tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85423847393209756732024-02-20T11:29:12.718-08:00Union Technology Cooperativeuniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-50981433028549598252013-09-06T10:50:00.000-07:002013-09-06T10:50:39.846-07:00<h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">FREE Public Event</span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 1em; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Co-op Connection: <span style="background-color: transparent;">A Celebration of Cooperatives and Community</span></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday, October 5, 2013 </span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stop by our booth to see our latest computer line-up at this year's Co-op Connection. This outdoor event is located next to the farmers market on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, in Madison. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy free entertainment, prizes, product samples, snacks and more from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meet more than 20 co-ops, enjoy family activities, live entertainment including Pat McCurdy, The Disclosures and children's entertainer David Landau. Including special guest
speaker, Mayor Dave Soglin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More information and event schedule can be
found at: <a href="https://www.summitcreditunion.com/coopconnection.html">https://www.summitcreditunion.com/coopconnection.html</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hosted
by Summit Credit Union, the event is free and open to the public.</span><br />
<br />uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-25008200297412747352013-04-17T13:54:00.000-07:002013-04-17T13:56:21.010-07:002013 coop newsHi Everyone,<br />
<br />
It has been awhile since we've had a chance to post an update on what we've been up to!<br />
<br />
We've been busy working on a website refresh in the last few months. We're still working out some details and we would love to hear any feedback about the new website you have to offer. Our address is <a href="http://uniontechcoop.com/">uniontechcoop.com</a>.<br />
<br />
We've updated our rates for 2013 as well. We're now offering discounts for our clients that choose to choose to purchase blocks of support hours on a prepaid basis. Your technician will fill you in on the details or feel free to give our Finance department a call for more information.<br />
<br />
Time flies - Union Tech Coop will be 5 years old in October! We've had a great time working with all of our clients in the past few years. We appreciate your business and support!<br />
<br />
We're looking forward to a great year in 2013 and we'll be posting more updates soon.uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-14728829854693801672012-11-19T13:13:00.000-08:002012-11-19T13:13:03.000-08:00Holiday shopping technology recommendationsHello Everyone,<br />
<br />
It is that time of year again - this Friday the holiday shopping season begins!<br />
<br />
To celebrate, we've compiled the following technology recommendations to assist you to purchase the best quality and most sustainable technology available this holiday season.<br />
<br />
Mobile device recommendations - please check out our recent blog post:<br />
<a href="http://uniontechcoop.blogspot.com/2012/11/mobile-device-purchasing-recommendations.html">http://uniontechcoop.blogspot.com/2012/11/mobile-device-purchasing-recommendations.html</a><br />
<br />
Desktop and laptop computer recommendations - please check out our recent blog post:<br />
<a href="http://uniontechcoop.blogspot.com/2012/11/updated-computer-lineup.html">http://uniontechcoop.blogspot.com/2012/11/updated-computer-lineup.html</a><br />
<br />
In the spirit of the season, we are pleased to announce that we are<span style="color: red;"> </span>including free data copy service for any of our clients who purchase a custom desktop or laptop computer from Union Tech Coop beginning today through December 31st, 2012.<br />
<br />
Please feel free to give us a call at (608) 616-9925 if you have any questions.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thanks,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Union Tech Coop Technical Committee</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.uniontechcoop.com/">uniontechcoop.com</a></div>
uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-30478738259640334132012-11-19T13:03:00.000-08:002012-11-19T13:03:52.870-08:00Mobile device purchasing recommendationsHello Everyone,<br />
<br />
The technicians here at Union Tech Coop have been monitoring the many mobile device offerings since the first modern smartphones became available in 2007 and the first modern tablets became available in 2010.<br />
<br />
We have deliberately avoided making purchasing recommendations for mobile devices until we've been able to determine the sustainability of the available options. In the years since 2007 we've had the opportunity to work with all of the major brands of mobile devices and we've gained experience configuring them all. The two dominant platforms are Apple 'iOS' and Google 'Android'.<br />
<br />
We've recently become aware that the latest software update for Apple iOS has serious bugs which cause wireless connectivity problems:<br />
