by: Alan Spencer
Save money with ADSL
If you get a subscription right now, the first three months won’t cost you a thing. Depending on which deal you choose, this means you’re saving a lot of money. But this isn’t the only cool deal around, there are lots of different subscriptions to choose from and they all come with cool, money saving perks. If, for example, you like to extend your subscription with some extra security measures, it will be cheaper when you fix this with your ADSL provider than when you take care of it yourself.
The power of ADSL
With ADLS you get very fast internet which makes downloading big files more easy than it’s never been before. But how does it work? Without getting too technical, ADSL comes in through an analogue or digital phone line. This means the availability is very high. But there’s a minor flaw in the whole ADSL game. If you don’t live close enough to the power station, the speed of your internet goes down rapidly. Bandwidth always stays the same, but quality (speed) might decrease. Don’t worry though, it’s just something you might like to know. And it might happen, it’s not guaranteed to happen!
One or more providers
Another factor why ADSL is faster is that within most cable networks usually one provider rules the line. For real, you can’t choose another company. ADSL however is on your own phone line and you can see for yourself who holds that line. You don’t share it with others, and therefore the speed doesn’t decrease when others around you go online.
What do the others offer?
Of course it’s wise to look around so you can see what everyone has to offer. The choice isn’t really that big of a deal, as you can go online with whatever you choose. But what are the perks? The providers want new customers so they’re bound to have discounts and other win-win options. And your bank account wins too! The speed of your connection is just one of a few things you need to pay attention to. But surely, less money means more fun!
What’s the deal?
If you order an ADSL subscription you’ll get the so called Dongel. This device is free of charge and makes it possible to get online immediately. Of course your account first needs to be activated. This Dongel is very convenient when you’re on the road. Just switch it on and if there’s a Wi-Fi hotspot you can go online. On trains for example! You’ll save a lot of money, because as we all know Wi-Fi is free.
Why ADSL?
If you want to use fast and easy internet and you want to do this often. Because of the stable, fast connection that is ADSL, you can go online whenever you like. Unlike cable internet, you don’t share the connection with others so those other users don’t slow down your internet. And you can use the internet as much and often as you like, for a permanent amount of money. So no extra costs when you use it more than you did last month.
Showing posts with label Internet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Internet. Show all posts
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Thursday, November 04, 2010
How To Get Better Internet
by: Alan Spencer
Faster is better
Just think about it: how exactly do you use your Internet? Because if you’re thinking about getting a new internet subscription, it’s important you know how you use internet in the first place. There’s no reason whatsoever to get a very quick (thus more expensive) connection when all you do is write emails and surf around. A basic subscription will do. However, if you download a lot and there are several internet users around, you will need faster internet with a higher download and upload speed. Choose the subscription that suits the way you use internet. That way you won’t pay for something you won’t use. No one likes paying too much, huh?
Save money on stable WWW
Whether you’ve got super fast or standard internet, it has no influence on the stability and reliability of the internet connection. They’re both connected to the same network and speed has no influence on it, nor has in any influence in static or interruptions. But if you get a fast subscription right now, the first three months won’t cost you a thing. Depending on which deal you choose, this means you’re saving a lot of money. But this isn’t the only cool deal around, there are lots of different subscriptions to choose from and they all come with cool, money saving perks. If, for example, you like to extend your subscription with some extra security measures, it will be cheaper when you fix this with your provider than when you take care of it yourself. Saving money is good!
Come prepared: compare
It’s definitely a must to do some decent research before getting an internet subscription. Of course the costs are a valid reason to check things out, but there are other perks you want to make sure not to miss. Get the most out of your description, for example with a combination of digital (or high definition) tv or phone? Usually there are deals around and you want to check them out. Save money and see for yourself what are the cons and pro’s. Every offer has it’s cool perks, choose the best one! Except for the costs it’s wise to do a bit of research before you subscribe to a provider. Of course speed is a reason, but also the possibilities to make to most out of your internet connection. Lots of choices!
In short
Let’s recap. It’s important you know how you use internet while choosing an internet subscription. Don’t get a very quick (thus more expensive) connection when all you do is write emails. A basic subscription will do. However, if you download lots of stuff and there are several internet users around, you definitely need faster internet with a higher download and upload speed. So choose the subscription that suits the way you behave online. That way you won’t pay for something you won’t use. Super fast or standard internet, it has no influence on the stability and reliability of the internet connection. They’re both connected to the same network and speed has no influence on it! The only influence is noticeable in your wallet! Nice.
Faster is better
Just think about it: how exactly do you use your Internet? Because if you’re thinking about getting a new internet subscription, it’s important you know how you use internet in the first place. There’s no reason whatsoever to get a very quick (thus more expensive) connection when all you do is write emails and surf around. A basic subscription will do. However, if you download a lot and there are several internet users around, you will need faster internet with a higher download and upload speed. Choose the subscription that suits the way you use internet. That way you won’t pay for something you won’t use. No one likes paying too much, huh?
Save money on stable WWW
Whether you’ve got super fast or standard internet, it has no influence on the stability and reliability of the internet connection. They’re both connected to the same network and speed has no influence on it, nor has in any influence in static or interruptions. But if you get a fast subscription right now, the first three months won’t cost you a thing. Depending on which deal you choose, this means you’re saving a lot of money. But this isn’t the only cool deal around, there are lots of different subscriptions to choose from and they all come with cool, money saving perks. If, for example, you like to extend your subscription with some extra security measures, it will be cheaper when you fix this with your provider than when you take care of it yourself. Saving money is good!
Come prepared: compare
It’s definitely a must to do some decent research before getting an internet subscription. Of course the costs are a valid reason to check things out, but there are other perks you want to make sure not to miss. Get the most out of your description, for example with a combination of digital (or high definition) tv or phone? Usually there are deals around and you want to check them out. Save money and see for yourself what are the cons and pro’s. Every offer has it’s cool perks, choose the best one! Except for the costs it’s wise to do a bit of research before you subscribe to a provider. Of course speed is a reason, but also the possibilities to make to most out of your internet connection. Lots of choices!
In short
Let’s recap. It’s important you know how you use internet while choosing an internet subscription. Don’t get a very quick (thus more expensive) connection when all you do is write emails. A basic subscription will do. However, if you download lots of stuff and there are several internet users around, you definitely need faster internet with a higher download and upload speed. So choose the subscription that suits the way you behave online. That way you won’t pay for something you won’t use. Super fast or standard internet, it has no influence on the stability and reliability of the internet connection. They’re both connected to the same network and speed has no influence on it! The only influence is noticeable in your wallet! Nice.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Difference Between ADSL & Cable
by: Alan Spencer
Through the phone line
Although most people don’t even use their home phone anymore (cell phone, anyone?), the line that makes that connection is the main difference between ADSL and cable internet. ADSL enters your house through that line, while cable comes in via a datanetwork your cable company provides. Both connections are broadband.
So?
Cable goes through a network and that means you actually share the available connection with other people. And if those people like to download you’ll soon notice that the speed of your internet connection decreases. How ‘bout that! You’re paying for stuff that’s not even yours alone! ADSL on the other hand is just for you so there’s no sharing with the rest of the ‘hood. Be aware though: cable is not guranteed to be slower than ADSL! It can actually be faster…
Tech talk: ADSL
Without getting too technical, you might want to know ho wit works backstage. ADSL comes in through a analogue or digital phone line. This means the availability is very high. But there’s a big flaw in the whole ADSL game. If you don’t live close enough to the power station, the speed of your internet goes down rapidly. Bandwidth always stays the same, but quality (speed) might decrease. It might happen, it’s not guarenteed to happen!
Tech talk: cable
Cable is commonly described as a possibility to reach a high maximum download speed. But again, you share this with other people so you might end up paying for a service that doesn’t really live up to its prize…
One or more providers
Another factor is that within most cable networks usually one provider rules the line. For real, you can’t choose another company. ADSL however is on your own phone line and you can see for yourself who holds that line. That’s the law, to be exact. But the signal goes down if you’re too far from the power station, the maximum distance is said to be 4 km and basically that’s nothing.
So what’s the best choice?
First of all it’s wise to look around so you can see what everyone has to offer. The choice isn’t really that big of a deal, as you as you can go on the internet. But what are the perks? The providers want new customers so they’re bound to have discounts and other win-win options. And your bank account wins too! The speed of you connection is just one of few things you need to pay attention to. Some providers let you customize your subscription after sealing the deal. It’s important you get to have a say in things, as you don’t want to get stuck in a deal that doesn’t result in what’s best for you.
Compare gifts
While browsing around for internet subscriptions, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the extras the providers are, well, providing. A free phone for example, or tv on demand (internet tv). And think about how you want to use your internet. Are your main activities surfing and emailing? You will definitely not need a fast and expensive connection. But if you’re ready to download all those movies you still haven’t seen, you want to invest in the speed of your internet connection.
Conclusion?
You don’t share ADSL, but if you’re located too far from the power sation, this might have an influence on the speed of your internet. You do share cable with other people, and this might have an influence on your connection speed as well… whatever you choose, it’s a matter of trying and see for yourself. No matter how many neighbours you have, you’ll still be able to download stuff. Also when you’ve got ADSL!
Through the phone line
Although most people don’t even use their home phone anymore (cell phone, anyone?), the line that makes that connection is the main difference between ADSL and cable internet. ADSL enters your house through that line, while cable comes in via a datanetwork your cable company provides. Both connections are broadband.
So?
Cable goes through a network and that means you actually share the available connection with other people. And if those people like to download you’ll soon notice that the speed of your internet connection decreases. How ‘bout that! You’re paying for stuff that’s not even yours alone! ADSL on the other hand is just for you so there’s no sharing with the rest of the ‘hood. Be aware though: cable is not guranteed to be slower than ADSL! It can actually be faster…
Tech talk: ADSL
Without getting too technical, you might want to know ho wit works backstage. ADSL comes in through a analogue or digital phone line. This means the availability is very high. But there’s a big flaw in the whole ADSL game. If you don’t live close enough to the power station, the speed of your internet goes down rapidly. Bandwidth always stays the same, but quality (speed) might decrease. It might happen, it’s not guarenteed to happen!
Tech talk: cable
Cable is commonly described as a possibility to reach a high maximum download speed. But again, you share this with other people so you might end up paying for a service that doesn’t really live up to its prize…
One or more providers
Another factor is that within most cable networks usually one provider rules the line. For real, you can’t choose another company. ADSL however is on your own phone line and you can see for yourself who holds that line. That’s the law, to be exact. But the signal goes down if you’re too far from the power station, the maximum distance is said to be 4 km and basically that’s nothing.
So what’s the best choice?
First of all it’s wise to look around so you can see what everyone has to offer. The choice isn’t really that big of a deal, as you as you can go on the internet. But what are the perks? The providers want new customers so they’re bound to have discounts and other win-win options. And your bank account wins too! The speed of you connection is just one of few things you need to pay attention to. Some providers let you customize your subscription after sealing the deal. It’s important you get to have a say in things, as you don’t want to get stuck in a deal that doesn’t result in what’s best for you.
Compare gifts
While browsing around for internet subscriptions, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the extras the providers are, well, providing. A free phone for example, or tv on demand (internet tv). And think about how you want to use your internet. Are your main activities surfing and emailing? You will definitely not need a fast and expensive connection. But if you’re ready to download all those movies you still haven’t seen, you want to invest in the speed of your internet connection.
Conclusion?
You don’t share ADSL, but if you’re located too far from the power sation, this might have an influence on the speed of your internet. You do share cable with other people, and this might have an influence on your connection speed as well… whatever you choose, it’s a matter of trying and see for yourself. No matter how many neighbours you have, you’ll still be able to download stuff. Also when you’ve got ADSL!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
How To Make Money Offline - Using The Internet To Easily Achieve This Goal
by: Jeff Schuman
Are you trying to learn how to make money offline easily using the internet? There are many different ways that you can easily achieve this goal once you know some ideas that will help you get your own business started.
You want to be sure that you find a business idea that you like because this will make it much easier for you to build it to be successful. Otherwise, your business will eventually end up feeling like the dreaded job you are trying to get rid of.
Now that you know that important thing, you need to know some ideas that anyone can use to make money from your home offline using the internet. The following are some of the best ideas available to you:
1. MLM - This is an idea that many people have achieved success with and you can also. Starting this kind of business will mean marketing your business online and offline, but a lot of things will need to be done offline only.
With this business type, you have to market in as many ways as you can, offline marketing included. Talking to people face to face about your business is one of the best ways to market.
MLM offline is just as important as it is online if you are really serious about making money and achieving success.
2. Party plans - There are many businesses that you can start where you have parties in your home. You will use the internet for this business to market and for orders, but you will also do a lot of it offline.
If you are someone that enjoys hosting parties, then this could be your best option for starting a business.
3. Carpet cleaning - This service is one that many people want done for them and you can take advantage of that to start your own business. This is obviously a business that will be done offline, but taking it online is also smart for your business success.
4. House cleaning - Again, this is a service that so many people are willing to pay for. If you start a business doing this, then you will use both online and offline methods to build your business to be successful.
5. Your own products - If you enjoy creating products like gift baskets, jewelry or deserts, then this is a business that you will enjoy. This is the type of business that you definitely have to take online and offline in order to find the most success possible.
These are just a small number of the ideas that are available for you to choose from. You have to take time to search out all your options so you can choose the best business for you to start. Now that you have this important information about how to make money offline easily; all that remains is to get started with your search.
Are you trying to learn how to make money offline easily using the internet? There are many different ways that you can easily achieve this goal once you know some ideas that will help you get your own business started.
You want to be sure that you find a business idea that you like because this will make it much easier for you to build it to be successful. Otherwise, your business will eventually end up feeling like the dreaded job you are trying to get rid of.
Now that you know that important thing, you need to know some ideas that anyone can use to make money from your home offline using the internet. The following are some of the best ideas available to you:
1. MLM - This is an idea that many people have achieved success with and you can also. Starting this kind of business will mean marketing your business online and offline, but a lot of things will need to be done offline only.
