Slashing Migration Costs

SmartDB Corporation is the leading U.S. company providing professional data application migration tools. Today SmartDB announced that it would be teaming with Wave Consulting Group to feature the SmartDB Workbench in the Wave Conversion Factory. SmartDB considers this to be a low cost, high efficiency alternative to outsourcing overseas.

Two of the primary players in the project speak out about its benefits to both companies and to their customers:

Rodney Joe, Managing Director of Wave Consulting Group: "As this market rapidly grows, we have a great chance to become an invaluable partner to our customers. We can compete with anyone on cost and with the SmartDB Workbench, the quality and speed of our work is excellent."

George Langan, SmartDB CEO: "Time, expense, and risk are characteristics of traditional efforts to navigate the intricacies of complicated data conversions. SmartDB eliminates most of those challenges as it guides users through the conversion process and automates testing and execution."

Discover more information about SmartDB and Wave Consulting Group's plans in the article, SmartDB Corporation Teams with Wave Consulting Group to Slash Migration Costs (link above).

Posted by Joshua Feinberg

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Former HP Executive Signs On As Global Channel Vice President

Today, Managed Objects, the Business Service Company, announced that it has chosen former HP executive, Andrew Howard, as the Vice President of its Corporate Alliances and Channels division.

According to Siki Giunta, CEO of Managed Objects, says, "Andrew knows the players in this industry inside and out and brings an impressive track record of helping sophisticated companies form exceptional partnerships. We are thrilled to add an industry veteran with Andrew's depth of experience and breadth of relationships."

Having led the global alliances division and worked with the managed services division, Howard is uniquely qualified for the position. Howard had this to say about his plans: "In Europe we are seeing stronger interest in BSM than ever before. My objective is to increase the percentage of products we sell through channel partners in the UK, Germany and France in particular. We will do this by expanding our footprint of partners and developing new education programs to better serve their needs."

For more on Howard's new position, read the article, Managed Objects Signs Former HP Executive Andrew Howard as Global Channel Vice President (link above).

Submitted by Computer Consulting Kit

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"Boomerang Migration" for Global Technologists

In a telling sign that India has become one of the world's leading engines of technical innovation, Indian technologists who have been working abroad are now moving back home. In fact, technology professionals throughout the world are doing likewise, reversing a 50-year trend of migrating to the US and Europe, as their native countries move to deregulate and encourage business growth.

Indian expatriates (known as NRIs, or non-resident Indians) are finding that they are welcomed back with open arms, valued for their international experience, and can command top salaries. NRIs tend to live in gated communities that are more reflective of American suburbs than anything native to India. Those who have lived in the US experience a bit of culture shock, adjusting to the more traditional Indian lifestyle while importing American practices such as celebrating Halloween and Thanksgiving.

This "boomerang migration" illustrates how globalism has loosened the US's position as a unique innovation incubator and the land of opportunity. A quote from Dutt Kalluri, an IT manager who recently returned to India from Rockville, Maryland, is particularly revealing: "If you want to be in the latest trends, you have to be in India... Technology development happens in India. Technology consumption happens in the US."

Source: Washington Post

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Virtual IT: Firefox Gets Linux Enterprise Award

The Mozilla Foundation’s Firefox 1.5 earned the top honor in the virtual IT Enterprise Linux category of the 2006 Datamation Product of the Year Awards. The open source browser won just above second place Red Hat Inc.’s Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 with over twice the number of votes. The Zimbra Collaboration Suite from Zimbra Inc. placed third, with Asterisk 1.2 in fourth.

Firefox was the talk of the town in early 2005, but its reputation was fading right before Version 1.5 showed up later in the year. The release was just in time to maintain the energy that was surrounding Firefox, a company that has built a great community through Version 1.5, which because it is an open source product has contributions coming from many different places.

The community is what draws many users to the program, according to Mozilla Corp. The fact that Firefox has 40 million to 50 million active users with 50 to 60 percent of them using Version 1.5 creates an amazing phenomenon. There are many different people participating, including people that help test products and are allowed to view source codes and participate in making the products better. Users become a part of the process.

Virtual IT specialists say there are features that only Firefox has that make it a better browser than many of its competitors. The tabbed browsing catches many malicious web content and makes it perfect for both personal and business use. It helps make a computer more user friendly whether the user is a seasoned professional or someone just learning about the Internet and its capabilities.

Spokespeople for Mozilla state they are expecting to release Version 2.0 later in the year, which will hopefully improve upon some of the minor incompatibilities and help better users’ experiences with the browser.

Added By: Joshua Feinberg

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IT Consulting News: Recent Study Proves Greater Tech Hiring in U.S.

In spite of the trend for American companies to transfer IT consulting and other technology work overseas, a new study shows that the need for U.S. technology workers continues to grow.

The professional development organization, The Association for Computing Machinery released a study last Thursday that claims giving IT jobs to India or China isn’t really a threat to U.S. IT consulting work. This development organization includes academic, government and industry officials from the IT industry.

The study states that only about two to three percent of IT consulting jobs will be lost per annum to lower-wage developing companies through offshoring. But the U.S. IT industry’s growth will be faster than that loss, and the opportunities for IT professionals involved in software architecture, product design, product management and IT consulting will increase.

Experts say that the technology industry in the U.S. is even better than it was during the dot.com boom and predict that it will continue to grow during the next decade along with the opportunities for those involved in the IT profession. One factor in this growth is the use of offshoring by U.S. companies, including start-up firms that limit their costs and grow businesses. This phenomenon creates more opportunities for U.S. workers at the same time as it grows IT consulting firms overseas.

The study noted that companies from many different parts of the economy that invest in IT solutions are always discovering ways to be more efficient and competitive within their respective industries. Presumably, this trend will continue to grow as businesses need to hire IT consulting firms and other IT professionals to stay afloat. Health caree, retail trade, construction and many other services will begin to make more investments in technology as the years progress. Even though technological progress has been great in recent years, bringing about low-cost broadband links with India and China, there are still many reasons U.S. companies will not want to outsource jobs to other countries.

Many parents believe that the IT field does not have good prospects, which is causing students to opt against studying IT fields. Tighter visa restrictions will also prevent more workers from coming to the U.S. to work, thus leaving more jobs for those currently in IT consulting businesses and related fields.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

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Web Attacks on the Rise

As the Web becomes an ever more important part of business, it's also becoming an increasingly rough neighborhood. For instance, distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks -- the practice of flooding websites with so much incoming traffic that they can't operate properly -- increased by nearly 700% between 2004 and 2005, according to security firm Symantec. Attacked e-commerce sites can be knocked offline for days, losing millions in sales. These attacks are done not by teenage pranksters, but by e-commerce competitors (some from countries where cybercrime laws are lax), or customers who feel wronged. Symantec also notes the practice of using "bots" -- hacked "zombie" PCs that can be remote-controlled and directed to flood a site with traffic. Some hackers rent out the bots they control, acting as digital hit-men.

Meanwhile, "click fraud" in web advertising is on the rise, with scam artists learning how to manipulate ads from Google and others. One estimate claims that click fraud activity accounts for 20% of all Internet traffic, and costs advertisers up to $1 billion every year. Click fraud has become such a problem that it caused Standard & Poor to downgrade Google's stock to a "sell" rating in January. As with DDOS attacks, click fraud is conducted by sophisticated criminals who often use bots and zombies.

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[TIPS] - multiple tips

http://www.google.com/google_rsearch.reg 

 

Several people wrote to ask how to set Google as the default search engine in IE. (You didn't think MS would make it EASY to switch from MSN, did you?) The above links to a file (Windows only) that, when double clicked, will make the necessary registry entry to change the default search engine to Google.

 

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Here's one for your favorite physics teacher: http://www.whatthebleep.com/download/  This is a page that contains an excellent movie called the Double Slit Experiment. (Ask your favorite Physics teacher) At the bottom of THIS page (http://www.whatthebleep.com/trailer/) you'll find a link to the movie trailer for, "What the Bleep Do We Know?" The first movie is part of the larger movie.

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Malcolm Gladwell Blogs

Malcolm Gladwell, renowned author of books such as Blink and The Tipping Point has started a blog at http://gladwell.typepad.com/. So far there's not much to it, but that will surely change considering the buzz this early effort has already generated.

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Computer Consulting: Handling the First Sales Meeting

In computer consulting, the initial sales process is really a pre-sales consultation, not a final sale. Because even a successful “sale” on a first phone call or meeting is not final, you need to communicate your professionalism and make an impact so you can distinguish yourself from other computer consulting firms.

