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Hi Everyone

In this edition of the newsletter Dennis our webmaster discusses spy-ware and adware and some simple ways and free software to keep yourself protected.  Maryanne has increased service to clients at the National Support Centre by providing extended trading hours and provides details and Kevin, our Software Director,  gives us a sneak preview [shhhh - it's got a spell checker] of the new versions. 
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Kevin is building a large addition to his home and has discovered some people that have been extremely helpful and who have a technology that has solved some major problems for him.  Kevin [being our major thinker in residence] has said to himself "self - if I have these problems then maybe our AM-Win clients also have them". So Kevin has sat down and written an article about the people and the technology and submitted it for inclusion in this newsletter. 

The Capricorn group can be a real money saver for it's members when it comes to buying parts and offers Members many other benefits. But if you're a Supplier to the group the paperwork can be a real problem.  AM-Win has the answer with a Capricorn Supplier's module that takes care of everything for you. In this edition of the newsletter Maryanne outlines the benefits of this very handy program.  

We also give everyone of our clients a chance to win a weekend for two to your choice of the Gold Coast or Sydney with our DOB in a Mate promotion. Simply put if you have any associate businesses that you think could use AM-Win then we'd like to know and you could win a weekend away.

We'd also like to tidy up our act.  If you are an AM-Win client and you've stumbled across this newsletter without being notified by e-mail that it has been updated,  please let us know so that we can add you to the mailing list. 

We have now put systems in place to ensure that all clients are advised by e-mail when new program updates are posted to the program upgrade area of the web site.  You'll need to be aware that you will not necessarily have all programs that are posted for update [e.g.  ASM or Winparts] so make sure that you download only the updates that are relevant to you.

We have also found a new toy for the sandpit - we've got some photos and specifications near the end of the newsletter so if you have a cool 100 mill to splash on the son and heir then this is for you.

Then there's the jokes. Friend of AM-Win retired Ultra Tune Guru Brian Taylor sends us some good stuff from time to time. We publish the pick of the litter at the end of the newsletter - Thanks Brian and all those who sent them to you.

Anyway - enough of the intro - lets get down to the serious [and not so serious] stuff.

A note from Kevin Sturgiss, our software development Director.

Dear AM-Win Users

Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our valued customers a very happy and prosperous new year and the hope that you all had a very safe and Merry Christmas. Also a very special thanks for those customers who sent their congratulations on me getting married last October to the most wonderful women in the whole world. Hmmm, yes maybe I am a bit biased but really she is.

Well Christmas has come and gone and we celebrate the beginning of the new year with a very productive and fruitful 2004 behind us. 2005 brings many new challenges to AM-Win which we are very much looking forward to. The imminent release of Version 7 soon will provide users with over 100 new and improved features which our users have requested over the last 12 months. Just one of these features includes spell checking which many users have asked for. You can view and print a full list of enhancements from our website if you click here.

Just prior to Christmas AM-Win purchased the latest version of the language we use to produce our AM-Win Software package. The language offers a vast array of advantages especially in the areas of email and internet connectivity along with a range of other benefits that AM-Win users will see come into our software in the near future. As well as the host of new features, many things that annoy both us and our users that AM-Win has no control over have been addressed and this will allow for an even smoother and more solid AM-Win. I’m sure that our customers will be very happy with the changes in AM-Win over the next 12 months.

This year also brings AM-Win into a new era of development. After we bring our software into the latest technology language we will then be leaping forward and developing our version 8 AM-Win, using a much stronger and more powerful platform which will enable us to continue providing our users with the best workshop and parts management system in Australia within our market. It is a very exciting time where many previously “impossible” things will become possible and many of those very hard to do things will be much easier.

I look forward to catching up with many of our users during 2005 and making sure that AM-Win is always doing its very best to service our customers in all aspects of your software experience. On that note, I would like to invite any user of AM-Win to contact me at am-win@bigpond.net.au if you feel you need to make me aware of any concerns you have regarding our sales, support or development team. Your comments and concerns are extremely important as I want all our users to get the best out of AM-Win and enjoy our software.

Warmest wishes

Kevin Sturgiss
Software Development Director

Our word of the month 
Flatulence (n.) the emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.

Nicolette [Nicky] leaves for greener pastures.
Many of our clients have come to know Nicky our wonderful receptionist in the Queensland head office. We are very sad to say that Nicky has left us and has moved on down a different career path. She is missed very much, and we wish her every best with her future plans. 

