Friday, December 11, 2009

Mystery Science Theater 3000

I was browsing through Hulu and I noticed that they had old re-runs of Mystery Theater Science 3000! It's my favorite show of all time! Just thought I'd get the word out that you can watch it online, anytime.

Check out www.hulu.com for a crazy amount of TV Shows, movies, documentaries, and more!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Court Reporters in Seminole County

UPDATE 2-5-10 - We have launched Seminole Reporting! You can check their site out at the link above

Just wanted to let you all know that we'll be launching the new Seminole Reporting website in the next week or two. You can check the design preview at http://www.seminolereporting.com/. It's still under construction, but the basics of the home page are in place.

We'll be creating the flash animation using pictures from around the Altamonte area using Gary's Canon 5D Mark II. Should be pretty neat!

Thanks for stopping by, and make sure to check back soon for the final launch post!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving to all friends, family, and clients!

Hi Everybody,

Thanks for making 2009 a memorable year for Hughes I.T. Solutions! We've worked with alot of new clients on some really cool projects, and we've had a lot of success making our existing clients live easier. We are thankful for each and every one of you! Have a great Thanksgiving!

Dave Nevill & Gary Hughes
Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc










Saturday, November 21, 2009

Sunrise Farms Sport Horses, Inc.: It takes a Team

Sunrise Farms Sport Horses, Inc.: It takes a Team

Shelley is one of our clients who is an equestrian trainer in North Florida. She's a pretty amazing rider. If you are looking for a riding coach, or want to get into competition training, look no further. Check out her website at the link below.

Florida Horse Equestrian Training, Lessons, and Clinics

Florida Travel Photography

We just completed a new website for Melanie Monte Photography. Melanie knew exactly what kind of website she wanted, and even provided us with the images and overall layout. This made her site easier than others to build. We then added a variety of Flash animated Galleries to show off her work, and a music system that when loaded, can play throughout the site continuously.

Melanie has some really intersting photography to show off, so I thought we'd plug her website. If you're looking for someone to provide you with amazing photography, Melanie is your photographer. She is available for travel worldwide. Check out her website below for more information and to check out her galleries.

Florida Travel Photographer Melanie Monte

"From Melanie"

My work is focused mainly around travel photography, but my branches can go in many different directions. Keeping myself immersed in the world, I prefer shooting on location rather than in a studio. My shooting style revolves around travel, architecture, people, nature, animals, on set photography. I also revitalizie images within Photoshop to give new life to photos both old and new.

The backdrops can range from cityscapes to landscapes, and beaches to mountains. Interior shots with a hard brick background or exterior with a part of history attached. My images are geared towards catalogue, advertising, events, film, and other print and web styles. I have a background as an art director for film, and a creative mindset for designs through Photoshop. I have created material for brochures and other advertising materials.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

What is Scareware You Ask?

If you've been the victim of a virus recently, it's almost definitely been "Scareware". This is the new name given to the fake antivirus programs that are installed when you visit a hacked website. There is no notification that the program is being installed, and within minutes you are infected.

Scareware masquerades as a legitimate antivirus program, and proceeds to inform you that you have hundreds of viruses on your computer. Then it practically begs you to purchase the full version. You see hundreds of pop-ups a day sometimes. Each of them is trying to scare you into buying their program. Less experienced computer users aren't aware that the program is a fake, and willingly "buy" the program.

The problem is that when you "buy" their software, you're actually just sending your credit card information off across the internet to someone who's going to steal your identity. This scam is so lucrative and so successful that it may not be stoppable. More and more websites are created or hacked every minute, in an attempt to compromise your computer and hopefully steal your information.

SOOOO... How do we help minimize the risk?

1 - Please be very careful what you click on when visiting websites. If you're doing a Google search, please slow down and carefully read each of the search results before clicking on them. You can often tell by reading the websites address alone. For instance, if the website doesn’t end in .com or .net, it's probably going to another country. If you weren’t looking for information from another country, then you can easily skip that one.

2- Hackers often target very popular search topics like celebrities names. They also tend to target age demographics that are known to be computer novices like kids and people over 50. They go after websites that they know people will be looking for. Be aware of this and read your searches carefully before you click on a link.

