Google Android

Homeland Secure IT is stuck in the past! That’s right, a high-tech business is using what most consider to be antiquated technology.

It isn’t because of the cost, it is because of the features. We are actually paying more per month for our cell phone plan than if we were using the latest devices and connectivity.

What we use and why we use it:

Our handheld devices are Blackberry Curve 8350i smart phones, on the Nextel / Sprint network, using iDEN with Direct connect and Blackberry Enterprise Server connectivity. As mentioned, this is an expensive data plan. And it is a slooooooooow connection. However, we use what we have because it provides:

• Instant communications with our techs via Direct Connect (a phone call takes so much longer, and we can DC multiple techs at once in an instant)
• Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) provides us with INSTANT transfer of mail, contacts, calendars from our Microsoft Exchange Server. Mail generally moves in a matter of seconds, instead of minutes with ActiveSync Push
• The Blackberry Curve has a very fat-finger-friendly physical keyboard on it that allows rapid typing, without even looking at the display.

What we dislike about this:

• iDEN transfer speeds are horrible. Try browsing on one of these phones if you are not around a WiFi connection sometime.
• Cell calls are dropped CONSTANTLY and we are out of range constantly (Verizon phones have a signal, almost always when ours do not)
• People who call us while we are in a Direct Connect conversation get “Please hold while the subscriber you are trying to reach is located”
• If you try to direct connect someone while the phone is being used for email, you get “User busy in data”
• Many times the phone will never ring, but we will get a voice mail notification (presumably because we had no signal)
• This service is expensive in comparison with Verizon

That list is just off the top of my head, I’m sure I will think of a few more points after I hit submit.

What we would like:

• A major reduction in service interruption due to signal path. Verizon appears to be the best bet in regards to that.
• Instant mail transfer to allow our clients to send/receive email INSTANTLY with no delays, like we have with BES. Our customers are used to getting responses in a few seconds after sending their email, going from that to a delay of several minutes means that a conversation spread out over a half-dozen emails could take 10-15 minutes to complete due to the transport delays.
• A push-to-talk experience like Direct Connect, or something very similar. Of course, there are some push-to-talk Apps for the Android, but they are not “instant” in functionality, they actually appear to record your comment, then send it, and play it on the remote end. I am unaware of a Push-To-Talk Verizon Android phone, and obviously, iPhone does not offer it at all.
• An Android or iPhone rather than the old Blackberry, but with a good keyboard on it, not just a touch screen. Something we can run the latest and greatest apps on and feel a little more “with it”. The only Android phone offered for iDEN is the Motorola i1 which has Android v1.5 (lagging behind the rest of the world by far)

So here we are, stuck in the past, and feeling unhappy, but unable to make a move.

We could move to Verizon, get a modern Android phone like the Droid 2, with a keyboard, have great signal most everywhere we go, and give up Direct Connect as well as suffer with slower email, but make up for it with faster internet browsing.

We could move to the Motorola i1 Android device on Nextel, but still have slow internet, and an outdated Android…

We COULD go back to carrying two phones, one for feel-good experience, and one for Direct Connect and email.

If you have any comments, I would love to hear from you. Especially if you have used a “walkie talkie” or “push to talk” app on Android that gives a more “Direct Connect” like feel, closer to real-time communication.

I hate to keep beating this dead horse, but a dear friend called this morning as I was on my way in to the office, telling how his notebook computer had experienced a totally depleted battery over the weekend and that when he tried to bring it back up, he got the dreaded blue screen of death… This was followed by lots of time attempting to get the machine to run, and then a restless / sleepless night worrying about lost productivity, unrecoverable data, and expense involved.

I told him not to worry because somehow, some way, we will recover his data and get him back online. Of course, he didn’t mention that no backup existed until near the end of the conversation… Hopefully this story will have a happy ending…

What are you doing for a disaster recovery plan? Sure you are backing up your desktops and servers, but what about those notebooks? We offer a free trial of Servosity Online Backup…

Free Servosity Online Backup Trial! Click Here...

With Servosity Online Backup you will be able to sleep at night knowing your data is protected, even on mobile computers which may never see the main office. Your data is encrypted and uploaded to the Servosity secure remote storage server. In the event of a disaster, individual files, folders, or an entire system drive can be restored.

Have important files that change throughout the day? Servosity also offers CONTINUOUS backup protection – important files are backed up as they are changed on your system. All of this takes place automatically.

