Your Online Coffee Break

Is your software development project facing constant setbacks? Rapid Application Development may be just the right ingredient to jumpstart your projects or get your project back on track. IN this episode we cover three main topics: * Common Failures with other methodologies * Benefits of Rapid Application Development (RAD) * How to get started with RAD Rapid Application Development is an alternative to speed up your software development life cycle. While it’s not for everyone, it may be just the right tool you need to get your project back on track or prototype something new in half the time of typical methodologies. If you’d like to experience RAD first-hand, or would like help getting your team up to speed, reach out to me and I’ll be glad to help.

Are your files protected in the event of a hard drive crash or ransomware attack? Online backup services can help. In this episode we’ll look at how to set up automatic backups for your computers, at home and in the workplace. We’ll cover three main areas: * Why you need automatic backups * Automatic backup services * How to setup automatic backups Take the time now to make sure you have an online backup service in place for your home or your business. It’s well worth the effort to keep your important files secure and make sure you can access them when you need to.

Apple’s iPhone has come a long way since the original release in 2007, revolutionizing an industry, changing our culture and even stirring up the recent controversies of “Slow Phone Gate” and “Smart Phone rehab”. I definitely have a love/hate relationship with them, fortunately more love than hate even now. Personally I’ve been extremely happy with the convenience and thrills Apple products have given me over the last decade. While I’m not happy with the #SlowPhoneGate and how that was handled, I am excited to be a part of this revolution, for both my business and my family. And coming from the Microsoft life, I can say that the innovation of Apple has inspired me to be a better programmer by making my applications as intuitive and user-friendly as they can be. What do you think? Are you onboard with Apple or is it hard to move past having your phone slowed down without your knowledge? If you’re a parent, do you limit or are you going to limit how much time your kids use technology in the home?

Meltdown & Spectre have hit the news recently as device manufacturers and software organizations are beginning to roll out updates to help keep everyone safe. In this episode I explain what these are and what you can do to help mitigate their effects for yourself and your organization: * Meltdown Explained * Spectre Explained * How to protect yourself   Music Credit: OurMusicBox (Jay Man) Track Name: “Detective” Music By: Jay Man @ https://ourmusicbox.com/ Official “OurMusicBox” YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/c/ourmusicbox License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/… Music promoted by NCM https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ

If you fail to keep your website up to date, you could lose customers, and lose business. You need to first take a critical look at your website.  There are three main areas to consider whether it’s time to revamp or rewrite your website: * Security & maintenance * Features & functionality * Adaptability   You need to ask yourself how you’re doing in these three areas concerning your website in order to make certain it is functioning well, protected, and helping your business grow. Make sure you’re reviewing these areas and giving your website the attention in needs to thrive for your business.

It seems lately that there’s a large-scale security breach on the news just about every week. From 3 billion Yahoo accounts to half the U.S. population affected by the Equifax breach, we’ve seen major companies take a hit in the last 12 months. Keeping yourself and your company protected is getting harder. And unfortunately, hacking is on the rise. But there are steps you can take to guard against it. Today we’re going to discuss multi-factor authentication and how implementing it can help keep your information safe: * What is multi-factor authentication * Adopt it for yourself * Mandate it for your team You have to stay diligent these days to protect your accounts and your company. So turn on 2FA today and stay on top of the latest trends to keep your information safe in the digital age.

In this episode we discuss how to make sure your website is working to bring you customers—not push them away. Now during this busy shopping season users are flocking to the web to not only buy gifts, but to save time and money. They could be buying groceries, paying a bill, or reaching out to make sure they have the best deal on the services you—or your competitors—offer. No matter what type of website or app you have, you need to follow these three steps to make sure your site is working for you and not against you: * Simplify your navigation * Make sure customers can login easily * Test, test & test! Your web presence is critical and can determine whether your business grows or declines. Make sure you put in your best effort to leave a good, lasting impression. Keep your customers happy by making it easy on them. Use technology that is intuitive and simple and you’ll end up with a site that has them coming back for more.

In this episode we discuss how to preserve your company’s data.  That is, your key information on your customers, including not only the basic contact information such as name and address, but also any historical notes you’ve had with them as well as images, photos or documentation. You need to ask yourself these the following three questions to make sure your data is protected: * How is your data stored? * Who has access? * What happens if you need to move it? Make sure you’re asking yourself these common-sense questions and follow the best practices for keeping your data safe and within your control.

In this episode we discuss what you can do to feel a bit safer when using voice-enabled wireless speakers like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home or Apple’s upcoming Homepod.    1.       Consider where you place the device(s) and mute when not needed 2.       Delete recordings if you’re concerned 3.       Make sure your wi-fi network is secure   Follow these steps, use common sense, and know that the device makers are doing everything they can to ease your mind and help you feel safer when using them.

In this episode we discuss how you can shop a bit safer online with some common-sense tips to keep you one step ahead of hackers and identity thieves.  * Make sure the site is secure * Be careful what you share * Watch out for fake sites or Apps * Never shop on public wi-fi   Following these 4 strategies will help minimize your risk when shopping online. Remember that hackers are always trying to use new methods to steal your identity. Be smart, use common sense and stay one step ahead this holiday season.

In this episode we discuss what you need to do to make sure you have control of your website, in the event of a crisis such as a server down, a disappearing developer or a transition to a new development team. It’s far too common for a company to spend thousands of dollars on a website, but give control to an outside vendor. Everything may seem just fine for awhile but when it comes down to changing or moving their site the company is left hanging and unable to move forward. Here are 3 things you can do to keep your public website from being held hostage. They are: * Own your domain * Own your code * Own your data  

In this episode we discuss what you need to do to help keep your website safe from a hacker attack. While no one can guarantee a 100% hack-proof site, you can take these three steps to help reduce your chances of an attack: * Keep your website code up to date * Keep an error log * Test your website for vulnerabilities   Free online tools include: * Scan My Server * Qualys * Web Inspector (Search the internet for “web application vulnerability scanners”).

In this episode we discuss the three best practices for keeping you, your employees, and your critical data safe from hackers. * Cybersecurity Policy * Password best practices * Backup your data Cybersecurity is the process of keeping your digital files and assets safe from theft or attack. A Cybersecurity Policy is basically a formal set of rules for staff to follow to help prevent theft of information assets. Passwords must be changed on a regular basis and must be strong/complex. Making them memorable is a big help, but never share them or write them down. Instead use a password manager, such as LastPass or Dashlane. Backup your data automatically on a continuous basis. Online services such as Crashplan, Carbonite, BackBlaze and MozyPro are available which encrypt your files for safety. But be sure to verify your backup system works!