<a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57522869-37/apples-ios-6-stumbles-on-basic-connectivity-wi-fi">http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57522869-37/apples-ios-6-stumbles-on-basic-connectivity-wi-fi</a><br />
<a href="http://www.zdnet.com/apples-ios-6-0-1-still-has-wi-fi-bugs-7000006861">http://www.zdnet.com/apples-ios-6-0-1-still-has-wi-fi-bugs-7000006861</a><br />
<br />
In addition to the recent reliability issues with Apple mobile devices, we've also noticed a pattern of planned obsolescence with Apple mobile devices. Apple is discontinuing software updates as quickly as 2 years after the mobile device hardware is released. In addition to discontinuing software updates in an unreasonably short period of time, Apple mobile devices have a trend of being difficult to repair:<br />
<a href="http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad+4+Teardown/11462/1#s41249">http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad+4+Teardown/11462/1#s41249</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad+Mini+Teardown/11423/1#s41033">http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad+Mini+Teardown/11423/1#s41033</a><br />
<a href="http://ifixit.org/3483/one-tablet-per-child">http://ifixit.org/3483/one-tablet-per-child</a><br />
<br />
Due to these reliability and sustainability issues, our consensus is that we're unable to recommend Apple mobile devices to our clients.<br />
<br />
Google Android mobile devices have had some sustailbility issues with lack of software updates as well, but these issues resulted from the cellular service provider partners refusing to approve and allow the updates that Google was providing. In response, Google is offering their 'Nexus' branded Android devices, which receive software updates directly from Google as a solution.<br />
<br />
Based on our years of experience supporting modern mobile devices, we're making the following purchasing recommendations this holiday season...<br />
<br />
Tablet - Google Nexus 7 - $199:<br />
<a href="https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_7_16gb">https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_7_16gb</a><br />
<br />
E-book reader - Amazon Kindle Fire HD - $199:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0083PWAPW?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0083PWAPW&linkCode=xm2&tag=uniontechncoo-20">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0083PWAPW?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0083PWAPW&linkCode=xm2&tag=uniontechncoo-20</a><br />
<br />
Smartphones - Recommendations for each cellular service provider are available on our website at:<br />
<a href="http://www.uniontechcoop.com/home/professional-solutions/phones">http://www.uniontechcoop.com/home/professional-solutions/phones</a><br />
<br />
However, if you're looking for an affordable and sustainable mobile device for accessing the Internet, we're recommending the Google Chromebook over all of the mobile devices listed above. The Google Chromebook provides a much higher level of functionality (nearly equivalent to a traditional computer), while being very close to a mobile device in price at $249:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009LL9VDG?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B009LL9VDG&linkCode=xm2&tag=uniontechncoo-20">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009LL9VDG?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B009LL9VDG&linkCode=xm2&tag=uniontechncoo-20</a><br />
<br />
Please feel free to give us a call at (608) 616-9925 if you have any questions.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thanks,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Union Tech Coop Technical Committee</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.uniontechcoop.com/">uniontechcoop.com</a></div>
uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-18088586089397240232012-11-19T12:59:00.000-08:002012-11-19T12:59:27.412-08:00Updated computer lineupHello Everyone,<br />
<br />
We're proud to announce that we've updated our computer lineup.<br />
<br />
We've included the latest and greatest newly available hardware to coincide with the recent release of Microsoft Windows 8. As usual, all of our custom desktop and laptop computers include the professional version of the Microsoft Windows 8 operating system (Windows 8 Pro). If you'd like more information about Microsoft Windows 8 and why we're recommending it, please check out our recent blog post:<br />
<a href="http://uniontechcoop.blogspot.com/2012/10/no-reason-to-fear-windows-8-weve-pre.html">http://uniontechcoop.blogspot.com/2012/10/no-reason-to-fear-windows-8-weve-pre.html</a><br />
<br />
We've designed our custom desktop and laptop computers to be the most reliable and sustainable computers available anywhere. We're using the highest quality components with the best warranties we can find - all components are warrantied for 3 years, and many of the components have lifetime warranties! We know from experience that laptops tend to suffer from more wear and tear throughout their lifecycle than desktops, so all of our laptops include 3 years of accidental damage protection so you're covered if an accident strikes.<br />
<br />
If you're considering a new computer purchase, please take a look...<br />
<br />
Custom desktop computers:<br />
<a href="http://www.uniontechcoop.com/home/professional-solutions/desktop-smart">http://www.uniontechcoop.com/home/professional-solutions/desktop-smart</a><br />