With this business type, you have to market in as many ways as you can, offline marketing included. Talking to people face to face about your business is one of the best ways to market.
MLM offline is just as important as it is online if you are really serious about making money and achieving success.
2. Party plans - There are many businesses that you can start where you have parties in your home. You will use the internet for this business to market and for orders, but you will also do a lot of it offline.
If you are someone that enjoys hosting parties, then this could be your best option for starting a business.
3. Carpet cleaning - This service is one that many people want done for them and you can take advantage of that to start your own business. This is obviously a business that will be done offline, but taking it online is also smart for your business success.
4. House cleaning - Again, this is a service that so many people are willing to pay for. If you start a business doing this, then you will use both online and offline methods to build your business to be successful.
5. Your own products - If you enjoy creating products like gift baskets, jewelry or deserts, then this is a business that you will enjoy. This is the type of business that you definitely have to take online and offline in order to find the most success possible.
These are just a small number of the ideas that are available for you to choose from. You have to take time to search out all your options so you can choose the best business for you to start. Now that you have this important information about how to make money offline easily; all that remains is to get started with your search.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
The Truth About Aged Domains
by: Frank Breinling
Domains that have been registered and never dropped are called "Aged Domains".
These domains normaly sell for more than a new one because they have been around for a while. They're usually out of the Google Sandbox and for those who are looking for aged domains, it can help them manage a living online, having a history, or raise credibility in their niche markets simply because if the domain has been around for years, it appears that they have as well.
Aged domains can also be found on forums like DNForum.com and simply by typing in the keywords "Aged Domains" into the search bar you can easily locate domain auctions that include these older domain names.
I have purchased dozens of domain names for $40 or less that were anywhere from 5 - 10 years old. Just based on the age alone I was able to flip these domain names for over 5x what I paid.
For instance, one domain name I purchased was never used, meaning it had never featured a website on it, it just sat parked in the users account for over six years.
I purchased the domain for only $30.00 and because of its age, I was able to flip it for $379.00.
That's quite a boost in profit from a domain I paid so little for.
While there is no exact science how to flip domains here are a few things to keep in mind:
1) Development Potential
When you analyze the availability of domains in your list, consider what each domain name could represent and be used for when creating a website presence.
An example of which is whether the domain name is one that could represent a product title, or better served as a personal portfolio, a social community, a directory or perhaps a forum.
While the purpose of the domain name will unlikely match your ideas when it is sold, by thinking of a clear purpose for each domain name will not only help you make sound choices during the selection process, but can also be included in a domain auction, as a way of passing on the ideas to prospective buyers who are considering purchase.
2) Length
It can not be said enough, most of the domain names you purchase should be relatively short, basically consisting of two words.
3) Trademark Issues
Avoid registering any domain names that could infringe upon the trademark of existing companies, whether or not you believe that the company will take action or not should not be considered.
The last thing you want is to purchase a domain name that is unable to be sold due to buyers being cautious or concerned of building a website on a domain that ends up being seized by a company wishing to protect their identity.
4) Relevant / Popular Keywords
Does the domain name contain popular keywords that are used by those seeking out more information in search engines? If so, your domain name just increased its value instantly.
One of the easiest ways to determine whether a keyword is a common one is by using the free service available at www.SEOBook.com or www.Overture.com
5) Existing Traffic
If you are purchasing aged or recently expired domains, you will want to determine whether there is existing traffic to the website or not, thus increasing it's value immensely.
Organic, natural traffic sent directly from search engines is the best kind, however back links from other websites are also very important to potential buyers.
An easy way to determine the number of backlinks as well as page rank and other important information is by visiting www.CheckPageRank.net where you can enter in domain names and retrieve useful data relating to the name itself.
When it's time to register your domain names, you can use any registrar that you wish.
Personally, I use www.TLDwebshop.com , a favorite among the domain buyers and sellers. Regardless of the registrar you choose, you will want to make sure that you park them on service sites such as www.Afternic.com or www.Sedo.com so that you are able to generate revenue while you are preparing to sell the domain itself.
6) Spelling
Is the domain name easy to remember? If your customer would purchase the domain and build a business with this name, would he be able to easily brand it?
For example, domain names with double letters such as www.cashhour.com may often be mistaken for www.cashour.com, just the same, domains with odd spellings, hyphens or numbers would have to be clearly spelled out, or explained when someone is attempting to promote their website through word of mouth, rather than in print.
Consider this when registering domain names, and make sure that the names you choose will not be mistaken or misspelled by potential customers of yours, as well as the person who purchases it from you at the last end, otherwise your client will experience a significant loss in perceived value.
When choosing your domain names, there will be many factors that come into play.
The type of audience you are offering to, the auction sites you are featuring them on, the price range you are expecting and so on.
There is no 'one way' to do this, and you will learn to become a better domain evaluator (and purchaser) from hands on experience. Using the guidelines above however, will help you maximize your efforts and minimize your costs (and losses).
Domains that have been registered and never dropped are called "Aged Domains".
These domains normaly sell for more than a new one because they have been around for a while. They're usually out of the Google Sandbox and for those who are looking for aged domains, it can help them manage a living online, having a history, or raise credibility in their niche markets simply because if the domain has been around for years, it appears that they have as well.
Aged domains can also be found on forums like DNForum.com and simply by typing in the keywords "Aged Domains" into the search bar you can easily locate domain auctions that include these older domain names.
I have purchased dozens of domain names for $40 or less that were anywhere from 5 - 10 years old. Just based on the age alone I was able to flip these domain names for over 5x what I paid.
For instance, one domain name I purchased was never used, meaning it had never featured a website on it, it just sat parked in the users account for over six years.
I purchased the domain for only $30.00 and because of its age, I was able to flip it for $379.00.
That's quite a boost in profit from a domain I paid so little for.
While there is no exact science how to flip domains here are a few things to keep in mind:
1) Development Potential
When you analyze the availability of domains in your list, consider what each domain name could represent and be used for when creating a website presence.
An example of which is whether the domain name is one that could represent a product title, or better served as a personal portfolio, a social community, a directory or perhaps a forum.
While the purpose of the domain name will unlikely match your ideas when it is sold, by thinking of a clear purpose for each domain name will not only help you make sound choices during the selection process, but can also be included in a domain auction, as a way of passing on the ideas to prospective buyers who are considering purchase.
2) Length
It can not be said enough, most of the domain names you purchase should be relatively short, basically consisting of two words.
3) Trademark Issues
Avoid registering any domain names that could infringe upon the trademark of existing companies, whether or not you believe that the company will take action or not should not be considered.
The last thing you want is to purchase a domain name that is unable to be sold due to buyers being cautious or concerned of building a website on a domain that ends up being seized by a company wishing to protect their identity.
4) Relevant / Popular Keywords
Does the domain name contain popular keywords that are used by those seeking out more information in search engines? If so, your domain name just increased its value instantly.
One of the easiest ways to determine whether a keyword is a common one is by using the free service available at www.SEOBook.com or www.Overture.com
5) Existing Traffic
If you are purchasing aged or recently expired domains, you will want to determine whether there is existing traffic to the website or not, thus increasing it's value immensely.
Organic, natural traffic sent directly from search engines is the best kind, however back links from other websites are also very important to potential buyers.
An easy way to determine the number of backlinks as well as page rank and other important information is by visiting www.CheckPageRank.net where you can enter in domain names and retrieve useful data relating to the name itself.
When it's time to register your domain names, you can use any registrar that you wish.
Personally, I use www.TLDwebshop.com , a favorite among the domain buyers and sellers. Regardless of the registrar you choose, you will want to make sure that you park them on service sites such as www.Afternic.com or www.Sedo.com so that you are able to generate revenue while you are preparing to sell the domain itself.
6) Spelling
Is the domain name easy to remember? If your customer would purchase the domain and build a business with this name, would he be able to easily brand it?
For example, domain names with double letters such as www.cashhour.com may often be mistaken for www.cashour.com, just the same, domains with odd spellings, hyphens or numbers would have to be clearly spelled out, or explained when someone is attempting to promote their website through word of mouth, rather than in print.
Consider this when registering domain names, and make sure that the names you choose will not be mistaken or misspelled by potential customers of yours, as well as the person who purchases it from you at the last end, otherwise your client will experience a significant loss in perceived value.
When choosing your domain names, there will be many factors that come into play.
The type of audience you are offering to, the auction sites you are featuring them on, the price range you are expecting and so on.
There is no 'one way' to do this, and you will learn to become a better domain evaluator (and purchaser) from hands on experience. Using the guidelines above however, will help you maximize your efforts and minimize your costs (and losses).
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Best Place To Post Resumes Online
by: Silas Reed
If you are about to end your academic career and step into the world of employment, or you want a quick change in your job, then you first need to know the places where you may post your resumes. You need to post your resumes to such places where you will get the immediate attention of many organizations at the same time. This article focuses on the places and sites where you can post your resumes and immediately draw the attention of reputed organizations.
If you happen to be in college or almost on the verge of qualifying from your institute then you need to know something about the career centre of your college. Most good and reputed colleges over your country have a career center, but the question is how do you find that out? You need to visit the website of your college or institute and find out about this center.
You can get your account created there and post your resumes. The career centers of most colleges have good links with businesses all over the country. They very often come to college campuses in order to conduct open interviews. Many a times they can send you a letter asking you to sit for an interview. So you can benefit a lot from these networks.
You may also post your resume over sites that are exclusive to your states like the alabamajobs.com or to you can have it posted in monster.com. Many people have posted their resume online and they have bagged jobs which has been very promising and good for them.
There are innumerous sites where you may post your resume online. With just a press on the button you can upload your existing resume without any trouble. Again there are many sites where you have the option of cut and pasting your resume with the help of a resume building wizard.
In order to save some amount of time it is always a good idea to start with some of the top job sites. Try and make a note of your login name and password and remember the sites where you have uploaded your resume. This technique would be of good help to you if you want to make any changes in your existing resume.
You will come across many employers who would not find the idea of posting their open jobs in job sites a very good idea. They find it far more convenient if they are able to have their links posted at job sites.
It is very easy for them to pick the right candidates from these sites when they have their jobs posted online. They also get to save some money in this way, since most job boards charge an amount more than $200 in order to post a single job.
If you are about to end your academic career and step into the world of employment, or you want a quick change in your job, then you first need to know the places where you may post your resumes. You need to post your resumes to such places where you will get the immediate attention of many organizations at the same time. This article focuses on the places and sites where you can post your resumes and immediately draw the attention of reputed organizations.
If you happen to be in college or almost on the verge of qualifying from your institute then you need to know something about the career centre of your college. Most good and reputed colleges over your country have a career center, but the question is how do you find that out? You need to visit the website of your college or institute and find out about this center.
You can get your account created there and post your resumes. The career centers of most colleges have good links with businesses all over the country. They very often come to college campuses in order to conduct open interviews. Many a times they can send you a letter asking you to sit for an interview. So you can benefit a lot from these networks.
You may also post your resume over sites that are exclusive to your states like the alabamajobs.com or to you can have it posted in monster.com. Many people have posted their resume online and they have bagged jobs which has been very promising and good for them.
There are innumerous sites where you may post your resume online. With just a press on the button you can upload your existing resume without any trouble. Again there are many sites where you have the option of cut and pasting your resume with the help of a resume building wizard.
In order to save some amount of time it is always a good idea to start with some of the top job sites. Try and make a note of your login name and password and remember the sites where you have uploaded your resume. This technique would be of good help to you if you want to make any changes in your existing resume.
You will come across many employers who would not find the idea of posting their open jobs in job sites a very good idea. They find it far more convenient if they are able to have their links posted at job sites.
It is very easy for them to pick the right candidates from these sites when they have their jobs posted online. They also get to save some money in this way, since most job boards charge an amount more than $200 in order to post a single job.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Facebook - A New Way to Communicate
by: Frank Breinling
Social media marketing is here to stay. It is the new way of communicating for both businesses as well as individuals. With all things, there are fans and there are cynics. However, there is no denying its impact. A crucial tipping point in how the world communicates has been passed. Online social media is now mainstream. Nearly everyone has some method of social media be it Twitter or Facebook. Facebook and Twitter have certainly become the main tools by which small businesses and the upwardly mobile engage the outside world.
From the rise of Facebook a new method of marketing has developed. Social Media Marketing is now one of the primary means of relating new products and services to the world. Social media is perfect for getting the word out. It is fresh, fast and free. Sure, there is some effort to it after all, you have to Tweet or write on your wall several times daily, but it's free. Let's say it again. Free.
Facebook allows you to freely contact your friends, family, potential employers and potential customers. You can market yourself or business by establishing an engaging online profile. You have the potential, if you are clever and savvy, to reach out to and influence a wide customer base. Friend people, Write on their walls, Create events that will post to their walls, Comment on someone's status, Review a movie, Play games, Having fun is now work—how awesome is that?
Games and Pay Per Click
Companies create games now as a means of advertising their product. For a grand and a half you can create a viral game that reaches literally millions of potential customers. Users may also choose to use affiliate sales links to earn a little extra cash from Facebook.
You also have the option to create a Facebook PPC campaign and create an ad that will be run according to keyword searches. Facebook offers you the opportunity to advertise to a broad demographic, and create a series of social actions that will enable you to grow your business across the community of millions. Facebook makes it easy enough for a beginner to set up with its easy walk through and tutorial. However, if you are uneasy about starting a campaign yourself there are companies that will help you select the appropriate keywords and demographics.
Pay per click is an effective advertising method because you only pay per click, not per view. This is a different approach than say a commercial that people can forward past or leave the room during. You pay for the direction action, or curiosity, of your web user.
Whether you want to use Facebook to stay in touch, get a new job, or grow your business customer base, Facebook has the capacity to fulfill your needs if you can just learn your way around a few kingdoms.
