WE’RE ON TWITTER… Just to let everyone know, you can now follow Astec on Twitter. Please sign up today.

ISPs vow to take Ofcom’s code of practice A number of ISPs have agreed to adhere to Ofcom’s latest code of practice, meaning that broadband speeds will be advertised more honestly with more realistic “up to” speeds. Until now customers have been left disheartened by promises of possible broadband speeds their connection never actually reaches. Read more

Internet Explorer hoax revealed Internet Explorer users were left feeling rather disgruntled and dumbfounded after a report from AptiQuant suggested they were less intelligent than PC users opting for other web browsers. Now the “company” has admitted the report was all a scam for a bit of light-hearted relief. Read more

Android storming ahead Android’s success since coming onto the market looks like it is going to continue as recent figures show the Google operating system is still ahead of its arch-rival, the iPhone, in 35 countries. With other smartphone brands hot on its heels, how long will their winning streak last? Read more

Are we too lazy to be trusted with passwords? Despite news being released nearly every day of yet another hacking scandal, many still fail to accept the need to adopt complex passwords. Perhaps, as one security firm claims, we are just too ‘lazy’ to be trusted with passwords and the answer lies in alternative technology. Read more

Hacked? Limit the damage If you find yourself a victim of a data breach, acting quickly can limit the damage you may suffer. Our tips will help you prevent things getting any worse. Read more

The data contained in the report is quite revealing and gives some interesting data on uptake, speeds and geographical constraints.

You can download the report and read it in full from here:

ofcom uk broadband speed report-2011

What are the most common programs we use on a computer? I’m guessing Internet Explorer, My Documents, Microsoft Word and or Excel. So you turn your PC on and you want to open Microsoft Word, what do you do? Start, all programs, Microsoft Office then Microsoft Word. Seems simple but cut out a few steps, why not pin Word to the taskbar, so it’s there in front of you, one click away. Try it, open up Word, when you open it the icon will appear in the taskbar at the bottom of your screen, from there if you right click that icon you get an option to “Pin this program to taskbar”, click that and close the program.

You should now see a shortcut to Word in the taskbar all the time. Want to browse to something that you have recently created or changed? Right click your new shortcut and a list of your recent documents will appear.

This isn’t just limited to one or two programs you can do it with any of them that have been installed in Windows 7. Try it, you can always right click the shortcuts and unpin them if you don’t want them.

Another useful feature in Windows 7 is snap. Snap allows you to lock program screens to the left side or right side or full screen. This is great when you want to have two documents side by side as it allows you to copy or move data easily without having to switch programs each time. Using your mouse, click and hold the top part of the program (as if you were going to move it) while still holding down the click move it either all the way to the left or right. You should see a circle appear and fade and then a rectangular box showing were the program will go. Release the click and it will snap to one side of the screen.

I use it all the time when I need to copy or gather data from one document to put in another, it is a very handy feature of Windows 7 and now you know how to use it, I’m sure it will help you like it has helped me!

Local IT company expands with Microsoft backed talent.

Local IT company, Astec Computing, has expanded their support team with the introduction

of a new apprentice position. Eighteen year old James Copper joins the company as part of

Microsoft’s ‘Britain Works’ scheme for Microsoft Partners. The scheme was launched in 2010 to

bring 16 to 18 year olds into the industry. The apprenticeship will give over a year of intensive

training and examinations alongside a hands-on role in a real support environment. Completion

of the apprenticeship scheme will see ex St Bede’s student James qualified as a Microsoft Desktop

Support Engineer.

Managing Director Phil Astell commented “We are incredibly pleased to welcome James on board.

Having received approximately 50 applications from one local advertisement, James stood out as

an exceptional candidate. The training that James will receive has huge value both to James and the

company but it doesn’t stop there. On completion of the apprenticeship, we will develop and on-

going training path for James. I see this as a long-term investment although with James’ enthusiasm

and ability, I’m sure he will make an immediate impact in the business.”

The Microsoft Apprenticeship Programme enables Microsoft partners to recruit and develop

qualified, Microsoft Certified technical support staff. The Programmes’ intensive learning periods

also ensure Apprentices are up-to-speed and of value to the business, much faster than in a

traditional apprenticeship.

About Astec Computing

Astec Computing is an IT solutions and support provider based in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.

The business was started in 1992 and provides a one-stop IT & communications service for small

and medium businesses, schools and other organisations in the South East. The company currently

employs 9 staff.

The company main website can be found at http://www.asteccomputing.co.uk

Microsoft Britain Works website can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/uk/britainworks/britainworks.aspx

Contact Information

Astec Computing (UK) Ltd

Astec House, Sedlescombe Road South, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN38 0TA

Main Tel 01424 460721

Fax 01424 430888

General email enquiries@asteccomputing.co.uk

For more information regarding this press release, please contact:

Phil Astell, Managing Director

Direct dial number 01424 464619

Email phil.astell@asteccomputing.co.uk

The ‘back to work’ edition

Focus on 2011

Businesses to focus on the Internet in 2011 More than ever before, small firms are focusing on their online presence to help secure new business. So how does the Internet feature in your overall marketing strategy for 2011? View the recommendations made by Reuters or call us for more advice on your own online needs. Read more

Most anticipated gadgets of 2011 Following the ‘top 10 Christmas gadgets’ article, which featured in our December newsletter, we felt the natural sequel would be ‘the most anticipated gadgets of the New Year’. Read the predictions made by Computer Weekly for the likely hits and misses of 2011. Read more

Reducing your intake of cookies You may have read about ‘cookies’ and wondered why tiny files with such a sweet sounding name can receive such a bad press. Well, as with all things, they should be consumed in moderation. This article explains the function of cookies, why they can sometimes pose a threat and how to delete them when necessary. Read more

Arm extends its reach Microsoft has announced it will be designing the next version of Windows around the British-based Arm processor as opposed to the type commonly supplied by Intel. Learn more about the reasons behind this decision in this ‘good news’ story for UK business. Read more

Mobile devices:  Security challenge The high volume of mobile computing devices connecting via WiFi and Bluetooth could pose the largest security threat to UK businesses in 2011. Read more