<a href="http://www.uniontechcoop.com/home/professional-solutions/desktop-genius">http://www.uniontechcoop.com/home/professional-solutions/desktop-genius</a><br />
<br />
Custom laptop computers:<br />
<a href="http://www.uniontechcoop.com/home/professional-solutions/laptop-smart">http://www.uniontechcoop.com/home/professional-solutions/laptop-smart</a><br />
<a href="http://www.uniontechcoop.com/home/professional-solutions/laptop-genius">http://www.uniontechcoop.com/home/professional-solutions/laptop-genius</a><br />
<br />
Please feel free to give us a call at (608) 616-9925 if you have any questions.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thanks,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Union Tech Coop Technical Committee</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.uniontechcoop.com/">uniontechcoop.com</a></div>
uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-56897285142231970952012-10-31T19:20:00.000-07:002012-11-18T09:09:08.145-08:00No reason to fear Windows 8, we've pre-configured it to 'just work' for our clients!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hi Everyone,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You may have heard that Microsoft
recently released Windows 8 on Friday 10/26.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Members of the Union Tech Coop
Technical Committee have been testing Windows 8 for several months
using the Evaluation copy Microsoft provided to developers prior to
the final release.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We're happy to say that our test
results have been very positive. Windows 8 has several advantages over
Windows 7:</div>
<ol>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Performance – some 'eye candy'
visual effects have been removed due to the design requirement for Windows
8 to run on lightweight hardware.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Security – Microsoft's anti-malware security software and Adobe's Flash Player have been
integrated into Windows 8...and they receive updates automatically.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Compatibility – Windows 8 seems
to be very similar to Windows 7. From our testing, every program
designed for Windows 7 that we tested worked properly under Windows
8.</div>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The biggest noticeable change in
Windows 8 is the new user interface (called the 'Metro' or the
'Modern' user interface). The new look is the default setting on any
newly purchased computer from a retail store that includes Windows 8.
This new user interface has large buttons (called 'tiles') rather
than a traditional 'desktop' that previous versions of Windows displayed.
The new look was designed for computers with touchscreen monitors and for touchscreen mobile devices. The new look works well for touch use cases
but can be unfamiliar at first.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our technicians are able to easily
configure Windows 8 to display the 'classic' desktop environment that
you are familiar with if you find the new user interface is not to
your liking.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Due to the advantages we've seen in our
testing and the minimal effort involved in configuring Windows 8 to
display the traditional look, Union Tech Coop will be including
Windows 8 with our custom desktop computers going forward. We're happy to build custom computers with Windows 7 upon request for
clients who prefer to continue using Windows 7 rather
than move to Windows 8.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All Windows 8 computers purchased from
Union Tech Coop will be configured to show the 'classic' desktop
environment by default. Users will be able to easily switch to the
new user interface at any time to try it out. We're happy to assist
our clients to configure the new user interface to be the default on computers purchased from Union Tech Coop at any time at no
additional charge.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We're proud to offer the highest quality
custom computers and to include the latest
Microsoft Windows 8 Pro as the operating system. We're also happy to schedule a demonstration of the computers for anyone who is interested in giving the hardware and software a try before making a purchase.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Please feel free to give us a call at
(608) 616-9925 if you have any questions.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thanks,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Union Tech Coop Technical Committee</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.uniontechcoop.com/">uniontechcoop.com</a></div>
uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-76739873231068542362012-09-18T10:35:00.003-07:002012-09-18T10:35:56.049-07:00<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Join Us! Saturday, September 29, 2012 @ The Monona Terrace for the </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">2nd Annual Co-op Connection</span></h2>
Summit Credit Union (SCU) is hosting the 2nd Annual “Co-op Connection" on September 29, 2012 at the Monona Terrace.<br />
<br style="line-height: 16px;" />