3 - Carefully type the name of the website in the browser when going to a site. Spelling the name of the site wrong can often land you on a hacker’s site. They prey on people going to the wrong site in the hopes that they can install their "drive by" virus. This article will teach you a lot more about typo problems and what you can do to prevent them.

4 - Keep your Antivirus up to date. This is one that I really can’t say will make a big difference. These hackers are often a step ahead of the antivirus companies, so you won’t always be able to block one of these Scareware attacks.

Thanks for stopping by, and be careful out there!

Dave Nevill
Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc
Orlando FL

Monday, November 9, 2009

Orlando's Best Computer Repair Solution

We've been working with computers for as long as we could talk. Literally.

If you've got an office or home computer that needs some attention, please give us a call. We also dabble in Home Theatre, although we recommend Specialized Electronics Inc for the bigger jobs.

If you're computer is acting up, and you're in the Orlando area, please give us a call. We also service the greater Orlando area including Kissimmee to Deltona and Clermont to Bithlo. If you're not from around here, we might be able to help using a remote access tool called LogMeIn. They offer free accounts, which allow computer guys such as ourselves to access your computer from anywhere in the world. It's secure and FREE :).

Thanks for stopping by, and let us know if there's anything we can do for your home or office computers.

Dave Nevill
President
Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Basic Website Design Lessons Are Available

If you're interested in maintaining your website, we can help. Simple changes to a website don't have to be complicated, and with a little time, you can change text and pictures on your site like a pro. Free programs are available all over the internet that will allow you to make simple changes to your site as if you were using a word processor. This won't be for every site, but for the majority of small businesses websites, we can help.

Give Hughes I.T. Solutions a call anytime to learn more about how we can help you maintain your website. Visit us at http://www.hughesitsolutions.com/ or call 407-284-1192



Thanks for stopping by,
Dave Nevill
President
Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc.
407-284-1192

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Windows 7 Cometh


Windows 7 is going to be available to the public starting tomorrow. Before you run out and install it on your favorite business computer, give us a call. There are some checklists that we would love to run you through to be 100% sure that you wont shut your business down for the day. :)


In all seriousness, I think it's going to be a great new version of Windows. The reviews are positive in the press, and i've been running it with some great success for about 2 months on my laptop. Not only is it faster than Vista, it's more stable too.


If your new computer comes with Windows 7, and you need some help getting over the initial learning curve, just give Hughes I.T. a call. And DONT FORGET, if you purchased a computer within the last month, you will most likely be eligable for a free upgrade from Vista to 7, so look for that information from the manufacturer of the computer.


Thanks again for stopping by!

Dave Nevill
Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc.
407-284-1192


Also, if you're a stressed out small business owner who just cant stay motivated, you need to talk to Jenn Edden. She runs an amazing business coaching program that teaches you how to deal with the stresses of business and life while you get focused and in control. She's done wonders for alot of people and I know she can help you. Check out Jenn Edden Coaching to learn more.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Windows Desktop Clutter Solved, Thanks to Your Favorite Web Designer!

Hey Gang!

Thanks for stopping back by. I have spent the better part of the last hour or so testing out a really amazing program for people like me. It took my cluttered up desktop and literaly transformed it into a managable and pleasant place to be. All my icons are nicely arranged into groups, and if I dont feel like staring at them, it's just a double click away.

Not wanting to write a whole book about the program however, I decided to take the following from my favorite site for software, http://www.download.com/. So head on over to their site to learn more about this program, and download it for yourself. IT"S FREE :)

The following is courtesy of Download.com

If you're losing the battle over your workspace to your desktop icons, a secret weapon is one click away. Fences quickly and easily organizes your icons into separate windows on your desktop, either automatically or manually. Labeling these boxes helps keep programs, photos, files, and Web links together, or you might choose to group by project rather than by file type. Whatever your logic, you'll be able to drag and drop fences (and the shortcuts within them) anywhere on your desktop.

You can furthermore drag and drop shortcuts anywhere, and resize the fence. A scroll bar pops up so you can find your icons in fences that you've resized to be smaller than their contents. In addition to sorting shortcuts, you can cleverly hide them completely by double-tapping the desktop; double-tapping again resurfaces them. Fences helpfully lets you exclude select fences from hiding. Customization tools can change the color scheme or take snapshots of your layout at any time, in case you'd like to switch among them without completely redoing your arrangement.

