Count Dracula's Business Lessons
Count Dracula was able to survive for several centuries because he knew how to keep his business “alive”. He followed some rules that any business should use.
Change processes when beneficial. For Count Dracula, the human form was not always the best. He learned to become a bat or wolf when those forms better served his needs. All businesses need to question business processes periodically. We need to adopt new processes when they make us more efficient. Always ask how a new technology, application, or method can help, or hurt, your business. Then determine if, when, and how to make the change.
Learn the new culture. Before traveling to England, Count Dracula studied extensively. He read books and taught himself the language. We should all be learning new communication methods. Applications are available for mobile devices, and we are sending more data to remote sites for better access by all users (Cloud Computing). Quick Response (QR) Codes are appearing in more ads every day. Our knowledge of cultures should be increasing. With several generations now in the workplace, businesses are adjusting to the differences. Knowledge of other countries’ habits, language differences, and holidays is increasing, since work is now spread around the globe.
Observe others. Count Dracula seemed to come out of nowhere, since he did not cast a shadow. He was able to observe the habits and characteristics of others. He then put them to use for his survival. We all need to take time to observe our surroundings. We need to notice the changes around us. We need to note when actions match words. More importantly, we need to note what is not being said and/or done.
Utilize your resources. Our biggest resource is time. Periodically we need to review the time spent on different tasks. Then we can determine if the task should be improved, outsourced, or removed. Count Dracula knew when to use others to perform tasks that he could not handle.
Decide how to handle problems before they occur. In case things did not go well, Count Dracula had an exit plan for England. He also had alternative plans for any part of the escape. We all need to plan for situations before they happen. After a storm or theft, what are the plans for business continuity and data recovery? If a new business process does not work, how do you get back to the previous process and what are the costs?
We all need to change, learn, observe, utilize, and decide about processes that can impact our businesses. These actions help us see the impact of the processes more clearly, and keep our businesses “alive”.
Happy Halloween!
Andrew Nevens
InnerTag
407-949-0106
anevens@innertag.com
www.innertag.com
Cloud Computing: EXPLAINED!
This blog post explains what that term means, and what’s in it for you.
What’s all this buzz about Cloud Computing, anyway? Basically it’s economics. Cloud computing means your Information Technology infrastructure, and all of its associated costs, are removed from your physical control, and moved to … well, let’s just say moved somewhere else. Instead of having servers, databases, backups, and archives physically located in your office, where you have to pay for square footage, utilities, repairs, configuration, and possibly staff, all of those things will be housed and managed remotely.
Isn’t that just the same thing as the Internet? Not exactly. The Internet serves many functions, including broadcasting information (and advertisements), providing communications and entertainment, and supporting a wide variety of commercial applications. When it comes to Cloud Computing, it’s using the Internet as a mechanism to run your own business applications, in a way that can be more flexible, more reliable, and cheaper.
You’ve probably already started the move to Cloud Computing without realizing it. Does your company have a website? Do you host it yourself? If the answers are “yes” and “no”, you’ve already started the transition. Your web hosting company is providing the platform for your website, along with whatever applications it serves up to your customers. They might also handle your email accounts, and at least some of your company’s data. If you use Google Docs, Facebook, Constant Contact, or any online backup service, you’ve already started pushing your company’s vital information into the Cloud.
What about security? OK so maybe your email and some customer information already lives “offsite”. But do you really want to move all your company’s data and primary internal applications? The cost calculation is easy – just look at the price of buying a server, maintaining an internal network, dealing with upgrades, power failures, disk crashes, and so on. Compare that to the monthly fee for cloud services – and also consider that cloud technology is being continuously upgraded, improved, and expanded. The decision ought to be obvious, and inevitable. Still, people often are reluctant to give up control, and they are nervous about a possible security breach.
Well let’s just turn the question around. What makes you think your company’s data is safe now? Are your business servers in a hardened computing facility, with 24-hour staff whose only job is to monitor and safeguard your data?
