1.866.400.4802

Our Blog


Get More Out of Your Android Phone

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Rick Bonito

Android smartphones and Apple’s iPhones are very different. Android phones are highly customizable. You can change anything from your Android phone’s home screen to the way you download apps because Android is open source. The tips below will highlight how easy it is to tailor your smartphone to your specific needs.

One-Touch Dialing
There are undoubtedly certain numbers that you dial more frequently than others. With Android smartphones, you can set up one-touch dialing for those people that you call the most. Simply press an open space on the screen and select the “Shortcuts” option. Then press Direct Dial and pick the right person from your list of contacts. Now you can call that person simply by pressing just one button.

Saving Time Searching the Web
If you have Web sites that you visit regularly, you are able to customize your home screen to incorporate shortcuts to these sites. To accomplish this, press and hold onto the desired site in your browser’s bookmarks until a list of options pops up. Select the option “Add Shortcut to Home.” You will then see the selected Web page appear on your phone’s home page.

Organizing with Folders
Folders allow you to stay organized in your office, so why not on your Android phone? You can create folders for projects you are focusing on or essential documents so that you can easily access them. Accomplishing this is simple! Simply press on a blank space on your phone’s screen and when the list of options pops up, choose “Folders.” Then name your newly created folder and drag and drop your documents into it.

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Phishing Scams: Tips On How to Save Yourself From Becoming Prey

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Rick Bonito

One of the top cyber crimes, and the most lucrative, are phishing scams.  Large corporations such as Sony have been compromised and accounts of these types of cyber crimes are being reported at a high rate.  Phishing scams are just as dangerous to small business owners as they are to large corporations.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (partners with the FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) have reported more than 300,000 cases of online phishing scams and other Internet related crimes.

To give you a better understanding as to why your small business is of great worth to a cyber criminal, let’s take a look at what phishing is exactly. 

What is phishing?

Phishing is the act of attempting to get private information such as usernames, passwords, credit card and banking information. This is easily done by developing fake websites, logos and email addresses and phone numbers. The victim is compelled in some way to reveal private information such as social security numbers and or other information that can be used to steal their identity. In the case of a small business, the phishing scam may be used to obtain customer credit card numbers.

Examples of small business phishing scams

Thousands of small business owners have received emails from the IRS informing them that they must fill out W-4 forms or other tax forms, and return them via fax.  These emails look remarkably real.  Right down to the official IRS government seal.  Unfortunately, many owners are worried that they are going to be audited by the IRS if they don’t take care of it immediately.

The IRS states on it’s website at IRS.gov, that it will not initiate any contact by email and that you should never click any links on an email sent to you asking you to send anything to the IRS.

Your company email can be a target

Company emails are easy access for thieves.  They can target an individual by sending him or her an email that looks genuine, however when they open it, it can release a virus or malware infecting the entire network.  The thieves will then have access to employee’s private information and company data.

Phone phishing

Beware that there are also “Phone phishing scams”, in which someone claiming to be from a bank, for instance, might ask you to call and verify your account.

How to protect your business against phishing

Visiting the Anti-Phishing Work Group will give you sound advice to safeguard your business against phishing scams and gives you valuable information on how to avoid becoming a victim. Some of their advice follows, such as:

  • Make sure your employees are aware of what phishing scams are, and are cautious when reading and responding to suspicious emails.  Always err on the side of caution.  Instead of clicking a link, open another browser window and go to the official website.
  • Never give out company financial information such as bank routing numbers to an inquiry made via email.  Your bank does not need you to confirm your account information…they already have that. An email like that even if it has your bank’s logo is a fake. Make it a habit to check your accounts regularly for suspicious charges and withdrawals.
  • Make sure every computer used has up-to-date virus and malware protection.  Schedule regular full system scans.  Never download “anti-virus” software from an unknown entity. It’s better to stick with trusted brands.

The best way to protect oneself and colleagues from these scams is to be aware of the methods one can use to identify a scam and stay on top of the latest news on the issue.

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Business and Telecommuting

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Rick Bonito

Isaac Asimov once said, “The only constant is change.” This is not only true in life, but in business as well. One trend that has changed in recent times is the popularity of telecommuting. Although many individuals have differing opinions regarding this, it has not been around long enough, on a large enough scale, to see its true impact on business. Some of the common question business owners ask themselves when deciding if allowing employees to telecommute are, “Will it make the employees more productive, happier, lonelier, disconnected, or more connected? Will telecommuting negatively or positively affect the company culture?” It’s a tough decision, and like most tough decisions, there isn’t one answer that works for everyone.

