TABLE OF CONTENTS

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT GTS? ...................................................................................................................................... 2

GTS SERVICES..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
HARDWARE, SOFTWARE AND NETWORK SUPPORT........................................................................................................... 3
CUSTOM SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................................. 3
WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................................................................. 3
WEB HOSTING SERVICES ................................................................................................................................................... 3
DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................................ 3
EMERGENCY COMPUTER EQUIPMENT ............................................................................................................................... 3
FEATURED CUSTOMER – AMERICAN SOLAR ELECTRIC ..................................................................................... 4
ABOUT AMERICAN SOLAR ELECTRIC: WWW.AMERICANPV.COM ................................................................................ 4
OPEN LETTER TO GTS CUSTOMERS (CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE): .............................................................................. 4
NETWORKS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
WHAT IS A NETWORK? (AND WHY DO I NEED ONE?)......................................................................................................... 5
ARE NETWORKS JUST FOR LARGE COMPANIES?................................................................................................................ 5
BUT DON’T NETWORKS COST A LOT OF MONEY?............................................................................................................... 5
1) Peer to Peer................................................................................................................................................................ 5
2) Domain: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5
SHOULD I GO WITH A WIRED NETWORK OR A WIRELESS ONE?......................................................................................... 6
SHOULD I BUY WINDOWS XP HOME OR XP PRO? ................................................................................................... 6
BACKUPS............................................................................................................................................................................... 7
WHY DO I NEED A BACKUP SYSTEM?.................................................................................................................................. 7
I ALREADY HAVE A TAPE BACKUP, SO I’M COVERED, RIGHT?........................................................................................... 7
THE INTERNET AND YOUR KIDS................................................................................................................................... 8
THE INTERNET AND YOUR KIDS................................................................................................................................... 9
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS?................................................................................................................................................. 9
WHAT CAN YOU DO? ........................................................................................................................................................... 9
SEARCH ENGINES ............................................................................................................................................................ 10
THE STAFF AT GARTMAN TECHNICAL SERVICES ............................................................................................... 11

Gartman Technical Services Page 1 of 11 Newsletter 3Q06

 What Is Happening At GTS?
“Our company needs a shared calendar with specific permissions and security levels”.
“I need to share my personal contacts with my assistant but not everyone else in the office”.
“We need to the ability to attach documents and files to our contact information so they can be shared”.
“We need Instant Messaging, but only internal to our office”.
During the past few years we at GTS have heard comments such as these from many of our customers.
These are small to medium sized companies that cannot afford “high-end” expensive systems. And many of
the expensive systems do not provide all of the requested features anyway.
Products such as Microsoft Exchange Server and ACT have many of these features, but not everything that
is needed. They are expensive and require constant maintenance to keep them running effectively.
Over the past two years GTS has evaluated (and actually installed) some alternative products for our
customers. One of these products was “Shared Outlook”. While these products worked well for the most
part, none of them provided the “total package”.
GTS recently found a new product that looks very promising. We are currently trial testing it in our office
and have installed it as a trial in one of our customers’ offices. The developer has approached GTS about
becoming a distributor.
Some of the highlights of this product are:
Looks and operates almost identical to Outlook.
Everything is shareable with security permissions by user.
Shares include Calendar, Contacts, Email, and Tasks.
Notes, email, and files can be attached to Contacts and shared.
Contains a remote access feature using the internet.
Built in local Instant Messaging.
Built in File Transfer utilities.
Very reasonably priced.
As soon as we have completed our analysis we will be sending out more information on this exciting new
product. This may be just what our customers have been asking for.

We’ve come a long way!!

