Why IT Professionals Love Cats

In IT offices around the world, a unique phenomenon is observed - the deep bond between IT professionals and their cats. It's an open secret in the tech community that IT professionals and cats share a unique bond. Over time, many of our staff have identified as "cat people," often bonding over shared pictures of their pets. But what's the secret behind this connection? Why do IT professionals frequently own cats? We have a few theories…

Independence and Curiosity

At first glance, the IT professional and a cat couldn't be more different. Yet, they share some intriguing similarities. Both are known for their independence and curiosity. IT experts often work in solitary environments, solving complex problems, much like a cat who is content exploring on their own. Who better to accompany them than a creature that can meditate on a windowsill for hours, contemplating the mysteries of the outside world?

The Comfort of Quiet Companionship

Secondly, studies suggest that interacting with animals, particularly cats, can significantly elevate mood. The world of IT can be high-pressure and fast-paced. Unlike dogs, which may require constant attention and outdoor activities, cats are content to simply be - often nearby, offering quiet companionship. This low-maintenance relationship is ideal for IT professionals who value their concentration and focus. The act of petting a cat also triggers the release of oxytocin, commonly known as the "love hormone," fostering a sense of well-being and bonding.

Stress Relief

Caring for a cat can be a meditative, stress-relieving activity for IT professionals. The act of petting a cat has been shown to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. In a field where burnout and stress are common, having a feline friend can provide much-needed relief and mental health benefits.

The Perfect Fit for Remote Work

With the rise of remote work, especially in the IT sector, cats have become even more prominent companions. They make ideal work-from-home buddies, offering company without the need for constant attention or outside walks. This makes them perfectly suited to the lifestyle of many IT professionals.

Take a look at some of WildFrog’s favourite cat buddies!

Simba

Winnie

Otis

From Pond to Progress: The Unexpected Tech Influence of Frogs! | Abbotsford IT Company

Some of you may have seen our logo and wondered to yourselves, “what does a frog have to do with technology?”.

To be honest, we didn’t choose the frog logo because frogs are revolutionizing the industry. That being said, frogs have made some pretty cool contributions to the advancement of technology that we thought we’d share!

1. Frog-Inspired Robot Limbs

Researchers were inspired by the incredible jumping ability of frogs to create more agile and efficient robots. Frogs can leap up to 20 times their body length, and engineers thought, "Why not make robots that can do the same?" So, they did! These robot limbs mimic the way frogs' leg muscles work and are now used in everything from search-and-rescue missions to exploring the depths of the ocean.

2. Frog Skin and Smartphone Screens

Scientists have been studying the texture and properties of frog skin to develop self-cleaning and water-repellent materials. Frog skin is naturally resistant to dirt and water, and research findings have been used to help create smartphone screens that resist fingerprints and water damage. So, the next time you see a frog, thank it for helping you take those perfect selfies in the rain.

3. Frog Calls and Data Transmission

Now, here's a tech-frog connection that might really surprise you. Frogs communicate using a variety of sounds and calls, and their unique abilities have inspired researchers to improve data transmission methods. Frog calls are complex and can travel long distances underwater, which made scientists think, "Hmm, maybe we can use this idea for something other than attracting potential frog dates." And they did! The concept of using sound waves for data transmission has led to innovations like underwater communication systems and even data transfer in noisy environments.

So, the next time you see a frog hopping around in your garden or croaking by the pond, remember that these little amphibians aren't just masters of the swamp—they're also silent contributors to the world of technology.

If you are a business in the Fraser Valley and are looking to upgrade your tech support, always feel welcome to reach out for a free quote at 604-210-9811 or by filling out this form.

Global Chip Shortage 2023 - Is It Affecting Your Business in Abbotsford?

Since early 2020, you may have heard whispers about the notorious “chip shortage”, and wondered how or if it’s effecting your Fraser Valley business

Whether you know much about it or not, it has been impacting local business here in the Fraser Valley, in ways that continue to evolve.

