I was with a customer yesterday, fixing their PC, and they showed me a program they were using called ProgeCAD 2009.

It is a Computer Aided Drawing (CAD) program very similar to AutoCAD LT. But where AutoCAD LT costs many hundreds of pounds, this program is free for non comercial use (you can make a donation to charity if you like the program).

They also do a professional version for business use, and that is far cheaper than AutoCAD.

ProgeCAD can be downloaded at http://www.progesoft.com/en/smart-2009

Thanks for your software recomendation Stuart. If any other customers know of a very good PC program that is free, or offers exceptional value, let us know and we will post details on our Website.

Chris
ASL Computer Services
01788 298034

There has been a great deal of hype about Google Wave and how it may replace e-mail as we currently know it. The Beta testing invites are slowly being released to the general public, but Wave is a difficult concept to understand and get to grips with initially.

Here are two good videos on what Wave is, in plain english.

http://www.bitrebels.com/geek/google-wave-in-plain-english/

Chris
ASL Computer Services

At the moment everyone is talking about Social Media sites, Facebook and Twitter being the two main ones. So ASL has just launched it’s own Facebook page. Please visit it at www.aslblog.co.uk or by clicking on the link to it here.

The aim is for us to update it regularly with useful computer news and tips. If you click on the “become a fan” button in Facebook then our news updates will automatically appear in your main news feed on the front page of Facebook after you login, so you will not miss any of our news items.

Please visit our Facebook page, if you want to “become a fan” to receive the news items, and please feel free to let us know what you think to our new social media Facebook page.

Chris & Barry
ASL Computer Services

Microsoft have made the final test version of their new Operating System, Windows7,  available to the general public as a free time limited download. Anyone can register and download the new Operating System, and use it until March 2010 at no cost whatsoever. After March 2010 you will need to uninstall the software, and revert to your old Operating System, or buy a copy of Windows7.

We have been testing earlier Beta versions of Windows7, and so far have been impressed with both the speed and stability of Windows7. We will be trying out this latest test version later on this week.

Microsoft are obviously keen to make Windows7 a success, and have taken the unusual step in allowing the general public to both try the software out for a generous 10 months, and take part in the final testing stage.

The software can be downloaded here, all you need to do is to signup for a free Windows Live Account to register.

Let us know how you get on with Windows7 if you do decide to try it out. Please bear in mind this software is still in the testing stage so we would not recommend installing it on your main PC; better to install it on a spare PC, or laptop, that is not business critical.

Chris
ASL Computer Services

Computers infected with the infamous Conficker worm will start scanning the Internet for instructions this April Fools’ Day. What action do you need to take to protect your PC?

Firstly, don’t panic, just follow the steps below:

1. Download the Conficker scanning tool
2. Unzip the contents of this download to an empty folder on your PC
3. Double click on the bd_rem_tool_gui.exe file
4. click on start

This scanning tool will show you if your PC is infected with the Conficker worm virus, and assist with the removal of the worm if needed.

If you need any advice just give us a call.

Chris Moody
ASL Computer Services
01788 298034

ASL Computer Services are now offering on-site computer support and repair services in Warwick, Leamington Spa and surrounding villages. This is in addition to the existing areas covered (Rugby, Daventry, Southam, and Coventry).

One of our experienced PC engineers will come out to your home or office to fix your PC problems. No call out fees or travel time charged.

Why not give us a call today on 01926 298034

A BBC TV programme broadcast on the 14th March about Cyber Crime is well worth watching.

“Software used to control thousands of home computers has been acquired online by the BBC as part of an investigation into global cyber crime.

The technology programme Click has demonstrated just how at risk PCs are of being taken over by hackers. Almost 22,000 computers made up Click’s network of hijacked machines, which has now been disabled. The BBC has now warned users that their PCs are infected, and advised them on how to make their systems more secure.”

The programme can be seem here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00jctj1/Click_14_03_2009/

Chris
ASL Computer Services
“If you have a PC problem, ASL can fix it”

We have just opened up an eBay shop, which will be selling various computer related items; Desktop PC’s, Laptops, Peripherals,  Software, & printers.

Some items will be auctions, starting from as little as 99p, and other items will be “Buy It Now” at a fixed price. The shop will be “stocked up” over the next one to two weeks, so please drop in and take a look at http://stores.ebay.co.uk/ASL-Computer-Services

Chris Moody
ASL Computer Services

Microsoft has issued a security patch to fix a critical vulnerability in its Internet Explorer browser which has attacked over 2 million Windows users.

Their advice is to update Windows with the security patch as soon as possible. The relevant patch for your version of Windows and Internet Explorer can be downloaded below

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/results.aspx?pocId=&freetext=960714&DisplayLang=en

Chris Moody

ASL Computer Services

We have managed to obtain some fairly high spec Dell desktop PC’s with Windows XP Professional instead of Vista installed. These are brand new stock from Dell with on-site next business day hardware warranties until Aug 2009 (12 months).

The spec is ideal for business use as they have:

• Fast dual processors
• Large amount of memory
• Win XP Pro installed but Vista business licence and media included in case you wish to “upgrade” later on to Vista
• Wireless keyboard and mouse
• DVD Re-writer

They are priced at £230 plus VAT. Full details of the offer are here.

Chris
ASL Computer Services