Gartman Technical Services Page 2 of 11 Newsletter 3Q06

 GTS Services
Hardware, Software and Network Support.
GTS offers a full range of support services for small and medium size businesses. These services include
hardware installation and maintenance, software installation, and network installation and maintenance.
This encompasses everything from individual PC’s and networks to large scale servers and complete office
networks.
In addition, GTS will do your IT shopping and purchasing for you. GTS purchases from many sources and
can often find better prices than the IT equipment and software prices available to most of the general
public. We pass these savings along to our customers.
Custom Software Development
GTS develops custom software applications as well as marketing existing applications. We use Microsoft
Access, VBA, Office, VB, and SQL Server as our primary tools. GTS sells software applications for Thermal
Spray companies (Shop Management System), Commercial Real Estate companies, Real Estate
Development/Investment companies, Office Management for Service companies, EmailBlast utility, and
others. If your company has a need for any of these applications please contact GTS and we will be glad to
give you a demo. These demos can be done live on the internet.
If you have a need for a custom application to satisfy your business needs, GTS will be glad to give you a
free consultation and estimate to develop an application that will effectively meet your needs.
Web Site Development
GTS has developed many professional web sites for our customers. The types vary from very simple one
page sites to dynamic data driven sites that collect data and feed other applications. Some seldom, if ever,
change and some change constantly. If you are in need of a web site or would like to update an existing
web site, please contact us.
Web Hosting Services
GTS has excellent web hosting services at very competitive prices. Our servers are stable and constantly
maintained. Our primary server is located in an off-site secured service center with 24 X 7 coverage, three
high speed communications networks and generator power backup. The web server in our office is used for
specialty web sites; it has a generator power backup and a full T1 communication network.
Domain Name Registration and Management
GTS offers complete domain name registration and management services. We constantly monitor your
domain names for expirations, changes and unauthorized activity. We offer Private Registration services to
keep your name, address, phone numbers and email addresses hidden from public viewing on the Internet.
If you need a domain name registered for you or your business or your current registrar is not doing a good
job for you, we are available to assist you in this area.
Emergency Computer Equipment
GTS maintains a small inventory of new PC’s, new and used parts, network equipment, and supplies in its
in-house inventory. This is primarily equipment that is not available locally and would have to be ordered
from a vendor. The intent is to have equipment available for our customers in the case of an emergency.
This equipment is available for sale to our customers when/if they have critical equipment failure and need
quick replacements.

Gartman Technical Services Page 3 of 11 Newsletter 3Q06

 Featured Customer – American Solar Electric

About American Solar Electric: www.americanpv.com

American Solar Electric is an Arizona-based design-build firm specializing in Photovoltaic (Solar-Electric)
Power Systems for commercial, industrial and residential applications. Their approach brings continuity to
solar-electric projects and includes system design, procurement, installation, interconnection and
commissioning.
The company was established in January of 2001 by Will Herndon and Sean Seitz, both degreed engineers
with over 20 years of combined experience in the design, construction, and service of PV power systems.
The company is licensed, bonded, and insured for both commercial and residential electrical contracting in
the State of Arizona (ROC #168657).
American Solar Electric has been responsible for the installation of more than 3,000,000 watts of
photovoltaic power in Arizona. They offer complete customer support and guarantee that installed systems
operate and perform to your expectations.
American Solar Electric has installed or participated in the construction of more than 750 kW of utility-scale
applications. These projects range from demonstration facilities hosted by public entities to larger (utility-
scale) photovoltaic power plants. The construction experience gained on such projects as the 320 kW
Scottsdale Water Campus Photovoltaic Power Plant or the 230 kW Embry-Riddle Photovoltaic Power Plants
for Arizona Public Service Co. is carried through to other market segments and provides American Solar
Electric with a track record not easily replicated by other Arizona contractors.
Open Letter to GTS Customers (current and prospective):
During the first five years of our company’s existence, our computer network was essentially piecemealed
together. Our staff personnel expanded from two to fifteen during this time. Our computers had various
versions of Windows, some even lacked enough memory to operate effectively. Our server was an antique
and this was bogging down our operation at a time when we were growing at over 100%.
In late 2005 GTS saved us from choking on our own network. In preparing their estimate for us, GTS took
the time to evaluate our existing system and software, identified our deficiencies (security being at the top of
this list) and considered both our current and future needs. Their recommendations resulted in ASE’s
procurement of a robust, secure, and highly affordable computer network that is now the backbone of our
internal operations.
This is just part of the success we’ve had with GTS. The other part of the story is ongoing. The service and
support capabilities of GTS are phenomenal. As we continue to grow we will continue to depend on GTS for
their expertise. Near future improvements in our system will include new laser printers and addition of at
least one more workstation in the coming weeks. Thanks to GTS we can count on this being done in a
timely, efficient and affordable manner.
Thanks GTS.