Two ways to make an outstanding impression are to take a sincere interest in your potential customer’s business and problems, and get a definite handle on those problems so you can decide if your computer consulting business can provide the appropriate solutions.

FINDING “DIRT”

Sometimes you may look into a prospect and find out some unfavorable information about the person or their company that makes you not want to engage in a business relationship. The computer consulting sales call is a reciprocal interview. If you encounter some strange or generally peculiar information during the call, in background checks or in the news about the prospect, you may want to get out while you still can. It may seem strange to turn down business, but the time investment you give them before the sales call will be minimal, and you will escape a potentially horrible situation unscathed before it even has a chance to begin.

TIME EQUALS MONEY

Before the initial consultation, you will want to take half an hour or a bit more to compile some introductory information to give to your prospect. Even if you are efficient, with driving time, parking, tolls, research and the meeting itself, you will probably spend two or three hours on a client even before you’ve definitely provided them with any real services.

Use the hourly billing rate you are billing out for computer consulting service calls and calculate how much the consultation costs based on that, minus tolls, parking, gas and mileage. You will probably find that this amount really adds up, which is even more of a reason to make sure your prospect is really a good fit before the meeting. Qualifying the client by doing homework about them before-hand will help guarantee that your time and money is not wasted.

Created By: Joshua Feinberg

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Network Support Contracts Can Provide Personal Help

Network support contracts are most commonly provided in the workplace to help maximize the efficiency of daily operations and also help professionals best keep their technology up and running. But students and others not using laptops for business purposes also need to be assured that their networking capabilities are insured. For these people, it may only take a few simple steps to get the peace of mind of a network support contract.

KEEP COMPUTERS RUNNING UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

A well-plotted and stable network will keep you connected at all times. The purpose of network support contracts is to keep your network running all the time, uninterrupted. If you have a reliable network infrastructure, you will be able to get to files you left at work off-site, any day and at any time. Using professional consultants as part of network support contracts allows companies to give employees access from anywhere. Having these consultants accessible to not only implement but also monitor these networking capabilities will help promote business growth and peace of mind.

PERSONAL NETWORKS

People using their computers at home often want to set up personalized networking options, but find themselves feeling alone sometimes when it comes to the network support contracts they find to help them. No matter how skilled you are at navigating the process of not only setting up but maintaining these at-home networks, you have probably found yourself in need of the extra support provided by a high quality network support contract.

LOOKING FOR ONLINE SUPPORT

Those in academic and government arenas will typically get free network support contracts that help them connect to offices across the campus or between departments. Other people trying to set up networking capabilities can do speedy searches for network support contracts that will help them find Internet resources to trouble shoot when they need immediate or simple help. Online support contracts can provide a wonderful way to get personalized help particularly when balanced with in-person guidance.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting Kit

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India Considers a Reusable Spacecraft

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is considering plans for a Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) capable of placing a 10-ton payload into low earth orbit.

The craft would be launched in two stages, with one part gliding back to a runway like the US Space Shuttle, and another landing via airbags.

ISRO officials, however, caution that the RLV is in its conceptual stage, and that deployment is a long way off. But when the RLV does (literally) get off the ground, the ISRO undoubtedly hopes it will solidify India's position in the satellite-launch industry. They will also surely incorporate lessons learned from the US space program as to the realistic expectations of a reusable spacecraft.

Source: Zeenews.com

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You Are Feeling Veeerrrry Sleeeeeeepy...

Feeling tired? If so, you're in good company.

Seventy million Americans aren't getting a good night's sleep, according to the National Institutes of Health. The resulting sleeplessness is affecting work performance ($50 billion annually in lost productivity) and causing safety hazards (100,000 car crashes each year, plus many other undocumented accidents). Sleeping pills and caffiene-laden beverages, experts say, only mask the problem.

Causes of sleeplessness range from stress to overloaded schedules to disorders such as sleep apnea. Scientists are investigating genetic causes of sleep troubles, and are improving their ability to diagnose specific problems.

So if you have trouble falling asleep at night, see your doctor. And sweet dreams.

Source: WCAU-TV

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Little Robots, Big Jobs

An EU-funded research team called MICRON is exploring the potential of floating "micro robots" just a few cubic centimeters in size. Each unit can be controlled wirelessly, powered through a coil system that transmitted electricity through the air, and can interact with other micro robots... in effect, acting as a flock or swarm (choose your metaphor).

Successful tests involve having the robots perform biological tasks at the cellular level, injecting liquid into cells, as well as soldering metal. With those tasks under its belt, the researchers are perfecting the robots' internetworking abilities, hoping to leverage "swarm" intelligence.

Source: Roland Piquepaille's Tech Trends

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Pimp Chic

If someone called you a pimp or a whore, how would you react? If you're over the age of 30, you would almost certainly be offended. But to younger people, the terms have become fashionable -- a fashion that has many concerned.

Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop, has come out strongly against such sexualized images in pop culture and marketing, where they are held up as role models:

A lot of people seem to think that it's cool to be a pimp or whore. It's not cool. The reality is dark, evil and appalling and unregulated. The reality is sex trafficking, which is about young women being forced into rooms to have sex however many times a day so that the pimp can take all the money.

There are thousands of ads, mostly focused on women and young girls, that say you are not attractive, you are not sexy, you are not intelligent, unless you look like this. In kids' magazines there is a passivity and a stupidity that is seen as a great way forward. Something has gone very wrong.

The Ypulse blog, which tracks youth trends, calls this phenomenon "pornification." Sexuality has been an element in marketing from the era of the Gibson Girl of the early 1900's. But critics of today's imagery suggest that there's a difference between sexuality (which can be coy, discreet and fun) and raw, in-your-face sex (which can be scary and brutal), with the latter all too short a distance from actual pornography. And not the Playboy variety, either.

The Gaslight Era's Answer to the
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue!

As the contrast between the images of the past 100 years shows, the history of sex in advertising (and the media in general) is that of greater tolerance and permissiveness, taking twists and turns in response to the zeitgeist of the moment. In fact, some have suggested that the current infatuation with pimp culture is a direct backlash against feminism.

Are the current fashions simply a continuation of this trend, and the controversy something we'll look back on with bemusement in a few years? Is Anita Roddick's criticism of pornification a voice in the wilderness, or the start of a genuine rebellion? Attitudes, after all, are flexible, as reactions against behaviors such as smoking and drug abuse prove (remember the "heroin chic" of the '90s?). Regardless of whether pimp chic is a passing fad or the shape of things to come, it is having an undeniable effect on the young people who are embracing it.

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IT Marketing – Increasing Postcard Response

Take a look at the last postcard you sent out. When should prospects have contacted you? Was there a date by which they would lose the chance to get something for free? Did you only have a limited number of free analyses available? If your answer is "No," then your prospects had no reason to contact you now instead of ten months from now.

Urgency and scarcity are the keys to any great direct mail campaign. If there is only a limited opportunity for companies to contact you and get something for FREE, then they are much more likely to contact you quickly.

Finding Extra Help

If you want extra help writing the copy on your postcards, then you want to hire a direct response expert. Generally, this person will be a copywriter or a former employee at an advertising firm. An experienced writer will know what it takes to get people to respond, and they can take care of this area of business for you.

Postcards can be a vital part of your marketing plans but only if you do things the right way. Learn more about how to send postcards the right way for the best response in the complete article (link above).

Posted by Computer Consulting 101

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Service Level Agreements – Improving From the Inside Out

Service level agreements are offered by many consultants so that you can use their expertise to make your business more productive and efficient. Consultants can offer advice on a variety of topics though their primary focus will be on your IT infrastructure.

Planning for the Future

An IT consultant can help you plan for your company's future. They can evaluate your existing setup and your expected growth to help you develop an infrastructure to support your future growth. They can also look at your business plan and develop strategies to cut costs and increase profits.

Introducing the Consultant

Now, the biggest problem you may face will be with your own employees. Some may not believe in bringing in consultants and they may be insulted by your move. There are two philosophies as to how you should bring a consultant into your company.

First, some people say that you should remain secretive about the consultant's existence. If your company is large this won't be a problem, but in smaller companies, your employees will find out quickly and will probably feel betrayed.

