Medlin Software, Dennis

If a single stand alone, no one really does. Repair or fixes, sure, but first letting the updates run, after they are done manually checking, until no more are left, is good to self do. Same with blowing/vacuuming (depending on one's preference/belief) is a self project. The random computer "expert" is likely going to connect remotely, run some sort of script, and may or may not fix anything, and may or may not cause more problems. One (in)famous "expert" service is well known for causing more problems, as their default is to do some sort of backup on removable media, a clean wipe and reinstall of Windows, then send you on your way with only their faulty backup to work from (they do not back up everything, just the common things, and they rarely help restore).

I try to manually checks for updates every Wednesday. I do it just before lunch, and let it run if needed. If you do not keep relatively current, there can be many updates needed, and in some cases, they are done in specific order, with multiple reboots some of the time. Another goodie is to reboot your modem (or modem/router) at least once a month. I am also using a consumer/pro grade physical firewall box (to allow two internet connections to be live at the same time and) to block access to places other than the US, incoming or outgoing. (I did have to add an exception for a game SWMBO plays.) Make sure you are not sleeping/hibernating/power off until the updates are complete, or they may have to start over. When I notice a significant update, after it is done, I will manually check again in case the new update triggers another. I do not use the option to get the latest updates quicker (a quasi beta tester). I do not use any third party "security" software, as such software is often the cause of issues - the security built into Windows is great as is, better than you can get third party if you setup correctly. My new fav, now that I finally am using Pro Windows, is the brute force safe bit locker drive boot pin, and the walk away with my phone computer lock. For the fan, look online for hints how to clean your air paths and fan. They do need to be cleaned out on occasion. For me, I use portable computers, and I prop them up to improve air flow, versus sitting flat on a desk or my lap.

If the person believes their name only will protect the funds, good luck. DD to an account in their own name is the safest. Especially in a community property state. Practically speaking, anyone can scribble on / stamp a paper check. No one is looking unless someone complains. I have my daughter sign any incoming checks "deposit only", not that it adds any security either.

My hair skipped grey and went directly white (sans color). But then again, I have hair, so no complaints - other than the cost of a cut. I say it is from kids, they stole the energy I used to have, as well as my hair color . For me, the "days" are the W2 deadline date, and every quarterly deadline date. But, as someone told me so long ago, there is NO such thing as an accounting emergency. No ambulances come, no specialists are on call, etc.

As part of swapping to a different main computer, I looked again at securing my computer in case it is not there (for any reason) when I need it next. The short: Ditch using sleep, and change to hibernate or power off only AND implement a bitlocker drive PIN. A bit more trouble than relying only on the Windows login (and normal bitlocker), but WAY more secure. What? The bitlocker PIN is the most secure consumer friendly option we have. It has worthwhile and very good brute force protection. You will need a Pro or Enterprise edition of Windows. Hibernate gives some speed improvement to restart (over power on), while sleep given no security protection other than your Windows login (if you are using one). There are some other things to look into, hardware dependent (such as blocking port access while not past security). It may even be this setting (bitlocker with pin) would better meet (or be hard to defend not using, for those who have to have) a data security plan. --- For me, I still need a device on 24/7, at least in sleep mode (which allows an app to keep running), but that will be changing soon. So for now, I have my always on computer only having limited information, so no real harm if it disappears, and my main is either in use, in hibernate, or off. Indeed, another login screen can be annoying, but I set mine up so I can one hand the entry fairly fast, with a reasonably obscure non dictionary "pin", so it takes only a few seconds. Even the time to de hibernate is not bad once I got used to it, I can always use a few seconds to declutter my desk.

A couple weeks in with the Asus Duo. Nice! The only oddity is the screen's dimensions, but there are a couple of monitors which are 1:1 for the size, so no real worries. The one I am looking at will even handle two inputs so my main and backup are more easily used. I already have a keyboard and mouse which can handle three devices on the fly. But the real discovery/oversight is something I will post in a separate topic.

Joking about things most will agree are wrong is not funny. I am completely embarrassed at being male, given that not every male fails to give or promote their opinion on matters applying only to a gender we cannot possibly understand. For offensive, I am sensitive to "you" as it was THE nasty word to ever tell an umpire, and I cringe when I hear "off the reservation". Sadly, it is relatively common, in public service even, for someone who acts outside of the accepted norms/practices.

So maybe the "normal" fee for the actual return, and to set the bar for hopeful retention, and some sort of likely "catch up" fee for getting and dealing with any earlier information needed, onboarding, etc. When I took outside payroll clients, that is what I was doing as well, a regular ongoing fee and a fee for setup.

