Caught this news article this morning from over at Daily Tech. (Awesome graphic btw.) Now, while Kaspersky isn' t the number 1 AV software out there, their opinion should surely matter. With Apple products now being targeted with viruses and other kinds of malware (malapp? hmm...I think i should trademark that.) more frequently, Apple is now getting a taste of what Microsoft has been going through for over 10 years.
Think about it, Apple's security notions are technically 10 years behind where Microsoft is. Now they have a good chance here to catch up and fight a better fight...but it's a STEEP hill to climb. With FlashFake already driving them and their users nuts, I can see a lot more of these on the horizon...long before they get their security standards up. With 4 million new & unsuspecting Apple users out there, there's going to be a lot of falls before they can get to the summit of the first hill on this trek.
I'd like to be one of the first to welcome Apple to the real world, where real people are real jerks, and will try to really hurt your users. While that may sound a little mean, I would like to also state that Apple and its users for years bragged about no viruses and malware...and pride always cometh before a fall.
Apple users...get a copy of Kaspersky's software or Symantec's software for your computer asap...better safe than sorry.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Managing your systems for...Free!
The word Free is now an ignored word in many ways. When people overuse it, the true meaning of it falls away into jargon and disbelief. You hear things like this:
"Oh SURE this is 'free'...I don't believe it. What's the catch?"
or
"Nothing is ever free my boy, you always pay in the end."
I never said there wasn't a rider to something that's free, but in this case, a single phone call is better than shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars for a real system to manage your environment.
The Meraki Systems Director is something I've been talking about with my clients for the past few weeks. Recently, Meraki actually made it free for download, (in my opinion) to show everyone how good the backbone that their products run on, and as a thank you for those of us working hard to show others their goodness. You can download it right here, but if you're still skeptical of a Free system to manage your desktops, laptops and iOS devices...give me a call.
I want to talk to you about it...heck, I'll even give you read access to my own Meraki network so you can see it for yourselves. I'd like to hope that my happy clients would join in here to say what they said when they saw how good it is...because the shock & amazement is a good marker on how much something like this is needed. (Hey, it runs on ANY network...why? Because it only pushes out agents that report to your dashboard on Meraki's servers...THAT easy.)
If you like it, I would hope you'll contact us to help you purchase some Meraki wireless, Security Appliances, or switches. They will compliment the System Director nicely, and you'll be really happy for it.
"Oh SURE this is 'free'...I don't believe it. What's the catch?"
or
"Nothing is ever free my boy, you always pay in the end."
I never said there wasn't a rider to something that's free, but in this case, a single phone call is better than shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars for a real system to manage your environment.
The Meraki Systems Director is something I've been talking about with my clients for the past few weeks. Recently, Meraki actually made it free for download, (in my opinion) to show everyone how good the backbone that their products run on, and as a thank you for those of us working hard to show others their goodness. You can download it right here, but if you're still skeptical of a Free system to manage your desktops, laptops and iOS devices...give me a call.
I want to talk to you about it...heck, I'll even give you read access to my own Meraki network so you can see it for yourselves. I'd like to hope that my happy clients would join in here to say what they said when they saw how good it is...because the shock & amazement is a good marker on how much something like this is needed. (Hey, it runs on ANY network...why? Because it only pushes out agents that report to your dashboard on Meraki's servers...THAT easy.)
If you like it, I would hope you'll contact us to help you purchase some Meraki wireless, Security Appliances, or switches. They will compliment the System Director nicely, and you'll be really happy for it.
Friday, April 20, 2012
You'll Shoot Your Adobe CS6 Out!
If you're a client of mine, or potential client, or someone who's heard me muttering to myself while waiting for the bus every day, you've heard about Adobe announcing CS6 coming in a few weeks. While they have us under an NDA for the actual release date, we can tell you that it's coming up quickly.
