Our Phone Service is Updated

Over the past month we engaged in changing our phones from a landline to cellular service.  The reason was to provide more flexibility and to add some new capabilities.  The process is now complete.  The number did not change.  949 589-3186 is still the direct number, but now it also can be used for text messages.  Because it is on an iOS system, it will receive iMessages, and even Face Time calls ( not likely needed ).   The addition of texting was actually requested by many of our clients. 

You may realize that many companies now do everything possible to avoid direct communications.  Here it is just the opposite.  The advantage of tech messaging is you can request a call back at a convenient time if a problem arises “after normal hours “ or a question arises on the weekend.  Of course email is always prefered and answered right away.

Beware of service scammers … they are now calling

PLEASE take heed.  There are people calling individuals and companies saying your computer is having a problem and Microsoft wants them to fix it ( or some variant ).  They are frauds – trying to get access to your computer and your credit card.  DO NOT BELIEVE THEM.  Microsoft will not call you.  Your computer manufacturer will not call you.  There is nothing inside your computer reporting that it is having problems and needs repair.  There is money in fraud, and that is what these guys are all about.  When you tell the no, they may fill the phone with a barrage of profanity.  They are thieves … plain and simple.  Simply tell them you will refer the call to the FBI and hang up.  Some of these calls originate in the US, but others come from overseas.  You worked hard … don’t give them access to your business.

Windows 10 is out and installing well

MasterLink is now 100% Windows 10, on phones, tablets, portables, and desktops.  It works, it’s smooth, faster, and connects easily.

If you set your machine to receive the free update, it will occur when Microsoft believes your install is ready.  Thus the rollout may take days, or weeks.  Over 1 billion computers worldwide will be updated.

Your IT guy may elect to prompt a manual install which will take around an hour with a decent internet connection ( maybe less ).  It’s all automated.  IF your computers are networked using standard procedures, expect no problems.  The only issues will arise with specialized installations, and “non-standard” variants of normal networking.

Before allowing the Windows update, you should be sure your computers have run ALL Microsoft updates.  You can do this through the standard windows update utility found on each computer.

Auto Shop Writer will have no problems in Windows 10 and should snap along just fine.

Finally, if you hear “opinions” that are negative about it, they are likely from sources with a huge bias toward some other technology, or people who have never worked with it.  The reviewers, even those who thought Windows 7 was the best operating system ever, are very strong and positive about it, and recommending that people go ahead with the update.  Contrarians can have their viewpoint, but it should not hamper your business.  

On July 29th, Microsoft will release the new upgrade to Windows 10 on select machines.  Then, they will do a phased roll out over time to others as they have enough input to consider them “ready”.

Some of us were fortunate enough to get the FINAL RELEASE early so we can complete testing.  I’m running it on a Samsung Desktop ( All In One ), a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 ( 2 in 1 ) that is both a computer and tablet, and on Windows Phone ( which is a version not slated for release until the end of the quarter ).

Windows 10 is an excellent system.  It works much faster, is more secure, and for standard operations is very stable.  It actually networks quickly, and uses the cloud beautifully.  Anyone who makes negative comments to you about it has simply not worked with it day to day, which we have done for many months.

Auto Shop Writer 9 ( and of course the upcoming 10 ) work on it beautifully, and you may see improved performance.  We have experienced no problems on ASW with Windows 10, nor do we have any problems with the Advantage Database Server running on it.

So, can you upgrade ?  II you are running Windows 7, 8, or 8.1, its absolutely free, and will remain free ( contrary to uninformed rumors ).  It also will be constantly improved and upgraded ( just like ASW ).  If you are running an older computer, and decide to get a new one, it will have Windows 10 pre-installed.  The manufacturers love this product and have worked closely with Microsoft to get it in its current form.

Are there advantages to upgrading ?  If you are a power user, there are features that you will love.  If you are a normal user, or even a computer novice, it will be easier, more secure, and likely faster.

So that leaves the question, SHOULD you upgrade ?  In the lower right corner of your computer is a little Windows Icon ( looks like 4 rectangles inside a square ).  Right click on it and the menu will give you an option to check your computer.  It will tell you if your computer is ready.  Also, it is backward compatible so software that runs won Windows 7 or 8 should run on it just fine.  The big caution here has to do with modifications that may have been made to your system.  Some people have altered networking, or have components that are highly specialized placed in the computer.  Some have control software ( ie. anti-virus, malware ) that may make the upgrade not respond well.  Some have special settings that are not normal, performed by some tech expert, and this may not be picked up by compatibility testing.  You need to know if your IT professional may have anything “special” in your system.

You will be prompted sometime after July 29 ( if you elected to let your machine upgrade ) and asked if  you want to install the new system.  If everything is in good shape, you are likely to be fine doing the upgrade.  If you have doubts, wait until you get them resolved. 

This upgrade will take an hour or more.  You cannot touch your computer ( unless prompted ) during the process.  If you get the prompt and say “No”, then you can go back in during a more convenient time.  Be sure to do only one of your computers at a time unless you are doing this over a weekend or at night.  If all goes as desired, you will be up and running on all machines, with the network intact, after the update completes.

Questions ?  Feel free to call or email.  If you run into a roadblock, get your IT person on the line.  If all else fails, call and we’ll try to help even though it is not ASW related.

Phone Info:  Important

Like many companies, we recently moved our phone number ( 949 589-3186 ) to a cellular service.  In addition to making it more portable, we now have texting capability on the same number ( which we’ve heard would be desirable to our clients ).  So, now you can email, text, or call for support.  Text to the same number anytime, even if its just to say Hi.