To be translucent: It seems there will be no Windows 12 per se later this year, just a major upgrade to the current Windows 11. So for me, even the upcoming new surface machines did not get my attention. But, what did, was the ASUS ZenBook Duo 2024, which was just left at my door. The dual screens are perfect for me, maybe even to rid the separate monitor. The Surface Pro convertible is a great machine, but it does not work well as a laptop itself (meaning on an actual lap). I dis look at a competing dual screen, but I could not get past the country of origin of the competitor. I have always preferred portrait orientation for what I do, and this new machine looks perfect. I'll still likely use my old trusty keyboard, but they have a similar layout (option) which has lighted keys and mouse area which has caught my eye. I like a track ball for most use, not the pad, so I'll stick with that too. As with the surface, the pop out "leg" has a raised edge, which is a great for a special cable lock when I need it. I will likely miss the convertible aspect, but if the screens are as nice as I think, the screens will be in place of my monitor, so I will actually gain some desk space in the corner of the visitor/granddaughter room which used to be my office. The new intel chip is a good part of what got me to be willing to go through a computer move yet again. I opted for the core ultra 7, as it is more than enough for my needs, and the core ultra 9 uses more power/produces more heat, and may not even be able to function at full song because of the form factor of the device. The screens are not so bit I needed the extra resolution with the upgraded model, as I tens to use either lower res or more mag anyway, so I can work without special specs.

And their lobbyists and those who have a featherbed position (such as overseeing a local tax), etc. Thus the (un)common sense rule tax simplification will NEVER happen. We face this all the time, and no one wants it - simplification. CA passed a rule for utilities to be more fair, which essentially means an access fee, then rates (lower) per usage. I suspect anti solar (the utilities themselves) were in on this as lowering the usage rates helps kill solar adoption. Fair?, likely, assuming all were to play nice and really come up with a realistic access fee. BUT, the rule was also tasked with paying for discounts, not increasing cost for certain groups, etc. So even what could have been a straigt access/usage plan got "played" with, and now, most of the people subject to this new rule want it to be revisited - the old dance with what you know because of fear you will be the one skewered by that nasty old "change".

As a 2x admin, I communicated only through the JD I retained. While it was cold, it prevented any sort of direct arguments. It was awful, including having to force one relative out of a home they essentially were using as a squat. The squatter has at least 1mil of ready cash, and for about three years now, has not cashed a check from the estate, or made attempt to convert, >100k. But it did help get me to revisit my own plans and clean up a few things. We went with a plan which allows editing on the fly (sort of a subscription) as it fits us for the next decade or so. No worry about how much a small revision would cost.

Real estate on the coasts, vacation areas, and other high demand markets, bears no relationship to reality. Multiplied by real estate in areas which limit growth. Exponentially if said area is desirable. Then multiply again if politics are involved (such as CA Prop 13). Many of us boomers who scrimped and ramen'ed our way to home ownership are equity (and for those who were wise) interest rate locked into our homes. Home ownership, post pandemic, is likely going to drift to something none of us have seen before, with the remote work aspect reaching many who cannot afford to air commute. There is a reason small towns are having a tough time, and the ability of affordable homes and a lower cost of living has zip to do with it.

The employer is the place to ask. I am sure we could come up with some possibilities, but our guesses will not help your client.

Pick any reasonable online company to get something in place ASAP., Then, if you wish, take some time to find something else, engage, then cancel the "temp" policy. Having a gap is likely costly compared to "changing".

Maybe think like a one baker bakery (like I used to be for three years). When the mixer broke, the call to the repair shop was made while we were on the way to Tahoe or to the beach. It was amazing how fast we could hit the road, even if it was for 24 hours. I swear, it always broke on its own, and we were never pre packed up!

Ugh. I know many devs use revision numbers, and I used to as well (as it is easy to auto increment in the dev tool being used) but I went back to the revision DATE, as it is plain language anyone can understand. Devs need to accept users are no longer computer experts and to not get things such as major, minor, revision, and build numbers. For me, it is much clearer, and less likely to raise a support issue, showing a message saying something like "your revision is 97 days old", rather than "your revision is 2.23.45 builds old".