Most important here is that they want to transition all of their clients to CS6 when it releases. This will aid in file compatibility, and communication between those using Adobe products. Not to mention make things easier on Adobe when it comes to having CS3, CS4, CS5, CS5.5 and CS6 users to support...less of the older users to support, the less the strain on their resources.
So, the thing to consider right now is something that Adobe hasn't talked about in the past...the free upgrade. How do you get it? Well it's simple...just update your copy of CS from CS2,CS3, CS4, or CS5 to CS5.5 before the release date, and you'll get CS6 as a free upgrade when it releases. Yup, Free. In order to help our clients get these upgrades done quickly, we've got the upgrades priced to move...so you've got to contact your reps here to help you. Don't have a rep? Hit the contact button and you'll come direct to me, and I'll help you. :)
There is not much time left. DO NOT WAIT. Remember, those on your team who use Photoshop, can't live without it. ;)
I hope we hear from all of you on Monday. :) Have a great weekend!
Most important here is that they want to transition all of their clients to CS6 when it releases. This will aid in file compatibility, and communication between those using Adobe products. Not to mention make things easier on Adobe when it comes to having CS3, CS4, CS5, CS5.5 and CS6 users to support...less of the older users to support, the less the strain on their resources.
So, the thing to consider right now is something that Adobe hasn't talked about in the past...the free upgrade. How do you get it? Well it's simple...just update your copy of CS from CS2,CS3, CS4, or CS5 to CS5.5 before the release date, and you'll get CS6 as a free upgrade when it releases. Yup, Free. In order to help our clients get these upgrades done quickly, we've got the upgrades priced to move...so you've got to contact your reps here to help you. Don't have a rep? Hit the contact button and you'll come direct to me, and I'll help you. :)
There is not much time left. DO NOT WAIT. Remember, those on your team who use Photoshop, can't live without it. ;)
I hope we hear from all of you on Monday. :) Have a great weekend!
Monday, April 16, 2012
AutoCAD, APC and all the rest...here on Dragontech Island...
My apologies, I've had the Gilligan's Island theme stuck in my head all weekend for no reason I can understand...so I'm sharing it with all of you.
I had started to write this great and grand post on Friday...putting in pieces here and there throughout the day like I usually do when I'm busy...and as I"m a few seconds from posting at 4:25pm...the power here went out. Now from all of the rain we had on Friday morning, that was to be expected. (For those of you not from Los Angeles, even an inch of rain here is like getting 5 feet of snow in a couple hours...it's usually a disaster.) So as we left for the day minutes later, I was thinking about those of you who have had similar experiences with power over the years. While this was an isolated incident and we were back up and running in minutes...I wonder about those folks who need help going over their power situation and fixing it. Our partnership with APC and other "power partners" can work to your advantage...whether it's an assessment by one of the manufacturers, or by our own team here at PC Mall...we can help you identify what your issues are and help you fix them.
Secondly, AutoCAD and all of the versions of that software are now available from us here at PC Mall. Our partnership with Autodesk is stronger than ever, and the 2013 version of their AutoCAD software is now available. If you utilize Autodesk, you should give us a call...we can help you sort through upgrading and making sure that you're completely current on their software.
There you have it...happy late Friday/early Monday. :)
I had started to write this great and grand post on Friday...putting in pieces here and there throughout the day like I usually do when I'm busy...and as I"m a few seconds from posting at 4:25pm...the power here went out. Now from all of the rain we had on Friday morning, that was to be expected. (For those of you not from Los Angeles, even an inch of rain here is like getting 5 feet of snow in a couple hours...it's usually a disaster.) So as we left for the day minutes later, I was thinking about those of you who have had similar experiences with power over the years. While this was an isolated incident and we were back up and running in minutes...I wonder about those folks who need help going over their power situation and fixing it. Our partnership with APC and other "power partners" can work to your advantage...whether it's an assessment by one of the manufacturers, or by our own team here at PC Mall...we can help you identify what your issues are and help you fix them.
