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 You seem to be having a difficulty navigating the Business before Technology siteAs well as the site structure listed below there should be a navigation bar above. If not - you may have Javascript disabled - see the instructions at the very bottom of this page if that is the case Menu Tree for Business before Technology siteClick any of the links below to navigate Contents of page 'Why Business before Technology' are:Business before Technology - so important we made it our businessNeed help before you even start to think about a new Web Site?Because our company depends on PCs and Internet facilities on a daily basis we can make your computing environment safe, secure and resilient even if you only have a single PC! See What we offer for details. Web Site developmentWe take you and your business idea through
the necessary steps of deploying
people, procedures and technology to become a commercial success.
We specialise in helping those companies that need more than an on-line brochure but want to minimise their initial investment in more advanced Web facilities. Start simple but with the future in mind...Unless there are good reasons to the contrary we will create a website for you that is Intelligent and Dynamic in that it can:
See Intelligent Web Sites for more details or see Where to Start. What if your business wouldn't benefit from Internet technology?If during the StepWise process the conclusion is that the most appropriate technology to match your business idea is pen and ink then so-be-it - we know that customers return to suppliers who are serious about integrity and honesty. Want to find out more about the company and its servicesIt's easy - follow whichever links to the left (or below) that interest you. Contents of page 'What we offer' are:What we and our associates offer
Contents of page 'Web site development' are:Web Site Development and maintenanceAlthough we offer a one-stop shop in terms of the entire lifecycle of an on-line venture - from business strategy and marketing through to Web hosting and deployment our core competencies lie in the design and delivery of sites that interact with a user rather than simply present pages of static information that have been manually edited and published from one of hundreds of PC tools that are capable of creating sites. Interactive web sites allow surfers to "do things" and the as the name implies they allow surfers to interact through the web site with your company. Creating an interactive web site can often mean that the site owner has to invest time and resource into integrating the site with their business but that is where the real benefits are to be gained. Your web site can be acting as the gateway to your customers 24 hours per day, 7 days per week when the integration between the web and what is often referred to as "back office" systems are achieved. The key to achieving the benefits in the long-term is to start simple. Do not attempt to turn your business "on-line" overnight because there are too many problems that will attack you from all sides. If technology and application issues aren't the first to bite then the people issues will be. Individuals all have their own limits to adoption and mastery of changes to their working environment, skills and responsibilities. We have a combined tenure of 35 years of making people, projects and Information Technology work together within all sizes of business to achieve business goals through innovative though prgamatic exploitation of diverse technologies. By listening to our customers and fully understanding their needs and aspirations we have created software which allows your web site to be delivered with both value for money and flexibility for the future. Because our sites are dynamically presented to surfers we can make them interact in useful and intelligent ways that are simply not possible with static web sites. If you already know that you need more than a simple, static web site or you just want to talk through what an interactive web site could do for your business then call us Simple contact form or send us details about what you want to do and we will be delighted to talk about your business and how we can exploit technology to make it do what you need to do. Contents of page 'Self Maintenance Sites' are:Self maintenance of Web SitesWe deliver sites that make you self-sufficient to whatever level is appropriate to your business, skills, knowledge and needs. Many web site owners have realised that they need to be able to manage aspects of their site content themselves rather than risk the delays and costs of involving the original developer(s) or much worse still - attempt to engage new developers to maintain an old site! Sites which contain products for sale are the most obvious examples that require owner-maintenance in that price, availability and many other factors can change frequently and without notice. Keeping in-house skills and knowledge of a Web site design tool at a competent level to compete on the Web is a big challenge to begin with but only the more sophisticated tools can handle the sort of database and data manipulation tools that are required in any site that attempts to be useful to it's users. Our approach is to agree up-front about those aspects of the site that need to be common and unchanging on all pages. This design then becomes a dynamic template for all of the pages of the site. For many site owners we also turn their business ideas into the actual Web pages of their site. Some customers want to maintain their site content as soon as the site has been "handed over" but many others allow us to make updates at a nominal charge given the knowledge that they could take advantage of the self-maintenance option at a later date. Although we offer all customers the ability to change their Web content it is very normal for their needs to be simple. The types of update required fall into three major categories: 1. Small pieces of text and images which become part of the template of the siteThis includes:
These are usually limited in scope (colour, font, size etc.) to ensure these do not corrupt the overall site. 2. Text and images that are part of a databaseAlthough the obvious example is items for sale within a catalogue it is actually almost anywhere that users are typically shown a list of items in a common format:
The above items can be exported from a spreadsheet (in CSV format) if the author wants to use their PC skills and time rather than doing this online. 3. Page content - where the balance is really neededGiving users the ability to change complete page content is not difficult! Doing so without exposing the site to corruption of style, image, professionalism etc. is the difficult part! What we offer is the ability to change the text and images within an existing page. If any reader of this page is familiar with HTML - the one and only Markup language of the Web! then they would be familiar with tags such as <b> to embolden a piece of text as earlier in this sentence. To keep the unique skill and knowledge required to maintain page content to a minimum we allow a pre-defined list of these standard HTML tags to be part of the site content. In this manner the editor of a page can read a simple guide to HTML of which there are hundreds and as long as they restrict their usage to those agreed with the site owner then they will be able to change many aspects of a page. Typical lists of these tags are:
To use them is trivial - simply key them in as shown above and they will be translated into an effect rather than displayed as above. There are many more but the above are typical examples. If there are needs which cannot be met by these simple and universally accepted tags or there is a formatting style which requires a more complex set of tags then these can be pre-defined in conjunction with the site owner. Contents of page 'Spam offerings' are:Spam avoidance - Spam OfferingsBecause everyone has different needs from both a technology and a "risk" perspective we only offer our help based on the time taken to work on your specific "project" whether that is a standalone PC or a Local Area Network spanning multiple sites. The navigation bar to the left will allow you too see sub-pages below this one where you can see how we offer our time but to summarise - your choices are for on-site support or help over the telephone. The latter is well suited to those businesses and individuals who have already have a reasonable understanding of their computing environment and want to take advantage of our specific areas of knowledge in the Spam and Virus avoidance areas. On site support can obviously be much more flexible to suit a wide range of technical situations and also different requirements. If you want us to do more than just setup your PC with the appropriate settings to avoid Spam then we can do that on your behalf. Examples of that could be:
Please have a look at the pages below this by moving your mouse over the menu item again and you will see further choices. Contents of page 'Spam - why me?!' are:No HTML page to display for 'bspamhar.htm'Contents of page 'e-mail Services' are:No HTML page to display for 'bemserv1.htm'Contents of page 'e-mail Support' are:No HTML page to display for 'bemserv2.htm'Contents of page 'Request Telephone support' are:Telephone support line and services - request formThis page allows us to gather information about your specific circumstances prior to us making contact as well as setting out the terms and conditions by which Business before Technology provides these services. If for some reason this form isn't suitable for your needs then you can use the very simple form at Simple contact form instead. Bear in mind that we will need to gather this information from you prior to any work being undertaken and that we will need you to confirm that you agree with the Terms and Conditions which follow the form below.
Terms and Conditions of our services - please read thoroughlyThe following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request. There are 24 clauses in the contract. Even if you have previously read clause 24, please do so again as it may have been updated since you last visited this page as it contains conditions that relate to the most common and most recent activities that are requested by our customers. If this request is not for your personal use then you are confirming that you are authorised to act on behalf of the organisation that is making the request. The following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request.
Contents of page 'Request OnSite support' are:On Site assistance - request formThis page allows us to gather information about your specific circumstances prior to us making contact as well as setting out the terms and conditions by which Business before Technology provides these services. If for some reason this form isn't suitable for your needs then you can use the very simple form at Simple contact form instead. Bear in mind that we will need to gather this information from you prior to any work being undertaken and that we will need you to confirm that you agree with the Terms and Conditions which follow the form below.
Terms and Conditions of our services - please read thoroughlyThe following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request. There are 24 clauses in the contract. Even if you have previously read clause 24, please do so again as it may have been updated since you last visited this page as it contains conditions that relate to the most common and most recent activities that are requested by our customers. If this request is not for your personal use then you are confirming that you are authorised to act on behalf of the organisation that is making the request. The following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request.
Contents of page 'Req. Hosting or Domain Reg.' are:Web Hosting and Domain registration services - online request formThis page allows us to gather information about your specific circumstances prior to us making contact as well as setting out the terms and conditions by which Business before Technology provides these services. If for some reason this form isn't suitable for your needs then you can use the very simple form at Simple contact form instead. Bear in mind that we will need to gather this information from you prior to any work being undertaken and that we will need you to confirm that you agree with the Terms and Conditions which follow the form below.
Terms and Conditions of our services - please read thoroughlyThe following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request. There are 24 clauses in the contract. Even if you have previously read clause 24, please do so again as it may have been updated since you last visited this page as it contains conditions that relate to the most common and most recent activities that are requested by our customers. If this request is not for your personal use then you are confirming that you are authorised to act on behalf of the organisation that is making the request. The following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request.
Contents of page 'Simple contact form' are:Business before Technology Spam Seminars - contacting us
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These are the changes to the settings for the Internet Zone after they have been (Re)-set to High (security). See images to right as an example of how to get to these settings from Internet Explorer. Click on "Tools" then "Internet Options" then "Security" (top Tab) then click on "Custom level" while having "Internet Zone" highlighted (the "Globe" icon). The easiest and safest way to achieve all these settings is to start by selecting "High" in the "Reset Custom settings" and then click "Reset". Doing this will switch off anything that is deemed (by MS!) as at all dangerous! Then you can restore the basic minimum to allow web sites to interact with you efficiently and effectively but without exposing the security flaws. The ten images to the right are what you want to achieve and the changes are hopefully highlighted in bright blue - enable Javascript and submit forms on an insecure connection - screen shots 8 and 9 to the right if you have already done a 'Reset to High'. As good background reading material the following link is MS advice for a commercial environment (Windows Server) but it is equally relevant for a home or small business user who wants to be more secure: Microsoft advice for commercial users of MS IE
The bottom two images on the right are the only two changes that should be made to 'upgrade' the setting from 'High' to slightly less severe. If there is a site that you are keen to view and you trust both the owner and their competence in I.T. and you are absolutely certain that the site you are viewing really is owned by who you think it is only THEN you should consider promoting the site using the instructions in How to trust a web site. |
Above and to the right are the first |  |
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On the left just below is where the 'Globe' is selected for the Internet Zone.
On the right just below is the first of several screens of settings
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Active-X controls - to sign or not to sign - that isn't the question!
The following quote from the MS web site is very old but is demonstrates
how much faith you might want to have in even digitally signed Active-X
controls:
To sign your control, you'll need to obtain a certificate from a
Certificate Authority such as VeriSign, Inc. Find directions from
VeriSign
There are two classes of digital IDs for Microsoft Authenticode&tm; technology.
Class 2 certificates, for individuals who publish software, cost US$20 per year
and require that you provide your name, address, e-mail address, date of birth,
and Social Security Number. After VeriSign verifies this information,
you will be issued a certificate.
Sign that control
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'How to trust a web site' are:
Configuring Microsoft products for safety, security and privacy
Permitting 'trusted senders' to 'download' richer content - Web sites
Occasionally you will want or need to see a web site (OR AN E-MAIL - see How to trust an e-mail) as the sender intended you to view it - images, interactivity etc.. Bear in mind that if you are not absolutely certain that the sender was fully in control of their PC when the e-mail was sent you may be exposing yourself to a serious computer virus that could cost £300-500UKP to fix and a lot more in terms of lost business, data and many other bad consequences.
To view a Web Site with full graphics/interactivity "etc." and associated risks
By taking our advice you will have disabled certain MS features that are by far the biggest security holes for the consumer in the MS product line. The consequence of this change is that highly interactive sites that previously worked may not function correctly without intervention - they need to be "promoted".
95% of the sites that have problems can be made to function as intended by promoting them from the "Internet Zone" (level 2) to one higher - the "Local Intranet" (3) or even the "Trusted" (4) zone. Two caveats to doing so:
- Only do this if you are absolutely certain that the owner, manager, developer and service provider of the site are completely reputable, competent and have not been compromised.
- There are situations where this will not suffice. In particular if a
site needs to have a Plug-In downloaded or even a different version of a
Plug-in before the site will become "alive".
It is our strong recommendation that no Plug-ins other than Acrobat Reader should be allowed to run and under no circumstances should you download a Plug-in at the insistence of a site because there is a reasonable chance that they will direct you to a site that will look reputable but in fact will download code that will give control of your PC to ill-intentioned people on the web.
Notes:
- The other 5% would have failed anyway!, even if you had made no changes.
- We leave level 1 for the Untrusted Zone where you can put sites that you really do not want to do anything with your PC at all!
Making the Local Intranet Zone a little safer
Even for sites you trust, you should customise SOME settings to lower the level of threat by making IE prompt prior to taking an action rather than it be automatic which is what you get when you tick 'enabled'.
To change the settings you should single click on the symbol (PC in front of WWW globe) and then click on customise.
The ones that I normally switch to prompt (if not already the default - as marked with an * below) are:
- * Download SIGNED Active-X controls
(Download UNSIGNED Active-X controls and Initialise and script ActiveX NOT marked as safe for scripting should already be Disabled)
- * Access data sources across domains
- * Allow Web pages to use restricted protocols for active content
- Drag and Drop or copy and paste files
- * Installation of Desktop items
- * Launching programs and files in an IFRAME
- Navigate sub-frames across different domains
- Web sites in less priveliged web content zones can navigate into this zone
- Allow paste operations via script
- .
I would also disable the pop-up blocker for these sites (two thirds down the page) and set the User authentication (very bottom) to prompt for user name and password
Note that there will probably be only 6 out of all of the above that you need to change from their default for this zone AND you may want to reset SOME of them to Enable rather than prompt if you get too much irritation from the prompts because the sites that you place there use technology in a manner which causes them to create prompts. Another option is to move the domain yet higher (need to remove them from this zone first) into the trusted zone (Green circle with white tick inside) but obviously this is only for the most trusted sites.
To promote a site from the (now restricted!) Internet Zone
You may wish to use the Microsoft instructions as at Dec'06 or ours as follows...
The instructions below are my attempt at making that easier and you will see some real examples below. Note that the 'Trusted Zone' is the very highest level of trust and normally reserved for the 'must have' sites or sub-sites such as Windows Update - *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com is one of few examples.
Although the 'Local Zone' takes an extra 2 clicks to add sites it should be the zone chosen for any TRUSTED site with which you are having problems.
Bear in mind that legitimate sites will often use third-party providers of I.T. services as part of their own site - either as a subdomain or an explicit 3rd party domain such as 'ad.doubleclick.net' - you need to trust the competence and integrity of the owners of the prime site that they will not allow you to be compromised by their suppliers.
Also bear in mind that legitimate sites will have marketing as well as contractual aspects to their site. Whereas you may trust your Bank to manage your money you have to ask yourself the question - do I trust the people in marketing who are responsible for all of the Junk through my letter box? Trusting the whole of a vast domain should be avoided if possible.
Explorer - upgrading a site to a higher ZONE SETTING
Firstly you should ensure that IE is showing you the zone of web sites
as you visit them, the following should be at the very bottom of your
browser window. The words and images may not be exactly as shown.
Note that this (Status Bar) is very useful for your SECURITY because it allows you to see the ACTUAL address of web sites prior to you clicking on any link! As a slight aside - this status bar is really useful in Outlook Express too, see How to trust an e-mail
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| The ZONE is above - i.e. Internet in this case.
Note that other Zones are
named: Local Intranet, Trusted sites and Restricted sites as shown below |
If the above is not shown at the bottom of your (Internet Explorer) browser then click on 'View' at the top of the browser (after File and Edit - see image to right) and ensure that the phrase 'Status Bar' has a tick in front of it. Left click upon the words 'Status Bar' if there is not one. You MAY need to exit the browser and launch it again to get the above to display.
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The simple approach is to click on the 'Zone' in the right of the status bar at the bottom of the Internet Explorer Window as shown above. Left Click on the "Local Intranet Zone" which is symbolised by a small picture of a Globe with a PC in front of it. Then Click on "Sites". You should check that all of the prompts that start with the words "Include all" are DE-selected and then click on "Advanced". You can then enter the Web Site address that you wish to be promoted (e.g. www.tony-blair.gov.uk) and then click on "Add". If there is a prompt "require https" for these sites then de-select it. One of the reasons for removing the 'Include all' options is on the MS site as KB303650 Intranet site is identified as an Internet site when you use an FQDN or an IP address . Adding sites to the "Trusted" zone is simpler in that after single left-clicking the zone (Green with white tick) then the Sites option takes you directly to a prompt for site names. You should DE-select the option that says "insist on https connection to these sites". If you then click on "OK" three times! you should find that the site will now have a changed symbol in the status bar at the bottom of MSIE which shows that the site is being treated as "Local Intranet" rather than "Internet". |
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En-route to adding specific sites you will always be prompted for some generic inclusions - unless you know what you are doing you should disable all of these as anyone who (for instance) managed to encroach on your Wireless LAN could potentially trick you into running code from a dummy site which they could have running on a Laptop in a nearby Car Park for criminal intent. | 
Adding sites is straightforward and IE may offer the site for you to add without typing... on the whole be specific if the site is very large - e.g. microsoft.com then only allow subdomains or folder (prefix vs suffix). * at the front permits all subdomains. | |
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To the left is how you select the Trusted Zone - then click 'Sites'. Above is an example of adding the whole of the bbc.co.uk site to your trusted zone. Demanding secure connection (https:) doesn't tend to work even with banks as they typically have many (sub-)domains of which only some use https:. | |
Above and to the right are what MS IE will show in the very bottom right when you visit sites you have put in the Trusted and Local Zones. |  |
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'IE Config for All Zones' are:
Configuring Microsoft products for safety, security and privacy
Internet Explorer - ADVANCED - also see Internet Zone & Outlook Express
Just to re-iterate why this is so important - these are (some of the) SECURITY SETTINGS FOR ALL SITES. If a Spam e-mail fools you into clicking on a 'dodgy' link these settings can be just as disasterous as the Internet (default) Zone. The easiest exploit being that they make the link text appear legitimate but the real destination simply doesn't match or more subtley - a character or two different!
| These are some of the Advanced settings for MS IE
- they apply across all zones and are therefore almost as important as the
Internet Zone settings (See Brief IE Internet Zone Config).
To get to these settings from Internet Explorer simply click on "Tools"
then "Internet Options" then "Advanced" (top Tab)
The six images to the right are what you want to achieve:
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I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'Outlook Express Config guide' are:
Configuring Microsoft products for safety, security and privacy
Outlook Express - also see (MS IE) Zone and Advanced Settings
You MAY find that some of these settings are already in place because MS realised the exposure they had created and changed SOME defaults - the most obvious of which was the choice of 'More Secure' vs 'More Functional'.
Please note that these settings need to be changed in EACH ACCOUNT
(known as Identity in MS OE - click on File, Identities)
that you have - this is a benefit in that you can treat different
sources of e-mail distinctly - 'Read all in plain text'
through to having a more formal 'Signature' (not shown).
These are the security-related
settings for Outlook Express.
To get to these settings from Outlook Express simply click on "Tools"
then "Options" then the appropriate Tab (top).
The four images to the right are what you want to achieve - see each cell.
You may also want to move the 'Store Folder' under the 'Maintenance' Tab
so that it easier to back-up BUT (contrarily) ONLY DO THIS JUST AFTER
DOING A FULL BACKUP of your e-mails or when you first set-up your PC.
If you only want to make changes incrementally then by far the
most important is the 'Restricted sites Zone' on the very last
screenshot, the second most important is
the 'Block external images & content in HTML e-mail'.
NEITHER OF THOSE CHANGES SHOULD CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS FOR LEGITIMATE MAIL
and they are easily 'reversable'.
Please not that WINDOWS 98 DOES NOT SUPPORT THE 'Block' OPTION and
so the only safe way to handle e-mail, especially on a Spammy account
is to have the harsher setting of 'Read all mail in plain text' - see
the top right (Read Tab) screen shot.
