Reaching Out To Clients

What's your favorite way to publicize your events and keep your clients informed?  I'm using Constant Contact, Facebook Events and Google Calendar on my Web site.  That's a lot to manage every time I create a new event.  Entering things two or three times can get old after a while.  I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Facebook Fan Page Changes

We're almost there!  Come Sunday morning we will all be using then new Facebook Fan page format.  Like it or not, there are some big changes.  Personally, I like the new Cover Photo concepts.  Instead of the little 2" X 6" sidebar image available in the original page format, we have a full 850 X 315 pixel canvas we can use to paint our billboard.  As always, Facebook has rules about how you should use this space.  But it seems these are more guidelines than hard and fast rules since many of the business covers I see have contact info included.  Still, you should be familiar with these guidelines and be prepared to modify your cover if required.

Aside from the Cover Photo, the tabs/links to your photos page and other Facebook content such as events and blog posts are no longer on the left side side of the page.  Now they are large (111 x 74 pixel) image buttons.  The images are, for the most part, customizable.

Another cool feature I like the admin panel.  This shows up at the top of your page when you visit (it doesn't appear to non-admin visitors).  You can check out you page's activity at a glance or hide it if you don't want to see it.

It's also easy to keep an important post at the top of your feed by "pinning" it.  To do this simply hover your mouse over your post and click the edit button that appears.

I think overall you'll like the change.  But, in typical Facebook fashion, no one asked us.  We'll just have to learn to love it.

Here's a short video overview.  Here's a longer one with a lot more detail.

Just wondering how many of you ran out and got the New iPad last week?  Lots of commotion about heat and crashes.  It was downplayed in the media, but I've got to wonder.  Is this hot new toy TOO hot?

Enough Already!

As a business owner I understand it's important to advertise, but those of us that need it can't afford it.  And those that can afford it go over the top.

I've all but given up on broadcast radio. Whenever I hear the phrase "more music..." I know we're in for a long set of uninterrupted commercials.  Most of which will insult my intelligence, grate on my nerves, or probably both,  Well, that's what my iPod is for.

Broadcast TV isn't much better.  Thirty percent (or more) or more of most shows is advertising.  Often for other shows.  And the ads are repeated until I'm ready to scream - sometimes multiple times in the same break.  Don't get me started on the "fine print" that's impossible to read even on my large HDTV screen.  Worse yet, I'm paying over $100 a month to watch them!  Thank God for my DVR.

Then there are naming rights.  Remember when college bowl games had names like the Gator Bowl and the Sugar Bowl?  Or when sports venues were named after people,places or (gasp!) the the teams that played in them?  And let's not forget the Visa halftime show, the Konica Minolta BizHub Swing Cam and the official this, that or the other of the league.

For those of us who don't have thousands of dollars to spend on marketing, we have to count on people like Elizabeth Case at Yellow Dog Consulting to help us find the best way to get the word out about our awesome products and services.

A Cautionary Tale

OK, I screwed up.  I signed a lease for a couple of credit card machines a few years ago.  Business was booming and i wanted to make it easier for my customers to pay me.  Now I've got two credit card terminals gathering dust - they haven't been used in two years.

I called the leasing company (Northern Leasing Systems) today to find out my options.  After at least a half-dozen menus asking me to enter this or that information and several minutes on hold, I'm connected to a very surly woman who tells me I've got 1 months left on my contract.  I can transfer my contract to another schmuck and pay Northern Leasing Systems $130, or I can buy out my contract for $780.  Or simply suck it up until March of 2013, where I'd better remember to send a letter of cancellation.  Otherwise I'm automatically renewed!

Save yourself some trouble.  Talk to Stefanie or any of the folks at Platinum Merchant Processing and save yourself a few hundred dollars!

Dust Bunnies Kill!

Twice this week I've had people come to me with PCs that have been damaged by overheating.  It's not something people tend to think about, but heat is a real killer when it comes to computers. When a modern computer gets too hot it is designed to simply shut itself off.  This is an attempt to protect the delicate innards from permanent damage.  But a sudden shutdown can cost you any unsaved work and may damage your operating system.  Repeated shutdowns increase the change of file system damage.  And any time your computer gets too hot you run the risk of blowing a circuit or chip inside.

Here are some tips:

1. Check for dust!  Whether you have a laptop or a desktop, check the vents for dust from time to time.  If you see dust, turn off your computer and use compressed air or a soft brush to remove the dust.
2. If you work in a particularly dusty or dirty environment, consider having your computer professionally cleaned once or twice a year.  Check with your tech person or local computer shop for details.
3. Let it breathe!  So-called computer desks with little cubbyholes for your PC can actually trap the heat and make things worse.  Leave a few inches on all sides for air to circulate.
4. Laptops really shouldn't be used on your lap.  Laptops tend to radiate heat from the bottom of the computer and have vents in the back or sides.  Using the laptop on a soft surface can prevent the heat from dissipating.  Placing the laptop on a pillow or blanket is even worse.  Consider getting a lap desk with a hard surface.  You can use the laptop on any surface and still let it breathe.
5. Finally, don't pile stuff on top of your laptop.  Heat radiates through the keyboard as well.  Just ask my cat...,

Dus Bunnies Kill!

For the second tme this week I've had a client call me with a computer that has died on them unexpectedly.  The probable cause: dust.  Whether you have a laptop or a desktop computer, the system needs to breathe.  Over time dust collects in the vents, on the fan(s) inside the computer, and even on the components inside the PC.  This is especially critical with laptops.  The are so compact that it's difficult to dissipate heat in the best of circumstances.  If you fan and/or ventilation ports get choked with dust just a matter of minutes before your computer overheats.  Desktops usually are more forgiving since there is usually room for air to circulate.  Still, today's high-speed processors generate lots of heat and thus it doesn't to damage critical components if heat builds up.

The most common warning signs of heat buildup are unexpected shutdowns, poor performance and blue screen crashes.  Your computer typically shuts down before it overheats in order to prevent damage, but repeated close calls can cause damage to the CPU or other critical components.  Repairs are costly.

So how do you avoid overheating problems?  First and foremost you need to check your computer's vents (usually located on the side and/or back) for dust.  You can remove  dust with a few squirts of compressed air or a soft brush.  You should do this with the computer shut down

You want to make sure the vents are clear of other obstructions like papers, etc. 

If you have a desktop. make sure there's plenty of room for air to circulate. The little cubbyholes in "computer desks" can actually trap heat.  And make sure your computer is not next to a heater, in direct sunlight of over an air vent.

Contrary to popular belief laptops really don't work well on your lap.  Putting your laptop on a soft surface like a pillow, blanket or even your lap can block vents and trap heat.  If you want to use your laptop in bed or ion your lap, consider getting a lap desk with a hard surface.

Finally, watch out for cats.  Cats love a warm laptop for a quick nap.  Happy kitty, unhappy laptop.