We just wish that creating a new fence was smoother and took fewer steps, and that you could create rules for certain files types to automatically download into specific fences. Perhaps we'll see that in a future premium version. In the meantime, we recommend Fences to anyone looking for a fast, fresh solution to persistent desktop clutter.

And dont forget, if you need a great website, and you're anywhere in the world, just give us a call.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Facebook Scams and Other Issues You Need To Know About


This article is from Switched.com, so I hope they dont mind. The information is extremely valueable to anyone who uses Facebook, even casually.
by Terrence O'Brien (RSS feed) — Sep 15th 2009 at 1:31PM - Switched.com

Just as bearded hipsters migrate from bar to bar in pursuit of young ladies to ogle, so too have scammers and hackers followed their prey from MySpace to Facebook. As a result, the social network once deemed the "safe" option is now plagued by legions of 419 scammers, phishers, and peddlers of malware. Fortunately, there are a few simple rules Facebookers can follow to stay safe: Never click on suspicious links from friends; use a service like LongURL before following any shortened links; and assume that anyone begging for money is up to no good. And if you do happen to fall victim to a scam, quickly alert your friends (to prevent spreading the damage), then alert Facebook administrators and, if it's serious, law enforcement as well. Since a reputable source once counseled that knowing is half the battle, here's a rundown of the Facebook scams most demanding of your awareness and good judgment:

1) The friendly 419 scam:
The notorious 419 scams have sadly become ubiquitous on the Internet. While they began as e-mail cons, usually involving promises of a vast fortune from a Nigerian prince, they have morphed into a new and more sophisticated ploy that involves hijacking the Facebook account of a friend in order to fool kind souls into thinking they're helping a pal. Thieves use an account to garner sympathy as they claim to be in desperate need of cash, often because they've been robbed or detained while traveling abroad. One duped Missouri woman wound up handing over $4,000 before she realized she'd been had.

2) Hidden fee apps:
There are plenty of Facebook apps and quizzes with questionable motives and privacy policies, but there are some that are outright scams. Take, for instance, the sad tale of Leanne Saylor, who fell prey to scammers after taking a simple IQ quiz on the service. To receive her results, she was required to submit her cell phone number and wait for a text. When she didn't receive anything, Saylor entered her phone number two more times. When she opened her next cell phone bill, she discovered three charges from the app, totaling a whopping $44. AT&T blocked future fees, but Saylor learned the hard way that she should never give out her cell phone number to strangers, much less strange apps.

3) Fake login pages:
A particularly sneaky method of ensnaring Facebookers lies in the loads of phishing messages that lead to convincing-but-fake versions of the Facebook login page. Typically, these spam e-mails are brief and contain a link, usually ending in ".im" or ".at." (We received one that simply read, "Look at goodmall.be.") Once you enter your e-mail and password to 'log in,' it's game over; a hacker has control of your account and will quickly use it to perpetrate any one of the scams listed here. What's worse, they'll impersonate you to spread phishing e-mails to all of your friends.
Once an account is hijacked, it can be used to deluge that account holder's friends with messages containing links to malicious sites. It's rough stuff. These poisonous software packages leave you vulnerable to the theft of even more data, including all the passwords, account numbers and credit card information you may have entered into your PC. Recently, a barrage of spam messages featuring a link to "CoooooL Video" actually led to nothing but a nasty malware infection. If you have experience a malware infection, and live in the Central Florida (Orlando) area, call Hughes I.T. Solutions today to get it removed.

Creating Facebook applications has become so easy that hackers have created apps with the sole aim of tricking you into handing over your personal data or Facebook password. Some versions impersonate one of the standard Facebook features, like "Your Photos" and "Friend's Gifts," and send convincing notifications, like "someone has commented on your photo," or so-and-so "has posted on your wall." But clicking on them either leads to a fake login page, or a window asking for permission to access your Facebook account. These scams are particularly tough to spot because they mimic actual Facebook notifications. The only way to protect yourself is to look for tiny inconsistencies in the false apps (e.g., odd or incorrect icons, clunky wording and poor English usage). It seems your teacher wasn't lying after all when she said learning grammar was important.
Thanks for stopping by, and remember, Hughes I.T. Solutions is here for you. If you've experienced any of the issues above, we can help!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

AMD vs Intel - Who is the best value?


