Monday, December 10, 2012

How cold networking is like ice fishing


So my exercise in cold networking got me thinking about another winter pursuit here in Michigan: ice fishing. Although I've never gone ice fishing before, it's easy to see how cold networking is a lot like ice fishing:

  1. Get up early in the morning.
  2. Know your prey.
  3. Be prepared for cold conditions.
  4. Have plenty of bait.
  5. Scout out your location.
  6. Drill with precision.
  7. Move to prevent your feet from freezing
  8. Chip away at the ice to clear the opening.
  9. Keep casting -- eventually you'll get a bite.
  10. Reel in every bite, it may just be the big one!

Be a fool: Go for it!


At the top of today's agenda was the goal to exercise these three basic rules:
"If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it.
If you don't ask, the answer is always no.
If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place." ~ Nora Roberts 
So this morning I spent a few hours distributing my resume and pitching my elevator speech to 10 IT service providers/computer repair shops in Traverse City -- this was cold networking without job leads. Sure, it's a scary prospect going into a place and selling myself; but what did I have to lose except a few minutes of my pride? In the words of the Chinese proverb, "One who asks is a fool for five minutes; one who doesn't, remains a fool forever." After a few pitches, my delivery was very polished. Good practice for interviewing in the very least!

Well this afternoon, I received a call from one of the IT providers to schedule an interview with me  Wednesday, YAY! This "fool" just landed an interview :)

P.S. A couple weeks ago during an interview with local phone company for an Network Operations Specialist, I was asked how I felt about cold calling. My reply was this:
If you had asked me a couple years ago, my response would be to crawl and whimper into the nearby corner. But now, having launched my own self-sustaining business, I've approached the cold call with a different mentality. I believe in my product (myself) and am passionate my service (computer repair), and as such, I know I have the zest, energy, confidence and charisma to confidently pitch my elevator speech to anyone. If the answer is "no thank-you", I don't take it personally. I'm learning that if I don't ask, the answer is always "no"...I'm find out that as I ask, sometimes the answer is "yes"!

Friday, November 30, 2012

Testimonial #2

My client, Mick, had a 10 year old Dell desktop that stopped working about month ago. He took it to Best Buy and they told him he needed a new computer, urging him toward a $600 new computer. Instead, he hired me for a second opinion. I cleaned it up, tuning and updating software. Mick was ecstatic to not only save $600, but now he's back online emailing, chatting, etc. I spent 5 hours on it, but billed him for less than an hour because I wanted to show him what miracles I can do...as I build my reputation, I also build potential referrals!

In kind repayment, Mick's wife gave me a high-praised referral to the local senior center as a computer trainer and repair person. This type of bartering more than makes up for my "loss of revenue" with billing so low for such an extensive job. A win/win for us both! As a friend of mine said, "Best Marketing Strategy Ever!!" :)

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Testimonial #1


This afternoon I spent an hour working on my client's laptop (Sarah) at her place of business...cleaning and tuning it, removing malware, speeding up performance, etc. After seeing her laptop boot up in a tenth the time, she was so thrilled that she suggested I talk with her boss about my servicing their 5 computers in exchange for my using their backroom for a few hours a week as a hotel office for computer repair. It'd be a win/win for us both!

I'm so stoked!! The business is on 8th St, with TONS of foot traffic and offers a safe/convenient location for my clients to meet me and/or drop off equipment. Just a few minutes ago, one of my clients met me here and complimented my resourcefulness of this location. If I didn't know better, I'd think I was being set up. Nope, I'm learning THIS is how dreams become reality through action!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Once a hoax, always a hoax!


You may have seen that very message pop up -- perhaps time and time again -- in your Facebook feed. The message has been making the rounds on the social network. It encourages people to copy and paste the text and post it on their own walls if they want to be placed "under protection of copyright laws."

It's a frightful message and those worried that Facebook will own their photos or other media are posting it -- unaware that it is a hoax. Here's the truth: Facebook doesn't own your media and there is NO such thing as the Berner Convention!

