Computers don't always work. Luckily, we do.
Nummist Computer Consultants (NCC), located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, serves businesses and homes on site, on demand, carefully. Software engineering, computer support, digital media, data mining, research and customized training are among our services.
For service inquiries, please contact us by email (josephhowse@nummist.com) or by phone (1-902-422-0845). Thank you for choosing Nummist Computer Consultants!
Contents
Security Frequently Asked Questions
Photography Frequently Asked Questions
Who are we?
Sam Howse, PhD Computer Science and MA Economics, writes high reliability software. His research creates an innovative new programming language for mathematically proving that software complies with specifications. He has extensive teaching experience in continuing education and university courses.
Joe Howse, MBA and MA International Development, freelances in graphic arts, photography, business communications, data mining and research. He has also worked extensively in teaching and summit organization. He is certified in Computer Graphics by NSCAD Continuing Studies. He has been published as an industry analyst and as an award-winning nature/outdoor photographer.
This web domain is one example of our combined programming and design skills.
Service rates and conditions
Our standard rate is Canadian $60/hour, and we normally offer to work on-site at your home or business (in Halifax). Typically, we can provide same-day service to locations in Halifax. Travel time and expenses are billed. Certain projects (ex. course design, website design and software projects) are by contract and will require off-site work. All work is invoiced and payment is by cash or cheque.
Services
Software Engineering
- High reliability specification and programming: including practical application of mathematically provable (i.e. formal) methods.
- Expert testing, bug fixing and documentation.
- Service available in numerous programming languages: C#, Java, C++, C, Visual Basic, XHTML, XML, JavaScript, PHP, Perl, SQL, OCaml, F#, Lisp, Coq, Prolog, Pascal, Fortran, and others.
Customized Training
Partial list:
- Software engineering and computer languages, as above.
- Productivity with Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.).
- Digital imaging with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Camera Raw, Illustrator, etc.).
- 3D modeling and animation with the free Blender package.
- Video with Mac (Final Cut Express, iMovie) or Windows.
- Statistical modeling.
Art and Design Services
- Graphics and page layout: stationery, brochures, newsletters, logos, and more.
- Website design: smart, organized, rigorously checked, unique yet made to budget.
- Photography: for print publications, websites, promotions, fine art prints, etc. Digital or 6x9 film. Stock or assignment. Stock list includes travel, land/sea/cityscapes, nature, gardening, performing arts, animals/pets, abstract.
- 3D modeling and animation: using 3ds, Strata, Blender, Anim8or, or other software.
- Digitization of artwork (high-resolution): from canvas, paper, fabric, slide/negative, engraving, pottery, etc. See details.
Data Mining and Research
Partial list:
- Market and industry analysis: including data mining of financial statements and notes.
- Contact development and surveying: Find and study potential suppliers, purchasers, advertising channels, etc.
- Statistical and economic modeling: Estimate and optimize.
Maintenance and Upgrades
- Virus removal: Dr. Howse is more effective than anti-virus software alone.
- Security customization: networks, firewalls, Internet, email. See security tips to get you started.
- Diagnostics and prescriptions: re-configuration for malfunctioning software.
- Purchasing advice: software, computer hardware, photographic equipment.
- Software installations.
- Hardware setup and upgrades.
Security Frequently Asked Questions
See also Sam's article in the Spring 2006 issue of BOOM magazine.
Q. How do I avoid getting viruses?
A.Your computer's best defence is for you and your fellow users to be cautious. Viruses can reach your computer via websites you browse (whether or not you choose to make downloads), email or instant messaging attachments you open, and any other means of file sharing, including portable media (diskettes, CDs, DVDs, memory cards, etc.), network file sharing, and peer-to-peer file sharing software. Do not visit any website, accept any file or join any virtual group if it is unfamiliar or suspicious to you. (To infer more about any website before you visit for the first time, you should choose search keywords that are as specific to your interests as possible, and you should read the site's blurb on the search engine. Alternatively, explore links from sites you already know.) Certain security settings in your web browser and email program can help prevent users from compromising your computer's security (see below). Also, you should keep Windows XP and other Microsoft products up-to-date by frequently visiting Microsoft Update (see also auto-updating below). Further, you should have up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware software running on your computer (see below).
Q. How should I manage Internet Explorer (web browser) and Outlook / Outlook Express (email) security settings in Windows XP?
