Business Software Information: Small Business

1/24/2008 7:30:00 PM

Despite Weak U.S. Dollar, Skyrocketing Oil Prices, Ballooning Inflation, and Looming Recession, U.S. Companies Not Only Survive

As the U.S. economy continues to tumble amidst a variable cyclone of negativity ranging from a weak U.S. dollar, high oil prices, rising inflation, a plummeting stock market, housing market fiascos and political uncertainty -- many small businesses and larger corporations are finding financial relief in automation software. By implementing Windows automation tools such as MJT Nets Macro Scheduler , many U.S. companies have been able to combat rising costs and falling sales by increasing efficiency while substantially boosting productivity and becoming more competitive. Racing to adopt new technology, many U.S. companies are saving both time and money -- enabling them to not only survive -- but thrive.

complete details!

1/23/2008 7:30:00 PM

Interesting post about Yahoo, possibly using Delicious (social bookmarks) in their search results.

I just got word that Yahoo is testing the integration of Delicious user generated bookmarks into Yahoo search results pages (Yahoo acquired Delicious in late 2005). Some users will see the Delicious icon as part of their normal search results, which tells them how many people have bookmarked those pages, as well as the tags people have supplied for those pages.

1/21/2008 7:30:00 PM

Discounted software every day! Each day a popular application is significantly discounted for only 24 hours. The new Software Deal of the Day website also has a number of 2nd chance discount offers that are available to website visitors who miss the deal of the day. Second chance offers are still discounted but not as steeply. Subscribe to the Software Deal of the Day RSS feed and be instantly aware of what applications are available, or syndicate the daily specials on your website, free of charge!

1/14/2008 7:30:00 PM

HTML Web Templates
HTML website templates can significantly ease the burden of designing and creating websites by providing webmasters with a ready-made web layout, structure, basic graphics, and color scheme. Templates can generally be edited and customized with any HTML editor. The biggest advantage for webmasters using ready-made templates is the amount of time that can be saved. There are a number of websites that provide ready-made HTML templates. We have compiled a list of some popular sites to make the search process easier.

Webmaster Templates
Webmaster Templates contains themed web templates. Each template includes an HTML layout, CSS file, and graphic images. Individual templates can be purchased, or webmasters can subscribe to the website and download an unlimited number of templates for a specified period of time. The themed and industry web templates are categorized by topic, or can be located using a keyword search feature. New web templates are added on a regular basis, so check back often.

HTML Web Templates

1/7/2008 7:30:00 PM

After looking into my crystal ball, I have made a cluster of predictions about what will be hot, and what will be not so hot in technology for 2008.

Top 10 Winners Predicted for 2008

1. Video
YouTube has not shown any signs of slowing down. With the increasing popularity of portability and the increase of video-viewing technology, the growth of video is unlikely to slow down.

2. Healthy
Healthy is in. It is not only fashionable, but now cool to be healthy. Maybe this will help counter the rise in obesity in the US. Even those who give in to their cravings and indulge agree that it is cool to be healthy. Organic foods are at an all time high with an increase of roughly 20% per year in the US! This may also be a top New Year Resolution.

3. Long Tail
The Long Tail is still hot. Small businesses and big business are all attempting to capture the famed long tail.

What is Hot and What is Not in Technology for 2008

1/2/2008 7:30:00 PM

Internet Marketing Resolutions for the New Year
Starting a New Year is all about self-reflecting. Most individuals celebrate the incoming year by looking back, determining what goals were met and what goals fell short. Most who have made past resolutions then look forward and resolve to do better in the coming year.
Like any Internet marketer, I have a long laundry list of things that I intend to get to... invariably each year the list grows longer, and rarely do I make any significant headway on new projects, ideas, or marketing techniques. I resolve for that to change in 2008! I have compiled a list of Internet Marketing resolutions for the coming year. If your list is already too long, consider saving time and using the list below.

1. Track and Measure
Before launching any advertising campaigns, be sure to determine how the campaign will be tracked. I will determine exactly how much money we need to make from the campaign in order for it to be effective and worth the effort.

2. Investigate Pay Per Review
I resolve to take a closer look at pay per review websites like PayPerReview, ReviewMe, and PayPerPost and to discern whether the model will be effective for marketing software.

3. Make Video Tutorials
It is time! Being a tad on the shy side, this item keeps finding its way to the bottom of my marketing list. However, it is time to utilize videos and use them as marketing tools, websites like YouTube can help raise awareness of products and help instruct our users.

4. Leverage Web 2.0
It is time to explore some of those unusual mediums, and discern the marketing viability of Web 2.0. While RSS and syndication are now a marketing staple, Web 2.0 has more to offer and is worth a closer look in the coming year.

Complete List of Small Business Internet Marketing Resolutions

1/1/2008 7:30:00 PM

The lens through which viewers receive their news has changed. The images of struggle are no longer frozen in time; technology has helped preserve and personalize these conflicts by producing moving tributes to the conflicts of humankind.

The strife and internal conflicts that marred the globe in 2006 continued into 2007: Mynamar (Burma), Palestine and Lebanon all continue to struggle with internal conflicts in their borders. The differences between 2006 and 2007 are not obvious; however, under close examination, it is evident that several external struggles have been transformed into internal conflicts. In 2006, many countries attempted to influence their neighbors. This was evident with Iran attempting to influence the turmoil in Iraq, and Syria attempting to control Lebanon. Both struggles have evolved into internal personal conflicts in 2007.

While video is not a new technology, the spread of video-viewing technology in devices like the iPod has brought the faces of terror into the homes of the western world. Advances in technology have also encouraged the West to open both their hearts and wallets, with many sponsoring children like Youseff, a child with a horribly scarred face. The same technology that brought Youssef's story to millions of homes, also helped bring tragedies like the Virginia Tech massacres.

2007 Reflections, 2008 Predictions

12/31/2007 7:30:00 PM

Top 10 Winners Predicted for 2008
1. Video
2. Healthy
3. Long Tail
4. Buy USA
5. Rich Internet / Interactive Web / Semantic Web / Web Services
6. Aggregate and Attention Data
7. Power of the People
8. Going Green
9. Biometrics and Big Brother
10. Prosthetics / Bionic

Top 10 Losers Predicted for 2008
1. Lead
2. Squat Toilets
3. DRM
4. China
5. Skinny is Out
6. Blockbuster / Netflix
7. Orbo
8. MySpace fell to Facebook
9. Privacy
10. Piracy

More on 2007 Predictions - http://www.small-business-software.net/whats-hot-whats-not-2008.htm

12/17/2007 7:30:00 PM

According to InfoWorld:

Google is developing an online publishing platform where people can write entries on subjects they know, an idea that's close to Wikipedia's user-contributed encyclopedia but with key differences.

The project, which is in an invitation-only beta stage, lets users create clean-looking Web pages with their photo and write entries on, for example, insomnia. Those entries are called knols for "unit of knowledge," Google said. Google wants the knols to develop into a deep repository of knowledge, covering topics such as geography, history, and entertainment.

12/12/2007 7:30:00 PM

The Internet is a bit like the old wild west, and sadly, people often post material about an individual, product, company, or service that is inaccurate or simply nasty. Businesses and individuals alike are struggling with how to best deal with online inaccuracy and defamation. The normal steps for dealing with defamation typically involve litigation, but this is not always realistic for Internet-based situations since the Internet is global, and not managed or governed by any single set of laws.

If you have the good fortune of being located in the same legal jurisdiction as the offending poster and their website hosting company, you might be able to successfully prosecute them; or at the very least, you might be able to get the webpage with the offending material taken down by the website host. Keep in mind that most defamation court cases require that you show that actual harm was done by the offending material, which can often be difficult.

