The Computer Room

An investment in up to date, powerful hardware and software is essential for any virtual business. Oh yeah, I guess it helps that I've taught basic computer software skills for a couple of decades! In short, I have a need to keep on top of the latest technology changes; and I do. Point your browser to my blog sometime (dva.delphianva.com), to The Virtual Wire blog (where I am a weekly guest blogger) and you're sure to get your fill of software, hardware, and assorted technology … all according to Rob! In the meantime, here's a look at the hardware and software used at Delphian.

Computer and Other Hardware

Our main beastie is an HP Pavilion desktop. It is an IBM-compatible computer, currently running on a Windows Media Center Edition platform. (Windows Media Center Edition is a variation of Windows XP). Packing 2 GB of RAM, a 250 GB hard drive, a high speed DVD burner, a second DVD drive, tons of USB ports, a multi-card reader, and a 20" flat panel monitor, this baby rocks!

To keep your data safe, I use a 500 GB external hard drive for my backups.

Our secondary computer (though in truth I like working on it as much as or more than the desktop) is an HP Pavilion Entertainment PC notebook. It too is an IBM-compatible computer. I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium on it at the moment. It also packs 2 GB of RAM, has excellent wireless capabilities, and has a 120 GB hard drive. Lots of graphics power, and jam-packed with software, it's the desktop's mean little baby brother.

New: we have recently added a second notebook, that's almost identical to the first.

I use Skype, so I have a special headset for that (and because the notebooks have webcams, that works well for long-distance calls and face-to-face connections). I have another headset--this one uses wireless Bluetooth technology--that I use for hands-free calls with clients. That one works wonderfully when clients and I are navigating websites or otherwise collaborating and need two hands free to write or type.

Delphian uses an Internet-based fax service for it's main fax capability, but also has a small fax machine for handling any paper I need to fax out. I sync all critical information (especially my contact database, To Do's, etc.) from the desktop to my Palm. The Palm T|X is great too, because in a pinch it's packed with software, and its wireless capabilities can pick up any available network.

We have a workhorse HP colour laser printer. I haven't done a lot of printing for my clients, but you may need a great colour pamphlet and, yes, I can do that! We have a decent digital camera, and I'm have put that to use a couple of times in the business. Of course, the usual equipment list prevails: a land line and cordless phone, cell phone, and all the other office equipment you'd expect.

New: in December 2008, we added a black & white personal laser printer to do non-colour work.

Computer Software

The list is lengthy, so I'll mention only the big players here. What you see is the most recent version, and where it isn't, it's because I made an informed decision to stick with what was already working wonderfully.

So you know I use two versions of Windows: Media Center (a variation of XP), and Vista.

Delphian packs the latest version of Microsoft Office (2007), and I commonly use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Because my clients need it, I use Outlook 2007 as my contact-manager/e-mail product of choice. (These are usually called Personal Information Managers, or PIM's). I have several very need (third-party) add-on programs I use in Outlook, that make some formerly daunting tasks quite effortless now. For website work, I use Dreamweaver CS3. I was using Dreamweaver 8, but Vista and Dreamweaver don't like each other, so I had to upgrade to CS3. I have several other Adobe products, including Acrobat Pro (yes, I can create PDF files on the fly), Fireworks, Photoshop, and more. I have not mastered all of these high-end products, but I know my way around most of them.

I have several instant messenger products, including Yahoo!, MSN, and AIM.

In the spirit of leaving the best until almost last, one of the key pieces of collaborative software I have is Groove. Groove allows real-time collaboration of files, calendars, instant messages, notes, pictures and more. It is a very cool piece of software and if you become a client of mine, I hope I can convince you to use it with me. I'll help you get started!

I have loads of other titles (including some specialized software I use for teaching purposes).

Before going, it's important I mention that I employ both Norton Internet Security and Webroot Spy Sweeper to keep my files--and your files--virus and trouble free. I update and upgrade these products constantly.