Don't auto-login to Messenger or download e-mails while you may be absent
Read all messages in plain text - ONLY IF ON Win98 or you choose
not to take the "Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail"
option under Security - see below.
Don't add people to your address book automatically
Take the more secure (zone - see above) options, warn you of applications
trying to send out e-mails as you, stop attachments being opened*** and
"Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail" - XP+ only.
*** Note that this is a LITTLE extreme because it stops virtually everything
but this web page is aiming to show the most secure option.
Do consider the option to have more than one e-mail account (in MS OE)
as a way of managing the constraints on your e-mail especially tight on a
Spammy account but may not as severe on a well managed-one.
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'How to trust an e-mail' are:
Configuring Microsoft products for safety, security and privacy
Permitting 'trusted senders' to 'download' richer content in E-MAILs
Occasionally you will want or need to see an e-mail
(OR A WEB PAGE - see How to trust a web site)
as the sender intended you to view it - images, interactivity etc..
Bear in mind that if you are not
absolutely certain that the sender was fully in control of their PC when
the e-mail was sent you may be exposing yourself to a serious computer
virus that could cost £300-500UKP to fix and a lot
more in terms of lost business, data and many other bad consequences.
Detecting bad links - especially valuable to avoid IDENTITY THEFT
This is so simple to implement but can save your PC and your identity. When someone sends a link in an e-mail they can choose to show you text which is different to the actual web address that you will visit when you click on it!
To avoid this obvious problem you should enable the 'Status Bar' in Outlook Express by clicking on View and then Layout - see image to right.
The option is enabled by checking the 'Status Bar' as shown to the left.
When you then hover over any link in an e-mail you will see the REAL address
which you will be sent to if you click on that link - STILL BE CAREFUL because
fraudsters will obviously try to fool you with spelling mistakes.
This is an excellent reason to have your default (Internet Zone) browsing
security set to very high and only promoting sites to higher zones when you
are absolutley certain you can trust the exact site names, see
How to trust a web site for more details.
To view an e-mail with full graphics/interactivity "etc." and associated risks
Opening any attachments exposes you to great degrees of risk so please only open items when you:
- already expected exactly whatever has arrived from the Sender and that notification was NOT sent by e-mail unless you are absolutely certain that it was created by the human author who you trust.
- have checked your Anti-Virus is up-to-date in the past 2 days
- normally see file 'extensions' on ALL documents (not just in mail) and the extension of the attachment is one you explicitly know and have a trusted program which you know will be used to open it. For example - a '.pdf' extension is normally opened with Acrobat reader but if you don't normally see the '.pdf' then the file may actually be called: 'OpenMe.pdf .exe' which would be run as a program on your PC with your authority to make changes to any part of it!
Apart from attachments - improving the visual appearance of (HTML) e-mails
With the option set in Outlook (Express) to view all messages as plain text then you have not only stopped most viruses, worms and Spam tracking applications but you can process e-mail much faster because you see the body text of what people are sending rather than any peripheral marketing or "fancy" material that is intended to impress you. With XP and Outlook Express you can now choose "Don't load remote images" which when coupled to the use of the untrusted zone as the settings for things such as JavaScript makes this as safe as 'Read all in Plain Text'.
Occasionally you will want or need to see an e-mail as the sender intended you to view it - images etc.. Bear in mind that if you are not absolutely certain that the sender was fully in control of their PC when the e-mail was sent you may be exposing yourself to a serious computer virus that could cost £300-500UKP to fix and a lot more in terms of lost business, data and many other bad consequences.
When using the (XP only) Outlook Express option to 'Block remote images and content'
If you have kept up-to-date with Windows Updates then as of Nov'06 you should now get a narrow bar of black on grey writing just above the text of the e-mail with the words 'Some pictures have been blocked to help prevent the sender from identifying your computer. Click here to download pictures'
If the only thing you want to do is to see the images and you don't mind the sender knowing that you have opened the e-mail then simply click on the prompt as described above.
If you want to do/see more then you may need to resort to the technique below which is described for Windows 98 users.
When using the 'Read all messages as plain text' in Windows 98 or XP Outlook Express
To see images that have not been downloaded there is a workaround that is OK for the occassional e-mail. The process is simply to click on the Reply or Forward buttons - this should now show all images. If you then need to make the links in the e-mail 'clickable' it is a little more tortuous. You need to click on 'View' and then 'Source Edit' while forwarding an e-mail. You will then have three Tabs at the bottom of the editing window - choosing 'Preview' allows you to click on links.
Note that this will not allow you to print e-mails in their rich format
- you need to use the 'Block images' option in XP OE rather than the
'Plain text' option which Windows 98 users must use unless they have
different accounts and identities set-up so they can process different
mail sources in different ways.
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'Detailed IE Internet Zone Config' are:
Configuring Microsoft products for safety, security and privacy
Internet Explorer - INTERNET ZONE SETTINGS - also see Advanced, OE and Brief version
Just to re-iterate why this is so important - these are the SECURITY SETTINGS FOR ANY UNKNOWN SITE or one that you have chosen to remain at this 'level'. You may want to 'promote' trusted sites to a higher level using the instructions in How to trust a web site to allow them more freedom to exploit interactive and other features of your browser.
For anyone who thinks that Active-X controls are more trustworthy when they are signed should see an old quote from the MS site - it shows what the early designers had in mind (or not!)...
These are all the settings for the Internet Zone. To get to these settings from Internet Explorer simply click on "Tools" then "Internet Options" then "Security" (top Tab) then click on "Custom level" while having "Internet Zone" highlighted (the "Globe" icon). The easiest and safest way to achieve all these settings is to start by selecting "High" in the "Reset Custom settings" and then click "Reset". Doing this will switch off anything that is deemed (by MS!) as at all dangerous! Then you can restore the basic minimum to allow web sites to interact with you efficiently and effectively but without exposing the security flaws. The ten images to the right are what you want to achieve and the changes are hopefully highlighted in bright blue - enable Javascript and submit forms on an insecure connection - screen shots 8 and 9 to the right if you have already done a 'Reset to High'. As good background reading material the following link is MS advice for a commercial environment (Windows Server) but it is equally relevant for a home or small business user who wants to be more secure: Microsoft advice for commercial users of MS IE To the right is a complete set of screen shots of the settings, to achieve them is actually just 4-5 clicks - Reset to High security as described above and then make the two changes in Brief IE Internet Zone Config which are the only settings that need to be 'upgraded' in order for the zone to be useful for browsing the web. |
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Active-X controls - to sign or not to sign - that isn't the question!
The following quote from the MS web site is very old but is demonstrates
how much faith you might want to have in even digitally signed Active-X
controls:
To sign your control, you'll need to obtain a certificate from a
Certificate Authority such as VeriSign, Inc. Find directions from
VeriSign
There are two classes of digital IDs for Microsoft Authenticode&tm; technology.
Class 2 certificates, for individuals who publish software, cost US$20 per year
and require that you provide your name, address, e-mail address, date of birth,
and Social Security Number. After VeriSign verifies this information,
you will be issued a certificate.
Sign that control
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'Safe browsing in 2010' are:
No HTML page to display for 'bbrosafe.htm'
Contents of page 'Outlook setup Oct06' are:
Outlook Express - general account setup (for new mail servers)
Getting into the 'account settings'
The first steps are:
- Open Outlook Express and wait until any startup activity has finished (e.g. Send and Receive Mail)
- Select the Tools option from the action list just below the Window title bar (bright blue at the top of the window)
- then choose Accounts... as shown to the right. This option is usually the second from the bottom in the 'Tools' list
Of the Tabs across the top - all but the 'Mail' Tab are irrelevant for average users. Clicking on it will display all of your e-Mail accounts as shown to the left.
You should then double-click on the account you want to change.
FYI that is equivalent to selecting the account (single click) and then
clicking upon 'Properties'.
The first (top) item you can change is the name that only you see and it is only shown when doing a 'Send/Receive' and when Exporting and Importing Internet account files.
Under 'User Information' you should fill in the Name and E-Mail address to whatever degree of anonymity (or otherwise) you choose. Obviously if you want to receive replies then the E-Mail address needs to be at least an alias at a domain where you can pick up mail.
Leave the 'Include when...' blank IF you have more than one outgoing
E-Mail address that you want to be able to select when sending but the
Incoming address is already in an account that IS included - i.e. box ticked.
The Servers Tab will always be unique to the server that you are using to send and receive mail. For our servers we keep it simple by having the names of both Incoming and Outgoing servers the same. Your account name MUST have the '@' and domain name appended to your User Name.
'Secure Password Authentication' must be UN-checked and conversely:
'My server requires authentication' must be CHECKED as shown to the right.
As of October 15th 2006 the physical server name is: mentor.xssl.net which can be used in both boxes (POP3 and SMTP) as shown to the left. This server name can also be used for secure access to e-mail using a web browser, you will have been sent a link for this as it is lengthy.
If you prefer to use your own mail server name then please use
mail.yourdomain.co.uk (or .com) where yourdomain is the piece after the
www. in your own web site address.
On the Connection Tab it will depend upon how you connect to the Internet but as a rule of Thumb:
- Dial-Up users should have the box UN-checked
- Users with real LANs (Local Area Network) should probably have the box ticked and the LAN selected.
- Broadband users will depend upon their suppliers (of Broadband) and the technology they have used. If it is working without problems then 'leave it'. If users are getting disconnected and the 'Disconnect after Send/Receive' ISN'T CHECKED in Outlook Tools -> Options -> Connection (Tab) then try unchecking it.
The Security Tab (not illustrated) is for advanced users only everything will be unchecked and '3DES' will be displayed as an algorithm. If anything IS filled in then it is beyond the scope of this short Web page to explain what needs to be filled-in.
The Advanced Tab (shown to the Left) can be left with everything unckecked and Out/In ports set to 25 and 110 as shown.
However, if you use SquirrelMail (The name for WebMail on our servers) you MAY wish to keep temporary copies of Incoming e-Mails on the server for use when using Squirrelmail - offsite for example.
If you choose this option then you will need to manage within your disk quota as exceeding it will cause e-Mail delays and even rejection. So please:
- Do not use an expiry period of greater than 22 days
- Remember to delete your 'Trash' folder on the server very regularly if you delete e-Mails in Squirrelmail prior to opening Outlook
- Ensure that e-Mails with large attachments are deleted as quickly as possible - for instance - when the attachments have been detached and a reply (with original text perhaps) has been made.
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'MS safety actions' are:
Configuring Microsoft products for safety, security and privacy
This page explains why you need to change settings in Windows but if you just want to know how to do so then visit each of these pages, starting with the first:
- How to trust a web site - when a site you trust wants to do
more on your PC this is the simple procedure to 'upgrade' sites
Please try to follow these instructions before you attempt to make ANY of the changes below because this is THE WAY to restore your ability to view specific web sites that depend upon your PC being able to run programs that they download on your behalf and without your explicit consent.
- Brief IE Internet Zone Config *¹ - essential - limits exposure when visiting any site
- IE Config for All Zones - essentially the same as the *¹ item but a different set of exposures and attack strategies
- Outlook Express Config guide - essential if you get any Spam - limits exposures if a rogue e-mail gets past your (up-to-date?!) Anti-Virus program
- How to trust an e-mail - when an e-mail is sent by someone you trust and you want to remove the restrictions on what it is able to do.
- Detailed IE Internet Zone Config - this is a detailed version of the *¹ item - if the latter was sufficient then ignore this item.
Why change e-mail and browser settings
Internet Viruses and other malware have had increasing media attention over the past 3-4 years as the cost and disruption that can be wreaked by a sole juvenile delinquent regularly breaks the billion dollar barrier. You could contribute!
What has changed for the worse in the past 6 months is that the professional criminal community have decided that there is a substantial profit to be made at relatively low risk - a dangerous cocktail for potential victims. Unlike hackers, criminals are focussed on profit rather than glory or fame - they prefer to be inconspicuous and rich. This change in perpetrator has led to a dramatic change in the objectives and behaviour of malware - software aimed at doing harm.
Trojan horses are the ultimate weapon and goal of most attacks even though they will use Worms and Viruses to propagate themselves in what is call a blended threat. Trojans take control of your PC, install methods for neutralising firewalls and Anti-Virus and typically then await instructions from their 'master' - a remote site which it regularly contacts for new malware and scripts to execute - either funded by blackmail or in their spare time they attempt to increase the size and capability of their army - your PCs!
Hackers naturally target the weakest link(s): Windows and the bundled (MS) applications that provide e-mail and Web access - Outlook (Express) and Internet Explorer.
With a small number of changes to the settings for each of these programs it allows you to instantly switch from being in the 95% that are at severe risk to the 5%. By changing the settings from the MS defaults to those more appropriate to this century the chances of being inadvertently infected are reduced.
The only consequences that result from restricting the MS products in this manner are that you need to know the simple ways to grant to those web sites and e-mail senders that you REALLY TRUST a slightly higher privilege use of your PC as described in How to trust a web site which is where you should start to ensure you are happy with the process even though it is a one-off exercise for each site that you need to promote - most people do not have more than half a dozen.
Background for the more technical reader - the root(s) of the problem(s)
PC software assumed the 'P' in PC meant 'Personal' as in 'Single User'. There was no attempt in the early days to have any security at all. That was because those PCs were not connected and programs were only installed by the owner ('P'!) of the PC. ('Real' computers (e.g. mainframes) had security systems even back in the '80s which operated independantly of even the operating system - controlling access even to those who have physical access to the hardware.
Early Viruses started to spread by 'Floppy disk' where anyone foolish enough to leave one in a PC at startup would auto-run whatever the diskette chose! When e-mail became popular this was a breakthrough for the Virus writers as this was a much faster propagating medium for them to exploit. This time programs would typically be programs hiding as benign attachments.
When Microsoft introduced a feature called 'Active-X' it was designed to provide web developers and even e-mail senders with the ability to make the recipient's experience more interactive and exciting by allowing them to directly interface with internal parts of Windows that is the core of the problem!
Whereas competitive tools such as Javascript were restricted to what is referred to as a 'Sandbox' - i.e. a play area - Active-X can do virtually anything that the user's permissions allow - read and write files being the most obvious and painful examples!
Why is Active-X such a problem when I don't use it?
The problem is that you DO! You actually don't need to click upon ANYTHING - just load a page that you might have thought was innocent or worse still click on a link in a Spam e-mail 'out of curiousity!'. Similarly - if Outlook Express isn't configured securely then it can perform irreparable damage in the sub-second that an e-mail is in front of your eyes - even in the preview pane!
By trying to capture the developers of web sites with the prospect of
providing a more exciting web site MS have left open the biggest 'can of worms'
that has ever been created - biggest in many respects!
Just to confirm that this was such a serious mistake - the latest MS version
of Internet Explorer (IE 7) actually has Active-X disabled by default - you
can't get much more of an admission of error and guilt...
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'Brief IE Internet Zone Config' are:
Configuring Microsoft products for safety, security and privacy
Internet Explorer - INTERNET ZONE SETTINGS - also see Advanced, Outlook Express
Just to re-iterate why this is so important - these are the SECURITY SETTINGS FOR ANY UNKNOWN SITE or one that you have chosen to remain at this 'level'. You may want to 'promote' trusted sites to a higher level using the instructions in How to trust a web site to allow them more freedom to exploit interactive and other features of your browser.
For anyone who thinks that Active-X controls are more trustworthy when they are signed should see an old quote from the MS site - it shows what the early designers had in mind (or not!)...
These are the changes to the settings for the Internet Zone after they have been (Re)-set to High (security). See images to right as an example of how to get to these settings from Internet Explorer. Click on "Tools" then "Internet Options" then "Security" (top Tab) then click on "Custom level" while having "Internet Zone" highlighted (the "Globe" icon). The easiest and safest way to achieve all these settings is to start by selecting "High" in the "Reset Custom settings" and then click "Reset". Doing this will switch off anything that is deemed (by MS!) as at all dangerous! Then you can restore the basic minimum to allow web sites to interact with you efficiently and effectively but without exposing the security flaws. The ten images to the right are what you want to achieve and the changes are hopefully highlighted in bright blue - enable Javascript and submit forms on an insecure connection - screen shots 8 and 9 to the right if you have already done a 'Reset to High'. As good background reading material the following link is MS advice for a commercial environment (Windows Server) but it is equally relevant for a home or small business user who wants to be more secure: Microsoft advice for commercial users of MS IE
The bottom two images on the right are the only two changes that should be made to 'upgrade' the setting from 'High' to slightly less severe. If there is a site that you are keen to view and you trust both the owner and their competence in I.T. and you are absolutely certain that the site you are viewing really is owned by who you think it is only THEN you should consider promoting the site using the instructions in How to trust a web site. |
Above and to the right are the first | |
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On the left just below is where the 'Globe' is selected for the Internet Zone.
On the right just below is the first of several screens of settings
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Active-X controls - to sign or not to sign - that isn't the question!
The following quote from the MS web site is very old but is demonstrates
how much faith you might want to have in even digitally signed Active-X
controls:
To sign your control, you'll need to obtain a certificate from a
Certificate Authority such as VeriSign, Inc. Find directions from
VeriSign
There are two classes of digital IDs for Microsoft Authenticode&tm; technology.
Class 2 certificates, for individuals who publish software, cost US$20 per year
and require that you provide your name, address, e-mail address, date of birth,
and Social Security Number. After VeriSign verifies this information,
you will be issued a certificate.
Sign that control
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'How to trust a web site' are:
Configuring Microsoft products for safety, security and privacy
Permitting 'trusted senders' to 'download' richer content - Web sites
Occasionally you will want or need to see a web site (OR AN E-MAIL - see How to trust an e-mail) as the sender intended you to view it - images, interactivity etc.. Bear in mind that if you are not absolutely certain that the sender was fully in control of their PC when the e-mail was sent you may be exposing yourself to a serious computer virus that could cost £300-500UKP to fix and a lot more in terms of lost business, data and many other bad consequences.
To view a Web Site with full graphics/interactivity "etc." and associated risks
By taking our advice you will have disabled certain MS features that are by far the biggest security holes for the consumer in the MS product line. The consequence of this change is that highly interactive sites that previously worked may not function correctly without intervention - they need to be "promoted".
95% of the sites that have problems can be made to function as intended by promoting them from the "Internet Zone" (level 2) to one higher - the "Local Intranet" (3) or even the "Trusted" (4) zone. Two caveats to doing so:
- Only do this if you are absolutely certain that the owner, manager, developer and service provider of the site are completely reputable, competent and have not been compromised.
- There are situations where this will not suffice. In particular if a
site needs to have a Plug-In downloaded or even a different version of a
Plug-in before the site will become "alive".
It is our strong recommendation that no Plug-ins other than Acrobat Reader should be allowed to run and under no circumstances should you download a Plug-in at the insistence of a site because there is a reasonable chance that they will direct you to a site that will look reputable but in fact will download code that will give control of your PC to ill-intentioned people on the web.
Notes:
- The other 5% would have failed anyway!, even if you had made no changes.
- We leave level 1 for the Untrusted Zone where you can put sites that you really do not want to do anything with your PC at all!
Making the Local Intranet Zone a little safer
Even for sites you trust, you should customise SOME settings to lower the level of threat by making IE prompt prior to taking an action rather than it be automatic which is what you get when you tick 'enabled'.
To change the settings you should single click on the symbol (PC in front of WWW globe) and then click on customise.
The ones that I normally switch to prompt (if not already the default - as marked with an * below) are:
- * Download SIGNED Active-X controls
(Download UNSIGNED Active-X controls and Initialise and script ActiveX NOT marked as safe for scripting should already be Disabled)
- * Access data sources across domains
- * Allow Web pages to use restricted protocols for active content
- Drag and Drop or copy and paste files
- * Installation of Desktop items
- * Launching programs and files in an IFRAME
- Navigate sub-frames across different domains
- Web sites in less priveliged web content zones can navigate into this zone
- Allow paste operations via script
- .