I just got done building myself a brand new computer! It's amazingly fast compared to my old computer, and I love it. But I labored hard on the choice of my processor. After about a month of research, I chose AMD. I know that the Intel is a faster chip, but the prices just didnt make sense. I'm not here to compare specs or speeds between the two chips, because it's not that important. The simple fact is that in most situations, the AMD will be the best bang for the buck.
If value for the money is important to you , like it is to so many people these days, then AMD is the way to go.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Fix It Or Replace It?


This is the first thing that I get asked by clients who have older computers with problems. If you computer is getting a little long in the tooth, it may be difficult to choose between fixing it or replacing it.

Hughes I.T. is here to answer this question for you. We take into consideration the original value of the computer, it's age, it's performance up to the time of the problem, what you use it for, etc. Having these answers will give us the ability to present you with the best option.

As a general rule of thumb, if the computer is more than 5 years old, we would recommend an upgrade, budget willing. If the computer is 3-5 years old, and the repair isnt more than the value of the computer, then we usually say fix it. If the computer is less than 3 years old, we almost always say fix it.

If you are currently in this situation, and need advice, please call us today!

Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc
Orlando Computer Repair
407-284-1192
http://www.hughesitsolutions.com/

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

More Virus Talk : Not About Swine Flu

I often use this blog to talk about computer viruses. The link below is to a story about another common source of computer viruses. This one hits home for everyone, so please have a look.


Basically, if you use Google to search for something, make sure that you read the results carefully. More popular searches for things like celebrity photos, can result in a 1 in 5 chance that you will get a virus/malware infection on your computer.

If you're interested in ways to prevent these kinds of attacks, give us a call. A combination of education and strong security software is a great way to secure any PC.

Hughes I.T. Solutions
407-284-1192
www.hughesitsolutions.com

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Wireless Printing - It's a piece of cake

If you've been expanding your computer collection at home or at the office, you've probably run into the problem of printing from only one computer. These days, alot of home and office users are looking for an easy way to print from more than one computer to the same printer. Windows has always provided a way to share a printer between computers, but it requires that a computer always be on. It also requires that you have some understanding of Windows Networking, which isnt always as easy as Microsoft would have you believe.

But worry no longer! There are a variety of printers on the market that allow you to print "wirelessly". If you're in the market for a new printer, now is the time to call Hughes I.T. Solutions. We've setup so many wireless printers that it's kind of ridiculous.

Give us a call to learn more about how a wireless printer can make your life easier, and more productive.

Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc
407-284-1192
info@hughesitsolutions.com
Serving all of Central Florida!
Wireless Printer Setup, Orlando FL

Monday, August 17, 2009

"Bob McVirus" Wants To Be Your Friend On Facebook - Accept?

As if you didn't already have a hard enough time keeping viruses out of your PC, here comes some more bad news. Social websites like Twitter, Facebook, and others are (and have been) a target for viruses makers and identity thieves.

FROM PC WORLD :
Web sites such as Twitter are becoming increasingly favored by hackers as places to plant malicious software in order to infect computers, according to a new study covering Web application security vulnerabilities.

Social-networking sites were the most commonly targeted vertical market according to a study of hacking episodes in the first half of the year. The study is part of the latest Web Hacking Incidents Database (WHID) report, released on Monday. In 2008, government and law enforcement sites were the most hit vertical.

Social networks are "a target-rich environment if you count the number of users there," said Ryan Barnett, director of application security research for Breach Security, one of the report's sponsors, which also includes the Web Application Security Consortium.

Twitter has been attacked by several worms, and other social-networking platforms such as MySpace and Facebook have also been used to distribute malware. That's often done when an infected computer begins posting links on social-networking sites to other Web sites rigged with malicious software. Users click on the links since they trust their friends who posted the links, not knowing their friend has been hacked.

