(Part 2) Best products from r/computertechs

I would switch the tape out for a 25 ft. fat max, they last forever and you'll be able to measure most rooms in one go.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002PV66?keywords=fat%20max&qid=1450844841&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

I would also throw in a small magnetic level, network switch (for when you have to hard wire a new pc in on the fly), some large external hard drives for backups, a ton of cheap usb sticks to give away or sell if you keep them in the box, and I would highly recommend some power tools. When you're THE IT for a small office, you never know when you need to hang a tv, or run network cable, or install security cameras. I swear by the dewalt tools, and just keep it simple with this set:

http://smile.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCK413S2-12-Volt-4-Tool-Combo/dp/B007P0DE8I/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1450845297&sr=8-12&keywords=dewalt+12v


It's got one of the best, most versitile flashlights i've ever used, a saw for basic small cuts, that you'll use maybe once a year but love. An amazing drill that does everything from putting screws in, to drilling a new hole in the ceiling for wire and has become a major part of what I do. I think I carry that as much as my laptop. The final tool, and my favorite is the impact driver. This sucker will put a screw through brick. Perfect for outside wall mounts and more. It seems silly to recommend blue collar tools for a white collar job, but if you talk to the good guys out there, the ones that have been around for a long time, you'll learn very fast that solo IT work is basically being a digital mechanic. You get tasked with every thing that plugs in. The guys that are just a USB stick and software, that's great, how long have you been doing it, and how long do you plan to do it? Ideal, freelance IT shouldn't have to be there all the time for break-fix and smaller businesses don't have the cash for lots of new toys. So yea, get some more tools, expand out a bit and start thinking like a mechanic, not an engineer.

I will write up some more specific feedback because I am interested in seeing the Pockethernet get better, and thanks for telling me about long-pressing the measure button.

To be clear though, I wasn't comparing the Pockethernet to the AT 2000. I was comparing it to the Fluke MicroScanner 2 for $440 which I own, and the T3 Net Prowler for $730, which I might have purchased instead of the Pockethernet.

Hardware criticisms:

Make sure all internal connectors are fully seated. My battery came unplugged. Make sure that the plexiglass protection film is removed. And at least in my case, the plastic on the wiremap/loopback tester is so loose that I had to take it off to use the tester.

App Bugs (iPhone):

I experience frequent crashes. Usually it seems when I leave and return to the app, or when I save results to Dropbox using the "Send" feature. This has persisted from an iPhone 6s Plus, to a brand new installation on a brand new iPhone X.

There is also a bug where the bottom half of the app disappears, or becomes covered in a white rectangle, and I am no longer able to scroll. This might be from the app trying to hide itself where the keybaord appears. Only way to fix is to quit and relaunch the app. Very frustrating.

App Workflow:

App flow should probably be like this: First HOME screen is a grid of icons for PRESET TESTS and an icon for a CUSTOM TEST. PRESET TESTS should be user-defined groups of frequently run tests. They should be icons, because that way more fit on the screen. Clicking on a PRESET TEST should take you to the RESULTS screen.

The RESULTS screen should only show the test results of the tests you just ran. It should have some persistent icons at the bottom of the page, that include a couple of selectable PRESET tests, as well as RETEST, CUSTOM, and HOME. This will make it easy to always quickly run a test.

The RESULTS screen should have the option to save results to a DATABASE. Often I will run additional tests for an outlet in the future, and I want the ability to EXPORT all of the tests from one outlet together, not have a separate PDF for each group of tests I ran on each outlet. The PDF export should only show the results of tests that were run.

If you instead clicked CUSTOM TEST on the HOME screen, you should be taken to a grid of icons with all possible tests. Check your desired test icons, click TEST, and be taken to the same RESULTS page as before.

There should be an interface for viewing the test results in the database, and deleting of specific tests for specific outlets.

This would make the Pockethernet interface much closer to Fluke's, Ideal's, and T3's interfaces, and much more useful.

Thanks!

What exactly are you going to be repairing? One thing you have to be careful about is, any "unauthorized" work on a mac (mainly hardware) can void a warranty.

Now, iFixit has a lot of good resources when it comes down to breaking down macs and ios devices.

For basic knowledge of how OSX works, you may look at the OS X Certifications. Both for OSX 10.9 and 10.10 they have a guides published online for both Management and Integration. Integration will cover using OSx with Network accounts, file sharing, etc., while Management is going to be creating, deploying, using ARD, etc. Both the 10.9 and the 10.10 are free resources from the Training and Certification site.


Management | 10.9 | 10.10
Integration |10.9 | 10.10

Read over those and see if that helps.

If you are going to be doing software support, make sure you know command line and some unix as OSX is based on it. You can also look at getting the Apple Pro Training Series book for Supporting and Troubleshooting OSX 10.10 It's $61.74 currently on Amazon. You may check your local library and see if they have a copy. OR you can also purchase the book and right it off on your taxes next year. (I buy all my training/computer books for work and right them off, it's great)

Hopefully that helps some. You may also check out /r/applehelp and see what others are having issues as well.