For those who aren’t technicians or haven’t Googled it yet, the “chips” in discussion are “the brains of electronic devices” and “can be found in a range of products from cars to home appliances to smartphones” (CNBC). They are small pieces of semiconductor material that contain electronic circuits, and are essential to the functioning of many of these devices, as they allow for the processing and storage of information. As you can imagine, with the never-ending rise of devices taking over our lives and homes, these are in very high demand.

The semiconductor industry, which has mostly been controlled by China, hasn’t been able to keep up with this demand. Between the War in Ukraine, rising tensions between the USA and China, and ongoing distribution complications lingering from the Coronavirus, production and distribution of these chips has been slipping and has not been able to recover. This has resulted in less product being available, as well as inflated prices. Specifically for local businesses here in the Valley, the chip shortage has affected the availability of products that are critical for our businesses to operate; You may have encountered long wait times for new PCs and Routers, phones, POS Systems, or other devices. This has made it challenging for our businesses to operate efficiently, causing us to lose customers and revenue.

The big news this season is that the chip shortage is coming near a resolution!

Experts are saying that things are looking up for chip production for all devices except automotive, which are projected to remain in a shortage for a while longer (Outlook). The USA has committed large investments to bring our main sources of chip production to the West (Forbes), so that Europe and the Americas do not have to rely on China for the production of important devices required for business, leisure, government, or military activities. We are certainly hoping that for the sake of our community, the predictions turn out to be accurate, so that all our businesses in the Fraser Valley can regain full access to the products they need, when they need them.

In the meantime, if you are located in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, or another neighbouring city, please feel welcome to fill out this form for a complimentary business tech consultation.

We’ll make sure your tech is running optimally, so you can focus on what really matters to you: your business.

How Fraser Valley Businesses Can Prepare For Outages

If you are a local in the Fraser Valley, you've almost certainly heard of or suffered from the recent major Roger’s network outage across Canada.

CTV reports that almost every type of communication services were cut off, ranging from cell phone service to internet. Although it’s probably good for a people to fast things like reality tv and twitter, it is not so good for businesses and emergency services, such as 911, or government services, such as the ArriveCan app. Another more fatal consequence of the outage was lost access to many banks, so many Canadians could not use their debit or credit cards, or withdraw cash. All of this occurred because Rogers attempted to update a critical system (which went badly, to say the least).

Today, though, we want to address the effect of the outage on Fraser Valley businesses, and how they can protect themselves the next time it occurs.

All businesses need to make money, which is difficult when the primary source of cash flow is gone. Many Fraser Valley businesses today make the mistake of relying on debit and credit. We know this is a super easy system to count on; having one tablet and a minimalist system has its perks. The issue is, in any power outage or network outage, you’re in a pickle. We highly recommend never relying on just one system. At least have two set up at all times, so that when one fails, you are off the hook! For ourselves, we have a backup phone system because clients and suppliers need to be able to reach us if the wifi or network provider (such as Rogers) disappears!

In any retail industry, we stress the importance of teaching staff to run on cash, and having a good plan for internet and power failure.

Have emergency cash prepared for your staff and for gas. Make sure your email address and phone number are commonly known, on google, social media profiles and your store door. When you do end up having to run on cash, don’t forget to let your customers know BEFORE they come inside and fill up their buggies. Have someone standing by the door, or have aa good sign. One store in particular during the Rogers outage was prepared to run on cash, but didn’t tell their customers that purchases could be cash only until they got to the register. There was no sign on the door, or announcements on the intercom or online. Dozens of customers had to leave their buggies at the till, full of melting frozen food. It was a disaster!

Everything fails at least once per year, so make sure that you have at least two systems to run your company on, and an emergency plan in place, so that you are always in business!

Contact us to request a quote if you want to discuss backup system options for your company in Abbotsford, Langley, Chilliwack or Mission!

The Dangers of a Power Outage

As many of you may have noticed and been affected by, there was a large power outage in East Abbotsford last Friday May 06 2022.

Our office was in the outage zone, as well as a few of our houses and favourite local businesses. This event was a good reminder to us to teach you about what to do with your tech in an unexpected outage like this in order to ensure no damage is done to your equipment, no data is lost, and your important equipment stays running long enough to complete important tasks.

