SiteVision to Develop Support for Hollins University Online Writers’ Workshop

Hollins U LogoRoanoke, VA August 12, 2013:   Hollins University of Roanoke, VA will soon be offering online, non-credit courses in creative writing that will fall under the umbrella of the well-known Tinker Mountain Writers’ Workshop.  Users will be able to register and pay online for a variety of courses under the guidance of talented faculty members.  SiteVision, Inc. will create the online registration and payment mechanisms to enhance the new offerings. 

Tinker Mountain Workshop LogoThe online courses will offer fiction, poetry and nonfiction choices for those wishing to participate.  Online registration will include registrant details, choice of workshop dates, fees, and, of course, and the choice of a specific workshop.  SiteVision will create the necessary online forms and provide the ability for users to both register and pay online.  There will be an administrative tier for email notifications of new registrants, as well as the ability to view and process registrations.  The new capability adds to an already full-bodied system developed by SiteVision over the past 13 years for custom forms and applications that enhance registration for many other events, such as clinics, camps, athletics, alumnae connections, etc., and for donations and E-commerce requirements. A parent administration module provides form management as well the viewing and export of form data.

Hollins is a nationally recognized liberal arts and sciences institution and is routinely included in the top tier of the nation’s best colleges and universities.  Founded in 1842 as Virginia’s first chartered women’s college, Hollins first established coed graduate programs in 1958.  It is located on a 475-acre campus in Roanoke, Virginia with additional campuses in Paris and London.

SiteVision, Inc. (www.sitevision.com) is an Internet application development, consulting, design and hosting firm providing solutions for a broad spectrum of markets and industries, as well as for state, federal and international entities. Expertise includes custom, back-end dynamic applications, consulting to achieve unique goals, geographic information systems (GIS), content management systems, hosting services including, map and GIS application hosting, as well as custom and dedicated hosting solutions.

 SiteVision, Inc. participates in, or is available through, the following state and federal contracting vehicles:

 The firm has its home office in Roanoke, VA, with sales offices in Charlottesville, VA and Miami, FL.

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SiteVision August News & Tips

IN THE NEWS

Online Hacking. You Are A Target.

Congratulations. You haven’t been hacked yet. The bad news? You probably will be. While online companies promise to keep your information private, recent history suggests it’s pretty much an empty promise.

Think Zappos – about 30 million accounts hacked. Living Social – 50 million. Oh, and by the way, a majority of breaches occur for financial accounts. And that’s just a tiny sampling. Scary, huh? As the saying goes there are only two types of online companies: those that have been hacked and those that are about to be.

maskme_home_logoThat means you have been or likely will be attacked – Really. Truly. No fooling. So what to do? One nifty program, MaskMe, is an easy to use browser add-on and mobile app designed to protect your email account, your phone number and your credit cards and your passwords. It acts as your personal, kung-fu bodyguard, so to speak. Cnet and others give it high marks. Abine,
the company who created MaskMe, is also the creator of “Don’t Track Me,” another useful program to prevent online retailers, thieves, social networks, etc from tracking you as you browse the internet.

The moral: while you may not care if your tweets get hacked, you really don’t want your bank account, your credit cards, or your personal identity in the hands of the evil-doers! So do yourself a favor, and do something now.

Oh, and by the way. At the very least, check out our previous article on basic Password Strategies.

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SiteVision’s Statewide Hosting Award – Customer How To Guide.

SiteVision awarded VITA Hosting Services ContractAs we’ve mentioned, SiteVision was honored to be awarded a VITA (Virginia Information Technology Agency) statewide contract for the Commonwealth’s electronic government (eGov) services. The contract is for advanced Hosting and related technologies. All Virginia public bodies, including state agencies, universities, school systems and localities, can use the eGov contracts.

In addition to traditional hosting technologies, SiteVision offers customized solutions such as GIS, Cloud, Data-Driven, SAAS and IAAS options.