A. See our Recommended Internet Settings.
Q. How do I keep Windows XP up-to-date automatically?
A. We highly recommend the automatic updating feature of Windows XP in order to stay up-to-date with the latest security fixes from Microsoft. You can enable automatic updating by choosing: Start menu -> Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance category -> System icon -> Automatic Updates tab. The "Automatic" setting is recommended. Even with automatic updates, you should still visit Microsoft Update immediately, and then occasionally, to check for updates that are not applied automatically.
Q. What anti-virus and anti-spyware software do you recommend?
A. For home computers running Windows XP, we recommend installing both Grisoft's AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition and Windows Defender. These programs are available as free downloads from the publishers. For virus removal, another program we have used is Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool, also available free from the publisher.
Q. Are up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware programs 100% effective in identifying and removing viruses?
A. No. For example, some viruses are only partially deleted by anti-virus and anti-spyware scans, and the remnants can re-infect your computer. You should seek professional security help if your computer's virus symptoms persist despite up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware protection.
Q. Do I need to remove every virus (even adware) for my computer to be secure?
A. Yes. The problems caused by viruses (including Trojans, worms, spyware and adware) are not limited to what you can see. Any software that is stored on your computer (as viruses are) could sabotage your system settings (including security settings), monitor your keystrokes (for example, when you enter passwords or credit card information) or even allow someone else to control your computer remotely to attack other computers. One way or another, spyware or adware publishers seek to make money (or purely cause havoc) by invading your privacy. Given the range of possible damages, no adware is "Low Threat", in our opinion. In the case of multiple or persistent infections, sometimes the most effective way to eliminate viruses is to reformat your hard disk and re-install your software from scratch (after locating your original software CDs and backing up your data, of course!).
Q. Are music-sharing programs, such as Kazaa, or other peer-to-peer file sharing programs, safe?
A. Kazaa floods your computer with dozens to hundreds of viruses and spyware programs. (Many downloads claiming to be spyware-free Kazaa variants are also loaded with viruses and spyware.) You should consider seeking professional security help if your computer has ever had Kazaa installed it. Other music-sharing software could potentially have the same malicious intent. Even without malicious intent, music-sharing software (or any peer-to-peer file-sharing software) generally requires sub-optimal security settings, and accepting files from "peers" online is risky in itself. Beware, and consider that better security could save you more time and money than free music.
Q. In Windows XP, what are Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop?
A. When enabled, these Windows XP features may allow someone to control your computer remotely. Although you might want to enable Remote Assistance in order to receive technical support from someone you trust, in most cases, these features are unnecessary and potentially dangerous. You can disable (or enable when necessary) these features by choosing: Start menu -> Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance category -> System icon -> Remote tab.
Photography Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are you able to digitize professional artwork?
A. Yes. Using quality hardware and panoramic stitching software, we can produce ultra-high-resolution photographs or scans of artwork — with practically no restriction on the artwork's dimensions. Unlike most photo labs or print shops, we are willing and able to handle gigantic image files and long, intensive projects — whatever is necessary to meet your quality needs.
Q. What kind of photography do you (Joe) generally do?
A. Generally, any kind of outdoor photography. This includes outdoor events and performances, landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes, ruins, nature, gardens, animals, pets, ships, construction vehicles, and more. I also take an interest in exploring abract photography, along with optical and digital manipulations. As well, I photograph artwork.
Q. What photographic equipment do you (Joe) use?
A. Depending on the circumstances, I choose from among compact digital, DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) or medium format film cameras. Each format has its advantages. For instance, digital compacts are silent, yet DSLRs offer the greatest shooting speed and adaptability to diverse lighting conditions. Classic medium format cameras, mounted with Zeiss-formula lenses and loaded with modern colour slide film, achieve subtle detail and expressive colour that are hard to beat. (A downsized scan is below, with further, samples and detailed crops coming soon.) As for pocket-sized gear, I find my lens cleaning device and my mini-tripod indespensible. For heavier exercise, I bring an aluminium-legged panhead tripod, which travels almost conveniently by hanging upside down from the belt of my backpack. (Again, I promise to post sample photos in case description fails.) "For a' that an' a' that", it comes down to art and body temperature. Wear good gloves, especially if the camera is metal and the wind chill is Atlantic Canadian.
Q. Who are the world's manufacturers of 120 roll film? What selection of 120 roll film (colour or black & white) is currently manufactured in the world?
A. Joe's investigation indicates that the world of 120 roll film consists of 9 manufacturers (plus 5 private labels), with current production lines of 36 distinct colour films and 38 distinct black & white films. Of the 38 black & white films, one is sold only under private label, while 13 are sold both under the manufacturer's label and under one or more private labels. For details, see the full report.