Social media marketing is here to stay. It is the new way of communicating for both businesses as well as individuals. With all things, there are fans and there are cynics. However, there is no denying its impact. A crucial tipping point in how the world communicates has been passed. Online social media is now mainstream. Nearly everyone has some method of social media be it Twitter or Facebook. Facebook and Twitter have certainly become the main tools by which small businesses and the upwardly mobile engage the outside world.
From the rise of Facebook a new method of marketing has developed. Social Media Marketing is now one of the primary means of relating new products and services to the world. Social media is perfect for getting the word out. It is fresh, fast and free. Sure, there is some effort to it after all, you have to Tweet or write on your wall several times daily, but it's free. Let's say it again. Free.
Facebook allows you to freely contact your friends, family, potential employers and potential customers. You can market yourself or business by establishing an engaging online profile. You have the potential, if you are clever and savvy, to reach out to and influence a wide customer base. Friend people, Write on their walls, Create events that will post to their walls, Comment on someone's status, Review a movie, Play games, Having fun is now work—how awesome is that?
Games and Pay Per Click
Companies create games now as a means of advertising their product. For a grand and a half you can create a viral game that reaches literally millions of potential customers. Users may also choose to use affiliate sales links to earn a little extra cash from Facebook.
You also have the option to create a Facebook PPC campaign and create an ad that will be run according to keyword searches. Facebook offers you the opportunity to advertise to a broad demographic, and create a series of social actions that will enable you to grow your business across the community of millions. Facebook makes it easy enough for a beginner to set up with its easy walk through and tutorial. However, if you are uneasy about starting a campaign yourself there are companies that will help you select the appropriate keywords and demographics.
Pay per click is an effective advertising method because you only pay per click, not per view. This is a different approach than say a commercial that people can forward past or leave the room during. You pay for the direction action, or curiosity, of your web user.
Whether you want to use Facebook to stay in touch, get a new job, or grow your business customer base, Facebook has the capacity to fulfill your needs if you can just learn your way around a few kingdoms.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
What Domain Parking Is About
by: Frank Breinling
Domain parking is the registration of a domain name without assigning the domain to any particular services. This is usually done to house the domain until it is ready to be developed into a website. It is a simple way to make money from your undeveloped domain names. Your domain names will display targeted advertising links generated by a parking company. Domain parking is an advertising practice used primarily by domain name registrars and Internet advertising publishers to monetize type-in traffic visiting an under-developed domain name. The domain name will usually resolve to a page containing relevant advertising listings and links.
Parking Sites like Sedo.com offer a domain parking service, which generates the page with the pay-per-click links on it that redirect the visitor to other sites which might be relevant. You could also set up your own parked page, and just put pay-per-click ads on it of your own.
Check to see whether a fee is associated with transferring the domain. Checking for validity is very simple, a WHOIS on their domain name, or a simple search on the Internet (Google, Yahoo search) for their business name. Include the word scam, fraud into the query to specifically ask for negative results and if you could not find any relevant results then it could be they are really legitimate or they have changed their names, use another email address, use another company name or you are being worked by a new (not necessary inexperienced) scammer. Check to make sure you are using the right Logins and Passwords at the right area. The Login Id and Password are for access to the free modification functions from www.cadomains.ca , and the CIRA User Account and Private Password is to confirm information changes to CIRA.
Domain parking is really domain "monetization" business. Domain parking is the simple concept of taking a domain that you own, placing it on a host, and creating a website filled with ads. If a person happens to "stumble-upon" the website, there will be related content (to the domain name) that may lead them to what they are looking for. Domain Parking is an advertising practise used mostly by domain registrars and internet advertising publishers to earn revenue from type-in traffic to an blank domain. The domain will typically resolve to a page containing nothing but adsense ads or links to affiliate programs.
Sedo is a excellent choice . All you need do is buy an excellent domain name that is related to the niche you are targeting and then re-direct it to the parking company name server. Sedo is one of the more internationally oriented parking companies. This makes it your best choice for parking your country-specific domains.
Domain parking is the registration of a domain name without assigning the domain to any particular services. This is usually done to house the domain until it is ready to be developed into a website. It is a simple way to make money from your undeveloped domain names. Your domain names will display targeted advertising links generated by a parking company. Domain parking is an advertising practice used primarily by domain name registrars and Internet advertising publishers to monetize type-in traffic visiting an under-developed domain name. The domain name will usually resolve to a page containing relevant advertising listings and links.
Parking Sites like Sedo.com offer a domain parking service, which generates the page with the pay-per-click links on it that redirect the visitor to other sites which might be relevant. You could also set up your own parked page, and just put pay-per-click ads on it of your own.
Check to see whether a fee is associated with transferring the domain. Checking for validity is very simple, a WHOIS on their domain name, or a simple search on the Internet (Google, Yahoo search) for their business name. Include the word scam, fraud into the query to specifically ask for negative results and if you could not find any relevant results then it could be they are really legitimate or they have changed their names, use another email address, use another company name or you are being worked by a new (not necessary inexperienced) scammer. Check to make sure you are using the right Logins and Passwords at the right area. The Login Id and Password are for access to the free modification functions from www.cadomains.ca , and the CIRA User Account and Private Password is to confirm information changes to CIRA.
Domain parking is really domain "monetization" business. Domain parking is the simple concept of taking a domain that you own, placing it on a host, and creating a website filled with ads. If a person happens to "stumble-upon" the website, there will be related content (to the domain name) that may lead them to what they are looking for. Domain Parking is an advertising practise used mostly by domain registrars and internet advertising publishers to earn revenue from type-in traffic to an blank domain. The domain will typically resolve to a page containing nothing but adsense ads or links to affiliate programs.
Sedo is a excellent choice . All you need do is buy an excellent domain name that is related to the niche you are targeting and then re-direct it to the parking company name server. Sedo is one of the more internationally oriented parking companies. This makes it your best choice for parking your country-specific domains.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Using the Internet to Find Your Niche
by: Theresa Truscott
The Internet is a wonderful place where users can find a great deal of information. However, many are not aware that the Internet is also where some savvy entrepreneurs can find lucrative business opportunities. Internet niche marketing is just one example of how those in the know can turn their hard work and dedication into profit. This is not to say that Internet marketing is a simple field where anyone can prosper but there are opportunities for those how are willing to persevere in their efforts.
Learning Internet Marketing Online
Believe it or not Internet niche market is a subject that can be learned online. It certainly helps for those who hope to prosper in this industry to have some knowledge of marketing and business before venturing in an Internet niche marketing campaign but it is not necessary. There is a great deal of information on organizing and executing a niche marketing campaign available online. This information may come in a number of different forms including websites offering informative articles, message boards focusing on the industry and ebooks which are available free of charge or for a fee.
Let’s first examine learning about Internet marketing through websites. Type the search term, “Internet niche marketing” into your favorite search engine and you will likely receive millions of search results. Shifting through all of the search results would be rather time consuming and many of them would likely not be relevant. Fortunately the search engines do a great deal of work for you and the most useful websites will likely appear on the first couple of pages of search results. This still leaves you with a great deal of information to sort through but considering you are likely planning to turn niche marketing into a career this research is certainly worthwhile.
Carefully examine the search results you obtain from your search and bookmark the websites which seem most useful. Next take as much time as necessary to comb through all of these websites to find the most useful information. Take notes as you do to create a comprehensive resource for yourself. After this review your notes and investigate items which seem unclear to your further. This research may include offline resources such as books or phone calls to experts in the industry.
Search Engines are Your Friend
Now that you have already used the Internet to learn about the industry of Internet marketing, you probably know that finding a profitable niche is imperative. A niche is essentially a specific area of interest. Ideally you will already be an expert in this subject and it will be a subject which has a wide Internet audience without a great deal of existing websites focusing on this niche. Once again, you can turn to the Internet for finding this niche.
You may already have a few ideas for niches. These are probably subjects you are passionate about and understand very well. Examining statistical information provided by popular search engines regarding the popularity of search terms related to your niche will give you a good indication of whether or not Internet users are interested in your niche. If keywords related to your niche are searched on these search engines often, it is evident there is an audience for your niche. Next it is time to enter these keywords in a search engine and evaluate the websites which are provided as results for these keywords. If there are many strong results the niche can be considered saturated. In this case, it is a good idea to abandon the original idea and search for another niche. However, if there are not many high quality search results, you may have found your perfect niche.
The Internet is a wonderful place where users can find a great deal of information. However, many are not aware that the Internet is also where some savvy entrepreneurs can find lucrative business opportunities. Internet niche marketing is just one example of how those in the know can turn their hard work and dedication into profit. This is not to say that Internet marketing is a simple field where anyone can prosper but there are opportunities for those how are willing to persevere in their efforts.
Learning Internet Marketing Online
Believe it or not Internet niche market is a subject that can be learned online. It certainly helps for those who hope to prosper in this industry to have some knowledge of marketing and business before venturing in an Internet niche marketing campaign but it is not necessary. There is a great deal of information on organizing and executing a niche marketing campaign available online. This information may come in a number of different forms including websites offering informative articles, message boards focusing on the industry and ebooks which are available free of charge or for a fee.
Let’s first examine learning about Internet marketing through websites. Type the search term, “Internet niche marketing” into your favorite search engine and you will likely receive millions of search results. Shifting through all of the search results would be rather time consuming and many of them would likely not be relevant. Fortunately the search engines do a great deal of work for you and the most useful websites will likely appear on the first couple of pages of search results. This still leaves you with a great deal of information to sort through but considering you are likely planning to turn niche marketing into a career this research is certainly worthwhile.
Carefully examine the search results you obtain from your search and bookmark the websites which seem most useful. Next take as much time as necessary to comb through all of these websites to find the most useful information. Take notes as you do to create a comprehensive resource for yourself. After this review your notes and investigate items which seem unclear to your further. This research may include offline resources such as books or phone calls to experts in the industry.
Search Engines are Your Friend
Now that you have already used the Internet to learn about the industry of Internet marketing, you probably know that finding a profitable niche is imperative. A niche is essentially a specific area of interest. Ideally you will already be an expert in this subject and it will be a subject which has a wide Internet audience without a great deal of existing websites focusing on this niche. Once again, you can turn to the Internet for finding this niche.
You may already have a few ideas for niches. These are probably subjects you are passionate about and understand very well. Examining statistical information provided by popular search engines regarding the popularity of search terms related to your niche will give you a good indication of whether or not Internet users are interested in your niche. If keywords related to your niche are searched on these search engines often, it is evident there is an audience for your niche. Next it is time to enter these keywords in a search engine and evaluate the websites which are provided as results for these keywords. If there are many strong results the niche can be considered saturated. In this case, it is a good idea to abandon the original idea and search for another niche. However, if there are not many high quality search results, you may have found your perfect niche.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Where to Find Free Online Magazines and White Papers
by: Christian Wu
The advent of the internet has changed the way people go about their daily lives. It also changed how people do business and it also gave easy access to different information by way of interactive media. There are now millions of websites containing all kinds of information for any topics and subject any person can think of. As many companies go paperless, people who have access to the internet can now read online magazines and download white papers.
Online access to magazine subscriptions and digital white papers
Online magazines are electronic versions of the typical magazine. In most cases, the online versions contains pretty much the same content and information as the conventional magazines while some have different contents and contents that are only available online or vice versa. While there are magazines that offer free subscription, there are also those who charge a minimal fee. For some people, subscribing to online magazines are a cheaper alternative and is more practical as most are supplemented with other features such as mailing lists, dynamic contents, links to other related topics and online chat.
White papers on the other hand are reports that are written by academics and industry professionals who are experts in their fields. White papers talk about a varied subject such as data management, network security, politics, management, directory services, frame relay, finances, and other topics. It often include case studies of real world exploration on various subjects as well as charts and graphs, photographs, and a list of resources such as names of companies, industry experts, universities, associations, websites, and other white papers. They can be found in many websites and most can be viewed free, while some are quite long and requires to be downloaded and read with the use of other special software.
These publications are especially helpful to companies in making business decisions such in a case where they are looking into investing in a new technology as they often provide examples on best practices, e-commerce methods, practices to avoid and some papers often describe what an expert’s position is regarding a topic.
Free access to information and magazine subscriptions
There are thousands of free online resources. These resources are varied with numerous categories ranging from business to marketing and the automotive industry.
Trade Pub is a website that offers free magazines such as Profit magazine, a publication that is distributed to more than 110,000 C-level executives and provides business leaders with a road map on turning their technology investments into top and bottom line advantages. Overdrive is a publication that serves primarily commercial truck owner-operators and small fleet owners, as well as company drivers. Their editorial focus helps owner-operators and small fleet owners be successful in managing businesses. One can also request free access to white papers such as Oracle’s "Business Agility: Strategies for Midsize Organizations" or Perceptive Software’s "Going Green? Choose ECM."
So what qualifications do I need to receive a free subscription?
The publishers are solely responsible for determining the specific requirements needed to receive their publications free of charge. Generally, one or more of the following is required:
1. your work requires you to be informed and up-to-date about the subject matter covered by the trade publication,
2. you need information about the types of products that are advertised or discussed in the trade publication, and/or
3. you evaluate, recommend and/or purchase types of products that are advertised or discussed in a trade publication.
Publishers are interested in specific job titles and job functions, but may also evaluate and determine qualification based on other criteria asked in their qualification form. Additionally, publishers' criteria may change from time to time, based on their overall demographic needs and requirements.
The advent of the internet has changed the way people go about their daily lives. It also changed how people do business and it also gave easy access to different information by way of interactive media. There are now millions of websites containing all kinds of information for any topics and subject any person can think of. As many companies go paperless, people who have access to the internet can now read online magazines and download white papers.
Online access to magazine subscriptions and digital white papers
Online magazines are electronic versions of the typical magazine. In most cases, the online versions contains pretty much the same content and information as the conventional magazines while some have different contents and contents that are only available online or vice versa. While there are magazines that offer free subscription, there are also those who charge a minimal fee. For some people, subscribing to online magazines are a cheaper alternative and is more practical as most are supplemented with other features such as mailing lists, dynamic contents, links to other related topics and online chat.