Servosity works with Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OSX, Linux and other *nix based operating systems. Don’t take a chance, try out Servosity TODAY! For FREE!

Homeland Secure IT offers many backup solutions and one is just right for your application! Tape, Backup-2-Disk, NAS/SANs, Autoloaders and Jukeboxes… Email info@homelandsecureit.com or call 864.990.4748 for more information.

If you own or maintain your own business phone or computer network, you are probably renewing your licensing yearly for everything from your Cisco VoIP phone system & ASA 5500 network security appliances to Trend Micro Worry Free Business Security, Trend Office Scan, to Microsoft Software Assurance or purchases of new seats.

Chances are also good you are buying your licensing from a vendor who may have originally installed the equipment and they could be charging you for the licensing plus a fee to administer those licenses for you. The licensing is generally sold at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

If you would like another quote on your license renewals and sales, please contact us at 864.990.4748 x 201, or email info@homelandsecureit.com

We offer sales of products and licensing, as well as licensing renewals for Trend Micro, Cisco, Symantec, Microsoft and more! We never charge an administration fee.

One word of warning regarding “deep discount” licensing providers – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The markup on licensing is not very much, so if you find Microsoft Office Professional for 20% less than the retail, odds are, it is counterfeit product and will allow you no ability to upgrade or receive support.

Lee Brookshire of Hitachi/HEDUS corporation in Greenville and Allen Vailliencourt of Find Great People, also in Greenville are our winners!

Congratulations to both of them, as they have won Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 anti-virus in our little giveaway…

Trend Micro Internet Security 2010 is designed for home and small business users and offers protection against viruses, spyware, unauthorized changes to applications, as well as offering outstanding email protection from spam and malicious emails and Web monitoring too!

The $49.99 retail package will cover up to 3 computers.

If you would like to purchase Trend Micro products, including Internet Security 2010, Internet Security Pro, Worry-Free Business Security or Enterprise packages like the Enterprise Security Suite, etc, or would like additional information, please email info@homelandsecureit.com or call 864.990.4748 – We offer computer security service and support in Greenville / Upstate SC and national sales!

Microsoft Office 2011

Microsoft’s latest version of Office 2011 is due out in October of 2011. It features many improvements over previous versions and comes in the following flavors:

Microsoft Office for Mac Home and Student 2011 includes Word for Mac, PowerPoint for Mac, Excel for Mac and Messenger for Mac. It will retail for $119  for a single install and $149 for the “Family Pack” giving you up to 3 installs. The Home and Student edition includes the core productivity applications that Mac users want and need.

Microsoft Office for Mac Home and Business 2011 includes Word for Mac, PowerPoint for Mac, Excel for Mac, Outlook for Mac and Messenger for Mac. It will retail for $199 for a single install and $249 for the “Multi-Pack” which allows two installs. This version sports all features of the Home and Student version with the addition of Microsoft Outlook for Mac.

Microsoft Office for Mac Academic 2010 includes Word for Mac, PowerPoint for Mac, Excel for Mac, Outlook for Mac and Messenger for Mac. It will retail for $99 and be available direct from Microsoft and authorized academic stores.

Buy  Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac today and upgrade to Office 2011 at no additional cost!

If you require additional information about Microsoft Office for Mac or Windows, please email info@homelandsecureit.com or call 864.990-4748. Homeland Secure IT offers computer and network support in the Greenville / Upstate area, as well as national sales of Microsoft products!

The Clean House - Sarah Ruhl

Let me preface this post with the fact that I had never heard of The Warehouse Theatre until my family participated in the “Google on Main” event earlier this year. After that event, there was a follow-up which took place at The Warehouse and that was the first time I set foot in the facility.

Since then, we have been seeing lots of discussions on various social media sources about plays and events at that venue and decided we just had to check it out, so I purchased tickets on the phone last week for “The Clean House”… To make this even more interesting, I scored a “Social Media Press Pass” which let me in for free…  What on earth was The Warehouse Theatre thinking when they gave MEa press pass? haha  I think it must be because I quickly jumped on the band wagon when Aaron Von Frank (@AaronVonFrank) said he and Paul would dress up as French Maids and clean the home of one lucky attendee if all the shows sold out!  

All that aside, I took my wife Pamela, 17 year old daughter Megan and 15 year old son Brett this afternoon’s performance of “The Clean House”.

