Cyber Security, A Growing Demand

So cyber security is a little more nuanced than a camera pointed at a computer…but you get the idea! We value protection and security above all else. In 2021, the world saw a surge of ransomware attacks that rose 105% above previous years. It’s time that all small businesses started caring as much about their online protection as they need to. . . . #becausesometimesyouneedaninja #bsynan #smallbusinesssupport #ransomware #cybersecurity #security #safewebsites #safesearch #smallbusinessprotection

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Instagram Tips and Tricks

Instagram algorithm getting ya down? Howste Technical Services can help with that. Here are a few tips we find useful for posting content on Instagram that will work well with their current algorithm update (as of October 2021)

 

1: REELS all day long.

We understand that filming videos can take some more time than posting, but this is currently the best way to reach new followers. Posts are reaching your current followers, reels reach out to new future followers. The algorithm can be a little more feisty, but continue to create quality content that is interesting and short and you will grow.

2: 10 to 12 Hashtags

This is the current recommendation from Instagram. In the past, they have encouraged using all 30, but they have found that to saturate parts of the algorithm so much that it was no longer useful. Make those 10 Hashtags count, choose tags for your kind of business, what you are actively doing in the post, and for the local area to reach your potential clients.

3: Make sure your post's have more than one image to scroll to

When a photo post has more than one image in the scroller, Instagram will show that post at least twice to your followers to encourage interaction. Make sure those first two images are eye catching and something your followers will react to.

 

We hope you found these tips and tricks for Instagram helpful. Remember to follow Howste Technical Services on all of our social media pages for more tips and tricks as well as details all about how we can help your small business.

 

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5 Interesting Ninja Facts

Ready for some NINJA FACTS?

We are your tech ninjas because TRULY sometimes we all need a tech ninja. But the history of ninjas is actually incredibly interesting and sparse. Much of what we know about ninjas is through speculation and some very light history found in archives. Originally called shinobi no mono in the medieval period, “ninja” which is the mock-Chinese reading of the same ideograms became popular in the 20th century.

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(Ninja in the dark)

1: The first historical record of ninja comes from the Taiheiki war chronicle written around 1375. It states that ninja were sent out on a stormy night to infiltrate and burn down enemy buildings.

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(Ninja kicking)

2: There are very scant records for the ninja in the warring periods and it is only after peace arrived in the 1600’s that some peacetime ninja began to record their skills. The most famous of these is the colossal “ninja bible” known as the Bansenshukai which was written in 1676. There are an estimated 400 – 500 ninja manuals spread across Japan, many of which are still kept secret.

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(Ninja with a sword)

3: Popular media often portrays the samurai and ninja to be enemies. In fact the term ninja often refers to a warrior of any class within a samurai army and the position of ninja was akin to modern day Special Forces attached to the main force. Many samurai were trained in ninjutsu – the skills of the ninja – and a lord would keep his ninja close.

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(Ninja in Smoke)

4: “Ninja throwing stars” have almost no historical connection to the ninja. Throwing stars were a secret weapon used in many samurai schools and they only became attached to the ninja in the 20th century through comic books and animation.

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(Blonde female Ninja)

5: A popular argument today is that ninja did not wear black as it was too dark at night time and in fact they wore blue. This is a misunderstanding which originated from a ninja manual called the Shoninki (True Path of the Ninja) written in 1681. It states that a ninja can wear blue to blend in with crowds as this color was popular, meaning that a ninja would not stand out in a city or town if people were looking for them, it was used to blend in with the masses. In fact ninja documents say to wear black on a moonless night and white on a full moon.

 

Thank you for reading a few fun Ninja facts, we hope you enjoyed! Please feel free to share our post or article on social media and share these ninja facts with your friends.

 

 

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WordPress is the world’s most popular CMS

#BecauseSometimesYouNeedANinja WordPress is the world’s most popular CMS: CMS use in the enterprise continues to increase with WordPress and Adobe Experience Manager taking the top spots. http://bit.ly/2ui7hEv #BSYNAN #Howste

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ADA Compliance… Whats The Big Deal?

ADA Title I compliance is required for with an online presence impacting commerce. For many years this was not enforced as the language in Title I did not specifically address online presence. But, with the recent case that was decided in favor of the disabled plaintiff suddenly many businesses are exposed. (Side note: Title I exempts companies with less than 15 employees, though you must still be compliant if you fall under Title III with a physical consumer presence regardless of your size)

For medium to larger businesses this is now mandatory. But, for many this means you don’t need to be compliant. Or should you? What happens when you suddenly cross that threshold or your client base changes? Is your web presence the last on the list or is it leading the charge?

As a technology company we strive to ensure our web sites are always forward thinking. Much of what Google requires in web sites we had already designed into our client’s sites and similarly all of our web site designs have been ADA compliant from initial build, even when they were not specifically required. We have found much of the meta-data required in ADA compliance for a site also improves Search Engine Optimization (SEO), improves site ease of use and flow, and Google even looks for these features (by default as they are SEO elements). We also consider all forms of access, not just visual.

I challenge you to check in with your web designer/developer or IT Company and ensure they are looking to the future with your total web presence (not just ADA compliance)! Status quo is always more expensive when it’s time to change and be agile…

Howste Technical Services – Because Sometimes You Need a Ninja

www.howste.ninja