To prepare for events such as outages, all critical equipment should be on uninterruptible power supplies, also known as a "UPS". A UPS should have enough battery life to allow you enough time to safely power down this equipment without damage or data loss.

How To Protect Your Equipment in an outage

Dangerous times for your equipment, even more-so that the original shutdown, are the moment the power comes back, and the small amounts of power during the outage.

When the power cuts out unexpectedly, whatever is open and unsaved on your machine can be corrupted and lost. A UPS is designed to give you buffer time to close everything correctly. What you may not know is that frequent power outages without a UPS increase the likelihood of data corruption and shorten the life of your electronics. Power flickering as well as the large surge when the power comes back on can do even more damage than the original outage.

Another good reason for a UPS is to protect against the damage caused by brownouts. Brownouts are those partial outages where the lights dim but don't go off. These may damage your equipment even more than a surge as they supply incorrect voltages and currents to your equipment which it may not be able to handle.

Finally, when the power comes back on, it is an unusual state for the power grid - all devices, buildings, lights, in a very large area all draw power at exactly the same time and the impact on your equipment can be severe. This can reduce your computer equipment’s life significantly, or damage it, or completely ruin it, signalled by a nasty burning smell. Many users have a surge bar that offers some protection, but this is rarely as good as the protection provided by a UPS, and most people don't know that surge protectors should be replaced after a few years or after a major surge event, as a malfunction is a common cause of fire.

Recommendations from wildfrog systems

In order to prevent damage and prolong the life of your computer investments, we highly recommend battery backups, and shutting down your equipment safely before those power supplies run out. Once the power is back on, wait a little longer to make sure it is stable before you turn your equipment on, and do it one device at a time. This will prevent damage and downtime, extend your tech’s life, and save you stress as well as money.

The Importance of Regular Rebooting: Optimizing Your Computer for Better Performance and Security

For most people, if they do not have a managed IT company performing all their regular checkups and maintenance activities, restarting their computer is something to do only when an application freezes. Restarting your computer often is a good idea for a variety of reasons; you shouldn’t wait for glitches to occur.

The Neglected Restart

For many computer users, especially those without managed IT support, restarting their computer is an action often reserved for addressing frozen applications. However, waiting for glitches to occur is not the best strategy when it comes to computer maintenance.

Why Is Rebooting Important?

Regularly restarting your computer is vital for several reasons:

• Improved Speed: If your computer is performing slower than usual, frequent restarts can help refresh its memory and clear accumulated cache, leading to improved speed.

• Error Resolution: Frequent restarts can address application errors and prevent issues from escalating.

• Connection Troubleshooting: If your computer struggles to connect to Wi-Fi, a simple restart may resolve the problem.

• Overheating Prevention: A computer that feels warm to the touch may benefit from a restart, which helps manage temperature and prevent overheating.

• Software Updates: Many software updates require a full system reboot to take effect. Delaying restarts could mean your computer isn't benefiting from the latest security and functionality enhancements.

How to Prevent Glitches

If you're in Abbotsford, BC, and rely on IT services and tech support for your computer needs, here's a simple practice you can adopt. WildFrog’s owner, Jeff, suggests restarting your computer every day after work (for business computers) or before going to bed (for personal computers). By doing so, you ensure that your computer begins each day in a secure, refreshed state.

If you prefer a more automated approach, consider managed IT services. They offer subscription-based support that includes regular maintenance tasks like daily reboots. Managed IT services also ensure your data is secure and up to date, even when you're not actively monitoring it.

Testimony from the Field

Our tech expert, Alan, shares a story about a client who neglected regular computer updates: "A user couldn't find any Wi-Fi networks in their available list. I connected, rebooted the computer, and voila! Wi-Fi appeared. Sometimes, hardware and software don't cooperate, and a reboot sets them both back to a 'default' starting point. In this case, it was a Wi-Fi driver that needed updating and got stuck."

