Small Business Tech

I have been watching Zonbu for about a year since the release of their initial desktop computer. Zonbu has recently begun shipping a notebook computer, which I also like watching the space of portable, low-cost, Linux-powered computers as well.

Here is a complete comparison between to VIA-powered and Linux-equipped notebooks computers including the Zonbu.

Learn more about Zonbu's desktop and notebook computers.

Labels: family, Linux, thin client, Zonbu

I like to feature good, well-written comments to previous stories. The comment below is in response to the recent post about Small Business Server 2008.

Hey, I'm on the SBS 2008 beta, and I thought I would share some comments.

1. Not Watered Down
SBS 2008 components aren't watered down or lite versions -- they're technically the same versions that ship outside of SBS. There is one exception with the Active Directory in that you can't establish domain trusts, but I can't see small businesses doing that.

2. Full Admin tools do exist.
SBS does provide a streamlined admin console that makes something like the top 20 tasks easy to complete. However, in addition to those tools, all of the native management tools for Windows Server Exchange Server, SharePoint, etc, exist. So, you aren't prevented from doing anything -- it's more like you get extra tools designed for the small business than anything else.

3. SBS Premium app compat story.
Premium contains a 2nd version of windows standalone for software apps. This one was a change from SBS 2003, specifically to address the application compatibility issues you listed above. Bascially, with premium, you get a 2nd copy of windows server to run the apps on, and with hyper-v, I think that server can be virtually run on a single piece of hardware along with the SBS server.

March 26, 2008 10:46 A.M.

I appreciate this feedback. Please feel free to comment if you have any thoughts or experience with Windows Small Business Server.

Microsoft has announced that their venerable Small Business Server line-up will be released later this year. According to a press release, Microsoft will be including one-year trial subscriptions to Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server Small Business Edition and the new Windows Live OneCare for Server. It also promises to integrate with Microsoft Office Live Small Business to setup and manage web sites and private online work spaces. They also promise an improved Remote Web Workplace and support for Windows Mobile devices.

They will be offering SBS 2008 in both standard and premium versions. They did not elaborate on the limitations for each version, but I have heard that it will be about the same as today's versions of SBS.

A new addition to the family is going to be Windows Essential Business Server 2008. This product is intended for mid-size companies with 25 to 250 computers.

For those not familiar with Small Business Server, it is a stripped down version of Microsoft's current version of server software with a light version of Exchange incorporated. When the last version was released in 2003 it was I think a good choice for small businesses. In 2008 it might not be such a good choice.

Bloat
It requires a serious amount of hardware power to run Small Business Server with more than a handful of users. Linux alternatives requires far less processing power.

Cost
The initial cost for Small Business Server is very high at about $550.00 for the server and 5 user licenses. Additional licenses run about $76 per user.

Watered-Down
I mean simplified. Management of Small Business Server is supposed to be simplified for non-IT users. The problem is that the interface is so simplified that you cannot effectively manage the server.

Incompatibility
Conceivably any software designed to run on Server 2003 should also run on Small Business Server. The problem is that software developers generally do not take the time to test software on SBS, so there is usually the scary warning that they do not support installation on SBS. Many times a call to the vendor will result in a, "Well, you will probably be okay," you will still be warned that they may be unable to assist with issues before the call ends.

Do not rule out Small Business Server, but know that there are alternatives to explore. Other server software vendors have built more powerful, lighter weight, and easier to use server software for businesses of all sizes.

In April, I will have an opportunity to see Small Business Server 2008 at a Microsoft event. I will report my first impressions.

Labels: Microsoft, Server 2008, Small Business Server

Many of us are faced with the question of what to do with old electronics and accessories. The United States Postal Service is testing a free program in 1500 post offices to take your old electronics for free. The service is being provided through Clover Technologies Group. This company collects and remanufactures small electronics and ink jet cartridges. If the program is a success then the Post Office is going to expand the program nationwide this fall.

Learn More

Labels: Clover Technologies Group, electronics, USPS

I have recently begun the search for a better backup system. I had been using a pair of external hard disk drives with goals of backup daily and always storing a backup off-site. To ensure security each backup was encrypted with TrueCrypt. This arrangement was time-consuming and dependant on me to physically swap the drives. The other problem was that the computer and external hard needed to remain powered overnight to perform the backup. Needless to say this did not happen enough and left me without a backup for periods of time. Even if I had did this routine without fail my off-site backup would still be up to a week old.

