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Forest News, Tidbits, and the like!

February 12, 2018:
The Forest is 23 years old this week! Our heartfelt thanks go out to all of our loyal customers. We will continue to uphold our ideals of honesty, quality and an unmatched commitment to service. Along with our amazing partner organizations, our customers can rest assured that we will always hold these principles at the core of everything we do!

Oh, and remember - backup, backup, BACKUP!

July 1, 2017:
Happy 150th Birthday Canada!

It's a teeny bit embarrassing that we haven't posted anything in a large number of months... But we've been pretty darn busy! Exciting things are happening at the Forest, including design of a new website (finally), major upgrades to our data centre offerings (also finally), and refreshes to our Forest Cloud offerings (yay!)

We'll have more updates coming soon... In the meantime, our heartfelt thanks to all our loyal customers, many of whom have been with us for almost two decades - and some for even longer! Remember, it's never too late to be part of the Forest family, and experience for yourself why our customers are so loyal.

December 18, 2016:
From all of us, to all of you - our sincere best wishes for the holiday season and the coming new year!

This past year has seen an unprecedented evolution in systemic attacks, hacks, viruses and other malware. Massive organizations including Yahoo, Amazon, and indeed the FBI have all been victims of large-scale breaches. Some might think - given the limitless resources of those organizations, why can't they protect themselves?

It is indeed a huge challenge, and it's not going away. All you can do is be agile and vigilant - we have found that the single most helpful thing is to EDUCATE USERS. Don't auto-preview e-mails. Don't open attachments without thinking long and hard about the possible content. Investigate suspicious links before clicking on them by hovering over them or right-clicking them first! Most people don't know this, but a visible link or what you see as an e-mail address may not necessarily be what is actually underlying in the code!

For a detailed security consultation, don't hesitate to contact us. Leverage our long experience as some of the best trusted advisors in the business to help keep you safe.

March 16, 2016:
This one is kind of important...

We've received alerts that new versions of the CryptoLocker class of viruses are now able to scavenge and encrypt non-mapped network shares. This was kind of inevitable unfortunately and will only continue to get worse. Most anti-virus software can't even stop it, and it's too easy to make the mistake of clicking on that bogus shipping PDF, or resume, or poisoned link in a Google search.

We cannot stress enough the need to have a good backup! Anything you don't want to lose, make sure you have two copies of it stored in different places that are not directly accessible! Our private on-line backup service is ideal for this; We've seen far too many good people lose their entires lives' worth of pictures, documents, videos, memories, and so on - it's a lesson nobody should have to learn!

Pop in and talk to us about backup. Or call us. Or e-mail us. Or run out to some random store and get yourself an external hard drive and copy your memories over!

Whatever you do, do SOMETHING.

May 4, 2015:
It's been a long time since a technology has excited all of us here. We have recently implemented Ubiquiti Networks UniFi platform at several sites and the results are so amazing it's worthy of a website update! Disruptive pricing combined with amazing hardware and support have made Ubiquiti our wireless provider of choice. From simple yet enterprise-grade access points all the way up to carrier-grade hardware that can span 200+KM links, they have their sights set on Cisco etc. - and they're winning! If you'd like a FREE evaluation and quotation on how we can refresh your wireless with the latest and greatest gear, without breaking the bank, contact us today!

March 8, 2015:
At long last, we are thrilled to introduce Forest Backup!

Don't store your data on a cloud - hide it in the Forest!

We are also introducing our hosted endpoint protection platform! Based on Trend Micro's award-winning Worry-Free Business Security solution, we are now offering clients hosted, managed endpoint protection and control for the ultra-low cost of $4.00 per month per workstation - OR SERVER. That's right, our solution is fully compatible with Windows Server 2012 R2! At this price, there's no excuse to ever leave a system unprotected. To sign up, call 204-956-6590 or e-mail av@forest.ac today!

January 5, 2015:
Happy New Year from all of us at Forest Computers!

...and an exciting year it will be!

20 Years.

No matter how you slice it, that's a long time! Next month we celebrate the 20th birthday of Forest Computers. We are very thankful to all our customers and partners - a great many who have been with us since the very beginning. We are also very proud to have survived 20 years in an industry that has seen many players both large and small come and go.

Here's to the next 20 years and the exciting technological advances they will bring!

Now, to business! Windows Server 2003 is going under Microsoft's end-of-support axe, along with all other 2003 vintage platforms including Exchange. I KNOW there are a great deal of corporations out there still running 2003, and last year was the time to start planning your migration! To the credit of a large number of our customers, they took our advice and have completed successful, pain-free migrations to newer platforms as a result of careful planning and trust in our experience and methods.

However, to those customers - new, old, and ones we haven't met yet - that are still on 2003 and haven't planned a transition, time is running out! You don't want an unsupported legacy platform leaving you prone to security breaches!!

Novermber 13, 2014:
It's been far too long since our last update. First things first - if you voted for my daughter, thank you!! She ended up 1st in the vote standing and her commercial is airing on TV right now! If you'd like to see it, pop on over to Peak of the Market's Website along with the other four winners.

Now, on to business. As we rush headlong into our 20th year of business (holy cow!!) things are still changing at breakneck pace. One of the points we want to hammer home with our customers in the coming months is - Do You Know Where Your Data Is? With all the stories in the news about cloud accounts being hacked and sensitive material being exposed, it's important to keep a tight rein on security!

Also we can't stress this enough; Backup, backup, BACKUP. There are far too many poisoned websites and e-mails out there right now that are too easy to click on. The "Cryptolocker" virus and its variants strike without mercy, and it DOES affect network storage as well. Many anti-virus programs are having a tough time stopping this one because the attack is triggered by a user-initiated action (running an attachment or clicking on a poisoned link.) Please, be vigilant - no anti-virus or anti-spam solution is as good as good old common sense and a little bit of caution on your part!

Keep and CHECK an off-line backup of your critical data! It's as simple as that. Don't trust someone else to be responsible for YOUR data - be involved in the process! In the end, what if the automation fails and you don't know? What if your backup provider disappears? I'm not saying cloud backup is bad; you just have to have the right cloud!

More very exciting news coming on that front - we'll keep you posted!

Last, and certainly not least, we are very proud to have been recognized as a Shaw Business Authorized Partner, and we have been granted the right to post their logo as one of our partners! Many thanks to our friends at Shaw for always being there for us - let us leverage our partnership to get your the services you need at the prices you want. :)

July 17, 2014:
Summer appears to FINALLY be well and truly underway! We hope everyone is taking the time to enjoy at least some outdoor activities. However, we know the kids are home from school all summer and we've seen more than our fair share of systems coming in with bugs n' viruses... Please remind your kids to be careful on the Internet!

Speaking of kids, my very own daughter Holly was chosen as one of 12 finalists in the Peak of the Market commercial auditions! If you are so inclined, please cast your vote at Peak of the Market's Website every day - we're looking for all the votes we can get! Thanks to everyone who has voted and continues to vote every day!!

May 4, 2014:
Gotta say it - May the fourth be with you!

Now that that's out of the way, it has been an insane few months in the Forest! A great deal of people took heed of the myriad warnings about the end of support of Windows XP and have upgraded to newer and better things. However, a great deal MORE people still have yet to take the plunge!

As a Microsoft(r) Certified Partner, we still sell systems with Windows 7! If you don't want Windows 8, that's fine - we won't force it down your throat like the big box stores. Sure, it has some nice features and it looks pretty, but in the corporate world there are some features that Windows 8 seriously lacks, especially when it comes to supporting legacy software.

We realize that it can be very expensive to upgrade those legacy software platforms and we work with a vast array of partners to ensure the best experiences for our customers. Don't delay upgrading your systems away from Windows XP - contact us today to have a free evaluation of your platform!

January 24, 2014:
Hopefully everyone has has a wonderful start to 2014! Here in Winnipeg, keeping warm this winter has been a challenge indeed - and more people are spending more time on their computers as a result. The term "computer" now means many different things - be it a traditional desktop, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or other connected device. However, a great many people are still running traditional systems with the venerable Windows XP operating system, which Microsoft will no longer support after the end of March - as we mentioned a few months ago.

If you are one of those users, either in your home or in your office, it's time to get in touch with us and plan your upgrade!

December 24, 2013:
We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

Forest will be closed from 3pm December 24 until 9am Monday, December 30. We will be open normal hours December 30 and 31, closed January 1 and normal hours resume January 2.

Thanks to all our customers for making 2013 an outstanding year, and we look forward to serving all our customers - old, new, and those we haven't met yet - in the Forest way, in 2014!

SERVICE ALERT - October 29, 2013:
You may have read or seen in the news about the "Crypto Virus" that is in the wild right now. For more information on the virus and its nature, please visit the article at Bleeping Computer located here. This document is quite technical, and as such we have made a release available here that is a little easier to digest. Remember, it's far easier to make sure you back up your important data often than it is to recover after the fact!

September 20, 2013:
Forest is exceedingly proud to be the technology supplier to The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel by Lakeview, opening its doors this Monday, September 23! This hotel will showcase some of latest in cutting-edge hospitality technology and innovations. There's far too much to be proud of to write about here, so do yourself a favour and check it out in person, and online at www.lakeviewgrand.com.

If you're still running Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 systems, it's time to start thinking about your upgrade path. Microsoft will officially terminate support for Windows XP and Server 2003 by April of 2014. For honest, expert advice about planning your transition away from legacy operating systems, contact us today - we'll provide a free consultation and quotation with fair pricing on only the highest quality equipment!

July 1, 2013:
HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Not only is July 1 Canada Day, it also means that start of a new business year at Forest. After 17 years, we couldn't be more thankful for our loyal customers and the support of our outstanding partners. As always, we keep our guiding principle at the forefront of everything we do - Honesty, Quality and a Commitment to Service!

Some interesting items to keep abreast of in the months upcoming - Intel's new 4th generation Core processors, and the accelerating adoption of solid-state drives along with capacity increases and cost reductions, among others. Also, for those who were less than thrilled with the initial release of Windows 8, the forthcoming 8.1 version introduces some welcome changes - and for you brave testers out there, Microsoft has a preview version available on their website.

However, for those corporate users who still require Windows 7 (that's 99% of you) we absolutely still build and sell with it, and will continue to do so. Sometimes change for the sake of change isn't a good thing - at least when it comes to tried and tested operating systems!

February 27, 2013:
Spring is in the air! Of course that means melting snow, changing weather - and - power problems.

Most people don't realize it, but the moisture in the air during the spring melt can cause all sorts of power surges and brownouts. It is important to pay attention to your critical, expensive hardware. At the very least, a good quality surge surpressor should be on any of your sensitive electronics (not just computers!) If you often notice your lights flickering, also consider an Uniterruptable Power Supply (UPS) - this also helps to condition your power and they are not very expensive. At least, not compared to replacing parts damaged by power issues!

We have also updated our system specials, please check them out!

January 3, 2013:
Happy New Year to all!

As we move forward into 2013 and reflect back on 2012, I can't remember a year that was as action-packed (if you can call it that!) RIM, once a proud Canadian monument and manufacturer of the go-to mobile device is but a dim shadow of its former self, trying to innovate - perhaps too little to late? Only time will tell!

Also 2012 was truly the year of Solid State technology finally coming into the mainstream - in fact, ALL of our corporate workstations are built with Intel SSD technology, and indeed some of our servers now are coming with SSD arrays - often CHEAPER than comparable Seagate 15K RMM technology! We'll be seeing that technology grow by leaps and bounds in 2013.

Lastly, and most importantly I think, was a statistic published by a leading security vendor. Do you know what the top infected website category now is? It's not pornography - barely making the top 10 with 1.4% of infected sites.

No, the worst category of thing you can be surfing in 2013, with a whopping 20% of all infected sites, are BLOG SITES!

The study showed that people who run their own blogs on free hosting sites are especially prone to attack, because the average user has no idea how to "harden" their website against attack. If your blog is getting popular, have it hardened and hosted by a professional!

Be careful where you're surfing and what you're clicking on - which is always good advice!

November 12, 2012:
I think I have had at least 100 people say to me in the last 3 days, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

We hope everyone took time out this past weekend to reflect on those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Windows Server 2012 is on the horizon, and it's really quite something to get excited about! This latest version of Microsoft's server operating system boasts some very innovative features, not the least of which is a little something known as "Sub-File Level Deduplication". If you're scratching your head going "Huh?" on that one, have a look at this TechNet article here - you'll be very impressed!

If you're looking for more information on navigating your new Windows 8 PC, simply select the Help & Support option - there, you will find some important information about how to get the most out of Windows 8.

August 19, 2012:
There's a chill in the air - that must mean we're on approach to September! People returning from holidays, kids returning to school, and summer drawing to a close. I know this summer was one of the warmest that I can remember!

As everyone must have heard by now, Windows 8 is on the horizon, set for public release in October. We have been running it for the last few months and it is quite an amazing departure from the status quo! It might take a little getting used to, and the main interface is definitely geared more for home use vs. business, but for touch-enabled devices and tablets it's going to be amazing. Pop over to microsoft.com/windows to see the changes and learn more about it.

Finally, we are completing the last steps of our data center upgrades, with a one hour maintenance window coming August 22 at 11pm CST. We will be upgrading our mail server platform with new features and security updates, including full ActiveSync support for mobile devices in addition to our already existing full BlackBerry BES platform support. More information will be provided to e-mail hosting customers directly, stay tuned!

June 2, 2012:
Whew - it's been a while since our last update! Of course that means there's lots going on! :)

First and foremost, if you speak to our staff member Chris please congratulate him on the safe arrival of his baby boy! Mom and baby are doing very well and we're all thrilled for them.

Coming in June and July we will be implementing some farily massive upgrades to our data center and our server farm. This will include software upgrades to our mail platform, additional capabilities for our hosting customers, commissioning of our new gigabit backbone connection, and major upgrades to our standby power system including an automatic natural gas generator - a more environmentally friendly choice than diesel. We will be advising our customers of any necessary maintenance windows, but no changes will be required on the customer side for any of these upgrades.

Lastly, as we enter into our 16th year of business we want to thank all the customers that made our 15th anniversary year one of the most successful years on record. We look forward to continuing to service all our customers new and old in the manner they have become accustomed to - in the Forest way!

March 21, 2012:
To succeed in business - especially the Information Technology provider business - you have to be agile and form partnerships based on trust and, dare I say it - synergy! For over 15 years now, our agility has allowed us to provide amazing solutions across the world for many varied organizations.

Heading into our next era, we are extremely proud to announce the completion of our private data center renovations! Renewing our commitment to investing in our hosting infrastructure for our customers, before Q3 we will be upgrading our data center to a full-duplex GbE link! This will effectively increase our available bandwidth by 10x, and allow us to offer more advanced hosted services as we go forward.

As promised, we are extremely excited to announce our partnership with SWEP Management, Manitoba's premiere medical billing provider. Forest is providing infrastructure and support for Manitoba's first ACCURO-based ASP service, a brilliant EMR software created by Optimed Software. Click on either company link for more information, and be aware of the key - your vital medical data stays RIGHT HERE, on Manitoba soil, not in some random carrier hotel who-knows-where. Our research has found that particular issue to be one of the most vital concerns on the part of medical providers and patients alike.

January 27, 2012:
Well, better late than never! A very happy new year to all and a special Kung Hei Fat Choi to all our Chinese friends. 2012 has so far brought great things to our company and our customers, including an upcoming massive upgrade of our private data center (details to follow) and a new medical offering in partnership with Manitoba's premiere medical billing service - look for that announcement in March!

December 20, 2011:
The hustle and bustle of the season is in full swing! Good luck trying to drive anywhere in this city in the next few days!! Remember the spirit of the holidays - whether you say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah (today is the first night after all!!) or all the best in the new year, the sentiment is the same! Be kind to one another and try to exercise patience with the crazy crowds.

Forest will be closed from December 24 to December 27, re-opening normal hours on December 28. We will also be closed on January 2, 2012 with normal hours resuming January 3.

See you all next year!

December 1, 2011:
Next, next, accept, next, next, next, done.

How many of us do this when we're installing a new update or new software?

Far too often now, companies are burying add-ons within their installs, betting on people just skipping past them as they click "next" over and over again. The worst one right now is JAVA - the updates install the "Ask" toolbar if you just click through the installation. This toolbar and others are just there to annoy you, spy on what you're doing and slow down your computer.

Pay attention to your installations - make SURE you know exactly what is being installed in your system!

October 10, 2011:
In the guise of the late, great Steve Jobs, "Let's talk Cloud."

"Cloud" is the latest buzzword that has swept the corporate IT world. It seems to bring the promise of storing everything in the ether and never having to worry about your data again, always having instant access to a bevy of what would be typically costly programs for a fraction of that cost, and never having to worry about support.

Let's get a few things straight first.

"Cloud" is NOTHING NEW. The Cloud = The Internet. "Cloud Services" = Services that are offered over the Internet. THAT'S ALL. Forest has been offering "Cloud Services" since 1999!

Here's the really important consideration. When your data is stored "In The Cloud" with a service like Google Docs or Office365 you have -NO IDEA- where your data physically is. For example, it likely is stored in multiple physical locations in multiple countries, one of which is very likely the United States, where ALL data on its soil is subject to the Patriot Act. This essentially means you have lost the ability to guarantee that data's protection and/or confidentiality. When you are dealing with customer's data and our privacy acts here in Canada, it is IMPERATIVE (and sometimes legally required) that your data reside on CANADIAN soil.

Since 1999, we have expanded our offerings, built our very own secured data center located right here in Winnipeg and we provide hosting and "Cloud Services" to over 2,000 customers.

To us, Cloud is not a buzzword - it's a way of life. It's -anything- to do with the Internet. Count on our experience in the field to answer your questions with honesty, and without ambiguity.

September 1, 2011:
As the summer begins to draw to a close, what a summer it has indeed been! It looked like it was going to be a dismal one but ended up being one of the best on record in my humble opinion.

Sometimes it takes patience to get to the result you want, just like this past summer. When it comes to the tech and toy choices there are out there now, this is definitely true.

DO YOUR RESEARCH.

Make sure that the tool you choose to do the job you need is the right one. Talk to our experts that live and breathe tech every day! We might know of something bigger, better, faster, and cheaper than what you might be looking at that will do the job infinitely better! :)

August 5, 2011:
There is a scam going around where someone claiming to be from Microsoft calls up and says your computer has problems. They are VERY convincing and more than a few customers have provided their credit card numbers over the phone to these criminals. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES does Microsoft call people to fix things for them, and then ask for your credit card info! Please be wary of phone scams like this and if you have any concerns don't hesitate to call us at 204-956-6590.

July 1, 2011:
Happy Birthday Canada!

We hope everyone enjoys their Canada Day holiday. Hopefully, for once, the weather holds out this weekend - seems that every long weekend nasty weather ensues (knock on wood!)

We are thrilled at Forest to welcome a new member to our family - Phyllis Niessen. Be sure to say hello to her when you call or come in - but be gentle, she's got a lot to learn! She will be temporarily taking over Tennille's position at the end of July.

Summertime means the kids are out of school and itching to destroy the home computer... Make sure you keep your kids safe online - keep your system up to date and your anti-malware software current. And then throw them outside to play - so you can have some computer time to yourself!!

June 10, 2011:
In 15 years of business, one common theme we run into is that customers are largely resistant to change. If the system is working as it is, why make changes?

First and foremost, we can't say this enough - CHECK YOUR BACKUP PROCEDURES! If you don't have a backup or recovery plan, GET ONE NOW. We can definitely help you with that!

