<![CDATA[Computercats | Providing Simple Solutions to Complex Problems Since 1995 - News]]>Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:24:40 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[Have ticket? will travel]]>Fri, 24 Nov 2023 02:13:24 GMThttp://www.computercats.com/news/intuit-payroll-tax-helpComing up on my 2nd year anniversary at Intuit, I'm starting a new role in the company. I'm excited to begin another chapter of my journey. Speaking of journey, it seems that Europe is going to require Visas to visit most countries. They have a new system in place, "European Travel Information and Authorisation System" (fancy) where you can apply for an ETIAS but it has been postponed to 2025. You can read all about it here: www.cntraveler.com/story/europe-tourist-visa-postponement. I feel a trip or two calling me! Where should I go?
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Lisbon, Portugal
]]><![CDATA[certified bookkeeping professional]]>Thu, 16 Jun 2022 05:29:02 GMThttp://www.computercats.com/news/certified-bookkeeping-professionalI have been working for Intuit QuickBooks Live now almost six months and Turbo Tax (during the season). I love my job; it is challenging, rewarding and I work remotely. This is a full time job, so I will have limited opportunities and time to travel and service my clients in my own computer consulting business. On that note, I will not be taking on new clients. I will continue to support and work with my long-established clients. Please feel free to reach out if you have some technological needs and if I can't help you, I will refer you to someone in your area. Thank you for all your business as loyal clients, friends and family.]]><![CDATA[Anatomy of a Phishing Scam]]>Sun, 01 May 2022 20:49:31 GMThttp://www.computercats.com/news/anatomy-of-a-phishing-scamOr How to Have Fun Scamming a Scammer
]]><![CDATA[Iconic 9/11 news coverage is lost]]>Sat, 11 Sep 2021 06:00:00 GMThttp://www.computercats.com/news/in-the-name-of-obsolescenceAdobe Flash was, in the end, a flash in the pan. It ruled the internet for a time and it was flashy, interactive and engaging. 

www.cnn.com/2021/09/10/tech/digital-news-coverage-9-11/index.html


]]><![CDATA[THE FIRST PUBLICLY-AVAILABE WEBSITE!]]>Sun, 01 Aug 2021 16:24:34 GMThttp://www.computercats.com/news/the-first-publicly-availabe-websiteThe world's first publicly-available website launched 6 August 1991, thirty years ago NOT twenty-one years ago like the CNN article erroneously asserts in their newsletter. Since then, the world at large has not been the same. Not only because you can get valuable news and  information at your fingertips in nano-seconds, but you can also get misinformation delivered right to your inbox. At the moment CNN is the place for misinformation and amateur hour. Exhibit A:

On this day [August 1, 2021] 21 years ago, the first website ever published went live. It was dedicated to World Wide Web information, and remains online decades later. Happy birthday, WWW, and welcome to adulthood!

Ah, no. That is not correct. For all who are interested read about the First World's Website and Berners-Lee, the father of the hyper-text mark up language, otherwise know as "HTML," the backbone of website creation and rendering click on the link below.

www.history.com/news/the-worlds-first-web-site

The first website:

info.cern.ch/
]]><![CDATA[IF WE IGNORE PROBLEMS LONG ENOUGH WE (not they) will DISAPPEAR]]>Wed, 14 Jul 2021 14:26:25 GMThttp://www.computercats.com/news/if-we-ignore-problems-long-enough-we-not-they-will-disappear
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This Guardian article has nothing to do with computers per se. But it bears noting that it's all related; that is, the rampant rapacity of our planet has consequences. Read it or ignore at your own peril. 

www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2021/jul/14/food-monopoly-meals-profits-data-investigation
]]><![CDATA[FYI: BANK FRAUD ALERT]]>Fri, 09 Jul 2021 18:30:27 GMThttp://www.computercats.com/news/fyi-bank-fraud-alertBanks across the country are reporting a new kind of fraudulent scam — and we’d like you to be prepared if something like this happens to you:

Impersonators may try to contact you, claiming to represent XYZ Bank, or perhaps another business you’re familiar with. In some cases, this incoming call may appear to be credible, with the business name registering on your display. Seeing a business name register like this on your device can be convincing, as opposed to a generic unknown number. However, this is part of the intended scam. Scammers can pretend to be legitimate, but please be sure to guard your personal information…

•Be cautious of any call, text, or email asking for personal information — even if it appears to be credible
•Banks do not ask for your username, password, pin or Zelle® details
•Don’t engage with anyone trying to initiate a transaction to “refund” you “owed money” using wire transfer, gift card or Zelle®
•Don’t allow remote access to your computer unless you initiated the call to a known service provider
•If you do engage, contact the business using a trusted phone number

]]><![CDATA[COMPUTERCATS.COM]]>Sat, 26 Jun 2021 02:25:43 GMThttp://www.computercats.com/news/computercatscomJust to clear up some minor confusion, there is another IT computer support company by the name of "ComputerCats.NET" in Colorado that is not affiliated with my company, which I started in 1995. I am the Original owner of Computercats.com domain dba ComputerCats. In fact, the owner of the company in Colorado has called me several times offering to buy my domain. I have declined each time because it's mine for one and Computercats is more than an intangible asset and intellectual property: I've spent years establishing the concept of "friendly" IT support; and, adhering to a personal business model based upon honor and integrity while maintaining an impeccable reputation among my loyal clientele who've become more valuable as friends to me throughout the years.

I've been in business over 26 years. Even though I operate as a sole proprietor (I had a business partner who passed away suddenly in the night from an aneurism); even though I freelance and take clients on a referral basis and have no intention of expanding I am not giving up Computercats.com. In the meantime, I wish success for Andrew, owner of Computer Cats in Colorado, who also likes cats. Imagine that! Yes, I realize this may sound like a plug for Andrew's company. It is. I believe in promoting the well being of all. "Go Forth and Be a Blessing." ~ Genesis]]><![CDATA[How to Negotiate(?!) with Ransomware Hackers]]>Wed, 02 Jun 2021 17:17:33 GMThttp://www.computercats.com/news/how-to-negotiate-with-ransomware-hackersThis is where we are in the modern day world of computers (insert some choice swear words here). Although, note that the first instance of ransom/hackware was in 1989! Subscribe to the New Yorker if for no other reason than to read the following article. It's worth being informed. 
www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/06/07/how-to-negotiate-with-ransomware-hackers]]><![CDATA[The Incredible Rise of North Korea’s Hacking Army]]>Sat, 24 Apr 2021 05:13:58 GMThttp://www.computercats.com/news/the-incredible-rise-of-north-koreas-hacking-armyInteresting read. FYI: If you're not subscribed to The New Yorker, listen to the hour-long podcast.

www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/04/26/the-incredible-rise-of-north-koreas-hacking-army]]>