Friday, November 19, 2004

Spyware and Firefox

Question:
I have three popular spyware programs installed on my XP PC.No matter which order I run them in, each one will detect atleast one item that the others missed. I was wondering, how many spyware programs are too many? Thanks for your thoughts on this.Submitted by: Brian V.

Answer:
I would suggest that three is already too many, and that the reason they always seem to pick something up is because they are finding items in each other's quarantine stores. I use only two, Lavasoft's excellent and easy-to-use Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/) and Spybot's Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html).

Spybot is good because it allows immunization of Internet Explorer to prevent it from downloading known spyware in the future.I think it is easy to go overboard with spyware checkers and be overly concerned about the results, since the majority of what they pick up are tracking cookies, which are not a big issue.

A more integrated approach is what is necessary, and I will explain what I mean.

1. Whenever you install new software, especially free software, run a spyware checker before and after to make sure it is not bundled with spyware.

2. Use a more intelligent, secure, and current browser. I use Mozilla's excellent Firefox browser (http://www.mozilla.org/), which is current with the latest Web standards (version 1.0 was released this week, I have used the beta version for six months), It has built-in pop-up blocking, themes, extensions, tabbed browsing (no myriad windows), is lean and clean (a less than 5MB download), and is very secure.

This one change alone has reduced my spyware to nearly nil, and I find myself running the checkers monthly and still finding only negligible amounts of spyware. I have virtually ditched Internet Explorer as bloated, insecure, and outdated.

3. Be careful about your browsing and downloading practices. Watch what you click OK to,and understand that nothing is free, the cost just may not be monetary.

4. Reduce your spam. I use Mailwasher, which bounces unwanted e-mail before I get it. It also has the advantage of deleting viruses, and I have not had a virus slip through for ages (but I still keep my antivirus app up-to-date.)

The Mozilla site also has an intelligent e-mail program called Thunderbird that is more spam-aware than Outlook Express.Other than that, include a good antivirus program and make sure everything is kept up-to-date.

I need to do very little to my system, and it has run very clean and happy for a long time. As I said at the beginning, you can go over the top and spend so much time concentrating on every little tiny nasty that you lose sight of the experience.

Like our own bodies nasties are around us and in us all the time and if we worry about everything and take antibiotics, and chemist stuff repeatedly, we'll make ourselves sick. In the Internet there are a lot of harmless little nasties that shouldn't make us go overboard as multiple spyware checkers, antivirus programs and firewalls will often clash with each other and cause their own problems.

Follow my advice above and you will rarely have to worry about them and then you can get back to enjoying the computer experience.

Submitted by: Michael F. of Perth, Western Australia

Firefox Browser

Firefox 1.0 Renews Interest in the Browser
By Trevor Bauknight

The Mozilla folks, with apologies to the Monty Python gang, aren't quite dead yet. They feel happy. They think they'll go for a walk.
What they've done is take advantage of the frustration many people (particularly Windows users) are feeling with the condition of their web browsing experience by releasing Firefox 1.0, a lightweight new browser based on years of redevelopment since Netscape's open-sourcing of Communicator in 1998.

Problems with spyware, pop-up ads, security flaws, indifference and downright hostility to standards-compliant behavior have made Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser one of the most widely reviled pieces of software ever. Of course, the fact that it's bolted tightly onto the Windows operating system that runs some 90% of the world's personal computers means that hundreds of millions of people worldwide use it regularly anyway.

While that isn't likely to change anytime soon, assuming Microsoft continues to develop MSIE as a component of Windows (standalone development has ceased), competitors are beginning to reclaim some of the web-browsing market they lost when Microsoft decided to give away its browser for free with the OS.

Firefox's developers are hoping to reach 10% of the browser market eventually, and even that is a tall order.But they have the product to do that and more.

Firefox is brilliant work from the moment you double-click on its installer. Some eight million people downloaded preview versions of Firefox in the months leading up to the 1.0 release, and their feedback helped refine the browser into a very slick package indeed

.After Firefox is installed, the first thing it lets you do is import your bookmarks and preferences from a variety of other browsers, most importantly MSIE. Gone are the dreaded days of reassembling all that meticulously put-together information and trudging through endless preference panels just to try out a browser.

