🔒 Patreon Special

IT Pros: exclusive shows await you on Patreon, focusing on the more challenging aspects of running your practice and working with clients and employees.


In Memory of Charles Edge: A Conversation Revisited

Beloved Author and Apple Authority Passes Away

The Apple community mourns the loss of Charles Edge, a renowned author and expert who dedicated his career to empowering users with knowledge.

Charles was a cornerstone for many Apple enthusiasts. His acclaimed book series, "Take Control of OS X Server," provided users with clear and comprehensive guidance on managing their server environments. He was also known for his ongoing work on a historical chronicle of computing, showcasing his passion for technology's evolution.

Beyond his publications, Charles was admired for his genuine kindness and willingness to share his expertise. He leaves behind a legacy of not only valuable resources, but also a spirit of helpfulness that enriched the Apple community.

Command Control Power remembers Charles Edge, a friend and expert we had the pleasure of speaking with. This conversation from 2014 is a testament to his knowledge and enduring legacy. We miss him dearly.

Sincerely,

Joe, Sam, and Jerry

561: UniFi-ed by Chaos: Adventures in Ubiquiti Network Warfare

  • Discussing the new MacBook Air M3 and its migration process

  • Highlighting the improvements in data transfer speeds

  • Network hardware lifespan and how to recommend upgrades to clients

  • Signs to look for to determine if network hardware needs to be upgraded

  • Discussing the benefits of Wifi 7

  • Common challenges faced during network upgrades and how to address them

  • Exploring Ubiquiti UniFi products including the Flex Switch and Switch Ultra

  • The client needed to replace an access point with a switch and an access point.

  • The client also had a builder working on their house who reset the network devices, causing additional problems.

  • The issue was resolved after the network devices were reconfigured.

  • Learned that the client should not touch the network devices and to label them accordingly.

  • Unifi devices were discussed. There are pros and cons to pre-configuring the devices on site vs on location. ░

560: Interview with Justin Esgar of ACES Conference - May 15th - 16th 2024

Thank you to our VIP sponsors!

▶️ New: watch on YouTube!

Topics:

-Today we welcome Justin Esgar of Virtual Computers and The ACES Conference.

-Justin gives us his full review of Vision Pro.

-Joe gets practical about flying with a Vision Pro.

-Justin recommends a book called MSP Secrets Revealed (he happens to be in it as well).

-He does not recommend crying while wearing a Vision Pro.

-Our show now uses Streamyard, which Justin highly recommends.

-ACES Conference is back live!

-This is not a technical conference. Rather, it’s more about improving the ways we run and profit from our MSP practices.

-Justin tells us about many of the great names that will be in attendance, as well as Apple and other sponsors.

-Super Ops is giving away an Apple Vision Pro at ACES Conference!

-There will be great swag given away and, as Joe mentions, the hallway sessions.

-This is the 10th ACES Conference!

-Justin tells us why he started, and continues to run this conference.

-All sponsors have some requirements from Justin - no roadmaps.

-Make yourself accountable when you are there. Make the best use of your time.

-We talk about the ACES Mastermind Program. They group meets regularly to help each other accelerate growth of their businesses.

-Use the code commandcontrolpower for 10% off the ACES Conference!

-They are also offering a travel stipend. If your cost of travel is $650 or more ACES will help make it more accessible to be there.

-If the content doesn’t draw you in, come for the skiing!

-Both Joe and Adam Rice have their anniversaries during ACES.

Thank you to our Patreon sponsors!

559: Talking NSITSP with Jason Harrison of Harrison Technology Consulting

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▶️ New: watch on YouTube!

Topics:

-This week we welcome Jason Harrison, of Harrison Tech Consulting.

-He is also heavily involved with NSITSP (National Society for IT Service Providers).

-Jason takes us through the history of his consulting practice, where he handles a variety of operating systems.

-We discuss how IT support is not just supporting the endpoint anymore. You have to be a security expert as well.

-Jason says this is also where the NSITSP comes in.

-The idea of NSITSP is that our industry wasn’t represented well. It is a completely member driven organization that aims to establish high standards and ethics and improve the credibility of IT providers.

-The other aspect of the organization is that legislation is inevitable, and it would serve all of our best interests to be a part of crafting that legislation.

-Sam curiously asks about their code of ethics.

-Compare our industry and ethics to that of a locksmith who may have privileged access and has to have their own code of ethics.

-Want to get involved? Visit NSITSP and look at the membership and volunteering options.

-Switching gears, we get into a conversation about cloud vs private data storage.

-Understand the lack of regulation around cloud data storage.

-Jason uses Kerio Connect and Kerio Control for private cloud setups.

-Just call Jason “Mr. On Premises.”

-Some of the questions to ask a client are their tolerance for risk, exposure, and speed needs.

558: Battery Powered M4 iMac

Topics:

-We talk about on air meltdowns and recall similar situations when dealing with clients.

-When dealing with a financial site, Jerry works with support to “enable cross website tracking”. Tech support is impressed with his technical prowess.

-Similarly, Sam has experienced issues loading the Microsoft 365 admin panes when in Safari private browsing. Refreshing and reducing protection features allows it to work.

-Joe mentions using profiles in Google Chrome as a resolution. Sam uses Arc for this purpose.

-Joe & Sam talk about their 1Password experiences.

-1Password searching can now search note contents (again).

-They also adjusted their billing methods to bill for unverified accounts.

-Joe explains how to find items in macOS.

-Jerry was dealing with a client that kept having QuickBooks issues using Parallels. It turned out to be a feature that will “pause” Windows when idle.

-In another Parallels story, Jerry finds a resolution to his problem with Joe’s help…by finding our own show notes!

-Should you run AutoCAD on Parallels?

-Jerry runs into an issue with MacPractice at a high priority client after a security update. Unbelievably, MacPractice not only does not support macOS Sonoma, but even the latest updates of Ventura.