This guy planned on making the blizzard a profitable one thanks to technology, and he didn't even have to plow a single driveway.

Someone in Brooklyn built an igloo in the blizzard, then listed it on Airbnb. Yes, you read that right. An igloo for rent on Airbnb.

The post described the rental as: "Dripping with ingenuity and alt-lifestyle aura lays the Snopocalypse of 2016's most desirable getaway. Hand-crafted, and built using only natural elements - we're offering the experience of a life time in this chic dome-style bungalow for you and bae."

It looks like they threw a couple blankets and plastic bagged pillows in there for good measure. Fancy, no? Especially at $200 / night!

Structural integrity aside, it does look pretty cozy inside. And they have lights!

The fresh powder on the dome's peak really sells the whole experience. As does the tiny pine tree hugging the exterior. Your own slice of Alaska in a Brooklyn backyard.

If your dream was to lodge at a site that was almost certainly added to Airbnb in jest, you're already too late. The company didn't take long before removing the listing.

Airbnb sent an appreciative and chipper take down notice to the builder: "We are happy to see that you guys are staying busy and having fun during Blizpocalypse. Unfortunately, your igloo, while very well constructed, has failed to meet our occupancy standards and has been removed from search results. Be sure to pick a place with running water, electricity, and a roof that doesn't melt."

Too bad...this could have been the most desired rental of 2016!

Another big storm is coming. Here's some useful emergency tips...

1. Limit non-emergency phone calls. This will minimize network congestion, free up “space” on the network for emergency communications and conserve battery power if you are using a wireless phone;
2. Keep all phone calls brief. If you need to use a phone, try to use it only to convey vital information to emergency personnel and/or family;
3. For non-emergency calls, try text messaging, also known as short messaging service (SMS) when using your wireless phone. In many cases text messages will go through when your call may not. It will also help free up more “space” for emergency communications on the telephone network;
4. If possible try a variety of communications services if you are unsuccessful in getting through with one. For example, if you are unsuccessful in getting through on your wireless phone, try a messaging capability like text messaging or email. Alternatively, try a landline phone if one is available. This will help spread the communications demand over multiple networks and should reduce overall congestion;
5. Wait 10 seconds before redialing a call. On many wireless handsets, to re-dial a number, you simply push “send” after you’ve ended a call to redial the previous number.  If you do this too quickly, the data from the handset to the cell sites do not have enough time to clear before you’ve resent the same data. This contributes to a clogged network;
6. Have charged batteries and car-charger adapters available for backup power for your wireless phone;
7. Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers in your phone;
8. If in your vehicle, try to place calls while your vehicle is stationary;
9. Have a family communications plan in place. Designate someone out of the area as a central contact, and make certain all family members know who to contact if they become separated;
10. If you have Call Forwarding on your home number, forward your home number to your wireless number in the event of an evacuation. That way you will get incoming calls from your landline phone;
11. After the storm has passed, if you lose power in your home, try using your car to charge cell hones or listen to news alerts on the car radio. But be careful – don’t try to reach your car if it is not safe to do so, and remain vigilant about carbon monoxide emissions from your car if it is a closed space, such as a garage.
12. Tune-in to broadcast and radio news for important news alerts.

Nemo has finally left! But not without leaving a mess to cleanup.

In what seemed like two days of nonstop snow, winter storm Nemo is finally over. The aftermath includes countless downed trees, downed power lines, caved in roads, and snow piles a mile high. And who can forget that the kids are off of school...again.

Many are still without power thanks the NSTAR and National Grid (including our Pembroke office). Slowly, power is being restored to local businesses and homeowners. Yesterday we were called out to many of our clients due to computer problems; the multiple power surges proved to be too much for many servers or computers to handle. If your power gets restored and you are having trouble using any of your technology, give us a call at 781-816-9437, extension 8911. Our office phone lines are currently down, but all calls will be forwarded to employee's cell phones by dialing the emergency tech support extension.

Winter storm Nemo and an IMPORTANT message.

Important Information - Please Read Carefully!

The media is reporting severe blizzard warnings here in the Northeast...winter storm Nemo is on its way. Based on past experience, we can expect multiple power outages throughout the storm period.

Due to the fact that we will be in a storm situation, I wanted to reach out to everyone in an effort to minimize any potential damage to your critical technology infrastructure.
Current forecast information shows that we will be experiencing severe wind and snow fall as well as flooding and perhaps evacuation of low lying coastal areas throughout Friday
afternoon into Saturday morning. This forecast pretty much guarantees there will be multiple and extensive power outages throughout the region.

It is our recommendation that all clients power off all computer work stations first, then power off your servers, prior to leaving their office for the weekend. When you return to work on Monday, turn on your servers FIRST, then turn on your computers.

Even if you have a UPS or battery backup unit, the potential of an extended power outage and the resulting surge of electricity when power is restored is a great concern. We recommend taking your backups home with you this weekend, whether it be on a removable USB drive or external hard drive.

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to call our office to speak with someone who can help you: 781-816-9437.
 
Stay safe this weekend!

-Tom Cheever
Operating Partner
International Enterprise Services