center mind: 2008

Sabtu, 20 Desember 2008

Top 10 Tips for WinXP Users

by: Anna-Marie Stewart

Are you new to WinXp? Just upgraded, or gotten a new computer maybe? Or you might have friends and contacts who use it and you want to "show off" a little by teaching them a few tricks? I`ve collected 10 of my favourite WinXP tricks, each of them easy to use, and very helpful, and if you follow the instructions step-by-step, they work perfectly. So here goes:

Top Tip #1:

Having a problem making your desktop icons stay exactly where you put them?

When you temporarily change your desktop to a lower resolution—for example whilst using Safe mode, Windows can wreak havoc with your careful positioning of desktop icons.

Right click your desktop click arrange icons and uncheck auto arrange. You can now drag & drop them wherever you want them. Note that if you start your computer in SAFE mode you will have to rearange them again.

Top Tip #2:

Accidentally moved your taskbar and want it back where it was?

Point your mouse to a 'blank' area inside the taskbar, THEN hold down your left mouse button, and DRAG it down where you want it to go. It may take a couple of tries to get it over.

Top Tip #3:

Feel like changing your Start Menu?

(1) Right click a blank spot on the Start Menu.
(2) Select Properties
(3) Select Customize
(4) Select the Advanced tab.

Most of those preset items which don't have the option to check or uncheck will be there. For each item listed you'll have the option to Display as link or Display as menu or Don't display this item. Make your selection as you desire. Note that you will have the option to display the Control Panel as a menu, which you might find very useful.

Top Tip #4:

Getting grey popup boxes with ads in? Stop the spam like this:

(1) Select "Start"
(2) Select "Settings"
(3) Choose "Control Panel"
(4) Choose "Administrative Tools"
(5) Choose "Services"
(6) Right-click on "Messenger"
(7) Select "Stop"
To permanently disable Messenger:
(8) Right click "Messenger"
(9) Select "Properties"
(10) Change "Startup Type" to "Disabled" and click "OK"

Top Tip #5:

Having problems viewing sites cos your computer isn`t accepting the cookies?

Open a New Browser window.

(1) Click on Tools (in toolbar).
(2) Click on Internet Options.
(3) Click on Privacy.
(4) Click on Advanced.
(5) Click on Override Cookie Control.
(6) Click on Enable First Party Cookies.
(7) Click on Enable Session Cookies.
(8) Click OK.

Top Tip #6:

Want to change how you see your emails? Try this:

Click on "view" at top. "Layout" will allow you to fix what you see. "Sort by" will let you arrange the order the messages appear in.

Top Tip #7:

Want to disable the Automatic Update reminders in Windows?

Open Internet Explorer/Tools/Internet Options/Advanced tab, under "Browsing" take the checkmark out of "Automatically check for Internet Explorer Updates", click Apply, click OK.

Another thing to try is to:

(1) Click Start
(2) Click Run
(3) Type in: "MSCONFIG" (without the quotes)
(4) Click OK.
(5) Under the Startup tab take the checkmark out of "Critical Updates"
(6) Click Apply
(7) Click OK
(8) Restart your computer.

Top Tip #8:

Got too many icons on your desktop?

Right click on an empty space on your desktop, highlight "Arrange Icons By", the click on Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard

Top Tip #9:

Tired of seeing your pointer as an arrow or an hourglass all the time? Windows XP offers a number of alternative pointer schemes, such as Dinosaur, Ocean and Sports.

Open the Control Panel, double-click Mouse, and select the Pointers tab. (If you start in Category view, select Appearance and Themes, then click Mouse Pointers under "See Also.") Next to Schemes, click the down arrow and select a scheme to preview its pointers. Click OK to apply the scheme to your desktop. Simple as that.

Top Tip #10:

Want to hear your computer talk?
Select Start, Programs, Accessories, Accessibility, Narrator. Or press the Windows key plus the letter "U" to open the Utility Manager. Microsoft Narrator, an accessibility option designed to assist readers who are blind or have impaired vision, starts automatically.

Once you've read through the intro screen (or let the Narrator do it), click OK and you'll see a dialog box of Narrator options. Assuming you want to leave Narrator running, select the desired options, then minimize its dialog box. And if you've opened the Utility Manager, feel free to close it.

To turn Narrator off, click the Exit button or right-click its taskbar item and select Close.

Hope this has helped you get your WinXP working the way you want it to, and given you a little fun too. For more information like this, I highly recommend that you visit, read through, bookmark and re-visit this site:
http://www.winxpnews.com/issues.cfm

Have Fun Learning!

About the author:
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15 Ways to Promote eLearning Programs

by: Catherine Franz

Pre-note: In this article, teleclass is an example used to
illustrate one type of eLearning market. The tips work the
same for other eLearning programs, including, but not
limited to, teleseminars and ecourses.

In the mid-1990s, the teleclass format began and was named,
distance learning. During these early years, learning
institutions, particularly universities, were chief users of
this format. Mainly due to the large equipment investment
needed at that time. Now, due to technology changes and
cost reduction, people can give and attend ePrograms without
leaving their chair or selling their first child. No
parking challenges, auto expenses, or travel time required.
Another benefit to learning by phone is that your listening
skills will reach new heights quickly.

In 2003, technology allowed a single conference line to
expand from 30 to 150 participants per line. Affordable
conference lines were previously only available in certain
states, Florida and Nevada. Now other states, like New
York, are jumping in on this bandwagon with affordable
rates.

Currently, a 24/7 conference line, is available to rent
around $600 a year. An alternative is to rent the line by
the hour. This can range between $10 to $20 per hour
depending on the service features desired. You can also
share a line with one or two others to reduce your cost. I
recommend finding line-share partners who are in other time
zones, it makes sharing easier.

Zero-cost teleconference lines at available at
http://www.mrconference.com and by other vendors. Most of
these services have flaws that range from automatic
disconnect if no voice is detected every 8 to 10 minutes, to
being blocked from entering the call because of overstressed
lines. I recommend the leader dialing in 5 to 10 minutes
early to secure the line, however, this doesn't mean that
all participants may not experience over trafficked busy
signals.

Actually, teleprograms will not take the place of "being
there" for all people. The skills and experience of the
teleclass leader or host can also make or break the learning
experience. There are just as many teleclass leader styles
as people. If you have never experienced a teleclass, I
recommend attending four or five before deciding if the
format is or isn't for you.

15 Tips To Help Promote Your eLearning Programs

1. If you produce your own eNewsletter, electronic
newsletter, or eZine, electronic magazine, or printed
newsletter, add an eLearning announcement section.

2. Contact other newsletter editors and ask to have your
program announced in their issue. You can swap ad space,
your ad for their ad, exchange ad space for participation,
offer a commission option, purchase the ad, or pay per
click-through. I don't recommend paying for click-throughs
unless excellent tracking systems are in place. In order to
attract, make sure their target market and yours match.

3. You can also use pay-per-click through search engines
like Google’s AdWord program. If you go this route, I
suggest you purchase an ad analyzer software (about $100) or
a service (average $19.95/month) to maximize time and reduce
mistakes.

4. Place notices all over your web site -- especially your
main page -- about the program. Remember: posting
announcement notices is actually passive marketing. You
will still need to pull visitors to the site.

5. Write and distribute Internet articles on the same
subject. Unable to write, hire a ghostwriter. Allow four
to twelve weeks for this process to begin pulling visitors
to your website. The number of articles distributed will
proportionally be your return. My low end measurement has
been: 1 article = 10 visitors or more = 8 new eNewsletter
subscribers = 1 sale. High end: 1 article = 350 new
visitors = 125 new subscribers = 10 sales. This is now one
of the top five Internet promotion building attractions.

6. Since ePrograms don't require people to be physically
present, attendance is now open internationally. Thus, you
will want to distribute information about your eLearning
opportunity globally. Find places in other English-speaking
countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and
New Zealand. If you speak a foreign language, you can even
offer the same program in that language. Spanish speaking
ePrograms are in high demand.