Secondly, AutoCAD and all of the versions of that software are now available from us here at PC Mall. Our partnership with Autodesk is stronger than ever, and the 2013 version of their AutoCAD software is now available. If you utilize Autodesk, you should give us a call...we can help you sort through upgrading and making sure that you're completely current on their software.
There you have it...happy late Friday/early Monday. :)
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
What the...? (part 1: managed services)
One of the most often given responses to my statements about PC Mall and what we can do is... "Wait, I didn't know you could do that!" Why? Well, people hear PC Mall and think that we're a place to buy computers while stopping at Sbarro to get a slice of pizza. Those who talk to us on a regular basis come to understand that not only are we a place to get progressively priced equipment and software, but that we're a company that did $2 billion in business last year, and a large chunk of which was Services.
From installation to consultative to professional and managed, we act as a savior to so many companies nationwide every day. Stepping in to solve problems that would take them weeks and more manpower $$ than it would to pay someone to do it for them. Would you rather spend $50,000 in equipment and personnel time to fix a data closet, or spend $10k and have it done in 3 days by professionals? That's what we do.
Now primary to what we do are managed services. What are managed services, you ask? Well, this little article here covers them pretty well. Give us a call so we can talk about what we can do to help you!
From installation to consultative to professional and managed, we act as a savior to so many companies nationwide every day. Stepping in to solve problems that would take them weeks and more manpower $$ than it would to pay someone to do it for them. Would you rather spend $50,000 in equipment and personnel time to fix a data closet, or spend $10k and have it done in 3 days by professionals? That's what we do.
Now primary to what we do are managed services. What are managed services, you ask? Well, this little article here covers them pretty well. Give us a call so we can talk about what we can do to help you!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Come on, you want to wear a mask and cape!
All IT personnel are unsung heroes. I know you are, and you know you are. The average member of your organization may forget how much they CANNOT DO without the work that you do. This is a nice little article from the folks over at ZDNet that remembers the hard work from all IT personnel. :)
Friday, April 6, 2012
Happy Good Friday and Easter!
It wouldn't be a holiday without a Dragontech Team JibJab!
Seriously, folks this is the time of year when the giants of our industry...HP & Dell...throw up their hand and start practically giving hardware away. Ergo, this is the time to buy if you're looking for ANY kind of Hardware.
Most of you lucky folks who work with me directly will see this email today...but here's an advance on it right here at Dragontech...courtesy from my good friends at HP!
Seriously, folks this is the time of year when the giants of our industry...HP & Dell...throw up their hand and start practically giving hardware away. Ergo, this is the time to buy if you're looking for ANY kind of Hardware.
Most of you lucky folks who work with me directly will see this email today...but here's an advance on it right here at Dragontech...courtesy from my good friends at HP!
In the end...Have a Happy (Hoppy?) Easter and we'll see you all next week! :)
Thursday, April 5, 2012
BIOS Password Problem?
I have one of my brilliant techs out there send me a Basic BIOS password crack
He says it works 9.9 times out of ten!
This is a password hack but it clears the BIOS such that the next time you start the PC, the CMOS does not ask for any password. Now if you are able to bring the DOS prompt up, then you will be able to change the BIOS setting to the default. To clear the CMOS do the following:
Get DOS prompt and type:
DEBUG hit enter
-o 70 2e hit enter
-o 71 ff hit enter
-q hit enter
exit hit enter
He says it works 9.9 times out of ten!
This is a password hack but it clears the BIOS such that the next time you start the PC, the CMOS does not ask for any password. Now if you are able to bring the DOS prompt up, then you will be able to change the BIOS setting to the default. To clear the CMOS do the following:
Get DOS prompt and type:
DEBUG hit enter
-o 70 2e hit enter
-o 71 ff hit enter
-q hit enter
exit hit enter
Friday, March 30, 2012
It's the End of Windows As We Know It...
...and I feel fine.
