Archive for the 'Technology' Category
July 5, 2008 - 4:46 pm - Posted by Sherri R
We recently upgraded our last CRT monitor to a new 19″ LCD monitor. You don’t realize the space and energy that those things use up. We actually upgraded to a viewsonic lcd monitor which replaced our old 15″ CRT. We have had that monitor for 5 years and felt the quality and reliability was key in our purchase. You can find monitors like this 20″ widescreen, which I highly recommend. Since PC’s are being used more for central entertainment centers having a widescreen will increase your viewing space and give a whole new experience for the web.You can find cheaper monitors, but you usually end getting what you paid for.
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June 25, 2008 - 4:22 am - Posted by Sherri R
If you are looking for a different way to keep time then you may want to think about purchasing a pocket watch. The way that many people keep time has trasnformed into the digital age with their use of their cell phones and PDAs. The classic look of a pocket watch can now help you keep time, but provide that classy look that we seemed to have gone away from and looks much nicer than a cell phone.
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June 18, 2008 - 11:13 pm - Posted by Sherri R
The countdown towards an all digital broadcast is less than a year away. All TV stations and broadcasts will be required to convert to an all digital broadcast which is great for those that have cable and already have their HDTV. But those that have an analog set will be required to get a converter box in order to receive their local channels. This has started a battle amongst the various cable and satellite providers on who is most prepared to ease their customers into the all digital age. Comcast cable tv is already being broadcast in digital and there will be no need for their existing customers to do anything next February.
They are even ramping up their comcast offers called Triple Play were current and new customers can get digital cable, digital phone, and high speed internet for only $33 each for a 6 months. This represents a significant savings if you were to purchase those services separately. With these comcast promotional offers you get the best internet connection and the highest speeds for consumers and the best and most expansive digital offerings. We have been a Comcast customer for several years and the level of service and features that they offer are ahead of the competitors. With their high speed internet you can enjoy download speeds up to 6 Mb per second and free anti-virus software standard. Their digital phone offering allows to call anyone in the US for one low fee and the ability have some nice features like checking your voicemail online.
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June 8, 2008 - 8:57 am - Posted by Sherri R
Today in the world everything is digital if you have not noticed. This has lead to greater productivity, better service, and has actually increased competition in certain fields. Most notably is the telecommunication field where many of the big providers are bidding for your business. It is not just your cell phone business that they are after, but also what you watch and how you communicate. Verizon is one of the largest cell phone and internet providers and now they want to be your cable provider as well. Through their FIOS fiber optics television or their DirectTV offering they can now offer you great pictures and high speed internet through their verizon offers. Verizon is one of the premiere leaders in cell phone service and their internet offerings rival that of cable with their new fiber optics roll out. The content and clarity that you get to your HDTV is simply amazing and as they gain more customer the offering will only increase. They have been adding more and more services to compete against the other major cable company and now are able to offer Americans a choice in how they view their TV, and talk on their phone. The internet phone service will save you a ton of money and it is unlimited calling to anywhere in the US. Plus you will not have all those taxes that you typically see on your land line phone bill.
What is great about the verizon bundles is that by combining your cell phone, land line, and TV through one vendor you are able to realize substantial savings. You will get a consolidated bill with all three services that will help you see how much you are saving each month and can even pay online. If you are like many Americans you have your cell phone, digital cable, and home phone. So if you were able to add all three of those together you would probably be amazed at how much you actually spend for all three together. In this day and age when everything else is going up isn’t nice to know that through these verizon deals you will actually be saving money on technology and communication you use every day. So stop limiting your calls to after 7PM to save on long distance bills from your home and grab this bundle deal and experience a new level of quality and service.
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June 6, 2008 - 7:47 am - Posted by Sherri R
Have you noticed that all the cell phone commercials these days are touting video, MP3, and other internet options. Now many of the companies are offering unlimited talk, text, and internet for one low price. Whatever happened to the day of making a good phone with great reception? While the technology is impressive, I think the makers of cell phones have forgotten their core product and that is a phone that you can actually talk on. Too many phones today like the popular Razr have been reported to get bad reception, and unclear communications. Maybe we will come full circle and end up with just a phone with buttons and no MyTube videos.
