Jul 31, 2018 | Entertainment
So when people think of Nintendo, they think of something my generation played back in the 1980s and 1990s. That was the go-to system for many of us in computer repair.? But maybe we should look at Nintendo as a current hot commodity. Nintendo’s comeback: Their profits soar.
So according to their own reports, Nintendo sold around 20 million of their newest console, the Switch. Nintendo also reports an 88% increase in profits just from last year. Overall revenue is up almost 10%. In Q2 2018 alone, Nintendo sold 1.88 million switches. Let’s not forget that we’re in the back to school shopping season already. Then comes the holiday shopping season. So I think we can expect these numbers to only increase.
But it doesn’t stop at the Switch. In September, they’re going to be new titles, like Super Smash Bros. and some new Pokemon games. Remember the classic Nintendo consoles for all us old school heads, and for those looking for nostalgia? Well, they sold over 1.25 million copies. It also sold 1.39 million Labo kits. That’s just in the last couple of months. Recently, their online games have been doing very well. They made billions of dollars recently. They’re anticipating the latest editions of Mario Kart Tour and Dragalia Lost. They should be out in early 2019.
I myself see the switch to Nintendo products. Because near our computer service shop, a customer let us play with his Switch. He told us he even sold his XBox One and switched to Switch. This is just part of Nintendo’s comeback. For a while, it wasn’t looking good. Just a while ago, they came out with their Wii U. It was a flop. Then you had competition from Xbox. But I’m glad to see Nintendo making a comeback. This is the system I grew up with. This is the system that brought me games like Zelda, Duck Hunt and Mike Tyson’s Punch Out. Past or present, what’s your favorite Nintendo game?
Jul 30, 2018 | Computer technology, News
So there are many things to talk about,as usual. But I think this episode will resonate with all of us. Because we all fly, and fortunately, I only fly a couple of times a year. American Airlines glitch exposes fragile system.
Yesterday, American Airlines grounded all their flights. However, this wasn’t because of weather, terrorism or crime. It was due to a computer glitch and IT service failure. They felt the outage nationwide. This is especially true in their busy airports, like Chicago O’Hare and Minneapolis/St. Paul. You can bet, it didn’t take long before complaints flew and tempers flared.
But there is some good news. This IT support outage didn’t last very long. The operating system and dispatch went out around 2:05 yesterday EST. However, by 2:45 EST, they fixed the problems and all operations ran as normal. They also did a good job coordinating with the FAA to handle this ground stoppage. One more piece of good news. They didn’t have to cancel any flights because of this. In fact, they only delayed nine flights because of this stoppage. And from what I’m reading, there was no physical violence or incidents or uprisings in the wake of this glitch.
So what? Why do I write about this? To show you how the American Airlines glitch exposes a fragile system. Yes, it only lasted 40 minutes, thank goodness.? I do applaud American Airlines and the FAA for correcting the problem quickly before it got out of hand. But during the glitch, there was no way the passengers could have know that. For all they knew, this could have lasted for hours. I hate to say it, but American Airlines passengers got lucky yesterday. In recent years, a lot of airline glitches got a lot worse. Not only that, what if somebody hacks into the system and holds it for ransom? I’m not trying to scare anybody. But the airline industry and the government needs to do something prevent, or at least minimize, these glitches. But what though?
Jul 27, 2018 | internet
So first come the Facebook woes. Then come the Twitter woes. We learn Twitter loses about 20% of their stocks. It’s not because of profits. But it’s because overall usage is down. Twitter gains profits but loses users.
Well, last time I checked, Twitter is doing a little better. As of this writing, they’re only 15% in the red. But it’s still a long way to go. The culprit: the smaller number of users, especially in the USA. While the number of int’l users is holding steady, US users take a decline. And it’s not even a big one. Statistics show that in Q2 2018, the US had 68 million Twitter users. That’s down from 69 million last quarter. However, it was clearly enough to make stockholders nervous.
