Windows 7 support is ending in ONE year (on 14 January 2020)

Microsoft is discontinuing extended support for Windows 7 on the 13th January 2020. Windows 10 overtook 7 as the most popular operating system a few months back.

Microsoft has been making some interesting decisions of late – embracing Linux on Windows and introducing various new features to the operating system to enable it to communicate better with Linux Servers, Including WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) to permit you to run native Linux commands as well as Ubuntu as an ISO image to easily install via Hyper-V (you need the Pro or better version of Windows 10)

Linux is not going to replace Windows on the desktop any time soon (only 2% of desktops in the world use Linux), but many large corporates use Linux for servers and it is very, very prevalent with most Internet Service Providers. In addition, Android is essentially a version of Linux and in addition to Apple IOS, Android is platform for many of Microsoft’s cloud services such as Office 365 online, OneDrive, Skype, OneNote, etc.

In South Africa and Internationally, however, most Small Medium Enterprises still use the Microsoft Server Platform. The predominant desktop and mobile app development and support still remains Windows, Android, IOS and MacOSX. Windows and MacOS still remains the Personal Computer choice for “getting things done”. Apple is going to start taking huge knocks in market share soon, however, as Amazon, Google and Microsoft dominate the cloud and cloud service space and increased reliability and utility of existing phones, lack of any innovation in new phones are expected to cause over 20% less phone sales world-wide this year.

In the pipe-line is Microsoft 365 for consumers and enterprise – a new subscription model that will not only include Office 365, but Windows 10 as a value added service as well.

Interesting times ahead as the industry embraces cloud infrastructures and Bring Your Own Device computing. Apple appears to have been resting on its laurels putting most of their eggs in the iPhone basket.

~Craven Coetzee

Kondura Technologies CC (founder)

a new Kondura at 208 Cape Road? NO! Another company using our good, established name and brand!

To all customers of and suppliers to KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES, please be advised that we have NOT opened a new branch at 208 Cape Road. There is a company that has just put up a sign labeled “Kondura”. We are at 193 Cape Road and they are only a few houses up from us. This post is a public relations service alert/announcement to avoid confusion.

To contact the original Kondura Technologies, call 0861 642580 or e-mail info@kondura.co.za.

Ensure you stop at KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES at 193 Cape Road when you are looking for KONDURA and first class CCTV installations and professional IT support.

To all our Customers and Suppliers: If you’ve heard of Kondura or been told to use “Kondura for IT” or been told “Our IT guys are from Kondura”, please note that “we”, our company is the original KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES CC established in Port Elizabeth by Craven Coetzee in 1998 and later purchased by Mr Claude Botha of Jocote Technologies (Pty) Ltd. in 2018 – retaining ALL original staff members & technicians – and same levels of service excellence in IT service, consulting and sales. Craven Coetzee had been using the name “Kondura” since about 1991 (see business card and LinkedIn Profile) in East London and later, Port Elizabeth.

Although we ARE one of the leading CCTV installers, suppliers and CCTV specialists in Port Elizabeth, we are NOT trading as Kondura CCTV Specialists, not associated with this company nor metrosecurity.co.za or msecure or msecure.co.za in any way whatsoever. We own the domains kondura.co.za and kondura.com and have been trading in Port Elizabeth under the “Kondura” brand since 1998.

We don’t only do CCTV, however. KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES is a full-fledged IT solution provider offering turn-key solutions including IT sales, consulting, service, support, access control, bio-metrics, cabling and a host of other supported services.

This new “kondura” company and its employees are completely and utterly unrelated to us and appear to be simply using our brand name. This apparently didn’t work out well for another company using our brand a few years ago as they appeared to suddenly drop off the face of the earth.

In a similar situation prior to 2013 when KMS, Kondura Maintenance Services started trading (and we were led at the time to believe – from numerous queries from account departments to our offices, but can’t confirm, that that particular CCTV company went into liquidation (EDIT: apparently they just went dormant according to a director, Mr Leon Bezuidenhout) . Craven Coetzee was even intimated to be associated with them (KMS) and attacked regarding allegedly bad debt on a public forum which prompted us to write a PR letter at the time to protect our credibility and reputation with our suppliers.) – we are not sure if it is the same company (EDIT: apparently it is) trying to re-establish itself or what their intentions are or if they are, why they are no longer trading as Kondura Maintenance Services aka KMS?

We feel we are obligated to make a clear distinction between OUR company, our services and theirs.

We would like to warn suppliers, customers to please exercise caution when ordering stock, accepting quotes to double-check that you are not confusing us with them. KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES has a solid reputation in Port Elizabeth both with our CCTV, IT, Sales, Support and Consulting. 

We are also not associated in any way whatsoever with the branch manager, Jonathan H. nor any of their employees or representatives.

We are the original KONDURA TECHOLOGIES who have been established in Port Elizabeth and trading since 1998.

We we tried to contact them, but their phone just rang. We will be raising this matter via our attorneys shortly.

