Are You Ready For Vista? What You Need To Know About The Next Microsoft Windows

Vista is coming soon to a computer near you, are you ready? Unlike past editions of Microsoft Windows this new version seems to be generating a lot more pre-launch buzz. Maybe it has to do with all the new improved browsing and computer features that the Vista will supposedly deliver.

What is Vista?

Vista is the new version of Microsoft Windows, which will offer users a greatly improved browsing and computer experience mainly through more dynamic 'live' windows and faster presentation. It will offer a more robust security (direly needed!) and more business features in its corporate OS with encryption, Unix services, and virtual machine capabilities.

You will be able to use different graphical tools to more efficiently manage your information and applications on your desktop. If you read the information on the official Vista site, you may come away believing your desktop will never look or feel the same again. Vista Homepage: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/

There is one underlying reason why this may just be the case. According to the Longhorn Statement of last year, RSS will play a major role in these applications and in the OS itself. Longhorn is the name for the Microsoft Windows Server code. RSS stands for 'Really Simple Syndication' and Microsoft should be applauded for bringing RSS to the forefront. Many believe RSS will change the very nature of how we use the Internet and our computers.

Regardless of what it may contain, the new Windows Vista has many consumers delaying the purchase of their next PC or laptop until the new Windows arrives. Many were hoping for a pre-Christmas release but...

When Will Vista Arrive?

According to Microsoft's own official site on Vista, Windows Vista will be available in early 2007. However, Vista (as of Sept.22, 2006) is already in Beta testing with over 30,000 testers from around the globe. Read more about this at the Windows Vista Team Blog: http://blogs.technet.com/windowsvista/default.aspx

Vista will have TWO Interfaces

Vista Windows will have two interfaces, Basic and Aero. The Basic Interface will be similar to Windows XP and will run on most current PCs and Laptops. The Aero Interface is more advanced and you will need higher system requirements to take advantage of all the new features. (See Below)

Actually, Vista will have six versions in all. According to the Vista web site these versions will range for the very basic up to the highest performance level.

* Windows Vista Starter which runs only on 32-bit systems and will be so on new machines in India, Thailand and other emerging markets.

* Windows Vista Home Basic which is very comparable to XP Home which will not offer the high-end graphics and media features.

* Windows Vista Home Premium which will offer these graphics and media.

* Windows Vista Business which is similar to the current XP Professional.

* Windows Vista Enterprise will be only available to those customers with volume licenses - will offer Unix service, encryption and virtual machine capabilities.

* Windows Vista Ultimate will combine Vista Enterprise and Vista Home Premium which will give customers the highest version of Windows.

There will also be "N" versions of Vista Business and Vista Home Basic for the European market that will have Window Media Player removed. Microsoft is catering to all levels of the marketplace and its a prudent business move because many current PCs and laptops don't have the system requirements to take advantage of the highest version of Vista Aero.

Your System Requirements for Vista?

Your system requirements for the new Windows Vista will depend on which version of Vista you're buying. For the basic Vista you will need a modern processor (800MHz or more) with at least 512 MB of system memory. Your graphics processor should be DirectX 9 capable.

For the fully loaded Vista you will need a little more robust system with at least 1 GHz processor with 1 GB of system memory. This should be supported with DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB of graphics memory. A premium graphics card like ATI or NVIDIA is recommended and you will need a 40 GB hard drive with 15 GB free space. In order to watch and record live TV you may have to add additional hardware.

Still not sure your current system will support Vista, just run the free Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor RC found here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeadvisor/default.mspx

This program will tell you if your system can currently run Vista or if you will need to upgrade your computer.

What Noteworthy Features Will Vista Give You?

If we get over the improved features like better organizing of information, better security, and more reliability - what new features will the Vista deliver?

One that really jumps out - INSTANT SEARCH

Instead of using the slow cascading "All Programs", you can just type in a file name or task and you will find what you're looking for. The new instant start menu will be a lot quicker, saving you time.

This also jumps out - DYNAMIC WINDOWS

Perhaps, one of the major improvement will be in the appearance and use of the new desktop with transparent "glass-like" windows and animated windows on the taskbar. It will have live thumbnails on the taskbar, place your mouse over these and you will see the live contents without having to bring it up on your screen. You will also be able to create a three-dimensional stack of open windows on your desktop and you will have smoother performance in dynamic content or windows such as video.

And this one - SPEECH RECOGNITION

Speech Recognition will play a major role in the new Windows Vista which promises to feature all the latest Microsoft speech technologies with 'unparalleled voice recognition accuracy' supported with multiple languages and a more human-sounding synthesizer - step aside Stephen Hawkins!

Plus, you will be able to control your computer by using your voice. It will provide you with a list of smart choices, whether it's selecting a word or choosing an application. Mouseless and hands-free computing tasks - might be worth seeing.

And this - WATCH AND RECORD LIVE TV

You will be able to watch and record live TV with Vista. You may have to use additional hardware to access this feature. It is only a matter of time before the union of the Internet and full TV broadcasting services. Windows Vista may help in furthering this rather slow process. Integration, Integration Integration.

Also this - BETTER SECURITY AND ENCRYPTION

The new Window Vista offers improved security and has a few new encryption programs. There is something called the Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption which help protect the sensitive data on your hard drive - especially important in our ever increasing mobile lifestyles and workforces. This program will encrypt your entire Windows system and protect your information in the case of a stolen or lost PC or laptop.

Then there is the Encrypting File System (EFS) which will protect user-level files and folders. This is important when two or more people share the same computer as in a company network. Companies will be able to use smart cards with EFS keys to allow employees or workers to access only the content that's appropriate for them to access. In addition, companies or users will be able to restrict use of USB keys and other removable storage devices, thus hampering the quick removal of data from your computer.

Wildcard - What role will RSS Play?

For interested techies and web watchers, the role RSS will play in the new Vista is an intriguing question. What about all those new RSS applications? The list extensions? What will it bring? Read more here http://blogs.msdn.com/rssteam/

Will RSS (via Vista) be given the means to finally turn the Internet into a Billion Channel Universe? Turning every web site into its own mini-broadcasting system sending out its content to all interested parties. Don't come to us, we will deliver. Changing static content into dynamic content. Furthermore, will speech recognition turn this dynamic content into a fully interactive hands-free browsing experience. Might give a whole new meaning to the expression 'Look Ma - no hands!'

All kidding aside, Windows Vista does offer some unique features that will change how we use our computers. It offers greater security and more integrated networking and applications. It does promise to make our desktop interaction more responsive and smoother with 'live' social bookmarks and windows. One can only hope Vista lives up to its name and gives us a whole new viewing experience.

Copyright (c) 2006 Titus Hoskins

Titus Hoskins is a full-time online marketer who runs numerous web sites, including two sites on Internet Marketing. For the latest web marketing tools try: http://www.bizwaremagic.com.Katherine Blog77986
Keely Blog14314

Article Marketing Wins Over PPC

Most affiliate marketers think that PPC or Pay Per Click campaigns are better at driving traffic, as compared to article marketing. Theyre wrong. The fact is, article marketing carries with it far less risk and much more impact than PPC campaigns.

How does PPC work?

For those of you new to PPC, heres an overview on how it works. Basically, PPC uses advertisements to get a readers attention. Once the reader clicks on the ad, the affiliate marketer earns a commission. A lot of research and money goes into placing ads in strategic positions. The competition is so fierce that organizations scramble to get their products listed in the PPC campaigns. Millions of dollars are spent each day on these campaigns.

Why spend so much when you can avoid it?

Yes, PPC campaigns, for all their hype, do not provide the same results as article marketing does. Why is it that article marketing is better than PPC?

Credibility: Article marketing helps an affiliate marketer to establish credibility on the subject. Writing for an extended period of time on a related subject establishes the person as a subject matter expert. This ensures more customers will turn to you for any information on this subject. PPC does not provide any such platform to establish credibility.

Inexpensive: Article marketing is free. It doesnt cost a dime to start writing and posting articles on directories. PPC, on the other hand, requires plenty of investment to get the company listed among search engine results. With such tough competition around, if you dont have adequate funds, someone else will get listed.

Low risk: Article marketing is less risky when compared to PPC. Its free and therefore, even if you take some time to succeed, it wont have an adverse impact. Whereas in PPC, the initial investment is so high, that not finding success can mean incurring heavy losses.

Displacement: With PPC, there is always the fear of being displaced by competitors. People are willing to shell out top dollar just to get their company listed. In article marketing, there is no such danger involved.

Adherence to search engine rules: PPC demands that advertisers strictly adhere to search engine rules and regulations as well as layout. Therefore, in case of any change in plan of a search engine, even the PPC advertisements need to be in sync with the new format. Article marketing does not carry any such drawbacks with it.

Not enough content: PPC campaigns require to be up and running very quickly. This can mean not having enough time to build content around the keywords provided. This has led to many disappointed visitors clicking on a PPC link and then discovering lack of content to back it up. This also adversely impacts the reputation of the organization. Whereas in article marketing, you have sufficient time to build content around the keywords.

