This is the first edition of a new format I am
starting. Each newsletter, I will try to find some tool that you
may not know about that can help you to become more efficient in using
your computer, point out some story from the technology press that
will inform you about the "brave new world" we live in, and
tell you something about what I am doing in my consulting practice
that may be helpful to you or someone you know.
I welcome your feedback at any time. Hearing what you think
about my choices might help me to make better ones in the future.
Also, I appreciate your forwarding this newsletter to anyone you know
who might share your interest in these kinds of topics.
Thanks for your interest. I hope you find something of benefit
in each copy.
************************************************************************ Useful Tools: Do you get tired of filling out forms on the
Internet to get into sites that interest you? They all want your
name, address, e-mail, and lots of other information that doesn't
change. Now there is help available. This software is a
free download that you can use to enter your personal information
once, and it will enter it into all the other questionnaires you
complete on the Internet. You can store information about
multiple users, or set up your information differently for different
purposes. It also remembers and fills out passwords for you on
different sites.
Passwords often become a big problem on the Internet because different
sites will impose specific requirements on their passwords that can
prevent you from using something that is easy to remember. Same
for user names. There is at least one other person out there in
the ether that goes by "rgmyers", and he goes to a lot of
the same sites that I do. This handy tool will create a file for
you that you can label with titles that you can remember. For
more information, go to: http://www.roboform.com/
Tech News of Interest: A current article in Business Week discusses the
problem of trying to communicate with technical people. This is
always a problem in the business world, and one that my practice works
to overcome. Amazing things are taking place in the world of
technology, and it can make a substantial difference in the operation
of a business. It won't happen until there is effective
communication. Business people need to know about the new things
that are available, and how to make use of them to enhance their own
productivity. For some insight to the problem, go to: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jun2001/sb20010626_875.htm
News from the shop: Most of my time recently has been devoted to
learning about, and telling my clients about, how to use the Internet
to bring people to your business. Most small businesses have the
same problem of becoming known and recognized for the services and
abilities that they have to offer. The Internet can be a
powerful tool for overcoming that problem, but only if one learns to
use it effectively.
I have been greatly surprised to find that most developers of web
sites are not familiar with the techniques required to bring users to
a site. I find it hard to come up with an explanation for that
being true. I can only surmise that it is because most
developers come into the field from technical or graphic backgrounds
and they just aren't attuned to the business problem of making
yourself known to the community.
Seminars and workshops about web development that I have seen don't
offer much information about this topic. They tend to be more
focused on "high power graphics" and ways to "make your
site exciting", but these are not characteristics that draw
people to the site. In fact, many times they are
counter-productive, as they can contribute to longer load times, which
will drive visitors away from a site.
I have published a few "tips" on elsewhere
on my site. Reviewing these may help you understand better what works
and what doesn't. This is something that you need to know if you
are contemplating starting up your own web site. Learn something
about it before you choose a developer. It may save you a lot of
headaches and unproductive investment.
Call or write us now to arrange for a free initial consultation
(by phone or e-mail) to identify the ways that we can help you become a more modern, efficient and competitive business.
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