Q. I am a college junior and I have never had the money to buy my own laptop for school. Finally, due to hard earned scholarships this semester I am receiving $1400 in a refund check and I want (really need) to buy a laptop for the rest of undergrad and graduate school. I would like to know what is the best (most reliable, fast, less likely to crash, and will survive graduate school) laptop to buy
A. Hello --
It seems like a straight forward question, but it truth there are many variables to consider.
Very Seldom does a computer last three years ... the technology moves so fast that the new machine 3 years ago is barely adequate for the modern programs and operating systems.
Every maker of laptop computers is competing for your business. The scholastic market is huge! All of them are making laptops that are suited to your needs.
It would be foolish for me to suggest a particular model ... I just don't know everything(!?)
Here are some ideas though ...
Major Brand Name ... I like Compaq/Hewlett Packards, but Sony, Toshiba, and most other brands are very good too.
Stupid questions:
What is your major? If it is Business related you will probably need a MS Windows (Vista) machine to run business oriented software like QuickBooks.
What do you like to do in your down time? No matter what people say about "I use for it work", the cold hard fact is that a lot of computer power is used for entertainment. Vista has a lot of good multi-media applications for the downtime.
Instead of buying the hottest, fastest machine for the money, go with proven technology, check out the clearance models (end of the year). I have seen too many of the new machines windup as products that "needed improvement." Beware of hype, take your time buying a machine ... talk to professionals.
You can't go wrong with having a lot of memory (RAM) and the bigger the hard drive the better.
Quality and Reliability are big issues: I took the time to ask the people at the service desk which brand of computer they saw the least ... and which they recommended ... it was an eye-opening question, I recommend that you do the same. Get an extended service contract/warrenty. Laptops are fragile (it says so on the box), they operate under tough conditions and if/when the break you need to get back up and running fast. So I recommend getting your machine from a store that has an onsite service department. Be sure to buy the best computer case you can afford!
There is an old rule of thumb ... you spend about the same on software as you do on hardware ... (it might not be as true as it once was). The upshot is that you buy a system of both hardware (the laptop itself) and software. You might have to buy some exotic software too (Photoshop, MS Office, QuickBooks etc.) Be sure to calculated all this into the price.
I don't recommend MACs -- they are excellent machines but they are overpriced for what you get.
I like Linux as an operating system ... and if it will suit your needs I recommend it. But it isn't for everyone.
Hope that helps a little,
Bill
It seems like a straight forward question, but it truth there are many variables to consider.
Very Seldom does a computer last three years ... the technology moves so fast that the new machine 3 years ago is barely adequate for the modern programs and operating systems.
Every maker of laptop computers is competing for your business. The scholastic market is huge! All of them are making laptops that are suited to your needs.
It would be foolish for me to suggest a particular model ... I just don't know everything(!?)
Here are some ideas though ...
Major Brand Name ... I like Compaq/Hewlett Packards, but Sony, Toshiba, and most other brands are very good too.
Stupid questions:
What is your major? If it is Business related you will probably need a MS Windows (Vista) machine to run business oriented software like QuickBooks.
What do you like to do in your down time? No matter what people say about "I use for it work", the cold hard fact is that a lot of computer power is used for entertainment. Vista has a lot of good multi-media applications for the downtime.
Instead of buying the hottest, fastest machine for the money, go with proven technology, check out the clearance models (end of the year). I have seen too many of the new machines windup as products that "needed improvement." Beware of hype, take your time buying a machine ... talk to professionals.
You can't go wrong with having a lot of memory (RAM) and the bigger the hard drive the better.
Quality and Reliability are big issues: I took the time to ask the people at the service desk which brand of computer they saw the least ... and which they recommended ... it was an eye-opening question, I recommend that you do the same. Get an extended service contract/warrenty. Laptops are fragile (it says so on the box), they operate under tough conditions and if/when the break you need to get back up and running fast. So I recommend getting your machine from a store that has an onsite service department. Be sure to buy the best computer case you can afford!
There is an old rule of thumb ... you spend about the same on software as you do on hardware ... (it might not be as true as it once was). The upshot is that you buy a system of both hardware (the laptop itself) and software. You might have to buy some exotic software too (Photoshop, MS Office, QuickBooks etc.) Be sure to calculated all this into the price.
I don't recommend MACs -- they are excellent machines but they are overpriced for what you get.
I like Linux as an operating system ... and if it will suit your needs I recommend it. But it isn't for everyone.
Hope that helps a little,
Bill
what are the requirements to start a Business in the USA?
Q. I would like to start and run an IT consultancy software development and Hardware company...
A. As a small business owner, I can tell you to start first with your local Chamber of Commerce, and register your business with them. They have lists of all businesses in your town, and can help you network. This usually has costs associated, so decide whether your company will need this initially or not. The Corporation Commission will need to be contacted in your state to register your business, and they will give you a TIN, or tax number. This number, usually starting with 86- is also registered with the Federal Government...taxes, you know. The State will need to know you, so you can get a license and registration with them, too. Your actual license to do business will be created by contacting the city in which you live, and they will issue you a little blue piece of paper stating you are a legal entity and can do business in your city. Then you will need an bookkeeper to help you set up your accounts and manage your money. No one manages your money better than you will, so educate yourself with something simple, like QuickBooks. QB can take your start-up company, and give you the basic package of expense accounts, income accounts and credit accounts, and you can extrapolate from there to personalize your particular company.