Trial and error: PPC does not provide anyone the luxury of testing out the effectiveness of keywords. With high investments and lack of time, organizations are expected to be bang on target on the very first attempt. Else they lose out in the race. Article marketing provides ample time to try out keywords and analyze their effectiveness. This provides scope for improvement as well.

Only for large scale businesses: PPC campaigns are at best only suited for the large-sized businesses. The high amount of investment needed, coupled with chances of high risks, means that a small sized start up cannot afford such PPC campaigns. Article marketing, on the other hand, provides more leeway to experiment, test effectiveness and try new approaches. The best part about it is that it is free of cost. It also provides a steady way to grow an affiliate marketing campaign. With the right set of keywords, and well thought out articles, one can dramatically enhance traffic to an affiliate site, in a very short time span.

Nye Morgan is a successful work at home entrepreneur who has made money from several internet businesses. His latest project is the Online Entrepreneurs Toolbar, a 'must have' free download for people wanting to make money online. Get your copy at http://download.OnlineEntrepreneursToolbar.com/r/004Keely Blog60079
Keren Blog64659

Horse Marketing 101

If you rely on your horses for income, you are going to have to have good marketing skills just like any other business. That's right, horses don't sell themselves! If you are a breeder, riding instructor, trainer, boarding facility, or horse dealer, you are going to need to reach and impress your potential customers in order to sell them your products and services. How do you do that? Just follow the steps illustrated below and you'll be well on your way to enjoying a successful horse-related business!

1.) Know who your customers are. Who needs your products and services? If you are a training facility, then people with untrained horses need you. If you are a boarding facility, then horse owners who don't have space at home for their horses need you. If you are a riding instructor, then your potential customers are anyone who wants to learn how to ride horses. You get the picture! A big part of making sure your horse business works is identifying your customers.

2.) Find out where your customers hang out. Where do horse people congregate? At feed and tack stores, at horse shows, at online horse-related web sites and chat rooms, to name just a few. Now break it down even further. Let's say you are a breeder of Morgan horses. Sure, you'll find some Morgan enthusiasts at the tack shop and feed store, but you'll likely find them in droves at breed-specific shows. Find out what newspapers and magazines your potential customers read as well.

3.) Advertise! Now that you've done all that research to determine who your customers are, where they hang out, and what they read, it's time to put your product and service in front of them! Put ads in magazines and newspapers that they read, hang up flyers at tack and feed stores, and advertise in show programs.

4.) Know how to write a good advertisement. How you come across to your potential customers will make all the difference in the world when it comes to whether or not they will choose your products and services over those of a competitor. Be creative and give your ads a little zing! Make them memorable. Let's say you are selling a horse. Instead of writing an ad that only tells the horse's color, size, breed, and discipline, try adding impressive bloodlines if appropriate, accolades won, and personality traits that you think your customers will appreciate. An ad that is personal and tells the audience more than just the dry details is sure to get a lot of response.

5.) Set yourself apart by giving away some "freebies." Give something away for free, and the customers will come to you. Your give-away can be as simple and cost-effective as an open barn day that allows the community to come and enjoy your facility, or your could go large-scale and sponsor a class at a show. Remember, the goal is to get your name out there in front of those who would benefit from your product or service. Be creative!

6.) Know that word of mouth can make you or break you. Your current customers are the best advertisements you have. Work to retain them, and do what you can to make them happy. They'll tell friends, who will tell more friends, and so on. Run your business with integrity and honesty, and treat your customers fairly. Always represent your products and services truthfully. The old adage "under promise and over deliver" works well in the horse world, too!

Wit h a little marketing knowledge in hand, you'll have your horse business up and running in no time. Good luck!

Ron Petracek is the founder of Equine Internets vast 15 site classified and social network. You can view its amazing size here Http://www.equineinternet.com/network.php or to further your equine habit please visit our forum by clicking here http://www.horsechitchat.com/equineforums and start posting Need to sell a horse or tack? place a free ad here http://www.click4equine.com and always the barn door in left open on purpose.Kristan Blog82772
Keelia Blog30470

Update That Room!

Hows your decorating budget? Not that good? Not to worry, there are plenty of ways to update any room in your house without breaking the budget.

The first thing to do is try just rearranging the furniture. Its a simple change that might amaze you with its effectiveness. Try taking some of the furniture away from the walls perhaps. You dont have to limit yourself to the basic lines of the walls. Setting the room up at an angle to the walls can sometimes make the room look bigger.

Paint is very affordable, and anther way to freshen up a room. Are your walls still a basic off-white? Try a little color. Many of the medium to lighter shades of brown will go with just about any decor. Alternatively, if you want a brighter color, try painting just one wall for a focus point. Place some nice art on that wall or perhaps family photos, and maybe some of your furniture, and you have something that really stands out.

Hows the carpet? Getting old but you cant afford a replacement? Maybe youre just bored with it but its still in good condition? Bring in an area rug. You can find one that complements what is already in the room. These are most often placed to emphasize the conversation area.

How do your sofa and chairs look? If theyre a little plain, a throw pillow can help. Pillows are also a nice way to bring in a new, complementary color to the room.

What about the lighting? Is the room too dark? How do the lamps themselves look?

Bring a little life to the room with real or silk plants. A little nature in the room almost never hurts.

Rearrange the pictures on the wall and maybe update with new ones. Whether you like to show off family photos or love art, moving things around on the walls can make a real difference. While youre at it, consider adding a good mirror if the room doesnt have one already. Mirrors can help make the room look bigger and brighter.

Finally, although perhaps this should be first, declutter the room. Clutter can make even the best decorated room look bad. Find more appropriate places for all the stuff and decide what you want to keep, then get rid of the rest.

Stephanie Foster runs http://www.exceptionalhomedecor.com/ and always wishes for more of a budget to decorate her home. She offers more home decorating tips at http://www.exceptionalhomedecor.com/tips.php.Kenna Blog55979
Korney Blog60380

Have You Started Your "University on Wheels" Yet?

When I first heard the phrase "university on wheels" from one of America's top business speakers - Brian Tracy, it didn't sink in, until I thought deeply about it.

He was referring to the powerful value we can get listening to professional audio books while driving to work each morning.

You see, most people "waste" as many as 2 or more hours every single day commuting to work. During this time they do nothing other than hum to themselves (leaving their minds empty) all of the way commuting to work.

Some that turn on the radio while driving to work spend the time listening to music.

Now... here's a pleasant, yet scary fact -

Do you know that just listening to the right professional audio books each and every morning as you commute to work will be equivalent to a full university education within some years?!

Definitely.

I know it might not make sense to you just yet, but stay with me while I try to explain why I said that.

You see, for some university degree programs, students spend no more than 10 hours weekly attending their lectures. And after a few years they are given their degrees.

And what do they do during these 10 hours each week?

You guessed it - they "listen" to their lecturers!

You can get the exact same value from just listening to the right audio books in the field or area of expertise you want to learn about.

I realize that no university will give you a degree certificate after you have completed your chosen audio books, but you would have enriched yourself with this new knowledge.

There are certain professional audio book programs that will give you examinations after completing their training programs... and will give you a certificate for passing their course.

Many such certificates can be used in certain places to give evidence of your expertise in that area.

In that case, why would you continue to "waste" valuable time on your daily commute to work when you can "kill 2 birds with one stone" by using the same hours to learn a new skill, a new business idea, a new profession, etc?

To get started, ask yourself what new skill or expertise you would love to learn. When you are certain of your answer, hop online and search for any audio book series in that area.

You are sure to find valuable information on the Internet related to this to get you started on your "university on wheels" program.

The fact that audio books come in both CD, cassette and downloadable formats give you options to choose from. If you have a CD player in your car or cassette player, you can choose any.

Even if you don't drive to work but take the bus to work, you can easily get a portable CD, cassette or Mp3 player and still benefit from your "university on wheels" program.

Who knows... if you dedicate the time to follow through, you will be an expert in that area of expertise in no time at all!

All thanks to the advent of audio books.

Juliette Lee is the editor and CEO of http://www.MyAudioCompanion.com. To find the best audio book titles, please visit http://www.MyAudioCompanion.comKylila Blog6447
Lacey Blog23568

Whats the Way You MP3?

As varied as the tastes and preferences of the people, is the variety of MP3 players available in the market. Which one you choose depends on a number of factors, such as how you plan to make use of the device, the number of songs you would like to carry in the instrument and of course if the price of the instrument suits you or not. MP3 players are generally based on their memory type. In a Flash Memory MP3 player, which is also the smallest and lightest of the three types of players available, only few songs are stored and since it does not have any moving parts, the flash player is ideal for a patron who is not so particular about the kind of music one hears. It is ideally suited for those who want music as just an accompaniment to their morning jog or golf game. Because the flash memory player is smallest, it offers the advantage of the batteries lasting longer.