Now, to help customers transition more easily, we’ve provided a useful “How To Get Started” guide that provides step-by-step assistance. You can find it by visiting SiteVision and download the PDF. In addition, you can contact SiteVision with any questions you might have, or ask us for guidance on how best to accomplish your hosting goals.

As always, we’re anxious to make your hosting experience the best it can be!

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Did Google’s “ChromeCast” & New Nexus 7 Get the Drop on Apple?

And did Google’s nifty little streaming gadget wow? Oh, yes! While Chromecastthere’s room for improvement, what’s not to like about a little $35 thumb-drive sized USB streaming device that plugs into your HDMI TV and uses almost any of your devices as a remote control. For example: open your Netflix or the You Tube app on any device and stream away. The app doesn’t steam. It’s sends a signal to the ChromeCast device. It’s amazingly simple and easy to set up according to reviews. And did we say this innovative little streaming device is about as inexpensive as you can get?  TechCrunch is among those who really like it.

Nexus7The new Nexus 7 was another show stopper. It sports the highest resolution to date of any tablet out there – a simply gorgeous screen. Apple, did you hear that? Cnet calls it “ . . . the best small tablet you can buy.” The basic specs? Android 4.3, a 1,920 x 1,200 IPS display, 2GB of RAM, a rear camera, a quad-core processor and wireless charging Pricing is quite impressive as well – $229 for a 16G with wifi; 269 for a 32G with wifi. No doubt there are a few discounts (or will be) beyond the published pricing from Google.

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Welcome New Hosting Customers!

dcr.virginia.gov — VA Dept of Conservation
mrc.virginia.gov — VA Marine Resources Commission
dof.virginia.gov — Virginia Department of Forestry
vbbe.virginia.gov — Virginia Board of Bar Examiners
dma.virginia.gov — VA Dept of Military Affairs
mvdb.virginia.gov — Motor Vehicle Dealer Board
dyslexiadash.com — Dyslexia Dash
buyvrabonds.com — Virginia Resource Authority
virginiaresources.org — Virginia Resource Authority

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A Reminder: Google Publishes Online Phishing and Malware Scams

Google has said it will begin to regularly publish Internet security data on malware and phishing scams that infect computers and steal consumer information.  The weekly reports will include the number of offending sites and their map locations.  The company said it finds about 10,000 such sites a day.  Google will also disclose government and law enforcement requests for user data. The data will be included in Google’s Transparency Report.  The data comes from Google’s Safe Browsing program, which the company uses to find and flag malicious sites across the Internet.

Was Your Password Hacked Today?

[image source_type=”attachment_id” source_value=”3446″ align=”left” size=”small 150 width” autoHeight=”true” quality=”90″] UPDATE:  Whoa! Facebook says hackers try to steal your stuff about 600,000 times daily. A more recent example: Zappos online store was hacked and hackers gained information on 24 million customers. Living Social about 50 million.  While full Zappos customer credit card information wasn’t compromised, all customer passwords had to be deleted. We’re sure you’ve heard of other scary hacks. Online financial information is a huge target.  So if you’ve been a little lax about your passwords, it’s really time sit up and take notice.

So, what to do?

First, Avoid These Common Mistakes

Creating Your Password

Special Tip:

Use a pseudo-random phrase: A great way to create a unique password is to think of a phrase only you would know, and then use letters, numbers and symbols to create the password:

Unique Passwords For Your Important Accounts

Never use the same passwords for your important banking, stock, healthcare and personal information accounts. Hackers test stolen passwords and usernames from a particular site across many internet sites, meaning your identity and banking and stock resources could be severely compromised with single use passwords. Give each of these account types a unique password!

Keep Your Password Reminders In A Safe Place

Most of us couldn’t possibly remember all of our passwords to all of the sites we commonly use. So, if you decide to save your passwords, don’t leave notes with your passwords lying around in plain sight.

If you save your passwords in a file, create a unique name for the file, so that people don’t know what’s inside. Avoid giving the file an obvious name, such as “my passwords”; instead use a unique file name.  Better yet, password protect it – just make sure you can remember the password!