The underlying technology is worth mentioning: Firefox is based around Gecko, the next-generation webpage rendering engine built from the ground up for efficiency and standards-compliance by the Mozilla developers and insecure ActiveX controls are eschewed in favor of Javascript and a cross-platform user-interface language called XUL.

But the real beauty is readily evident to everyone. Some of its features, like tabbed browsing, aren't new; but Firefox represents the best collection of features versus "feeping creaturism" I've seen since my jaw first dropped in 1993 when I saw a graphical World Wide Web for the first time.

Tabbed browsing is remarkable, and will revolutionize the way you browse the web. It enables you to open numerous websites simultaneously and switch between them by simply clicking on the familiar tabbed interface.

Working at CafeID.com, for example, I can open a tab with our Webmail interface by itself and monitor that constantly while I maintain our website in another tab, handle web-based live support in a third and keep up with affiliates in a fourth! I like to keep my tab-bar visible at all times (even in the rare instances when I only have one site open) just because it's so easy to right click and open a new tab to see another site without losing your place on the first one.

Live Bookmarks represents a step forward in keeping up with the rapidly-changing nature of today's Web, with all its content-driven blogs and news sites. Live Bookmarks makes receiving RSS-syndicated feeds a snap, eliminating the need for a separate aggregator program.

Popup Blocking is central to Firefox, and not an afterthought or an aftermarket accessory as it is on the MSIE side. Google search is built right into the toolbar, as well...no need to add that capability. And what's not included in Firefox can probably be added. A whole raft of extensions is already available for downloading.

Speaking of downloading, Firefox weighs in at only about 4.5 megabytes, making it a manageable download even on a dialup connection. There's no reason not to give it a shot, and we think you'll never willingly go back to MSIE once you've been reminded or possibly seen for the first time how good web browsing can be.

Firefox is solid and secure, earning hearty recommendations from CERT (the Computer Emergency Response Team - heavyweights in the world of computer security), the Wall Street Journal, which recommended dumping IE altogether and many others. We unreservedly add our own recommendation to the list of them, and hope you'll do yourself a favor and help take back the Web.Firefox can be downloaded at www.mozilla.org. While you're there, you might want to check out Thunderbird, an excellent Mail/Groupware client similar to Microsoft's Outlook, also based on Mozilla

.================================================================Trevor Bauknight is a web designer and writer with over 15 years of experience on the Internet. He specializes in the creation and maintenance of business and personal identity online and can be reached at trevor@tryid.com. Stop by http://www.cafeid.com for a free tryout of the revolutionary SiteBuildingSystem and check out our Flash-based website and IMAP e-mail hosting solutions, complete with live support.
================================================================

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Six Steps To Success

Six Steps To SuccessBy James Duggan

If you have been online for more than a day you have seen the outrageous claims being made.

Some claim they make more in one week that most earn in a year.

Some claim they can build your mailing list to the size of a small city in 24 hours.

Others claim that, if you just pay a small fee, they will actually build your business for you with no work on your part.

Gimme a break!

There IS a proven path to success on the Internet, but it's not by lying to people and looking like a fool.

It IS by following in the footsteps of other successful people, people of integrity and substance, and by following a simple plan.

And I'm going to give you a sneak peek at that plan right now, free.

Here now are the six steps to success online.

1. Be yourself.

If you are a laid back type of person don't go for those programs that offer the razzle dazzle approach. It just won't fit you and people will know.

If you have only 5 hours a week to commit to a program don't let some eager beaver convince you that you can squeeze 10 hours into the five. You will be frustrated at best.

Knowing what you want and knowing what you are comfortable doing are two very important keys to succeeding online.

2. Go for quality.

It has often been said that when a person believes in what they are doing their business becomes more fun than work. I can tell you first hand that this is true.

You are a person of quality. Don't align yourself with anything less than a product or program that you would be happy to share over the dinner table with friends or a family reunion.

Life is too short to not be completely proud of how you make a living online.

3. Think long term.

No real business was built in a week or a month and yours will be no exception. Yes, the Internet gives us some *huge*advantages over offline businesses, and success can come quickly indeed.

The key here is to look at your business as business, not a scheme. The more you invest of yourself, the more return you will receive.

