software offers you, our clients, the best protection available.

 Techguide have just recently reported this union with Facebook.   Click here for the link.

Trend Micro’s Smart Protection Network examines more than 70 billion URL, email and file queries daily.

Each day Trend Micro blocks 1.4 billion threats and processes more than 300 million new URLs.

We highly recommend that everyone have their PC, notebook or tablet professionally scanned and serviced on a yearly basis.

Use the expiry of your antivirus as a trigger to have your machine cleaned and optimized buy our professional tech department, the money we can save you on the purchase of Trend over an online purchase, you can put towards the cost of the service, remembering that servicing your PC, much like your car, prolongs it’s life and saves you on costly repairs down the road.

Tired of losing your data, think you have saved everything but find you have lost important files?

This is the answer, no fuss, affordable, easiest backup solution on the market.

We have stocked these for over a year now and supplied one to everyone that wanted data security, ease of data recovery and transfer between machines.

Don’t just take our word for it,

Have a quick read on CNet……… Click Here

You will note in the article, the retail on the 500GB drive is $169.95, we can supply that particular drive for $149.95, a saving of $20.00

Let us clear the fog for you and steer you to clear skies – I know thats corny but I couldn’t resist.

Cloud computing is all the buzz at the moment but what does it all mean?

Cloud computing has been around for years. I remember first working with cloud consultants in the late 90′s but although they had the vision their efforts were hampered by poor internet coverage and poor hardware support. Today we have relatively good internet availability and excellent portable devices.

There are a whole host of offerings with the key players being Microsoft Office 365, Google Apps, DropBox, iCloud and Private Cloud. Each of these technologies have their advantages and disadvantages. Its important to make the right choice.

Click here to arrange an obligation free consultation and see what cloud can do for you and your business.

-Glenn Challen
MicroEd Computers

Microsoft has certainly achieved its goal of making Flight Simulator more appealing to the general public and gamers. They have started by making the game FREE to download. The initial download is only 1.4 GB so if you have a good Internet connection you are up and running pretty quickly with the installation being automated.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 1

Your Microsoft Flight experience starts with you at the controls of the Icon A5 under the direction of a female voiced instructor. The scene is set over Hawaii and you navigate a series of baloons and then land. The first mission is very easy but you soon realise that the whole experience has changed significantly from the traditional Flight Sim. I went to use some common keys assuming that the key mappings were the same only to find that the entire keyboard has been re-mapped. The Sim has also been designed so that those without flight sticks can use the mouse for navigation…but I’ll stick to my joystick.

Flight Simulator was well overdue for a re-write and Microsoft Flight has been redeveloped from the ground up making use of the current technology offerings including the newer Direct X shader models. The improvement in the graphics is noticeable with improved use of light and shade, weather and fog. I am running Microsoft Flight on an Intel i5 with 8Gb of RAM and a Radeon 6950 with all the graphics options on High and the simulator was running quite nicely. The first thing I noticed was the speed at which the simulator and missions load. You are no longer sitting on a black screen for minutes at a time hoping the little progress bar makes it all the way across the screen.

Although the Simulator is free to download and you can have hours of fun with the free missions, Microsoft aren’t giving it all away. Eventually you get bored with the Icon A5 and start looking for more aircraft only to find that these must be purchased from the Games for Windows Marketplace. The only additional scenery at this stage is the Hawaiian Adventure which comes with an additional plane; the RV-6 will cost you 1600 points which means you need to buy the minimum 2000 points (about $30AUD). There is more scenery namely Journey to Alaska" due for release later this year.I think that given the limited scenery and aircraft selection most Flight Simulator enthusiasts will be sticking to Flight Sim X but I think with the friendly way that this is packaged Microsoft will achieve its goal of attracting more people to the Flight Sim product.

Microsoft Flight Virtual Cockpit

Although I am impressed by Microsoft Flight  for the moment I am content with making flights out of Caboolture (YCAB) in my PA-28 and taking in the incredible photo realistic scenery provided by ftx/orbx http://fullterrain.com/.

Experience Microsoft Flight for yourself – Its FREE

To get started simply browse to www.microsoftflight.com and click on the red DOWNLOAD AND PLAY NOW button. The installation is quick and easy and you will be flying around Hawaii in no time – Enjoy

- Glenn Challen
MicroEd Computers and Internet

If you need speed and mobility for business applications then you can’t go past the Leader Ultrabook. We have been playing with this little machine since it became available earlier this year and the SSD (Solid State Drive) sets this machine apart from anything we have used.

