Thursday, January 2, 2014

#233 - January 2014 Newletter


PCSS January 2014 Newsletter

 
Happy New Year Friends!  It’s a bright sunny New Year’s day in the Highlands of Virginia.  A great day to start off a new year.

We’ve decided to end our blog after 10 years and will just post our State of Technology thoughts in our monthly Newsletter.  Saves on my effort and makes it easier for our customers.

PCSS Work Schedule for 2014

Monday – Alleghany County – Focus on Covington

Tuesday – Bath County – Focus on Hot Springs

Wednesday – Alleghany County – Focus on Clifton Forge

Thursday – Bath County – Focus on Warm Springs/ Millboro

Friday – Other coverage areas and hi priority work

There is no change in PCSS hourly charge for 2014!  Yeah!

We have a limited number of the PCSS, LLC 2014 pocket calendars available.  Let us know if you would like one or more!

State of Technology

The hacking of Target credit card information brings back to each of us how we are more susceptible to fraud.  In 2013 I’ve had 2 of my credit cards compromised.  The first one was where a reputable agency began monthly charges to my card.  I had not made those purchases.  The credit card company refunded the money, but we never found out how those monthly charges began. 

The second incident was scarier.  I received a call from a different credit card company asking whether I had used that card in West Virginia that day.  I had not.  The company thought that I had been the victim of process where the information from my card was stolen and then a fraudulent credit card was manufactured and used.  I lost no money in either case and the Credit Card companies did very good work to protect me.  That they happened both in the same year is frightening.

Many of my friends have also had at least one issue with credit card fraud.  So what are we to do to protect our cards?  The US could move to the credit card system that Europe uses.  The European cards have embedded micro chips instead of a magnetic stripe.  This is a more secure card and difficult to copy.  Getting away from swipe card usage in the US is problematic.  From gas stations to car washes to every check out counter in Walmart and grocery stores, they all would have to be changed.  A huge cost.  Remarkably this is going to occur by October 2015.  The US Credit Card companies are pushing for that deadline by saying that any merchant that does not use microchip swipe technology will be libel for any fraud that happens on their machines.  A big stick indeed.   The only group that will not be ready is gas station swipes.  They are projected to be on board by 2017.  

So you will see a change in your credit card very soon.  If you have an option please take the microchip credit card if offered.  You can also ask your credit card provider to change out your card for a micro chip one at no additional cost.

2014 PCSS Sales Items

We’ve just finished our inventory so everything you see below is in stock.  First come First served!

HP Deskpro 6305 PC with AMD  A4-5300B processor, 4GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive, DVD-RW Drive, keyboard, Mouse, 3 year warranty!, Windows 7/8 Pro - $450.00

HP Deskpro 4300 PC with Intel i3 3220 processor, 4GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive, DVD-RW Drive, keyboard, Mouse, 3 year warranty!, Windows 7/8 Pro 64 bit- $555.00

HP 255 Laptop with AMD E1 series processor, 4GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive, DVD-RW Drive, 15.6” TFT Display, wireless, MS Windows 7 Pro 64 bit, 1 year HP warranty - $499.00

Toshiba Satellite 855D-S5201 laptop with AMD E1 series processor, 4GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive, DVD-RW Drive, 15.6” TFT Display, wireless, MS Windows 8 Pro 64 bit, 1 year Toshiba warranty - $399.00

HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 All-in-One Printer/Scanner/Copier/Fax with Wireless and sheet feeder - $150.00

LG 22” LED Monitor - $149.00

Wireless 802.11n router (speed up your wireless!)  $49.00

Engenius Wireless extender – (improve your wireless coverage) $49.00

AVG antivirus – 3 PC- $39.00, 1 PC - $29.00

500GB USB Hard Drive - $65.00, 1TB USB Hard Drive - $85.00

USB Flash Drives!
64GB – $39.00, 32GB - $23.00, 16GB - $12.00

USB Wireless adapter (add wireless to your PC or laptop) - $24.00

4GB Micro SD memory card - $11.00

USB Hub (add more USB Ports to your PC) - $12.00

Tripplite 550VA Battery Backup - $65.00

Fellowes Mighty 8 Super Surge Suppressor - $15.00

January 2014 Sites of the Month

A new year means a new set of holidays.  This site has every US holiday listed:  Holidays and observances in United States in 2014

It’s the season for returns.  If you have a gift you want to send back to the store here is a very good guide on the procedure:  How to return a gift and get the most for it

Here is an article on the microchip embedded credit cards:  U.S. rolling out chip card technology, ever so slowly

Its also the season for the “Hot Toddy”  Here is a good recipe:Hot Toddy Recipe - Allrecipes.com

Keep warm and see you in February! 

Nick

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