BBB Presents CCCC with Award for Excellence

On May 14^th, the Better Business Bureau Education Foundation of Houston presented Clerc Computer Consulting Corp. with the Award for Excellence in the Small Business Service category.  These awards, started in 1992, are modeled after the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award.  Applicants are judged on a set of criteria used to evaluate their leadership, customer and employee relations, strategic planning and organizational performance.  You can find out more about the Awards for Excellence at their web site www.bbbhou.org.

This, along with our award last year as one of Houston’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies, shows that we must be doing something right!

The Impending Death of Windows 98

All good things must come to an end sometime, and Windows operating systems are no exception.  Back in 2001, Microsoft published the Windows Desktop Product Life-Cycle Guidelines, which outlined when Microsoft stops supporting various programs.  Microsoft no longer supports older programs such as MS-DOS, Windows 3.x, 95 and NT 3.x.  And as of January 16^th, 2004, Microsoft will no longer support Windows 98.

This lack of support means that Microsoft will not publish Windows Critical Updates or program updates for Windows 98.  They will also stop offering telephone support.  This usually results in other software and hardware manufacturers stopping their support for Windows 98, just like how most new hardware and software you purchase now do not support Windows 95.

So what should you do about this?  If you have a computer that is currently running Windows 98, we suggest that you consider either replacing the computer or upgrading it to Windows XP by the end of the year.  If you have a more powerful computer, then you can consider upgrading.  To upgrade, you should have a 400MHz or faster processor, a system capable of having 256MB RAM, and at least 2GB free disk space.  If your computer doesn’t meet these requirements, then you should purchase a new computer.

We can help you determine if your existing computer can be upgraded or not.  If you have any questions, please call us at (713) 861-4183.

Old Computers Wanted – Update

Your response to our previous request for older computers to place in assisted living centers has been outstanding.  We have already installed three computers at the Park Place Assisted Living Community on W. Airport Blvd. The residents there are enjoying learning about computers, playing Solitaire, surfing the Web and receiving their own e-mail.

Thank you for your continued support.  If you would like to donate a computer or printer, or especially if you know of an assisted living center that would want some computers, please reply to this e-mail or call us at (713) 861-4183.

…And In With the New

Our newest consultant, Jim Green, has been a tremendous asset to our company.  Previously, he was the network administrator at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Houston and an analyst at Reliant Energy.  Jim has lots of experience helping people with their Windows workstations and servers.  He even knows a lot about Macs.  Many of you have already experienced his excellent work and easygoing style.

Thanks, Jim, for joining our company!