On the other hand, you can honestly and openly bring in the consultant. Introduce him or her to your employees and give your employees access to the consultant so that they can ask questions and give suggestions. You will keep your employees' trust and they may be able to make valuable contributions to the process.

Learn more about hiring a consultant and bringing him or her into your company in the article, Service Level Agreements – Improving Your Business From The Inside Out (link above).

Blogged by Joshua Feinberg

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Computer Business News: Samsung Makes Driver Source Code Public

Samsung Electronics stated Wednesday that it intends to make the driver source code for its own OneNAND available to Linux/Open Source designers. Samsung spokesperson Jon Kang, senior vice president of technical marketing at Samsung Semiconductor, anticipates that this decision will be very exciting for this community of designers.

Open source code has become a driving force in the technology boom that has caused so many customers to welcome the benefits of mobility into their lives. Therefore, Samsung’s announcement is expected to be well-received in the open design arena, and its effects will be felt by even those outside the industry.

Samsung also claims that revealing the driver source code for OneNAND could very well permit consumer electronic goods designers to easily add OneNAND’s operational instructions to many products.
The design of OneNAND is complex, but incredibly efficient. The fusion architecture sports a single-level-cell (SLC) NAND core with SRAM and logic elements that successfully duplicate NOR Flash interface. OneNAND also offers a sustained data “read” speed of 108 MB/s. This speed is four times faster than regular NAND Flash memory. Samsung also asserts that OneNAND has a “write” speed of 10 MB/s, a speed that is more than 60 times faster than the typical multi-level-cell (MLC) NOR Flash memory.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

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U.S. IT Consulting Firm Bought by Fujitsu

Fujitsu, Ltd. Announced the purchase of a U.S. IT firm recently. The acquisition is an opportunity for the Japanese company to increase its clientele in North America.

A United States branch of Fujitsu, Fujitsu Consulting, will buy Rapidigm, a Pittsburgh-centered IT consulting firm that also holds offices in 22 additional major municipal markets in both the United States and India.

The Japanese company will be able to leverage its national IT consulting presence with the addition of Rapidigm as well as increase the company’s ability to deliver products and services offshore, according to Fujitsu Consulting representatives.

As soon as the process of buying Rapidigm is complete, Fujitsu Consulting will add approximately 1,200 U.S.-based consultants, which will make the total number at the North American IT consulting firm over 4,900. As part of the acquisition, Fujitsu will also add an additional 800 India-based consultants spread out between two development centers.

Even though the financial details of the purchase were not revealed, earlier it was reported that the price would be about 20-30 bin yen.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

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The Underwater Airplane

From Lockheed Martin's famed Skunk Works comes a proposal for an unmanned plane that would be launched from submarines.

The Cormorant jet aircraft would be launched from a retrofitted missile tube of a Trident nuclear submarine to perform surveillance or surgical strikes, taking off from and landing in the sea.

The Cormorant is still in the proposal stage. DARPA will make its decision to fund the project by this fall.

Source: we make money not art

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Computer Franchises: What's Your Chance for Success?

One option to consider when starting a new business is a computer franchise. But do you have what it takes?

Buying computer franchises can reduce your risk for failure. Training, basic operating procedures, financial support and advice and many other perks are included in the initial fees associated with computer franchises. However, starting out and maintaining business is not necessarily easy, and you need to carefully consider before even embarking on this venture whether you have the qualities you need to succeed.

DETERMINING YOUR ABILITY TO RUN COMPUTER FRANCHISES

Before you consider running computer franchises you need to make yourself aware of your talents and abilities. Are your computer skills up to par? What is the nature of your experience? What will you need aside from technical skills in order to make this business work?

DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PERSONALITY?

In order to be successful in the franchise business, you have to be naturally out-going and completely driven. You have to be capable of strong leadership, but also be able to work within the rules of the company. Therefore, you have to achieve a delicate balance between the flexible spirit of the entrepreneur and a more rigid corporate structure.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

Computer franchises are one of the biggest commitments a business owner can make. This being said, you have to be very qualified in order to meet the many challenges associated with this type of commitment and guarantee your own success. Your expertise in the computer field is certainly something to think about because it will help you meet the expectations of the company. If you have more knowledge you will spend less time on technical issues and be able to devote more resources to learn about and retain new procedures and protocol.

THINK ABOUT YOUR FAMILY

When you consider buying computer franchises, you have to think about your family. You will need to sacrifice a lot of time and energy to make the business work, and your family should be willing and able to accept the changes and all the risks associated with this endeavor. If your family is behind you 100 percent, you will be able to ease some of the stress. While owning computer franchises may not produce immediate success, if you make an educated decision you can have a rewarding and exciting experience.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

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Computer Maintenance Contracts Are the Ultimate Investment

If you have managed to decipher the fine print on the extremely complicated service contracts delivered by small companies, you will probably discover you don’t get much in terms of a warrantee. That’s because not many of these businesses have the type of credentials you need to ensure technical work that will help your company succeed. There are many different types of computer maintenance contracts, and some are better than others.

A FUTURE INVESTMENT

If you get your computer repaired the right way by a high quality computer maintenance contract, you are making one of the best investments you can in the longevity of your company. If you rely on someone without all the necessary credentials or training, you might permanently compromise the integrity and life of your delicate computer. You don’t need to take this risk, particularly when there are competent professionals out there who will proudly guarantee their work through professionally designed contracts and warrantees.

COMPANIES WITH REPEAT CLIENTS

You should always look for computer maintenance contract companies with work that lasts for months or more. A good company will have a strong base of repeat clients, businesses and consumer watchdog groups who keep supporting the work the professionals do and re-signing contracts again and again. If you go with computer maintenance contracts provided by unknown, small hobbyist-type companies with no base of loyal customers, you are gambling with important data and the future of your business.

THE RIGHT CONTRACT FOR YOU

If you learn as much as possible about the companies you look at to give you the right type of computer maintenance contracts you are protecting yourself for the present and the future. You want itemized lists and clear explanations within the contracts that will give you insurance you are getting what you are paying for. A credible and reputable firm will always have your computer ready to go again in a week or less.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting Kit

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KFC Develops Ads for DVR Users

Users of digital video recorders are notorious for skipping over ads when replaying recorded TV programs -- a practice that deeply concerns advertisers. In response, fried chicken purveyor KFC is producing ads that are specifically designed for viewers who watch them on recording devices.

When viewers play back the ad slowly, they can view a "secret code" that they can then enter at the KFC website to get a coupon for a free sandwich. The ads debuted during NBC's broadcast of the Winter Olympics and will run until the end of March.

The advertising industry is applauding KFC's if-you-can't-beat-'em-join-'em approach, though the actual impact of the campaign is not yet known. “Any strategy that gets a message to rise above the clutter is terrific from the advertiser’s perspective,� says Josh Bernoff of Forrester Research.

UPDATE: ABC is reportedly refusing to air the KFC ads, calling the secret code "subliminal advertising."

Source: MSNBC

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Defending Cell Phones Against Viruses

So far, the virus threat to cell phones has been minimal, despite nearly 150 cell phone viruses discovered since 2004. But security experts believe that a widespread phone virus outbreak is only a matter of time... and to that end, antivirus software is being developed for cell phones.

The prevalence of advanced features on cell phones, especially Bluetooth wireless connections and MMS messaging, leave cell phones increasingly vulnerable to viruses. Gartner, in fact, believes a fast-spreading cell phone virus is likely to strike sometime before the end of 2007. In response, antivirus software developers Symantec, McAfee and F-Secure are developing security software for smart phones. Although these products have made inroads in Japan, the major US phone carriers have resisted such protection, declaring their networks safe from malicious use. Verizon and T-Mobile routinely scan their networks for virus activity and block anything suspicious.

Whether consumers demand antivirus software for their phones will depend largely on perception and media attention given to a virus outbreak, and the sense among corporate mobile phone customers that their assets need maximum protection. But as phones become more complex, contain more data and become ever more deeply ingrained in our lives, a serious virus could become downright crippling.

Source: ZDNet

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Chinese Mobile Phone Users Top 400 Million

China, home to the world's largest mobile phone market, now claims to have 400 million users. Chinese mobile phone users also sent nearly 34 billion text messages in January alone. By contrast, the US has about 200 million cell phone users.

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IT Marketing: Using Your Elevator Pitch

To practice your IT marketing everyday, you need to develop an effective elevator pitch. Let's say you get on the elevator on the 20^th floor with a woman who is well-dressed and looks like an executive. The two of you begin talking, and she asks what you do. Your reply is your elevator speech. Here are a few good examples:

"I’m xxx with xxx and we make it our business to help small and mid-sized businesses learn how to get the best benefits out of their computers, the Internet and networking productivity."

