Successful Meetings - April 2008 - (Page 45)

> Professional Planner’s Development Workshop Seven Tips to Having a Healthy Computer By Chip Reaves Whether we are part of a small business, a multinational, or are just trying to find a recipe online at home, we seem to spend just as much time fixing “issues” and “conflicts” on our computers as we do working on them. For the home user this is merely an inconvenience, but to a business it can add up to tens of thousands of dollars lost to decreased productivity or repairs. Although the mere thought of trying to “fix” a computer would cause a cold sweat to break out in most of us, it is in fact the simple little things that even the most timid technophobe could prevent that cause the majority of our desktop woes. The fact is that malware (malicious software designed to damage a computer), viruses, identity theft, and spyware account for about 80 percent of all computer issues resulting in downtime. It is estimated that the lost-productivity cost due to these alone is around $50 billion, and the associated IT costs of dealing with these problems has skyrocketed from $20 billion to $198 billion in the last five years. That is a lot of money and a lot of work time lost. As national director of Computer Troubleshooters, I’m aware of certain simple tips everyone could adhere to—businesses and individual computer users alike—that will keep computers (and wallets) in tip-top shape. shown that the likelihood of physical problems with computer equipment goes up significantly after 24 to 36 months. Think about replacing computer systems every three years. Considering how inexpensive computers have become, one major repair bill could easily cost more than purchasing an entire new system. Power Protection. Surges and power drops can cause data loss and are always damaging to sensitive components, reducing their life span. Most people do use surge protectors, but what many don’t realize is that surge protection wears off over time. For the best protection, make sure that the surge protectors for all your computer equipment are replaced every two to three years. Illegal Software. Many businesses don’t realize that they don’t “own” software; just the licenses to use it on a specific number of PCs. Many software programs automatically report their usage via the Internet, and breach- 3 2 1 Old Hardware. Studies have APRIL 2008 SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS http://nkycvb.com/SM

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Successful Meetings - April 2008 Contents Editor's Note Industry Trends Suppliers Events On the Record Suppliers Planner's Spotlight Technology Talk Personal Success Websites of the Month Food & Beverage On Site Professional Development On Site Pre-Event Professional Development Miforum Q&A Beyond the Flames Reservation for—21,000 Casino Riches Entertainment Jackpot Who Needs a Passport? The International Swing Around the World in 18 Holes Places & Spaces Denver Orlando Missouri Puerto Rico Show Special: Washington DC / Frankfurt, Germany Gurus

Successful Meetings - April 2008

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