Innovative Management Assistance

Don’t Buy NetTalk

Mike — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:26:38 +0000

A while back when the MagicJack surfaced, I purchased one. (First thing I ever purchased from a TV Infomercial). I was happy to say it arrived quickly and worked. The only problem I had with it was the annoying popup screen. I quickly found a way to stop the popup and all was well. Then I learned of NetTalk and their claim was that the device DID NOT require a computer and could be plugged into a Router. This made much more sense to me and from a practical standpoint was better suited as it did not require a PC for it to operate. So, I purchased one and was very happy with its operation. I also kept my MagicJack just in case and to take on the road. Since then, I have done my best to let everyone know about NetTalk. Friends, family, clients as it save lots of money.
Then one day my NetTalk stopped working, so I called TechSupport. I was told it was out of warranty and that I would have to purchase a new device. I spoke with a supervisor who listened to what I had to say and agreed to send a replacement. Although there was some confusion/issues getting the replacement device to work, it finally was resolved. Also, during this time, MagicJack came out with their MagicJack Plus which also no longer required a computer. Since they gave me a good deal to upgrade, I took advantage of the offer and did so. I received my new device, tested it and it worked just fine.
Then not within two months of getting my replacement NetTalk the device died. I spend two phone calls with tech support and they were unable to get it going. And their answer to me was that I was out of warranty and since they just gave me a new device it was not covered and my only option was to purchase a new device.
I called back to argue my case that the NEW device they sent me lasted only two months and the new device should be covered. I got nowhere.
Then I spoke with Customer Care and explained the story. I was told I would hear back from someone within 24 hours. And when that didn’t happen and I called back, I was told there were no notes in my file stating that I would get called back. I was then then quickly transferred to a Tech Support Supervisor. That landed me in at caller #46. So, I called Customer Care back again and tried to speak with a supervisor, and basically got the rub-off.
So, the moral of this story is that I no longer recommend NetTalk to Anyone. Any company that is that blind, does not deserve my support. So, go with the MagicJack Plus if you want an inexpensive and practical way to cut you phone bill. The other plus is that you can now port your phone number with the MagicJack Plus.

That Wasn’t So Bad

Mike — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 15:51:56 +0000

Well the conversion, migration from the old ‘theme’ to the new twentlyelven child theme was pretty straightforward. There are a few issues, quirks that I have with the new twentlyevlen theme, but once worked through, it does the job well. For more in-depth posts on my trials and tribulations with twentyeleven you can view them at blogsGuaranteed.

About That Time

Mike — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:27:09 +0000

This site is currently being updated to the new WP Twentyeleven theme. Please bear with us as accomplish this task. For those interested, we have found this theme to be great core theme especially when employed as a parent theme. Issue here is I spent many an hours getting the horizontal Navigation bar to work properly for the Solutions & Services branch that I have put off updating the plugins for a long long time. Now hopefully I can do away with the plugins.
As far as the twentyeleven theme, I have found it easy to work with. The structure differs slightly from the twentyten theme, #wrapper is now #page. The biggest issue I have found is the default size of the new theme. Fortunately, with the benefit of a child theme, this is easily rectified.
If you are interested more in the twentyeleven theme, please check out the blogsguaranteed link.

Take it on the road.

Mike — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 20:57:47 +0000

Just installed the WP Android app on my Galaxy S. After a simple change to the site to allow XML-RPC, and entering my blog info in the app I am up and running. Now I might find more free time … Continue reading →

Monitor Just Won’t Go To Sleep

Mike — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:09:50 +0000

The other day I noticed that the screen saver marque was floating across my two 24″ monitors. That may not sound much like a problem but it certainly was as I don’t think I had ever seen the marque since I set it up. Why, because I have relied on the Power Management Settings to power down my monitors before the screen saver would kick in. However, it was no longer happening. Step one, close everything down and reboot.
That didn’t solve the trick. I then tried resetting the times, 1 minute for power-down and 2 minutes for screen saver. What I got was the screen-saver. This eliminated “by reason” that a device was preventing it from going into sleep mode. Now, this may in fact be the case, but logic says try something else.
Next step, Google. Lots there, but not much of any help in solving the problem, but what I did discover was a very handy utility. Actually, I had come across it some time ago, but, it got lost in the cob webs. Anyway, the utility is a ‘definite’ must have for all techs. It is called nircmd.exe (get it here). One of the many tasks it can do is turn off your monitor. By using this tool I tested the command and in doing so my monitors went to sleep. Thus, there as not a problem with my monitors or the computer’s ability to control them.
The dilemma was now, spend unknown amount of time trying to figure out who or what is the culprit. Do a system restore and see if that fixes it and if so then reinstall any updates and hope it doesn’t repeat it self, or, simply make it work.
To accomplish this, I thought if I could simply run a batch file whenever the screen-saver kicked in (as I know that worked), then could run the nircmd command line and be good to go.
However, after Googling and going through 7 pages ‘not much help’ here, I found the answer. And a simple one at that. Using the built-in Windows scheduler.
I quickly found myself at a pass when creating the task, via the wizard, there was no option for idle time. This used to exist and I didn’t see why it would have been removed, so I simply selected “on startup” and then selected the Advanced setup button later in the wizard. Now, I simply set the idle time I wanted and I was back in biz. So, once again it was a 5 minute fix, it only took an hour to figure it out.

Mobility and Security

Mike — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 20:21:08 +0000

With so many wanting to be mobile, the question always comes up on how do I secure my laptop while on the road? Do I need to purchase additional software since I am not behind the firewall at my office? These are both key questions. If you employ a Sonicwall as your office firewall, then you are protected and do not need any additional UTM software. It does require you to take a few extra steps (and a little time) while out and about, but, once done your laptop is just as safe on the road as if you were in your office.
Thus, utilizing a Sonicwall for your office, also provides you the same security when on the road or at home.