Password managers are available through your security programs and elsewhere, but spend the time to check out reputable resources. If you have a difficult time remembering different passwords, a trusted password manager may be a good solution.

Need A Better Password: There are numerous password generators, but make sure you use a reputable one! As an example, here is a quick PC Tools online version: http://www.pctools.com/guides/password

By following some simple, but important rules, you can substantially reduce or eliminate your chances of having critical information such as your banking, credit card and identity stolen!

Check Out Other New Protection Methods:

As hacking and tracking become neary ubiquitous in our everyday browsing, do a little homework on browser based or device software that hides your identity, email, credit card info and more.

 

 

SiteVision GIS Partnership With City of Roanoke VA Goes Live

[image source_type=”attachment_id” source_value=”5196″ align=”left” size=”Small 150 width” quality=”100″] July 14, 2013:  The new City of Roanoke GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Application is now live and online.  The new implementation developed by SiteVision, Inc. in partnership with city officials, features numerous upgrades, design enhancements and additions to the original citywide mapping and real estate system.  

The technology initiative enhances an already robust application environment while providing important, new state-of-the-art mapping detail, reporting and printing functions.  The effort provides geographic information to citizens and staff through the Internet, desktop applications, databases and mapping products. It is utilized to enhance existing business systems by providing an easy way to view spatial and other data by geographic location.

Roanoke City GISSiteVision and city officials worked closely together to integrate the existing system to the now enhanced version. Among improvements, existing web application servers migrated to the more feature-rich ESRI ArcGIS server and Adobe Flex environments.  New features include floating, pull-down menus to permit rapid switching between various base maps. The redesigned site also includes Google Map and Google Street views. Comprehensive mapping and real estate information includes property overview, images, assessments, sales history, flooding information, community attributes and incentives. Users may also print a full property report including images.  

Roanoke City PortalThe Community and Incentive Website Portals, a useful feature previously developed in cooperation with SiteVision, has been incorporated into the enriched site.  Community information provides users with a summary of specific neighborhood information including school zones, voter precincts, trash collection, parks and recreation, neighborhoods and libraries. The incentive portal provides a summary of city, state and federal incentive programs available to a specific parcel. 

As a seasoned veteran in the geospatial sector, SiteVision has been planning, developing and hosting GIS Internet applications since the mid 1990’s. The firm’s experience ranges from evaluating, recommending, and designing local, regional, and state GIS applications and related infrastructures, to developing national systems designed to store and access multiple petabytes of geospatial Information. 

SiteVision, Inc. (www.sitevision.com) is an Internet application development, consulting, design and hosting firm providing solutions for a broad spectrum of markets and industries, as well as for state, federal and international entities. Expertise includes custom, back-end dynamic applications, consulting to achieve unique goals, geographic information systems (GIS), content management systems, hosting services including, map and GIS application hosting, as well as custom and dedicated hosting solutions. 

SiteVision, Inc. participates in, or is available through, the following state and federal contracting vehicles:

 The firm has its home office in Roanoke, VA, with sales offices in Charlottesville, VA and Miami, FL. 

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Phillip Molaro Joins SiteVision, Inc. As Web Developer

Roanoke, VA July 10, 2013:  Phillip Molaro, most recently an independent consultant providing custom content management systems and custom web application development, has joined SiteVision as Senior Web Developer. 

Phillip Moraro_smMolaro, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, brings solid experience in database development and administration, software interfaces and a wide variety of custom web applications.  He is proficient in all pertinent programming technologies including Microsoft SQL, ColdFusion, JavaScript, HTML, Flex, Oracle, and numerous others.  Among his former positions were consultant for Universal Mind, a digital solutions agency of Golden, CO; Programmer/Analyst for Alex Lee, Inc., a food retail and distribution firm of Hickory, NC; Senior Software Engineer for The American Kennel Club of Raleigh, NC; and Senior Web Developer/Interactive Media Team Lead for Presentation Strategies of Durham, NC., a provider of scientific and regulatory presentation services for the research community. 