With a boot time and performance that has to be seen to be believed this is a true performer.

Call us now for a demonstration 07 5499 0822

Specifications:

• Processor & Cache Memory:
  • Intel Core i5-2467M Mobile Processor 1.6GHz with Turbo boost up to 2.3GHz
• Chipset & Colour:
  • Black. Intel HM65 Chipset (Huron River platform)
• Operating System:
  • MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
  • Upgrade to Win7 Professional / Win7 Ultimate (RRP $99 / $199)
• Main Memory:
  • 4GB DDR-3 1333MHz Memory (1 x 4GB)
  • 1 x Slot
  • Upgrade to Strontium 1 x 8GB DDR-3 1333MHz (RRP $199)
• Display:
  • 14” HD LED Backlit Super Clear Glare Type Screen
• Video Graphics & Memory:
  • Intel® HD3000 Integrated Graphics
• Hard Drive:
  • 128GB SSD (Solid State Drive)
  • Upgrade to 256GB SSD (RRP $399)
• Optical:
  • No optical
• Card Reader:
  • 3-in-1 Card Reader (SD, MMC, MS)
• Fax/Modem/LAN/WLAN:
  • Gigabit Ethernet LAN (10/100/1000)
  • Wireless 802.11b/g/n LAN
• Bluetooth:
  • Yes
• Interface:
  • 4 x USB 2.0 (all are with Power USB feature)
  • 1 x e-SATA
  • 1 x HDMI
  • 1 x VGA port (15pins)
  • 1 x Microphone-in
  • 1 x Headphone-out
  • 1 x CIR for remote controller (Option)
  • 1 x DC-in jack
  • 1 x RJ-11 jack (for 56Kbps V.90/92 Modem)
  • 1 x RJ-45 jack
  • 1 x Kensington Lock
  • 1 x PCI Express Card
• Web Cam:
  • 2.0 Megapixel Integrated Web Cam
• Battery Pack & Life 6 cells:
  • 8 Hour with SSD Battery life
  • 7800mAh 2S2P 7.4V polymer cells
• Dimension & Weight:
  • 333mm(W) x 229.5mm(D) x 17mm(H)
  • 1.66kg with SSD
• Key Feature:
  • USB2.0
  • HDMI
  • Bluetooth
  • 2.0 Mega-Pixel Camera all integrated
• Selling Features:
  • 1.5 sec ‘Instant ON’
  • 18mm thick
  • 8 Hour with SSD
  • 40 days Deep Sleep in S3 Mode,
  • 4 x USB ports
• Warranty:
  • 2 Years Australia Wide Warranty

 Price: $1249 GST Inc

Thats the question that has prompted me to write a quick article. Everybody keeps asking us what is this strange looking symbol we are seeing in shops, on TV, billboards and cars?

This funny looking symbol is actually a barcode and more specifically its an Aztec barcode (QR standard). The Aztec barcode has actually been around since 1995 but has become more popular in recent times due to the surge in popularity of mobile devices and smartphones such as the iPhone and Android phone in particular.

The Aztec barcode is a 2D barcode that can store a considerable amount of data which makes it ideal for storing web addresses or search results. This symbol is easily captured by the types of cameras that are fitted in smartphones and can be easily decoded by such devices.

Give it a go

MicroEd Aztec Bar Code - Link to our website

iPhone users: Open up your App Store and search for NeoReader (its FREE!).
Android users: Open up the Android Market and search for Barcode Scanner (also FREE!).

Install the App and try scanning our Aztec barcode.

Have Fun!

-Glenn Challen
MicroEd Computers and Internet

Simply spend $100 or more
between March 1st and 30th April 2012
and you go in the draw to win a pocket rocket motorbike

]]> http://www.microedcomputers.com.au/news/win-a-pocket-bike/feed/ 0 http://www.microedcomputers.com.au/news/web-services-revamped/ http://www.microedcomputers.com.au/news/web-services-revamped/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:35:44 +0000 Chris http://www.microedcomputers.com.au/?p=1363 Our web development division, MicroEd Web Services, has an all new website. With the launch of the new Retail website, we decided it would be a good idea to put some time into creating a new Web Services site that displays the kind of work we can achieve for you and your website needs.

These days, if you don’t have your business on the internet and visible to the major search engines, you are less likely to be found. MicroEd offers affordable and professional website solutions to help get your business noticed on the web.

