There can be no denying that Facebook, like so many of the other New/Social Media tools available, is a force to be bargained with. With more than 500mil current users and the number climbing quickly daily, the networking power of Facebook has become an avenue of information, marketing and potential profit for any business.

EPC, Inc. would like to remind everyone about their Facebook presence online and invites YOU to “Like” EPC in an effort to grow the awareness and viability of our Facebook tether to the Internet.

Simply click here to visit and “Like” our presence on Facebook now!

It’s one of the best ways to find out about our current events, our charity efforts, our recycling initiatives and sales throughout the year. You won’t be sorry you did!

Do YOU have a Facebook account? Thought about creating a profile for yourself or your company? Tell us in the comments section below how YOU are using Facebook to change the way you communicate, network and do business. We’d love to hear about it!

Help us understand “the Value of Facebook” now.

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For those of you that haven’t taken the time to attend any of EPC’s recent sales, the time has come. This weekend, is EPC’s 2010 Tax Free Holiday Sale providing you with the opportunity to get some of the best computer equipment you can imagine, at a significantly discounted rate – and pay NO SALES TAX. Read on below for more details and be sure to tell your friends and family with students going back to school/college about this great sale!

“Mark Your Calendars! Saturday, August 7th, 2010 is the date for the EPC NO SALES TAX Computer Sale, and you’re invited! In addition to saving 15% on all used computer equipment, YOU PAY NO SALES TAX! Get there early from 8am-2pm and take advantage of great deals! Also check out the new “CLEAR” 4G Wireless Internet access – the fastest mobile internet connection ever to be offered! If you sign up during our sale this weekend, you get to take an additional 5% off your used equipment purchase! It all happens THIS WEEKEND!”

Click here to link to view the event flyer…

Click here to view the Additional 5% CLEAR 4G Wireless Internet Coupon…

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I was reading 10 seriously annoying default configurations at TechRepublic today and was inspired to come up with my own.

1. Windows Update

I love the idea of Windows Update, but its implementation drives me crazy. First, every update seems to require a restart of the computer. Coming from a linux background that is extremely frustrating, especially on a Windows server. No I can’t restart the Exchange server 3 times a week, thank you very much. Second, some updates are only visible after prior updates are installed, which compounds the restart problem. Third, there’s no way for 3rd party software developers to latch into this update process. This makes keeping a machine secure much harder, forcing admins to rely on tools from vendors like Secunia to keep their systems up to date.

2. User Account Control (UAC)

Much has been written about UAC, a feature of Windows Vista and later that prompts the user performing risky actions – like installing software. Unfortunately it prompted so much that many simply disabled the messages. I personally feel that UAC was one of the “features” that prevented mass adoption of Windows Vista. Thankfully Windows 7 gives you more granular control of the messages UAC displays.

3. Internet Explorer on Windows Servers

I completely agree with the author of the TechRepublic article. Internet Explorer on a Windows 2003 or 2008 server is virtually useless. Yes, you shouldn’t use Windows server for general purpose browsing, but with nearly all reference guides and support online there are times when you must use a web browser on the server.

Say you are in the server room, working on an Exchange server that’s not working. You need to research an error message from the system log so you hop over to Google. Instead of showing you the website you are prompted to add Google to the Trusted sites list. Click on one of the relevant links, add the site to your Trusted sites. Repeat this a few times and tell me that you don’t want to throw the server through a wall.

4. “Are you sure you want to empty the Recycle Bin?”

The whole point of the recycle bin is to prevent accidental file deletion. You have to interact with the Recycle Bin in order to empty it. Why confirm again that these are files need to be deleted?

5. ActiveX component install process

I know that ActiveX is a major security risk, but do I really need to confirm 3 different dialogs before it will install an ActiveX component in Internet Explorer 7 or 8?

6. Menus that change based on frequency of use

This came into vogue after Office 2000 implemented “Personalized Menus.”  The basic idea was that the Office apps had too many options and the average user could not get to the options that they needed quickly. So if an option was not used often, the software auto-hides the option for you. Yeah – great idea. Try walking a friend through a configuration change, only to discover that the menu option is hidden. Here is an idea – if there are too many options in a program, perhaps it is too complex and should be streamlined.

