The most popular and probably the easiest upgrade project for PC enthusiasts is still installation of a new hard drive. It’s just a matter of time before terabyte-eating applications demands an upgrade to a bigger and faster hard drive. And don’t forget video, audio and graphic files. There are several sizes to choose from and certainly all price ranges.

Most drives come in 5400 and 7200-rpm versions. The 5400-rpm drives are less expensive than the 7200-rpm models, but you will then loose the performance boost delivered from the 7200 version. If you need quicker access times and improved data transfers, the 7200 version is a better alternative.

You should plan to make your new drive your primary drive i.e. the new home for your OS. This simply because your new hard drive is bigger and faster. The old drive may be your secondary hard disk and you may use it for archives etc.

All major drive makers pack software with their upgrade kits that prepares the drive for partitioning and formatting and can also copy what’s on your current drive to the new one, helping to make the upgrade a breeze.

1. Preparation of PC Prepare Your PC’s existing Hard Drive from future problems. Make sure the current drive in your PC is trouble-free. Run ScanDisk followed by the Disk Defragmenter. These tests could take hours to complete but you will save time and headaches later in the installation process by ensuring that you will be copying error-free data.

Do not forget to make backup of your hard drive ie if you are able to. Don’t forget files like normal.dot from Microsoft Word and Bookmarks or Favorites from your Web browser.

2. Run the New Drive-Installation Software First of all, read your new hard drive’s manual. Almost all hard drives ship with installation software that takes care of formatting and partitioning. Some will even help you transfer data from your old disk to the new one. You must run most installation software before you physically install the new drive. You will either install and run the software from within Windows, or boot from a floppy disk. Program details vary by drive manufacturer, so read the directions carefully.

3. Open your PC Turn off your computer and unplug it before you remove the cover. Before you begin working inside your PC, put on an antistatic wrist strap. You can get this from local electronics supply stores. Clip it to a grounded metal object.

A. Find a space. Usually you will find an accessible space for your new hard drive next to your existing drive.

B. Find the drive. Make a note of where the red wire of the cable meets the drive (Pin 1) so you can connect your new cable correctly. Mark the location with masking tape.

C. Find a power connector. Alternatively you need a y-adapter if your power supply has no free connector.

D. Use your new cable. For best performance, today’s drives require an 80-wire cable. Most drives ship with one. Replace the old with the new one, the connectors are compatible.

4. Set the Drive Jumpers. It’s advisable to install your new drive as the second drive on the primary IDE channel. This is exactly the same channel where the current drive is connected. When two IDE drives are connected to a single cable, one must be designated ‘Master’, and the other ‘Slave’.

These jumper settings should be printed on the drives. Set your new disk as your PC’s boot drive, and its jumper to Master. Change the jumper settings on your old drive to Slave. Check that the installation software supports copying of data over to your new hard disk.

5. Assembling Install the new drive. Attach the two connectors on the new ribbon cable to both your hard disks. Make sure the red wire goes to Pin 1. Also make sure the other end of the cable is connected to the primary IDE connector on the motherboard, and that it’s correctly connected so that the red wire on the cable goes to Pin 1 on the motherboard connector.

Power up both drives. Check all your connections. Don’t put the cover back on until you’re sure that everything’s working correctly.

6. Finishing up Put your installation utility disk is in the floppy drive. Turn your PC on. Enter your PC’s setup utility. This is done either by pressing Delete, F1, or F2 at start-up, although details could vary by manufacturer. Make sure drives 1 and 2 are set to AUTO. If they’re not, your PC may not detect your new drive.

Save the setup settings. Reboot from the installation utility floppy disk. Follow the directions to set up your new drive and copy the data from the old to the new one.

Finally, remove the floppy and reboot your PC. After this your PC should start Windows normally. After checking that everything’s working, reformat your old drive to wipe out its superfluous data and to prepare it for new files.

F.Fairline writes for http://www.hard-drive-resource.com

We live in an area that has begun to use Green
Bins for household waste. Our regular garbage
is picked up every other week and the only
weekly garbage collection is our green plastic
bins, to be filled with leftover food products
and other organic waste.

When the program first started, I was sure
we could never change our ways, but before
long, depositing bones and leftover food in
the bin became automatic.

Why am I telling you this? Because using the
computer will also become easy for you the
more you try. Sure, the learning curve is
steeper than remembering which container
to use for which type of garbage, but the
idea is the same. Every time you perform a
function or solve a problem on your computer,
it will be easier than the time before.