7. Mention your eProgram on other ePrograms you attend.
You can slip it in with a question or when presenting your
personal information to the class.

8. Add a promotional paragraph about the program to all your
outgoing e-mails, called signatures in Outlook. Choose HTML
design in your software and add a picture of the leader/host
along with a link to where someone can register or find out
additional information.

9. Join market-rich discussion lists, billboards, or chat
rooms. If direct solicitation isn't permitted, sell gently
through your signature or indirect questions.

10. Write a press release for each eProgram. Become a
member of PR Web http://www.prweb.com/. Membership is
fr*e*e. This number one website attracts a very high
percentage of media personnel.

11. Accumulate a list of all the local newspapers that offer
fr*e*e community event announcements. Inquire into their
deadline and submission requirements. You will also want to
ask how can may confirm receipt of your information. They
don't intentionally leave information out, however, they
move at a fast pace and things do get lost in the shuffle.
Special note: Most community list ads are for fr*e* events.

Use a three-ring binder to record the advertising
information. You can also save the information in your e-
mail software, like Outlook, and your Internet browser
software, in a separate "Community newspaper" section.
However, if the hard drive crashes, make sure the
information safe. Due to the value of this information and
the amount of time you spent accumulating it, you still may
want to keep updated printouts just in case. Even a backup
diskette in the binder. Having a paper version also helps
when the computer is off or you need to transport the
information. This is also a great item to delegate to a
virtual assistant.

12. Add your announcement to your telephone answering
script. Change it whenever you are offering a new eProgram.
Give instructions as to how to register -- and it’s
important to make this as easy as possible for them. Don't
forget some marketing tidbits of "what’s in it for them
(WIIFM)" to register and do it now.

13. Use fr*e*e ePrograms or offers to provide a taste and
attract participants to register for longer paid programs.
Offers can include: ebooks, ecourses, special reports, or
even a professional white papers. Offering a transcription
of the program or an audio copy is another great offer.

14. List your class in teleclass directories. Some
directories require that you attend their particular
teleclass-leading course. A big downfall in time and
expense in the short-run, however, good investment for the
long term. Here are a few directories to get you started:
http://www.seminarannouncer.com
http://www.teleclass4u.com
http://www.teleclasslive.com
http://www.teleclass.com
http://www.thefeelgoodplace.com/freetele.htm
http://www.Yahoogroups.com -- over 30 places to post your
eProgram listing.

15. If you give speaking engagements or even when you
participate in other events, seminars, workshops, give out
flyers on your eProgram. Works well in networking groups
too. Take the flyers to the libraries, senior and civic
centers.

FYI, names of ePrograms can seem confusing at times,
however, there is a standard for what to expect depending on
the name. A teleseminar usually has very little interaction
between leader and attendees. It is set up to instruct and
participants to solely listen. Sometimes a brief Q&A period
is spaced in-between subtopic changes.

On the other hand, a teleclass provides more time for
participant to participant or participant to leader
interaction. It has a higher ratio of free forming. A
teleclass format copies more of the workshop atmosphere. A
teleprogram, is a teleclass delivered over a period of time,
like a class at a learning institution. The term eProgram
is a compilation, or overview term, of all electronically
delivered learning programs.

About the author:
Catherine Franz, a Business Coach, specialized in writing,
marketing and product development. Newsletters and
additional articles:
blog:

10 Successful Strategies To Site Promotion

by: Rhonda White

Internet Marketing Tips for Moms

1. Generate Traffic. To generate a lot of traffic to your site and gain recognition, you need to promote in as many places as you possibly can. Do not throw all your advertising dollars in only one or two spots. Try to determine or ask the amount of traffic they are generating. Sites generating huge traffic often require higher advertising rates. Be aware; however, that some sites requesting high advertising rates, may not necessarily be generating that much traffic. There are many sites out there that really offer a great deal and do not charge high rates. To generate more traffic find as many free places to advertise as you possibly can.

2. Target the Right Market. Try to find sites that target the type of audience you are marketing to. Example: Someone selling baby products should advertise at baby sites, mommy sites, networks, groups and forums where mommies hang out and visit frequently. Just because you may be a work-at-home mom doesn't mean you have to limit yourself to just advertising at "WAHM" sites. Place your focus mainly where your targeted market will be, but find all similar possibilities to target as well. Example: If you sell educational products to career-minded young people, you would want to focus where young people of this age visit frequently, but you can also search for a few places to network where moms may visit who have teens getting ready to graduate from high school.

3. Visit Mom Sites. Spend time visiting other sites by moms and see where they are advertising. If they are displaying a banner on their site referring to some directory or networking site this gives you a clue that they may have exchanged links or listed in their directory for free in exchange for displaying their banner. Exchanging links with websites of similar content and products as yours will help with your search engine rankings and once again target your market. While you are visiting other sites by moms, be sure to sign their guest book while you are there. Many guest books allow you to add your website's url.

4. Use the Search Engines. Use Google and Yahoo and do a search for "Free Advertising", "List your URL", "Add your URL", "Add your Site", "Free Site Promotion", etc. Also include keywords you use for marketing your site. Just be cautious before spending money with any new sites you haven't heard of before. You will probably be surprised at how many sites you find that still offer free advertising.

5. Go Local. There is a HUGE competition going on all over the internet especially for those who are promoting websites with direct sales. "Local" is gaining popularity...and for a good reason. If I decided to start buying Avon, for example, I would probably prefer to buy from someone locally. Use the search engines to do a search for free classified ads in your city and nearby locations. See if you can find any local networks, groups, forums, portals, directories, etc.

6. Write Articles or Ebooks. You don't have to be a professional writer. Just find some great content, some interesting facts, some helpful hints, etc. Your article does not have to be very long at all. To get better results, write more frequent short articles than just a couple of big long ones now and then. Be sure to include your name and website at the end. If you offer a newsletter, promote it as well. After you write your article, submit it to as many places as you possibly can. Give permission to others to use your articles as long as they include your name and website address.

7. Start a Newsletter. Newsletters are a great way to generate repeat traffic. It reminds your customer or interested visitors about your site when they receive your newsletter. In your newsletter, be sure to encourage your subscribers to forward your newsletter to a friend. Include information about how they can easily subscribe to your newsletter. Offering your subscribers a chance to win a free gift will often help you receive more signups.

8. Add Content. Content helps get repeat visits to your site. Sites become stale without new content. If you have a site that you can edit, use plenty of good content, especially using keywords that the search engines will pick up particularly targeting your audience that you are marketing too. If you don't have time to do this, there are lots of sites that offer "free content" and "free articles". Just do a search on the search engines to locate them. You can use their content for your site instead of trying to write your own content.

9. Partner with Someone. Working at home can begin to seem like a long lonesome journey. Find someone you can connect with and trust. Exchange front page links or banners and help each other promote your businesses. You could even add your partner to your signature. For example, under your name and link place: Partner, Sherry - partnerdomain.com. Have your partner do the same for you. Write and promote a newsletter together; manage a networking group together. Partners can encourage each other and make the marketing road a little smoother.

10. Read and Learn. Marketing is an endless task that must be done to generate sales. The best tip I can give is to read and learn all you can about marketing and sales. You can do this on the internet as well as your local library. Find someone who is successful and get some of their best tips. If possible, set aside at least an hour or two each day promoting your business. Many people make the mistake of thinking they can create a website and traffic will automatically arrive. It just doesn't happen. Behind each successful site is a hard worker who labored away to advertise and promote. You can do it too!

About the author:
Rhonda White

20 Ways To Increase Website Traffic and eBook Sales

Here's a fast, easy list for you. Use it as checklist to see what you need to do to increase traffic. Or use it as a review list if you have already been working on improving your website traffic. It will help you find ways that you might have known or forgotten.

1. People love to receive free or win free stuff, whether they really need it or want it. A free eBook is perfect to satisfy those needs over the Internet. They will visit your website to get the free valuable information.

2. Give away the full version of your eBook in exchange for testimonials. You can use these customer statements to improve your ads' effectiveness.

