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#049/01-Apr-01
POOR RICHARD'S WEB SITE NEWS
Geek-Free, Commonsense Advice on Building a Low-Cost Web Site
Editor: Peter Kent
Top Floor Publishing
http://PoorRichard.com/
Over 50,000 Subscribers in More Than 100 Countries!
~~~ IN THIS ISSUE ~~~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Where Have I Been?!
What Happened to BizBlast?
Beginner's Column:
Finding Browser Display Problems
15 Tips For a Successful Network
Visit Gnomedex!
Free Book! -- Poor Richard's Branding Yourself Online
45 Places Your URL Should Be Seen or Heard
Poor Richard's Web Site and Other Top Floor Books
Book Reviewers Wanted
Reading Back Issues
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
**** IF YOU FIND THIS NEWSLETTER USEFUL ...
FORWARD IT TO FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ****
{{ Where Have I Been?! }}
========>>>
Before I get started, I'd better answer the question so many of
you have been asking: Where did I go? Why haven't I been
publishing my newsletter?
Unfortunately over the last few months I've been unable to keep
up with all my obligations, including my publishing company
(Top Floor Publishing: http://TopFloor.com/ ), the dot-com I
founded (more of which in the next section), and various family
obligations. I simply couldn't do everything I needed or wanted
to do ... so the newsletter was the first thing to go!
However, things are easing up dramatically, and I'm now back
into the e-mail newsletter publishing business. I'll do my best
to keep up with this, trying to get an issue out every two
weeks or so.
{{ What Happened to BizBlast? }}
========>>>
Many of you will recall that I started an e-business services
company called BizBlast. I am no longer employed by that
company; in fact the assets of the company were sold, late last
year, to iBoost Technology, Inc., which also retained the
BizBlast name.
Unfortunately BizBlast was not the success I had hoped for. The
company was not run in the manner in which I believe it should
have been run; in fact I spent much of last year fighting with
the President/CEO (despite being the founder I was not the
President/CEO). In any case, by the end of the year, with other
dot-coms dropping like flies, we were unable to obtain the
second round of funding we required, and were forced to sell
the company.
IMPORTANT-->: PLEASE NOTE: despite the fact that two of my
IMPORTANT-->: books, published early last year, mention
IMPORTANT-->: BizBlast, I am no longer associated with the
IMPORTANT-->: services marketed under the BizBlast name,
IMPORTANT-->: and no longer promote those services.
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{{ Beginner's Column:
Finding Browser Display Problems }}
========>>>
One of the biggest frustrations for anyone creating Web pages
is the fact that what looks fine in one browser may look
terrible in another. Many designers view the pages they have
created in just one browser ... and are then surprised when
visitors to their site tell them that they've seen strange
problems on the Web site. It's an unfortunate fact that not all
browsers are equal.
How, then, do you avoid problems? HTML knowledge and experience
helps, but even the most experienced Web designers are
sometimes caught unawares. Really the only way to be sure is to
check your work in different browsers. Which? Well, there's the
problem. There are so many different browsers, versions of
browsers, and operating systems, that there's no way you'll be
able to check all the possibilities. It's a good idea to load
Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer, and America Online on
your system, and look at pages in all three. But unfortunately
you really need multiple versions of the browsers; for
instance, although Netscape Navigator 6 is now available very
few people are using it, so you should also try Version 5, too.
I recently ran across another way around this problem, though.
NetMechanic has set up a new service called Browser Photo (I've
talked about other NetMechanic testing services in earlier
newsletters: http://topfloor.com/pr/newsltr/047.htm#047_1 ).
This service tests your pages on 14 different browser/operating
system combinations, a combination of AOL, Internet Explorer,
Netscape Navigator, WebTV, and Opera (including 11 different
Explorer and Navigator versions), a variety of different screen
sizes, and three different operating systems: PC, iMac, and
WebTV.
Browser Photo takes snapshots of a Web page in different
browsers, then lets you view the snapshots online, so you can
see what's going on. Never seen your Web site in WebTV? (You
might be shocked.) Don't have all those old versions of
Explorer and Navigator available? Don't want an AOL
subscription? This service can help you.
You can use this system once for $15, or get unlimited use for
$120 a year. For more information, visit
http://www.NetMechanic.com/
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{{ 15 Tips For a Successful Network }
========>>>
The following is excerpted from Poor Richard's Small Office
Networking: Room-to-Room or Around the World. (You can find a
table of contents and several sample chapters here:
http://topfloor.com/pr/homeoffice/ ). The book lists 35 more
tips in the appendix, _50 Tips for a Successful Network_.
1. Spend time deciding whether you really need a network. While
a network is a highly practical tool for most small businesses,
it turns into financial nightmare for others.
2. Design your network carefully. The more time you spend
looking at various needs before you spend any money, the less
money you'll waste on items you didn't need in the first place.
3. Be prepared to work at your network. No one is going to
offer to perform the required work for free and consultants are
extremely expensive. Relying on your own abilities is one way
to reduce the total cost of the installation and ensure you can
maintain the network once installed.
4. Always look at your needs before you decide on software. Use
the software as a basis for other items like the operating
system and hardware.
