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Businesses Must Learn To Use Their Websites for Sales and Marketing

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While many companies use their websites only as online business cards, Panama Internet Marketing client study shows. This is a lost opportunity as they can be turned into effective sales and marketing tools. More and more people are using internet as their main source for information – and that information is greatly influencing their purchasing decisions. Companies need to learn more about internet marketing if they seek success online.

Panama City, Panama (Bluehost/PRWEB ) December 4, 2007 — Panama Internet Marketing analyzed how its client were using their websites before creating a proper internet marketing strategy. The informal study showed that the majority of companies use their websites only as online business cards.

According to Panama Internet Marketing, every website can be turned into effective sales and marketing tool. As more and more people are using internet as their main source for information, that information is increasingly influencing their purchasing decisions. Companies need to learn more about internet marketing if they seek success online.

Peep Laja, Director of Panama Internet Marketing commented: "The problem with most websites is that they don't sell – and a large number are not even trying to. An effective website should have a modern design that communicates the brand promise of the company, has to be able to generate leads from the website traffic and sell to those leads. Companies need to pay more attention to internet marketing."

While a website is practically useless without visitors, it also does no good when companies are not able to take advantage of their website traffic – no matter how low it is. It all starts with an effective sales copy – the most important component of the website. A sales copy needs to give the readers information about the product or service and needs to convince them they must buy it, or take steps towards buying it.

Even on top websites 95% of visitors won't buy anything on their first visit, even though they might be interested. While there are many ways to approach this knowledge, a good idea is to set up a lead capturing system where the company offers visitors something valuable that is related to its service (but doesn't cost much) in exchange for their contact information.

This process of relationship building is essential to getting the customer's trust, to try out the product without the pressure of a tough sell, and to form a marketing relationship that will allow the company to later sell to its customers.

Stanford University's Persuasive Technology Lab research on what creates trust on websites points out that the main factors can be categorized as follows: transparency, human touch, customer care and security. A website that wants to have success with sales and marketing online has to do well in all of those categories.

About Panama Internet Marketing

Panama Internet Marketing is an internet marketing & SEO company. Panama Internet Marketing key competency lies in turning websites into effective sales and marketing tools.

HELIOS Software Releases its UB+ Server Solutions Suite

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HELIOS Software ships new UB+ Unbreakable Server Software suite of cross-platform networking, PDF, and image server solutions. UB+ software runs on all major server platforms, and includes client support for Windows Vista, Mac OS X Leopard, and any remote web browser. The UB+ suite introduces Tool Server, an automation tool to seamlessly integrate third party applications with the HELIOS server.

Hannover, Germany (PRWEB) December 4, 2007 — HELIOS Software GmbH, a leading developer of cross-platform networking, PDF, and image server solutions for Mac, Windows, and web clients, released its UB+ server solutions suite with support for all major server platforms, including Solaris, Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, AIX, and HP-UX. "We have been listening closely to the needs of our customers and had an eye on new developments," said Helmut Tschemernjak, President of HELIOS Software GmbH. "The HELIOS UB+ suite, as the next step in the HELIOS success story, comes with a rich set of new features matching the needs of modern demanding workflows."

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One of the highlights of HELIOS UB+ is the new HELIOS Tool Server, an automation framework to integrate any kind of scriptable third party application with the HELIOS server suite. Utilizing the Bonjour protocol, load balancing and intelligent resource management, Tool Server provides a flexible and very extensible option to integrate third party applications into a server workflow. For example, new HELIOS UB+ features such as PDF flattening, HTML to PDF conversion, and PDF bitmap previews supporting Asian fonts, are based on the new technology. HELIOS Tool Server can be installed on one or more Mac or Windows or UNIX network workstations for parallel job processing and load balancing. HELIOS Tool Server is a significant step towards a well integrated workflow environment providing high reliability of all components and focused administration.

The top features of the UB+ Unbreakable Server Solutions include:

– High productivity – very fast file find from any Mac, Windows or remote web client due to new SQL Desktop Database

– Convenience – easiest access to network resources like printers, AFP server, WebShare server, and any Tool Server application due to the HELIOS Bonjour server and client support including routing

– Cross-platform networking – Windows Vista and Mac OS X Leopard client support
– Proofing – increased output quality and a reduction of misprints due to highest quality previews and proof printing including overall transparency support

– PDF workflow – PDF flattening combines highly sophisticated design workflows with output on any PostScript printer

– Workflow automation – easy yet reliable integration of third party applications via Tool Server automation framework

– Advanced color management – including support for device links, black point compensation, preservation of primary colors, and ICC version 4 profiles

– Image handling – support for PDF as universal image file format

– Remote workflows – Easy, flexible and highly secure remote access to a file server with HELIOS WebShare UB+ including support for customer brandings, multiple page document previews, remote proofing including separation preview, very fast file find, and on-the-fly zipstream downloads

As a special incentive HELIOS offers a 30% discount on all UB+ upgrades from any previous version which are ordered before January 31st, 2008. For detailed information on HELIOS UB+ and the top ten new features visit the HELIOS web site http://www.helios.com and view the QuickTime presentation.