I suspect ATX is more complicated, but the process is likely similar. For me: There is an online file which contains the information which tells the latest revision. The software reads the file and compares it to the EXE data, and if not current, handles the out of date issue as needed. When I make a change, I first upload the new software, then update the data file. But, on occasion, I might miss something, or upload something incorrectly (as binary instead of ascii, or the reverse, proving yet again I am human). As soon as I am done, I test the new revision indicator and download myself. I usually catch errors before anyone else downloads, but not always. There is also an issue with caching, as the user computer could not be reading the actual current revision info, as their browser or connection is reading a cached copy of the file. This is a REAL issue, and is one of the reasons I allow manual download, and have s system in place to try to keep the download from ever being cached. I also usually leave the prior revision on my site, but not directly accessible, in case there is some need to install the prior revision (I can send a link). Has not been needed in years, but I still allow for human error. OTOH, over the years, I have had to get stricter and stricter, and do have "stops" in place for cases where the user is not keeping current. Just a thing one must do not that computers and software are treated like appliances, and are expected to do all for the user, and insulate the user from any responsibility. When I started, 90% of my programming time was for the software functions/improvements. Now, 90% of my programming time is trying to prevent user errors.

I have to paper file my personal return as the personal provider I use does not have the PTET form I need. No big deal. But, I think I remember here that there are pro preparer software which try to have all forms, and that the standard ATX (IIRC) sometimes does not have every possible form.

Not a user of ATX, but I have simlar warnings in my own software. If you can manually install, try that (the check for update process may not have been updated fully). It could be a case of the process having the "update needed" flag set somewhere (likely online) and the new software not yet being automatically (or however they do it) installing. I might power cycle my computer and try again, in case there is some sort of cache which needs clearing.

Just so I am not depreciated before another 20 or so years.

I wish more would be done early to encourage use of both hands - which typing does. My first typing class was so foreign, to use my non dominant paw (other than for wrenching, which I did as soon as I could hole one). It is also a bit fun, as last week, we made our first Scholastic Book order for our grand (pre school). Something powerful about her picking her own books, and having them to touch.

It is arguably called uncommon sense these days. Our toddler grand likes me to use air tools. She is good with hand, ear and face protection, so I let her help me. She compares it to photos of her uncle in his medical garb, she wears her car doctor getup. Different times, I learned to use the old long screwdriver as a stethoscope, and nor I have a mechanics stethoscope, and a borescope. We have 5 oil changes and safety checks coming up this weekend.

I'd rather a school do nearly anything else. Art, music, drama, choir, ethics, more math (not the calculations, the "is that close" common sense stuff), etc. Or even training in trades, or just how to check air/oil levels (or battery charge). One which is missed is how to compare prices at the grocery (the look for the unit price, not the price per package). I learned that in grade school.

As a programmer, I can tell you accurately and proven, when I used to try to recompile when some AV program was giving a false positive on my public software, changing something from upper to lower case, or moving one function in the order (so it would compile slightly different), would cause the AV program to consider the software safe. Even worse, depending on the compression level I select (in my setup program), some AV's would trigger. (They are often looking for a pattern, not actually opening the file and examining it, so compression, which most use, can easily fool/trigger AV.) That tells you how reliable the heuristic wild rear end guesses are, and how useless they are for the public to use. If I can cause the AV to safe my software by such simple means, a scammer pro can do so likely with automation. One can also ask an AV vendor to safe all of their software, by reputation, which is also alarming (if one wants to trust AV software). Now, I don't bother. I know there is no garbage in my files, so I do not give in. When a person says I have an issue, I refer to then to virus total, which proves a current AV shows no issues, or the issue is a random AV (and not the 50+ others virus total uses to compare). Inevitably, it is a case of heuristics, or lack of checking daily or AV updates. While I am fine with the opinion of many top experts, that modern AV is pointless with just modest safe hexing, I am good with using the AV from the OS maker (in case someone here uses my computer). The real issue these days is preventing access to restricted folders (like ransom issues) and watching your incoming/outgoing internet hits (firewall). The modern OS can help protect from ransom issues, if one enables it. For email, I let my provider wash the mail through whatever AV they use and I don't open attachments I did not ask for. For firewall, I use a really "cool" product, Firewalla. I am also of the experience and opinion one should, at all times, be ready to recover, prepared to find your computer/office missing or unavailable every single day.

Besides the usual UI dumping scenarios, there seem to have been more than usual changes requiring a new FEIN (and thus, more than one W2 from the same "employer"). Also, with more and more ER's catching on the the rules for remote work, there are more issuing multiple W2 forms when an EE has more than one work location state (since the EE should, for many reasons, be setting up a new entity for each state, and in come cases, each work location). The TP should have handled this, but this is another questionnaire scenario for preparers, something like "Do the W2's you have show all wage income for the year - is there any chance you may have received more than one W2 for any job?"