If you’re a DoD contractor, you might have tried to use the Windows “FIPS mode” with QuickBooks Desktop. Unfortunately, QuickBooks does not run when Microsoft’s FIPS-compliant encryption libraries are enabled. This creates a potential problem for contractors who need to be compliant with NIST 800-171 requirements. Data-at-rest doesn’t necessarily need to be encrypted, as long…
If you’re a Department of Defense contractor in New York City, MacMaven Consulting can help your company attain CMMC certification. For those companies using Macs and still searching for security expertise, here is some advice from the trenches: Hire a consultancy that has extensive experience in information security, ideally at large businesses. If a firm’s…
On April 20, Apple announced the completely redesigned 24-inch iMac, replacing the 21.5-inch models. Overall, it’s a very impressive machine. It has an incredibly thin design and offers high-end features, such as spacial audio and a 1080p FaceTime camera. There are two slightly disappointing deviations from my predictions. First, the new iMac still includes the…
The current M1 MacBooks are stopgap notebooks until the real stars of the show are released later this year. All rumors are pointing to completely redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. For established clients, MacMaven Consulting provides gratis purchasing advice for personal-use Macs. I always recommend buying a Mac with more horsepower and storage than…
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…
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…
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…
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…