Tips to Ensure your Business Can Weather Any Storm E-Book

Fires, floods, hurricanes, tornados - Any one of these natural disasters can impose serious damage to the livelihood of a business. Depending on your business type and location, the risk attached to these natural disasters can vary. Here’s a quick Disaster Survival reference guide to ensure your business can weather any storm. Download today.

In this guide you will learn:

·       About various naturals disasters & risk levels

·       The potential impacts of each disaster

·       How disaster recovery planning can keep businesses running

·       And more!

Download your free Natural Disaster Survival Guide for Businesses by clicking on the image above. 

January is Clean Up Your Computer Month

Computers – we have all had to deal with them one way or another. From video games to social media, these technological creations also come with an important note. If we want to keep our computers running at optimum capacity, we have to keep them clean. Both the components and the internal memory have to be cleaned regularly if we want our machines to operate properly. So, on that note, let us look into the ideals of Clean Up Your Computer Month!

The History of Clean Up Your Computer Month

Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer (ENIAC)
Photo: http://www.computerhistory.org/revolution/birth-of-the-computer/4/78

The first substantial computer was the giant ENIAC machine, created by John W. Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert at the University of Pennsylvania. ENIAC (Electrical Numerical Integrator and Calculator) used a word of 10 decimal digits instead of binary ones like previous calculators/computers. ENIAC was also the first machine to use more than 2,000 vacuum tubes, using nearly 18,000 vacuum tubes instead. Storage in those vacuum tubes require the machinery to keep cool, taking up over 167 square meters (1800 square feet) of floor space. Nonetheless, it had punched-card input and output. It also arithmetically had 1 multiplier, 1 divider-square rooter, and 20 adders employing decimal “ring counters,” which served as adders and quick-access (0.0002 seconds) read-write register storage. ENIAC was productively used from 1946 to 1955. The 1960’s saw large mainframe computers become more common in large industries, the US military, and space program. IBM became the unquestioned market leader in selling these large, expensive, error-prone, and very hard to use machines.

Steve Jobs. Photo: bio.com

A veritable explosion of personal computers occurred in the early 1970s, starting with Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak exhibiting the first Apple II at the first West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco. The Apple II boasted built-in BASIC programming language, color graphics, and a 4,100 character memory for only $1,298. Programs and data could be stored on an everyday audio-cassette recorder. Before the end of the fair, Wozniak and Jobs had secured 300 orders for the Apple II and from there Apple took off.

A stack of floppy disks used for publishing medium for distribution of software was invented in the late 1970s. 

Also introduced in 1977 was the TRS-80. This was a home computer manufactured by Tandy Radio Shack. In its second incarnation, the TRS-80 Model II, came complete with a 64,000 character memory and a disk drive to store programs and data on. At this time, only Apple and TRS had machines with disk drives. With the introduction of the disk drive, personal computer applications took off as a floppy disk was a most convenient publishing medium for distribution of software.

IBM, which up to this time had been producing mainframes and minicomputers for medium to large-sized businesses, decided that it had to get into the act and started working on the Acorn, which would later be called the IBM PC. The PC was the first computer designed for the home market which would feature modular design so that pieces could easily be added to the architecture. Most of the components surprisingly came from outside of IBM, since building it with IBM parts would have cost too much for the home computer market. When it was introduced, the PC came with a 16,000 character memory, keyboard from an IBM electric typewriter, and a connection for tape cassette player for $1,265.

IBM ANTNIK 286
Photo: https://antnik.wordpress.com/gallery-2/gallery/

By 1984, Apple and IBM had come out with new models. Apple released the first generation Macintosh, which was the first computer to come with a graphical user interface(GUI) and a mouse. The GUI made the machine much more attractive to home computer users because it was easy to use. Sales of the Macintosh soared like nothing ever seen before. IBM was hot on Apple’s tail and released the 286-AT, which with applications like Lotus 1-2-3, a spreadsheet, and Microsoft Word, quickly became the favorite of business concerns.

That brings us up to about ten years ago. Now people have their own personal graphics workstations and powerful home computers. The average computer a person might have in their home is more powerful by several orders of magnitude than a machine like ENIAC.

The computer revolution has been the fastest growing technology in man’s history.

How to celebrate Clean Up Your Computer Month

To celebrate, all we have to do is turn off our computers and makes sure that the inside is clean and free from dust. Afterwards we need to reactivates our computers and clear up any space on the hard drives that we possibly can, and let’s not forget to close up our computers after cleaning out the interior.

*Article compliments of https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/clean-up-your-computer-month/

Top 10 Gift Ideas for Techy Friends/Family

The holidays are here and RealTime has compiled a gift list for the Techy's in your life! Here are the top 10 gift ideas as suggested by the RealTime team...

10. Steam gift card $20+

Our NOC Support Technician, Anna, suggests a Steam gift card. Steam is a gaming community for multiplayer gaming, video streaming and social networking services. Steam Gift Cards work just like gift certificates, which can be redeemed on Steam for the purchase of games, software, hardware, and any other item you can purchase on Steam. Visit https://steamcommunity.com for more information.