White papers on the other hand are reports that are written by academics and industry professionals who are experts in their fields. White papers talk about a varied subject such as data management, network security, politics, management, directory services, frame relay, finances, and other topics. It often include case studies of real world exploration on various subjects as well as charts and graphs, photographs, and a list of resources such as names of companies, industry experts, universities, associations, websites, and other white papers. They can be found in many websites and most can be viewed free, while some are quite long and requires to be downloaded and read with the use of other special software.
These publications are especially helpful to companies in making business decisions such in a case where they are looking into investing in a new technology as they often provide examples on best practices, e-commerce methods, practices to avoid and some papers often describe what an expert’s position is regarding a topic.
Free access to information and magazine subscriptions
There are thousands of free online resources. These resources are varied with numerous categories ranging from business to marketing and the automotive industry.
Trade Pub is a website that offers free magazines such as Profit magazine, a publication that is distributed to more than 110,000 C-level executives and provides business leaders with a road map on turning their technology investments into top and bottom line advantages. Overdrive is a publication that serves primarily commercial truck owner-operators and small fleet owners, as well as company drivers. Their editorial focus helps owner-operators and small fleet owners be successful in managing businesses. One can also request free access to white papers such as Oracle’s "Business Agility: Strategies for Midsize Organizations" or Perceptive Software’s "Going Green? Choose ECM."
So what qualifications do I need to receive a free subscription?
The publishers are solely responsible for determining the specific requirements needed to receive their publications free of charge. Generally, one or more of the following is required:
1. your work requires you to be informed and up-to-date about the subject matter covered by the trade publication,
2. you need information about the types of products that are advertised or discussed in the trade publication, and/or
3. you evaluate, recommend and/or purchase types of products that are advertised or discussed in a trade publication.
Publishers are interested in specific job titles and job functions, but may also evaluate and determine qualification based on other criteria asked in their qualification form. Additionally, publishers' criteria may change from time to time, based on their overall demographic needs and requirements.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Working Of An Email Security Solution
by: Styan Williams
You are taking a big risk when you are connecting your system to internet nowadays because of the ever-increasing flow of viruses and spam mails. Even the personal information stored in the system and the passwords will be taken out of the network without authorization through the malware and spyware attacks.
You will have to keep in mind that internet is not a secure place any longer. The basic nature of internet is being insecure these days. Even browsing through the websites can prove to be fatal. You will not even realize that your system is infected until something turns out to be wrong. This is the main reason why more and more people are getting concerned about the internet security. One among the major problems related with using emails and internet is the constant flow of spam mails. Email spam protection is of great importance because of this phenomenon.
You must take immediate and drastic steps to get rid of these issues so that you will not have to regret later. Carefully selecting the passwords was one among the techniques to ensure the safety while using internet. However, things have changed and thus data backups and file permissions have gained a lot of importance in the recent times. Cyber crimes are increasing tremendously. This is the main reason why hiring a firm that offer secure email service is of utmost importance irrespective of the nature of internet usage. Even though some security tasks will be conducted by the operating system automatically, other tasks should be managed as well as monitored by the users so that the protection is effective. Firewall can be called as the primary level of defense. The firewalls will allow the computer to connect to secure and trusted sources. There are two main types of firewalls namely, software and hardware firewalls. Even though the techniques used by these firewalls differ from one another, the function remains the same. They check for the trustworthiness of the ports and even the IP addresses.
Getting a email security solution must help you to get ample protection against viruses, spyware, malware and all other programs that may harm the working of the network and the system. You should keep all the requirements in mind when you are selecting a solution so that you will not be disappointed with the results obtained. Normal anti-virus programs will scan the disc and check for the viruses. The program will either quarantine or delete the viruses if any.
Even if you are making use of a good and reliable email security solution, you should also pay attention to the security threats. If you are receiving an email from an unknown source, you should directly open the attachment. Clicking on the active links can also be a bad idea, as it will redirect the page to websites that are full of spyware and malware. You will have to make use of your common sense when you are using internet. The aforementioned information will explain the working of an email security solution.
You are taking a big risk when you are connecting your system to internet nowadays because of the ever-increasing flow of viruses and spam mails. Even the personal information stored in the system and the passwords will be taken out of the network without authorization through the malware and spyware attacks.
You will have to keep in mind that internet is not a secure place any longer. The basic nature of internet is being insecure these days. Even browsing through the websites can prove to be fatal. You will not even realize that your system is infected until something turns out to be wrong. This is the main reason why more and more people are getting concerned about the internet security. One among the major problems related with using emails and internet is the constant flow of spam mails. Email spam protection is of great importance because of this phenomenon.
You must take immediate and drastic steps to get rid of these issues so that you will not have to regret later. Carefully selecting the passwords was one among the techniques to ensure the safety while using internet. However, things have changed and thus data backups and file permissions have gained a lot of importance in the recent times. Cyber crimes are increasing tremendously. This is the main reason why hiring a firm that offer secure email service is of utmost importance irrespective of the nature of internet usage. Even though some security tasks will be conducted by the operating system automatically, other tasks should be managed as well as monitored by the users so that the protection is effective. Firewall can be called as the primary level of defense. The firewalls will allow the computer to connect to secure and trusted sources. There are two main types of firewalls namely, software and hardware firewalls. Even though the techniques used by these firewalls differ from one another, the function remains the same. They check for the trustworthiness of the ports and even the IP addresses.
Getting a email security solution must help you to get ample protection against viruses, spyware, malware and all other programs that may harm the working of the network and the system. You should keep all the requirements in mind when you are selecting a solution so that you will not be disappointed with the results obtained. Normal anti-virus programs will scan the disc and check for the viruses. The program will either quarantine or delete the viruses if any.
Even if you are making use of a good and reliable email security solution, you should also pay attention to the security threats. If you are receiving an email from an unknown source, you should directly open the attachment. Clicking on the active links can also be a bad idea, as it will redirect the page to websites that are full of spyware and malware. You will have to make use of your common sense when you are using internet. The aforementioned information will explain the working of an email security solution.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
How You Can Build A Great Facebook Profile
by: Sameh Abdelhady
Facebook is the best social network and one of most favorite internet sites these days that persons of all age ranges are getting involved with. In case you really do not currently have a Facebook account, I highly recommend that you just go and register now. If you already have an account, it's time to start out employing it for your advantage. Facebook is not just a place where you'll be able to connect with your close friends, it can in fact be employed to further your individual brand and career. Here is how you possibly can use Facebook to its full potential:
Never stay inside your circle – You ought to get away from just communicating with your high school or college friends and begin interacting with persons within your business or other businesses that you desire to have into. An simple method to do that is to join groups that appeal to you as properly as make buddies with individuals that you would like to have to know.
Fill out your profile (fully) – The most effective profile on Facebook is often a complete one. This doesn’t mean you should submit your name and contact details, it just means you have to complete all of the fields available.
Do not be shy – The purpose of Facebook should be to connect and socialize with other members, so really do not be shy! Coomunicate back with other members by writing on their wall, commenting on ımages, asking your good friends questions, and most importantly telling all your good friends happy birthday. Performing all these tasks will enable others to have to understand who you actually are instead of just knowing your name.
Spice up your profile – Facebook Applications lets you spice up your profile by adding details that appeal to your interest. For example, Which places you've been before? Who are your top close friends? etc ...
Create it, and they won't come – You basically need to market your self on Facebook to turn out to be popular. In most cases this can be carried out from interaction, which I noted above, but you can also do things like including images of your self and other Facebook users. Whenever you do this the other persons that you just tagged inside the picture will get emailed, thus growing the number of individuals who see you on Facebook. Some from the other things to take into account are generating a group or a page on Facebook as nicely as generating your own application, which could be sent out to all your pals.
Retain your profile up-to-date – In the event you do not maintain your profile up-to-date it's going to commence dying down. By keeping it up-to-date it will acquire far more traffic and additional men and women will get to recognise you.
Facebook is the best social network and one of most favorite internet sites these days that persons of all age ranges are getting involved with. In case you really do not currently have a Facebook account, I highly recommend that you just go and register now. If you already have an account, it's time to start out employing it for your advantage. Facebook is not just a place where you'll be able to connect with your close friends, it can in fact be employed to further your individual brand and career. Here is how you possibly can use Facebook to its full potential:
Never stay inside your circle – You ought to get away from just communicating with your high school or college friends and begin interacting with persons within your business or other businesses that you desire to have into. An simple method to do that is to join groups that appeal to you as properly as make buddies with individuals that you would like to have to know.
Fill out your profile (fully) – The most effective profile on Facebook is often a complete one. This doesn’t mean you should submit your name and contact details, it just means you have to complete all of the fields available.
Do not be shy – The purpose of Facebook should be to connect and socialize with other members, so really do not be shy! Coomunicate back with other members by writing on their wall, commenting on ımages, asking your good friends questions, and most importantly telling all your good friends happy birthday. Performing all these tasks will enable others to have to understand who you actually are instead of just knowing your name.
Spice up your profile – Facebook Applications lets you spice up your profile by adding details that appeal to your interest. For example, Which places you've been before? Who are your top close friends? etc ...
Create it, and they won't come – You basically need to market your self on Facebook to turn out to be popular. In most cases this can be carried out from interaction, which I noted above, but you can also do things like including images of your self and other Facebook users. Whenever you do this the other persons that you just tagged inside the picture will get emailed, thus growing the number of individuals who see you on Facebook. Some from the other things to take into account are generating a group or a page on Facebook as nicely as generating your own application, which could be sent out to all your pals.
Retain your profile up-to-date – In the event you do not maintain your profile up-to-date it's going to commence dying down. By keeping it up-to-date it will acquire far more traffic and additional men and women will get to recognise you.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Why It’s Crucial To Have A Dedicated Server
by: Stu Pearson
A dedicated server is a single web server or computer on the internet that hosts websites and shows pages as viewers request. A dedicated server is within a network of computers, exclusively dedicated to one costumer or a large business, since it can meet many needs.
Dedicated servers are most commonly used in the web hosting industry; hundreds of sites are hosted under one dedicated server. A dedicated server is considered to be the next step on from shared hosting environments. Having your own dedicated server makes you free of worry about other websites slowing you down or crashing your server. Dedicated servers also give you total control, and allows for installing software on your website that opens doors for gaining extra performance.
The advantage of having a dedicated server is that the clients of the server can customize both hardware and software setup so they meet needs like faster data access and effortless accommodation of traffic on the site.
These dedicated servers come with good costumer service. The web host works with the client in making sure that the dedicated server meets the needs of the client. In cases of companies having several divisions like a chain of outlets, it is still crucial for each to have their own dedicated server because they can create many domains on a single server easily, which results in more efficiency rather than having to lease host space on different web servers for each division or outlet individually.
For large companies having websites for every dealership such as motorcycle manufacturers, the advantage of having a dedicated server is that the parent company can put all of the websites for each dealership under the same server.
Here’s how it works. Assume a company named “Taurus Cars Corp.” is running a series of dealerships, the parent company could host an individual website for every dealership. Each website may look like this; for the parent company “www.taurusmotorscorp.com”, for the dealership in Florida “www.taurusmotorsflorida.com “, for the dealership in Colorado “www.taurusmotorscolorado.com” and so on.
The advantage of this setup is the dealership in Florida is using the same online tools as the dealership in Colorado. Making the online presence of the company Taurus Motors Corp. very streamlined and cost-efficient, while making things significantly easier for the company’s administration and support, also known as customization and uniform of point of sale software. Considering the websites of each of the different divisions or dealerships residing on one dedicated server, makes this advantage beneficial in terms of increasing sales.
In some cases other business want to use dedicated servers for the sole purpose of customization, costumer service, and fast access. They host websites themselves or better yet sub-lease the extra space for interested companies to set up their websites and domains. The advantage derived by any business under a dedicated server is the ability to enhance security.
All these advantages imply that dedicated servers are the best option for most large companies or businesses. Hosting personal websites or small business websites in general doesn’t require a dedicated server, instead for this purpose you can lease from a standard web host.
A dedicated server is a single web server or computer on the internet that hosts websites and shows pages as viewers request. A dedicated server is within a network of computers, exclusively dedicated to one costumer or a large business, since it can meet many needs.
Dedicated servers are most commonly used in the web hosting industry; hundreds of sites are hosted under one dedicated server. A dedicated server is considered to be the next step on from shared hosting environments. Having your own dedicated server makes you free of worry about other websites slowing you down or crashing your server. Dedicated servers also give you total control, and allows for installing software on your website that opens doors for gaining extra performance.
The advantage of having a dedicated server is that the clients of the server can customize both hardware and software setup so they meet needs like faster data access and effortless accommodation of traffic on the site.
These dedicated servers come with good costumer service. The web host works with the client in making sure that the dedicated server meets the needs of the client. In cases of companies having several divisions like a chain of outlets, it is still crucial for each to have their own dedicated server because they can create many domains on a single server easily, which results in more efficiency rather than having to lease host space on different web servers for each division or outlet individually.
For large companies having websites for every dealership such as motorcycle manufacturers, the advantage of having a dedicated server is that the parent company can put all of the websites for each dealership under the same server.
Here’s how it works. Assume a company named “Taurus Cars Corp.” is running a series of dealerships, the parent company could host an individual website for every dealership. Each website may look like this; for the parent company “www.taurusmotorscorp.com”, for the dealership in Florida “www.taurusmotorsflorida.com “, for the dealership in Colorado “www.taurusmotorscolorado.com” and so on.
The advantage of this setup is the dealership in Florida is using the same online tools as the dealership in Colorado. Making the online presence of the company Taurus Motors Corp. very streamlined and cost-efficient, while making things significantly easier for the company’s administration and support, also known as customization and uniform of point of sale software. Considering the websites of each of the different divisions or dealerships residing on one dedicated server, makes this advantage beneficial in terms of increasing sales.
In some cases other business want to use dedicated servers for the sole purpose of customization, costumer service, and fast access. They host websites themselves or better yet sub-lease the extra space for interested companies to set up their websites and domains. The advantage derived by any business under a dedicated server is the ability to enhance security.
