Recently did an interview with Steve from Podnutz and we talked about everything from the book Computer Repair Business Lessons Learned, Pc Dice, Nationwide Computer Techs and the Assocation of Computer Repair Business Owners. I think it went pretty well, but I could be a bit bias...Steve from Podnutz is a great guy and really nice to talk with. Also, if you are not aware of this, Steve has created some great videos on laptop repair. These videos are extremely high quality and full of information. Check them out here. You can listen to the episode here. [+]

Am going to be doing a website for a business and they had the Domain registered through Network Solutions. They did not personally register it they had the person that was going to build the site awhile ago register it for them. Well now the time comes I need access to change the name servers and low and behold he can't access the site to change things. Few e-mails go back and forth and the answer ends up being "I will not transfer the domain, you will have to contact Network Solutions". Now this is crazy on a few levels. First, when the domain was first registered it should of been done in the name of the owner of the business. They should of had records showing the registration, access information, etc. But, I have found in this business quite a [+]

In listening to the feedback of our valued Maintenance & Support clients, Progressive Integrations, Inc., makes a bold move with managed services Johns Island, SC, October 28, 2009: For 2 years, Progressive Integrations, Inc, saw a need for its client to have a source for IT (Information Technology), whereas previously much of it was outsourced. It became imperative that better service to the client consisted of having total system integration with one vendor. Thus the Progressive Integrations IT Division was born. Since that time, we have been primarily an installation and B/F (break/fix) shop for our clients and that has gone well for us, but our clients started asking for more. Our clients requested a more proactive approach to IT considering such items as the economy and ROI (return on investment). Thus managed services were [+]

I asked for feedback, and I got it. I don't think I was prepared for it though. But I'm really glad I put it out there.

Well I waited a week since it's release and Windows 7 has resulted in no service calls. This tells me one of two things, either the new operating system is so good it requires no work or nobody in the commuity has upgraded to the new Windows 7. I would like to think from a consumer perspective that it is a solid operating system and there will be no problems with it. But, from a business perspective obviously that would not be a good thing. Either way i'll be interested to see when our 1st Windows 7 job comes in-house. Dan Computer Medics of Northern Virginia LLC www.CmoNova.com [+]

Dear Valued Clients who are DSL customers (or cable customers), Let me first state that I am very satisfied with my DSL at home. Yesterday I received this message (way below) from AT&T. Because much of our B/F (break/fix) work comes from slow machines, virus infected machines, etc, I thought it might be beneficial for me to give you some background information before you jump on the FREE download below (or consider any FREE product), I want to let you know why I do NOT download the FREE software offered by my ISP (or Comcast either). Also just because you have a Mac, does not mean you are immune: http://www.macworld.com/article/135900/2008/10/antivirus.html 1. Free is not necessarily FREE. What do I mean by that? Just because something is FREE does not [+]

What I am about to write/discuss is probably not going to make me very popular, but it has been my experience that working with other 'believers' for the most part has been horrendous. Why? I am a Christ-follower and I have learned over the years not to ANNOUNCE/Advertise that I am Christian due to the following: 1. There are expectations on ethics, standards of conduct and professionalism that are missing many times due to assumptions when someone announces "I am a Christian" that many times do not reflect a Christ-follower on both sides. 2. These 'assumptions' many times turn into attacks about faith versus dealing with the job, quote, proposal, etc. Many times this usually happens when it comes time to pay the bill. 3. Good-faith handshakes are not in good faith... they are many times doorways for abuse of free work, incessant [+]

As some of you may know I am a big advocate of Wordpress. I also really enjoy the StudioPress themes from Brian Gardner. Recently I went to the site to ask a question about something and low and behold Brian came out with a new theme called "Executive Theme".  Needless to say when I saw it, I downloaded it and am currently using it for a brand new site I am doing for a customer. Brian's themes are pretty amazing and the Executive Theme is no different especially with the little bells and whistles he has put into this one. If you are into Wordpress then you owe it to yourself to check it out. If you are not into Wordpress then you should be ;) And get ahold of a StudioPress package and start seeing how easy web design can [+]

A follow-up to my previous Piracy post found at http://mandersoconsulting.com/blog/files/Pirated_Software.html One of the reasons I gave to the reason people pirate was laziness. That’s accurate to a certain degree, but it only goes so far. Some developers that put out software which require an activation scheme, or DRM software, or a license server, have done so to protect their software from being stolen. And I could go into the whole “pirating software is/isn’t stealing” bit, but that’s tired. The point is, the developer put restrictions into the usage of their software so they could get paid for their work. That’s fair. But that crosses the line too often. Case in point, Brady. Brady makes label printing software and hardware for scientific applications, mostly labs. They sell the label printer, they sell the labels, and they sell the software to run the printer. [+]

Featured Business Business: Catanoso Computing Website: www.catanosocomputing.com Owner: Nicholas Catanoso Family: Nicholas, Anne, Nick First Job: Garden Greenhouse and Nursery (with family) Where did you grow up: Cape May County, NJ What did you want to be when you grow up: I wanted to take over and run my family business's. How did you end up owning your own business: I always had a strong interest in computers and technology. This eventually led me to start my own business in computer repair. What is the biggest decision you are wrestling with now: Considering I am also helping run my family business's I am wondering how much more I can take on with my computer repair business before I have to consider hiring someone to help. What is one thing you would change about your job: Nothing What do you like most [+]