In this blog post I will attempt to explain the function of modems and routers at a level where anyone who has them in their home can understand. If you have Wi-Fi at home you are more than likely going to have a modem and a router, either as separate components or all in one box. Before we get down … Read More

Yesterday (28th June), Microsoft announced that due to ‘user feedback’ it was updating it’s much maligned Windows 10 upgrade prompt.The new design will feature clearer options to either upgrade now, schedule a time to upgrade or decline the free offer entirely. This is a response to criticism from users that the old prompt behaved differently to long established windows conventions, … Read More

As you may be aware the Free Windows 10 Upgrade will end on 29th July 2016. Once this ends the approximate cost of the Windows 10 software will be around £170.00. Our Experiences Having used Windows 10 in our Company for nearly a year I have found it to be very stable and usable. It is far better than Windows … Read More

It has long been an accepted tenet that most important IT developments (not simply academic ideas, important though they are) have been led by the oldest twin drivers of our human civilization – war and sax(ophone)**. The former driver of course is represented by the ‘military-industrial complex’ and targets the key military requirements from each service of carrying, searching, guarding, … Read More

You would all have seen the recent news items which followed the world championship “Go” contest in South Korea, won – for the first time ever – by an AI system vs a human Grand Master. This is significant as ‘Go’ is pretty much to chess in complexity what chess is to checkers…and so I thought it time to add my own observations. As the science and technology of AI develops, smart artefacts are increasingly being deployed and their widespread deployment will have profound ethical, psychological, social, economic, and legal consequences for human society and our planet. Here we can only raise, and skim the surface of, some of these issues – but as builders, as well as citizens, it is our duty to think on and act responsibly.

Don’t switch off half way through the Upgrade! Upgrading to Windows 10 can be of benefit to a lot of people. However, if you are running a small network with various bits of 3rd party software you may not want the upgrade to take place.Microsoft have created a small program that now sits in the Taskbar (see above image) asking … Read More

Feb 15: Adobe pulls update that deletes unrelated files without warning Adobe pulls update that deletes unrelated files without warning https://t.co/9ZTgkS89Yn — Optima Systems (@OptimaSystemsuk) February 15, 2016 Jay says: ‘Be careful when updating Adobe on a Mac as it may delete unrelated files without permission.’Feb 16: How to get more life from your laptop or tablet battery How to … Read More

Feb 8: Dell’s new BIOS security tool makes its laptops harder to hack Dell’s new BIOS security tool makes its laptops harder to hack https://t.co/GRhSaeTx4b — Optima Systems (@OptimaSystemsuk) February 8, 2016 James says: ‘Dell’s new BIOS security tool is a handy new feature that will prevent ‘root kit’ virus’s from gaining control of your BIOS. This is the part … Read More

Feb 3: Microsoft starts downloading Windows 10 automatically through Windows Update Microsoft starts downloading Windows 10 automatically through Windows Update https://t.co/v0y1onKLzZ — Optima Systems (@OptimaSystemsuk) February 3, 2016 Sam says: ‘Automatic updates to start downloading Windows 10 for you seems like it could upset a lot of people wishing to remain on Windows 7 or 8. My advice would be … Read More

How I learnt to merge google calendars As a regular user (and I’m not afraid to say a fan of) Google Calendar, I thought that I knew a lot about what features it could offer. I was wrong. It seemed that there was one extremely helpful feature that eluded me and that was calendar merging. The question was, how can … Read More

Jan 25: Microsoft is working hard on Edge browser – and wants your feedback Microsoft is working hard on Edge browser – and wants your feedback https://t.co/nAPP1sqFQ8 — Optima Systems (@OptimaSystemsuk) January 25, 2016 Jay says: ‘If you ask any group of people that use a computer their thoughts on Internet Explorer you are almost guaranteed a mixed bunch of … Read More

Jan 20: Is big data a big failure?Comment from Sam, story via Techradar.Jan 21: Chrome soon to be even faster (for SSL)Comment from Jay, story via Techradar..Jan 22: Problems installing Windows 10?Comment from Jay, story via Techradar.And something non-tech related… Friday 22nd January is national hug day, so to honour this we have this story from The Independent.Woman opens professional cuddling … Read More

The ultimate in PC portability If you are someone who gives training or demos to either existing or potential clients have a look at this neat bit of kit. This is basically a complete PC in a stick. It has a Windows operating system, Bluetooth for a Keyboard and Mouse and a Wi-Fi connector to attach to either a client’s … Read More

Time is running out to upgrade for free Windows 10 arrived on July 29th 2015. Reception has generally been very good and certainly more positive than for the release of Windows 8. To encourage adoption, Microsoft have been offering a free upgrade to users with devices running Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. he free upgrade period ends on 29th July … Read More

During last month Optima Systems moved away from our locally installed Exchange Server and migrated to Microsoft Office 365. We went for the full version which gave us not only “Hosted Exchange” but also the newest version of Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.). So when Office 2016 was released a couple of weeks ago we were able to download and … Read More