3. When you create an eBook, you change your image to "Expert." This will gain people's trust and they will buy your main product or service quicker.

4. Publish your website in eBook format. Put the eBook on a disk or CD-ROM then include it with your direct mail packages. This can increase the number of people that buy your product or service.

5. Offer your eBook as a free bonus for buying one of your main products or services. People will buy the product or service more often when you offer a free bonus.

6. Allow people to download your free eBook, if they give the e-mail addresses of 3 to 5 friends or associates that would be interested in your eBook. This will quickly build your e-mail list.

7. Create a directory of websites in eBook form. List peoples websites in the directory that will agree to advertise the eBook on their website or e-zine (electronic newsletter). This will give them an incentive to give away or advertise your eBook.

8. Allow other people to give away your free eBook. This will increase the number of people that will see your ad in the eBook. You could also include a mini catalog of all your product or services that you offer in the eBook.

9. Gain new leads by having people sign up and give you their contact information before they can download your eBook. This is a very effective way to conduct market research.

10. Make money selling advertising space in your eBook. You could charge for full-page color ads, classified ads or banners ads. You could also trade advertising space in your eBook for other forms of advertising.

11. Give away the eBook as a gift to your current customers as a way of letting them know you appreciate their business. Place an ad in the eBook for a new back end product you are offering

12. Get free advertising by submitting your eBook to freebie and freeware/shareware websites. This will increase the number of people that will download your eBook and see your ad.

13. Make money by selling the reprint rights to those that would like to sell the eBook. You could also make even more money by selling the master rights. This would allow other people to sell the reprint rights.

14. Hold a contest on your website so people can win your eBook. You will get free advertising by submitting your contest ad to free contest or sweepstakes directories. Just make sure you publicize the winner's information -- they love the acknowledgment.

15. You will gain valuable referrals from people telling others about your eBook. Word of mouth advertising can be very effective.

16. Make money cross promoting your eBook with other people's products or services. This technique doubles your marketing effort without spending more time and money on your part.

17. Increase your e-zine subscribers by giving away your eBook to people that subscribe to your e-zine. This will give people an incentive to subscribe. Allow your e-zine subscribers to also give it away to multiply your subscribers.

18. Give away the eBook to people that join your affiliate program. This will increase the number of people that subscribe. You could also create an eBook for them to use that will help them promote your product or service.

19. Give away the eBook in exchange for people leaving their contact information. This will help you follow-up with the prospects that buy your main product or service.

20. Offer a free eBook that contains a couple of sample chapters. If they like it, give them the option of ordering the full version. It would work just like a software demo or shareware.

You will want to print this list and keep it in your website improvement file if you aren't quite ready. Or add it to your planning list.

Catherine Franz, a Professional Marketing & Writing Coach, specializes in product development, Internet writing and marketing, nonfiction, training. Newsletters and articles available at: http://www.abundancecenter.com blog: http://abundance.blogs.com

3 Ways to Publish RSS

by: Josiah Mackenzie

As RSS news syndication gains popularity among users, new ways for publishing RSS are emerging. In this article, I examine the three most popular methods, and help you decide which one works best for you.

1. Blogs
Weblogs, or blogs, as they are commonly called, are the primary reason RSS gained popularity. In fact, one of the earliest uses for RSS was for bloggers to monitor other blogs for updates.

Most blogging systems will produce RSS newsfeeds automatically. All you need to do is enter content, and the blogging software will build a newsfeed based on the information you enter. No extra work is needed. Just add content to your blog, and you have a newsfeed.

But there is one major disadvantage to using a blog for publishing RSS: you do not have complete control of the RSS output. Most blogging software will simply take an excerpt of your blog entry (eg, the first 15 words), and use that to create your RSS item. As you can imagine, this can lead to problems. The first 15 words of a blog entry don’t always capture the essence of that article.

2. RSS Publishing Software
Because of the inadequacy of blogs as a reliable and accurate RSS tool, new stand-alone software was developed. This software has one purpose: to provide the user with an easy way to create and publish RSS newsfeeds from their desktops. No longer do you have to write a long article in your blog to produce RSS feeds. All you have to do is enter a title for your news item, and (optionally) a couple sentences to describe that headline – and your feed is better than the blog-produced feed.

Examples of RSS publishing software for Windows include FeedforAll (http://www.feedforall.com) and Newzalert Composer (http://www.castlesoftware.biz/NewzAlertComposer.htm). Mac users have their own tool in Orangebox for Macintosh (http://www.globalsyndication.com/orangebox-for-macintosh).

3. Online RSS Publishing Systems
While subscribers to feeds generated by RSS software enjoyed the simplicity and clarity of the new feeds, some publishers began to run into problems that came with the publishing software. They missed the convenience of blogging’s online publishing that allowed them to add news -- regardless of whether they were at their home computer.

News publishers wanted the accessibility of online blogging with the accuracy of RSS publishing software. The new demand lead to the emergence of online RSS publishing systems such as FeedServer RSS Hosting (http://www.globalsyndication.com/rss-hosting). This new format of RSS publishing allows webmasters to login to an online control panel and publish their news – without having to worry about restrictive software licenses. Since most online RSS publishing systems run on a subscription basis, you can make use of the free trial or subscribe for one month and evaluate if the service meets your needs.

So which system should you use to publish RSS? It depends on your needs. If most of your readers manually visit your site to get new information, a blogging system may be sufficient. However, if you plan to take advantage of the full capabilities of RSS news syndication, you would do well to use a stand-alone RSS publishing system. RSS publishing software will satisfy your needs if you plan to use one computer only. But if you’re looking for flexibility and a lower startup costs, look into the new online RSS publishing systems.

About the author:
Josiah Mackenzie is an entrepreneur and small business owner. His website (http://www.josiahmackenzie.com) contains fresh tips and advice for business and internet marketing.

Josiah also manages marketing for Global Syndication (http://www.globalsyndication.com), an RSS solutions company.

7 Tips for Choosing the Right Blog Software for Your New Blog

by: Michael Turner

Choosing the right blog software for your new blog requires that you ask yourself some questions and make a list of all of the features and tools you need as well as your budget. Once you have this information written down you will be prepared to start shopping for blog software. However, keep in mind the following seven tips for choosing the best software for you.

Tip #1 Ping Updates
These allow you to update your blog and are very important in blog software. Make sure the blog software you are interested in provides automatic ping updates.

Tip #2 Comments
Whatever blog software you choose, you'll want to make sure that it has an area for comments from visitors. This will help you understand what is successful in your blog and what is not, as well as guide you in future blogs. This is a really great tool and should be part of your blog software.

Tip #3 Trackback
If you are discussing your blog on another blog, or simply adding information to another blog, trackback will allow you to update this information. This is a little confusing, but trackback allows you to talk on your blog about information on another blog and ping the writer of the other blog to let them know what is going on. Trackback is certainly a feature you want in your blog software.

Tip #4 Pingback
Pingback is similar to trackback, but it just sends a URL to the other blog to let them know you are talking about their blog on your blog. This is not used as much as trackback, but you will want a blog software that has at least one of these two functions.

Tip #5 Web-based
The point of a blog is you can post information instantly online, so you want your blog software to be similar to a word processor and web based without a shadow of a doubt.

Tip #6 Archiving
You want a blog software that supports archiving, and most of them do. The reason for this is you will want to save all of your past blogs by the date they were published and archiving allows you to do that.

Tip #7 Categorize
Another great tool you will want in your blog software is the ability to categorize. You want to keep your blogs organized and in categories, if you have them, so this option is really a great one for most bloggers.

There are lots of types of blog software available. You just need to do the research and compare what you find with what you need and then... start blogging!

About the author:
Michael Turner reveals step-by-step how you can increase search engine traffic in his free 7 part mini-series. Grab it now at

9 Steps to Protect your MS Windows System from Viruses

by: Evgeny Kovalenko

Nowadays as the Internet and other networks are greatly developed computer viruses are distributed rapidly and intensively. Everyday several new viruses capable to damage considerably your computer system arise. Anti-virus specialists work hardly to make updates their software against new viruses as soon as possible. The viruses can get inside computer in different ways. That is why there is no simple method to protect system. Only series of measures can give you reliable protection from the infection. Below are 9 steps to protect MS Windows based PC system from viruses.