We all should feel fine actually, because the launch of Windows 8 is just around the corner this year. "But Herr Leader," you ask, "Windows 7 was just released? Why is Microsoft trying to hurt our brains?" It's easy Skippy, they're not. Windows 8 isn't going to be replacing Windows 7 as a desktop/laptop OS. It will however be replacing them on Tablets and making Windows Phone 7.5 look even better. This article over at CNN reminded me that I needed to talk about it with y'all. :)
For those of you who haven't seen, there is a beta for Windows 8 available to test, and all reports come across well. I've yet to pull this and set it up myself (as my tablet is an ARM tablet and I can't get it on there yet), but as an Xbox user and Windows Phone adopter, I'm already quite used to it. Knowing Microsoft, they're not looking to replace Windows 7 yet either, because they've been driving so hard to get it adopted by businesses...as well it should be, it's probably the best OS they've come up with in a very long time.
Rather than force an OS to conform to two distinct platforms (touch units and traditional units are NOT the same thing), and having a crappy experience on one or the other, they've sidestepped that nightmare. This sidestep allows MS to put out for both platforms as it perfects both. This, in my opinion, will then lead to Windows 9...a hybridization of both Windows 7 & 8...but that's several years off. Here's a link to a great article at Forrester about Windows 8 and adoption. It's nice to know my thoughts are on the level with the guys who get paid to think about these kinds of things. :)
If you get a chance, grab a copy of the beta and test it out. I think that most folks will enjoy it...and it's good to see Microsoft taking a leap forward instead of playing "Three Stooges" with the rest of the companies in the IT Space.
Have a great weekend!
We all should feel fine actually, because the launch of Windows 8 is just around the corner this year. "But Herr Leader," you ask, "Windows 7 was just released? Why is Microsoft trying to hurt our brains?" It's easy Skippy, they're not. Windows 8 isn't going to be replacing Windows 7 as a desktop/laptop OS. It will however be replacing them on Tablets and making Windows Phone 7.5 look even better. This article over at CNN reminded me that I needed to talk about it with y'all. :)
For those of you who haven't seen, there is a beta for Windows 8 available to test, and all reports come across well. I've yet to pull this and set it up myself (as my tablet is an ARM tablet and I can't get it on there yet), but as an Xbox user and Windows Phone adopter, I'm already quite used to it. Knowing Microsoft, they're not looking to replace Windows 7 yet either, because they've been driving so hard to get it adopted by businesses...as well it should be, it's probably the best OS they've come up with in a very long time.
Rather than force an OS to conform to two distinct platforms (touch units and traditional units are NOT the same thing), and having a crappy experience on one or the other, they've sidestepped that nightmare. This sidestep allows MS to put out for both platforms as it perfects both. This, in my opinion, will then lead to Windows 9...a hybridization of both Windows 7 & 8...but that's several years off. Here's a link to a great article at Forrester about Windows 8 and adoption. It's nice to know my thoughts are on the level with the guys who get paid to think about these kinds of things. :)
If you get a chance, grab a copy of the beta and test it out. I think that most folks will enjoy it...and it's good to see Microsoft taking a leap forward instead of playing "Three Stooges" with the rest of the companies in the IT Space.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
HP Chimes In on a Special PC Mall Webinar...
So BYOD (bring your own device) is getting bigger and bigger...and while some of us have been talking about this for awhile, it's good to see heavyweights like HP start to get involved.
We here at PC Mall have set up a special webinar for April 26th, in which experts from HP will be discussing how to handle BYOD in your environment. So if you're not on the Meraki train, and prefer some HP flavoring to your network, this seminar is for you!
Lastly, here's a good article on this over at Forbes. However I think the illustrious author forgot the 6th step...Call your PC Mall Dragontech team to help you get to where you need to be! :)
We here at PC Mall have set up a special webinar for April 26th, in which experts from HP will be discussing how to handle BYOD in your environment. So if you're not on the Meraki train, and prefer some HP flavoring to your network, this seminar is for you!
Lastly, here's a good article on this over at Forbes. However I think the illustrious author forgot the 6th step...Call your PC Mall Dragontech team to help you get to where you need to be! :)
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