The emergence of this innovative business technology and brilliance of the internet has put your audience within the reach of their fingertips. Go Mobile and Extend your Reach with Mobile Marketing. To find out more about Transforming Your Marketing efforts with the Cutting Edge Business Technology of Mobile Marketing and how you can affordably start your Mobile Marketing Camaign, Call 888-404-8282
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8 Signs – Time To Ask IT For New Computer
8 signs it’s time to ask IT for a new computer
If your boss hands you a new assignment and tells you, “Take your time”, good chance you were day dreaming. Snap out of it! You are officially part of the 21st century workforce. Emails need to be checked, Word and Excel always ready and Internet browsers should be as fast as a blink of an eye. Today’s work environment is go-go-go all the time, and phrases like “take a break” or “slow down” seem to have been left behind.
So what do you do if you’re stuck in this 21st century work environment with a PC that’s slow and uncooperative? It’s time to talk to IT about getting a new one.
If you’re not sure if you should be having this conversation, see if any of the below apply to you.
1. Your computer is a single-tasker
At home, you have five windows open, you’re streaming music and reading an online story all at once. But at work, it’s one window at a time and the thought of leaving a document open while you check email makes you shudder. If your backup plan involves your smartphone, then it’s time for a new computer. Today’s PCs that run on the latest generation of Intel processors offer twice the performance of 4-year-old models, giving you the chance to experience that new-fangled, multi-tasking thing everyone’s talking about.
2. Your PC is officially out to lunch
Few things are more frustrating than watching your screen go black right in the middle of a big project or minutes before an urgent deadline, especially when you haven’t hit the save button. If your computer is prone to taking a hiatus or two, place it on permanent break time.
3. You can type a Russian novel before the first word appears on the screen
No one’s calling on you to turn into a court reporter, but it would be nice if you could read at least some of that email before you’re ready to click send. A new PC will work at your speed and you won’t have to wait for it to catch up. Can you picture it? Probably not yet.
4. Your PC crashes more often than Evel Knievel
When Evel crashed, you saw fire, explosions and excitement. When your old computer crashes, there’s certainly no excitement. Also, your desire to remain employed prevents the fire and explosions.
5. Moving your PC could be the next big Cross Fit-like exercise craze
If you need to brace yourself before you move your PC, it’s time for a newer model. Today the average laptop weighs 6 pounds or less, and new PCs are 50 percent thinner than those made a few years ago. So save the heavy lifting for the gym and leave your weight belt at home.
6. People mistake your computer for a vintage toy
That’s silly of course. At least vintage toys have value. But, if younger co-workers aren’t even sure how to turn your PC on, it’s time for an upgrade.
7. The thought of unplugging your PC, even for a moment, terrifies you
Your cubicle shouldn’t feel like an emergency room. New PCs offer three times the battery life over older models, so tell IT you want to pull the plug on your old PC permanently.
Today’s computers are smaller, lighter, have more memory and boot up in 6 seconds or less. If you’re tired of your PC being the punchline of office jokes, tell IT it’s time for a new PC.
8. The End has come for XP
Windows XP… The End. Time to upgrade. Even I had problems letting go. But trust me, you can do it. The 21st century awaits you.
Lord & Griffin IT Solutions can help you design, implement, optimize, manage and run your network infrastructure, regardless of its complexity and of your organization’s size. Lord & Griffin IT Solutions IT Systems Management Services are services designed with small and mid-size businesses in mind. Our certified technicians provide fast, affordable business computer service and technical computer help – offering same day, weekend and evening appointments. Let us be your IT department for a fraction of the cost! Lord & Griffin IT Solutions can help you save time and money by lending your business our technical expertise. See IT Systems and Network Services
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Keeping Internet-Connected Devices Safe and Protected [Infographic]
Keeping Internet-connected devices safe and protected [Infographic]
(BPT) – Learn how smart devices connect and communicate using the different layers and protocols typically used within this ecosystem. Understand how cybercriminals exploit this environment and how you can protect yourself, your data, and your device.
Debunking Common Computer Security Myths
All businesses can be susceptible to threats like hackers and computer viruses. Making matters worse is the great deal of misinformation floating around regarding cyber security. The Internet attracts urban legends and computer security isn’t immune from this trend. Many alleged security “facts” are, at best, inaccurate. Some of these myths are recent developments, while others have been around for years.
Clearing up some common misconceptions about computer security, Staples and Norton have teamed up help separate fact from fiction.
Myth 1: Companies that sell antivirus and security solutions create viruses
The idea that the online security companies develop and release computer viruses to maintain sales is false. While it’s true that one variety of malware (malicious software) called “ransomware” infects computers and then sells its victims a “solution” to the problem, these rogue programs are not affiliated with legitimate antivirus programs, like Norton. In fact, legitimate antivirus programs are the first line of defense against devious hackers.
Myth 2: A small business’s main security threat is the Internet
A security policy that only considers Internet-based threats is woefully incomplete. Yes, hackers can breach your network security. Yes, malware can infect your network through unsafe websites. However, the biggest risks to your security are often those who work for you.
Many security breaches originate with employees. A small number of employees are simply dishonest. More often, however, security breaches are caused by simple human error. An employee loses a laptop, for instance, or incorrectly disposes of printed or digital information.