All these advantages imply that dedicated servers are the best option for most large companies or businesses. Hosting personal websites or small business websites in general doesn’t require a dedicated server, instead for this purpose you can lease from a standard web host.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Web Accessibility a Universal Goal!
by: Mr. Nidal A. Bousaleh
Over the last decay, an increase number of research were conducted to determine ways Information Technology can assist in meeting special needs to ensure universal accessibility. Findings to date suggest that by being more knowledgeable about accessibility issues, Web designers and developers are able to accommodate end users with special needs.
As we enter the knowledge age, it is no longer acceptable that people with limited or no vision are on their own when it comes to accessing the web, nor those with mobility problems are on their own when it comes to use a hardware. To ignore
website accessibility raises moral, business, and legal issues. It is morally wrong to discriminate
against disabled people on the web simply through lack of thought, consideration, or awareness. Many business web sites designed without considering accessibility issues result in loss of revenue. Some countries, such as the US, UK, and Australia has introduced legislation that requires organizations to adhere to accessibility issues.
In June 1999, the Disability Discrimination Act (1999) has been used to fight for access rights in
Australia. The 2000 Olympic Site Games, jointly developed by Sydney Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (SOCOG) and IBM was found inaccessible to the blind users, and SOCOG was fined A$ 20,000 [1].
The purpose of this paper is raising awareness among web designers and developers, to achieve universal web accessibility goal. The paper looks at the disability issues and the existing assistive technologies or methods used by disabled users to assist them in accessing the web.
Afterwards, the paper reviews guidelines for good web site design, and provides analysis for designing an accessible website. Furthermore, the paper highlights on the challenges and gaps in the web accessibility area.
Literature Review:
Two years ago, a Conference was held in ‘London’ and attended by representatives of commerce, industry, government, and the IT Sector aiming to raise awareness of the potential benefits of assistive technology to disabled users. The outstanding number of speakers highlighted through number of cases how technology can transfer lives. ‘Sue Bassoon’ a Business Development Manager at IBM said: “IBM’s goal is to have a speech recognition system as good as the human ear by 2010” [2].
The objectives of this literature is two folds: (1) explain how a particular disability (e.g.
visual impairment, mobility restriction, hearing impairment) can impede the use of the web, and what can be done to accommodate special needs; and (2) show how web designers and developers can construct accessible web sites to end users with disabilities, such as visual or hearing impairment.
(1) Disability Issues
The section begins with a descriptive part concerning disabled user functional limitation
and dependence on assistive technologies.
A- Vision Issues:
A web user who has no sight (totally blind) is likely to use the screen reader technology to reads a load the content of the web page. Other web users, with partial or poor sight need to be able to enlarge the text on web page using a screen magnifier.
B- Mobility Issues:
A web user may have mobility problems as a result of an accident or disease such as:(loss of limb, Injury, or aging process). The technologies used by users with mobility problems are:
- Sticky Keys: For users with one finger typing.
- Filter Keys: Ignores repeated strokes for people with hand tremors.
- Mouse Keys: Permits moving pointer with numeric keypad.
- Serial Key: Permits access to alternatives for mouse and keyboard functions such as Foot Mouse.
- Eye gaze: A video camera that racks eye movement as the user look at an on screen keyboard. It is customizable as how long a key must be looked at to be recorded. When system has identified the key looked at the symbol appears and the user look at next key.
C- Hearing Issues:
A web user may be deaf or experiencing problems with hearing due to the natural aging process. To assist those users the audio or video need to be translated to the ASL (American Sign Language) language of the deaf, in which certain signs represent words.
(2) Design for Accessibility
In the above section, the paper provided readers with a general knowledge about disability issues, disabled users, and the existing assistive technologies. This section is intended for web designers and developers, because it provides them with tips and guidelines on ways to design a good and accessible website. There are two main aspects
to take into account:
I- Look and Feel
Web designers need to present a user friendly interface that addresses specific ability needs. The designer should be able to describe ways disabled users interact with a website, and how they move through the pages and how they achieve their goals. Below, are helpful tips that designers need to consider when designing an accessible website.
- Web Designers & Developers; should follow the four principles of visual organization in the process of designing a website which are: Proximity, Alignment, Consistency, and Contrast.
- Web Designers & Developers; must avoid using HTML tables to control the layout, instead use style sheets.
- Web Designers & Developers; should use legible fonts, and font size to allow disabled users to easily change them from the browser interface.
- Avoid poor color contrast in your design, and do not use color for meaningful description.
- Avoid the use of animation, and flash which may affect users with photosensitive epilepsy.
- Avoid using Frames because it can pose problems for technology used by some disabled users.
- Try not to use graphics for menu and button forms.
- Avoid hiding menu items (using DHTML or applets)
II- Content
Web designers should organize content in a way that can provide ease of use and simplicity. Below, are helpful tips that designers need to consider when designing an accessible website:
- Use a clear language, and write short sentences.
For example, a web page should provide blind users with a short summary of what they can find. A Search Functionality is important because a blind person can’t scan the page, and will generally trust first result he/she receives.
- Add Accessible tags and attributes by using rich set of tags to enhance accessibility. For instance, an ALT tag is used to provide a text equivalent for images within a website. The
ALT text description is what the screen reader or talking browser will read to the blind users .
- Use clear link descriptions, and include links that a user can click to skip repetitive regions of the page.
- Ensure the pages are usable when scripts, applets, or style sheets are turned off or not
supported.
- All audio and video content should contain captions, transcription, and descriptive information.
Analysis:
It is estimated that 20% of the population has some kind of disability. The internet opens
a new window of opportunity and independence to disabled users from reading news to banking to conducting business. For example, by using the screen reader technology a blind user can listen to the latest newspaper published electronically. Similarly, a user with mobility problem who can not go out shopping to buy a newspaper, nor use a
keyboard or mouse independently, can rather use the eye tracking software that allow people to use a computer with nothing more than eye movement.
Nowadays, organizations are asking designers to make their web sites accessible and for
good reasons. First of all, the more people who can use a site, the more potential it can
generate. Online stores, in particular have a great deal to gain, since many people with
functional limitation problems, find it much easier to shop online. Most Web designers
are not personally opposed to the concept of making web sites accessible to people with
disabilities. In fact most accessibility errors on web sites are the result of ignorance. A large proportion of web designers and developers have simply never thought about accessibility issues. A small proportion of web designers (4%) do not understand the needs of users with disabilities; another (46%) understand some of the needs of users with disabilities. While only (26%) of designers understand most of the needs of users
with disabilities and can accommodate them [3].
The Challenges and Gaps of Web Accessibility:
In this section, we highlight the challenges and the requirements posed by user needs, to
access the web. We argue the need for a new approach to address accessibility issues, and
include it in each and every web project life cycle.We recognize that the vast majority of disabled users face challenges when accessing the web. Why is this? Is it the lack of technical solutions to meet their needs – absolutely not! You will hear today that there are new technological solutions to address even most extreme form of disability. Is it cost?
Again it is not! Some technical solutions, cost nothing at all, and already exist in software. So, What then? Is it that web applications are being developed that present challenges to accessible design? Is it lack of knowledge and skills to meet their needs?
There does seem a general lack of awareness of web accessibility issues. Web Designers and Developers, need to have a better approach to tackle the problem in each phase of the web development process. For example, during the requirement analysis phase a web developer must define the target audience of the site, and should take into account people with a combination of disabilities. In addition to this, during prototyping phase a web designer must have the knowledge to accommodate end users with special needs, and also the skills to meet their expectations.
Moreover, testing the web site using different
technologies is critical for a successful web site, to ensure it meets the accessibility
standards and user requirements [4].
Therefore, in each phase of the web development process, accessibility plays an important role. Accessibility and Usability should be completely embedded in web design and development cycles from beginning to end.
The future looks bright for web accessibility. It promises to educate web designers and developers about accessibility issues, through training courses offered at universities.
Conclusion:
The Internet offers independence and freedom. But, this independence and freedom is limited to certain users. Many websites are not created with accessibility issues in mind.
Whether it is the Web Designer lack of knowledge or ignorance, they exclude a segment of users that in many ways benefit from the internet [5].
In short, designing accessible websites does not require an enormous effort or time. It simply, requires commitment, and accountability, to achieve a universal goal.
Over the last decay, an increase number of research were conducted to determine ways Information Technology can assist in meeting special needs to ensure universal accessibility. Findings to date suggest that by being more knowledgeable about accessibility issues, Web designers and developers are able to accommodate end users with special needs.
As we enter the knowledge age, it is no longer acceptable that people with limited or no vision are on their own when it comes to accessing the web, nor those with mobility problems are on their own when it comes to use a hardware. To ignore
website accessibility raises moral, business, and legal issues. It is morally wrong to discriminate
against disabled people on the web simply through lack of thought, consideration, or awareness. Many business web sites designed without considering accessibility issues result in loss of revenue. Some countries, such as the US, UK, and Australia has introduced legislation that requires organizations to adhere to accessibility issues.
In June 1999, the Disability Discrimination Act (1999) has been used to fight for access rights in
Australia. The 2000 Olympic Site Games, jointly developed by Sydney Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (SOCOG) and IBM was found inaccessible to the blind users, and SOCOG was fined A$ 20,000 [1].
The purpose of this paper is raising awareness among web designers and developers, to achieve universal web accessibility goal. The paper looks at the disability issues and the existing assistive technologies or methods used by disabled users to assist them in accessing the web.
Afterwards, the paper reviews guidelines for good web site design, and provides analysis for designing an accessible website. Furthermore, the paper highlights on the challenges and gaps in the web accessibility area.
Literature Review:
Two years ago, a Conference was held in ‘London’ and attended by representatives of commerce, industry, government, and the IT Sector aiming to raise awareness of the potential benefits of assistive technology to disabled users. The outstanding number of speakers highlighted through number of cases how technology can transfer lives. ‘Sue Bassoon’ a Business Development Manager at IBM said: “IBM’s goal is to have a speech recognition system as good as the human ear by 2010” [2].
The objectives of this literature is two folds: (1) explain how a particular disability (e.g.
visual impairment, mobility restriction, hearing impairment) can impede the use of the web, and what can be done to accommodate special needs; and (2) show how web designers and developers can construct accessible web sites to end users with disabilities, such as visual or hearing impairment.
(1) Disability Issues
The section begins with a descriptive part concerning disabled user functional limitation
and dependence on assistive technologies.
A- Vision Issues:
A web user who has no sight (totally blind) is likely to use the screen reader technology to reads a load the content of the web page. Other web users, with partial or poor sight need to be able to enlarge the text on web page using a screen magnifier.
B- Mobility Issues:
A web user may have mobility problems as a result of an accident or disease such as:(loss of limb, Injury, or aging process). The technologies used by users with mobility problems are:
- Sticky Keys: For users with one finger typing.
- Filter Keys: Ignores repeated strokes for people with hand tremors.
- Mouse Keys: Permits moving pointer with numeric keypad.
- Serial Key: Permits access to alternatives for mouse and keyboard functions such as Foot Mouse.
- Eye gaze: A video camera that racks eye movement as the user look at an on screen keyboard. It is customizable as how long a key must be looked at to be recorded. When system has identified the key looked at the symbol appears and the user look at next key.
C- Hearing Issues:
A web user may be deaf or experiencing problems with hearing due to the natural aging process. To assist those users the audio or video need to be translated to the ASL (American Sign Language) language of the deaf, in which certain signs represent words.
(2) Design for Accessibility
In the above section, the paper provided readers with a general knowledge about disability issues, disabled users, and the existing assistive technologies. This section is intended for web designers and developers, because it provides them with tips and guidelines on ways to design a good and accessible website. There are two main aspects
to take into account:
I- Look and Feel
Web designers need to present a user friendly interface that addresses specific ability needs. The designer should be able to describe ways disabled users interact with a website, and how they move through the pages and how they achieve their goals. Below, are helpful tips that designers need to consider when designing an accessible website.
- Web Designers & Developers; should follow the four principles of visual organization in the process of designing a website which are: Proximity, Alignment, Consistency, and Contrast.
- Web Designers & Developers; must avoid using HTML tables to control the layout, instead use style sheets.
- Web Designers & Developers; should use legible fonts, and font size to allow disabled users to easily change them from the browser interface.
- Avoid poor color contrast in your design, and do not use color for meaningful description.
- Avoid the use of animation, and flash which may affect users with photosensitive epilepsy.
- Avoid using Frames because it can pose problems for technology used by some disabled users.
- Try not to use graphics for menu and button forms.
- Avoid hiding menu items (using DHTML or applets)
II- Content
Web designers should organize content in a way that can provide ease of use and simplicity. Below, are helpful tips that designers need to consider when designing an accessible website:
- Use a clear language, and write short sentences.
For example, a web page should provide blind users with a short summary of what they can find. A Search Functionality is important because a blind person can’t scan the page, and will generally trust first result he/she receives.
- Add Accessible tags and attributes by using rich set of tags to enhance accessibility. For instance, an ALT tag is used to provide a text equivalent for images within a website. The
ALT text description is what the screen reader or talking browser will read to the blind users .
- Use clear link descriptions, and include links that a user can click to skip repetitive regions of the page.
- Ensure the pages are usable when scripts, applets, or style sheets are turned off or not
supported.
- All audio and video content should contain captions, transcription, and descriptive information.
Analysis:
It is estimated that 20% of the population has some kind of disability. The internet opens
a new window of opportunity and independence to disabled users from reading news to banking to conducting business. For example, by using the screen reader technology a blind user can listen to the latest newspaper published electronically. Similarly, a user with mobility problem who can not go out shopping to buy a newspaper, nor use a
keyboard or mouse independently, can rather use the eye tracking software that allow people to use a computer with nothing more than eye movement.
