Monat: Februar 2022

My new rocket: Mac Mini 2014

As I have written before, I don’t really care which computer I use. I can be an Apple, a Windows machine, or something else. I have an old Mac Mini from 2014 that I use for managing my music library, for some playback, and minor audio editing stuff. Lately, I was more and more frustrated, because the machine seemed to get slower and slower. I took ages until it started and was usable. Also, there was a lot of dead time when the machine seemed to be idling.

So I started to do some research whether I can fix or whether I need something new. The hardware is still good for a Mac Mini: 2.6 Ghz, 16G of RAM, and 1TB hard disc. How to unleash this power again on an 8 year old computer?

I found this step-by-step guide that contains many useful links like cleaning up autostart items, remove slowing down settings with the free tool KnockKnock, cleaning up the hard disc, etc. I found that I have already applied some of these tipps but some not. I went through the entire exercise but the results were not that promising. Startup time was better, but responsiveness not.

During my research I have also found some commercial tools helping you to clean and speed up your Mac. You can find a comprehensive description of “CleanMyMac X” here. The software is very powerful and goes much deeper than anything you can do yourself. Besides an initial “get clean” scan, it can be used to “stay clean” and stay happy. My Mac Mini feels like a new machine and the tradeoff is great: 50 EUR for a perpetual license (break even of subscription in 2 years) vs. re–installing the OS and the apps vs. buying something new.

ADDENDUM: after a few days working with the Mini, I still can’t believe it. It feels like a new machine and is all fun again. Thanks to the IT god for the healing.

Ich habe es getan: Upgrade auf Windows 11

Ich bin recht leidenschaftslos, was Betriebssysteme und Hardware angeht. Ich habe MacOS, iOS, Linux und Windows im Einsatz. Windows ist tatsächlich am längsten dabei – seit Release 2.1 im Jahr 1988.

Heute ist es mir wichtig, dass es egal sein sollte, an welchem Rechner ich sitze. Die Daten sind in der eigenen oder eine Public Cloud und die typische Office-Software gibt es auch überall. Lediglich wenige spezifische Programme (z.B. für Ton-, Bild- oder Videobearbeitung) laufen nur auf bestimmten Maschinen.

Und gestern war es bei meinem Windows Rechner (ein Intel NUC) soweit: das Upgrade auf Windows 11 war verfügbar.

Das ist immer ein besonderer Moment, da es die nicht unberechtigte Sorge gibt, dass es irgendwie schief geht. Stichwort: “never change a running system!”. Aber hey, wer nicht wagt! Die Daten sind eh nicht auf der Maschine, System-Rücksetzpunkt erstellt und los …

… und eine Stunde später konnte ich mich wieder einloggen. Das fühlt sich an wie ein kleines IT Wunder. Jetzt heißt es, sich mit den neuen Features vertraut zu machen. Auf dass euer Upgrade auch so reibungslos läuft.

We are the best. Why (not)?

At the end of 2021 I was asked to conduct a market analysis of german companies in a certain IT domain. During that project I have screened 200+ Websites and corporate data of potential target companies. And one key finding was that many companies fail in telling their visitors what they really do for them.

Let’s drill that down.

These days, a companies Website is usually not only the first touchpoint of a prospect, it’s also the place where people try to find out as much as they can before they really get in touch (note: I write this from B2B perspective). Accordingly, I would expect that the content focuses on the need of the prospect. Need means: how do we deliver value for you? What’s your benefit? What’s a positive outcome for you if you use our stuff or work with us? etc. The focus should be on the WHY.

Instead of taking a customers view, many companies focus on their super technology, their great service, or themselves and why they are so great. This is an ego thing only. Even if all of that is true, why should a potential customer care? They don’t know you. Accordingly, they wouldn’t dive deeper if you don’t explain them the WHY.

While I understand the inner need to speak about great things in and about your company (I felt into that trap many times, too), I like to encourage you to turn the storytelling upside down: First the WHY- this is so much more important than technology, etc. Then the HOW (the rationale), then the WHAT (the proof).