“Now more than ever, small business owners should be taking all precautions to ensure their businesses are secure,” says Conor Kearney, vice president of technology merchandise for Staples. “While antivirus programs are a great first line of defense against cyber threats, it is important to make sure you educate your employees on what constitutes good cyber security and have safeguards in place to prevent a minor incident, like a stolen computer, from turning into a full out data breach.”
Myth 3: Apple’s operating system is safer than Microsoft’s Windows
For years, Apple users held up the relative lack of malware on Mac computers as evidence that the Apple operating system had fewer security flaws than Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. Actually, Mac users were safer because they represented a relatively small percentage of all computer users. Malware writers prefer to target the largest possible audience. As so, because many people use Windows, the hackers focused their attention on Windows and, for the most part, ignored Apple.
But now, people use Apple devices in sufficient numbers to attract malware. For example, in 2012, the Flashback Trojan affected 600,000 Macs. And a year later, Apple computer users were hit by a virus that targeted iPhone developers via the Java programming language. Recently the Shellshock/Bash vulnerability was identified as putting Mac users at risk.
Myth 4: Hackers only target “big business”
Some small businesses take false comfort in their size. The assumption is that hackers and data thieves only target big companies, major financial institutions and government agencies. However, small businesses can also be targets for data breaches and hacks.
Small businesses need to have a defense plan in place. Often, small-business owners recognize the importance of cyber security, but are unable to manage the complexity of this issue themselves. Consequently, the cyber security of small businesses tends to be neglected. “Protecting customer and business data from cybercriminals is a matter of life and death for most small businesses. Because small-business owners are insanely busy, they need a multi-layer security solution that’s easy to install and manage,” says Brian Burch, VP product marketing, Norton Business Unit, Symantec, a leading provider of award-winning products and services that deliver online protection. Easy, quick setup antivirus solutions are most preferred by small businesses. For example, Norton Small Business is a single solution to securing computers and mobile devices within a small business’ network.
A false sense of security
Today’s computer security myths all have one thing in common – they can lull you into a false sense of security. Keep your office free from viruses by always employing a critical eye and lots of common sense. Similar to your annual doctor visit, be sure to give your small business a cyber-security check, reassessing its network security and ensuring you have the proper tools in place to protect it from a cyber-attack.
See more – Internet Security
Heartbleed – Open SSL
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Responsive Web Design aka Adaptive Web Design #ResponsiveDesign #WebDesign
Essentially the term was used in Responsive Web Design, an article by Ethan Marcotte on A List Apart. In general, the article proposed addressing the ever-changing landscape of devices, browsers, screen sizes and orientations by creating flexible, fluid and adaptive Web sites. Instead of responding to today’s needs for a desktop Web version adapted to the most common screen resolution, along with a particular mobile version (often specific to a single mobile device), the idea is to approach the issue the other way around: use flexible and fluid layouts that adapt to almost any screen.
Responsive websites are those crafted to use W3C CSS3 media queries with fluid grids and commonly also fluid images, to adapt the layout to the viewing environment. The idea of responsive web design is to make websites that fit multiple screen sizes. For the designer and developer that means they only have to work on one version of the website instead of designing one for desktop computers and another for mobile devices. Fluid grids, flexible images, and media queries are the three technical ingredients for responsive web design, but it also requires a different way of thinking.
Core Concepts
Three key technical features are the heart of responsive Web design:
- Media queries and media query listeners.
- A flexible grid-based layout that uses relative sizing.
- Flexible images and media, through dynamic resizing or CSS
Truly responsive Web design requires all three features to be implemented.
The key point is adapting to the user’s needs and device capabilities. Suppose a mobile user will be viewing your site on a small screen. Taking the user’s needs into account doesn’t just mean adapting your content to the screen size. It also means thinking about what that mobile user will require first when visiting your site and then laying out the content accordingly. Maybe you’ll present the information in a different order. Don’t assume the user won’t need access to all the site information because she’s on a mobile device. You might need to change the fonts or interaction areas to respond better to a touch environment. All these factors influence responsive Web design.
While mobile devices are changing the display landscape, with the appearance of more and more small screens, don’t forget what’s happening at the other end of the spectrum. Displays are also getting larger and with higher resolution. Having to serve both segments shouldn’t stop designers from being innovative on either.
Responsive Web Design or Adaptive Design has evolved from being a strong trend to become a reality of the web today. In a world that has been conquered by mobile devices over the past two decades, no one now understands a website that cannot be viewed on different screen resolutions, or at the very least the minimum provided on smartphones and tablets. The latest surveys on internet use in many countries no longer make a point of discussing the use of these portable devices because they are a reality: connections to the internet from these devices has grown exponentially over recent years.
If you have not updated we recommend you do. If you do not know this web design technique already we recommend you study, research and learn about it. Make sure your website displays correctly with mobile devices. Use a responsive website design that adapts to any device, create a separate mobile site, or use mobile web development tools to optimize your current site. Contact Us Today For FREE Consultation 888-404-8282 or email contact@lordgriffin.net
Learn More About Responsive Web Design / Adaptive Web Design
10 Great Examples of Adaptive Websites
Awwwards – BEST WEBSITES EXAMPLES OF DESIGNS WITH RESPONSIVE DESIGN
Here are some additional resources:
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