New technology can increase productivity, offer better data protection and create a richer experience either at work or at home. Upgrading is inexpensive and any system greater than 4 years old at this point is not taking advantage of all the rich content newer software packages offer - not to mention all the great cloud-based products and Internet technology. It's important when working with cloud technology that your workstation be up to date!

At Forest, we are constantly evaluating the latest new technologies before our customers even hear about them - the one thing we will NEVER change is the fact that we're always changing! What a great paradox! In our last post, we said we're not changing what we do in any way - and we meant it - we will always be on the forefront of innovation and bring the latest tech and methods to our customers!

May 16, 2011:
Happy 15th Birthday Forest Computers!

I went back into our news archives for the last 10 years and thoroughly enjoyed reading what we had posted about some of the "breakthroughs" of the time. It is amazing to see the progression of technology from the vantage point of a company that continues to keep up with the latest innovations. It's great fun for us, and our customers get to experience the benefit of our passion for new technology. :)

To that end, the comments made on our 10th anniversary still hold true today. Are we going to change what we're doing in any way?

Nope.

We're still going to be your trusted advisors guided always by our founding principles - honesty, quality and a commitment to service.

In this day and age, where "technology companies" abound, it is important to choose your technology partner based on what we believe to be two key criteria - reputation and EXPERIENCE. A lot of companies offer "managed services" and "remote monitoring" but if you have a system failure, how exactly do you remotely repair a dead computer?

If that happens you're going to want a company in there using the latest repair and recovery methods to get you up and running quicky and effectively, with a vast wealth of experience guiding their actions.

THANK YOU to all of our long-time customers that have been there with us since the beginning, and all of our new customers that have put their trust in us to safely and effectively handle their IT needs.

April 26, 2010:
Forest.on.Line is thrilled to be offering fully synchronized e-mail and groupware services and hosted BES solutions! We can make any smartphone talk to your Outlook AND provide you with advanced private webmail for $5.00 per month! Part of our offering also includes private MSN-Messenger style instant communication for all members of your domain.

Don't have a domain? Want your own super-cool unrestricted e-mail address that is not provider-dependent? For the same $5.00 per month you could have your own @forest.ac e-mail address!

For further information and assistance with setup, contact us today!

March 31, 2011:
It's official. Server or workstation, complex or simple installation, there is NO excuse to not have a good, verified working complete backup. Forget all the expensive, complicated backup software that costs multiple thousands of dollars. All you need is one simple tool to ensure you can recover yourself quickly in the event of catastrophic failure. This tool will even image a system LIVE - no shutdown necessary.

Did I mention the tool is free?

If you want to know more, or have your backup strategy evaluated by a company with a LONG history of quality service, send an e-mail to ebiz@forestcomputers.com noting your interest!

February 6, 2011:
Firstly, a belated Gung Hay Fat Choy to all those celebrating the Chinese New Year!

As all the football fans get ready to watch the Superbowl in their own ways, I'm left to consider how everyone will be planning their viewing experience. Some will be watching the game on their brand-new 60+ inch LCD or LED panels in crisp high-definition, some will settle down in front of their trusty console TV - and still some will rent a projector and 15 foot screen with a sound system that will shake the walls! More still will be streaming the game on their iPads or iPods or iWhatevers.

As we head into our 15th anniversary year I look back and realize that technology really has changed the way we live our lives in such a short period of time.

As a company that has a long established reputation of being on the bleeding edge, I put a challenge to anyone reading this - ASK FOR IT. Whatever you can dream up we will design it and implement it for you. Where other companies have said it can't be done, give us a try! Whether it's access to everything you need on your iPad from anywhere in the world or ultra-secure point-to-point real-time communications for your team (I'm talking way beyond Blackberry Messenger here) e-mail us at ebiz@forestcomputers.com.

January 1, 2011:
HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

Thanks to everyone that made 2010 a great year, and we are looking forward to 2011 with much excitement! With the increasing pace of technological evolution it can be diffcult to stay on that bleeding edge where we have always been... However, as we approach our 15th anniversary you can trust that our staff will always be armed with the latest information to be able to provide you the best, most up-to-date solution to your technology conundrum.

Thanks also to everyone who donated to the Christmas Cheer Board by downloading "Merry Christmas" by Miles Macdonell Collegiate - your generousity is much appreciated!

December 7, 2010:
...yeah, that's a Twitter icon on our website. :) From time to time, little nuggets of tech wisdom will be shared @forestcom and perhaps even one-time deals or specials... We'll see, the sky's the limit really! Be sure to click on the icon and follow us!

December 1, 2010:
WELL... Welcome to winter! I think there's been more snow in the last two weeks than all of last winter!

Enough about the darn snow...

I've run into a healthy number of businesses that were completely unaware that computer purchases (including software) made between January 27, 2009 and January 31, 2011 can be claimed 100% on their Canadian tax return! If you were thinking about making a server, system or software purchase in the near future, don't delay - and don't miss out on the savings!

October 11, 2010:
We hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving weekend!

One question we are commonly asked is, "What makes you guys so much better than others?"

That is a tough question to answer. If it had to be summed up simply, it would be that we care about each and every one of our customers, and their success means our success. We take personal responsibility for every one of our customer's businesses and any of our customers would attest to this.

We're also not concerned about providing the "cheapest" solution possible; We want to provide solutions that are the most cost-effective and low-maintenance as possible, and we treat every project as unique. We don't try to make the customer fit the solution, we always put the customer first and tailor a custom solution every time.

Lastly, attention to detail is vital for any system to function well. Little things like using motherboards that only have solid capacitors, or selecting quality components that might be a couple dollars more than average instead of what's the cheapest that day - it all adds up to creating great experiences for our customers.

These things, combined with our honesty and vast depth and breadth of experience leads to the large number of referrals our customers send to us - and for this, we are very thankful. :)

April 6, 2010:
Time for our quarterly update - LOL! Things have been very busy - which is always a good thing! Our corporate workstations featuring Intel's SSD technology continue to fly out of the shop - I will always enjoy watching users' eyes light up the first time they boot a system based on SSD technology - in under 5 SECONDS - right to the desktop, ready to go! Typical office applications open in the blink of an eye, and for the first time ever systems are available at a reasonable cost that can instantly keep up with those power users.

One such customer recently put it to me very simply... "If you spend 5 seconds waiting for this, 10 seconds waiting for that, very soon you're looking at wasted hours over the span of a work week." Some might think that a 5-year old computer isn't that old - and it really isn't if it's a Forest PC - BUT, the changes in technology over the last 8-10 months have made the difference in performance more than noticeable. If you've been thinking about it, the time is now for an upgrade from Forest featuring Intel's amazing SSD technology!

January 28, 2010:
A close friend suffered a break-in yesterday in broad daylight, and their laptop was stolen.

This laptop contained all of their pictures, documents, their entire life for the last seven years.

They didn't have a back up.

The laptop was one of the first ForestBook(tm) models ever sold, and if ANYONE happens to see someone with a "new" silver ForestBook, PLEASE call us at (204) 956-6590.

When something like this happens, it's very easy to say, "Gee, that's too bad" - but think about if it happened to you. What would be compromised if your home computer was ever stolen? Get a USB memory stick or an external hard drive and BACK UP YOUR DATA. Everyone shoots digital pictures now - imagine having all the photos of your kids from birth to age 7 suddenly stolen from you... Not a good feeling.

January 8, 2010:
We would like to wish a very happy new year and best wishes to all for 2010!

As we continue towards our 15th anniversary in business, it's amazing to look back at how technology itself has changed, and how it has changed how we live. The kind of historical experience that we have here at Forest is rare and hard to find these days, and those skills make us capable of doing things that others might think impossible.

If you've been told NO by another company, ask us the question... You might get a different answer!

December 17, 2009:
A very wonderful Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Joyous Kwanzaa and all-around Happy Holidays to everyone! No matter what you celebrate, if anything, you can't help but feel the buzz in the air around this time.

Forest Computers will be closed December 24 and 25, 2009 and January 1, 2010. Otherwise regular hours apply.

If you're looking for those last-minute techy gifts, we stock a wide range of parts at very competitive prices for that do-it-yourselfer on your list. Stop in and see what we've got!

November 2, 2009:

Forest is very proud to have been a part of the production of "I Believe", a brilliant new oratorio written by Winnipeg's own Zane Zalis, based on the events of the Holocaust. For a review the CD of the live concert which is now available, please click here and for purchasing information click here.

There is clearly a chill in the air, and it is after Halloween, which of course means Christmas is on the way! The release of Windows 7 has been heralded as a huge success, and we've been very pleased with its performance. If you've been waiting on upgrading your aging computer, now's the time to do it with Forest - and do it with quality!

August 8, 2009:
Well, back to school time is almost upon us again. I've seen some school supply lists for Grade 9 and above that are now including a laptop as part of the standard supply list! Some companies are happy to sell you a laptop that is far more expensive than a student needs, AND will only provide you maybe 3-4 hours of battery life! What good is that?

The Asus EeePC 1005HA is a fantastic laptop that is rugged, fits perfectly in a backpack, AND has a WHOPPING 8.5 hours of battery life to get students through the full day without plugging in. At a price of $428.00 it is highly economical and can serve a student's needs perfectly. Call or e-mail us today!

June 22, 2009:
It would seem that summer has finally decided to grace us with her presence! Our summers may be short, but they sure are nice!

A little birdie told us today about a fantastic support resource for Microsoft Office. She's called The Crabby Office Lady and can be found here. It's got answers for features we didn't even know existed and much, much more!

We would also like to remind you that computers and electronics don't like dust very much - if a cooling fan gets clogged with dust, fur, or other airborne particles it makes it very diffcult for important components to get adequate cooling. Your computer can respond to overheat conditions in a variety of ways - from slowing down the processor to powering itself right off! It's a delicate procedure to clean the inside of a system so bring it to the experts at Forest for great service!

