Below please find the timetable of our scheduled opening times for Christmas and New Year
We would also like to take this time to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to your future business in the new year!
Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Christmas and New Year Opening Times
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009New Response IT Shirts
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
We are pleased to annouce a whole new line of Response IT Company Clothing to go with our new Re branding. Theres more action planned so keep your eyes peeled on our website in the new year or subscribe to our email notifications on the left hand side here ->
We would like to thank our designers Big Pond Design who continue to do an outstanding job for us and our clients , in meeting their design needs!
Welcome to the 21st Century Network!
Friday, November 20th, 2009
ADSL2 guidelines
At Response-IT we are proud to be announcing the automatic migration of all our it support customers to BT’s 21st Century Network ( 21CN ) for Free!
How Will I Benefit from 21CN?
At the moment most business lines utilise ADSL1 Technology which has a maximum throughput of 8mb Down and around 0.5mb Up. The 21CN roll-out utilises ADSL2+ technology increasing your maximum speed to 24mb Down and up to 1.3mb up.
How fast will these new services be?
The new services will provide download speeds of “up to 20Mbps” and upload speeds of “up to 1Mbps”. The speed you can expect to receive will depend on the following factors:
1. The distance you are from the local BT exchange
2. The quality of wiring from the BT exchange to your premises
3. The internal wiring within your premises and interference with any other electrical equipment within your premises
Customers less than 3km from the local BT exchange will see the biggest improvement in speeds. (It is estimated that the average download speed will increase by 35%.)
You Can Find out how far you are from your telephone exchange here : http://www.samknows.com/broadband/search.php
What will change to my Service?
Nothing , you are still with our normal SLA’s
* 1 working hour fault response time
* 20 working hour fault resolution time
* 1 month minimum contract
* Fast Provisioning
VMware ESXi Solution for Small Business
Saturday, October 31st, 2009
At Response-IT we are always looking into the new technologies to help our existing clients add value and save costs. A Small Business wanted to update their existing Small Business Server and Terminal Server hardware with as little distruption to the office as possible.
We proposed the solution of one high spec server with high redundancy to replace both of these servers as well the migration of another Galileo computer reservations system they had on another separate computer. Using VMwares’s Free ESXi virtualized operating system and converters, we where able to migrate both Servers and computer overnight to Virtual Machines and power them up to continue normal operations.
This now gives the customer reduced overhead on hardware maintenance contracts as well as giving them a flexible disaster recovery solution using VMwares Snapshot solution
Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts….
Friday, October 30th, 2009 |
You would undoubtedly be a more efficient user with these shortcuts – difficulty is remembering them all! So here is a short compilation… More Windows 7 resources: Wndows 7 Ultimate Guide  UK Software, UK Books  US Software, US Books
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Firstly, where Win is written in this text, please use the Windows Key: 
Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts:
Win +Home: Clear all but the active window.
Win+Space: All windows become transparent so you can see through to the desktop.
Win+Up arrow: Maximize the active window.
Shift+Win+Up arrow: Maximize the active window vertically.
Win+Down arrow: Minimize the window/Restore the window if it’s maximized.
Win+Left/Right arrows: Dock the window to each side of the monitor.
Shift+Win+Left/Right arrows: Move the window to the monitor on the left or right.
You can also interact with windows by dragging them with the mouse:
Drag window to the top: Maximize
Drag window left/right: Dock the window to fill half of the screen.
Shake window back/forth: Minimize everything but the current window.
Double-Click Top Window Border (edge): Maximize window vertically.
Taskbar Shortcuts:
Win+number (1-9): Starts the application pinned to the taskbar in that position, or switches to that program.
Shift+Win+number (1-9): Starts a new instance of the application pinned to the taskbar in that position.
Ctrl+Win+number (1-9): Cycles through open windows for the application pinned to the taskbar in that position.
Alt+Win+number (1-9): Opens the Jump List for the application pinned to the taskbar.
Win+T: Focus and scroll through items on the taskbar.