5. Don't bite off more networking that you can chew. A network
you don't complete is money wasted. Even a small network will
save money and you can always expand it later if necessary.
6. You don't need to have a vast knowledge of computers to
repair system problems. Consultants fix many problems with
careful observation and patience, not with technical expertise.
7. Networks require consistent care. Perform maintenance tasks
as often as required to assure worry free operation.
8. Always look for the low-cost solutions to your networking
problems. For example, alternative networking technologies
provide flexible networking support for home offices and other
small networks.
9. Use the right networking technology for the job. An infrared
connection works great for line-of-sight applications, like
transferring data from your laptop to your desktop machine, but
won't work for other applications.
10. Avoid getting a central server unless you need one.
Peer-to-peer networks operate efficiently and cost less to
maintain than client/server networks do. However, once you do
decide on a client/server configuration, ensure you spend
enough to create a workable network.
11. Allocate bandwidth wisely. Don't allow users to waste
bandwidth on collaboration or video applications unless the
user needs these applications to perform useful work.
12. Make sure all users will have the bandwidth required to get
their work done and that you keep some bandwidth in reserve for
future needs.
13. Consider an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) as cheap
insurance against lightning strikes and power outages. The data
you save may be your own.
14. Look for the best deal when buying software. Sometimes last
year's product contains all of the features you need and at
bargain bin prices.
15. Computers don't understand or care that you're frustrated.
Getting angry with a will only wears you out and thwarts any
effort at repair.
^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+
{{ Visit Gnomedex! }}
========>>>
My friend Chris Pirillo is touting his "Gnomedex" as "a
Conference & Trade Show for Curious Computer Users." (I'm not
sure if that means you need to be odd to attend, or just have a
modicum of curiosity, or that you should own a curious
computer.) Many of you know of Chris Pirillo from his
incredibly popular Lockergnome newsletter
( http://www.LockerGnome.com/ ), which has around 300,000
subscribers.
Gnomedex is his own, home-grown computer show. It's scheduled
for September 14th & 15th, at the Polk County Convention
Complex, in Des Moines, Iowa. He's managed to pull together a
number of interesting speakers, such as Richard Brodie, the
author of Microsoft Word 1.0; Larry McJunkin, a shareware guru
from WUGNET; Mike Elgan, perhaps best known as a former editor
of Windows Magazine; Mark Thompson, a freeware developer, and
various others. Chris promises you will ...
* Discover new consumer products and services
* Mingle with acclaimed Internet leaders
* Create relationships with vendors and attendees
* Meet Gnomedexers from around the world
* Learn how to better use your PC & the Internet
* See various consumer tech companies up close
* Gain knowledge of timely technology topics
* Immerse yourself in an infotaining environment
* Return home with dozens of new ideas to act upon
Yes, I know, central Iowa is not what you'd normally consider a
high-tech hub. But Chris is a master of Internet publicity, and
has managed to get a tremendous amount of interest in his
convention through low-cost, Internet-based promotion
techniques. So perhaps it's time for you to visit Iowa.
Register before June 1st to get 40% off the conference pass:
http://www.gnomedex.com/
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{{ Free Book! - Poor Richard's Branding Yourself Online }}
========>>>
It's that time again, the time when we give away 200 electronic
copies of our next book. This time it's "Poor Richard's
Branding Yourself Online: How to Use the Internet to Become a
Celebrity or Expert in Your Field," by Bob Baker. This book
explains how the you can use the Internet to quickly and
inexpensively become an expert or celebrity in your field of
choice.
We're looking for comments and testimonials, and are willing to
give away up to 200 electronic copies to readers who fit the
following criteria:
* You must be willing to read the chapters we provide within a
few days of receiving them (we'll be spacing them out
somewhat)
* You must agree to respond with your comments (good or bad!).
* You must be able to download large files from the Web
* You must be able to work with .PDF files (you'll need Adobe
Acrobat Reader, which is available at
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)
We'll be sending unedited PDF files -- to allow us time to
integrate suggestions and comments we are sending these files
out at the same time they go to the editor. Sorry, we can't
help with technical questions about how to work with Acrobat
Reader!
If you're interested, please e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Remember, only the first 200 will get a copy, and please, only
request a copy if you are willing to read and comment!
^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+
{{ 45 Places Your URL Should Be Seen or Heard }}
========>>>
I'm often amazed at the way that small businesses waste
opportunities for displaying their URL. I'm also embarrassed to
say that having read the following list, contributed by "Wild
Bill" Montgomery, I've realized that I'm missing various
opportunities, too!
Offline Promotion: 45 Places Your URL Should Be Seen or Heard
By "Wild Bill"
1. Answering Machine
2. Address labels
3. Billboards
4. Brochures
5. Business Cards
6. Catalogs
7. CD ROM Presentations
8. Christmas Cards
9. Classifieds
10. Company/Personal Cars
11. Coupons
12. Co-Workers
13. Checks
14. Envelopes
15. Existing customers
16. Fax sheets
17. Flyers
18. Freebies & Giveaways
19. Friends
20. Interviews
21. Invoices
22. Leaflets
23. Media Kits
24. Newsletters
25. Newspaper Ads
26. On Hold Messages
27. Packaging
28. Personal Mail
29. PhoneBook Listings
30. Postcards
31. Posters
32. Press Releases
33. Print Ads
34. Products
35. Promotional Materials
36. Radio Ads
37. Receipts
38. Reorder Forms
39. Sales Letters
40. Stationery
41. Storefront
42. Television Ads
43. Trade Shows
44. Uniforms & Hats
45. Your Home
Here's a few Bonus Tips and Ideas!
