The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.

- Bill Gates
 

Just for Laughs

As we begin 2009 we are cognizant of the issues affecting all of us and the tremendous pressure most companies face today with the turbulent economy. On behalf of the entire Sabio family I assure you that we will continue to work tirelessly to be a part of the solution and identify ways that you, our customer, can use technology to reduce cost, increase productivity and increase competitive advantage.

You will see many new programs in 2009 geared towards helping our customers improve operations and efficiencies. Although there will be challenges we are certain that we will all come out ahead in the long run.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything specific we can help you with. We are there for you, today tomorrow and for years to come.

Sincerely,

Mario M. Santiago, President and CEO

7 Things to Know about Virus Writers
by Monte Embysk
reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center

I spend a growing percentage of my time getting rid of unwanted e-mails that contain viruses. If I open one of them, it potentially could overwrite files and disable my antivirus software.

What exactly is in the heads of these virus writers? Anything? I took my inquiry to Sarah Gordon, an expert on the psychology of hackers and virus writers. She did her best to answer an overly broad question. Gordon is a senior research fellow at Symantec's security response unit, and previously was a researcher for the antivirus research and development team at IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center.

She meets face-to-face with hackers and virus writers on occasion, to understand why they do what they do, and conducts research at international hacker conferences such as DEF CON. To see Gordon's background and some of her research papers, visit her Web site at www.badguys.org.

She'll tell you right away that hackers -- people who devise ways to break into networks -- are a different animal than virus writers, and in most cases, more advanced. Virus writers are generally younger (some as young as 10 or 11 years old), on a lower rung of the underground tech strata and not always aware of the damage that could incur. Also, she stresses, except in a few states, writing damaging viruses isn't against the law.

Continue for the 7 things

You thought you had been so careful, so very prudent. A customer, perhaps even a supplier, seemed so above-board, so solvent, so trustworthy.

But you've been left high and dry. Maybe a client owes you money for products or services or a supplier has happily grabbed your cash without delivering the goods.

If visions of exorbitant attorneys' fees immediately wash over you, stop and breathe. In many instances, there are ways to pursue legal action to collect what's owed you without resorting to the tick-tock of a lawyer's hourly rate. 

8 Tips for More Effective E-Mails
reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center

Most business people receive dozens, even hundreds, of e-mails each day. Without question, e-mail is now the primary means of communication in the professional world. That’s why it’s very important to create messages that effectively communicate your point while presenting a professional image.

Here are eight helpful tips for writing e-mails that achieve both goals.

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