Command Control Power: Apple Tech Support & Business Talk

In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts dive into a vibrant conversation starting with Sam's recent trip to Maui, Hawaii. Sam shares his experience, the unexpected challenges, and how he managed to take a much-needed mental break from work. His trip also marks his personal milestone of visiting all 50 U.S. states. The discussion then shifts to various tech topics, including challenges in managing family travel expenses and the cost-saving tips on accommodations and food during vacations. The hosts also humorously explore unusual solutions for managing snoring, such as using paper tape to tape the mouth shut while sleeping, based on a recent popular trend.

The tech talk intensifies as Joe delves into his experience deploying Alectrona Patch, a tool for managing software updates across client machines, using Addigy. He shares the ease of use, the features that impressed him, and the quick support he received from Alectrona. Sam and Jerry also weigh in with their experiences and tips, making a strong case for using Patch for efficient software management. Additional discussions include dental technology for making impressions and the benefits of modern night guards, as well as the intriguing Larq smart water bottle that purifies water and tracks your hydration through an app.

00:00 Introduction and Maui Brewing Company Hat

00:38 Travel Stories and Hawaii Adventures

01:33 Challenges of Traveling with Family

02:13 Unexpected Shortages and Vacation Costs

03:13 The Importance of Disconnecting on Vacation

06:09 Travel Tips and Personal Experiences

16:38 Dental Implants and Modern Technology

20:27 Water Purification and Health Gadgets

23:22 The Water Bottle Trend

23:49 Collapsible Water Bottles for Travel

25:14 Technological Advancements in Hydration

27:33 Implementing Patch Software

35:14 Customizing Patch for Client Needs

41:15 Practical Tips and Experiences with Patch

50:42 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts welcome back Justin Esgar of ACEs Conference. The discussion kicks off with light-hearted banter about colds and convincing Jerry to buy a ticket for the upcoming ACEs Conference. Justin shares behind-the-scenes insights into his daily routine and the value of attending ACEs, highlighting its focus on business growth for consultants, the expansion of the conference to include special training sessions at the 'big fruit company' campus, and how it helps attendees improve client relations and efficiencies. The conversation also covers the unique supportive nature of the Apple community and the upcoming Edward Esgar ACES Scholarship in honor of Justin's father. The episode wraps up with an insightful discussion about the ACES Mastermind program, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and community support in the tech industry.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Justin Esgar 01:01 Daily Routine and Behind the Scenes 01:56 ACEs Conference Overview 02:50 Special Training and Business Focus 04:43 Consulting and Sales Strategies 16:24 Importance of Cyber Insurance 19:13 Bringing Employees to ACEs 26:28 Tim Pearson's Chat and Wedding Insights 26:55 Honoring My Dad: The Edward Esgar ACES Scholarship 28:35 Funny Story: The Car Mix-Up 29:59 All Things MSP and Podcasting 31:22 The Sandwich Compliment and Fearless Feedback 36:57 Mastermind Program and Business Coaching 42:06 The Unique Apple Community 47:44 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

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608: In the Cloud: Troubleshooting Tech and Exploring Backups

In this episode of Command Control Power, the team discusses a range of topics from humorous backdrops and personal anecdotes about health to dealing with poor support from vendors and troubleshooting client tech issues. They highlight the importance of routine check-ups, like colonoscopies, share experiences with various backup solutions including Backblaze and Carbon Copy Cloner, and delve into the complexities of using organizational tools like OmniFocus, Monday.com, and Things. The episode wraps up with a cautionary tale about outdated routers affecting internet performance and tips for navigating client inquiries.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:07 Old Man Yells at Cloud

