Command Control Power • Apple Tech Support & Business Talk
Sam Valencia, Jerry Zigmont, and Joe Saponare discuss working with Apple technology and clients. Drawn from their combined experience of over 50 years in the Apple Consultants Network, they discuss technical support issues, business operations, and working with clients.
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599: Empowering Your Tech Business: Systems, Billing, and Client Communication
01/07/2025
599: Empowering Your Tech Business: Systems, Billing, and Client Communication
In this episode of Command Control Power, hosts Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss various strategies for improving business operations in the tech consultancy world. They cover topics such as the importance of automated billing, using ticketing systems, and switching to recurring revenue models. Joe talks about his decision to stop accepting checks and move to fully automated credit card payments, the advantages of using services like RepairShopper and Smith AI, and the benefits of having a systematic approach to client management. Jerry shares his thoughts on the effectiveness of keeping track of all internet service expenses and offers a real-world example of helping a client identify unnecessary costs. They both emphasize the need for tech consultants to continually reevaluate their tools and services to maximize efficiency and profitability.
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CCP Holiday Message 2024
12/31/2024
CCP Holiday Message 2024
A Holiday Message from Your Friends at CCP: Joe Saponare, Sam Valencia, & Jerry Zigmont
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598: Joe Taps Out, Jerry and Sam Command-Control-Power Through
12/24/2024
598: Joe Taps Out, Jerry and Sam Command-Control-Power Through
Joe Taps Out, Jerry and Sam Command Control Power Through In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts navigate through a mix of tech support comedy and genuine tips. Starting off with playful banter, they discuss personal anecdotes about parenting moments and work-life balance, leading to shout-outs for their Patreon supporters. They emphasize the importance of maintaining good relationships within the tech community and share experiences of dealing with challenging clients. Highlights include a disastrous printer ink spill at a friend's house during a firmware update, a complex data migration issue resolved with Carbon Copy Cloner, and amusing stories involving kids and tech. They wrap up with a light-hearted discussion on recent TV shows and personal achievements, setting the stage for their upcoming holiday message. 00:00 Introduction and Showbiz Banter 01:43 Patreon Shoutouts and Community Support 03:30 Consultancy Collaboration and Client Stories 06:56 Tech Purchases and Personal Updates 09:00 Mac Mini and Home Automation 16:10 Migration Assistant Troubles 27:47 Printer Password Predicament 28:34 Ink Spill Disaster 29:27 Cleaning Up the Mess 32:57 Firmware Update Success 36:03 Tech Troubles and Solutions 49:23 TV Show Recommendations
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597: Caught in the Cloud: Backup Battles and Cyber Scams
12/17/2024
597: Caught in the Cloud: Backup Battles and Cyber Scams
In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts delve into various technical and customer service issues they have encountered recently. They start with a detailed rant about Backblaze’s abrupt change in their prorated refund policy, which affected the way they manage client licenses. The conversation shifts to issues with Amazon's high-value electronics return policy, and Sam shares a frustrating story about dealing with a delayed and ultimately lost iPhone shipment. Joe recounts a complicated man-in-the-middle scam involving Microsoft 365 and Dropbox, highlighting the challenges of protecting clients from evolving security threats. The episode ends with a discussion about Apple Business Connect and their stringent logo approval process, and a short review of the action-packed movie 'The Beekeeper'. 00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks 00:08 Customer Support Rant: Backblaze Experience 01:26 Policy Changes and Their Impact 03:34 Challenges with Backblaze Services 12:09 Affiliate Program Issues 16:21 Amazon Return Policy Frustrations 21:26 iPhone Delivery Nightmare 27:37 AppleCare Plus Trade-In Saga 30:11 AI Response and Trade-In Deals 31:12 Apple Business Connect Webinar 33:10 Logo Upload Struggles 37:08 Verified Logo Program 41:24 Microsoft and Dropbox Scam 48:51 Scam Prevention and Security Measures 01:00:13 Scams from Nigeria and India 01:02:04 Conclusion and Movie Recommendation
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Best Of CCP - Give Your Dough To The Baker
12/10/2024
Best Of CCP - Give Your Dough To The Baker
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.
