So you are probably thinking “Ok, not sure how to go about even learning this Linux”….You are in luck and that is because of Steve Mclaughlin who has put together a package called “Linux For The Rest Of Us” and it’s on video.

Some of the things you are going to learn are:

- How to install Linux in easy steps
- All the basics of Linux to get you going.
- How use Linux to recover data on Windows machines
- How to customize and transform your desktop into nearly anything imaginable
- How to create movies, CD/DVDs, audio files, etc…
- How to open/edit/create Microsoft Office documents without paying for Microsoft Office
- Using Linux in a virtual machine
- How to remove viruses with Linux…and tons more!

This is a must have, easy to learn, packaged package…Not only that but Steve is more than happy to answer and and all questions about Linux. This is a guy who really gets it, not only in using Linux but how to convey it to others in an easy learning environment.

I have went through these videos and am a novice at best when it comes to Linux. I could not say enough positive things about this package.

Pick it up for the holidays and claim it as a business expense More and more people are starting to use Linux on a daily basis…Don’t be left behind!

Get it now: Linux For The Rest Of Us 

By now you might have observed hosts offering an absurd amount of disk space and bandwidth with their plans and charging hardly anything for it. 100GB of disk space and 2000GB of transfer for under 5 dollars per month is just unrealistic. These hosts are overselling their services at a rate of x10 -20 what can be safely carried out. As a way to make a profit off this, they will stuff hundreds-thousands of clients on a single server which just isn’t equipped to deal with such resource usage. This may result in downtimes, slow page loads or scripts that fail because of low resource availability.
You ought to prevent these hosts. I can guarantee you that your internet site will probably be suspended prior to it can ever reach 100GB disk/2000GB transfer. They are going to suspend you and cite a line in their terms of service that may say something to the effect of – if a user is monopolizing a servers’ resources, xyz hosting organization has the correct to immediately suspend the account for resource abuse. No refund will be offered.

In conclusion, if a web hosting provider is overselling safely, it can aid the user in the end – lower costs and a lot more resources. But if the hosting company is overselling improperly, it may be detrimental to the end user – continuous server failures, long periods of downtime, slow website load times.

Thomas Cooper
ix webhosting.com

Case in point is Advantechglobal.com and Pccare247.com . Now the reason I mention these two is because I was browsing around the internet and ran across Pccare247.com and checked out the site and the “Testimonials”…I always read the testimonals on any site just to see what people think of the business.

Well low and behold a little searching later and I run across Advantechglobal.com and I go to the testimonals and wouldn’t you know it….The same people are doing testimonals about that site.

Now I have a hard time believing that Rachael, Stephen, Courtney, and Richard used both of these services, and if they did then that has to be a record..

If anything I would think all four of them would be upset that when they used Pccare247.com that they were not referred to their partner company becuase they are $30 cheaper for all services.

Or maybe just maybe they are not real testimonials…I guess you can be the judge of that, i’d probably take my business elsewhere.

Another nice feature is the “Track Time” function. If you go on-site and utilize that feature you can actually track how long you are doing a job and then it will import that information into your ticket for the particular job.

When you are done and you create your invoice (with your own logo) you can then email it or print it and it’s all saved as a .pdf file.

Overall it is a very nice little program to add to your arsenal that does the job especially for going on-site.

Check out the link and see all the features that are available.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/repair-ticket/id386870910?mt=8

They have said previously “they were working with the ACRBO to find local PC repair shops”, they also have said “ACRBO provided me with your contact information”.  Lastly the claim was “since the majority of our techs are ACRBO members”. Well none of those statements are true.

I could be wrong but this is not the correct way to gardner a realtionship that you plan on lasting.  Starting off with a lie to obtain business is  pretty much wrong on all levels.

So once again I call Yext www.yext.com and talk to them about this and the practices they are deploying. Of course it takes forever to get the “right person”. Then I am told it won’t happen anymore (been told that before). Then I am told it does not matter becuase they are getting out of the computer repair business anyway. Now my response to that was “If you are getting out of the computer repair business then it makes no sense to call people”….Long pause….Then it came “Well that is not until September”. So again making no sense whatsoever is Yext. I guess call people until September get them signed up and then drop that service? Again, crazy way to do business.

My suggestion to Yext is if you want to scour list that is fine but don’t make up things when you call business owners in an attempt to deceive them….The truth does come out.

Dan Martin, Technology Division, YEXT please don’t reference ACRBO in your conversations anymore.

Dan
ACRBO.com

So the question to me was “Is there a requirement that one has to be registered in their state for a year”?, “Or any other requirements”? Now this made me thing “Maybe we need some stringent requirements”….But, then reality set in and I realized no we don’t. The Association is for all business owners that feel as though they might benefit from the Association or feel that they can contribute to the Assocation. If you want to call it a “requirement” you can but what we do require is that you abide by a “Code of Conduct” in all your business dealings. To me that keeps it simple and it’s a personal preference if you feel that you can abide by them.