Visit<a href="http://summitcreditunion.cmail4.com/t/r-l-hjkhkyl-gulddjuhd-f/" style="color: #5da733; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> SummitCreditUnion.com/<wbr></wbr>coopconnection</a> for complete information and a <a href="http://summitcreditunion.cmail4.com/t/r-l-hjkhkyl-gulddjuhd-z/" style="color: #5da733; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">registration and sponsorship form.</a> Look for the opportunity to share Co-op stories on this year’s registration! SCU will let others know what the Co-op Connection will have to offer in <b>2012 - the International Year of Cooperatives.</b><br />
<br style="line-height: 16px;" />
If you have any questions, contact SCU at<a href="mailto:CoopConnection@summitcreditunion.com" style="color: #5da733; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"> CoopConnection@<wbr></wbr>summitcreditunion.com</a>.<br />
uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-68954667406902030902012-09-11T05:59:00.000-07:002012-09-11T05:59:16.701-07:00Ongoing network wide hacker attacks related to Java softwareHi Everyone,<br />
<br />
Since Monday 09/03 Union Tech Coop technicians have been monitoring breaking security news that hackers are actively attacking computers that are running out of date versions of Java software.<br />
<br />
Java is a prerequisite software that some applications and some websites require to work. Computers that Union Tech Coop has deployed in the past include Java software for several reasons:<br />
1. The OpenOffice/LibreOffice software suite uses Java for the Database application in the suite.<br />
2. So clients that use websites that require Java do not receive error messages.<br />
3. So clients that run applications that require Java do not receive error messages.<br />
<br />
The difference between previous hacker attacks and the current ongoing attacks is that previously only a single computer would be compromised. In the recent series of attacks a single computer is compromised, then the compromised computer is used as a platform to attack all other network computers that are missing security updates. In a typical network environment this means that nearly every computer on the network will be compromised as well - a disasterous situation for an organization that relies on those computers for day to day operations.<br />
<br />
Here is a description of a real world infection scenario, including the amount of work required to recover a single infected computer:<br />
<a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/09/03/java_cleanup">http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/09/03/java_cleanup</a><br />
<br />
Emergency security updates have been released, but hackers are continuing to attempt to exploit the most recent versions of Java as they are released. Until the current versions of Java have been confirmed to be secure, the best practice is to remove Java software entirely:<br />
<a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/java-still-not-safe-security-experts-say/240006876">http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/java-still-not-safe-security-experts-say/240006876</a><br />
<br />
Union Tech Coop technicians have identified several ways to allow an organization that requires Java to continue to use Java software only for trusted applications and websites - while disabling Java for all other untrusted uses.<br />
<br />
If your organization requires Java, Union Tech Coop technicians recommend implementing proactive security measures as soon as possible to avoid a network wide malicious software infection. Union Tech Coop technicians are standing by to provide assistance. Please call (608) 616-9925 if you would like to schedule a security assessment.uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-58825564560003716372012-07-17T10:44:00.000-07:002012-07-17T10:44:15.664-07:00<div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">FIXING THE FUTURE </span></h2>
</div>
<div>
Madison Worker Cooperatives is sponsoring a screening of the Fixing the Future movie about building a sustainable economy.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
When: Wednesday, July 18th, 2012 </div>
<div>
Time: 7:30PM </div>
<div>
Where: Point Cinema on the West side of Madison</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Come on out if you'd like to learn more about worker cooperatives!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
For more information on the movie, visit:</div>
<div>
<a href="http://fixingthefuture.org/" target="_blank">http://fixingthefuture.org/</a> </div>
<div>
For more information on Madison Worker Cooperatives, visit: </div>
<div>
<a href="http://madworc.org/" target="_blank">http://madworc.org/</a> </div>uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-14068452636767398412012-07-03T08:31:00.001-07:002012-07-03T08:31:12.428-07:00<h2 class="title">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>Willy Street Coop</span>'s <span>2012 Annual Meeting & Party</span></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h2>
<h1 class="title">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Who knew meetings could be<u> fun for the whole family</u>? Willy Street Coop shows you how!</span><br /><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Dinner and entertainment including</span><span style="font-size: small;">:</span></h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Live Music * Kid's Activities</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Truly Remarkable Loon (comedy juggler) * Chad Vader (comedian) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Artterro craft tables * and of course, the Business Meeting</div>