Nowadays, organizations are asking designers to make their web sites accessible and for
good reasons. First of all, the more people who can use a site, the more potential it can
generate. Online stores, in particular have a great deal to gain, since many people with
functional limitation problems, find it much easier to shop online. Most Web designers
are not personally opposed to the concept of making web sites accessible to people with
disabilities. In fact most accessibility errors on web sites are the result of ignorance. A large proportion of web designers and developers have simply never thought about accessibility issues. A small proportion of web designers (4%) do not understand the needs of users with disabilities; another (46%) understand some of the needs of users with disabilities. While only (26%) of designers understand most of the needs of users
with disabilities and can accommodate them [3].
The Challenges and Gaps of Web Accessibility:
In this section, we highlight the challenges and the requirements posed by user needs, to
access the web. We argue the need for a new approach to address accessibility issues, and
include it in each and every web project life cycle.We recognize that the vast majority of disabled users face challenges when accessing the web. Why is this? Is it the lack of technical solutions to meet their needs – absolutely not! You will hear today that there are new technological solutions to address even most extreme form of disability. Is it cost?
Again it is not! Some technical solutions, cost nothing at all, and already exist in software. So, What then? Is it that web applications are being developed that present challenges to accessible design? Is it lack of knowledge and skills to meet their needs?
There does seem a general lack of awareness of web accessibility issues. Web Designers and Developers, need to have a better approach to tackle the problem in each phase of the web development process. For example, during the requirement analysis phase a web developer must define the target audience of the site, and should take into account people with a combination of disabilities. In addition to this, during prototyping phase a web designer must have the knowledge to accommodate end users with special needs, and also the skills to meet their expectations.
Moreover, testing the web site using different
technologies is critical for a successful web site, to ensure it meets the accessibility
standards and user requirements [4].
Therefore, in each phase of the web development process, accessibility plays an important role. Accessibility and Usability should be completely embedded in web design and development cycles from beginning to end.
The future looks bright for web accessibility. It promises to educate web designers and developers about accessibility issues, through training courses offered at universities.
Conclusion:
The Internet offers independence and freedom. But, this independence and freedom is limited to certain users. Many websites are not created with accessibility issues in mind.
Whether it is the Web Designer lack of knowledge or ignorance, they exclude a segment of users that in many ways benefit from the internet [5].
In short, designing accessible websites does not require an enormous effort or time. It simply, requires commitment, and accountability, to achieve a universal goal.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Ecommerce And The Blue-Collar Peasants?
by: Scott Lindsay
In medieval times the common laborer was thought to be less able to understand certain elements of civilized society. These men and women were not allowed to learn to read nor could they attend houses of worship because they were considered incapable of understanding what they heard.
Yes time after time these peasants were the basis for stories of renown and wonder. It is said that a peasant who listened to a sermon outside a church gathered bits and pieces of the Christmas story to write a carol that is still sung today.
Even in recent memory there has been a prevailing thought that only certain individuals are capable of developing a business. This is usually linked to the social standing of the individual or to the accumulated wealth of his or her family.
In business success has typically been tied to who you are, who knows you and how deep your pockets are. If you didn’t have the ‘name’, if you weren’t recognized and you didn’t have much money then your business would likely fail.
Ecommerce views every business owner as equal. There is no distinction and no preconceived ideas about the background or abilities of the business owner.
The link for all good online businesses is the ability to develop trust. If you are conscientious about providing exceptional customer service and superior products you may likely discover an improved customer base no matter what your personal background is like.
A blue-collar worker with a big idea has every reason to believe they can succeed online. A hard working rancher can develop an idea from their land of wide-open spaces and it may succeed. A single mom struggling to make ends meet might just come up with an idea that contains all the elements for a hit.
Rules that have always seemed as if they are designed for the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ no longer seem valid in an online business environment. The role of cyberspace is to equalize the impact of business ideas.
How does it do that?
In an online world you are going after customers on a global scale. You are no longer judged on your past failures or successes you are simply judged on your ability to deliver and provide quality products or services - now. If you can do that most customers would not even think to inquire about your lineage or stock portfolio.
An online environment can be one of the least discriminating places on earth. Your online presence is what speaks most to your product offerings and ability to fulfill your promises.
So, in a barn in Utah, a kitchen in Harlem or a neighborhood garage in New Jersey there are likely online businesses that are being developed to improve the quality of life for families that have struggled long enough.
Perhaps the most interesting irony in this is that some of the customers who frequent these ‘great idea’ sites may be white-collar workers who are less interested in the dynamics of the online business and more interested in receiving what they need.
Isn’t that what we all want in the businesses we trust?
In medieval times the common laborer was thought to be less able to understand certain elements of civilized society. These men and women were not allowed to learn to read nor could they attend houses of worship because they were considered incapable of understanding what they heard.
Yes time after time these peasants were the basis for stories of renown and wonder. It is said that a peasant who listened to a sermon outside a church gathered bits and pieces of the Christmas story to write a carol that is still sung today.
Even in recent memory there has been a prevailing thought that only certain individuals are capable of developing a business. This is usually linked to the social standing of the individual or to the accumulated wealth of his or her family.
In business success has typically been tied to who you are, who knows you and how deep your pockets are. If you didn’t have the ‘name’, if you weren’t recognized and you didn’t have much money then your business would likely fail.
Ecommerce views every business owner as equal. There is no distinction and no preconceived ideas about the background or abilities of the business owner.
The link for all good online businesses is the ability to develop trust. If you are conscientious about providing exceptional customer service and superior products you may likely discover an improved customer base no matter what your personal background is like.
A blue-collar worker with a big idea has every reason to believe they can succeed online. A hard working rancher can develop an idea from their land of wide-open spaces and it may succeed. A single mom struggling to make ends meet might just come up with an idea that contains all the elements for a hit.
Rules that have always seemed as if they are designed for the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ no longer seem valid in an online business environment. The role of cyberspace is to equalize the impact of business ideas.
How does it do that?
In an online world you are going after customers on a global scale. You are no longer judged on your past failures or successes you are simply judged on your ability to deliver and provide quality products or services - now. If you can do that most customers would not even think to inquire about your lineage or stock portfolio.
An online environment can be one of the least discriminating places on earth. Your online presence is what speaks most to your product offerings and ability to fulfill your promises.
So, in a barn in Utah, a kitchen in Harlem or a neighborhood garage in New Jersey there are likely online businesses that are being developed to improve the quality of life for families that have struggled long enough.
Perhaps the most interesting irony in this is that some of the customers who frequent these ‘great idea’ sites may be white-collar workers who are less interested in the dynamics of the online business and more interested in receiving what they need.
Isn’t that what we all want in the businesses we trust?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Security And The Auto Complete Feature
by: Scott Lindsay
The security of your computer is important on both private as well as business applications.
Many have found the use of the auto complete features associated with many browsers a popular way to avoid keystrokes. After all what could be more convenient than simply filling in a form for informational purposes and allow that saved information to be brought up with a single click?
The auto complete feature is especially popular with email programs. You simply type a few letters related to the email address and if it is in your system you may receive multiple choices that include those letters. You choose the correct email address and click send. The process is quick and has found many appreciative users.
Even word processors can use auto complete technology. For instance if you begin to type today’s date you may find a suggested date that you simply click saving some typing time. Many have come to rely on the feature to make checkout in ecommerce quick and painless.
I’d like to provide an argument for refraining from using some auto complete technology in the world of online business.
The use of this technology in a word processor is generally a great tool simply because it does not rely on any personal data and is primarily designed to assist in popular words, dates and letter writing.
However, when it comes to filling in a one-click web browser auto complete feature there are a couple of scenarios I’d like you to consider.
Barb owns a small, but growing online business. She hired Pam on a part time basis to help with product fulfillment. Pam was a good worker and was allowed to use the company computer from time to time. Without intending to do so Pam clicked a box that filled in auto complete data and she was able to view personal data that Barb might not have shared with Pam under other circumstances. Perhaps nothing ever happens with the data, but if Barb had to do it over again she may not have used auto complete.
Brian is a hacker. He doesn’t consider himself malicious although his actions may say otherwise. He tries to find ways into other computers to explore the holes that may exist in a system. As he is exploring one afternoon he found a vulnerability in Barb’s computer security. One of the pieces of data Brian may be looking for is to see if Barb has used an auto complete feature. He can gain plenty of information and has the potential to gain password information because Barb settled for convenience over caution.
Barb would never have given out this information to just anyone, yet more than one person has access to her computer and this information was easily obtained.
Many businesses are also disabling the ability for their computers to store and remember passwords. If a site is accessed where a password is stored it becomes very easy for a third party to investigate online accounts, buying habits and potentially make an online purchase under your name and using your credit information.
It may seem a small thing, but evaluating your use of auto complete technology may be an issue worth your attention.
The security of your computer is important on both private as well as business applications.
Many have found the use of the auto complete features associated with many browsers a popular way to avoid keystrokes. After all what could be more convenient than simply filling in a form for informational purposes and allow that saved information to be brought up with a single click?
The auto complete feature is especially popular with email programs. You simply type a few letters related to the email address and if it is in your system you may receive multiple choices that include those letters. You choose the correct email address and click send. The process is quick and has found many appreciative users.
Even word processors can use auto complete technology. For instance if you begin to type today’s date you may find a suggested date that you simply click saving some typing time. Many have come to rely on the feature to make checkout in ecommerce quick and painless.
I’d like to provide an argument for refraining from using some auto complete technology in the world of online business.
The use of this technology in a word processor is generally a great tool simply because it does not rely on any personal data and is primarily designed to assist in popular words, dates and letter writing.
However, when it comes to filling in a one-click web browser auto complete feature there are a couple of scenarios I’d like you to consider.
Barb owns a small, but growing online business. She hired Pam on a part time basis to help with product fulfillment. Pam was a good worker and was allowed to use the company computer from time to time. Without intending to do so Pam clicked a box that filled in auto complete data and she was able to view personal data that Barb might not have shared with Pam under other circumstances. Perhaps nothing ever happens with the data, but if Barb had to do it over again she may not have used auto complete.
Brian is a hacker. He doesn’t consider himself malicious although his actions may say otherwise. He tries to find ways into other computers to explore the holes that may exist in a system. As he is exploring one afternoon he found a vulnerability in Barb’s computer security. One of the pieces of data Brian may be looking for is to see if Barb has used an auto complete feature. He can gain plenty of information and has the potential to gain password information because Barb settled for convenience over caution.
Barb would never have given out this information to just anyone, yet more than one person has access to her computer and this information was easily obtained.
Many businesses are also disabling the ability for their computers to store and remember passwords. If a site is accessed where a password is stored it becomes very easy for a third party to investigate online accounts, buying habits and potentially make an online purchase under your name and using your credit information.
It may seem a small thing, but evaluating your use of auto complete technology may be an issue worth your attention.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Hosting In The Modern Day Of Cyberspace
by: Jon Caldwell
So what has hosting have to offer? A lot. Hosting is more than just a website that contains a bunch of words and graphics that are designed similar to printed posters to be appealing to the eyes. Hosting is a virtual business and identification card to which can be found using the world of cyberspace. Many people are located in cyberspace today, using it as the main means of communications and advanced business undertakings. It has totally evolved into something that has given companies and organizations an overall facelift on what strategic management is all about.
With the growing competitiveness of most business ventures today, various new strategies have been taking place today. Among them is the investment in technology and easily, it is website hosting and technological tools connected with building awareness overt the web that has been the new tool for efficient business management ventures. A lot of local businesses in your region exist, and while most would spend millions in making ads to help carry out their various awareness building plans for products, services and overall corporate existence.
The best thing about hosting is the fact that they are not expensive compared to the usual tri-media services we hear about today. Practically anyone can resort to this type of support. It doesn’t need much overhead costs. All it needs is a good host and a good web administrator to get the jobs done. There are also a lot of companies who offer this as a package to which a simple sign-up can prove to be beneficial in their search for a more profitable venture that can be easily identified in the congested consumer market the world has today.
Hosting goes in line with proper domain name selection. These two are the key essentials in making the entire resort a beneficial one. Bandwidths, storage space, scripts, discount deals, packaged deals and of course customer and technical support are the key areas of interest to which a client will always look at prior to anything else. People will always seek the best value for their money and they have an abundant list of providers to which they can be able to do so.
Building identity and finding their place on the web may sound easy, but it needs proper selection and study before choosing the best hosting solution service offered by companies such as House of Hancock. Whatever the final choice may be, the only concern that people would have in mind is the fact that they are after establishing their business with the help of hosting technology over the Internet and broaden their target market as well. With the Internet audience, this is a reality that they can sure to benefit from.
Nothing beats having your own host when you use email hosting services for your company. Adding that branding mark of having the company name in dotcom fashion really makes an impact when people present themselves or communicate with other companies. It really creates quite an impression considering that we are in the age were emails and websites are now at the forefront of building branding over the Internet today.
That is not all. Consider the fact that emails allow most people to communicate with anyone anywhere in the world if the recipient also has an email to use. Considering our modern age of communications, the chances of that party having their own email hosting provider is a practically a given. Emails have made it more economical and logical for people who converse and transact business without having to worry about escalating telephone bills like the early days.
So what has hosting have to offer? A lot. Hosting is more than just a website that contains a bunch of words and graphics that are designed similar to printed posters to be appealing to the eyes. Hosting is a virtual business and identification card to which can be found using the world of cyberspace. Many people are located in cyberspace today, using it as the main means of communications and advanced business undertakings. It has totally evolved into something that has given companies and organizations an overall facelift on what strategic management is all about.
With the growing competitiveness of most business ventures today, various new strategies have been taking place today. Among them is the investment in technology and easily, it is website hosting and technological tools connected with building awareness overt the web that has been the new tool for efficient business management ventures. A lot of local businesses in your region exist, and while most would spend millions in making ads to help carry out their various awareness building plans for products, services and overall corporate existence.
The best thing about hosting is the fact that they are not expensive compared to the usual tri-media services we hear about today. Practically anyone can resort to this type of support. It doesn’t need much overhead costs. All it needs is a good host and a good web administrator to get the jobs done. There are also a lot of companies who offer this as a package to which a simple sign-up can prove to be beneficial in their search for a more profitable venture that can be easily identified in the congested consumer market the world has today.