Smart Ideas for Better Networking
HELIOS UB+ Unbreakable Server Solutions deliver mission critical server solutions to enterprise, government, university, and prepress sites. WebShare, EtherShare, and PCShare provide integrated cross-platform networking for Mac, Windows and web clients, with advanced file and print server services, and easy remote server administration. HELIOS ImageServer, PDF HandShake and PrintPreview bring high efficiency and advanced capabilities to design, prepress and printing operations.

HELIOS products run on powerful and scalable servers including Apple Mac OS X, Hewlett-Packard HP-UX, IBM AIX, Linux, Sun Solaris, and Windows systems. HELIOS products provide reliable cross-platform support for Mac, Windows, web and UNIX-based clients.
Distributors sell HELIOS products worldwide to value-added resellers who provide complete networking solutions to customers. HELIOS also works with many strategic partners that incorporate HELIOS server software to provide powerful third-party archive, asset management and workflow solutions.

For U.S. Sales: European MikroGraf Corp.: 916-923-3520; E-mail: sales (at) ugraf.com; www.ugraf.com

Editorial contact:
Germany Helmut Tschemernjak, HELIOS Software GmbH, Steinriede 3, D-30827 Garbsen, Germany; Tel +49-5131-709320 Fax +49 5131-709325; E-mail: mktg (at) helios.de; Internet: www.helios.com

U.S.A. Thomas Hallinan, HELIOS Software GmbH, 209-827-2760, mktg (at) helios.de Bill Gram-Reefer, WORLDVIEW, 925-459-8537, reefer (at) worldviewpr.com

OpenDNS Announces DNS-O-Matic as Free Service

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Invitation to use DNS-O-Matic extended to hardware manufacturers, service providers, Internet users

San Francisco (PRWEB) December 3, 2007 — OpenDNS, the award-winning DNS service that makes the Internet safer, faster, smarter and more reliable, today unveiled DNS-O-Matic, a free service aimed at helping users update the dynamic IP addresses assigned by their Internet Service Provider (ISP). Dynamic IPs are standard for residential Internet connections and hinder advanced network applications that are commonly used. OpenDNS is the world's largest, fastest-growing DNS service.

DNS-O-Matic is poised to solve a problem plaguing hardware companies, service providers and Internet users everywhere. Many important Internet applications require knowing a customer's current IP address, which may change from time to time. DNS-O-Matic is the standard that allows users to automatically notify any supported service provider of an IP address change. For hardware companies, dynamic DNS service providers and software developers, supporting a single service gives customers choice of dynamic DNS services and allows hardware manufacturers to implement only one protocol to support all existing Dynamic DNS services.

People with dynamic IPs can start benefiting from DNS-O-Matic immediately by visiting the site and setting up a free account. From there, adding a new service is simply a matter of adding it in their interface, no longer needing to download a new piece of software for every dynamic IP-dependant service they use.

"The idea for DNS-O-Matic was born of a need we had for our own service," said OpenDNS CEO David Ulevitch. "When a customer's IP changes, their configuration must be updated with the change. This is unacceptable for schools, libraries, businesses and residences that have Web content filtering, and our other features enabled. We approached the problem the way we approach everything: with the idea that working together is usually the best option for service providers and end users. In the case of DNS-O-Matic, everyone benefits."

"We see the DNS-O-Matic service as a key value to our customers who are in highly mobile and constantly changing environments," said Gary Oliverio, VP Marketing and Founder of CradlePoint, manufacturer of docking cradles, cellular routers, and software platforms that facilitate secure mobile computing in the Web 2.0 world. "With DNS-O-Matic, OpenDNS helps us broaden our ability to provide complete solutions."

"DNS-O-Matic takes a challenging problem for the industry and offers a simple solution for users, software developers, and DNS service providers," says Sam Norris, CEO of ChangeIP, provider of world class dynamic DNS services to more than 175,000 customers.

Among the services supported by DNS-O-Matic updates are: Afraid.org, BroadbandReports.com (Line Monitoring), ChangeIP, DNS Made Easy, DNS Park, DtDNS, DynDNS, DynIP, EasyDNS, EditDNS, EveryDNS, No-IP, OpenDNS, SecuritySpace, TZO, WorldWideDNS, ZoneEdit and more to come.