I would also disable the pop-up blocker for these sites (two thirds down the page) and set the User authentication (very bottom) to prompt for user name and password
Note that there will probably be only 6 out of all of the above that you need to change from their default for this zone AND you may want to reset SOME of them to Enable rather than prompt if you get too much irritation from the prompts because the sites that you place there use technology in a manner which causes them to create prompts. Another option is to move the domain yet higher (need to remove them from this zone first) into the trusted zone (Green circle with white tick inside) but obviously this is only for the most trusted sites.
To promote a site from the (now restricted!) Internet Zone
You may wish to use the Microsoft instructions as at Dec'06 or ours as follows...
The instructions below are my attempt at making that easier and you will see some real examples below. Note that the 'Trusted Zone' is the very highest level of trust and normally reserved for the 'must have' sites or sub-sites such as Windows Update - *.windowsupdate.microsoft.com is one of few examples.
Although the 'Local Zone' takes an extra 2 clicks to add sites it should be the zone chosen for any TRUSTED site with which you are having problems.
Bear in mind that legitimate sites will often use third-party providers of I.T. services as part of their own site - either as a subdomain or an explicit 3rd party domain such as 'ad.doubleclick.net' - you need to trust the competence and integrity of the owners of the prime site that they will not allow you to be compromised by their suppliers.
Also bear in mind that legitimate sites will have marketing as well as contractual aspects to their site. Whereas you may trust your Bank to manage your money you have to ask yourself the question - do I trust the people in marketing who are responsible for all of the Junk through my letter box? Trusting the whole of a vast domain should be avoided if possible.
Explorer - upgrading a site to a higher ZONE SETTING
Firstly you should ensure that IE is showing you the zone of web sites
as you visit them, the following should be at the very bottom of your
browser window. The words and images may not be exactly as shown.
Note that this (Status Bar) is very useful for your SECURITY because it allows you to see the ACTUAL address of web sites prior to you clicking on any link! As a slight aside - this status bar is really useful in Outlook Express too, see How to trust an e-mail
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| The ZONE is above - i.e. Internet in this case.
Note that other Zones are
named: Local Intranet, Trusted sites and Restricted sites as shown below |
If the above is not shown at the bottom of your (Internet Explorer) browser then click on 'View' at the top of the browser (after File and Edit - see image to right) and ensure that the phrase 'Status Bar' has a tick in front of it. Left click upon the words 'Status Bar' if there is not one. You MAY need to exit the browser and launch it again to get the above to display.
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The simple approach is to click on the 'Zone' in the right of the status bar at the bottom of the Internet Explorer Window as shown above. Left Click on the "Local Intranet Zone" which is symbolised by a small picture of a Globe with a PC in front of it. Then Click on "Sites". You should check that all of the prompts that start with the words "Include all" are DE-selected and then click on "Advanced". You can then enter the Web Site address that you wish to be promoted (e.g. www.tony-blair.gov.uk) and then click on "Add". If there is a prompt "require https" for these sites then de-select it. One of the reasons for removing the 'Include all' options is on the MS site as KB303650 Intranet site is identified as an Internet site when you use an FQDN or an IP address . Adding sites to the "Trusted" zone is simpler in that after single left-clicking the zone (Green with white tick) then the Sites option takes you directly to a prompt for site names. You should DE-select the option that says "insist on https connection to these sites". If you then click on "OK" three times! you should find that the site will now have a changed symbol in the status bar at the bottom of MSIE which shows that the site is being treated as "Local Intranet" rather than "Internet". |
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En-route to adding specific sites you will always be prompted for some generic inclusions - unless you know what you are doing you should disable all of these as anyone who (for instance) managed to encroach on your Wireless LAN could potentially trick you into running code from a dummy site which they could have running on a Laptop in a nearby Car Park for criminal intent. |
Adding sites is straightforward and IE may offer the site for you to add without typing... on the whole be specific if the site is very large - e.g. microsoft.com then only allow subdomains or folder (prefix vs suffix). * at the front permits all subdomains. | |
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To the left is how you select the Trusted Zone - then click 'Sites'. Above is an example of adding the whole of the bbc.co.uk site to your trusted zone. Demanding secure connection (https:) doesn't tend to work even with banks as they typically have many (sub-)domains of which only some use https:. | |
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Above and to the right are what MS IE will show in the very bottom right when you visit sites you have put in the Trusted and Local Zones. | |
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'IE Config for All Zones' are:
Configuring Microsoft products for safety, security and privacy
Internet Explorer - ADVANCED - also see Internet Zone & Outlook Express
Just to re-iterate why this is so important - these are (some of the) SECURITY SETTINGS FOR ALL SITES. If a Spam e-mail fools you into clicking on a 'dodgy' link these settings can be just as disasterous as the Internet (default) Zone. The easiest exploit being that they make the link text appear legitimate but the real destination simply doesn't match or more subtley - a character or two different!
| These are some of the Advanced settings for MS IE
- they apply across all zones and are therefore almost as important as the
Internet Zone settings (See Brief IE Internet Zone Config).
To get to these settings from Internet Explorer simply click on "Tools"
then "Internet Options" then "Advanced" (top Tab)
The six images to the right are what you want to achieve:
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I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'Outlook Express Config guide' are:
Configuring Microsoft products for safety, security and privacy
Outlook Express - also see (MS IE) Zone and Advanced Settings
You MAY find that some of these settings are already in place because MS realised the exposure they had created and changed SOME defaults - the most obvious of which was the choice of 'More Secure' vs 'More Functional'.
Please note that these settings need to be changed in EACH ACCOUNT
(known as Identity in MS OE - click on File, Identities)
that you have - this is a benefit in that you can treat different
sources of e-mail distinctly - 'Read all in plain text'
through to having a more formal 'Signature' (not shown).
These are the security-related
settings for Outlook Express.
To get to these settings from Outlook Express simply click on "Tools"
then "Options" then the appropriate Tab (top).
The four images to the right are what you want to achieve - see each cell.
You may also want to move the 'Store Folder' under the 'Maintenance' Tab
so that it easier to back-up BUT (contrarily) ONLY DO THIS JUST AFTER
DOING A FULL BACKUP of your e-mails or when you first set-up your PC.
If you only want to make changes incrementally then by far the
most important is the 'Restricted sites Zone' on the very last
screenshot, the second most important is
the 'Block external images & content in HTML e-mail'.
NEITHER OF THOSE CHANGES SHOULD CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS FOR LEGITIMATE MAIL
and they are easily 'reversable'.
Please not that WINDOWS 98 DOES NOT SUPPORT THE 'Block' OPTION and
so the only safe way to handle e-mail, especially on a Spammy account
is to have the harsher setting of 'Read all mail in plain text' - see
the top right (Read Tab) screen shot.
Don't auto-login to Messenger or download e-mails while you may be absent
Read all messages in plain text - ONLY IF ON Win98 or you choose
not to take the "Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail"
option under Security - see below.
Don't add people to your address book automatically
Take the more secure (zone - see above) options, warn you of applications
trying to send out e-mails as you, stop attachments being opened*** and
"Block images and other external content in HTML e-mail" - XP+ only.
*** Note that this is a LITTLE extreme because it stops virtually everything
but this web page is aiming to show the most secure option.
Do consider the option to have more than one e-mail account (in MS OE)
as a way of managing the constraints on your e-mail especially tight on a
Spammy account but may not as severe on a well managed-one.
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'How to trust an e-mail' are:
Configuring Microsoft products for safety, security and privacy
Permitting 'trusted senders' to 'download' richer content in E-MAILs
Occasionally you will want or need to see an e-mail
(OR A WEB PAGE - see How to trust a web site)
as the sender intended you to view it - images, interactivity etc..
Bear in mind that if you are not
absolutely certain that the sender was fully in control of their PC when
the e-mail was sent you may be exposing yourself to a serious computer
virus that could cost £300-500UKP to fix and a lot
more in terms of lost business, data and many other bad consequences.
Detecting bad links - especially valuable to avoid IDENTITY THEFT
This is so simple to implement but can save your PC and your identity. When someone sends a link in an e-mail they can choose to show you text which is different to the actual web address that you will visit when you click on it!
To avoid this obvious problem you should enable the 'Status Bar' in Outlook Express by clicking on View and then Layout - see image to right.
The option is enabled by checking the 'Status Bar' as shown to the left.
When you then hover over any link in an e-mail you will see the REAL address
which you will be sent to if you click on that link - STILL BE CAREFUL because
fraudsters will obviously try to fool you with spelling mistakes.
This is an excellent reason to have your default (Internet Zone) browsing
security set to very high and only promoting sites to higher zones when you
are absolutley certain you can trust the exact site names, see
How to trust a web site for more details.
To view an e-mail with full graphics/interactivity "etc." and associated risks
Opening any attachments exposes you to great degrees of risk so please only open items when you:
- already expected exactly whatever has arrived from the Sender and that notification was NOT sent by e-mail unless you are absolutely certain that it was created by the human author who you trust.
- have checked your Anti-Virus is up-to-date in the past 2 days
- normally see file 'extensions' on ALL documents (not just in mail) and the extension of the attachment is one you explicitly know and have a trusted program which you know will be used to open it. For example - a '.pdf' extension is normally opened with Acrobat reader but if you don't normally see the '.pdf' then the file may actually be called: 'OpenMe.pdf .exe' which would be run as a program on your PC with your authority to make changes to any part of it!
Apart from attachments - improving the visual appearance of (HTML) e-mails
With the option set in Outlook (Express) to view all messages as plain text then you have not only stopped most viruses, worms and Spam tracking applications but you can process e-mail much faster because you see the body text of what people are sending rather than any peripheral marketing or "fancy" material that is intended to impress you. With XP and Outlook Express you can now choose "Don't load remote images" which when coupled to the use of the untrusted zone as the settings for things such as JavaScript makes this as safe as 'Read all in Plain Text'.
Occasionally you will want or need to see an e-mail as the sender intended you to view it - images etc.. Bear in mind that if you are not absolutely certain that the sender was fully in control of their PC when the e-mail was sent you may be exposing yourself to a serious computer virus that could cost £300-500UKP to fix and a lot more in terms of lost business, data and many other bad consequences.
When using the (XP only) Outlook Express option to 'Block remote images and content'
If you have kept up-to-date with Windows Updates then as of Nov'06 you should now get a narrow bar of black on grey writing just above the text of the e-mail with the words 'Some pictures have been blocked to help prevent the sender from identifying your computer. Click here to download pictures'
If the only thing you want to do is to see the images and you don't mind the sender knowing that you have opened the e-mail then simply click on the prompt as described above.
If you want to do/see more then you may need to resort to the technique below which is described for Windows 98 users.
When using the 'Read all messages as plain text' in Windows 98 or XP Outlook Express
To see images that have not been downloaded there is a workaround that is OK for the occassional e-mail. The process is simply to click on the Reply or Forward buttons - this should now show all images. If you then need to make the links in the e-mail 'clickable' it is a little more tortuous. You need to click on 'View' and then 'Source Edit' while forwarding an e-mail. You will then have three Tabs at the bottom of the editing window - choosing 'Preview' allows you to click on links.
Note that this will not allow you to print e-mails in their rich format
- you need to use the 'Block images' option in XP OE rather than the
'Plain text' option which Windows 98 users must use unless they have
different accounts and identities set-up so they can process different
mail sources in different ways.
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'Detailed IE Internet Zone Config' are:
Configuring Microsoft products for safety, security and privacy
Internet Explorer - INTERNET ZONE SETTINGS - also see Advanced, OE and Brief version
Just to re-iterate why this is so important - these are the SECURITY SETTINGS FOR ANY UNKNOWN SITE or one that you have chosen to remain at this 'level'. You may want to 'promote' trusted sites to a higher level using the instructions in How to trust a web site to allow them more freedom to exploit interactive and other features of your browser.
For anyone who thinks that Active-X controls are more trustworthy when they are signed should see an old quote from the MS site - it shows what the early designers had in mind (or not!)...
These are all the settings for the Internet Zone. To get to these settings from Internet Explorer simply click on "Tools" then "Internet Options" then "Security" (top Tab) then click on "Custom level" while having "Internet Zone" highlighted (the "Globe" icon). The easiest and safest way to achieve all these settings is to start by selecting "High" in the "Reset Custom settings" and then click "Reset". Doing this will switch off anything that is deemed (by MS!) as at all dangerous! Then you can restore the basic minimum to allow web sites to interact with you efficiently and effectively but without exposing the security flaws. The ten images to the right are what you want to achieve and the changes are hopefully highlighted in bright blue - enable Javascript and submit forms on an insecure connection - screen shots 8 and 9 to the right if you have already done a 'Reset to High'. As good background reading material the following link is MS advice for a commercial environment (Windows Server) but it is equally relevant for a home or small business user who wants to be more secure: Microsoft advice for commercial users of MS IE To the right is a complete set of screen shots of the settings, to achieve them is actually just 4-5 clicks - Reset to High security as described above and then make the two changes in Brief IE Internet Zone Config which are the only settings that need to be 'upgraded' in order for the zone to be useful for browsing the web. |
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Active-X controls - to sign or not to sign - that isn't the question!
The following quote from the MS web site is very old but is demonstrates
how much faith you might want to have in even digitally signed Active-X
controls:
To sign your control, you'll need to obtain a certificate from a
Certificate Authority such as VeriSign, Inc. Find directions from
VeriSign
There are two classes of digital IDs for Microsoft Authenticode&tm; technology.
Class 2 certificates, for individuals who publish software, cost US$20 per year
and require that you provide your name, address, e-mail address, date of birth,
and Social Security Number. After VeriSign verifies this information,
you will be issued a certificate.
Sign that control
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Contact us please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'Safe browsing in 2010' are:
No HTML page to display for 'bbrosafe.htm'
Contents of page 'Virus and Spam' are:
Links to other sites that may be useful
Please note that Business before Technology has no relationship with any of the sites listed below except those marked with a ** or *** and strongly recommends that you cross-check any information contained within them before assuming their content is valid.
Please read the basic advice at the end of this page about practical ways of backing up your PC before you use ANY of the products that may be on offer at these Web Sites.
Spam filtering
- www.mailwasher.net/ Free (for personal use etc.) Spam filter
- www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis pe/ Norton Internet Security
- Mail filtering services are available from a variety of companies but it would not be appropriate to provide links to them without some knowledge of your requirements. Please use the Simple contact form to get in touch.
- Interesting ONLY if you want to see what sort of triggers make an e'Mail get marked up as Spam: spamassassin.org/tests.html Credits due to SpamAssassin who produce an Open Source Spam filtering tool in use at the Servers that we use.
e'Mail hosting known to provide an Easy to Use facility for Aliasing, Auto-responders etc.
- site-4u.com Domain registration and Mail hosting services***.
- www.unitedhosting.co.uk Hosting services. This company does not offer a specific e'Mail only package because they normally host Web Sites on a domain. However, they do host the Business before Technology site and have provided good service and facilities.
FireWall - real time intrusion prevention
- www.zonelabs.com Free (personal use etc.) version of ZoneAlarm
- www.firetrust.com Professional version of ZoneAlarm
- www.symantec.com/product/ Symantec products - you may be interested in a "bundle" rather than just the FireWall - for example:
- www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis pe/ Norton Internet Security
Virus/Worm related sites
- www.sarc.com Latest anti-Virus threats
- www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html Hoaxes and how to deal with them
- uk.mcafee.com/ McAfee has more to offer that Virus protection but the equivalent bundle to the Norton suite was difficult to find
MS Windows file extension / association issues
- antivirus.about.com/library/blext.htm Common list - 30+ are dangerous!
- www.filext.com/index.php Searchable
MS Windows security holes and fixes
- www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS04-013.mspx Outlook Express - cumulative fixes April 2004
- support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q307594 Outlook 2002 "Plain text" option
- www.microsoft.com/technet/security/msrc.asc allows you to register for Microsoft security bulletins
- www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8b081f3a-b7d0-4b16-b8af-5a6322f4fd01&DisplayLang=en Personal Folder backup for Outlook (not Express)
- support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=291387 Outlook Express 6 changes - including Plain Text option
- www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp Stopping Messaging Spam (simple text on grey background with a simple OK button)
Defeating: Trojan Horses, Keystroke Trackers, Dialers Phishing tools and Pop-up Ads
Although it would be ideal to have one tool for the purpose, these two together are better in combination than each alone.
- www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html SpyBot Search and Destroy Trojans, Pop-up Ads, keystroke trackers and other intrusive software.
- www.lavasoft.de Ad-Aware performs a similar task as SpyBot but uses very different algorithms and detection methods.
General reading about on-line privacy, security and related topics
- www.oreilly.com/catalog/websec2/chapter/ch08.html is a detailed introduction to on-line privacy and security
Domain registration
- site-4u.com Domain registration and Mail hosting services***.
- 123-reg.co.uk Domain registration services. Includes some aliasing / forwarding / auto-responder facilities.
Links above marked with a *** are to a site managed by one of the Xper Associates that presented at the Spam Seminar.
Note that all other relationships with companies above are affiliate status in that we are not recommending their products but may receive a very small fee for passing leads on to the site in question. All such sites are marked above with a **. The use of these links is to establish whether our guidance and Web Site linkages are effective. All monies raised will be contributed to a local charity on an annual basis.
Taking system backups - the safe way to try out new software
Please also note that you should take a full system backup of your PC and the data you have on it before installing this type of "system level" software. Because of the extent of the Service Packs that Microsoft are delivering as part of Windows Update (which in today's Web world is no longer an optional service) your hardware may also need to be upgraded. 128MB of RAM is a minimum for any Windows system (e.g. 98SE, 2000) and 256MB is now an absolute minimum for Windows XP.
If you only have one physical drive in your PC and it is used for business data and processes that would be disrupted if that PC failed then it is recommended that you add a second hard drive at a cost of less that £60 for the hardware - excluding fitting and formatting. The 2nd drive should be regularly maintained as a set of "Mirrors" of your existing hard drive using a tool such as PartitionMagic. Norton Ghost can be used and is especially useful for backing up to DVD as it can compress a drive as well as create a backup suitable for off-site storage.
You should also back up your (User) data, the following is a basic list, there are more but those require more in-depth discussion / consultation than a Web Site can offer:
- e-Mail storage for Outlook users this can be made safer and much
easier to backup and restore
if the Store Folder is kept outside of the 'Documents and Settings'
folders and ideally not on the 'C-Drive' at all.
You must close down Outlook before doing such a backup but when complete the whole of your mail - InBox, Sent, personal folders etc. is held in the single Store folder copy that you can write to a CD-RW (less than 500MB) or DVD-RW (less than 4GB).
- Windows Address Book cannot be moved in most versions of Windows and as such you will need to periodically Export the WAB onto your backup media.
- My Documents is where later versions of Windows (XP for instance)
are relatively insistent upon storing files that you create or simply save.
The problem is that this can become very large, especially as the default is
to have the 'My Videos', 'My Pictures' and 'My Music' folders underneath the
main 'My Documents' folder.
It is strongly recommended that this should be kept off the 'C-Drive' because the latter becomes impossible to perform a full disk backup. A separate partition is a minimum requirement for a 'Home' user but for any user that has business-related data of any significance then this should be a separate hard drive as suggested above.
- My Favourites should be backed up separately if it is not within the 'My Documents' folder.
Contents of page 'W98 AntiVirus issues' are:
No HTML page to display for 'bw98issu.htm'
Contents of page 'Useful Web pages' are:
Links to other sites that may be useful
Please note that Business before Technology has no relationship with any of the sites listed below except those marked with a ** or *** and strongly recommends that you cross-check any information contained within them before assuming their content is valid.
Please read the basic advice at the end of this page about practical ways of backing up your PC before you use ANY of the products that may be on offer at these Web Sites.
Spam filtering
- www.mailwasher.net/ Free (for personal use etc.) Spam filter
- www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis pe/ Norton Internet Security
- Mail filtering services are available from a variety of companies but it would not be appropriate to provide links to them without some knowledge of your requirements. Please use the Simple contact form to get in touch.
- Interesting ONLY if you want to see what sort of triggers make an e'Mail get marked up as Spam: spamassassin.org/tests.html Credits due to SpamAssassin who produce an Open Source Spam filtering tool in use at the Servers that we use.
e'Mail hosting known to provide an Easy to Use facility for Aliasing, Auto-responders etc.
- site-4u.com Domain registration and Mail hosting services***.
