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Simplex-IT

5225 Darrow Rd

Hudson, OH 44236

234.380.1277

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In This Issue
What's New in Word 2016?
What's New in Project 2016?
What's new in Office 2016 now onlineWhat's new in Office 2016 now online
"Saving Capitalism"
We're Hiring!
Bob and Julie Coppedge announce annual award
Things That Go Bump in the Server Closet
It Seems Counterproductive, But Taking Breaks Actually Improves Productivity
Will the Surface Book Be Microsoft's "MacBook Killer?
4 Cabling Tips to Organize Your Network's Wires
Warning: Malicious Adware Finds New Way to Spread on Android Devices
3 Reasons Why Hackers Like to Target Small Businesses
The Internet of Things Takes Cyber Security to a Whole New Level
How Much Is Your Identity Worth on the Black Market?
Tip of the Week: View Your Current Google Sessions for Optimal Security
Blogs, Blogs, Blogs...
Plain Funny
Issue: #91November/2015
 
Halloween is over.  Indians season is over.  October is over.  Browns season is over.  Daylight Savings is over.
 
All of these are natural occurances.  We're used to these things happening.  They're part of nature.
 
Ok, all except Daylight Savings.  That's just unnatural.
 
Spent a few days down in Miami at the Trump Dorsal for the AVG Partner Conference.  Had some private 1-on-1 meetings with their North American management.  Also addressed about 50 AVG Partners at one event, and about 20 MSP wannabees at another.
 
My takeaway?  14 pillows is too many pillows for two beds.  Add to that several pictures of Jack Nicklaus in the hotel room...difficulty sleeping.

Oh, and that thing last month I said we were going to announce?  It's actually from my wife Julie and I.  We announced it.  It's an annual award through Hiram College (my alma mater) to honor my mom and sister.  We're hoping this works out well.
 
We're still looking for that Senior Network Technician, in case you're interested.
 
Then addresses the Ohio CPA group at the IX Center about Windows 10.  Great event, got to speak with some interesting folks at that show.
 
We've spoken at several of their events and will be speaking at their event in Perrysburg in December (Doug has one topic, I have the other).  Always a good time.
 
The next day saw me speaking to a group at COSE's event downtown about Software trends for Small to Medium businesses.
 
Both events were great opportunities for us to share our experiences!
 

Finally on our activity list we had a great first field trip to the Windows Store, where we discussed "The Microsoft Experience."  Some snafus from our first attempt at this kind of event, but thanks to Zoey and Patti things worked out well.
 
Later this month I'll be meeting with folks at the Portage Lakes Career Center to discuss their Programming and Software programs (I'm on their Advisory Committee).
 
And I'll be heading to to Orlando for the IT Nation conference.  A great way to keep up!
 
And who would've thought that I finally get the newsletter out on time?!  It's been a couple of months!

Bob 
  
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What's New in Word 2016? (Free Webinar!)
Many of the new features of Microsoft Word 2016 were built around collaboration. It's easier than ever to share One Drive or SharePoint files with others, just click Share to invite people to view or edit your document. Once they accept and open or edit your document, you'll see a message asking if you want to view their edits in real time. This reduces the amount of versions that are needed and eliminates emailing files back and forth. And, if conflicting edits are make at the same time, the conflict window allows you to choose which one to keep.
 
Version history has also been enhanced. Now from the fie menu, you can easily view versions of your document, changes made, and quickly revert back to previous versions.
Smart Lookup allows you to lookup (imagine that!) words or phrases from your document, and in addition to displaying the definition as it has in previous versions, Word also displays Wiki articles and other search results from Bing. Although not a game changer, I do enjoy searching right from Word without switching windows to a web browser.

Read more (and RSVP for the free webinar on Nov 12th)  here.
What's New in Project 2016? (Free Webinar!)
Have you upgraded to Project 2016 yet? There are several new features that we are exceptionally excited about.

It's all about Resource Management in this version. Well, not all, but a lot of the new features are built around resources in one way or another. Project Managers can now request a specific resource (Joe the accountant) to work on a project. Resource Managers, typically those responsible for the resources, can approve or reject these requests. Once approved, Joe the accountant will be assigned to the project and unavailable to work on other projects.

The Resource Manager mentioned above can be anyone responsible for resources. Sometimes it's the owner of a small company, sometimes it's someone in HR, and sometimes it's the head of a department. Basically, it's the person that has the authority to assign other people to projects. This is hugely important, because most of our project resources have other jobs within the company right? The accountant mentioned above still has to do his accounting duties, but the Project Manager may not be aware of his other duties or availability. The Project Manager is focused on the project, not day to day operational work. The Resource Manager is the one that juggles the availability and assignments of resources. And this role has long been overlooked in MS Project. 2013 brought some features, and it's good to see 2016 is giving us even more. Project Online has a lot of these new features as well.