And Kate has joined us
Kate has replaced Nicky as our new receptionist, and we would like to thank everyone in advance for their patience while Kate learns the ropes, and gets to know our clients both in Queensland and around Australia. 

DOB in a Mate Promotion
Did you know that over 70% of our AMWin clients have been referred to us by existing users.  As all those people who own their own business know,  referrals are the best way to obtain the new business that keeps the wheels turning as clients retire, close down or for whatever reason,  no longer need your services. 

So if you reckon that AMWin is the best thing since sliced bread,  are prepared to provide referrals,  know another business or associate that would benefit from using a program that does as much as AMWIN and could use a break from the business for a weekend to spend some quality time with your "better half" then our DOB in a mate is for you.

The promotion is simple. We give one point for each referral. The person who has the most points at the close of the promotion will be the winner of a choice of a weekend away on the Gold Coast or in Sydney. Your referral must not be an existing AMWin user.

To help you think of names here's a list of the types of businesses that are a glove fit for AMWin.

Click here to go to our DOB in a mate page.  Fill in the referral form as many times as you like and you'll be entered into our competition. Final results will be tallied on March 30th 2005 and the winner will be advised by e-mail. Details will be published in the first newsletter published after the 30th March 2005.

Extended Hours for Clients who have National Support
We have received many requests from clients who use our national support centre in Queensland to open earlier, especially now that daylight saving is in force when the difference between Queensland time and the southern states is greater that usual.

The support centre is now open at 8am Queensland time. Please note that we will continue to open at 8AM Queensland time after the end of daylight saving to cater for our South Australian, Western Australian and Northern Territory users.  

National Support Centre Phone Numbers - National Support Centre Clients only
We are receiving calls from Clients requiring support from the National Support Centre on the incorrect lines. Please note that the National Support phone numbers are 3802 8076 and 3802 8654. Please update your records to ensure that your call is handled as quickly as possible.

Quick Tip
While we're discussing daylight saving,  it is important to note that during office hours in states where daylight saving occurs, all office windows that face the sun should be covered with newspaper to prevent the office curtains from fading,  due to the additional hour of daylight. - Just joshing

AM-Win for Capricorn Suppliers

Many of our customers are Members of The Capricorn Group, one of several buying groups around Australia.  

However some users of AM-Win may also be suppliers to Capricorn members.  When this is the case AM-Win can be used to generate reports and provide files in a format required by Capricorn which have been exported from AMWin's data files. The exported data and reports make it easy for a Capricorn supplier to report their sales to members back to the Capricorn head office. 

How does the Capricorn Suppliers Module in AM-Win Work.
When a Capricorn member purchases parts from a Capricorn supplier it is actually Capricorn and not the customer who pays for the goods. Therefore, the goods are delivered to the customer but billed to Capricorn who then pays the supplier. This form of transaction is referred to in AM-Win as third part billing.

Statements Report: 

At the end of the month you print out a statement for the Capricorn transactions. From the statements program external to AM-Win you have an option to print out a “Third Party Billing Report“  This will print a statement for Capricorn (or any other third party customers) in a format that shows the customer, third Party ID and other details that Capricorn require. 

Statements Ascii File: 

At the end of the month you produce a file in ascii format. This format is the only format accepted by Capricorn as it is compatible with their own computer systems. The ascii file for Capricorn (or other third party customers) shows the customer Third Party ID and other details that Capricorn require. The file is then transmitted to Capricorn where it is imported into their accounting system with all of the required details. 

If you are a Supplier to the Capricorn Society, [or any other third party that requires billing information in either report or data format]  please contact our sales department to find out how we can assist you.  

Renovating or Building a New Home? 

An article from Kevin Sturgiss for all those who are considering renovating or building. 

I am just about to engage in a project to build a fairly large extension to my House. The project started about 6 months ago when I had a good friend of mine draw up some plans to add a 110 sqm extension.  Then the engineer got involved and designed the footings and slabs and all the other things engineers do. So all was looking good and after a few months in council the plans finally were approved and ready to go. 

The hardest thing I found was to get a concreter. They just seemed to have so much work on and so much to do that out of 20 that promised to visit only a handful turned up and only a few of those provided quotes. But the main issue for me was the first floor slab. Decisions, decisions. A concrete slab provided the best solution because of its soundproofing and temperature control qualities. Also you don’t get the creaking that is often a problem with timber floors. Well to find someone to do a concrete first floor was even harder. I did get a few quotes but for some reason I didn’t have the confidence in the people quoting me, plus my job had a few delicate issues to address which were scaring me a bit. So the search went on. 