- www.unitedhosting.co.uk Hosting services. This company does not offer a specific e'Mail only package because they normally host Web Sites on a domain. However, they do host the Business before Technology site and have provided good service and facilities.
FireWall - real time intrusion prevention
- www.zonelabs.com Free (personal use etc.) version of ZoneAlarm
- www.firetrust.com Professional version of ZoneAlarm
- www.symantec.com/product/ Symantec products - you may be interested in a "bundle" rather than just the FireWall - for example:
- www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis pe/ Norton Internet Security
Virus/Worm related sites
- www.sarc.com Latest anti-Virus threats
- www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html Hoaxes and how to deal with them
- uk.mcafee.com/ McAfee has more to offer that Virus protection but the equivalent bundle to the Norton suite was difficult to find
MS Windows file extension / association issues
- antivirus.about.com/library/blext.htm Common list - 30+ are dangerous!
- www.filext.com/index.php Searchable
MS Windows security holes and fixes
- www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS04-013.mspx Outlook Express - cumulative fixes April 2004
- support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q307594 Outlook 2002 "Plain text" option
- www.microsoft.com/technet/security/msrc.asc allows you to register for Microsoft security bulletins
- www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8b081f3a-b7d0-4b16-b8af-5a6322f4fd01&DisplayLang=en Personal Folder backup for Outlook (not Express)
- support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=291387 Outlook Express 6 changes - including Plain Text option
- www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp Stopping Messaging Spam (simple text on grey background with a simple OK button)
Defeating: Trojan Horses, Keystroke Trackers, Dialers Phishing tools and Pop-up Ads
Although it would be ideal to have one tool for the purpose, these two together are better in combination than each alone.
- www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html SpyBot Search and Destroy Trojans, Pop-up Ads, keystroke trackers and other intrusive software.
- www.lavasoft.de Ad-Aware performs a similar task as SpyBot but uses very different algorithms and detection methods.
General reading about on-line privacy, security and related topics
- www.oreilly.com/catalog/websec2/chapter/ch08.html is a detailed introduction to on-line privacy and security
Domain registration
- site-4u.com Domain registration and Mail hosting services***.
- 123-reg.co.uk Domain registration services. Includes some aliasing / forwarding / auto-responder facilities.
Links above marked with a *** are to a site managed by one of the Xper Associates that presented at the Spam Seminar.
Note that all other relationships with companies above are affiliate status in that we are not recommending their products but may receive a very small fee for passing leads on to the site in question. All such sites are marked above with a **. The use of these links is to establish whether our guidance and Web Site linkages are effective. All monies raised will be contributed to a local charity on an annual basis.
Taking system backups - the safe way to try out new software
Please also note that you should take a full system backup of your PC and the data you have on it before installing this type of "system level" software. Because of the extent of the Service Packs that Microsoft are delivering as part of Windows Update (which in today's Web world is no longer an optional service) your hardware may also need to be upgraded. 128MB of RAM is a minimum for any Windows system (e.g. 98SE, 2000) and 256MB is now an absolute minimum for Windows XP.
If you only have one physical drive in your PC and it is used for business data and processes that would be disrupted if that PC failed then it is recommended that you add a second hard drive at a cost of less that £60 for the hardware - excluding fitting and formatting. The 2nd drive should be regularly maintained as a set of "Mirrors" of your existing hard drive using a tool such as PartitionMagic. Norton Ghost can be used and is especially useful for backing up to DVD as it can compress a drive as well as create a backup suitable for off-site storage.
You should also back up your (User) data, the following is a basic list, there are more but those require more in-depth discussion / consultation than a Web Site can offer:
- e-Mail storage for Outlook users this can be made safer and much
easier to backup and restore
if the Store Folder is kept outside of the 'Documents and Settings'
folders and ideally not on the 'C-Drive' at all.
You must close down Outlook before doing such a backup but when complete the whole of your mail - InBox, Sent, personal folders etc. is held in the single Store folder copy that you can write to a CD-RW (less than 500MB) or DVD-RW (less than 4GB).
- Windows Address Book cannot be moved in most versions of Windows and as such you will need to periodically Export the WAB onto your backup media.
- My Documents is where later versions of Windows (XP for instance)
are relatively insistent upon storing files that you create or simply save.
The problem is that this can become very large, especially as the default is
to have the 'My Videos', 'My Pictures' and 'My Music' folders underneath the
main 'My Documents' folder.
It is strongly recommended that this should be kept off the 'C-Drive' because the latter becomes impossible to perform a full disk backup. A separate partition is a minimum requirement for a 'Home' user but for any user that has business-related data of any significance then this should be a separate hard drive as suggested above.
- My Favourites should be backed up separately if it is not within the 'My Documents' folder.
Contents of page 'Setup Remote Assistance' are:
Instructions for requesting Remote Assistance from Brian R.
Please note that this is only possible if you are using Windows XP Home or Professional
Using Remote Assistance - Windows XP only
If you have used Remote Assistance in the past 6 months then go to number 4 below.
If you have used Windows Messenger in the past 6 months then go to number 2 below.
These instructions start with the basic pre-requisites - you will need to have Windows Messenger installed and available. You will also have to have 'Remote Assistance' enabled.
- First you should check that you have a recent version of Windows Messenger.
Click on Start -> All Programs -> Windows Messenger.
If you have searched rigorously and cannot find 'Windows Messenger' but you can see 'Remote Assistance' (RA) in 'All Programs' then you will have to invoke Messenger from within RA.
Download the latest version (for free) from: www.microsoft.com/windows/messenger/.
- Verify that Remote Assistance is enabled.
Firstly do either one of the following:
- In Control Panel, click System.
- In the Run dialog box, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
Then - On the 'Remote' tab, in Remote Assistance, select the Allow Remote Assistance invitations to be sent from this computer check box if it is disabled, and then click OK.
- Signing into Windows Messenger with the Guest account:
If Messenger has automatically signed you in as another user then you will need to click upon 'File' and then 'Logout'
- To sign into Windows Messenger you need to get to a page
that looks like one of the following:
If you have been automatically signed in to our Guest e-Mail account and the screen looks exactly as shown above - i.e. your name is 'Guest' and the list of people below is just one - 'Brian R'. In that case you can proceed to the screen below on the right.
If there is another list of people 'File' then 'Logout' UNLESS you have been automatically
You will then be presented with the screen shown to the right...
If this screen is available you should click on 'Sign in with a different account' as shown above.
You should then have a page which looks like the one on the left below.
- From Windows Messenger you can request RA by selecting 'Actions' and
then 'Remote Assistance' in the toolbar at the very top of the messenger
Control window (as opposed to a Conversation Window).
If you have previously requested our assistance by this method then you should simply be able to select our entry ( ) from the list by clicking on the Down Arrow
.
The password is regularly changed and you should have been told what that is by telephone or e-Mail in the past 24 hours.
You will then be presented with the first screen above which is where you can then select Actions as shown to the right...
When you click on 'Ask for Remote Assistance' another window will then appear
- Depending upon the work that you require us to perform we may:
- Simply need to observe your screen and talk you through what needs to be done OR
- Need to take control of your screen because the tasks to be performed are complex or you may prefer us to do so
If we do need to take control then an alert will appear to that effect. Your confirmation will be required before control can be passed. At any time following you will be able to use the 'ESC' key to stop the remote control session.
If you have any suggestions about how these instructions could be improved then please use the contact facility on this Web site - you can choose to fill in a form if you want to remain anonymous OR you can use the e-Mail address provided.
If Remote assistance is failing then you may wish to check out the FAQ at
MicroSoft: www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/rafaq-general.mspx
I hope that has been useful. Any Comments, suggestions or corrections to: Our contact details please. This would be especially useful if the software environment you have is different to mine and the headings, text or prompts are different.
Contents of page 'Probus - Broadband options' are:
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Contents of page 'Probus - Foils used on Monday' are:
No HTML page to display for 'bprobusf.htm'
Contents of page 'Probus' are:
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Contents of page 'Terms and Conditions' are:
Terms and Conditions of our services - please read thoroughly
The following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request.
There are 24 clauses in the contract. Even if you have previously read clause 24, please do so again as it may have been updated since you last visited this page as it contains conditions that relate to the most common and most recent activities that are requested by our customers.
If this request is not for your personal use then you are confirming that you are authorised to act on behalf of the organisation that is making the request.
The following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request.
- Definitions:
In the remainder of this document:
- "The Supplier" shall mean Business before Technology currently located at 151 Chester Road, Norbury Moor, Cheshire, SK7 6HD and including future premises (also "We", "our", "its", "us").
- "The Customer" shall mean the company, firm or person who accepts an estimate or quotation of the Supplier or whose order of Services is accepted by the Supplier (also "You", "your").
- "The Services" shall mean the service provided by the Supplier which the Customer selects as confirmed in the Service Agreement which includes (without limitation) Graphic and Web Site Design, Site and e-mail hosting, Computer Data and Systems recovery, Spam avoidance and amelioration, Computer Virus elimination and prevention, etc..
- "Service Agreement" means the form signed by an authorised agent of the Customer confirming and accepting the Services.
- "Customer's Material" means all materials supplied by the Customer for the provision of the Services and shall include all materials and information subsequently provided by the Customer to be incorporated into the Service and/or the Customer's Web Site pursuant to the contract.
- "Customer's Web Site" means the Web Site of the Customer, at the URL address set out in the Service Agreement or as otherwise advised by the Supplier, which is designed by and/or hosted through the Supplier pursuant to the contract.
- "Domain Name" means the domain name(s) chosen by the Customer as set out in the Service Agreement.
- "Offending Material" means any material, data, images or
information which is:
- in breach of any law. regulation, code or practice or acceptable use policy; or
- abusive, indecent, defamatory, obscene or menacing or otherwise offensive; or
- in breach of confidence, copyright or other intellectual property rights, privacy or any other right of any third party.
- "Registry" means the relevant registry or naming authority responsible for the registration of domain names which includes (without limitation) Nominet UK and Network Solutions Inc.
- "Specification" means the specifications relating to the prevision of the Services and/or the design of the Customer's Web Site.
- Words denoting the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter and vice versa and words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa.
- The headings in these terms and conditions are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation.
- Reference to any statute or statutory provision includes reference to the statute or statutory provision as from time to time amended, extended or re-enacted.
- Basis of contract:
- This contract constitutes the entire agreement between the Supplier and the Customer. No conditions or terms stipulated in any other communication or document shall vary or annul any of these conditions except if they were expressly consented to in writing by the Supplier. All employees or agents of the Supplier are not authorised to make any representations concerning the Services unless confirmed in writing. In entering into the contract the Customer acknowledges that it does not rely on, and waives any claim of breach of, any such representations which are not so confirmed. We reserve the right to vary the specification of all Services at any time, withdraw, modify or amend any Service without prior notice
- Any typographical, clerical or other error or omission in any sales literature including web site, estimate, quotation, price list, acceptance of offer. invoice or other document or other information issued by the Supplier shall be subject to corrections without any liability on the part the Supplier
- No order which has been accepted by the Supplier may be cancelled by the Customer except with the agreement in writing by the Supplier and on terms that the Customer shall indemnify the Supplier in full against all loss (including loss of profit), costs (including the cost of all labour and goods used), damages, charges and expenses incurred by the Supplier as a result of Cancellation.
- Subject only to Clause 4, the Supplier is not responsible for any material, data. images or information transmitted, used, communicated, passed over or received, through or on the Service. In particular. the Supplier does not warrant the quality or accuracy of such material, data, images or information and is not liable if they contain any Offending Material. The Customer's use of such material, data, images or information is solely at the Customer's own risk mind is subject to all applicable laws, regulations, codes of practice and acceptable use policies.
- Domain names:
- The Supplier does not represent that the Domain Name is capable of being registered or that it will be registered. The Customer should not assume registration of the Domain Name until the Customer has been notified in writing that it has been registered. Any action taken by the Customer before such notification is at the Customer's risk.
- The registration and use of the Domain Name is subject to the terms and conditions issued by the Registry from time to time. The Customer will be legally bound by them. It is the Customer's sole responsibility to get a copy of such terms and conditions and the Customer must read, understand and comply with them.
- The Customer will have no claim against the Supplier if the Registry refuses to register the Domain Name or suspend or cancel it for any reason.
- The Supplier is not responsible nor liable for the Customer's use of the Domain Name. If there is any dispute raised by any other party, the Customer shall be solely responsible for resolving such dispute with such party. In such event, the Supplier may without notice withhold and suspend the Domain Name without any liability to the Customer.
- The Supplier does not warrant that the Domain Name is or will continue to be available for the Customer's use or that no other domain name is or will be registered which conflicts with the Domain Name or which otherwise affects the use of the Domain Name.
- The Supplier may choose to register and lease Domain Names in the name of the Supplier for purposes including, but not limited to the timely and efficient communication with the registry. The Customer shall retain sole responsibility and full liability for all Domain Names purchased on their behalf and any material available at those Domain Name addresses on the Internet. The Supplier shall communicate to the Customer all notices served to the owner of the domain which are for purposes other than administering the Domain Name. The Supplier shall release ownership of any Domain Names registered on behalf of the Customer to the Customer on completion or termination of this Contract subject to payment of any outstanding invoices.
This Clause 3 shall only be applicable where the Service includes the registration of domain names on behalf of the Customer.
- Web site design:
- The Supplier will design the Customer's Web Site in accordance with the Specification.
- The Supplier and the Customer shall in good faith discuss the development and design of the Customers Web Site within the parameters of the Specification. If there is any dispute, the Suppliers views shall prevail.
- The Supplier may request the Customer to supply the Supplier with the Customer's Materials as the Specification deems necessary. The Customer shall promptly give its full co-operation in providing such materials.
- The Supplier may (but is not obliged to) incorporate the Customers Material or any part of it into the Customers Web Site.
- The Supplier warrants that nothing of the Customer's Material contains any Offending Material
- If the Customer wishes to change the Specification or requests
the Supplier to make substantial changes to the Customers Web site:
-
the Customer shall give the Supplier at least fourteen (14) days'
written notice: and
- The Supplier may at its discretion charge such additional fees as it deems fit.
Any such changes shall he subject to the Suppliers written agreement.
- The Customer may, within fourteen days (14) from the date the customer's Web Site goes live on the Internet, request the Supplier in writing to make any minor changes to the Customer's Web Site design within the parameters of the specification. The Supplier shall at its sole discretion decide whether the changes so requested are minor. The Customer shall be deemed to have approved the Customers Web Site design upon the expiry of such fourteen (14) day period.
This Clause 4 shall only be applicable where the Service includes Web Site design and/or maintenance.
- Intellectual property rights:
- The intellectual rights of the Supplier to be identified as the originators of all supplied services will be asserted by the Supplier in accordance with the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988. All trademarks, service marks and trade names are proprietary to the Supplier. No part of any Services supplied may be modified, upgraded, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including downloading, copying, capturing screen-shots, printing, photocopying, borrowing, hiring, lending, recording, public performance, broadcasting or by any information storage and retrieval system, now known or hereafter invented, without express written permission from the Supplier. Modification of the Services or use of the Services for any other purpose is a violation of the Supplier's copyright and other proprietary rights. For purposes of this contract, the use of any such material on any other networked computer environment is prohibited.
- All intellectual property rights in the Customer's Material shall remain and vest in the Customer. The Customer grants and warrants that it has the right to grant the Supplier a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the Customer's Material in connection with the Services during the term of the contract.
- Where Clause 4 applies and subject to Clause 5.2 and intellectual property rights in the Customer's Web Site designed by the Supplier shall remain and vest in the Supplier. The Supplier grants the Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use such Web Site only for the purpose of the Services during the term of the contract.
- Variations in price and time:
- All estimates and quotations given by the Supplier shall be in accordance with the current time costing given in respect of the Customer brief and are subject to amendment by the Supplier on or at any time after acceptance to, in writing, meet any rise or fall in such costs at any time prior to the date of despatch.
- The Supplier shall be entitled to make a reasonable charge for the storage of my Customers Material left with the Supplier before commencement of the Services or after notification of completion of the Services.
- Prices are valid for 30 days from the estimate or quotation date.
- All estimates and quotations given by the Supplier are subject to written confirmation at the tune of acceptance upon receipt of the Customer's order and remittance. Acceptance and execution of orders is dependant upon the availability of Services and the absence of any circumstances beyond the Supplier's control which may hinder or prevent execution or acceptance.
- If payment is to he made by instalments and if the Customer fails to pay any instalment on its due date then the Supplier shall be entitled to demand payment of the full unpaid balance, including but not limited to all arrears.
- Unless otherwise specified the times or dates quoted are for completion of the Services at the Customer's specified address as set out in the estimate for quotation. A charge may be made to cover any extra costs involved in completion at a different address not specified so the Service Agreement.
- Any times or dates given for the completion of the Services shall be estimated only and whilst the Supplier will use its best endeavours to meet such times or dates time shall not be of the essence of the contract and the Supplier shall not he liable for any failure to deliver or complete the work or any part thereof to time.
- Preliminary work:
- All Services carried out, whether experimentally or otherwise at the Customer's reguest will be charged unless prior written approval to vary these terms has been given by the Supplier
- Liability:
- It is the Customer's sole responsibility to comply with the provisions of any statutes (including any regulations or orders made thereunder) and any other obligations imposed by law (including byelaws) applicable to all the Services supplied. It is also the Customer's sole responsibility to obtain any and all necessary intellectual property rights, clearances, and/or other consents and authorisations in respect of the Services. If such cases arise and are taken to court, the Supplier will he indemnified by the Customer against any legal responsibility.
- Indemnity:
- The Customer agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified and hold on demand harmless from and against any claim brought against the Supplier by a third party resulting from the provision of Services by us to you, including any loss or damage resulting in delay of Services to the Customer beyond our control and your use of the Services and in respect of all losses, costs, actions, proceedings, claims, damages, expenses (including reasonable legal costs and expenses) or liabilities, whatsoever suffered and howsoever incurred by us in consequence of your breach or non-observance of these terms and conditions.
- Limitation of liability:
- We hereby exclude all conditions, terms, representations (other than fraudulent representations) and warranties relating to the Services supplied or the inability to use the Services supplied under this contract (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute services; loss of data, contracts, or profits or anticipated savings; or business interruption; or for any other indirect or consequential or economic loss whatsoever), whether imposed by statute or operation of law or otherwise, that are not expressly stated in these terms and conditions including, without limitation, the implied warranty of satisfactory quality and fitness for a particular purpose, even if the Supplier or an authorised representative of the Supplier has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
- Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude our liability for death or personal injury resulting from our negligence.
- Our total aggregate liability to you for any claim in contract, tort, negligence or otherwise arising out of or in connection with the provision of the Services shall be limited to the charges paid by you in respect of the Services which are the subject of any such claim and provided that you notify us of any such claim within a reasonable period.
- Claims:
- the event of error or omission the Customer will be entitled to a refund of such part (not exceeding the whole) of the charge (or the Services concerned as is fair and reasonable having regard to the nature of the error or omission. Subject to Clause 10. The Supplier will not accept any liability in respect of errors or omissions resulting from its own negligence.
- The Customer's Material, whether in the possession of the Supplier in transit to or from the Supplier, shall he deemed to be at the Customers risk and the Customer should insure accordingly. If any of the Customers Material appears unsuitable to the Supplier then the Supplier may charge the Customer for alternative materials found during the Services except that if the whole or any part of such additional cost could have been avoided but for unreasonable delay by the Supplier in ascertaining the unsuitability of the Customers Materials then that amount shall not be charged to the Customer.
- The quantities of the Customer's Material supplied shall be adequate to cover normal spoilage.
- Delivery and payment:
- The Services shall be accepted when tendered and thereupon or, if earlier, on notification that the Services have been completed. any payment shall become due. Normal terms of payment are remittance of order or by invoice in UK Sterling. The time and payment of invoices shall be of essence of the contract. Credit terms shall only be accepted after completion and acceptance of a credit account. The Supplier reserves the right to make credit checks and request payment in advance.
