SentryIT LockDown

Windows 7 – A New Frontier

sentryit — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:56:14 +0000

We have been testing Windows 7 for about 5 months now on some computershere in Amarillo. At first, the beautiful interface and easy to get used to layout was very enjoyable. The file system is basically the same as Vista but with easier to understand flows and icons. The icons at the bottom of the screen is awesome and almost makes any other OS seem obsolete. I guess I am spoiled now because I went back to my Vista machine and was quite board.

Then, out of the blue (literally), I get a blue screen of death. Oh yes, the one that we all love. Then I proceed to get a blue screen of death after every 5 minutes of up-time. I tried a system restore which did not work. I tried backing up my files, and doing a repair, but that did not work either. I put Vista back on and restored the machine… bummer.

But here comes the great news, I was using the beta version of Windows 7 and the day after my blue screens started, Windows 7 RC (Release Candidate) came out… Coincidence? Who knows. But I can confidently tell you today that after 2 months of running Windows 7 RC, I am in love with this OS. It is shiny, new, and yes, Microsoft. We all dread that word but we all love it at the same time. Can you imagine a world without Microsoft? While Apple is great, it would be hard to function without the all hated MS.

Microsoft, congrats on such a great OS. I believe this one will take over the market (like MS already hasn’t!).

CRM – More Trouble Than It is Worth?

sentryit — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:05:52 +0000

Now, I am a huge fan of CRM tools dont get me wrong. But I have tried everyone of them out there: Sugar, Goldmine, Salesforce, Pipeline Deals, ACT. I took about 2 weeks to get each one set up the way I wanted and there were still things missing from each one that I wish were built in. For instance, Salesforce has an awesome interface and you can install apps fron the AppExchange. But those apps run slow as mud and take forever to update. On top of that, to even get them to update Salesforce in the first place, you have to manually hit a button. Pipeline Deals is great for marketing but has little to offer in the form of updating prospect communications.

With that being said, I still believe that they have their place in the larger company market. We do not drive enough business here to warrant spending money on something that we can do with an excel spreadsheet.

On another note, I am feeling rather gloom after my hero and idol past away (before he was creepy of course), Micheal Jackson. I cannot believe he is gone. I know he is in a much better place, but he created modern pop/hip hop music. Wow.

New To Blogging!

sentryit — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:18:58 +0000

I know it is hard to fathom, but I have never wrote a blog before. The word blog just scares me. With all of the technology today, blogging has always been in the back of my mind just like Facebook, MySpace, and Youtube. I can secure a network, manage it from 1000 miles away, help customers everyday with issues that you can only imagine, but I am afraid to write a blog. Maybe it is because of the criticism. Maybe it is because it is alot of work to “think” about what to write. Either way, this is a huge step for me.

Lets think about this for a second… Ok, I feel better. While it is scary to be criticized, it is awesome to overcome your fears and do what scares you the most. I know you are thinking, “A blog, how scary can that be? You must be a wuss.” Well I am here to tell you, my heart is racing right now.

Anyways, over the next few weeks, I will be blogging about Windows 7, Configuring a Cisco ASA Security Appliance, setting up a “Virtual Attendant” for Skype, and Ongoing security issues related to the IT industry. I look forward to hearing your comments (still a little scared) so don’t be bash full and let me have it!