Review / Opinion

Review / Opinion

Working Nets
February 1, 2016

Why Hire Working Nets For I.T. Help? See Our Testimonials!

Tags: , , , Blog, Review / Opinion
At Working Nets, we understand that technology can be confusing and overwhelming. We are here to help – without the ego!

Working Nets is here to operate as your virtual I.T. department. Technology is a major key to success in every business, and we are here for you to turn to when your computers, network and security systems need an upgrade or solution. We provide top-notch information technology services to companies who need reliable assistance when problems arise. Like most great businesses, word of mouth and true testimonials reflect the quality of our work. Let us remind you why you should choose Working Nets for your I.T. solutions.

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Working Nets
September 18, 2015

Microsoft Gives Business Computers the Cortana Treatment

Tags: , , IT industry, Review / Opinion
The application can pull data from Microsoft’s business application and provides the opportunity for multiple user viewing and editing on their own devices (iOS, Windows, or Android).

Back in July, Microsoft revealed two business applications set to change the way more casual business owners examine their business data. GigJam and Cortana Analytics Suite both use the Cortana personal assistant originally designed for the Windows Phone (and now incorporated into Windows 10), and were presented as a way to make IT-powered business processes more understandable and accessible. Read on to see how these two new tools can help your business adopt the Cortana Treatment. Read More

Working Nets
August 2, 2015

Windows 10 is Finally Here!

Tags: , , , Review / Opinion
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Windows 10 is shaping up to be a decent OS.

That’s right folks, Windows 10 has finally made its debut. There was a lot of hype for Microsoft’s new operating system, so the question is whether or not the hype was misplaced. Some of the features we will be talking about today are Cortana and the Edge browser, Microsoft’s replacement for Internet Explorer. It would seem that Windows 10 is actually quite attractive and, so far, pleasant to use. That’s just one opinion though, so try it and see for yourself. Are you ready to learn more about the Windows 10 user experience? Let’s do it! Read More

Working Nets
August 15, 2014

Is Facebook Crossing a Line in the Tech World?

Tags: , , , , Review / Opinion

In today’s world of technology, it’s not uncommon to know what’s going on in everyone’s lives all the time. We see it every day on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. People put their information out for everyone to see. We’re not bashing social media sites. They can be extremely useful to businesses who want more of a web presence as well as for people just trying to keep up with far-flung friends and family. One of the problems that’s popping up with social media sites and websites in general is that they want a lot of information from you – and they’re getting pretty sneaky about how they get it. Let’s talk about Facebook’s new “Messenger” app for smart devices.

How Could the Facebook Messenger App be Violating Your Privacy

Many people choose to use the Facebook app on their phone to stay in touch on the go. It’s very convenient, especially for people who don’t have a lot of time to spend on their computers. Facebook messaging is an easy way to communicate quickly, but before long, it could also be a way to totally violate your privacy. Check out what the app will be able to do once it becomes a mandatory piece of mobile Facebook messaging (which is actually very soon):

  • Change your network connectivity – This means that Facebook will be able to decide whether you’re connected to Wi-Fi or not. They’re essentially remotely accessing and messing with features on your phone by doing this.
  • Access your phone book and SMS – You’ll now be able to send SMS messages and place calls directly from your Facebook Messenger app. You can see what kinds of problems this could cause. It means that Facebook has complete access to your contacts and can send information on your behalf.
  • Record information when it feels like it – You read that right. The Facebook Messenger app can take pictures, videos, or audio at any time. This is a huge invasion of privacy. Knowing that an app can turn your camera on and off at will is a scary prospect.

These are just a few of the different liberties that Facebook Messenger will be taking with your phone once the app is downloaded. For a more in depth look at what Facebook Messenger is doing, please visit this website.

Cyber Security from Working Nets

In the meantime, it’s important to remember that the security for your small business relies on a working knowledge of mobile device information as well as information on different websites and scams. We recognize that you don’t always have that kind of time as a small business owner, which is why we offer cyber security and managed IT services. To talk to someone about cyber security for your small business, give us a call at (443) 992-7394. We’d be happy to assist you with your professional business networking needs.