"We have noticed some statements that suggest otherwise and we wanted to take a moment to remind you of the facts -- when you post things like photos to Facebook, we do not own them," Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes said in a statement. "Under our terms (https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms), you grant Facebook permission to use, distribute, and share the things you post, subject to the terms and applicable privacy settings."

Brad Shear, a Washington-area attorney and blogger who is an expert on social media, said the message was "misleading and not true." He said that when you agree to Facebook's terms of use you provide Facebook a "non-exclusive, transferable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any content you post. You do not need to make any declarations about copyright issues since the law already protects you. The privacy declaration [in this message] is worthless and does not mean anything."

Snopes.com, a site dedicated to clearing up fallacies on the Internet, reminds Facebook users of that same thing. "Facebook users cannot retroactively negate any of the privacy or copyright terms they agreed to when they signed up for their Facebook accounts nor can they unilaterally alter or contradict terms instituted by Facebook simply by posting a contrary legal notice on their Facebook walls."

This isn't the first time a message like this has popped up on Facebook. A similar message made the rounds in June and a few years ago as well.

Bottom line? Don't bother copying, pasting, and posting. It was a hoax before and is still a hoax now.

I'm convinced of a several things:
#1 - There's a sucker born every minute...and every 30 seconds, there is also a snake-oil salesman born to try to take advantage of suckers. That's how they make a living. Duh!

#2 - "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." Whether the quote was originally said by Sydney J. Harris, John Kennedy, Eldridge Cleaver, Charles Rosner, or even John McClane/Bruce Willis from the movie "Die Hard", the Truth of the quote is profoundly simple!

#2 - I think some people enjoy living in ignorance because it feels "safe" or "comfortable". Stepping out of ignorance, means to challenge what is known and not known. Challenge means growth. Growth means change. And with change comes responsibility. Responsibility to live with integrity with oneself, with others, with one's community. To do otherwise, is harmful...

#3 - I've said this before and I'll say it a million times more: The greatest, most powerful, smartest computer is the one between our ears! I earn my living by providing IT support to people of all walks of life. My truly greatest sense of accomplishment is empowering people how to use their Personal Computer...the one between their ears!


References:
 Facebook Terms: https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms
Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/computer/facebook/privacy.asp

Monday, September 10, 2012

Tuesday is National Clean Your Computer Day!


In case you didn't know, Tuesday is "National Clean Your Computer Day". And since I'm a “techno-geek”, I thought I’d do my part and assist you as best as I can.

I found a VERY simple, safe, quick and easy way to clean up your computer. It takes just a minute to achieve a spotless well maintained computer, simply click here and you’ll be well on your way to having a super clean computer!

Feel free to call/email me if you have any questions :) Oh, and be sure to spread the word to your friends and help them out!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Time lapse: HP 4345 MFP Printer Repair




Journey with me as I peel back the layers of an HP 4345 MFP printer in order to replace the swing plate and the main gear assemblies. Essentially it's like removing a car engine in order to replace the transmission :)

If you think the printer looks intricate, you're right!! It's a spaghetti maze of gears, circuits, wires and cables. If you get lost, you may never get out, LOL!

P.S. For the technicians out there, I soon will be posting a different version of this video with call-outs to label parts.

The swing plate is the work horse gear...it interfaces with the fuser and as such is the #1 part to go bad.

The main gear interfaces between the two motors and with the rest of the mechanical systems, (including the swing plate and the toner cartridge).

Replacing the swing plate without replacing the main gear is like replacing a gear on a bike without replacing the damaged chain. The swing plate is a 1 hour job and the main gear is another 20 minutes...time well spent to assure the printer works like brand new :)

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

** NOTICE: NEW PHISHING SCAM **

Phishers/scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated by creating emails which appear legitimate. Knowledge is power!! Defend yourself by using the most powerful computer in the world: the one between your ears!!