"Our service team specializes in on-site business service and networking solutions. We also provide consulting in the areas of network development and ongoing maintenance."

Then, you hand out your business card. If this person or her company is having computer problems, she is likely to ask you some questions and will probably be giving you a call. By the time the elevator doors open, you've made a contact and, potentially, a sale.

Learn more about the all-important elevator pitch and how and when to deliver it in the complete article.

Submitted by Computer Consulting Kit

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Maintenance Contracts: Finding the Cause

Have you switched to a Mac to avoid many of the problems found when using Windows machines? If so, you need to realize that you still may face challenges when using your Mac. When trouble happens, you need to have a professional technician to call one through your maintenance contract.

What Kinds of Problems?

Well, you may face many different types of problems with any new machine. For instance, you may need help with your TCP/ICP settings or your AppleTalk- Mac settings. You may also find that integrating your Mac with a Windows machine may prove difficult. If this is the case, you want to know that your maintenance contract covers this type of assistance, and if you choose the right company it will.

Securing the Right Technician

There's one other obstacle you may face when finding a maintenance contract for your Mac – Many companies do not offer maintenance contracts for non-Windows machines. Thus, you want to have a maintenance contract with a consulting firm before you face any problems.

For more on securing the right technician for problems with your Mac, read the article, Maintenance Contracts Help Find the Cause of the Problem (link above).

Blogged by Computer Consulting 101

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[TIPS] - browser shortcuts

In IE:

So you wanna find a definition of a word - say, *moodle. How do YOU find the definition? Do you rush off to Merriam Webster's site (http://www.m-w.com) and search from there? I'll save you some time: For a definition of a word just type - define moodle - in the address field.

 

Another way to search for something, say, penguins, is to simply type: ? penguins in the address field - right over top of the address that's there. Presto - your default search engine pops up with the search results.

 

For Firefox:

In the address field type: google moodle - and hit enter. Google appears with the search results.

To find a definition of the word, in the address bar type: dict moodle

To do a wikipedia search, type: wp moodle and hit enter and up comes Wikipedia with the search result.

To get a stock quote, type: quote GOOG and up comes the latest stock quote from Yahoo Finance area.

 

- - -

And speaking of Moodle, don't forget the training sessions scheduled for March 1, 8, 14, and April 11. Choose one and sign up via 48 CARATS. I need 6 per class to hold the session)

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Three-Dimensional Images in Midair

3D displays that hover in midair have been a staple of science fiction for decades; after all, who can forget the hologram of Princess Leia in the first Star Wars? Now, Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has developed a method of projecting three-dimensional images in the air.

The system reflects laser light off of mirrors, and focuses that light into a point in the air using a plasma emission phenomenon.

The technology remains experimental, so there is no estimate of when it might appear in the marketplace.

Source: Minding the Planet

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Why MySpace Appeals to Teens

According to a presentation by media researcher danah boyd, young people are attracted to MySpace because they perceive it as a literal place where they can relax with their peers and do things they can't do physically.

MySpace neatly mirrors the way teens perceive the world, allowing them to meet others easily, interact with their "real time" friends, and share their feelings and preferences.

For most teens, it is simply a part of everyday life - they are there because their friends are there and they are there to hang out with those friends. Of course, its ubiquitousness does not mean that everyone thinks that it is cool. Many teens complain that the site is lame, noting that they have better things to do. Yet, even those teens have an account which they check regularly because it's the only way to keep up with the Jones's.

Additionally, teens turns to the online world because their physical space is increasingly "structured space," where their behavior is regulated. Few physical places exist where teens can do as they please without adult supervision. "Classic 1950s hang out locations like the roller rink and burger joint are disappearing while malls and 7/11s are banning teens unaccompanied by parents." Online, though, no such structure exists... and it's this lack of structure that causes the problems associated with MySpace, such as the presence of adult predators.

"What we're seeing right now," boyd writes, "is a cultural shift due to the introduction of a new medium and the emergence of greater restrictions on youth mobility and access. The long-term implications of this are unclear. Regardless of what will come, youth are doing what they've always done - repurposing new mediums in order to learn about social culture."

RELATED: For parents worried about or simply confused by MySpace, Wired offers a Q&A mini-tutorial. Another Wired article sorts out the real, perceived and overhyped dangers of MySpace.

Source: Many-to-Many

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Are Employees Really Overworked or Are They Slacking?

Unproductive computer use by employees is one of the biggest problems in employee motivation and employer loss of time and money. According to some estimates, American businesses will lose up to 750 billion dollars this year, with many employees wasting 2-4 hours online daily.

With employment costs rising, employers are more interested in monitoring computer use by employees. Thus, many employers are interested in installing programs like Statlook that tracks usage by user and by amount of time and type of activity.

Statlook provides a variety of reports to help employers determine who is wasting time and what they are wasting their time on. Statlook offers a reasonable price that also appeals to many medium-sized businesses.

To learn more about Statlook and how it can help your clients, read the full article (link above).

Blogged by Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

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Server Market Slows, But It’s Still Growing

IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Server Tracker reported today that worldwide server factory revenue has slowed by 0.2% this quarter. This is the first of this type of decline since 2003’s first quarter. Additionally, server unit shipments have slowed by 10.6%.

On a more positive note, volume systems server growth has increased by 7.3% year over year. According to Matthew Eastwood, program vice president of IDC's Worldwide Server Group said, "The volume server market continues to evolve as richer server configurations driven by both scale-out cluster implementations and scale-up server virtualization initiatives continue to drive increased customer spending.”

For more specifics on the growth ratings of the server market, read the complete article, Worldwide Server Market Slows in Fourth Quarter But Grows to $51.3 Billion in 2005, Highest Revenues in 5 Years, According to IDC (link above).

Added by Computer Consulting Kit

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A Christian Utopia

South Carolina is already a solidly "red" state, but if Cory Burnell has his way, the Palmetto State will become a true promised land for Christian conservatives.

The 30-year-old financial advisor from California (a state he considers a "lost cause") has founded a movement called Christian Exodus, which encourages Christian families to move to South Carolina, with the intent of reforming local and state government under biblical principles. With a fundamentalist Christian majority in place, Burnell hopes to pass laws that outlaw abortion, restrict sexual practices, ban the teaching of evolution and "revisionist history," and allow government displays of Christian symbols.

Although only 20 people have signed on so far, Burnell is optimistic, as over 1,000 more have expressed interest. Taking a county-by-county approach, he believes he only needs about 100 committed people to take political control of six counties. Christian Exodus, he says, could have an "overwhelming impact" on state elections by 2014. According to its plan of action, the group has a goal of placing 2,500 members in key counties by the end of this September.

If Christian Exodus catches on, the movement could gain momentum by attracting support from current South Carolina natives sympathetic to the group's goals. It could also be accelerated if South Carolinians who don't support Christian Exodus feel disenfranchised -- even oppressed -- and decide to move out of the state.

Not all of those who would seem to be logical allies of Christian Exodus are supporters. Among those is Bob Jones University, South Carolina's famously Christian conservative college. "As Christians, it's not our job to start a new country," said Bob Jones spokesman Jonathan Pait. Another interesting paradox is that, through his blog, Cory Burnell supports the impeachment of President Bush for violating the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution (unwarranted searches and seizures) with his secret wiretapping policy.

How serious is Burnell about converting South Carolina into a Christian utopia? He does not rule out secession from the union, though only as a "last resort" if his hoped-for state laws conflict too greatly with federal law.

Source: USA Today (via AOL), FOXNews.com

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Poopy Power!

There isn't a dog owner alive who hasn't occasionally wondered, while poop-scooping, why their pooch's by-product couldn't have some productive value other than messing up the lawn. Officials in San Francisco have wondered the same thing -- and are launching a program to turn doggy doo into an alternative energy source.

The city will pilot the program at a dog park, where residents can deposit dog droppings into a "methane digester" that uses bacteria to break the feces down into methane gas.

It would seem that it would take a lot of dog doo to make a significant amount of methane. But San Francisco officials estimate that city dogs generate 6,500 tons of the stuff every year. Another benefit to the program would be to keep the poop out of landfills, as 4% of San Francisco's trash volume consists of discarded poop.