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595: Unraveling UniFi: From Overseas Travels to Technical Troubles
12/03/2024
595: Unraveling UniFi: From Overseas Travels to Technical Troubles
In this episode of Command Control Power, the team delves into recent UniFi updates, touches on managing Sonos integrations, and shares on-the-ground troubleshooting experiences. Sam talks about his recent trip to China and Japan, where he experienced both work-related and leisure activities, stunning cityscapes, and unique cultural experiences. Dive into practical solutions for UniFi network setup, Wi-Fi optimization tips, and an intriguing look into Sam's efforts to manage a large-scale UniFi and Sonos deployment. They also explore unusual issues with mounting plates, power problems, and tips for effectively handling network gear. Join the conversation for an informative blend of tech insights and travel stories.
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594: Navigating Apple's Changing Ecosystem and the Future of Tech Support
11/26/2024
594: Navigating Apple's Changing Ecosystem and the Future of Tech Support
In this episode of Command Control Power, Joe and Jerry discuss a range of topics related to recent changes in iOS, macOS, and Apple's overall ecosystem. They delve into the complexities introduced by incremental and major updates, particularly iOS 18 and Ventura, and how these updates impact their work with clients. They also explore the practicality of using features like cognitive accessibility, magic links for password replacement, and passkeys. Both share experiences with frustrating tech issues, such as incorrect autocorrections and overly complicated return policies for electronics. They reflect on how rising expectations from both users and shareholders drive the incessant introduction of new features and how this affects daily usage and tech support. Introduction and Catching Up Navigating iOS Changes Frustrations with Technology Updates Tech Tips and Tricks Accessibility Features for Elderly Users Amazon Return Policy Changes Addigy and Migration Assistant Tips MagSafe Charging Challenges iCloud Backup vs Direct Transfer Cable Transfer Realities App Reinstallation Annoyances Authenticator Apps and Two-Factor Authentication Password Management Woes Magic Links vs Passwords Passkeys and Password Managers Apple's AI and Typing Frustrations Closing Thoughts and Client Engagement
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593: Navigating IT's Past and Future with Tim Nyberg of The MacGuys+
11/19/2024
593: Navigating IT's Past and Future with Tim Nyberg of The MacGuys+
A Journey Through Mac Support with Tim Nyberg In this episode of Command Control Power, hosts welcome Tim Nyberg of The Mac Guys + as he shares his extensive journey in Mac support, starting back in the early 90s. Tim recounts his early fascination with technology, from overclocking a Commodore 64 to managing the first round of Macintosh computers at his college newspaper. He provides insights into the evolution of Mac operating systems and the challenges of adapting to new technologies over decades. Tim also discusses the benefits and intricacies of running a remote support business, the importance of client engagement, and efficient business operations. The conversation explores tools like Addigy, RepairShopper, and Watchman Monitoring, touching on security practices and the need for comprehensive and affordable security audits for clients. The episode offers valuable lessons on adapting to technological changes, maintaining client relationships, and optimizing remote IT support. Introduction and Welcome Tim's Early Tech Adventures College Days and Early Mac Experiences Evolution of Design Software SCSI Troubles and Early Mac Troubleshooting Transition to OS X Staying Current in Tech Remote Work and Tools Client Engagement Strategies Streamlining Remote Work The Pros and Cons of Repair Shopper Exploring Alternatives to Repair Shopper The Value of Community in Tech Tools Balancing Business and Lifestyle Security Audits and Tools Reflections on the Tech Industry Closing Thoughts and Future Plans
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Best Of CCP - Interview with Dr. Howard Oakley of The Eclectic Light Company
11/12/2024
Best Of CCP - Interview with Dr. Howard Oakley of The Eclectic Light Company
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.