They also doubt that Twitter can even hold an audience anymore. Experts predict Twitter followers and activity will continue to slip for years to come. However, Twitter profits are at an all-time high. In fact, Q2 gave Twitter record profits; the GAAP income came to around $100 million for that quarter. That’s well above what they expected. But even this ride probably won’t last long. Because experts also predict a decline in profits.
Like Facebook, Twtter had it’s woes over the past couple of years. We can go all the way back to 2016 and the Leslie Jones scandal (she was bullied so bad Twitter execs had to intervene). Remember when Twitter tried to bring the NFL on to boost usage? That didn’t work either. Let’s face it. Twitter needs followers in order to keep the profits going. It looks like they’re not getting them. I believe this turbulent political climate is also hindering Twitter. A lot of folks still don’t like President Trump. I know people near our Boston computer repair shop, and computer repair experts feel like that.? But guess what social media site he uses most? Could that have something to do with it. Twitter gains profits but loses users, and can they get them back?
Jul 26, 2018 | internet, networking, News
So yesterday, Facebook made IT support history. But it’s probably the worst kind of history a company can make. Facebook sets a record (this one ain’t good).
Yesterday, Facebook lost around $150 billion in 90 minutes! Facebook leaders told stockholders and the public they expect a slowdown. They also expect this slowdown to last for years. These are things no Facebook stockholder wants to hear. Then the selloff began, and kept up for the last 90 minutes of the trading day. By the time the nightmare of a day ended, Facebook stocks were down 24%. Now, $148 billion in Facebook value is gone. As of this writing, it still struggles in the red.
Yesterday, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said 2.5 billion people are on Facebook now. But that’s where the good news ends. Because he followed with woeful second quarter numbers. Then add the lack of new daily and monthly active users. But that’s not what started the downward spiral. First, Facebook CFO David Wehner said revenue growth will slow. Then he said expenses will surpass growth and revenue into 2019. Ouch. That’s not good. Right now, operating margins are in the early forties. But for now, and in the years to come, they expect profit margins to be in the middle thirties. I’m not sure if Facebook sets a record. But it’s coming awfully close.
Facebook is an IT service company that knows better days. They can start with the fake news controversy in the wake of the tumultuous 2016 US election. To this day, many on the political left partially blame Facebook for Trump’s win because of ‘fake news’ articles and alleged Russian hacking. Then came the Cambridge Analytical scandal. Finally, I read an article saying that less teenagers, the iGeneration/Generation Z, are even into Facebook. Partially because it’s now so popular with older generations. So now, they’re turning to other forms of social media. Will Facebook recover?
Jul 25, 2018 | Uncategorized
So, how many remember the good ol’ days? A college degree got you a job, and you stayed on the same job, often times with the same company, for your entire career? Those days are so over now. Americans and IT service jobs: Are we ready?
Studies show today’s 22-year-olds could work as many as 30 different jobs and 3 careers over their lives. Also, thanks to technology, more people will work at home or freelance then ever before. But that means they won’t have the same benefits their parents and others had. These include things like health care, on the job training and retirement. That is, those who are fortunate enough to land the job of their choice at all.
I say that because of the technological challenges. We have AI and robotics taking away manufacturing. Then we have E-commerce replacing retail stores. I often wonder what drones and self-driving cars will do to the job market in the decades ahead. They estimate that by 2030, 60% of jobs humans do today will be done by robots. That’s only 12 years from now! Agencies in the government and private sector rush to address this new order. It doesn’t just affect jobs. For example, what about unemployment? Now that many won’t be working traditional jobs like they did in the 20th century, how will they handle unemployment insurance?
So what do we do? I think education is a good place to start. I think it’s wonderful that they’re introducing code technology to elementary schoolkids. It’s also good they’re introducing them to the latest technology. But they need to do more. I think starting in pre-school, kindergarten at the latest, we need to equip kids for this changing work force. Don’t wait until they’re in high school. During the 20th century, the employer-employee relationship, despite the flaws, made the US the strongest economy in the world. But technology changes, as well as recent social movements, changes that game too. Even in our Boston computer service shop, we don’t operate the same way we did five years ago due to tech changes. Americans and IT service jobs: Are we ready?
