2theadvocate.com | Business | Official invokes secrecy for talks — Baton Rouge, LA

2theadvocate.com | Business | Official invokes secrecy for talks — Baton Rouge, LA.

So here’s some big news from the DED courtesy of the Advocate.  As a fan of Baton Rouge growing into something bigger, this is good.  Unfortunately, I’d like to ask, and ask anyone who would know, how did we let a company like Raising Cane’s get away late last year, but we tout these “top secret” negotiations for new companies?

I’m not slamming the State trying to get new businesses, because obviously that is part of what the DED needs to do.  I’m slamming the DED’s inability to step in and keep companies that start here and are built primarily on the dollars of Baton Rouge and Louisiana citizens, from leaving the State?

Any comments?

Shame on you Todd Graves of Raising Canes…

Funny that this didn’t get more press from the Business Report, Advocate or Chamber. Frankly I’m a little astonished that it happened at all. Our own home grown Todd Graves, creator of one of the most innovative concepts in fast-food, has pulled up his tent stakes and MOVED HIS CORPORATE OFFICES TO DALLAS, TEXAS. Call me crazy but wasn’t he one of the local poster-children for developing a concept that was built on the hard earned money of residents of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and after he builds it into a multi-million dollar organization – he leaves. By “he” I mean his company. Todd still lives here. I’m not bashing Todd persay, because I’m sure there was pressure from investors or Board Members or whatever, but seriously – how could he let this happen?

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/092508dnbusraisingcane’s.a9aa9c5c.html

New IT support plan to be offered to Louisiana non-profit agencies

SimplifyIT is putting the finishing touches on a new, fixed fee, IT Help Desk program to be offered exclusively to non-profut organizations based in Louisiana.  Non-profit agencies usually have a hard time raising funds in good times, let alone bad times, so SimplifyIT is looking to make a difference for them by offering free and reduced IT services to keep them on the cutting edge.

Red Cross to open state of the art facility in July – powered by SimplifyIT

SimplifyIT works with many non-profits for their IT needs here in the Capital Region.  None have been more blessed recently than the Red Cross.  After receiving a multi-million dollar donation from the Kuwati Government, they will be launching their new headquarters/Regional Command Center this July.

SimplifyIT is outfitting the new facility with new Dell and HP equipment for staff and volunteers,  its own “mini-data center”, and more.  Stay tuned for more information on the grand opening.

How Vista Mistakes Changed Windows 7 Development

Remember that SimplifyIT is NOT anti-Vista.  We are anti-old hardware trying to run Vista. 

“For the past several months, Microsoft has engaged in an extended public mea culpa about Vista, holding a series of press interviews to explain how the company’s Vista mistakes changed the development process of Windows 7. Chief among these changes was the determination to ‘define a feature set early on’ and only share that feature set with partners and customers when the company is confident they will be incorporated into the final OS. And to solve PC-compatibility issues, Microsoft has said all versions of Windows 7 will run even on low-cost netbooks. Moreover, Microsoft reiterated that the beta of Windows 7 that is now available is already feature-complete, although its final release to business customers isn’t expected until November.”

Microsoft Update Fixes Critical Image Flaw

http://www.crn.com/security/215801626

Dell Rolls Out Laptop for the Hard-Hat Set

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Dell-Rolls-Out-Laptop-for-the-Hard-Hat-Set-66447.html?wlc=1236741887

The Associated Press: After 60 years Circuit City powers down

The Associated Press: After 60 years Circuit City powers down.

This is one that ANYONE could have predicted.  For any of you who shopped locally for electronics in the past 4-5 years here in Baton Rouge, again this is no surprise.  Circuit City was always 30% higher than almost any other retailer/online retailer.  Now I will say what is odd is that if you were shopping for appliances, then their prices were really good.  The only issue is that people tend to buy appliances and hang on to them for about a decade, whereas TV’s and such are swapped and upgraded all the time.  Oh well…as Queen said, “another one bites the dust”.

If you’re interested in some GREAT prices on electronics, check out www.tigerdirect.com, www.cdw.com and www.newegg.com.  Three of Ned’s personal favorites.

BlackBerry creates a storm on Capitol Hill (Phone Arena)

BlackBerry creates a storm on Capitol Hill (Phone Arena).

As predicted.  I called this one before the phone even came out last year.  Based on the specs, then actually seeing my clients units and trying to use the handset helping my clients, it is just a real piece of junk.  Read the above article for more.

World PC sales set for massive decline

World PC sales set for massive decline.

As I predicted over 6 months ago, we are officially in the start of the decline.  My prediction was based on the fact that many will stay in holding pattern until we all know when Windows 7 will hit the streets.  This appears to be sometime early next year.  One important thing to remember is that even with older PC’s, there are many ways to make them last far longer than expected.  That’s one of the things that SimplifyIT specializes in!