7. Hiding File Extensions

Why design a file system that requires the use of an extension to determine its file type, then design a file browser that hides those extensions. This is the first setting I change on any Windows machine I manage.

8. Hiding System and Hidden Files

If #7 is the first change I make, this one is number two by a few seconds. This one is even cross platform as the Gnome file browser also tries to “help” you by hiding these files from view.

9. Errors cause Copy / Move operations to stop completely.

Ever try to move a bunch of folders from one drive to another – maybe you are backing up your photo collection, maybe you are moving documents from one computer to another. If one file cannot be copied the whole process just stops. Now you have to figure out why the file copy did not work and start all over again. To solve this one, install a 3rd party file copier like TeraCopy.

10. Desktop Cleanup

Everybody uses the desktop a little differently, I tend to use mine as a scratch pad. I keep files that I am currently working on the desktop, and move them to other locations when they are no longer needed. The Desktop Cleanup wizard is like a maid that comes in behind you and starts putting files into random cabinets.

I know it seems like I was picking on Windows with this list, I know there are just as many annoying system defaults on other platforms, but these are the first ten I could think of. Chime in with your list in the comments section.

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Apple is releasing their new OS for their phones, dubbed iPhone 3.0, that includes tethering – unless you live in the US because AT&T tethering support isn’t available yet. Earlier this spring, Google pulled all tethering apps from the Android app store at T-Mobile’s request. Palm has sent a polite cease and desist to the “Pre Dev Wiki” website asking for tethering instructions to be removed because they might upset Sprint, Palm’s exclusive service partner in the US. Given that tethering has been available on phones for several years now, why are cell providers suddenly so concerned? Are they worried that customers would cancel their land based internet connections in favor of cellular based ones? Or that tethering would cut into the USB data card market?

It is interesting that tethering is a bigger deal as the phones themselves become easier to use for standard computing tasks. Before switching to the iPhone, I had a Sprint PPC-6700 that supported tethering and loved using it for internet while traveling. I would never consider using that phone for normal web surfing tasks, yet with my iPhone, I can do exactly that. On my last trip, I didn’t bother hooking up my laptop, as I was able to do everything I needed to on my phone.

Cellular Data plans cost more today than they did 5 years ago – AT&T charges $30.00 for the data package on the iPhone, which is more than all but one of their DSL packages. Sprint requires customers to signup for their “Simply Everything” plans on premium phone contracts. Providers argue that users that tether consume more bandwith than their smartphone counterparts. And that is probably true.

As a user, I automatically chafe whenever seemingly arbitrary limits are put in front of me. If you are going to sell an “unlimited” data plan, then by golly, don’t put any limits on it. A bit is a bit is a bit, regardless if that bit is intended for the phone itself or a computer connected to that phone.

In order for Skype to be approved for the iPhone app store, it had to be limited to wifi only connections. Other software, like the SlingPlayer app, which streams recorded TV to your iPhone, have similar restrictions put on them. In light of these decisions, it seems that what the cell providers are really concerned with is loosing control of what services customers use over their network. If they allowed tethering, they’d have to deal with every network based application available, from network games, to VoIP, to Bittorrent.

Without getting on my soapbox, it sounds similar to the discussions surrounding Net Neutrality. Could the current smartphone internet landscape reflect what the internet could look like without neutrality?

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Come shake some hands where smart business people come for their computer supplies and data security needs.

Enjoy Yellow-Tie networking with breakfast and coffee, and a back-store tour.

What could be better?

Hosted By….  EPC, Inc.

– http://www.epcusa.com

Host Contact. Frank Polston — 636-443-1999 x1013, frank@epcusa.com

Date……… Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Time……… 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Location….. EPC, Inc.
Address…… 3941 Harry S. Truman Blvd., St. Charles, MO 63301

Cost……… Free

Register now at: http://www.yellow-tie.org/events/stcharlesco/june2009handshakes

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Lifehacker is on a laptop recycling kick recently. Last week they showed us how to make a digital photo frame out of your old laptop. This week it is building your own under-the cabinet kitchen PC. Fashioned out of an old dell laptop, some coat hangers, and Puppy Linux, this DIY project looks like it would work great for checking the weather, listening to some internet radio, or looking up some recipies online. Man, what I wouldn’t give for a touch screen interface and software keyboard though.