In Hard Drive MP3 players there is a considerably larger storage capacity since they are bigger and heavier. Those looking for a player that can store their entire music collection would find the hard drive ideally suited for the purpose. But since the hard drive includes some moving parts, sometimes the music skips a beat or two when the player is being moved around. On the flip side, because of the sheer size of hard drive players, they include more in-built features, though consumes more battery. A charged battery could last for about 8-20 hours.

Although cheaper than flash memory and hard drive memory players, MP3 CD players give users a reason to complaint when music skips due to jostling of CDs. Also, such music players are much larger in size than their digital counterparts. Music patrons who still long for old-fashioned CD players could go for a new breed of CD players which are capable of playing MP3 and other digital files. MP3 CD players are capable of playing MP3 files that have been burned to CD-R/RW discs and even albums from your old collection of CDs. Each CD could hold about 10 hours of music. A CD burner becomes necessary for buyers of an MP3 CD player.

Copyrights protected article written by Andrew Stratton for http://www.surveillancetechnology.com. More articles and information about the spy camera products can be viewed easily altogether at this location http://www.surveillancetechnology.com/entertainment-system.htm. Please be free to explore the website for more information on every surveillance products and their features.Kitti Blog74860
Kipp Blog88069

How To Get Business Success Part 3

Business Principle Number 3: Check Out The Company

What do you think is important when looking for a business?

Sure, the first things you think about are the products and how much money or sales you can make. Then maybe you think about how you are going to actually operate the business and make money.

In fact, it is easy to get caught up in all the hype there is today in the Internet, especially in the area of home based business and making money at home. It seems that every day there are new get in at the ground floor opportunities, as well as so many offers and claims that it makes your head spin. To add to the confusion, there are heaps of Internet marketing product launches, specials, limited offers, bargains and not to be missed deals that you end up spending money on other peoples businesses instead of making profits yourself.

I know, because I have done this myself I have spent thousands of dollars on numerous home business opportunities and on internet marketing products that I thought were the key to business success. Some were good, some were a waste of money.

The thing that I have learned is to check out home business companies to make sure that they meet a number of standards. It makes sense when you think about it. Because if a company is not managed properly it will fall over. Now if I have put a lot of effort into growing a home business, the last thing I want is for that company to fail because of poor management. As well as the financial implications (youre in this to make money after all), you do not want to damage your personal reputation and credibility, which is a valuable asset that you have worked hard to develop.

When a company fails, people think it is because of a poor product, or not enough sales. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. This happens to small business owners too, because as the business grows, the company cannot handle the details. This includes managing the sales, salaries and commissions, and paying their own bills. And because they cannot keep everything going, they actually sell themselves out of business.
Of course, there are companies that fail because of other reasons, like fraud, not keeping up with the needs of the customers and so on.

So what do you look for in a company? Well personally, I always start off with a bit of due diligence, which is as easy as doing a Google search. Just to get a feel for the company (remember that there are always a few complaints, so you want a general overview). I want to make sure that the company is legitimate, so it really helps if the company has a proper office and street address, phone numbers that are answered, and a help or support desk for e-mail enquiries too. I prefer it when there is a real person, with a name, in charge of the company, so you can check them out too.

To be a successful company in a growth phase (because you want the business to be growing and not shrinking), the management team must look after

* Everything to do with commissions and salary, including taxes
* All legal issues, advertising laws
* Customer service and support
* Training of staff and business partners
* Future planning and business planning
* All computer hardware and software issues, including security and websites
* Quality control
* Human Resources
* Product development
* Communication
* Sales and marketing
* Delivery of products or materials (some are digital but many companies still provide product and/or training materials physically).
* International business
* Admin
And so on and so on.

This is just a fraction of all the things that companies have to do to keep ahead of the game and provide a solid foundation for future growth.

I believe it is very helpful to look at a home business companys track record. If it has been around for a few years, is operating successfully and is handling the growth well..these are good indicators that things are fine.

Janet Ellershaw is a successful Internet marketing professional who really loves working at home. Kaia Blog25182
Kippy Blog72683

Choosing An Effective Web Design Company

Here's the scenario...

..You're a business person, you know all there is to know about your industry and your products. You felt the time was right to expand your business by harnessing the power of the internet. You know that with the tools available today, just about anyone can throw together a website, however, you also know that there are many issues and pitfalls that can turn a good idea into a complete disaster... time to call in the professionals.

Good plan!

But here's the problem...

There are hundreds of them!!! Prices range from 50 to 5000 for seemingly the same product, there are big companies, small companies and freelancers all selling web design services. Your friends grandson who just left kindergarten can do you a good deal if you're prepared to pay in cash.

In my opinion, if you are going to buy something...anything...you need to have a basic understanding of the issues surrounding it: The good points, the bad points. Acceptable and unacceptable concessions. Consequences and benefits. In this article, we are going to attempt to show you how to avoid getting ripped off by providing you with the necessary understanding required when choosing a web designer. Once you have read and inwardly digested the contents of this article, you should be confident that the web design company you choose will build you a web site that will fulfil the vision that you have for it.

Step 1: Choose a Few Reputable Web Design Firms

The first step when choosing a web design company is to shortlist a number of prospects. The best method possible is to choose a selection of companies based on personal recommendation. Many business people know other business people who can supply referrals. Given the benefit a well developed web site can have on your business, it is well worth taking the time to tap into your network of contacts to get the name of 3 or 4 satisfactory web design companies to choose from.

In the event that this doesn't work for you, use a local directory, the internet or a newspaper to make a list of potential web designers. (Remember that anyone can pay an internet marketing firm to get them at the top of a search engine such as Google so a company's ranking does not mean that they are capable of delivering a good solution.)

Step 2: Check Out the Web Design Companies Own Web Site

It stands to reason that if a company is capable of creating workable web sites or solutions then its own site should be beyond reproach, so take a look at their own web site as well as a couple of sites from their portfolio, if portfolio items are not available, simply e-mail them and ask.

The Design of the Web Site

The following are a number of things to look for when choosing a web design company from your shortlist:-

Are there apparent errors (spelling errors, missing pictures, broken links etc.)?

Attention to detail is vital in web design. What you see on a web page is the result of a great deal of complex interaction beneath the surface. If that which is visible is full of errors, it stands to reason that the same level of care has been taken over the code which makes the site function. Spelling and grammatical errors will harm your credibility and a dysfunctional web site will frustrate your audience.

Can You Easily Find the Information You Are Looking For?

This is critical. If you find yourself on a web site, the chances are you were looking for something in particular. Ensure that the elements of the designer's web site are easy to find. Check that you are able to quickly and easily spot the contents of the pages and move freely between pages.

Other design considerations are as follows:-

- Is the text clear and easy to read?

- Are the pages uncluttered and easy on the eye?

- Are there elements such as excessive animation distracting the user from the main text?

- Does the site appear quickly?

- Does the colour scheme and design fit in with the brand of the company (take the logo as a benchmark)?

The Technical Bits

Now this is important! Why?

First, because there is legislation in both the UK, the US and a variety of European countries that requires your site be accessible to disabled users. Failure to adhere to this will result in your having to hire a third party company to re-code and possibly redesign your entire web site.

Secondly, if your web site is not coded using standards (set by the www council) it may not function correctly when viewed by different people using different equipment.

Finally, it is a well known time-proven fact that if your visitor is kept waiting more than 10 seconds for a web page to appear, they will move on.

SO HOW DO I TELL ?!

I hear you cry in desperation! Well, you don't need to be a geek or even know the first thing about web design, html or programming. All you need are the addresses of a couple of useful websites and an explanation of how to use the tools found there. A web page has been created for your convenience that contains links to these sites and detailed instructions on how to use the tools provided and evaluate the results. The link appears at the foot of this page.

It should be noted that evaluating these elements will give you some idea of the technical ability of your chosen web site design companies. There are many many more issues that a web site designer should be aware of, and in fact should take care of without you even knowing about it. The points listed here are, in our opinion, those that will have the greatest impact on your business and are so often ignored by less scrupulous web design companies.

Step 3: Contact the Web Design Firms

Now you should have pretty much narrowed down the possibilities you can go ahead and get in touch. Most companies will jump at the chance to talk to you and convince you of their product offerings. However, what you are interested in are the facts, not the sales pitch.

You have already established their design and technical capabilities, now you are interested in their ability to fulfil your needs and provide you with efficient service. Ask for some references from their most recent projects. Ask for the web addresses, contact names, details and completion dates. In approaching them in this way you ensure that you're not getting the one or two satisfied clients that they have serviced in the past, you are getting up to date clients and up to date projects.

Once you have their details, call the referees. The following are some idea's of the kind of information you might want to extract from these people:-

Verify the details you have been given in respect to project completion dates.

Find out about the quality of service the client received

Ask how able the web design company was in establishing and anticipating the needs of their client.

Discuss deadlines and timely delivery

Try to establish how effective the site has been in achieving the original goals of the client

Ask if the client has any complaints

Don't be afraid to speak frankly, whether satisfied with the service or not, most people are happy to be given the opportunity to sing praises or vent frustrations.