Reputation Management

12/11/2007 7:30:00 PM

Young Europeans prefer the Internet over television, and nearly half say they watch less TV because of surfing the web, a poll of 10 European countries showed Wednesday.

complete article

12/10/2007 7:30:00 PM

Two national retail advocacy groups are at odds with each other over whether Internet sellers should collect sales tax from their buyers.

The National Retail Federation and the Electronic Retailers Association issued dueling statements on Thursday asking Congress to consider with extreme caution any legislation that would make it easier to require Internet merchants, mail-order houses and other remote sellers to collect sales tax across state lines. The debate is based around U.S. Representative William Delahunt's, D-Mass., bill that would allow states that have implemented the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement to require out-of-state sellers to collect sales tax on merchandise sold their residents. The legislation is different than the Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendment Acts of 2007, which President Bush signed into law on October 31, in that the SSUTA permits states implementing the Streamlined Sales Tax Project to collect sales and use taxes on catalog and Internet purchases.

complete article

11/28/2007 7:30:00 PM

According to Google on the subject of shared IP addresses:

Lots of sites are hosted on shared IPs. If this had a negative effect on ranking, it would harm most of the sites on the web--and that's not good for small webmasters or for our users. So, understandably, sharing an IP should not have an effect your ability to rank.

11/26/2007 7:30:00 PM

More and more companies are using RSS as a means to communicate, so having an RSS feed that is professional and well polished will help differentiate your company from your competition. What makes an RSS feed professional? Follow these simple steps to polish your RSS feed and take it to the next level...

Create Professional RSS Feeds

11/26/2007 7:30:00 PM

TechWeb is reporting rumors that Google is talking to Skype about an acquisition.

The rumor that Google might acquire Skype was started Monday in a blog on the U.K.s respected Guardian and since then, the report has taken on a life of its own at investment firms.

Like many Google rumors there is no solid basis for any such speculation (remember the Google phone?). But it persists because there are some logical reasons for the two companies to establish a deeper relationship.

11/16/2007 7:30:00 PM

Software tackles stupid forum postings.

The software will sit on the server side of a website and examine new postings for signs that the contributor is not making sense. These might include repeat letters (ex. amazinggggg) and text-speak such as LOL (for 'laughs out loud').

complete article

11/15/2007 7:30:00 PM

Over half of Europes airlines including Ryanair could be forced to close their Web sites next year if they fail to remedy problems shown by the EU consumer affairs watchdog in a probe carried out in September.

The results of the investigation to be published on Wednesday and obtained by Reuters says over 50 percent of all Web sites showed irregularities, in particular relating to price indications, contract terms and clarity of proposed conditions.

complete article

11/14/2007 7:30:00 PM

Not all web marketing needs to cost money. Aside from website submissions, there are a number of things that web marketers can do that are free, though they may be rather time-consuming. Other marketing tactics are relatively inexpensive, and are often well worth the investment.

Follow these basic steps to market your website and business.

11/8/2007 7:30:00 PM

1. Adding gradual content over time is best. One article per week is ideal.

2. Syndicate your content using the author resource box for links back.

3. Place your articles in an RSS feed on your site with a link back to the full article in the Description field. If someone syndicates the feed and doesn't automatically link back to the full content, the link is still included. Don't include the full article in the feed, just teaser copy.

4. Re-submit the feed to RSS/search engines and directories after you syndicate your article.

5. You can manually post articles to a handful of key sites that aren't automated. You can email out using GroupMail to the common article listservs. You can also submit your article to a group of ezine editors that write for your market. Do this once a week.

6. When an author reprints and lets me know, I visit the site to ensure that the links are live in the author resource box. I then email the author, thanking them and telling them about additional articles they might find interesting. Sharon uses a macro set up TypePilot for her responses.

7. Your best articles are timeless or explain how to do things. Controversial topics are hit or miss.

8. Titles are critical. You must use keywords and capture the attention of editors and publishers.

Ramping Up Content Overtime

11/6/2007 7:30:00 PM

As employees struggle to read an increasing amount of work-related material, some companies have turned to RSS technology to improve productivity.

With RSS servers and readers designed for workplaces, IT departments set up internal information feeds that employees can subscribe to, a delivery mechanism that, for some information, can be more precise and effective than e-mail.

complete article

11/6/2007 7:30:00 PM

Microsoft took another incremental step in its long-standing anti-piracy program this week when it filed lawsuits against 20 vendors in 13 states for allegedly selling pirated copies of its software.

The company also launched a new educational site, HowToTell.com to help teach buyers tell the difference between legitimate and counterfeit or pirated software.

11/2/2007 7:30:00 PM

Networking is an invaluable opportunity, and one that should not be wasted. In order to maximize networking, it is strongly suggested that all business professionals carry business cards. The business cards can be exchanged during introductions, both as a convenience and as a memory aid. In other words, business cards allow networkers to further the relationship through future contact.

Business cards may include one or more aspects of striking visual design, but should also contain important contact information.

Business Card Tips

10/26/2007 6:30:00 PM

Can, and will, the next generation of politicians exploit the communication mediums available to them? Will the new communication mediums have the power to influence public opinion? Will politicians be the victims of technology, or will they use it to their benefit? Will one party benefit from the use of the technology more than another? All reasonable questions, considering the role technology plays in todays society.

The Internet and Politics

10/25/2007 6:30:00 PM

Looking to hire? Looking for a new job? Check out this series Land that Job -

If you have decided that working in a call center is the right career path for you, you should realize that you are not alone. The U.S. Department of Labor reported in 2006 that more than 385,000 workers across America find employment in call centers. How can you stand out from the crowd and secure the job of your choosing?

Land that Job Part 1

With 385,000 American workers in the call center industry, competition is intense for the most desirable positions. If you are fortunate enough to be called in for an interview for one of these posts, how can you prepare yourself so that you stand out from the crowd?

Land that Job Part II

10/24/2007 6:30:00 PM

Check out the latest Security Blog to stay up to date on the latest security news and information.

10/23/2007 6:30:00 PM

While these articles are focuses on pricing software the principles can be applied to other goods as well. Small Businesses tend to undervalue their products and services.

How to Price
The Pricing Game

10/22/2007 6:30:00 PM

Adobe plans to shift its business away from selling boxed software to a web-based distribution model.

Chief executive Bruce Chizen told the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco that money could be charged for subscriptions or raised by selling advertising, a model that has recently been revisited by Microsoft.

Could this change the way software is sold?

10/18/2007 6:30:00 PM

In need of software to create rss feeds? This software is very easy to use it has a Windows and Mac version and a number of PHP scripts are available that assist with displaying and managing RSS feeds.

10/17/2007 6:30:00 PM

RSS Feeds are becoming critical to struggling businesses, in their attempt to survive. This article lays out how Real Estate Offices are using RSS to survive.

RSS feeds are becoming an essential tool for realtors, who are struggling in a declining market. Real estate offices that adopt technology as a marketing tool will remain one step ahead of their competition.

Real Estate and RSS Feeds

10/16/2007 6:30:00 PM

This is a great no-nonsense guide to selecting a company or product name.

When building a business there is little more important than selecting an appropriate company or product name. Names can be distinctive, unique or descriptive.

How to Select a Company or Product Name?

10/15/2007 6:30:00 PM

About.com has compiled agencies by state that may give you a government grant loan. This site has a wealth of information for funding your business wherever you are located. http://usgovinfo.about.com

10/4/2007 6:30:00 PM

Huge selection of webmaster templates. Easy to edit and customize HTML web templates. Subscribe and download an unlimited number of web templates for the specified period of time. Downloads include HTML layouts, CSS files, and graphics.

Webmaster Templates

10/3/2007 6:30:00 PM

It is important to understand how the color has been used in a political and historical context as well as how it has been used in past and current trends. Religious and mythical implications can also effect the use of a color. Even linguistic usage (i.e. phrases like â€œin the red,â€ and â€œmoody bluesâ€) will affect how people view a color.