We have added some new product information and a better portfolio that we will try to keep updated with recent web related projects.

http://www.microedwebservices.com/

If you have questions regarding anything web related contact us. Also, feel free to come in to our store to speak with someone about our website solutions.

MicroEd has worked hard to improve our website products, so we can offer you everything from high quality eCommerce websites, right through to simple Small Business and Mobile Websites.

Out of the box the two phones are packaged in a very similar fashion. The iPhone comes with a Power Adaptor / USB charger, Manual and Headphones while the Samsung comes with the Battery, Power Adaptor, Separate USB Cable, Manual and Headphones.

Setting up the Samsung entailed removing the back casing, fitting the battery and the SIM card. The iPhone was a little simpler, only requiring a SIM card to get things under-way. It was quite refreshing to see that the iPhone didn’t need iTunes or a connection to a PC or Mac to activate the phone.

Both phones were up and running with minimal fuss. Our first impressions were that the Samsung was really impressive with the iPhone simply being an updated version of the same interface and features.

We sat the two phones beside each other and started working through the typical day-to-day.

Advantages of Android (namely the Samsung Galaxy SII)

• Extremely Light-weight
• Ability to take SD Cards
• Bigger clearer screen (more contrast)
• Quicker and Easier Text input
• Camera appears to be present clearer pictures with more definition and natural colours
• Better desktop management
• Task manager – easy ability to free up memory and resources
• The Back key
• Smarter user interface
• Voice recognition is faster
• Far more functionality in popular applications such as Maps, Calculator, Clock/Timer, Notes, Contacts
• Better notifications and Status
• Price $$
• Renders websites far quicker than the iPhone
• Videos play from websites
• Better functionality when browsing
• Plays Flash content (iPhone will not play flash content)
• Ability to Print
• The Biggest advantage is NO NEED FOR iTUNES!!! – simply drag and drop Music, Videos and Photos

Advantages of iPhone 4S

• Stronger case and chassis
• The quality of the downloadable Apps appears to be better
• Larger out of the box memory (32gb and 64gb)
• Better signal in poor reception areas
• Easier transition for existing iPhone users
• Siri (voice recognition) is quite an extraordinary piece of software and gives a reasonably intelligent response to almost anything you throw at it

Having come from an iPhone 3 the iPhone 4S is a massive improvement in terms of speed, screen quality and overall responsiveness.

iTunes – the bane of my existence..

I don’t think I am alone when I say I hate iTunes. Moving from the iPhone 3 to the 4s didn’t improve my opinion of this agonising, inferior piece of software. The whole experience was excruciating. My wife’s experience with the Android on the Samsung was a much more pleasant one. Moving music and photos to the Samsung was simply a matter of plugging in the phone to the USB port of the PC and dragging and dropping the photos and music folders – its was simple! Three hours later I am still trying to get my music collection and photos onto the new phone. iTunes reported that the music was on the phone but its no-where to be found. After a lot of mucking around trying to move the music track by track, iTunes threw up an error indicating that the file can’t be played on the iPhone…. wait.. but these tracks came from my iPhone 3 ??? [Shakes head - Facepalm]

So which is the better phone?

The Samsung Galaxy S II wins hands down over the iPhone 4S and unfortunately I am now stuck with the iPhone for another 24 months (luckily I get to play with my Wife’s Samsung Galaxy to ease my sanity).

RRP $299 ONLY $249 

Monstrous, eardrum-perforating power and high efficiency in an extremely compact chassis. It has dual MOSFET power supplies and is stable driving 1 or 2 ohm loads. In addition, you get adjustable phase shift, bass boost, variable low pass & subsonic filters and master/slave operation.

* Speaker short, over current, thermal and DC protection
* 4 AWG power terminals

@ 1 ohm mono 14.4V: 1000WRMS
@ 2 ohm mono 14.4V: 600WRMS
@ 4 ohm mono 14.4V: 300WRMS
@ 2 ohm linkable, dual mono 14.4V: 1800WRMS
Signal/noise ratio: >90dB
Input sensitivity: 150mV to 6V
Low pass filter: 30 – 250Hz @ 24dB/octave
Subsonic filter: 10-60Hz @ 24dB/octave
Bass boost: 0 – 12dB @ 45Hz
Phase shift: 0 -180°
Pass thru RCA: No
Dimensions: 306(L) x 178(W) x 58(D)mm