News

Subscribe to our email newsletter to receive information about our new products and special offers direct to your inbox.

Name:

Email:

Unexpected demand for the fit-PC2 creates shortages

OK, so maybe we expected it a just a little bit. It is one very cool computer, after all.

But despite our best efforts, we find ourselves with almost empty shelves and customers clamouring for more.

We were going to do a song and dance about our new fit-PC2i Windows XP and fit-PC2i network (diskless) units, except we're already out of the diskless and we've only two Windows XP left!

And we've already sold almost half of the units we have on order, which are now expected within a week or two.

On the plus side, we did manage to find a fit-PC2 basic wireless unit that we thought had run away to join the circus.

So if you're after a fit-PC2, we suggest you place your order now, just to get in the queue.

We're working hard to fix our supply issues, and hope to resume some normal state of supply shortly.

Our apologies for the inconvenience and thanks for your patience!

Do something awesome with a fit-PC2

Looking for something a bit different to do with a fit-PC2?

Matt Bunting at Arizona University has turned a fit-PC2 running Ubuntu 9.04 into a controller for one awesome looking robot.

Check out his demonstration video below.

Robotic spider anyone?

fit-PC2 booting

In breaking news, the latest fit-PC2s are now able to boot from the miniSD slot!

This means that the fit-PC2 now boots from all of its supported devices.

It also means you can boot from something that sits inside the fit-PC2, other than the hard drive.

And it supports SDHC so you can put something bigger than 2GB in it!

If you're having trouble finding miniSD cards, you're not alone. You can get a miniSD adapter pack from us, though, and use microSD cards instead.

And the fit-PC2s now also support overclocking, if you're into that sort of thing.

No more Windows XP fit-PC2's after 15th September

Microsoft in their infinite wisdom have decided to stop providing Windows XP licences for the fit-PC2.

Discontinuing a product that is selling so well seems like insanity to us. But who are we to argue with Microsoft?

So your last chance to buy a fit-PC2 with Windows XP will be mid September, depending on how our stock lasts.

If past history is any indication of future performance (which they're always telling us it's not), they won't last that long!

New Geos ADSL2+ x86 router board

Traverse have created a mini-ITX board, with the same AMD Geode LX800 500MHz processor used in the ALIX and net5501 series of SBCs, and added a built-in multiport ADSL modem.

If that wasn't enough, they've also made the RAM expandable, using normal laptop memory, up to a maximum of 1GB.

The Geos board's features include

• AMD Geode LX800 500MHz processor
• DDR400 RAM SO-DIMM
• 2 x ADSL2+
• 2 x 10/100 Ethernet
• 4 x USB
• Mini PCI socket
• Compact Flash and 44-pin IDE header
• RS-232 Serial

It's expected to be available sometime in September.

We'll keep you posted.

IPFire

One of our customers recently brought an O/S to our attention called IPFire.

They found that it was the only solution that would run a 3G gateway on an ALIX and allow plenty of customisation.

According to the IPFire website, IPFire is a Linux distribution that is intended for use as a firewall.

It is easy to set up and has a strong focus on security. IPFire is maintained by experienced developers, who provide regular updates to ensure a high level of security.

Its intuitive web interface allows both beginners and experienced administrators to readily access its many features.

IPFire ships with a custom built packet-manager called Pakfire, so the system can be expanded with various addons.

For more information, go to www.ipfire.org/en/index.

Tips & Tricks: How to access the BIOS on your ALIX 2 and ALIX 3

To enter setup on the ALIX 2 and ALIX 3 (without VGA):

1. Connect to your computer via the serial console
2. Press 'S' during the memory test on bootup

The fit-PC2i has landed!

Great news...

The long-awaited fit-PC2i has arrived!

What's the big deal, you ask?

Well, with two Gigabit ethernet ports and a serial port, plus the same impressive performance as a fit-PC2, you can use the fit-PC2i to create one awesome network appliance.

The fit-PC2i, with Windows 7 or Ubuntu Linux, is ideal for:

• routing and firewalling
• surveillance
• home automation
• industrial control
• IP telephony
• web, email or file serving

We have limited stock at the moment, and will be getting more shortly.

Check out our fit-PC2 comparison table to see the key features and differences.

Congratulations to our winner!

Congratulations to Robert Righetti from ALPHAgreen, the winner of our Going Green prize draw.

Robert won an awesome fit-PC2 business package, including a Windows 7 fit-PC2 and an energy-efficient LED monitor, plus a bunch of great accessories.

ALPHAgreen are based in Scoresby, Victoria and are distributors for:

• Mainline power track, an awesome flexible, wall-mounted power track system that allows you to add and move power points to where you need them, and
• Siddons SolarStream, a solar hot water system that uses heat pump technology to heat water at any time of day or night, without the need for direct sunlight

I'm sure he's going to love using this fantastic computer.

And we've planted a tree for everyone who entered our draw, so thanks for helping us to plant a forest!

fit-PC2 + Omnicast = Awesome Security Solution

We've just heard that the fit-PC2 has been certified for use with the Omnicast IP Video Surveillance Solution from Genetec.