This week, I read a book written by Bill Gates
in 1996 titled ‘The Road Ahead’. Gates said,
"Computers frighten almost everyone
(everyone but children), before they learn to
use them. When people spend more time with
computers, they understand them better.
You can start by playing computer games or
doing other simple things. Once you start
using them, I think you’ll like them."

With the Internet, we can keep in touch with
old friends and make new ones; have virtual
experiences of flying an airplane, driving a
car, even dissecting a toad. Pilots and doctors
practice their work without worrying about
accidents. Every school can have a wonderful
library thanks to the Internet.

Gates saw then how much our world would
change because of computers. Banking and
shopping online, distance learning, the ability
to telecommute and work from home - all of
these grew as software became better and
more powerful.

Gates talked about his own futuristic house.
Anyone in the house wore an electronic pin that
told the house who and where you were. When
it got dark, the pin would turn on lights nearby
and turn them off when you went away. Music
would play near you and the phone ring nearby
only if the call was for you. A home control
console activated choices of lighting, music,
and temperature. That was in 1996, so who
knows what his home is like now!

The book ended with a cartoon showing a mutt
using a computer and saying "On the Internet,
nobody know’s you’re a dog." How true - on
the Internet, we are all on equal ground.

When in my 40’s, the university library where I worked was computerized. The thought of using those machines at my age was so intimidating that I moved to another department. I transferred back a year later, determined to learn.

To my surprise, computers were easier to use than I imagined, and so enjoyable that I went back to school full-time.

(c) Carol Bremner 2003
cabremner@creativehomecomputing.com
projects - hints - products
www.creativehomecomputing.com

There are a lot of remarkably cheap PCs on the market. Only a few hundred dollars will get you a basic model that will have you on the internet, download photos from your digital camera, and help you balance your checkbook. Since this is the case, why should you even consider building your computer yourself?

It would be very hard to build a low-end computer for less than it would cost to buy one ready made. Once, this wasn’t so. A plain-Jane PC just a few years ago could cost over a $1000. Techno geeks, like myself, could buy the parts for between $450 and $600. The savings were tremendous. An afternoon could be enjoyably spent putting one together, much as some people build model ships and such.

Now, if you search relentlessly for bargain parts, you may be able to meet the price of those low end store bought PCs. But price alone isn’t the only reason to build a computer.

The best reason for building a computer is the knowledge you’ll gain. If you ever need to install a bigger hard drive, or add more RAM, you’ll know how. You won’t be at the mercy of $40 technicians. Whatever need arises, you’ll be able to handle it.

High end computers, those sought by gamers, and graphics artists, can be built far cheaper than what you’ll pay in a retail setting. Wise parts shoppers who are willing to spend some time on the internet and at swap meets can save hundreds by building their dream PC themselves.

To learn how to build a computer, my guidebook, "Building A PC For Beginners" is available, as are several others.

Michael Quarles is the publisher at Monkey See Monkey Do Books

Offering secure public Internet access is not as easy as it may seem. As the IT manager for a mid-sized public library, it’s become apparent to me that creating a secure network of library workstations for use by the public is more important than ever before. System administrators have the responsibility of protecting the library’s networks and systems, while ensuring quality and speedy service to all patrons. Offering public Internet access requires a dynamic security plan that is constantly under revision, taking into account the technical changes of the times. Traditionally, the software options available for help in this regard come at a significant price, often forcing libraries to spend thousands of dollars securing their computer rooms.

Sold per module or license, many of these software solutions offer a variety of features, but often fall short of actually securing the workstation. Plagued with stability issues, it’s not uncommon for many of these security solutions to crash and leave an administrative-level desktop open for public use. After test-driving a seemingly endless amount of pro-active protection software packages, the PC’s I administrate were still accumulating spy ware, browser hijacks, and tracking cookies on a daily basis. That is, until I came across the completely free software solution that actually does what others claim to — tightly secure any and every Windows 2000/XP Pro workstation.

The Public Access Computer Security Tool is a complete software security system designed by, and offered freely through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Designed for any public access computer that runs Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional, it helps keep workstations secure by restricting public access to the machine, and creating customizable profile environments to meet patron needs, without compromising the ever-important administrative access to the terminal.

So how does the Public Access Computer Security Tool work? By utilizing three separate layers of pro-active security restrictions (system restrictions, profiles, and profile restrictions), patron access is limited to a desktop completely configurable by the Administrator, and locked down at the policy level. This results in a computer environment that performs flawlessly, despite the “heavy use” factor that’s become synonymous with the public access computing world.

