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620: From Rooftops in Spain to QuickBooks User Pains
/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
619: Mac Misfires, Backblaze Blues, and the Cost of Bad Support
/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
/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
/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