Like anything else, you get what you pay for. With Cloud Computing, there are lots of options, and security can be ramped up as needed. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, “… basic security tasks that often don't get done at a small enterprise … are usually part of the plain-vanilla package in the cloud. The more you pay, the more you get: firewalls around your data, high-end encryption, ‘private clouds’ that let you isolate critical information and still access extra processing muscle when you need it, hacker-attack notification and mitigation, and 24-hour tech support.”
OK, so what’s my next move? Look at your current business processes. Take a survey or audit of everything you are currently doing with your company’s computers and servers. Depending on the complexity of your needs, you may be able to migrate to the cloud on your own. Start by reviewing the web hosting package that you are already paying for. It probably includes more capacity and features than you are using, such as databases and customer service applications. Look at what else is available: free options, like Google Docs, and low-end ones, such as Amazon Web Services. See if they meet your needs. Finally, consult with us, your computer networking professional. We can provide you a more comprehensive solution and level of service, at a competitive price, and also help with whatever migration and integration issues you might have.
Good luck, be brave, and head for the Cloud!
Andrew Nevens
InnerTag
407-949-0106
andrew@innertag.com
www.innertag.com
Manual Labor
This month I decided to try and get the webcam working on my new computer. Getting it started became an adventure. I learned new ways to find and understand instructions, and I also learned that tech support can actually help!
When working with a new device, I like to have a printed document with that tells me the functions and what they can do. My monitor came with only a software CD and a one-page “quick-start” guide, showing the front panel buttons on one side and the basic startup steps on the other. Since I grew up with devices doing only one function, this was not enough information.
First, I thought the webcam program might have already been pre-installed on my computer. To check, I just clicked on START. The webcam was listed under programs, so I clicked on it. Now I had a basic screen, but the buttons would not do anything. Obviously I was missing something. I needed a user manual.
Without a printed document, I didn’t know what the next steps were, or even where to go find them. I decided to go to the monitor manufacturer’s site and search for the manual. There it was! I found it! After downloading it, I found the section on starting the webcam.
I learned that I had to load some additional software. It was on the CD that came with the monitor, and luckily I remembered where I had stored it. I dug it out, inserted it, and began the setup again.
The installation process stopped without finishing, for some unknown reason. Don’t you hate it when that happens? I sure do. Good thing that I know how to uninstall a program and start over. The second time through, it worked fine.
Now I thought I was ready to begin. I opened the webcam, but still could not see myself. I was able to see the options on the buttons, and open some other functions and see what they did. But no picture. Then I saw the error message at the bottom of the screen: The webcam was not found.
I went back to the manual. To my delight, I found both the error message and the resolution for it. It said to make sure the monitor cable was connected. I checked the cable and it was fine. I looked at the chart again. I had followed the instructions, or so I thought. But still no picture. Needless to say, by this time I was very frustrated!
Finally I contacted technical support, via the “chat” link on the manufacturer’s web site. After telling them that I had already done everything that they were suggesting, I was escalated to the supervisor. Suddenly the comment was made about a second cable. Second cable? How was I supposed to know about the second cable?
I looked at the monitor setup instructions again. In the lower left corner, in very light print, was a step about connecting the USB cable. I completely missed that step the first time through! After finding the second cable, I turned the computer off, and then connected it. Suddenly the webcam worked!
In a user manual, I think the print should be easy to read – not blend into the background. Pictures should be big enough, and clear enough, to see the details. Maybe reading a manual online is better – then you can always zoom in. But just in case, I now keep a magnifying glass handy.
see ya next blog,
Andrew Nevens
InnerTag
407-949-0106
andrew@innertag.com
www.innertag.com
Cramming: It’s not just for college anymore
"Cramming” is the illegal practice of placing unauthorized charges on your telephone bill. Crammers rely on confusing telephone bills and vague wording to trick you into paying for unwanted services. Charges may be labeled as a service fee, service charge, mail server, calling plan, membership, monthly fee, or other fees on your bill.