Start using DNS-O-Matic today at http://www.dnsomatic.com.

About OpenDNS
OpenDNS makes the Internet safer, faster, smarter and more reliable. Based in San Francisco, the company operates a large distributed network that powers a new kind of recursive DNS (Domain Name System) service that provides all Internet users increased security, reliability and performance. OpenDNS is thoroughly committed to building and operating the best DNS platform in the world and to improving the Internet. For more information about OpenDNS, please visit: http://www.opendns.com

Cyveillance Finds 300 Percent Increase in Phishing Attacks on Thanksgiving

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Company Reports Significant Spike in Online Threats on First Day of Holiday Weekend

ARLINGTON, Va. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) December 3, 2007 — Cyveillance, the world leader in cyber intelligence, today announced that Thanksgiving saw a significant spike in phishing threats, with more than a 300 percent jump in attacks compared to the average number of phishing attacks seen in the previous week. This one day spike in the number of phishing attacks is a tactic used by criminals around long holiday weekends, often targeting smaller businesses and credit unions, which may not have around-the-clock security teams to respond to threats that occur during extended weekends.

  According to a recent CNN Money Report highlighting Cyveillance’s cyber intelligence expertise, small businesses are frequently at risk for phishing attacks and other brand-related online threats. Therefore, these companies must take a proactive stance in protecting their brand online. Criminals are increasingly targeting small businesses and small credit unions that do not have 24/7 security personnel; allowing phishers to successfully evade detection and prolong the eventual take down of their fraudulent Web sites.

“Cyber criminals continuously look for opportunities to distribute phishing attacks, focusing on situations when consumers are most susceptible,” said Panos Anastassiadis, CEO of Cyveillance. “As seen by the large spike in online attacks over Thanksgiving, online criminals are counting on the hectic holiday season to increase their odds of successfully defrauding consumers and organizations, specifically targeting the most vulnerable security environments.”

In Cyveillance’s recent fraud report, the company identified that phishers continue to heavily focus on the financial services sector, targeting banks and credit unions in nine out of 10 attacks. During the three months ending September 2007, Phishing attacks against companies targeted for the first time increased 20 percent, led by newer blended phishing attacks that combine malicious software (malware) with traditional phishing techniques.

Phishing is a social engineering scam that relies on both technology and human interaction to carry out online fraud and identity theft. The schemes are varied, but typically involve a spoofed (spam) email that mimics an email from a legitimate and respected organization. The email solicits the recipient to click on a link in order to update account information or view a marketing promotion. After clicking on the link, the individual is connected to a fake Web site that requests sensitive personal information (e.g. username and password, credit card number, Social Security number, etc.), or downloads malware that secretly collects personal information from the individual’s computer. These blended phishing attacks that combine spoofed email messages with malware are growing at four times the rate of traditional phishing attacks.

About Cyveillance

Cyveillance, the world leader in cyber intelligence, provides an intelligence-led approach to security. Through continuous, comprehensive Internet monitoring and sophisticated intelligence analysis, Cyveillance proactively identifies and eliminates threats to information, infrastructure, individuals and their interactions, enabling its customers to preserve their reputation, revenues, and customer trust. Cyveillance serves the Global 2000 and OEM Data Partners – protecting the majority of the Fortune 50, regional financial institutions nationwide, and more than 30 million global consumers through its partnerships with security and service providers that include AOL and Microsoft. For more information, visit www.cyveillance.com.

TechSmith offers Camtasia Studio 3 as Free Download

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TechSmith, creators of Camtasia Studio, a popular screencast creator application for Windows, now offers version 3 with full license for free, according to a blog post at www.downloadsquad.com . The company hopes users will try the software, then upgrade to version 5, which was recently released.

The program usually sells for $299 USD, but through an arrangement with downloadsquad users can download Camtasia Studio 3.1.2.0 and request a valid license from TechSmith at no charge. The download is a trial version. The free license key will unlock the trial for a full version.

After users receive the free license they will be eligible to purchase an upgrade to Camtasia Studio 5 at 50% off the regular price.

Camtasia Studio 3 is for Windows only and will not run on Windows Vista. Camtasia Studio 5 is Vista ready.

To download Camtasia Studio 3 and request a free license key, go to www.downloadsquad.com .

 

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The Force Field Episode 8 Released

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(TheForceField.net ) November 29, 2007 — The latest episode of The Force Field with Rick Savoia™ was released this morning at 1 AM EDT. The episode, called The Computer Repair Business By Dan Hand, discusses a book by entrepreneur and author Daniel Hand called Computer Repair Business Lessons Learned, The book was written specifically for computer techs who are in the computer repair business or about to start one.