I have been interested in online backup solutions for some time. I have had a series of requirements that systems have not met such as...

• Open files system that is not dependent on particular software
• Hosted by an established, large company
• Costing based on usage versus a set monthly cost
• Client software compatible with multiple operating systems
• Rich option set on client software

I know I am asking for a lot, but we are talking about the one thing we can do to protect our digital assets. I have found a solution that has met my criteria - Jungle disk.

I have run down my requisites and how Jungle disk has met them all.

• Open files system that is not dependent on particular software

Jungle Disk is not open-source, but the developers do take security very seriously. Steve Gibson of Gibson Research has spoken to Dave Wright the Jungle Disk creator. Steve was impressed with the security of Jungle Disk. If Steve is impressed then I am satisfied.

The other source of satisfaction on this point is that Jungle Disk does not store the backup data in a proprietary format. The data can be accessed by any software that can access Amazon S3.

• Hosted by an established, large company

Amazon S3 service actually stores the backup data. You really cannot get much larger or more established on the Internet than Amazon. (and you thought they just sold books)

• Costing based on usage versus a set monthly cost

There is a minimal upfront cost of $20 for the Jungle Disk software. That does include a copy for all operating system platforms with lifetime upgrade support. Amazon does charge a monthly fee for storage and upload/download. The table below outlines storage costs:

Storage
$0.15 per GB-Month of storage used

Data Transfer
$0.10 per GB - all data transfer in

$0.18 per GB - first 10 TB / month data transfer out
$0.16 per GB - next 40 TB / month data transfer out
$0.13 per GB - data transfer out / month over 50 TB

Requests
$0.01 per 1,000 PUT or LIST requests
$0.01 per 10,000 GET and all other requests*
* No charge for delete requests
Jungle Disk has a great chart and calculator on their home page that simplifies this cost structure.

• Client software compatible with multiple operating systems

Jungle Disk is currently offered for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. This also includes Windows server flavors including Windows Home Server.

• Rich option set on client software

Jungle Disk offers many options related to your backup routine as well as utilities to manage your S3 backup set.

• Backup interval from 5 minutes to a week
• Limit upload speed
• Clean up backup files (This option deletes files on your backup as you delete them on your hard drive)
• Choose multiple folders to backup and filter files by file type
• Options to keep multiple versions of files for a specified number of days
• View backup history to confirm backups are taking place
• Clean up utility to remove deleted files manually

I would STRONGLY recommend Jungle Disk. I frankly have not been this excited about software or a service in a long time. It handles a universal computer problem in a very sensible and smart manner. So many devices, software, and services come close, but usually miss the mark. That is not the case with Jungle Disk. It hits the mark in every category, and I cannot think of a single way to improve the software/service.

Labels: backup, Jungle Disk, Linux, Windows

If you manage a network or a small business with computer-using employees your new enemy could be Hulu. Hulu is an Internet-based television streaming service that is set to debut to the public on March 12th.

I have had a chance to try this service out for about five weeks. I have used it on all sorts of computers and even hooked it up to the television. They serve up present and past television shows from NBC, FOX, and related cable networks. The selection is very large and the quality is very good.

So, Hulu is great for killing a little time and catching up on your favorite show. On the downside it could be another obstacle to employees focusing on work. Hulu could also challenge your Internet speed because streaming Internet video is bandwidth demanding.

It is difficult to block the Flash streaming technology used by sites such as Hulu and YouTube. The most effective method for a small business to block Flash is to remove the software from desktop computers. This could limit your employees if they are attempting to access work-orientated material such as a demo that uses Flash.

Labels: Flash, Hulu, YouTube

We pointed this out last year, but the changes made to the Daylight Savings Time can still cause problems for you and your business this weekend. We posted many details and fixes last year.

This month makes it officially one year for the Small Business Tech blog. We have had many good comments over the past year. We appreciate your input on the 71 articles that we have posted in the past year.

Back to Daylight Savings Time...
Due to Indiana beginning to observer DST in 2006 researchers have finally been able to gauge the savings from this scheme...ahem...I mean plan. It turns out that we actually save very little. You can read the whole more here.

Labels: DST, Indiana

I frequently hear and read alarming stories about victims of up-selling techs at big chain store repair services. This one has a happy ending.

Labels: repair, scams, Staples