Hosting goes in line with proper domain name selection. These two are the key essentials in making the entire resort a beneficial one. Bandwidths, storage space, scripts, discount deals, packaged deals and of course customer and technical support are the key areas of interest to which a client will always look at prior to anything else. People will always seek the best value for their money and they have an abundant list of providers to which they can be able to do so.
Building identity and finding their place on the web may sound easy, but it needs proper selection and study before choosing the best hosting solution service offered by companies such as House of Hancock. Whatever the final choice may be, the only concern that people would have in mind is the fact that they are after establishing their business with the help of hosting technology over the Internet and broaden their target market as well. With the Internet audience, this is a reality that they can sure to benefit from.
Nothing beats having your own host when you use email hosting services for your company. Adding that branding mark of having the company name in dotcom fashion really makes an impact when people present themselves or communicate with other companies. It really creates quite an impression considering that we are in the age were emails and websites are now at the forefront of building branding over the Internet today.
That is not all. Consider the fact that emails allow most people to communicate with anyone anywhere in the world if the recipient also has an email to use. Considering our modern age of communications, the chances of that party having their own email hosting provider is a practically a given. Emails have made it more economical and logical for people who converse and transact business without having to worry about escalating telephone bills like the early days.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Beware of this Domain Appraisal Scam
by: Brian Holland
I recently received several e mails from domain sellers who had fallen victim to a domain appraisal scam. The scam starts with a mail the seller receives concerning a domain they own and the scammer showing interest in buying it.
The scammers find information about their targets on Ebay and on Whois.
In the first mail they tell you that they are a new player wanting to invest money in the domain market as a side business and inquire how much you want for the domain.
Next step is the mail in which they accept your asking price for the domain. The scammers tell you that they want you to get the domain appraised as they don’t want to make a bad investment. The scammers want the appraisal from a certain manual appraisal website which they believe to be a good one, ofcourse this appraisal website is part of the scam. This appraisal website gives a highly inflated appraisal value and asks a high fee for it ( up to over a hundred dollars) as they know you need the appraisal to sell the domain.
The end of this story is that once you have mailed your appraisal you never hear from your buyers again. leaving you one hundred dollars poorer and an absolutely useless appraisal richer. This is a very cunningly operated scam and to show you how such a scam mail looks i give you a real example of such an email below.
Email 1:
Hello,
We ‘ve found your domain name listed for sale..
If you are still interested in selling please send your quote and I will
consider it with my partners.
Main direction of our business is software development and technical
support.
Domain names is not our business but a new way to earn on reselling. We are
going to buy domains to resell them at higher prices since we have a large
database of clients interested in good domains.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Email 2:
You want 13,500 USD. Ok.
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
If it’s just the name it’s ok. A web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domains appraised already? Can you show me your valuation certificates? As far as I know it’s a common practice to show appraisal of domain name (even without traffic and web site) before doing business.
Without an appraisal I risk to overpay. In other words I won’t be able to make a profit on reselling this name. It’s very important for you and me to know the current market value of your domains.
Of course, we must be sure that you are engaging an appraisal company with REAL manual service. I heard many appraisal companies often made inaccurate auto-generated appraisals. I will only accept appraisals from independent sources I trust. To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies in a forum. (they now give you a link of a forum you have to check out)
Just check this posting.
If the appraisal comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. I also hope you can give me 10 discount of the appraised value.
After I get an appraisal from you we’ll continue our negotiations.
How do you prefer to get paid: Escrow.com, PayPal.com check or wire?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
So if you ever get an email like this, you know what to do. Scrap it. Just remember this wise saying that if something sounds too good to be true it probably is.
I recently received several e mails from domain sellers who had fallen victim to a domain appraisal scam. The scam starts with a mail the seller receives concerning a domain they own and the scammer showing interest in buying it.
The scammers find information about their targets on Ebay and on Whois.
In the first mail they tell you that they are a new player wanting to invest money in the domain market as a side business and inquire how much you want for the domain.
Next step is the mail in which they accept your asking price for the domain. The scammers tell you that they want you to get the domain appraised as they don’t want to make a bad investment. The scammers want the appraisal from a certain manual appraisal website which they believe to be a good one, ofcourse this appraisal website is part of the scam. This appraisal website gives a highly inflated appraisal value and asks a high fee for it ( up to over a hundred dollars) as they know you need the appraisal to sell the domain.
The end of this story is that once you have mailed your appraisal you never hear from your buyers again. leaving you one hundred dollars poorer and an absolutely useless appraisal richer. This is a very cunningly operated scam and to show you how such a scam mail looks i give you a real example of such an email below.
Email 1:
Hello,
We ‘ve found your domain name listed for sale..
If you are still interested in selling please send your quote and I will
consider it with my partners.
Main direction of our business is software development and technical
support.
Domain names is not our business but a new way to earn on reselling. We are
going to buy domains to resell them at higher prices since we have a large
database of clients interested in good domains.
Looking forward to do business with you.
Regards,
Email 2:
You want 13,500 USD. Ok.
Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?
If it’s just the name it’s ok. A web site is not necessary.
Have you had your domains appraised already? Can you show me your valuation certificates? As far as I know it’s a common practice to show appraisal of domain name (even without traffic and web site) before doing business.
Without an appraisal I risk to overpay. In other words I won’t be able to make a profit on reselling this name. It’s very important for you and me to know the current market value of your domains.
Of course, we must be sure that you are engaging an appraisal company with REAL manual service. I heard many appraisal companies often made inaccurate auto-generated appraisals. I will only accept appraisals from independent sources I trust. To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies in a forum. (they now give you a link of a forum you have to check out)
Just check this posting.
If the appraisal comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. I also hope you can give me 10 discount of the appraised value.
After I get an appraisal from you we’ll continue our negotiations.
How do you prefer to get paid: Escrow.com, PayPal.com check or wire?
Hope we can come to an agreement fast.
Looking forward to your reply.
So if you ever get an email like this, you know what to do. Scrap it. Just remember this wise saying that if something sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Video Streaming – Who Needs Television?
by: Scott Lindsay
It was a satisfying feeling when I happened upon a website recently that told me that a band I have always enjoyed are back together after they disbanded a few years ago.
This group had been performing for 30 years to capacity crowds. Then came their farewell concert tour and everyone thought they would only hear about this group in the context of history and decade specific countdown shows.
Today two of the original members are touring on a limited basis. The overall feel of the band is a little different than the original band, but it is compelling enough to reconnect with the career of this new, yet classic, band.
How do I know this? Did I read about it?
No! This information came in the form of a fifteen-minute video stream with the two principle artists in the band. They spoke candidly about the reformation of the group and the new simplified sound and direction. They spoke of the emotional difficulties they experienced when the group went their separate ways and how a one time performance promised by the duo set the stage for a new album, tour and renewed life for this respected band. Stats counters indicated I wasn’t alone in my enthusiasm for this new career wrinkle.
Video streams react to an on-demand generation. You can visit the websites of news organizations and watch video streams of the news you want to see. In some cases this is viewed as an extension to television news coverage, but for some this is an on-demand replacement for television newscasts. Even newspapers are responding to the on demand world and placing supporting video streaming on their websites for those interested in a more personal take on the morning news.
Forbes.com and a host of other websites provide comprehensive news coverage through video streaming and their marketing strategy is to let it be known that this coverage is news on demand and online. These companies are not seeking terrestrial stations to send their video streams to, they are relying consistently on online video streams – and their success continues to grow.
News reporters who once had a place on terrestrial television are now finding uncommon success in online news reporting. Elaborate sets are designed (or created through the use of green screens). These online video streams bring the same newsmakers you might find on regular television into your home and on your time.
Many of these video streams are made possible through the sale of typical video advertising that precedes the actual video clip, which makes the end product free to the online user.
The growth of video streams is impacting national and international news, business forecasts, entertainment and music.
What may be the most surprising is those who may have wanted to share information via television in the past are now more than content to take their message directly to the people and allow them to watch at their convenience. Many are wondering why they would want to make video available any other way.
Many visual consumers are inclined to agree with the sentiment.
It was a satisfying feeling when I happened upon a website recently that told me that a band I have always enjoyed are back together after they disbanded a few years ago.
This group had been performing for 30 years to capacity crowds. Then came their farewell concert tour and everyone thought they would only hear about this group in the context of history and decade specific countdown shows.
Today two of the original members are touring on a limited basis. The overall feel of the band is a little different than the original band, but it is compelling enough to reconnect with the career of this new, yet classic, band.
How do I know this? Did I read about it?
No! This information came in the form of a fifteen-minute video stream with the two principle artists in the band. They spoke candidly about the reformation of the group and the new simplified sound and direction. They spoke of the emotional difficulties they experienced when the group went their separate ways and how a one time performance promised by the duo set the stage for a new album, tour and renewed life for this respected band. Stats counters indicated I wasn’t alone in my enthusiasm for this new career wrinkle.
Video streams react to an on-demand generation. You can visit the websites of news organizations and watch video streams of the news you want to see. In some cases this is viewed as an extension to television news coverage, but for some this is an on-demand replacement for television newscasts. Even newspapers are responding to the on demand world and placing supporting video streaming on their websites for those interested in a more personal take on the morning news.
Forbes.com and a host of other websites provide comprehensive news coverage through video streaming and their marketing strategy is to let it be known that this coverage is news on demand and online. These companies are not seeking terrestrial stations to send their video streams to, they are relying consistently on online video streams – and their success continues to grow.
News reporters who once had a place on terrestrial television are now finding uncommon success in online news reporting. Elaborate sets are designed (or created through the use of green screens). These online video streams bring the same newsmakers you might find on regular television into your home and on your time.
Many of these video streams are made possible through the sale of typical video advertising that precedes the actual video clip, which makes the end product free to the online user.
The growth of video streams is impacting national and international news, business forecasts, entertainment and music.
What may be the most surprising is those who may have wanted to share information via television in the past are now more than content to take their message directly to the people and allow them to watch at their convenience. Many are wondering why they would want to make video available any other way.
Many visual consumers are inclined to agree with the sentiment.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Web Accessibility a Universal Goal!
by: Mr. Nidal A. Bousaleh
Over the last decay, an increase number of research were conducted to determine ways Information Technology can assist in meeting special needs to ensure universal accessibility. Findings to date suggest that by being more knowledgeable about accessibility issues, Web designers and developers are able to accommodate end users with special needs.
As we enter the knowledge age, it is no longer acceptable that people with limited or no vision are on their own when it comes to accessing the web, nor those with mobility problems are on their own when it comes to use a hardware. To ignore
website accessibility raises moral, business, and legal issues. It is morally wrong to discriminate
against disabled people on the web simply through lack of thought, consideration, or awareness. Many business web sites designed without considering accessibility issues result in loss of revenue. Some countries, such as the US, UK, and Australia has introduced legislation that requires organizations to adhere to accessibility issues.
In June 1999, the Disability Discrimination Act (1999) has been used to fight for access rights in
Australia. The 2000 Olympic Site Games, jointly developed by Sydney Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (SOCOG) and IBM was found inaccessible to the blind users, and SOCOG was fined A$ 20,000 [1].
The purpose of this paper is raising awareness among web designers and developers, to achieve universal web accessibility goal. The paper looks at the disability issues and the existing assistive technologies or methods used by disabled users to assist them in accessing the web.
Afterwards, the paper reviews guidelines for good web site design, and provides analysis for designing an accessible website. Furthermore, the paper highlights on the challenges and gaps in the web accessibility area.
Literature Review:
Two years ago, a Conference was held in ‘London’ and attended by representatives of commerce, industry, government, and the IT Sector aiming to raise awareness of the potential benefits of assistive technology to disabled users. The outstanding number of speakers highlighted through number of cases how technology can transfer lives. ‘Sue Bassoon’ a Business Development Manager at IBM said: “IBM’s goal is to have a speech recognition system as good as the human ear by 2010” [2].
The objectives of this literature is two folds: (1) explain how a particular disability (e.g.
visual impairment, mobility restriction, hearing impairment) can impede the use of the web, and what can be done to accommodate special needs; and (2) show how web designers and developers can construct accessible web sites to end users with disabilities, such as visual or hearing impairment.
(1) Disability Issues
The section begins with a descriptive part concerning disabled user functional limitation
and dependence on assistive technologies.
A- Vision Issues:
A web user who has no sight (totally blind) is likely to use the screen reader technology to reads a load the content of the web page. Other web users, with partial or poor sight need to be able to enlarge the text on web page using a screen magnifier.
B- Mobility Issues:
A web user may have mobility problems as a result of an accident or disease such as:(loss of limb, Injury, or aging process). The technologies used by users with mobility problems are:
- Sticky Keys: For users with one finger typing.
- Filter Keys: Ignores repeated strokes for people with hand tremors.
- Mouse Keys: Permits moving pointer with numeric keypad.
- Serial Key: Permits access to alternatives for mouse and keyboard functions such as Foot Mouse.
- Eye gaze: A video camera that racks eye movement as the user look at an on screen keyboard. It is customizable as how long a key must be looked at to be recorded. When system has identified the key looked at the symbol appears and the user look at next key.
C- Hearing Issues:
A web user may be deaf or experiencing problems with hearing due to the natural aging process. To assist those users the audio or video need to be translated to the ASL (American Sign Language) language of the deaf, in which certain signs represent words.
(2) Design for Accessibility
In the above section, the paper provided readers with a general knowledge about disability issues, disabled users, and the existing assistive technologies. This section is intended for web designers and developers, because it provides them with tips and guidelines on ways to design a good and accessible website. There are two main aspects
to take into account:
I- Look and Feel
Web designers need to present a user friendly interface that addresses specific ability needs. The designer should be able to describe ways disabled users interact with a website, and how they move through the pages and how they achieve their goals. Below, are helpful tips that designers need to consider when designing an accessible website.