March 20, 2009:

We've got it! The Asus EeeTOP is on display at Forest Computers! This slim, powerful, touch-enabled computer is fantastic for anywhere a touch-PC could be used! Great for the office, at home, in restaurants, or for your two-year-old, this incredible machine from Asus is a clear sign of where computing is headed! Everything is included for $795! Order yours today! :)

March 2, 2009:
We're pleased to add Hansen Software, creators of the CASH+ Call Management package to our partners list! Please click on their link on the left to learn more about how they can help you track your phone usage - not just in the hospitality industry, but in law firms, actuarial firms, and so on! Anywhere where phone calls are tracked and billed out, you need their software! We're proud to be Hansen's premiere partner in the area and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.

January 7, 2009:
A very happy new year to all, and all the best for 2009! We look forward to serving our loyal customers with the latest and greatest technologies that the following year will bring. Look for hard drives upwards of 2TB in size, systems with 8GB of RAM becoming the norm, and vastly improved 64-Bit operating system support as the year goes on.

If you want your technology to amaze you again, give us a call... We guarantee that we can show you tricks you've never seen before! :)

December 3, 2008:
That special feeling is back in the air... Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Festivus, the decorations are out and the stores are crazy! With each passing year, technology becomes more and more popular as a gift - make sure you contact us for your high-end gear that is sure to impress even the most difficult person to buy for!

October 13, 2008:
Wow... Another Thanksgiving, another _horrible_ long weekend in Winnipeg! Pity those out camping one more time for the year! It's been a busy couple of months, hence the absence of an update. However, we have found a wonderful new tool that might help those trying to send large files by E-Mail! www.yousendit.com allows you to upload a large (up to 100MB) file to their servers and send a simple download link to the receiver. Since most ISPs worldwide limit their E-Mail receive size to 10MB, this is a simple alternative to getting your large files bounced back at you by upstream mail servers.

Also, new to the EeePC line is the EeeBox - a simple, small PC that can be bolted to the back of any standard LCD monitor, creating an instant all-in-one PC that has an effective zero desktop footprint! Click the EeePC link to the left to learn more!

July 28, 2008:
Summer is almost halfway over! Where has it gone? The hottest things this year are undoubtedly laptops - and ASUS is second to none on all fronts! To see what we have to offer of their exciting product line, visit their site here! They offer a complete two year warranty with all of their products, and full accidental damage coverage in the first year! Nobody can beat that! :)

May 24, 2008:
We've posted some new system specials - a little more mainstream this time - please check them out! Also, take a good, long look at the wonderful Asus EeePC - all the rage in Europe and Asia, it's finally making its presence known on Canadian soil! Click the link under our partners section to learn more about it.

Lastly, there have been issues reported by users of Norton Antivirus when installing Windows XP SP3. We recommend that users of Norton products do not install SP3 at this time until more information is released from Symantec and Microsoft.

April 9, 2008:
We're thrilled to be offering the oldest and best home theater technology around!! This is a new product for us and the response has been amazing! If you have a home theater, you MUST have this to complete your setup... There's just no question about it! Yours for only $298.00 plus shipping! And no, this is NOT a joke. :)

To place your order, call us at 204-956-6590!

March 24, 2008:
It's been a while since our last update! There's so many wonderful new things coming from Asus that we've had to dedicate a section of our site just to them! Look for its unveiling in the near future.

Also, we are STRONGLY suggesting that all users of Windows Vista DO NOT install Service Pack 1 at this time. Based on early results, there have been some serious issues with this update often resulting in non-functional systems that require invasive software repairs.

We'll be seeing the fallout from this for the next few weeks, and once we are satisfied that the major issues have been addressed, we'll have another update listed here.

Until then, enjoy the warmer weather!

January 24, 2008:
Happy New Year one and all! As we head into our lucky 13th year of business, we renew our commitment to our customers to use only the best of the best components available in our workstations and servers! We'll always back everything we sell and do with the greatest skill and service available, and we'll ALWAYS stay on the bleeding edge of upcoming technologies!

December 11, 2007:
AS we head into the home stretch before the holiday season hits, please we implore you all to carry the holiday spirit within you! It's easy to get frustrated with shopping and crowds and traffic... Just take a couple deep breaths and think of something wonderful! :)

Our hours for the holidays are as follows:

- Monday, December 24 through Wednesday December 26 - Closed

- Thursday, December 27 and Friday, December 28 - Normal Hours

- Monday, December 31 and Tuesday, January 1 - Closed

Normal hours resume Tuesday, January 2, 2008.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and/or all the best for the end of 2007 and beginning of 2008!

November 12, 2007:
We hope everyone took time out this weekend to reflect and remember everything that is near and dear to them, as well as the sacrifices made by many for our country.

We've posted a wonderful new special highlighting the amazing media capabilities of Windows Vista. With over 600 hours of recording capacity, our MicroStation Media Edition is sure to be a hit! Please click here to view the specs!

July 13, 2007:
Don't you just LOVE Friday the 13th? :)

If your IT provider has suddenly dropped off the face of the Earth (as has happened in the last couple of days to a rather large company here in Winnipeg) give us a chance to pick up where they left off! Contact us today for your FREE site evaluation! We also offer outstanding private web and e-mail hosting services.

Also, if you're putting together a home theater system, DON'T PAY BIG-BOX STORE CABLE PRICES! Often, we can get the same cables at a 90% discount, often resulting in a savings of $500 or more! When you're putting together your package, let us know what you've got for hardware and we'll tell you how to cable it!

January 9, 2007:
Happy New Year to all! This year promises to be an exciting one in technology! Convergence is accelerating and we're on the cutting edge, as we always have been. Televisions, phones, PDAs and other mobile devices are already talking to each other. As we move forward the divisions between traditional computers and devices with intelligence will melt away and all kinds of wonderful new uses for technology will surface! (can you tell we're excited? :)

As always, we'll be bringing the latest and best technologies to our customers first, with the expertise to back it up with service and support unmatched in the industry.

December 5, 2006:
We hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit! We have to keep each other warm in this deep freeze somehow!!

Sometimes, a truly unique piece of technology comes along... and as usual, Forest is the first to get it!! The all-new Asus R2H does EVERYTHING you could want - including the dishes - and is simply shockingly cool! There's too much to say so click here to have a look at the specs. You will be glad you did! To arrange a demo, please don't hesitate to contact us!

November 11, 2006:
We at Forest Computers join everyone in the nation in remembering and honouring those who serve and give their lives for their country.

We are thrilled to be sponsoring Polar Bears International as they work in cooperation with Frontiers North, Tundra Buggies and National Geographic to bring live images of the Polar Bear migration to the web! Please visit their website to learn more about this fantastic endeavour!

September 24, 2006:
As another summer draws to a close, we being to button up for another cold, relentless Winnipeg Winter. :) And yet WE smile, because it brings users back to their keyboards and we're ready to attack all your upgrade and support needs as we have always done!

A member of our staff happened across a very interesting article we'd like to share at Wikipedia - click here to view information on how failed or damaged capacitors can and do affect many electronic devices.

We'll have those new system specials posted shortly, as well as a FANTASTIC ForestBook offer! Check back soon!

August 13, 2006:
We're thrilled to be part of the next generation of computing technology! Once again, Intel has pushed the envelope with the release of its Core 2 Duo(tm) processors this past Thursday. This chips promise and deliver everything - faster computing, lower power consumption and lower heat generation without additional cost! This means two things - AMAZING savings on Pentium-D processors for the next while and incredible new systems coming out on desktop, mobile AND server platforms. We'll be updating our system specials much more regularly to keep up with these changes.

July 3, 2006:
We hope everybody is having a FANTASTIC Canada Day weekend! The weather, for ONCE has been outstanding!! We'd also like to wish a very happy Independence Day to our partners and customers in the United States. We'll be updating our system specials with some fresh deals in the next couple of days.

Something important has come to our attention. Companies registered in Canada have been receiving Internet domain renewal notices in the mail from a company called "Domain Registry of Canada." This is a PHISHING SCAM. DO NOT, under ANY circumstances, provide them with any information or sign their documents. They are trying to hijack domain names all across the country and are charging ridiculous amounts for the registration. Also, if you end up locked-in with them, it is EXTREMELY difficult to get your domain name back, as they transfer ownership to themselves. If you have ANY concerns at all about your domain registration, please contact your hosting provider right away.

May 8, 2006:
Happy 11th anniversary to us!! Forest Computers has been serving you for eleven years now, and we once again thank all our customers who have made our longevity possible. Anyone who knows this industry knows that this is quite an accomplishment!

To that end, we promise to continue doing exactly what has allowed us to be around so long - providing honesty, quality and a commitment to service unparalleled in the industry.

We've updated our system specials for the months of May and June - please have a look at them - there's a real shocker in there!

February 23, 2006:
We've updated the system specials to include the new ForestBook(tm) Duo! This system performs like a desktop - and then some! Check it out today!

February 2, 2006:
We'd like to announce the creation of a new division within Forest - our all-new A/V department! Please go to our A/V announcement to read all about it!

January 30, 2006:
Welcome to our new home in Cyberspace!

We hope you enjoy our new website! The clean, new interface will make it easier to find exactly what you're looking for from our on-line offerings. We will be adding fresh new content to the site as we get everything tuned up. For now, please look around and feel free to send your feedback to the Forest.on.Line team here.

January 3, 2006
Happy New Year! We've been a little lax with our web updates recently as we're focusing our efforts on getting our new website up and running. :) We're extremely pleased with the new design and we hope to unveil it very soon.

In this coming year, we resolve to continue to serve our customers as we always have - that's what keeps them (and you!) coming back. Let's make it a great 2006!

November 3, 2005
With the proliferation of wireless networks, security becomes a very great concern. Only about half of the people that buy wireless equipment secure it properly! This can leave you wide open to hacking and electronic theft of your important data. Contact our experts today to help you secure your company!