After installing and configuring the Public Access Computer Security Tool on our library’s ten public access Internet machines, the days of spy ware, instant messengers, and search bars are now behind us. I’m confident our public access terminals are now properly secure. Stability is not an issue any more; the operating system itself is reconfigured to disable access to sensitive parts of the machine. There’s absolutely no way for patrons to intentionally or accidentally disrupt the functioning of the computer, as they are limited to the software we’ve given them access to.

Best of all, libraries on the tightest of budgets can use the Public Access Computer Security Tool for every public access terminal in the building, and not owe a single dollar. The software is completely free and requires no license/registrations. As an IT administrator, if you’re shopping around for public access solutions, I suggest you check out the Public Access Computer Security Tool. Further information and links to downloading the tool at available at: http://www.pacomputing.org/PACTool/pactoolhome.aspx.

Jim Frank is the Head of Computer Services for the Berwyn Public Library. He can be reached by emailing jiminberwyn@gmail.com. A support forum for the Public Access Security Tool can be found by visiting http://www.securepc.org. (NOTE TO EDITORS: This article may be edited for publication in your newsletter or on your website, but must include the author’s name, and the title of the article.)

This article will help you with your decision by elaborating on the different factors to consider when buying that new sound card.

What Are Your Needs?
First thing to consider here is your intended usage of the sound card. If all you want is basic sound support and not spectacular 3D surround sound, I’d say go buy a cheap, simple card like the Sabrent 6-Channel or even rely on your motherboard’s on-board sound. If you want great surround sound and better speaker connectivity options, then you’ll want to consider a dedicated sound card like the TurtleBeach Montego or Sound Blaster Audigy 2.

What’s Your Budget?
As always, cost is an important issue to consider. A basic, no-frills sound card these days costs about $10, while the latest heavy-duty sound card with surround sound support can cost about $250. If you only need simple sound support, don’t waste money buying a high-end product with features you don’t need.

Surround Sound
A critical factor to consider is to take a look at what sound standards your sound card supports. Most high-end sound cards in the market today have EAX and 5.1 surround sound support. You can connect up to five speakers to these cards to enjoy a surreal, 3D audio effects. Some cards even starting to provide 7.1 surround sound support.

Special Needs
Do you have any special needs that you need to cater for? For example, if you’re into professional, multi-track music recording, you’ll want to get a proper multi-channel sound card. If you’re into things like MIDI, you’ll want a card that supports provides good MIDI support.

Is Your Computer Good Enough?
If you want to take advantage of the latest features in the new sound cards out there, you’ll usually need to ensure you have a powerful CPU to go along with it. No point having the latest super-duper audio card if you’re installing it into an old Pentium 3 computer.

Bundled Software
It’s also useful to look at what software comes with the sound card package. Cards like the Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS are wonderful because they throw in great music and audio software. This will save you money, especially if the software you’ve always wanted is found in the package.

Recommended Sound Cards

Now let’s take a look at some of the sound cards I’d recommend to prospective buyers.

Sabrent 6-Channel
You’ve probably not heard of the brand Powmax - but the Sabrent 6-Channel 5.1 3D Surround Sound PCI Card is one solid, reliable sound card. It is sold for a very low price (about $10) but provides up to 6 channels of stereo sound to any computer. Great for basic multimedia usage like playing games or watching DVDs.

TurtleBeach Montego
The TurtleBeach Montego provides 7.1 channel surround sound for a complete home theater experience. The 24-bit audio quality is excellent, whilst the wealth of connectivity options to external audio devices is a big plus for fans of high fidelity audio.

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
If you have the cash, this is one of the best sound cards in the market today. It can do almost anything imaginable with your computer’s audio. Among others, it incorporates support for DVD-Audio, Dolby Digital EX, wavetable synthesis, EAX and hard-disk recording. The moment my current sound card breaks down, I’m rushing out to get one!

Conclusion
To sum up, sound cards are an essential component in computers today - they’re your gateway to experiencing true multimedia. Make sure you consider your audio needs and do some homework before buying that sound card. If you don’t need certain high-end features like multi-track recording support, or hard-disk recording, then go for a lower-end card.

Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit his website at Build-Your-Own-Computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good computer components.