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591: Optimizing MSP Operations with Tim Pearson of Creative Techs
11/05/2024
591: Optimizing MSP Operations with Tim Pearson of Creative Techs
In this comprehensive episode of Command Control Power, hosts Joe, Jerry and Sam engage with Tim Pearson of Creative Techs, covering a wide spectrum of Managed Service Provider (MSP) operations and beyond. Key topics include the integration and optimization of MDM and RMM tools, the benefits of automation in ticketing and backup management, and the importance of tracking and reporting activities to showcase value to clients. The conversation also highlights the significance of community wisdom and peer-led problem-solving at ACEs events, the practical advantages of standardized tools and knowledge sharing, and the challenges faced in a fragmented MSP vendor landscape. Additionally, the episode touches on the complexities specific to Apple Consultants, such as managing community resources, negotiating vendor terms, and establishing industry pricing standards. A unique segment dives into the personal rituals and nostalgic value of music listening on vinyl records, sprinkling personal anecdotes and enduring record recommendations. This episode provides a well-rounded discussion blending technical insights with personal experiences, aiming to enhance MSP operations while celebrating the joys of music and community engagement. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:08 Catching Up and ACEs Conference 00:44 Tim's Background and Guitars 01:23 ACEs After Dark and Business Discussions 01:55 MDM and RMM Tricks 03:55 Integrations and Automation 10:05 Backup Solutions and Challenges 12:59 Community and Collaboration 18:05 Vendor Landscape and Tools 25:48 Community Contributions and Generosity 26:23 Challenges of Sharing Tools and Resources 28:16 Economic Impact and Business Models 30:19 Masterclass and Training Ideas 35:00 Collective Bargaining and Vendor Relations 39:56 Music and Nostalgia 47:18 Conclusion and Farewell
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590: Streamlining Business with Addigy: A Strategic Shift
10/29/2024
590: Streamlining Business with Addigy: A Strategic Shift
In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss leveraging Addigy to replicate some features of Watchman Monitoring, particularly focusing on business efficiency. Jerry initiates the topic by sharing his experience of transitioning from Watchman to Addigy due to development and costs. He highlights the useful features of Addigy, such as disk space alerts, and its Zendesk integration, while also acknowledging the development effort required to fully replace Watchman's reporting and alerting capabilities. The conversation includes a brief discussion on alternative tools like Malwarebytes. Additionally, the hosts reflect on client management challenges, specifically in dealing with tech support scams and rogue banking interactions. They close with a note on experimenting with social media marketing for new client acquisition. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:05 Exploring Addigy and Watchman Monitoring 00:59 Jerry's Experience with Watchman Monitoring 02:15 Support Menu and Deployment 04:01 Evaluating Watchman Monitoring Features 04:29 Transitioning from Watchman to Addigy 04:50 Addigy Integration and Alternatives 11:59 PC Management Solutions 17:43 Reporting and Visualization Tools 30:31 Virtual Happy Hour Begins 30:42 Client's Printer Troubles 32:04 Remote Access Issues 32:56 Bank Troubles and Security Concerns 41:34 Keyboard and Mouse Mysteries 45:05 Marketing Experiment Results 49:28 Concluding Thoughts and Patreon Plug
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589: Navigating Business Management with Benjamin Morales of Cirrus Partners
10/22/2024
589: Navigating Business Management with Benjamin Morales of Cirrus Partners
In this episode of Command Control Power, hosts dig into the business acumen of Benjamin Morales, owner of Cirrus Partners. Benjamin discusses his journey from being an educator in the Pacific Northwest to owning a small MSP company in Madison, Wisconsin. He elaborates on the challenges of managing a team, hiring and firing employees, and transitioning from Linux to macOS. The conversation covers the importance of company culture, and the balance between individual technical skills and management responsibilities. Additionally, Benjamin shares the lessons learned from losing a significant client due to a mismatch between an employee's personality and client expectations. Rounding out the discussion, Benjamin provides insights into his reading influences and the support mechanisms he relies on to lead effectively. Ben's Career Journey Transition to Ownership Challenges of Leadership Managing Employees and Client Relations Documenting and Delegating Employee Issues and Client Impact Transitioning Business and Client Relations Handling Employee Performance and Reputation Debating Hiring and Firing Strategies Navigating Pandemic Challenges Workplace Dynamics Effective Hiring Practices Managing Employee Relations and Termination Leveraging Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) Hiring Challenges and Solutions Balancing Internal Transitions and Client Support Reflecting on Leadership and Team Dynamics Concluding Thoughts and Book Recommendations
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Best Of CCP - Dante's Ring Of Sonos
10/15/2024
Best Of CCP - Dante's Ring Of Sonos
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.