How to fight back Here are some tips from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for fighting unauthorized charges on your telephone bill:
Carefully read all forms and promotional materials – including the fine print – before signing up for telephone or other services to be charged to your phone bill. Be equally careful if you receive an offer by phone.
Thoroughly review your telephone bills every month. Monitor them just as closely as you would review your monthly credit card bill or bank statements.
Make sure you recognize the names of all the companies listed on my bill and what services they’re providing.
Do not ignore small charges, which can add up to big amounts. Crammers often try to go undetected by submitting $1.99 or $2.99 charges to tens of thousands of consumers.
If You Suspect Unauthorized Charges Ask the company for an explanation before paying when you don’t know what service was provided for a charge on your bill. If you don’t receive a clear and accurate explanation, immediately call the company that charged you for services you did not authorize and request adjustment to your bill for any incorrect charges.
If that doesn’t work, call your own telephone company and request to have the incorrect charges removed. And if that doesn’t work, you can file a complaint with the FCC for charges related to telephone services between states or internationally, or with your state public service commission for telephone services within your state.
Have a nice weekend,
Andrew Nevens
InnerTag
407-949-0106
andrew@innertag.com
www.innertag.com
Get your business going with Google Places
More than 90 percent of consumers search for local businesses online, according to data released by Google. Many businesses spend time and money investing in online campaigns and search engine optimization (SEO) efforts, but may overlook or underutilize a free resource Google offers called Google Places.
Google Places launched in late 2009 as a “webpage for every place in the world, organizing all the relevant information about it.” However, not every place has found its place in Places so far. While Google Places is free and easy to set up, it can take some effort to get it set up so it benefits your business.
Start with the easy steps:
- Go to www.google.com/places
- Submit your pertinent business information, including basic contact info, plus photos and video if you have them
- Verify your listing by phone or postcard.
- Wait for your listing to appear on Google
More details make a better place Make sure your listing includes hours of operation, payment options, and additional information by completing the entire Places form online. The ranking of businesses on Google is very competitive and businesses with more details often move up the list.
You’ll be asked for your business category. Experts advise you to enter only one, even though you can override the system and enter more. Your business may get a better ranking by being strong in its primary category rather than trying to spread itself across many categories.
After a verification process by phone or mail, Google uses your entries and creates your place by searching the web and assembling information about your business from a variety of third-party sources, including Yelp and Yellow Pages.
Citations are hot Most of us are familiar with rankings on Google and other sites, and getting good reviews and rankings from your customers is important. But there’s a lesser known way to build up your ranking on Google. It’s called a citation and it is simply another website’s acknowledgement of your business. When your business name, address and phone number appear together on a webpage, it counts as a citation. The text does not need to be hyperlinked to your website, but the information, including spelling and suite numbers for example, does need to match exactly.
Remember Google is using its search engine to find citations. If you have partnership arrangements with other businesses, make sure they mention you in their website with your full name, address, and phone number in text so the search engine can find it. Likewise, if you sponsor charitable events, encourage the organization to print your name, address, and phone number in addition to your logo.
Official photography In May, Google announced a new project in conjunction with Places, called Google Business Photos. Using a professional photographer, this process creates and posts a 360-degree look at the interior of a retail store, a restaurant, or office. Business Photos is in limited release in the United States and a few other countries. You can find more about it by searching Google for “places business photos.”
Since most of your customers are using Google to find you, make sure you’re using the resource to your best advantage by using Google Places.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questoins or need help setting up your Google Places account.
Andrew Nevens
InnerTag
407-949-0106
andrew@innertag.com
www.innertag.com
Protect yourself from summer viruses
Viruses which cause physical illness may not be as common during the nice weather months but they still impact people. For example, the Norwalk virus is thought to be responsible for nasty summertime stomach flu symptoms, especially in close quarters like camps. Computer viruses don’t take summer vacation either. Be on the lookout for these:
Traffic ticket scam New York State Police say someone is sending e-mails claiming to be a traffic ticket from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. The attachment contains an unknown virus, which is correctly identified by most security software.