Click the title of this story to read the whole article at PC World.com

Interested in preventing viruses and malware from making a mess of your business network? Give Hughes I.T. Solutions a call to setup your free evaluation.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

A Great Resource For Computer Advice and Insight

If you are new to computers, wanted to learn more about them, or know it all but want to stay fresh, the first source should be Leo Laporte. Leo has a variety of shows, podcasts, and websites dedicated to all things technology. I've been watching, listening, and participating for the better part of 10 years or so. The man is a genius at presenting tech in a way that everyone can understand. I highly recommend that you check out his shows on iTunes. Below is a list of a few that you can subscribe to FOR FREE :)

There was a recent video that got up on the Internet with Leo on one of his shows where he dropped some expletives, so if you start watching a video about a Palm Pre, skip that one. This was completely out of character for Leo, and I imagine that the video was kind of embarrassing. Think Christian Bale, just not that bad. The guy he was yelling at is apparently kind of a jerk, so I guess he had it coming.

Anyway...

This Week In Tech (TWIT) is one of several shows that Leo and his crew put on. Each is tailored to a particular group of people.
http://twit.tv/

The Tech Guy is for all those new users out there who want to learn more about the latest in technology. It also features live callers who have everyday questions. This is a GREAT show!
http://twit.tv/ttg

Unfortunately, this show isn't available here in the US, but if you're an intrepid Internet explorer, I'm sure you can find it somewhere :) It went off the air a few years ago, but the topics and questions are still mostly relevant. And of course, in true Leo Laporte fashion, the shows are a lot of fun to watch. Trust Me.
http://www.g4techtv.ca/callforhelp/shownotes/

Here's a link to his home page
http://leoville.com/

Enjoy the techy goodness :)

Dave
Hughes I.T. Solutions

Sunday, August 2, 2009

New ways to access and use Facebook and Twitter

For a few months now, I've been experimenting with Facebook and Twitter in an effort to drive traffic to the site, build up a fanbase, and just have some fun. I've just found an amazing application that was built with Adobe Air called TweetDeck. It allows you to link your Facebook and Twitter accounts into one simple interface. From here you can post stories, links, photos, and a whole lot more. You can even post a tweet and a Facebook update at the same time.

It's really amazing, and I highly recommend that you check it out, espically if you are looking to manage more than one account.

If you've got questions about promoting your business online, please call us at 407-284-1192 or email dave@hughesitsolutions.com to learn more about how we can help!

Orlando Website Design and Promotion

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Your Business Needs To Be Selling Online!


Your products needs to be online, plain and simple. The Internet can provide your business with an unlimited audience for your products, service, and more. But just having your products online isn't enough. In the crowded online marketplace, your site will need to have a few features that make it stand out from the cookie cutter competition.

First, you should really consider a cart with a ratings system. Having a ratings system for your products is a tool that not only increases customer loyalty, but gives your new customers an opportunity to learn more about your products. The ratings system also builds trust, and trust turns into sales.

The second thing your shopping cart system must do is cross sell. Cross selling displays the product that the customer wants to see, along with a few recomendations of similar and/or complimentary products. This sales tool leads to increased sales and customer satisfaction.

If you've ever thought about selling your products online, Call Hughes I.T. Solutions today to talk about your options.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Orlando Website Design


Today's post is a test, and the results will give us a better idea of Google's crawl rate and what they like to see.

For the longest time, Google has kept the inner workings of their search engine a secret. As a result, website designers have struggled to understand exactly what it takes to get Google to rank their work higher on the list. This is a small example of the research that we put into understanding what Google is doing to make your searches more accurate and reliable.

What I have done is placed a link back to our website in the title of this post. Google will read the words Orlando Website Design, and then associate them with our website. Google will then assume that people who type in the words Orlando Website and Design should see our website. Sounds easy enough right?

Here's the truth. No one outside of Google knows exactly how effective this method is over another. We make educated guesses based on the research we do. Maybe in a month, I'll post the results and see how we did. If you are interested in learning more about Search Engines and what it takes to get your website a little higher on the list, just give us a call. 407-284-1192. You can also email me at dave@hughesitsolutions.com

Thanks again for stopping by!

Dave Nevill
Owner
Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Is My Website's Code Valid?

A great customer of ours sent me an email asking about Search Engine Optimization and more specifically, the practice of validating her HTML code. She had received an email from a competitor who wanted to charge her around $200.00 to do something that she could do for free. The charge was not even to fix the problem, just to tell her that she might have problems.