~ Jocote Technologies T/A KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES (previously known as KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES CC)

LEGAL DISCLAIMER (FOR IMAGES USED): Mr Jonathan Heath profile publicly available on LinkedIn (and hence in the public domain) here: CLICK HERE – screenshots have been made to ensure there are no denials nor possible legal repercussions if the account is suspended
DISCLAIMER – edited from original for clarity and better historical perspective 9 Nov 2018.

 

SECURITY ALERT: hidden rule sending your mail to scammer

References used: Associated Enterprises / Microsoft Outlook Exploit

“A difficult to detect phishing attack is catching Outlook users off guard, as it uses the built in Rules feature to forward emails to an attackers third party mailbox. In most cases the rules are configured to detect keywords related to finance, such as “Payment”, “Invoice” or “Bank”.

The malicious Outlook rules are created using traditional email phishing methods.  The target will receive and email apparently from an existing contact or organisation known to them. A link in the phishing email takes the user to a fake Office 365 login page and requests the user’s credentials. When they have been entered the log-in fails, but the attackers can the install an Email Forwarding rule in to the target’s Outlook rules.”

the best notebook for students & light gaming

Planning on buying a PC for home use? Why not a notebook instead? Don’t worry about the power going off when you have an urgent project! An ideal student productivity workhorse with superior performance, latest Intel 8th Generation CPU (2018) and light gaming notebook for World of Warcraft, DOTA2, Counter Strike Go, League of Legends with powerful processing and a beautiful FULL HD (High Definition) 1920 x 1080p IPS 15.6″ Screen.

 

 

 

 

Gigabyte Home Sabre 15G (Sabre15G-v8)

  • Black 15.6″ FHD 1920×1080 IPS (non-gloss type) widescreen panel,
  • Full Size RGB Backlit Keyboard with numeric keypad
  • Intel Core™ i7 8750H (6 core processor, 2.2GHz – turbo up to 4.1GHz, 9Mb cache),
  • latest 2018 Intel 8th generation “coffee lake” processor – up to 40% faster!
  • 1 x 8GB DDR4 2400MHz Memory (2 slots – upgrade to a maximum of 32gb),
  • One Terabyte High Speed 7200RPM 2.5″ SATA HDD,
  • supports 1 x M 2 2280 SSD (NVME or SATA or PCIE x4),
  • HD Webcam, Dual Array Microphones for Clear Skype / Voice Chat,
  • Intel HM370 Express Mobile Chipset, Integrated Gigabit LAN, Wireless LAN 802.11 AC,
  • NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 GDDR5 4GB dedicated graphics (Performance),
  • Intel HD Graphics 630 (Power Saver), unit has a 6 cell battery,
  • 2 x 1.5 Watt Speakers,  Sound Blaster™ Cinema 5 Sound,
  • Bag and mouse included, the notebook weighs only 2.2Kg
  • Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64BIT Edition
  • Two Year carry-in, repair & return warranty,

~ all this for only R 15 475 excluding VAT
 (special applies to Port Elizabeth, East London & close-surrounding areas)

Call /or WhatsApp our dedicated sales team on 076 919 2536 for direct, personal service
(Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) or e-mail us at marketing@kondura.co.za

Just how good is an nVidia GTX 1050 4Gb for gaming?
Check out this article on Windows Central to find out: CLICK HERE

Higher level, more powerful, faster models are also available (units with an nVidia GTX1060, also units with a larger 17″ screen) at very competitive pricing!

EXTERNAL PORTS / CONNECTIVITY:

  • 1 x USB3.1 Gen.2 (Type-A),
  • 1 x USB3.1 Gen.2  (Type-C),
  • 1 x USB3.1 Gen. 1 (Type-A),
  • 1 x USB 2.0 (Type-A),
  • 1 x HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 2.2),
  • 1 x mini DisplayPort 1.2 as well as 1 x “D” mini DisplayPort 1.3,
  • 1 x RJ45 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) ethernet port,
  • 1 x Mic-in, 1 x Earphone-out,
  • 6-in-1 card reader,
  • DC-in jack

 

 

Full Specifications on the Gigabyte web site – the Sabre 15G8 – CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kondura Technologies – how may we help you?

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Please note that unless specified, all quotations, specials or prices exclude VAT at 15% and exclude any labour to configure the unit. Time spent additionally for configuration from the base unit setup, either software or hardware, including data transfer from old devices or copying of existing data to will be charged additionally at our standard rates. All prices are subject to R/$ fluctuations as well as stock availability and will be confirmed prior to order. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE). All warranties are exclusively honoured by our suppliers and subject to their repair/swap-out/replacement policies as well as their other terms & conditions. All rights reserved.

two of the best SME IT support companies just got bigger, better – as ONE. “Business as Usual”

Dear Customers,

As of Monday, 15th January 2018, one of the oldest, most respected Small Medium Enterprise (SME) computer support companies in Port Elizabeth, KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES CC‘s business has been sold as a “going concern” and has been acquired by Jocote Technologies (Pty) Ltd. under the new management of Claude Botha. Craven Coetzee will continue on temporarily in an advisory capacity as an independent consultant.