Mac users included For years Apple Mac users have boasted about the lack of malware on their computers but they’ve been hit recently by a barrage of malware in the guise of an antivirus software called Mac Defender. This software looks just like a standard Apple application but it actually infects computer and attempts to get the credit card of the recipient by selling them the Defender product.
Good news and bad news Microsoft updated the Autorun feature for external USB drives in Windows XP and Vista a few months ago, making it more difficult for hackers to exploit flash drives to spread viruses. Consequently, the number of malware infections based on the use of the Autorun feature have declined significantly (Windows 7 already shipped with the protections in place).
At the same time, Microsoft announced the first security fix release of the summer which included nine “critical” fixes and seven “important” fixes. Call us today if your Windows machines are not up-to-date with all Microsoft patches.
See ya next blog,
Andrew Nevens
InnerTag
407-949-0106
andrew@innertag.com
www.innertag.com
Recycle paper, not passwords
Common unsafe practices Now that you’ve created that password, however, how do you remember it? Two unsafe techniques people use regularly: They write down passwords on paper and keep them in an easy-to-access location, and they re-use the same password for many of the sites they access.
Password hide and seek Physical protection of passwords is just as important as protecting them electronically. Think about how often vendors, customers, and even strangers can peer into your office. Walk through the office occasionally and make sure to remove post-it notes with login names and passwords from monitors, walls, and insides of drawers. Caution your office mates not to risk a security breach by accidentally revealing passwords.
Even the most secure password can be breached or stolen. If smart hacker figures out your social media password, for example, he may try to find your bank account and its password as well. Protect yourself by creating a unique password for each system. In case one system is breached, you won’t have to worry about many other systems becoming accessible to unauthorized use.
How to remember? Now that you have created difficult passwords for each of the accounts you access, you may need some help remembering them. Password management software is an option. It stores and inputs all your login information for the sites you visit with a click of a button. You only need to remember a master login and password.
Smart phones can make password management more convenient and mobile. Check your application store to see what’s available. Even if you have to pay a small fee, it might be worth the investment to protect precious passwords.
thanks for reading and see ya next time,
Andrew Nevens
InnerTag
407-949-0106
andrew@innertag.com
www.innertag.com
Protect yourself! 4 easy Wi-Fi connection safety tips
What it boils down to is luck. If you are lucky, the Wi-Fi connection you find in a hotel or airport will be safe. If you are lucky, no hackers will be sitting around waiting for easy prey to pop on the Wi-Fi connection you found. Are you willing to risk the safety of your company and the data on your computer just to check in online while you are on the go?
Don’t compromise the security of your data for FREE Internet! It is all too easy to find a wireless hotspot these days. Coffee shops and restaurants even post signs in their front windows to advertise FREE Internet connections. Follow these 4 Wi-Fi safety tips and protect yourself against clever thieves.
1. Disable your wireless card’s ad-hoc (peer-to-peer) mode now! If you don’t know what an ad-hoc connection is, you probably don’t use it. Ad-hoc sometimes called computer-to-computer networking, allows two computers to be linked together. This type of connection may be used during a meeting to share documents or an Internet connection. Turning off this feature on your laptop will prevent hackers from connecting directly to your computer to steal data.
2. Assume you are being monitored by hackers on all free Wi-Fi connections. You can never really be sure if your connection is encrypted or secure when you do not have control over the connection. Turn on your firewall to protect yourself from computer-savvy hackers just waiting to break into your computer, browse your unprotected files or watch your online activity.