The Role of Managed IT

Regular reboots can solve common glitches, but prolonged periods without a restart can lead to more severe issues. That's where managed IT services come into play. For businesses with multiple computers or individuals who can't perform daily checks themselves, managed IT services are highly recommended.

Leaving your computer running until issues arise can result in far more significant problems than just a Wi-Fi connection hiccup. The cost of regular maintenance from a local managed IT company is relatively low, and it can prevent serious issues. If you have a business with multiple computers and need to ensure consistent maintenance, managed IT is your solution.

Are you interested in managed IT for your business in Abbotsford, BC? Contact us for a free consultation and learn how we can optimize your computer's performance and security. Don't wait for glitches; invest in proactive IT services to keep your systems running smoothly.

Celebrating Pioneering Women in Tech

In the dynamic world of technology, it's essential to recognize the trailblazers who have shaped the tech landscape throughout history. While today's tech industry may seem male-dominated, the early years of computer development reveal a different story. During this time, women played a pivotal role in computations and programming, a fact often overlooked in many tech history accounts.

In honor of International Women's Day, let's take a moment to celebrate some remarkable women who left an indelible mark on the history of tech. These influential figures have paved the way for future generations in Abbotsford, BC, and beyond.

1. Ada Lovelace (1815-1852) - The First Computer Programmer

Ada Lovelace, a mathematician and writer, is often hailed as the world's first computer programmer. Collaborating with mathematician Charles Babbage, she recognized the potential of Babbage's Analytical Engine, going beyond mere calculations. Ada Lovelace's notes and published algorithm laid the foundation for future inventors and inspired generations, including the renowned Alan Turing.

2. Rear Admiral Grace Hopper (1906-1992) - Pioneer of Programming

Grace Hopper, a computer scientist, recommended and developed a new programming language that used English words instead of numbers. Her innovative work led to the creation of COBOL (COmmon Business-Oriented Language), a computer language still in use today. Grace Hopper's legacy also includes coining the term "computer bug" after discovering a moth in one of her machines.

3. Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000) - The Mother of Modern WiFi

Hedy Lamarr, a famous movie star of the 1940s, had a lesser-known but equally groundbreaking role as the inventor of frequency-hopping technology. She designed a "secret communication system" during the war to minimize radio signal jamming, a technology that is now integral to satellite and cellphone communications.

4. The ENIAC Programmers - Pioneers of Electric Computing

The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was the world's first fully electric programmable computer. Six women, Kay McNulty, Betty Jennings, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Wescoff, Fran Bilas, and Ruth Lichterman, programmed the ENIAC from scratch. Their work was essential, as they wrote the book on programming for a machine that took just 30 seconds to calculate a trajectory compared to the 20 hours it would take a human.

5. Katherine Johnson (1918-2020) - NASA's Mathematical Genius

Katherine Johnson, known for her role in the movie "Hidden Figures," was instrumental in NASA's early spaceflight missions. She calculated John Glenn's flight path, helping ensure the success of the first American spaceflight. Katherine's expertise extended to the moon landing, making her a pivotal figure in NASA's history.

6. Radia Perlman - The "Mother of the Internet"

Radia Perlman is recognized as the "mother of the internet." In the 1980s, she created the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), a crucial algorithm that played a significant role in the development of the internet. Her work has influenced how networks organize and transfer data, and she continues to make contributions to the tech world through her work as a programmer, engineer, and author.

These are just a few of the exceptional women who have left an indelible mark on the tech industry. While there is still a gender gap in the tech world, the presence of women like Susan Wojcicki, Reshma Saujani, Ellen K. Pao, and Dr. Fei-Fei Li demonstrates that the future for women in tech is promising. These inspiring figures are making waves and inspiring future generations to pursue careers in technology.

At our small IT company in Abbotsford, BC, we're proud to celebrate the achievements of these pioneering women and support the ongoing efforts to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry. We might be too busy providing local businesses with IT services and tech support to write a comprehensive history book, but we're committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive tech community.

Join us in recognizing and celebrating the influential women in tech history and the promising future they continue to shape!