- Should the Services he suspended at the request of or delayed through any default of the Customer for a period of 30 days, the Supplier shall then be entitled to payment for the Services already carried out and other additional costs associated with he carrying out of said Services.
- Any queries relating to an invoice wrist be raised as soon as reasonably possible and not exceeding 30 days after the date of the invoice otherwise it will be deemed to be approved and any Customer's query waived. All charges payable by you to us for the Services are exclusive of Value Added Tax which shall be paid by you at the rate and in the manner for the time being prescribed by law and shall he due and payable immediately, or in the case of a credit account, within thirty (30) days of our invoice unless prior written approval to vary these terms has been given by the Supplier. The provision by us of the Services is contingent upon our having received cleared funds payment in full from you in respect of the relevant Services. Without prejudice to our other rights and remedies under this agreement, if any sum payable is not paid on or before the due date, we reserve the right. forthwith and at our sole discretion, to suspend the provision of Services to you.
- All goods remain the property of the Supplier until they are paid for in full. The Supplier reserves the right to repossess any goods, literature, manuals, which have been given to the Customer in connection with the Services that are not paid for within 30 days of the invoice date. Any adjustments will be paid less reasonable cost of recovery including work carried out and other additional costs.
- The Supplier reserves the right to pass accounts not settled within the specified terms to solicitors or a bailiff for collection.
- The Supplier reserves the right to charge interest on Overdue accounts. Interest, where applicable, will be charged at 5% per annum over the base rate of National Westminster Bank at the time the debt becomes dine, or 12% per annum, whichever is greater, such interest to accrue from day to day.
- Force majeure:
- Though every effort will be made to carry out the contract the Supplier shall be under no liability if we shall be unable to carry out any provision of the contract for any reason beyond our control including (without limiting the foregoing) act of God, war, strike, lockout or any other labour dispute, fire, flood, drought, failure of power supply, communication network failures, legislation or other cause beyond the control of the Supplier. During the continuance of such a contingency the Customer may by written notice to the Supplier elect to terminate the contract and pay for Services rendered, but subject thereto shall otherwise accept delivery when available.
- Termination:
- This clause applies if:
- the Customer makes any voluntary arrangement with your creditors or becomes subject to an administration order or being an individual or firm) becomes bankrupt or (being a company) goes into liquidation (otherwise than for the purposes of amalgamation or reconstruction): or
- an encumbrancer takes possession, or a receiver is appointed, of any of the property or assets of the Customer: or
- the Customer ceases, or threatens to cease, to carry on business: or
- the Supplier reasonably apprehends that any of the events mentioned above is about to occur in relation to the Customer and notifies the Customer accordingly.
- On termination of the contract we shall be entitled immediately to cancel all Services. We shall them be entitled to payment for work already carried out and other additional costs.
- This clause applies if:
- Notices:
- Any notice to be given by either to the other party may be sent by either email, fax or recorded delivery to the registered office or principal place of business or other address of the other party as appearing in this contract or ancillary application forms or such other address as such part map from time to time have communicated to the other in writing, and if sent by email shall unless the contrary is proved be deemed to be received on the day it was sent or if sent by fax shall he deemed to be served on receipt of an error free transmission report, or if sent by recorded delivery shall he deemed to he served two days following the date of posting.
- Entire contract:
- These terms and conditions together with any documents expressly referred to in them, contain the entire contract between the Supplier and the Customer relating to the subject matter covered and supersedes any previous contracts, agreements, arrangements. undertakings or proposals, written or oral, between the parties in relation to such matters. No oral explanation or oral information given to any party shall alter the interpretation of these terms and conditions. You confirm that, in agreeing to these terms and conditions, you have not relied on any representation save insofar as the same has expressly in these terms and conditions been made a representation and you agree that you shall have no remedy in respect of any misrepresentation (other than a fraudulent misrepresentation) which has not become a term of this contract. No waiver by the Supplier of any breach of the contract by the Customer shall be considered as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provisions. If any provision of this contract shall he unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall he deemed severable from this contract and shall not affect the validity and enforcability of any remaining provisions. This is the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter herein and shall not be modified except in writing, signed by both parties.
- Cancellation:
- The Supplier may cancel this agreement at anytime by giving written notice to the Customer. The Supplier shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatever arising from such cancellation.
- Assignment:
- Neither party shall assign the whole or any part of the contract.
- Arbitration:
- Any dispute arising under or in connection with the contract shall be referred to arbitration by a single arbitrator appointed by agreement or in default nominated upon the application ot oither party by the President for the time being of the Law Society in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding on both parties. Costs shall be awarded by the arbitrator.
- Waiver:
- No waiver by the Supplier of any breach of the contract terms by the Customer shall he considered as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision.
- Confidentiality:
- (Except where in the public domain otherwise than as a result of a breach of the contract) information which the Supplier discloses or provides to the Customer and any information relating to the Supplier, its business, goods, services or processes which way have come or may come into the possession or control of the Customer in the course of the Contract shall be confidential and the Customer shall not use or disclose such information except in relation to the contract.
- Illegality:
- The illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of any clause or part of the contract terms shall not affect the legality, validity or enforceability of the remainder. If any such clause or part is found by any competent court or authority to he illegal, invalid or unenforceable the parties agree that they will substitute provisions in a form as similar to the offending provisions as is possible without thereby rendering them illegal, invalid or unenforceable.
- Law:
- This agreement shall he governed by the laws of England and the Customer hereby agrees to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
- Terms and conditions relevant to, but not exclusive to this particular type of work
- Combatting Spam, Viruses, Worms and similar I.T.-related problems is warfare against human opponents who are unknown and have resources that are not just unknown but may be vastly increased by their ability to use their network of associates. These opponents may also be able to direct vastly superior technologies towards you and the I.T that you use. It is possible that they could even take a personal interest in you and bypass any mechanisms which aim to combat the technologies they use. Because our ability and success in combatting these problems may be limited by these problems the supplier does not and cannot offer a guarantee to provide a solution to your problems and even if it does, there is no guarantee or warranty that the solution will continue to be successful.
- Your choice of Supplier is based on your own judgement of our ability to meet your current requirements. You absolve any organisation or individuals of any misdeed in introducing us to you, even if they undertake some or all of the work for the Supplier as part of this contract.
- You are responsible for ensuring that the equipment that is being used is both safe and secure and that any data, settings, programs and other I.T. related assets have been backed up in such a manner that you would be able to restore any and all equipment to their condition prior to making any changes to them. This remains true even if we provide you with or recommend the tools by which you perform these tasks.
- When providing support by telephone we will need to be able to call you when you are at your PC. There will be times when we will need you to be accessing the Internet while still in conversation. Our telephone support charges include us calling a normal UK landline between 08:00 and 21:00 Mon-Fri. If you require us to call numbers which are substantially more expensive (e.g. a mobile) then the call time charged will be inflated to reflect the extra cost to us. For example a fifteen minute call to a mobile is charged at 30 minutes.
- All advice, guidance and recommendations regarding connecting computers by means of any electronic network will be based on the customer isolating that network and all computers on it from the Internet unless agreed by Business before Technology in written communication (including e-mail, FAX or letter) that this requirement is within the scope of the project undertaken. It is very strongly recommended that any subsequent decision to connect any computer on such an internal network to the Internet is reviewed by ourselves or equally competent I.T. specialists to create a fully costed proposal including risk assessments, documentation and manpower estimates.
Contents of page 'Help when you need it' are:
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Contents of page 'Assistance when you need it' are:
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Contents of page 'Assistance by e-mail & online' are:
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Contents of page 'Assistance by Messenger & online' are:
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Contents of page 'Assistance by NetMeeting' are:
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Contents of page 'Setup of NetMeeting' are:
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Contents of page 'Remote Assistance checklist' are:
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Contents of page 'Setting up a network of experts' are:
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Contents of page 'Assistance by e-mail in Vista' are:
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Contents of page 'Where to Start' are:
Effective use of I.T. in Business - Where to Start
Our mantra is to be led by business issues and ideas which is why the business is not just the starting point but the anchor point between all steps of our project process.
Getting the right balance between vision and pragmatism when working with technologies that are evolving by the month can be challenging but that is a major part of both the skill and knowledge that we bring to the engagement.
Your business, its markets, suppliers, economics etc. will hopefully be changing a little slower but that may not be true for all time. Bridging the gap between what technology has to offer (and at what reasonable costs!) with your business is what we at Business before Technology do!.
Some time later, when you are confident that we understand what you want to achieve and the constraints within which you want us to work (budget, timescales etc.), THEN we can then help you:
- Choose domain names for your e-mail and Web Site(s) - for offline marketing as well as on!
- Decide the layout and structure of your site
- Decide how each page is laid out and what should be common to every page
- Choose the best style of navigation for your prospects
- Decide what critical words, phrases and pages must be on your site
- Get you "noticed" on the Web - primarily via Search Engines but depending upon your business you may have other ways of doing so
- Manage and maintain your site to keep the content fresh and relevant
- Measure the performance of the site and make amendments to suit changes in users, markets, competitors, technologies etc.
Contents of page 'FAQs and useful articles' are:
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Contents of page 'Keep safe in Wireless HotSpots' are:
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Contents of page 'Dangers of the Internet Cafe' are:
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Contents of page 'Back up to prevent losses' are:
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Contents of page 'Windows Update - Settings and Advice' are:
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Contents of page 'Data/File backup - often if needed' are:
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Contents of page 'System backup - changing software' are:
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Contents of page 'Self Updating Software' are:
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Contents of page 'Site Design - our view' are:
Site design - ours and yours!
Our site is designed with three objectives in mind:
- to let visitors know what Business before Technology does, and some of the how, why and who-with
- to be easy to use by adopting "best practises" and user dialogues from the best sites of the Web
- to look attractive but not distractive from the business purpose (sorry about the corrupted English)
with the overall aim of showing you by example what we believe is appropriate for an I.T. services company to have as a presence on the Internet.
Because a lot of what you might want to know about us is across several Web pages we are keeping links to different pages as low profile until you have seen them - they will then be seen in a bright blue so that you can recognise them and also remember the content that those links represent. This is only one style of Web design we have obviously used many others appropriate to their business context.
What if you don't like the way that these pages are laid out?
Your company may need something completely different to these pages but rather than try to pre-judge what that might be we offer to demonstrate the look and feel of any other site that you have seen on the Web as part of our proposal to your company. That way you can see that we have the capability and you get to refine what you want at a very early stage. Bear in mind that different types of business have very different target audiences and even with similar audiences the layout, style, interactivity and many other aspects of the site will depend completely on the purpose(s) that the site is being used for.
Please however note that we are not betraying our company principles and even it's name. We cannot stress strongly enough that decisions about technology should always be a late phase in any project, however it is reasonable that a customer gains confidence in us as a potential supplier by a variety of means - this prototyping is a method that can greatly assist that aim.
At Business before Technology, we take pride in being open-minded but will always call out to the project sponsor what we believe is in the best interests of the business even if that is contentious.
At the end of the day (/project!), you, the project sponsor are the sole arbiter of how your business proposition should be deployed and portrayed on the Web! and if 3D spinning dice is what you feel is appropriate on the home page - so-be-it.
Contents of page 'Company Aims' are:
Company Aims
We prosper by delivering value to our customers. To achieve this we promise to:
- communicate in terms that you can relate to whether that is cash-flows and profit, customer loyalty and care or, if you want those translated into I.T. we can do that too - as long as we can see the relevance to your business.
- provide sound advice on the commercial exploitation of the Internet and related topics and to make it clear when and if we are not qualified to do so.
- explain in business terms what we are proposing, even if the translation into technology and delivery of a solution is complex.
- be pragmatic when "making things happen" but equally innovative, and we hope inspirational while your ideas are in their conception.
- keep you well-informed about the work that we do for you.
- have an awareness of tools, techniques, methods and related technologies which we can use to help you make good decisions when investing in projects which involve the Internet.
For instance, we have in-house skills in the areas of:
- Marketing - traditional and of course - in-depth "on-Line"
- Sales - traditional and of course - in-depth "on-Line"
- Business Analysis, specialising in the translation into Information Technology
- Server technologies - PC to Mainframe
- Client technologies and user interfaces - Windows and not
Over the past 5-6 years we have also developed a capable and reliable network of associates who we can introduce to clients (or sub-contract if preferred) in related areas such as:
- Hosting services (or ISPs as they are often referred-to)
- Graphical designers
- Press Relations
Contents of page 'Links to other resources' are:
Useful links - to other service and product providers on the web
The web gets its name from links like these. Our company has trust in the following companies which also do business on the Web.
Bear in mind that although we cannot make any representations on their behalf and cannot make recommendations without a full understanding of what your business needs are - some of the links below may result in our company receiving a trivial benefit for the traffic and business that we generate.
| What they do or provide | Who they are (links are 'clickable') |
18185 is an ADDITIONAL Telephone service IF you pay BT for
your landline - see BELOW for what BT OFFERS.
As at Jun'09 they (18185) offer calls to:
The minor irritation of dialling 18185 in front of any number is offset by not just cost but the fact that if you want to use BT for any call you simply omit this (18185) prefix. |
18185
also see / compare to: 18866 although I think it is slightly more expensive. |
| Contact organisations by telephone using a cheaper number than 0870, 0845, 0844, 0871 etc. that they may have provided to you on their literature, web site, bill etc.. | saynoto0870.co.uk |
Plusnet are a Broadband (BB) provider that allows you to:
As of February'09 - major changes and cost reductions for SOME customers!
Please call BrianR before ordering as there are SOME options to AVOID and ONE specific TECHNICAL thing to request during or just after orderingNote that as of August '09 there are also GOOD BUSINESS OPTIONS but again please call BrianR to ensure you are ordering the best options |
PlusNet
The above link |
| Voice calls at weekend and evening - WITH BT! For many years we have promoted the idea of retaining your line rental with BT so that all? of the services over that line are regulated by OfCom and therefore relatively competitive. What BT are now (Feb/Mar'09) offering may be interesting to many - in exchange (pardon the pun!) for committing to a 12 month contract you can get FREE evening and weekend calls (up to an hour) AND even some 0845 and 0870 calls at the weekend! AND that is included in the line rental which is £11.50 approx. from April - again approx. - see their web site for details. | bt.com/free |
| Allow you to pay for goods and services WITHOUT giving your credit card details to the provider of them. Both of these companies allow individuals as well as businesses to give and get money on-line. Supports on-line trading in goods and services. |
Google checkout - and an alternative:
Paypal - now a part of eBay I believe |
| SOFTWARE that is FREE for PERSONAL USE. Another set of useful links can be found elsewhere on this site at Personal Software. This is listed here because it is a useful link for many PC users. | Personal Software |
** Note Peer to peer file sharing is normally associated with downloading copies of movies and CDs and often violates Copyright laws. HOWEVER the BBC! make LEGAL use of PEER to PEER technologies in their iPlayer which may be affected by the caps on the bandwidth available. I will update this page when I know more about the effect of the caps.
If you want to refer people to specific items on this page then you may want to give them one of the links below:
- 18185 for cheap telephone calls - International and long calls to UK landlines
- Avoid costly calls that are not part of your inclusive minutes
- Good value Broadband - especially in urban areas
- Getting SOME (Weekend and Evening) benefits from a BT line but beware of penalty clauses on moving house or Broadband if the new supplier does not allow you to keep your line with BT!
- Online payment facilitators
Contents of page 'Spam - why me?!' are:
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Contents of page 'e-mail Services' are:
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Contents of page 'Personal Software' are:
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Contents of page 'Really useful websites' are:
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Contents of page 'Security matters!' are:
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Contents of page 'Technologies at risk' are:
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Contents of page 'How to manage passwords' are:
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Contents of page 'How strong is YOUR password' are:
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Contents of page 'Security - more than passwords' are:
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Contents of page 'Passwords - best practices' are:
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Contents of page 'Passwords for your PC' are:
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Contents of page 'What passwords you need' are:
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Contents of page 'Passwords for insecure devices' are:
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Contents of page 'Wireless security WPA not WEP' are:
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Contents of page 'Making money out of Spam' are:
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Contents of page 'SafeRunning Applications' are:
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Contents of page 'Intro to XP guide' are:
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Contents of page 'Fast PC startup using no power' are:
Startup your PC in 10 seconds AND don't waste power
I have assumed that you know how to get into your PC's Control Panel - on XP that is by clicking on Start and then Control Panel - or Settings if you are using the 'old' XP menu system.
This page relates to the 'Power Options' feature within the Control Panel.
The images below will show a larger version of the same image if you hover your mouse over them, stop hovering to remove the larger version.
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Windows XP and Vista both have the capability to 'Hibernate' when you don't need your PC and this is really, really good news for you and the environment because while in hibernation your PC uses very, very little power. The other very useful feature for many users is that you don't need to close down all the programs that you were using before you hibernate. Even more useful is, as you might expect - you don't have to wait for your PC to go through the ritual of starting up again! If you want to save the last few Watts of power then you can switch it off completely at the socket on the wall while it is in hibernation mode - Laptop users don't even need to do that last action - just unplug the charger. Please note that you fully SHOULD CLOSE DOWN your PC at the VERY LEAST EVERY MONTH** and my normal recommendation is every week(end).Note that every Windows PC needs to be restarted after the ritual of Microsoft's 'Patch Tuesday' (2nd of every month) for important security updates to take effect. See Windows Update - Settings and Advice for recommendations. |
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The option of hibernation can be made available by going into 'Control Panel' and then choosing 'Power options' and there is a 'Hibernation Tab' which needs to have the check box enabled. The easiest way to make this quickly available is to go to the 'Advanced Tab' and where the prompt says 'When I press the power button...' you should select 'Ask me what to do'. Note that Laptop users will have extra options to those to the left - for instance they can choose to:
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The only usability issue that is so irritating is that on XP when you get the prompt asking about 'what to do' (see image to left) - Turn Off, Restart or Standby there isn't a fourth option saying Hibernate even though pressing the 'H' key does hibernate from that prompt. If you REALLY want to see Hibernate as an option you have to hold down the Shift key (when prompted 'what to do') and you will see 'Standby' change to 'Hibernate'. Pressing H will also hibernate when this image is displayed even without holding down the Shift key. |
Contents of page 'Site Map' are:
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Contents of page 'What we offer' are:
What we and our associates offer
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Business before Technology specialises in the support of individuals and small businesses who want to make use of technology in a safe, secure and effective manner but don't have the time or inclination to become I.T. experts to do so. The services provided range from business application design, development and hosting all the way through to the provision of high-specification hardware for individuals who want their PC to act as a multimedia server. From time to time there will be specific offers targetted at problems which are common to many situations. As of June 2004, our most frequently requested services are:
To achieve the latter, we have a very close working relationship with a company called Net Business Goals which provide hosting services at: Internet Hosting Services. | The tools of our (PC Protection) TradeSelecting the right technology to match a set of customer requirements has to be more than "What you get is what I know". Although the selection below and to the right is limited to a small number of product and service providers, we constantly evaluate new entrants when they come to markets with relevant technologies. |
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Contents of page 'Web site development' are:
Web Site Development and maintenance
Although we offer a one-stop shop in terms of the entire lifecycle of an on-line venture - from business strategy and marketing through to Web hosting and deployment our core competencies lie in the design and delivery of sites that interact with a user rather than simply present pages of static information that have been manually edited and published from one of hundreds of PC tools that are capable of creating sites.
Interactive web sites allow surfers to "do things" and the as the name implies they allow surfers to interact through the web site with your company. Creating an interactive web site can often mean that the site owner has to invest time and resource into integrating the site with their business but that is where the real benefits are to be gained.
Your web site can be acting as the gateway to your customers 24 hours per day, 7 days per week when the integration between the web and what is often referred to as "back office" systems are achieved.
The key to achieving the benefits in the long-term is to start simple. Do not attempt to turn your business "on-line" overnight because there are too many problems that will attack you from all sides. If technology and application issues aren't the first to bite then the people issues will be. Individuals all have their own limits to adoption and mastery of changes to their working environment, skills and responsibilities.
We have a combined tenure of 35 years of making people, projects and Information Technology work together within all sizes of business to achieve business goals through innovative though prgamatic exploitation of diverse technologies.