Since you are looking into entry level tech support your best bet is to look into the CompTIA certifications. Start with A+ certification ( https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-220-901-220-902-Exam-Cram/dp/0789756315/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501947087&sr=8-2&keywords=a%2B+exam+cram ) . Even though you might be able to fix 99% of problems on your own with Google's assistance it might be hard to sell that to employers at interviews, especially if you don't have anything 'concrete' to back it up with (previous work experience, certifications, schooling for IT), which is why I recommend looking into that route. Also keep in mind Linux is a very very small % of the market share out there and is more of a niche market. Sure, you can get Linux certifications but I don't think it will help you at this current stage in your career getting into IT, so focus on the stuff that actually applies to entry level tech support (A+ certification). Feel free to private message with any more questions. Good luck!

Oh, well in that case I think you made an excellent decision!

I've had to work with a nontechnical manager in a similar role and it was a major headache to have to constantly explain to them why x took priority over y, and why z took so long to do. Having someone who understands these things at a more direct level would have helped make it much more bearable.

If you want a leg up, have a look at time management techniques. Far too many shops act under what amounts to a cargo-cult mentality regarding how to run IT. They go through the motions, but don't understand why they do. These shops run some type of ticketing system... poorly. Their customers end up suffering.

Time management techniques, well executed triage, and an understanding of end-user expectations, is what separates the wheat from the chaff. For a good introduction on the idea, check out "Time Management for System Administrators":. Its a book, by a guy who now works at Google. He also has a great set of presentations online on his YouTube channel.

A bonus aspect of the job is that you sometimes have to deal with idiotic or frustrating customers (or aforementioned managers). The best thing I've found to deal with it is to work on reframing the situation. This basically amounts to putting yourself in their shoes and trying to be more empathetic to their position. A great mindset to take is something out of zen/meditation - being aware of your emotions in the moment can help defuse a lot of nasty situations. I'd recommend starting with this book.

that's a pretty legit list right there. I have a trunk full of gear, probably worth almost as much as my car. I do a lot of contract work, so my list is pretty much the same just slightly beefed up.

• I have a basic tech kit from Amazon
  
• I have a buttset Sometimes reffered to as a linemans set.
  
• About 10 of these Floating around my car/trunk/tool bags and person. because i like to lose things lol
  
• A Basic cable tester
  
• This Cable mapper
  
• Coax crimper (For tv, and bnc)
  
• Crimp Kit
  
• I buy these Like candy, they're perfect for ISO's for giving to customers with instructions and/or iso's just perfect in general for a lot of things.
  
• Stinger Flash light Serves double duty as a i'm a volunteer first and second responder
  
• Cable stripper
  
  Replenishables
  
  
• I Keep at least 50 of these on hand
  
• rg59 tips (CCTV BNC Tips)
  
• RG6 tips (Cable TV)
  
• RJ45 tips (A mason jar filled with about 60-100)
  
• at minimum of box of cat5 Sometimes up to three boxes. i will have a job soon that will require six of them lol.
  
• Patch Cables 3f and 5ft usually at minimum 10 of each
  
• zip ties (Usually three containers of 500 of assorted sizes)
  
• White 2 4 and 6 port keystone faceplates
  
• White keystone blanks
  
• low voltage mounting brackets
  
• white 1 and 2 port surface mount boxes
  
• some hdmi cables (Usually just 4 or 5 of these)
  
• electrical tape (5 50' rolls of different color) for many things
  
• Pull string
  
• dikes (Not really but they dissappear so fast they feel like it) like These
  
• I actually keep two label makers
  
• Rolls of 8 inch velcro ties
  
  contractor things
  
  
• Step bits
  
• Paddle bits
  
• Hole Saw Kit
  
• Masonry bits
  
• Caulk gun
  
• caulk
  
• grommets
  
• Ladder
  
• First aid kit
  
• 150' Fish tape
  
• An 18V Cordless DeWalt Hammer Drill
  
• Regular drill bits
  
  
  
• I use these to organize my laptop bag (win surface pro with usb to rj45 adapter, usb to db9 adapter, console cable, lan cable, wifi hotspot, anker battery pack, 500gb usb hard drive etc)
  
• I use these bags to organize everything
  
  and a myriad of other small parts pertaining to surveillance system installs, and screw bits for my drill, and i even have secured walkies for when i have multiple employees on site. plus i have to admit bluetooth headsets for when i have to deal with helpdesks or tech support while i'm on site... did i mention i do a lottttt of contract work. i'm all over the place. every now and then i run into things that this kit can't handle but for the most part i come away with a rather professional look.
  
  sorry for formatting, i've seen plenty of these posts this is the first time i took time to actually look up evrything i've purchased.
  
  Edit: Some formatting. added velcro :P