Sincerely,
Sean Seitz
President
American Solar Electric, Inc.

Gartman Technical Services Page 4 of 11 Newsletter 3Q06

 Networks
What is a network? (And why do I need one?)
A network is just a setup where 2 or more computers can talk to each other and share files and other
resources. This allows you to store all your files in one place so they can easily be backed up, and all
computers on the network can get to those files with just a click of the mouse. It also means that many
computers can use one printer and one internet connection, which can reduce the cost of running an office.
Are networks just for large companies?
10 years ago the answer to that question might have been yes. Only a real die-hard-computer-geek (like
the Techs here at GTS) would have had a home network. But today the cost of setting up and running a
network is much lower. It is common for families to own more than one computer and many people have
laptops that they bring home from work. So in many cases a home network is just what is needed to share
files, printers and internet access.
Today even small companies own more than one computer. They have files that are critical to the operation
of the business and so need to be backed up, and they have files that all employees need to have access
to. A network just makes a business run smoother.
But don’t networks cost a lot of money?
It depends on the type of network you are talking about. There are two basic types.
1) Peer to Peer.
As the name implies, on this type of network, all computers are equal.
Its strong points:
Quick and easy to set up. Peer to Peer does not require a server. All that is needed is some way to
connect the computers together. This usually involves running some wires to connect the computers and
buying a switch, which is the central connecting point for the computers. If you are sharing internet among
the computers, you may also need to buy a router, which is an inexpensive device that helps to share the
connection. Many home networks use a wireless system which means no added costs to run wires and
the wireless router replaces the switch.
Easy to maintain. Problems are usually few and can almost always be resolved by rebooting the router or
one of the computers. There is no need to do anything special to add new users to the network.

Its weak points:

Limited security. Since all the computers are equal, there is no way to enforce security. The files are
either shared for everyone, or they are private and accessible by only one computer.

2) Domain:
A Domain Network utilizes a central server that controls who has access to the network and its resources.
Client computers log on and get permission to access files and resources.
Its strong points:
Very secure. The server controls everything. When someone logs on, they have a pre-set security level
that allows them to get some files, but not others. This is ideal for companies that have employees with
different functions and different needs to access different files.
Very flexible. Because of the advanced features of the server, it can be adapted to serve a number of
roles. It can easily be expanded as the business grows.
Its weak points:
More expensive than peer to peer. The server hardware and software can add a significant amount to the
project.
Requires some experience to manage well. Employees can usually be trained to do some basic tasks, like
add new users. But in general, setting up new file areas and loading new software takes an experienced
technician.
As a rule or thumb, if you are setting up a home network or a network at a business with 10 or fewer
employees, a Peer to Peer network will likely fill your needs. But if you company is larger than 10 people, or
if you have security issues, the benefits of a Domain system usually outweigh the added costs.

Gartman Technical Services Page 5 of 11 Newsletter 3Q06

 Should I go with a wired network or a wireless one?
In a wired network all the computers are connected by eight wire Ethernet cables. The cables have ends
that look like large phone connectors and plug into the back of the computer. Most modern computers
come with built in Ethernet connections. But, if your computer does not have one built in, one can be easily
added.
A wired network is easy to set up, inexpensive, and sturdy. Once it is set up and working, it is usually
extremely reliable unless someone damages one of the cables.
A wireless network runs on a system of radio transmitters. These operate similar to cordless phones. In
fact, they often use the same frequency, 2.4 Mhz. If you live in a home where you have problems with a
cordless phone, then you will likely have the same issues with a wireless network.
When wireless networks work, they are great. There is nothing better than sitting on the patio watching the
kids swim while surfing the net on your laptop.
However, wireless networks can be a bit tricky. They can work one day, and then not work the next
because they are subject to various frequency interferences. They can also be a security risk. Some
wireless networks, like the free ones offered in some coffee shops, transmit everything without encryption.
That means that if someone else is clever enough, they can receive the data that is being sent to and from
your computer. Even if you use encryption, the data is still transmitted over a radio. Others can receive the
signal and may be able to break the encryption with sophisticated software.
So, all things being equal, a wired network is more secure and more reliable than a wireless one.
Still, wireless networks have their place. If you live in a rented home, you may not want to invest the money
to run wires into other rooms. Due to your particular building’s construction, it may be impractical to run
wires into every office. Wireless does have the advantage of being able to add new computers to the
network without running new cables.
So whether you go with a wired network or a wireless one depends primarily on your needs, the physical
environment, and how concerned you are with security.