Omnicast provides seamless management of digital video, audio and data across any IP network.

And the fit-PC2's ability to drive multiple high resolution cameras makes it deal for security applications.

Nettop News: Giada Slim N10

The Giada Slim N10 is a nettop optimised for streaming movies, TV shows, music, 3D gaming and other online media.

The Slim N10 uses 20-22W of electricity and comes in a stylish white, black or pink case with a floral decal.

See how it measures up to the fit-PC2 in our comparison of the best available sustainable computers.

For more information on the Slim N10, visit the Giada website.

Where will you be on Friday, 11 June?

We'll be attending the Cardinia Shire's Sustainability Expo in Pakenham on Friday, June 11 from 10AM to 4PM.

If you're in the area and want to get up close and personal with a fit-PC2, drop in to see us.

Basic wireless goes bye bye

The basic wireless fit-PC2 has been discontinued as a stock item.

However, it's still available as a custom configuration for orders of 100 or more units.

ALIX 2 bookshelf case price increase

Due to the professional quality we strive for in our colourful ALIX 2 bookshelf cases, we've had to increase their price by $10.

See you next month!

Don't bother saving energy, buying offsets or recycling

Focus on what matters...

How much time do you waste trying to figure out:

• ways to save more energy,
• which offsets to buy and how many,
• or how to recycle those old, broken machines?

Or maybe you don't even bother because it's all just too much.

And you know this stuff is important, but you really don't want to have to think about it.

Wouldn't you rather spend that time and effort on the things you do best?

So how about letting us take care of it for you?

Now every time you buy a fit-PC2 from us, you get an all-in-one sustainable computing solution, including:

1. The world's most sustainable desktop computer - an energy-saving superstar, ultra-small and built to last
2. Four trees, to offset your fit-PC2's remaining carbon emissions over the next five years, including a bonus allowance for an energy-efficient monitor
3. Recycling - once you're done with your fit-PC2, send it back to us and we'll take care of recycling it, no charge, no hassle

Like the sound of that?

Just look out for the 'four trees' logo in our catalogue next time you're placing an order, and we'll take care of the rest.

Too easy!

Three essential steps to sustainable business technology

Here are three essential steps to making your business technology sustainable:

1. Minimise - find ways to use less
2. Offset - buy offsets for your emissions
3. Recycle - recycle all your unwanted equipment

And we'd like to help you out with all three.

To learn more, visit our new 'sustainable computing' page.

Want to plant a tree?

Every time you buy a fit-PC2, we'll plant trees to offset its emissions.

And if you've bought a fit-PC2 from us previously, you don't miss out! We'll be mailing your trees out to you shortly (trees not included).

Greenfleet will plant these trees on our behalf as part of a biodiverse forestry project.

Our aim is to plant half a million trees over the next five years and we'd love your help to achieve this.

Check our progress or read more about our 'Four Trees' program at www.fourtrees.com.au.

Win a fit-PC2 business package!

Visit us at the Melbourne "Going Green" Expo on April 30, May 1, May 2 and enter our draw to win a fit-PC2, Business package.

For more information on the expo, visit www.goinggreenexpo.com.au.

See you there!

How to get the most out of pfSense

Like the look of pfSense but don't know where to start?

Been given a pfSense box to administer, and want to make sure it's working right?

Want to make your pfSense install do something really complicated, like automatic failover or captive portals?

Then 'pfSense: The Definitive Guide', written by pfSense co-founder Chris Buechler and pfSense consultant Jim Pingle, is for you.

Designed to be an easy step-by-step guide to common networking and security tasks, it covers installation and basic configuration through advanced networking and firewalling.

It's also a thorough reference for pfSense's capabilities, including:

• firewalling
• port forwarding
• bridging
• multi-WAN
• VPNs
• traffic shaping
• load balancing
• wireless networking
• redundancy
• monitoring,
• logging,
• sniffing
• packet capturing

You can now buy the book direct from us, and jump straight into getting more out of pfSense.

Pre-made pfSense images for the WRAP

If you're still using a WRAP board, you might also be interested in these pre-made pfSense images for the WRAP at https://home.zhaw.ch/~maym/.

Don't buy a monitor from us!

If you want to buy a fit-PC2, and your monitor only has VGA inputs but still works just fine, don't waste your money on a new monitor.

Buy a DVI to VGA adapter instead.

Reducing your ICT footprint just got a whole lot easier

Three new energy super-star desktops for your business

Now it's even easier to choose an energy-efficient desktop for your business, with our new fit-PC2 bundles:

• Business (Windows)
• Business (Linux)
• Home Office

We've chosen the best available components to save you the effort and time.

These packages include everything you need to get going quickly and easily:

• fit-PC2 desktop computer, with Windows 7, Windows XP or Linux
• energy-efficient LED monitor from BenQ, using a tiny 18W
• keyboard and mouse (wired or wireless)
• speakers
• external USB DVD drive
• cables and accessories (adapters, mounting bracket, security enclosure)

The whole bundle uses 70% less electricity than a typical set up with a regular PC.

