This week, the Washingon Post reported a fascinating story on how “organized cyber-gangs in Eastern Europe are increasingly preying on small and mid-size companies in the United States.” They appear to be targeting small businesses for the simple reason that they are easier nuts to crack than large financial institutions. (more…)
Archive for August, 2009
Small Businesses Losing Millions to European Cyber-Gangs
Friday, August 28th, 2009FairPoint Accused of Falsfying Readiness Tests
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009This article broke yesterday, in which an alleged whistleblower claims that FairPoint falsified the tests that showed its readiness to take over Verizon’s New England landlines.
“The account from an alleged FairPoint Communications insider may explain why telecommunications regulators in northern New England were surprised when FairPoint customers complained so vigorously after the firm took over phone lines from Verizon early this year.”
There’s some other interesting filler in this post, but it concludes with this:
After studying the pile of complaints from FairPoint customers, earlier this month the Vermont Public Service Board asked FairPoint to “show cause” why its license to do business in the state shouldn’t be revoked.
The only question that has to be raised is, ifwhen FairPoint is evicted from this state, who will take over?
AT&T: We Don’t Want Your Business
Friday, August 21st, 2009This week, at a client’s request, I am reviewing their entire telecommunications spending. I decided to look at four different vendors to compare their offerings. The first one I looked at was AT&T, to see if they had a comparable long distance package. (more…)
Software Review: Moneydance (Including a Rant Against Quicken)
Friday, August 14th, 2009I recently started the process of converting my personal finances from Quicken to Moneydance. I have been using Quicken for at least ten years, not because I like the program, it’s just that it’s “what I’ve always used.” I decided it was time to apply some of my own consulting practices and take a look at my personal finance management situation as if I was a client, and ask myself “is this the best solution for my problem?” The answer was a resounding “no.”
Software Review: Rubber Ducky System Monitor
Saturday, August 1st, 2009Today I am reviewing a tiny, free, handy piece of software for end-users: Rubber Ducky System Monitor by MimarSinan International. The program is a tiny application which gives even a novice user a simple, easy to read display which tells them how busy their system is and identify potential problems. (more…)