They say one picture’s worth a thousand words. Check out this screen shot of my QuickBooks Remote Application Server, a QuickBooks multi user terminal server on a shoe string. You can plainly see three users’ remote desktop QuickBooks Multi User sessions and an administrator desktop session simultaneously working on an XP Pro based terminal server. This stuff’s so much fun.

The key to all this fun is a product called Thinstuff, a remarkable tool that changes an XP computer into a multi user terminal server computer. The cost can be as little as $99 for a three user license. Thinstuff uses several license models to help companies save on expense. Try it out by downloading a trial from their product purchase page.

I know you will be as impressed as I am. Thinstuff XP/VS Terminal Server Lite and XP Pro saves me a substantial amount of money over Microsoft Server 2008 Standard Terminal Server or utilizing a hosted QuickBooks solution that averages around $50 per user per month. If you need control or have requirements for faxing, label printers, bar coding or other unusual things, this is the way to go.

To gain access from the Internet, port forward remote desktop through the local firewall to the QuickBooks server or avoid any tricky firewall configurations at all by adding another level of security with LogMeIn Hamachi. Install it on the server and any of your remote users including your CPA.

I’m still amazed at the number of times people inquire about purchasing a new XP Pro computer. I see no reason not to buy an XP Pro computer. I use XP Pro commercial desktop computers to build the Holy Grail of QuickBooks setups, QuickBooks Remote Application Servers, multi user terminal servers. I also use them to build QuickBooks Dedicated Production Servers, the standard QuickBooks multi user client-server deployment that I detail in my book.

The Dell summary worksheet details my computer specs for a new QuickBooks server, a great deal considering it has 2gb memory, 3 year on site service and 3 year anti virus software. As a mater of fact, I will use this computer as a multi session terminal server designed for both local access and remote access from a CPA’s office. The entire project costs typically come in under $1000 plus the QuickBooks license.

If you need a new XP Pro computer, all the major players still sell Windows 7 Pro downgrades to XP Pro. It just takes a bit of effort to configure and purchase them. I continually need a steady supply of XP Pro computers for small businesses. If you want to save a good bit of money, try searching Amazon for off lease desktop or refurbished desktop. Check the specs carefully for memory, hard drive size, dvd burner and the operating system to get a great deal.

You get $44,000 for using an EMR. Practice Fusion’s EMR is entirely free. Do the math. It doesn’t get any better than this. But free doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s free. Practice Fusion requires a solid local network with robust Internet connectivity contingent upon your office size and number of simultaneous Practice Fusion sessions. Your computing resources need to remain secure, protected both at the workstation and at the Internet gateway. Your deployment will pay massive dividends if you engage the services of a seasoned Practice Fusion consultant and a seasoned technology pro. Again, please do the math, then enjoy.

You know what they say… everything changes. And change includes Network Solutions, after undertaking a major face-lift and product reposition last year. Whatever you think of the new look, it’s a distraction at best for the difficult position I find myself in.

During the early  ’90s, I frequently completed the mail-in applications for domain names and sent them to you know who. I didn’t know that anyone else would sell me a domain name.

I preached accolades for Network Solutions and I certainly didn’t figure out how valuable domain names would be or how ubiquitous the Internet would become. So much for being on the forefront of modern technology.

Anyway, since the early ’90s, I’ve recommended Network Solutions to every person that’s ever discussed the Internet with me. I’ve constantly made a point of stressing how important one’s control over their own business domain name and hosting is to their business continuity and how important bullet proof email hosting is to the success of a company; which brings me back to Network Solutions.

For many years, I’ve depended on Network Solutions to provide me with the very best email services that money can buy, but at a reasonable price. Before last Summer, I can count on one hand the number of spam emails I’ve received through Network Solutions.

I’ve even cut over several non profits I’ve worked with to Network Solutions to solve their spam problems. Pro-bono, but for self preservation; I hated getting the calls about spam email and dealing with the damage caused by unsuspecting computer users after they’ve accidentally (or whatever) opened one of the emails. Then last year, Network Solutions’ email abruptly changed.

Can you imagine letting a email like the obvious spam message below get through your system?

For crying out loud, it’s even got a zip file attached to it. Two years ago, I would never have received anything like this through Network Solutions email servers. Can you imagine the damage this thing could do to a typical windows computer user.

It’s time for Network Solutions to clean up their act. Add their email mess to the fact that their web hosting speed diminished from an average of 500 milliseconds to an average of 3800 milliseconds over last summer and you have a serious customer service issue. Click here, count to ten, and you might see a web page, one that used to render in under a second.

I’ve tried. I’ve called them. I’ve emailed them. I’ve completed their surveys. I’ve given them almost a year. So, I’m gone.