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587: Recovering Deleted Google Calendars and Client Network Saga: A Tech Support Adventure
10/08/2024
587: Recovering Deleted Google Calendars and Client Network Saga: A Tech Support Adventure
Thanks to our VIP Sponsors! Recovering Deleted Google Calendars and Client Network Saga: A Tech Support Adventure In this episode, the hosts discuss a series of challenging client issues, including how to recover a deleted Google Calendar, the complexities of managing network loops with Sonos devices, and the frustrations of dealing with unreliable electricians. They also explore advertising on Facebook and Instagram for tech support services, share the latest updates from Apple, and review the impact of recent podcasting trends. Tune in for insights on troubleshooting, client management, and the ever-evolving tech landscape. -One of Jerry’s clients finds out the hard way that you cannot restore a deleted Google calendar. -Joe has some follow up about his client with two UniFi mission critical switches. -He also mentions a helpful about preventing network loops. -After many years and work with Sonos, Joe has some updated guidance on network recommendations. -Jerry has seen an uptick in business lately. He is also engaging in Facebook and Instagram advertising. -Joe is a fan of a podcast on NPR called -And now for Jerry’s favorite part - Joe’s product announcements. -He does have some interesting thoughts on AirPods Pro hearing tests. THANK YOU TO OUR PATREON SPONSORS!
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586: A Beer Lover's Adventure and Tech Talk: Exploring European Brews and New Mac OS Updates
10/01/2024
586: A Beer Lover's Adventure and Tech Talk: Exploring European Brews and New Mac OS Updates
In this episode, the hosts discuss various topics from a recent travel experience in the Netherlands and Belgium, highlighting amazing Trappist beers and unique beer brewing technologies. They also dive into the new features and implications of the latest Mac OS release, Sequoia, including the practical uses of Apple's new password app, send later in iOS messages, and the game-changing iPhone mirroring feature. Additionally, the episode features insights on managing client expectations with updates, blocking the latest OS to ensure stability, and a personal account of a sudden client shutdown. The show wraps up with tips on data recovery using Backblaze and a super-fast external drive. 00:00 Introduction and Recent Trip to the Netherlands and Belgium 00:28 Exploring Trappist Monasteries and Belgian Beers 01:57 Travel Experiences in Bruges, Belgium 03:09 Challenges of Bringing Beer Back Home 05:32 In-Flight Entertainment and Raw Dogging 07:53 Sequoia Release and Technical Discussions 13:17 Managing Software Updates and Client Experiences 26:38 Daily Driver Adventures 27:06 Apple's Seamless Integration 28:01 Send Later Feature in iOS 28:26 iPhone Mirroring and Instagram 29:30 Supporting Clients Efficiently 30:02 SMS Messages on Mac 31:31 New Passwords App 33:38 Screen Capture Limitations 36:06 Hiking Directions in Maps 39:07 Client Stories and Business Practices 42:35 Data Recovery and Backblaze 50:15 Wrapping Up and Teasers
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585: Interview With Ben Greiner founder of Forget Computers, Apple champion and growth advisor at Addigy
09/24/2024
585: Interview With Ben Greiner founder of Forget Computers, Apple champion and growth advisor at Addigy
Join us as we welcome back Ben Greiner, founder of Forget Computers and Apple champion and growth advisor at . In this engaging discussion, Ben reflects on his over 20-year journey in the Apple MSP world, the evolving landscape of IT management, and his role at Addigy. Ben shares insights on the integration of Apple-focused services into larger Windows-managed environments, the importance of compliance, and how Apple's advanced tools are setting new standards in the industry. This episode is filled with invaluable tips for MSPs looking to expand their Apple service offerings and successfully navigate the merger and acquisition landscape. The hosts reflect on the 10 years in between Ben’s appearances. Ross Matsuda, another CCP guest, also worked for Forget Computers. Early on, Ben created Robot Cloud. This has since morphed into Vision Bot at Ntiva. Ben talks about adapting to client needs. Ben advises to look at the management tools that only focus on Apple products like Jamf, Kandji, and Addigy. We get into how Ben switched from Jamf to Addigy. Switching MDMs was harder than switching communication tools. Most small MSPs are under one million in revenue a year. Ben talks about how the program by Goldman Sachs helped his business grow. Forget Computers was acquired by Ntiva. Ben takes us down that road. Apple vs Windows Support - it is difficult for Windows MSPs to make the shift to support the Apple platform. Standardizing Apple Device Management Proactive vs Reactive Device Enrollment Ben works with existing customers to help them grow with Addigy. Ben brings up the shift to Declarative Device Management Compliance Standards and Challenges - is Windows really better built for business than Apple? Or has that paradigm shifted? Jerry wants to know more about the 1Password acquisition on Kolide. What is the future of Device Management and Security? You can find Ben Greiner on .