Of course, when we started her website, the plan was that the site would be validated out of the box, so she didn't have to worry about it. Having your website code valid is one of the many things that Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other search engines are looking for. Not all web designers have the skills to pull this off, and others simply cant be bothered to do the job correctly.
The point is, if you have a website, and you want to make sure that it's running at it's best, head to this website and type in your website address.

If you have a bunch of errors, give us a call and we'll talk about what it takes to fix them. Piece of cake :)

Hughes I.T. Solutions
407-284-1192

Friday, June 26, 2009

Website Design Is Our Other Passion


Many of our customers know us at their "computer guys", which is great! Since the start of Hughes I.T. Solutions in 2007, we have also offered Website Design. If you haven't had an opportunity to check out the gallery on our website, I encourage you to take a look. We update the portfolio each time we complete a website, and we've got a few new sites coming soon!
If your business is ready to get serious about promoting online, please give us a call. We've got the experience, talent, and dedication to make your business website a success! We offer everything from Flash Animation, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), Database Design, and more. Our initial consultation will always be free, and we can come to your home or business 6 days a week.
Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Ready for that new server?

We've got a client that is ready to roll on a new server. If it was up to him, he would have had a server delivered next day UPS, and would have wanted to get every bell and whistle possible. While this seemed like a great idea in theory, there were a few tips that I had for him, and for any small business owner who is in his shoes.

TIP 1 - Take an inventory of all the software that you and your employees use in a given day.

This will allow your computer guy to determine what software is compatible with the new server and what isn't. It's a very, VERY important step in the beginning. You may be required to purchase a more up to date program, which can add to the up front cost of the installation. Performing this step will allow you to budget the install.

TIP 2 - Think into the future, three years or more.

Your new server isn't going to be new for long. It's a sad fact of the technology world that we are all aware of. Make sure that the server you order is going to have the performance that you need as your business grows. It may cost you a little extra now, but you wont be complaining that "it's TOO slow" in three years or so.

TIP 3 - What's a domain... ?

There are two ways to setup your new server; Domain and Workgroup. Some versions of Windows Server, like the Small Business Edition, don't give you that choice, so ready CAREFULLY.

A Domain setup allows for tighter security, but every computer in the office MUST be running the business version of Windows XP or Vista for them to connect. This type of setup is a must for a lot of industries that handle sensitive information like doctors offices and businesses that handle credit cards through the computer system (not with a credit card machine).

On the other hand, the Workgroup setup works well in mixed environments, but limits some of the advanced features available on the server. You are given fewer options to truly secure a network environment. If you don't work at Fort Knox, then it's probably not a big deal. Besides, you can always switch to a Domain down the road.
This setup is ideal for a small business who's just getting started but doesn't want to "pull the trigger" on a full setup, saving money and time.

TIP 4 - Expect some downtime.

Not every server installation is as simple as expected. Dont get me wrong, we strive for excellence during every setup, with meticulous plans in place a week before we even arrive. Server installations are usually done over a weekend, which prevents users from being interrupted. However, problems do happen, so make sure that your employees know the situation so they can make the most of the downtime if the install bleeds into the week day.

That should do it. If you have any questions about this post, or want to learn more about Servers, please give us a call anytime.

Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc
407-284-1192
dave@hughesitsolutions.com
Orlando Small Business Server Install

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Small Office Networking in Orlando

I've had a number of clients here in Orlando ask me about networking their offices together so people in one branch can share the files to the employees in the other branch. This allows people to all work together as if they were sitting in the same room.

Traditionally, this feature of your network was expensive to implement and the requirements for your Internet connection almost always made it very difficulty because of the speed of the connection.

Thankfully, there are a number of solutions from hardware to software. Even more important, Internet Service Providers are now offering services with enough speed without breaking your budget. As Internet Providers go, Bellsouth, Embarq, and Brighthouse are all good choices that can provide your Internet connection for a reasonable fee. Nuvox is another very popular provider of Internet service, but the value just isn't there for a small business. With prices starting around $450/month for Internet, I don't see how any small company can possibly justify it with the alternatives that are available.

If you are a Small Business Owner here in Central Florida area, and want to learn more about how we can help you get your offices, or even your home office talking, talking to your other office, just give us a buzz.