Today, I received an email from "Intuit" (you know, one of the world's leading accredited tax and payroll software and services company) claiming to withdraw funds from my account in order to disburse my payroll. 


Now obviously I know I don't have any employees, but their gimmick is to scare the hell out of you that a LARGE withdrawal is pending. At that point, their hope is you'll into click on the links as you try to communicate with them to correct the error. At that point, you open the door to them obtaining (phishing) for your personal data.

>>>> Do NOT click on ANY of the links in the email!! <<<<<

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Your Personal Computer: the greatest weapon against ignorance!


Today I read a posting in which the original author had written:


For the record, Facebook does NOT dis-allow link posting. However, Facebook will block links from being posted which have been previously reported as scams, spam or viruses. It's mind-boggling that people make up shit and then have the audacity to post it!!! Do they think no one will challenge them?

Red Flag #1!

Apart from the glaring half-truth about FB links, the enticing buy-line, "I finally found something that REALLY WORKS!!!" really jumped out at me. As my Mom always says, if it's too good to be true, it usually is! Plain and simple, most get rich and work from home schemes are scams! They prey on people's desperation and exploit people's desire to get something for nothing. Furthermore, if an opportunity were truly worthwhile and/or legitimate, then the details would be shared openly and publicly.

Red Flag #2!

On a daily basis, I see so many sites/emails/articles/posts/comments that are scams, spam, hijacks, phishers or viruses, I can smell the pitfall from a mile away! I have a keen bullshit detector and know how to use it! As a person of integrity and as an IT professional, I feel it is my duty to warn others of potentially harmful issues. With facts and data, I breakdown the erroneous/harmful information and give pointers on how to protect oneself. I also address the harm of re-posting/promoting/liking such scams, spam, viruses, phishing sites. I share my qualified opinion backed by facts and with good conscience knowing I'm doing my utmost to educate, inform and empower people. Many people thank me and help by spreading the information, paying it forward to others!

Shortly after I posted this short rebuttal to the person's post, my comment was deleted:
Facebook doesn't limit link posting. However, Facebook will block links from being posted which have been previously reported as scams, spam or viruses. 
Most "work from home" advertisements are scams..buyer beware! If anything seems too good to be true, it probably is. If an opportunity were truly worthwhile and/or legitimate, then the details would be shared openly and publicly about it.
Since it's not my FB page, it is certainly the person's prerogative to delete my comment. Obviously this person doesn't want others to know the truth in order to make an informed decision about their work from home opportunity that "REALLY WORKS!!!". Interestingly enough, according to the FB page, this person is a Christian. So much for the truth setting one free! ;}

I'm convinced of a several things:
#1 - There's a sucker born every minute...and every 30 seconds, there is also a snake-oil salesman born to try to take advantage of suckers. That's how they make a living. Duh!

#2 - "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." Whether the quote was originally said by Sydney J. Harris, John Kennedy, Eldridge Cleaver, Charles Rosner, or even John McClane/Bruce Willis from the movie "Die Hard", the Truth of the quote is profoundly simple!

#2 - I think some people enjoy living in ignorance because it feels "safe" or "comfortable". Stepping out of ignorance, means to challenge what is known and not known. Challenge means growth. Growth means change. And with change comes responsibility. Responsibility to live with integrity with oneself, with others, with one's community. To do otherwise, is harmful...

#3 - I've said this before and I'll say it a million times more: The greatest, most powerful, smartest computer is the one between our ears! I earn my living by providing IT support to people of all walks of life. My truly greatest sense of accomplishment is empowering people how to use their Personal Computer...the one between their ears!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Launching my new blog!

Welcome to my new tech blog!

This space is dedicated to optimizing the strongest computer in the world: The one between the ears! I'll share my journey as I connect with people through technology, offering tech helps as well as inviting a look behind the scenes in the day of an IT professional. If there's anything you want to see here, please let me know!

For more information who I am and the tech services I provide, please visit the links above.