Do powerstrips protect your PC?

I woke up this morning to a flashing alarm clock and no AC and was reminded of a conversation I had with Jeremiah and Charles about a month ago.

We were talking about different ways of protecting your computer, and Charles had just purchased a powerstrip through our online store. I had recently read that even if your PC is turned off, if it's still plugged in there's still a little juice running through it. I asked Jeremiah if it was true and he said, "Oh, yeah."

He said they're fine for light flickers but nothing would stop a close lighting strike from potentially frying everything electronic in your house.

I thought that was interesting because I thought that was the whole point of having surge protectors, but apparently the only safe thing to do is to physically unplug everything during a storm.

Protect your PC: pull the plug...

Icon Wars

Ever wander why your computer runs slow when you log on in the morning? Or why when you click that one icon, you suddenly get the "blue screen of doom"? I came across this by chance today on MSN. Here's why!

Did you know...

Intelliprotech can work on your computer remotely? For many problems, you don't even need us to come out to your house.

As a matter of fact, Charles is servicing a computer remotely from the office as I type this.

To find out more about this service or to answer any other questions about the company, visit Intelliprotech.com or leave us a comment.

Out on a limb for Apples

I'm going to do something I haven't done before: taking a stab at the future of the computer industry.

I believe Apple will narrow the gap on PC makers substantially in 2007 and beyond. There are several reasons why I've come to this conclusion and here are the Top 10:

10.Innovation. Apple raises the bar for tech standards and then raises it again when the next generation products come out.

9. The Cool Factor. Apple has the image of an exclusive, high-end computing product great for graphic design, music production, film editing, and pulls it off pretty well.

8. The iPod. Synonymous with MP3 player to many, they have the undisputed 1st place ranking among MP3 device sales.

7. The iPhone. Name aside, the iPhone is positioned to revolutionize the way people use the phone. By incorporating their success with the iPod with their user-friendly software, it will be many people's first try at using a Mac.

6. The Ads. Not only funny, but true. For those of us who own both a PC and a Mac, one can see that the ads do point out several perceived weaknesses that Apple has capitalized on and turned into major selling points.

5. Justin Long. Having a young actor (who doesn't smoke weed, dude) and whose career is going up (Dodgeball, Herbie, The Breakup, Accepted and the upcoming Live Free or Die Hard with Bruce Willis), the positive association is only getting stronger.

4. Apple TV. A complete media center (combining movies, music, pictures) is the new trend. With Apple TV, people can watch all their media from the computer on the TV.

3. Pixar. Jobs' other company (also a hot, money-maker) has been cranking out hit cartoons (Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Cars, etc.)and was recently acquired by Disney.

2. Disney. As the new board member of Disney (and its largest shareholder), Jobs will undoubtedly start wielding his new power to leverage Pixar and Apple's success through Disney's distribution channels, marketing prowess, and movie industry connections. When Disney switches over to all Apple computers, other major companies will observe and potentially follow their lead.

1. The Numbers. Sales for Macs are trending up (28% increase since last year's 4th quarter) and iPods are still holding up. Apple stores and selling points are springing up (more than 7500) inviting people to come in and try the new products.

So there it is, the Top 10 reasons why Apple will start becoming a major player in the computer industry again.

This is just my opinion, not that of Intelliprotech. We still show love for the PC...

I got the numbers from a story on internetnews.com. Check it out.

And the Winner is...

With 47% of the vote in last month's "Favorite Computer Brand" Poll, Apple is the people's choice for favorite computer brand!

Congratulations to Steve Jobs and the Mac-makers out there for making a user-friendly, stable and visually stimulating product.


Thanks to everyone who voted in last month's poll; and be looking for the next one to be posted in the next couple of weeks.

Hurry...only 3 1/2 days left to vote!

To make sure your vote is counted in our "favorite computer brand" poll, scroll down this blog and answer the question on the right side. Please have your votes submitted no later than Sunday @ midnight. One vote per IP address is allowed. The winner will be crowned on Monday's blog!

Thanks to everyone who has voted so far!

Apple is currently ahead with 61% of the vote...

Will you get an iPhone?

Steve Jobs revealed the highly anticipated iPhone today at Macworld in San Francisco. This cutting edge device will offer no buttons; instead it will be a dedicated touch screen that you can operate smoothly with your fingers.

The iPhone isn't just a sleek looking cellular. It's also an iPod, complete with tilting sensors that can tell if you're watching something in portrait or landscape and flip the content when you rotate the phone.

The iPhone will also function as a portable mini-computer, complete with OS X, Safari web browser, Google maps, etc. So what do you think? A phone, an iPod, and a portable computer all in one... Cool enough for a June delivery @ $499?

Consumer Electronics Show 2007

Every year, tech-companies and tech-lovers convene in Vegas for the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES). New and futuristic gadgets are displayed and critiqued,hoping to generate some buzz for the upcoming year.


This year, it looks like there are several interesting devices being plugged. One cool product that stands out from the IPTVs, MP3 ready automobiles and Intel's new notebook chip is the new TV from Sharp.

This prototype offers almost 9 million pixels (4x the best TV now) and will eventually be made ready for consumer use. How sharp can TV contrast really get? I guess we'll find out soon. Amazing.

IPT-Direct offers Ferrari monitor?