It's convenient, guaranteed to work together and super sleek.

Isn't it time you made the switch?

Visit our catalogue now or call us on 1300 859 799.

Getting impatient for the fit-PC2i to arrive?

So are we!

Full production is now estimated for June.

We expect to have stock sometime in April.

If you're desperate for a sample in the meantime, we can organise one for you.

Tired of your ALIX 2-3's forgetting the time?

All of our ALIX 2-3's now have real-time clock batteries (RTC).

So if you need your firewall or server to be time and date aware, pick one up today.

Annoyed by credit card surcharges?

Well, we don't charge one. Not even for American Express!

Why should you pay more for paying by credit card? There's no hidden extras in our checkout.

Shop with confidence with your Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Diners Club card today.

How to get your net5501 to play nicely with your CF card and SATA hard drive

Some CF cards stop the net5501 recognising the SATA disk.

SanDisk Ultra CF cards made between July and mid December 2009 are affected by this.

To work around this problem:

1. Set the CF card as the secondary drive
2. Boot from the CF card

Step 1 - Set the CF card as the secondary drive

1. Connect to the serial console on your net5501 with a null modem cable
2. During the POST (power on self test), press Ctrl-P to enter the BIOS
3. Type:

	set FLASH Secondary
	set BootDrive 81 80 F0 FF
	reboot

Step 2 - Boot from the CF card

To automatically boot from the CF card, in Linux using grub as a bootloader, edit your /boot/grub/menu.lst file to look like this:

	serial --speed=19200
	terminal serial

	timeout 5
	default 0

	title Linux with CF and SATA
	root (hd0,1)
	kernel /vmlinuz root=LABEL=ROOT_FS console=ttyS0,19200n8
	initrd /initrd.img

Or make the matching changes to your bootloader in other operating systems.

For added flexibility, you can add a second boot menu option with hd0,0 as the boot drive, which will allow you to boot if there is no SATA drive present.

If that's all too hard, or it doesn't work for your set up, you can return your affected SanDisk Ultra or Ultra2 card for a replacement. Please contact us first.

How to save thousands by changing your PC's

Improve your green credentials and your bottom line

Replacing your regular PCs with fit-PC2s will save you thousands, through:

• Reduced electricity usage
• Less air-conditioning required
• Buying new PCs less often

To learn more:

• See the savings with our fit-PC2 vs regular PC comparison
• Visit our new fit-PC2 website
• Read all about the fit-PC2
• Explore our range of fit-PC2s

A two-year warranty is now standard - these boxes are built to last.

Also now in stock:

• fit-PC2, basic wireless
• fit-PC2, basic
• fit-PC2 security enclosure in black

Make a small change, make a big difference.

Are you waiting on the fit-PC2i?

Designed for server and routing applications, the fit-PC2i has the same energy-efficiency, size and durability as the fit-PC2.

It has:

• 2 GigE ports (with 4 USB ports instead of 6)
• a serial port (instead of the IR receiver)
• 2GB RAM
• optional 4GB onboard flash
• auto-on as standard

Although release was promised for January, manufacturing delays mean that it will now be ready in March.

How to keep your fit-PC2s safe

Prevent theft of your fit-PC2 by attaching it to a monitor, desk or wall with our security enclosure.

Use a Kensington-style lock and cable to secure your fit-PC2, while allowing access to the front and rear.

Now available in black and stainless steel.

Looking for 802.11n wireless cards?

Good news: This new wireless standard was ratified in October 2009.

Bad news: We won't be stocking any products until they are more widely supported under Linux and Windows.

Struggling with your SanDisk CF cards?

The architecture of the 'Ultra II' range has changed (and they've been rebranded 'Ultra').

So you might have to rebuild your Compact Flash card images to get them working again.

Alternatively, you can download one of our prebuilt O/S images for free, or add one for free to your next order.

And our 4GB and 8GB cards are cheaper this month.

Plus we have a new 16GB Ultra CF card as well.

Want more out of your pfSense installs?

Version 1.2.3 is now available.

Its great new features include:

• package support, so you can add extra features bundled for you by the pfSense team
• dual boot capabilities, so if you mess up your image, you have a spare

Add it to your next order for free or download a free ready-made image and install it yourself.

And learn how to become a pfSense master with:

• fantastic online documentation at http://doc.pfsense.org/
• their new book, pfSense: The Definitive Guide, available from Amazon

Three great reasons to buy from Yawarra

1. Brilliant service

   "You should be very proud of your service. Makes some larger organizations look shabby indeed. Keep up the great work. Thanks."

2. Fast delivery

   "The most responsive online supplier I use. Keep up the good work!"

3. Quality products

   "Trouble-free setup and solid reliable hardware. I'll be recommending your products to any of my customers that are looking for routing solutions that are beyond that of basic consumer products."

Visit our catalogue now or call us on 1300 859 799.