Last week a colleague was relating to me an issue he was going through.  It seems a data center he works with was facing very serious failures as a majority of their systems were offline.  My colleague used this company for all of his data storage and email.  Now with the data center not able to service him, he felt like he was working in the blind.

One could argue, how could he know the data center would go down.  Most data centers these days rave about a 99.99% + up-time rate, and the data center never had any issue before.  Well, in early August if you had asked anybody when was the last time they felt an earthquake in the Albany, NY area, the majority would say never.  Had you asked them again at the end of August and their story and frame of reference would be completely different.

Let’s take a look at one scenario which could have helped my colleague.  Being a road warrior, his laptop accompanied him everywhere.  He also had his iPhone setup for email.  His laptop was setup to access his email via a web client.  This is typically a good option, but has its drawbacks.  In this case because the data center was offline, so was his email.  Where this turned into a major issue was that his calendar and contacts were now not accessible.  Had he been using a program such as Microsoft Outlook running on his laptop, at least he would have had access to some of the critical data he needed.

My colleague is a very bright individual, he just never took the time to either sit and think of potential issues or talked through possible problems with someone.   Regardless of the reason, because the data center was down, he was unable to function anywhere near his potential for several days.  The time he lost can never be replaced.

On a positive note, he decided he should take some time and talk with me about planning for future disasters now.

Because we work with many local and regional businesses in the Albany and Saratoga Region, we have been able to put into place backup procedures to help in times like this.  If you are unable to access certain portions of your business, how will you continue?  Will this be a major or minor incident?  We are currently offering a free Data Disaster Audit and Review to businesses in the area who would like some options to help Eliminate HI-Tech Frustrations.  If you’d like some free tips, give us a call or fill out our online form at www.HITmanSafe.com.

Incoming search terms:

• computer repair WP
• how to prepare to be a hitman
• technology help in the disasters

In order to get the most from Microsoft Outlook Web Access, Internet Explorer needs to be used.  Substituting other browsers such as Firefox disables certain functions.  The benefit of using OWA is it eliminates the need to install Microsoft Outlook on the computer.

OWA looks very similar to Microsoft Outlook, but there is no Today page and some of the advanced viewing options such as seeing tasks on the calendar page are also not available.  If you are not a fan of Microsoft’s new ribbon in Office 2010, then you will like Outlook Web Access.  However if you do like the ribbon you are out of luck as it is not in OWA.

Advanced users of Microsoft Outlook will be disappointing that some of the drag and drop options will not work in Outlook Web Access.  Viewing calendars of others is available if you have the appropriate permissions.

For the Android there are several options available to corporate users of Microsoft Exchange.  Many phones such as the Motorola Droid X, Droid Pro and Droid 3 along with several from Samsung and HTC have built-in connectivity to Exchange.  Depending on the phone and version of software, the calendar and email retention vary.  While contacts synchronize with the Exchange contacts, notes and tasks do not.

There are several companies which offer an add-on for Android based smartphones; one program  is TouchDown and another program is RoadSync.  Both sync; calendar, contacts, email and tasks between an Exchange server and the Android smartphone. Each has its own limits and advantages.

TouchDown allows the creation of tasks from within an email which is a very useful tool used by those seeking the most efficiency.  TouchDown also has uses categories from Outlook (Exchange) and the method to file emails is superior to RoadSync.  A downfall of TouchDown is it is very easy for the system to not save notes in the calendar, tasks and contacts; which could be an issue for many.  RoadSync works well, but lacks the categories and ability to create tasks from an email.

For power users, an Android based smartphone or tablet can be superior to Outlook Web Access, the one limiting factor is the lack of seeing calendars from others within the organization.

This article was written by The Boss of HITman Services, a computer and IT company, based in Clifton Park and serving the Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties of New York.

Incoming search terms:

• android exchange tasks
• owa tasks android
• android exchange calendar
• owa task sync for android
• owa security breach firefox
• owa how to sync task android
• owa for TOUCHDOWN
• owa for droid 3
• owa fix for droid x
• outlook with access Droid

On other occasions staying at this hotel when I brought the notebook computer, a CAT5 connection was available. The hotel where I stayed must have recently changed from a hardwired Internet connection to wireless Internet when they remodeled.  Being concerned about security, I made the decision not to connect my notebook to their wireless network and didn’t bother tethering my Android phone to the computer.  Instead I used Samsung Fascinate smartphone.  Other than taking the notebook out of the case, it didn’t get any use.

Back at my office I find having a notebook works superbly as I am able to take advantage of both the display on the notebook and the 32” HDTV which acts as my second monitor.  While smartphones and Android based tablets allow connection to an HDTV, they run in mirror mode as oppose to being able to run different software on each screen of a notebook computer.  Also I don’t have to have a desktop computer at my home office as the notebook does double-duty.

There are so many new offerings, which may have a dramatic impact on notebook computers.  The iPad started the tablet revolution and a week so doesn’t go by when a company announces a new tablet being introduced.  Tablets have great functionality and if a person primarily uses the Internet, may fit the bill.