Win+B: Focuses the System Tray icons
In addition, you can interact with the taskbar using your mouse and a modifier key:Shift+Click on a taskbar button: Open a program or quickly open another instance of a program. Ctrl+Shift+Click on a taskbar button: Open a program as an administrator. Shift+Right-click on a taskbar button: Show the window menu for the program (like XP does). Shift+Right-click on a grouped taskbar button: Show the window menu for the group. Ctrl+Click on a grouped taskbar button: Cycle through the windows of the group. |
Here’s a few more interesting hotkeys for you:
Ctrl+Shift+N: Creates a new folder in Windows Explorer.
Alt+Up: Goes up a folder level in Windows Explorer.
Alt+P: Toggles the preview pane in Windows Explorer.
Shift+Right-Click on a file: Adds Copy as Path, which copies the path of a file to the clipboard.
Shift+Right-Click on a file: Adds extra hidden items to the Send To menu.
Shift+Right-Click on a folder: Adds Command Prompt Here, which lets you easily open a command prompt in that folder.
Win+P: Adjust presentation settings for your display.
Win+(+/-): Zoom in/out.
Win+G: Cycle between the Windows Gadgets on your screen.
Win+L: Lock your workstation
Win+D: Display the desktop
Win+Spacebar: Preview desktop
Win+M: Minimize all windows
Win+Shift+M: Maximize all windows
Win+E: Open Computer
Win+F: Search
Win+R: Run dialog
Win+Home: Minimize all but active window
This list is in no way definitive, so if you discover a new shortcut, please do leave a comment…
Windows 7 resources
Windows 7 Ultimate Guide
Discover over 50 different things you can do to improve your experience with Windows 7. Inside this valuable book, you will discover how to “Master” most Windows 7′s secrets! Answers to your questions, fix the things that bother you.
What you will discover in the book -
* How to install Windows 7 and not make the usual mistakes.
* Find out why a clean installation is better than an Upgrade.
* Why those pretty backgrounds slow your computer to a crawl.
* How to make Windows 7 work your way
* The hidden aspects of the Control Panel.
* How to use the Repair Computer function when you have a problem
* Why you need more than one restore point
* Why did Microsoft make it hard for you to change things and leave a LOT of open backdoors for the hackers? Plus what to do about it!
* Why you should take backup seriously and make the Recovery CD!
Click her to find out more and order your copy of this great book – it comes with a 100% refund guarantee so you can make sure it is really providing value for you. Instant download so you can benefit straight away.
Windows 7 Software from Amazon UK
Windows 7 Books from Amazon UK
Windows 7 Software from Amazon USA
Windows 7 Books from Amazon USA
Free 1 User Blackberry Professional Express Software for Small Business
Monday, October 19th, 2009
Blackberry ( By Resarch in Motion ) has released out a product for Small to Medium Business we would like to share with you. It’s called
Blackberry Professional Express Software which enables:
- Wireless access via your BlackBerry® smartphone to your corporate email, data, organizer and more
- Full wireless synchronization of email
- Two-way wireless calendar synchronization
- Two-way address book synchronization
- Web-based instant messaging
- Phone
- Browser
- Advanced security features, including end-to-end encryption and behind-the-firewall integration with your corporate email platform
- One complimentary BlackBerry support incident that can be used to access BlackBerry Technical Support should you require assistance
This eliminates the need for Blackberry Internet Services ( with only one way email syncing ) and the need to then use Blackberry Desktop Manager for manually Syncing of Contacts and Calendars through a USB cable
Due to the fact that Small to Medium Business don’t want to invest in a new server equipment and up to £2000 for a Blackberry Enterprise Licenses , they can now download BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express , which will give them 1 Free User Cal to start up with , and support up to 14 Users. This software can also be installed directly onto a Small Business Server without the need to invest in new hardware. After your 1 Free User Cal is up , Extra User Licenses cost £40 a Year
Speed up your Internet with a plugin box – BT Iplate Internet Accelerator
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
Speed up your broadband by eliminating interference from your extension wiring
Did you know the telephone extension wiring in your house can pick up all sorts of electrical noise and interference from TV’s, lights and other everyday electrical equipment? This interference can affect your broadband signal resulting in a slower broadband speed.
