Special for September!

This month's special is the Acer Aspire AS1820PT. If you are thinking of an iPad with its limited memory and keyboard input, you might want to think of this instead! The AS1820PT is a small laptop with a built in touchscreen and keyboard, so you can use it as a tablet OR a regular laptop, depending on what you want to do! It comes with Windows 7, built in web cam and plenty of hard drive space, so you have all you need for work or play! For September only, you can get this laptop for $1449 (RRP $1599), see more details at dcnsolutions.localline.com.au!

Affordable eCommerce Solution!

Do you want to sell items online? If you are just starting off, we recommend a localline.com.au eStore. localline.com.au offers an eStore rental service, which allows you to sell anything you want for a fixed annual fee. You can customise your store front colours, logo etc. in real time! Check it out at localline.com.au/estore.

For those that wish to have their own store, we have designed custom shopping cart programs that include stock control, electronic payments, photo galleries, search functions... we can do anything you can think of! Have a look at some of our web sites at dcnsolutions.net.

Computers Don't Like Dust!

Is your computer making funny sounds or rebooting randomly? These are classic signs of overheating, usually caused by dust. Some of the computers that we have seen are so clogged with pet hair, dust and cigarette smoke, that fans have stopped working, and they overheat! If you think your computer may need a clean out, we have a mobile compressor that we can bring to you to clean your computer, anywhere in the Perth metro area. Prevent any unnecessary down-time, just give us a call!

Get your Web Site to Work Without Google!

Some people think that web sites are only good if you want to get customers from online searches. Getting this done effectively with SEO is quite expensive, and time consuming. However, a web site can ALSO be your shop front and showroom! Some businesses simply can't afford all the floor space and man-hours to have a retail shop-front, but by having it electronic, you can direct people to the web site either by business cards, car decals, Facebook, Yellow Pages or other similar marketing strategies, and get more customers coming to you without all the extra rent in floor space. Visit our web site here to see the designs we have implemented for other businesses, or contact us to see how our web and graphic designs can improve your business image!

Why Hosting is Needed

Hosting is needed by websites to keep them accessible at all times. Web sites are hosted on servers, which are special computer systems that are kept running 24 hours a day. When you type in a web site address or send an email, a Domain Name Server is contacted (normally managed by your internet provider) and it is then routed to the correct server, which is hosting the required content.

Hosting can handle more than just emails and web site storage though. Databases, and even your company server can be "co-located", so that your company files can be accessed quickly from Wangara, Joondalup, or Tokyo! This is especially useful if you have a Terminal Server. For more information, please feel free to contact us!

Terminal Server: Is it Right for Your Business?

A terminal server is a single computer running a software package that allows multiple, simultaneous remote connections. With permissions setup to limit access to certain files, this will allow your employees to access files from any location!

This is especially useful for MYOB, as the only information that is sent over the Internet/network is, not that actual data file, but just a virtual screen shot as if you were physically on that computer.. perfect if you need to have multiple people accessing files while in locations around Perth... or even the state! With a terminal server, not only will MYOB and other database programs run faster, but you have the flexibility to access data wherever you are!

For more information on a Terminal Server, and if it is appropriate for you, please contact us.

Test Your RAM!

Does your computer randomly crash? Do you have problems installing things on your computer, but not on anything else? Try testing your RAM for errors, as faulty RAM can cause almost any symptom. You can download a free RAM tester from here.

Use Your Web Cam for Security!

Do you want to monitor your home or workshop when you are not around? Do you have an office out the back, and need to keep an lookout for customers entering your shopfront? Security cameras can be setup to do this, but did you know that even webcams can be setup securely to stream a live video feed over the internet to another location, without other people evesdropping in? Imagine being able to make sure things are fine at the office while you are away! The same system can even be used in an "online-classroom" setup, with multiple people viewing a single stream. The possibilites are limited only by your imagination! For more information, please contact us.

Access Your PC Anywhere!

One of our most popular setups is Remote Desktop. This is a system that allows you to access one computer's screen from another over the internet. For example, say you needed to check some figures in MYOB, but it is only installed on your work computer in your office. You can use Remote Desktop to access your work computer from home over the internet! This same setup can be used if you have multiple people in off-site locations that need access to resources from the one computer (this is called a Terminal Server). For more information on Remote Desktop, please contact us!

Network and Telephone Cabling

At DCN Solutions, we offer a one stop IT service. This includes network, telephone and other low voltage cable installation. From additional telephone points, to multi-storey network cabling complete with networking rack, switches and other equipment, we have done it all!

We are also licenced to check your existing cabling for compliance with current Australian standards. If you need any cabling done, just give us a call! (Open Cabling Licence T24002)

Graphics in Laptops

Getting a laptop to have a decent graphics chipset for a bargain price is hard to come by these days. However, the Acer TravelMate 5740G has ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 with 1GB DDR3 RAM, XP Pro downgrade and 12 months CA anti-virus for under $1000! For more info, see the specs at dcnsolutions.localline.com.au, or contact us at info@dcnsolutions.net

Your Local IT Guy

Are you looking for someone close by for your computer, networking, Internet, web design or programming needs? Have a look at dcnsolutions.net/contact, and click on your suburb name to see what zone you are in! If your suburb isn't listed, give us a call, and we'll let you know how far away we are! The zones are in 15 minute blocks, so Zone 1 is 15 minutes away, Zone 2 is 30 minutes away, Zone 3 is 45 minutes away etc.

