🚀 go-pugleaf

Sam <sam_man@hotmail.com> wrote:

> I am interested in getting views on a proposed office network.
> I have taken some advice from a boffin but have no way of
> checking whether that advice is good or bad. I am hoping
> that the collective brains trust in these groups might shed
> some light on the subject. Please bear in mind that I am
> not far advanced from computer illiterate. If these questions
> are incomprehensible then that might be the explanation.

> We have 4 staff, each with their own stand alone computers. I am
> going to acquire four new computers. Those in my office tell me
> that I need to change the current arrangement to an office network.

You should be asking them what they
want to see that they dont currently have.

> The use will be e-mail, web searching and small accounting system.

> The questions I would like to answer for the new office network are

> 1. is a server as well as the 4 desk tops a good idea. ie what
> would a server add? Is it just the ability to view/access others files?

It varys depending on how its used. You can have all the files
that matter on it, accessed from there by the individual PCs.

That makes it simpler to backup, but depends
on what the accounting system can support etc.

> What are the relative advantages and disadvantages
> of adding a server eg accessibility and cost effectiveness?

Main advantage is centralising files so they can be backed
up properly. Main disadvantage is that it needs to be fixed
quickly if it breaks and isnt as easy to setup.

> 2. Is Celeron or AMD preferable vis-a-vis pentium 4.

I prefer celerons for their quietness, perfectly
adequate performance for that situation.

> 3. Are there any issues bout these
> being accessible and cost effective?

Not really but its not very clear what this question is about.