The beautiful thing about doing business online is something called residual or passive income. Be sure to look for a business that offers you the chance to work once and be paid for that work many times by building a team of associates who can share your success.

4. Get a mentor.

You must have a road map to success and you must *not* go it alone. Would you begin a cross country trip without a map or a guide?

Now that the Internet is maturing, we can see from experience that one of the differences between those who succeed quickly and easily and those who learn by costly and painful trial and error is obvious.

The ones who succeed in record time are those who have helpi n the form of a mentor.

Someone to help them. Someone to answer questions. Someone to help them avoid the mistakes that are all too easy to make.

Of the six steps outlined here, finding a great mentor is my#1 suggestion. It simply works!

5. Offer what people really want.

Many people online get all excited about a great product but then can't succeed in marketing it. The reason is that they have put "the cart before the horse" and don't understand the process of marketing.

Your mentor will help you find great products. He or she will undoubtedly point you toward products that people really need and want, and will buy online.

Products that people use in their everyday lives, and not odd or unusual products are what people buy online.

6. Check it out.

No matter what business you choose, check out the company before you commit. Any company worth considering will have both testimonials on file and someone you can communicate with who has succeeded with their opportunity.

Don't simply read a sales letter and become convinced. Ask the questions you would recommend that your son or daughter would ask if they were considering a home business.

Doing business online is incredibly rewarding. Being able to earn income by helping others, not punching a time clock,and having the freedom to set your own hours are the 21st Century dream come true.

If you use the six steps above, you can make *your* dream come true too!

************************************************************
James Duggan is living his dream right now! “Jim” found a company to believe in, a mentor who helps him, and is creating a powerful residual income at FFSI with Anne Ahira and the Elite Team International. You can succeed beyond your wildest dreams when you have a mentor who cares, a company that is rock-solid and products you are proud to offer.Start your journey to success today at: http://www.EliteTeam101.com




Sunday, November 14, 2004

Taking Control

The Key to Taking Control
by: Brian Tracy

Stress management requires that you take complete control over the activities of your daily life. This means that you plan your day, set priorities and work on high value tasks.

The indispensable key to time management is concentration, the ability to focus single-mindedly on one thing, the most important thing, and to stay with it until it is 100% complete.

This is not only the hardest challenge that a manager faces, but the ability to concentrate single-mindedly is probably the rarest single ability in the workplace.
Most of our important tasks take large chunks of time. We need to plan and organize our days in such a way that we allocate these chunks of time so that we can do the jobs upon which our success depends.

The wonderful thing about setting priorities and concentrating single-mindedly is that, the very minute that you do these two things, you will begin to feel a tremendous sense of control and well-being.

As you work progressively toward the accomplishment of your most important tasks, you will feel a flow of energy and enthusiasm. As you finish something that is relevant and significant to your company and to yourself, you get a burst of energy. Your self-esteem improves. You feel good about yourself. You have a wonderful sense of making measurable progress toward greater successful in your career. You feel like you are making a difference.

On the other hand, working on small tasks or low priority items simply causes you to feel more and more stress. Even if you finish a dozen or a hundred of these minor and irrelevant low value tasks, you get no feeling of satisfaction or accomplishment.

Now, here are two ideas you can use immediately to concentrate single mindedly on the highest value use of your time.

First, analyze your work before you begin and then ask yourself, “What one thing, if I did it quickly and well, would have the greatest impact on my work?” Whatever it is, go to work on that one item immediately.

Second, once you have begun on a high value task, discipline yourself by repeating over and over, “Back to work, back to work, back to work!” This will keep you focused and on track until you finish the job.
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Friday, November 05, 2004

Following Up

Really Great Article On Following Up
I found this article a while back in an article directory.It had reprint rights and I copies it with the intention ofrunning it in my ezine, but I never did. I think it's thebest article I've ever read on follow-up.
------- "Sorry But ...You Never Called"By Joe Robson


Hi,

I think you will remember me. About 12 months ago I visited your beautiful Website, and bought Book 1 of the series called 'How To Persuade Your Customers To Buy From You For Life - and Longer'.
It was excellent.


In fact I was so pleased that I decided to thank you, and to compliment you on your excellent customer service.
But you know how it is. I never quite seemed to get round to it. Never mind, I thought, those nice people are bound to send me a Thank you email. I'll hit reply and do it then.
But you never called!