Since talking on a cell phone has become a part of everyday life the devise itself has become a standard accessory for many people for work and play. I can’t even imagine what I would do without a cell Phone. We use them for business, talking to family, text messaging, and surfing the internet. There are so many styles and types to choose from it really comes down to what you plan on using the phone for. One of the must have in todays cell phone accessories is a Bluetooth Headset or a phone capable of using Bluetooth technology. This provides you with the wireless access to your earpiece to aid you in hands free cell phone use. This has become more important as more and more states are implementing laws that ban the use of cell phones while driving unless you are using a hands free device. Motorola is one of the innovators of a lot of technology and have been creating new and exciting technologies for the cell phone user since it’s early inception.
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May 13, 2008 - 11:20 pm - Posted by Sherri R
In our state staring in July talking on a cell phone will be against the law and will cost you a ticket. They put in a law against texting while driving which seems like a no brainer and the cell phone law makes sense, but they will allow you to use a wireless/wired headset. As I drive around it really is amazing how many people are on their cell phone and studies have shown that talking on the phone can be a major distraction. Just think about the last time you drove home while talking on the cell phone and once you arrived in your driveway you don’t recall some of the common landmarks that you pass on your way home. Driving distracted is one of the key reasons that accidents happen because your response time is much slower and you cannot anticipate what is happening around you. There are already many states in the East that have made it illegal to talk on your cell phone while driving and it is strictly enforced.
At Buy.com you can find the Jabra BT3010 Bluetooth Headset w/ 33 Interchangeable Designs on sale this week with free budget shipping. For all those high school and college kids this is a great option since it you can customize the ear piece to match your interests and make it your own. Many kids today that have a cell phone find ways to decorate their cell phone so that it stands out and sends that social message that they are unique and do not conform to the standard. At buy.com you can find this bluetooth headset and many others like it for less than what you pay at the big box stores and you will have a much greater selection. You will also find reviews from those that have purchased the items so that you can get others opinions before you make your purchase. Plus they have a cool feature called ” Shaking” to let you know the popularity of a particular item in their weekly specials. So surf on over ( please not while you are driving) and check out the latest devices that will help you make driving a little safer.
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April 18, 2008 - 11:03 pm - Posted by Sherri R
The world of social networks has grown by leaps and bounds thanks in part to the pioneers that had the vision to connect people with similar interests and allow them to create their own communities. n the last 6 months and even more in 2008 more social networking sites are coming online. The earliers attracted a lot of younger people some of the newer sites are creating niche sites that focus on business people, bloggers, those that love pets and more. What started out as a place for young high school kids and college kids to hang out online has become a very big business. This has created a need for more focused sites that can offer something unique to their members and offer a robust experience where they can share pictures, videos, and their daily happenings.
One of the newest communities to come online is 3GB Community. The site is relatively new and had abuot 600 members as of this post. The great thing about new sites like this is that if you get in early you can make a name for yourself and grab some of the cool names that can be a huge benefit when the site takes off. They have a cool feature that they are launching called Shout Cast where you can be a DJ online or just listen to what others are mixing up. I do like how they show the latest members, videos, and blogs right on the front page so that everyone can get exposure and hopefully attract new friends. So why not get in early and join 3gb community www.3gb.biz and make a name for yourself in one of the greatest social experiments on the internet.
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April 16, 2008 - 8:36 pm - Posted by Sherri R
Any business that you walk into will typically have registers that are able to process transactions, record customer info, and update inventory. Many of these systems have a robust POS software program behind them that are able to coordinate all of this information. The only problem is that most small to medium sized businesses overlook the importance of tying in their customers purchases with their operating plan. By this I mean they do not capture or link purchasing behaviors to help them create a unique shopping experience for that customer. It is very difficult to attract new customers and businesses will spend millions to attract new customers but less than that to retain them.
As you look to improve your customer retention having POS software that can link purchases to inventory to suppliers can help you create a just in time inventory. This can help reduce your carrying cost and predict buying patterns of customers. Once you are able to link this data you can create special invites for special purchases based on buying habits of your customers and this will help create a sense of being a valued customer. Once your customers see how much you care they will go to great lengths to tell their friends and this type of viral advertising can be priceless. So as you look around your business to understand where to invest take a look at your POS software and research the options that are available to build your network of systems and improve your inventory and customer relations.
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April 12, 2008 - 11:24 pm - Posted by Sherri R
A few years we were presented with the opportunity to convert our 8mm and old VHS tapes to the standard DVD format. I was able to acquire the software, and hardware to start the CD DVD replication process. What I was not told was the amount of time that this would actually take. Not only was it not as simple as putting in the old tape and then clicking convert there multiple conversion steps that had to take place in order to get the video to convert properly. To make matters more complicated there were three varieties of DVD’s available which some were compatible with current DVD players and other were not. Then there was the process of getting the video and audio to synch up which that was whole other tutorial. Needless to say I went through dozens of DVD’s and hours trying to make them work.