Internet Backup

Mike — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:43:46 +0000

Years ago, when the Internet was in its early stages and High Speed was the “New” thing many of us relied on a “dial-up” connection for backup. And as HS became more stable and the need for dial-up lessened we dropped our dial-up lines and thus our backup. Not really a good thing, however, today’s network would barely survive if we had to use a dial-up connection. Mainly it doesn’t support a fast enough bandwidth to support today’s internet needs. However, as the HS race continues, we are faced with troubling times when there is an outage. And often, the outage has nothing to do with us, or even our Local ISP from which we get our service. Internet traffic flows along the www highway between many nodes. If some some reason, one of those nodes goes down. So might our traffic. And if the node is close enough, it might bring out entire internet down. Now, this may be infrequent, but, should it happen can you survive without, and for how long. If this is a concern for you, then you need to employ failover technology to your network. Usually, this requires the need for specific failover routers which allow the connection of multiple internet providers. Obviously, this would require two ISP accounts and thus a costly one, but, how much is lost if you go down. Some of today’s devices also allow for the use of Wireless Aircards (cell phone carriers) for the failover or backup.

If downtime is a concern, or already a problem, don’t wait til it happens again.

Why VPN

Mike — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:31:20 +0000

Because, what was safe a year or so ago is no longer safe. Many of us relied on remote access programs such as PC Anywhere, Remote Admin and even Remote Desktop to connect to our computers while on the road. However, unless we have a strong username, and an even stronger password it might not be enough as the hackers know all the tricks and looking for the easy ins.

Having a VPN, usually proprietary to the MFG, coupled with strong UN/PW provides a much greater firewall against the ‘hacker’. A VPN connection not only requires a VPN sharedkey password, it requires the users UN & PW. However, the drawback to that is if your computer or laptop is stolen, then it becomes imperative to change the Shared Key immediately. The VPN also provides encryption of the data through the tunnel so if by some means the stream of data is compromised, your data is fully encrypted.

Another form of VPN, which eliminates the need for a VPN client being installed on a desktop or laptop is the SSL VPN. The SSL, short for Secure Socket Layer, is the same protection that is utilized in e-commerce and financial transactions on the web. As you hopefully know, https (vs http) is what you see (URL) when on an SSL connection. Basically it means that a secure connection (Shared Key) has been made and all traffic is encrypted. An SSL VPN connection allows the client to use any computer with web access (Internet Browser) to make a VPN connection via SSL.

Another advantage of either VPN method, is that it allow you to further secure your firewall by sealing an open port. And the less ports open, the better your odds of someone hacking in.

Say it Once, Say it a Million Times

Mike — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:45:18 +0000

The other day I had a referral call as they were having issues with their network and needed some quick help. Within just a few minutes of surveying their network I had my answer. I didn’t know what the problem was, or how bad it was, but I was quite sure I knew why. And it is probably one of the biggest, and equally, one of the most common problems out there.
The old adage, that the strongest chain is only as strong at it weakest link. Well, utilizing a ‘consumer’ grade router for a network and then having the wireless setup so that employees/customers can get online is a DISASTER just waiting to happen. And so it did for this client and so many others. Just cause it works at home or a friends, is by no means reason to trust it for protecting your business. Most of the time when I explain that in this scenario that any wireless user has access to your entire network they look bewildered. — Well, what else would you expect! And if you are saying “I have a password”, just as my new client stated, wake up! Think about it, now your patients, clients, employees or any of their friends now have it too. And betting bottom to dollar, it will be one of them that hacks you. Scary huh!
If you must rely on ‘consumer’ grade routers or products for your firewall protection. Then additional hardware, configuration and setup is 100% necessary if you also want to provide secure wireless. Even if it is for your employees! An unhappy employee is just as likely to give you something to remember as is your run of the mill hacker.
Your data and your network are your livelihood. Is it worth the risk. And sadly, this won’t be the last time I see it happen. No matter how many times I say it!

Just Love It

Mike — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:02:17 +0000

About a month ago I dropped my cell phone while running and it broke — so I was now forced to get a new phone. I had test drove the Sprint Instinct when it hit the market and returned it. Even with all it great features, it did less of what I wanted then my flip phone. But, now I had no choice and settled the HTC Hero. Can’t say I truly love it, as it has some serious issues. But, it get’s the job done. Yes, there are some cool apps, but about the only plus it has over the old phone is the ability of getting and viewing my emails. However, that is not the purpose of this post.
I had also recently purchased a Netbook, for portability. As for workability (actually doing work on them), they are pretty bad. Any who, the introduction of this device created a new problem in that it does not have a slot for my wireless air card – not good.
Now, I could have purchased a new USB air card and swapped between the two, but opted for the ‘cooler’ toy the Sprint MiFi. The MiFi is an air-card and 5 user wireless router all in one tiny package. So, using my current data account, I can now share a wireless (Wifi) connection for upto 5 devices. Now, I can have both my laptop and netbook online – all at the same time.
No more plugging in a usb device into the laptop. No more applications to run. Simply connect to a Wifi account an you are good to go. And now you can share the signal if needed.
The device is about the size of a credit card and slips into my top pocket. Takes a few seconds to go from on to broadcasting the Wifi SSID. The only drawback is battery life, and the more users or bandwidth used, the faster it drains. I usually only need it for short durations, but towards the end of a day it is wasted. Unfortunately, you cannot plug the USB into the laptop and keep it charging while using it. You can plug the ac adapter in, but that doesn’t do much for you one the road. I did discover that you can keep it chaaring by plugging it into a 12V usb car adapter via a usb cable.
So, for all you mobile air card users, the MiFi is the way to to go….