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Best Of CCP - 325: Interview With John Moder of Crisp Solutions, LLC
09/17/2024
Best Of CCP - 325: Interview With John Moder of Crisp Solutions, LLC
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.
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583: Apple's Privacy Paradox & iPhone Lost At Sea
09/10/2024
583: Apple's Privacy Paradox & iPhone Lost At Sea
This podcast episode explores various tech-related topics, including the limitations of CarPlay devices, Apple's privacy policies, and the challenges of finding a lost iPhone. The hosts discuss their experiences with a CarPlay after-market device, Tesla's lack of CarPlay support, and the impact of privacy prompts on user experience. They also provide tips for finding a lost device and discuss alternative password managers.
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582: Mercury Retrograde and Tech Troubles: Is There a Connection?
09/03/2024
582: Mercury Retrograde and Tech Troubles: Is There a Connection?
Jerry and Sam discuss issues with Zoom’s SMS campaign requirements and RingCentral’s lack of shared SMS functionality. Jerry also shares his frustration with RingCentral’s call handling limitations and the need for an unused extension to utilize advanced features. For Joe, clients bypass Smith.ai by pressing extensions, leading to increased costs. Apple Intelligence may help manage notifications upon returning from being off the grid. The hosts discuss the need for digital detox and features in Apple’s notification system. They also share their experiences with managing notifications and the potential benefits of AI-driven prioritization. Sam has had an initially successful rollout of pricing emails to clients and he talks about the positive response he has received. Jerry shares frustration with clients ignoring service recommendations despite positive feedback. After some input from Joe and Sam, he considers personalizing emails and including recommendations in newsletters to improve response rates. Joe also mentions the importance of using a personal email address instead of a bulk email service to avoid being filtered out as spam. A customer’s easy acceptance of a significant rate increase led to a discussion about the importance of maintaining a consistent network stack. Despite the challenges, we discuss the value of following established procedures to ensure successful outcomes. Joe wonders if Mercury being in retrograde has had any affect on clients being able to follow simple instructions. Joe brings up the dangers of deep fake audio and how to protect against it. He even brings up a story of how Ferrari thwarted a deepfake attempt. They suggest using context knowledge or a safe word to identify potential scammers. Join us on YouTube to listen to us live or catch up on past episodes! Thank you to our Patreon sponsors!