Jul 24, 2018 | Computer technology
So yesterday, I talked about rising seas threatening the Internet. But I guess there’s no rest for the weary. Because the threat I talk to you about today could be apocalyptic. Could foreign hackers create an EMP?
For almost a year, cyber experts and government officials warn about hackers pulling off the ultimate attack. They would hit all IT support and electric grids. It would also hit other computer systems as well. But the worst thing about it? They could create an EMP attack behind their own desk and from their computer. What would an EMP do? We’ll get to that later.
If this concerns experts, then it should concern us. Listen to Drogos cyber security workers. In one interview, they talk about how hackers compromised Ukraine’s power grid. From their computer, hackers could turn lights on and off. This was between 2015-16. But sense then, they said the hackers got more aggressive. Then there is National Intelligence director Dan Coats. He testified to Congress that the US is under attack. He believes that it’s not just foreign nations like Russia, China and Iran that have cyber weapons and are willing to use them. But he testified terrorist, criminals, radical political extremist, and anybody with a grudge can do damage with cyber weapons.
What is an EMP? Back in 1859, the US had the Carrington Event. A solar flare came down and burned telegraph wires. That is what an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) would do to us…if we had 1850s technology. Today, if somebody created an EMP, it would shut down all computer systems, all electric grids, and all communications. Not only that, but all of our food, clean water, transportation, everything we take for granted would be gone. It would take months, maybe even a year to get all the systems back on track. Some say that if this were to happen, then most of the American population would be dead. I know this sounds like a horror movie plot, but this is a real threat we in computer repair need to address. Could foreign hackers create an EMP? What do we do?
Jul 23, 2018 | internet
So let’s face it. The Internet faces many threats, from ID hackers to censorship issues. But what about environmental issues and changes? Can rising seas threaten the Internet?
So studies from universities say yes they can. Also, the studies say the threat can come sooner than we think. Because in 15 years, by the 2030s, 4,000 miles of fiber-optic cables could go underwater! This would lead to internet outages and shortages all around the country. They would come suddenly. This is according to the University of Wisconson-Madison and University of Oregon.? They used maps that predicted rising seas and coasts.
Some cities and regions would be harder hit than others. For example, they think 20% of New York City’s fiber-optic cables will be gone by the year 2033. Then include the fiber-optic systems that connect from NYC to other cities and database centers. In 15 years, rising seas can destroy a third of them. They also say other coastal cities, like Seattle, Los Angeles and Miami, are especially venerable. Don’t think you’re off the hook because you’re inland. Because a river flood, and we see a lot of those lately, can cause Internet problems. That is if the ripple effects of the coastal cities don’t get you first.
Many scientist thought we had decades to address this issue. But now, we know better. This is a big problem and only a short time to address it. I think of Boston and our computer service shop. Many maps say before 2100, much of this great city will be underwater. I’m sure our city, and Internet and IT service industries are under the gun as well. Back in January 2018, some of the city flooded due to a combination of a blizzard and high tide. That’s all it took. If the sea rises in a short time like they predict, then can you imagine what damage it will do the the Internet? Can rising seas threaten the Internet? What do we do about it?
Jul 20, 2018 | Computer technology
So let’s suppose you buy a laptop for $2,800, maybe a little bit more. But you discover out of the box, it doesn’t work to your liking; you thought it would be a lot faster. How would you feel? I ask because a lot of Apple users return MacBook Pro laptops.
So speed is one of the biggest selling points of the new MacBook Pro. They said they can reach speeds of 2.9 GHz. However, there’s a problem. Speeds are not running that fast. That’s because you need a Core i9 processor to get to such lightning speeds. Do you know how hot a machine can get with a Core i9 processor? Well, the laptop’s cooling system appears to be no match for this processor’s heat. In fact, some computer repair experts suggest you put your new MacBook Pro in the freezer to get the 2.9 GHz speed.