“We estimate that around nine million UK homes have the potential to benefit from installing this simple but effective device,” BT said.
Try our quick and affordable solution
Help is at hand! BT has developed the I-Plate, a unique filter that helps stop any interference affecting the broadband signal. As long as you have a suitable BT Master socket, (see below) and extension wiring (see below) the I-Plate can help. It’s quick and easy to fit with a screwdriver and you don’t need to disconnect any wires.
How much could my speed improve by?
In previous tests the I-Plate has been shown to boost line speeds – typically by 1.5Mbps. The actual change will vary from house to house. Although speed improvements are likely, they can’t be guaranteed. The improvements in speed will take up to 2 weeks to come through so that line stability is not affected. Even if it doesn’t improve the speed the I-Plate can help stabilise your broadband line making it more reliable.
BT I-Plate – Will it work for you?
1. Do you have extension wiring?
Extension wiring is the telephone wiring, usually a small white cable, which often runs along your skirting boards or outside your house. It connects the main socket to any extension sockets you have. It doesn’t matter if you use the sockets or not, as long as the wiring is there the I-Plate may help.
2. Do you have a master telephone socket with a horizontal line across the front? The I-Plate is NOT suitable if:
- your socket has a horizontal line, but also an Openreach logo on it – this socket has an I-Plate filter built in.
- your socket doesn’t have a horizontal line across the front
- your socket has two connection points – for telephone and DSL
A user here has found an extreme method or manually removing the bell wire all together although we don’t recommend this, as it could leave you with a BT Repair Bill
Response-IT Becomes VMWare Partners
Friday, September 4th, 2009
We are pleased to announce Response-IT has achieved the VMWare Partnership Status. Thanks to the qualification of 2 Inhouse VMware Sales Professionals and 2 VMware Technical Sales Professional. We are now able to offer our clients virtualized solutions to minimise their downtime and also maximise their spare resource utilisation. As VMware Solution Provider Professionals , we can offer you the entire line of VMWare products as well as helping you plan and create your virtualized infrastructure.
Here’s a few reasons why we at Response-IT like Virtulization :
- Reduce Energy Costs and Drive Green IT Initiatives and reduce overheads
- Reduce energy costs by 80%.
- Power down servers without affecting applications or users
- Green your datacenter while decreasing costs and improving service levels
- Improve your IT Resources
- Increase utilization of existing hardware from 5-15% up to 80%
- Reduce hardware requirements by a 10:1 ratio or better
- Improve availability of applications and services
- Secure your data and infrastructure from risks
- Recover from disasters rapidly
- Ensure reliable disaster recovery
- Reduce the cost of disaster recovery
- Automate disaster recovery
- Reduce Software License Requirements
A current implementation includes the implamentation of VMware vSphere 4 Essentials Plus to implement high availability to which promises zero downtime due to any hardware failure
Windows Media Centre
Sunday, May 3rd, 2009
The Concept
Being able to mix TV with hifi, photos and video into one device seemed such an exciting prospect that 18 months ago I consigned our old Freeview PVR to the cupboard under the stairs to be replaced with a Windows Vista Media Centre PC.
The Conception
Of course with any project like this there were several things to consider. First off, did I want to purchase an off the shelf media centre ready PC or build from scratch to my own specification. Let’s be honest, I didn’t procrastinate for long and my research into off the self units wasn’t thorough; in my mind the choice was clear. I was going to build a PC to my own specification.
Since this PC was going to be an ever present object on our living room it couldn’t look like the old grey/black box we are used to seeing under our desks. It needed to be stylish and more importantly quiet. Antec have long manufactured high quality cases and their Fusion Black case is no exception.
Now what to put in the case? Some bits were easy to pick, a motherboard here, some memory there and a couple of fast and large hard drives to store all our media. The crucial components are the TV tuner and graphics cards. I’ve had experience with a few tuner cards over the years and none had really impressed. After some research I found a UK company by the name of Blackgold Technology with a range of TV tuner cards that were getting very good reviews. I chose to go with a dual tuner card that would enable me to record/watch two digital or analogue channels at once. The key requirements for the video card were to find one that could provide the resolution required for a high definition TV (This is quite low compared to your average PC monitor) and remain silent. Such a card exists, the ASUS EAX1600XT. Back in 2006 this was described as a mid/low performance card but it met the specification required and just as importantly was fan less with the cooling provided by a large heat sink on the card.