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Best Of CCP - 221: DMARC, Eero's & Toupee's
08/27/2024
Best Of CCP - 221: DMARC, Eero's & Toupee's
Joe discusses the problem with automatically forwarding mail in the era of DMARC and walks through an explanation from Kerio: - You have a hosted Kerio email account, with a domain of clientname.com - You have a forwarding rule configured to forward all email addressed to [email protected] to [email protected] - Gmail enforces a DMARC policy - Gmail sees the forwarded email as if they were coming from the original sender, e.g.: Facebook, PayPal, etc. etc. - But the emails are NOT coming from the mailservers of those senders (e.g. mail.facebook.com, mail.paypal.com – fake examples), they are actually coming from the Kerio mail server (mail.itekmail.com) - This triggers a failure of compliance with DMARC, since the sending mail server doesn't match the sending address. - Unfortunately there isn't much we can do about this, other than use the main account ([email protected]), setting it up on a mail client of your choice, to avoid this problem. - Joe and Jerry discuss Eero, and Joe explains the challenge of configuring an alternate subnet: - Eero ad automatically assigned 192.168.7.1 subnet - AV guy had static IPs manually assigned to two IR controllers - had to use Advanced settings to hangs subnet to 10.0.0.0 (10.0.1.0 not an option; annoying because that's a common Apple one so this must be a common issue) - tried to adjust starting IP to 10.0.0.1, subnet to 255.255.0.0, and ending IP to 10.0.1.254; didn't work - after updating, allowed me to select 10.0.0.0 range and change it to 10.0.1.0 range, which worked
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580: Mission Critical: The Power Struggle
08/20/2024
580: Mission Critical: The Power Struggle
In this episode of Command Control Power, the team discusses ongoing technical challenges involving network equipment and power management. Joe shares updates on troubleshooting a host of issues with his elevator client, alongside dealing with generator compatibilities and frequent power outages. The conversation includes insights from Jerry and Sam, while addressing client concerns and experiences with improving power protection and network reliability. They delve into various power backup solutions and the frustrations of managing sophisticated networking equipment under unpredictable conditions. -Joe has an update to his elevator client story. -Sam and Jerry both have generators now but of course, have not lost power since the installation. -To have true uninterruptible power using a UPS, there are specific models and settings needed. -Joe recommends the Ecoflow River 2 for a portable power station: -We want to know what Joe has to do when troubleshooting requires an onsite visit. -On top of all of this, Joe’s client has 2 UniFi mission critical switches: -The “Joe” recipe for recycling power on UniFi devices is to unplug for 2 minutes. -For warranty, always buy direct from UniFi. -Sam really wants to know the client mood after everything that has happened. -Jerry is sporting a CCP shirt from friend and Patron, Richard Wingfield. Thanks Richard!
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Best Of CCP - Interview With Adam Engst Of the TidBITS Content Network
08/13/2024
Best Of CCP - Interview With Adam Engst Of the TidBITS Content Network
This week Command Control Power is joined by Adam Engst of the TidBITS Content Network: https://tcn.tidbits.com/apple-pros/ . The TidBITS Content Network provides professionally written, edited, and illustrated tips and articles that its members can use to update their blogs, create a vibrant social media presence, and power email newsletters that people will actually read.
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578: Tech Upgrades, MFA Madness and More!
08/06/2024
578: Tech Upgrades, MFA Madness and More!
Topics: -Sam talks about his recent trip to Las Vegas to see Dead & Co at The Sphere -BackBlaze has increased the price of sending a hard drive to $279. -Jerry is running macOS Sequoia on his daily driver. -Each year, the path of how users upgrade is a hot button topic. -Sam likes from Graham Pugh. -A minimum point release is a safe bet for stability. -The same people that don’t like security rules are the very people that are more likely to fall for things like phishing emails. -Pulling that same thread, Microsoft is moving to conditional access for MFA and sunsetting per-user MFA. -Joe talks about Apple disabling support for Post Script files. Sam does a like test. -Jerry turned to for an older version of the Drobo Dashboard app and he finds a live link to what he needed. -He also suggests for additional protection from harmful sites.
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577: Positivity and Practical Tips: Navigating Tech Challenges with New Insights
07/30/2024
577: Positivity and Practical Tips: Navigating Tech Challenges with New Insights
In this episode, the hosts of Command Control Power discuss a range of topics from VPN configuration issues with the Unifi system, to the advanced security features of iCloud. They dive into real-world tech troubleshooting experiences, including a detailed examination of the 'perfect data' scam through Microsoft 365 and the pros and cons of Apple's new support AI. The team finishes by sharing practical and actionable tips, such as enabling advanced data protection in iCloud and dealing with HFS-formatted CDs on modern Macs. Along the way, they share personal anecdotes and experiences, making the technical discussion both informative and entertaining.
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576: The Hunger Games: Call Center Edition - One Headset, One Rep, You vs. Everyone Else
07/23/2024
576: The Hunger Games: Call Center Edition - One Headset, One Rep, You vs. Everyone Else
In this episode, the hosts grapple with a series of technical issues while trying to start their stream. Joe faces multiple frustrations with his Mac and browser configurations, expressing his exasperation with technology. The conversation shifts to broader grievances about poor customer service and systemic inefficiencies within major corporations, as Jerry and Joe recount personal experiences involving vendors, ISPs, and even a Tesla purchase process. Sam joins to provide moral support, but the tone remains heavily focused on the annoyances and challenges of navigating modern technology and customer service bureaucracy. The hosts conclude by inviting listeners to share their own stories and frustrations.