Step 4: The End

Well, having done all of this you should have a pretty good idea which company is going to provide a solution that's going to work for you. It may seem like a lot of work, but not only are you about to part with a substantial sum of money, but if the web site you receive doesn't do its job properly, you could well be missing out on new business or worse still convincing potential clients to go elsewhere.

Phill Bernier is the owner of Adira Limited, (http://www.adira.co.uk) a web design company based in Winchester, Hampshire, UK. Phill has a degree in Business IT and 5 years experience of running his own company. Phill has given talks at a number of events and has published a number of related articles.Karola Blog85972
Kyla Blog24442

What Does Google Page Rank Do

The Google page rank is calculated with an algorithm that is calculated with incoming and outgoing links of the page. It is as the name suggests a ranking system of pages. Your page rank is decided on the number of different criteria, standalone keywords, keyword in URL, and reciprocal linking. The Page Rank is rendered on the number of one way links that report back to your site and go out to other sites, and the other websites page ranks. Like everything about google the formula for figuring out page rank is a mystery and Google will not reveal their code. Google page rank is a way for consumers as well as partners that may have an interest in you, to find out your web site value in terms of search engines.

Writing articles is an excellent way of gaining non reciprocal or one way links. The upside is you can gain a lot of traffic and one way links from award winners websites. Though Search Engines consider one way links superior to reciprocal links. Just remember links to such sites are one way links from your site to their site. Build unique content, and as many relevant high quality one way links as possible back to your site. One Way Links from High Page Rank Pages are your ticket to the top of the page rank leader board. Build a quality site, and you may get one way links, by asking people.

Follow the daily SEO techniques used to help your website reach the top of the search engine page.

Websites that use 100% ethical search engine optimization techniques are the best type of websites. Website promotion software, web designing and optimization are very important. Here are some marketing tips you will need to use, web design and search engine optimization to get google page rank designation. Manually doing the search engine optimization yourself is very time consuming. The key points are meta tags, and building links to optimize your website. How does manipulating page rank help search engine optimization. Google secrets is about google optimization for top rankings, end-to-end and step-by-step. This search engine software gets Google page rank values for a list of website URLs. You have heard the buzz about page rank and search engine optimization. Here are some interesting seo techniques that will help you increase your page rank.

1. Off page optimization means you have to work on building links pointing to your website. Link building for effective search engine optimization is one of the best ways of getting your site to the top of the pack. There are many software applications that will make this easier to do

2. Optimize your site with meta keywords and meta descriptions

3. Make sure your title for each page is different

In conclusion Google Page Rank is as the name suggests a ranking system of pages. The Page Rank is the number of links to and from your website pages, and their respective page rank. My opinion is that Google Page Rank is getting more relevant to SERPs.

David Marc Fishman is the owner of http://linknetics.com. The link marketing software that promotes link exchangeKaren Blog68963
Katrina Blog57211

Selecting the Right iPod

Apple currently offers three iPods -- the Shuffle, Nano and iPod (video) -- and one is probably just right for you. Although there are certainly aesthetic reasons for buying an iPod (who can resist the beauty of design of a Nano), in this article I'll describe some of the more logical reasons for selecting an iPod.

iPod Shuffle

The iPod Shuffle is the smallest and least expensive of the current iPod models. It's also the newest model, officially shipping just days ago, although it was first announced and previewed by Steve Jobs in mid-September.

The Shuffle's amazingly small size, virtual weightlessness and good battery life (Apple reports up to 12 hours of use from one battery charge) make it ideal for long trips or walks. The built-in clip makes wearing the Shuffle easy and secure and it eliminates the need for or cost of an extra case. Clip it anywhere and start walking or jogging.

The main disadvantage to a Shuffle is the limited storage space for music (1 GB). Some people complain that it lacks a screen, but I find a screen is unnecessary on a Shuffle since you can arrange music on it in the order you want to hear the songs using iTunes and changing the volume and moving back and forth through your songs requires no visual effort. For those who must have a screen on a lightweight MP3 player, Apple makes the iPod Nano.

iPod Nano

Like the Shuffle, the new Nano is almost weightless and, with the right case, it can be worn around your neck or on your arm. The battery life of a Nano for audio playback is extremely long (according to Apple, up to 24 hours of use from one battery charge), especially if you use the screen and backlight minimally.

The storage capacities for a Nano are 2 GB, 4 GB and 8 GB. If you have a small-to-medium size music collection, and you like the idea of carrying all your music with you in as small an MP3 player as possible, the Nano might be perfect for you. The addition of a screen lets you select just the songs you want to hear while still providing you with a lightweight option you can wear around your neck, carry in your pocket or wear on your arm. You can also store and view photos on a Nano but the storage space of the smaller Nano models might be limiting for a photo enthusiast.

The major disadvantage to the Nano is the cost of the 4 GB and 8 GB models. The 8 GB model is the same price as a 30 GB iPod (video) and the 4 GB model is only $50 less than the 30 GB iPod. Also, none of the models come with accessories except a cable to connect them to your computer or a charger, so you need to figure in the cost of at least a cover to protect the screen of a new Nano. But the Nano is small and lightweight and has a screen, and it may be the perfect iPod for users with smaller music collections.

iPod (video)

The largest iPod is Apple's "video" iPod, although Apple refers to it as just the iPod. The battery life for video viewing is good -- up to 3-1/2 hours of use from one battery charge. The excellent resolution (320 x 240) and brightness of the screen of the iPod make viewing videos a delight.

The latest iPod comes in two sizes -- 30 GB and 80 GB -- and, like all iPods (including the Shuffle), it can be used for storing data as well as audio files, photos and videos. Storing your complete iTunes library on the iPod is very easy. Just connect your iPod to your computer, set iTunes to copy your complete library to the iPod and iTunes will do the rest. Every time you update your iTunes library and then connect your iPod, your music and videos will also be updated on your iPod.

One of the advantages of the large storage capacity of the iPod is the ability to add podcasts to your music library. You can find a large variety of free podcasts through the iTunes Store (the easiest way to add podcasts) and iTunes lets you easily update the podcasts automatically or manually. You can also visit podcast websites (for example, Podcast Net or Podcast Alley) for more podcasts, including video podcasts.

The iPod is, naturally, larger and heavier than a Nano, but it's still small enough and lightweight enough to carry in your pocket or purse. If you need the extra storage space and/or want video capabilities, the iPod (video) might be the right iPod for you.

As you can see, whether your needs are for a simple, no-frills, very small, easy-to-use music player (Shuffle), for a full-featured music and video player (iPod) or for something in-between (Nano), there is an iPod that is right for you. To help in making a choice, you can view a comparison chart of the three current iPod models at Apple's website.

- You have permission to publish this article electronically in free-only publications such as a website or an ezine as long as the bylines and all hyperlinks are included. If you post this article on a website/forum/blog, all URLs must be set to hyperlinks (clickable links).

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Claire J Rottenberg is an award-winning researcher and writer with over 20 years of experience using Macintosh computers. She is the author and publisher of ebooks for users of Mac OS X 10.4 software and a free monthly ezine on Mac OS X 10.4. http://homepage.mac.com/cjrtools/ebooksKaron Blog34936
Klarika Blog93029

An Apple Fan's Review of the MacBook

First, the bad stuff. Sadly, there are 1 or 2 dead pixels on the glossy wide-screen, but a quick look around the Internet and I've realized there's not a lot of point taking it back because low end TFTs can suffer from dead pixels. It's only when you pay more for a "pixel-perfect" display that there is a return policy on dead pixels. Oh well.

That aside, it has all the trade marks of a classic Apple product. The packaging was superb, and minimal. In fact, I've noticed a trend in packaging. My new Sony Rescission K310i from Orange came in a box barely big enough to fit everything in. It's good to see manufacturers producing packaging solutions that are both functional and well designed.

Once out the box, the MacBook looks simply stunning. The outer casing is a similar white polycarbonate (I believe) to the iBook. Opening the MacBook is a joy - there are no latches or buttons, it's all magnetically done. Opened, the MacBook is a departure to Apple laptops of the past. The keyboard keys are spaced out more and flatter, and the casing is the same ceramic-like material that is found on the base of the Mac Mini.

The connections on the left of the MacBook are the usual stuff, with one notable exception - the MagSafe power connection. It's a small, rectangular port and is also magnetically charged. When plugging in the power adaptor, the connector literally snaps into place due to the magnet. Very neat. The concept is simple, if the power cord is ripped out, instead of pulling the laptop with it, the MagSafe connector just comes out.

Powering up is quick and simple, and after the standard Tiger set up, we're up and running. Only a password was required to connect to my wireless network (new MacBooks have Airport built in) and a few more minutes tinkering had the MacBook set up how I like my Macs to be.

The first noticeable thing is how bright the 13.3 inch display is compared to my old 12 inch Powerbook. I can see me having to turn the brightness down to avoid headaches. The keyboard, which I was worried about, turns out to be almost as usable as a standard keyboard, with lovely positive feedback. Again, a definite improvement over my Powerbook.