Should I buy Windows XP Home or XP Pro?

It is usually $80 to $100 more to get XP Pro when you buy a new computer, but it can save you money
down the road.
If you are running a domain, meaning that you have a server that controls which users can access the
network, you have no choice, you must get XP Pro. XP Home will not join a domain. This means the
computer will not be granted access to the files and resources on the network.
You might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with XP Home for your office computer since your
business does not currently have a domain. An XP Home computer will work just fine on a Peer to Peer
network. But our experience has been that companies that try this will later regret it. Computers can last
several years in the office and companies’ needs tend to grow. If you later decide to set up a domain, you
will then spend many times the amount saved. You will have to buy the Pro version at full retail price and
there will be at least an hour of labor per computer to copy the profiles and perform the change over.
If at all possible, get XP Pro for any computer that might operate in a business environment.

Gartman Technical Services Page 6 of 11 Newsletter 3Q06

 Backups
Why do I need a backup system?
One of the most over looked aspects of running a business dependent on computers is doing scheduled
backups. Just stop and think for a minute what you would do if everything on your hard drive were suddenly
gone. The photos, the financial records, the letters, the spreadsheets, the employee evaluations,
everything. How would you recover from that?
Today computers hold a huge chunk of our personal records, our photos, and our business records.
According to Enterprise Strategy Group, more than 75 percent of corporate intellectual property is stored in
the e-mail system. Cheap hard drives have given us almost unlimited storage. But hard drives are
mechanical devices, and they do wear out.
Here are 6 reasons to implement a backup system:
Accidental Erasure. Accidents happen and people can accidentally erase a file that is vital. One client hired a
data recovery specialist who spent 4 hours working to recover a document that contained 6 months worth of
billing information. A temporary employee had accidentally over-written the data with a blank form. This
mistake represented over $100,000 in lost revenue if it could not be recovered. Had there been a backup
solution in place, the file could have been restored in a matter of minutes.
Hardware Failure. Even with redundant hard drives, you could still experience a complete hardware failure.
Power spikes, like those caused by the summer monsoon storms, could damage the whole server and require
a complete re-install of all programs and data.
Free up Disk Space. Companies that have been in business for many years often have data on their system that is
not accessed very often. These files can be removed from the hard drive to a tape system and then resorted
if needed.
Events beyond your control. No matter how secure your servers are, there are numerous events which could
disable them. Fire, Flood, or thefts are just a few examples. You should always store backup tapes “off
site” in case the worst happens.
Large file transfers. CD’s and DVD’s only hold so much data. They are great to use for normal, everyday use.
But in an extraordinary event, it may be necessary to transfer nearly the whole file system to a temporary
replacement system. High speed and large capacity make tapes perfect for this.
Virus Protection. Regardless of how effective your antivirus strategy is, with all of the Windows patches,
spyware and new viruses being created on an almost weekly basis, there is always a chance that something
might find its way onto your server and destroy your data. Regular tape backups can save your business, if
this happens, by allowing you to restore the data from a point in time before you became infected.
How often you should backup just depends on how much data you can lose without causing a major
problem. If your business data does not change too much from day to day, then it might not take a lot of
time to enter a weeks worth of data back into the system and you can get by with backing up once a week.
But most businesses need to back up once a day to be sure that they can get back on track with a minimum
of time wasted by re-entering data.
I already have a tape backup, so I’m covered, right?
Well, your more than half way there, but there are a few more points that need to be addressed.
Some of the backup tapes need to be stored off site. That way if the building burns down, there is a fairly
recent copy that can get you back in business as soon as possible. We recommend taking at least one tape
a week off site and rotating with another tape so that the off site backup stays recent. At a minimum, you
should be doing an end of the month backup and that should be off site. An end of the year backup is a
handy way to be able to recover data from any given year should that be needed for any reason.
Just changing the tape every day is not enough. Recently, the Gartman techs took a few minutes for a new
client and reviewed their backups. We found that they were not as protected as they thought they were.
The tape drive was not working. Even though tapes were being changed everyday, nothing was being
written to the tapes.
You need to review the tapes now and then to be sure that data is really being written to the tape and that it
can be restored if needed. You need to review what files are being backed up to be sure that needed files
are being copied. In business, things are always changing and there is nothing worse than putting time,