1. Make regular backups.
It should be said that there is no absolutely safe way of protection. Virus creators regularly find holes in new computer products to use them for infection of computer systems. Some dangerous viruses can considerably damage data files or even erase entire file system. Make regular backups of your data files to separate file storage device. It can be separate hard drive, flash card, compact disc or another file storage device which you choose. To ease the procedure you can use some automatic backup software. And be ready if the system will die because of virus infection.

2. Be ready to reinstall your system if it dies because of viruses.
Get distributives of your operation system and distributives of software which you use and keep them together, for instance, on a set of CDs not far away from you. In this case if virus infection will cause unrecoverable system failure you can rapidly reinstall your working medium.

3. Protect your network connection with Firewall.
Firewall is a software which blocks suspicious potentially dangerous connections to preventing viruses from network to penetrate into your system. Windows XP system has quit simple but reliable built-in firewall. You can enable it as follows. 1) in Control Panel, double-click Networking and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections. 2) Right-click the connection on which you would like to enable firewall, and then click Properties. 3) On the Advanced tab, check the option to Protect my computer and network.

If you need more flexible control of connections with network you can get and install more advanced firewall software like Norton Personal Firewall or Outpost Firewall. If you use this software you have ability to permit or to block particular connections and to monitor network activity.

4. Use antivirus software.
Install antivirus software which will scan your system searching and erasing viruses on a regular basis. Leaders in antivirus software products for Windows systems are Norton Antivirus, McAfee, Kaspersky Anti-Virus and PC-cilin.

5. Regularly update operating system.
Windows XP has built-in automatic update service. It regularly contacts Microsoft server to find updates and notifies you if updates are ready to be installed. Updates are important because hackers regularly find holes in operating system which are often used by virus creators.

6. Don't install and don't run suspicious software.
Check new programs which you are going to install with anti-virus software. Don't download software from suspicious websites. To download software always seek website of software creator or official distributor. Do not open applications received by email from unknown persons.

7. Limit access to your computer.
Protect enter to system with password.

8. If you use Internet Explorer, consider moving to another browser.
As IE is the most distributed browser today virus creators actively use defects in its security system to infect computers. Infection may arise if you will visit webpage which contains invisible harmful code. You are more safe if you use less known browser only because virus creators do not pay much attention to it. Major IE competitors Firefox and Opera browsers provide now the same comfortable interface and range of services for working on the Web.

9. Use spam protection.
Viruses are often distributed via email. Switch on spam filters in your email box to block spam receiving. If you need assistance with using of the filters you can ask your email service provider.

About the author:
Evgeny Kovalenko is the Editor of FSSD computer software directory with free submission service for software developers and distributors.

25 Things Mapping Software Can Do For You

by: Joe Miller

1. With mapping software you can create a report that tracks your retirement plan for you.

2. Use mapping software to create an Executive Dashboard, which tracks the bottom line.

3. Use mapping software to find the snowfall reports for your favorite ski resorts in Idaho.

4. You can even use mapping software to explore an interactive map of India for school reports, business, or travel.

5. Track your store incoming and outgoing inventory, including shipping information and warehouse location, mapping software.

6. You can conveniently book your own airline seat, so you don’t need to worry if you are a “window person” as opposed to an “aisle person.”

7. Know the who, what, when, where, and how of your department by using mapping data to interactively manage your department.

8. Receive production information in real-time reports.

9. Look up CIA World Facts online to see how you can look up virtually everything you wanted to know about geographical and population statistics.

10. Get your daily stock quotes, or track their changes over time.

11. Create interactive marketing reports that can be “drilled down” from general to specific trends and statistics.

12. Track and manage personal, department, and company budgets.

13. You can track sales and revenue trends for multiple stores on a national or even global scale.

14. Create managerial and employee training using mapping software. Learn processes and procedures in an interactive setting.

15. Create interactive documents. This is especially helpful in examining large documents with various notes and headings. The U. S. Constitution is available in an interactive online format with mapping software.

16. If you are interested in researching national cancer rates, they are readily available in an interactive format with mapping software.

17. Land developers can find latitudes and longitudes, as well as other helpful geographical information on interactive maps.

18. Using mapping software, customer trends can be tracked, even down to the zip code.

19. You can track your monthly expenses, such as phone bills.

20. Track store receipts for company or personal records using mapping software.

21. Access executive dashboards, as well as other interactive maps on a PDA or other wireless devices.

22. Are you traveling to another country? You can look up cultures, government information, climate information, and anything else you need to be prepared.

23. Convert all HTML documents to PDF for easy printing and paper records.

24. You can track inflation and deflation, as well as other economic variables.

25. Anything Else You Dream Up

About the author:
Joe Miller is an online advertiser and author of informational articles on business software. More information on Mapping Software is available at Corda.com.

Software Evolution

Software Evolution
by: Rafael Sosa

As Internet connections become more permanent with broadband access, software will be able to evolve into a more efficient and personalized medium. Currently, most software run from our hard drives and require installations that alter our system configurations, many times slowing down our computers. Because software occupies space and processing power, there is a limited amount of software that can run in our PCs. On the business side, current software systems require many companies to produce a system of distribution (Compac Discs), customer support, and is usually not compatible with all customers, thus limiting its customer base further.

A software evolution is ocurring and it is going to benefit both customers and businesses immensly. Software will no longer come as a packet that needs to be installed on a PC, but rather it will be completely Web based. Web based software will become the default way of reaching customers. Customers will have advantages such as, using unlimited amount of software, using applications regardless of where the person is or which computer he/she is using, software can be personalized and upgraded to meet specific needs to each individual. Businesses will be able to, reduce costs, reach a larger customer pool, taylor its software to diverse markets, repair bugs more rapidly and easily, understand its customer and the way they use their software, etc.

In order for this software revolution to occur in whole, there needs to be a central point. Like Miscrosoft’s DOS in the 80’s, which became the standard choice of operating system to centralize and organize our computer operations, there needs to be an online operating system. As of now, Microsoft has built an empire because of its vision and their dominance in the OS market. However, now there is a window of opportunity to take a large chunk of that empire and possibly eliminate Microsoft’s monopoly of the Operating System. While there are many companies and organizations (Apple, Linux, Lindows) out there trying to take a bite out of Microsoft by competing on the same turf, PC users are accostumed to Windows and will most likely not switch. The opportunity to eliminate this monopoly is to create an Online Operating System. PC users will inevitably move completely online.

An Online Operating System will be the central point of every user in the future. There are online companies who have an inside advantage to this, such as Yahoo!, Google, and AOL, but it can be anyone’s medal, even to a fairly unknown competitor, as was Microsoft when they introduced DOS to the world. In this new concept of Operating System, there can be a larger space of diversity and can be shared by more companies, unlike the current status.

Video Game Violence...What do you think about it?

by: Daniel Punch

Ever since video game designers were able to put red pixels on their imaginary characters that had recently deceased, there have been people crusading against their subversive ways. The outrage at video games seems to be cyclic, fading very briefly before exploding into the public eye once more with renewed frenzy. The controversy seems to have sparked up again in recent times, with numerous crimes being blamed on the corruptive influence of video games. There have also been various "controversies" surrounding recent video games and their content in the areas of both violence and sexuality.

The first game to receive widespread criticism and media attention was the martial art fighting game "Mortal Kombat". This game included large spurts of blood emitted from attacks and also "Fatalities" that could be performed on stunned opponents after their defeat. These Fatalities were gruesome animation sequences showing the victorious player killing their defeated opponent in a vast variety of ways. Gamers revelled in this new experience and the controversy surrounding the violence caused mass hype that informed the less informed gamers that the game was out there. Consequently gamers played the new game just to find out what all the talk was about, thereby greatly increasing revenue.