Finally I come across a company called “SMARTSLAB” in Sydney. They have an excellent suspended floor system where the formwork stays in place after the concrete slab was poured. The formwork then acts to provide for a ceiling which you can use for down lights and running electrical and other cables through. It can also be used for running ducted air conditioning pipes. You then simply attach your roofing material (Gyprock for example) to the metal formwork structure. This provides the noise and temperature insulation of a concrete slab as well as the flexibility of a timber floor when it comes to lighting etc. For me it was the perfect solution. As I understand it, they can also accommodate wooden floors on top of the formwork if desired.

I had a meeting with the directors a few weeks ago and was excited when they took the time to fully explain their suspended system and how it could be applied to my situation. I am convinced that it is the best solution for me and the price was very competitive compared to other less desirable options. As such I wanted to tell everyone about it and suggest you speak to them if you have the need for a suspended floor system. Their website is www.smartslab.com or you can call either Brad or John on (02) 96496666. If you are an owner – builder or using a licenced builder, contact Smartslab before you get the plans underway. Your draftsman / architect may or may not have already heard of them. 

I will let everyone know how the job went soon in a subsequent newsletter but I am confident it will be a job well done. 

By the way, I wasn’t asked to advertising their product, I just think it’s a great concept and wanted to share it with the AM-Win community so that others can benefit from their technology.

Spyware and Adware - What is it, what it does and some simple ways and free software to keep yourself protected.

As if spam, viruses, and worms aren't bad enough. Adware and spyware are here to sap the remaining life out of your productivity and privacy. 

Most people are familiar with freeware, shareware, cookies, media players, interactive content, and file sharing. What they may not realize is that some of the aforementioned may contain code or components that allow the developers of these applications and tools to actually collect and disseminate information about those using them. They can track your surfing habits, abuse your Internet connection by sending this data to a third party, profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page or pages, alter important system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission. The security and privacy implications of these exploits should be quite obvious and undesirable on any system or network!

Adware is software that displays advertisements on your computer. These are ads that inexplicably pop up on your display screen, even if you're not browsing the Internet. Some companies provide "free" software in exchange for advertising on your display. It's how they make their money.

Spyware is software that sends your personal information to a third party without your permission or knowledge. This can include information about Web sites you visit or something more sensitive like your user name and password. Unscrupulous companies often use this data to send you unsolicited targeted advertisements.

Home Page Hijackers - You start up your internet browser and instead of being taken to your normal startup or home page you're dragged off to some porn site or search engine.  When this happens you've just had your home page hijacked.  The hijackers consider that this is a legitimate way to drive traffic and visitors to their web sites but to you and I it's an incredible insult and an invasion of privacy. 

Is Your PC Affected by Spyware, Adware or Hijacking?
Some users notice that when affected they have performance issues with their computers. For example, Internet Explorer might not work properly any more, your computer might hang more frequently, your hard drive is working continuously, even when the computer is not being used [check the hard drive light on the front of your computer], or your computer might slow down significantly. 

Other users may see pop-up screens appearing while surfing the internet either advertising products or pretending to be scanning your PC for adware or spyware.  Either of these symptons are a fair indication that your computer is affected.

And if as discussed previously you have been whipped of to a site that you've never seen before when opening your web browser then you definitely have a hijacker installed.

How did I get infected
Unauthorized adware, hijackers and spyware usually install on your computer covertly by using one of two methods:

Protect against Spyware, Hijackers and Adware

Prevent Unwanted Installation

Companies pushing adware and spyware are relying on three things: your desire for free software, your gullibility. or your lack of knowledge. Here's some tips that will help prevent unwanted programs from being installed on your computer.

A new toy for the sandpit This is the largest earth mover in the world.....  built by the German company, Krupp, and seen here crossing a federal highway in Germany en route to its destination (an open-pit coal mine).  It is cheaper to move the thing like this, than to construct or reassemble onsite.   Specifications:   The mover stands  311 feet tall and 705 feet long. It weighs over 45,500 tons Cost $100 million to build Took 5 years to design and manufacture 5 years to assemble.  Requires 5 people to operate it. The Bucket Wheel is over 70 feet in diameter with 20 buckets, each of which can hold over 530 cubic feet of material.  A 6-foot man can stand up inside one of the buckets.  It moves on 12 crawlers (each is 12 feet wide, 8' high and 46 feet long).  There are 8 crawlers in front and 4 in back.  It has a maximum speed of 1 mile in 3 hours (1/3 mile/hour). It can remove over 76,455 cubic meters each day. (100,000 large dump trucks at 40yds. each)
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Jokes

Our first three yarns come from friend of AM-Win retired Ultra Tune Guru Brian Taylor - thanks Brian and to those who sent them to you.