In his role as Web Developer for SiteVision, Inc., Molaro will develop enterprise web applications and websites in cooperation with other SiteVision personnel and will assist with various analytics, demos, prototypes database administration and client training as the need arises.  

SiteVision, Inc. (www.sitevision.com) is an Internet application development, consulting, design and hosting firm providing solutions for a broad spectrum of markets and industries, as well as for state, federal and international entities. Expertise includes custom, back-end dynamic applications, consulting to achieve unique goals, geographic information systems (GIS), content management systems, hosting services including, map and GIS application hosting, as well as custom and dedicated hosting solutions. 

SiteVision, Inc. participates in, or is available through, the following state and federal contracting vehicles:

 The firm has its home office in Roanoke, VA, with sales offices in Charlottesville, VA and Miami, FL.

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SiteVision News & Tips

 

IN THE NEWS

Win 8+ – Prettier, Friendlier, But Will You Fall In Love?

[image source_type=”attachment_id” source_value=”5130″ align=”left” size=”small” quality=”100″] The Microsoft Build Conference revealed that perhaps, just perhaps, Microsoft gets it. The traditional MS corporate narcissism – so apparent in the release of Windows 8 – was universally criticized. The new build of Windows 8, now dubbed Windows 8.1 features a plethora of changes to allay the growing and often strident criticism of the original release. According to some, it’s what Windows 8 should have been. But no matter the hue and cry, MS Windows still dominates worldwide desktop usage with more than an estimated 80% market share.

In a nutshell, Windows 8.1 will:

There’s a good bit more, and we’ve linked a Windows Preview. There is also a download, but be forewarned, it’s not for the novice or faint of heart. Definitely read the FAQ before you leap.
For more in depth reports of the new iteration see: ZDNet, Fox, PC World, Information Week

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Tablets Munching Away At Desktop Share

While Windows still dominates PC desktop market share, iOS is the mobile leader with a nearly 60% share. Android is next with about a 24% share. It’s interesting to note that Android has taken about a 20% market share away from iPad in the last year. In fact, by 2015, unit tablet sales are projected to come in at 337.8 million, eclipsing combined desktop and laptop sales of 292.2 million, according to Gartner. Internet Explorer is still, far and away the most popular browser, however. In general the PC market is expected to continue to decline as user behavior changes and as a growing and versatile choice of tablets, cell phones and other mobile options become available at increasingly attractive price points. You can read more here: Gartner, Wikipedia, ZDNetNet Market Share

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Google To IRS: Pay Up Or Else:

moneyIn an interesting twist, Google is suing the Internal Revenue Service over a prior AOL stock transaction claiming that the US government owes them a whopping $83.5 million. In the suit, Google argues that the IRS disallowed a Google deduction in error. . Forecasting an optimistic outcome, Niki Fenwick, a spokeswoman for Google, said in a phone interview, “We hope to have it resolved soon.” Bloomberg Business Week, CNET

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Are You A Wimp? Size Matters.

No WimpsAre you just a wimp – an insignificant piece of dark matter? According to Harvard Research, it depends in part on the size of your computing device. Really? Well, at least, maybe. A couple of researchers found experimentally that the larger your computing device the more power and confidence you exude. Hunching over a small device is diminishing, while a large screened device appeared to produce a more assertive and in control persona. If you are so inclined, you can read more here: Harvard Business School

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Google To Reveal Online Phishing and Malware Scams

Google has said it will begin to regularly publish Internet security data on malware and phishing scams that infect computers and steal consumer information. The weekly reports will include the number of offending sites and their map locations. The company said it finds about 10,000 such sites a day. Google will also disclose government and law enforcement requests for user data. The data will be included in Google’s Transparency Report. The data comes from Google’s Safe Browsing program, which the company uses to find and flag malicious sites across the Internet

SiteVision To Create Custom Mobile Application For Western Virginia EMS Council

WVEMS_logoRoanoke, VA June 8, 2013:  The Western Virginia Emergency Medical Services Council (WVEMS) has implemented a strategy to make EMS Protocols readily available to all EMS personnel via a mobile application for iOS and Android platforms.  SiteVision, Inc. will create the mobile application.

