🔒 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.

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

614: Navigating AI in IT Consulting: Insights from Michael Thomsen of Origin 84

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Navigating AI in IT Consulting: Insights from Michael Thomsen

In this episode of Command Control Power, hosts welcome Michael Thomsen of Origin 84, dialing in from Australia. Michael shares critical insights into the use of AI in IT consulting. Topics range from the pros and cons of binge-listening to tech podcasts to the practical uses of AI tools like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. Michael emphasizes the importance of balancing automation with human interaction, sharing examples of how AI can enhance efficiency, such as generating meeting summaries, handling complex client requests, and improving ticketing systems. The discussion also touches on the risks of data leakage, the necessity of well-defined policies, and the future implications of AI in both enhancing productivity and posing security challenges.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:36 Listener Feedback and Follow-Up

02:41 AI Tools in Daily Work

05:51 AI Integration in Business

09:08 Real-World AI Use Cases

13:52 Challenges and Best Practices with AI

23:50 AI in Education and Policy

27:22 Understanding AI Policies and Data Leakage

28:28 Balancing AI Empowerment and Security Risks

29:21 Credential Stuffing and Security Examples

30:49 Implementing Effective AI Policies

32:10 Microsoft Tools for Data Security

35:03 Challenges in Modern Security Practices

39:14 Leveraging AI for Productivity

42:09 AI in Client Communication and Ticketing

47:48 The Human Element in AI Integration

51:32 Concluding Thoughts on AI and Security

613: Inside the World of IT: Daily Challenges and Unlikely Solutions

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In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss several interesting and challenging situations they’ve encountered. They start by encouraging listeners to support them on Patreon for additional content, including unedited YouTube broadcasts. The main discussions cover a range of topics: the idea of maintaining up-to-date hardware for clients, how to strategically manage old equipment, and the peculiar case of a client getting inundated with spam emails likely as a cover for fraudulent activities involving a Best Buy purchase. They explore possible solutions and share their experiences dealing with such disruptions. Additionally, Jerry shares a humorous story about helping a client with her TV and encountering an unexpected twist with a generous tip to a technician.

00:00 Introduction and Patreon Promotion

01:38 Unedited YouTube Broadcasts

02:52 Barcelona Travel Talk

04:00 Tech Truisms and Client Discussions

06:38 Client Hardware Upgrade Policies

12:31 Unsupported Hardware Fees and Security Risks

27:45 Apple Business Manager and iCloud Issues

34:40 The Mysterious Phone Issue

35:28 Joe's Story: The Spam Attack

37:07 Understanding the Hacker's Tactics

39:28 Dealing with the Spam Flood

46:44 A Disgruntled Employee?

47:59 The Best Buy Clue

49:15 The Police Involvement

50:20 The Amateur Hacker Theory

55:27 Jerry's Funny TV Repair Story

01:02:27 Conclusion and Next Steps