<h1 class="title" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Plus a <i><span style="color: blue;">free gift</span></i> for the first 1,000 people!</span></span><br /> </h1>
<b>When: Thursday July 12th, 4pm-8pm</b><br />
<b>Where: Corner of S. Dickenson St. & E. Main, 1 block off East Washington Ave.</b><br />
<br />
Free to all Owners! Tickets available NOW at the Customer Service desk. This year they will not have free tickets at the event site. <br />
<h1 class="title">
<b><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Rain or shine</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> ~ come join us for a great time! </span></b></span></h1>
<h1 class="title">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1 class="title">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></h1>uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-65446359041533782222012-06-19T08:56:00.002-07:002012-06-19T08:56:44.714-07:00<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">2nd Annual Co-op Connection — Saturday, September 29, 2012 </span></h2>
Summit Credit Union (SCU) is looking forward to “Celebrating Cooperatives
and Community” by hosting the 2nd Annual “Co-op Connection". In planning for this year's event, they have met with the Cooperative Network,
UW-Center for Cooperatives, CUNA Mutual and the Principle 6 lunch to
help shape Coop Connection 2012. Join us on September, 29, 2012 at the Monona Terrace for this exciting event!<br style="line-height: 100%;" />
<br style="line-height: 100%;" />
Visit<a href="http://summitcreditunion.cmail4.com/t/r-l-hjkhkyl-gulddjuhd-f/" style="color: #5da733; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> SummitCreditUnion.com/<wbr></wbr>coopconnection</a> for complete information and a <a href="http://summitcreditunion.cmail4.com/t/r-l-hjkhkyl-gulddjuhd-z/" style="color: #5da733; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">registration and sponsorship form.</a> Look for the opportunity to share Co-op stories on this year’s registration! SCU will let others know what the Co-op Connection will have to offer in <b>2012 - the International Year of Cooperatives.</b> Plus, there is an added incentive for getting your registration in by August 1st.<br style="line-height: 100%;" />
<br style="line-height: 100%;" />
If you have
any questions, contact SCU at<a href="mailto:CoopConnection@summitcreditunion.com" style="color: #5da733; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> CoopConnection@<wbr></wbr>summitcreditunion.com</a>.uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-85951952992859253112012-04-26T09:02:00.000-07:002012-04-26T09:02:15.945-07:00Join us at The Madison Cooperative Business Conference<h2 style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
THE MADISON COOPERATIVE BUSINESS CONFERENCE: GROWING JOBS THROUGH CO-OP OWNERSHIP<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></h2>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Wednesday and Thursday, June 6th-7th, 2012</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><a href="http://conferencing.uwex.edu/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #336699; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Pyle Center</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">, 702 Langdon Street, Madison, WI</span><br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Want to learn more about the cooperative movement? Already involved in a cooperative?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Check out this conference! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://www.cityofmadison.com/Business/CoopConference/">http://www.cityofmadison.com/Business/CoopConference/</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">This conference will be targeted to a wide-array of individuals, ranging from existing cooperative owners, entrepreneurs exploring a cooperative model, business service providers, and planning and economic development professionals. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Resources regarding business cooperatives is available at </span><a href="http://www.uwcc.wisc.edu/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">www.uwcc.wisc.edu</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-60626785106710237092012-03-11T09:54:00.000-07:002012-03-11T09:54:49.564-07:00'Our first blog post for 2012' or 'what have the members of UTC been up to lately?'<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We've neglected posting to our blog regularly in the last 6 months or so and we're determined to correct that in 2012. Although we haven't been making many posts recently, there has been no shortage of activity that we want to let the community know about. Here is a short summary of what we've been working on lately:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">1. We'll be updating the rates page on our website with our 2012 rates soon. The new rates will go into effect beginning on 2012 Q2 and we'll create another post here on the blog as well when the updated rates have been posted. One upcoming change is that we're adding additional scheduling options to work with a UTC technician outside of our standard business hours due to popular demand.