A. Contact Radio & TV Stations and offer to write a Free
"advice or tips" column.
B. Join Your Local Chamber of Commerce and other Commerce
related organizations.
C. Schedule free offline classes and teach people how to use
their computer, software or navigate the Internet.
D. Write a tips booklet and offer to mention each business in
the booklet for letting you drop them off for counter or
bagging distribution.
E. Offer to speak for free at conferences, meetings, or
seminars, then make sure your handouts include details
about your website, ezine, and subscription instructions.
F. Add an insert with your URL into every piece of mail that
goes out of your house or business.
G. Donate products or services to raffles with your URL
mentioned with/instead of your company or name.
H. Webdecals are a new, inexpensive and fun way to attract
attention to your website. People absolutely love them, and
they are very simple to use. Webdecals are made of high
quality vinyl and printed with state of the art digital
equipment. Display your website address and more in bold
white or black & white letters. People stick them
everywhere. In your car windows, store, office and home
windows, any place with glass! http://www.webdecal.com/
I. ID-It Plates: These Elegant mini-Billboards promote YOU 365
days a year, enhance the appearance of your vehicles, last
for years and most important, give you literally Millions of
Impressions over their lifetime.
http://www.iditplates.net/new/1013/
"Wild Bill"
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You might want to go back through Bill's list and figure out if
you're covered. One more issue, though. Listing your URL is
only the first step, you really need to give people a _reason_
to come to your site. At Top Floor Publishing we've started
encouraging readers of our books to come to our site by putting
a blurb on the back telling them they'll be able to sign up to
win a book, for instance. (You can enter, too;
http://TopFloor.com/ ).
^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+
{{ Poor Richard's Web Site and Other Top Floor Books }}
========>>>
Top Floor Publishing now has ten books in print:
Poor Richard's Home and Small Office Networking
http://TopFloor.com/pr/homeoffice/
Poor Richard's Internet Recruiting
http://TopFloor.com/pr/recruiting/
Poor Richard's Building Online Communities: Create a Web
Community for Your Business, Club, Association, or Family
http://TopFloor.com/pr/communities/
The Official Miva Web-Scripting Book: Shopping Carts,
Feedback Forms, Guestbooks, and More
http://www.TopFloor.com/miva/
Poor Richard's Web Site, 2nd Edition: Geek-Free, Commonsense
Advice on Building a Low-Cost Web Site
http://PoorRichard.com/
Poor Richard's E-mail Publishing
http://PoorRichard.com/email/
Poor Richard's Internet Marketing and Promotions, 2nd Edition
http://TopFloor.com/pr/promo/
The CDnow Story: Rags to Riches on the Internet
http://TopFloor.com/cdnow/
MP3 For Musicians: Promote Your Music Career Online
http://www.TopFloor.com/mp3m/
MP3 and the Digital Music Revolution: Turn Your PC into a
CD-Quality Jukebox
http://TopFloor.com/mp3/
... we also carry the following books by Peter Kent
Making Money in Technical Writing: Turn Your Writing Skills
into $100,000 A Year
http://TopFloor.com/techwr/
The Official Netscape JavaScript Book
http://TopFloor.com/books.htm
Order direct from the publisher, and you'll get a 100%,
1-Year Guarantee. If you feel the book wasn't worth the
money, send it back for a refund!
And remember, these books are discounted at the Web site, and
you pay just one shipping cost regardless of how many books
you buy!
^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+
{{ Book Reviewers Wanted }}
========>>>
Do you review books for newspapers, magazines, newsletters
(electronic or paper), Web sites, or other media spots?
If so, perhaps you'd like to review one of Top Floor
Publishing's recent books:
* Poor Richard's Home & Small Office Networking Room-to-Room
or Around the World
* Poor Richard's Internet Recruiting: Easy, Low-Cost Ways To
Find Great Employees Online
* Poor Richard's Building Online Communities: Create a Web
Community for Your Business, Club, Association, or Family
Or perhaps you'd like to review "Poor Richard's Web Site:
Geek-Free, Commonsense Advice on Building a Low-Cost Web
Site, 2nd Edition"? Or maybe one of the other books mentioned
above?
Contact Top Floor's Marketing Director, Missy Ramey, at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Include your full mailing address, the
name of newspaper/magazine/whatever in which the review will
appear and the probable date of publication, and the editor's
contact information.
^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+
{{ Reading Back Issues }}
========>>>
If you need to refer to back issues of this newsletter -- and
search the archives -- you can find them at the following
location:
http://PoorRichard.com/newsltr/
<img src="http://partner.netmechanic.com/partner/hiddengif.cgi?p=514 3"
height=1 width=1>
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