Basic Color Theory

9/24/2007 6:30:00 PM

Test your knowledge of social bookmarking, social networks and the collective voice. Take the social bookmarking quiz!

9/20/2007 6:30:00 PM

Americans have always had a say in their government, at least in theory. Since the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, the United States of America has been the â€œland of opportunity,â€ where even a lowly log-splitter, exercising sufficient brains and dedication, can raise himself to the highest executive office. The U.S. Constitution safeguards the right to vote for every citizen over eighteen years of age, with few exceptions, ensuring a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Nevertheless, only about half of eligible voters historically vote for their president. Those who do make it to the polls are more educated than unschooled, more white than black, more men than women, more wealthy than poor, and more old than young.

Technology and Politics

9/17/2007 6:30:00 PM

A logo is a design, graphical representation, image or symbol that represents a business or organization. Logos were initially used to distinguish and differentiate products, the logos assisted purchasers in finding the product they prefer or have come to trust (or not trust).

What Makes a Good Logo

9/11/2007 6:30:00 PM

LOreal, the worlds largest cosmetics group, has launched legal action against eBay, alleging the online auctioneer does not do enough to combat the sale of counterfeits, the company said on Monday.

The action by LOreal follows similar action taken against eBay by luxury groups Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Tiffanys. EBay argues it clamps down on all cases of counterfeiting notified to it by the firms concerned.

LOreal has been facing an increasing volume of illicit trade in fake fragrances and fake cosmetic products on some online auction sites, LOreal said in an emailed statement, confirming earlier French media reports. Consequently, LOreal has decided to take legal action to protect the consumers, preserve the quality of its selective luxury distribution network and defend the reputation of its trademarks.

9/11/2007 6:30:01 PM

We will never forget September 11th.

8/29/2007 6:30:00 PM

Mastering the art of managing customer complaints can seem like a thankless job, but keep in mind that for every customer that shares their worries, concerns or complaints, there are likely more that did not express their dissatisfaction, and instead simply moved on to a competitor. Customer complaints can, and should be treated as opportunities.

Listen to Your Customers

8/28/2007 6:30:00 PM

The following are the Top 10 Small Business Resources:

1. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Free services to US small businesses funded by the US government.

2. SCORE
Small Business Plan Preparation And Free Business Advice Services From Score Offering Startup Help And A Free Nonprofit Business Plan Consulting Advice And Startup Help Services Ask SCORE Find SCORE

3. Inc. Com
Small business resources for the entrepreneur, home based business, advice and ideas for starting a business, writing a business plan, management, and related small business information.

4. Small Business Software
Articles for small businesses, business letter samples and business tips.

5. Entrepeneur.com
Articles, advice and resources

6. AllBusiness
AllBusiness.com provides practical advice and resources to help small and medium-size businesses succeed.

7. Business Week
Advice and resources.

8. Business.gov (US Centric)
Business.gov guides you through the maze of government rules and regulations and provides access to services and resources to help you start, grow, and succeed in business.

9. Women Owned Businesses
WomanOwned was formed in 1998, and since then we have provided the information, tools, networking opportunities and advice that have helped hundreds of thousands of women.

10. Business Know How
Small business and home business ideas and resources from Business Know-How. Small business marketing, management, internet marketing, business loan and finance information.

8/28/2007 6:30:00 PM

Behind every interview question there is a concern or another question. Your job is to process the question thinking about what the interviewerâ€™s concern might be. In other words, why is the interviewer asking you this question?

10 Killer Job Interview Questions and Answers

8/28/2007 6:30:00 PM

15% to 16% of all searches are for images. If you haven't been looking seriously at image search, you really should think about this again. Particularly with the advent of universal search, as image results will have an increasing role in the web search results.

Wow! That is a pretty impressive percentage. I wonder what this will mean for the stock photography and image websites like Photo Wizard.

8/27/2007 6:30:00 PM

Often the question is asked Do PPC listings affect your organic rankings? The simple answer is no. Despite this, one of the best ways to increase your organic traffic is to start an aggressive PPC campaign.

A PPC Campaign can help with organic ranking and optimization though - read how.

8/26/2007 5:55:34 PM

On September 10, 2007, Microsoft will update the management of the adCenter trademark policy. Here are some key points that outline these changes.

Microsoft adCenter will support trademark owners in their efforts to protect their intellectual property. Intellectual property is a complicated topic, and Microsoft adCenter relies on trademark owners to help us understand their intellectual property.

complete changes

8/20/2007 6:30:00 PM

American Airlines is suing Google Inc. over the Internet companies sale of keywords ads for rivals triggered by its own trademarks. American filed a lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Fort Worth seeking unspecified damages.

A Google visitor who enters certain words or phrases that American trademarked â€" for example, Aadvantage, the name of its frequent-flier program â€" will get links to American's Web site but also its rivals under sponsored links â€" targeted ads that appear alongside the regular search results.

8/20/2007 6:30:00 PM

Google has unveiled a Web site resource center focused on the thorny issue of click fraud, which many consider a potential threat to the Googles main source of revenue: Pay-per-click advertising.

Google developed the new Ad Traffic Quality Resource Center primarily to give its advertisers a single place to find Google information about click fraud, said Shuman Ghosemajumder, business product manager for trust and safety at Google, on Friday.

8/17/2007 6:30:00 PM

Blogs are the current rage, and many webmasters have blogs but fail to use their blog to its full potential. Blogs provide a steady stream of fresh content, and if this content is written and managed properly, blogs have the ability to increase a website ranking in the search engines.

Blog Tips for SEO

8/15/2007 6:30:00 PM

If you have decided that working in a call center is the right career path for you, you should realize that you are not alone. The U.S. Department of Labor reported in 2006 that more than 385,000 workers across America find employment in call centers. How can you stand out from the crowd and secure the job of your choosing?

The first step of landing your dream job is to build a great customer service resume. A well-written resume is a golden ticket to an interview. It forms a favorable impression of you in the minds of your future employers before you ever meet face-to-face. Resume writing is not rocket science, but surprisingly few spend the time or energy to make their resumes stand out. Sadly, many otherwise young and bright individuals fall into traps that lead straight to the rejection pile. The following pointers will guide you around these pitfalls and into the employers office.

Land that Job

8/7/2007 6:30:00 PM

An Illinois man was sentenced to two years in prison for violating copyright law through the unauthorized sale of video games on his Web site, the U.S. Department of Justice announced late Thursday.

Hall pleaded guilty May 8 to one count of criminal copyright infringement for his unlawful distribution of hundreds of thousands of copyright works on his Web site, Morbidbackups.net.

8/6/2007 6:30:00 PM

Many will say that there are no rules to search engine optimization, they might be right, but the fact remains that webmasters can influence their search engine ranking through the tips above. Attempting to trick or fool the search engines is a sure fire way to become banned. Search engines have the ability to provide a consistent and steady stream of traffic to websites, that stream can become a trickle if you attempt to deceive.

Simple Steps to Kill Search Engine Ranking

8/3/2007 6:30:00 PM

In need of a new look for your company? Consider a new company logo. Looking to develop a brand or create a new corporate identity? Take a look at the logos on logo search! Individual logos are really inexpensive. Webmasters can purchase a subscription to the website.

8/1/2007 6:30:00 PM

Press exposure can significantly impact a small businesses success. Press releases are not just for big businesses; many small businesses find press releases to be an inexpensive way to gain exposure and attention. It is not uncommon for reporters from magazines, newspapers or blogs to scan press releases as a means to locate content.

Tips to Press Coverage

8/2/2007 6:30:00 PM

Internet giant Google is becoming a prime stop on the 2008 presidential campaign as candidates seek to burnish themselves with net-wise credentials while fielding questions from some of the tech industrys most influential workers.