To Wire or Not to Wire

Wireless networks are en vogue, but your installation won’t be successful unless you chose the right type of network and set it up properly. Wired networks require that each computer be connected via a wire to a central location, called a switch or hub. This often involves installing cables through walls and ceilings and can present a challenge for anyone.

If the computers in your home or office are all within 500 feet of each other, a wireless network might be for you. A wireless network has no cables. It can connect computers on different floors of a building or even across the street. Aside from the obvious benefit of not having wires, wireless networks are more convenient since the setup, configuration, and reconfiguration can often be done within minutes, without extensive planning.

Wireless networks, however, are not as fast as wired networks. If you play computer games or want to view streaming video or other high-speed multimedia, a wireless network might not have enough capacity. But, if you just want to check e-mail and view web pages, a wireless network is a good choice. To install a wireless network, you need a Wireless Access Point and a wireless network card for each computer. You will need to buy a wireless network card for each desktop computer, although most newer laptops come equipped with one.

Security is not a large concern in a wired network, since someone would have to physically connect to a wired network to break in. In wireless networks, a car parked outside with a laptop could easily connect to your network if you don’t have proper security in place. To prevent this from happening, encrypt your wireless network connections, or set a password to access the network, or do both.

Do It Yourself or Call a Professional?

If you decide to use a wired network, consider whether you will install it yourself or hire a professional. If you have a small number of computers that are all situated very close to one another, you may be able to buy pre-assembled network cables and connect them yourself. If you need to wire multiple floors and lay wire through ceilings and walls, you need a professional installation. If you go this route, it is best to begin with a floor plan of your office or home, determine what your current needs are, and consider how the network design can be adapted to future needs. A professional installer should be familiar with EIA/TIA standards, local wiring and electrical codes, and making custom cables. Network cabling professionals are often judged by the neatness of their work, because sloppy cabling is more apt to deteriorate over time, harder to manage, and poses more of a fire risk.

Having a wireless network or a wired network is not mutually exclusive. Many small offices have a wired network in addition to one or more wireless networks, depending on their needs. Wireless networks are continuing to get faster, more secure, and less expensive. Wired networks will continue to coexist with wireless networks, often in the same homes and offices.

Deryck Richards is the founder and managing partner of Desktronix. With an extensive educational background in computer information systems, Deryck currently manages hosting and data center operations for Desktronix. He also provides system administration and technical support directly to small businesses as he has since 2000. His areas of expertise include networking, Windows, Linux, and Macintosh systems and he is the author of The Guide to Technology for Small Business. For more information on Desktronix, visit www.desktronix.com

So how do you make sense of all the CPUs out there? Well, let’s start by splitting them into four broad categories:

• Obsolete Processors
• Budget Processors
• Mid-Range Processors
• High-End Processors

Obsolete Processors
These would refer to those processors which were around 5 or more years ago. They will typically come with older refurnished or budget computer systems. Be very careful if you are purchasing such CPUs as your system’s speed will definitely slow to a crawl. Worse still, some software on the market today simply cannot be run using older processors.

The Windows XP operating system, for example, needs the newer crops of CPUs to function. Overall, I’d only recommend buying these processors if you want to do extremely simple tasks with your PC - like word processing or general web browsing. Some examples of processors in this category would be: the older AMD Athlon CPUs and Intel Celeron CPUs, AMD Duron CPUs, and Intel Pentium III CPUs.

Budget Processors
Strapped for cash? Consider purchasing CPUs in this category - which include yesterday’s top-of-the-line CPUs which have been discontinued or the newer budget CPUs. While you may not get extremely good performance, these CPUs will give you the best bang for your buck.

While you’re not going to get super-duper performance for more CPU intensive activities like gaming and video editing, the speed provided by these CPUs will be more than enough for general applications. Under this category, you’d be looking at processors like the AMD Athlon XP, AMD Sempron, Intel Celeron (2.4 GHz and higher), as well as the Intel Pentium 4 (2.6 GHz and lower).

Mid-Range Processors
The CPUs in this category would have been king of the hill just 6 months ago. Due to the entry of newer, faster CPUs, processors will drop in price and become more affordable. These processors will still scream in performance and are very popular among current PC owners.

Whenever I upgrade my computer, I always go for CPUs in this category. To sum up: thes CPUs here give slightly outdated but extremely powerful performance. Examples include the AMD Athlon XP (2800+ to 3500+) and the Intel Pentium 4 (2.8GHz and higher) CPUs.