Thank goodness now there are professional companies who at the time we were looking to make the conversion were pretty expensive. Now that the technology has become more affordable and the medium that is used has come down in cost it makes sense for individuals and businesses to send these projects out to have them done. The typical turn around time is about 1-2 weeks depending on the size of the order and what you need done. Most of the companies will even offer DVD replication where they can master and burn thousands of disks so if you are trying to send out a training video it can be more cost effective.
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March 22, 2008 - 2:53 pm - Posted by Sherri R
If you are concerned about what happens at your home when you are not there then take matters into your own hands and invest into a hidden spy camera that can help you keep tabs on your assets. There are many parents that have used the hidden cameras to check up on and keep tabs on their baby sitters. It is is amazing to see what goes on when you leave others with your child. Hidden cameras can also help protect your home by letting you monitor activities and record what happens when you are not home. Many are now able to be controlled via the internet so even when you are on the road you can have piece of mind.
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January 23, 2008 - 8:52 am - Posted by Sherri R
What is your wireless connection could cover a few miles instead of a few feet? What if it were faster than wired broadband? The technology may be closer than you think. With the introduction and deployment of WiMax that idea is now a reality. It is basically Wi-Fi on steroids with faster and farther connections. Currently there is only one small installation in the US with the majority being in the Asian Continents.
This new technology will not only be able to increase the bandwith and offerings of mobile phones, but will help to provide broadband access to parts of the country and the world that would not have been accessible before. Since a communication company can simply install a WiMax based facility or router, they no longer have to string cable to customers houses. The new technology will make interactive video and games more of a reality and some phone companies are already making Wi-Max enabled phones.
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January 14, 2008 - 10:54 pm - Posted by Sherri R
You can have the best services or products, but if no one knows who you are it can be quite difficult to achieve business results. Most businesses online will do a fair job at getting the word and promoting their online site. The best advice we have found is to keep it simple, keeping your customer base in mind. Use news releases and blogs to talk about events related to your services, and provide appropriate links to your pages. Using directories that are specific to your business is also important, and getting listed is another key step in getting noticed. All these can be done strategically to help in driving customers to your site. Find out how to shop online online.Plus, the more your site is referenced in various places, the better your search engine placement will be.
A brand new site that has launched offers businesses within the San Diego area, or those looking to attract customers in this region a place to meet. San Diego yellow pages can be used to locate resources that can help your business. Use their services to get in front of other businesses and build your network of potential clients as well as referral sources. They offer free listings as well enhanced services that will help your business.
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January 2, 2008 - 11:15 am - Posted by Sherri R
If you have a blog and are looking for ways to get your content noticed then you need to have a pinging service that will alert the search engine spiders know everytime that you have posted new content. At Blogflux.com they offer a free service where with one simple entry you will be able to ping the major search engines and keep your content in front of the key SEO engines. try them out today:
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January 2, 2008 - 8:20 am - Posted by Sherri R
Getting your business online is fairly easy these days. The question business owners need to ask is the site functional and easy for your customers to navigate. Web design is essential to attracting customers as well getting them to come back. The idea is to make it simple and not over the top. Remember that a large portion of internet shoppers are still operating on dial-up, and if your site has a lot of flash and animation it may not load very quickly causing customers to try elsewhere. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get affordable web design.
Finding companies that can produce your website, as well as help with logo design, and search engine optimization all in house is a real plus. For one they will know your customers, your site and branding will match. It usually helps to reduce costs as you are only dealing with one vendor, and they will know more specifically the demographics and types of customers you are trying to target. Plus, you reduce the duplication of efforts and time to market. Whether you are brand new to the internet, or looking to redesign your look, they offer a host of services to help your business grow.
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December 25, 2007 - 12:27 pm - Posted by Sherri R
Getting customers to your website and purchasing your services or product is half the battle. Keeping them coming back is another challenge. Companies that use CRM software have the ability to grow the relationship with their customers and enhance their buying activities. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software gives your company a defined set of metrics to measure customer sales, loyalty, and satisfaction. Customers are demanding a higher level service and do not want to be bothered with the same questions over and over again. Knowing your customer and being able to tailor offerings that match their profile will not only enhance your relationship, but keep them coming back which will increase your profitability. It is known in the business world that it cost 5-6 times more to acquire a new customer than it does to keep and retain current customers.