If the program is successful, the next logical step would be for the city to pay for it. Then, you would most assuredly never again step in a mess... or complain about cleaning up after your dog!

Source: Washington Post

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Designing "Walkable Neighborhoods" For Better Health

Your health may be determined in large part by your community's design, according to a recent study by the American Planning Association.

Most communities in the US have grown up in an ad hoc manner, or planned with considerations other than the residents' health. The APA recommends that communities be designed to support pedestrians and cyclists, with ample sidewalks, bike paths, and closer proximity of retail and recreational areas to residences. "Walkable neighborhoods" would encourage residents to exercise, and would reduce the level of pollution from motor vehicles.

"Walkability of neighborhoods around each participant's home was significantly related to overall physical activity levels, minutes per week devoted to active transportation, and body mass index," Says Lawrence D. Frank of the University of British Columbia, who led the study. "People living in high-walkable neighborhoods were more physically active, walked more and had lower BMI."

Source: World Future Society

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[TIPS] - Kitzu - Find, Learn, Create

http://www.kitzu.com/

 

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What's a kitZu, Anyway?

At kitZu, you will find a collection of free, educational, copyright-friendly media resources. Students and teachers around the world can access pre-made collections, or "kits," of various digital assets - still images, background music, narratives, video and text. Each kit is built around a common theme, or curricular topic. For students, this becomes the construction paper of the 21st century --allowing them to create reports and projects filled with rich, immersive media for communicating their vision of whatever subjects they chose. AS they master the technology, they will progress from building projects with supplied materials to projects where they find or create their own resources -- a strategy that results in truly authentic assessment as measured by the projects produced.

Kit Contents

A digital kit is meant to provide students with the building blocks necessary to build video and multimedia projects that tell a story and demonstrate learning. A kit can be made up of:

• - Photos
• - Illustrations
• - Animations
• - Video Clips
• - Audio Clips
• - Document

- - - And... - - -

Don't forget that I've got more Moodle classes scheduled for March 1, 8, and 14, and April 11. All from 4-7 pm. Cost is $40.

 

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IT Marketing: Know the Decision Maker

Knowing the decision maker within a company is the key to making your IT marketing work. The same concept is apparent when you're trying to market at conventions or other events - you have to know where to go and who to talk to.

Inside a company, there is generally going to be one person who will make the decision about the IT consultant. Now, you might have to talk to someone else, but there's one person who has the final say. You want to find out who this person is before you contact the company. The more you know about them and how the company works, the better your chances of making a sale.

Most companies have one or two people in the decision making role: the person who signs the checks and pays the bills (often the owner in very small businesses) or the office guru, the person everyone turns to when there is a computer problem. The guru generally has another job, often as the office manager, but as the go-to person, they are often allowed to make the decision of who to consult.

After you know the decision maker and the basis of their decision, you will be better equipped to make your sale. With all the information you need, you can make the calls and enter the meetings with confidence. Learn more about this important topic in the complete article (link above).

Blogged by Computer Consulting 101

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Computer Optimization and Service Contracts

Computer optimization includes a variety of services that experienced, certified computer service technicians can perform to keep your computer up and running. These services include everything from virus removal to diagnosis and repair of hardware problems.

But, all computer service contracts are not equal. Companies offer different services as parto f their contracts and they may or may not offer free estimates (if a company doesn't offer this service free, however, you should run!).

Transparency is key when you are choosing a computer consulting company and computer service contract. The company should be very specific about what their contract includes and what it doesn't. Also, they should be more than willing to explain anything listed in their contracts.

The best way to find out about great computer consulting companies is asking other companies and individuals you know for referrals. If that doesn't work, you can research companies on the web or call companies in your area with your specific set of relevant questions.

To learn more about finding a great computer consulting company and a service contract that's right for you and your business read the article, Securing Computer Optimization Through Computer Service Contracts (link above).

Added by Computer Consulting Kit

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Network Maintenance Contracts for Hewlett Packard

Hewlett Packard has enjoyed great success in recent years, and as a result the company has had to add comprehensive tech support offered through network maintenance contracts to their repertoire. The steadily-growing company has become famous for its quality products and affordable prices, a combination that has brought both their desktop and laptop computers into offices around the globe. This boom means a need for reliable support so businesses around the world can keep running efficiently.

EQUIPMENT CRITICAL TO A MISSION

For most people, computers have become an absolute necessity. Just about everyone, both at home and at the office, needs reliable technology such as word processing and Internet access to function. Hewlett Packard has sapped into this need for computers and has made them accessible to nearly everyone that needs them. They are part of only a few companies that have been able to lower their prices and still keep product quality intact.

IN COMMAND OF A GLOBAL MARKET

Since Hewlett Packard computers are so prevalent throughout the world, the need for reliable tech support services obtained through network support contracts geared specifically towards the product line is real. Not all computers are created equal, and each brand has a different set of features and idiosyncrasies that need to be addressed by those with a lot of experience with that particular brand and its products.

Finding a tech support consultant that can offer assistance specifically for Hewlett Packard products is critical to keeping business and life efficient if you own that type of computer. A specialized consultant will save time, money, energy, and even teach you something about the investment you use every day. If you intend to own a Hewlett Packard machine, you need to make sure you secure support from network maintenance contracts that specialize in these products to guarantee you easily accessible tech support from the beginning of ownership and throughout the computer’s life.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

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IT Sales: No More Free Consultations

Although a large part of IT sales is providing incentives to gain clients and keep your best customers, you have to be sure your business does not become too heavy on free consultations. Eventually you have to move from the spirit of the sales call to the actual sales.

Your initial sales call is not about proving to your client that you are smart and have a great deal of technical expertise or many certifications; the sales call is your opportunity to test client compatibility so you can move to the next phase of the IT sales process.

Your first order of business is to determine if the prospect is someone you can see you and your company working with long-term. Your prospect should read like other clients with which you’ve had success. Because you’ve done all the leg-work and asked questions about the size of the client’s company and his platform, your next stop in the IT sales plan is to make sure his personality fits your style and that the chemistry is right.

It pays off in the long run to spend about an hour discussing needs with a fairly good-sized small business opportunity and giving away some degree of free advice. But you should be prepared to stop that advice short and get to the meat of the IT sales drive – shifting the focus of the discussion towards hiring your consulting firm to perform an audit or a technology assessment.

FREE IS GUARANTEED TO BREAK YOU

If you keep your services free for too long, you will eventually run out of resources. Many small businesses will continue to take advantage of you if you continue to offer them free services and will move farther and farther away from a sale.

LEARN WHAT SERVICE FITS EACH PROSPECT

The best way to stop yourself from giving away free services is to learn as much about your client and what support you can offer him. Find out your client’s hot buttons well before the initial sales call and know how you will solve his problems. Be prepared to offer discounted and abbreviated services in order to captivate your client, but by no means guarantee him a completely free service.

If you think there may be long-term potential, and not just an immediate need, you can certainly afford to offer an hour of your expertise for free. But don’t decide to give away your time for free until you learn everything you can about each client’s specific needs.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

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[TIPS] - Podcast for nothing - CastWiki

http://www.castwiki.com/index.php/Podcast_for_free 

Someone told me that putting the word free in the subject line throws the mail into the SPAM bin, so that 's why I didn't say it was free in the subject. :-)

 

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Five Steps to Free Podcasting

How you can podcast with a free website, free audio software, free hosting and free bandwidth. Free as in doesn’t cost you a penny, except for your computer and microphone.

Making a podcast is a five step process

1. Create your audio file
2. Upload your audio file
3. Create your show notes on your website
4. Create and publish your RSS feed
5. Tell everyone you know where to find your RSS feed

- - -

 

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Big Mother is Watching You (With Help from the Lunch Ladies)

If you're a kid who attends a Houston public school, the days of being able to select whatever you want for lunch in the cafeteria are numbered.

Within the next year, the Houston Independent School District plans to launch a prepaid lunch account system that tracks kids' eating habits, and lets parents control which food items they are allowed to choose. Parents can access their children's menu permissions and purchase history through the web, limiting or prohibiting sweets and other types of food as they see fit.

RELATED: For parents worred about how much time Junior is spending playing video games, watching TV or on the computer, a new device called "Bob" allows parents to set a limit on the time allowed on these devices, and cuts off access when time's up. Meanwhile, Techdirt wonders if these kid-controlling devices are getting just a little too creepy.

Source: WTSP-TV

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Is Web 2.0 Capitalist or Marxist?