Notebooks still have value and depending on needs are a good solution; but their role is changing and perhaps in the not too distant future will transform into something completely different.

This article was written by The Boss of HITman Services, a computer and IT company, based in Clifton Park and serving the Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties of New York.

Incoming search terms:

• clifton park ipad repair

Periodically when people come in to our Clifton Park office, they mention that some person or another suggest they get a Mac.  When asked why, they say that so-and-so told them how Macs don’t get viruses and how easy they are to use.

First for the ease of use issue; while I don’t drink the Microsoft Kool-Aid, Windows 7 is a very easy system to use.  I know many seniors who have been using Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional versions and they seem to have absolutely no problems with it.

As for the “fact” that Mac’s are immune to malware, well if they believe that, then they must believe (like many politicians) that money grows on trees. Money doesn’t; and Mac’s are susceptible to malware problems.

Last month, users of Apple’s Mac OS were subjected to a malware attack similar to what PC users have experienced in the past.  While Apple was slow to respond with help, they finally did come up with a fix.  Within a very short time the malware writers were able to work around it.

The reason PCs seem to be in the news more when it comes to attack  and vulnerabilities is because there are simply more of them.  More PCs mean more people using them and a larger potential payoff.

Mac OS and Linux based computers have more vulnerabilities, but there aren’t enough users (at the moment) to make it worthwhile for hackers to spend much time on.

The fact of the matter is just being on the Internet makes one susceptible to attack.  It doesn’t matter what OS you are running or what anti-virus or firewall you have installed.  Just as a motivated burglar can break into any building given the proper motivation and resources; so can a hacker break into any system.

This article was written by The Boss of HITman Services, a computer and IT company, based in Clifton Park and serving the Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties of New York.

On the surface this just doesn’t make any sense.  You have two behemoths battling it out.  What could Apple possibly expect to gain from suing Amazon?  Publicity?

Certainly Amazon has the resources to combat such a outrageous attempt by Apple to stifle innovation.  That thought led me to think that perhaps it wasn’t really Amazon which Apple was targeting, but up and coming start-ups which may gain a foot-hold in the market.  New business enterprises don’t have the resources to fight a company the size of Apple, so if Apple puts the fear of attorneys and lawsuits into them, maybe they won’t even attempt to start a new business.

Why would a company such as Apple, which pushes the technology envelope want to muzzle innovation?  Have they lost sight of how they started?  It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Interesting what happens to companies when they get so large.  Not that I am advocating by any stretch that limits be placed on business growth, just they remember how they got to be big in the first place.

This article was written by The Boss of HITman Services, a computer and IT company, based in Clifton Park and serving the Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties of New York.

First it was computers.  I can remember reading a computer magazine years ago; it was an article on buying a computer that would still be high tech two years from when the article was written.  That computer was a 386; if you don’t know what a 386 is, it’s the equivalent of a Model T Ford!  Needless to say the article was way off as the 486 very quickly became the processor of choice for that era.

A couple of decades later, it was PDA’s and cell phones. I had one of the original PDA’s, an HP OmniGo.  The OmniGo was way ahead of its time; as the personal organizer could be used in both portrait and landscape mode, had a built-in QWERTY keyboard, and handwriting recognition software technology called Graffiti.  I recall sitting at the desk in my home office thinking the ultimate device would be a cell phone with the capabilities of the OmniGo, as I would only have to carry one device.  Years later these devices started appearing on the market.

Now every few months new smartphones are being advertised with features which only science fiction writers and futurists could have imagined.  How many would have thought that you could be sitting at an outdoor cafe in a beautiful location, look into a device 2.5″ x 4.5″ and visually connect with someone on the other side of the country?  Or that these small devices coupled with other technologies could help topple a regime?  Yet the people on Madison Avenue and other advertisers along with manufacturers want us to believe that the device we have isn’t good enough any more.

Big screen TV’s were the next big thing.  I recall shopping for my first “big screen” TV; it was a “32″, which tells you how many years ago that was!  The set lasted for quite a while and then the next generation of HDTV’s started coming along.  At the time there were rear projection units, plasma which was quite expensive and the very first LCD was on the market.  My budget dictated a nice 42″ rear projection and I remember looking at the LCD and thinking this would be my next HDTV.  Now, LCD is being supplanted by LED LCD and 3D.   And then in an effort of one-upmanship, you thought you finally beat technology obsolescence; you bought a brand new 55″ LCD with local dimming and 3D.  Soon afterword you discovered that now you could have HDTV apps.  Who knows,  next we could become an integral part of the movie!

But now we may be at the dawn of a new era which may make device obsolescence, obsolete.  The technological change and major transformational shift I am referring to is cloud computing.  While cloud computing has been around in some form for quite a while, it is about to make a sea change in the way we view and use technology.

With cloud computing, technology is no longer device-centric, the information available at our finger tips will no longer depend on buying the latest piece of hardware, whether that is a phone, computer, TV, or refrigerator.  The World Wide Web will be available on any device (providing governments don’t screw it up by getting involved).

But with manufacturers needing to produce more products to remain relevant, will they find a way to make the obsolescence of technology obsolescence, obsolete?