Hughes I.T. Solutions
407-284-1192
info@hughesitsolutions.com
http://www.hughesitsolutions.com/

Orlando Networking Specialists - VPN, Hamachi, and Remote Office

Monday, June 15, 2009

The Orange County Convention Center Goes Solar

The Orange County Convention Center, in partnership with OUC—The Reliable One, launch the $8.8 million one-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system, the largest rooftop PV system of its kind in the southeastern United States during the Green Cities Conference. This multi-purpose project also features a Climate-Change Education Center (CCEC) inside the Convention Center to promote the many environmental and economic benefits of solar and other renewable-energy technologies. Senator Lee Constantine, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, OUC Board President Katie Porta and representatives from the Florida Department of Energy and Orange County Environmental Protection will be on hand for the ceremony. Here's a link to the site to read a little more

http://www.occc.net/Global/Press/press_full.asp?page=pressreleases&ID=10260865

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Need a cheap computer?





Hughes I.T. Solutions is partnered with a really great used computer and parts warehouse here in Orlando that has EVERYTHING you could need. The shop is called Southeastern Data, and for us geeks, it's like Disney World. They offer a variety of desktops, laptops, and parts for both. They also carry printers, monitors, rare and hard to find items, and much more. On most systems, they even offer an optional 1 year warranty.
If you're looking for a used system to give to your kids, or you just need something cheap that can get online, give us a call. We can go over all the details with you and can even help you shop for the perfect system.

Check out their website for more details and happy shopping!

Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc.
407-284-1192

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Some Great Free Computer Training Resources

I work with a few clients who are brand new to computers, and they often have alot of questions about some of the basics. I came across a great website today that was EXTREMELY helpful. It offered very simple VIDEO lessons on alot of the topics that new computer users want to know.

Check it out at the link below, and if you have a friend of relative that needs help with their new computer, make sure to send them the link.

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computer/

Also, dont forget to tell them that you heard about it from Hughes I.T., Orlando's Best Computer Guys / Web Designers

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Windows Mobile 6.5 - It looks cool

I had some time to check out the new Windows Mobile 6.5 OS on a few blogs and YouTube videos, and I think it's pretty slick. Clearly, the user interface is finally important to Microsoft.

If you're looking for a new phone this year, take a second look at a Windows Mobile phone.

Thanks for stopping by,

Dave
Hughes I.T. Solutions
Orlando Web Designers

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The New TV Has Arrived!


It's been a long time since I started hunting for a new TV, like 2 years long. I've been through so many models, features, and options that I could honestly say I know too much about TV's. Last week I broke down and placed my order.
I finally choose a Sharp Aquas 42" 1080P. I have always heard great things about the Sharp Aquas line, and after connecting the TV, I can say that there's good reason. The quality out of the box is great, requiring only a minor adjustment. The built-in speakers were nice, but I have the surround sound setup, so I didn't need them. I am in the process of ordering some HDMI cables from http://www.monoprice.com/, which is by FARRRR the cheapest place to order cables for anything!

I always buy online, because the deals are truly unbeatable. Newegg.com had the best price, as usual, and offered free shipping and no tax! Got the new setup hooked up today, and it looks amazing. Here's a link to the specs and reviews if you're interested. Sharp Aquas TV at Newegg.com

If you need some advice on TV's, Cables, Surround Sound, or anything else, just give Hughes I.T. a call. 407-284-1192

Orlando's Best Web Designers
Hughes I.T. Solutions
407-284-1192
http://www.hughesitsolutions.com/
dave@hughesitsolutions.com

Monday, May 4, 2009

Search Engines and You

If your website isn't performing like you thought it would, chances are that the site needs a little TLC in the Search Engine Optimization department.

Hughes I.T. Solutions offers a wide range of options to get your website performing again.

Give us a call at 407-284-1192 or visit us at the link below.
Orlando Search Engine Optimization

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

New Ways To Avoid Viruses

With online security concerns on the minds of a lot of our customers, I thought it would be helpful to talk about a few things that we can do to help keep viruses and spy ware off your computers.

1) Think about your anti-virus protection. We often find that our new customers are using out of date, or expired antivirus programs. If you think your software is out of date, give us a call to explore your options. We offer AVG Internet Security, which is a great combination of security and performance. Unlike McAfee and Norton, AVG Internet Security provides the protection you need without the drain in computer speed that these other security programs are plagued by.