One of the largest sparks of controversy has been the recent "Hot Coffee" modification for "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (GTA:SA)". This involved unlocking a sexually oriented mini-game that had been removed from the game before release, although evidently not from the source code. The creators of the game, Rockstar Entertainment, obviously realised that this particular part of the game was not appropriate for the video gaming public and removed access to it. An enterprising fan of the game found out and modified the original code to give access to the content once again. Lawsuits were brought against Rockstar for including such content in their game, although the validity of the lawsuit has to be questioned. If the game is simply purchased and played as intended by the developers, this admittedly tasteless and inappropriate mini game would never be encountered. It is not until the user-made modification is downloaded and installed that the player is able to access the content.

Regardless of who's to blame, "GTA: SA" was re-rated in America and banned from sale in Australia. Oddly enough the gratuitous and encouraged violence in the game went largely unnoticed in the wake of the "scandalous" sex scenes involving clothed, cartoonesque people.

When examined objectively almost all games contain a certain amount of violent content. The kid-friendly bright and colourful "Mario" games by Nintendo feature a character stomping on animated creature's heads. In fact the majority of games, even children's games, involve the protagonist crusading against an enemy horde of some sort and generally "disposing" of them in some manner, whether it be striking them with a weapon or body part (feet, hands, possibly a tail depending on the nature of the character). The only real stand out difference is that in a children's game the 'bad' characters will generally bounce backwards in a cute manner and explode with a humorous puff sound (or simply disappear) whereas in a game oriented towards older mature players, the characters are more likely to be (somewhat) realistic, spraying a gusher of red upon their demise.

Whenever some young person somewhere commits a violent crime these days it seems to get blamed on a video game, from "Duke Nukem" and "Quake" being accused for the Columbine High massacre, to a more recent incident involving a group of minors attributing their violent actions to the "Mortal Kombat" video games. Without any solid evidence either way it's hard to say whether or not video game violence actually has much of an influence on players. To really be sure you'd probably have to have a control group of isolated children that have never seen a violent movie or played a bloodthirsty video game. History does however show that brutal crimes were committed long before video games or even movies came into existence.

Children are quite easily influenced by something that they're excited about and I've seen this happen a lot. Playing a wrestling video game with a group of eight year olds often leads to the eight year olds screaming raucously and trying to pin each other down on the ground. Pre-teens will often punch and kick their way out of a cinema in terrible combat stances after having viewed a martial arts movie. The current content rating system in place is not geared towards consumer restriction; it is largely aimed at simply informing the public about what they are going to experience. Legal restrictions are not actually put in place until the higher, more severe ratings like in x-rated films. Parents, guardians, and society in general need to start taking an interest in who is viewing certain types of content. Instead of complaining about the entertainment a child is enjoying, the parent could be there at the beginning looking at the rating that is printed clearly on the packaging of all entertainment. A simple "I don't think that's suitable, how about this game? It has a lizard!" distracts the child a surprising number of times. In my experience, children genuinely just want people to take an interest in what they're interested in, not just murmuring indistinctly, "Yes dear, that's nice." as the child installs the newest violent game.

What about the children that are playing the games in the restricted ratings categories? The only way that they can even get the game into their possession is if a parent (or someone of legal age) purchases the game for the child, or if the store disregards the rating guidelines in place and sells it to them regardless. Either way the fact that a game's content has fallen into a minor's hands is not the fault of the game developer.

I'm not out to defend the integrity of artistic vision presented in video games as many other gamers are. Frankly there seems to me to be little artistic integrity in rendering blood that is ever more liquid in appearance. I do however enjoy playing some games that are quite violent in nature and in many cases the violent nature of the game increases my enjoyment. Video games are escapism, there's (arguably) no point in playing a video game that simulates something you can just walk outside and do (and yet sports games somehow consistently sell in large numbers... curious...). Interestingly I have never yet felt the overwhelming desire to break down into a kung fu stance and commit murder. Perhaps more important than simply banning questionable content in video games would be studying why this content is so appealing to today's society?

About the author:
Daniel Punch
M6.Net Web Helpers

Spyware Programs Are Out To Get You

by: Lawrence Andrews

The average computer is packed with hidden software that can secretly spy on online habits.

The US net provider EarthLink said it uncovered an average of 28 spyware programs on each PC scanned during the first three months of the year.

There are currently over 38,000 spyware and adware programs that are infecting innocent Internet users such as yourself through downloadable games, music, screensavers, pictures, pop-ups, emails, and the list goes on and on. Spyware and Adware can cause your PC to run extremely slow and even crash, and allow hackers and advertising companies to invade your privacy whenever they wish.

What Is Spyware?

Spyware is a broad term for programs that collects information from your computer without your knowledge or consent. Spyware is a software program that transmits a unique code to identify you (for tracking purposes) without your knowledge or consent. The programs collects or transmits information about your computer use, or other habits without your knowledge or consent.

This internet pest which is better known as spyware installs itself on your computer without your knowledge or consent. It performs other unwholesome duties, and continue to reinstalling itself no matter how many times you remove it.

Spyware!

It has become so pervasive that lawmakers in the US are looking into ways to prevent or regulate it. The Spy Audit by EarthLink reflects the results of scans involving over one million computers between January and March. It uncovered more than 29.5 million examples of spyware.

Why should I be concerned about spyware or adware?

Passwords, credit card details and other personal information could end up in the wrong hands.

Your computer could get unwanted viruses, worms or even Trojan.

You would receive unwanted emails.

Your computer could be used by malicious operators to do damage not only your own computer, but to other computer users too.

How did I get spyware on my computer and how do I eliminate it?

It usually happens when you visit a web site, and are prompted to download something that is said to be "necessary" to view or use features of that web site. Also, you might want or download a program that has some nice features, but also installs program code that can send information out without your knowledge.

"By tracking and publicizing the growth of spyware, we can better educate consumers of its risks and encourage them to take steps to protect themselves and their families while online," said Christine Stevenson of Webroot, which conducted the scans.

People concerned about what might be lurking on their machine can download software such as the popular ZoneAlarm Pro, Pest Patrol, and Spybot to disinfect their computer.

About the author:
Lawrence Andrews is a software developer, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for more information at

How To Stop Spyware From Robbing You

by: Tom Jenson

Booting up the computer in the morning seems to be taking
longer and longer. The pauses between asking for a web page
and it loading increase. Suddenly, even keystrokes aren't
registering on the screen as quickly as normal. Is your PC
on the verge of a breakdown or has some version of spyware
made a nest for itself on your machine?

The average user doesn't contemplate that the numerous
websites, free offers, giveaways or games they surf in a
day will damage their computer. And, nor does this average
surfer believe they could be downloading potentially
hazardous software that is going to cause their computer to
go on the blink, eternally.

The Internet is teeming with fantastic websites,
information, tools and interactive activities. Some of
these cost real money and some don't. It's easy to take a
freebie and feel like you got the better deal, but when a
lot of freebies come packaged with spyware to infect your
machine, the free price tag isn't really worth it in the
long run.

Spyware is an umbrella term covering malware, adware,
viruses and worms. Virtually any type of software (benign
or malicious) will track, record and send your activities
(online and off) back to its source. Similarly, in the
beginning, adware was designed with the idea of preventing
end users from being besieged by unwanted advertisements.
However, those more interested in harvesting your personal
data, whether it is credit card numbers or other personal
information, have unfortunately warped the idea.

Prevention is the best remedy for all of these ills. Good
anti-virus software, effective firewalls and reputable
anti-spyware tools can save you time, money and a lot of
headaches later. Most users don't think it can happen to
them, yet the best viruses and worms are so insidious, you
don't even realize it is happening at first.

Benign programs that just want to know the type of items
for which you like to shop, can interfere with your
Internet connection, overwork your CPU and even tie up
valuable RAM. While it may not 'mean' harm, it will become
a nuisance when left unchecked.

With the numerous anti-spyware tools available on the
Internet and in your software stores, it doesn't make sense
to stick your head in the sand. Ignoring problems on your
computer doesn't make them go away. Because spyware can
come in so many forms and be potentially fatal, it doesn't
make good sense to allow it the opportunity to inflict
damage before doing something about it.