Having little exposure to community theatre, I must admit that when I walked in the doors today I was not exactly sure what to expect. I’ve been to many plays and musical productions, paying lots of money for great seats in world reknown theatres, and to be honest, I had braced myself for disappointment. I assumed that I would be watching a production similar to a high school play, with lousy lighting, poor audio, a spartan set and worse, actors straight out of the high school drama department.

Boy was I wrong! The audio was perfect, excellent sound quality, not a missed cue. The lighting was outstanding, including a video backdrop with colored background and text/graphics that were perfectly synchronized with the actors – if there was a mistake made, I sure didn’t witness it!

The set itself was a work of art and fit perfectly with the lifestyle of Lane (Stark white, sterile, with modern furnishings), however, the biggest thing I was wrong about was the quality of these actors!

I am not familiar with the work of the playwright, Sarah Ruhl, but these actors managed to portray characters that I believe we all can relate to and managed to capture our hearts in doing so. Many Broadway productions I’ve seen could have benefited from the expertise of this cast! I saw nothing but true seasoned professionals!

Without giving away too much, this play is funny…  And the timing of the cast was impeccable.  The lead character, Matilda (played by Lynne Junker) is a hired on by Lane (Debra Capps) as a house keeper, but she hates cleaning… Matilda has us laughing from the start. Virginia (played by Elizabeth Finley) the OCD sister of Lane feels moved to help the “depressed” Matilda by cleaning for her.

While cleaning, Virginia discovers the undergarments of someone other than Lane and that leads to the assumption that Lane’s husband Charles is having an affair. As it turns out, it is more than an affair, and we are taken on an interesting ride through what could be considered unbelievable if you have never been involved in something so ludacris in real life. My wife says she can totally relate with every character as the twist and turns unfold.

The play takes you full circle through relationships and the drama that goes with them sometimes. As I mentioned, it is very lighthearted, so do go prepared to laugh at the tragic story. (It is really a love story, but I’ll let you discover this for yourself)…

I feel I must appologize to these wonderful actors and The Warehouse Theatre for being so cynical about what Greenville had to offer in The Arts. I have been missing out on a lot and I am glad to have discovered this source of entertainment and enlightenment for our family.  For a fraction of the cost of an evening at The Peace Center, you can rest assured we will be visiting this venue frequently! 

The next show at The Warehouse Theatre is “The Rocky Horror Show”, a personal favorite that is coming up in October!!!! Hope to see you there!

Trend Micro Browser Guard can protect you from "Zero Day" Exploits

Our friends at Trend Micro Labs are watching out for you, even if you opt to not purchase their incredible anti-virus software!

If you are using Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8 you could fall victim to what is known as  ”zero day exploit”, which is simply a hole that is found by the bad guys and a means for taking advantage of that security flaw is devised and deployed before the good guys can prepare for it.

The easiest application to exploit is Microsoft IE, because it is the most popular browser currently, and we just can’t stop clicking on links. We are addicted to clicking every link we find, and should one of those be a malicious site, we run the risk of becoming a victim if we do not have the latest patches, and sometimes with these zero day exploits, there IS NO PATCH.

Browser Guard 2010 from Trend Micro may help prevent your IE from leading you into trouble. As mentioned, it is a free download and works with IE 6, 7 and 8. If you are using an x64 (64 bit) system, you are out of luck though.

The following is extracted from their site:

Trend Micro Browser Guard is an easy to use browser plug-in, which prevents known and unknown web threats. Zero-day attacks such as Aurora and Hydraq can be proactively blocked by Browser Guard, which detects and prevents behavior associated with these types of threats.

Cybercriminals often use malicious JavaScript inserted into web pages, where attacks can take place silently, without any visible effect. Browser Guard also protects you from such attacks by analyzing and subsequently blocking malicious JavaScript. For the most advanced and efficient detection, Browser Guard communicates with the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network, bringing you the latest protection when you surf the web.

Key Benefits

• Protects against zero day exploits
• Detects buffer-overflow and heap-spray attacks
• Protects against execution of shell code
• Analyzes and protects against malicious JavaScript
• Connects with Trend Micro Smart Protection Network to maximize detections

CLICK HERE to go to the Trend Micro Browser Guard page.

If you are using Chrome, Firefox or another alternative browser, you can still become a victim, just not as easily due to the fact that these browsers are not being targeted as frequently.