I have learned from experience that in a software business especially, what you have is intellectual property, and can be easily stolen. Put into place UP FRONT security, and check everyone and everything should they try to walk out the door with anything besides paperclips, because THEY WILL. With computers, nothing is easier to steal than your client list, your company list and/or your ideas. GUARD them. We had a trusted employee of more than eight years begin doing business with our clients behind our back, and having payments for services he rendered sent to his house. I discovered it accidently, as the secretary was helping him, and left the invoice with our customer's name on my desk. I am the CFO, my husband is the President, and my son-in-law does our tech support. We confronted this person, and he admitted his fraudulent behavior, which is nothing short of larceny, fraud and embezzelment of funds. We had a good case, and should have pursued it, but our company is small, and like family. We allowed this person to work an additional three months with us, while he found another job. BIG MISTAKE. In that time, what he had not already stolen, he completed. When you fire someone, walk them to their desk, watch them collect their personal items, and walk them to the door. Change the locks, the key codes, everything. We should have fired the secretary as well, but she tearfully implored us she was innocent. It was a line, and we knew it, but our customer list was already out the door, along with a drop in revenue of over $100,000.00 in a year's time. Why wasn't someone watching? My husband is also an entrepeneur, and our software company was a sidelight to his taking an IPO public and making $565,000.00 for our family.
As things stand now, our independent consultant consults directly to our customers, bills them for his time and receives payment, and we are helpless. Our company is simply too small to try and make the changes we should have made 15 years ago when revenues of over a million dollars were flowing. We tried years ago to install a system in the software to make it stop working if the yearly M & E's were not paid, but our programmer dug in his feet. He was probably in on the whole thing too.
The end of this tale is simple and cautionary: Trust no one. Handle your own money. Do not hire family, as they can become dependent upon you, and are worse than a ball and chain in the long run.
Be ruthless when it comes to protecting your assets. Find a shark for an attorney, but do not ask his advise in business. All he wants is to run up fees. Use him to find out how to accomplish what you want to do legally...and do the same with accountants. Use them, and tell them how to get what you want done in a legal way. But never forget YOU are the boss.
Do not become friends with the staff, do not interact with them to the point where you are replacing hot water heaters for them, or doing payroll in advance so they can make car payments or rent. Our secretary knew she was leaving, so two days before, she asked for a check in advance. I had done this before, so it seemed harmless. I had no idea she was packing up and moving in two days to another city, and she owed us money I was allowing her to pay in installments, free of interest.
Next time, I will do things differently. The ride was fun and we had parties for birthdays with champagne and cake, Christmas parties that cost over $5,000, and two trips to Europe, first class all the way, and twice to Maui.
But next time, I will husband the money, keep my personal life out of business, and trust no one.
Good luck.
I have learned from experience that in a software business especially, what you have is intellectual property, and can be easily stolen. Put into place UP FRONT security, and check everyone and everything should they try to walk out the door with anything besides paperclips, because THEY WILL. With computers, nothing is easier to steal than your client list, your company list and/or your ideas. GUARD them. We had a trusted employee of more than eight years begin doing business with our clients behind our back, and having payments for services he rendered sent to his house. I discovered it accidently, as the secretary was helping him, and left the invoice with our customer's name on my desk. I am the CFO, my husband is the President, and my son-in-law does our tech support. We confronted this person, and he admitted his fraudulent behavior, which is nothing short of larceny, fraud and embezzelment of funds. We had a good case, and should have pursued it, but our company is small, and like family. We allowed this person to work an additional three months with us, while he found another job. BIG MISTAKE. In that time, what he had not already stolen, he completed. When you fire someone, walk them to their desk, watch them collect their personal items, and walk them to the door. Change the locks, the key codes, everything. We should have fired the secretary as well, but she tearfully implored us she was innocent. It was a line, and we knew it, but our customer list was already out the door, along with a drop in revenue of over $100,000.00 in a year's time. Why wasn't someone watching? My husband is also an entrepeneur, and our software company was a sidelight to his taking an IPO public and making $565,000.00 for our family.
As things stand now, our independent consultant consults directly to our customers, bills them for his time and receives payment, and we are helpless. Our company is simply too small to try and make the changes we should have made 15 years ago when revenues of over a million dollars were flowing. We tried years ago to install a system in the software to make it stop working if the yearly M & E's were not paid, but our programmer dug in his feet. He was probably in on the whole thing too.
The end of this tale is simple and cautionary: Trust no one. Handle your own money. Do not hire family, as they can become dependent upon you, and are worse than a ball and chain in the long run.
Be ruthless when it comes to protecting your assets. Find a shark for an attorney, but do not ask his advise in business. All he wants is to run up fees. Use him to find out how to accomplish what you want to do legally...and do the same with accountants. Use them, and tell them how to get what you want done in a legal way. But never forget YOU are the boss.
Do not become friends with the staff, do not interact with them to the point where you are replacing hot water heaters for them, or doing payroll in advance so they can make car payments or rent. Our secretary knew she was leaving, so two days before, she asked for a check in advance. I had done this before, so it seemed harmless. I had no idea she was packing up and moving in two days to another city, and she owed us money I was allowing her to pay in installments, free of interest.
Next time, I will do things differently. The ride was fun and we had parties for birthdays with champagne and cake, Christmas parties that cost over $5,000, and two trips to Europe, first class all the way, and twice to Maui.
But next time, I will husband the money, keep my personal life out of business, and trust no one.
Good luck.
The quickbooks can I install in 1 computer & uninstall & used in a other computer ?
Q.
A. You don't necessarily need to uninstall.
When install it on second (third, etc) computer it will ask you information you created when first installed and activated software.
If I'm not wrong there is a number generated on installation plus your phone and zip code asked when you reinstall. Some cases you need to contact their Help Desk, so they can provide an activation code for you.
IGS
When install it on second (third, etc) computer it will ask you information you created when first installed and activated software.
If I'm not wrong there is a number generated on installation plus your phone and zip code asked when you reinstall. Some cases you need to contact their Help Desk, so they can provide an activation code for you.
IGS
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