2) DON'T CLICK SO FAST - This is the biggest problem recently, and it's struck a wide range of customers. When you perform a Google search , or Yahoo, MSN, whatever, you need to very carefully read the results. If you don't think the information beneath the website name is relevant, DON'T CLICK ON IT. This has been the cause of the last 6 computers that we worked on, and it seems to be getting worse.

3) If you have young kids, try your best to talk to them about the cause of viruses and how to avoid them. There are tons of websites out there that can give you a very simple explanation on what causes viruses and how to avoid them. Study up, and then make sure that everyone knows what you learned.

Here's a link to a site with some good info. Not all of it will apply, but it's a good start. :)
http://www.bluefield.edu/templates/System/details.asp?id=30250&PID=259571

Your average virus removal usually takes 2-3 hours to fix, and almost always results in the computer needing to be reformatted. You wont lose any personal information from the computer, but it will take some time to get re-adjusted. And if the virus was able to capture any information (which you wouldn't really know), it wouldn't be a bad idea to change your passwords for things like bank accounts, etc.

Give us a call anytime to learn more about what we can do to help keep you virus free :)

Thanks as always,

Dave Nevill
Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc.
Orlando's Premier Web Design and Computer Repair Company


Sunday, April 26, 2009

Hard Drive Failure and the importance of backups


Just yesterday, I was finishing up a long day of hard drive recovery. The computer in question was barely a year old when the hard drive decided to die. If we hadn't placed a backup system in the office a few months earlier, it may have been a complete disaster.

REMEMBER !!! - A good backup system isn't just for business computers, your home computer may have your ENTIRE collection of photos, music, documents, tax returns, and who knows what else. You need to have a way to preserve those items, and it needs to be automatically done. If you dint have a backup system in place, call us today at 407-284-1192. Backup systems aren't expensive, and can be setup in around an hour on most PCs.

Orlando Data Backup Systems

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Testing the new LogMeIn Hamachi Service

LogMeIn.com recently released their Hamachi Portable VPN solution, which allows offices to connect together without using expensive equiptment or dedicated IP addresses. We've had some time to mess with the service, and I gotta tell ya, it's pretty nice. This is definetly the solution for any small business who needs to run a second office, but doesnt want to spend a fortune to get networked.

It's not going to be as fast as a dedicated solution, but it will be about 10 times cheaper. If you can put up with a little lag, then you'll save a ton of cash. LogMeIn also provides you with a great setup guide and a nice manual. Setup shouldnt take more than 10 minutes according to LogMeIn. I got it done faster.

You can learn more at https://secure.logmein.com/products/hamachi/vpn.asp.

As always, you can have your favorite Orlando Business Networking Specialists swing by and get it all setup for you. Call Hughes I.T. @ 407-284-1192 for more information, or email dave@hughesitsolutions.com

Friday, April 17, 2009

Courtney Leasing's new website coming soon!

We've just completed the final meeting with Courtney Leasing discussing the style elements that they are looking for in the new website. This website will also include a custom designed database provided by InterCoastal Net Designs.

Ready for a website of your own? Give us a call or head to the website.
Orlando Website Design - Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Hughes I.T. Solutions just keeps rolling!

Hey Everybody,

We just got the go ahead for the creation of 2 new websites and were really excited!

The first is from Specialized Electronics Contracting Inc. They are an Orlando based company specializing in Home Theatre, Security, Home Automation, and Video Surveillance. This site is going be to a dark comtemporary design, with alot of great flash.

The second site is for Realty Group Specialists serving all of Central Florida. We are building a custom website from the bottom up to replace their old site. You can see the old site here at Realty Group Specialists - Orlando Realtors. There's alot of room for improvement, and I know that they will be thrilled with the new site.

Just wanted to let you know that our newest creation is up and running!

Orlando Criminal Attorney Shane Fischer's new website is now live. There are a few tweaks that we are going to put in place, and a few new items that we just came up with. Let us know what you think!

And as always, dont forget to check out our sites for all the latest news!

Orlando Web Design by Hughes I.T. Solutions
Orlando Wedding Photography by Hughes Fioretti Photography

Thanks for stopping by!

Dave Nevill
Owner
Hughes I.T. Solutions Inc.