August 17, 2005
It is amazing how many people run their systems - and STILL have no backup of any kind! All it takes is a surge, bump or mechanical failure and your precious pictures are gone forever. We have an innovative new backup solution that does not rely on tapes or even optical media - it is lightning fast and secure. For more information, please contact us today at ebiz@forestcomputers.com.

If you're looking for the best in reliable, experienced on-site service - look no further than Forest. Others claim that they're #1 in service, but only we can back it up - all our business comes from happy customers referring us to their friends and colleagues, and we can't thank them enough. Even if you're happy with your current service provider, give us a try - we'll do our best to change your mind!

June 23, 2005
Our heartfelt thanks go out to SeeReal Technologies and MVE for allowing us the honour of working with them at the AAPG conference in Calgary this week.

There's so many wonderful things that NEED 3D visualization! We're forging new partnerships with MVE (4DVista), Mercury-TGS (amira), DDD Technologies (TriDef DVD Player) and Austin GeoModeling (Recon). As the only reseller in Canada of SeeReal's product line, we're thrilled to represent such exciting software that takes full advantage of what a 3D display can do! It truly clarifies what you're looking at!

We will be holding an extensive number of demonstrations in the coming months - initial response to the demonstrations we have already done has been incredible! As always, for more information please e-mail seereal@forestcomputers.com.

May 24, 2005
We hope everyone had a fun and relaxing Victoria Day long weekend. :)

As mentioned above, Forest Computers is celebrating its 10th anniversary! This is definitely an achievement in our industry - we have seen many other companies come and go in this time. However, our customers can rest assured that we'll be around for many more years, and we'll keep right on the bleeding edge of technology as we always have.

We're not having a big anniversary sale, or some big huge party, but what we are doing is renewing our promise to our customers, to continue to uphold our values - honesty, quality and a committment to service!

April 25, 2005
Our thanks goes out to Paul Turenne of the Winnipeg Sun for the fantastic writeup in this past Saturday's paper. He was one of the lucky people to view the SeeReal Cn 3D monitor in the flesh last Friday - we think he was a little impressed. :) To read the article, please visit this link. We will be starting our demo shows very shortly - please stay tuned for more information.

Also, we're delighted to welcome Nathaniel Berschley MacLellan to our staff! He will be taking over for Craig Shyjak who will be leaving us shortly to continue his studies. We wish him well!

April 12, 2005
It's everything they said it was, and more! The first 3D Display in Canada from SeeReal Technologies (model Cn) has made it across the pond intact, and more importantly, to our office! Imagine seeing images floating in space in front of you... Playing games and watching video with depth, not knowing where the surface of the screen is...

As the premiere reseller in Canada of this incredible new technology we will be offering fully configured systems as well as individual displays for sale. We are also forging new partnerships with DDD Software, Mercury-TGS and others to provide our customers with the best 3D software on the market pre-configured and ready to go. On the gaming side, one of the best pieces of simulation software is X-Plane by Laminar Research. They have kindly provided us with their software so it can be seen the way it was meant to be seen!

If you would like more information, please e-mail us here. Also, visit www.seereal.com to learn more about this fantastic product. We'll also have a press release up shortly - stay tuned for that. :)

March 17, 2005
Happy St. Patrick's day to everyone! :) At least our website won't get pinched... Just a quick reminder that Forest Computers will be closed on Good Friday (March 25) and Easter Monday (March 28).

Also, we are thrilled to announce that our Forest.On.Line services will now be hosted at Group Telecom! Their state-of-the-art colocation facility downtown will provide our customers with enhanced reliability and speed, and will provide us with room to grow as our bandwidth needs increase. We're looking forward to this transition, which will occur during the day on Friday, March 25. Intermittently throughout the day web sites and E-Mail may be unavailable. We plan to have the transition completed very quickly early in the day and will advise our customers via e-mail when it is in fact complete.

February 2, 2005
Happy Groundhog Day one and all! Apparently we're headed for 6 more weeks of winter, but if it's going to be anything like the last week or so, we'll take it! :)

If you're looking for experienced, highly qualified technicians to whip your office into shape, check us out! Our reputation is second to none and we can handle anything - large or small! We guarantee our work and we know you'll be pleased with our service. Contact us today to book a complimentary site review!

Our ForestBook line of notebook PCs has become quite popular! We now have several configurations to choose from - you can customize your own machine exactly how you want it! All are fully Centrino(tm) enabled and prices start around $1,700 for a machine with up to 7 hours of battery life! Contact us today or come in and see what they're made of! Our system specials are also updated for February and March.

January 7, 2005
Happy New Year one and all! New year, new viruses! Using wonderful new managed technologies from Trend Micro we can protect all your corporate network workstations AND servers for $33 PER UNIT! That's a pittance to pay for up-to-date, centrally managed anti-virus and anti-spam capabilities. For more information about this (and anything!) e-mail us here.

December 16, 2004
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa and the best of this holiday season to you and yours, and health and prosperity to all in 2005!

Forest will be closed on Friday December 24, Monday December 27 and Friday December 31. We will be open our normal hours with those two exceptions.

We have two announcements this update. First, please welcome Matthew Leitch to our team! He will be heading up our sales department, so please feel free to contact him with any of your needs. Also, as with any large earth-shattering project we have a slight delay in starting our SeeReal Technologies demonstration shows. Due to a backorder situation with some components of the new displays we are anticipating a start time near the middle of February. Don't worry - it WILL be worth the wait!

November 24, 2004
We FINALLY have the System Specials area back up and running! It will be updated bi-monthly or if there is a large change in price.

We are also thrilled to announce that we have just been approved by Macromedia to resell any and all of their educational products! If you have academic Macromedia needs, please contact us for very competitive pricing.

November 9, 2004
Well, we may not have had much of a summer but winter's sure starting off great! In under two months Forest Computers will be holding the first of our SeeReal Technologies events! We're extremely excited about this new technology and we're sure you will be impressed.

Our experience at the CompTIA Solutions Provider event last month was fantastic - we were able to forge new partnerships with companies to provide our customers with wonderful new system management and recovery technology from Phoenix Technologies as well as better access to security and anti-virus licensing from Trend Micro. Please contact us if you have any needs in these areas - we promise it will be worth your time!

October 5, 2004
Reporting to you from the CompTIA Solutions Provider event in fabulous Halifax, Nova Scotia we are pleased to announce that earlier today a partnership was finalized between SeeReal Technologies and Forest Computers! We are one of only TWO resellers in North America to be representing their product.

About that product - let's just say that there's never been anything like it! Please visit www.seereal.com to learn more. You will be shocked - we promise. :) Please contact us for more information at Forest E-Biz. We will be organizing demonstrations in major Canadian cities early next year - this is something that must be seen to be believed!

We will have more news about the CompTIA event in our next update. Check back soon!

September 3, 2004
Have you ever wondered how much time the users in your organization are spending on the Internet? Moreover, do you wonder where all that spyware is coming from or where all that e-mail is going? For as little as $899, you can outfit your company with one of the most advanced logging, reporting firewall solutions around! The SonicWall TZW series offers all this including a fantastic VPN solution for your remote users and built-in WiFiSec secure wireless access! This is an incredible system for less than $1,000 and in our opinion it slaughters comparable solutions from Cisco and WatchGuard hands down! For more information or a quote for your organization, please e-mail ebiz@forestcomputers.com.

August 18, 2004
Summer (whatever we had of it...) is drawing to a close once again. Time is running out to get your computer running in tip-top shape before the school year starts up. For professional services including virus removal, system optimization and spyware protection see us today! If you're considering an upgrade or new system, come down and see what we have to offer - the best technology solutions around!

July 27, 2004
At Forest Computers, we always say that we use the best products in the world. Once again we can prove it - on all Seagate hard drives sold from now on, a full 5 year parts warranty is included. We have been using Seagate hard drives exclusively now for a long time, and they are definitely capable of backing up this new industry-leading warranty. If there's one item in your system you don't want to cheap out on, it's the hard drive - where all your irreplaceable pictures, memories and data is stored. Our systems aren't the cheapest out there, and never will be - but our prices are also not outrageous! Contact us today to find out how you can get the best quality, warranty and services without breaking the bank.

July 9, 2004
More congratulations are in order! Fran's (our service manager!) wife Emily gave birth yesterday to a healthy baby girl! Our best wishes to them and their new daughter! Needless to say, Fran will be away for a bit and Craig will be filling in for him during this time.

June 24, 2004
Our congratulations go out to Mayor-Elect Sam Katz! Forest is proud to have supported his campaign and we're thrilled to see him take Winnipeg's corner office! Also, we welcome Chris Preston (chris@forestcomputers.com) to our technical team! Chris brings with him many years of experience and fresh ideas that will turn into great solutions for our customers. Finally, if you're looking to stop pop-ups effectively without worrying about the quality of the software you're using, visit www.google.ca and select the "more" option. Download and install their Google Toolbar which includes a comprehensive pop-up blocker that won't screw up your system! We've seen very good results with it, and in this day and age, minimizing the pop-ups will help keep your system running well!

June 6, 2004
We are thrilled to announce that we have completed the infrastructure upgrades at CanadInns Stadium! We have refitted the entire stadium with state-of-the-art Fiber Optics that will serve all the Blue Bombers' data and A/V needs well into the future. We are very proud to be providing infrastructure services and support to all three of our major sports teams - the Goldeyes, Blue Bombers and Manitoba Moose! For all your large-scale networking, VPN or infrastrucure needs, Forest is your one-stop-shop!

May 19, 2004
We have a few announcements! Michelle Stewner and Brian Obirek have left the Forest. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors. Replacing Michelle is Wayne Rutledge (wayne@forestcomputers.com) and taking over for Brian is Sean Chittock (sean@forestcomputers.com) from the River East Collegiate CIP Program. We welcome them to our family!