Five White House hopefuls from both Republican and Democratic parties have stopped by Google's Silicon Valley campus in recent months to face questions and endear themselves with voters in the countrys most populous state.

8/1/2007 6:30:00 PM

Small Businesses everywhere are likely releived over the following court decision over Buy It Now.

A federal judge Friday denied a request from a small Virginia company to stop the online auction powerhouse eBay Inc. from using a feature that allows shoppers to purchase items at a fixed price.

U.S. District Court Judge Jerome B. Friedman denied a motion by MercExchange LLC for a permanent injunction against San Jose, Calif.-based eBay over the Buy It Now feature.

7/26/2007 6:30:00 PM

PageGate is a complete wireless messaging solution that incorporates a wide variety of messaging protocols for sending messages to mobile phones, wireless devices, fax machines and pagers.

Wireless messaging communication is important in todays fast paced environment. PageGate allows critical alerts to be sent instantly to wireless devices regardless of the recipient locations. PageGate supports group messaging and preprogrammed alerts, so that with the press of a single button notification can be sent to defined groups of individuals.

Download an Evaluation Version

7/25/2007 6:30:00 PM

Financial institutions are reaching out to clients using RSS feeds. While banks and financial institutions are usually slow to adopt new technology, that is not the case with RSS adoption. More and more professionals are using RSS in innovative ways, to stay ahead of their competition.

Finance Companies Embrace RSS Feeds

7/24/2007 6:30:00 PM

Hopping on the privacy-protection bandwagon, Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. are limiting how long their Internet search engines retain potentially sensitive data about their users.

7/23/2007 6:30:00 PM

So you have a fantastic website but no one ever visits. You may ask? Why? Your website should be designed with search engines in mind. Too many web designers are graphic artists that excel at image manipulation, but lack a basic understanding of search engine optimization. Web design and search engine optimization (SEO) should not be mutually exclusive. Webmasters should have a clear understanding of both design techniques and how the search engines work.

Keep Your Website Search Friendly

7/21/2007 6:30:00 PM

This overview will not be as detailed as in the past but I did want to touch on a few conference highlights. The conference had a high percentage of new attendees.

FastSpring
FastSpring is a new ecommerce service run by Dan Engel (developer of Piccassa, and Morpheus), Ken White (former RegSoft owner and current owner of NextUp) and Ryan Dewell (former coder at RegNow).

Digital River
Digital River changed their name to Global Direct. They also launched a software marketing resource for software developers and marketers at DR Developer Resource. The site contains lots of "how to" articles and some great statistical information.

Tucows
Tucows launched a new website, that uses Ajax and is more interactive. No longer do customers have to select a file mirror, the website does it for them.

Globell
HC Topp Systems was renamed Globell and they launched a new website.

Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann has just broken into software ecommerce and could potentially challenge Digital River with their size.

W3i
W3i is a content network with a huge subscriber base, they are looking for software. They suggest action based on the users past behavior, similar to Amazon.

TrialPay
TrialPay is obviously thriving, after their introduction last year they already have a competitor on the block, LiftMedia uses a similar model.

47 Hats
Bob Walsh has launched 47 Hats.

SIC will be in Boston in 2008 July 17-19th mark your calenders!

Software Industry Conference Photos

7/20/2007 6:30:00 PM

The WINNERS for the 2007 Shareware Industry Awards have been announced! Take a look at the best software for 2007 in each category! Most have evaluation versions available for download.

Best Overall Utility
FolderMatch by Salty Brine Software
TuneUp Utilities 2007 by TuneUp Software GmbH - WINNER
WinRar by win.rar GmbH
WinZip by WinZip International LLC.

Best Application
ClipMate by Thornsoft Development - WINNER
CSE HTML Validator by AI Internet Solutions
Open Office by Sun Microsystems

Best Graphics Program or Utility
Easy Imager by Fookes Software
IrfanView by Irfan Skiljan
PaintShop Pro by Corel Corporation - WINNER

Best Desktop Enhancement
Microangelo Toolset by Eclipsit Corporation - WINNER
MBSS Fireworks by Patrick D. Grengs II
Window Blinds by Stardock Corporation

Best Photo Program or Utility
ACDSee Pro Photo Manager by ACD Systems
ALSee by ESTsoft
Life Poster Maker by Lincoln Beach Software - WINNER

Best Sound Program or Utility
ALSong by ESTsoft
D'Accord iChords by D'Accord Music Software
RecordForAll by NotePage, Inc. - WINNER
Winamp Pro by NullSoft

Best Vertical Market Program or Utility
Guitar and Drum Trainer by Renegade Minds
Help & Manual by EC Software GmbH
Vmware Workstation by VMware Inc. - WINNER

Best Business Application or Utility
Microsoft Office 2007 by Microsoft Corporation - WINNER
PayWindow 2007 by ZPAY Payroll Systems
Time & Chaos by Chaos Software

Best Educational Program or Game
AceReader Pro by StepWare Inc.
WinFlash Educator by Open Window Software
WISCO Word Power by Wisco Computing - WINNER

Best Hobby or Personal Interest
Auction Sentry Deluxe by Auction-Sentry.com
Google Earth by Google Inc. - WINNER
MyLife Organized by My Life Organized

Best Internet Enhancement
Cute FTP Professional by GlobalSCAPE
FlashGot by InformAction
FTP Voyager by Rhino Software, Inc. - WINNER
WS_FTP Professional by Ipswitch, Inc.

Best Internet Communication
Miranda by Miranda IM
Pidgin by Softare Freedom Law Center
Skype by Skype Limited - WINNER
Trillian by Cerulean Studios

Best Web Enhancement
Mozilla Firefox by Mozilla Foundation - WINNER
Mozilla Thunderbird by Mozilla Foundation
RoboForm by Siber Systems
SPAMFighter by SPAMFighter

Best Non-Action Game
Ant War 1 by Anarchy Enterprises
Pocket War by MetalShard, Inc.
Pretty Good MahJongg by Goodsol Development, Inc. - WINNER

Best New Game
Addictive Football by Addictive 247 Games - WINNER
Golf King by NHN USA
Titan Attacks by Demand Entertainment

Best Program for PDA's
Journal Bar by Omega One
Resco Explorer by Resco, sro.
Spb Mobile Shell by Spb Software House - WINNER

7/19/2007 6:30:00 PM

Digital River, Global Direct has just launched a resource for software developers. The DR Developer Resource contains how to articles for software marketers and developers as well as some very interesting statistical information about software sales.

7/18/2007 6:30:00 PM

Google has announced an interesting new Meta Tag. The tag is unavailable_after and will allow you to tell Google when Google should no longer crawl that page. The tag is particularly helpful if you have a limited time offer promotional page, and on this page, the promotion will expire on a specific date. By using the unavailable_after tag, you can tell Google that they should not crawl this page, after the promotion expires.

7/10/2007 6:30:00 PM

Stock photography websites contain thousands of existing photographs that can be licensed for specific uses. A customer who uses stock photography instead of hiring a photographer can save time, effort and money. Typically publishers can either purchase exclusive rights to a single image or they can purchase a subscription of sorts. The subscriptions allow publishers to download a limited number of photos over a specified period of time.

Stock photo websites allow webmasters, marketers and publishers to locate pictures for their marketing and promotional materials without the hassle of organizing a photo shoot. With copyright laws businesses must be very careful in using unlicensed photos.

Royalty Free Stock Photography for Websites

7/9/2007 6:30:00 PM

EBay has launched a free classified advertising site in the United States, an experiment the online auction company says could lead to new sources of revenue. The site Kijiji means village in Swahili.

7/9/2007 6:30:00 PM

The search engine giant on July 2nd announced that it had acquired GrandCentral Communications, a service that consolidates phone numbers and voice mailboxes into one, web-based account. GrandCentral users combine their home, work and cell phone numbers into one phone number that they can program to ring to one or all of their phones. Voicemails are also consolidated and can be accessed online or via the phone.