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">2. We'll be updating our workstation recommendations with new desktop and new laptop models soon. Technology moves fast, and we do our best to keep pace. The new desktop continues the miniaturization trend we began with our previous model while increasing performance, and the new laptop model is faster and more power efficient than our previous model.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">3. We've been actively researching and building new cost-saving enterprise solutions in our office lab in the areas of high availability routers, storage servers and application servers. We're working hard to create new solutions that are highly reliable and affordable at the same time using free software, and we'll be posting new products to our website soon that are the result of this research and development.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">4. We've been running a pilot program to accept computer donations, refurbish the computers and donate them back to members of the community in need free of charge. We'll be posting the details of the program here soon including information about how you can participate as a business, organization or individual. UTC technicians believe that the best way to recycle is to re-use first whenever possible. We're excited about the potential of this new program to keep working hardware out of the landfill and to get computers into the hands of people in the community that need them!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">5. We've become an official repair center for the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project. This project has noble goals to spread economic opportunity to children in the developing world by providing technology to them free of charge. In addition, the project is at the forefront of sustainable hardware design - all for a cost of roughly $200 per computer. We'll be donating labor time to keep OLPC computers running in support of the project. We'll post more details on this soon, for now you can visit our repair center page on the OLPC website at:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Well, that's everything we can think of at the moment - we also don't want to forget to say 'Happy 2012' to everyone too!</div>uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-22800403772449603672011-09-29T12:23:00.001-07:002011-09-29T12:23:49.148-07:00Join us at - Co-op Connection on Saturday October 1 from 9am - 2pm<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.565404717810452" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Co-op Connection: A Celebration of Cooperatives and Community </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saturday, October 1 | 9 am – 2 pm<br class="kix-line-break" />Monona Terrace Convention Center</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Come join the fun!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Co-op Connection, hosted by Summit Credit Union, is a one day event to celebrate cooperatives and all that they contribute to our communities. Area cooperatives and cooperative enthusiasts will host interactive booths to educate their members, employees, and the public on what they do and why it’s important to our community and the local economy. <br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" />Admission is free for everyone, so bring your friends and family to win great prizes, enjoy live music, snacks, refreshments, kids’ activities, and information about the cooperatives in our communities. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<a href="about:blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SummitCreditUnion.com/coopconnection.html</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/SummitCoopConnection"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook.com/SummitCoopConnection</span></a></div>uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-70324755490783588182011-06-25T08:00:00.001-07:002011-06-25T08:01:16.430-07:00Union Technology Cooperative is proud to offer community pricing to Willy Street Co-op Owners<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em; ">For a limited time UTC is extending our community rate pricing (50% off) to Willy Street Co-op Owners for residential computer repair and network services. Owner card must be presented at checkout. Discount does not include hardware sales. The offer expires September 30th, 2011 and is subject to technician availability, so please contact us to schedule an appointment today.</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.9em; "><a href="http://www.uniontechcoop.com/" title="http://www.uniontechcoop.com" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >http://www.uniontechcoop.com</span></a></p></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-53754637916977425432011-06-09T12:55:00.001-07:002011-06-12T09:53:59.335-07:00An open letter in support of WiscNetFrom: Union Technology Cooperative<br />
To: Wisconsin State Legislators and Governor Walker<br />
Subject: An open letter in support of WiscNet<br />
<br />
<div>The worker-owners of Union Technology Cooperative strongly oppose and condemn the misguided "Omnibus Motion" to eliminate WiscNet from the UW System (Sections 23-26 of the UW System Bill). <br />
<br />