After a few minutes playing on the Internet and trying to fix the couple of dead pixels (to no avail) I had a good play, running a few apps to see how the machine responded. General OS stuff is super quick (although the Quad Xeon I played with in the Trafford Centre was slightly quicker!).

From what I've seen so far, I'm impressed. With a 2GHz Intel chip, 1 Gig of RAM and an 80 Gig hard drive, it's got plenty to keep me going (although one of the first websites I visited was Crucial to price up the 2 Gig kit).

James Ashberry is a die-hard fan of Apple products. Read more of James' rantings at James Ashberry's Blog. Web Design Liverpool - http://www.webstarcreations.co.uk/.Kristel Blog12613
Kanya Blog76635

Making The Grade With An Information Technology Degree

With computers in every type of workplace from the high-rise office to the post office, an information technology degree is simply one of the most useful qualifications available. A dependence on computers has created a need for those who understand the inner workings of various information systems. IT professionals not only get networks up and running, they keep them running and are able to create resourceful solutions on their feet.

Whether one chooses to work in network engineering or security, management information systems or computer programming, there are many different areas of IT that require just as many different skills and abilities. While a love of computers is certainly a necessity, attention to detail, abstract thinking ability and a good memory are also requirements. Individual preferences for certain IT areas also come into play.

By getting an education in information technology, students can learn how to take their best abilities, merge them with state of the art skills and apply them effectively. As many come to find, the scope of IT is extremely wide allowing specialized skills to be used in a number of different places. A career in IT means never being forced to stay in only one aspect of the industry.

It is widely known that IT professionals have the benefit of a higher than average salary than other careers, even when first starting out. Plus, with computers used in every single area of life, there is hardly anywhere on the map a person could go in search of a job that doesn't need IT professionals in some manner. With technology consistently changing and updating, the demand is greater than ever.

A good information technology program teaches the latest in Microsoft, Cisco, Security Certified Professional and even cyber security. Prospective employers often look for and prefer individuals who are well versed in working with these programs. Not only is an information technology degree important, certifications in Cisco's CCNA or Microsoft's MCSE are also sought after skills.

It is not uncommon for those who work in the information technology field to eventually move on to managing their own IT division. This means the complete coordination of a company's information technology department, from planning to directing. This is a great position for those who also have great leadership skills. It is also a position that has one of the highest salaries in the IT industry.

A Bachelor's degree is generally the most basic qualification necessary for many entry-level IT positions. It allows one to develop basic programming skills and learn the ins and outs of different networks. Data administration and business skills are also common subjects.

One can also earn their Master's degree in information technology. The newest cutting edge skills merge with a further understanding of market demand and other business aspects to create a well-rounded education. The higher the education, the better an individual's earning power will be.

There is nothing more satisfying than being able to see one's work have a positive effect and make a difference. It provides not only confidence but also a sense of accomplishment. Those who work in IT can rest on the knowledge that theirs in an industry with a strong future.

With dependence on computers growing every day, it is no wonder that so many have decided to seek out an information technology degree. While it is a chance to provide oneself with a solid future, it is also a chance to stay at the forefront and take part in the newest of technologies. For those who truly love the ever-changing world of technology, that is the best part of the job.

Andy West is a freelance writer for Virginia College. Virginia College offers many Information Technology Degree programs. Please visit Virginia College at http://www.vc.edu/site/department.cfm?deptID=2 to select the IT Program that is right for you.Kelli Blog2096
Kelcey Blog98827

Dispelling Fears About The GoogleBomb Algorithm Update

Google algorithm updates always bring the fears of webmasters to a boiling point. In the aftermath of an algorithm update, some people come out swinging, making claims that Google is trying to put them out of business. Others look at their Google rankings and pat themselves on the back for having survived another "algo" update.

It has been known in search engine optimization (SEO) circles for quite some time that one could successfully implement what is referred to as a GoogleBomb. The best example was a search on the phrase "miserable failure". A search on those words within Google would show George W. Bush's biography at the White House website, in the top three or four results of the search results. This would occur, despite the fact that neither word in the search criteria resides on the White House website. At one time, Bush's biography had been in the #1 spot, but counter-bombing campaigns moved Bush's listing down the page a bit.

Many people have written about this phenomenon in time's past. I have even written about it myself. When I wrote about it, my point was to show the importance of anchor text in a link to build the value of a web page in the Google search engine result pages (SERPS).

The "miserable failure" GoogleBomb came to exist within a loophole within the Google algorithms. Google puts a lot of value on the anchor text that point to a particular web page. It is part of their "one link one vote" philosophy as to the value of a web page.

Bloggers joined forces to create thousands of links pointing to the White House website with the words "miserable failure" in the anchor text. The shenanigans of the George W. Bush bashers were eventually countered by their fellow bloggers on the other side of the political aisle. Eventually, the search phrase "miserable failure" would also bring up the Michael Moore and Jimmy Carter websites in the top few results for that search phrase.

The average person who did not understand the nature of the SEO game would occasionally stumble across these esoteric search phrases and get him or herself into a huff, because they thought that Google was stating their own political views. Of course, Google really does not have an opinion, at least not one that would ever appear in their search results.

The GB Update...

In this case, the GB Update is not so-named because "George Bush" disappeared from the "miserable failure" search results. Instead, it is so-named because it is the "GoogleBomb" update, which Google implemented in January of 2007.

Once the update was implemented, the "miserable failure" search began to only return pages that talked about GoogleBombs from a technical standpoint.

With the GB update officially rolled out (http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2007/01/quick-word- about-googlebombs.html), people began the standard Google-update panic process.

Hundreds of posts began appearing on forums concerning the GB updates and the fear that link-building efforts undertaken by search engine marketing (SEM) companies and webmasters would be hurt as well.

So, I did a bit of research. I have run several linking campaigns on my own behalf, and on the behalf of clients. Those campaigns were put together with a mix of keyword phrases nestled in the anchor text of links to our websites. I checked the status of all of the websites I represent, and without fail, our linking campaigns had not been hurt by the GB update.

Interesting Changes From The GoogleBomb Update

According to Matt Cutts of Google, the changes in the GB update were all completed within the Google algorithm. Cutts has always said that Google does not like to manually rearrange the search engine results, so an algorithmic solution to the GoogleBomb was in order. A few of the Google engineers worked together to find a solution to the GoogleBomb issue.

In an attempt to understand what had changed, I looked at a few of the more notorious GoogleBombs of past and discovered some interesting facts.

Broken Google Bombs:

* "Miserable failure" no longer returns George W. Bush, Michael Moore, or Jimmy Carter websites. * "Worst president ever" now only returns pages that make the claim the GW Bush has earned that title. * "Waffles" no longer returns results that point to the John Kerry website. * Tony Blair's homepage no longer comes up under the search term "liar".

Unchanged Google Bombs:

* A search for "Scientology" still has the "Operation Clambake" listing in the #2 spot (2007-01-31). Operation Clambake is a website that is critical of Scientology. * "Click here" still points to the Adobe website (although this was not actually a GoogleBomb). * "French military victories" still goes to the same page on Albino Black Sheep when you hit "I feel lucky" on Google's search page. (I still get a kick out of this one.) * The "great president" GoogleBomb survived. It still points to Bush's bio on the White House website.

The Question On Everyone's Mind

Everyone seems to be asking the same question. How does Google defuse Google Bombs?

Well, Google isn't saying, so we are left to figure it out on our own. Based on what I was able to uncover in my study of Google Bombs, I came up with a theory.

What I have been able to take from the results shown above is that Google may have targeted only "negative links". If you want to review what is shown above, all of the Google Bombs that are now gone had negative connotations to them. All of the Google Bombs that survived can be construed as having positive, or at least non-negative, connotations to them.

If my assertion is correct, then average, ordinary webmasters will have nothing to fear from the Google Bomb update. My sites and my client's websites also reflect that the Google Bomb update did not have any affect on us.

Maybe I am just grasping at straws, but I don't think so. You be the judge... "Worst president" is gone, and "great president" survived. To me, that says a lot.

The Google Bombing Legacy Continues...

Following my logic, Google Bombing is still a possibility for those who Google Bomb with a positive set of anchor text keywords. So, some Google Bombs will continue to live well into the future.

In 2004, Search Engine Watch suggested that Google Bombs are better defined as Link Bombs, since they can affect all of the major search engines, including Yahoo and MSN.

Google has finally addressed link bombing in a positive way, but Yahoo and MSN are still prone to link bombing attacks. For example, as of this writing, MSN still has George in the top spot for "miserable failure" in the MSN Live results.

Bill Platt has been involved in article marketing and link building since 1999. If you are in the market to have someone build keyword anchor text links to your site, using unique and interesting content as the foundation, then Bill's team can help you: http://www.LinksAndTraffic.com - If you would prefer to talk to Bill by phone, you can call 405-780-7745 between 9am-6pm CST, Monday thru Friday. http://www.PlattServicesInc.comKarlotta Blog12491
Kassandra Blog72597

Can You Get A Legal Music Download?

