I was at a windows client today and needed to look-up something when I noticed the Google search bar item had an uninvited squatter called Bing, and no selection list to conveniently change it back to Google.

Maybe Monopolysoft figures they can market their latest “me-too” by eliminating the competition when you upgrade to Internet Exploder 8. With tactics like that, there’s no way I’m not going to try to restore prior settings.

It took a little time to find the settings to change the search engines (an all-too-common “feature” of Monopolysoft updates). When I did it was noticed that the more serious a competitor was to the “me-too” squatter, the further down the list they appeared to be. Yahoo and Google were there, but certainly not prominently. In fact the offerings visible at the top of the list were so obscure that it might appear to be deliberately attempting to misdirect the use and value of the list by obfuscation. People familiar with Monopolysoft will recognize that as a recurring theme.

Google and Yahoo were restored as properly chosen search sites and there was indeed a means to remove the squatter! It took 3 times before it succeeded (was I that eager to evict, or was there more than my hurriedness?) but the squatter was sent packing!

I hope others find a similar solution to their squatters, and quickly restore the rightful search engines to their address bar. Let the “me-too” upstart flounder in obscurity. Bing certainly hasn’t earned a position in my browser as the others have earned their status through hard work and honest purchase. Bing won’t gain positive consideration by sneaking in like a thief in the night through yet another unnecessary upgrade.

Steve Jacobson
http://teksource-it.com
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/steve-jacobson/6/518/878

Remote Access, PCIDSS, and Open Ports

I spoke with a potential client today that called TechSource IT looking for help with remote access to his salon management software. After 9 days of trials and tribulations unplanned expenses and endless frustration, we finally connected. He was about ready to explode he was so angry. We talked and after some education and explanation he came to realize that the software company wasn’t trying to rip him off or scam him by referring him to me, but rather was referring him to someone who could explain what was the best course for him to follow.

A couple days ago his merchant service connection told him that his network would be tested for security periodically, and that he’d be informed of what he might need to do to maintain a secure network that will meet Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCIDSS).

When I explained to him that opening ports to access his server from home wouldn’t meet these requirements, he realized that I was telling him what he had just heard from his merchant service rep. His software company was trying to help him with a remote access solution that isn’t safe and secure enough to meet the PCIDSS requirements, but it was cheap to implement. It was a solution for years gone-by, but come 2010, will no longer be allowed if you process credit cards over the Internet. Open ports are not secure enough.

I explained that what I recommend for secure remote access is a VPN router that supports his Apple Macintosh OS X built-in VPN client for best compatibility and ease of use. I further would help him install this router by guiding him over the phone, and help him work with his ISP to be sure that their equipment is prepared to support the VPN connection.

Once the VPN is installed, remote access to his salon’s network and server would be both secure and simple to use. The Mac has a convenient icon in the menu bar that will initiate the connection, show you it is in operation, and later let you disconnect the tunnel.

His salon management software can be run from a remote location using the salon’s live database. In fact, setting up a call center for multiple salons can be done in this way. VPN connections are versatile and secure.

VPN isn’t only for salons. Many business owners can find more effective use of their time when they can access their business data from a quieter location than the office. With fewer interruptions you can be more productive, and your projects safer from prying eyes.

Remote offsite automated backups can also make use of a VPN tunnel. A popular method of this is setting up a VPN tunnel to the owner’s home and having the office server back up to drives in the owner’s home. For more information on how VPNs can help you and your business, give us a call at 763-476-4227.

- Steve Jacobson
TechSource IT

New Daylite Touch is available in the iTunes Store.

The 1.1 version of Daylite Touch has been made available on the iTunes store. Check out the new features. Many share that it runs faster as well.

If you haven’t heard of or tried Daylite and Daylite Touch, they are simply the best CRM (Customer Resource Management) software for the Apple Macintosh and iPhone platform. We’ve used it to run our business for years and have helped many other businesses get set up and running on Daylite. We even hold classes from time to time. Call us for details if you want to hear how it can help you manage your business.

Steve Jacobson
TechSource IT

Lightspeed demo tonight!

Xsilva’s Lightspeed is a Macintosh only point of sale package for retail and specialty service organizations. It leverages the Mac OS X ease of use to create a simple-to-use, yet comprehensive sales and inventory management package. It also features an optional Web Store that works with your inventory system to decrease paperwork and errors and integration right into your MYOB or QuickBooks accounting package!

