Upgrading a computer from the old spinning hard drives to a new SSD will make your computer faster. With no spinning disks, the computer will be able to seek your applications and data so much faster. I have also found that this will add new life to your computer and you will get a few more years out of an aging PC.
We have been seeing hard drive failures over the past few months. This makes sense because all of the computers were purchased around the same time. Replacing a drive is a simple process and you should also re-install everything onto the new drive. I never like cloning the drive because you will most likely be pulling over old information that was making your computer run slow in the first place.
One thing to look out for is the connectors for the hard drives. I hope by now that you have SATA cables in your computer. If you have the older cables you can buy adapters to convert the connectors to the new SATA style. Remember to check first before you buy your new SSD drives so you can order connectors if you need them. If you want to upgrade your computer and you are not sure how to do this please reach out to me and I will be able to help.
At work, I am responsible for all of our Apple products from iPads to iMacs as well as all Mac Laptops. On top of this, I am also responsible for all security cameras and recording devices. I am also the Software Engineer which mean I take care of all of the databases and client software for well over 5000 devices.
We were lucky enough to get new 21″ iMacs. I am working to get all of them set up exactly the same way. By doing this I know that when each user sits down to work on these devices they will all have the same experience.
If you are looking for a new computer for your house I would have to suggest an Apple Mac. The operating system and the software are the most stable that you can get. And if you need help learning or just setting it up please reach out to me.
The words I truly enjoy at work is when I am told that no one could get this automated program or connection to a database to work. They feel it can not be done? I have been connecting programs and automating software programs for years. I also enjoy writing automated scripts for our servers.
When you are learning how to work with scripting languages I would advise you to choose a few different ones. Just as there are many tools in a toolbox you will find there are many different scripting tools to get the job done right. I would also advise you to comment your work as you go. You should also keep clear notes on the process that you used to build the script. This is really handy if you ever have to go back and change something as programs or servers change. Or you never know if you get promoted you might have to hand off the scripts you wrote to someone else?
The truth is if you are working in the IT field and are responsible for software or servers you will want to learn and be the best you can be with scripting. When you can automate a program or process you will have more time to work on other projects.
If you have a process or a daily software task that you would like to be automated look me up. I might be able to give you some guidance and be able to share my knowledge with you.
I was once asked on an interview what do you know about Linux? Of course, I responded with the answer that I can get around the OS pretty well. I am a long time Windows Server person like many of you out there. But the simple truth is that when you work as an IT Director or a Network Administrator you have to work in many types of server environments.
I was asked once in another interview years ago what I knew about Novell Netware? My response was that I have never seen Novell but I have heard of it. I then followed up with if they had a book lying around I am sure I can do what they needed me to do with the OS. Well, I got the job and my first day they wanted me to create some file shares. They handed me a book on Novell and within an hour I came back and said the file shares were ready to use.
What I have told many interns that I have trained over the years is that you can never be scared of any Server OS. Every time you come upon a new system go into it as a learning experience. Also if you can go home and set up a VM with the OS and begin poking around. And when you are learning to take the time to take notes on what you learned, they will come in handy down the road.
Once you do get the feeling for a new Server OS is to remember to revisit it and keep brushing up on your skills. You never know when you might take an interview and be asked questions about one of these systems.
Moms are so important to our everyday lives. I was checking my phone tonight and seen that my mom called. Normally I am the person calling my mom so it was a joy to see that she called me for a change.
I was a single dad for some years with my daughter. But I have always felt that moms are the ones that enable us to be who we are. I don’t know if it is because we are born from our mother or if they just understand us a little better than our dads?
But for me I know that anytime and for any reason I can call or visit my mom she knows what to say to make things better. But I loved my dad. Don’t get me wrong dads are just as important just in different ways.
At the end of the day both parents will help to shape your live either for the better or worse? But I always tell my kids we have two parents and they also have step-parents which can also effect our lives in many ways.
The most important thing I can tell you is that if you ever become a parent is be the best you can be. There are no books on what you should do with your kids. From my point at least be there when they need to talk to you.
I have always wanted to start programming for IOS for both the iPhone and the iPad. I have plans designed to take some if not all business from some Pittsburgh based companies. I have always wanted to design this system I am working on and I figure if I can build the right team this will be a great part-time work. I still really enjoy where I am working now and I work for a great company. But it is time to take this project to the masses. First I have to learn more about programming using Xcode.
