About David Freeman

http://www.tismy.com/

'tis my site, 'tis my ideas...

Posts by David Freeman:

Mar 20 2009

Anyone can fix computers. Right?

imageAnyone can fix a computer can’t they?

Everyone knows somebody who “knows computers” and is happy to help sort out computer problems.  A friend, or relative, like this can be great to have around when you run into something you’re not sure about.  It sure beats having to pay a professional computer tech to fix the problem!

However, just like every other trade (including motor mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc) a job that looks simple, particularly when you watch a professional doing the job, may actually be more complicated and only look simple because the person doing the work has years of training and experience behind them.

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By David • Computers • • Tags: , ,

Mar 19 2009

The Build Disc – Part 2 (Service Packs)

Windows Service PackIn part 1 I offered an overview of my goals for creating the build disc we use here.  In part 2, I’m taking a more detailed look at service packs and how this got automated and streamlined.

My goals for handling service packs were:

  • Identify the operating system.
  • Identify the current service pack level.
  • Decide if a service pack is needed.
  • If needed, go ahead and install the service pack without any further user interaction.

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By David • Build Disc • • Tags: , , , , ,

Mar 19 2009

The Build Disc – Part 1

CD Drawer on ComputerRunning a computer business inevitably means dealing with Windows Update.  Be it when getting new computers fully updated before sale or to finalise a repair where we needed to re-install Windows (aka system rebuild).

On a fresh install of Windows there might be hundreds of megabytes of downloads needed to make it fully patched.  Multiply this by many computers each week and the sheer volume of repetitive downloads becomes excessive.

Add to this that we have a ‘standard’ build for the computers that we sell (and repair) that includes a range of additional utilities as well as some particular configuration changes.

I want all of this stuff to happen every time we work on a computer.  I want it to happen the same each time so when we are doing follow-up support later we have a known standard in the build.  I also don’t want to blow out the businesses Internet bill downloading everything each time we do this.

This is the first of what will be a series of articles about my solution and how you can, if you want, implement it yourself.

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By David • Build Disc • • Tags: , , , , ,

Mar 18 2009

Wonderful World of Engraving

Gravograph IM3

We purchased the trophy and engraving business from it’s previous owners about three years ago.  Included in that purchase was the engraver they were using – an old-ish Gravograph IM3 manual pantograph engraver.  Even today, this engraver still gets some use from time to time for particular jobs.  On the whole, though, the fact that it is a completely manual engraving process means that it isn’t particularly time efficient for anything other than fairly small engraving jobs.  It’s also a bit limited for the choice of font faces available.

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By David • Engraving • • Tags: , ,

Mar 18 2009

Welcome Aboard

I’ve been thinking about doing this for many months.  Tonight, I found myself with some time to spare and decided the time had come.

In the past I’ve created other custom wordpress themes for some of our clients (e.g. http://www.westechfielddays.com.au/, http://www.broncobrandingaustralia.com/) and had always thought that setting up WordPress for myself should also involve creating a theme for the site.  Unfortunately, I just never got the time.  I’m over it, I downloaded a theme and decided to go with that instead.  For now at least, who knows what the future will bring?

This is really just a rambling post so there’s some (minimal) content while I’m settling in and unpacking the boxes… expect more to come.

By David • Personal • • Tags:

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