00:39 Dental Implants and Simpsons Humor

01:12 Health PSA: Colonoscopy

02:23 Backup Solutions Discussion

02:51 Carbon Copy Cloner Features

05:06 Backblaze and iCloud Storage

16:11 Encryption and External Drives

19:47 Organizational Tools: OmniFocus and Daylight

23:51 Reflecting on OmniFocus

25:13 Automation and OmniFocus Pro

26:15 Exploring Monday.com

27:19 The Things App and Emojis

28:12 The Importance of Quick Input

28:46 Handling Too Many Tasks

34:35 Dealing with Poor Support

41:17 Client Internet Troubleshooting

45:54 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

In this episode, the hosts delve into maximizing earnings from the Amazon Affiliate Program, including the requirement to link clients to a webpage first for tracking and credit. They discuss the importance of managing Mac software updates through MDM and the emerging DDM approach, addressing their methods and challenges with client systems. Additionally, they touch on using Ubiquiti equipment effectively and maintaining client hardware. The episode covers practical insights, from affiliate program strategies to technical management of software updates in Apple devices.

Sam Valencia, Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss working with Apple technology and clients. Drawn from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network, they discuss technical support issues both with the technology and working with clients.

Backup Challenges with Adam Engst Of The Tidbits Content Network

In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts are joined by Adam Engst from TidBITS Content Network to discuss the evolving landscape of bootable backups, cloud storage solutions, and disaster recovery strategies. They delve into Apple's recent changes affecting bootable backups, the importance of testing backup functionality, and the pros and cons of relying on cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive for both personal and enterprise use. Various backup methodologies are compared, including local and cloud backups, and the discussion expands to the role of multiple devices and redundancy in ensuring minimal downtime. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding risks and having a comprehensive disaster recovery plan. Engst also shares valuable insights on the challenges of maintaining historical backups and the complexities of migrating email backup services. The episode concludes with a look at the offerings of TidBITS Content Network and how it helps consultants provide valuable content to their clients.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:10 The Evolution of Bootable Backups

01:18 Challenges with Bootable Backups

03:09 Personal Experiences with Bootable Backups

05:59 Apple's Recent Fixes and Ongoing Issues

07:16 Importance of Testing Backups

08:54 Diverse Backup Methods and Strategies

12:44 Cloud-Based Tools and Their Limitations

22:57 Email Backup Solutions

24:37 Backup Services and Recommendations

29:15 Exploring Backup Solutions

29:34 The Wasabi Storage Phenomenon

30:29 Email Backup Challenges

34:58 Disaster Recovery Considerations

43:18 The Importance of Redundancy

54:19 TidBITS Content Network Insights

59:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Joe Saponare and Jerry discuss dealing with common tech issues. Jerry shares his experience fixing his AirPods Pro charging problem, detailing his investigation and a strategy using contact cleaner. The conversation shifts to Synology updates, exploring the challenges of manually updating DSM firmware, and the discovery of missing auto updates. They also delve into the use of Unify's U7 Pro access points and troubleshooting Wi-Fi 7 signal issues, including tweaking the minimum RSSI settings for better connectivity. The hosts touch on email follow-up features in Apple Mail and share anecdotes about tech support challenges, giving practical advice and sharing insights into the tech consultancy landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:07 AirPods Pro Charging Issues

01:16 DIY Fixes and YouTube Solutions

04:26 Contact Cleaner Solution

10:18 Synology NAS Updates

18:13 MacBook Air Erase Troubleshooting

21:48 Community Support and Unify Devices

31:02 Exploring Hostify: Affordable Network Management

31:36 Unify's Potential Future Charges

32:22 WiFi 6 and 6GHz Connectivity Issues

33:08 Adjusting RSSI for Better WiFi Performance

34:56 WiFi 7 and Device Compatibility

36:23 Auto Optimization and Network Settings

39:59 Seasonal Business Trends and Client Behavior

44:05 Email Follow-ups and Communication Challenges

52:33 Phone Etiquette and Speakerphone Frustrations

54:52 iPhone Mirroring: A Helpful Feature

57:38 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

Navigating Modern Hardware Challenges and NDAA Compliance: A Conversation with John Moder

