Things are finally getting simple, the way it should be with Technology.  It is Summer 2010, and many times technology is still misunderstood.  People’s expectations about how things work and how reliable it should be are just plain wrong.  This is not the Toaster, or Microwave we are talking about.  When the Refrigerator brakes you call the repairman and he fixes it (period) end of story, or you just replace it.

I’m talking about the latest tools, gadgets and pleasures we take for granted.  The iPad has been receiving a lot of attention both good and bad.  Now we are talking about something that is one of the most remarkable inventions ever created.  This is a device that fits in your hands and is intended to do a few (or more) things very well.  And the things it does well are done better than anything else that exists.

What do you think?

Hello All,

Well, I’ve come to a conclusion.  We have clear and decisive winners in the iPad Business App world.  I wanted to get this to you as soon as possible as I know this will be important to many of you.

Here is the list:

1.  1Passwd
Absolutely indispensable.  Do a brain dump and forget about having to try and write down or remember those passwords…  (Also learns from your Mac.) Yes, I trust it.

2.  Time Master
Wow!  Need to keep track of time for multiple clients and/or invoice on the go with a fabulous mobile interface?  This app can even import data into Quickbooks.  I’ve used the best apps for iPhone but this takes it to a serious usability level.

3.  Print Central
This is the dealmaker!  (first VPN) into your network.  Then simply find your files on your servers (pre-configuration required) & find them by name or IP address, then view, copy, move, rename, & print your files to the best printers on your LAN.

4.  Evernote
Organize your life or business with text, pictures, voice.  It even does OCR (it will read the post it note you hand wrote on a piece of paper (take a snapshot of it) then you can find it years from now by doing a search.  The interface is great and intuitive and the iPad app complements the iPhone app very well.  Great potential for creating a database of scanned images as well as media.

5.  Omnigraffle
Who says you cannot create on the iPad.  This app will make beautiful diagrams and documentation.  The whole idea here is you will do things you didn’t do before because of the convenience and the ability to be more creative.

6.  iTap RDP
Connect to your Windows computers (using RDP/Remote Desktop Connection) what more is else is there to say?  This is a seriously geeky app, but it can be a life saver. You can actually hear the PC sounds on your iPad (and you can run Flash, albeit at a slow frame rate.)

7.  iTap VNC
Connect to any computer (running VNC) so PC, Mac, Linux, Unix, etc…  A great interface like iTap RDP.

8.  Logmein
Ok, so if you need remote access to your computer and you don’t know what you are doing (or if you are simply trying to get through your Firewall) then Logmein is awesome.  The interface you use wi your fingers is even better than iTap’s but it is a bit slower (and could potential cost money.)

9.  Dragon Dictate
This is an app even Grandma would love.  Simply press record and speak and this thing will type what you speak (assuming you can speak clearly.). I’ve used the best apps for this on PCs and Macs, but this thing seven better!

10.  Apple Keynote
For some of us, making great presentations can be very important part of our job.  Keynote allows you to do things with presentations like no other application even on the desktop.

My complete and impartial review will be at http://www.ctekmedia.com/blog/

(By the way, I’m sending this via an iPad 16GB (WiFi) via Sprint’s Evo (Android) 3G/4G Hotspot phone…more on that later, but it’s the first step towards ditching AT&T.)

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

Michael Bolanos
cTekmedia IT Consulting
michael@ctekmedia.com

TEL # 415-578-DATA

http://www.ctekmedia.com
http://www.mymacandpcexpert.com

Sent from my iPad

Ok, people so if you care about being infected with a Virus on your pesky PC (Apple Fanpeople you can ignore that.)  Or if you care about losing your identify or Credit Card numbers online, then listen up.

This is about user awareness people.  The next time you get a person trying to add you on Facebook and you aren’t sure who they are, then think twice.  This is where it may start, and you put your friends at risk also.

I recently saw a clever one, to give you an example… this one guy, was Jailbraking an iPhone 3G on Firmware 3.1.3 (that’s the latest one as of today) and this person decided to download “Snowbreeze” (from iH8snow)  be careful!

This site, directs you to another site that directs you to some Chinese site for a Phishing attack!

The moral of this story is don’t update your iPhone to the latest firmware yet (if you want to break out of Jail…) or — watch out for Phishing attacks, and if you are involved in nefarious activities with your technology don’t be surprised if it comes back and bites you in the @ss!

Anatomy of A Phishing Scam

A phishing scam according to Wikipedia is {“In the field of computer security, phishingis the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Communications purporting to be from popular social web sites, auction sites, online payment processors or IT administrators are commonly used to lure the unsuspecting public. Phishing is typically carried out by e-mail or instant messaging,^[1] and it often directs users to enter details at a fake website whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one. Even when using server authentication, it may require tremendous skill to detect that the website is fake. Phishing is an example of social engineering techniques used to fool users,^[2]and exploits the poor usability of current web security technologies.^[3] Attempts to deal with the growing number of reported phishing incidents include legislation, user training, public awareness, and technical security measures.]}

Ok, for all you naysers, Microsoft Fans, and Apple haters…get over it, the iPad will revolutionize the way we use computers.  I’ve been using Personal Computers since IBM created the first one and since Apple put the Personal in Computer.

But the iPad takes it to the next level.  What we have here is something that is truly “personal.”  You can hold it in your hand, you can take it with you, and it will really be more powerful that what you may believe.