The show can be downloaded and heard in The Force Field podcast blog . You can even download and play it directly on your iPhone .

The Force Field is listed on iTunes and syndicated on over 20 podcast networks and directories including Yahoo, Google Base and iBizRadio . It is also listed by Small Business Trends Radio as one of the 100 Small Business Audio Podcasts .The Force Field is a proud member of The Tech Podcast Network .

 TechPodcasts.com player!

techpodcasts.com

  

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Windows XP SP3 is faster than SP2 and Vista, tester claims

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Windows XP Service Pack 3, due for release in 2008, increases speed by 10%, according to testers of the new update. ComputerWorld reported the findings this morning, citing a report from the testing company that puts performance of Service Pack 3 ahead of SP2 and further validates the claim that Windows XP is Vista's biggest competitor.

The tests were performed by Devil Mountain Software, the same company that recently tested Windows Vista SP1 and determined no appreciable speed boost over the initial release of Vista, despite Microsoft's assertion of  increased performance.

However, when testing Windows XP SP3, the company found an increase in speed up to 10% over SP2 and ensuring claims that Windows Vista SP1 was up to 2X slower than its older cousin.

 Computerworld quoted Craig Barth, Devil Mountain Software's Chief Technology Officer in the company blog as saying he was pleasantly surprised at the results. "Since SP3 was supposed to be mostly a bug-fix/patch consolidation release, the unexpected speed boost comes as a nice bonus," Barth said. "In fact, XP SP3 is shaping up to be a 'must-have' update for the majority of users who are still running Redmond's not-so-latest and greatest desktop OS."

The company based its benchmarks on a laptop running Microsoft Office 2007.

Source: Computerworld.

 

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Website Owners Can Get Free Quality Computing and Business Illustrations

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Computing and IT related stock illustrations catalogue offers free images for placement on websites in exchange with a simple backlink.

Zürich, Switzerland (PRWEB) November 24, 2007 — Illustration and graphic design provider Ecliptic is offering free images for use on websites. There are many editorials on the web containing nothing else then text because computer and business related themes are often difficult to illustrate.

But as a specialist in computing, IT and business illustrations, Ecliptic, for more then 10 years now, is providing its services with the proper images to solve this kind of problems. The Royalty Free Stock Illustrations Catalogue with over 2000 selected high quality and unique images builds the heart of Ecliptic's services.

The illustrator Thomas Thü Hürlimann, founder and owner of Ecliptic, has created every one of those illustrations, using his wide range of different illustration styles, from hand drawing, painting, photo collage, to 2d and 3d vector images and even animation. But Ecliptic has not only stock images, its services do also provide custom illustration and graphic design like logotype, flyers and print graphics in general.

Even the existing images from the Stock Catalogue can be adapted to the needs of each individual client. For years already, free items from Ecliptic's homepage include icon sets for Mac OSX and the classic game "Catch the Mac" for download, as also the free short animation "Close Encounter". Now Ecliptic goes a big step further by even offering its images free for placement on Internet homepages and websites.

The only condition in exchange for those free images is that a link has to be placed next to them. There are two ways how to get a free image: Download it directly from a large list of prepared images, or request any of the over 2000 illustrations from the Stock Catalogue by using the request form (to be found from the free images list).

The free images can be found on the following webpage:
http://www.ecliptic.ch/Stock/free.html

Ecliptic's Royalty Free Stock Illustrations Archive can be found here:
http://www.ecliptic.ch/Stock/

More about Ecliptic and the illustrator Thomas Thü Hürlimann:
http://www.ecliptic.ch

 

 

OneBackup

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User-Friendly Download Protects Home Computer Files in Minutes.

San Francisco, Calif. (PRWEB) November 22, 2007 — OneBackup™ announced today the launch of its new online data backup service. OneBackup software protects personal computer data using 448-bit, "bank-grade" encryption, and can now be downloaded for free at www.onebackup.com.

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"People universally are relying more heavily on their computers each day," said Adam Lupa, Director of Business Development for OneBackup . "Some of our most important personal belongings, like photos and financial documents, now exist only as digital files. OneBackup securely and continuously protects all of these files – no matter what happens to your computer."   

OneBackup software installs with just a few clicks and is verified spy-ware and virus-free by Microsoft® Authenticode. Because OneBackup is completely automatic, users can "set it and forget it." Each time the PC connects to the internet, OneBackup will immediately update and secure newly created files. To ensure complete privacy, "bank-grade" encryption compresses and protects data before it leaves the user's PC, leaving the only key to access stored data with the original owner.