For any queries, you can call, skype, IM or email us!

Value for Money PC

This month we have a special on a new computer package:

Intel Core i5 650 3.2 Ghz Dual Core Processor (upgrade to Quad core for less than $50)
Asus P7P55 Motherboard (dual video card slots for CrossFire)
2 GB DDR3 RAM
250GB Hard Drive
Ati HD4350 Graphics Card
24x DVD Burner
18.5" LCD with Speakers
Logitech Keyboard/Mouse kit
Windows 7 Home Premium

All for under $1200, installed on site, complete with anti-virus, word processor etc.! This is a base system, with upgrades available for Graphics cards, CPU, RAM, Hard drive etc. So if there is something that you specifically need (or want), just let us know!

For more details, please contact us here.

Laptop Won't Turn On?

We have had quite a few people complain that their laptop batteries are no longer storing charge. Every time, they have left their laptop for weeks without use, with the battery still attached to the laptop. This causes the battery to be unable to retain charge properly, so if you are not going to be using your laptop for a while, disconnect the battery, and save the $200 that will be needed to order in a new one!

On the subject of laptops, we have access to Asus and Toshiba and MSI laptops, check out our estore here for more details.

Which Processor to Buy?

When deciding on a computer, the processor is the most critical part of a system, as it determines the maximum possible speed that the computer can run at.

There are many sockets that CPUs are made for, and many processor models for each socket. The sockets that are currently available are:
AMD AM3
Intel LGA775 (soon to be phased out)
Intel LGA1156
Intel LGA1366

The actual models are:
Athlon II X2
Athlon II X4
Intel Core 2 Duo
Intel Core i5
Intel Core i7

So which is the best? What one do you need for your application? As a general rule of thumb, the AMD X2 processors are the cheapest, and still fairly fast for office work, web browsing etc. If you want to play games, work on 3D drawings, or process large amounts of data, go for the Intel Core i5 processor (our best seller!), as these are considerably faster, and even though more expensive than AMD, the best value for money. If you want the top of the range and don't mind spending the dollars, go for Intel Core i7. They are the fastest processors out, but you do pay for the privilege!

Secure and Centralize Your Data!

Do you have files shared on multiple computers in your office? Do you have a backup of your data done every week? It is essential for smooth operations and multiple redundancy that you centralize your data and do regular backups.

A simple server doesn't need to cost you a fortune either, as we can supply and install server computers with backup drives for under $1500!

Beware of Fake Anti-Virus Programs!

There is a fake alert bug that has been going around for quite a while now, and we are still coming across infected systems. It goes by various names such as Anti-Virus XP, Anti-Virus 2010, Win 7 Antivirus Pro, Total security, plus many more. Your system would get infected by opening an email with a link to an infected website. Once installed, it modifies the system registry so that when you open any program, the fake anti-virus is run first. Once it is open, a fake scan takes place, and an alert is given saying that your system is infected, and that you need to purchase the program to fix your system. This is a scam, and we have found that some anti-virus programs have trouble detecting and removing it. It is a bit tricky to remove as well, as there are registry settings that need to be edited as well as removing the actual file. If you believe that you have been infected, please contact us, and we'll get it sorted for you!

Censoring Websites?

With the prevalence of unsavoury content on the internet these days, a way to monitor and block these web sites is in high demand, whether it be to keep employees from recreating during work hours, or protecting your children. K9 web protection is your answer, as it can limit web access based on categories, keywords, URLs or even the time of day! it also has a built in log, so that you can see waht sites have been accessed. For more information, please contact us.

Business Management Made Easy!

There are many different invoicing and accounting packages available today, each with their own set of features. Which one is best for your business? We have found that each package has its own unique benefits, and incorporated them into our own web based Business Manager.

Our program allows you to keep a database of contacts, create financial reports for any time period, email invoices and outstanding statements, view statistics on your customer's payment history and much more! And like any other DCN Solutions program, it can be customised to fit your business setup (such as integrating an eStore, stock management, or Mailing List Editor) For more information, please contact us and we will be more than happy to answer any queries you might have.

Special For August!

This months special is the Toshiba L550 17.3" widescreen laptop! This month only (or while stocks last) you will get a free mini-mouse and laptop stand! For more info, see the Toshiba L550 at our eStore, or contact us here.

Latest Technologies Available!

DCN Solutions has access to all the latest technologies in Perth, including Solid State hard drives (SSD's). These drives have no moving parts and use a parallel bus architecture, so there is no spin up time or defragmentation needed... EVER!

We also have Core i5 and Core i7 processors. Core i5 CPUs are great value for money, while Core i7 are the fastest available! For more info or a quote on a system or upgrade, email us at info@dcnsolutions.net, or go to our contact page.

Great Deals on Mobile Broadband

Iinet have just joined the mobile broadband game, with new Mobile plans. If you are an existing customer, you get an extra $5 off per month, and if you sign up for 24 months, the modem is free! Check out the details at www.iinet.net.au/mobile-broadband/