The new application means that personnel in the field will have the emergency manual of protocols and procedures instantly available on their mobile devices whenever and wherever required.  The protocols give specific procedures for emergency situations based on a clickable comprehensive decision tree in a PDF format.   The protocols and procedures range from initial patient care evaluation to exacting responses for diverse airway, cardiac, injury, environmental, OB-GYN and other emergency situations. The manual also includes an updated medication reference.

wvems_mobile2SiteVision’s role is to create the Mobile application and updates, and to provide application documentation, quality assurance, project administration, testing and deployment to the appropriate platforms. As a major advantage, users will be able to easily download the application from the iOS or Android App stores.  Then, as protocols or procedures change and the application is updated, EMS personnel will receive automatic push notification of updates as they occur for immediate downloading.

WVEMS is a regional council under the auspices of the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services.  The combined councils are dedicated to facilitating regional cooperation, planning and the implementation of an integrated Emergency Medical Services system throughout Virginia.  The Council is also involved in performance improvement, continuing education and all pertinent EMS related events.

SiteVision, Inc. (www.sitevision.com) is an Internet application development, consulting, design and hosting firm providing solutions for a broad spectrum of markets and industries, as well as for state, federal and international entities. Expertise includes custom, back-end dynamic applications, consulting to achieve unique goals, geographic information systems (GIS), content management systems, hosting services including, map and GIS application hosting, as well as custom and dedicated hosting solutions.

SiteVision, Inc. participates in, or is available through, the following state and federal contracting vehicles:

The firm has its home office in Roanoke, VA, with sales offices in Charlottesville, VA and Miami, FL.

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June News & Tips From Sitevision

Lots To Like In Your New IceWarp Email!

IW_sm_HomeScreenWith a new, inside-out redesign, your new IceWarp Email Client aims to please!   For starters, a new graphically appealing and intuitive log-in page allows for company branding and personalized colors.  The same look and feel welcomes users with large LCDs, tablets, in any browser of choice.

Other great features include:

For more information visit the support article here at SiteVision.  You can also view the online Userguide

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winblueMicrosoft Rejiggers Windows:

In response to a generally luke-warm reception of Win 8, and IT’s lack of enthusiasm for abandoning the very stable interface of Win7 – Voila, enter stage-left, Win 8.1.  Available as a free upgrade later this year, there are a slew of new features, but what’s one biggie?  The Start Button resurfaces!  According to several sources it’s back in its familiar place and always visible, though the menu trees are gone.  Will it look the same?  Maybe, Maybe not.  Some think it will resemble the stylized windows we show here.
For many, who are disenchanted with Microsoft’s tone-deaf approach to Win 8, the new upgrade won’t be enough.  For others, well, maybe.  According to Forrester, Win 8 in current iterations won’t gain enough traction to become a standard.  IT is particularly adverse to this upgrade.  Interestingly, though, again, according to Forrester, users have warmed up to the new version.  Here are several links to recent articles:  Engadget, Forrester, and The Verge.

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Who’s Peeking At Your Skype Chats & Calls?

Oops, your private Skype calls and chats may not be so private after all.  It seems that not only is Skype (Microsoft) scanning messages for security reasons, but it is also scanning “https urls,” which are supposed to be private. Most of us reasonably expect that this type of messaging is private, but perhaps not.  It’s also unclear what Microsoft does with that data.  . Just what Microsoft needed, eh, especially since they have pounded Google for privacy infringement in a long-running “scroogled” campaign. Here’s this interesting perspective from Infoworld

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weasymbolWireless Emergency Alerts For Your Mobile Device

You may not have noticed, but if your mobile device is WEA capable you will receive alerts for critical emergencies.  The alerts are issued for extreme weather situations such as floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes; Amber Alerts; or Presidential alerts about catastrophic disasters. The system is a joint effort of several government agencies such as FEMA, NOAA and the Association CTIA, a nonprofit  international trade organization. More information here.