3. Don’t connect to your work computer without a Virtual Private Network (VPN). On an unencrypted connection, hackers can easily follow your actions and even hitch a ride with you right into your company’s system if you do not use a VPN. The worst part, businesses usually don’t know that their networks have been breached until it is too late. A VPN allows you to access your internal network or computer at the office using the Internet but through an encrypted tunnel so you don’t have to rely on the hotspot’s security to keep you safe.
What if you need to process a few payments online? While many companies, banks, and online shopping establishments now enforce stringent security policies, be aware that your email providers relaxed regulations could be dangerous. Even emailed financial information on a free Wi-Fi connection can be intercepted. Unfortunately, this kind of theft is difficult to track and even harder to prove. So, be careful out there!
4. Turn off your laptop’s wireless capabilities when you are not using them, especially when traveling. Most laptops search for Wi-Fi signals automatically and the connection could stay open even when you store your laptop in your shoulder bag to eat a meal at the airport or board a plane. Hackers look for computers that are connected but show no activity so they can dive in and take advantage of the free data buffet. Don’t leave your computer open for hackers to stop in for a bite.
A friend in your corner… If you need help preparing your laptop for your next business trip, give us a call. We can help you turn off the ad-hoc connection, turn on your firewall, and determine if your connection to the office is secure. Don’t risk your company or personal data on a free Wi-Fi connection while you are away from the office.
see ya next blog,
Andrew Nevens
InnerTag
407-949-0106
andrew@innertag.com
www.innertag.com
Dispose of unwanted devices safely. Don’t recycle company data or your identity with your e-waste!
If you have recently invested in a new laptop or tower computer, you may be looking for a way to offload your old one. Be sure to clean off your personal information or you may be handing out your company or personal information to thieves.
Startling facts about e-waste. Consumer Reports reveals that 3 in 10 consumers replaced their computer in 2010. Nearly 2 in 10 consumers that disposed of a desktop computer or monitor threw them in the trash. According to the New York Times, approximately 1.8 million tons of discarded computers, printers, cell phones and other electronics wound up in landfills in 2010. That is a lot of e-waste!
So, if you have unwanted electronics or e-waste, please consider donating it to a good cause, selling it to someone who can reuse it, or recycle your e-waste.
Donate, sell or recycle your old computer, but keep your data and identity safe. Deleting files and information just isn’t enough these days. Your computer holds on to deleted data so it can be recovered if necessary. So, how can you be sure your information is properly removed from your computer before you get rid of it? Use a program that is designed to overwrite the hard drive on your computer to wipe it clean.
Removing the files yourself using disk-cleaning software is not too difficult. Many free cleaning utilities are available to download online for free such as Active Kill Disk, Disk Cleaner, or even Sure Delete. If this is just too much work, you can always send your used computer or other devices to a refurbishing company that will wipe the devices clean and donate them to a worthy cause for you.
Beware… printers can also hold critical data that criminals love! Did you know that many printers save data on a hard drive, and that data can be reused when plugged into a computer? Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter if the printer even works. The hard drive may be unharmed and useful in the hands of a criminal. Just like a computer, your printer can be used for identity theft. There are software programs that can overwrite the data if you feel strongly about donating or selling your printer. However, destroying the hard drive is the only 100% guaranteed way of keeping your data safe.
Prepare your cell phone before handing it off… If you are selling, donating or recycling your cell phone, don’t forget to delete your personal and company data first. A cellular device is much like a printer it holds traces of the information so it can be restored if necessary even if the phone is broken.
If you are planning to upgrade to a new phone or just have an old one taking up space in your desk drawer, see your cell phone manual or wireless provider’s website for details regarding permanent information deletion. Don’t forget to remove your SIM and memory cards too before donating a cellular device.
Ready to donate? Determine if your device can be reused. A good rule of thumb to follow is, if you have a computer or device that is less than five years old it can usually be repurposed. The chances are very good that a non-profit or charitable agency could reuse your unwanted electronics to train individuals who are new users or even use your device within the organization.
