Automation & Integration

03/22/2020

Due to the recent CoronaVirus pandemic I know a lot of people are working from home. While many of us may be quite efficient with computers some of us may still be looking for what amazing tools exist on the World Wide Web.

One such tool I have been using for the last 5 years is called AutoHotKey (https://www.autohotkey.com/). I simply love this tool. Did I mention its free? If you ever have to type the same sentence, paragraph, or you find yourself typing the same word incorrectly over and over again, AutoHotKey is your solution! AutoHotKey is an application that runs on Windows machines in the background while a custom script contains all of the actions desired by you. Various example scripts are available on the AHK website. I find the simplest of script actions to be most important and commonly used. Check it out, let me know if you have questions!

Free keyboard macro program. Supports hotkeys for keyboard, mouse, and joystick. Can expand abbreviations as you type them (AutoText).

01/15/2020

Be sure your Windows 10 OS is up to date! Microsoft released an update today you probably don’t want to miss.

The NSA discovered a major Windows 10 flaw, but decided to disclose and not exploit it.

01/02/2020

It's been a while since I've posted any updates for A&I, but I've got a good one for you!

If you're like me and need a place to store all of your pictures, home videos, emails, and documents, check out the Synology line of products! I've now installed two of these devices for clients (DS918+, DS218+) and I must say, I love them! These units are crazy easy to install and require basically no knowledge of networking to setup or maintain. They can be used for so many different features (file storage, IP camera monitoring, VPN server, RAID technology, 4K video streaming, and so much more). These are very well priced devices that pack a huge punch. Let me know if you are interested in one or require assistance with setting one up for you small office or family!

https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/DS218+

11/13/2016

So many of you know I am quite pleased with the a little piece of hardware known as an RPi (Raspberry Pi, $35.00 Mini-PC). These little machines that pack a punch! The RPi machines run Linux and even Windows applications.

Today I commend the efforts of the people at the Pi-VPN project. I have been using, testing, and quite pleased with this little VPN server that has yet to fail me. Using a Linux Script, OpenVPN, and the very latest & best security protocols, the RPi Pi-VPN server has been extremely useful for establishing secure remote connections to/from coffee shops, airports, and pretty much any place of business.

At times when your ISP or Interest Service Provider does little to provide you with remote secure connections to/from the places you need most, the Pi-VPN server is perfect, extremely low cost, very little maintenance, and continues to promise what I would expect from a VPN server.

Great job guys!

http://www.pivpn.io/

SIMPLE ::: Yes, that's it! It is *almost* that simple. To elaborate a little more, you will want to install Raspbian on a Raspberry pi. Strongly recommend using the latest Jessie Lite image but the normal Jessie image will work as well. Preferrably enable ssh access and then begin. There is a (now s...

06/22/2016

A Raspberry Pi IP Video Recorder, perfect as Pi!

https://www.ipconfigure.com/news/ipconfigure-releases-orchid-community-edition-vms-for-raspberry-pi

Orchid Community Edition provides a complete surveillance solution for up to a recommended (6) 1080p IP cameras. For commercial installations, the Orchid VMS Family is available as a licensed VMS running on traditional Windows and Linux servers, and is distributed through global distributors Anixter...

06/17/2016

https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-3-model-b/

The new model was released in February! A perfect little residential or small business PBX (phone server)!

The Raspberry Pi 3 is the third generation Raspberry Pi. It replaced the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B in February 2016. Compared to the Raspberry Pi 2 it has: A 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU 802.11n Wireless LAN Bluetooth 4.1 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Like the Pi 2, it also has: 1GB RAM 4 USB …

03/20/2015

http://www.weaved.com/

--- Now Raspberry Pi can be used to Automate your life & send CUSTOM Push Notifications to your phone! ---

I say, Yes Please!

The Weaved fabric for the Internet of Things for Everyone provides secure, private connections to devices across the internet and from mobile devices.

03/15/2015

3D printing now here for the Raspberry Pi 2! Ask me about the RasPi 2 if you haven't heard already. These little computers pack a punch!

http://www.raspberrypi.org

We've put our heads together with our friends at CEL Robox to provide the files for the smart, fashionable Raspberry Pi 2 cases.

11/13/2014

New stable release of Elastix VOIP OS is now available for release! Time for an upgrade!

03/25/2014

IT Consulting at it's finest... Thank you Crow & Pitcher for the help! :) http://www.crowandpitcherconsulting.com/