By listening to our customers and fully understanding their needs and aspirations we have created software which allows your web site to be delivered with both value for money and flexibility for the future. Because our sites are dynamically presented to surfers we can make them interact in useful and intelligent ways that are simply not possible with static web sites.
If you already know that you need more than a simple, static web site or you just want to talk through what an interactive web site could do for your business then call us Simple contact form or send us details about what you want to do and we will be delighted to talk about your business and how we can exploit technology to make it do what you need to do.
Contents of page 'Self Maintenance Sites' are:
Self maintenance of Web Sites
We deliver sites that make you self-sufficient to whatever level is appropriate to your business, skills, knowledge and needs. Many web site owners have realised that they need to be able to manage aspects of their site content themselves rather than risk the delays and costs of involving the original developer(s) or much worse still - attempt to engage new developers to maintain an old site!
Sites which contain products for sale are the most obvious examples that require owner-maintenance in that price, availability and many other factors can change frequently and without notice.
Keeping in-house skills and knowledge of a Web site design tool at a competent level to compete on the Web is a big challenge to begin with but only the more sophisticated tools can handle the sort of database and data manipulation tools that are required in any site that attempts to be useful to it's users.
Our approach is to agree up-front about those aspects of the site that need to be common and unchanging on all pages. This design then becomes a dynamic template for all of the pages of the site.
For many site owners we also turn their business ideas into the actual Web pages of their site. Some customers want to maintain their site content as soon as the site has been "handed over" but many others allow us to make updates at a nominal charge given the knowledge that they could take advantage of the self-maintenance option at a later date.
Although we offer all customers the ability to change their Web content it is very normal for their needs to be simple. The types of update required fall into three major categories:
1. Small pieces of text and images which become part of the template of the site
This includes:
- News items
- Special offers
These are usually limited in scope (colour, font, size etc.) to ensure these do not corrupt the overall site.
2. Text and images that are part of a database
Although the obvious example is items for sale within a catalogue it is actually almost anywhere that users are typically shown a list of items in a common format:
- Press releases
- Customer support staff and their responsibilities
- Frequently asked questions
The above items can be exported from a spreadsheet (in CSV format) if the author wants to use their PC skills and time rather than doing this online.
3. Page content - where the balance is really needed
Giving users the ability to change complete page content is not difficult! Doing so without exposing the site to corruption of style, image, professionalism etc. is the difficult part!
What we offer is the ability to change the text and images within an existing page. If any reader of this page is familiar with HTML - the one and only Markup language of the Web! then they would be familiar with tags such as <b> to embolden a piece of text as earlier in this sentence.
To keep the unique skill and knowledge required to maintain page content to a minimum we allow a pre-defined list of these standard HTML tags to be part of the site content. In this manner the editor of a page can read a simple guide to HTML of which there are hundreds and as long as they restrict their usage to those agreed with the site owner then they will be able to change many aspects of a page. Typical lists of these tags are:
- <p> <br> <hr> which allow line break formatting
- <b> <big> <small> which allow text and individual characters to be (de-)emphasised
- <h2> <h3> <h4> <h5> which are for headings
- <ol> <ul> <li> which allow lists to be made such as this one
To use them is trivial - simply key them in as shown above and they will be translated into an effect rather than displayed as above. There are many more but the above are typical examples.
If there are needs which cannot be met by these simple and universally accepted tags or there is a formatting style which requires a more complex set of tags then these can be pre-defined in conjunction with the site owner.
Contents of page 'Spam offerings' are:
Spam avoidance - Spam Offerings
Because everyone has different needs from both a technology and a "risk" perspective we only offer our help based on the time taken to work on your specific "project" whether that is a standalone PC or a Local Area Network spanning multiple sites.
The navigation bar to the left will allow you too see sub-pages below this one where you can see how we offer our time but to summarise - your choices are for on-site support or help over the telephone.
The latter is well suited to those businesses and individuals who have already have a reasonable understanding of their computing environment and want to take advantage of our specific areas of knowledge in the Spam and Virus avoidance areas.
On site support can obviously be much more flexible to suit a wide range of technical situations and also different requirements. If you want us to do more than just setup your PC with the appropriate settings to avoid Spam then we can do that on your behalf. Examples of that could be:
- Installation of software - whether that be freeware such as MailWasher or brand-name software such as Norton Anti-Virus.
- Creation of multiple e'Mail identities to service different e'Mail accounts
- Setting up aliases on a Web Domain (providing the provider is known to support this)
Please have a look at the pages below this by moving your mouse over the menu item again and you will see further choices.
Contents of page 'Spam - why me?!' are:
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Contents of page 'e-mail Services' are:
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Contents of page 'e-mail Support' are:
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Contents of page 'Request Telephone support' are:
Telephone support line and services - request form
This page allows us to gather information about your specific circumstances prior to us making contact as well as setting out the terms and conditions by which Business before Technology provides these services.
If for some reason this form isn't suitable for your needs then you can use the very simple form at Simple contact form instead. Bear in mind that we will need to gather this information from you prior to any work being undertaken and that we will need you to confirm that you agree with the Terms and Conditions which follow the form below.
Terms and Conditions of our services - please read thoroughly
The following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request.
There are 24 clauses in the contract. Even if you have previously read clause 24, please do so again as it may have been updated since you last visited this page as it contains conditions that relate to the most common and most recent activities that are requested by our customers.
If this request is not for your personal use then you are confirming that you are authorised to act on behalf of the organisation that is making the request.
The following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request.
- Definitions:
In the remainder of this document:
- "The Supplier" shall mean Business before Technology currently located at 151 Chester Road, Norbury Moor, Cheshire, SK7 6HD and including future premises (also "We", "our", "its", "us").
- "The Customer" shall mean the company, firm or person who accepts an estimate or quotation of the Supplier or whose order of Services is accepted by the Supplier (also "You", "your").
- "The Services" shall mean the service provided by the Supplier which the Customer selects as confirmed in the Service Agreement which includes (without limitation) Graphic and Web Site Design, Site and e-mail hosting, Computer Data and Systems recovery, Spam avoidance and amelioration, Computer Virus elimination and prevention, etc..
- "Service Agreement" means the form signed by an authorised agent of the Customer confirming and accepting the Services.
- "Customer's Material" means all materials supplied by the Customer for the provision of the Services and shall include all materials and information subsequently provided by the Customer to be incorporated into the Service and/or the Customer's Web Site pursuant to the contract.
- "Customer's Web Site" means the Web Site of the Customer, at the URL address set out in the Service Agreement or as otherwise advised by the Supplier, which is designed by and/or hosted through the Supplier pursuant to the contract.
- "Domain Name" means the domain name(s) chosen by the Customer as set out in the Service Agreement.
- "Offending Material" means any material, data, images or
information which is:
- in breach of any law. regulation, code or practice or acceptable use policy; or
- abusive, indecent, defamatory, obscene or menacing or otherwise offensive; or
- in breach of confidence, copyright or other intellectual property rights, privacy or any other right of any third party.
- "Registry" means the relevant registry or naming authority responsible for the registration of domain names which includes (without limitation) Nominet UK and Network Solutions Inc.
- "Specification" means the specifications relating to the prevision of the Services and/or the design of the Customer's Web Site.
- Words denoting the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter and vice versa and words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa.
- The headings in these terms and conditions are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation.
- Reference to any statute or statutory provision includes reference to the statute or statutory provision as from time to time amended, extended or re-enacted.
- Basis of contract:
- This contract constitutes the entire agreement between the Supplier and the Customer. No conditions or terms stipulated in any other communication or document shall vary or annul any of these conditions except if they were expressly consented to in writing by the Supplier. All employees or agents of the Supplier are not authorised to make any representations concerning the Services unless confirmed in writing. In entering into the contract the Customer acknowledges that it does not rely on, and waives any claim of breach of, any such representations which are not so confirmed. We reserve the right to vary the specification of all Services at any time, withdraw, modify or amend any Service without prior notice
- Any typographical, clerical or other error or omission in any sales literature including web site, estimate, quotation, price list, acceptance of offer. invoice or other document or other information issued by the Supplier shall be subject to corrections without any liability on the part the Supplier
- No order which has been accepted by the Supplier may be cancelled by the Customer except with the agreement in writing by the Supplier and on terms that the Customer shall indemnify the Supplier in full against all loss (including loss of profit), costs (including the cost of all labour and goods used), damages, charges and expenses incurred by the Supplier as a result of Cancellation.
- Subject only to Clause 4, the Supplier is not responsible for any material, data. images or information transmitted, used, communicated, passed over or received, through or on the Service. In particular. the Supplier does not warrant the quality or accuracy of such material, data, images or information and is not liable if they contain any Offending Material. The Customer's use of such material, data, images or information is solely at the Customer's own risk mind is subject to all applicable laws, regulations, codes of practice and acceptable use policies.
- Domain names:
- The Supplier does not represent that the Domain Name is capable of being registered or that it will be registered. The Customer should not assume registration of the Domain Name until the Customer has been notified in writing that it has been registered. Any action taken by the Customer before such notification is at the Customer's risk.
- The registration and use of the Domain Name is subject to the terms and conditions issued by the Registry from time to time. The Customer will be legally bound by them. It is the Customer's sole responsibility to get a copy of such terms and conditions and the Customer must read, understand and comply with them.
- The Customer will have no claim against the Supplier if the Registry refuses to register the Domain Name or suspend or cancel it for any reason.
- The Supplier is not responsible nor liable for the Customer's use of the Domain Name. If there is any dispute raised by any other party, the Customer shall be solely responsible for resolving such dispute with such party. In such event, the Supplier may without notice withhold and suspend the Domain Name without any liability to the Customer.
- The Supplier does not warrant that the Domain Name is or will continue to be available for the Customer's use or that no other domain name is or will be registered which conflicts with the Domain Name or which otherwise affects the use of the Domain Name.
- The Supplier may choose to register and lease Domain Names in the name of the Supplier for purposes including, but not limited to the timely and efficient communication with the registry. The Customer shall retain sole responsibility and full liability for all Domain Names purchased on their behalf and any material available at those Domain Name addresses on the Internet. The Supplier shall communicate to the Customer all notices served to the owner of the domain which are for purposes other than administering the Domain Name. The Supplier shall release ownership of any Domain Names registered on behalf of the Customer to the Customer on completion or termination of this Contract subject to payment of any outstanding invoices.
This Clause 3 shall only be applicable where the Service includes the registration of domain names on behalf of the Customer.
- Web site design:
- The Supplier will design the Customer's Web Site in accordance with the Specification.
- The Supplier and the Customer shall in good faith discuss the development and design of the Customers Web Site within the parameters of the Specification. If there is any dispute, the Suppliers views shall prevail.
- The Supplier may request the Customer to supply the Supplier with the Customer's Materials as the Specification deems necessary. The Customer shall promptly give its full co-operation in providing such materials.
- The Supplier may (but is not obliged to) incorporate the Customers Material or any part of it into the Customers Web Site.
- The Supplier warrants that nothing of the Customer's Material contains any Offending Material
- If the Customer wishes to change the Specification or requests
the Supplier to make substantial changes to the Customers Web site:
-
the Customer shall give the Supplier at least fourteen (14) days'
written notice: and
- The Supplier may at its discretion charge such additional fees as it deems fit.
Any such changes shall he subject to the Suppliers written agreement.
- The Customer may, within fourteen days (14) from the date the customer's Web Site goes live on the Internet, request the Supplier in writing to make any minor changes to the Customer's Web Site design within the parameters of the specification. The Supplier shall at its sole discretion decide whether the changes so requested are minor. The Customer shall be deemed to have approved the Customers Web Site design upon the expiry of such fourteen (14) day period.
This Clause 4 shall only be applicable where the Service includes Web Site design and/or maintenance.
- Intellectual property rights:
- The intellectual rights of the Supplier to be identified as the originators of all supplied services will be asserted by the Supplier in accordance with the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988. All trademarks, service marks and trade names are proprietary to the Supplier. No part of any Services supplied may be modified, upgraded, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including downloading, copying, capturing screen-shots, printing, photocopying, borrowing, hiring, lending, recording, public performance, broadcasting or by any information storage and retrieval system, now known or hereafter invented, without express written permission from the Supplier. Modification of the Services or use of the Services for any other purpose is a violation of the Supplier's copyright and other proprietary rights. For purposes of this contract, the use of any such material on any other networked computer environment is prohibited.
- All intellectual property rights in the Customer's Material shall remain and vest in the Customer. The Customer grants and warrants that it has the right to grant the Supplier a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the Customer's Material in connection with the Services during the term of the contract.
- Where Clause 4 applies and subject to Clause 5.2 and intellectual property rights in the Customer's Web Site designed by the Supplier shall remain and vest in the Supplier. The Supplier grants the Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use such Web Site only for the purpose of the Services during the term of the contract.
- Variations in price and time:
- All estimates and quotations given by the Supplier shall be in accordance with the current time costing given in respect of the Customer brief and are subject to amendment by the Supplier on or at any time after acceptance to, in writing, meet any rise or fall in such costs at any time prior to the date of despatch.
- The Supplier shall be entitled to make a reasonable charge for the storage of my Customers Material left with the Supplier before commencement of the Services or after notification of completion of the Services.
- Prices are valid for 30 days from the estimate or quotation date.
- All estimates and quotations given by the Supplier are subject to written confirmation at the tune of acceptance upon receipt of the Customer's order and remittance. Acceptance and execution of orders is dependant upon the availability of Services and the absence of any circumstances beyond the Supplier's control which may hinder or prevent execution or acceptance.
- If payment is to he made by instalments and if the Customer fails to pay any instalment on its due date then the Supplier shall be entitled to demand payment of the full unpaid balance, including but not limited to all arrears.
- Unless otherwise specified the times or dates quoted are for completion of the Services at the Customer's specified address as set out in the estimate for quotation. A charge may be made to cover any extra costs involved in completion at a different address not specified so the Service Agreement.
- Any times or dates given for the completion of the Services shall be estimated only and whilst the Supplier will use its best endeavours to meet such times or dates time shall not be of the essence of the contract and the Supplier shall not he liable for any failure to deliver or complete the work or any part thereof to time.
- Preliminary work:
- All Services carried out, whether experimentally or otherwise at the Customer's reguest will be charged unless prior written approval to vary these terms has been given by the Supplier
- Liability:
- It is the Customer's sole responsibility to comply with the provisions of any statutes (including any regulations or orders made thereunder) and any other obligations imposed by law (including byelaws) applicable to all the Services supplied. It is also the Customer's sole responsibility to obtain any and all necessary intellectual property rights, clearances, and/or other consents and authorisations in respect of the Services. If such cases arise and are taken to court, the Supplier will he indemnified by the Customer against any legal responsibility.
- Indemnity:
- The Customer agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified and hold on demand harmless from and against any claim brought against the Supplier by a third party resulting from the provision of Services by us to you, including any loss or damage resulting in delay of Services to the Customer beyond our control and your use of the Services and in respect of all losses, costs, actions, proceedings, claims, damages, expenses (including reasonable legal costs and expenses) or liabilities, whatsoever suffered and howsoever incurred by us in consequence of your breach or non-observance of these terms and conditions.
- Limitation of liability:
- We hereby exclude all conditions, terms, representations (other than fraudulent representations) and warranties relating to the Services supplied or the inability to use the Services supplied under this contract (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute services; loss of data, contracts, or profits or anticipated savings; or business interruption; or for any other indirect or consequential or economic loss whatsoever), whether imposed by statute or operation of law or otherwise, that are not expressly stated in these terms and conditions including, without limitation, the implied warranty of satisfactory quality and fitness for a particular purpose, even if the Supplier or an authorised representative of the Supplier has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
- Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude our liability for death or personal injury resulting from our negligence.
- Our total aggregate liability to you for any claim in contract, tort, negligence or otherwise arising out of or in connection with the provision of the Services shall be limited to the charges paid by you in respect of the Services which are the subject of any such claim and provided that you notify us of any such claim within a reasonable period.
- Claims:
- the event of error or omission the Customer will be entitled to a refund of such part (not exceeding the whole) of the charge (or the Services concerned as is fair and reasonable having regard to the nature of the error or omission. Subject to Clause 10. The Supplier will not accept any liability in respect of errors or omissions resulting from its own negligence.
- The Customer's Material, whether in the possession of the Supplier in transit to or from the Supplier, shall he deemed to be at the Customers risk and the Customer should insure accordingly. If any of the Customers Material appears unsuitable to the Supplier then the Supplier may charge the Customer for alternative materials found during the Services except that if the whole or any part of such additional cost could have been avoided but for unreasonable delay by the Supplier in ascertaining the unsuitability of the Customers Materials then that amount shall not be charged to the Customer.
- The quantities of the Customer's Material supplied shall be adequate to cover normal spoilage.
- Delivery and payment:
- The Services shall be accepted when tendered and thereupon or, if earlier, on notification that the Services have been completed. any payment shall become due. Normal terms of payment are remittance of order or by invoice in UK Sterling. The time and payment of invoices shall be of essence of the contract. Credit terms shall only be accepted after completion and acceptance of a credit account. The Supplier reserves the right to make credit checks and request payment in advance.
- Should the Services he suspended at the request of or delayed through any default of the Customer for a period of 30 days, the Supplier shall then be entitled to payment for the Services already carried out and other additional costs associated with he carrying out of said Services.
- Any queries relating to an invoice wrist be raised as soon as reasonably possible and not exceeding 30 days after the date of the invoice otherwise it will be deemed to be approved and any Customer's query waived. All charges payable by you to us for the Services are exclusive of Value Added Tax which shall be paid by you at the rate and in the manner for the time being prescribed by law and shall he due and payable immediately, or in the case of a credit account, within thirty (30) days of our invoice unless prior written approval to vary these terms has been given by the Supplier. The provision by us of the Services is contingent upon our having received cleared funds payment in full from you in respect of the relevant Services. Without prejudice to our other rights and remedies under this agreement, if any sum payable is not paid on or before the due date, we reserve the right. forthwith and at our sole discretion, to suspend the provision of Services to you.
- All goods remain the property of the Supplier until they are paid for in full. The Supplier reserves the right to repossess any goods, literature, manuals, which have been given to the Customer in connection with the Services that are not paid for within 30 days of the invoice date. Any adjustments will be paid less reasonable cost of recovery including work carried out and other additional costs.
- The Supplier reserves the right to pass accounts not settled within the specified terms to solicitors or a bailiff for collection.
- The Supplier reserves the right to charge interest on Overdue accounts. Interest, where applicable, will be charged at 5% per annum over the base rate of National Westminster Bank at the time the debt becomes dine, or 12% per annum, whichever is greater, such interest to accrue from day to day.
- Force majeure:
- Though every effort will be made to carry out the contract the Supplier shall be under no liability if we shall be unable to carry out any provision of the contract for any reason beyond our control including (without limiting the foregoing) act of God, war, strike, lockout or any other labour dispute, fire, flood, drought, failure of power supply, communication network failures, legislation or other cause beyond the control of the Supplier. During the continuance of such a contingency the Customer may by written notice to the Supplier elect to terminate the contract and pay for Services rendered, but subject thereto shall otherwise accept delivery when available.
- Termination:
- This clause applies if:
- the Customer makes any voluntary arrangement with your creditors or becomes subject to an administration order or being an individual or firm) becomes bankrupt or (being a company) goes into liquidation (otherwise than for the purposes of amalgamation or reconstruction): or
- an encumbrancer takes possession, or a receiver is appointed, of any of the property or assets of the Customer: or
- the Customer ceases, or threatens to cease, to carry on business: or
- the Supplier reasonably apprehends that any of the events mentioned above is about to occur in relation to the Customer and notifies the Customer accordingly.
- On termination of the contract we shall be entitled immediately to cancel all Services. We shall them be entitled to payment for work already carried out and other additional costs.
- This clause applies if:
- Notices:
- Any notice to be given by either to the other party may be sent by either email, fax or recorded delivery to the registered office or principal place of business or other address of the other party as appearing in this contract or ancillary application forms or such other address as such part map from time to time have communicated to the other in writing, and if sent by email shall unless the contrary is proved be deemed to be received on the day it was sent or if sent by fax shall he deemed to be served on receipt of an error free transmission report, or if sent by recorded delivery shall he deemed to he served two days following the date of posting.
