The Refresh Orlando Heirs

Are you truly using technology in your web business? Before you
answer yes, stop a moment and consider how many promotion or
marketing tasks take place at your website without you lifting a
finger.

Perhaps your site signs up new opt-in subscribers for you while
you sleep. If so, that’s ONE automated task. Maybe orders are
accepted securely without your intervention. That’s TWO. But can
you keep counting?

If you have a little trouble going beyond that, what follows
will help you.

As you probably already know, perhaps the most powerful of all
applications on the Internet is the CGI script. CGI stands for
the “Common Gateway Interface”. It is a standard for interfacing
external applications with information servers, such as HTTP or
Web servers. If you have a website, more than likely you already
have cgi based software running at your site. But your profits
could probably benefit greatly from a few more.

Now don’t worry, I’m not going to go into a long, boring
explanation of how to install cgi scripts. I’ll save that for
the techhies. Instead, I’ll simply share a wide variety of
scripts that are ideal for small business owners looking to grow
website traffic and sales.

(Note: If you’re not at all familiar with CGI,
http://www.cgi101.com/ is a great place to learn about how it
works. Remember, if it all seems too confusing, fear not. Using
CGI can be as simple as picking out a script and having someone
else set it up!)

Anyway, on with the scripts…

Automark http://www.superscripts.com/scripts/automark.html

Automark is a cgi script that will automatically pop up a
“bookmark” suggestion box for first-time visitors to your
website. While this can be accomplished using straight javacode,
this script will not annoy regular visitors by popping up the
window every time they return. The first time a new visitor hits
your “target page” the bookmark window pops up, but never again.
This is a great way to get your site bookmarked by more visitors.

MailNow http://www.mailnow.co.uk/

MailNow allows you to provide web-based email to your users. Its
web-based email product provides unlimited addresses for
multiple domains. A free email account is a great giveaway that
ensures constant repeat visitors to your site.

Master Subscriber Pro
http://willmaster.com/master/subscriberpro/index.shtml

This program automates joint ventures with other ezine
publishers. Using this script your visitors can subscribe to an
unlimited number of ezines without leaving your website to do
so. Locate a few ezine publishers with traffic comparable to
yours and you’ll all increase your new subscriber signups!

Protect It http://www.cgi-world.com/protect_it.html

This script offers a simple way to setup .htaccess or .nsconfig
type user authentication to your web directories using username
/ password. It is a solid solution for managing private site
signups. This script features auto- creation and expiration of
accounts, account edit features, a customizable email template,
and many other configurable settings.

Master Reciprocal Links
http://willmaster.com/master/rlinks/index.shtml

Most search engines favor sites with links from other similar
sites. But growing and maintaining a list of links can be a lot
of work. Here’s a free script that will automate these tasks for
you. Not only does the program make it easy to maintain a links
page, it also finds out who the cheats are!

Your Own Associate Program
http://www.palis.com/new/yoap16/index.htm

Leverage the efforts of hundreds or even thousands of other
webmasters by opening up an affiliate program at your site. This
script by Paul Galloway runs my program automatically and is
used by many high-profile marketers.

Master Syndicator
http://willmaster.com/master/syndicator/index.shtml

Do you offer articles, images or other content to webmasters, to
use on their own sites? Here’s a way to automate the process –
for you AND them! This script lets webmasters add two lines of
JavaScript code on their page at the location where your content
is to appear. Then, all you do is paste your column into your
own Syndicator form and with one click you can automatically
update every syndication websites’ pages, all at once. Pretty
slick eh?

CDomain Pro http://www.cdomain.com

This script contains a domain lookup which helps your visitors
find existing domains and it also includes a powerful domain
name wizard. The wizard combines descriptive words that your
visitors enter and presents them with a list of related domain
names that are available. If you are a domain name reseller,
this lightning-fast, user friendly script is ideal, as it can
take your visitors right to your domain name registration
service. I liked this one so much I had it installed at my site!
You can demo it at: http://www.bizweb2000.com/wizard.htm

If you feel that any of these scripts would enhance your
website, visit the URL and learn more. Or, if you have an idea
for your site and would like to automate the process, you can
search for a script at <www.cgi-resources.com>.

And remember, don’t pass up a script because of limited
knowledge of cgi. While you can install cgi scripts on your
server yourself, you can also hire someone else to do it. The
key is to never stop transforming your site into a powerful lead
and sale generator - and these scripts do just that!

VoIP, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol, is a new
technology that utilizes the routing of voice conversations over
the Internet. Basically, individuals can now use their broadband
Internet connections to place phone calls rather than using
their traditional phone lines. Ideally, the sound quality is the
same as that of a standard telephone line and therefore the
people on the other end of the phone call will never know the
difference.

