Window PC, MAC or iPAD?

Windows PC, iPad, or MAC?  Never before has the consumer had so many excellent technology offerings.  But what’s the smart, budget conscious option?  Answer – Unless you live and work with extreme autonomy buy the most common device in your human circle.  And by that I mean the people that you communicate with, share data with, transfer documents to, or share entertainment with on a daily basis?  Compatibility should be your number one priority.  If your parent, boss, work group, and kids all have PCs and you buy a MAC good luck transferring even a simple word document. 

But aren’t there some of these devices that are simply technologically better than the others.  NO!  Really, that’s marketing crap.  They all are so unbelievably sophisticated and intelligent I am still surprised when I wake up every day and they haven’t reproduced and taken over the world. 

But the MAC has less security issues and never breaks down, isn’t it a better choice?  NO!  That’s another marketing myth.  Why would you believe MAC developers are somehow that much more intelligent than PC developers?  Spammers, Hackers and the rest of the evil doers attack where they can affect the most number of people.  The PC still dominates the market share globally so it is targeted by more viruses and malware thus giving the impression that it has weaker security.  As the MAC grows in market share, it will undoubtedly receive more attention from the “dark side”.

The MAC and the iPad are so easy and unencumbered to use.  They never need patches, security installments, and downloads that only computer nerds can understand.  They are expensive to buy initially but then you rarely have to call your dreaded computer guy.  True enough.  They work so well because they only use proprietary software and peripherals.   That’s one of the great things about belonging to the “Apple” world.  If you don’t venture out of your world, your life will be technologically breezy and carefree.  But try sharing an excel document that you made on your iPad over the weekend with your PC friends at work on Monday morning.  OMG!  I would love to have a nickel for every minute spent huddled over two computers trying to get the same document open on both!  Inevitably, there’s some smarty pants in the group that will cite the documentation that ensures full compatibility.

So here’s the truth.  You wouldn’t expect the manufacturers of the Lexus to design their electronic software so that it would work with a GMC Truck right?  So why do we expect software developers to be that generous.  The giants that make hardware and software do so for a profit not to make the world a more shared experience for us all.  I will say it again; compatibility should be your number one consideration.

Mark Spoonauer of Laptop Magazine just released an excellent article on the new Windows 8 possibilities.   Since Microsoft has not released Windows 8 yet, there is still a lot of speculation as to the software features and hardware but you can bet it won’t plug into the AC adapter for your iPad! 

Bottom line, you can’t make a wrong decision technically because they are all superior products.  Sharing your ideas and work should be the focus of your decision process.

SPAMMERS, HACKERS, & WORMS Are are Coming Your Way Small Business!

Have you noticed an increase in Spam lately?  If so, that's not the only gremlin in the closet.  Beware small business owners, hackers and spammers are expanding their business in the US.  Our clients have reported a dramatic increase in spam over the last three months  and The Wall Street Journal reported an increase in small business hackers. 

Cyber thieves embed software programs on cash registers, credit card processors, and login screens.  They are mainly looking for credit card information and bank accounts but other personal information such as Social Security numbers and Drivers License numbers are of use to these crooks.

There are many measures that you can take to protect your system but here are our top three recommendations.

1.  Protect your passwords.  Don't give out network passwords to anyone in your office or any tech support personnel visiting your system.

2.  DON'T CLICK ON IT!  Stop guessing at your email.  When in doubt don't open it!

3.  Don't visit internet sites that are known for viruses.  Guys you know what we are talking about here.  Save those sites for home usage only.

 

Facebook Ads Are Getting Attention

The Wall Street Journal reported today that Facebook Inc. is catching up to rivals Yahoo and Bing in selling display ads.

In the first quarter, Facebook pulled ahead of Yahoo for the first time and delivered more banner ads to its U.S. users than any other Web publisher, according to market-research firm comScore Inc.

I wouldn't divert any of my Google Adwords budget to Facebook just yet but in my opinion if you are buying on Yahoo or Bing its time to reallocate the budget!

Read the Wall Street Journal Article

libby@ccpwebdesign.com

www.ccpwebdesign.com

 

What’s this Facebook stuff supposed to do for my business?

 If Facebook were a country, it would now be the third largest in the world based on population (behind China and India but ahead of the United States).

I stole this little factoid off of Mitch Joel's Blog (Thanks Mitch!).  Facebook is such a powerful tool.  If you don't have page, get one today.  Start to learn the process.  If you think you are too old or just don't understand how this whole social media thing is supposed to help you call me.  No really.  Call me and I will explain it to you for free!  Have a great day!

Libby Lucas
704-549-0125 X104

Cross-Platform Mobile Websites — What you should know before you buy!

The largest mobile phone operators, including Sprint, issued a statement yesterday that they would promote cross-platform compatibility by offering a single open platform that delivers applications to all mobile phone users.

Why should you care? MONEY! Your money if you are in an industry that requires a mobile application that sells or promotes your business. Say for example you sell real estate and you want your customers to be able to search for houses while driving around. Unless your web development company writes a version of the application that works with the GPS systems for the Blackberry, Google Droid, iPhone and Nokia, some of your customers will not be able to use the website. So instead of paying for one application, you will quadruple your cost!

Adobe Air may be part of the answer. They are working on a mobile version of Adobe Air that would allow web developers to deliver mobile applications that work across multiple operating systems. Hardware manufacturers such as Samsung and Sony Ericsson are supporting the community effort as well. With more than 3 billion application downloaded from Apple stores in the last 18 months, they can't afford not to support initiative.