Downloadable, top quality music is a really appealing concept to many people, but many of us want to stay the right side of the law. There are some compelling reasons to download music: it is a great way to check out a track or two from an unknown artist before splashing out on the CD; it offers the downloader unrivaled ease - a few moments after deciding on a track, it is yours. And streaming songs are sometimes available for instant listening.

So what is the deal with the law? Many people will remember Napster being taken to court for encouraging file-sharing for free among peers. This court case judged that people sharing files in this way are breaking the law - the fact that money isn't changing hands and no- one is profiting from it does not matter. Of course file sharing still goes on over peer to peer (P2P) networks (though not via Napster). Interestingly, recent research has shown that P2P is increasingly being used for legitimate file sharing - photos, files and so on - and not just for swapping copyrighted material.

If you want to stay the right side of the law, you should not download copyrighted material from the Internet. But the fact that this practice continues shows how many people think downloading their tunes is the best way to go. So if you want the convenience and ease without transgressing, how do you do it?

There are a variety of ways you can do it. With a decent connection such as broadband you will be able to get access to lots of great music from Internet Radio or from other web sites that play newly released albums - it often happens that the artist and record company has approved the streaming of their recently released albums. Streaming offers you the chance to listen to the album when it is playing but without getting your own copy downloaded. Closer to going to the store and listening to it on the headphones, but in the comfort of your home. Some useful sites to visit are MP3.com, Launch.com (a Yahoo site), search for Internet Radio via Google, or go to http://www.ytube.com. On these sites you can see and listen to music videos too.

So much for streaming, but lots of us want the files on our PC so we can copy it down to our MP3 devices. It is time to look at those sites where you pay to own the tracks you want. Macintosh's iTunes site, designed to get the best from the iPod, is at www.itunes.com - it is the top site at the moment. You are charged ninety nine cents for each song you download, but the quality is excellent and the track is yours to keep.

Other sites are always fighting for this lucrative market, each offering similar but slightly different services. There are many that work on a monthly-fee basis rather than billing by track. And a new and slightly different concept is mercora (www.mercora.com). Here you pay a small monthly fee and share tracks - you broadcast your tracks (you can make like a DJ if you want) whilst you record the tracks broadcast by others. Mercora pays a fee for broadcast rights which makes it within the law.

Most of these sites offer a free trial, so why not give a few a go, pick up some free tracks and decide which service you like best.

Copyright 2006 Tembi Renca. All rights reserved. Tembi Renca's site FRWE Music Download helps locate all sorts of music downloads quickly. Visit her archive of articles: http://www.frwemusicdownload.com/Karol Blog97207
Lana Blog28500

Do Fats Fit Into A Healthy Dinner Recipe?

If youre like me you are often looking for a quick and healthy dinner recipe, but you are concerned about the amount of fat in some choices. However, fats are essential to

the proper functioning of our bodies. Among other things, fats help maintain cell membrane integrity and they help nerve transmission and nutrient absorption. However, if

consumed in excess quantities, fats can lead to weight gain, heart disease and various types of cancer. Be aware that not all fats are alike. Some fats contribute to our

well-being and some can be quite harmful, increasing the risk of developing heart disease.

So your (quick) healthy dinner recipe should contain a certain amount of fat. But how much fat do we need exactly? The Zone, a popular diet, suggests that the calories we

consume should come from carbohydrates, proteins and fats in the following proportion: 40%, 30% and 30%, respectively. We dont necessarily have to drastically follow

this advice; it should only serve as a general reference. The key is to replace the bad fats in our meals with good ones.

Here is a quick review of the different types of fat.

* Saturated Fats

Saturated fats cause an increase of blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, which are the bad cholesterol. Products that have high saturated fat content include meat, eggs,

dairy products and seafood. A few plant foods, like coconut oil, palm kernel oil and palm oil also contain high amounts of saturated fats.

* Trans Fats

Trans fatty acids are the result of the industrial process of "hydrogenating" liquid oils. This process was devised in an attempt to make food products last longer. Trans fats

are commonly found in packaged foods, in commercially fried food (e.g., French fries), in packaged snacks (e.g., microwaveable popcorn), and in hard stick margarine and

vegetable shortening.

* Monounsaturated Fats

Monounsaturated fats are the good fats because they cause blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol to decrease, and at the same time, increase HDL cholesterol or the good

cholesterol. Products that contain high levels of monounsaturated fats include olive oil, canola oil and nuts. Look for these ingredients in any healthy dinner recipe, like salad

dressing made with olive oil.

* Polyunsaturated Fats

Similar to monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats help lower total blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. High levels of polyunsaturated fats are found in safflower oil,

sunflower oil, corn oil, fish oil, and seafood like salmon. The Omega-3 fatty acids fall under this type of fats.

Some Things You Can Do to Avoid the Bad Fats

* Use only cooking oils that have low amounts of saturated fats and high amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (e.g., olive oil, flax seed oil and canola oil).

* Stay away from commercially packaged foods since they have high trans fat content.

* Read food labels and go with those that are trans fat free.

* Avoid saturated fats by opting for low-fat versions of dairy products (e.g., skim milk).

* Go for lean meats. Make sure the visible fats and the skins are removed.

Following this advice will help make sure you benefit the most from a nutritious, healthy dinner recipe.

Copyright 2007, Deborah ProsserKristal Blog10645
Karna Blog96614

Law Firm Internet Marketing An Executive Summary Using The Q&A Format Part I

What do I need to know first about law firm Internet marketing?

In modern business, it is not the crook who is feared most, it is the honest man who doesnt know what he is doing. Pablo Casals

There are tons of vendors out there who want to sell you websites and law firm Internet marketing services. Most are honest people who simply dont know what they are doing. In many cases, they are attempting to sell you something that is overpriced and that wont produce you any new clients at all, let alone good clients. The attorneys I have worked with report to me that the whole Internet marketing process confuses them. They dont know who to believe. Some have spent considerable sums already on websites with little or no results. I aim to stop all that. So keep reading.

Do I need law firm Internet marketing?

Yes. According to Reuters News Services by 2007 there will be over nine million legal services searches done online each month. Additionally, prospective clients and clients expect you to have at least a website or think you may be behind the times if you do not. Finally, while the yellow pages are not a good attorney marketing vehicle today they are going away since people are searching the Internet and not going to the yellow pages.

What is/is not law firm Internet marketing?

Having a website is not law firm Internet marketing. At a minimum you do need at least a brochure website of a few pages, however, that website is unlikely to get you new business and is definitely not Internet marketing. The rest of this article (in four parts) is going to help you get clear on what Internet marketing is all about.

Where does Internet marketing begin?

Law firm Internet marketing begins with you becoming an educated consumer and then keyword research. Researching your practices best keywords will tell us what words your prospective clients are using to search for legal services on search engines, what legal services your prospective clients are the most interested in, what your prospective client is thinking, how to attract these prospective clients to your site at the search engine instead of going to your competitors site, what your competitors are doing/not doing, what content to write for each of your top keywords (recommend writing a page each to at least the top 20 keywords), what are the words to use for PPC law firm advertising and how to begin search engine optimization. If you have not adequately completed keyword research using software tools like Wordtracker you have not done adequate keyword research and are likely to fail at your law firm Internet marketing.

You mentioned, what content to write for each of your top keywords. What are you talking about exactly?

I am talking about what is known as the CTPM model of Internet marketing developed by Ken Evoy M.D. in 1997. This model works because it is in total alignment with how the Internet works. The C is the first part of the model and it stands for Content create in demand content (you determine what is in demand from the keyword research). The T is Traffic attract targeted traffic. The P is for pre-sell pre-sell the targeted traffic (using such things as newsletters, RSS feeds, free downloads, e-books, autoresponders, audio, video, and teleclasses). The M is Monetize this is where you convert these pre-sold prospective clients to clients easily.

You mentioned, tools like Wordtracker with respect to keyword research in law firm Internet marketing. What is Wordtracker?

Wordtracker is a software tool that can be used to thoroughly research your keywords. Wordtracker is at least arguably the best keyword research tool in the marketplace and there are others. You can go to http://www.Wordtracker.com to get all the details. Your vendor can use this tool easily and should use it for keyword research to put your law firm internet marketing on the right track from the beginning if at all possible.

You also mentioned how to begin search engine optimization. What is meant by search engine optimization (SEO) and exactly what is it and how does it fit into law firm Internet marketing?