Some studies show there are huge benefits to telecommuting. We’ve laid out several pros and cons below:

Pros

  • Telecommuters appreciate that there is no wasted commuting time.
  • Telecommuters have more control over their lives, which results in less anxiety, more happiness, and more productivity.
  • Telecommuters are happier, as they have more freedom to regulate work time with their family lives. Having the freedom to pick up the kids, or work during their prime productiveness time, even if it’s midnight, can be a relief to the traditional structured nine-to-five
  • Those who do not work well in a structured nine-to-five culture, find relief in telecommuting.
  • Self-reliance and time management skills are encouraged by telecommuting.
  • Telecommuting also gives employers more freedom to hire skilled individuals minus the cost of moving them around the world.
  • Both the telecommuter and the employer save time and money.

Cons – of course, there is a flip side to every coin

  • Telecommuters may suffer burnout if they work too much.
  • Telecommuters may feel ostracized from the rest of the team.
  • Poor time management skills may lead to a lack of productivity
  • Telecommuting can lead to a break down in communication due to distance.
  • Telecommuting can require a more time than usual to put together a home office.

If your company chooses to include telecommuting in their organizational plan, strong time management skills, open and strong lines of communication, and managers who have a strong understanding of the work ethic and responsibilities of their employees are required for telecommuting to be a success. Working independently is something more and more employees crave in this technological age. Let us know what you think about telecommuting. Will it fade out or is it the future of business?

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Fun Gadget Ideas for the Holidays

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Rick Bonito

Does it seem like there are only two major gadgets to give this holiday season: either a smartphone or a tablet? We’re bombarded everyday with a new contender, be it the Samsung Galaxy II smartphone or Kindle Fire tablet. But, of course, there are thousands of other tech gadgets that will make that geeky friend on your list happy for a fraction of the cost. Without diving into every tech website out there, here are just a few to get your mind going in a different direction, be it for a more eco-conscious or just a more economical tech-geek gift.

Gadgets make great gifts – whether they’re practical or not

From the 40-in-1 Swiss Army Knife to the 6-in-1 key-chain, chances are the receiver will find a use for it some day. Gadgets are especially good for that tech geek friend or relative in your life. So, no matter whether it’s the Starship Enterprise pizza cutter or crocheted headphones, odds are your gift will be a hit.

Gadgets for the hard-to-shop-for individual

Much is determined by how tech savvy the person is and how much you’d want to spend, but for the more environmentally conscious among us, you might consider a “green” choice. Plenty of eco-friendly green technologies exist, from hand-powered paper shredders to solar-powered tiki torches.

Tablet or smartphone owners

We all have lucky friends and relatives who already own a smartphone and tablet and probably every other tech gadget imaginable! So what do you get that special someone who seemingly has everything? Since the purpose of many of the smart-tech available is to be touch-screen only, it’s likely that they won’t have the accompanying keyboard for either their tablet or phone. Follow the links to see two prime examples http://bit.ly/tEr249, http://bit.ly/sGHNgN of great gadgetry where form follows function. Smartphone and tablet accessories are a fantastic choice for your already tech gadget overloaded friends.

The wonderful aspect of gadgets is that they are always at hand. Gadgets will make our lives a little easier and a a bit more fun. Hopefully these “under-the-radar” gift ideas might allow you to stretch your mind a bit this holiday season and find that special someone a techy gadget they’ll treasure.

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Armed and Dangerous – The Tech-Savvy Holiday Shopper

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Rick Bonito

With the ease and security of online shopping, you’d think everyone would be shopping from home this winter season. Of course, that’s far from the truth. Thousands of bargain hunters will be lined up waiting for the retail stores to open. And these savvy shoppers will have new bargain-hunting weapons at their disposal: cellular devices. Everyone with a smartphone or tablet will have with them specifically designed apps to help them navigate everything from where an item is in a store, to seeing if it is the best price, to being able to buy it online—in the store. Here are just a few of the ways technology is influencing our habits this holiday season.

Mobile Apps

If you own a smartphone or a tablet, you’re in luck when it comes to simplifying your shopping experience this year. Specifically designed apps provide a number of services to the hectic shopper, from being able to locate items, to comparing a product’s price across the board. One app even allows you to take a picture of the product, and it will search the Internet to find you the best price and availability.

Smartphone Marketing

One major trend this season is in the strategies taken by marketers to catch us even when we’re not tied to our computers. Smartphone marketing may have a big impact on purchasing, as online retailers hope to strategically time their messages to effectively ambush customers while standing in line. One such marketer, for instance, is offering mobile-only deals at 6am, which may sway the would-be shopper from standing in the cold altogether.