9. USB Desktop Aquarium - Mini Fish Tank with Running Water $37.79+

Who doesn't need an aquarium on their desk? Josh, our Service Desk Manager, likes the idea of stress-reducing fish in the workplace...especially ones in a tank run by USB. We found this one on Amazon but I'm sure you can find them other places as well. 

8. Netflix Gift Card $25+

David, our Account Manager, suggests a gift card to Netflix for those scared to purchase real tech stuff. Gift them Netflix movies & TV shows online or streaming right to their smart TV, game console, PC, Mac, mobile, tablet and more. It's not possible to buy an actual subscription for others, but if you have an Amazon account, you can buy gift cards online, which can be used as prepaid Netflix subscriptions. Find more information here. 

7. Apple Watch series 3 with cellular $399+

Our CEO, Elaine, can't live without her Apple Watch and she suggests giving the latest series 3 with cellular. This watch lets you leave your phone behind. Answer a call from your surfboard. Ask Siri to send a message. Stream your favorite songs on your run. Now you have the freedom to go with just your watch. https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-series-3/

6. WD Passport External Hard drive 1 TB $58+

McSwain, RealTime Service Desk Tech, suggests every household needs a good external hard drive with at least 1 TB. Equipped with WD Backup software so you can automatically back up photos, videos, music and documents. Set it to your schedule. Just pick the time and frequency. Built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption with WD Security software helps keep your content private and safe. Find it on Amazon. 

5. Minn Kota i Pilot GPS Trolling System $2100+

RealTime Service Desk Tech, Jason, combines his love of fishing with his tech side. This trolling system lets you use GPS to lock onto fishing spots, record and retrace paths, command speed and steering, and set cruise control. The wireless remote features an LCD screen. Build your own now on their website https://www.minnkotamotors.com/Trolling-Motors/Freshwater-Bow-Mount/New-Ulterra/

4. Beats Studio Wireless headphones $349.95

Our Controller, Stacey, says wireless Beats are on the top of her sons list. Beats and Apple are changing the way you listen to music with the Apple W1 chip in Beats Studio3 Wireless headphones. Incorporating the efficient W1 chip brings seamless setup and switching for your Apple devices,* up to 22 hours of battery life for all-day fully-featured playback with Pure ANC on, and Fast Fuel technology for 3 hours of play with a 10-minute charge. Take calls, skip songs, control your volume and activate Siri using the convenient multi-function on-ear controls. https://www.beatsbydre.com/headphones/studio3-wireless

3. August Smart Lock, 3rd gen technology - Silver, Works with Alexa $149

If your Tech friend is creating a smart home, then a front door lock is at the top of their list. Our Systems Engineer suggests the August Smart Lock that allows you to lock and unlock your door with your phone. Give keyless entry to family, friends or even the dog walker. Its compact design easily attaches to your existing deadbolt so you can still use your keys. We found this one on Amazon. 

2. Wi-Fi Mesh System $228.99+

Get better wifi at home. If you are like our VP of Information Technology, Todd, then you have more connected devices than that wireless router you bought a few years ago can handle and still maintain performance. PC Magazine did a review of Wi-Fi mesh systems for 2017 https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/350795/the-best-wi-fi-mesh-network-systems and Todd ended up buying the NetGear Orbi AC3000 (RBK50) because the devices connected to the remote unit get much better speed than all but the top rated system. This one got more expensive just in the past couple of weeks as it's very popular. Google has a more price effective one, but it didn't rate as well.

1. Ring Video Doorbell $179+

Chad, RealTime President, loves the Ring Video Doorbell. It works on every home - with or without a doorbell. Quick and easy self-install. You get instant alerts when visitors press your Doorbell or trigger the built-in motion sensors. Then use the free Ring app to see, hear and speak to guests from your smartphone, tablet or PC. Motion-activated alerts, base model has 720HD video and two-way talk with noise cancellation. Four different models available https://shop.ring.com/collections/video-doorbells. 

Protect yourself on Cyber Monday

If you're planning on making some Cyber Monday purchases, here are a few tips to keep you safe.

• Use a clean machine – make sure all your software, apps, and virus protections are up to date before starting your online purchases. This helps keep malware from stealing your account information.
• Watch out for phishing emails claiming unauthorized account activity or the need to verify details. Always contact the financial institution directly.
• Another phishing attempt may come in phony ads and offers that appear to be from companies you already shop with. A few letters off in the address bar can lead to Identity Theft. Be extra careful when clicking links in emails. When in doubt contact the company directly to verify the deal.
• Only enter your personal info into websites that begin with https://. This indicates the site offers a secure connection for the transfer of sensitive information.
• If you find an incredible deal on a new website – do some research and check reviews before shopping with the site.
• Only give the information needed to complete the transaction, the required fields.
• Don’t make purchases or login into financial and other sensitive accounts over public Wi-Fi Hotspots.
• Use two-factor authentication on your accounts – Remember to Lock Down Your Login.

*Ref: Call For Action

Five Tips to Creating a Safe Password

Learn five tips to creating a safe password to help prevent cyber crime! In less than one minute, Deidre and Brian will arm you with the essentials to creating a password that's hard to crack!