Yes, you read correctly. Acer has recently teamed up with the racy sports car manufacturer to bring you a new breed of laptops and monitors brandishing that prancing horse.


This sleek looking monitor makes a statement with its red and black gloss chassis. It also comes with a 20" wide-screen for optimal media viewing on your PC.

So how good can a car-sponsored computer product really be? First off, last time I checked, Ferrari wasn't interested in dragging their prestigious name through the mud, so you know it meets their high standards for quality. Not to mention its being made by Acer, one of the Top 5 PC makers in the world.

But more specifically, the F-20 features an impressive 800:1 contrast ratio and comes with the new CrystalBrite Technology which provides brighter colors, crisper graphics and higher contrast.

The two built in speakers offer greater versatility while you're online working, watching movies, or playing games in high resolution graphic and sound.

For a closer look, check out this new high-end monitor at IPT-Direct.com.

Intelliprotech Chats with You!

Besides offering better and more efficient ways to communicate with people, the Internet has also afforded the vehicle to get the word out like a wild fire.

Meebo.com has allowed you the luxury to chat with us while we're online via our blog!

Just visit IntelliPro Talk and see if we're online. Then just follow the directions under intellipro chat by clicking the box and sending us your message. Even if we're not online or at the computer, you can still leave us a message! You can even create your own customized name to chat with us under.

Just another way to stay connected with our valued friends and associates.

Protect your computers...

In a day when hackers and thieves will try anything to snatch up your personal data, what can one do to protect these valuable files?

Get a SonicWALL TZ 150 Wireless Firewall.


This wireless firewall is perfect for individuals and small businesses who want to protect their networks but not break the bank. The TZ 150 provides deep packet protection from viruses, Trojans, worms, malicious codes, and hackers.

It's slim design and wireless capability allow you to set it up, tucked away almost anywhere in your home or office while providing support for multiple computers.

As a matter of fact, Jeremiah and Charles are going to install/configure some in Austin and San Antonio in the next couple of days.

For more technical info or to buy one and start protecting your computers today, visit IPT-Direct.com today.

The Jeff Bagwell/Intelliprotech Connection?

A lot of rumors have been circulating lately as to the validity of the claims that Intelliprotech services Jeff Bagwell's computers. Let me dispel the rumors and set the record straight.

The short answer is...no, we have not in the past and are not currently servicing the former Astros' computers. So how did this misunderstanding come about, one might wander?

The confusion probably stemmed from the fact that the company had some nicely made business cards designed a few months ago and have been passing them out to local businesses, family and friends.

The latter is where the story begins.

Charles, our IT Consultant, gave some business cards to a friend. Now, this friend happened to live in close proximity to Mr. Bagwell. One morning the friend was outside his house when he noticed Jeff standing on his front porch.

Curious, he approached his neighbor's yard and asked the former 'Stro what he was doing, to which Jeff replied, "Waiting for a geek to fix my computer."

"That's funny," the young man said. "My friend works for a company that does that." And with that, he brandished a shiny Intelliprotech business card from his wallet, handed it to Jeff Bagwell, and bid him good day.

That is all there is to the story...

Myspace my Business?

Well...almost. MerchantCircle.com is a relatively new website that allows companies to create profiles in order to network with other local companies in the area. They can recommend each other, review each other, advertise to local customers, and add each other as friends.

At Intelliprotech, we're testing out MerchantCircle to see if it can live up to the promise of meeting new clients in an online community, much like myspace. You can visit our page and check it out for yourself.

Food for Thought

With Christmas around the bend, there's one thing on everyone's mind in the Intelliprotech office: world-class fajitas from our friends at Pappasito's! Why, you might ask? The Intelliprotech Annual Christmas Party, of course. It's been decided, marked on the calendar, and now we must wait, hungry with anticipation for the fire-grilled, caramelized onion laced, butter-bathed goodness that is our coming Christmas Party. So good.

What are you doing for your company's Christmas Party?

Birthday wishes

Yesterday was your typical day: fixing blocked emails, rerouting routers and adding new products to the Intelliprotech online store. However, there was something exciting that happened at 8:32am. The office door was locked and no one had a key until I arrived on the scene. Thinking I'd be the hero of the day, I whisked out my key and slide it into the lock. Ok, it was more like pushing, hitting, and jamming the key into the hole and wandering when and why someone had changed the lock.

No need to panic. We're Intelliprotech, right? Intelligent, Professional, Technicians. Charles and I watched as our fearless leader grabbed a ladder, climbed through the ceiling from the outside, crawled through to the other side, swung from the beam like a champ, and then lowered himself down on the other side of the door.

After unlocking the door from the outside and ushering us into the office, we decided it was the perfect way to kick off Jeremiah's birthday!

Happy Birthday, Jeremiah! Your quick thinking, death defying, Ethan Hunt like demeanor proved that we don't have to slow down as we get older...

It starts with a dream...

Handel's Messiah. Ford's Model-T. Jobs' iPod. All great products of great people's great dreams.

In 2000, Jeremiah Stone had a dream: offer the best IT solutions to his Houston clients. Intelliprotech was born out of this desire to help people with their computing needs. Killing viruses, networking, and optimizing system performace became the bread and butter that drove the business forward. Six years later, the clientele has increased to the point that three other employees have been added and the online store IPT-Direct.com. has been created to offer even more products and services.

Thank you for six great years!