Economical Technology Trends

Not only will we be using technology to make our shopping lives simpler, but we will also be on the lookout for the next big development. The trend in technology itself is seen in the battle of the tablets—at half the cost, the Kindle Fire is posing a threat to iPad’s dominance, and a new iPhone competitor appears to be entering the market every day. Rightly so: the consumer is cautious about the economy, will most likely spend less this year, and will be looking for both bargains and value.

Not all of us will shop solely at home this holiday season. Technology may help us find the store, locate the item, check the price and see if it’s in stock—all without having to deal with a salesperson. But as technology gives us greater freedom as consumers to purchase prudently, we must also acknowledge how the tech itself is in that constant battle for purchasing power. And, in this economy, the technology that provides the best value will be the ones to beat.

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Say Happy Birthday to the Original Microprocessor

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Rick Bonito

The Intel 4004 was released in 1971 and was the first CPU on a single chip! This week marks its birthday and we would like so say a quick thank you to the microprocessor which has transformed computing forever. A CPU, or central processing unit, is essentially the brain of a computer. Every piece of information input or output by the computer goes through the CPU. So you can imagine the impact made by the invention of such a tiny yet powerful CPU. Generations of CPUs born from the Intel 4004 have been, and continue to be, an integral part of our everyday lives.

Created as the processor for a calculator, the Intel 4004 quickly became the brain of many other devices. Though CPUs today are exceedingly more powerful than their ancestor, our world would look significantly different if it wasn’t for the Intel 4004’s influence.  Everyday devices such as traffic lights, laptops, and cellphones would not exist without a CPU. The Intel 4004 has had a tremendous effect on computer science leading us into the modern world. You can see the evolving role of the CPU in technology here.

We can’t say happy birthday to the Intel 4004 without mentioning the engineers responsible for its development. Federico Faggin led the design and development of the Intel 4004 with Ted Hoff, and Stan Mazor. In this ever-changing world of technology we can lose sight of its humble origins. The Intel 4004 was no small player in this.

So take a moment to appreciate the little microprocessor that grandfathered the technological world of today.

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tips To Communicate Your IT Issues Effectively

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Rick Bonito

Without a doubt, there’ll be an occasion when you will need help from your IT service provider. Be aware that they are in charge of aiding a large number of people with a multitude of challenging problems.  In order to receive the best possible reply to your request, be sure you include as much important information when you first ask for help. You can’t assume they’ll understand your problem if you don’t give them all the details. By following these few steps, you can be assured that the whole experience goes smoothly and efficiently.

Write an Informative Email Subject Line
Your company’s IT provider deals with countless requests a day.  Their greatest frustrations come when the requester doesn’t give enough useful information.  When you send them an email, you should first identify yourself, and tell them where you work.  If your computer is having problems, identify your machine by make and model. Provide them with as much detail as possible.  Simply saying “Help!!!!!!!!” in the request is far from helpful.

Details, Details, Details
When you write your email, put detailed information in the body to give them a thorough description of the problem, such as your operating system, the steps or actions you were performing, and what errors you see on the screen.  Even though error messages are gibberish to people outside of IT, they provide a lot of help to the technicians.  Note that saying something vague like “followed normal steps” may be confusing to the technician, so it is better to list the exact steps you took.

Be Frank
You want your issue resolved fast and so does your IT support team!  They are as busy as you are, so when outlining your issue, focus on the issue at hand and avoid including an excessive amount of nonessential detail.  Simply record the basic issue and send the message; if you include too much unnecessary detail, it lengthens the process and takes that much longer before tech support can resolve your issue.

In the end, you are all busy people and your IT services provider wants to help you quickly and efficiently. Help them do so by following the tips above!

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Changing Face of Business

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Rick Bonito

The face of business has turned online the past few years. There used to be less competition for business and getting your name out was straightforward, hire an ad agency or go door to door introducing your business. Now the amount of business that offer similar goods and services is astonishing and it’s easy to get lost amongst them. For this reason, small-business owners have had to reevaluate how they sell. But how do you convice prospective customers that they should choose you out of the many. Developing a strong online presence is a proactive way to do this, below are a few options open to businesses today.

Becoming Mobile

Many people carry a mobile device so they can access their email and remain on top of their business and personal life even when on the go. Business have the option of creating an independent mobile site that retains the look they achieve on their regular site while making life easier for people accessing their site on a mobile device. This not only shows the consumer that you are aware of their busy life and but that you are current and knowledgeable about the way the world functions.

Social Sites

Social sites, like Myspace, started out just social. However when Facebook came about it had a far more utilitarian interface and business caught the social site bug. Virtually every business you can find has a Facebook page. Social sites allow companies to share fun and interesting content that is relevant to their industry with prospective clients, which creates an online community. Recently Google unveiled its business pages. This walk-though will teach you how to set up a Google business page. Social sites enable such a noninvasive interaction between business and consumer I see the future of social sites as all business.