That’s what computer repair You Tuber Dave Lee did. So according to him, the freezer treatment is the only to get it to 2.9 GHz. Without it, not only will it not capture this speed, but it will run worse than 2017’s MacBook Pro. That only had a Core i7 processor. Also, Dave Lee explains this Core i9 slows down to prevent itself to prevent thermal throttling.
But other Apple users return MacBook Pro. Some people aren’t waiting for the disappointment of this. One Apple user on Reddit says he’s cancelling his new MacBook rather than deal with it. I also have it by good authority that hundreds of others are either returning their laptops. Some others cancel orders and send theirs back before the shipping man even comes to their door. Now that’s bad. Keep in mind this isn’t Apple’s first setback this year. How much profit will Apple lose because of this snafu? Can the MacBook pro get back on track?
Jul 19, 2018 | News
So Ebay has been a jewel of the IT service and Internet world since the late 1990s. But it looks like even this jewel is going bad. Let’s look at Ebay’s struggles: From layoffs to falling stocks.
Ebay, an online retail giant for 20 years, said they will cut around 300 jobs. They also said these jobs will be in the San Francisco and San Jose area and cuts will happen by July 20. That’s tomorrow. But the people losing their jobs got their notices in June. So they’ll have time to financially and emotionally prepare. Ebay offices in San Jose alone loses over 200 jobs.
On the surface, it looked like Ebay is still doing good. Not really. Because they lost around $1 billion in this past year. In fact, in one quarter alone, their profits slipped over 60%. That’s not the only thing that’s slipping. The last time I checked, a few minutes ago, Ebay stocks fell 9% in just this morning alone. That’s almost a one-year low. In fact, their stocks fell 1.34% in the past year. That may not sound like much for a year. However, keep in mind shareholders expected a 4% increase of stocks in 2018. It looks like they were about to get it…until Ebay’s struggles became public.
Some insiders point out it’s not that they’re losing customers, or that they stopped spending. It’s that they’re not getting enough new customers. They also blame…you guessed it…Amazon and Walmart for this decline. Walmart’s upping their online sales. Despite Ebay execs and other leaders working as hard as they can, it’s still tough to compete with Amazon. I’ve noticed that in and around my own computer service shop. They’re not the only ones. Just ask Toys R Us and Radio Shack how hard it is to compete with Amazon and Walmart. Oops, I forgot. They’re not around anymore. Will Ebay overcome their struggles? Or will they be just another victim?
Jul 18, 2018 | Computer technology
So remember checking out books at the library right (I still do)? You had to return them by a certain date. However, Google has a same system with Chromebooks. They’re also expanding it.? Let’s look at Google’s Grab and Go Chromebook system.
This ‘Grab and Go’ lets employees borrow Chromebooks. Then they use self serving stations to return them. They simply grab a Chromebook laptop, sign in, and return it the laptop when they’re finished. Without this, they would have to endure a tiring IT support and approval process. Imagine waiting just to return a library book; it’d be kind of like that. It must be working good for Google. Because now, they want to offer this system to other businesses.
Chromebooks are particularly popular in education and in business executive suites. Don’t expect Google to sale racks, laptops and other supplies to make this a physical transaction. So don’t even go to Google looking for things like Chromebook laptop racks. But Google will give any company or education system an open source code to build it themselves. Furthermore, a Google employee will be right there to help them build it, remotely of course. They will help you build this Grab and Go system and teach you how to run it and maintain it.
So I’m guessing many of you think, “Would it be better to to just build the equipment and sell it to these institutions?”. Eventually, that might happen, especially if this gets too popular. But let’s take this one day at a time. This isn’t as simple as a library book, or video that we used to return. This computer servicing equipment cost thousands and thousands of dollars. So if people don’t return that, then they’re really out of luck. I don’t even think Google is ready to handle that. Would you use Google’s Grab and Go Chromebook system?