As the conversation around Web 2.0 becomes more mainstream, those who examine it from a business perspective are wondering whether its components and effects more closely mirror capitalism or socialism.

The New York Times weighs in on the side of a pro-capialist web, examining how it is benefitting "gazelles" -- small businesses that are able to quickly adapt to and exploit change. The article profiles "virtual" companies that grow and profit using online collaboration tools to network widespread freelance talent, and more traditional companies that have enjoyed renewed growth through online sales channels and supply chain tools.

Meanwhile, Andrew Keen of the Weekly Standard declares that "[j]ust as Marx seduced a generation of European idealists with his fantasy of self-realization in a communist utopia, so the Web 2.0 cult of creative self-realization has seduced everyone in Silicon Valley." Keen argues that, although Web 2.0 media appropriates egalitarian language ("citizen journalists," etc.), it fosters nothing more than irresponsible narcissism.

The purpose of our media and culture industries — beyond the obvious need to make money and entertain people — is to discover, nurture, and reward elite talent... Without an elite mainstream media, we will lose our memory for things learnt, read, experienced, or heard... [O]ne of the unintended consequences of the Web 2.0 future may well be that everyone is an author, while there is no longer any audience...

As easy as it is to dismiss Keen as a snobbish crank, he does make some valid observations. However, he fails to take into account the ways in which Web 2.0 promotes quality through social ranking of content. Though still maturing, tools such as Digg and del.icio.us allow readers to rank and "vote" for items that, to them, have the greatest value, allowing the proverbial cream to rise to the top. New media has its ways to "discover, nurture, and reward elite talent" -- those ways are just different, and are still emerging.

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Unplugged

WorldChanging offers this bit of "speculative fiction", set in the year 2030, about a growing sustainable-lifestyle movement called "Unplugging," rooted in "a combination of the economic theories of Mahatma Gandhi and the political science of Buckminster Fuller":

The core of [Unplugging] theory is that we can all live off the interest generated by our savings, or the profits from our investments, if we possess enough capital - and generations of Capitalists have dreamed of "getting off at the top" - making enough money to cash out of the workplace and live as they like for the rest of their lives...

To "get off at the top" requires millions and millions of dollars of stored wealth. Exactly how much depends on your lifestyle and rate of return, but it's a lot of money, and it's volatile depending on economic conditions. A crash can wipe out your capital base and leave you helpless, because all you had was shares in a machine.

So we Unpluggers found a new way to unplug: an independent life-support infrastructure and financial architecture - a society within society - which allowed anybody who wanted to "buy out" to "buy out at the bottom" rather than "buying out at the top."

If you are willing to live as an Unplugger does, your cost to buy out is only around three months of wages for a factory worker, the price of a used car. You never need to "work" again, although there are plenty of life support activities to keep you busy, and a lot of basic research and science to do. Unplugging is not an off-the-shelf solution, it's a research career!

The story, set as a futuristic news report, states that "the Unplugged have now reduced the GDP of the United States of America by 20% over their 15 year programme."

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IBM Declares TV "As We Know It" Dead by 2012

IBM's Institute for Business Value has released a study reflecting what most new-media experts have been saying for some time: that a fragmented marketplace combined with more tools for interactivity will lead to "the end of TV as we know it."

The IBM analysts predict that the television audience will cleave into two main segments within the next several years. The "passive mass audience" -- those who view TV in the traditional sense -- will still be around by 2012. But even that audience will demand greater control over their media experience, while groups that push the envelope of content access and control ("Gadgetiers" and "Kool Kids") will grow ever larger. The two groups will be separated, predictably, by a "generational chasm."

IBM urges those in the television industry to start preparing now for this future state. Experiment with new formats and business models, pursue mobile content, and develop more diverse offerings, to name a few of the report's suggestions. However, while a worthwhile and valuable read, nothing in this report should surprise anyone who's been paying attention to the state of media for the past several years.

Source: BuzzMachine

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Poll: Most Americans Would Vote for a Woman President

Nearly a year after a Marist poll found significant interest in both Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Condoleezza Rice running for President -- and several weeks after First Lady Laura Bush informally endorsed Secretary Rice for the office -- another poll finds widespread support for the idea of a female Chief Executive.

According to this survey, commissioned by Hearst Newspapers and conducted by Siena College in Albany, NY, 79% of Americans polled said they would be willing to vote for a woman as President. However, no potential candidate was named in the survey, and the available results were not broken down by party affiliation or gender.

Source: WFMY-TV

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Greenland Glacier Speed Doubled in Past Five Years

The glaciers of Greenland are accelerating, doubling the amount of ice they dump into the Atlantic Ocean over the past five years. Caused by rising surface air temperatures, this acceleration could ultimately lead to a rise in sea level.

A study published in Science magazine notes that Greenland's melting glaciers cause global sea levels to rise approximately 0.5 mm per year, and that overall sea levels are rising by 3 mm per year. Yearly ice loss from the glaciers has increased from 50 cubic kilometers in 1996 to 150 cubic kilometers in 2005.

In related research, scientists studying Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya believe the loss of ice on its summit is accelerating as well, and may disappear entirely by 2020.

Source: Green Car Congress, WorldChanging

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IT Consulting Firm Offers Free Services in San Francisco Area

The web hosting firm ServerPlex Networks stated that its IT consulting division, ServerPlex Online will give free installation and configuration of 500 wireless networks in San Francisco. This campaign will hopefully encourage use of wireless networking by companies that normally would not have thought it was an option for them.

ServerPlex will also include a wireless router, security configuration and set up on up to two personal computers for individuals that take advantage of this offer. While businesses do not qualify for this promotion, they will receive a discounted rate on these items.

This campaign will hopefully bring wireless networks to both homes and businesses in the area. A company spokesperson explained that setting up a wireless network can be particularly confusing for those using it in their home. Since most people don’t know how to set up necessary security features for their networks to prevent online theft, this promotion will hopefully bring awareness and safety to users as the world enters the wireless Internet Age at full speed.

Added By: Computer Consulting Kit

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Toy Pen - Rewriting the Internet

Perhaps you heard about LeapFrog's most popular toy this Christmas - the Fly Pen. Children using the Fly Pen have the ability to write words on digital paper and the pen understands them. Additionally the pen can name a state and the child can point to the state on a map, printed on digital paper; the pen will tell the child whether he or she is correct.

At first, Fly Pen simply sounds like a fun toy, but Anoto, a Swedish high-tech company who developed the underlying technology for the pen, hopes to bring the pen to the business and consumer worlds.

Fly Pen believes that the Fly Pen can be used to order flowers with the user telling the pen what it wants and the pen referring the buyer to a flower shop. The pen can also tell the buyer what types of flowers are available and the specials the store is offering.

Although an earlier version of the pen was developed and licensed by Logitech International, a Swiss company, theirs only offered one-way communication options. Anoto has bright hopes for the future, though, with their CEO of the U.S. subsidary, Jim Marggraff saying, "This is ultimately a billion-dollar industry, built on a platform that is already a success. We turn every page in your notebook into a Web page and any service you can do online."

Learn more about the possibilities that the pen will offer for the future in the article, Toy pen is poised to rewrite Internet access: New technology behind LeapFrog's innovative tool (link above).

Posted by Joshua Feinberg

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Tapping on-Demand Market With AppExchange

Salesforce.com has created a revolutionary platform for local solution providers. The on-demand customer relationship management (CRM) services provider is excited to be offering an effective marketing channel.

The Asia-Pacific branch of the company believes that Malaysian software developers and consultants in that area will be able to profit. "Local solution providers [can] go to market immediately and secure free market exposure to Salesforce.com customer and user bases."

AppExchange is also offering many other options in the areas of finance, document management, and credit and collections. Other new offerings also include electronic signatures, project management, mobile workforce management.

"With AppExchange, we are talking about using software as a service. Just log on, pay a subscription fee and all software maintenance and the upgrades will be taken care of by us. That frees the company to be able to focus on their core competencies."

Learn more about AppExchange and all the opportunities in the complete article (link above).

Submitted by Computer Consulting 101

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Solution Providers: Microsoft Office Live May Take Over Web Hosting Market

Solution providers providing web hosting services for small businesses may have to look for other tasks to do if Microsoft’s latest product, Office Live, takes off as expected. Microsoft’s latest attempt at entering the managed services industry is a varied combination of interesting features that will appeal to most small businesses.