You can also visit WorkingNets.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+

 

Working Nets
June 4, 2014

Apple Announces Big Changes for iOS8

Tags: , , , Review / Opinion

Apple users got a pretty big surprise last year when iOS7 was released. It easily had some of the biggest changes that iPhone and iPad users had seen to date. iOS8 won’t have quite the same amount of changes that 7 did, but it will certainly shake things up a little bit – most people agree for the better. 8 isn’t ready to drop just yet, but Apple did announce the big upgrades for the new operating system. Hopefully it’ll be available sometime this fall (generally, Apple is known to release things in September). Check out some of the most talked about new updates.

  • Easier texting – One of the biggest complaints about the iPhone is how hard it is to text. That’s why there are entire websites dedicated to Autocorrect being a problem. Apple has finally decided to address the texting issue by allowing users to download the Swype keyboard (familiar to Android users) and to see more than one option for words. It’s also going to offer “smart” answers, such as yes or now when it notices that someone has sent you a question. Overall, the experience should be much better.
  • Expanded iCloud – Most people don’t use iCloud because the amount of space that Apple offers in the free version just isn’t worth it. With version 8, they’ll finally be jumping into the cloud game with iCloud Drive, which will be competing with Google drive and more. It’ll still cost to upgrade to anything over 5 GB (which is a bit of a drawback), but you’ll be able to upload different file types and easily sync and save across devices.
  • HomeKit – For those who are interested in home automation systems, HomeKit will help you control more of your connected devices throughout your home, such as air conditioning, lighting, and audio systems. Those with iPhone 4S or higher (who have Siri) will be able to simply give a command to Siri and see it carried out by electronics or appliances throughout the home. Simple, yet effective.
  • Interactive Notifications – This is something most Apple users have been waiting on for a while. You’ll now be able to answer text messages, emails, and interact with other applications while you’re in an application. You won’t have to worry about closing out of an application to answer text messages or email anymore, or even open the lock screen to perform actions within apps. The operating system is much more streamlined than it has been in the past.

There are a few more upgrades, such as the Health App, that are coming out with iOS 8, but these are some of our favorites. To stay up on news from the technical world or to find out more about IT support, call us today at (443)-992-7394, drop by, or fill out our online form.

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Source: http://www.techradar.com/us/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/ios-8-10-things-we-want-to-see-1166133

Working Nets
March 13, 2013

New Technology you need to see to believe: The Leap Motion Controller

Tags: , IT industry, Review / Opinion

First there was the keyboard. Next came the mouse. Then touchscreen technology was the new, trendy thing. So what’s next? How about gesture control? The Leap Motion Controller, which will retail for $80, plugs into almost any newer laptop, allowing the user to manipulate the screen using a series of hand gestures and finger movements.

“It’s sort of like having a touchscreen computer, but without actually touching the screen.” – Jason Gilbert, The Huffington Post

Just take a look!

According to Wired’s Roberto Baldwin, the Leap Motion Controller works best as a secondary controller, used in conjunction with a trackpad or mouse. The gesture control device is scheduled to be available for purchase on May 19 (May 13th to those who pre-order).

If you have any questions, please contact Working Nets by calling (443) 992-7394 or visit WorkingNets.com today!

Welcome to Working Nets – your virtual IT Department!

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Sources:

  1. Leap Motion, Gesture-Control Gadget For Your Laptop, Will Be Released This May For $80
Working Nets
March 6, 2013

The New Licensing Model for Microsoft Office 2013: A New Twist

Tags: , Review / Opinion

A few weeks back, Microsoft announced its new licensing model for Microsoft Office 2013. More importantly, Microsoft announced that licensing would be non-transferrable.

“The Office 2013 software is licensed to one computer for the life of that computer and is non-transferable,” explained a Microsoft spokesperson in an email to PCWorld.

So what does this mean? Well, it means that if you install Office 2013 on your computer today and your computer crashes, is stolen, or is lost in a house fire tomorrow, Microsoft expects you to go out and buy a completely new copy of Office 2013. You can never re-install Office 2013.

As you can imagine, Microsoft has experienced more than a little backlash over this announcement.