Also, Forest is pleased to announce that we have added CanadInns Stadium to our wiring portfolio! Along with our wiring of CanWest Global Park and many other projects large and small it proves beyond any doubt that we can handle any infrastructure job, start to finish, within your budget! Contact us today for any of your infrastructure needs!

April 27, 2004
Forest is hiring! We are currently looking for sales staff. The successful applicant will posess a good knowledge of higher-end computer components which we specialize in. Please submit your resume in confidence via e-mail to janet@forestcomputers.com or via fax to 204-956-6595. No phone calls please - we will contact the applicants directly after reviewing the resumes.

February 25, 2004
A lot has happened! First of all, Forest is thrilled to have been part of the Rainbow Stage 50-Year Anniversary CD project. This CD covers the music and talent of Rainbow Stage over the past 50 years and does it with style! We will be selling the CDs at Forest for $20 in the near future, and ALL proceeds from CD sales go straight back to Rainbow!

Next, we are pleased to announce a great expansion to our ForestBook line! Now available in ultra-compact 12.1", standard 14", larger 15" and AWESOME 15.4" WIDESCREEN versions, we can build to suit your exact tastes! Optical options will now include everything from CD-ROM through multi-format DVD+-RW and everything in between. Wireless-B and -G modules will also be available. Stay tuned for pictures of these new monster machines!!

Lastly... You know all those viruses going around? Well, if you're already a Forest.on.Line customer you sure don't... After the onslaught of viruses like MyDoom and the recent NetSky outbreak, we can still report ZERO PASS-THROUGH since our inception! Find out today what hosting by Forest.on.Line can do for you (besides keep you completely virus-free!)

February 3, 2004
Thanks to the folks at CompTIA for having us at Mont Tremblant for their yearly System Builder Breakaway event! A fantastic time was had by all. Stay tuned for more information on the AMD 64 platform once we complete some benchmark testing of it! One of our easy favourites was the 6TB array in a 5U rack space... Incredible! This was achieved with SATA technology and 24 250GB hard drives. We can build these quite easily using the technologies recently released. For any massive, reliable data storage requirements, please contact us!

January 19, 2004
Happy New Year!!

A couple items... First, we are pleased to announce we have augmented our Forest.on.Line services with the addition of a web designer to our team! She is fully qualified in a large number of methods and an accomplished artist! If you would like more information on these new services, please e-mail ebiz@forestcomputers.com. Secondly, we are pleased to welcome a "host" of clients to Forest.on.Line! With our client's permission, we will be soon publishing a link and referral page so you can easily link to our Forest.on.Line client sites via our main page. We look forward to serving all our clients in the new year as we always have in te past - with honesty, quality and a committment to service!

December 8, 2003
Great news!! Our new Ultra-High-Speed line for Forest.on.Line has finally been installed and validated! Our customers will now enjoy up to 5x greater bandwidth from our servers (at no additional cost) - just our way of saying Thanks! Also, Forest Computers has gone Mac! We are able to procure any Apple components or systems you desire, like the new ultra-powerful G5 or systems based on Max OS X Server. E-Mail ebiz@forestcomputers.com for more information. Finally, our holiday hours are as follows:

December 24 - 9:00am to 2:00pm
December 25 - 28 inclusive - CLOSED
December 29 and 30 - 9:00am - 5:30pm
December 31 - 9:00am - 2:00pm
Thursday, January 1 2004 - CLOSED

Regular hours resume January 2, 2004. We wish everyone a safe, enjoyable and prosperous holiday season and a happy new year!

November 8, 2003
Forest Computers will be closed Tuesday, November 11 for the observance of Remembrance Day. Please take a few moments to remember those that have gone before us so that we may enjoy a better quality of life today.

On a lighter note, Forest Computers is now an authorized reseller of QuietPC products! From AirCooler to Zalman we've got 'em all! We will post a price list on our site in the near future. For all you mod needs, come see us!

October 24, 2003
Our new Forest.on.Line server is now up and running! The capacity and speed are outstanding, and we're looking at October 29 for the installation of our 5Mbit line. This will further improve the service we are able to provide to our customers. We thank everyone for their patience during the upgrades on the 17th. If you have any questions about our services, please e-mail us!

October 4, 2003
In the world of IT, we are your one-stop-shop! The only thing you need to know about Forest Computers is that We Do IT All! Anything, anywhere, anytime - all you need to do is ask! We service any and all models in our shop - our technical staff is second to none. If we can't service it ourselves, we know who can - we have partnered with local business and two massive service networks (VentureTech and the Ingram Micro Service Network) to ensure that our customers get the best solution possible. We do _any_ on-site work you can imagine - cabling, disaster recovery, integration, solution development, massive storage (>1TB), VPN/WAN, network design - the list goes on and on. We have implemented services coast-to-coast-to-coast - we know our stuff! Then there's Forest.on.Line - the premiere business web solution... Integrated head-end anti-virus, anti-spam, webmail, stats tracking and proven reliability - all at a price that will shock you! For $20 monthly plus $2.50 per e-mail account you get everything you need! If you want to know more about _anything_, e-mail ebiz@forestcomputers.com and we'll develop a solution tailored to _your_ needs - everything you require, nothing you don't.

September 3, 2003
Our hours have changed! Please note that we will now be open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm and closed on Saturday and Sunday. We hope these new hours will help us better serve our clients!

August 22, 2003
We are thrilled to announce that NONE of our Forest.on.Line customers have been affected by any of these latest viruses - because we use the same protection on our customers as we use ourselves! By having your website and e-mail hosted at Forest, you get state-of-the-art Anti-Virus, Anti-Spam, GroupWare and WebMail capabilities that are second to none! We have any and all features you could want, AND just by being a Forest.on.Line customer you get to speak directly to the engineer handling the entire system - no subordinates or flunkies here! Any features we don't have - we'll install! Oh - one more important thing - we rely on the very same servers internally at Forest, so if something does go down you can bet we'll get it back up real quick! Get a transfer quote from us today - you won't regret it - and the price WILL surprise you. :)

August 12, 2003
It's almost time to start thinking about going back to class! Where has the summer gone? Today's student needs a mobile solution that has enough battery life to make it through a day of classes. Enter the new ForestBook line of notebook computers! They've been selling like crazy - and why not! With up to 7 HOURS of battery life and performance like a desktop system, they're the perfect solution no matter what your intentions are. Based on Intel's new Centrino platform, they include everything you might need - USB 2.0, Infrared, IEEE1394 (FireWire), 802.11b wireless LAN - the list goes on! Contact us today so we can build one just for you!

July 15, 2003
Summer's here and it's time for an upgrade! :) When it's raining outside and there's nothing to do - rather than become frustrated at your computer that may not be running up to snuff, drop it by Forest for a clean-up, diagnostic and upgrade analysis. You'll be surprised how a little TLC for your system goes a long way - just like an oil change on your car! Also, if you're looking for a machine to do some word processing or just surf the 'net, we have a selection of used systems from time to time - it's first come, first served so stop by often to see what we have!

Special Edition
EMERGENCY NOTICE: A virus known as MSBLAST has begun to hit with great force. Check out http://www.antivirus.com for more information. This virus can affect and attack systems using Windows NT, 2000 or XP. You are being attacked (but not necessarily infected) if you get a message from NT AUTHORITY that states your system is going to be shut down. To check if you are infected, hit CTRL-ALT-DEL and look in your Task List (or Processes) for "msblast" - if you find it, follow the removal instructions at http://www.antivirus.com. To prevent this from attacking your system, do all the critical Windows Updates and update your anti-virus software.

From July/03
More now then ever, it is very important that you watch what e-mails you open... It is too easy to mistake SPAM or a virus for a legitimate message. Once you click it, you're very often too late to do anything about it. One great way to combat viruses is to turn off your Preview Pane in Outlook or Outlook Express. To do this in Outlook Express, go to the View menu and select Layout. Uncheck "Show Preview Pane" and click OK. In Outlook, simply go to the View menu and deselct Preview Pane. We should all do our part to curb the proliferation of SPAM! :)

Also, many thanks to WiBand (www.wiband.com) for our fantastic new backbone connection at Forest. Rain, snow or hail we'll always be on-line, and so will our Forest.on.Line customers! With headend anti-virus, anti-spam, and state-of-the-art GroupWare and WebMail capability, we're your one-stop-shop hosting solution that doesn't care who provides you with your Internet connection! If your site goes down, chances are we'll still be up, and your e-mail will still get where it belongs! Check out our Forest.on.Line offerings today!

June 26, 2003
The Forest will be closed on Monday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 1 in celebration of Canada Day! Take some time off and take it easy, but be safe doing it! :) Also, we have some more fantastic news! As of June 27 all of our Forest.on.Line customers will enjoy new, faster downstream speeds from our server - at -no- additional charge! We've upgraded our connection to the Internet by over double the bandwidth! It's our way of giving back to our customers who have been with us since the beginning!

June 12, 2003
We have something new and exciting to share with you! The ForestBook line of notebook computers has arrived! Based on Intel's new Centrino technology, our ForestBooks are lighter, faster and have longer battery life than any laptop that has previously existed! At under an inch in thickness and weighing in at less than 5 pounds, this is a sleek little unit! With a 14.1" screen, DVD/CD-RW, FireWire, infrared, USB 2.0, AND 802.11b wireless built-in, it's loaded for anything you want to do. Oh - by the way, did we mention a battery life of up to 7 HOURS? :) You can expect to get 4.5 - 5 hours normally, but if you really need it you can stretch it out. We have one on display - come and check it out! Pricing and options are available in the system specials area.

May 27, 2003
We're having a sale (yes, a sale!!) We have a selection of used systems available to take home immediately starting at $299! We also have a used laptop available which includes the Logitech TrackMan Live - the perfect wireless presentation tool! Come in and check it out. We also have a large selection of Cellular Accessories - faceplates, cases, batteries - every single item is priced at $5.95!! Doesn't matter what it is - take it for $5.95! Come on down and check us out!