SiteVision Selected to Enhance CVWMA Website

cvwma_logoRoanoke, VA May 29, 2013: The Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) has selected SiteVision, Inc. to further enhance its public website.  The project is designed to improve customer experience when using the site, and will include expanded, specific jurisdiction information for events, recycling programs, locations, dates, recycling types and more.

SiteVision will implement a custom content management system (CMS) designed to allow CVWMA to publish, edit and modify content from a core interface. The new CMS will eliminate complex coding and create CVWMA control over HTML-based content, files, documents, and the like. One or multiple employees at various permission levels may change content easily within a familiar word processing environment. The project includes design services, a new site template, appropriate CMS functions, an updated Recycling Wizard, Q&A and Testing, Training, and Deployment.

CVWMA ( www.cvwma.com ) is a public service authority that implements solid waste management and recycling programs for thirteen local governments in Central Virginia. CVWMA’s programs include curbside recycling, drop-off recycling centers, electronics recycling, and household hazardous waste collection The existing website features an innovative support system for its customers in all jurisdictions which includes an E-commerce application for customers to order and pay for their curbside carts online.

SiteVision, Inc. (www.sitevision.com) is an Internet application development, consulting, design and hosting firm providing solutions for a broad spectrum of markets and industries, as well as for state, federal and international entities. Expertise includes custom, back-end dynamic applications, consulting to achieve unique goals, geographic information systems (GIS), content management systems, hosting services including, map and GIS application hosting, as well as custom and dedicated hosting solutions.

SiteVision, Inc. participates in, or is available through, the following state and federal contracting vehicles:

The firm has its home office in Roanoke, VA, with sales offices in Charlottesville, VA and Miami, FL.

 

 

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SiteVision Partners With Salem Rotary Club For New Website

Rotary Club of Salem

Roanoke, VA May 17, 2013: The Rotary Club of Salem, Virginia has a new web presence. (www.rotaryclubofsalem.org/).  The firm’s updated presence implements a content management system (CMS) designed to allow publishing, editing and modifying content from a core interface. Users will find an attractive, more interactive experience utilizing the site.

The new CMS eliminates complex coding and creates client control over HTML-based content, files, documents, and the like. One or multiple users at various permission levels may change content easily within a familiar word processing environment.  SiteVision’s role was to provide the design structure, tools and training to get the site up and running with the Club providing content.  The new site is also responsive, meaning it is automatically optimized for the device being used such as mobile phones and tablets. A handy “Events” feature lets members see upcoming meetings at a glance and get a recap of any they missed.

The Rotary Club of Salem is a civic organization of over 130 active individuals located in the Roanoke Valley of southwest Virginia. Its members include community leaders such as business professionals, non-profit administrators, entrepreneurs, and government officials all of whom share a dedication to the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self.  Through its fundraising the Club makes substantial contributions to charitable and community enhancements in the City of Salem, the Roanoke Valley and around the world.

SiteVision, Inc. (www.sitevision.com) is an Internet application development, consulting, design and hosting firm providing solutions for a broad spectrum of markets and industries, as well as for state, federal and international entities. Expertise includes custom, back-end dynamic applications, consulting to achieve unique goals, geographic information systems (GIS), content management systems, hosting services including, map and GIS application hosting, as well as custom and dedicated hosting solutions.

SiteVision, Inc. participates in, or is available through, the following state and federal contracting vehicles:

The firm has its home office in Roanoke, VA, with sales offices in Charlottesville, VA and Miami, FL.

 

Why SiteVision?

We’re your advocate. SiteVision has been providing web development and hosting services to government agencies and non-profit organizations for over 20 years. We understand how overwhelming it can be to seek out a reliable solution for you website, custom application, and hosting needs.

At SiteVision we are passionate about creating solutions for customers that make their life better. We excel at understanding your business process and developing an application that is easy to learn and operate. We will always be fair, knowledgeable, honest, and professional.