WiscNet is a non-profit cooperative organization that provides affordable Internet service to Wisconsin universities, K-12 schools and libraries. The combination of high speed Internet service, affordable pricing and knowledgeable technical support that WiscNet provides are the reasons why these organizations choose WiscNet to be their Internet service provider. If commercial providers were offering better value or technology, WiscNet would not be necessary. However, this is not the case, and the services provided by WiscNet currently cannot be matched by their commercial conterparts.<br />
<br />
WiscNet has always been a technology leader for Wisconsin. For example, recently WiscNet has been a leader in forthcoming IPv6 transition, providing the training and equipment necessary to insure their members are prepared. This type of investment is a key factor in keeping Wisconsin economically competitive. By comparison, no commercial provider has commited the same level of resources to the IPv6 transition nor do they have any plans to do so in the near future even as the deadline looms. The fact is that this budget proposal is likely to cost the State more in the long run by forcing the UW System as well as State-funded schools and libraries to pay more for Internet service and outdated technology. <br />
<br />
Please join us in opposing this attack on Wisconsin's educational system. If this measure succeeds, the quality of our great Wisconsin educational system will suffer. In turn, Wisconsin will be a less attractive place to do business, further jepordizing our fragile economic recovory.<br />
<br />
More information and steps you can take to help are listed on the WiscNet website: http://www.wiscnet.net<br />
<div><br />
For additional information, please contact: (608) 616-9925 or <a href="http://www.utcwisconsin.com/">http://www.utcwisconsin.com</a></div></div>uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-80515002246558640612011-05-27T07:46:00.001-07:002012-03-07T16:45:50.284-08:00Fake Anti-Virus and Rogue Security ApplicationsRecently the problem with "Fake" Anti-virus and "Rogue" Security Applications has reached critical mass. In an effort to help our clients, Union Technology Cooperative will be posting a series of YouTube tutorials and posts here on our blog, with instructions on how to defend your computer from these types of malicious applications.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Part 1 of this series is presently </span>available<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> on YouTube.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wR6jyuktqcQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This series is ongoing with additional recommendations and instructions coming soon. "Fake Anti-Virus and Rogue Security Applications Part 1" covers the single most important step you can take in defending your PC from fake anti-virus applications; creating a single "Administrator" account, and only using your computer as a "Standard" user.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As always, if you think your computer is infected with malicious software, NEVER enter credit card or financial information. If you need assistance with the instructions, or have questions please visit our website; <a href="http://www.utcwisconsin.com/">www.utcwisconsin.com</a> and select from one of the contact options on our home page. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-71421778136693042792011-05-24T10:01:00.000-07:002011-05-26T09:21:55.016-07:00WISCONSIN'S FIRST INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COOPERATIVE OPENS NEW MIDDLETON OFFICE<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Madison, Wisconsin - April 26th, 2011 - </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Union Technology Cooperative, a worker-owned and operated technical support provider, recently opened a new office on Branch Street in Middleton. Formed in 2008 by a collective of independent IT contractors, UTC is the state's only information technology business organized as a cooperative.</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <br />
</div><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> Only a handful of technology cooperatives exist throughout the country, and Madison's strong cooperative roots had a major impact on UTC's formation. UTC provides technicial support for small and medium-sized businesses as well as residential clients in the greater Madison area. The member-owners of UTC place a strong focus on community by providing affordable services to community organizations and residents with a high level of need.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> <br />
</div><div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"> UTC is the only local technical support provider that focuses on enterprise-quality services and solutions for area businesses and individuals. The new Middleton office is a major milestone for the start-up. UTC looks forward to providing reliable services and solutions for many years to come in the greater Madison area.</div></div>uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8542384739320975673.post-76764183969928073862010-07-26T10:10:00.000-07:002011-05-24T10:17:03.016-07:00Union Technology Cooperative featured in MadWorC Co-op Spotlight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://madworc.org/node/22"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://madworc.org/sites/madworc.org/files/spotlightUTC.png" width="320" /></a></div>uniontechcoophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14375468053598089900noreply@blogger.com