May 1, 2003
Sales of our Forest µStation series continue to grow! If you want to see what it's all about, stop in today. On a sadder note, we bid farewell to one of our senior sales staff, Jeff Smart. Many of our customers have dealt with him in the past, and he will be missed by staff and customers alike. We wish him well in his future endeavours. On May 5, we welcome Michelle Stewner into the Forest family, who will be taking over for Jeff. We know she will serve our customers well!

April 10, 2003
Forest is thrilled to be sponsoring and judging at this year's Skills Canada I.T. competition, occuring today at Red River College. Good luck to all the competitors!

We are now able to offer FULL GROUPWARE SERVICES via our Forest.on.Line servers! Any of our current customers can take advantage of the full functionality of Exchange Server at a fraction of the cost! Secure, reliable access to your calendar and e-mail from anywhere on the planet and full IMAP and syncronization integration with Outlook 98 and above is now available! E-Mail ebiz@forestcomputers.com if you are interested.

Forest is also very pleased to be sponsoring an event that will change many views about music education in schools! Hosted by none other than Zane Zalis of Miles Macdonell Collegiate, it will be a day filled with the best that current music technology has to offer! For contact information please e-mail ebiz@forestcomputers.com.

April 1, 2003
This is no April Fool... The Forest µStation is a huge hit! Small... Cool... Quiet... Quick... Inexpensive (not cheap)... The list goes on, and on, and on... :) For a price tag under $1,000 you're getting a Pentium 4 2.4GHz system, built with the best the world has to offer and you STILL have the ability to upgrade!! IT'S NOT PROPRIETARY!! Designed to be available in-stock all the time, you can come in and walk out with one in one quick stop. With our competitive in-stock monitor options and system upgrades you can complete your µStation in one shot. Come see the simple little machine that's big on power today!

Building on the success of the µStation, we are pleased to offer the OStation (OmegaStation) - a system designed for ultimate gaming AND digital content creation! This system has absolutely everything you need (including a camcorder!) to create your own DVD movies. Having everything in one bundle means you save hundreds of dollars! Check out the impressive specs in our System Specials area.

March 14, 2003
Nvidia has released the GeForce FX series of graphics cards... and so begins the "Dawn" of Cinematic Computing. There has never been anything like it - and the performance slaughters its nearest competitor in every category. We should have our first taste of the fantastic new product in the near future - we will be sure to offer up our review of it as soon as we can! Also, we will be putting together new pre-built workstations based on feedback from our corporate customers. Branded as a ready-to-go solution, our Forest µStation (MicroStation) series will be perfect for home or office! Check out its specs under the "System Specials" area - it's small, quiet, and ultra-fast! Finally, if you want to see how you can hold your entire office in the palm of your hand - in real-time - e-mail ebiz@forestcomputers.com to arrange a time for a free demonstration. You will not believe what is now possible.

February 7, 2003
We at Forest Computers join with the rest of the world in remembering the lives lost in the multiple tragedies of the past 2 weeks. Our thoughts are with their families as they mourn their loss.

We do have something to celebrate however - we welcome Alissa Gill, the newest member of the Forest family. Swing on by and say Hi! Alissa will be taking over for Shelley Neumann as she begins her maternity leave. We wish her well!

January 14, 2003
Forest Computers is extremely proud and honoured to announce that we have been appointed Canada's newest member to the Ingram Micro National Services Network! The NSN is a North America-Wide network of service professionals with a 24/7 central call center to handle critical enterprise needs. Forest will be representing the central Canada region servicing East Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

We couldn't have received this appointment without the support and recommendations of our valued customers - thank you very much! We will continue to support all customers - new and old - with the same values as Forest was founded on and the NSN holds in high regard: honesty, quality and an unparalleled commitment to service.

January 4, 2003
Another year has begun! We hope everyone got off on the right foot. We certainly did - there will be an announcement coming up in two weeks that we are extremely proud of. Stay tuned! Also, wireless network equipment has fallen into a very affordable price range. We will be starting to stock certain wireless items - we will post pricing in our catalog this coming week.

December 3, 2002
A lot of major industry analysts are predicting that this will be a very slow December in the computer industry... Let's prove them wrong!! Come in to Forest Computers for all your business and personal Information Technology needs. If you want to guarantee that you are on the absolute bleeding edge of technology, be it truly mobile computing or the best gaming machine money can buy, trust the pros at Forest.

November 9, 2002
Forest Computers will be closed on Monday, November 11 for the observance of Rememberance Day. Please take time to stop and reflect on those who gave their lives in times of conflict, as well as to remember those innocents needlessly slaughtered in acts of violence.

November 1, 2002
We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and Halloween! We apologize for the delay in the updates, but our webmaster just got married. :) For those of you who know him, wipe that shocked look off your face.

We have some great news! Due to popular demand, beginning November 4 our on-site appointments will be available beginning at 9:00am instead of 10:00. This will only apply to certain technicians and bookings and will be available on a by-request basis. Largely, this is to better accomodate any clients requiring emergency service first thing in the morning.

September 27, 2002
As of October 1 2002, all major hard drive manufacturers (Seagate, Western Digital, Maxtor, IBM) have all announced that all standard IDE desktop drives will carry a 1 YEAR warranty. This applies to all manufacturers and computer distributors. Any systems purchased previous to this will carry the original warranty as stated. Since the industry has made this change, it is even more critical to ensure you purchase a quality brand of hard drive with a proven track record. This is why Forest Computers has chosen to partner with Seagate - a drive manufacturer with a proven track record of quality, reliability and performance.

September 16, 2002
We have posted updated information in our Technical Support section about Forest.in.Flight! Please check it out if you need our expert service in a hurry and are located greater than 200km from Winnipeg. Also, if your company is looking to join multiple sites - be they across the city or around the world, Forest has the hardware and expertise to carry it out flawlessly! Using only the best security and tunneling software and equipment, our experienced technicians will design and implement a fast, secure, virus-protected WAN VPN solution that is second to none. E-Mail ebiz@forestcomputers.com today for your own customized quotation.

September 9, 2002
We at Forest Computers would like to join everyone around the globe in expressing our sympathies to the victims of the terrorist attacks on the United States almost one year ago. Let those individuals who lost their lives never be forgotten, and let us always remember the sacrifices of the rescue workers who gave their all on that dreadful day and in the days following.

September 4, 2002
As another school year begins, I'm sure more and more parents have been hearing "We need a new computer!" Very fast technology is quite inexpensive now, and if you've been considering upgrading now is the time to check things out! Multiple systems in the home are becoming quite common and we know how to make the best use of shared resources like printers, Internet access, and storage space. One system for the parents and one for the kids will ensure that your accounting data and personal files are not corrupted by games, MP3 downloads and viruses! Come down and see us for your own customized quote or get your price on-line with our always up-to-date quoting system!

August 1, 2002
A few announcements - first of all, we are very pleased to announce that our primary supplier of hard drives is now Seagate. We will continue to sell and support Western Digital and IBM, but we have switched our primary supplier for a variety of reasons. We will be stocking and using the Barracuda IV series of drives - please visit www.seagate.com to learn more about their products and services.

Secondly, if you would like to see one of the most brilliant mobile solutions for computing ever developed, please contact support@forestcomputers.com to arrange a demonstration. Imagine totally wireless FULL Internet access including terminal services from anywhere...

Lastly, it's important to remember that your computer needs regular maintenance just like your car - to keep it in its top running condition. We recommend having your system cleaned and serviced every 6 months. For $40, we will scan your system for viruses, optimize its performance, check your software, and clean the dust out of your system. We can also advise you on any upgrades that might be a good idea, as well as how far you can go with your current system. Bring it on down - no appointment necessary! :)

July 15, 2002
Things are returning to normal around here... :) We hope everyone is enjoying their summer. We will be updating our product catalog and system configurator shortly to include the new 533MHz Front-Side Bus motheboards from Asus. This technology enables current speeds up to 2.53GHz and beyond - pretty soon we will see processors rise beyond 3GHz. Pair this technology with the GeForce4 4400 or 4600 video card and watch your system easily slaughter the 11,000 mark on 3DMark2001 SE! Please contact us for more information.

July 1, 2002
Happy Birthday Canada! We hope everyone is enjoying this holiday weekend. Forest will be closed on Monday, July 1. Please note that we will be short-staffed until Monday July 8 - one person's vacation and another's honeymoon have coincided. Our congratulations to Fran Pagtakhan, our senior technical support analyst who was married on June 29. Have a great trip Fran! Many of you also know our office manager Janet Jacobson - she will be on vacation until Monday, July 15. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

June 21, 2002
We have two housekeeping announcements. Robert Zalewski, one of our long-time technicians is moving on in his career. We wish him all the best and good luck in his future endeavours. Replacing him we welcome Brian Obirek, fresh out of the CIP Program at River East Collegiate. Also, several new strategic partnerships have gained us access to new Audio/Video product lines not previously available to systems integrators. Please stay tuned for news about the Forest AudioStation and VideoStation projects!

June 5, 2002
Ahh, mobile.forestcomputers.com is garnering rave reviews from everyone who sees it! It seems that we're truly the first on this front - mobile, real-time parts pricing to your wireless device! We've also got a direct link that you can link to from your WAP-Enabled phone - just bookmark it! It's http://mobile.forestcomputers.com/app/catmenu.htm - this will get you directly to our product search and stock items. Please note - the pricing is updated daily!

May 28, 2002
At long, long last... Welcome to the bleeding edge of the 21st century! mobile.forestcomputers.com is ready to go! Now, with your cell phone, Pocket PC, H/PC Pro, or Palm, you can have access to real-time, up-to-date pricing on our stock... AND ANY ITEM YOU CARE TO SEARCH FOR. Get a price in your car, at the park, whenever (and wherever) curiousity strikes you, think mobile.forestcomputers.com for your answer!