7/6/2007 6:30:00 PM

Every year the Educational Software Cooperative presents the People's Choice Award for Best Educational Shareware. This award is selected by online voting.

This is your opportunity to support the software that has added a little something to your life. Vote at http://www.edu-soft.org/education-awards.php

7/3/2007 6:30:01 PM

In need of a new logo? This website contains a variety of logos at very reasonable prices. Check out Logo Search!

7/3/2007 6:30:00 PM

Google have added the option to display adsense ads with rounded corners, and according to their blog you may also soon be able to change the font.

7/2/2007 6:30:00 PM

Lawyers have begun using RSS to stay ahead and adapt to the needs of their clients. Members of the legal profession are using RSS in very specific ways. RSS is more than simply a communication medium to lawyers, it is helping them filter information that is relevant to their practice and case load. Through RSS they are able to gain access to relevant information in a timely fashion.

RSS Feed Use in the Legal Field

7/2/2007 6:30:00 PM

The Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday urged policy makers to proceed cautiously on any regulation of high-speed Internet traffic.

The agency issued a report addressing the controversial subject of network neutrality, which is the notion that all online traffic should be treated equally by Internet service providers.

The issue pits consumer groups and content providers such as Google Inc. against large telecommunications companies, such as AT&T Inc. and Comcast Corp. The latter group wants the option of charging customers more for transmitting certain content, including live video, faster or more reliably than other data.

6/18/2007 6:30:00 PM

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) says that it received its 1 millionth complaint earlier this week.
Launched seven years ago as a clearing house for reports of online fraud, the IC3 is jointly run by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center. It passes on information to law enforcement agencies, and keeps track of trends in cybercrime.

To date, it has referred nearly a half-million complaints representing almost $650 million in losses to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

6/12/2007 6:30:01 PM

Copyright is a type of intellectual property. A copyright is a set of exclusive rights granted by the government for a limited time to protect the particular form, way or manner in which an idea or information is expressed. Copyright is the legal protection given to artists or producers of creative work which protects them against unauthorized copying of their work.

All copyrighted material must be produced in a tangible medium (photo, paper, CD, or video). Concepts, processes and ideas can not be copy protected in the United States. If a statement is made yet not recorded or published it is not protected under the US copyright laws. In other words things must be recorded in a physical form in order to be protected under the copyright laws in the United States.

Trademarks and Copyrights

6/12/2007 6:30:00 PM

US search engine titan Google has complained to antitrust authorities that Microsoft's Windows Vista operating-system software puts rivals at an unfair disadvantage, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

Google Inc. sent a roughly 50-page white paper to the US Justice Department and state attorneys general in April, alleging that Microsoft Corps latest version of its market-dominating operating system violates Microsoft's antitrust settlement, the Journal reported, citing lawyers close to the matter.

Google Files Suit Microsoft

6/7/2007 6:30:00 PM

This aptly named newsletter Competitive Edge is one of my favorites. In the April issue two Google AdSense experts answer questions from advertisers. The newsletter has in depth explanations that detail the ins and outs of the AdSense system.

The May issue exams three successful companies that discuss their journey to software success.

6/4/2007 6:30:00 PM

All business owners like to believe that their business is in someway unique or unlike any other business. At its core though, how different are small businesses really? Nearly all small businesses struggle with relatively similar issues. Most owners wear multiple hats and have had to become jack of all trades in order to succeed and survive in the business world. While it is important to recognize the differences between various small businesses it is equally important to recognize the similarities.

How Unique is Your Business

5/31/2007 6:30:00 PM

Academia has embraced RSS as a means to educate, but scrutinizing how educational institutions are using RSS feeds in their daily routines show RSS is utilized can vary across different industries.

RSS and Academics

5/30/2007 6:30:00 PM

The Google Analytics Web site monitoring service suffered an outage that affected some users for more than 24 hours this week, prompting many to vent on blogs and forums their frustration with the situation and with what they perceived as unresponsiveness on Googles part.

Most affected users reported problems on Tuesday and Wednesday, although some still experienced problems on Friday. In seemingly all cases, users could access their accounts but found that the Analytics dashboard reported significantly reduced or even zero traffic to their sites.

5/29/2007 6:30:00 PM

The Competitive Edge Newsletter really does a great job digging into the issue of Google Adwords. Shareware Promotions invited Adword users to send in their questions then two Adwords qualified specialists responded with their answers.

Google Adwords Questions and Answers

5/29/2007 6:30:00 PM

Everyone has certain words they struggle to spell correctly. When it comes to spelling, we are not perfectâ€"you can count on us to occasionally botch recieve (sic), accomodations (sic), and relavant (sic). With the Scripps National Spelling Bee on the horizon Yahoo posted the most commonly misspelled words in search.

Wallmart (Wal-Mart)
Rachel Ray (Rachael Ray)
Amtrack (Amtrak)
Hillary Duff (Hilary Duff)
Katherine McPhee (Katharine McPhee)
Britany Spears (Britney Spears)
Geneology (Genealogy)
Jaime Pressley (Jaime Pressly)
Volkswagon (Volkswagen)
Wikepedia (Wikipedia)
William Sonoma (Williams-Sonoma)
Tatoo (Tattoo)
Travelosity (Travelocity)
Elliot Yamin (Elliott Yamin)
Kiera Knightley (Keira Knightley)
Kelly Pickler (Kellie Pickler)
Brittney Spears (Britney Spears)
Avril Lavinge (Avril Lavigne)
Rianna (Rihanna)
Jordan Sparks (Jordin Sparks)

5/22/2007 6:30:00 PM

Independent artists have long struggled to gain recognition and attract an audience. Without the backing of a major label it can be very difficult for independent artists to obtain radio play time, that is, until now. Podcasting a revolutionary new medium, has opened new distribution channels for independent artists. Podcasting is the process of distributing audio files using the RSS format and has become very popular with the younger generations.

5/19/2007 6:30:00 PM

Voting is open for software users to vote for their favorite applications! The Peoples Choice Awards voting is open until May 31, 2007!

5/18/2007 6:30:00 PM

The Software Industry Conference is a three day event, July 12-14, 2007, that culminates with the Shareware Industry Awards ceremony. There are also dozens of informative, educational breakout sessions covering a wide variety of topics. And if that is not enough there's three nights jam packed with plenty of time to mingle with other attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors including an Exhibit Night featuring the best software development products and services.

5/17/2007 6:30:00 PM

Changes are contained in the President's 2008 budget proposal. Instead of targeting only Internet auction sites, the current proposal actually expands the definition of a "broker" to include middlemen that don't actually function as the customer's agent in a transactionâ€"like eBay, for instance. Brokers currently need to file a form with the IRS that gives the name, address, and gross proceeds of each customer they work for; under the new proposal, many more companies would need to do the reporting.

Internet auction sites will only be required to report customer revenue information if the customer does more than 100 separate transactions in a fiscal year and generates more than $5,000 in gross proceeds.

5/15/2007 6:30:00 PM

Schools all over the country have flocked to podcasting as a new medium to assist the teaching profession. Professors are using podcasts to instruct students and get their messages out. Podcasting is not restricted to one educational sector, professors at prestigest colleges from Bentley to Purdue have flocked to this medium.

A growing number of professors are recording their lectures, the term coursecasting has been adopted in academia. Podcast lectures are used as study tools, and are available for students who might have missed class. Some podcasts are password restricted to students who are enrolled in that specific class. While other institution's publicly post their podcasts and offer non-enrolled students insight into the class material.