After about a month I was beginning to feel confident about progressing to Book 2. But I wasn't absolutely sure if I was ready. I don't really like admitting this, but I think I needed a little 'push' from someone. To be honest I think I was secretly hoping you would contact me.
But you never called!

I felt a little silly at first, but your book said that most people need reassurance before making a purchase. They call it human nature.The book also said that a professional Website builds reassurance into its Sales Copy.

Well I certainly felt reassured when I bought from you. So I suppose it was there somewhere. All I know is that your Website made me feel like I could trust you.Anyway, about 2 months later I made up my mind that I would definitely buy book 2. But then a funny thing happened.While I was trying to find your URL a little voice in my mind began to question your professionalism. Isn't that silly? After all, a company with such a beautiful Website like yours MUST be professional.
And then it hit me!
OF COURSE. You hadn't got in touch because you didn't want to seem too pushy! The book said that lots of people are like that. So I left my order just a little longer.
But you still never called!

Then one day I stumbled across a Website that was selling Book 2. I was surprised because I thought I could only buy it from you. It was a super site and very professional, and that's something I always look for in a business.
But you'll never guess what happened. I'm ashamed to say, that on the spur of the moment I bought Book 2. Sorry, but I was thinking of buying it anyway and I just couldn't help myself.It turned out to be a really brilliant book. And I made up my mind to email them with my thanks. But you know how it is. I never seemed to get round to it.
Then they called!

It was a really nice email thanking me for my business. I was absolutely thrilled they had taken the time to send it. It was from a terribly nice European guy called Otto Responder. His grammar was excellent but seemed to lack that, you know, personal touch. It was probably his accent. But it was still kind of him don't you think?So I replied immediately and later they put my email on their Website as a Testimonial.

You have no idea how pleased I was when they asked for my permission. Mind you I was a little disappointed that Otto never asked me. He seemed like such a gentleman. And so prompt!Anyway, they were so pleased with the extra business they made because of my Testimonial, that Otto emailed me to say I was now a Privileged Customer, and as such I qualified for a discount on Book 3. And if I bought Books 3 and 4 together I would receive an even bigger discount.
Imagine ME, a privileged customer. I was so proud!
Then they called!

It was Otto Responder again and he reminded me that such a big discount on Books 3 and 4 could only be given if I purchased within 7 days. So naturally I grabbed the chance while I still had time. Well, wouldn't you? And it's always such a pleasure to deal with real professionals. Don't you think?
I'm on Book 573 now.
And do you know they STILL call me! Isn't that nice?
And yet, even though I'm delighted with Otto's service, I do sometimes feel a little twinge of guilt. After all I bought Book 1 from you. And like it says in the book, customers are usually pretty loyal.
So I hope you're not too displeased with me. But you're such a professional company I'm sure you're only too happy I'm being well looked after.
And I know you will believe me when I say I really did intend to buy from you.
But you see ......
You never called!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Joe Robson owns The Newbie Club at http://newbieclub.comand is the author of Make Your Words Sell with Ken Evoy at http://myws.sitesell.com/marketing_tools1.html His universally respected Web Copywriting tutorial site is at http://adcopywriting.com

Time Management

AN ILLUSTRATION OF TIME MANAGEMENT
One day an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget.

As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers, he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." Then he pulled out a one-gallon wide-mouthed Mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar.

When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?" Everyone in the class said, "Yes". Then he said, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar, causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the space between the big rocks. Then he asked the group once more. "Is the jar full?"

By this time the class was on to him. "Probably not," one of them answered.
"Good!" he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar, and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?" No! The class shouted.

Once again he said, "Good." Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!" "No," the speaker replied, "That's not the point.

The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."

What are the 'big rocks' in your life?

Your children, your loved ones, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others, doing things that you love, time for yourself, your health, your significant other.

Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all. If you sweat the little stuff (the gravel, the sand) then you'll fill your life with little things you worry about that don't really matter, and you'll never have the real quality time you need to spend on the big, important stuff (the big rocks).

So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: "What are the 'big rocks' in my life?". Then, put those in your jar first.


Cheryl DrangstveitBusiness Support SpecialistWomen's Business Center