- Entire contract:
- These terms and conditions together with any documents expressly referred to in them, contain the entire contract between the Supplier and the Customer relating to the subject matter covered and supersedes any previous contracts, agreements, arrangements. undertakings or proposals, written or oral, between the parties in relation to such matters. No oral explanation or oral information given to any party shall alter the interpretation of these terms and conditions. You confirm that, in agreeing to these terms and conditions, you have not relied on any representation save insofar as the same has expressly in these terms and conditions been made a representation and you agree that you shall have no remedy in respect of any misrepresentation (other than a fraudulent misrepresentation) which has not become a term of this contract. No waiver by the Supplier of any breach of the contract by the Customer shall be considered as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provisions. If any provision of this contract shall he unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall he deemed severable from this contract and shall not affect the validity and enforcability of any remaining provisions. This is the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter herein and shall not be modified except in writing, signed by both parties.
- Cancellation:
- The Supplier may cancel this agreement at anytime by giving written notice to the Customer. The Supplier shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatever arising from such cancellation.
- Assignment:
- Neither party shall assign the whole or any part of the contract.
- Arbitration:
- Any dispute arising under or in connection with the contract shall be referred to arbitration by a single arbitrator appointed by agreement or in default nominated upon the application ot oither party by the President for the time being of the Law Society in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding on both parties. Costs shall be awarded by the arbitrator.
- Waiver:
- No waiver by the Supplier of any breach of the contract terms by the Customer shall he considered as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision.
- Confidentiality:
- (Except where in the public domain otherwise than as a result of a breach of the contract) information which the Supplier discloses or provides to the Customer and any information relating to the Supplier, its business, goods, services or processes which way have come or may come into the possession or control of the Customer in the course of the Contract shall be confidential and the Customer shall not use or disclose such information except in relation to the contract.
- Illegality:
- The illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of any clause or part of the contract terms shall not affect the legality, validity or enforceability of the remainder. If any such clause or part is found by any competent court or authority to he illegal, invalid or unenforceable the parties agree that they will substitute provisions in a form as similar to the offending provisions as is possible without thereby rendering them illegal, invalid or unenforceable.
- Law:
- This agreement shall he governed by the laws of England and the Customer hereby agrees to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
- Terms and conditions relevant to, but not exclusive to this particular type of work
- Combatting Spam, Viruses, Worms and similar I.T.-related problems is warfare against human opponents who are unknown and have resources that are not just unknown but may be vastly increased by their ability to use their network of associates. These opponents may also be able to direct vastly superior technologies towards you and the I.T that you use. It is possible that they could even take a personal interest in you and bypass any mechanisms which aim to combat the technologies they use. Because our ability and success in combatting these problems may be limited by these problems the supplier does not and cannot offer a guarantee to provide a solution to your problems and even if it does, there is no guarantee or warranty that the solution will continue to be successful.
- Your choice of Supplier is based on your own judgement of our ability to meet your current requirements. You absolve any organisation or individuals of any misdeed in introducing us to you, even if they undertake some or all of the work for the Supplier as part of this contract.
- You are responsible for ensuring that the equipment that is being used is both safe and secure and that any data, settings, programs and other I.T. related assets have been backed up in such a manner that you would be able to restore any and all equipment to their condition prior to making any changes to them. This remains true even if we provide you with or recommend the tools by which you perform these tasks.
- When providing support by telephone we will need to be able to call you when you are at your PC. There will be times when we will need you to be accessing the Internet while still in conversation. Our telephone support charges include us calling a normal UK landline between 08:00 and 21:00 Mon-Fri. If you require us to call numbers which are substantially more expensive (e.g. a mobile) then the call time charged will be inflated to reflect the extra cost to us. For example a fifteen minute call to a mobile is charged at 30 minutes.
- All advice, guidance and recommendations regarding connecting computers by means of any electronic network will be based on the customer isolating that network and all computers on it from the Internet unless agreed by Business before Technology in written communication (including e-mail, FAX or letter) that this requirement is within the scope of the project undertaken. It is very strongly recommended that any subsequent decision to connect any computer on such an internal network to the Internet is reviewed by ourselves or equally competent I.T. specialists to create a fully costed proposal including risk assessments, documentation and manpower estimates.
Contents of page 'Request OnSite support' are:
On Site assistance - request form
This page allows us to gather information about your specific circumstances prior to us making contact as well as setting out the terms and conditions by which Business before Technology provides these services.
If for some reason this form isn't suitable for your needs then you can use the very simple form at Simple contact form instead. Bear in mind that we will need to gather this information from you prior to any work being undertaken and that we will need you to confirm that you agree with the Terms and Conditions which follow the form below.
Terms and Conditions of our services - please read thoroughly
The following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request.
There are 24 clauses in the contract. Even if you have previously read clause 24, please do so again as it may have been updated since you last visited this page as it contains conditions that relate to the most common and most recent activities that are requested by our customers.
If this request is not for your personal use then you are confirming that you are authorised to act on behalf of the organisation that is making the request.
The following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request.
- Definitions:
In the remainder of this document:
- "The Supplier" shall mean Business before Technology currently located at 151 Chester Road, Norbury Moor, Cheshire, SK7 6HD and including future premises (also "We", "our", "its", "us").
- "The Customer" shall mean the company, firm or person who accepts an estimate or quotation of the Supplier or whose order of Services is accepted by the Supplier (also "You", "your").
- "The Services" shall mean the service provided by the Supplier which the Customer selects as confirmed in the Service Agreement which includes (without limitation) Graphic and Web Site Design, Site and e-mail hosting, Computer Data and Systems recovery, Spam avoidance and amelioration, Computer Virus elimination and prevention, etc..
- "Service Agreement" means the form signed by an authorised agent of the Customer confirming and accepting the Services.
- "Customer's Material" means all materials supplied by the Customer for the provision of the Services and shall include all materials and information subsequently provided by the Customer to be incorporated into the Service and/or the Customer's Web Site pursuant to the contract.
- "Customer's Web Site" means the Web Site of the Customer, at the URL address set out in the Service Agreement or as otherwise advised by the Supplier, which is designed by and/or hosted through the Supplier pursuant to the contract.
- "Domain Name" means the domain name(s) chosen by the Customer as set out in the Service Agreement.
- "Offending Material" means any material, data, images or
information which is:
- in breach of any law. regulation, code or practice or acceptable use policy; or
- abusive, indecent, defamatory, obscene or menacing or otherwise offensive; or
- in breach of confidence, copyright or other intellectual property rights, privacy or any other right of any third party.
- "Registry" means the relevant registry or naming authority responsible for the registration of domain names which includes (without limitation) Nominet UK and Network Solutions Inc.
- "Specification" means the specifications relating to the prevision of the Services and/or the design of the Customer's Web Site.
- Words denoting the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter and vice versa and words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa.
- The headings in these terms and conditions are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation.
- Reference to any statute or statutory provision includes reference to the statute or statutory provision as from time to time amended, extended or re-enacted.
- Basis of contract:
- This contract constitutes the entire agreement between the Supplier and the Customer. No conditions or terms stipulated in any other communication or document shall vary or annul any of these conditions except if they were expressly consented to in writing by the Supplier. All employees or agents of the Supplier are not authorised to make any representations concerning the Services unless confirmed in writing. In entering into the contract the Customer acknowledges that it does not rely on, and waives any claim of breach of, any such representations which are not so confirmed. We reserve the right to vary the specification of all Services at any time, withdraw, modify or amend any Service without prior notice
- Any typographical, clerical or other error or omission in any sales literature including web site, estimate, quotation, price list, acceptance of offer. invoice or other document or other information issued by the Supplier shall be subject to corrections without any liability on the part the Supplier
- No order which has been accepted by the Supplier may be cancelled by the Customer except with the agreement in writing by the Supplier and on terms that the Customer shall indemnify the Supplier in full against all loss (including loss of profit), costs (including the cost of all labour and goods used), damages, charges and expenses incurred by the Supplier as a result of Cancellation.
- Subject only to Clause 4, the Supplier is not responsible for any material, data. images or information transmitted, used, communicated, passed over or received, through or on the Service. In particular. the Supplier does not warrant the quality or accuracy of such material, data, images or information and is not liable if they contain any Offending Material. The Customer's use of such material, data, images or information is solely at the Customer's own risk mind is subject to all applicable laws, regulations, codes of practice and acceptable use policies.
- Domain names:
- The Supplier does not represent that the Domain Name is capable of being registered or that it will be registered. The Customer should not assume registration of the Domain Name until the Customer has been notified in writing that it has been registered. Any action taken by the Customer before such notification is at the Customer's risk.
- The registration and use of the Domain Name is subject to the terms and conditions issued by the Registry from time to time. The Customer will be legally bound by them. It is the Customer's sole responsibility to get a copy of such terms and conditions and the Customer must read, understand and comply with them.
- The Customer will have no claim against the Supplier if the Registry refuses to register the Domain Name or suspend or cancel it for any reason.
- The Supplier is not responsible nor liable for the Customer's use of the Domain Name. If there is any dispute raised by any other party, the Customer shall be solely responsible for resolving such dispute with such party. In such event, the Supplier may without notice withhold and suspend the Domain Name without any liability to the Customer.
- The Supplier does not warrant that the Domain Name is or will continue to be available for the Customer's use or that no other domain name is or will be registered which conflicts with the Domain Name or which otherwise affects the use of the Domain Name.
- The Supplier may choose to register and lease Domain Names in the name of the Supplier for purposes including, but not limited to the timely and efficient communication with the registry. The Customer shall retain sole responsibility and full liability for all Domain Names purchased on their behalf and any material available at those Domain Name addresses on the Internet. The Supplier shall communicate to the Customer all notices served to the owner of the domain which are for purposes other than administering the Domain Name. The Supplier shall release ownership of any Domain Names registered on behalf of the Customer to the Customer on completion or termination of this Contract subject to payment of any outstanding invoices.
This Clause 3 shall only be applicable where the Service includes the registration of domain names on behalf of the Customer.
- Web site design:
- The Supplier will design the Customer's Web Site in accordance with the Specification.
- The Supplier and the Customer shall in good faith discuss the development and design of the Customers Web Site within the parameters of the Specification. If there is any dispute, the Suppliers views shall prevail.
- The Supplier may request the Customer to supply the Supplier with the Customer's Materials as the Specification deems necessary. The Customer shall promptly give its full co-operation in providing such materials.
- The Supplier may (but is not obliged to) incorporate the Customers Material or any part of it into the Customers Web Site.
- The Supplier warrants that nothing of the Customer's Material contains any Offending Material
- If the Customer wishes to change the Specification or requests
the Supplier to make substantial changes to the Customers Web site:
-
the Customer shall give the Supplier at least fourteen (14) days'
written notice: and
- The Supplier may at its discretion charge such additional fees as it deems fit.
Any such changes shall he subject to the Suppliers written agreement.
- The Customer may, within fourteen days (14) from the date the customer's Web Site goes live on the Internet, request the Supplier in writing to make any minor changes to the Customer's Web Site design within the parameters of the specification. The Supplier shall at its sole discretion decide whether the changes so requested are minor. The Customer shall be deemed to have approved the Customers Web Site design upon the expiry of such fourteen (14) day period.
This Clause 4 shall only be applicable where the Service includes Web Site design and/or maintenance.
- Intellectual property rights:
- The intellectual rights of the Supplier to be identified as the originators of all supplied services will be asserted by the Supplier in accordance with the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988. All trademarks, service marks and trade names are proprietary to the Supplier. No part of any Services supplied may be modified, upgraded, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including downloading, copying, capturing screen-shots, printing, photocopying, borrowing, hiring, lending, recording, public performance, broadcasting or by any information storage and retrieval system, now known or hereafter invented, without express written permission from the Supplier. Modification of the Services or use of the Services for any other purpose is a violation of the Supplier's copyright and other proprietary rights. For purposes of this contract, the use of any such material on any other networked computer environment is prohibited.
- All intellectual property rights in the Customer's Material shall remain and vest in the Customer. The Customer grants and warrants that it has the right to grant the Supplier a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the Customer's Material in connection with the Services during the term of the contract.
- Where Clause 4 applies and subject to Clause 5.2 and intellectual property rights in the Customer's Web Site designed by the Supplier shall remain and vest in the Supplier. The Supplier grants the Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use such Web Site only for the purpose of the Services during the term of the contract.
- Variations in price and time:
- All estimates and quotations given by the Supplier shall be in accordance with the current time costing given in respect of the Customer brief and are subject to amendment by the Supplier on or at any time after acceptance to, in writing, meet any rise or fall in such costs at any time prior to the date of despatch.
- The Supplier shall be entitled to make a reasonable charge for the storage of my Customers Material left with the Supplier before commencement of the Services or after notification of completion of the Services.
- Prices are valid for 30 days from the estimate or quotation date.
- All estimates and quotations given by the Supplier are subject to written confirmation at the tune of acceptance upon receipt of the Customer's order and remittance. Acceptance and execution of orders is dependant upon the availability of Services and the absence of any circumstances beyond the Supplier's control which may hinder or prevent execution or acceptance.
- If payment is to he made by instalments and if the Customer fails to pay any instalment on its due date then the Supplier shall be entitled to demand payment of the full unpaid balance, including but not limited to all arrears.
- Unless otherwise specified the times or dates quoted are for completion of the Services at the Customer's specified address as set out in the estimate for quotation. A charge may be made to cover any extra costs involved in completion at a different address not specified so the Service Agreement.
- Any times or dates given for the completion of the Services shall be estimated only and whilst the Supplier will use its best endeavours to meet such times or dates time shall not be of the essence of the contract and the Supplier shall not he liable for any failure to deliver or complete the work or any part thereof to time.
- Preliminary work:
- All Services carried out, whether experimentally or otherwise at the Customer's reguest will be charged unless prior written approval to vary these terms has been given by the Supplier
- Liability:
- It is the Customer's sole responsibility to comply with the provisions of any statutes (including any regulations or orders made thereunder) and any other obligations imposed by law (including byelaws) applicable to all the Services supplied. It is also the Customer's sole responsibility to obtain any and all necessary intellectual property rights, clearances, and/or other consents and authorisations in respect of the Services. If such cases arise and are taken to court, the Supplier will he indemnified by the Customer against any legal responsibility.
- Indemnity:
- The Customer agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified and hold on demand harmless from and against any claim brought against the Supplier by a third party resulting from the provision of Services by us to you, including any loss or damage resulting in delay of Services to the Customer beyond our control and your use of the Services and in respect of all losses, costs, actions, proceedings, claims, damages, expenses (including reasonable legal costs and expenses) or liabilities, whatsoever suffered and howsoever incurred by us in consequence of your breach or non-observance of these terms and conditions.
- Limitation of liability:
- We hereby exclude all conditions, terms, representations (other than fraudulent representations) and warranties relating to the Services supplied or the inability to use the Services supplied under this contract (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute services; loss of data, contracts, or profits or anticipated savings; or business interruption; or for any other indirect or consequential or economic loss whatsoever), whether imposed by statute or operation of law or otherwise, that are not expressly stated in these terms and conditions including, without limitation, the implied warranty of satisfactory quality and fitness for a particular purpose, even if the Supplier or an authorised representative of the Supplier has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
- Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude our liability for death or personal injury resulting from our negligence.
- Our total aggregate liability to you for any claim in contract, tort, negligence or otherwise arising out of or in connection with the provision of the Services shall be limited to the charges paid by you in respect of the Services which are the subject of any such claim and provided that you notify us of any such claim within a reasonable period.
- Claims:
- the event of error or omission the Customer will be entitled to a refund of such part (not exceeding the whole) of the charge (or the Services concerned as is fair and reasonable having regard to the nature of the error or omission. Subject to Clause 10. The Supplier will not accept any liability in respect of errors or omissions resulting from its own negligence.
- The Customer's Material, whether in the possession of the Supplier in transit to or from the Supplier, shall he deemed to be at the Customers risk and the Customer should insure accordingly. If any of the Customers Material appears unsuitable to the Supplier then the Supplier may charge the Customer for alternative materials found during the Services except that if the whole or any part of such additional cost could have been avoided but for unreasonable delay by the Supplier in ascertaining the unsuitability of the Customers Materials then that amount shall not be charged to the Customer.
- The quantities of the Customer's Material supplied shall be adequate to cover normal spoilage.
- Delivery and payment:
- The Services shall be accepted when tendered and thereupon or, if earlier, on notification that the Services have been completed. any payment shall become due. Normal terms of payment are remittance of order or by invoice in UK Sterling. The time and payment of invoices shall be of essence of the contract. Credit terms shall only be accepted after completion and acceptance of a credit account. The Supplier reserves the right to make credit checks and request payment in advance.
- Should the Services he suspended at the request of or delayed through any default of the Customer for a period of 30 days, the Supplier shall then be entitled to payment for the Services already carried out and other additional costs associated with he carrying out of said Services.
- Any queries relating to an invoice wrist be raised as soon as reasonably possible and not exceeding 30 days after the date of the invoice otherwise it will be deemed to be approved and any Customer's query waived. All charges payable by you to us for the Services are exclusive of Value Added Tax which shall be paid by you at the rate and in the manner for the time being prescribed by law and shall he due and payable immediately, or in the case of a credit account, within thirty (30) days of our invoice unless prior written approval to vary these terms has been given by the Supplier. The provision by us of the Services is contingent upon our having received cleared funds payment in full from you in respect of the relevant Services. Without prejudice to our other rights and remedies under this agreement, if any sum payable is not paid on or before the due date, we reserve the right. forthwith and at our sole discretion, to suspend the provision of Services to you.
- All goods remain the property of the Supplier until they are paid for in full. The Supplier reserves the right to repossess any goods, literature, manuals, which have been given to the Customer in connection with the Services that are not paid for within 30 days of the invoice date. Any adjustments will be paid less reasonable cost of recovery including work carried out and other additional costs.
- The Supplier reserves the right to pass accounts not settled within the specified terms to solicitors or a bailiff for collection.
- The Supplier reserves the right to charge interest on Overdue accounts. Interest, where applicable, will be charged at 5% per annum over the base rate of National Westminster Bank at the time the debt becomes dine, or 12% per annum, whichever is greater, such interest to accrue from day to day.
- Force majeure:
- Though every effort will be made to carry out the contract the Supplier shall be under no liability if we shall be unable to carry out any provision of the contract for any reason beyond our control including (without limiting the foregoing) act of God, war, strike, lockout or any other labour dispute, fire, flood, drought, failure of power supply, communication network failures, legislation or other cause beyond the control of the Supplier. During the continuance of such a contingency the Customer may by written notice to the Supplier elect to terminate the contract and pay for Services rendered, but subject thereto shall otherwise accept delivery when available.
- Termination:
- This clause applies if:
- the Customer makes any voluntary arrangement with your creditors or becomes subject to an administration order or being an individual or firm) becomes bankrupt or (being a company) goes into liquidation (otherwise than for the purposes of amalgamation or reconstruction): or
- an encumbrancer takes possession, or a receiver is appointed, of any of the property or assets of the Customer: or
- the Customer ceases, or threatens to cease, to carry on business: or
- the Supplier reasonably apprehends that any of the events mentioned above is about to occur in relation to the Customer and notifies the Customer accordingly.
- On termination of the contract we shall be entitled immediately to cancel all Services. We shall them be entitled to payment for work already carried out and other additional costs.
- This clause applies if:
- Notices:
- Any notice to be given by either to the other party may be sent by either email, fax or recorded delivery to the registered office or principal place of business or other address of the other party as appearing in this contract or ancillary application forms or such other address as such part map from time to time have communicated to the other in writing, and if sent by email shall unless the contrary is proved be deemed to be received on the day it was sent or if sent by fax shall he deemed to be served on receipt of an error free transmission report, or if sent by recorded delivery shall he deemed to he served two days following the date of posting.