I have been a Visual Basic as well as a PHP programmer for years now. For this project I am working on it will require the use of the iPad. If you are reading this and you feel you would like to be a part of this start-up please get in touch with me.
Date night or date day depending on when you are heading out with your loved one. My wife and I wanted to spend a nice time out with each other. We wanted to see the new movie The Bull with Clint Eastwood. Seems simple enough. But there was a glitch in our little time together.
We arrived at the movie theater (Cinemark). Seemed simple enough to us we did as many of you would do we went to the theater and went up to the window to buy our tickets. We normally would use the Kiosk which used to be outside and one more inside. (They were removed!). So when we made it through the long line to the ticket counter the man asked us for our confirmation number? Or you phone ticket? We said we just wanted to buy a ticket to see the movie. I asked which seats were available? When the young man showed us the screen the only seats that were open was the one right under the screen really dumb to sit with your neck bent looking up at a screen. I asked why they took the Kiosk out and he said you have to now pre-buy online only. So we left and returned to the car. My wife looked up the ticket sales on her phone and we found what they are doing. If you buy your tickets online they are getting an extra $2.00 per seat. So an $8.00 ticket now will cost you $10.00. This kind of practice is exactly why people would rather stay home and watch NetFlix. I can see a lot of older people where most of the movie theater income comes from soon disappearing. It would be hard for them to order tickets on their flip phones!
We went out to dinner and had a nice time chatting. We then decided to stop at a Red Box and rent two movies for only $4.00 and went home and watched them together. Funny thing is we still had popcorn (Homemade) and FREE refills on our drinks along with a couple adult beverages. Movie theaters are quickly becoming a thing of the past. I for one really would not care if they closed them all do to this PRICE GOUGING of the very people who once paid their bills.
Web Site Security is something anyone with a website need to be aware of. Trying to harden your site is not an easy task as I have been learning throughout this long morning of working on my own site.
First when you find a hosting company look over their end user agreements and see what they offer on their back end to keep your site safe and secure.
My first word of advice to you is as your site grows and becomes more popular keep finding new ways of locking it down. Most hackers will not dig to deep into your site if there are not many people visiting it. It pays to look for numbers when you are looking to infect machines on the Internet.
My best word of advice is to do a Google search and find people on the Internet that will teach you steps to help you make a safer and more secure site.
Reading is a great way to pass the time and keep your mind fresh and active. As you can see from the home page here I do set up a reading challenge using Good Reads every year. My reason for doing this is not so much to speed my way to my goal but to keep me reading in more of a constant pace. Think of reading as a movie that was never and most likely will never be made from the book you are reading. It is just great to have some alone time and wrap yourself into a book. Written words can bring to life a part of media that you can explore on your own. What I like the most is that I never have to fast forward over a commercial.
Start your kids off reading at an early age. Even when they are too young to read on their own read to them and show them pictures in the book. Another good step to get your children to read it to have them see you reading. Hand your child a book when you sit in your favorite reading chair and cut of some time of the day that you and your child read.
Read what you like. I normally lean towards crime novels or horror if I can find a good one that is. I have also found a couple good title of science fiction that I have not tried yet but feel it will expend my reading and make me think a little more about what might be out there.
I hear too often that someone does not have time to read. If you have time to watch series after series on TV or you binge watch Net Flix then you have time to read a good book or two. I hope this post inspires you to find a good book open it up and read. Check out My Books at the top of this page and read the story of Random Numbers.
Working for a larger company that has many locations is rewarding. I have been working in a school district for the past two years. Like you working where you work we build many connections with the people who work for that company or school. We also start to build our skills on whatever it is you do. And when you work for a company with many locations they may find you a position that fit your new skill set. This is when you may be relocated to a larger location where your skills are needed.
So after two years, I find myself moving to a larger location with more opportunities. What is really nice is that I still work for the same parent company. So what can I say about working for an outsourcing company? Well working for an outsourcing company allows your talents to grow. If for any reason one location closes down you will not find yourself out of work giving the fact that you can be moved to another location that the company services.
I have to say I am a little nervous leaving those relationships that have been built over the past two years. But I am confident that my skill will enable me to fit into a new team and provide my technical services to a larger group of people who need them. So as I sit here this morning getting ready for this new chapter I am looking forward to building new relationships and friends working in a new location.