The technology, though complex, is quite direct. The VoIP
provider takes the regular, analog voice conversations and
converts them into data that can then be sent across the
Internet using a high-speed broadband connection. At the other
end of the call, the data is converted back into an analog
signal that the conventional telephone system can deliver to the
person whose number was initially dialed. All of this is
accomplished seamlessly while using normal telephones at both
ends. In other words, you don’t have to speak through your
computer’s microphone in order to get the most out of VoIP
services.

There are many advantages to switching over to a VoIP service,
but the biggest one is cost. For the most part, long-distance
and international calls will be significantly less expensive for
individuals using a VoIP service rather than a traditional
long-distance or international plan. Most VoIP service providers
also offer a number of additional free features already
established with traditional phone plans, such as Call Waiting,
Caller ID, Voicemail and more.

There are other advantages as well. For example, because of the
convergence between your VoIP phone service and the Internet,
some providers will even allow you to receive Voicemail messages
as email attachments. Also, if you have a cable broadband
connection, you may be able to keep your current telephone
number as well.

Signing up for a VoIP plan is actually quite simple. Really, all
you need is a broadband Ethernet connection such as DSL or
cable, any touch-tone phone (corded or cordless) and a credit or
debit card with a U.S. billing and shipping address. Your VoIP
provider will supply you with the proper phone adapter upon
signing up, usually at no additional cost. As for the person on
the other end of the call, all they need is a regular phone.
They don’t need to use a VoIP service or even have an Internet
connection for the call to go through.

Lastly, although VoIP calls are placed through your Internet
connection, they will not affect your ability to use your
computer. Thus, if you wish, you can continue to surf the web
and send emails while you’re on the phone. Also, because VoIP
utilizes your Internet connection and not your computer, your
computer does not even need to be turned on in order for you to
place a call.

For more information and articles relating to VoIP and the Voice
over IP industry, please visit us at http://www.useVoIP.org

Starting out in business is expensive and so business owners come to the conclusion that they can take care of everything themselves. Wrong! The job of a business owner is to market their business and increase profits.

Taking care of administrative tasks takes you away from your main focus. There are so many tasks to take care of on a daily basis, if you attempt them all on your own; you will burn out very quickly. Thousands of people start businesses each year, less than half succeed; you don’t want to be the half that didn’t make it.

Let’s take a look at a day in the life of a busy business owner;

1. Check email
2. Follow-up on previous day inquiries from potential clients
3. Send out marketing materials to 1 client
4. Update website information
5. Update and send out billing information to clients
6. Schedule appointment for consultation with potential client
7. Answer the phone
8. Spend at least 30 minutes marketing on-line
9. Call to get quotes for office supplies
10. Attend a networking event

Accomplishing everything on this list along with the other tasks that will come up during a typical day can hinder the progress of your business and family time will become a rarity. Think about it this way, how much business would you lose if you took several days to get back with clients, or if you forgot an important meeting.

A Virtual Assistant provides you with the administrative support that you had access to in your former corporate life. The rates for virtual assistants are higher than you would pay for a temp or an in-house assistant BUT with a VA you are only paying for productive time and YOU can set the budget. If you can only afford to spend $150 per month for an administrative tasks, choose the most time consuming tasks and delegate those to your VA. Do not choose a VA because of the rate they charge, cheaper is not the way to go!

VA’s provide soho’s with a cost effective solution for their administrative needs. They work from their home office and use their own equipment, office space, software; they also pay for their own taxes, insurance, benefits. You only pay for the time spent on the project. It seems to me that spending money on a VA is money well spent!

Gaáinne Foley is the owner of A Job Well Done, a virtual assistant business specializing in providing human resources and administrative support to businesses and entrepreneurs. Complete information on services offered can be found on her web site. Don’t forget to subscribe to her FREE newsletter, “A Virtual Revolution” and visit her blog at http://www.virtualstaffing.blogspot.com For more information, please visit http://www.ajwd.com

Whether you’re buying your first cell phone, upgrading to a newer one or contemplating a new cell phone plan, it’s a good idea to thoroughly research your purchase. There are a multitude of companies, cell phone plans and rates available. You can pick from family plans, prepaid time cards, and plans tailored to your specific needs. The list, like the beat, goes on. The purpose of this article is to help guide you through the large amount of choices. This article includes some suggestions to help you decide which cell phone and cell phone plan is right for you.

One of the things to consider when looking for a new cell phone is what cell phone accessories you need and want. It’s also wise to acquaint yourself with some websites that rate and review cell phones and cell phone accessories. Cell phone companies such as Nokia, Motorola and LG provide easy to use quiz’s to help determine what cell phone is right for your busy lifestyle. Because you are busy, I have done a little homework for you and have come up with some ideas to help you make the right choice when buying a new cell phone.