Microsoft will launch the Office Live product line in three forms: Office Live Basic, Office Live Collaboration and Office Live Essentials. The completely free Office Live Basic gives clients a domain name, simple design tools, five email accounts and reports on website traffic. Solutions providers that typically charge for these services will be most threatened by this package. It also will affect the sales of those that resell website hosting packages from major companies such as 1&1 Internet and others.

Test center engineers used the Basic package of Office Live to create a website and were amazed with the user friendliness of the product. It gave them the ability to create a very basic website and set up email accounts in a matter of minutes.

Office Live Basic is not totally perfect, however; the design tools provided only run through Explorer 5.5 and are limited. Those looking to create complex websites with any sort of finer detail will not be satisfied by this package. Luckily, a majority of small business owners will find that Office Live serves them well, particularly if they are just looking to create a calling card for themselves or create a static website.

Office Live Essentials, on the other hand, takes the program a step further and offers expanded features and tools along with Microsoft FrontPage support. Businesses that typically would hire a website designer to complete these tasks will find they no longer need one. Solution providers can use this to their advantage by offering affordable support. Similarly, they can use free hosting as a way to sell setup and training services for Office Live Basic.

A broadband connection along with a local copy of Microsoft Office is necessary to run all the packages, and makes syncing Outlook with the contact manager and project manager provided simple.

Office Live Collaboration gives users basic CRM and shared workspace capabilities to the mix and is free during the beta testing phase. The online workspace helps users share information and expertise with clients and others in the field.

Although many of the features of Office Live are easy to use and quite threatening for many solution providers, most small business owners will either need to have great technical skills or help to use the products. Microsoft is hoping the beta testing phase will end by the fourth quarter of this year.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

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Onsite Computer Service Contracts - A Growing Trend

There are two types of computer service contracts: off-site and on-site. Let's talk about why on-site services are generally the best way to go.

Why Lose Valuable Time?

When your computer goes down, you don't have time to spend without it. You need it fixed immediately. Many companies offer onsite computer service contracts where the technicians actually come to your office and, if at all possible, they fix your computer on-site. This revolutionary service replaces instructions over the phone with an experienced technician arriving right at your doorstep.

Sorting the Wheat from the Chaff

Not all companies or service agreements are created equal. Some are always better than others. Finding a reliable company is easy if you do your research. Talk to people you know for recommendations, research companies on the Internet, and always read the fine print on every contract. For the few extra dollars you'll spend on a service contract with a great company, you'll save hundreds of hours of frustration. Learn more about this important part of your business in the full article (link above).

Submitted by Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

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IT Marketing - Postcard Case Study

Sending out postcards is a common way of promoting your business, but there a few common pitfalls that you need to know - and avoid. Take this case study as an example:

“I’ve sent out over 300 postcards that offered general computer troubleshooting services, automated online data backup and wireless home networks. From a marketing standpoint, I purchased lists of area businesses broken down by revenue, credit rating, years in business and number of PCs. The wireless home networks postcards were sent to homeowners whose homes were purchased for over $500,000, and I sent the automated online data backup postcards to people that had a recent new business license. Meanwhile, the general services list went out to accountants, lawyers, and small clinics.

“So far, I have found the results to be very disappointing. I haven't received a single phone call or response. Are these the wrong lists? Are postcards the wrong media? Do you have any suggestions in this area that may enhance response?

Don't Be Too Hopeful

Think about your marketing strategy realistically. 300 postcards simply isn't a lot. At .60 per postcard, you spent a total of $180. Now, it was probably a good investment, but you can't expect thousands of dollars of business from it. Don't get discouraged, but realize that with such a small sample (1,000 is ideal) you may or may not receive responses.

What Should Your Postcard Include?

What type of copy is on your postcard? Is the headline compelling? Do you present your expertise? Did you provide a deadline by which they should call in or use a coupon? Remember this: they never have to open an envelope so they're sure to see your copy, but it's your job (or your copywriter's job) to make sure that it's compelling.

Learn more on sending postcards and the common pitfalls in the complete article (link above).

Blogged by Joshua Feinberg

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Support Contracts Facilitate Information

Network support contracts are a key component in ensuring a business runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Because the best network specialists offering support contracts are so used to handling many problems at once on a daily basis, they are the ultimate multi-taskers, and thus invaluable as support systems for busy companies.

Network specialists are daily asked to meet a multitude of demands. A problem that needs attention under a network support contract can be an easy one like installing a laptop network card, or it can be incredibly difficult and mean completely revamping a network with thousands of users.

A network specialist has a difficult job; he has to know how a network operates and how the computers within that network interact with each other and the network as a whole. On top of that, a good network specialist must know all about many different types of software programs and hardware implements if they are to offer comprehensive support contracts.

INFORMATION SHARING MADE MORE EFFICIENT

The need for constant information sharing in today’s many industries has appeared as individuals have become more reliant upon computers to complete most elements of their jobs and their many daily responsibilities. Companies need far more than face-to-face, word-of-mouth communication in the modern workplace, and must share information from virtually every area of business in order to succeed.

Providing employees with a dependable local network through which they can interface and have access to the information and resources they need to exchange ideas is critical to company success and growth. Many companies cannot feasibly afford a full-time network specialist. This is the situation that will lead a conscientious business to specialists obtained through reliable network support contracts.

Added By: Computer Consulting Professional Kit

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IT Audits: What's Next?

With most clients, the minute you establish a relationship after the IT audits are finished, you should start immediately executing a project plan. This plan should be very detailed and regimented, with spreadsheets that will help systematize elements of the project. Through IT audits you will get an idea of the order of priority for certain tasks and know what has to be accomplished immediately vs. what can wait until a bit later or be placed on a wish list.

WHAT IS A WISH LIST?

The items on a wish list are tasks that have to be completed because they are controlled by a vendor or regulatory agency, or because a product is going to become useless and will no longer have support. Wish list projects will typically have fairly inflexible completion dates. As a person conducting the IT audits, you should treat wish list items as a full-time IT manager. Keep track of them and put them on the wish list according to the month during which they must be completed; they could very well represent your long-term revenue.

STAY ORGANIZED

Once you complete an IT audit, you need to start by organizing the tasks you identify. Organizing is no more difficult than working with a standard Excel document. Set up some columns, including perhaps Month, Estimated Labor Cost, Hardware Cost, and perhaps a column that represent outside contractors the company will need to finish the project or other important extra items you think they will need to track. You may determine that some tasks fall outside your area of expertise, and as a responsible IT professional, you will provide them with the best solutions to fulfill their needs, which often will involve you calling in for extra help where you need it.

Creating a wish list and staying organized will help you plan for the future while keeping the best interests of the company in mind.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

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Computer Business Lenovo Builds Strength Through Olympics

As the official computing partner of the 2006 Olympic Games, the computer business Lenovo is helping athletes keep up with training programs, friends and family, and manage their careers. The athletes are not the only ones benefiting from Lenovo computers; journalists, judges and all those supporting the Torino games are giving the computer company the chance to be globally recognized, and only a year after the Chinese company bought out IBM’s personal computer business.

Thanks to the Olympic Partnering Plan, Lenovo is enjoying a rare worldwide marketing opportunity by providing athletes and other game-goers with hardware, and infrastructure that is helping to provide information and support for all involved in the event. Approximately 5,000 Lenovo desktop PCs, 350 servers and almost 1,000 notebook computers are running the four main programs of the Games -- Games Management Systems, Games INFO 2006 System, Venue and Central Results System, and Commentator Information System. Together, these programs are helping run everything from judge’s scoring to personal emailing capabilities.

The Olympic Village in Torino, Italy is host to seven high tech Internet lounges, accessible to athletes, trainers, coaches, judges and journalists. Lenovo is also maintaining a Champions Blog maintained by 11 Olympic athletes from the United States, Slovenia, Norway, Germany, and China that have agreed to participate in a special drive to build worldwide unity by reporting on their experiences. The side benefits for Lenovo have been increased brand awareness and a new push for their business.

The Olympic Games are not just one big marketing campaign for the company. Lenovo gave the opportunity for 100 Lenovo employees to travel to Torino to take part in the excitement of the game and hopes the experience will boost company morale.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101

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Network Consulting: Onsite Chicago Acquires Newtek Computers

IT outsourcing company Onsite Chicago announced February 17 that it would be in charge of maintenance for computers at Newtek Services. The network consulting firm Onsite Chicago will be managing computers at the Newtek Chicago satellite office.