Tips for donating unwanted electronics to a good cause. Donating your devices to a local charity or a community group can have a great impact on others. Be sure to call the group you have in mind first to be sure they have a need for the equipment you intend to donate.
If you cannot find a local organization, try searching for an agency that fits your interests online. Remember to check the agency’s policy regarding data on the devices to ensure proper handling of your critical information. Here are a few safe non-profit organizations to consider:
www.cristina.org
Accepts computer donations to reuse the technology to support training and greater independence for disabled individuals and other people in need.
www.pcforschools.org
A non-profit organization that refurbishes donated Pentium PC’s and late model Macintoshes, then distributes them to needy schools.
www.worldcomputerexchange.org
A global education and environmental non-profit that helps connect youth in 67 developing countries to the skills, opportunities, and understanding of the Internet while keeping working computers out of landfills.
Selling unwanted electronics can be a win-win too! Not only can you clear out devices that have been cluttering your home or workspace, but you can make a few bucks in the process. A great way to sell unwanted electronics is to include them in a garage sale or post them on your favorite classifieds website like CraigsList.org or ClassifiedAds.com.
If you have a little extra money to invest, look into upgrading your device before putting it up for sale. You may be pleasantly surprised at how quickly your devices will sell with current software or programs and how much more you can earn with such a minimal investment.
Recycling locations in your area are easy to find! Now you can find e-waste recycling locations quickly with Earth911.com. This website holds information for over 117,000 locations and programs for more than 240 materials, and that is just the beginning of their service. Earth911 is also geared toward education, teaching visitors why they should recycle, on top of how and where. If you’re short on time, call for information and locations near you:
Earth911 • 1-800-CLEANUP
Or visit Earth911.com and download their FREE iRecycle application for your iPhone and start recycling today!
Recycling improves the health of our planet. So, let’s work together to keep our planet green! It is up to us to reduce the amount of waste piling up in our landfills. Take a look at the Recycling 101 section on Earth 911.com today to learn more. You will be amazed at how many items can be recycled. You just have to learn how and where. Go GREEN!
See ya next blog,
Andrew Nevens
InnerTag
407-949-0106
andrew@innertag.com
www.innertag.com
Formatting using Word’s “Paste Special” feature
Copy and paste is a common function when editing in Word. You can better control exactly what you paste from your copying by using then Edit, Paste Special menu.
By default, when you Paste in something you’ve copied, Word will keep the source formatting. That may be fine when you’re working completely inside a Word document but if you’re pasting something from the internet or from another application, you may want to eliminate formatting. Here’s how:
Select the content from your source (a website, for example) and use the [Ctrl]+C keystrokes to copy the content to the clipboard. Switch to your Word document and place your cursor where you want to add your content. Select the Paste Special menu, and select one of the options:
- Formatted text retains the source formatting, it’s the same as using the Paste menu or [Ctrl]+V.
- Unformatted text will paste only the text. It eliminates formatting from the text and uses your document’s default style instead. It will not bring in any images you’ve selected. This is the most commonly used option but you may want to explore the others available.
- If you do a lot of pasting into Word from the internet or other sources using Word 2007 or 2010, you can change your default paste setting to be your most used setting.
- Click the File tab or Office button.
- Select Options (or Word Options at the bottom)
- Select Advanced in the left pane.
- In the Cut, Copy, and Paste section, choose from the pasting options. You’ll have a number of options to control the pasting default for several situations.
- Click OK.
You can control pasting when you’re working inside your open document, when you’re working between Word documents, and when you’re working with other sources such as Internet Explorer. Making the right selections could save you a lot of time in working with documents.
Unfortunately, Word 2003 doesn’t give you quite as much control. From the Tools menu, choose Options, and click the Edit tab. In the Cut And Paste section, click the Settings button and make your selections.
Thanks for reading, till next blog post.
Andrew Nevens
InnerTag
407-949-0106
andrew@innertag.com
www.innertag.com
