Yearly Archives: 2015

Macadamia White Chocolate Chip Cookie Cure-All

By Black Mountain Software | Published December 23, 2015

Just in Time for the Holidays!

C2014-10-03O-Naookies. They can help any number of ailments: bitter coffee mouth, the miss your family holiday blues, and lack of yuletide-itis.
If you didn’t already know, we’ve got a bit of a thing for cookies here at Black Mountain Software. In fact, we are so serious about our cookies that we do a blind cookie tasting every year to choose the perfect cookie. And we think the results are just…sweet!

If you suffer from bitter coffee mouth or lack of yuletide-itis, and you’re yearning a super yummy remedy, we’ve got a cookie cure-all recipe that is sure to keep you from falling to “crumbles!” It’s the Brown Butter White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie recipe, inspired by our 2013 BMS Cookie of the Year. Read more >

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IP Addresses

By Black Mountain Software | Published December 21, 2015

Do you know yours and what it does?

I2014-10-03O-Nat was an almost laughable moment when we—a software company—were trying to explain to an outside technology-marketing consultant why she couldn’t inquiry her IP address to install a simple security feature. It made us realize: if the people we work with don’t fully understand IP addresses, there are
probably a lot of our clients who work on computers all day and still don’t quite understand them either!

What is an IP address?

The IP or Internet Protocol address is a unique numeric label assigned to your computer or smart machine, which allows it to communicate with other
devices on the Internet; sort of a telephone number for your computer. Read more >

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Guidelines for Government Gift Giving

By Black Mountain Software | Published December 10, 2015

‘Twidth="300"is the season of yuletide, carols, and…regulated gift giving?

It might seem like there’s a tiny heart “two sizes too small” in the office of Government Compliance and Ethics when it comes to gift giving guidelines set for government officials. However, these policies exist to prevent the potential of a token of appreciation becoming an incentive, bribe, or obligation.

That’s not to say you can’t show appreciation for your fellow government officials and coworkers; gift giving is perfectly acceptable as long as the laws, regulations and gift giving guidelines are followed.

The basic theory behind government gift giving is this: if it can be conceived as a bribe, or sway a government official to make a particular decision, it’s ILLEGAL. Read more >

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Ten Depression Busters for Winter Blues

By Black Mountain Software | Published November 23, 2015

IFeel free to use this image, just link to www.SeniorLiving.Org This microstock required lots of post processing to get the blue tint. I also needed a bounce card to get more detail in the glasses.t’s supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but often, the mix of cold weather, overindulgence and the financial stress of the holidays can leave many feeling the winter blues.

If you are in a seasonal funk, there are a few things you can do to help improve your everyday mood. Check out our Ten Depression Busters, which can help brighten your spirits this holiday season and beyond.

Ten Depression Busters for the Winter Blues

  • Don’t overindulge. Winter holidays are synonymous with mashed potatoes and gravy, pies, desserts, and alcohol. What you eat and drink can have a huge impact on how you feel, so try to maintain as normal eating patterns as possible so you can feel your best.
    • Read more >
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    What is Cloud, in Five Letters

    By Black Mountain Software | Published November 16, 2015

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    How can five letters leave you so confused, like your head’s in the clouds? Well, when you’re talking about something that you can’t see, is indeterminable in size, and exists “in the clouds,” it’s understandable why people are confused by it. So, we’ve broken down the cloud in five letters:
    C, L, O, U, D.

    An Explanation of the Cloud in Five Letters (CLOUD)

    C – Computing. Cloud, or more formally known as “cloud computing,” is the practice of using a network of remote servers, “the cloud,” to store, manage, and/or process data rather than on a local network server or a personal computer’s hard drive. Read more >

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    Dealing with Change: Tips for a Seamless Software Conversion

    By Black Mountain Software | Published November 2, 2015

    7K0A0190How many times have you heard the words, “that’s the way we’ve always done it” from a co-worker’s mouth? Most likely, a lot! So when it comes time to make a change—in assigned roles, vendors, software, or processes—it can be difficult! Especially when we’ve grown so accustomed to a certain way of doing things.

    In the wise words of Socrates, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

    At Black Mountain Software, we understand what it means to ask a county, municipality, school or utility to change. Read more >

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    Small Town Stories: Joliet, MT

    By Black Mountain Software | Published October 19, 2015

    Over the years, we’ve written about many small towns that Black Mountain Software serves. Though this town is quite typical in many ways to other towns we’ve featured, it has one outstanding characteristic: it is the smallest in landmass, reaching only .29 square miles!

    Within its tiny footprint and population hovering around 650 people, it’s surprising to find that Joliet has had a few notable historical residents that have called Joliet home. The first is former Montana State Senator Chet Blaylock who ran for Governor of Montana. Second, is Jack Waddell, test pilot for the Boeing 747 maiden flight in 1969. Read more >

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    Survival Guide for Local Government Budget Season

    By Black Mountain Software | Published October 12, 2015

    Feel free to use this image, just link to www.SeniorLiving.Org This microstock required lots of post processing to get the blue tint. I also needed a bounce card to get more detail in the glasses.

    We said the “B” word: Budgets. They can be…well, a bugger. Long, complicated, and requiring a lot of analysis. A few “B” words came to our mind when thinking of budget: “boring,” “baffling,” and “bothersome.” But that’s ok, because we’ve pulled together a list of local government best budget practices that are the exact opposite–short and sweet–to assist with your budgeting success.

     

    A Clerk’s Survival Guide to Government Budget Planning

    Determine What Elements to Include In Your Annual Budget.

    Planning the annual budget is a long process, with many daunting tasks and thoughtful considerations. Some budgets are fairly straight forward, while others are specific and complex documents. Read more >

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    Keys to Good Customer Service in Eight Letters (CUSTOMER)

    By Black Mountain Software | Published October 5, 2015

    2014-10-03O-Na

    We love customer service! We love working with clients, and getting to know them throughout the integration process. In honor of Customer Service Week, we thought we would publish our thoughts on what makes good customer service.

    No matter what your job or industry, there are always moments when we need to put on our customer service hats. That’s why these principles apply to everyone, no matter what product or service they deliver, and how often they interface with customers!

    Keys to Good Customer Service in Eight Letters

    C – Confidence. Being well-trained and knowledgeable, offering immediate answers, and having the ability and permission to deal with the issue at hand all creates a confidence with the customer that will keep them coming back. Read more >

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    New IRS Resource helps Employers Understand the Health Care Law

    By Black Mountain Software | Published September 28, 2015

    by: The United States Internal Revenue Service

    The following article can be posted on your websites and used in other communication vehicles to help employers get the facts about the new IRS web page for applicable large employers.

    The new ACA Information Center for Applicable Large Employers page on IRS.gov features information and resources for employers of all sizes on how the health care law may affect them if they fit the definition of an applicable large employer.

    The web page includes the following sections:

    • What’s Trending for ALEs,
    • How to Determine if You are an ALE,
    • Resources for Applicable Large Employers, and
    • Outreach Materials.
    Read more >
    Posted in Accounting Basics, BMS Products, City Clerk Cafe, Government Accounting Standards, Office Efficiency, School Software, Small Cities | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on New IRS Resource helps Employers Understand the Health Care Law

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