Newtek Business Services, Inc., in business since 1999, is one of the largest providers of financial products and business services and serves small-to-medium-sized companies all over the U.S. The company has been looking for a network consulting firm to manage their computers for quite some time with little success until they came across Onsite Chicago. A spokesperson for the network consulting firm stated that Newtek was at a point where it needed immediate support and reliable services for its computer systems, and had a difficult time finding the right fit to fulfill those needs. Onsite Chicago came into the picture at the perfect time. Since the Newtek Chicago site has been offline for quite some time, exterior sites are starting to feel the effects. Onsite Chicago hopes to immediately rectify this problem and help increase Newtek’s efficiency as a company.

Onsite Chicago brings business technology consulting services to network consulting firms in the Chicago area. The company has over 1700 Gold subscribed clients in Chicago that represent a wide range of sizes and industries.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting Professional Kit

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[TIPS] - stamps of the future are here NOW!

http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/netherlands-debuts-video-stamp-155496.php

This is spooky - animated postage stamps. Run this idea 25 years into the future and try to imagine what our textbooks will be like, and what a basic word processing document might look like. Oh my... VERY cool, eh?

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IT Audits: What Do Clients Seek?

Performing IT audits for clients means identifying their issues and providing solutions. The key to uncovering problems is anticipating questions they will ask during the audit.

QUESTIONS HELP WITH THE NEEDS ANALYSIS

Your main question, as the one conducting the IT audit is, “What are prospective clients seeking?” The truth is, their needs have not really changed in quite some time. The main thing they want during the audit is guidance on what they should buy. They want to know what platform and product will best work with their specific set-up and what will give them the best value. Your job is to spend several hours assessing their situation to determine what they have and what they will need. Your main job is to map a plan to coordinate different products and platforms that will specifically address their business issues.

WHAT ELSE DO CLIENTS WANT?

Your potential customers might also want to gain other information and services from you when you conduct IT audits, including the following:

1. Informal and formal training that includes end user training and administrator training.
2. Coordination of routine and scheduled upgrades to their systems.
3. Contact with outside vendors for installation of a package specifically designed for their industry.
4. Network installation and maintenance.

Regardless of what a client needs or wants, the main thing they seek is one place that can take care of all their issues easily and efficiently. As their technology advisor, they want to be able to rely on you and put their faith in you in the same way they would depend upon a legal advisor or a marketing consultant. IT audits can give your potential clients faith in you and determine what they will need from you in the future.

Posted By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

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Network Maintenance Contracts are Critical for Business

Because so many more businesses have found themselves in need of reliable tech support in the past several years, the number of available network maintenance contracts has increased significantly. Our world has been forever changed by computers, and we find ourselves reliant on them for almost every aspect of business. While computers have certainly affected our lives positively, their existence has presented us with a new set of technical challenges for our companies. Because very few of us are able to solve all the problems we may run into, network maintenance contracts that provide the best support for our businesses are essential.

COMPUTERS … EVERYWHERE

Computers have transformed both our professional and personal worlds more than any other invention of the 20th Century. The Internet and PC’s have transformed communication and provided virtually unlimited access to a huge amount of information. Because we rely so much on the Internet and PC’s as a society, network maintenance contracts are absolutely essential to keeping life moving smoothly and uninterrupted.

Most people will agree that phenomena such as email and word processing are key elements of both their personal and business lives. But many people also take for granted the speed and efficiency that computers have brought to their daily lives until disaster strikes. This is when tech support available through a good network maintenance contract is absolutely most critical.

ONLINE COMPUTER HELP

Computers are not very useful unless they are kept running smoothly and on track. When they break down, they can be a hassle that saps time and energy. When computers stop working, online tech support and network maintenance contracts can save the day. The can eliminate the frustration typically associated with a broken computer and provide hope and tangible solutions to busy professionals.

Network maintenance contracts give you more control over your IT network and can help you gain knowledge about your PC and how it fits into a larger system. You will be able to use tech support contractors not only to maintain and repair your computers on a daily basis, but also to teach you more about your IT network or PC so that you can make your business as efficient as it can possibly be.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

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IT Marketing: Multitasking is Key

A successful marketing campaign requires that you use two or more tactics to reach your prospective clients. Multitasking lets you approach prospective clients through several avenues so that you reach a variety of clients in the ways that appeal to them most.

Targeting

The key to marketing, however, is targeting. Each campaign should have a specific audience in mind. Generic campaigns rarely reach prospective clients, especially not your sweet spot clients. Instead, you should choose an area where you have expertise and let prospects know that you can successfully help them in that area.

Try Numerous Tactics

From postcards to telemarketing to Internet ads, make sure that you try several different avenues to reach prospective clients. Not everyone will read a postcard, but they may respond to a personal call about your services.

Evaluate Your Success

Every quarter you should evaluate the success of your marketing methods. Keep up with how much you spend on each and make sure that you talk to clients about how they found out about your company. Keep the methods that work and dismiss those that didn't.

For more on multitasking when running your marketing campaigns, read the entire article (link above).

Added by Joshua Feinberg

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IT Service Contracts: Focus on Your Business

What should be your primary focus in your business? The answer: Your business. One of the first keys to success is learning to delegate. Delegating everything from your accounting to your IT consulting needs will keep you focused on running your business.

What is a Service Agreement?

An IT service agreement can cover a variety of services from checking your computer for the latest updates to helping you plan for your future computer needs. Before shopping for a service agreement begin thinking about what services you need from an IT consulting firm.

Finding a Great IT Consulting Firm

So, how do you find the right company to help you with your IT needs? First, you want to shop around. Find a company who will let you speak with references so that you can evaluate their track record. Also, many companies will offer free quotes for services, thus saving you a lot of money. If a company doesn't offer this service, you should probably keep shopping.

To find other great hints for choosing an IT service agreement and consulting firm, read the article, IT Service Contracts Allow You To Focus On Your Business (link above).

Blogged by Computer Consulting 101

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[TIPS] - Microsoft Office Live and a bonus

http://officelive.microsoft.com/

Remember the other day when I showed you goffice, and ThinkFree Office and I said that this was the kind of thing that has Microsoft worried? (Why spend big $$ to buy it if you can access the tools online, right? Or better yet, get Open Office or Star Office!)

 

Well, here is MS's answer to this challenge. There's a forever free version, and then other versions for fee, including one that allows you to collaborate with others. (MS's answer to Writely.com, maybe?). But guess what? It only works in Internet Explorer. You get a big Server Error when trying to hit it using Firefox, for example.

 

:-)

 

- - - -

Oh, and THIS truly IS useful information: How to fold a fitted sheet PERFECTLY EVERY TIME! WOOHOOO!

http://www.target.com.au/html/homewares/sheets.htm

 

 

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Fast Track Training & Certification for CompTIA RFID

Expertise in RFID is currently in high demand. Companies and individuals with certification can gain a corner on this important market. Offered by RFID World 2006, this new vendor neutral certification can assist IT consultants in gaining the expertise they need on a variety of different software solutions.

With the limited amount of time most consultants have to train and receive certification, the fast track program allows consultants to learn everything they need to be prepared for all their clients' RFID needs.

According to Sanjiv Dua, CEO of RFID4U, "With the usual four days of material, compressed into one jam-packed day of intense training, individuals can benefit from an efficiently delivered program in record-breaking time. This program is recommended for individuals with certain prerequisite skills. Participants in our fast-track training program should have a working knowledge of basic RF fundamentals, tags and various types, readers or Interrogators and standards, as well as current RFID market awareness."

For more on the fast track RFID training, read the complete article (link above).

Added by Joshua Feinberg

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Microsoft, EMC, and IBM All Eye Enterprise Search

Although Google and Yahoo! are the leaders in search capability software, other major companies are trying to catch up. Realizing that they are miles behind, Microsoft, EMC, and IBM are all rushing to create their own web search and enterprise search systems.

Microsoft’s Windows Vista represents Microsoft’s entrance into the search software market. The new search capabilities will be available on the Start Menu, and it will allow users to search the contents of a document for just a few keywords.

Many of these companies are planning to sell their software via Value Added Resellers (VARs) since their research has shown that most SMBs do not purchase products from normal retailers but instead take advice from their IT consulting firms.

To learn more about the opportunities with enterprise search software and why some companies are excited about the possibilities, read the full article (link above).

Submitted by Computer Consulting 101

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