Why has podcasting been embraced by the educational field? The adoption of RSS is likely in part due to the demographic higher-education attraction. Most college students are young and well educated. Because of their age the students have embraced technology, they have always had technology as a component to their life. This demographic have grown up with computers their entire lives, technology has always been an integral tool in their education.
Bentley initially adopted podcasting in the course IT 101, to introduce students to the concepts

Podcasting and Education

5/15/2007 6:30:00 PM

The SBA (Small Business Administration) provides access to capital through a variety of programs. The SBA marshals resources and explains regulations, SBA Procurement Center representatives and other staff counsel small firms on penetrating the bureaucracy. The SBA establishes size standards for small companies.

Learn More about the Role of the SBA

5/14/2007 6:30:00 PM

The nominations for the 2007 Shareware Industry Awards have been announced! Take a look at the best of the best!

Best Overall Utility
FolderMatch by Salty Brine Software
TuneUp Utilities 2007 by TuneUp Software GmbH
WinRar by win.rar GmbH
WinZip by WinZip International LLC.

Best Application
ClipMate by Thornsoft Development
CSE HTML Validator by AI Internet Solutions
Open Office by Sun Microsystems

Best Graphics Program or Utility
Easy Imager by Fookes Software
IrfanView by Irfan Skiljan
PaintShop Pro by Corel Corporation

Best Desktop Enhancement
Microangelo Toolset by Eclipsit Corporation
MBSS Fireworks by Patrick D. Grengs II
Window Blinds by Stardock Corporation

Best Photo Program or Utility
ACDSee Pro Photo Manager by ACD Systems
ALSee by ESTsoft
Life Poster Maker by Lincoln Beach Software

Best Sound Program or Utility
ALSong by ESTsoft
D'Accord iChords by D'Accord Music Software
RecordForAll by NotePage, Inc.
Winamp Pro by NullSoft

Best Vertical Market Program or Utility
Guitar and Drum Trainer by Renegade Minds
Help & Manual by EC Software GmbH
Vmware Workstation by VMware Inc.

Best Business Application or Utility
Microsoft Office 2007 by Microsoft Corporation
PayWindow 2007 by ZPAY Payroll Systems
Time & Chaos by Chaos Software

Best Educational Program or Game
AceReader Pro by StepWare Inc.
WinFlash Educator by Open Window Software
WISCO Word Power by Wisco Computing

Best Hobby or Personal Interest
Auction Sentry Deluxe by Auction-Sentry.com
Google Earth by Google Inc.
MyLife Organized by My Life Organized

Best Internet Enhancement
Cute FTP Professional by GlobalSCAPE
FlashGot by InformAction
FTP Voyager by Rhino Software, Inc.
WS_FTP Professional by Ipswitch, Inc.

Best Internet Communication
Miranda by Miranda IM
Pidgin by Softare Freedom Law Center
Skype by Skype Limited
Trillian by Cerulean Studios

Best Web Enhancement
Mozilla Firefox by Mozilla Foundation
Mozilla Thunderbird by Mozilla Foundation
RoboForm by Siber Systems
SPAMFighter by SPAMFighter

Best Non-Action Game
Ant War 1 by Anarchy Enterprises
Pocket War by MetalShard, Inc.
Pretty Good MahJongg by Goodsol Development, Inc.

Best New Game
Addictive Football by Addictive 247 Games
Golf King by NHN USA
Titan Attacks by Demand Entertainment

Best Program for PDA's
Journal Bar by Omega One
Resco Explorer by Resco, sro.
Spb Mobile Shell by Spb Software House

5/14/2007 6:30:00 PM

A judge on Friday set a November date to pick jurors for a US civil trial focused on whether Google violates other companies' trademarks with its hugely lucrative online advertising platform.

American Blind Wallpaper Factory Inc. accuses Google of infringing on its trademarks by including them among Internet search terms that trigger displays of ads from competitors.

The reality is that companies large and small are hurt when Google uses a company's trademark, without permission, for the benefit of the companies competitors and Google, said attorney David Rammelt of Kelley Drye Warren, which is representing ABWF.

complete article

5/9/2007 6:30:01 PM

Use a PHP script to filter RSS feeds.

RSSFilter is a PHP script that filters the contents of an RSS feed. The filters can be defined by the publisher so that the resulting RSS feed contains only the information they want. RSSFilter uses rules to filter the items that are included from a feed in the resulting feed.

RSSFilter is designed to be able to be used in conjunction with other RSS Scripts to provide additional RSS solutions. For example RSSFilter can be used with RSSmesh, so that mulitple feeds can be filtered and then merged into a single RSS feed.

5/8/2007 6:30:01 PM

1. Prepare Questions in Advance
Prepare a list of questions prior to the interview, contemplate possible follow-up questions based on the expected responses. Create a list of notes along with the questions that are accessible during the interview and will help you direct the conversation.

2. Research Interview Subject
Do your homework about the individual or individuals you are interviewing. A little due diligence will go a long way. Search newsgroups and Google for the interviewees name, product, or company, and build a background. The research will help predict the interviewees responses to your questions. Listen to previous interviews in which the interviewee participated, read their blog and articles to get a feel for the interviewees position on issues.

more Tips for Interviewing

5/8/2007 6:30:00 PM

A broad survey about the technology people have, how they use it, and what they think about it shatters assumptions and reveals where companies might be able to expand their audiences.

The Pew Internet and American Life Project found that adult Americans are broadly divided into three groups: 31 percent are elite technology users, 20 percent are moderate users and the remainder have little or no usage of the Internet or cell phones.

Fascinating Technology Study

5/7/2007 6:30:00 PM

Professional photographs in a website give the website a professional look. Many webmasters do not realize that photographs are copy written and in many cases illegal to use a photograph or image that you find on the web without properly licensing it.

Most webmasters do not have time to go out and photograph all of the subjects they wish to include in a website. Webmasters are best off using royalty free photographs. Royalty free photographs are generally purchased and there is no recurring fee for the use of the photograph. The purchaser may use the image(s) as often as required within the license terms and conditions without paying for the use of the image each time the image is used. Fortunately there are a number of stock photography websites where webmasters can purchase a single photograph for a fixed fee, or they can purchase a stock photo subscription, that allows for the subscriber to download multiple photographs.

Stock Photos for Web Design

5/1/2007 6:30:00 PM

A royalty free stock photography website, Photo-Wizard.net has launched. Photo-Wizard.net contains high resolution royalty free photographs at bargain basement prices. Interested individuals can purchase the rights to use a single photographs for only $ .99 or they can purchase a time limited subscription. The subscription options allows for publishers to access an unlimited number of photographers during their subscription period.

The photo wizard website contains thousands of fantastic, high-quality photographs, in more than 30 categories. Photos can be used on websites, in promotional materials or educational materials. The photo wizard stock photo directory is packed with eye-catching photos that will meet the needs of graphic designers and webmasters looking for exceptional quality images at reasonable prices. The site is filled with inexpensive, professional quality royalty free photographs. There is no longer a need to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a single photograph.

The photo-wizard.com photography library contains images in a variety of categories from spectacular sunrises and sunsets to wild animals. The photographs on the photo wizard website can be located using keywords and keyword phrase searches. New photos and images are added to the photo-wizard.net on a regular basis giving subscribers access to a growing collection of high quality images.

The Photo Wizard stock photo directory contains more than 3,000 images and each image is categorized and searchable using keywords. Subscribers can purchase a 1 month subscription for $ 49.95, a 3 month subscription for $ 79.95 or an annual subscription for $179.95. A subscription allows users to download and use the photographs without incurring additional or ongoing fees for use. Photo Wizard uses RSS feeds to notify users that new images have been added.

Royalty Free Stock Photos

4/25/2007 4:18:43 AM

Take a look at the top 10 search terms in 10 different categories.

4/26/2007 6:30:00 PM

A look at the cities that top the 2007 list of Inc.'s Best Cities for Doing Business.

