Entries by Garin Livingstone

Upcoming changes to major Microsoft products

Microsoft Windows 8.1 released on October 18th The second iteration of Microsoft Windows 8, 8.1, occurred on October 18th.  Significant changes to this operating system include: Boot to Desktop – Yes, you can restore the Start button and bypass the tiles, but don’t expect the traditional Start menu to appear since pressing Start takes you […]

Comparing Cloud-based services – Part 1: Productivity suites

Many Cloud-based services fall into one of these categories: Productivity suites – Applications that help you be more productive Storage – Storing to and retrieving data and files from the Cloud Backup and Recovery – Backing-up data and being able to recover it Prevention – Prevent malware, typically spam and related components Search – Find […]

Bryley Systems receives SBIEC’s Massachusetts Excellence Award

Bryley Systems has been selected for the 2013 Massachusetts Excellence Award amongst all its peers and competitors by the Small Business Institute for Excellence in Commerce (SBIEC). Bryley Systems has consistently demonstrated a high regard for upholding business ethics and company values which is a trait seldom found in its industry. This recognition by SBIEC marks […]

The (near-term) future of computer technology – Microsoft versus Google

The crystal ball is still foggy, but here are my thoughts on Microsoft versus Google and (what I believe is) the battle for world domination.  (Microsoft sales are around $77B, primarily from Windows software (25%), business software (32%), and server software (25%); Google is about $55B with approximately 87% of its revenue from advertising.) Notice, […]

Bryley Basics (in 100 words): Mass. enacts sales tax on Computer Services

Massachusetts is now one of the few states collecting sales tax on services; the 6.25% tax targets specific computer system design services as of July 31st. The legislation was approved July 24th, 2013 with the intent to tax customization services; the relevant, broadly worded phrases: “’Computer system design services’, the planning, consulting or designing of […]

Jim Livingstone’s Retirement Party

Recently,  after 22 years of outstanding service, Jim Livingstone decided to retire from Bryley Systems, so we decided to throw him a surprise party.    We had such a good time that we wanted to share some of the footage from the party with all of you.

Why are QR codes failing?

Why are QR codes failing? QR (Quick Response) codes were developed over 20 years ago to track goods and inventory, but are now a marketing technique targeted at on-the-go cellphone users to easily receive information and promotions.  However, only 19% of US cellphones have ever tracked a QR code; plus, most QR codes are scanned […]

Jim Livingstone Retires

Jim Livingstone officially retired from Bryley Systems; he was a dedicated and highly productive employee for over 22 years. After a distinguished career in Engineering, Jim moved his family to Massachusetts in the early 1970s to run Data Technology, Inc., which he later purchased and grew before spinning off a new company, RoMec Inc. in […]

Bryley Basics: Getting you informed in 100 words or less

Tips on email attachments Most folk send attachments with their emails; it is a quick, easy way to share a file with the email recipient.  However, attachments can have a negative impact on your computer-network infrastructure: Emails saved with attachments consume storage. Large attachments slow performance and may be rejected by the provider. Attachments copied […]

Security concern with popular, home-based, Internet routers

Independent Security Evaluators, a Baltimore-based security firm, stated that 13 Internet routers sold for home use were vulnerable to attack if the hacker had network access and could obtain the username and password of the router.  These routers include: Linksys WRT310v2 Netgear’s WNDR4700 TP-Link’s WR1043N Verizon’s FiOS Actiontec MI424WR-GEN3I D-Link’s DIR865L Belkin’s N300, N900 and […]