The Following are News items that affect the computing industry, the local area and Tapcast:
*We are keeping this as an archive of the passing days, months and years. It is in reverse date order:
24/11/05 Ideas for Christmas gifts!
Viking USB 2.0 Drive - USB flash drive - 512 MB - Hi-Speed USB
Moving files from one computer to another has never been easier with Viking's USB Drive. Compatible with both PC's and Apple Computers, the USB Drive will allow you to store and transfer files smoothly through the USB port on your computer.
CREATIVE ZEN NANO PLUS 512M BLACk
Creative's Zen Nano Plus is the incredibly small and stylish MP3 player that's packed with features! Available in ten brilliant colours it 's the ultra-compact, ultra-desirable fashion accessory that's so easy to use, thanks to the blue backlit display which makes selecting the right song a matter of moments. It includes a built-in FM radio and microphone with direct recording from both, and is available with a choice of four memory sizes. Playtimes up to 18 hours from a standard AAA battery make the Zen Nano Plus the choice for people who want style, performance and plenty of features. It will encode line-in audio direct to MP3 and PC downloads at up to a song per second are assured via USB 2.0.
- Compact and lightweight - Measures 33.5 x 65.5 x 13 millimetres (1.3 x 2.6 x 0.5 inches) and weighs just 34 grams (1.2 ounces.) with AAA battery .
- Available in models with 1 GB , 512MB, 256MB or 128MB memory, storing up to 500, 256, 128 or 64 songs in WMA* or 240, 120, 60 or 30 songs in MP3 *.
- Versatile recording from built-in microphone and FM radio. Supports direct MP3 encoding via line-in.
- Up to 18 hours playtime from a standard AAA battery .
- USB 2.0 for PC downloads at up to a song per second.
- Easy to use, with blue backlit display and multilingual user interface.
Based on four-minute songs at 64Kbps in WMA, 128Kbps in MP3 .
17" Flatscreen LCD Monitor
The AL1721hs offers enhanced focus with up to date panel features and futuristic digital interface for optimal work productivity demand by office professionals. The office 17" LCD supports an innovative height adjustable design developed for easy integration with the installed PC equipment and optimisation of space within any modern environment. The AL1721hs is the ideal corporate interface typically serving professionals and desktop power users with the objective of comfort at work and long-term productivity.
Logitech Cordless Precision Controller for Xbox - game pad
Experience the freedom to play anywhere you want and eliminate cable clutter in your living room. The second generation Logitech Cordless Precision Controller delivers the performance, convenience, and comfort you've been looking for. It's engineered to be small and light, yet it still uses Logitech's highly reliable 2.4 GHz radio frequency technology to deliver precise control with no lag.
Hewlett Packard All-In-One Printer
This advanced All-in-One Series offers built-in wired and wireless network capability for sharing between up to 5 PCs. Built-in tools include auto-duplexer, copy collator and 50-sheet ADF, with high speed performance ensuring maximum productivity.
01/11/05 October breaks new malware production records
"October saw the biggest increase in virus numbers since anti-virus firm Sophos began tracking outbreaks in 1988. The security vendor now identifies and protects against a total of 112,142 viruses, an increase of 1,685 on September.
Rather than creating new viral strains, the bad guys are churning out multiple new variants of popular backdoor programs such as Agobot, SdBOt, various Trojan downloaders and the like. Anti-virus firm F-Secure notes that many of the malware families have spawned more than 700 variants. Each time hackers add new components to readily available malware code a new variant is created. The trend is showing no signs of slowing down.
September's 1,233 new viruses was followed by a record high of 1,685 viruses in October. Nearly two thirds of the viruses reported to Sophos during the month were versions of the Mytob worm, with the new Mytob-GH and Mytob-EX variants having made a significant impact. One in 60 emails (1.66 per cent), circulating in October were viral, according to Sophos." - Information obtained from The Register click here to see the original article.
If you wish to get the latest version of Norton Antivirus or Norton Internet Security, or for advice on how to protect yourself please give us a call or contact us here.
17/08/05 Tiny Pc's go into administration (Includes time computers)
About 1,500 jobs will go after the UK's largest computer maker, which produces Tiny and Time PCs, went into administration and closed its 80 shops.
Customers and creditors now face an uncertain future as computers were sold with warranties and deals with schools and colleges included service contracts.
There are roughly two million Tiny PC and laptop owners, as well as thousands of Time Education computers in schools colleges and universities.
Many computers have been sold with warranties, while some deals with schools and colleges are thought to include service contracts.
Administrators at Grant Thornton say they hope to be able to the keep the company's existing customer support operation running.
"In the meantime, phone calls to existing customer support numbers will continue to be dealt with," Grant Thornton said.
A helpline has been set up to provide information to customers and creditors: 0870 830 3288. E-mail address is: enquiries-time@gtuk.com.
Tapcast are happy to help fix any broken units, or to help with any technical queries that you have, for contact information please see the contact page.
18/07/05 PHISHING INFORMATION (How not to be caught out)
"We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account.
To ensure that your account is not compromised,
please click the link below and confirm your identity."
"During our regular verification of accounts, we couldn't verify your information.
Please click here to update and verify your information."
Have you received email with a similar message? It's a scam called "phishing" - and it involves Internet fraudsters who send spam or pop-up messages to lure personal information (credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information) from unsuspecting victims.
For more information click here.
18/04/05 Scarecrow competition
There will be another scarecrow competition in the Summer 2005, for more information call Claire Hill on 01386 792108. To see the previous years competition entrances click here.
11/04/05 Service pack 2 update begins on pre-sp2 machines
Microsoft is forcing service pack 2 to be installed on all machines that currently do not have it installed. It will only begin downloading automatically if you have automatic updates enabled.
It will begin downloading on any machine regardless of internet speed, therefore if you are on dialup the patch which can be upto 250Mb, can take upto 20hrs or more to download.
If you are on dialup, or simply wish Tapcast to install it for you, please give us a call and we will update your machines to the latest service pack.
25/03/05 BT Tackles Internet Dialler Problem
BT is trialling two new initiatives to tackle internet dialler problems and to help customers protect themselves. The company has been looking for solutions to the industry problem of internet diallers, and has developed these innovative products from scratch, which are designed to alert customers when their computer connects to a dialler and when there are dramatic increases in their bills. Both products have been undergoing successful trials in Northern Ireland and it is planned to make them available to all BT customers by May 2005.
BT Modem protection is a free software download, which will stop a customer's computer dialling higher-cost premium rate or international numbers, even if the software is present.
Customers will be warned if their modem begins to dial any number other than a list of 'approved numbers', such as the national call and freephone numbers used by Internet Service Providers.
Contact Tapcast if you get a bill with costs against an unexpected number.
01/02/05 Freedom to Surf go to 2mb download
Freedom to surf go to 2mb download for £14.99/month, call Tapcast to get connected using broadband.
31/12/04 Windows NT 4.0 Support Ends New Year's Eve
At midnight on December 31st, Microsoft will stop publicly supporting Windows NT Server 4.0.
It was expected that support would end last year, however due to customer demand Microsoft had extended its support until January 1st 2005.
However this doesn't mean its the end of all support for Windows NT as Microsoft has designed a fee-based custom support program that will run through Dec. 31, 2006
06/10/2004 James joins Tapcast
Tapcast would like to offer a warm welcome to its newest employee James Earp, we hope he has both a productive and interesting time with us. James is a keen PC gamer - for any information about gaming or x-boxes call Tapcast and ask for James.
17/ 09/2004 Windows XP Service Pack 2 Released
Windows Service Pack 2 has been released and offers significant changes to the functionality of Windows, it aims at increasing security on Windows XP Machines with better protection against viruses, hackers and worms. It comes with an improved firewall, pop-up blocker for Internet Explorer, and a new security centre, that lets you know if you're at risk.
Tapcast now has this Service Pack available. If you would like to have your XP computers upgraded to this Service Pack please contact us, and we will arrange a suitable time for this upgrade to take place.
For more information on Windows XP Service Pack 2 please visit the Microsoft Sp2 website at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx
Or if you would like to book an upgrade with us please email contact us
12/07/2004 Scarecrow competition
During June and July, Inkberrow First School held a Scarecrow Competition that was kindly sponsored by Brooklyn Motors. With over 50 entries, this proved to be a big success in its first year . For the full story and pictures of the 50+ scarecrows entered in the competition, click here
07/07/2004 Broadband available in Inkberrow
The Inkberrow exchange has now reached its ready for service date, making broadband available to the residents of Inkberrow. For more information on broadband and its benefits, click here
21/01/2004 Broadband campaign nears target of 300
Tapcast's Inkberrow broadband campaign featured on the front page of the Redditch Advertiser today as the number of people registering their interest in broadband approaches the trigger level of 300. Below is a copy of the article as printed in the Advertiser.
Going for Broad appeal
INKBERROW'S campaign to bring broadband to the village is nearing its target number of 300 names. The campaign for residents to register interest in broadband internet access has been running for the past year. Jane Neal (Above), of Tapcast Computer Services in Inkberrow, has been acting as a co-ordinator and has set up web pages and produced registration forms which have been in the local shop, post office and the village's two pubs. The parish council is also keen to promote broadband to speed up internet connections for rural homes and businesses. For more information on this please visit here.
27/11/2003 Free beginners computer course
Providing there is enough interest, the County Comput@bus is hoping to visit Inkberrow in January for a free 10 week computer course. The course is intended for beginners, from how to switch a computer on and use the mouse, to simple word processing, spreadsheets, internet access and Email.
The Comput@bus is equipped to take 8 to 10 students and has heating and disabled access if needed. The Comput@bus would be parked in the village hall car park. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone to learn the basics of using a computer at their own pace, for free and at a convenient location. If this course could be helpful to friends or relatives, please pass this information on.
To register for a place on the course, call Richard Morgan on 01905 428945. Places are limited so book now!
For more information visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/libraries or email wrmorgan@worcestershire.gov.uk
*If you have any interesting news items, please give Tapcast a call.