Susan Fowler and the End of the ‘High Performer’ Defense http://bit.ly/2VfrKVB
Category: IT
Best MacBooks (2020): Which Model Should You Buy?
Best MacBooks (2020): Which Model Should You Buy? http://bit.ly/39QCoX1
Wait, Is That Backpack … Floating?
Wait, Is That Backpack … Floating? http://bit.ly/2PhqU78
How Trump Hollowed Out US National Security
How Trump Hollowed Out US National Security http://bit.ly/2v5dyUw
ADA Compliance… Whats The Big Deal?
ADA Title I compliance is required for with an online presence impacting commerce. For many years this was not enforced as the language in Title I did not specifically address online presence. But, with the recent case that was decided in favor of the disabled plaintiff suddenly many businesses are exposed. (Side note: Title I exempts companies with less than 15 employees, though you must still be compliant if you fall under Title III with a physical consumer presence regardless of your size)
For medium to larger businesses this is now mandatory. But, for many this means you don’t need to be compliant. Or should you? What happens when you suddenly cross that threshold or your client base changes? Is your web presence the last on the list or is it leading the charge?
As a technology company we strive to ensure our web sites are always forward thinking. Much of what Google requires in web sites we had already designed into our client’s sites and similarly all of our web site designs have been ADA compliant from initial build, even when they were not specifically required. We have found much of the meta-data required in ADA compliance for a site also improves Search Engine Optimization (SEO), improves site ease of use and flow, and Google even looks for these features (by default as they are SEO elements). We also consider all forms of access, not just visual.
I challenge you to check in with your web designer/developer or IT Company and ensure they are looking to the future with your total web presence (not just ADA compliance)! Status quo is always more expensive when it’s time to change and be agile…
Howste Technical Services – Because Sometimes You Need a Ninja
www.howste.ninja
How is your SEO?
Is your SEO doing the trick? Are you using Yoast? Are you making a difference? Is your Organic search results giving you the advantage you need? Call us to help get your site optimized for your best search results.
So you upgraded, now what?
So you got new printer, phone, tablet, roku, firestick, chrome case, voice command home technology this Holiday…. Bought some amazing technology in an after Christmas sale? Now what?
Well most people just plug it in and go…. And that works great, some times. Although not knowing what is compatible and what is not has been the down fall of some of the greatest in home networks…
So before you just plug n play… take a minute, do some research, ask a friendly neighborhood Ninja (we can be reached at 470-326-1999)… find out what works well together and what does not.
Remember that time your neighbor plugged in his Christmas lights and the entire sub division went dark? Don’t be that guy!
Remember the time someone bought a used laptop only to find out that the MAC address was used for illegal torrents, and the guy was slapped with a fine? Don’t be that guy.
Remember that time your 80 year old aunt bought an iphone online only to find out that it was stolen when she received it? Don’t be that guy.
Remember that time Grandpa bought a used laptop and it came with a keylogger pre installed, so all his bank accounts got hacked? Don’t be that guyl.
Enjoy your new technology… have fun, be safe.
Do you know your online competitors? Do they know you?
Who are your competitors?
In an online environment, that may be harder to tell than you think. Just about any product can be found on EBay or Amazon these days. And if you have something unique, how do you know that someone else doesn’t have something just as unique? How do you find all the resellers that sell your product? Once you find them, how do you compare them to what you are doing?
Well for starters, a google search will bring up the most common competitors, but the proper google search with the correct key words will bring up the competitors that are the most similar to you.
Once you have completed that, you can gather more data by looking into domain names that are out there. It’s important to understand why certain websites don’t come up first in google. (Lest ye make the same mistakes they did.)
Now, how do we find out what the difference is in what they did right and what they did wrong so that you online presence can be easily found, and accurately represented?
Call us and we can help you with that part. But do your research first. Make sure you actually know who your competitors are. These key players will know who you are, once you put yourself out there. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Howste Technical Services
What are your IT needs?
What are your IT needs?
At home we often wish we had the full office set up. But there is no space or budget for it.
At the office, we have all the things but there never seems to be the right thing.
What is missing? What is it that you fumble with that could be and should be easier to do?
Why haven’t you called someone to fix that problem yet?
What are the reasons that you haven’t found the solutions to these situations?
Are you aware of some of the compact office equipment available today? Often there are machines that do multiple things and take up less space.
There are also items available that can make it less expensive to find solutions for your office so that you don’t have to have 5 steps to complete a project, you can do multiple things in 1 or 2 steps.
Making your work flow quicker relieves stress in a project and increases your productivity.
Wouldn’t it be nice to get things done quicker and with less stress?
Why haven’t you looked for the solutions? What are your barriers? What are you doing about it? What are the problems that you need answers for?
Howste Technical Services
Is your computer celebrating Halloween without you?
Storm Worm — OSX/RSPlug Trojan — Netsky and Sasser — The Blaster Worm — The Melissa Virus — ILOVEYOU — The Anna Kournikova Worm — CIH — The Concept Virus — The Morris Worm
Are we talking about something I should see my doctor about?
Well, we are talking about the worst viruses of all time, and your computer is at risk.
Why does that matter to me, I’m a smart person, I have antivirus software?
Well for starters, they haven’t all been cured. In fact, some of these are laying dormant on machines across the world. Some of these have been upgraded. And some of these have been modified to work on your phones.
Surely not my phone though, I have an apple it’s harder to attack.
Yes, Apple is more resistant than Android or Windows phone. So, these codes get embedded into the apps.
Into the apps? But I only install apps from reputable companies.
Yep, and just a like a file from an email, an app can have it embedded into it, or it can be part of the download from the app store/apple iTunes.
Wait, iTunes/App Stores run virus programs, they check for this stuff, they should know what they are doing.
Yes, they check for it, after its been reported to them, they go back and retroactively check it out.
Why don’t they look at it first, before it leaves the app store/iTunes?
They have too many apps uploaded regularly and they leave it to the vendors to monitor their work.
Well a vendor wouldn’t intentionally add a virus, that would be counter productive.
You’re right! But app stores/iTunes get hacked, just like the rest of us. Are you sure that you want to make them responsible for your safety?
What can I do about it?
Make sure that your antivirus is set up to run on any downloads, including App store/Itunes purchases. That it is checked before it is installed.
Every time?
Yes, and with Halloween right around the corner… it’s time to be extra careful. Halloween is known as being a hallmark time for new and unusual viruses and malware to hit the market. Halloween pranks aren’t just in your back yard anymore!
If your computer is acting up, call us, call a professional… take it serious. Shut it off, and call someone to look at it. Make sure your backups are complete now.
If your co worker is acting up… well thats a different professional, we can’t help with that.
Happy Halloween
Howste Technical Services