The Everyday
Using the media centre has been a breeze. The interface is clear and intuitive and the electronic program guide is the best I’ve seen. Picture quality from the BlackGold TV Tuner card is very good and the difference between the built-in tuner on the TV and the media centre is minimal. The built-in tuner is marginally better but that is to be expected.
Media centre has certainly changed the way we use our TV. It is a much more rewarding and involving experience. Being able to record and watch two channels at once means there are no longer schedule conflicts and the ability to pause, rewind live TV means you don’t miss a thing.
There are times now when our TV isn’t a TV. It regularly is used to display slideshows of photos, play music and browse the internet from the comfort of our sofa.
A great addition to our media centre has been TunerFree MCE. This is a great piece of software from www.milliesoft.co.uk that enables your media centre to play back online TV and radio content from the BBC, ITV, Channel4 and Five. Having iPlayer seamlessly integrated into your TV means that even if you don’t remember to record a program you still have seven days to watch it through iPlayer. And with the BBC now streaming High Definition programs through iPlayer, the quality of the stream is better than any standard definition picture.
What Next?
Things have moved on of course over the past 18months. When our media centre was originally built, HDMI graphics cards were an expensive novelty. Now they are much more attractively priced. Also, Freesat now brings high definition TV to your house so the addition of a Tuner card that is Freesat ready would make an interesting choice.
The next big change is going to be the upgrade to Windows 7 Media Centre. If our experiences running Windows 7 on our desktops are correct this should prove to be quicker, more reliable and have fantastic new features such as the remote media streaming service that will simplify streaming your favourite media to other devices.
Problems?
Yes, there have been a few problems; it’s a PC after all. We’ve had problems with the Media Centre software occasionally freezing and the remote control behaving erratically but these problems have all been resolved over time.
Summary
Overall it’s been a total success and we won’t be swapping it for another system for quite some time.
Welcome to Cloud Computing – A way to reduce your overheads!
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
First off a quote from the fountain of knowledge
Cloud computing is a style of computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources are provided as a service over the Internet
At Response-IT we are always looking ahead for technology that will benefit existing and future customers , and help them to achieve the most out of their IT Systems. A new customer approached up with the task of creating a total scalable system with the aims of :
- Sharing large amounts of data securely between colleges over the internet without the speed limitation of ADSL upstream
- A centralised database for their contacts and sales leads
- Hosted Large Email Accounts ( 5 Gigabytes Each ) with Spam Filtering
- No Centralised Point of Failure
Due to the main concern of a Centralised Point of Failure and how dynamic the company was , we choose a fully hosted solution in the cloud
For their data storage we implemented Microsoft Office Groove workspaces for the Sales Team for Document and Calendar Storage and Collaboration with the same security model as a normal Windows Server. As the data is hosted with Microsoft across multiple servers and locations , there is no need to implement rigorous backup continuity and the speed of accessing data will only depend on your download bandwidth ( Anywhere between 2mb – 8mb) , A much faster solution for home workers!
For their Lead and Sales Contacts , we helped them implement SalesForce.com to their company , a totally hosted Customer relationship management that is fully scaleable to their needs , without the high initial start up costs. We helped with the customisation the CRM to their business needs as well as ongoing support for the creation of unique reports and batch importing of new contacts and leads.
For their email needs , we implemented Google Apps which fully intergrates into salesforce, for a totally hosted contact collaboration solution. The Spam filtering is provided by the every reliable GMAIL Spam Filter which can flag 99.8% of Spam!
The installation was a great success, the customer was delieghted with how flexible the solution was to their company and the minimal operation costs , has promoted work on rolling this solution out to their other offices within the company.
Cloud Computing looks like a solution that will help save Small Business’ server mantience costs and reduce their IT spending in this troubled time.