If you are looking for more ideas on what do to with your old computer, check out these posts:

• 10 Things to Do With an Old Computer
• Give an old laptop new life with cheap (or free) projects – Lifehacker

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It looks like the only challenge would be controlling this frankenstein creation after mounting on the wall, having bluetooth in the laptop would be a definite plus. With tons of used laptops at my fingertips, I think I will try to create my own.

Found via: Lifehacker – DIY: Turn an Old Laptop Into a Wall Mounted Computer

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Note: Many of the examples include video how-to’s from the great tech DIY podcast Systm hosted by Revision3. If tech is your thing, Revision3 probably has a podcast for it.

1. Turn it into a file server

Have a large collection of digital photos or music files? Have multiple computers and want to have the same files available to all of them? With just a few minutes time, you can turn that old computer into network attached storage (NAS) using FreeNAS. The only gotcha: hard drive space can be limited in older computers, so to really make use of this tip, you will want to invest in a larger hard drive.

2. Turn it into a web browsing station

For many people a web browser is all they need. Plug in your internet connection and go. Now your friends can surf the web without messing with your computer. Or the kids can surf the web without kicking you off of your machine. Recommendations: Install Microsoft SteadyState along with current anti-virus software (like AVG) on Windows XP machines, or use a Linux Live CD (see tip #5)

3. Turn it into a high-end firewall

Many consumer grade routers have a simplified feature set that caters to mass-market appeal. Using the open-source software IPCop, you can turn even really old hardware into a great firewall. If you are looking for a firewall with easier administration or more features you can also try: Smoothwall, m0n0wall, or ClarkConnect

4. Record, Playback, and Share Video with MythTV

Most people are familar with Tivo, the device that lets you record, pause, rewind, and playback live tv, and many cable and dish providers have their own DVRs, but did you know that with a low-cost video capture card and MythTV you can turn your old pc into a Lost recording, sports highlight watching Tivo beater? This works best when you either have network attached storage setup or a large hard drive in the MythTV server (see tip #1).

5. Install an alternative OS

Most people only use the operating system that came preloaded with their computer. On 99% of the computers in the world, this means Microsoft Windows. Learning to use a different operating system will teach you a lot about how computers work. There are many different alternative operating systems out there, with the most popular being linux. What confuses many people is that there are many different distributions of linux, each one with different software bundled and installed out of the box. For first time linux users, I recommend distributions that emphasize ease of use, like Ubuntu, Fedora, or openSUSE. Each one of these distributions also have Live CD versions, which means you can burn them to a cd and try out the operating systems without installing them on your computer. If you don’t like them, pop the cd out and your machine returns to normal.

6. Upgrade It to learn how computers work

An old computer can be a great tool to learn about computer hardware, upgrading and troubleshooting. You can tear it apart, break it, put it back together again. EPC has tons of spare parts and pieces for computers, contact our sales department to find out what we have, or go to our eBay store.

7. Home Automation and/or Security Camera system

Similar to tip #4, you can automate your home using LinuxMCE. LinuxMCE includes a phone system, home automation using X10, security camera video control, recording, and playback, and TV / video recording and playback. The initial configuration can take some time, but if your goal is whole house automation, LinuxMCE is an awesome project.

8. Turn it into a work of art

In the non-working computer category: turn your old computer into a work of art. Some have turned their computers into aquariums (also works great with computers with a side window), planters, mini-fridges, and other works of art. With a little creativity, you could be the Picaso of Computer Parts.

9. Donate It

Many charitable organizations, like Goodwill, take your old computer parts and sell them to raise money. Look for a company in your area. Many tech schools will accept old computers to use in labs or as training tools.

10. Recycle It

Lastly, but definitely not least – do not throw your old computer parts into the trash. There are many hazardous chemicals in computers that should not end up in landfills. Find a reputable recycler in your area that will dispose of the electronics properly. Those in the St. Louis area, bring them into EPC’s retail store in St. Charles.

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• Cyber crime goes SaaS Want to buy a toolkit for attacking computers? No problem? Don’t have the expertise to run it yourself? No Problem, they’ll host it for you! Seems like this would make it easier to shut the attackers down since they have a common source.
• Rigged podcasts can leak your iTunes username/password Hackers can create malicious podcasts to hijack usernames and passwords from Apple’s iTunes software. iTunes 8.1 fixes “feature”

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