Gizmo Guide - January, 2007 - Gizmo, Australia

The Gizmo Guide - January, 2007

Hi there,

With school heading back, we've filled this issue with helpful tips to help get your computers cleaned up and ready for the new school year. Also included are instructions on adding a new computer to your wireless network as well as some important back-up tips for year 11 & 12 students.

To continue our tour of the Gizmo team, we've prepared an interview with Gizmo head-honcho, Brett Chenoweth.

Enjoy!

The Gizmo Team

	Get tuned up for school
	Connect to a wireless network
	Make regular back-ups
	An interview with Gizmo head-honcho, Brett Chenoweth

Click here for more hints, tips and articles >

School holidays give the kids a chance to spend time on the computer and while this is fantastic, it does come with the unfortunate side effect that the family computer tends to become filled with junk. Sometimes it even contracts nasty spyware, pop-ups and viruses and begins to run slowly.

A good clean out before the kids go back to school is well worthwhile and will mean that you don’t have to worry that the old “computer is going too slowly” excuse will pop-out when homework needs to be done.

A Gizmo Tune Me Up! service will get your computer cleaned up and running smoothly but if you want to have a go yourself first, try some of the following steps:

Remove any unused programs using the Add/Remove Programs feature of Windows
Run the “Disk Clean Up” and “Disk Defragmenter” wizards to clean and organise your files
Run virus and spyware scans to remove any nasties

These are steps relatively easy to complete and will go a long way to getting you cleaned up but. If you still find that your computer is running slowly after performing these steps a professional clean-out by a Gizmotech may be required.

If you've just got a new laptop for school (or work), connecting it to your existing wireless network is usually an easy process. Download our step-by-step tutorial and follow the steps to connect a computer to your existing wireless network.

If you find you need a bit of help, give us a call and we can get a Gizmotech to give you a hand.


	Download article: Connecting your computer to an existing wireless network

Years 11 and 12 are stressful enough without having to worry about your technology packing it in. Having a reliable back-up solution is one way to relieve some of this stress and focus on getting the job done.

While we would definitely prefer that you were protected by a regular and automated back-up to a removable hard drive, it is possible to back up your files to a CD or DVD. We recommend backing up at least once a week (or after completing each major assignment) and making sure that you include:

Important documents (school assignments, notes etc)
Emails (as these might contain important instructions or conversations. We find these are easily overlooked)
Images & videos (photos or diagrams you might need for assignments)

For instructions on how to burn a CD using Windows XP, click here to download our article. Although CDs are definitely a viable alternative, the size of the average My Documents folder and the fact that most people forget to make back-ups, suggests that buying a Gizmo Back Me Up! service and a removable hard drive is a more reliable option.



	Download article: A quick guide to burning CDs

This week we’re on the couch with Gizmo CEO and co-founder, Brett Chenoweth.

Having had a successful career in senior management roles prior to Gizmo, why start your own business with all the worries and long hours that go with it?

When you find yourself devoting as much time to kicking around new ideas as you are spending in your day job, and getting more excited about those ideas than your day job, well...

I always wanted to do something new and different and starting this company was as much about having a crack at something new, working with people I like and respect, as anything else.

Why this type of business?

I wanted to help build a business that was consumer facing, involved building a new brand and combined my backgrounds in telecommunications, media and technology. This is also a diverse and rapidly changing industry and I liked the idea of building a business in a growth corridor.

What was the hardest thing about getting Gizmo off the ground?

All of it! Obviously using our own money and raising capital but also gaining credibility on a new stage as a new entity. These businesses are tough but rewarding.

As the CEO, what are you most heavily involved in?

I am mainly focused on strategy and corporate development, people and culture and the marketing and sales aspects of the business. My views on technical matters don’t get too much airtime around here (and nor should they!).

What did you do after leaving high school?

I studied economics and law at uni but never practiced. I’ve found law to be a useful background as it enabled me to use structured thinking, applying precedent and learning from the past. Although I’ve headed legal departments I was much more into economics than law so if you need advice I suggest you see a lawyer! I then spend a couple of seasons as a ski bum in Colorado – so my transition into working life took some time.

What are your interests outside work?

Beach, sailing, skiing with the family – anything with water, frozen or not where the family can get away. Most people who know me think that my core competency is taking (and enjoying) holidays.