Well today, Microsoft relented, announcing an update to its Office 2013 retail licensing agreement. Now, customer who purchase or have already purchased Office Home and Student 2013, Office Home and Business 2013, Office Professional 2013, or any standalone Office 2013 application can move the software to a new computer every 90 days. You can also sell or transfer the license to another user.

“Based on customer feedback we have changed the Office 2013 retail license agreement to allow customers to transfer the software from one computer to another,” explains Microsoft spokesperson Jevon Fark. “This means customers can transfer Office 2013 to a different computer if their device fails or they get a new one. Previously, customers could only transfer their Office 2013 software to a new device if their PC failed under warranty”.

“These transferability options are equivalent to those found in the Office 2010 retail license terms,” added Fark.

If you have any questions, please contact Working Nets by calling (443) 992-7394 or visit WorkingNets.com today!

Welcome to Working Nets – your virtual IT Department!

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Working Nets
February 28, 2013

Windows Blue: The Evolution of Microsoft Windows

Tags: , , Review / Opinion

The buzz around the IT world has grown louder and louder recently. Windows Blue, which is either an update to Windows 8 or the de facto Windows 9 (we don’t know), has been THE hot topic as of late, especially when the Chinese-language Win8China website posted the follow:

  1. Windows Blue development has passed Milestone 1.
  2. Microsoft will release a preview version of Windows Blue sometime in early June (June 7th seems to be the rumored date).
  3. The final product is slated to be released “a few months” after the public preview, most likely in August.
  4. Windows Blue will be faster, use less power, and run with a new, smaller kernel, version 6.3.
  5. Windows Blue will support more screen scaling.
  6. There is even some talk of “multi-screen applications.”
  7. “The Bing team is working closely on Windows Blue to improve search in a significant way,” said Tom Warren.

So what is Windows Blue? Well, we don’t know. Still, while we don’t know much about Windows Blue, one thing is for sure. Windows Blue represents a shift from Microsoft’s standard three-year upgrade schedule, opting more for an Apple-like one-year rolling revisions. After all, if you can’t be ‘em, join ‘em.

Are you excited for Windows Blue (whatever it is)?

If you have any questions, please contact Working Nets by calling (443) 992-7394 or visit WorkingNets.com today!

Welcome to Working Nets – your virtual IT Department!

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Sources:

Windows Blue: How Will Windows 8 Evolve?

Working Nets
February 12, 2013

LinkedIn Etiquette: Why you shouldn’t solicit a LinkedIn Endorsement

Tags: , , , Review / Opinion

Believe it or not, there are some things you should and should not do on the Internet. There are certain unwritten rules that Internet users are expected to follow and, in some cases, these rules are actually clearly visible, like with LinkedIn. Still, countless users stray from these rules, using LinkedIn in ways that run counter to its intent.

This was the topic of the Information Week article, “Why Soliciting LinkedIn Endorsements Is A Bad Idea.” LinkedIn users are straying away from the sites original, intended use: to better connect people with the co-workers, peers, business associates, and clients that they ALREADY know. Instead, users are blindly connecting with contacts they do not personally know and they are endorsing skills that they have no intimate knowledge about.

Doesn’t this defeat the purpose of LinkedIn? Working Nets own David Spigelman weighs in on the subject.

“I’m in total agreement with this,” said David. “I’ve also noticed that most people use LinkedIn in ways that run counter to its intent.”

“You meet people at a networking meeting, and are expected to connect via LinkedIn. But why? I don’t really know you. I don’t know whether you’re good at your job. Endorsements are intended to be your stamps of approval on the other person’s professionalism. If I say that you are a good engineer, and I only know you because we play basketball together, how valuable is that endorsement?”

“And then you want me to introduce you to my other connections. On what basis do I make that connection? Or maybe you just want to connect to me directly, with no other connection. Who ARE you? How am I supposed to be able to connect you to others when I know NOTHING about you at all?”

How do you use LinkedIn?

If you have any questions, please contact Working Nets by calling (443) 992-7394 or visit WorkingNets.com today!

Welcome to Working Nets – your virtual IT Department!

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Sources:

  1. Why Soliciting LinkedIn Endorsements Is A Bad Idea Information Week