May 22, 2002
We are nearly complete with the creation of our newest on-line offering... Keep checking back often for the release! Don't forget that Forest is your complete one-stop-shop for all your technology needs - from cabled and wireless networks to workstations, software and most importantly - SERVICE, we can do it all, at reasonable, fair prices and on your budget. Please check us out for all your ROGERS wireless needs as well - we know how to make the technology work for you!

April 19, 2002
Wow! What a trip! Our thanks to CompTIA and Mont Tremblant, Quebec for a fantastic System Builder Breakaway. All the vendors were there, from Asus to Western Digital, and we got a chance to speak to them all. As usual, there's bigger, better, faster, cheaper technology on the horizon - and as you've come to expect, we at Forest will be on the bleeding edge of it! (If only we could get Bluetooth cell phones... c'mon everyone - call Rogers customer service and start begging!) Just kidding - but once we do get them, wireless fully-functional Internet can truly be placed at your fingertips, anywhere. Stay tuned for more information on the new technologies available, and the much-anticipated release of Forest's newest on-line offering - it's so secret, we aren't going to even hint at what it is until it's up! :)

March 26, 2002
Finally at long last, spring seems to be arriving! With Spring comes the CompTIA System Builder's Breakaway Conference which Forest is proud to be attending. This year in Mont Tremblant, we will once again have the opportunity to voice our opinions directly to the manufacturers - Asus, Samsung, Western Digital and Nvidia are part of an extensive list of vendors that are attending this year. Look for our report on new and exciting things when our representatives return on April 11.

February 28, 2002
Has your company "elected" a staff member to handle your IS/IT needs? Are YOU that member? Tired of doing two jobs? Look no further! Hire our experienced technical staff to visit you once a week, once a month, or whenever you need! Make a list, check it twice, submit it to us and feel your problems disappear! Contact us at support@forestcomputers.com today! If you perchance have no troubleshooting needs for your next scheduled appointment, we offer on-site training sessions in a variety of areas. Please contact the above address to discuss your specific needs as we quote only on a session-by-session basis.

February 18, 2002
Forest will now be closed on both Saturday and Sunday until further notice. Our regular hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 6:00pm. The NVidia GeForce4 has been released! We are eagerly anticipating testing this new breakthrough in video technology. We will post our benchmark results as soon as they are available.

February 14, 2002
Happy Valentine's Day! Do something special for your loved ones today! Please be advised that our System Specials will be taken off-line indefinitely, as market prices are fluctuating daily. Please use our "Build Your Own" section to custom configure a system tailored to your needs. This will also allow you to obtain the most recent pricing possible.

January 30, 2002
We finally took down our Christmas decorations. :( Please remember to visit Windows Update often - there are critical updates coming out all the time to solve issues with various operating systems and programs. Also, we have several NEC 15" LCD screens available for sale at $598.00 each! Come on down and pick one up today! The picture quality is incredible!

January 25, 2002
Forest Computers will be at the Winnipeg Arena this weekend for the Manitoba Moose Hockey Club Charity Carnival. Please come out and visit us, and most importantly, support the kids! As per usual, this is our periodic reminder to make sure you keep your anti-virus software up-to-date. There is no end to the viruses out there lately.

January 17, 2002
Service Advisory: ZoneAlarm has been causing irreparable damage to Windows XP systems. Windows XP has a built-in firewall which is more than effective if you are concerned about unauthorized intrusion into your systems. Please do not install ZoneAlarm on your system - damages caused by it will not be covered by any warranty.

January 7, 2002
We extend our best wishes for peace, happiness and prosperity to you and yours in this new year! Our apologies - our On-Line Quoting System was down over the weekend for updating. It's back up now, and better than ever! Finally, if you're a corporation looking for the best service in the industry, give us a try! We do it all - from servers and workstations to cabling to after-sales support, Forest is your one-stop-shop!

December 27, 2001
We hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season, and all the best to our customers in the new year! Good news - Forest will be open Saturdays until further notice! Our hours over the next few days are as follows - 9:30am to 6:00pm Thursday and Friday, 9:30am to 5:00pm Saturday, Closed Sunday, 9:30am to 2:00pm Monday, Closed Tuesday, and regular hours resume on Wednesday, January 2, 2002.

December 19, 2001
A couple items of note... First - we are now an authorized reseller of Samsung Consumer Electronics! This means we can order ANY product from Samsung - from 50 inch HDTVs to DVD players to VCRs to Microwaves, we can get it all! Samsung has a reputation for being a premiere brand in the industry. Visit their website at www.samsung.ca and visit us to make your next purchase! Here's the best part - obtain the latest price ON-LINE in our product catalog! Just use the advanced search and enter the description you're looking for - ie. "Samsung DVD." Second, it has been brought to our attention that there is a Typo in the "Forest Computers" link in our Windows ME preload. While our homepage opens normally when it is entered, the entry in the Favorites list is misspelled. Please remove and re-create the entry - we apologize for any inconvenience!

December 15, 2001
We're into the home stretch! Christmas is almost here. This is a quick reminder that Forest will only be open one more Saturday - the 22nd. After this, we will be closed Saturdays again. We will also be closed from the 23rd to the 26th, inclusive. Also, be forewarned... If you install any of these applications - KaZaa, New.Net Names, Webhancer, CNBabe, SaveNow, Gator or OfferCompanion, you will most likely crash your system. A good rule to follow here is "There's a reason why it's free..." Also, we do not recommend the use of ANY 3rd party utility software like Norton SystemWorks or Nuts & Bolts - they cause far more problems than they solve. You should save the resources in your system for running the software you WANT to run, not have useless utility programs hog your processor time and memory.

December 4, 2001
VIRUS ALERT! As of 9:30am CDT, a new virus classified as WORM_GONE.A spread throughout the world like wildfire. At that time, there was no defense against it. This virus will circumvent any running non-updated anti-virus software and delete the contents of your hard drive. It is distributed as a file attachment GONE.SCR - DO NOT RUN IT! Trend Micro has now released a Pattern File Update to 177 that will detect and remove this virus. Please keep your anti-virus software up to date!

November 30, 2001
Well, it has been just over a month since the official release of Windows XP, and the response has been amazing! This is a product that people can really get into, with unheard-of reliability, functionality and stability. Built-in features like full CD-RW support including support for burning Audio CDs using Windows Media Player is a great way to ensure ease-of-use. We have also found a great site that lists the differences between Windows XP Home and Professional! You can check it out here.

November 27, 2001
Too bad about those Bombers... :( Oh well. A quick reminder that Forest is now open on Saturdays from 9:30am to 5:00pm - ONLY until December 22, 2001. Also, there has been a uprising in the number of viruses coming out as new versions - please ensure that you keep your pattern file up-to-date to avoid becoming infected.

November 19, 2001
Three items today of importance - first: WAY TO GO BOMBERS!! Second: Our new Tech Support section is complete. Please browse through it for our available resources. Third, and most importantly - it is not commonly known that Windows XP HOME edition CANNOT JOIN A DOMAIN. This is by design, and in our opinion, a serious oversight on Microsoft's part. Please be aware of this when purchasing workstations for your office.

November 15, 2001
As promised, we continue to have very regular updates to our pricing databases to make certain that our web prices match the current market. Thanks to all those who have submitted the wonderful comments and praises of our new website! We have also found a great site that lists the differences between Windows XP Home and Professional! You can check it out here. Finally, GO BOMBERS! (A staff member forced me to say that. :)

November 9, 2001
It's that time of year again! The holiday decorations are coming out and Forest is OPEN on Saturdays again! From 9:30am to 5:00pm, our sales staff will be happy to assist you. Please note - Forest will be CLOSED on Monday, November 12 for the observance of Rememberance Day. Please take time out to reflect on the tragic events of late, and remember those who were lost.

November 6, 2001
Better late than never! :) Creative Labs has released their driver updates for Windows XP. They are available from our site here. This update is for Sound Blaster Live! Value series cards only. Simply download and run the executable file, SBValue.exe. The new Technical Support section should be completed this week. It will contain valuable resources as well as a section of downloads for all our popular hardware.

November 1, 2001
Forest On-Line customers using MTS High-Speed Internet - before contacting us, please recycle your connection to the Internet by resetting your DSL modem and internet gateway/router. Often, this is all that is required to fix any intermittent connectivity issues. Remember - our Forest On-Line service guarantee is simple - we at Forest Computers rely on the EXACT SAME server and connection our customers rely on! So, if you're down, we're down! Needless to say, this will ensure very, VERY quick response to any issues with our servers. Also, even though the viruses seem to be dying down, -please- keep your anti-virus software up to date! This will help everyone make those nasty viruses extinct!

October 28, 2001
Everyone is very excited about Windows XP! We have sold a number of systems with it preinstalled since its release on the 25th! It is clearly the best Windows experience ever - and rock-solid stable! We have finished the Networking section of the site - please take a look at the valuable information contained there regarding networks and security. We still have some more additions to the site coming up - please check back often!

October 23, 2001
It's just about time! Windows XP promises to be the best Windows ever, and we completely agree! Over the last few weeks, we have been testing it extensively, and are ready for the official launch on the 25th. If you're looking to get the best out of your new system, consider purchasing it with Windows XP Home Edition!

October 16, 2001
Our NEW Buyer's Guide is complete and on-line! Please check it out for valuable purchasing advice. Both product catalogues are up and running, and are garnering rave reviews! If you want to sign-up as a preffered customer and have a standing relationship with Forest, please contact ebiz@forestcomputers.com and we'll investigate your request!

October 11, 2001
Welcome, welcome, welcome at LONG LAST to our new home! Please explore all our new website has to offer! Feel free to submit comments to ebiz@forestcomputers.com. We will be offering further news updates here in the coming days, as the website nears full and final completion! Thank you for your patience, and enjoy!