Read more and RSVP for the free webinar on Nov 19th here.
What's new in Office 2016 now online

Didn't get a chance to watch our webinar last week where Patti Smerk introduced Office 2016?  Or you just want to watch it again?  Either way, you're in luck:
  
What's New in Office 2016
What's New in Office 2016
Ok, 2 confessions up front. I really like Robert Reich. I think I first heard him speak on CNN or the like back talking about Black Monday (back in 1987). I read his book "The Work of Nations" published back in 1992, and I was hooked. He's seen all over the media, usually espousing what's seen as an extremely liberal view of the economy. But his written works are a lot more pragmatic (IMHO).
 
Second confession (which I've made elsewhere). I'm what most folks would call a liberal. Yeah, an ugly word by most.
 
But I yam what I yam.
 
On to the book. It's actually a pretty easy ready, which is surprising given the level of detail the book goes into. Not surprisingly, Reich makes a case (a strong one methinks) that powerful folks pretty much have the deck stacked in their favor, and that deckstacking has been ongoing for the past 30 years or so.


We here at Simplex-IT are looking to add to our staff a Senior Technician/Consultant.  You could add your skills to folks who (as we can see here) like cook things outdoors with flames.
 
Seriously, it's a great opportunity to work with some really great people.  And Coppedge.


Bob and Julie Coppedge announce annual award for Hiram College students
My lovely wife Julie and I are excited to announce the creation of a new program at Hiram College:  The "MAD (Make A Difference) Money Award honoring Patricia and Laura Coppedge."

We've committed to a $1,000 annual award for the next three years (with the hope of expanding it far beyond).  This award will be used to fund a program created and implemented by a student at Hiram College.  The program should be aimed, simply put, at making the world a better place (yeah, incredibly subjective, I know...).

As many of you know, Simplex-IT has been interested in helping out the community and making that a critical part of our marketing.  Our lunchinars and webinars have welcomed students, unemployed and people just looking to learn.  We've spoken at numerous schools.  I've served on several boards working to improve their curriculum for technical students.  We've had a paid intern position for a majority of the time since Simplex-IT was started back in 2008.  And our annual Geek Raffle has raised monies for Hattie Larlham for the past 5 years.

Read more here.
Things That Go Bump in the Server Closet
Halloween is a time to conjure up things that give people the creeps. Scary sounds are just one way to send shivers up the spine. Sounds like, howling werewolves, zombie groans, chainsaws, and bloodcurdling screams are enough to make you want to run and hide. Yet, there's one sound that's the most terrifying of them all, and it's coming from your server room!

What noise is that? Do you hear it? Lean in and cup your hands over your ears and you'll hear it... faintly at first. "Click. Click. Click." It's an odd noise, so you decide to go in and investigate it further.

You enter the server room and flip on the light, only to have the bulb instantly go out. It's dead. Now you're in a dark closet that's illuminated only by the light coming from the power-on buttons on the front of your server units. And you're alone. Or at least you hope so.

Your eyes slowly adjust and you make your way to the back of the closet, using your ears and the clicking noise as your guide. The sound becomes increasingly louder with each step... CRASH, BOOM!, RAWWR! You jump back, nearly knocking over a server rack.

"What was that!" you scream. It doesn't take long to realize that you accidently stepped on Mr. Buttons, the office cat. He was napping next to a server unit, and now he's limping around and meowing loudly.
  
Read more by clicking  here.
It Seems Counterproductive, But Taking Breaks Actually Improves Productivity
Today's workplace productivity has reached a peak, but thanks to this enhanced amount of work, the office environment can often feel hectic and stressful. This usually leads to workers skipping breaks just so that they don't fall behind. While this maintains the semblance of productivity, it can often lead to a significant decrease in creativity and physical health.

Basically, you need to be taking regular breaks during the workday. If you don't, the quality of your work is going to suffer, and the negative side-effects of working too much will stress out both your mind and your body. Don't continue to work at half-capacity because you don't think you can afford to take a break. According to FastCompany, there are three specific reasons you should take regular breaks.
  
Read more here. 
Will the Surface Book Be Microsoft's "MacBook Killer? [Video]
One of the most storied competitions in the technology industry comes from Apple vs Microsoft. For the past 35 years, they went back and forth by offering consumers their own twist on similar technologies. The latest chapter in this story comes from Microsoft's new Surface Book, which aims to compete directly with Apple's MacBook Pro. In case you're unfamiliar with Apple vs Microsoft, check out this informative video by LSPO highlighting a visual history of each company's operating systems by comparing them side by side, dating all the back to 1978!
  
See the video and read more  here.
4 Cabling Tips to Organize Your Network's Wires

We live in an exciting time of computing where more is happening wirelessly than ever before. Although, we're still a long way off from having networking wires and cables become entirely obsolete, which means that it's in your best interest to know how to deal with your cables as efficiently as possible.

If you're not intentional about your network's wiring, then you're going to lose significant time when maintenances have to be performed, as well as just having a big mess on your hands. To get you started with how to take control of your network's cabling situation, consider these four best practices.

