Small Business Tech

I have embraced cloud computing fully. I manage most of documents online using Google Docs and all of my finances are managed online using a couple of services. Google has been making the most noise in the cloud-computing space with their suite including word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Other well-known players include Remember The Milk and the suite available from 37signals.

One company that has been quietly building a stunning collection of applications is Zoho. They now offer an impressive array of software including office applications, invoicing, project management, and customer relationship management, database, and more. They have formed world-wide alliance partnerships around the globe to assist small business with using their products. They seem much more serious than others about developing a cloud computing business beyond the geek crowd.

The latest addition to Zoho is the ability to sign-in using your Google or Yahoo credentials, so you will have one less user name and password to remember.

In the coming weeks, we are going to dig more deeply into each of the Zoho applications and compare functionality with other online-based products.

Labels: Cloud Computing, Google Docs, Remember The Milk, zoho

We have covered home servers in this space, because they can be a low-cost alternative for small businesses versus a more expensive full-scale server. There appears to be a problem with a bug in Microsoft Home Server that can corrupt data. Microsoft apparently is aware of the problem and they are possibly going to issue a fix in June.

Engadget has more information.

Labels: home server, Microsoft, Patches

For my fellow Floridians lightening season is just around the corner. Many others across the United States are already experiencing springtime lightening storms. Last year about this time I posted an article and I felt it time to link to it.

One thing that I will add about using a UPS or uninterruptable power supply. Do not connect your printer to your UPS. Many printers and especially laser printers pull a large amount electrical current when they heat up and when they are printing. Connect these to a separate surge protector that runs to a separate wall outlet. If you have a large multifunction printer/copier ask your vendor to supply or recommend a heavy-duty surge protector.

Labels: lightening, surge protectors, UPS

We have setup a small home file server using Ubuntu. I used an old defunct desktop computer and installed Ubuntu 7.04 alternate. The server is quick to start and easy to shutdown with just one push of the power button. Most of the setup has been done using a very easy web-based interface.

It is a great server for sharing files in a home setting, and it would also be a great system for a small business. For the sake of brevity, I am not going to go into the whole setup process here. Feel free to drop me an email if you would like more information.

Labels: home server, Linux, Ubuntu