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Best Of CCP - 224: Interview With Christopher Holmes of Rooted Consulting & HCS Technology Group
07/16/2024
Best Of CCP - 224: Interview With Christopher Holmes of Rooted Consulting & HCS Technology Group
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.
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574: Backblaze to the Future & Proofpoint Pandemonium
07/09/2024
574: Backblaze to the Future & Proofpoint Pandemonium
Topics: -Jerry shows off his new shirt. -BackBlaze causes a major pain point for Jerry after a massive bill comes in. He has some good advice for those using BackBlaze groups. -We debate how pricing increases affect how we pass the costs along to our customers. -What is with BackBlaze’s maintenance schedule happening in the middle of a work day? -Sam has a rough experience with Go Daddy when “defederating” Microsoft Office. -This customer was using Proofpoint with Go Daddy and it remained active months after we attempted to disconnect. -Go Daddy support seems to not have any understanding of the services that they are selling. -Quick Tip regarding Apple Mail and Exchange when it stops responding: Quit Mail/Calendar/Contacts, go to Activity Monitor and force quit the exchangesyncd process. Restart the apps. -Jerry shares an update about AppleCare+ and unlimited incidents. -With changes to the Print Center and the removal of individual printer apps, Joe wonders why Apple can’t account for this and replace Dock items instead of leaving question marks.
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573: Exploring Generative AI, Apple Intelligence, and the Future of Technology With Adam Engst
07/02/2024
573: Exploring Generative AI, Apple Intelligence, and the Future of Technology With Adam Engst
In this episode, we delve into the integration of generative AI, Apple's advancements in AI technology particularly their Apple Intelligence offering, and the broader implications of AI in various fields. Our special guest, Adam Engst of , joins us for an in-depth conversation about the technological breakthroughs, societal implications, and future trends. From insights on continuity cameras and MagSafe to discussions about the future of AI in content creation, this episode covers a wide array of topics sure to engage tech enthusiasts. Jerry got himself an NFR license of Since he has to take notes, Adam used Audio Hijack to transcribe the WWDC 2024 Keynote We discuss Apple's Marketing and Evolving Tech “Generative AI gives you a statistically probable answer” - Adam Engst Jerry chimes in about his email anxiety and how it has helped him communicate well with clients. Adam generally doesn’t use AI to write, but he does use . Joe sees a future where each user’s AI will just talk to each other. At what point will you be able to have AI send something in your name without any adjustments? Will AI steal our jobs? “AI isn’t going to steal any job where you have to interact with people.” Trusting the source of your information… Ethical Considerations and Future Trends of AI Join to receive top notch content tips and articles you can use in your content marketing. THANK YOU TO OUR PATREON SPONSORS!
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Best Of CCP - 366: Do You Think I'm An Idiot?
06/25/2024
Best Of CCP - 366: Do You Think I'm An Idiot?
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.
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571: The ACEs 2024 Debrief We Never Knew We Needed
06/18/2024
571: The ACEs 2024 Debrief We Never Knew We Needed
In this episode of Command Control Power, host Joe and co-hosts Sam and Jerry debrief the ACEs Conference 2024. The episode also touches on the various technologies and vendor booths that fascinated the hosts, including LionGuard and Halo PSA, as well as the different people they met and reconnected with. Sam's presentation on his MSP journey is highlighted alongside humorous moments and key takeaways. A special thanks to Justin Esgar for organizing a successful conference! Topics: Adam Engst delivered a thought provoking presentation about AI. A great list of patrons, friends, and fellow consultants were at the conference this year. We reflect on the overall conference experience and the parts we loved the most. Smaller conferences offer a more intimate experience. Sam had the opportunity to present at ACES this year and he discusses how we are always learning. He opened the kimono so to speak to get into his billing practices over the years. “Don’t negotiate against yourself” - Joe Saponare Brian Lattanzio and Omar Elshamy came to represent Apple, as well as offer a custom training. Jerry will be at the next one, as long as it’s “east of the Mississippi”.
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