There is no mystery in SEO in particular and law firm Internet marketing in general so dont let anyone bamboozle you on that one. As I said earlier SEO begins with appropriate keyword research. If you have not done that you are dead in the water since this is the foundation of everything that comes after in law firm Internet marketing. The next step is the C or content mentioned earlier in the CTPM model. You will need to write keyword optimized content to each of your top 20 keywords or another way to say this is writing your content in the way that search engines want to see it so they rank you higher than your competitors. Your content needs to fit together in a site plan (the term site plan refers to in what order your pages will appear and how they link to one another) that has an appropriate pyramid type structure. This pyramid type structure includes your home page (the peak of the pyramid) themed keyword phrase being supported by all the tier two pages (the next layer of the pyramid) and their tier three pages (usually the base of your pyramid although you could go deeper) support them resulting in higher rankings for all of your pages. There are some technical aspects to SEO as well like the use of clean HTML, heading text, meta tags, alt tags, site map, etc., however, mercifully I wont go into those since they should be known to your technical person. The bottom line is put nothing in the way of the search engines spiders (spiders are sent out from the search engine to read the sites on the Internet) being able to read your site like fancy flash pages get in the way big time for instance. To know more in depth about keyword optimization you can go to http://www.Wordtracker.com where they have a really fine Keyword Research Guide if you want to know more of the details. All of what I just told you is known as on site optimization strategies for law firm Internet marketing. There is also off site optimization as well involved in SEO. Off site optimization means getting one-way links from high-ranking pages of other sites that are related to your top 20 keywords (there we are again with that keyword research being vital) that link to your site. Search engines see these links like a vote for your site. The more high quality votes you have the higher they will rank your site. The term link popularity is used to describe this process in law firm Internet marketing. The royal road to high quality links is having (here he goes again) keyword researched and keyword optimized quality content on your website. You get these links from website directories, article directories, online forums, press releases, etc. I left out reciprocal links because most SEO authorities think they are no longer worth the effort since they are difficult to get and dont really contribute much (or can even hurt) to your page ranking.

We have completed the first part of law firm Internet marketing at this point. In part two we will go into Google Page Ranking, dealing with your competitors, RSS, the factors surrounding costs of law firm Internet marketing and more. I am committed to you being a master of law firm internet marketing at least to the point you will get new clients from your efforts and not get taken to the cleaners by vendors who may not know any better.

Henry Harlow has individually coached well over 500 attorneys. You can get more free, in depth and objective information on increasing your revenue while reducing your work hours available now at http://www.law-firm-marketing-coach.comKendre Blog61235
Karly Blog41954

Money Saving Wedding Tips

One Idea to save money is to not have your wedding on the weekend. Many vendors will offer substantially lower costs because weekdays they are usually free and not booked.

When buying a wedding gown check your local newspaper for slightly used dresses. Shop in bridal outlets they usually will offer substantially lower costs than your local bridal store. Shop consignment stores you can usually find great deals and slightly used dresses. Don't buy a designer dress if you don't have to. Designer dresses will definitely cost you more money and usually you can find similar dresses at a much lower cost than you would a designer dress.

When purchasing your cake try to keep it all the same flavor and keep it simple. Use your own decorations for the cake like fresh cut flowers or pearls. Doing this is minimizing the hand made designs that the baker does which will lower your cost of the cake.

Deciding on video and pictures have a friend with a nice camera usually 4 pixels and up take your pictures. Take your pictures to your local photo lab and edit them yourself or use your computer and add your own effects. This will save you a ton of money. Your video you can do the same. Have a friend with a nice camera and a tripod the tripod is important because you want steady video and have them shoot your wedding.

Have your wedding at home or at a friends house. When you have a wedding at home you do not pay any fees that are associated with renting a hall or ball room. Also you can bring whatever food you would like and you don't have to pay for a bartender if you do not want too.

When deciding on entertainment have a friend with access to the internet download your favorite songs and burn them to a disc and play them at your reception. This will be a huge savings.

When deciding on your wedding accessories such as your flower girl basket you can usually go to a local craft store and purchase a plain basket and decorate it yourself. You can pick up some material while your there and some pillow stuffing and a little needle and thread and make your own ring pillow.

When trying to match all of your colors together go to your local paint store and get a paint card of the colors you are using and take this everywhere you go. This will help you with matching flowers and all of your decorations you are using in your wedding.

If you are having an outdoor wedding have it in the fall. The fall time is the most beautiful weather and most likely not as hot as it would be in the summer time. Also prepare yourself for rain. Have a plan to get the cake and other decorations that are sensitive to rain put up and out of the way.

Do not be afraid to ask for help. Ask groomsmen and bridesmaids to help decorate before the wedding and assign each one of them a couple of simple tasks each. This will save you on decorating and clean up before and after the wedding.

Most of all remember it's your wedding and just enjoy yourself and have a great time.

Yolanda Nash is the owner of http://www.yolandasweddingfavors.com and wedding planner. She enjoys seeing all the different table decorations, flowers and wedding party favors on the wedding day.Kaitlyn Blog14356
Kristel Blog12613

Increase Your Web Page (and Landing Page) Conversion with Conversion Rate Optimization

If youre looking for an easy and low risk way to increase your landing page conversion rates, then use the conversion rate optimization strategies outlined in this online guide.

About Conversion Rate Optimization:

Conversion Rate Optimization is the continual process of making your Web Site and landing pages generate better results from your visitor traffic. For example, more leads, opt-ins, and more sales.

Conversion Rate Optimization is also the fastest and easiest strategy to increase your sales without spending more money on increasing your traffic.

In fact, the most successful companies test everything. For example, GoToMyPC.com increased their conversion rates by 400% by testing the following

- Headlines
- Call to Action
- Copy
- Images
- Graphics
- Button Look
- Button Text
- Button Location
- No Links
- Press Quotes
- Testimonials
- Pricing
- Flow Through Process
- And more

Optimizing Your Landing Pages "Conversion Funnel"

If you review your web site statistics (called log files) youll notice the following 4 things are happening on your landing pages

The largest percentage of your visitors are bailing within 0-8 seconds after briefly viewing your landing page.

The second largest percentage of visitors bail when they decide your landing page does not prove compelling.

A small percentage of visitors attempt to convert (buy or use a contact form to become a lead) but fail. Many of these people will call.

A small percentage of visitors convert.

Conversion rate optimization is the process of optimizing your landing pages to minimize your "bail out rate" and maximize your "conversion rate" (CR).

The Top 6 Landing Page Components
To Optimize for Maximizing Your Conversions

The following are the top 6 conversion components that should be tested and improved to boost your conversion rates

Headline - Since your headline is the first line that your visitors will read, the headline of your web page offers the biggest opportunity (about 80% of the opportunity) for improvements in conversion rate. Use headlines that clearly state the biggest benefit(s) that your product offers.

Offer - Since your offer is the call to action that asks your visitors to act (purchase, sign up, opt-in), your offer accounts for the second the biggest opportunity for improvements in conversion rate.

Lead - The lead or first paragraph is the third biggest opportunity for improvements in your conversion rate. Leads must be written with strong benefits that capture your visitors attention and make them want to read more.

Benefits - The benefit bullets (bullet-point format) are the forth biggest opportunity for improvements in conversion rate. List your benefits in the order of your products value hierarchy to your target market. In other words, state your products strongest benefit first, and its weakest benefit last.

Images - The images you use have a big impact on your conversion rates. The best practice is to use images that clearly portray the biggest benefit your product offers your customer (rather than generic "feel good" stuff like unknown logos and clip art). Studies show that product images work best when placed to the left of your product description (or lead paragraph) since it makes it easier to read your copy from left to right. Plus, people like to reads captions under your images almost as much as they read your headlines. So, add powerful captions and make your images clickable to the order/sign up page.

"Look & Feel" - According to a recent study by Stanford University, 46% of Web sales are lost on web sites that lack the critical elements that build value and trust with website visitors. The number one reason the people indicated why they wouldn't buy from a web site was because it had an unprofessional "look and feel" that lacked credibility and did not "feel" trustworthy. Having a professional look, and trust building tools (such as VeriSign and BBBOnline certifications) help convert significantly more of your web site's qualified visitors into new customers.

Other Important Conversion Elements to test:

- Buttons Button text, color, look, etc.
- Pricing
- Formatting and placement of page elements, images and copy
- Navigation links versus no navigation links
- Press Quotes
- Testimonials

Other Conversion Best Practices and Tips:

- Reduce your bail out rate by optimizing your web pages to download within 5 seconds on a 56k modem Test your pages on Andy Kings "Web Page Analyzer" websiteoptimization.com/services/analyze/
- Add a 1-800-Number and Call to Action above the fold (top of the page)
- Add a Logo and a powerful Value Proposition to the top left
- Instead of letting visitors click off your landing page, put all your information on one page (This tactic alone increased the conversions of a landing page by 55%)
- Use colors that fit your target customers personality

Conclusion:

When you use Conversion Rate Optimization to test and improve your web pages and landing pages you can double your sales (possibly even quadruple) when you add up all the performance improvements. Of course it takes time and work but it's well worth the effort.

If youre truly serious about maximizing your results, continuously test, track and improve the important elements of your web site, landing pages (and your marketing materials).

Matt Hockin is President of Interactive Marketing, Inc., an Internet marketing company specializing in helping businesses increase sales by maximizing website search engine visibility and website conversions through the process of web site optimization http://www.interactivemarketinginc.comKalindi Blog40941
Kylie Blog72093

What is Internet marketing?

Starting from the early 1990s Internet, or online, marketing made an amazing development from simple text-based websites that offered product information into highly evolved and complete online businesses promoting and selling their services on the Internet.