On-line Education

Providing something educational for prospective clients is a great way to develop trust. A couple of ways companies can do this is through webinars and blogs. You have probably noticed the growing interest in blogs. Companies can stay ahead of their competitors by showing their wide-ranging knowledge in their field with on-line education.

While the on-line business community keeps growing we can still visit local shop where the owner works behind the counter but more then likely that business has some form of on-line presence. Business are not just street facing anymore but Web facing as well. Being aware of the changing face of business and open to it will make you a more prepared business owner and/or consumer.  Here is an additional article about why creating an on-line presence is good business practice.

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What We Learned at the 2011 PhotoPlus Expo

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Rick Bonito

During the 3-day PhotoPlus Expo in New York, several exhibitors displayed their latest advances in photography technology. There were a huge array of cameras, lenses, printers, clothing, gear, gizmos and gadgets on display. The Expo was heavily bent towards the professional photographer and the casual weekend or hobbyist cameraman might have felt left out. However, most of the latest introductions in technology were suitable for both sections, even though some may be too highly priced.  Here are 3 outstanding innovations showcased at the PhotoPlus Expo.  A more detailed list of products displayed can be found here.

Sony DEV-3 and DEV-5 3D Binoculars

The new Sony DEV-3 and DEV-5 3D Binoculars are out of this world with their amazing photographic and video potential. Of the two the DEV-5 is more advanced, but only the DEV-3 was on display. Both of them have incredible multifunctional capabilities and can be used as 3D binoculars, a 7MP camera or a 1080i video recorder. The DEV-5’s optical zoom capacity is an astounding 20X! One of the stumbling blocks, however, is the high asking price of $2,000. The DEV-3 model has 10X zoom and costs $1400.  But for those who are looking for an exceptional multimedia digital camera, these binoculars are worth checking out!

Gorillapod Micro 250 and 350

Joby is a brand known best for its bendy camera tripods.  But one of the coolest gadgets at their booth was a tripod that we’re not accustomed to.  Called the Gorillapod Micro, these mini-tripods are stiff, almost like small sticks, which can fold up nicely beneath you camera without adding much weight or bulk at all.  Best of all, they are available in various sizes.  You’ll always be able to catch that perfect sunset self-portrait because you’ll never be without your tripod again.

Wacom Cintiq 24HD Pen Display

Here’s a 24-inch display excellent for professional photographers and designers alike. However, for the more “well-off” hobbyist who aims to create exacting edits to pictures and designs, it may be worth the price tag. The Wacom Cintiq 24HD Display retails for right around $2,600.  Still, they’re in such high demand, that they’re fairly hard to come by.  The display is known for its extraordinary responsiveness and exacting detail, great for anyone working in 3D design, animation, game development, industrial design and visual effects who is no longer willing to compromise with regards to image quality.

Although the PhotoPlus Expo was meant for professionals in the photography and design industry, many amateurs and enthusiasts still prefer keeping up with state-of-the-art technology. The expo showcased countless other items, such as high-tech lighting, camera accessories, and jackets. Check out other articles about the Expo, and see some amazing innovations in photography.

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Will Device Connectivity Make Our Lives Easier

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Rick Bonito

The world is becoming more connected. When we say this, we don’t just mean as individuals. Our devices are becoming more connected to each other as well. This makes our lives easier by adding seamlessness to our day that wasn’t present before. Now you can work on a document at work, send it to your smartphone and use a voice transcription app to continue working in your vehicle. This is just one example; this video is Microsoft’s vision of what connectivity will make our future look like. What types of devices, apps, or combination of the two will help create a future like this? Here are a couple I have found, let us know of any you can think of.

iControl

iControl

Comcast recently unveiled its home energy management and surveillance product called iControl. This robust product allows people to adjust the temperature of their homes, turn lights on and off, and monitor their homes through video. iControl software plus Comcast broadband along with additional hardware and apps allow customers to have full control over their home environments.

Air Sharing

This app is available on the iPad/iPhone and allows your device to act as an external hard drive. Which means you can easily move files to your device, share and access them easily adding mobility to your work habits.

AirPlay

The AirPlay function from Apple lets you stream music, videos, and photos wirelessly to an Apple TV. Picture yourself enjoying a podcast while in the car then coming home and effortlessly transferring the audio to your home without a pause to continue enjoying it.

I see a future filled with gadgets, apps, and software that work harmoniously to make our day-to-day lives flow without difficulty. Connectivity does not just mean that we are linked to the rest of the world but that all elements of our lives are connected together so that our technology can execute tasks one step ahead of us. If this means less waiting, I’m all for it…are you?

Posted in General Interest | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment