The complete works for your computer!

The folks at Gizmodo.com has put together an impressive guide about the new features of Windows 7, Microsoft's new Operating System (which is going to be released on October 22nd)

For those upgrading from Windows XP - it's a big change. Windows 7 provides many new features and implements alot of new security measures such as a revamped firewall and excellent parental controls - so your less likely to get infected by nasty malware.

Read the complete article here

If you're interested in the decisions taken and the creative process behind Windows 7, a good place to start is the Engineering Windows 7 Blog

I was browsing the Internet today and saw the following comic from xkcd.com -

Although it is funny, the sad truth is that many computer repair places use a similar mentality when solving problems.

O.K, here's the disclaimer: The people who take the flowchart approach are very obvious, and thankfully, rare. We have to all learn from somewhere, and for those problems that are completely new and foreign - Google is a good place to start. However, the problem is with those technicians who aren't honest - and rather then learning about the underlying causes of a problem, they take the easy approach and "give up".

When a problem with a computer program is hard to solve - the last approach is to completely remove the software and install it again from scratch. The downside is that you'll most likely lose any changes you've made - like custom settings and data.

The Operating System (like Microsoft Windows) is like a special type of program - which can also be removed and installed from scratch. The process is called a reinstall, afterwards - the computer will be like the first day that you got it - speedy and fresh. The downside is that all personal settings, documents, pictures, music will also be gone (unless they were copied to a safe location before the reinstall)

The easy option when fixing a computer is ''preforming a reinstall'' and too many times, the customer doesn'thave a chance to save all the important data, before it was wiped clean. In fact, after hearing so many stories of customers better poor treatment, I.T Works Computer Repair was founded, to compete with unscrupulous businesses. Unfortunately the computer repair industry isn't regulated and anyone can start a repair business - in fact you can buy a kit from eBay to get started.

So whats the good news?
There are some honest businesses that put the customer first. At I.T Works Computer Repair, we strive to be honest and upfront with any service we are preforming. We also pride ourselves in repair problems instead of going with the easy fix*. As a customer you should always look out for those individuals that through inexperience or plain profit seeking - may irreversibly remove important data from your computer (eg via a reinstall) Always backup your data (this should be done regularly) and always ask for proper credentials and qualifications before someone works on your computer.

* Sometimes Windows is so damaged by a virus that the only resolution is a reinstall, but that is a last course of action.

Everyone has heard of Microsoft Windows, and I'm guessing a problem with Windows has lead you to this website

But what's not so common knowledge is that Windows is not the only option - there are others like MacOSX (everyone loves those Mac ads!) and something called Linux.

Since its inception in 1991, Linux has grown to become a force in computing, powering everything from the New York Stock Exchange to mobile phones to supercomputers to consumer devices.

As an open operating system, Linux is developed collaboratively, with many thousands of developers from all over the world. The most popular of all the offshoots of Linux, is called Ubuntu (which is a concept of African origin emphasizing community, sharing and generosity)

The most amazing thing about Linux and it's many derivatives is the philosophy of open source and free software. Yes, I said free software - Linux is 100% free (as in free beer and free speech)

It is great to give a new lease of life on an old computer that's just collecting dust or try if your feeling adventurous

If you want to learn more, feel free to contact us!

More Information:

• 10 Reasons to Switch to Linux
• Getting Started with Linux (Tutorial)

Today Sunday, 23rd August 2009 - we are online!

The website may still have some kinks to iron out - but hopefully it is informative and conveys the message of transparency and reliable service.

In the future this section will contain updates to services and pricing, discounts and some general tips of how to use your computer more effectively.

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