Nowadays, the Internet marketing industry has become a complicated and branchy science involving a great deal of theoretical knowledge in combination with applied techniques. As a science, it ranges from browser-side and server-side programming and coding on one end to marketing and economics on the other.

Internet marketing means the use of the Internet to advertise and sell goods and services. It includes Banner and Text Advertising, Email Marketing, Interactive Advertising, Affiliate Marketing and Search Engine Marketing (including Search Engine Optimization and Pay-Per-Click Advertising).

You should focus on Search Engine Marketing (SEM) as a specific area of online marketing. SEM's main purpose is to increase targeted traffic from search engines via organic search engine ranking, paid listing and advertising. The main principles of SEM are Search Engine Optimization (SEO), link building and paid advertising campaigns.

As a business owner looking to optimize your search engine rankings, it pays to be comfortable your Internet marketing specialist (the company you hire) is aware of top search engine demands and will consider these for improving on-the-page and off-the-page factors for your business web pages. It is important to remember there are numerous important factors influencing search engine ranking of any web page.

There are certain techniques that go beyond SEM that can help improve your sites' online visibility. These include, for instance, creating and spreading a banner / ad network and / or paid link partnerships, as well as email marketing and building affiliate relationships with other websites.

Email marketing is an independent branch of Internet marketing. This has been dealt with in another article, as it doesn't have much in common with SEM.

By covering research, legal, market awareness and commercial issues, Seven Communication can help you get it right. If your company can benefit from Internet marketing services, please visit http://www.sevencommunication.ws

Justin Lloyd writes for Seven Communication - web design, Internet marketing and multimedia creation at http://www.sevencommunication.wsKeely Blog60079
Karly Blog41954

7 Dynamically Doable Insider Website Tips

Creating a Website is NOT Easy: Correction... Now It Is!

Creating an effective, moneymaking website that actually Works that brings in clients for larger lists and increased sales is now dynamically doable and easier than ever to do yourself. So, if you've wanted to get started but either haven't found the time or known exactly what to do or how to start, grab some of the latest and greatest software on the Internet available via download... and do it!

When creating that moneymaking masterpiece, here are 7 Insider Tips On How To Make Your Website Produce The Results You Want It To Produce!

1. Keep a basic content file of your thoughts for each website you create with both spontaneous and well thought out ideas. That file contains your sincerity and the reasons for people to trust you, so keep it handy and refer to it when creating the copy for your website. But remember to incorporate only those parts that a) you simply 'cannot' leave out, and b) truly give insight into who you are and what you're about, as expressed either in your bio, by your experience, through articles or other relevant info.

2. Write or type out each segment of the website to get into the mindset of the process. Carefully think through each step of the creation process, going to the deepest levels to make sure you have ALL of the ingredients you want and need for a successful site.

3. Keep the various segments of your website totally relevant to their purpose: headline, subhead, basic text, call to action, bonuses/special features, etc. The best way to do this is to fully consider the segments one at a time and write down or record everything you can possibly think of to make that portion of your site interesting, relevant, and unique. Avoid putting all the segments together at once, as each is distinct and serves its own purpose. Haste can mean waste here: wasted time, effort, and a lack of results.

4. Dare to Think Boldly a MUST to be able to break free of any conservative notions you have to not offend any visitor. Your first target is to capture their attention right off the bat, so step up and speak out. Your website is your opportunity to shine!

5. Enhance your site's visual appeal by using a few basic colors like black, red, blue, white and yellow to emphasize sections and focal points. A site that is pleasant to look at and easy to read invites the visitor to stick around to learn more.

6. Use well-chosen graphics strategically placed to promote a product or service. This includes bonus images. If you offer a bonus item, add a graphics image of that bonus. If none exists, create one with one of several good graphics products available via download on the Internet.

7. Be objective as you tweak everything about your website... and then launch it! Don't hold on to something that could be making you lots of money just because you're unsure about how successful it might be. Be creative, get help where you need help, and then Launch!

Eventually, the entire process of building a website comes together, but there are rules to follow, just like with riding a bike. It doesn't matter how much experience you have in business or with exploring the World Wide Web, when you enter the arena of creating your own website the parameters are different, and you either adapt and conquer, or you falter because you don't have the right tools.

Even if you've built 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 or more websites, or hired a web designer to do it for you, you can now gain added self-confidence to do it yourself with interactive products that literally show you how to create a website using step-by-step instructions to help you get up and running faster to profits.

Put your past knowledge and experience together with the opportunities for new learning, and before you know it, you'll reach even higher levels of success.

Cynthia Peavler Bull, founder of CYN-R-JE Consultants LLC, helps international authors, marketers and speakers add greater value to their products through her Top-Quality writing, editing and transcription services. As author and mentor, she helps clients reach their goals through her products, experience and genuine caring. Want to Save Time & Build Your Own Website Fast? Click here > http://www.ebookfire.com/cmd.php?Clk=1625512Kassi Blog83757
Karin Blog69880

Non Profit and Open Source Collaboration

Open source is a software license for products developed by groups of individuals who want to collaborate to achieve a common goal. New projects are started daily within the open source community. A developer may need the functionality of a specific piece of software for his website. But in reluctance to buy the software, and the obvious need to develop it himself (most often for a client)he will find other developers who need the same functionality. They will then as a team begin developing the new software with an Open Source license. All the members of the team benefit from the experiences and work of the others. The development community as a whole then benefits from this new creation. Members of the development team will often come and go as they work on their own projects and careers, but very quickly the new software will often develop further. New improvements, upgrades, and bug fixes will result from the group effort, and as long as there is a need for the software, it will continue to evolve.

Fortune 500 companies such as Novel have seen the power of the open source development model and have latched on as a result. Novel for instance develops a product called SUSE Linux. Now you may have heard the term Linux from some tech head, most people still don't know what it is. Linux is an Operating System like Windows or Mac OS. The difference is that Linux is developed Open Source and is light years ahead of microsoft when it comes to functionality, stability, and security. The website your reading now is probably hosted on a computer running Linux. Most of the internet is hosted on machines that use Linux.

Back to the story, SUSE is Novel's version of Linux. They work with the open source community and help to develop a very good version of Linux. The software receives fortune 500 level testing and development, and the open source community benefits as a whole. Novel then offers its SUSE for free as a download, or you can purchase support from novel while using its product and receive a DVD with the software. Novel sells a lot of SUSE, and the open source community benefits by working with such a reputable and stable company.

So now that you understand what open source is, it may be dawning on you how it fits with the Non-Profit community.

Open Source is for the benefit of the community as a whole. No one person makes all of the profit from the product, but thousands of people make a living helping people save money using open source products.

Non Profits are similar in that they have a community vision or mission that does not directly correspond to a bottom line. Unlike Microsoft, who does help the community by developing the economy. Open Source and Non-Profit ventures directly impact the community by their very nature.

Open Source is a viable option for Non Profit organizations.

Aaron Mills is currently working for Integrity Services in Washington DC as a technology consultant. He helps to better equip non-profit organizations to use technology. Kandy Blog53738
Kaitlyn Blog14356

Family Cruises Guide

Family cruises are the ideal solution when you're in need of a stress-free family vacation that's fun for everyone. No need to worry about traffic jams, valet parking or keeping the kids entertained. You can just relax in the comfort of your plush onboard surroundings, and let the kids explore a mind-blowing array of cruise entertainment or you can join in the activities too!

Throughout the year there is no shortage of cruise ships catering for families leaving ports all around North America. Family cruises to Disney are popular as are themed family cruises during spring break and summer vacation time. Destinations such as Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Bahamas are all within easy reach of east coast ports. On the west side, Mexico, Canada and Alaska are equally accessible too for family cruises.

Further afield, family cruises along the Amazon or fly-cruises around Europe offer great value for your dollar. Besides the wealth of onboard entertainment for all the family to enjoy, what child would not be impressed by a close encounter with pink dolphins on the Amazon, or the sight of gladiators re-enacting Roman times in an Italian amphitheater? There's no end of fun to be had, and all at a price that is affordable, especially when compared to land-based vacations of a similar standard!

Family cruises for kids

Kids of all ages can expect a dazzling array of entertainment to greet them on family cruises. For younger children games rooms and video rooms showing cartoons are available on many cruise ships that cater for families. There are video games, sports activities, dancing classes and organized activities under the direction of the ship's crew for older children to delight in. Some cruise liners even have 'kids-only' swimming pools.

Family cruises for parents

For parents everything from golf to poolside massages are available on family cruises. Kids can be left in the capable hands of the cruise liner's staff leaving you free to enjoy some 'you' time. Most cruise boats offer a babysitting service. So, why not take advantage of it and steal an evening walk under the stars together or share a romantic meal at the ship's restaurant? You might just find that it is the most enjoyable and relaxing vacation you've been on in years!

Jonathan Medcalfe writes about all types of cruise vacations including bahamas cruises, alaska cruises luxury cruises and much more. If you want more information about interesting cruises, visit his site here: http://www.fgcruise.com.Keri Blog54247
Kameko Blog72076