4/24/2007 6:30:00 PM

The phrase, "the customer is always right," is an age old adage. When you work with others all day that concept can be a bit frustrating. Customers come with a host of concerns, questions, and expectations. They often also come with bad attitudes, frustrations and complaints, which the customer service representative gets to work out. Because people call when they need something or do not like something rather than when they want to compliment and praise, the process of helping them can be difficult. Feelings of frustration after a string of difficult people are common and understandable. On the other hand it is the customer service representative who is responsible for diffusing problems and answering questions with a smile (yes you can smile on the phone and it will make a difference). Because the customer service representative is the only, or one of the few contacts that an individual may have with a company, it is important that that person has a p ositive experience. A positive experience will keep them happy and coming back. By identifying challenges for the customer service representative, solutions are given to help them increase skills in helping others, which will increase customer satisfaction.

The Importance of Customer Service

4/16/2007 6:30:00 PM

Fortunately the popularity of podcasting has spawned an industry of "podsafe" music. All podcasters need is an Internet connection, and they can have access to a variety of songs and musical clips that are deemed podsafe and available for use in podcasts.

How to Locate Podsafe Music

4/12/2007 6:30:00 PM

AOL on Monday launched a program that lets companies use Google's advertising system to buy ads targeted to AOL sites. The program stems from AOL's 2005 agreement with Google, in which the search leader expanded its partnership with AOL and agreed to invest in the company. It's the first time Google is offering the ability to target search ads on specific sites.

4/10/2007 6:30:00 PM

A unique new web logo directory has launched. The Logo Search directory, found at http://www.logo-search.com , is designed for businesses struggling to establish an online presence, a brand, or an identity. Logo Search uses a unique new model that allows companies or individuals to purchase a subscription for 1 year for only $99.00. With the full subscription, subscribers have unlimited access to all the logos in the directory or single logos can be purchased for a fixed fee of $19.95.

There are currently more than 1500 logo images in more than 45 categories, available on Logo Search, and new logo images are added on a regular basis. Subscribers are granted access to download zip files containing the selected logo in a variety of formats including (.bmp, .gif, .png, .jpg and .tif).

Search features are available for individuals who do not have the time to browse the categories. The keyword search retrieves all the logos related to the searched topic, and each graphic provides alternative keyword searches that are related to the original search term. This allows webmasters to preview all related logos prior to making a decision.
Logo Search is a perfect solution for webmasters struggling to create a brand and identity for a new website or business.

4/9/2007 6:30:00 PM

"Hello, my name is John, and I'm speaking to you from Bangalore, India, today. How can I help you?" That's a phrase that we may start hearing when we make calls to customer service centers, if a recently-proposed bill by House Representative Jason Altmire (D-PA) goes into effect. The bill, HR 1776, is titled "Call Center Consumers Right to Know Act" and would require call center employees to state their physical location when a customer calls in.

As the title indicates, the bill is designed to make customers aware of the widespread nature of call-center outsourcing. Once discovering that a large majority of their calls are being redirected overseas, customers would theoretically be more willing to take action and let companies know how they feel about the hot issue of call center outsourcing that is often blamed for a portion of lost jobs in the US.

complete article

Another reason for the disclosure is privacy. The fact is the US government does not control how records in foreign companies are kept. Issues surrounding privacy are a big factor when call centers are outsourced to non-US companies.

4/9/2007 6:30:00 PM

Website design can be elusive to even creative individuals. Sadly some webmasters do not realize their incompetence and they post websites that have grainy graphics and turgid colors. If you are one of these webmasters and have seen the error of your ways, consider this. Your website is a sales tool. A professional layout and design can significantly increase sales and conversion rates, gaining you customers. Businesses can greatly benefit from a professional and unforgettable logo that sets them apart from their competition. Logos are not just fancy graphics that adorn websites or letterhead, logos are a representation of a businesses' philosophy. Logos are a critical component of brand development.

Building an Image with a Logo

4/1/2007 8:04:10 PM

The overseer of the Internet's addressing system rejected for the second time the creation of a .xxx top-level domain, supported by some as a way to isolate adult content on the Internet.

Nine board members for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) voted against the proposal on Friday at ICANN's 28th International Public Meeting in Lisbon, Portugal.

3/28/2007 7:30:00 PM

You set out to build a successful company...and you've done it! Now, it's time to make sure the world knows about it. Apply for the Inc Top 5,000.

All 5,000 companies will be profiled on the Inc.com website. As always, the top 500 companies will be profiled in the magazine's Inc. 500 issue in September.

3/27/2007 7:30:00 PM

Podcasts are relatively inexpensive to create, as a result, and the quality in published podcasts is extremely diverse. Corporate podcasts can be very polished audio productions while hobbyist experimenting with podcasts may have dogs barking and children's screaming in the background.

Making Your Podcast Standout

3/26/2007 7:30:00 PM

Neiman Marcus Group Inc. is suing a pair of domain name companies, accusing them of improperly registering more than 40 Internet addresses that resemble the department store chain's trademarks.

The lawsuit accuses the companies of domain name tasting, or taking advantage of a five-day refund period to sample which of the addresses might generate traffic â€" and thus potential ad revenues, before committing to buying them.
Name.com LLC and Spot Domains LLC, two Denver-based companies that share offices and employees, were named as defendants. The companies told The Associated Press on Friday they do not comment on pending litigation.
The complaint, filed last week in U.S. District Court in Denver, seeks injunctions and damages of at least $100,000 per name.

The lawsuit comes weeks after Neiman Marcus settled a similar lawsuit against Dotster Inc., in which Neiman Marcus accused the registration company of tasting hundreds of names meant to lure Internet users who mistype Web addresses. At one point, the lawsuit said, the misspelled NeimuMarcus.com featured ads for Target, Nordstrom and other rivals.

complete article

3/26/2007 7:30:00 PM

Microsoft is attempting to spurn the adoption of Microsoft Vista Operating System. Many businesses are taking a wait and see approach, and Microsoft is acting to rectify the flat sales numbers.

This past week the company announced the Windows Vista Additional License program, which provides discounts to customers who have already purchased either a retail or an OEM edition of Windows Vista.

3/22/2007 7:30:00 PM

New Google Pay Per Action Options. Google has launched a new model adwords model. They advertise it as:

Increase your advertising reach while paying only for actions that you define. First, you'll create an ad and define the action that you want a user to perform when they visit your site, such as signing up for your newsletter or purchasing a product. Then you'll set the amount that you're willing to pay when this action is completed. Finally, you'll install conversion tracking code on your website so that we can verify when an action has been completed.

3/20/2007 7:30:00 PM

Making Money for Podcasts
Podcasts started out as fun ways for ambitious garage DJs, independent musicians and talk show hosts, who had not ventured into radio broadcasting as a way to show their stuff and make a name for themselves. What started as a hobby for many, has turned into a lucrative profession for some.

Not surprisingly, podcasters, just like radio stations, have looked for ways to profit from their on-air dialogue.

Profiting from Podcasts

3/12/2007 7:30:00 PM

Consider following these simple podcasting tips to get the most from your podcast and make it stand out from other podcasts in the crowd.

DO
1. Make it Professional
Regardless of whether you are podcasting from your garage or a corporate boardroom there is no reason that your podcast cannot have a professional sound and feel. Use software to edit the audio file and filter background noise. Listeners will not tolerate poor audio quality. With the wide range of relatively inexpensive software and hardware available there is no reason you can not provide good quality audio podcast.

Do's and Don'ts of Podcasting

3/10/2007 7:30:00 PM

Wikipedia has been banned in China, prompting the online encyclopedia's cofounder, Jimmy Wales, to respond on Thursday by criticizing Yahoo, Google and other Internet firms for allegedly helping China's censorship efforts. "This is something I would never do. I think access to information is a fundamental human right," Wales said.

complete article

3/5/2007 7:30:00 PM

The Bush administration has accelerated its Internet surveillance push by proposing that Web sites must keep records of who uploads photographs or videos in case police determine the content is illegal and choose to investigate.