Libby Lucas libby@ccpwebdesign.com

www.ccpwebdesign.com

Fall forward. It’s right in front of you.

Fall forward.  It’s right in front of you.  That’s what I told my son this morning when he asked,  “Mom!  Where are the band aids?”   The band aids have been in the same place in our kitchen cabinet for over a year and he was standing in front of them looking at the box.   He’s 14 years old and very active.  This was not his first trip to the first aid supplies.  All the moms reading this blog already know that the real message here was probably more like this.  “Mom, get a band aid for me and put it on my cut.” 

Our mornings are chaotic so the complete lack of cognitive engagement by my son was really irritating me when I realized this is what most of us do every day.  The answers and solutions are right in front of us.  If we just move forward a tiny bit, take even the smallest amount of responsibility, life would be so much easier.  Success!  Small little band aid sized successes all day long instead of expecting someone or something to provide our solutions.

So for all of you struggling small business people that read my blogs looking for SEO tips, here’s your solution today.  Blog.  Make a connection with your customer or your prospect.  Fall forward just a tiny bit.  Write something.  Begin today.  You cannot change the economy today.  You cannot take out an expensive bill board ad today.  You probably will not win the lottery,  so do something about what is staring you right in the face.  Blog.

Happy Blogging!
Libby Lucas
www.ccpwebdesign.com

 

Verizon Droid Vs. Google Nexus. It’s a Geek Fight!

Poor Harry McCracken of PC World wrote an article comparing the Verizon Droid to the Google Nexus in an attempt to “alert” the rest of the technical junkies on the new Google product.  I didn’t think it was all that bad but the comments that followed the article were priceless! 

Numerous anonymous “experts” showed off their Geek-like technology prowess by one upping Harry with their lists of facts and insider info!  One nameless writer even claimed to be a journalist and a computer technician.  After touting his credentials, he went a step further to offer his services should PC World want to fire Harry.

What happened to constructive criticism?  This kind of drive-by sniping at each other really doesn’t raise the bar for good journalism.

Anyway, if you are trying to decide which phone to buy, my advice is to wait about six months.  Yes, a whole six months!  Because the true difference in the two phones is really more about the carriers.  The Droid runs on Verizon and the Nexus runs on T-Mobile.  The trick to finding a phone that will serve you well is to find the carrier with the best reputation for support.

And by support I don’t just mean coverage and reception; I mean a good 1-800 customer service system that can help you with the features your phone offers.  I wish I had another nickel for every nickel my company has made on teaching Blackberry users and IPhone users on how to get their email.  These new products have the cool factor but are meaningless if you can’t make a phone call or get your email!

If you absolutely have to have the latest bit of technology, stop obsessing on the features, go down to the phone stores and test drive each model.  My advice – select the phone that “feels” right, is easy to use and looks good with your everyday black purse!

Libby Lucas
www.ccpwebdesign.com
libby@ccpwebdesign.com

Having Social Networking Spam with your coffee this morning?

Whether it was Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa or just an opportunistic break from work, chances are you are back at your desk this morning opening up the internet world we all live and work in each day.  So if you are like me, you are sorting through the post-holiday platefuls of spam!  From my email to my Facebook and Linkedin accounts my new friends are trying to interest me in Viagra, weight loss, computer equipment, business advice and various other unmentionables.     It’s like a bad wreck on the interstate; you know you shouldn’t look but you just can’t help it.  It always amazes me to see the number of different methods they use to get through.

So can you be saved from this attack of random advertisements?   Not completely, but you can eliminate a fair number before they reach your email by using a good spam detector (Pineapp is my personal favorite).  If you cannot afford a spam device, at the very least use a good antivirus/spam product like Trend Micro.

My engineering counterparts at CCP are also fond of blocking spam at the point of the router and suggest using a professional firewall.

As for your social networking sites my recommendation is that you correspond frequently with the vendor to voice your complaints.  Facebook recently changed their privacy policies and upgraded protection for their users due to a grass roots proactive campaign by its’ members.

If you tweet then you are all too familiar with the offensive invitations to “follow” someone who is obviously not using the outlet appropriately.  Twitter is now addressing this issue due to membership complaints.  Keep them coming and hopefully they will upgrade the system.

Even using the latest equipment, software and business practices, some clever marketers will still get their message through the gauntlet.  I believe the most sage advice to keep your blood pressure from rising is to sort through the message with some levity.  Delete, enjoy your coffee and move on with your day!

New Google Phone???

Last weekend Google released "Google-branded" phones to some employees, fueling reports it will sell its own handset directly to consumers by 2010.  Yet Google has been cryptic about its wireless strategy and its motives remain shrouded.

Until now, Google has focused on developing Android, its own mobile software platform for the wireless phones, and licensing it for free to handset makers such as Motorola, Samsun Electronics and HTC Corp.  Just as recently as last month, a senior executive insisted Google had no plans to compete with its handset partners by making its own phone.

Many industry analysts think Google should stick to that pledge.  By producing its own phone and selling it directly, Google could alienate handset partners and actually harm its main goal of getting the company's software onto more mobile devices.

What's more critics say, Google would be entering a lower-margin business in which it has little expertise, as well as fundamentally alter its DNA as one of the most creative software companies in the world.  Success in hardware requires huge economies of scale and massive capital investiment, but much like the computer industry, profits have steadily been squeezed as the handset business is commoditized.  The bigger profits lie in software development, experts say.

Article by:  Jeffry Batash, Wall Street Journal

Edited by:  Libby Lucas, Carolina Computer Partners

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704-549-0125