Spring of 1957

It's the spring of 1957 and Bobby goes to pick up his date, Peggy Sue. Bobby's a pretty hip guy with his own car and a ducktail hairdo. When he goes to the front door, Peggy Sue's father answers and invites him in.

"Peggy Sue's not ready yet, so why don't you have a seat?" he says.

"That's cool," says Bobby.

Peggy Sue's father asks Bobby what they are planning to do. Bobby replies politely that they will probably just go to the malt shop or to a drive-in movie.

Peggy Sue's father responds, "Why don't you kids go out and screw? I hear all of the kids are doing it."

Naturally this comes as quite a surprise to Bobby and he says, "Whaaaat?"

"Yeah," says Peggy Sue's father, "Peggy Sue really likes to screw; she'll screw all night if we let her!"

Bobby's eyes light up and he smiles from ear to ear. Immediately, he has revised the plans for the evening.

A few minutes later, Peggy Sue comes downstairs in her little poodle skirt with her saddle shoes and announces that she's ready to go.

Almost breathless with anticipation, Bobby escorts his date out the front door while Dad is saying, "Have a good evening, kids!"

About 20 minutes later, a thoroughly disheveled Peggy Sue rushes back into the house, slams the door behind her and screams at her father: "Dammit, Daddy! The twist! It's called the twist!!" 

I've been doing pretty well

After a long illness, a woman died and arrived at the Gates of Heaven.

While she was waiting for Saint Peter to greet her, she peeked through the gates. She saw a beautiful banquet table. Sitting all around were her parents and all the other people she had loved and who had died before her.

They saw her and began calling greetings to her. "Hello!" "How are you? We've been waiting for you!" "Good to see you!"

When Saint Peter came by, the woman said to him, "This is such a wonderful place! How do I get in?"

"You have to spell a word," Saint Peter told her.

"Which word?" the woman asked.

"Love."

The woman correctly spelled love, and Saint Peter welcomed her into heaven.

About six months later, Saint Peter came to the woman and asked her to watch the Gates of Heaven for him that day.

While the woman was guarding the Gates of Heaven, her husband arrived.

"I'm surprised to see you," the woman said. "How have you been?"

"Oh, I've been doing pretty well since you died," her husband told her. "I married the beautiful young nurse who took care of you while you were ill. And then I won the lottery. I sold the little house you and I lived in and bought a big mansion. And my wife and I traveled all around the world. We were on vacation and I went water skiing today. I fell, the ski hit my head, and here I am. How do I get in?"

"You have to spell a word," the woman told him.

"Which word?" her husband asked.

" Czechoslovakia ."

 Baby's first exam.

A woman and a baby were in the doctor's examining room, waiting for the doctor to come in for the baby's first exam.

The doctor arrived, examined the baby, checked his weight, and being a little concerned, asked if the baby was breast-fed or bottle-fed?

"Breast-fed" she replied.

"Well, strip down to your waist," the doctor ordered.

She did. He pinched her nipples, then pressed, kneaded, and rubbed both breasts for a while in a detailed examination. Motioning to her to get dressed, he said, "No wonder this baby is underweight. You don't have any milk."

"I know," she said, "I'm his Grandma, but I'm glad I came."

Here's a cute joke from Mike Rusling who used to be an Automate programmer back in the old days. Mike still keeps in touch with an occasional yarn or how-ya-goin e-mail.

An urgent problem

The boss of a big company, needing to talk to one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers, dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whisper.

"Hello."

"Is your daddy home?" he asked.

"Yes," whispered the small voice.

"May I talk with him?"

The child whispered, "No."

Surprised, and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your mommy there?"

"Yes."

"May I talk with her?"

Again the small voice whispered, "No."

Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, "Is anybody else there?"

"Yes," whispered the child, "a policeman."

Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, "May I speak with the policeman?"

"No, he's busy", whispered the child.

"Busy doing what?"

"Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the fireman," came the whispered answer.

Growing concerned and even worried as he heard what sounded like a helicopter through the ear piece on the phone the boss asked, "What is that noise?"

"A hello-copper" answered the whispering voice.

"What is going on there?" asked the boss, now truly alarmed.

In an awed whispering voice the child answered, "The search team just landed the hello-copper."

Alarmed, concerned, and even more then just a little frustrated the boss asked, "What are they searching for?"

Still whispering, the young voice replied along with a muffled giggle:

"ME."

Have a great month

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