The naysayers are saying oh, I don’t need one of those…  ok, so let’s talk about who will use them first, because eventually everyone will have one (even if it’s not from Apple.)  How about people that read, or like to read, or would like to read more!  Imaging volumes of books at your fingertips in an easy to read format.  I’ve been looking forward to my new iPad just so I can get more reading done.  I can get some reading done on my iPhone but it really isn’t practical, so i I can just get by with an iPhone imagine what it will be like with an iPad with a 10″ screen.

And people are saying there aren’t any uses for it…well people if you aren’t up to date on all the apps in the Apple app store, then think again.  All those apps for the iPhone will work even better on an iPad.  Why?  Because it is just more practical.  I use a remote control app (the one from Logmein.com, and VNC, and RDP) and I can tell you once I get an iPad I will use these apps even more.  If you think about it, this essentially gives you the power of your desktop in the palm of your hands.  Just take it with you…

I’ll write more in my next post about more practical apps for the iPad.  For now, start thinking about the apps that are going to change your life.

First off, I’ll give you the solution for free.  Then I will explain.  By the way, if you’ve only ever used “webmail” (i.e.  Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc…) then you may not have a clue what (we) are talking about so move on to the next post or follow along and impress your friends with this handy knowledge about your computer.

I use a service from http://www.dyndns.com  The service is called Mailhop Outbound. It’s simple, if you’ve experienced outgoing mail issues before you know how frustrating it can be.  I consult and advise people on this very often.  If you’ve done your homework, you know this type of problem started when AT&T and Comcast started blocking outgoing mail that was not from @att.net or @comcast.com…

So you have a choice, you can call AT&R or Comcast and complain or you can just bypass them with a service like Mailhop outbound.  Everyone knows how long it takes to get through to their ISP (Internet Service Provider) but even if you get through and give you settings that work for you, that doesn’t mean it will work permanently.  I know this because I’m in the front lines, I fix everyone’s Internet from Monterrey to Vallejo, from small mom & pop homes to Big Business.  The story is the same everywhere… and I can tell you people with laptops have it the worst because they travel and each location may need different outgoing mail settings (SMTP my what!?)

So,, if your time is valuable and you just need it to work then sign up for the “Mailhop Outbound” service.  It’s only $15 year.  Now ask yourself, what is your time worth?

Simple, this is usually a no deal situation.

Ok, so I haven’t quite figured it all out yet.  Anti-social computer nerds are the stuff of science fiction.  I consider myself far from an anti-social technician but I know of some because of close relationship(s.)  So I won’t go into detail about who these people are, but I will research this one and get back to you with more after the break… anyone have any thoughts on this one?

Dear AT&T,

I know you are listening…maybe it’s just your fancy computers, or some exec with time on his hands to review Google searches.

I know the FCC has been contacting you, but it’s not just me that’s complaining here.  Hey, I don’t hold grudges, and I try to forgive people.  But AT&T isn’t just people.  Some of you people with that strange accent are drone-like.

Ok, so the bottom line is always shareholder value…but where is the customer service!!!   I know you are one of the most powerful forces in the Universe so please don’t kill me, but we need some attention over here on earth, yes us, your valued customers…

I really like what you are doing at the AT&T Stores for Wireless, but we need something more for “people” that use your other services.

Sincerely,

Michael Bolanos

aka Hitek Mike

Mad IT Guy

Ok, I’ve been doing IT support for so long now…I can tell you what problems you will have before you have them.

Do you know all your passwords?  Password for your wireless router please?  Password for your computer please?  Oops, you mean I was supposed to have it?

More after the break…I have to think about how I’m going to explain this one to you without upsetting some of my clients.  ;-p

Ok, so I’m back from the break.  I’ve decided this post will try and explain (one of the reasons) why I write my blog.  Over the years I come across the same problems over and over again.  And I can tell you this, they are not computer related, they are people related.  Many people do not realize the source of their computer problems is not the computer itself, but the user.  Call it user error, or the user is just having a bad day.  Either way, it’s something that I have to deal with on a daily basis.

The most difficult clients that I work with are the ones that just simply do not have a handle on what technology really costs these days.  Look, if you are really trying to keep things simple then buy a solar powered calculator and a paper notepad.  Anything more complex might break some people’s budget.

I get people calling me everyday, then complaining about how expensive it is to maintain their technology.  Well, then slow down and assess whether you can really afford it, and have the budget to maintain it.

Ok, even more after the break.

So what’s up with these guys that are supposedly Godlike, or like the Cocky IT Guy in the picture?

Cocky IT Guy

The fact is these guys are so scared to talk to you, it’s just a front.  Most of these types of IT guys that I’ve met are simply immature and/or inexperienced.  Once an IT Guy has been around for a while then he/she knows they will have to either cut the mustard and talk to people in civil terms (or go do webdesign or be a programmer!)  I’m not saying webdesigners or programmers cannot speak to people, no, what I am saying is these IT types are just not ready to be civil.

So, if you have this type of situation what do you do?  The only answer is, find another IT Guy.

The key to your success with technology is, to have a working realtionship with a computer consultant that you trust and that you know you can talk to.  The fact is, as a serious computer user or business owner, you must know some aspects of the technology you are using and/or buying.

Where should I start Google?  You had been so good to me, and then you just banned me from Adsense with no explanation and you even called me a danger to your advertisers.  How insulting.

I’ve been saying many good things about you Google.  Now I see you are just like those guys at AT&T…  I hope if I ever make millions (or billions), that I do not change and become a big behemoth like you.

More after the break…and why you should you reconsider whether you want to put all your eggs in Google’s basket.

Check out this article (from Apple Insider) on how Apple describes fixes to known issues. http://forums.appleinsider.com/showthread.php?threadid=102256

If Apple would admit to stuff like this earlier on, with online support tools then I would have a much easier time doing my job!