There are a few factors to consider when buying or upgrading your phone. Part of what you want to look for in a cell phone is what rates are available if you are buying more than one phone. Many cell phone companies are currently offering “family plans” which make owning more than one phone very attractive.

The following are some guidelines to consider when researching a cell phone and cell phone plans purchase:

1. Economy

Advances in technology have revolutionized the communications industry. This technology has introduced the world to digital cameras and has also revolutionized the world of cell phones. This technology has enabled a cell phone to act as a camera and in some cases to fit in the palm of your hand. This is why the sky is the limit in the cases of some cell phone prices. You can pay as much as you like for all the internal options that a cell phone is equipped with. To further drive up the cost of your cell phone purchase, there are numerous cell phone accessories that are essential to the safe operation of the unit and some which are simply frills.

If funds are limited but you still need a reasonably good phone and corresponding cell phone plan, there are companies that provide cell phones free of charge with the purchase of a phone plan. These plans were previously called contracts and most of them were fairly long term (at least 3 years). This is no longer the case. Many companies like Verizon, T-Mobile and Nextel will provide a phone for free and won’t insist on a lengthy commitment.

Some Options To Consider:

Prepaid Cell Phones – Are they right for you?

If you are considering a prepaid cell phone, it is a good idea to ask yourself how often will you be using the phone. A prepaid cell phone can be more expensive than a regular monthly rate and contain hidden charges and restrictions. If you need a cell phone simply for occasional use, a prepaid cell phone is probably a good choice.

Family Plans – You Control who pays the bill.

Many companies are offering “Family Plans”. This is making owning a cell phone even more economical. These cell phone plans allow the owner to provide a family member or in the case of small business, an employee, a cell phone. The principal owner of the plan pays for the air-time (at a discounted rate) and long distance. Using a family plan for a small business is a great way to keep track of cell phone expenditures and keeping the telephone budget low.

Cell Phone Accessories – The costs add up!

When something shows up on the market, you want it…now! In the marketing world, you are known as an “Early Adopter” and Early Adopters always pay more. Communications companies love you! You are ultimately their test market to find out what consumers are willing to pay for the newest features and latest gadgets available as cell phone accessories. There are numerous pages on the World Wide Web of cell phone accessories. Numerous pages; so where to look? Start with Verizon or T-Mobile as they provide stylish phones free of charge. These cell phones come with many accessories included in the start up cost. If economy is an issue with you, stick with the basics. You will only need to buy the following items:

• Handsfree Car Headset
• Battery Charger

It isn’t a very sexy list but if economy is important to you then that is really all you need. BUT if economy isn’t number one on your list of what to look for in a cell phone, read on.

2. The Latest And Greatest – Can You Say “E A R L Y A D O P T E R?”

If you want the latest in technology, be prepared to pay for it. A minimum of $200.00 will buy only the most basic of cell phones. In the case of pricing for cell phones and cell phone accessories the sky truly is the limit. Nokia, Motorola, LG, Ericsson and Kyocera provide an established name in cell phone technology and they also provide cutting edge features in their repertoire of cell phone offerings. Check out their web sites for the latest and greatest in cell phone offerings.

3. Style – Looking Good For A Price

Many companies include face plates as a catchy cell phone accessory. You can wear your heart or your favorite sports team on your sleeve. Motorola, for example carries a cell phone face plate that features a major league hockey team. You can even pick up a purse to carry your cell phone to the most elegant occasions. Check out these “must have” little numbers on the Motorola site or one of the many other sites on the internet selling these aftermarket accessories. If you love color and need to match your cell phone to your Mercedes that is possible too!

Would you like something a little different? A cell mate is the thing to have. This cell phone accessory allows you to dress your cell phone. This item was adopted by Ashley Judd who is reported to have many different plush covers for her cell phones. These items are available from a limited number of cell phone companies and other manufacturers. Type your brand of cellphone and “cell mate” into your favorite search engine to find a unique cover for your cell phone.

4. Reliability – When You Need Your Cell Phone To Be Dependable

One of the most important features when looking for a cell phone is dependable service. There is no point in having a cell phone and the most up to date cell phone accessories if the phone is not reliable. Some cell phone companies advertise that they provide the best cell phone service but unfortunately this isn’t always true. Ensure that you deal with experienced cell phone service providers such as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile.

5. Rate Plan Flexibility

Phone plans – finding what’s right for you.
Family plans, call home plans, free included cell phones and prepaid cell phones! There’s a multitude of choices but what is right for you? Your lifestyle will indicate what type of phone plan you need. If your cell phone is your main source of communication and half your life is spent on your cell, you need a plan that will guarantee you the most air time for the least amount of money. If you have children and want to give them the opportunity to have a cell phone but want to control the amount of time they use it , a family plan may be the right choice for you. Perhaps you need to call a certain phone number regularly, then a “call home” plan is the choice that serves your needs best. Do your research to find the best fit possible. Gone are the days when you had to fit the cell phone plan; today companies such as Verizon and AT&T make sure that the cell phone plans fits you.

The Choice Is Yours – The Sky’s The Limit

As you can see, there are lots to look for when shopping for a new cell phone. This article covered only a portion of the information available on the World Wide Web and in the Marketplace. I hope you found it helpful in your search for just the right cell phone company for your unique lifestyle. Keep in touch!

About the Author

Lillian Fuller is a talented freelance writer providing tips about cell phones, cell phone plans and cellular accessories. Her articles offer valuable insight on many different topics.
© 2004 http://www.cell-phone-n-plans.com/

Obviously the first thing you need to do is figure out what to paint on the wall. When I know what I want to paint, I typically follow that up by finding different representations, photos, drawings to use as a reference, or by going to a location to take some pictures that I can use as a model. For example, if I wanted to paint a seascape I might drive around the beach area where I look for objects or scenery I want to include in my painting. Most times I am piecing together a scene to create my mural.

Once you have what you need to put together your scene, painting the background first is essential. I start at the top and work my way down. So I lay down the sky first, then the horizon, where I may have mountains, trees, water or land. After I have my background in I will place my other objects, such as people, cars, roads or whatever the subject may be. Sometimes I hand paint in these objects and sometimes I may use a projector first to cast the image on the wall, trace it out and then hand paint it. A projector is very helpful to maintain the correct proportions and to help in placement of the object.

You may be wondering what medium to use on a wall. I use a mixture of acrylic paint that you can buy in any craft or art supply store and also latex paint that you would purchase by the gallon in a paint or hardware store. Both of these mediums dry quickly and clean up easily with water. Also, acrylic paint has no fumes so working with it will not bother you during the process. I typically purchase a gallon of extra bright white paint that I mix with the acrylic colors. This will stretch your dollar, because purchasing small tubes of acrylic paint alone can add up quickly especially if you are painting a large area.

Once you have finished your mural, I suggest painting a clear coat of polyeurothane over it to protect it. Look for a coating that will not yellow with age. The clear coating allows cleanup in case of dirt or fingerprints.

If you would like to see a variety of mural photos and mural ideas, please visit www.silverspoonmurals.com. Teresa Shoucair is a mural artist and faux painter living in South Florida in the Tampa Bay Area.

A Patch is a small cloth badge affixed to a garment as a decoration or an insignia, as of a military, Below are steps for making good patches:-

1. Look at your original artwork/embroidery design to have an idea to get the final shape of the Patch.

2. The blank Patches available there are not in our use here. We have to do them ourself.If you want to do yourself, you have to think first about the material to be used as BASE. For some materials, different than normal digitizing settings are required like compensation, density, stitches appearance (Satin or Step/Tatami) etc.

3. Digitize the design keeping the idea of creation in your mind. You should know what type of outline you have to add, embroidered or overlocked. If the patch has to be sewn lately on the jacket and the sewing line is outside the patch, you have to add an extra line of Running stitches as a reference cutting line. This line should be about 5mm. Sometimes, the patch is overlocked at the outer line and the Resultant Patch is sewn between embroidered line and overlock.In this case, you can use the same line to overlock the patch.

4. Make a sample of your digitized file to confirm the required result. You can edit the design at this point if there is something to be edited. Make sure every aspect of the design is acceptable.

5. Set a single sheet of Base material (back attached with Fusing by Heated Roller or Ironing) on the machine parallel to no.of heads. Now, set your machine for space and direction with all the normally required settings to repeat the same stitching for the number of patches you need. You just have to check thread breakage.

6. Press the whole sheet of patches by pressing in the Roller.You can cut the sheet in maller pieces to press them with iron. If you have to make the patch Hard, fix the hardening stuff with any adhesive on the back and press with care to avoid any damage to the embroidered side.

7. If the patch has Embroidered Outline, cut along it with a good scissors and use a Soldering Iron to smooth/soften edges.

8. Overlock the patch edges if it has to be overlocked.

9. Check all the produced Patches for any Trimming or Cleaning .

10. The patches are ready for your customer or for the sewing on the jacket etc. This is the way we do Patches which is almost the same for Badges and Emblems.

About the Author
The Article is written by Megri Embroidery Digitizing Team specialized in Embroidery Digitizing and Artwork Color Separation. See http://www.megri.net/ for more information on Embroidery Digitizing Services.

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