Use Different Colored Cables for Different Signal Types
Even though it may take some specialized shopping for you to find different colored cables, it will be worth it if it means that your network will be that much more organized. Using different colored cables will prevent your cables from becoming a one-colored tangled mess, and you can even color coordinate your cables by different signal types. Just image the time saved by not having to follow a cable from one device to the other in order to find out what goes where.
  
Read more here.
Warning: Malicious Adware Finds New Way to Spread on Android Devices
With many organizations heavily relying on mobile computing, malicious operators have begun targeting the "low-lying fruit" of a business' IT infrastructure, which is often a company's mobile devices. Kemoge, a malicious adware strain designed to corrupt Android mobile operating systems, is the latest mobile threat that your business needs to protect itself against.

The network security experts at FireEye have concluded that Kemoge can be found within legitimate applications that are distributed through alternate app stores, and it has already spread to 20 different countries. The adware infects a device by overwhelming the user with unwanted advertisements. Yulong Zhang, a security consultant with FireEye, cites evidence suggesting that this particular strain of malware was created in China, and attached to legitimate applications to get the most bang for their buck. By repackaging this malicious code with legitimate software titles, Kemoge is able to spread effectively.

Read more here.
3 Reasons Why Hackers Like to Target Small Businesses

This October is Cybersecurity Month! Some businesses think that they're immune to hacking attacks because they're "low profile" compared to huge corporations. However, the truth of the matter is that your organization is just as much at risk as they are. This month, take measures to keep your organization's data safe, or risk losing everything in the fallout of a hacking attack.

The chances are actually very high that your organization will be targeted if you don't take action to stop it. Here are three reasons, according to StaySafeOnline.org, that the small business is a key component of a hacker's hit list.

Small Businesses Are More Exposed
While large enterprises have the funds and personnel available to enact strict security protocol and regulations, the small business doesn't. Instead, they rely on their staff's limited knowledge of cybersecurity to protect their data. It's reported that 71 percent of security breaches are small businesses, which you wouldn't be able to tell from the attention given to recent high-profile hacks, like Target and Sony.
  
Read more here.
The Internet of Things Takes Cyber Security to a Whole New Level
With the Internet of Things continuing to gain popularity, we're seeing more devices that connect to the Internet than ever before. However, what the users of these devices might be failing to take into consideration is the fact that the Internet is a dangerous place full of threats and other miscreants. What happens if these criminals decide to attack any of your connected devices? This is a relevant question to ask since October is Cyber Security Month, and The Internet of Things represents the next frontier of cyberspace.

The Internet of Things can increase efficiency, but at what cost? The Internet of Things isn't a phenomenon that's exclusive to the business sector; rather, all users will probably take advantage of at least one Internet of Things device at some point or another. Considering the fact that Internet-connected cars, houses, thermostats, smart watches, fitness trackers, baby monitors, and other appliances are increasing in popularity, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that hackers can take advantage of these devices in order to mess with the lives of innocent people.

Read more here.
How Much Is Your Identity Worth on the Black Market?

Have you ever wondered what hackers do with all of the data they steal on a regular basis? Sure, they could go public with it like they did with the Ashley Madison and Sony hacks, or they could sell it and make some quick cash. Credentials like passwords, usernames, Social Security numbers, and more, can be sold for top dollar in illegal markets, but how much can your identity go for?

Basically, when your accounts are hacked, criminals will often attempt to sell this information on the Dark Web; a place where only those on the anonymity network, Tor, can access. Most information that's stolen consists of personal identifiable information and financial data, but hackers will often be content with making off with anything they possibly can. The most common industries targeted by these hackers are healthcare, government, retail, and education, but it should be mentioned that all businesses are susceptible to data theft of any kind.

As a business owner, it's your job to make sure that this is prevented at all costs. The last thing you want is a hacker stealing your organization's financial information or your employees' personal information. Your organization's information is much more valuable than you might think it is, especially to hackers. They will find value in any data, regardless of what it is. Here are some figures provided by ZDNet as to just how much specific credentials, accounts, and other sensitive information can go for on the Dark Web.

Read more here.
View Your Current Google Sessions for Optimal Security

Logging into an account only to find out that you've been hacked can be a real hassle. If you're wondering why and how this could have happened, you're in luck; some accounts, like Google, record when and how the account is accessed, and finding out how is as easy as checking out your security settings. Here's how you can see who is accessing your account, and how.

The first step is to sign into your Google account. Hopefully, whoever is tampering with your account hasn't changed your password on you. Click the grid-like icon in the top right corner of the screen that appears right next to your account name. Click on My Account.

Read more here.
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Blog updates from Simplex-IT over the past month

 
Remember to check out our blog:

 

Plain Funny
Robots are taking over.  They'll drive our cars, take our jobs, clean the house, vacuum the house.
 
Thankfully we'll be able to just get on our bikes, take to the streets and ride.  And just get away from the technology.


Aw, crap.
We'd love to hear feedback about this!  Send comments to Bob@Simplex-IT.com, or call us at 234.380.1277!

 

Sincerely,

Bob Coppedge
Simplex-IT LLC