or how not to get ripped off when you outsource your Mac support Business owners who run Mac-based offices, take heed. This blog post contains information that can potentially save you thousands and possibly tens of thousands off of your annual IT budget. There are hundreds of managed service providers serving small and medium-sized businesses…
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MX Keys for Mac review
I’ve been using the Logitech MX Keys for Mac keyboard for a few days. I’m impressed. This is a high-quality keyboard, without cost-cutting sacrifices. I paid $80 at Staples, using a $20-off coupon. The keyboard is thin, but hefty. The exterior appears to be completely plastic, but Logitech’s MX Keys web page states that the…
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The “Whoa!” contractor scam
If you’re like me, you’re wary of hiring contractors without a referral from a friend or relative. There’s a good reason to be wary. Many contractors try to extract as much money as possible from their customers, often in an unscrupulous way. One of the most common scams is as follows. The victim will get…
Think about your experience when returning an item at an Apple Store, Best Buy, or Amazon. The return is processed efficiently and painlessly. Any delay in receiving in receiving your refund is mostly due to the settlement process between banks. Now picture the opposite experience, where every step of the transaction is painful. That’s how…
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Software tips and tricks
Here are some tips and tricks that you might find useful. On iOS Safari, you can close all webpages in one shot. Tap and hold down the tabs button . Then tap Close All Tabs. When using 1Password, there are often situations when you need to enter stored information into a webpage form manually (without…
I’m not a fan of the Inbox Zero concept. It’s a time-consuming chore which wouldn’t improve my productivity. In this post I’ll explain how I manage my mail. Everyone has their personal mail management style, so what works for me may not work for you. (Working with my clients, I know that it’s rare for…
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Should I buy a Mac now?
In short, it’s not a great time to buy a Mac unless you absolutely need one or you need to run Windows on your Mac. The transition to Apple Silicon ARM processors is as significant as Apple’s move to Intel chips in 2006. Imagine buying a PowerPC-based Mac six months before Apple released its first…
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Coronavirus data
Here are some websites I find useful for tracking the impact of COVID-19. While we’ve made tremendous progress in New York City, we’re not out of the woods yet. Given the high likelihood that the coronavirus is transmitted via aerosols, it’s critical to maintain proper precautions. It’s a fair assumption that the virus is still…
I use a Kasa HS105 smart plug to control a lamp in my apartment. It’s linked with Google Assistant so I can control the lamp with my voice. I’ve used this setup for over a year without any problems. Recently I started seeing very funky behavior from the smart plug. Sometimes the smart plug wouldn’t…
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VPN remote access
Working from home is the new reality under the threat of COVID-19. While large enterprises have had remote access capabilities for years, most small businesses haven’t addressed this need. Given that 34% of Americans work at a small business, it’s likely that millions of Americans aren’t able to work remotely. If you’re a small business…