High-End Processors
Want drop-dead performance? The CPUs in this category will scream even if you run the most demanding gaming or video editing applications in the market today. Of course, be prepared to fork out serious cash. If you absolutely want no less than the best, be an early adopter and go for one of these CPUs.

Personally, I tend to avoid buying top-of-the-line CPUs for two reasons - the high prices and stability. These CPUs are not only expensive, they are also unproven - I’ve heard cases of extremely new CPUs crashing or overheating. CPUs like the AMD Athlon 64 FX and the Intel Pentium 4 Extreme Edition fall into this category.

Conclusion
In summary, always consider your computing needs when selecting a CPU. If you want to do simple word processing or general computer tasks, go for the budget or low end processors. If you are more into gaming or do CPU intensive work like video editing, go for a mid-range or high-end processor.

Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit his website at Build-Your-Own-Computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good computer components.

The ability to easily move data from PC to PC with minimal inconvenience is just another benefit computers have brought to the current business world.

Over the past few years, the different options to save and move data have multiplied dramatically. Usually the floppy disk (with it’s 1.2 MB limitation), ZIP drives, CD-R’s & CD-RW’s, and even tape backups are the common ways to move data on non-networked PC’s.

The latest innovation, the USB Removable Flash Memory (Thumb Drive, Key Drive, Flash Drive, USB Drive, Micro Drive) brings a whole new meaning to easy transport of data. These USB compliant devices are small enough to fit on a key ring or carry in your shirt pocket.

As a way to protect sensitive information, the security of one of these drives can’t be beat. It’s in your pocket!

Their size belies a huge data storage volume; the current sizes start at 16MB and go up to 4GB. The pricing on these devices is steadily falling, making the purchase of one of these handy drives almost a must have item.

Check out the accessories at your local computer store or go online to get the best deal.

For very little cost you can now conveniently move data between PC’s just as easily as accessing the data on your internal hard drive.

© 2004 ODEC

Mike Burstein has been helping the SOHO and Small Business community grow & prosper for over 20 years by solving start up problems, creating best practices, automating their offices, getting free publicity and dramatically increasing traffic and sales.

Visit http://www.SOHOWiz.com for the latest FREE business tips.

Email the Wiz at: SOHOWiz@SOHOWiz.com

1. Get Rid of Dust
One of the most common causes of overheating is dust and dirt. So you need to keep your system clean, inside and out. Try to clean it once a year using lint-free wipes. Make sure you use an antistatic wrist strap as well to protect your system when cleaning inside the case.

2. Get Power Protection
One of the saddest things in many PCs is that they are not surge protected. Surge protectors are a good investment - they protect your PC from that unfortunate power outage or lightning strike. Try to get one that has a warning indicator and is UL 1449 certified.

3. Turn Off the Monitor
One tip I always apply at home - turn off the PC monitor when its not in use. I treat the computer monitor like a TV - don’t waste your monitor’s power if you’re not using it. This is especially important in LCD monitors, which may burn out or get bad pixels after long periods of use.

4. Keep the PC Running
Many people don’t realize that its harmful to power up your computer from a cold state. This is especially true when done repeatedly within a short timeframe. Try to leave your PC running as long as possible - or use the Microsoft Windows’ Power Management settings to put your machine into hibernation rather than completely shutting down.

5. Hard Drive Health Check
If you use Windows XP, you should regularly check your hard disk’s health with an error-checking utility. In Windows Explorer, click on the drive’s icon, select Properties -> Tools -> Check Now. If the check discovers several hundred errors, your drive could be full of bad sectors - you’d best backup your important data and then try to get it repaired.

6. Get an Anti-Virus Program
I still find it amazing that many home computer users do not have an anti-virus program installed. This piece of software is fundamental to any computer system. You should definitely consider getting a program like Norton Antivirus or The Shield Pro to protect against harmful attacks.

7. Check the CMOS battery
If you have a very old PC (four or five years old), the CMOS battery on the motherboard may need to be replaced. The first sign of a bad CMOS battery is when your system clock starts losing time.

8. Take Care when Opening the Case
Whenever you open the PC case, turn off the power and unplug your PC. Ground yourself first - by touching anything inside the PC to avoid destroying your circuit boards with a static charge. Another option is to wear a grounding wrist strap. I’ve destroyed my computer power supply before because I forgot about this point.

9. Maintain the Mouse
What’s one of the dirtiest components in a PC that you come in contact with? Yes - it’s the modest little mouse. Years of using a mouse will get it filled with dirt and grime.