LightSpeed 2.8 and Web Store 2.0 have great new features

The new features in LightSpeed 2.8 really make it all the more powerful POS program. From the multiple images you can now have for each product, to it’s seamless integration with Web Store 2.0, this update makes your job as a retail store owner even easier!

There are many ways you can use LightSpeed integrated into your business to work with your entire workflow, so be sure you ask us about the Daylite connector!

 
We’re doing live demos of this product in Minnesota for the next month. If you want to see how the product works, please download a demo, but also come and see us.  Check us out on our events page: http://www.teksource-it.com

- Steve Jacobson
TechSource IT

Looking forward to Lightspeed Certification Camp in San Diego

Part of the fun of being a technology consultant is keeping up with what’s new for the benefit of your clients, and having some fun while doing so!

Xsilva Systems is hosting a special Lightspeed Certification Camp in San Diego this weekend. I’m already checked in and waiting for things to begin tonight. In the mean time, I’ll be checking out the scenery and trying out some local restaurants.

Last night I had a pulled pork sandwich at the House of Blues, and it was good. I’m heading towards the harbor in a few minutes, and will see where my appetite will take me. 

The registration and kick-off start tonight at the Se San Diego. Hope to see you there!

- Steve Jacobson

Daylite Touch is rapidly becoming indispensable to me.

I’ve had Marketcircle’s Touch program on my iPhone with our companies’ Daylite database live for a couple weeks now, and it is clearly becoming the essential application on the iPhone.

Watching it sync over VPN through the Edge network is amazing to me, it is quick and accurate, and keeps me up to date with schedule changes with immediacy. It isn’t push technology, we still use SMS or voice for getting urgent items out to the field quickly, but it is nice to check the schedule without dragging out the laptop and finding a network. I can even add to or change my schedule now without burdening our administrative assistant. It seems a small thing, but the convenience is wonderful.

- Steve Jacobson

Daylite Touch is more than expected!

Touch for Daylite works so well it is reason to switch to Mac so you can run Daylite! Daylite is Mac only, sorry Windows.

Daylite 3.9 with Touch released today!

Today is a new milestone for small business Mac users. Marketcircle has released Daylite 3.9 with Daylite Touch for iPhone and iPod Touch. They have worked very hard for over a year to bring this to fruition.

Daylite 3.9 has several improvements that will make an impact on your use of Daylite. There is a new database engine driving Daylite. This brings faster startup and faster syncronization of Offline databases. This new database allows for smooth syncing to your iPhone or iPod Touch as well, without the intermediate steps of syncing through Address Book and iCal!

Touch is an application that runs on iPhone, that has direct access to your Daylite database through their new Daylite Touch Server. This syncing can happen by WIFI when in the office, and with proper network setup, through Edge, 3G, or WIFI networks while away from your office!

This is amazingly powerful. You can check your calendar (or your colleagues) and make an appointment without guessing if that time slot is still available. Create and assign tasks, check on Projects and Opportunities and more. Please check their web site at http://www.marketcircle.com/daylitetouch for detail. Better yet if you have an iPhone (or iPod Touch) download Touch from the iTunes store. It comes with a demo database to try it out.

- Steve Jacobson
TechSource IT

Open Ports, What’s up with that?

One means of getting remote access to computers behind your firewall (that’s what keeps the hackers out) is to open ports and direct the traffic on that port to computers inside your protected Local Area Network.

This is rather like a vault that has some bricks missing in its wall so you can reach in and grab some money when you want to. The problem is, ANYONE can reach in and do the same!

Any remote access solution that opens ports is exposing your network to hackers, inviting them in to see what they can find and do. Every hour there are dozens to hundreds of attempts to gain access to your network and its treasures. Whether it is a Chinese soldier or a malware “bot”, your firewall is busy keeping the bad things out. If they happen to check that opened port, they’re in!

If you wish to gain access to your network from across the Internet, there are more secure means than the inviting Open Ports method. Virtual Private Network methods are no longer something only large corporations can use, but now anybody can afford this enterprise class convenient access while maintaining the integrity of their firewall and protection of their network and business.

Check back soon for more on VPNs and how they can make your world better.