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609: Insights and Updates from ACEs Conference 2025 with Justin Esgar

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Insights and Updates from ACEs Conference 2025 with Justin Esgar

In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts welcome back Justin Esgar of ACEs Conference. The discussion kicks off with light-hearted banter about colds and convincing Jerry to buy a ticket for the upcoming ACEs Conference. Justin shares behind-the-scenes insights into his daily routine and the value of attending ACEs, highlighting its focus on business growth for consultants, the expansion of the conference to include special training sessions at the 'big fruit company' campus, and how it helps attendees improve client relations and efficiencies. The conversation also covers the unique supportive nature of the Apple community and the upcoming Edward Esgar ACES Scholarship in honor of Justin's father. The episode wraps up with an insightful discussion about the ACES Mastermind program, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and community support in the tech industry.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Justin Esgar

01:01 Daily Routine and Behind the Scenes

01:56 ACEs Conference Overview

02:50 Special Training and Business Focus

04:43 Consulting and Sales Strategies

16:24 Importance of Cyber Insurance

19:13 Bringing Employees to ACEs

26:28 Tim Pearson's Chat and Wedding Insights

26:55 Honoring My Dad: The Edward Esgar ACES Scholarship

28:35 Funny Story: The Car Mix-Up

29:59 All Things MSP and Podcasting

31:22 The Sandwich Compliment and Fearless Feedback

36:57 Mastermind Program and Business Coaching

42:06 The Unique Apple Community

47:44 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Best Of CCP - 087: Joe's Birthday Bash

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Sam Valencia, Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss working with Apple technology and clients. Drawn from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network, they discuss technical support issues both with the technology and working with clients.

605: Backup Challenges with Adam Engst Of The Tidbits Content Network

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Navigating Backup Challenges and Disaster Recovery with Adam Engst

In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts are joined by Adam Engst from TidBITS Content Network to discuss the evolving landscape of bootable backups, cloud storage solutions, and disaster recovery strategies. They delve into Apple's recent changes affecting bootable backups, the importance of testing backup functionality, and the pros and cons of relying on cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive for both personal and enterprise use. Various backup methodologies are compared, including local and cloud backups, and the discussion expands to the role of multiple devices and redundancy in ensuring minimal downtime. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding risks and having a comprehensive disaster recovery plan. Engst also shares valuable insights on the challenges of maintaining historical backups and the complexities of migrating email backup services. The episode concludes with a look at the offerings of TidBITS Content Network and how it helps consultants provide valuable content to their clients.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:10 The Evolution of Bootable Backups

01:18 Challenges with Bootable Backups

03:09 Personal Experiences with Bootable Backups

05:59 Apple's Recent Fixes and Ongoing Issues

07:16 Importance of Testing Backups

08:54 Diverse Backup Methods and Strategies

12:44 Cloud-Based Tools and Their Limitations

22:57 Email Backup Solutions

24:37 Backup Services and Recommendations

29:15 Exploring Backup Solutions

29:34 The Wasabi Storage Phenomenon

30:29 Email Backup Challenges

34:58 Disaster Recovery Considerations

43:18 The Importance of Redundancy

54:19 TidBITS Content Network Insights

59:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

604: Sync or Swim: Tales from the Technical Trenches

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In this episode, Joe Saponare and Jerry discuss dealing with common tech issues. Jerry shares his experience fixing his AirPods Pro charging problem, detailing his investigation and a strategy using contact cleaner. The conversation shifts to Synology updates, exploring the challenges of manually updating DSM firmware, and the discovery of missing auto updates. They also delve into the use of Unify's U7 Pro access points and troubleshooting Wi-Fi 7 signal issues, including tweaking the minimum RSSI settings for better connectivity. The hosts touch on email follow-up features in Apple Mail and share anecdotes about tech support challenges, giving practical advice and sharing insights into the tech consultancy landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:07 AirPods Pro Charging Issues

01:16 DIY Fixes and YouTube Solutions

04:26 Contact Cleaner Solution

10:18 Synology NAS Updates

18:13 MacBook Air Erase Troubleshooting

21:48 Community Support and Unify Devices

31:02 Exploring Hostify: Affordable Network Management

31:36 Unify's Potential Future Charges

32:22 WiFi 6 and 6GHz Connectivity Issues

33:08 Adjusting RSSI for Better WiFi Performance

34:56 WiFi 7 and Device Compatibility

36:23 Auto Optimization and Network Settings

39:59 Seasonal Business Trends and Client Behavior

44:05 Email Follow-ups and Communication Challenges

52:33 Phone Etiquette and Speakerphone Frustrations

54:52 iPhone Mirroring: A Helpful Feature

57:38 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

603: Navigating Modern Hardware Challenges and NDAA Compliance: A Conversation with John Moder Of Creative Tech

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In this episode of Command Control Power, returning guest John Moder joins the hosts to discuss a variety of topics ranging from hardware issues with the latest generation of MacBooks to the intricacies of NDAA compliance concerning network hardware. John shares his experiences with the transition from an Intel MacBook to an M4 Max, highlighting issues with USB power and hubs. The conversation also takes a deep dive into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and its implications for network security, especially concerning Ubiquiti devices. John provides insights into the process of obtaining compliance certification from Ubiquiti, emphasizing the complexities involved. Alongside the technical discussions, John shares personal anecdotes about his career journey, owning a remote campground during the pandemic, and his current role with Creative Techs. This episode serves as an insightful resource for consultants and tech enthusiasts navigating the ever-evolving landscape of hardware and security compliance.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back, John Moder!

00:16 Tech Troubles: USB Issues with New MacBooks

01:56 John's Experience with USB Hubs and MacBook

03:34 Solutions and Frustrations with USB Connectivity

08:51 John's Career Journey: From Tech to Campground Owner

09:36 Pandemic Impact and Campground Challenges

12:02 Life at the Campground: The Reality Sets In

18:44 Transitioning Back: RV Adventures and Remote Work

22:05 The High Costs and Logistics of RV Living

23:23 The Challenges of RV Maintenance and Repairs

25:14 Transitioning to a Stable Home Life

26:10 A New Career in Education Technology

26:52 The Reality of Working in Education

27:28 Returning to Consulting and Remote Work

35:26 Navigating Government Compliance in Tech

35:57 The Complexity of NDAA Compliance

37:56 Ubiquiti's Compliance Process

48:23 Final Thoughts and Reflections