Comparison-shop the various available anti-spyware tools.
There are many sites that cover current information on the
anti-spyware upgrades and latest problems. Educate
yourself to your options so that you can invest in the type
of software that will work for you.
===========================================================
Discover all you ever wanted to know about spyware. Latest
discovery methods, latest incoculation treatments, latest
removal techniques. Click for useful info and daily
updated blog of spyware news and articles. Click
http://www.spyware-revealed.com/

About the author:
Tom Jenson has worked in software development for 20 years.
He's seen spyware develop from an occasional problem, to a
daily, hourly threat to all pc's. He made it a mission to
research these threats, and work out how best to combat
them. Now this series of article helps others protect
their computers too.

Buying a Personal Computer

by: Bonnie Archer

For so many people the computer world is a seeming unsolvable jungle filled with mysterious words. Here is a guide to help you understand the personal computer and to give you the information needed to make a shopping decision you can live with so you can enjoy your PC for years to come.

Not long ago the average 'cheaper' personal computer cost was about $1500. - $2000. And this price did not necessarily include the power to edit videos, pictures, or play games. For that you would have had to spend more on upgrades. Now things such as video editing are standard on the newest personal computers. PC’s have become less expensive than ever before and they come with more capabilities than ever.

The personal computer (PC) you purchase will depend upon what it will be used for. So will you surf the Internet and email, working in spreadsheets, playing video games? Who is using the PC and what are there interests? More than likely you will have to accommodate a combination of these or maybe even all of them.

Many personal computers (PC) today offer very similar capabilities so your main decision will be based upon which specialties your personal needs present. For instance if you are mainly interested in gaming than you will be sure to spend more for a good 3D graphics card. If you want to make music you will need a good sound card. If you work all day on your computer or use it for photo editing you will want to invest in a better monitor. Also, make sure your PC has enough memory to quickly work the tasks you have planed.

For the best value for your dollar spend your money on the personal computer components that will best suit your needs.

http://www.a1-computers.net/buying a personal computer.html

About the author:

About The Author
B. Archer is a successful author and publisher of A great source of information about computers and computer accessories.

3 Secrets to "Striking it Rich" in Cyberspace

by: Jim Edwards

(c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
http://www.thenetreporter.com
=====================================

In the few seconds it takes you to read this another domain
name gets registered at www.NetworkSolutions.com, the
Internet's oldest and largest domain name registrar.

Everyone from industrial giants to corner flower shops
currently wants to stake a profitable claim in cyberspace.

The lure of low startup costs compared to brick-and-mortar
operations and the promise of high rewards draws an ever-
swelling crowd of merchants to the online marketplace.

Yet despite the optimism statistics tell us that 80% of
these "e" businesses will fail within their first 12 months
of operation.

People from all over the country ask me what it takes to
succeed in the e-commerce world once they've completed the
basic steps for getting online.

The following three keys virtually *guarantee success* for
any online enterprise.

The First Key:

A Quality product or service with highly evident and readily
understood benefits for consumers.

If your product or service does not represent the highest
quality and value possible, and if consumers don't
understand exactly why they should buy from you, the speed
of the Internet will just expose your shortcomings to the
marketplace that much quicker.

In the offline world a product's benefits, not the features,
cause consumers to make buying decisions.

A man doesn't buy a car with a 5 liter engine because of the
horsepower, he buys it for the feeling of supremacy and
control he thinks it will give him.

Kids don't want a 1000mHz computer for computing power in
doing homework, they want to play the latest games.

The Internet magnifies this "what's in it for me" benefits-
driven evaluation by consumers.

Products or services presented with readily understood,
self-serving benefits for consumers sell best online (and
off).

The Second Key:

An excellent website that loads fast, provides pertinent
information to targeted consumers, and allows them to make
online purchases quickly and securely.

Your website should: · Load fast by making conservative use
of graphics. (Go to yahoo.com for an excellent example.)

· Provide exactly the information your potential customers
want and need.

· Make it extremely easy for surfers to navigate your site
and find exactly what they want.

· Look good on both the Netscape and Internet Explorer web
browsers at various screen resolutions (640x480, 800x600,
etc.).

The Third Key:

Consistent, targeted website traffic by consumers capable of
buying your product or service.

Imagine buying a 50 foot billboard and, instead of putting
it out by the highway, you hid it in your basement.

Nobody would see it!

The same thing happens if you don't actively and
continuously promote your website to attract visitors.

With its incredible speed and communications power, the
Internet acts as a magnifying glass for any organization's
strengths and weaknesses. E-commerce, e-mail, and a website
won't do the job of marketing, selling, and customer service
for any company.

They will, however, help every organization perform all of
those business functions better, faster, and less
expensively with the real and tangible result of "striking
it rich" in cyberspace!

About the author:
Jim Edwards, a.k.a. TheNetReporter.com, is a syndicated
newspaper columnist, nationally recognized speaker, author,
and web developer. Owner of nine (9) successful e-businesses
as well as a professional consulting firm, Jim's writing comes
straight off the front lines of the Internet and e-commerce.

Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links? "Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for driving Thousands of NEW visitors to your website. Click Here>

‘Online Games' - Most Relaxing Experience Want to Unwind – Play Online Games Increasing Audience for Online Gaming

‘Online Games' - Most Relaxing Experience Want to Unwind – Play Online Games Increasing Audience for Online Gaming
by: Allen Brown

Recently, many new online gaming services have been introduced. The world is having a visible affect on the online gaming industry, as more and more people turned towards playing and enjoying online games.

Games on net were once an imaginary phrase, but since the introduction of thousands of user friendly and easy operating games on the Internet, people are finding that fiction has become reality.

But, now you can read about what you want to learn and play free online games at paying no money. This is the ultimate playing way for anyone frightened by the complex layout of games. To play online games, read introduction to the games and play along.

Another main reason people want to play free online games is to get refreshed from the monotonous and hectic routine. With games on net, all of that excitement can be put into action. The people may choose to play free online games for recreation. Many people just want to chill out at the end of a day, and playing with a pool or slot machine etc. doesn't provide sufficient amusement.

According to a leading company’s survey on online gamers, women around or above age 40 are the informal gaming hardcore, playing games at an average of nearly nine hours a week. As far as men of all age group are concerned, they spend nearly six hours gaming while women of all ages average to around seven hours per week. This show increasing urges to play online games in all age groups and both genders.

The report also unveils an interesting point, 54 percent of adults said that they play games to wipe-off stress and the 20 percent of teens who play for just relaxation.

With free online games one can experience the excitement of playing, without the fear of losing any single cent. Many sites on the Internet also let you to post messages in forum and even facilitate to chat with friends while you play.

This is excellent news for gaming authors and websites, as the more-n-more people are moving towards playing online games on net, the more excitement around the globe will be.

All in all, it can be pretty relaxing experience and certainly it is becoming very popular time-pass.

How your Business can Profit from Overseas Trade

by: Seb Jay

Overseas trade is a key sales expansion route for many businesses around the world. Selling products and services in foreign countries may attract significant business revenue. Over time, foreign trade could even outpace home country sales and become the primary source of business.

It is true that there are many barriers to operating successfully overseas. For one there is the language! There are also government regulations to consider, some of which could end up being very costly if not complied with.

Other barriers include the logistics (and costs involved) in shipping product to another country, as well as storage and distribution. Companies must also think about just how they are going to establish a demand for their product overseas.

Thankfully, there is a simple solution to these issues that can make overseas trade seem like a walk in the park. What's more it need not cost your company a dime to set up!

The Power of Joint Ventures

Establishing joint ventures with businesses in your target foreign market is the key to success in overseas trade. All you need do is locate a business partner that is situated in that country with whom you can collaborate.

You can then broker a deal where the partner receives a financial reward on sales revenue generated in exchange for promoting your products in the foreign market and handling the supply chain logistics from your premises to the end customers in their country. By doing so you'll gain access to an overseas market for very little effort and no money down!

Finding Joint Venture Partners

Overseas joint venture partners are easily found through joint venture search companies such as www.jvbase.com

Joint venture search companies are specialists in matching businesses together that have a natural powerful synergy. They can provide business partner contacts in overseas markets who are specifically looking to market the type of product your business is offering.

Furthermore, many contacts will already have established customer networks. This could mean that you'll find yourself tapping into an instant database of buyers. Just think, you could be generating overseas sales within days of you setting up your joint venture agreement!

About the author:
Content is provided by Seb Jay on behalf of

Home Business Start up--Relocation Consultant

by: Shawn Price

Copyright 2005 Shawn Price

The Relocation Consultant Home Business

Vital Information:

• Start-up Investment: $300-$700 (advertising costs)

• Break-even time Two weeks to one year

• Estimate of Annual Revenue and Profit: $15,000-$25,000 Part time $40,000-$50,000 Full Time

Who needs a Relocation Consultant?

• a single parent who has a demanding job with working hours that directly conflict with apartment or home rental research, would find the services useful.

• Workers who have been replaced or who are going to be relocated.

• People who are returning to work from an extended stay away, due to an injury or illness.

• Companies who are expanding or relocating.

• Companies who have traveling employees.

• People living in heavily populated cities.

What does a Relocation Consultant do?

A Relocation Consultant's duties consists of locating neighborhoods, apartment and home dwellings, childcare services, religious organizations and selecting a moving company for individuals, families, and employees for relocating businesses.

More specifically, as companies continue to downsize and or relocate, there's a growing need for the services provided by a Relocation Consultant.

Often, companies contract with Relocation Consultants so that the consultant's services are readily accessible in the event that an employee or numerous employees are relocated.

The Relocation Consultant will match an employer or an employees’, living requirements and requests as closely as possible.

Additionally, a Relocation Consultant's services are solicited for individual's who are relocating for reasons other than employment.

Many individual's seek the services of a Relocation Consultant due to time restrictions which prevent them from locating desired living arrangements.

Getting started in the Relocation Consultant Business

• Advertising your Business

Run Classified ads and 1-2 inch ads in newspapers and magazines in both the Metro areas as well as suburban areas. Good examples are Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New York....

Internet Classifieds work well also.

Consider leaving brochures at various Hotels and Motels.

• Tips for running a Successful Relocation Business

One of the keys to success in this business is your ability to network with others around the country.

Successful Networking will provide you with the ability to thoroughly examine an area prior to running advertisements.

So...it's important to develop business relations the country. Of course, the internet and email provide the perfect vehicle for this type of relationship building.

Understand that your learning curve NEVER ENDS. You will need to regularly develop your business skills. Don't be fooled into thinking that "a good product sells itself.”

"Consumers buy you" is what I used to teach to my telemarketers.

I've listed on my site, a few Home Business Courses to get you off to a good start.

Don't stop there. Continue to research and develop skill.

For example, I dedicate at least 5 hours weekly toward increasing my personal business building techniques.

• Visit the Relocation Council.

This Organization has been in operation for a number of years. They have a Newsletter and other training materials to help you to develop your skills.

On their site, you'll notice that there is an option to become Certified. In the event that you decide that you want to expand your part time business into a full time career, having employees...you can prepare for your certification with the Relocation Council also.

erc.org 1-202 - 857- 0857

Note: When you are ready to begin larger ad campaigns, visit, Standard Rate and Data srds.com SRDS has a database of media rates for at least 100,000 publications.

The Relocation Consultant Work At Home Business is a very inexpensive Business to start. It's fairly straight forward and it has the potential to create a full time income while working part time. This one is Really worth considering.

• If you decide that this is the Work from Home business opportunity for you, continue reading our Ezine for continued Home Business Start-Up's since there will be ideas and information in each issue that you can tweak a little to benefit you within your Business of Choice.

To eliminate some trial and error, in our Ezine, also provide you with ongoing Small Business support…deals on business tools, marketing research information, and more.

• You will need to create a Business Plan if you are serious about creating a profitable Home Based Business.

I found a good Business Plan workbook that you will find quite useful. Writing Business Plans can be frustrating… I won’t lie. Thus Using a workbook and/or software is by far the popular choice for those who don’t want to pay $700-$1,500 to have one professionally prepared.

• Ensure that you take your business to the internet. I’ve evaluated a few web hosting Companies and I’ve listed their advantages as well as their disadvantages. You’ll also find discount computer hardware locations.

You may find that marketing your business using RSS is an unthinkable opportunity to overlook. You’re right. I’ve listed free RSS readers and software that you can use To get your feeds up and going WITHOUT the need of studying all the techie stuff. Just visit our Resource Page.

If you have not read AND STUDIED, the World's Famous, "Think And Grow Rich", you can receive it Free:

This is a must read. Creating a proper mind-set is critical. In addition to your studying your business, you will need to develop a mind for business.

Wealth is NOT about Money. Download it And see for yourself.

Bridging the GAP between Opportunity and Success,

OwnABizToday.com

About the author:
Shawn Price, Author of OwnABizToday's Ezine, due to her son's severe medical needs was forced to leave the job market and enter into the world of self employment. Experience has taught Shawn that one can NEVER predict future circumstances and thus one should if at all possible , become financially independent. In an effort to lead people toward self employment, Shawn and her partners, regularly evaluate home business start up's as well as small business resources and tools. Bridging the GAP between Opportunity and Success http://www.OwnABizToday.com RSS: subscribe@ownabiztoday.com

20 Small Business Tips, For Success

by: Dave Ryan

These are just some general tips to keep in mind as you design/operate your small business:

1. Take the time out to explore and understand whether or not you are compatible with running our own business. Some people are just plain happier and better off financially on the other end of the paycheck.

2.Get your personal finances in order. Before you jump into the entrepreneurship world, get your own money matters squared away.

3. Pick your niche. Many small business owners succeed in businesses that are hardly unique or innovative. Take stock of your skills, interests, and employment history to select the business that is best suited for you.

4. Benefit from your business plan. The exercise of creating a business plan is what pays the dividends. Answer the tough questions now before the meter starts running.

5. Do not think you need bankers and investors at the outset of your business. The vast majority of small businesses are bootstrapped.

6. Acquire the proper background. In the early months and years of your business, you will have to acquire many skills. Gain the background you need to oversee all facets of your business well, but determine what tasks you should outsource or hire employees.

7. Remember that nothing happens until a sale is made – How many good products go nowhere because they do not reach the shelves? Sales drive your business. You will need a good marketing plan to sell your product or service.

8. You have to see a customer to know one. N o matter how busy you are, spend at least 25% of your time with customers. You cannot make the proper business decision without understanding their viewpoint.

9. Solve your customers’ problems. The best way to satisfy your customers is not by selling them products but by giving solutions to their problems. There is a big difference.

10.Quality takes minutes to lose but years to regain. Quality is not a destination, it is a never ending journey. After you have strayed from quality’s path, your journey maybe sidetracked forever.

11. Put profitability first, rewards seconds. In small businesses, profitability must come first. Find out how to measure your cash flow and understand key financial ratios.

12. Hire supporters. If you intend to create a growing business, your number one duty is to assemble a great team of employees.

13. Do not do it alone. Find such help from small business peers, a mentor, even trade associations. They can help take some of the trial and error of beginning your business.
14. Vendors are partners too! Treat your vendors like customers and watch your partnership grow.

15. Make use of benefits. Understand how to provide insurance and other benefits for your employees and cut your tax bill at the same time.

16. Ignore regulatory issues at your peril. Federal, state, and local governments require licenses, registrations, and permits. Obey them or face losing your business.

17. Know the tax laws. Invest in understanding tax issues that affect your small business.

18. It’s the people! Whatever happens to a small business happens at the hands of the people who work for it. The evolution of the business is a result of their efforts.

19. Fast, good, cheap. Pick any two. Serious trouble awaits those who attempt to be all three in the market place. Stick with what you do best.

20. Develop a passion for learning. As your business grows, you need to change and grow along with it. One common denominator can be found in all successful business owners and that is a passion for learning.

