Facebook: I had to do it

I’ve been able to ignore Facebook this long BUT with all the buzz about businesse using social networking for business development AND Facebook offering vanity business URLs, I just had to join.

You can find me and SH Technology Consulting there, under construction.

Disappearing Data

Somewhere during my talks about backing up your critical data I always talk about restoring to make sure the data is actually there and usable.

Happened again. Customer backs up monthly or so. It’s a comfortable time frame for them. However, they have never checked (since 2006) to see if their calendar, contacts and email were restorable.

Until…..now

You always find out how good your backups are when you need to restore data.

It’s a good idea to periodically restore to get that comfey cozy feeling again.

Social Networking: Useful Tool, Lost Productivity or Security Nightmare?

I’ve been seeing a lot of articles discussing the pros and cons of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn in the business environment. Lance Whitney reported today in a cnet.com article that time spent social networking is up 83 perccent. Does your organization have Social Networking tools defined as part of your business strategy?  Are your employees actively visiting Facebook? To what benefit is the employees Social Networking to your business?

I’ve recently enjoyed the company of extended family for a high school graduation. The kids could barely stop texting long enough to eat a meal. I haven’t really seen much texting activity in the business environment but am wondering how might texting translate into a business activity?

My target business audience has no specific vertical so I get to see a lot of different environments. I’ve noticed many 30 somethings in health care and financial services industries active on Facebook and wonder how HIPPA and/or PCI compliant their on-line network is?

Bottom line is social networking is here, in your business and you should be defining it’s use to your organizations benefit.

Windows XP End of Availability Reminder

Everyone should by now have a plan to deal with this.

You will not be able to purchase Windows XP Direct OEM and Retail License after June 30, 2008. Check with your vendor to determine if you can purchase Windows Vista Business or Ultimate editions with “Downgrade Rights” to XP.

More information may be found at the Microsoft web site at the following link http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/default.mspx