- Web Designers & Developers; should follow the four principles of visual organization in the process of designing a website which are: Proximity, Alignment, Consistency, and Contrast.
- Web Designers & Developers; must avoid using HTML tables to control the layout, instead use style sheets.
- Web Designers & Developers; should use legible fonts, and font size to allow disabled users to easily change them from the browser interface.
- Avoid poor color contrast in your design, and do not use color for meaningful description.
- Avoid the use of animation, and flash which may affect users with photosensitive epilepsy.
- Avoid using Frames because it can pose problems for technology used by some disabled users.
- Try not to use graphics for menu and button forms.
- Avoid hiding menu items (using DHTML or applets)
II- Content
Web designers should organize content in a way that can provide ease of use and simplicity. Below, are helpful tips that designers need to consider when designing an accessible website:
- Use a clear language, and write short sentences.
For example, a web page should provide blind users with a short summary of what they can find. A Search Functionality is important because a blind person can’t scan the page, and will generally trust first result he/she receives.
- Add Accessible tags and attributes by using rich set of tags to enhance accessibility. For instance, an ALT tag is used to provide a text equivalent for images within a website. The
ALT text description is what the screen reader or talking browser will read to the blind users .
- Use clear link descriptions, and include links that a user can click to skip repetitive regions of the page.
- Ensure the pages are usable when scripts, applets, or style sheets are turned off or not
supported.
- All audio and video content should contain captions, transcription, and descriptive information.
Analysis:
It is estimated that 20% of the population has some kind of disability. The internet opens
a new window of opportunity and independence to disabled users from reading news to banking to conducting business. For example, by using the screen reader technology a blind user can listen to the latest newspaper published electronically. Similarly, a user with mobility problem who can not go out shopping to buy a newspaper, nor use a
keyboard or mouse independently, can rather use the eye tracking software that allow people to use a computer with nothing more than eye movement.
Nowadays, organizations are asking designers to make their web sites accessible and for
good reasons. First of all, the more people who can use a site, the more potential it can
generate. Online stores, in particular have a great deal to gain, since many people with
functional limitation problems, find it much easier to shop online. Most Web designers
are not personally opposed to the concept of making web sites accessible to people with
disabilities. In fact most accessibility errors on web sites are the result of ignorance. A large proportion of web designers and developers have simply never thought about accessibility issues. A small proportion of web designers (4%) do not understand the needs of users with disabilities; another (46%) understand some of the needs of users with disabilities. While only (26%) of designers understand most of the needs of users
with disabilities and can accommodate them [3].
The Challenges and Gaps of Web Accessibility:
In this section, we highlight the challenges and the requirements posed by user needs, to
access the web. We argue the need for a new approach to address accessibility issues, and
include it in each and every web project life cycle.We recognize that the vast majority of disabled users face challenges when accessing the web. Why is this? Is it the lack of technical solutions to meet their needs – absolutely not! You will hear today that there are new technological solutions to address even most extreme form of disability. Is it cost?
Again it is not! Some technical solutions, cost nothing at all, and already exist in software. So, What then? Is it that web applications are being developed that present challenges to accessible design? Is it lack of knowledge and skills to meet their needs?
There does seem a general lack of awareness of web accessibility issues. Web Designers and Developers, need to have a better approach to tackle the problem in each phase of the web development process. For example, during the requirement analysis phase a web developer must define the target audience of the site, and should take into account people with a combination of disabilities. In addition to this, during prototyping phase a web designer must have the knowledge to accommodate end users with special needs, and also the skills to meet their expectations.
Moreover, testing the web site using different
technologies is critical for a successful web site, to ensure it meets the accessibility
standards and user requirements [4].
Therefore, in each phase of the web development process, accessibility plays an important role. Accessibility and Usability should be completely embedded in web design and development cycles from beginning to end.
The future looks bright for web accessibility. It promises to educate web designers and developers about accessibility issues, through training courses offered at universities.
Conclusion:
The Internet offers independence and freedom. But, this independence and freedom is limited to certain users. Many websites are not created with accessibility issues in mind.
Whether it is the Web Designer lack of knowledge or ignorance, they exclude a segment of users that in many ways benefit from the internet [5].
In short, designing accessible websites does not require an enormous effort or time. It simply, requires commitment, and accountability, to achieve a universal goal.
Reference:
[1] Duckworth D. (2003).Web Accessibility in Australia. Retrieved June 18, 2005, from
http://www.tonneten.net/mt/blog/archieves/000024.htm
[2] Conference (2003). IT – The Universal Enabler, London. Retrieved May 28, 2005
from http://www.stcsig.org
[3]Web Accessibility Survey (2003). Retrieved June 24, 2005 from
http://cita.rehab.uiuc.eduu/survey/2002-2003-web-practices.html
[4] Volpon A. (2002). The Life cycle ofWeb Accessibility. Retrieved June 24, 2005 from
http://www.evolt.org/article/The_Lifecycle_of_Web_Accessibility/20/50376/
[5] Bohman P. (2003). Introduction to Web Accessibility. Retrieved June 24, 2005 from
http://www.webaim.org/intro
[6]Mertz D. (2000). Tips: Design for accessible Web sites. Retrieved June 22, 2005 from
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/web/library/w-mertz.htm
Over the last decay, an increase number of research were conducted to determine ways Information Technology can assist in meeting special needs to ensure universal accessibility. Findings to date suggest that by being more knowledgeable about accessibility issues, Web designers and developers are able to accommodate end users with special needs.
As we enter the knowledge age, it is no longer acceptable that people with limited or no vision are on their own when it comes to accessing the web, nor those with mobility problems are on their own when it comes to use a hardware. To ignore
website accessibility raises moral, business, and legal issues. It is morally wrong to discriminate
against disabled people on the web simply through lack of thought, consideration, or awareness. Many business web sites designed without considering accessibility issues result in loss of revenue. Some countries, such as the US, UK, and Australia has introduced legislation that requires organizations to adhere to accessibility issues.
In June 1999, the Disability Discrimination Act (1999) has been used to fight for access rights in
Australia. The 2000 Olympic Site Games, jointly developed by Sydney Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (SOCOG) and IBM was found inaccessible to the blind users, and SOCOG was fined A$ 20,000 [1].
The purpose of this paper is raising awareness among web designers and developers, to achieve universal web accessibility goal. The paper looks at the disability issues and the existing assistive technologies or methods used by disabled users to assist them in accessing the web.
Afterwards, the paper reviews guidelines for good web site design, and provides analysis for designing an accessible website. Furthermore, the paper highlights on the challenges and gaps in the web accessibility area.
Literature Review:
Two years ago, a Conference was held in ‘London’ and attended by representatives of commerce, industry, government, and the IT Sector aiming to raise awareness of the potential benefits of assistive technology to disabled users. The outstanding number of speakers highlighted through number of cases how technology can transfer lives. ‘Sue Bassoon’ a Business Development Manager at IBM said: “IBM’s goal is to have a speech recognition system as good as the human ear by 2010” [2].
The objectives of this literature is two folds: (1) explain how a particular disability (e.g.
visual impairment, mobility restriction, hearing impairment) can impede the use of the web, and what can be done to accommodate special needs; and (2) show how web designers and developers can construct accessible web sites to end users with disabilities, such as visual or hearing impairment.
(1) Disability Issues
The section begins with a descriptive part concerning disabled user functional limitation
and dependence on assistive technologies.
A- Vision Issues:
A web user who has no sight (totally blind) is likely to use the screen reader technology to reads a load the content of the web page. Other web users, with partial or poor sight need to be able to enlarge the text on web page using a screen magnifier.
B- Mobility Issues:
A web user may have mobility problems as a result of an accident or disease such as:(loss of limb, Injury, or aging process). The technologies used by users with mobility problems are:
- Sticky Keys: For users with one finger typing.
- Filter Keys: Ignores repeated strokes for people with hand tremors.
- Mouse Keys: Permits moving pointer with numeric keypad.
- Serial Key: Permits access to alternatives for mouse and keyboard functions such as Foot Mouse.
- Eye gaze: A video camera that racks eye movement as the user look at an on screen keyboard. It is customizable as how long a key must be looked at to be recorded. When system has identified the key looked at the symbol appears and the user look at next key.
C- Hearing Issues:
A web user may be deaf or experiencing problems with hearing due to the natural aging process. To assist those users the audio or video need to be translated to the ASL (American Sign Language) language of the deaf, in which certain signs represent words.
(2) Design for Accessibility
In the above section, the paper provided readers with a general knowledge about disability issues, disabled users, and the existing assistive technologies. This section is intended for web designers and developers, because it provides them with tips and guidelines on ways to design a good and accessible website. There are two main aspects
to take into account:
I- Look and Feel
Web designers need to present a user friendly interface that addresses specific ability needs. The designer should be able to describe ways disabled users interact with a website, and how they move through the pages and how they achieve their goals. Below, are helpful tips that designers need to consider when designing an accessible website.
- Web Designers & Developers; should follow the four principles of visual organization in the process of designing a website which are: Proximity, Alignment, Consistency, and Contrast.
- Web Designers & Developers; must avoid using HTML tables to control the layout, instead use style sheets.
- Web Designers & Developers; should use legible fonts, and font size to allow disabled users to easily change them from the browser interface.
- Avoid poor color contrast in your design, and do not use color for meaningful description.
- Avoid the use of animation, and flash which may affect users with photosensitive epilepsy.
- Avoid using Frames because it can pose problems for technology used by some disabled users.
- Try not to use graphics for menu and button forms.
- Avoid hiding menu items (using DHTML or applets)
II- Content
Web designers should organize content in a way that can provide ease of use and simplicity. Below, are helpful tips that designers need to consider when designing an accessible website:
- Use a clear language, and write short sentences.
For example, a web page should provide blind users with a short summary of what they can find. A Search Functionality is important because a blind person can’t scan the page, and will generally trust first result he/she receives.
- Add Accessible tags and attributes by using rich set of tags to enhance accessibility. For instance, an ALT tag is used to provide a text equivalent for images within a website. The
ALT text description is what the screen reader or talking browser will read to the blind users .
- Use clear link descriptions, and include links that a user can click to skip repetitive regions of the page.
- Ensure the pages are usable when scripts, applets, or style sheets are turned off or not
supported.
- All audio and video content should contain captions, transcription, and descriptive information.
Analysis:
It is estimated that 20% of the population has some kind of disability. The internet opens
a new window of opportunity and independence to disabled users from reading news to banking to conducting business. For example, by using the screen reader technology a blind user can listen to the latest newspaper published electronically. Similarly, a user with mobility problem who can not go out shopping to buy a newspaper, nor use a
keyboard or mouse independently, can rather use the eye tracking software that allow people to use a computer with nothing more than eye movement.
Nowadays, organizations are asking designers to make their web sites accessible and for
good reasons. First of all, the more people who can use a site, the more potential it can
generate. Online stores, in particular have a great deal to gain, since many people with
functional limitation problems, find it much easier to shop online. Most Web designers
are not personally opposed to the concept of making web sites accessible to people with
disabilities. In fact most accessibility errors on web sites are the result of ignorance. A large proportion of web designers and developers have simply never thought about accessibility issues. A small proportion of web designers (4%) do not understand the needs of users with disabilities; another (46%) understand some of the needs of users with disabilities. While only (26%) of designers understand most of the needs of users
with disabilities and can accommodate them [3].
The Challenges and Gaps of Web Accessibility:
In this section, we highlight the challenges and the requirements posed by user needs, to
access the web. We argue the need for a new approach to address accessibility issues, and
include it in each and every web project life cycle.We recognize that the vast majority of disabled users face challenges when accessing the web. Why is this? Is it the lack of technical solutions to meet their needs – absolutely not! You will hear today that there are new technological solutions to address even most extreme form of disability. Is it cost?
Again it is not! Some technical solutions, cost nothing at all, and already exist in software. So, What then? Is it that web applications are being developed that present challenges to accessible design? Is it lack of knowledge and skills to meet their needs?
There does seem a general lack of awareness of web accessibility issues. Web Designers and Developers, need to have a better approach to tackle the problem in each phase of the web development process. For example, during the requirement analysis phase a web developer must define the target audience of the site, and should take into account people with a combination of disabilities. In addition to this, during prototyping phase a web designer must have the knowledge to accommodate end users with special needs, and also the skills to meet their expectations.
Moreover, testing the web site using different
technologies is critical for a successful web site, to ensure it meets the accessibility
standards and user requirements [4].
Therefore, in each phase of the web development process, accessibility plays an important role. Accessibility and Usability should be completely embedded in web design and development cycles from beginning to end.
The future looks bright for web accessibility. It promises to educate web designers and developers about accessibility issues, through training courses offered at universities.
Conclusion:
The Internet offers independence and freedom. But, this independence and freedom is limited to certain users. Many websites are not created with accessibility issues in mind.
Whether it is the Web Designer lack of knowledge or ignorance, they exclude a segment of users that in many ways benefit from the internet [5].
In short, designing accessible websites does not require an enormous effort or time. It simply, requires commitment, and accountability, to achieve a universal goal.
Reference:
[1] Duckworth D. (2003).Web Accessibility in Australia. Retrieved June 18, 2005, from
http://www.tonneten.net/mt/blog/archieves/000024.htm
[2] Conference (2003). IT – The Universal Enabler, London. Retrieved May 28, 2005
from http://www.stcsig.org
[3]Web Accessibility Survey (2003). Retrieved June 24, 2005 from
http://cita.rehab.uiuc.eduu/survey/2002-2003-web-practices.html
[4] Volpon A. (2002). The Life cycle ofWeb Accessibility. Retrieved June 24, 2005 from
http://www.evolt.org/article/The_Lifecycle_of_Web_Accessibility/20/50376/
[5] Bohman P. (2003). Introduction to Web Accessibility. Retrieved June 24, 2005 from
http://www.webaim.org/intro
[6]Mertz D. (2000). Tips: Design for accessible Web sites. Retrieved June 22, 2005 from
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/web/library/w-mertz.htm
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