Gartman Technical Services Page 7 of 11 Newsletter 3Q06

 effort, and money into a backup system only to learn at a critical moment that it was not getting the files you
really needed, or the tapes were too old and not really readable.
So, get a back up system in place. Store some tapes off site. Test the system and review the list of files it
is backing up. That way, if the worst happens, you can be confident that you will be back in business as
soon as possible.
Gartman Technical Services can set up a backup system for almost any budget. We also have a fire safe,
and can assist you with an off site tape storage solution. We are always happy to come out and test and
review your backup system.

Gartman Technical Services Page 8 of 11 Newsletter 3Q06

 The Internet and Your Kids
The internet is a pipeline to everything. That is both its biggest advantage and its biggest problem. Kids
can hop on line and look up any question that they have, talk to any number of friends, and even design
their own personal web site. It can be a great learning experience. But it can also be a nightmare if they go
to the wrong site, talk to the wrong person, or give out too much personal information on a site like
“MySpace”.
This article is much too short to go over all the pitfalls involved with kids and the internet. It is also too short
to talk about all the solutions. But what we would like to do is to bring up a few topics and point out some
resources so that you can become more aware of the issues.
What are the dangers?
They range from your child getting sexually explicit spam e-mail, to being “groomed” in an on line chat room
by a sexual predator. “Grooming” is what predators do to gradually earn the trust and friendship of your
child. It’s not hard. All they have to do is listen to your child gripe about their parents and say they
understand. They throw in a few comments of their own about how unreasonable the last grounding was
and they are well on their way to being your kid’s new best friend. They might send a gift, either in the mail
or just e-mail a gift certificate to I-Tunes. Over time, the conversations turn more sexual and before you
know it, your kid is sneaking out of the house to have a meeting with someone you don’t know and they
have never met.
Places like MySpace allow kids to build their own site and write a “blog”, a type of on line log or diary, of
what they are doing. Other kids read them and commiserate on the issues that all teens have. The problem
is that predators read them too. Even posting stuff like their first name, the school they go to and what
sports they like can sometimes allow a clever person to track down further information and start grooming
them.
What can you do?
Well, most experts say that forbidding your child to use the internet is the wrong track. The internet is too
attractive and useful to just ban. They will find ways to use it, either at a friend’s place or at a library. And
setting up rules that they can so easily get around just erodes your authority.
Instead, they suggest putting the computer in a public room so that your child does not have any
expectation of privacy. Monitor what they are doing. Sit down with them from time to time; see what they
are up to. Look over their Internet history. Set up the chat program to keep a history of chats and review
them. This means that you have to learn a bit. Experts say you should never let the child know more about
the computer than you do. Knowledge is power and as long as you know more, you will hold the power. If
you have any questions about how to do any of this or need some pointers, we would be glad to help.
Installing a filtering program will not block all the things your kids could be exposed to on the internet, but it
is a start. Many can not only restrict a given site, but can control the times the computer can be used. PC
magazine has a review of many programs at go.pcmag.com/parentalcontrol . Or Google parental filtering
software.
WWW.cybertipline.com is run by the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. They have a number of
resources listed to help parents be safer about the internet. They also can help you report an incident if you
think your child was exposed to unwanted material or is being contacted by a predator.
Experts say that the Internet should be thought of like it’s a backyard swimming pool. You want to put a
fence around the pool and you want to keep that fence locked. But in the end, the kids who are the safest
are the ones who are watched and know how to swim.
So put a blocker in place, but stay involved in what your kids are doing and talk to them about the dangers
of meeting people they have only chatted with on line. Talk to them about people who want to gain their
trust in order to harm them. Make sure they know that not everything people say online is truthful. Question
your kids if you see them with clothing or music that you didn’t buy for them. Stay involved with your kids
and teach them to swim in the internet.