The thought of setting specific requirements to me is rather foolish for a number of reasons. First, when I started my business I had 20 years of experience in the industry. I worked on million dollar networks, and managed many others. So in the above case I would not be eligible to be part of that forum. Why? Becuase I was not registered in my state long enough? What is to say that the person who has been registered for a mere year does not only have “one year” of experience. What makes that business owner a better canidate then myself? To me it is a rather foolish way of doing things.

I am thinking maybe i’ll change the Association so anyone who wants to join has to meet the following requirements:

1. Your business has to be registered for at least 5 years
2. Your business has to be a corporation (no sole proprietorships or llc’s allowed)
3. Business insurance to include E&O Insurance
4. Tax statements showing at least 100K each and every year
5. At least 2 full-time employees
6. At least 1 company vehicle
7. Signed lease for at least the last 3 years of busienss showing you have a storefront

Granted I am only going to end up with let’s say about a dozen members but what a treat it will be. We can all visit the forum and tell each other how great we are and how much we respect each other for meeting the stringent requirements to join….

Wait…Another thought just crossed my mind……

How about if I keep the Association the way it is, and welcome all business owners, no matter the years of experience in the Assocaiation and help them grown their business. Or better yet, we continue to allow all owners into the Association and listen and hear what new innovative ideas they have to build a business model.

Don’t ever forget “everyone” has to start somewhere….”Seclusiveness” does not always mean better…

Dan
Association of Computer Repair Business Owners

Some of you that are not youngsters probably have heard these words at some point or another. Typically it’s used in sentences such
as “Don’t burn any bridges”…Basically what that means is to think before you do something because if you don’t you won’t be able
to correct it.

Now, don’t get me wrong in my 40+ years I have “burned bridges” and even pulled a “Bridge on the River Kwai” (if you have never seen
it great WW II movie), where I went well past the burning of the bridge.

In hindsight I have never looked back as any that I burned and wished I could correct or made amends. That is not to say it is a good thing, burning any bridge is never a good thing in life or in business. Maybe if I had burned them in my earlier years I would of had regret due
to a number of situations that can arise. That is why it’s so very important to make the “right” decisions before you do anything
with the full understanding that there are consequences to everything.

Bottom line is most times in life, if you make a decision, then you best be willing to stick to it.

Not sure what they are? Here is the easy definition from Wiki:

A QR Code is a matrix code (or two-dimensional bar code) created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994. The “QR” is derived from “Quick Response”, as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.

You may have already noticed that some places in your area have started using QR Codes, and if you have not noticed any then stand by because you will. QR Codes are starting to pick up alot in the U.S. but it will be some time before it catches on like it has in Japan and other countries.

QR Codes put in simple terms is an instant identification, ad, opportunity, or anything else that you are trying to get across to others. Now with the latest version of Google’s Android and Nodia’s Symbian OS including the pre-installed QR Readers it will pick up even easier. Others will still have to install a “free” QR Reader on their phone.

You can see from this article that Google Maps has picked up on it and you can read what TechCrunch has to say about it.

It’s really a rather simple concept and now is the time to prepare. Publishers and advertisers who believe QR Codes are limited to Japan, or to young hipsters, should remember how odd it first seemed to hear about reading emails on cell phones.

Heres our QR Code for the Computer Repair Blog

Computer Repair Blog QR Code

Now some of you might think what in the heck is that, so i’m going to explain it to you. Anyone and I do mean just about anyone can create a website. My child created on in I think 8th grade. So yes when I say anyone I mean exactly that.

Now a “web presence” is someone who can not only create a website but can make it so people can actually find the site. An example is if your domain name is “my business website” and someone goes to google and types in “my business website” and that comes up on the 1st page of the search. That is all fine and good but it does nothing for that business. Having that happen typcially will not bring in new business to the person and that is the goal.

If done correctly someone should be able to type in the company name and find the company. If the company specialized in say “pool” they should be able to type in “pools City Name”, “city name pools”, “pool maintenenace City Name”, “City name pool maintenance” etc. There should be quite a few variartions in order to find that company in particular.

I am a firm believer that every company needs a web presence not a website. You need to be able to differentiate between them. If you are going to provide this service make sure you know what you are doing or have a JV with someone that can make sure you are able to deliver these items. Nothing is worse than creating a “website” for a person and they do not make any monies off of it.

How many times have you told a customer about backing up their files? Sometimes you go as far as giving them a flash drive and explain how to use it or demonstrate it for them only to have them come back to you about lost data.

I actually think people do not realize that it can happen to them. I can’t count the amount of times I have had customers lose their data due to hardware damage and either they can’t recover it or it’s cost a small fortune to recover it.

For that reason alone you need to get your customers on an online backup program. Yes, I know of the “great concern” about online backups and security/protection and everything else that goes with it. But, seriously do your customers really have to be concerned with online security? These big online companies are all to familiar with security matters and do have procedures in place.

Now what it comes down to is a product to use. I am all for white labeling a product and using that for your customers. Yes there are the big boys out there such as Mo** and Carb***** etc….But, the difference between those companies and your company that might charge a few more dollars is your customer knows “you”….They can not pick up the phone and talk to the person they are accustomed to talking to when calling those other companies. They can’t fee that security they have knowing “their” IT person is not the one they are talking to.

You need to be that all-in-one person for them to use and that inclused online backups.