In the online business world he who has the information wins. Many companies open up online businesses and rarely capitalize on the data that they collect when a customer comes to their site either to visit or make a purchase. Those companies that can link the customers purchase patterns to future sales and then create a unique shopping experience for that end use will grow and prosper. Using lead management software a business can effectively target specific niche customers that usually end spending more money and are customers for a longer period of time. You can find some of the great lead management features of AIMpromote.com to help you in your online efforts. AIMpromote can help you increase your sales and increase your customer loyalty through proper lead management. Understanding your customers using the analytical tools that they offer will give you the tools to grow your business. In the business world it is 10 times more costly to obtain a new customer than it is to keep one. Since you already have the customer why not make them feel unique.
Creating customer value whether it be through offering special discounts on shipping or a percentage off on their next purchase is a great step in creating lasting customer value. Using CRM you can capture this information along with other comments to enhance your engagement with the customer. Find out more at The Bernard Factor Blog.
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December 16, 2007 - 1:16 am - Posted by Sherri R
Now that the promotion has begun we decided to check the newest digital radio offerings. Choosing a new digital radio today is like picking out one of the first High Definition TV’s. The HD Radio Receiver units are now becoming more popular and you are starting to see them become standard equipment in some cars. Plus more of the local radio stations are starting to broadcast in HD and in our local market that accounts for 5 of the top 10 stations. Of course larger markets like New York High Definition Radio stations will have more of a selection at the moment, but since HD radio is free and all you need is the HD tuner in your car this will be more attractive to most people over satellite.
Now there is a new class of tuners that will allow you to tag songs that you hear on the radio and want to download later yo your iPod. The new Polk I-Sonic ES2 with iPod dock with iTunes Tagging allows you to simply tag a song while you are listening to be able to download later via iTunes. It simply creates a playlist on your iPod called “tagged” which then allows you download those tunes later via iTunes. This is a great feature for those that love to find new music, but cannot remember the name of the song that they just heard.
With crystal clear sound you will be able to hear your local stations in clear HD, along with 150 other broadcasted stations to give you a greater range of news, sports, and music to listen too all for free.
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November 23, 2007 - 8:18 am - Posted by Sherri R
Blazing a Trail with a nice new tool
This new tool called http://trailfire.com Allows you to share your travel path on the internet. SO WHAT!
Well, let’s take the ever popular MySpace. Imagine if you could visit others pages, leave a quick note, and then send all those link to your friends. They click on one link, see your comments, and then they just scroll the profiles that you visited. No more, having to call out 15 different MySPace names. Watch for more on this subject.
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October 26, 2007 - 12:07 am - Posted by Sherri R
I’m amazed to see all the homes and land that is now burning out in Southern California. All the technology that we have these days, you would think we would have a better way to put out these fires. When looking at a map of San Diego you see it situated in Southern California and a big piece of blue stuff out from it. That big blue thing you see is water! It’s the Pacific Ocean and why can’t we find some way to get that blue on over to the fires around San Diego?
I don’t have the answers, but you would think if we can send a man to space, cure all kinds of sickness, and can float a big carrier on the water, that we could find some type of pumping station, to get that water from the Pacific Ocean on the fires in California. I could understand better if these fires were in Kansas and they were having trouble with them there. It just doesn’t make sense when you see all that water right near my and we don’t have the technology to transport it to those hot spots in all these fires we are seeing on television. I do wish all the folks in California the best and my heart goes out to all of you. I couldn’t imagine by house burning down to the ground and losing everything inside of it. I just wish that we could spend a little more money on fire saving things, than sending another man to the moon or having something sent to Mars.
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October 6, 2007 - 11:07 pm - Posted by Sherri R
Adopt your very own Alien at stores like Walmart and Target where you can receive a test tybe with a white powdery substance, that whe you add water they come to life with a spongy like alien computer chip for a brain. You will see it’s heart start to beat and you can even interact with it through the online research lab where you and the use of infrared signals help you communicate with your newly hatched Alien. This looks much better than the the Tamagatchi’ s we just got for our kids.
Your alien will actually grow as you feed it the sloog that comes with each kit that contains nutrients to help your alien mature. As your alien matures to adulthood you can continue to interact with through the online portal. They are selling the kits for approx. $40 online. Go to alienadoptionworldand secure your alien for Christmas and be the talk of the neighborhood.
This is a sample of the kit that is available online for approx. $40. This will be the next new cyber pet to have.
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