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620: From Rooftops in Spain to QuickBooks User Pains

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Cirrus Partners

In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss recent events including a vacation and the ACEs conference. They dive into a detailed troubleshooting story involving QuickBooks server issues and explore the challenges associated with setting up Windows PCs and QuickBooks for clients. Additional topics include managing one password admin access for clients and a debate over using cases for Macs. The episode also highlights the 10th anniversary of the Mac Admins community and offers useful insights for managed service providers.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:08 Vacation Recap: London and Spain

01:11 The Sunday Roast Experience

01:52 Yorkshire Pudding and British Cuisine

03:50 Party in Spain: Music, Conversations, and More

08:50 Back to Work: QuickBooks Troubles

28:46 QuickBooks Desktop vs. Online: The Cost Debate

29:11 Client's PC Purchase and Windows Upgrade Issues

30:12 Navigating Windows Setup and Software Challenges

31:00 Billing and Discounted Rates Discussion

33:00 Two-Factor Authentication Troubleshooting

35:11 One Password Support and Admin Access

47:10 Mac Admins Community and Personal Anecdotes

49:50 Client Device Trade-In and Repair Issues

51:58 Case or No Case: Protecting Your Devices

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619: Mac Misfires, Backblaze Blues, and the Cost of Bad Support

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In this episode, the hosts of Command Control Power discuss their personal lives and tech experiences, including outdoor activities and everyday tech issues. They delve into a peculiar issue one encountered with a MacBook Pro during an update, which turned out to be related to Dell Display Manager. The conversation also covers Backblaze backup anomalies, Apple's migration assistant quirks, and problematic customer service interactions with vendors like Microsoft and RingCentral. To wrap up, the team reflects on the importance of considering user behavior in quality assurance for tech products and services.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

00:54 Unexpected MacBook Pro Issue

03:33 Dell Display Manager Mystery

05:27 Annoying Software Bugs

08:48 Client Troubleshooting Story

17:55 Apple Watch Repair Misunderstanding

23:48 Backblaze Exclusions and Concerns

25:13 MacBook Air Story and Backup Issues

26:32 Backblaze Deduplication and Support

28:15 Trust Issues with Backblaze

30:48 Considering Alternative Backup Solutions

33:53 Client Concerns and Backup Costs

41:48 RingCentral and Phone Services

49:39 Quality Assurance in Tech

52:18 Concluding Thoughts and Listener Invitation

617: Interview with Adam Engst: Navigating AI, Tech Ethics, and Business Models

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Interview with Adam Engst: Navigating AI, Tech Ethics, and Business Models

The hosts of Command Control Power are joined by Adam Engst of Tidbits Content Network for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of AI, the ethics of technology in business, and how evolving business models are influencing content creation. Topics include the 35th anniversary of Tidbits, the importance of maintaining human decency in business practices, the future of AI-based answer engines compared to traditional search engines, and the need for businesses to develop AI policies. Engst also shares personal anecdotes and offers insights on how to responsibly integrate AI into everyday professional tasks.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:09 Celebrating 35 Years of Tidbits

01:14 Navigating Current Events and Business Ethics

04:51 Challenges in Business and Academia

07:06 Handling Offboarding and Client Relations

10:12 The Impact of Media and Fiction on Real Life

12:12 A Lesson in Communication and De-escalation

18:15 The Rise of AI and Apple's Struggles

31:35 Introduction to Answer Engines

31:48 The Role of Original Sources

32:12 Impact of Answer Engines on Source Verification

33:03 Commercial Content vs. Non-Commercial Content

35:05 Challenges with Paywalls and Advertising Models

36:04 Micropayments as a Solution

37:07 The Evolution of Business Models

40:46 The Rise of AI Answer Engines

44:30 The Future of Search and AI Integration

58:40 The Importance of AI Policies in Business

01:01:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

616: Backblaze Blues, Alectrona Patch Updates & the MacBook Air That Took Flight

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Cirrus Partners

The hosts of Command Control Power discuss recent issues with Backblaze, including failed updates and poor communication, which have eroded trust among users. They delve into the technical struggles with Apple's update processes and highlight improvements to the Electronic Patch software. Jerry shares a personal story about accidentally leaving his MacBook Air on top of his car and the ensuing repair saga, illustrating the importance of awareness and preparedness in the IT field. The episode wraps up with a reflection on the frustrations and foibles that come with managing tech in today's rapidly evolving landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:12 Backblaze Recap: Communication and QA Issues

01:32 Backblaze Update Problems and User Confusion

03:03 Backblaze's Compromised Credentials and Communication Breakdown

05:41 Inconsistent Communication and Crowdsourcing Solutions

18:18 Apple's QA Issues and Update Problems

33:01 General Frustrations with Technology and Education

35:45 AI Tools for Coders

36:14 Introducing Trona Patch 3.0

36:50 Customizing Patch Notifications

37:23 Client Reactions to Patch

39:39 New Features in Patch 3.0

46:51 Balancing Notifications and Updates

50:39 A Funny Anecdote

51:02 The MacBook Air Incident

55:04 Restoring from Backup

01:00:49 Final Thoughts and Thanks

615: Boutique Consultancy: Balancing High-Touch Service and Growth

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Boutique Consultancy: Balancing High-Touch Service and Growth

In this episode, the discussion revolves around the concept of boutique consultancy, highlighting the benefits of providing a personalized, high-touch service over rapid, automated responses. The conversation delves into the comparison between boutique firms and large-scale competitors, focusing on client satisfaction versus cost-saving strategies. Drawing parallels to Apple's business approach, the discussion extends to the evolution of consulting within the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of intelligent strategy over mere ticket resolutions. The conversation wraps up with practical insights into asset management, device lifecycle strategies, and the challenges and experiences of running a consultancy.

00:00 Introduction to Boutique Consultancy

01:31 The Apple Business Model as a Muse

03:14 The Role of Consulting in Managed Services

08:00 Challenges and Strategies in Client Management

09:22 Team Size and Economic Factors

12:03 Contract Structures and Pricing Strategies

21:25 Analytical Skills and Personal Background

25:51 Personal Time and Future Plans

28:36 Balancing Work and Family Life

29:13 Holiday Plans and Skiing Adventures

30:56 Generational Differences in Technology

33:25 Sustainable Business Practices

36:43 Lifecycle Management of Devices

42:01 Challenges and Strategies in Hardware Sales

47:16 The Importance of Client Relationships

49:31 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements