Do you have an old PC or other electronic equipment that just is just too slow and you want to get rid of it? Well you are in luck. As of August 1st, 2007, The Government of British Columbia has issued an amendment to the Recycling Regulation to include electronics equipment. It is better to recycle these materials because electronic waste contains valuable resources such as metals that can and should be recycled. In addition they can contain hazardous materials that could pose environmental problems in our landfill sites. This program ensures that electronics are processed and recycled in a safe and environmentally sound manner thereby keeping them out of landfills. You can now drop off any of the regulated products at designated collection sites without charge, and be assured they will be recycled responsibly.
The following items are accepted in the BC Return-It Electronics program:
Desktop Computers - Includes Central Processing Units (CPUs), mouse, keyboards, cables and other components within the computer. This includes desktop computers, desktop computers acting as servers, and all associated keyboards and cabling.
Computer Monitors - A display device used for displaying images from computers or other sources that does not meet the definition of a television. This includes traditional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) and flat panel display technologies.
Notebook Computers - Includes portable computers such as notebook, laptop and tablet PCs.
Desktop Printers and Fax Machines - This includes printing devices that are designed to reside on a work surface, and includes various printing technologies, including Laser & LED (electrophotographic), ink jet, dot matrix, thermal, dye sublimation, etc. and "multi-function" or "all in one" devices that perform different tasks such as copy, scan, fax, print, etc.
Televisions - A video display device with an imbedded television tuner. This includes various display technologies, such as traditional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), flat panel or rear projection.
Click Here - for more information.
10 Easy Steps to Make Your Business More Secure
It's no secret that small businesses are turning to technology to gain a competitive edge, but according to the results of a recent study sponsored by HP Canada and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), data security is a priority for many Canadian small businesses. The study, conducted by Ipsos Reid, revealed that 71% of small businesses indicate that enhanced data security is a priority.
Protecting your data doesn't have to be an overwhelming or cost prohibitive task. Listed below are 10 easy steps to help any business get started on the right path to business protection.
For more info Click Here!
Project Big Green Initiative and Client Success Propels IBM to Top Ranking
IBM announced today that IDG's Computerworld has selected IBM as the top Green IT Company for 2008. This honor is part of Computerworld's very first Top Green IT Companies feature, which was published in the February 18 issue and online at Computerworld.com.
"Being 'green' is not just saying you're conscious about the environment and its challenges. In today's business world, it's about efficiency, power consumption and applying those green principles to smart business decision making," said Don Tennant, editorial director, Computerworld. "IBM, recognized as the leading Green IT company in our first Top Green-IT Computing issue, has taken a serious look at how they impact the environment and how they can address those challenges with good business sense, through their Project Big Green initiative and a company-wide focus on energy efficient technology and services."
"IBM is honored to be named the Top Green IT company for 2008 by IDG and Computerworld," said Steve Sams, vice president of IBM Global Site and Facilities Services. "This is reflective of IBM's long-term commitment to the environment, and of the global success with clients that we've seen with our cross-company Project Big Green initiative, as we assess and implement strategies for our clients to be able to double their computing capacity without increasing energy use."
In the fall of 2007, IDG, through its Computerworld magazine, set out on a mission to identify companies that are implementing smart, efficient strategies to achieve "green IT." Computerworld reached out to select green IT experts for help in developing a set of criteria that would best identify the companies that are working to reduce energy consumption in IT equipment and are using technology to conserve energy and lower carbon emissions. Based on this expert input, Computerworld editors developed a checklist-style survey and weighting scheme. Computerworld then reached out to the IT community through a variety of channels, and 86 complete surveys were received. Computerworld then contacted representatives at the participating companies to verify that the information provided on their company's survey was truthful and accurate. Only those companies that filed verification letters were considered. Based on the weighting scheme developed, the top 12 Green-IT Users and top 12 Green-IT Vendors lists were chosen. To view the full survey, visit www.computerworld.com/topgreen.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
Product of the Month
Road Warriors Get Ready - Lenovo Delivers "No Compromises" Ultraportable ThinkPad X300 Notebook PC Lenovo unveiled its highly-anticipated ThinkPad X300 notebook PC, designed for today's most demanding road warriors, and the thinnest and lightest full-function notebook in its class . The ultra-thin, ultraportable ThinkPad X300 notebook measures less than three-fourths of an inch at its thinnest point, or approximately the height of a U.S. quarter coin, and has a starting weight as low as 2.9 pounds . The ThinkPad X300 combines a number of leading technologies such as solid-state drive storage, a LED backlit display, ultralong battery life and enhanced wireless connectivity. Rated 'Gold' by the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) for its superior environmental attributes, it also features a number of environmentally-conscious technologies, such as low-voltage processors. "The ThinkPad X300 notebook marks a major milestone for the ThinkPad family," said Peter Hortensius, senior vice president, Notebook Business Unit, Lenovo. "ThinkPad has been pioneering notebook PC design for more than 15 years, raising the bar on innovation, and focusing on the core needs of ThinkPad users, namely quality, reliability and functionality. Our customers told us that they wanted a notebook that was amazingly thin and light, but that they still wanted their battery options, their USB ports and of course, their DVD burner. Well the waiting is over, and it's all there in the ThinkPad X300, our thinnest and lightest ThinkPad ever." Check out this great advertisement from Lenovo - Click Here! Email Rob at rob.aronowski@vodagroup.com for more information!
Ask the VODA Expert
Q: My computer is running sluggish, how can I fix it?
A: Often times after a year or two of having a computer, it runs slower than the day we bought it. There are ways to improve your computers overall performance. The following is a great start.
Clear temporary internet files: a. If you use Internet Explorer: Go to your browser – Tools – Internet Options – General Tab – Delete Browsing History b. If you use FireFox: Go to your browser – Tools – Clear Private Data – Check all items and clear c. This deletes temporary files, internet history, cookies, saved passwords and web form information which can quickly bog down your machine.
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