Installing new computers? Need Applications? Ninite.com

This came up in one of my earlier computer classes. When installing new systems, often we are required to download applications such as web browsers, media tools, runtimes, etc individually. Ninite.com allows an IT person to create a custom installer with all of the freeware applications desired.  Once created and downloaded, this installer can be used on multiple machines across a network.

ninite

If one were using Windows Server with active directory, this installer could be either published or installed with the computer node at first boot up.

Goodbye, Radiodiscussions.com

The popular discussion board, which was started in the mid-1990s has been terminated by its current owners, Streamline Digital. It seems that the site was not making any money and thus the plug was pulled.

radiodiscussions

There are other engineering-type discussion boards such as The Virtual Engineer and… Hmm, Anybody?

Where a vacuum exists, nature abhors it.  The question is, will anyone step up and fill the void?

Troubleshooting the 18 KVA UPS

One of our clients has or rather had a BEST FERUPS 18 KVA UPS. It has stopped working and I was given the following report:

Radio guy: The power went out, the generator started, then I heard a bang.

Myself: You heard a bang?

RG: Yeah, a big BANG!

Myself: You heard a big bang.

And so he did:

Best FERUPS 18 KVA control board.
Best FERUPS 18 KVA control board.
Best FE18KVA control board, MOV destruction
Best FE18KVA control board, MOV destruction

The primary damage is around two MOV’s mounted on the other side of the board. This is the power sense (voltage sample) input to the board. We have attempted to repair it, but alas, it is not repairable. A replacement board runs over $1,400.00 from Eaton Powerware. Since this unit also needs a new set of batteries, it is likely best to replace the entire unit.