First and foremost, you have our assurances of ongoing service excellence!

To existing customers of both Jocote Technologies (Pty) Ltd. in East London as well as KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES CC in Port Elizabeth, DON’T PANIC! Nothing is changing – except getting better, having more techies at your disposal & additional services.

  • Same Technicians,
  • Same Service,
  • Same Products,
  • Same Agreements!


CLAUDE BOTHA


and NEW services and support including:
CCTV installations, repairs,
Biometrics installations, repairs (card/fingerprint readers),
Access Control
Data, Network Cabling & Fibre
Rentals of notebooks, projectors,
Solar, Invertors, Remote I.T. / CCTV Installations

Absolutely nothing is “closing down” – it’s business as usual – for customers and clients for both companies. We have your best interests at heart. Always.

We are consolidating and falling under the umbrella of ONE company Jocote Technologies (Pty) Ltd. T/A KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES.

Our goal is to be the #1 all-in-one turnkey IT company in the Eastern Cape. Call us to fix everything. No “pass-the-buck” attitude as we will have all the necessary in-house services. We just get the job done – supporting ALL your interests in the Eastern Cape.

This had to be done as focusing on a single sector of the IT industry (IT support and sales) was simply not feasible for any longer. We had to grow, or die on the vine! To protect ourselves, our staff and our customers. We are creating jobs, training and new opportunities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

With his procedural “by the book” management style, Craven Coetzee has not really “needed” to be actively involved in management of the business in Port Elizabeth for at least three (3) months now – delegating responsibilities to his existing employees, and assistant manager, Lee Robertson with Craven only assisting with the rare crisis. Over 90% of his time was spent managing “off-site” / remotely with only the occasional “catch-up” Tuesday management meeting with staff. Our staff know what they’re doing. Many have been with KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES for over 15 years. All our sites are set up the same, run the same, are managed the same. Based on our track record, we are one of the few IT companies that do “preventative maintenance” and “managed services” the right way. We are light years ahead of the competition. We routinely cut our customer’s business operating costs by dozens of wasted hours of labour each month.

Jethro Penny has been groomed by Claude Botha to be assistant manager for the East London Area.

It’s important to note that this is an expansion of services, of support and service employees, not a change of services!

Claude Botha is merely expanding his business interests, offering more services to his existing client base as well as KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES CC client base.

Claude and Craven both have a solid ICT Business and Project Management Skills with Claude bringing his meticulous management style to support and manage KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES CC’s clients, having set up every aspect of the IT infrastructure from scratch for numerous large chain retail franchises both locally and nationally in South Africa. Both managers have vast experience in multiple IT sectors of the economy, including retail, manufacturing, financial and legal.

 

Since taking over, and as he has been doing for several months, Claude will make regular trips, skype/conference calls to ensure your business interests are taken care of.

Remote support technology permits much faster support and now with the technicians in Port Elizabeth and East London able to assist any customer in either location, every one of our customers benefit and overall, our service levels as far as “turn-around” time will inevitably improve even further.

With the additional services we offer, and with less parties involved in the over-all support of one client, with us doing most (if not all) of your IT work, we truly will minimize your down-time on time-critical projects. We plan. You relax and let us take care of cabling, CCTV, servers, networking all under one roof.

KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES remains one of the leading Microsoft “Clean Reseller” partners in the Eastern Cape, offering advanced support, first-hand experience and advice for Office 365, Exchange Online cloud-hosted mail, services and installations.

Rest assured that this process has carefully been planned for almost nine (9) months now with both managers vetting each other’s skills taking great pains to ensure that their customers will gain from this overall experience. Craven and Claude have sat down and had “brain-storm sessions” with cross-sharing of ideas and have already made substantial improvements to the running of both their respective companies. They have streamlined their businesses to be significantly more efficient. They have compatible management styles as well as technical support abilities to ensure best advice to their customers. Craven is taking a step back from the company, however. After 21 years of running the company, he wanted to ensure his customers were in good hands and he feels they are – as he takes on his next project/adventure.

Have you considered a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES?

Are you a Port Elizabeth Company that needs 1st world, world class support in East London branch  and surrounding areas – or in the Eastern Cape and need support in remote locations?

Why have the hassle of a full-time employee with no backup to assist, no-one to check on them?

Full-time employees take leave, are sick, need “you” to check up on them. Let us manage your IT for you – the right way, right advice, saving you down-time, productivity, costs in the process.

Call us.

~ KONDURA TECHNOLOGIES / Craven Coetzee
pp
Claude Botha
established 1998

UPDATE: 15th February 2018 / Craven Coetzee stepping away entirely and emigrating to New Zealand citing political concerns / well-being in South Africa:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6369992737491550208/