Directory of Articles and Mini-Reviews
The article in the categories below contain our personal experiences
with each one. Some are more extensive and others are merely first impressions to
determine suitability & viability. No official testing process is undertaken. That is
NOT the purpose of these reviews. These thoughts are our own as to how the product would
benefit our in-house usage and/or our clients. Readers are strongly encouraged to check
out the multitude of other websites that are much more in depth. Articles may be edited
and updated over time. Click the accompanying links for the full text.
Hardware
Custom Built Desktops
Due to supply chain disruptions, we shifted from pre-built desktops to
custom-built systems. This change has allowed us to design desktops
exactly to our clients’ needs, without the limitations of pre-built options. We
offer a few well-balanced base configurations that can be customized as needed,
using only high-quality components we trust ourselves. If you’re looking for a
mid-to high-end desktop, this is an excellent option.
article
Custom Desktops
Synology NAS Storage
Disk storage space was becoming an issue, so we tripled our capacity.
Not only that, we also went from gigabit to 2.5Gbe transfer speeds. This has
been a great boost in productivity and data availability. This NAS also offers
additional features we didn't have before.
article
Synology Mini-Review
2.5 Gb Ethernet
Gigabit ethernet isn't enough if you have a new 2 Gig fiber-optic
internet connection. The same is true if you transfer a lot of large files on
your local network. The solution is to go with 2.5Gbe ethernet. We can help you
do it!
Ooma
Ooma is a Voice Over IP (VOIP) solution for home and small office use.
It's very low cost and will work with existing telephone lines.
article
Ooma Mini-Review
Eufy Security Cameras
This affordable security system offers good features and does NOT
require monthly subscription. However, it does have some limitations.
article
Eufy Mini-Review
Software
Pi-Hole Ad Blocker
Pi-Hole is Internet filtering software to block a large percentage of
advertising & telemetry data. Pi-Hole increases network security & privacy while
simultaneously reducing network traffic. It will quickly become one of the most
useful tools on your network!
article
Pi-Hole Mini-Review
OBS Studio
OBS is a free and extremely powerful video capture and video editing
package. This software is great for creating YouTube videos and other streaming
content. One of our distant goals is to begin releasing our own repair and
troubleshooting videos on YouTube.
article
OBS Studio Mini-Review
RetroPi
RetroPi is a console game player's dream! This emulator allows a person
to play thousands of console games from over 2 dozen different consoles.
Includes support for Atari, Coleco, Sega, Nintendo, PlayStation, XBox,
Commodore, Amiga & more. RetroPi uses most USB controllers!
Docker Container Manager
Docker Container Manager software allows application virtualization on a NAS
device without the need to virtualize the entire OS. This provides for more
efficient use of system resources. The idea is that you can do more tasks with
less hardware. It's great for Plex and Pi-Hole.
article
Docker Mini-Review
PLEX Media Server
Plex is server-based software that runs on either Windows or Linux that allows
for the creation of your very own streaming media server. Simply copy the music
and video content that you already own instead of paying monthly fees for
streaming services!
Programming & Analysis
SEO
Search Engine Optimization can be both a challenge and time consuming
for any website owner. We are implementing new techniques during website
creation to rank better in search engines such as Google. This provides a cost
savings to our clients while bringing more viewers to the site.
article
SEO Article - Please Inquire
VSCode
The VSCode software is free of charge from Microsoft, and is perhaps one
of the most powerful code editors available. It can be modified with a wealth of
extensions to customize it to do whatever you need. VSCode is an invaluable tool
for coding.
article
VSCode Mini-Review
Python (In Progress)
A cross-platform, powerful and relatively easy to learn scripting language. It
can be used for websites, task automation, and data analysis. Did you know that
much of YouTube is written in Python?
article
Python Mini-Review
Python Crash Course Book (In Progress)
This book is a crash course intended for persons who already know programming.
It's best for people who already know at least one of the languages in the C
family. Stay tuned!
Wireshark
This packet-capture software allows a person to watch and analyze network
packets for a variety of purposes such as network debugging, analyzing bandwidth
usage, and finding malicious network activity. You can use the software to do a
deep dive to determine what's actually happening.
Linux Operating Systems
Mint OS - Our Favorite!
This is widely considered the best Linux distro for users who are familiar with
Windows. This is where you should start if you're new to Linux.
article
Mint Mini-Review
Ubuntu
A widely used operating system for desktops, servers, and IoT devices that's
very stable. We looked at both Ubuntu GNOME and Ubuntu CINNAMON. If you're
switching from a Windows environment, we advise choosing Cinnamon.
article
Ubuntu Mini-Review
Debian
A popular operating system for desktops and servers that's very stable.
However, the features within Debian lag behind other Linux distros — this is how
it achieves such stability.
article
Debian Mini-Review
Raspberry Pi OS
An extremely lite version of Debian Linux intended to work on a Raspberry Pi
single-board computer or other minimal hardware.
article
Pi OS Mini-Review
Kali
A specialized version of Linux intended for both hacking and penetration
testing. It includes many preloaded tools for this purpose. You probably won't
use Kali unless you have a specific need for its capabilities.
article
Kali Mini-Review