VITS Monthly - A Newsletter Covering Recent IT News by Vantage IT Solutions Limited

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A BlackBerry is Not the Only Fruit

Many people want to receive their emails while on the move and, until now, a BlackBerry has been the popular choice, despite its shortcomings. The BlackBerry is a hand-held device that enables the user to access emails, browse the web and make calls while out and about. Although this all sounds great, for a business with only several potential users, the costs can be prohibitive because a dedicated server is required to run the software and the contracts can be quite costly. The range of compatible handsets is also limited and often requires the user to keep both a BlackBerry device and normal phone with them.

Nokia E70

A new alternative to BlackBerry is a system called OpenHand. This has a number of advantages, including it being able to run on a wide range of mobile phones, meaning you only need one device for both email and voice calls. It also doesn't require a dedicated server - just a stand-alone PC. And, as we always have security in mind, OpenHand is more secure too. We have installed OpenHand at Vantage IT to enable us to evaluate it, so we’ll let you know how well it works.

If you'd like more information on the OpenHand system, please contact us.

If You’re Going to Recycle, Make it Worth it!

A new scheme has been launched to provide recycling of printer cartridges and mobile phones - and offer money for doing so! Thousands of cartridges and phones end up in land fill sites so environmental organisations have been trying to ensure as many as possible are re-used. Now, in addition to helping to save the planet, there is the added incentive of making some money. The company carrying out the recycling is called The Recycling Factory (TRF) and they promise to pay for any ink cartridges, toner cartridges or mobile phones they are able to re-use.

Most ink cartridges are worth approximately Ł1 while toners range from 20p to Ł2.40, depending on the type. No prices are given for mobile phone. TRF assures that any cartridges or phones that cannot be re-used will be broken down so the plastics and metals can be recovered and recycled. They pledge not to send them to landfill sites! More information on recycling and purchasing printer cartridges and phones can be found at www.therecyclingfactory.com (Vantage IT cannot be held responsible for content on third party web sites).

Vantage IT Joins the British Computer Society

Customers of Vantage IT will know we always provide an exceptionally high level of service. To give you the assurance of this, Vantage IT Solutions is proud to have been accepted as a member of the British Computer Society (BCS). Its directors are all Professional members of the Society and are bound by its Code of Practice (which can be viewed here).

BCS Group Member

The directors firmly believe the service you receive should always exceed your best expectations and surpass any similar service available from other companies. Our membership of the BCS is one way of providing an assurance to you that this belief will be fulfilled. The principal tenets of the Code of Practice include: its members shall act with integrity; that work shall be carried out with due care and diligence; and that the performance of products, systems and services shall not be misrepresented. It doesn’t mention anything about smiling!

Keep Them Covered

Google Earth is mapping software that enables the user to zoom-in on various parts of the world. Satellites are continually taking pictures of the world that can be accessed by members of the public. As more people use Google Earth, they find interesting buildings, fascinating land formations and topless woman! So beware, next time you think no one can see you - look up!

The Entertaining Bit

For anyone who is concerned, the donkey wasn’t hurt. In fact, he doesn't seem at all put out; click here to see why.