About the author:
For more great business, marketing and mind power ideas to develope your business visit the Higher-Profits Blog at

7 Easy Ways to Make More Money in Network Marketing

by: Daegan Smith

Hit a snag lately? Haven’t been able to recruit any new agents? Is you network marketing job paying less and less because you can’t generate any sales? You don’t have to fret! With these easy network marketing tips, you can revitalize your sales pitch and methods in no time at all!

1. Contacts
Remember that your contacts are your most valuable asset. Who are your contacts? The people you see on the streets? Your next door neighbor?

When considering whom to invite, try those closest to you first. This is because they are most likely to be more open to your suggestions and will be willing to do you a few favors (such as buying that detergent you are hawking). The great thing about this is that they will really mind plunking a few bucks to help jumpstart your business. And when they see that you are doing well, they could very well join you as well.

When you run through the whole list of you clan, what will that leave you with? You will of course have to go to those people that next in line with regards to closeness or affinity to you. And what if that gives out too?

You can always adopt a friendlier stance and chat up that neighbor you never talked to. You could meet new people on the bus and on the train. But remember, you have to like them as people first. Don’t go about and look at them like walking piggy banks. People will know if they are being looked upon as ‘things.’ Always regard them highly and get to know them. Build their trust. The truth is, the friendships you build will be the true reward, and the sales will be just a side dish.

Always ask for referrals from your contacts. This is another sure way to increase your prospects.

2. Believe
If you yourself do not believe in your product, chances are you won’t be able to sell it to others. Remember, nothing promotes a product better that a satisfied customer. Let others see you using the product. Say glowing things about it. And most of all, let all that you say be true. If your customer finds out you weren’t being honest, you could ruin your business relationship.

When you choose a network business, take into consideration their product. See if you can believe in it and pitch for it effectively.

3. Recruit the right people
Don’t just recruit anybody. Make sure the people you recruit share an unbridled passion, and tireless work ethic with like you. If you don’t chances are, they will drop out of the networking business and you will not be able to build your downline.

4. Don’t force the issue
When trying to close a sale, don’t force the issue. If you do, people will get suspicious as to why you are doing so. Are selling them counterfeit items? Are you only interested in your profit and not in your customer’s satisfaction? Always keep this in mind: the customer always comes first. Please them, and the profits and windfall from these relationships will follow.

5. Look the part
When recruiting others, you can’t say, “You will get rich with network marketing,” and look shabby all the while. They’d say, “I thought you got rich from this thing, why do you look like you didn’t.” People will want to see a visible sign of success. You are their only reference point. If you are not convincing as a successful networking agent,

6. Hang in there
Perseverance is a virtue. If money grew on trees, you’d still have to wait for them to grow. Remember the old adage: try and try, until you succeed. Remember that your goal is not to just to get money, but to build upon a good income generating business.

7. Evolve
Don’t be satisfied thinking that your techniques at recruiting will forever be effective. Although there are basic principles that should be followed, you can forever improve on your techniques. Today’s society is constantly evolving. If you want to catch up with them, you have to evolve in your marketing strategies as well.

Try ‘Em
Try these tips. They are sure to give you more confidence in your network marketing strategy!

About the author:
Daegan Smith is the leader of the fastest growing team of successful home business enterpernuers on the net. Find out how we're creating financial freedom all across the globe and how to get in on the action FREE =>http://www.comlev.com Team Blog:

Rental Property Investment - Finding The Properties

Rental Property Investment - Finding The Properties
by: Steve Gillman

Rental property investment starts with finding the best deals. To do this, you can increase your odds by finding more deals. Who's more likely to get a cheap apartment building, an investor that looks through the MLS listings and calls it a day, or the one that uses ten resources? Here are those ten:

1. Look in old papers to find "For Rent" ads. Call if they are a few weeks old. The landlord may be ready to sell, especially if he hasn't yet rented the units out.

2. Look up old FSBO ads. Call on two-month-old "For sale By Owner" ads, and if they haven't sold, they may be ready to deal. Owners often give up the effort, but still would love to sell. Help them out!

3. Drive around looking for "For Sale By Owner" signs. Owners often don't want to pay to keep the ad in the paper every week, so you won't see all properties there.

4. Find abandoned properties. That's a pretty clear sign that the owner doesn't want to deal with the property. He might sell cheap.

5. Talk. Let people know you are looking and sometimes the properties will come to you. There are a lot of owners out there who want to sell, but haven't yet listed their property.

6. Talk to bankers. You might get a foreclosed rental property cheaper if you buy it before they list it with a real estate agent.

7. Offer someone a finder's fee. There are people that always seem to hear about the good deals. Have such people coming to you.

8. Eviction notices. If your local papers publish eviction notices, or if you can get the information at the courthouse, it can be useful. A landlord who just went through the procees of evicting tenants is a likely seller.

9. Use the internet. Go to a search engine and enter the type of real estate you are looking for, along with the city you want to invest in. You never know what you might find.

10. Put an ad in the paper. "Looking for rental properties to buy," might be sufficient to generate a few calls.

There is a lot more to learn to do it right, but finding good properties is a good place to start for rental property investment.

About The Author

Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To get a free real estate investing course, and see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com.

10 Tips For Getting The Best Deal On A New or Used Car

by: George Dodge

1. You should purchase your new car at or around Christmas time because with everybody buying their Christmas presents, not many of them are looking to buy a new car, and it forces dealerships to up their sales strategies.

Salesmen are more willing to haggle down to your prices to close the deal.

2. You can also get a good deal from July to October because that is the time of year when dealerships are trying to get rid of their inventory to make way for the new models.

3. Purchasing a car online is becoming a great way to get a new car. Just wait for good rebates and incentives online and shop around.

Print out your information from the best quotes and bring it to the dealer that you are most willing to work with.

Bringing in lower quotes from another company might be your best bet in getting a good deal.

4. You should visit http://www.FightingChance.com if you are hoping to find new car prices, dealer incentives, and the best rebate offers.

This site is the first place that you should go for great advice on buying a car. It's even more informative than the Kelley Blue book. This program for buying new cars can literally save you thousands of dollars.

5. A good place to start when going into a dealership is to bring a copy of your credit score with you.

It can lower your interest rates on your car loan. Your car dealer should not know more about you than you do.

6. You can avoid a common scam that dealerships pull. You will often hear that your financing fell through and that you have to respond by paying more money on your loan.

Don't believe it. It's another reason for you to get a copy of your credit score.

7. Another common scam by dealership salesmen is for them to tell you that they have found you a lower rate, but that they want you to re-sign your loan papers.

Usually, that is a downright lie. Once they pull up your financing information, they have the upper hand if you don't know the details about your credit information.

You can get a copy of your credit information online at http://www.equifax.com for about $10-$15. It's better to pay $15 now than thousands later.

8. Don't bring in a car for trade in if you still owe money on it.

The dealership rarely pays the rest of the loan on time which will result in you having to pay a great deal of late fees to the bank.

If you do decide to bring a car in that you owe money on, get it in writing from the dealership that they will pay the balance on the car within 10 days.

9. Sometimes a dealership may not have all of your options and must order the car directly from the dealership.

If this happens they will often ask you to pay $500-$1000 for a deposit on the car.

Try not to pay more than $500 and be sure to pay with a credit card because sometimes the dealership will tell you that there was a price increase on the vehicle and will want more money.

If you pay with a credit card you have room to dispute the amount being taken from you. If you pay by check, you can just consider the money gone.

10. You should never buy a car when you are in desperate need for one because a dealer will see that and take advantage.

You should never wait until an old car is dead before searching for a new one because you should give yourself time to shop around for one and get the best deal possible. Desperation often clouds your judgment.

About the author:
George Dodge is the webmaster for 1st Choice Auto Parts that has been expanding to include all things related to automobiles, including, parts, accessories, apparal, books, posters, insurance, loans, and articles to name but a few. Additional articles can be found at Automotive Articles

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Sabtu, 20 Desember 2008

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