PC World recently called OneBackup's application an "easy, inexpensive way to make sure your data is always safe." OneBackup offers a free 14-day trial for users to see firsthand how easy it is to get set up and protected. Continuing users enjoy the convenience of flat monthly rate, with no long-term or annual contracts. Additionally, unlimited OneBackup usage means the same price for any amount of storage.

"Until now, most backup services seemed overly complex and technical," said Lupa. "Or, even worse, they'd start advertising other products to customers. With our user-friendly, no-frills design, and our upcoming release of a Mac compatible version, we feel that OneBackup provides people with the simplicity, affordability and security that they should expect from an online backup solution."

About OneBackup:
OneBackup is a leading provider of online data storage solutions for both individual and business users. OneBackup offers unlimited storage capacity so that any number of users or computers may be secured. OneBackup automatically backs up files in real-time, and uses 448-bit encryption to compress and store computer files. The service allows file-sharing between friends and family by simply emailing password-protected links. With 24/7 access to OneBackup, users can instantly access backed-up files from any PC, at any time. OneBackup is a highly-successful, venture-funded technology and marketing company with a proven track record of internet success. Please visit www.OneBackup.com to learn more about the many features available via OneBackup software.

WordPress Guru Sherman Hu Prompts: What Are You Thankful For?

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Successful online entrepreneur Sherman Hu has launched a new site, Are You Thankful, found on the web at http://www.areyouthankful.com/ Unlike his many successful and profitable projects, this site was created by Hu simply to offer a reminder to people everywhere about the many things for which they can be thankful this holiday season.

(PRWEB) November 22, 2007 — Sherman Hu, founder of ShermanLive.com, Chief Blogging Officer (CBO) of WordPressTutorials.com and faculty member at Stompernet.com, has launched a new site, Are You Thankful, found on the web at http://www.areyouthankful.com/ Unlike his many successful and profitable projects, this site was created by Hu simply to offer a reminder to people everywhere about the many things for which they can be thankful this holiday season.

"I get so much pleasure from creating and running businesses, but at the root of my happiness is my amazing family. I was sitting here this weekend thinking about them and how thankful I am for them and how I sometimes take them for granted and I just wanted to share this moment of counting my blessings with the web," said Hu.

  Hu is the Founder and Chief Blogging Officer at WordPressTutorials.com and he is widely known as a blogging and new media guru and subject matter expert. He is now on the faculty of StomperNet.com and speaks all over the United States helping entrepreneurs to understand the value of blogging, social media and viral networking.

He is also husband of 12 years to Sarah and father to two beautiful children, home-schooler extraordinaire and an active community member.

As a successful, home based entrepreneur, Hu travels extensively and offers a constant array of online videos, tutorials and conferences to help small business owners to be more successful at getting their message out across the web. No stranger to viral marketing, whether of the business or humor variety, Hu is excited to see this social experiment come to fruition.

Hu adds, "Having seen the power of multi-media online, I wanted to take a step back from generating profit and take some time to just generate some good feeling. The holidays can be so stressful and there are a lot of people out there who just need a smile, so hopefully by publicizing this within my own network and through the media, that will happen!."

Should the project be successful, will Hu consider working more feel good marketing strategies into his curriculum for the entrepreneurs and bloggers of North America?

"I'd love more people to use the amazing viral marketing potential for pure good and altruism rather than just to generate clicks, but maybe I'll inspire another entrepreneur out there who will inspire someone else! I'd especially like to spark ideas like this to non-profits and charitable institutions who could be using technology to generate visibility and even donations for their organizations – so we'll see where it goes!" said Hu.

Enjoy the video, share with a friend and check out the blog through the holidays online at www.areyouthankful.com.

About Sherman Hu
Sherman was born and raised in Singapore and now lives in Vancouver BC Canada. A veteran SEO professional, Sherman's main focus is as a blogger, podcaster and new media expert. He launched his own search engine marketing firm in 2002 catering to small and medium sized businesses which he maintains to this day. Sherman is also the Chief Blogging Officer (CBO) of WordPressTutorials.com – a membership site offering training videos to business owners on setting up, customizing, utilizing, marketing and profiting from WordPress blogs. He is also a faculty member and speaker for StomperNet.com focusing on blogging, search marketing, podcasting & audioblogging, videocasting & videoblogging, screencasting and traffic generation. Hu also recently launched ShermanLive.com, an audio and video enhanced podcast show to help small business owners understand the ever changing landscape of new media on the web. Find Sherman Hu on the web at www.shermanlive.com.

  

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