If you have a mechanical mouse, you’ll realize this when the mouse starts to move erratically. To clean it, unscrew the mouse and use a small scraper to scrape the dirt off the two plastic rollers inside. Also remember to clean the scroll wheel if there is one. If you have a optical mouse, you need not worry about any internal rollers but you still need to clean the scroll wheel.

10. Clean Up the Registry
If you always add and remove computer programs in your PC, you can be sure the entries in your Windows Registry are pretty much in a mess. A clogged Windows Registry increases the time your PC boot up time and hogs system resources. Try to get a tool to help clean the registry safely, such as Registry Mechanic. Do not try to clean the registry yourself if you’re not sure what you’re doing.

Conclusion
I hope this article has given you many ideas on how to keep your good old PC in tiptop shape. Remember, take care of your PC and it will take care of you. Apply these tips once in a while to ensure a trouble-free computer system.

Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit his website at Build-Your-Own-Computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good computer components.

When it comes to sales of technology products over the Internet, there are now two factors that potential buyers must consider as possibly ‘too good to be true’. In the past, there was only price to worry about. If the price was too low, buyer beware. But now a second factor has emerged, in the form of a new kind of company for web surfers to consider as possibly also ‘too good to be true’. For if this company is ‘good’, then a new revolution on the web is about to occur. Because if this company is ‘true’, then the cleansing of the internet of corruption and lies has finally begun in earnest, with one company willing to police itself.

Enter TheHonestCompany.com, a website where its founder posts his experiences with internet fraud and his motives for fighting back against a corrupt web right on their home page. A trip to this companies ‘about us’ page serves to quickly establish their position as the anti-fraud internet company, numbering abusive tactics used by hoaxsters and detailing their humble beginnings from an LA area backyard garage to a B2B powerhouse that now offers almost 100,000 computer related items from a network of 23 distribution centers nationwide.

This may someday be ‘made for the movies’ stuff if it’s true. Move over Microsoft, Apple, and HP – here’s what could (hopefully) be the beginning of another rags to riches story with an ‘honest’ plot twist! An honest reseller bashes Internet scammers, preferring to do business the hard way – the honest way. Are we dreaming? Could this be real? Could the days when ‘The Customer is King’ be making a comeback in of all places, the web?

TheHonestCompany.com expects to earn a significant portion of the home and SMB computing technology markets web-based sales over the next few years.

“Top-tier technology resellers like CDW and CompUSA will not bother us as we will not impact them. They have decent reputations, loyal customers, and higher prices. It’s the second-tier, priced-based 90% of their smaller competitors that we are fighting,” says the founder of TheHonestCompany.com, David Johnston, “Those guys have corrupted the Internet and seriously hurt honest companies like ours. Every-time some scam web company rips off a customer, somewhere else a real person at a real company gets hurt too. By using honesty as a weapon, we intend bring the web consumer something they are starving for by making the web a better place to shop – it’s a dirty job that no other company was willing to be the first to start doing.”

According to David, Internet technology consumers have no idea of the great extent that fraud permeates the web. He says that if every web consumer knew what he knew about the extent of internet fraud, they’d pick one or two honest, technology web sales companies to do business with and lay low for awhile, because he says he’s got some serious mud to start slinging as his company gears up for an upcoming advertising and marketing blitz. ”There’s a massive pack of internet companies pretending to be real when they are not. Most other legitimate web companies have been acting rather sheepish. I intend to kill wolves by exposing them as what they really are to the Internet public.”

David is a man on a mission, passionate and articulate in his vision of his companies place on the web and their future. He leaves no doubt about this as he summarizes his company’s identity.

“TheHonestCompany.com is transforming the web purchasing experience by providing web shoppers with a trusted, reliable source of technology products along with prices far below those of most traditionally recognized web retailers. With a staff of top-notch industry professionals at its core, offering prompt and full service to each and every customer, The Company encourages phone calls from any customer with questions or comments before, during, and after a purchase. TheHonestCompany.com does not outsource, does not spam, and does not sell or share its customer’s personal information. The company operates as a safe-haven for the price conscious customer leery of unbelievable prices from no-name websites, restoring confidence in buying over the web. This is business done right.” Bravo, David. Honestly, it’s about time!

Derek Kadonaga has worked in the retail technology industry for over 10 years, first as an executive with CompUSA. In the past several years he has applied his industry knowledge to helping technology start-ups.