In this episode of Command Control Power, returning guest John Moder joins the hosts to discuss a variety of topics ranging from hardware issues with the latest generation of MacBooks to the intricacies of NDAA compliance concerning network hardware. John shares his experiences with the transition from an Intel MacBook to an M4 Max, highlighting issues with USB power and hubs. The conversation also takes a deep dive into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and its implications for network security, especially concerning Ubiquiti devices. John provides insights into the process of obtaining compliance certification from Ubiquiti, emphasizing the complexities involved. Alongside the technical discussions, John shares personal anecdotes about his career journey, owning a remote campground during the pandemic, and his current role with Creative Techs. This episode serves as an insightful resource for consultants and tech enthusiasts navigating the ever-evolving landscape of hardware and security compliance.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back, John Moder! 00:16 Tech Troubles: USB Issues with New MacBooks 01:56 John's Experience with USB Hubs and MacBook 03:34 Solutions and Frustrations with USB Connectivity 08:51 John's Career Journey: From Tech to Campground Owner 09:36 Pandemic Impact and Campground Challenges 12:02 Life at the Campground: The Reality Sets In 18:44 Transitioning Back: RV Adventures and Remote Work 22:05 The High Costs and Logistics of RV Living 23:23 The Challenges of RV Maintenance and Repairs 25:14 Transitioning to a Stable Home Life 26:10 A New Career in Education Technology 26:52 The Reality of Working in Education 27:28 Returning to Consulting and Remote Work 35:26 Navigating Government Compliance in Tech 35:57 The Complexity of NDAA Compliance 37:56 Ubiquiti's Compliance Process 48:23 Final Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode of Command Control Power, Joe dives into various tech frustrations, starting with longstanding complaints about Siri's inefficiencies that even die-hard Apple fans acknowledge. The discussion pivots to the troubles faced after switching from a MacBook Air to a MacBook Pro, including stability issues and slower wake times. Joe shares a recent ordeal with a client's Bluehost account where an email disruption led to a series of frustrating support calls, tying up days of his time. Technical missteps and inefficient customer service compounded the problem, leading to an exasperating experience. The conversation also touches on alternative tech like the Meshtastic & LoRa system for peer-to-peer text communications during grid-down scenarios. The episode wraps up with reflections on the toll such tech issues take on professionals and a call for listener experiences with better hosting solutions and emerging tech.

00:00 Introduction and Siri Complaints

00:33 Switching to MacBook Pro: Initial Impressions

01:01 Technical Issues with MacBook Pro

01:55 USB-C Cable Troubleshooting

03:21 Monitor and Display Problems

07:25 Apple's Expensive Solutions

08:57 One Password and Captcha Issues

11:16 Bluehost Email Troubles

25:02 A Series of Missteps

25:41 Holding It Together

26:12 The Restore Process

26:41 Client Frustrations

27:22 Website and Email Issues

30:13 Bluehost's Role

35:53 Support Challenges

44:56 Exploring Mesh Networks

52:48 Concluding Thoughts

601: Siri vs. Sonos: Who's Winning This Dysfunctional Family Feud

In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts catch up and discuss various tech-related issues and solutions. They talk about frustrations with recording time and system speed, debates about show recommendations, and experiences with Siri's unreliable commands. They also delve into issues with Amazon Prime's fast-forwarding function and Sonos speaker system glitches. Topics shift to technical support anecdotes involving Synology power supply failures, the challenges of maintaining home networks, and recommendations for power control devices like watt boxes. The episode wraps up with a discussion about the shrinking market for FireWire 800 to Thunderbolt adapters.

00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter

00:41 TV Show Discussions and Opinions

01:43 Frustrations with Amazon Prime and Siri

04:37 Sonos and Home Automation Challenges

06:08 Client Network Setup and Coordination

10:01 Sonos Reboot Issues and Networking Behavior

13:55 HomePod and Sonos Comparisons

19:06 WiFi Networks and Home Automation

23:38 Alexa Switches and IOT Network Segregation

24:22 Optimizing IOT Device Connectivity

24:41 Ring Cameras and Network Configuration

27:40 Synology and SonicWall Power Supply Issues

34:38 Remote Control Solutions for Network Devices

42:09 The Value of Legacy Adapters

43:54 Conclusion and Patreon Invitation