- Entire contract:
- These terms and conditions together with any documents expressly referred to in them, contain the entire contract between the Supplier and the Customer relating to the subject matter covered and supersedes any previous contracts, agreements, arrangements. undertakings or proposals, written or oral, between the parties in relation to such matters. No oral explanation or oral information given to any party shall alter the interpretation of these terms and conditions. You confirm that, in agreeing to these terms and conditions, you have not relied on any representation save insofar as the same has expressly in these terms and conditions been made a representation and you agree that you shall have no remedy in respect of any misrepresentation (other than a fraudulent misrepresentation) which has not become a term of this contract. No waiver by the Supplier of any breach of the contract by the Customer shall be considered as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provisions. If any provision of this contract shall he unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall he deemed severable from this contract and shall not affect the validity and enforcability of any remaining provisions. This is the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter herein and shall not be modified except in writing, signed by both parties.
- Cancellation:
- The Supplier may cancel this agreement at anytime by giving written notice to the Customer. The Supplier shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatever arising from such cancellation.
- Assignment:
- Neither party shall assign the whole or any part of the contract.
- Arbitration:
- Any dispute arising under or in connection with the contract shall be referred to arbitration by a single arbitrator appointed by agreement or in default nominated upon the application ot oither party by the President for the time being of the Law Society in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding on both parties. Costs shall be awarded by the arbitrator.
- Waiver:
- No waiver by the Supplier of any breach of the contract terms by the Customer shall he considered as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision.
- Confidentiality:
- (Except where in the public domain otherwise than as a result of a breach of the contract) information which the Supplier discloses or provides to the Customer and any information relating to the Supplier, its business, goods, services or processes which way have come or may come into the possession or control of the Customer in the course of the Contract shall be confidential and the Customer shall not use or disclose such information except in relation to the contract.
- Illegality:
- The illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of any clause or part of the contract terms shall not affect the legality, validity or enforceability of the remainder. If any such clause or part is found by any competent court or authority to he illegal, invalid or unenforceable the parties agree that they will substitute provisions in a form as similar to the offending provisions as is possible without thereby rendering them illegal, invalid or unenforceable.
- Law:
- This agreement shall he governed by the laws of England and the Customer hereby agrees to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
- Terms and conditions relevant to, but not exclusive to this particular type of work
- Combatting Spam, Viruses, Worms and similar I.T.-related problems is warfare against human opponents who are unknown and have resources that are not just unknown but may be vastly increased by their ability to use their network of associates. These opponents may also be able to direct vastly superior technologies towards you and the I.T that you use. It is possible that they could even take a personal interest in you and bypass any mechanisms which aim to combat the technologies they use. Because our ability and success in combatting these problems may be limited by these problems the supplier does not and cannot offer a guarantee to provide a solution to your problems and even if it does, there is no guarantee or warranty that the solution will continue to be successful.
- Your choice of Supplier is based on your own judgement of our ability to meet your current requirements. You absolve any organisation or individuals of any misdeed in introducing us to you, even if they undertake some or all of the work for the Supplier as part of this contract.
- You are responsible for ensuring that the equipment that is being used is both safe and secure and that any data, settings, programs and other I.T. related assets have been backed up in such a manner that you would be able to restore any and all equipment to their condition prior to making any changes to them. This remains true even if we provide you with or recommend the tools by which you perform these tasks.
- When providing support by telephone we will need to be able to call you when you are at your PC. There will be times when we will need you to be accessing the Internet while still in conversation. Our telephone support charges include us calling a normal UK landline between 08:00 and 21:00 Mon-Fri. If you require us to call numbers which are substantially more expensive (e.g. a mobile) then the call time charged will be inflated to reflect the extra cost to us. For example a fifteen minute call to a mobile is charged at 30 minutes.
- All advice, guidance and recommendations regarding connecting computers by means of any electronic network will be based on the customer isolating that network and all computers on it from the Internet unless agreed by Business before Technology in written communication (including e-mail, FAX or letter) that this requirement is within the scope of the project undertaken. It is very strongly recommended that any subsequent decision to connect any computer on such an internal network to the Internet is reviewed by ourselves or equally competent I.T. specialists to create a fully costed proposal including risk assessments, documentation and manpower estimates.
Contents of page 'Req. Hosting or Domain Reg.' are:
Web Hosting and Domain registration services - online request form
This page allows us to gather information about your specific circumstances prior to us making contact as well as setting out the terms and conditions by which Business before Technology provides these services.
If for some reason this form isn't suitable for your needs then you can use the very simple form at Simple contact form instead. Bear in mind that we will need to gather this information from you prior to any work being undertaken and that we will need you to confirm that you agree with the Terms and Conditions which follow the form below.
Terms and Conditions of our services - please read thoroughly
The following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request.
There are 24 clauses in the contract. Even if you have previously read clause 24, please do so again as it may have been updated since you last visited this page as it contains conditions that relate to the most common and most recent activities that are requested by our customers.
If this request is not for your personal use then you are confirming that you are authorised to act on behalf of the organisation that is making the request.
The following text is part of the contract between you and Business before Technology so please ensure that you agree with all of this before submitting your request.
- Definitions:
In the remainder of this document:
- "The Supplier" shall mean Business before Technology currently located at 151 Chester Road, Norbury Moor, Cheshire, SK7 6HD and including future premises (also "We", "our", "its", "us").
- "The Customer" shall mean the company, firm or person who accepts an estimate or quotation of the Supplier or whose order of Services is accepted by the Supplier (also "You", "your").
- "The Services" shall mean the service provided by the Supplier which the Customer selects as confirmed in the Service Agreement which includes (without limitation) Graphic and Web Site Design, Site and e-mail hosting, Computer Data and Systems recovery, Spam avoidance and amelioration, Computer Virus elimination and prevention, etc..
- "Service Agreement" means the form signed by an authorised agent of the Customer confirming and accepting the Services.
- "Customer's Material" means all materials supplied by the Customer for the provision of the Services and shall include all materials and information subsequently provided by the Customer to be incorporated into the Service and/or the Customer's Web Site pursuant to the contract.
- "Customer's Web Site" means the Web Site of the Customer, at the URL address set out in the Service Agreement or as otherwise advised by the Supplier, which is designed by and/or hosted through the Supplier pursuant to the contract.
- "Domain Name" means the domain name(s) chosen by the Customer as set out in the Service Agreement.
- "Offending Material" means any material, data, images or
information which is:
- in breach of any law. regulation, code or practice or acceptable use policy; or
- abusive, indecent, defamatory, obscene or menacing or otherwise offensive; or
- in breach of confidence, copyright or other intellectual property rights, privacy or any other right of any third party.
- "Registry" means the relevant registry or naming authority responsible for the registration of domain names which includes (without limitation) Nominet UK and Network Solutions Inc.
- "Specification" means the specifications relating to the prevision of the Services and/or the design of the Customer's Web Site.
- Words denoting the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter and vice versa and words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa.
- The headings in these terms and conditions are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation.
- Reference to any statute or statutory provision includes reference to the statute or statutory provision as from time to time amended, extended or re-enacted.
- Basis of contract:
- This contract constitutes the entire agreement between the Supplier and the Customer. No conditions or terms stipulated in any other communication or document shall vary or annul any of these conditions except if they were expressly consented to in writing by the Supplier. All employees or agents of the Supplier are not authorised to make any representations concerning the Services unless confirmed in writing. In entering into the contract the Customer acknowledges that it does not rely on, and waives any claim of breach of, any such representations which are not so confirmed. We reserve the right to vary the specification of all Services at any time, withdraw, modify or amend any Service without prior notice
- Any typographical, clerical or other error or omission in any sales literature including web site, estimate, quotation, price list, acceptance of offer. invoice or other document or other information issued by the Supplier shall be subject to corrections without any liability on the part the Supplier
- No order which has been accepted by the Supplier may be cancelled by the Customer except with the agreement in writing by the Supplier and on terms that the Customer shall indemnify the Supplier in full against all loss (including loss of profit), costs (including the cost of all labour and goods used), damages, charges and expenses incurred by the Supplier as a result of Cancellation.
- Subject only to Clause 4, the Supplier is not responsible for any material, data. images or information transmitted, used, communicated, passed over or received, through or on the Service. In particular. the Supplier does not warrant the quality or accuracy of such material, data, images or information and is not liable if they contain any Offending Material. The Customer's use of such material, data, images or information is solely at the Customer's own risk mind is subject to all applicable laws, regulations, codes of practice and acceptable use policies.
- Domain names:
- The Supplier does not represent that the Domain Name is capable of being registered or that it will be registered. The Customer should not assume registration of the Domain Name until the Customer has been notified in writing that it has been registered. Any action taken by the Customer before such notification is at the Customer's risk.
- The registration and use of the Domain Name is subject to the terms and conditions issued by the Registry from time to time. The Customer will be legally bound by them. It is the Customer's sole responsibility to get a copy of such terms and conditions and the Customer must read, understand and comply with them.
- The Customer will have no claim against the Supplier if the Registry refuses to register the Domain Name or suspend or cancel it for any reason.
- The Supplier is not responsible nor liable for the Customer's use of the Domain Name. If there is any dispute raised by any other party, the Customer shall be solely responsible for resolving such dispute with such party. In such event, the Supplier may without notice withhold and suspend the Domain Name without any liability to the Customer.
- The Supplier does not warrant that the Domain Name is or will continue to be available for the Customer's use or that no other domain name is or will be registered which conflicts with the Domain Name or which otherwise affects the use of the Domain Name.
- The Supplier may choose to register and lease Domain Names in the name of the Supplier for purposes including, but not limited to the timely and efficient communication with the registry. The Customer shall retain sole responsibility and full liability for all Domain Names purchased on their behalf and any material available at those Domain Name addresses on the Internet. The Supplier shall communicate to the Customer all notices served to the owner of the domain which are for purposes other than administering the Domain Name. The Supplier shall release ownership of any Domain Names registered on behalf of the Customer to the Customer on completion or termination of this Contract subject to payment of any outstanding invoices.
This Clause 3 shall only be applicable where the Service includes the registration of domain names on behalf of the Customer.
- Web site design:
- The Supplier will design the Customer's Web Site in accordance with the Specification.
- The Supplier and the Customer shall in good faith discuss the development and design of the Customers Web Site within the parameters of the Specification. If there is any dispute, the Suppliers views shall prevail.
- The Supplier may request the Customer to supply the Supplier with the Customer's Materials as the Specification deems necessary. The Customer shall promptly give its full co-operation in providing such materials.
- The Supplier may (but is not obliged to) incorporate the Customers Material or any part of it into the Customers Web Site.
- The Supplier warrants that nothing of the Customer's Material contains any Offending Material
- If the Customer wishes to change the Specification or requests
the Supplier to make substantial changes to the Customers Web site:
-
the Customer shall give the Supplier at least fourteen (14) days'
written notice: and
- The Supplier may at its discretion charge such additional fees as it deems fit.
Any such changes shall he subject to the Suppliers written agreement.
- The Customer may, within fourteen days (14) from the date the customer's Web Site goes live on the Internet, request the Supplier in writing to make any minor changes to the Customer's Web Site design within the parameters of the specification. The Supplier shall at its sole discretion decide whether the changes so requested are minor. The Customer shall be deemed to have approved the Customers Web Site design upon the expiry of such fourteen (14) day period.
This Clause 4 shall only be applicable where the Service includes Web Site design and/or maintenance.
- Intellectual property rights:
- The intellectual rights of the Supplier to be identified as the originators of all supplied services will be asserted by the Supplier in accordance with the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988. All trademarks, service marks and trade names are proprietary to the Supplier. No part of any Services supplied may be modified, upgraded, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including downloading, copying, capturing screen-shots, printing, photocopying, borrowing, hiring, lending, recording, public performance, broadcasting or by any information storage and retrieval system, now known or hereafter invented, without express written permission from the Supplier. Modification of the Services or use of the Services for any other purpose is a violation of the Supplier's copyright and other proprietary rights. For purposes of this contract, the use of any such material on any other networked computer environment is prohibited.
- All intellectual property rights in the Customer's Material shall remain and vest in the Customer. The Customer grants and warrants that it has the right to grant the Supplier a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the Customer's Material in connection with the Services during the term of the contract.
- Where Clause 4 applies and subject to Clause 5.2 and intellectual property rights in the Customer's Web Site designed by the Supplier shall remain and vest in the Supplier. The Supplier grants the Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use such Web Site only for the purpose of the Services during the term of the contract.
- Variations in price and time:
- All estimates and quotations given by the Supplier shall be in accordance with the current time costing given in respect of the Customer brief and are subject to amendment by the Supplier on or at any time after acceptance to, in writing, meet any rise or fall in such costs at any time prior to the date of despatch.
- The Supplier shall be entitled to make a reasonable charge for the storage of my Customers Material left with the Supplier before commencement of the Services or after notification of completion of the Services.
- Prices are valid for 30 days from the estimate or quotation date.
- All estimates and quotations given by the Supplier are subject to written confirmation at the tune of acceptance upon receipt of the Customer's order and remittance. Acceptance and execution of orders is dependant upon the availability of Services and the absence of any circumstances beyond the Supplier's control which may hinder or prevent execution or acceptance.
- If payment is to he made by instalments and if the Customer fails to pay any instalment on its due date then the Supplier shall be entitled to demand payment of the full unpaid balance, including but not limited to all arrears.
- Unless otherwise specified the times or dates quoted are for completion of the Services at the Customer's specified address as set out in the estimate for quotation. A charge may be made to cover any extra costs involved in completion at a different address not specified so the Service Agreement.
- Any times or dates given for the completion of the Services shall be estimated only and whilst the Supplier will use its best endeavours to meet such times or dates time shall not be of the essence of the contract and the Supplier shall not he liable for any failure to deliver or complete the work or any part thereof to time.
- Preliminary work:
- All Services carried out, whether experimentally or otherwise at the Customer's reguest will be charged unless prior written approval to vary these terms has been given by the Supplier
- Liability:
- It is the Customer's sole responsibility to comply with the provisions of any statutes (including any regulations or orders made thereunder) and any other obligations imposed by law (including byelaws) applicable to all the Services supplied. It is also the Customer's sole responsibility to obtain any and all necessary intellectual property rights, clearances, and/or other consents and authorisations in respect of the Services. If such cases arise and are taken to court, the Supplier will he indemnified by the Customer against any legal responsibility.
- Indemnity:
- The Customer agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified and hold on demand harmless from and against any claim brought against the Supplier by a third party resulting from the provision of Services by us to you, including any loss or damage resulting in delay of Services to the Customer beyond our control and your use of the Services and in respect of all losses, costs, actions, proceedings, claims, damages, expenses (including reasonable legal costs and expenses) or liabilities, whatsoever suffered and howsoever incurred by us in consequence of your breach or non-observance of these terms and conditions.
- Limitation of liability:
- We hereby exclude all conditions, terms, representations (other than fraudulent representations) and warranties relating to the Services supplied or the inability to use the Services supplied under this contract (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute services; loss of data, contracts, or profits or anticipated savings; or business interruption; or for any other indirect or consequential or economic loss whatsoever), whether imposed by statute or operation of law or otherwise, that are not expressly stated in these terms and conditions including, without limitation, the implied warranty of satisfactory quality and fitness for a particular purpose, even if the Supplier or an authorised representative of the Supplier has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
- Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude our liability for death or personal injury resulting from our negligence.
- Our total aggregate liability to you for any claim in contract, tort, negligence or otherwise arising out of or in connection with the provision of the Services shall be limited to the charges paid by you in respect of the Services which are the subject of any such claim and provided that you notify us of any such claim within a reasonable period.
- Claims:
- the event of error or omission the Customer will be entitled to a refund of such part (not exceeding the whole) of the charge (or the Services concerned as is fair and reasonable having regard to the nature of the error or omission. Subject to Clause 10. The Supplier will not accept any liability in respect of errors or omissions resulting from its own negligence.
- The Customer's Material, whether in the possession of the Supplier in transit to or from the Supplier, shall he deemed to be at the Customers risk and the Customer should insure accordingly. If any of the Customers Material appears unsuitable to the Supplier then the Supplier may charge the Customer for alternative materials found during the Services except that if the whole or any part of such additional cost could have been avoided but for unreasonable delay by the Supplier in ascertaining the unsuitability of the Customers Materials then that amount shall not be charged to the Customer.
- The quantities of the Customer's Material supplied shall be adequate to cover normal spoilage.
- Delivery and payment:
- The Services shall be accepted when tendered and thereupon or, if earlier, on notification that the Services have been completed. any payment shall become due. Normal terms of payment are remittance of order or by invoice in UK Sterling. The time and payment of invoices shall be of essence of the contract. Credit terms shall only be accepted after completion and acceptance of a credit account. The Supplier reserves the right to make credit checks and request payment in advance.
- Should the Services he suspended at the request of or delayed through any default of the Customer for a period of 30 days, the Supplier shall then be entitled to payment for the Services already carried out and other additional costs associated with he carrying out of said Services.
- Any queries relating to an invoice wrist be raised as soon as reasonably possible and not exceeding 30 days after the date of the invoice otherwise it will be deemed to be approved and any Customer's query waived. All charges payable by you to us for the Services are exclusive of Value Added Tax which shall be paid by you at the rate and in the manner for the time being prescribed by law and shall he due and payable immediately, or in the case of a credit account, within thirty (30) days of our invoice unless prior written approval to vary these terms has been given by the Supplier. The provision by us of the Services is contingent upon our having received cleared funds payment in full from you in respect of the relevant Services. Without prejudice to our other rights and remedies under this agreement, if any sum payable is not paid on or before the due date, we reserve the right. forthwith and at our sole discretion, to suspend the provision of Services to you.
- All goods remain the property of the Supplier until they are paid for in full. The Supplier reserves the right to repossess any goods, literature, manuals, which have been given to the Customer in connection with the Services that are not paid for within 30 days of the invoice date. Any adjustments will be paid less reasonable cost of recovery including work carried out and other additional costs.
- The Supplier reserves the right to pass accounts not settled within the specified terms to solicitors or a bailiff for collection.
- The Supplier reserves the right to charge interest on Overdue accounts. Interest, where applicable, will be charged at 5% per annum over the base rate of National Westminster Bank at the time the debt becomes dine, or 12% per annum, whichever is greater, such interest to accrue from day to day.
- Force majeure:
- Though every effort will be made to carry out the contract the Supplier shall be under no liability if we shall be unable to carry out any provision of the contract for any reason beyond our control including (without limiting the foregoing) act of God, war, strike, lockout or any other labour dispute, fire, flood, drought, failure of power supply, communication network failures, legislation or other cause beyond the control of the Supplier. During the continuance of such a contingency the Customer may by written notice to the Supplier elect to terminate the contract and pay for Services rendered, but subject thereto shall otherwise accept delivery when available.
- Termination:
- This clause applies if:
- the Customer makes any voluntary arrangement with your creditors or becomes subject to an administration order or being an individual or firm) becomes bankrupt or (being a company) goes into liquidation (otherwise than for the purposes of amalgamation or reconstruction): or
- an encumbrancer takes possession, or a receiver is appointed, of any of the property or assets of the Customer: or
- the Customer ceases, or threatens to cease, to carry on business: or
- the Supplier reasonably apprehends that any of the events mentioned above is about to occur in relation to the Customer and notifies the Customer accordingly.
- On termination of the contract we shall be entitled immediately to cancel all Services. We shall them be entitled to payment for work already carried out and other additional costs.
- This clause applies if:
- Notices:
- Any notice to be given by either to the other party may be sent by either email, fax or recorded delivery to the registered office or principal place of business or other address of the other party as appearing in this contract or ancillary application forms or such other address as such part map from time to time have communicated to the other in writing, and if sent by email shall unless the contrary is proved be deemed to be received on the day it was sent or if sent by fax shall he deemed to be served on receipt of an error free transmission report, or if sent by recorded delivery shall he deemed to he served two days following the date of posting.
- Entire contract:
- These terms and conditions together with any documents expressly referred to in them, contain the entire contract between the Supplier and the Customer relating to the subject matter covered and supersedes any previous contracts, agreements, arrangements. undertakings or proposals, written or oral, between the parties in relation to such matters. No oral explanation or oral information given to any party shall alter the interpretation