Gartman Technical Services Page 9 of 11 Newsletter 3Q06

 Search Engines
Submitting your website to search engines may increase your
online sales dramatically. If you have invested time and money
to build and maintain your website, you simply MUST submit
your website online otherwise it will be virtually invisible, which
means your efforts will have been spent in vain. If you want
people to find your website, the only way to do that is to make
your site visible in places where people search for information,
i.e. submit your website to multiple search engines.
Submitting your website to search engines may increase your
online sales dramatically. If you have invested time and money
to build and maintain your website, you simply MUST submit
your website online otherwise it will be virtually invisible, which
means your efforts will have been spent in vain. If you want
people to find your website, the only way to do that is to make
your site visible in places where people search for information,
i.e. submit your website to multiple search engines.
Internet search engines are special sites on the Web that are
designed to help people find information stored on the Web.
There are differences in the ways various search engines
work, but they all perform three basic tasks:
• They search the Internet -- or select pieces of the Internet -- based on important words.
• They keep an index of the words they find, and where they find them.
• They allow users to look for words or combinations of words found in that index.
Early search engines held an index of a few hundred thousand pages and documents, and received maybe one
or two thousand inquiries each day. Today, a top search engine will index hundreds of millions of pages, and
respond to tens of millions of queries per day.
Most of us have entered a search term and found a list containing several million cataloged sites that contain
the given search term. The front page of the list will contain perhaps only the top 10 or 15 of the relevant sites,
and most people will not scroll lower than a page or two looking for their information. This means that only about
25 to 50 of the listed sites will ever be seen by the person looking for the information.
How do you get your site to appear near the top of these seach engine results pages? As with most things, you
can pay a fee. The different search engines have a variety of programs that will allow your site to be listed near
the top of their search results pages. These fees can be very steep so you can well understand that no matter
what else you do without paying a fee, the "paying customer" will always appear ahead of you.
There are some things that you can do to enhance your position. Your website has to have certain information
such as "meta tags". These tags include information about your web site such as the title, a description, and
most importantly the "key words". Key words are the words you think people will use to locate the kind of
product or information on your web site. The search engines will find these key words via "spiders" or "bots" that
run constantly looking at web sites and gleaning information to put into their search engine databases. You can
also send your information to each of the search engines, but since there is literally thousands of search
engines, this task can be daunting at best.
Gartman Technical Services offers a free search engine submission service for all of the sites that we host (a
small fee for sites that we do not host). Our submission software will automatically submit your site information
to all of the popular search engines and many of the smaller obscure search engines as well.
If you would like to discuss search engine fees or finding someone to assist you in optimizing your web site, we
can assist you with that as well. Please let us know if we can be of assistance.
In the following article, you'll see how these major tasks are performed, and how Internet search engines put the
pieces together in order to let you find the information you need on the Web.

http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2003/HowWebSearchEnginesWork.asp

Gartman Technical Services Page 10 of 11 Newsletter 3Q06

 The Staff at Gartman Technical Services
GTS Phone -- (602) 788-8121
Fax (602) 253-6160
GTS Staff
President
Mickey Gartman mickey@gartmantechnical.com
Cell (602) 369-7727
Vice President
Todd Gartman toddg@gartmantechnical.com
Cell (602) 743-4068
Consultants
Derek Alvey dereka@gartmantechnical.com
Cell (602) 403-5134
Ed Antolik eda@gartmantechnical.com
Cell (602) 318-8741
Lyle Crane lylec@gartmantechnical.com
Cell (602) 743-4058
Wilson Peralta wilsonp@gartmantechnical.com
Cell (602) 791-3371
Devin Rankin devinr@gartmantechnical.com
Cell (602) 312-8092
Ken Sherry kens@gartmantechnical.com

Gartman Technical Services Page 11 of 11 Newsletter 3Q06