This article was written by The Boss of HITman Services, a computer and IT company, based in Clifton Park and serving the Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties of New York.

Incoming search terms:

• cloud computing and hdtv
• kamien computer repair in schaumburg
• model t clifton

I remember standing in line with my family at the Alien Adventure in the Magic Kingdom.  I asked one of the attendants if the ride was appropriate for children.  Her response was the ride didn’t move; I was curious as the ride had a reputation as being very thrilling.

Despite being there early in the morning, the line was fairly long.  Once inside we were treated to the pre-show entertainment, which was a video playing on the ceiling mounted monitors.  The video was describing a new transportation machine developed by a large world-wide corporation, and we were going to be part of the experiment.

At the time I was thinking about the global corporation and how such an entity could alter life, for good or bad.  While there were many corporations which spanned the globe back then, I don’t think they had the impact that the new generation of corporations have.  Sure they produced goods and were involved with the military, but they just didn’t have the impact to the general citizenry that the new breed of world-wide corporations have today.

Consider for a moment some of the very large businesses we have which are an integral part of the lives of so many: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Apple, Sony, Verizon, and the list goes on.  While being large is not necessarily a bad thing, having tentacles which are so intertwined into our lives in so many ways, I believe is.

These large corporations have so many resources, they can influence our politicians and alter our lives in ways we may not initially (or ever) be aware of.  Certainly there may be government oversight committees or Congressional hearings on the most highly publicized events, but how many issues go unreported, especially by the old main-stream media?

Just in this past week it was discovered that Apple had been tracking and storing every place an iPhone owner went if they had their iPhone with them.  And if you are an Apple iPhone user, who doesn’t bring it along everywhere they go?  In its default state,  the information was unencrypted with an unencrypted copy stored on the user’s PC or Mac.  As of this moment, Apple has not released a statement why they were tracking people and how or why the information was going  to be used.

Next we have Sony and a breach of their PlayStation Network which has far reaching implications.  Sony’s PlayStation Network was hacked leaving users of the Qriocity streaming service very susceptible to identity theft.  Through the breach, the hacker stole user’s private information including: their name and home address, the password to their account, their email addresses, and their date of birth.  While I can’t speak for others, but if I was a subscriber to Qriocity, I would be angered over the issue.

It’s not just Sony though.  Many of the extremely large companies have been hacked; Microsoft and Google included.  Small companies have also had their systems breached, but they typically don’t have the amount of information exposure the large companies do.

Let’s not put all the blame on these world-wide behemoth’s though; part of the responsibility resides with us.  Who has more at stake for our physical and financial well being then ourselves?  Certainly not large corporations.  The government?  No.  It is us.  Just because we are asked for our date of birth, doesn’t mean we need to give it to everyone under the sun.  Granted there are businesses who’s sole purpose is to gather information about us and our buying habits and once the information is out there, it is almost impossible to get back.

Going back to the headline of this blog, “Is Walt Disney World’s Alien Coming to Life?”; Alien may not be, but the world-wide corporations which created it certainly is.  Oh, and by the way, my daughter was the one selected by the Alien!

This article was written by The Boss of HITman Services, a computer and IT company, based in Clifton Park and serving the Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties of New York.

Incoming search terms:

• disney world iphone repair

Last year our company took over IT support for an state organization in Schenectady NY.  Everything seemed to be going well until we went to get a new SSL certificate issued for their Microsoft Exchange Server.

The registration information on the SSL certificate showed the old IT provider.  Both our client and us contacted the IT company and requested they renew the SSL.  Their response was they would be willing do that if our client had them handle all of their email and IT support and pay them $10,000.00 per year to do so.  As our client was not happy with their service this was not an option.

At this point you may be thinking we needed to get out the baseball bats to deal with the issue, but happily that was not the case.  We were able to get the SSL certificate issue resolved through creative thinking. Even in this age of high tech, the old adage, caveat emptor, still rings true.

This article was written by The Boss of HITman Services, a computer and IT company, based in Clifton Park and serving the Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties of New York.

Before we proceeded, I asked her the when was the last time she did a backup.  Her response was,” just a few minutes ago as I just pressed the save button.”  When I explored this further, it became apparent she never did a backup, and she has a lot of financial data going back for many years on her computer.

I explained to her how she could backup her Quicken data and suggested she purchase some USB flash drives.  As Quicken doesn’t take up a lot of space, almost any current USB flash drive would work fine for her needs.

This article was written by The Boss of HITman Services, a computer and IT company, based in Clifton Park and serving the Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties of New York.

Incoming search terms:

• quicken save as vs backup

So users of UberTwitter, twidroyd and UberCurrent needed to use another program for their mobile needs.  While mobile twitter users may not be happy, it really doesn’t have a major impact on them.  UberMedia however has a big problem as  their primary software and source of income is on hold.

The same thing could happen to companies who’s products are designed for Facebook.  While the upside is a built-in user base, a company is dependent on the policies of their host.  Kind of like the pilot fish and the shark!

This article was written by The Boss of HITman Services, a computer and IT company, based in Clifton Park and serving the Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties of New York.