Image Crack Down

3/1/2007 7:30:00 PM

Before you begin podcasting develop a plan and a format for your show. Determine the focus of your podcast and what types of guests you would like to interview. Time spent planning your show will contribute to it's success.

Location, Location, Location
When you are producing a podcast on a regular basis it is important that you select an appropriate location for the recording to take place. The location should be free of external distractions and relatively quiet. It is easiest if you use the same location each time, that way the equipment can remain in place and will not require moving or setup each time you produce a show.

The room should have a carpet or furniture that will absorb echoes and dampen the sound. The room should also have a door, so that you will not have unexpected interruptions. Reduce extraneous noise by turning off fans or any equipment. Consider hanging a note on the door, so that you will not be disturbed while recording.

Podcast Recording Tips

2/27/2007 7:30:01 PM

Great new audio recording software. With RecordForAll, podcasters have the ability to record new audio files from scratch, or edit and enhance existing audio files.

Podcasts have evolved into a popular means for individuals and companies to expand their reach and improve communications by creating portable on-demand broadcasts.

RecordForAll was designed from the ground up, with ease of use in mind. RecordForAll has an intuitive look, and built in tutorials to walk users through the process of recording and editing their first audio file.

One click audio recording easily records voices, music and other sounds. RecordForAll has reduced the learning curve, making audio recording easy even for beginners. RecordForAll allows podcasters to layer, synchronize and transition multiple audio tracks. Podcasters can now easily create transitional effects between show segments or insert advertisements into their podcasts. Existing audio files can also be imported into RecordForAll for editing. RecordForAll even has built-in filtering that helps eliminate extraneous background noises and distortions.

Simply put, RecordForAll is an all-in-one recording studio that assists users in recording, editing and mixing their podcasts, resulting in a professional podcast, even for beginners.

RecordForAll can be used in conjunction with FeedForAll, an easy to use RSS feed creation software, to publish all kinds of podcasts, including podcasts that are compatible with the iTunes Music Store.

Download a trial version of RecordForAll.

2/26/2007 7:30:00 PM

With tax season just around the corner it is never too early to start thinking about available tax deductions. Small business tax deductions are important to ensuring that you are getting all the return that is possible. Some tax deductions for small businesses are:
* Office furniture
* Office equipment and supplies
* Software and other subscriptions
* Insurance premiums
* Retirement contributions

Small Business Tax Deductions

2/20/2007 7:30:01 PM

Just as the second generation of search engines and directories evolved into niche topic specific portals we are seeing the same occur in the area of RSS feed directories and search engines. While some directories are admittedly more niche than others the trend is obvious.

Where to find Niche RSS Feeds

2/20/2007 7:30:00 PM

Venture capital firms are considering contests that offer competing engineers and entrepreneurs multimillion-dollar prizes if they come up with innovative technologies in various industries.

complete article

2/20/2007 7:30:00 PM

A man who was fired by IBM for visiting an adult chat room at work is suing the company for $5 million, claiming he is an Internet addict who deserves treatment and sympathy rather than dismissal.

James Pacenza, 58, of Montgomery, says he visits chat rooms to treat traumatic stress incurred in 1969 when he saw his best friend killed during an Army patrol in Vietnam.

complete article

2/15/2007 7:30:00 PM

Middlebury College history students are no longer allowed to use Wikipedia as a cited source in preparing class papers.

complete article

2/13/2007 7:30:00 PM

There is a new pdf download that is a step by step iPod tutorial. The free iPod tutorial explains the ins and outs of how to use all the different iPod models.

2/8/2007 7:30:00 PM

There is a great quote in a piece by Andy Hagans

Content is still king. But if you venture into my little world, youâ€™ll find that packaging is queen, promotion is the crown prince and a baity title is the Sword of Excalibur.

2/6/2007 7:30:00 PM

How much do you know about podcasting? Take the podcast quiz and test your knowledge.

Pocasting Quiz

2/5/2007 7:30:00 PM

Ok, you have heard all about podcasts and how great they are when marketing a small business. But you do not have a clue where to start, we have a hint for you:

Give the Podcast Bundle a try. The bundle includes RecordForAll, software for recording and editing audio files and FeedForAll, software for creating a podcast feed. The FeedForAll website has quite a few tutorials that walk new users through the process of creating podcasts.

The best part you can try it prior to making a purchase decision, there is a free evaluation download of both applications in the bundle.

1/30/2007 7:30:00 PM

Good news if you're creating original content which is popular on YouTube. According to co-founder Chad Hurley, YouTube will soon be offering a revenue share to creators of popular videos. The BBC reports, "The system would be rolled out in a couple of months, [...] and use a mixture of adverts, including short clips shown ahead of the actual film." Revenue sharing will only be available for non-copyright infringing videos, and its unclear exactly how much money per video play will be offered.

YouTube Advertising

1/29/2007 7:30:00 PM

RSS Does Not Equal Blogs
Many assume that RSS is only for syndicating the contents of blogs, nothing could be further from the truth. Blogs and online journals have rocketed to popularity in the last few years, and many bloggers use RSS as a means to distribute and syndicate their blog posts. Subscribers receive information each time the blog is updated. However this is NOT the only use for RSS. RSS can deliver any kind of content, including forum posts, discount coupons, newsletters or press releases. Blogs are just one type of information syndicated by RSS feeds.

RSS Does Not Equal Blogs

1/27/2007 7:30:00 PM

Wikipedia has been the recent target of spammers. Why? Because Wikipedia is considered a credible source or authority site by many large search engines. This means if you have a link from Wikipedia it is worth a lot. As a result Wikipedia has been struggling with spammers, attmepting to post external links. What is the solution? Wikipedia has added "no follow" to its external links. The "no follow" command means that the sites linked to from Wikipedia do not get any of Wikipedia's "link juice".

1/26/2007 7:30:00 PM

A new search engine strictly for educational RSS feeds has been launched. The new search engine, aptly named Educational Feeds contains RSS feeds grouped by subject and it also has a search feature. Universities, colleges and classes with feeds or podcasts are encouraged to submit their listings free of charge.

1/24/2007 7:30:00 PM

Microsoft recently unveiled a new web site called Windows Vista Test Drive designed to allow business users, consumers, and the merely curious to find out what running Microsoft's latest operating system might be like without actually having to install it.

1/23/2007 7:30:00 PM

The best blogs and feeds are those that contain unique, fresh, compelling, content. So where do these prolific posters get their ideas? I talked to a handful of bloggers to determine where their inspiration originated for their content.

Not surprisingly, ideas for blog posts or RSS feed items originate or are influenced by other web content. The following are venues for finding your online muse:

How do you get ideas for blog posts and RSS feed posts?

1/22/2007 7:30:00 PM

Buying a house is all about location, and proximity to good schools is one of the big factors in choosing where to live. Today we launched nationwide schools search on Yahoo! Real Estate. Users can search and browse local schools via an interactive map interface, and refine and sort their search by school district, distance, grade level, or school type (e.g. public, private, charter).

My question why are the results not available via RSS feeds?

1/20/2007 7:30:00 PM

In a marked shift from the past, Microsoft plans to sell its new operating system through a new channel: the Internet. Microsoft is using the shareware marketing method for vista!

1/19/2007 7:30:00 PM

FeedForAll v2 has been released. This new software application is incredibly easy to use, it has built in wizards that walk users through RSS feed creation, podcast creation and creating podcasts for iTunes.

RSS is a great way for small businesses to communicate with their customers. The website has a lot of educational tutorials and articles to help new users navigate their way through using RSS.

Business Software Information

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Small Business - Software

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