If you have questions or require assistance, please call 864-990-4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com – We offer affordable and fast virus removal and cleanup in Greenville / Upstate SC (If you suspect you have a virus, click here, then select the free online scan)

This morning I was having a discussion with a potential client and we were talking about the “Homeland Secure IT” name, the individual mentioned that they understood the play on words, however they were simply not sure how to take “IT”, because they thought of “IT” only in the terms of “Information Technology”…

I explained that the “IT” in our case is an all encompassing catch-all term that covers just about anything you plug into the wall. We sell, service, repair, support a wide range of technologies, not just a computer, server or network, but VoIP systems, CCTV and network security camera systems, firewall appliances, anti-virus software and software in general.

So basically, whatever IT is, we can help you with IT!

I am unsure of a way to indicate everything we work with, but suffice it to say, it is not limited to just a notebook computer fix, or a simple virus cleanup. While we DO those things, we also deploy Blackberry Enterprise Server so your mobile users can stay connected. We help integrate wireless devices like Androids, iPads and more into your Microsoft Exchange. We configure VPNs that allow a mobile workforce or a branch office to connect to your data as if they were physically in your office. We design and deploy Voice over IP phone systems. We offer biometric and card swipe time clocks.

Again, if it plugs into your network, or connects wirelessly, or you WANT it to, we can help. Give us a call at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com to discuss your unique needs! We serve the Greenville & Upstate SC area!

Ecobee Smart Thermostat

Web Enabled Thermostats: A not-so-new technology is becoming mainstream due to the desire to save money and be “green”.

If you have been looking to purchase a new HVAC system for your home or business, you may have been given the option to include a thermostat that enables you to view statistics & make changes to the settings using a web browser or an app on your phone. The price ranges from a round $100.oo to as much as $500.oo at the time you purchase a new system, and you promised that it will pay for itself by allowing you to set schedules to reduce the costs of operating your system during times you are away from the home/business.

Some utility companies, such as UTX in Texas have plans you can sign up for that will enable you to get a FREE web enabled thermostat, and I believe you only pay around $75.oo for the installation. Ultra good deal in my opinion.

X-300 Web Enabled Thermostat

But what about those of us with older systems? Fortunately, the majority of web enabled thermostat manufacturers have designed their units with us in mind. Instead of targeting the new HVAC market, they have built devices that can be used with any system, whether it is a heat pump, or an oil fired unit, there is a model for you.

The benefits are as mentioned before… Ability to control your system from a web browser, ability to control your system from a phone with either a web browser or an app loaded on it for that thermostat. Some thermostats feature the ability to control other devices, such as lighting, and some have the ability to sense a contact closure. You can see a graph of system usage and override scheduled events, as well as easily SEE the schedules, rather than paging through one day at a time as you do on older programmable thermostats. Some units feature alerts, should your system not cool or heat properly, which would be perfect for those who have unattended / vacation properties.

X-300 Thermostat Control via iPhone App

What about security? Can someone “hack” my home? Sure! Anything that is accessible via the internet could potentially be exploited by attackers, however, these devices are currently low-profile making them an unlikely target. Most of the manufacturers claim security through encryption of the data stream.

Where do you get one of these? Online vendors have a large selection of web thermostats, and your HVAC vendor probably has their favorite. Some quality brands are Ecobee, Control By Web, Schlage / Trane, Proliphix, BAYweb, among others. Which model is right for you should be based upon exactly what features you require. For instance, some have a Wi-Fi option to eliminate the CAT-V cable run.

Can I really recoup my investment? That remains to be seen. I am sure a $150.oo unit could pay for itself in a year or more if you are replacing a non-programmable thermostat, but for some of the higher end products, I’m thinking that realistically you are looking at a couple years… Your mileage may vary.

If you have any question about these, please email info@homelandsecureit.com, call 864-990-4748×201 or respond here! If you have one, tell us what you like best about them.

Homeland Secure IT Alert

Homeland Secure IT Alert for August 18, 2010

Adobe has announced that August 19th will bring out-of-cycle updates to Adobe Reader 9.3.3 across the Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac and UNIX platforms, as well as Acrobat 8.2.3 on Apple Macintosh to address critical vulnerabilities. An update to Adobe Flash player is also anticipated.

More info can be found here but the bottom line is – please insure your products are updated as soon as the release is made. We are seeing clients already exploited through these vulnerabilities.

If you require assistance, contact your computer service professional, or if you are in the Greenville / Upstate SC area, please call 864-990-4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com

Homeland Secure IT Alert