Creating additional space on your computer’s hard drive can be a challenge. So far, we’ve talked about how you can compress your files to create additional Drive C storage space and has also looked at external storage devices that will free up your hard drive. I personally love the external portable storage units — they’ve saved me a lot of money. Another thing that you can do is to make sure that you can maximize your hard drive’s available storage space is to get rid of useless files.
CAPTION: Screen shot of Webroot's Window Washer
For the past two years, I’ve used a program called Webroot Window Washer that came with my PC. It boosts the computer’s performance by deleting system clutter such as temporary Internet files and fragments left by Microsoft Office and Adobe. So far, thanks to Window Washer, I’ve recovered 20 GB of hard drive space.
CAPTION: The volume of storage space freed by Window Washer
Not only will you keep your hard drive clean and save some space, but the program protects your privacy by washing away online activities that are traced through your Internet browser history, cache and cookies.
The standalone version of Window Washer is generally less than $30; there are upgraded packages, such as one that includes Spy Doctor. If you are using a Microsoft Windows operating system and are constantly challenged with running out of space on your C drive, then it’s worth the time to take a look at Window Washer.
Years ago, they used to call it the “Secretary’s Spread.” Now, it’s the “Computer Operator’s Spread” — and hits most of us because we have to use computers.
What I’m talking about is our growing size of our duffs from sitting on our butts all day in front of the screen.
It’s easy to become a victim of the dreaded spread, especially when our income comes from working at the computer. I know for myself, I spend at least 60 hours a week in front of the desktop. In MSN’s Money and Finance Article, “How Much Do Bloggers Make?”, one of the more successful bloggers earning $30,000 a year works at his computer 14 hours a day on week days, and another 9 hours a day on weekends. Digital Trends reports that 65% of Americans spend more time on their computers than with their significant other — and at least 12 hours of that per month is spent fixing computer problems.
Whether it’s in front of the computer, in front of the television or in front of a desk, we spend a lot of time sitting around. And that slows down our metabolism, according to a report by Dr. Marc Hamilton. For those of us who make a living with our computers, it’s easy to fall to temptation and eat at our desks so we can get more done. But that, coupled with the slow metabolism from just sitting around, just adds to the dreaded spread, making us embarrassingly fat and out of shape.
Faced with big workloads and not a lot of time to get things done, the diet pill solution holds appeal to many facing the dreaded computer user’s spread. If we could just pop a pill and shed those pounds, life would be good! Business Week studied this trend and found that Americans spend $40 billion a year on weight-loss programs and products. Among the different diet pills out there, Phentermine is touted to be one of the most effective. Approved by the FDA back in 1959, this drug is used to suppress the appetite. There are several reported side effects, such as increased blood pressure, insomnia, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, and an elevated heart rate. Because of its side effects, the drug is available by prescription only. An online company called Consumer Price Watch has taken a hard core look at various diet pills on the market, comparing prices and allowing users to report their experiences. For instance, a lady writes, “I have used the Phentermine 37.5 I loved it and I lost all the weight that I wanted. Then I stopped and gained it all back and then some. I hate myself and need your help.”
My personal opinion is that it will take a heck of a lot more than diet pills to win the battle against the computer user’s spread. Chiefly, it involves moving around! Here are some of my observations:
Get out at least one day a week, if not more, to hike, get the yard cleaned up, or some other physical activity. Not only will you burn calories, but you’ll connect with friends and family. Exercise and spending time outdoors lifts depression and mental “funk.”
Don’t eat at your desk. Ever.
Don’t drink at your desk unless it’s water (or coffee or tea, without the sugary calories).
Take a “real” lunch break of at least half an hour. If you don’t want to eat, jump on the treadmill, dust and vacuum your office, or take a walk.
I like to keep some free weights at my desk and my “6 Second Abs” cruncher. I can use these when I’m on the phone or reading something that’s online.
No matter what, tackle the “computer operator’s spread” now before you have a heart condition or develop diabetes. As fun and useful as computers are, they do not warrant killing us. In short, whether you run a home business or just spend a lot of your spare time at the computer, take a break and go do something!
The average American is getting sick and tired of the status quo. Before the Internet, there may have been some protests. Other discontented folks wrote letters to the editor. Some chose to run for office. But the bulk complained at the dinner table.
The Internet has changed all of that.
The Ron Paul Movement
This year’s election may be determined by alternative media and the swell of quotes, links and opinions blasting across the Internet.
Photo by Afagen (click for Flickr Stream)
This year, it started with the Ron Paul Revolution, when an unassuming, Libertarian-leaning Republican that no one really heard of triggered a storm of blogging, shouting and commentary in the cyberworld when he launched his presidential campaign. In fact, much to Paul’s surprise, his following grew so passionate that he shattered all previous Republican and Democrat fundraising efforts, earning over $6 million in one day.
Other Causes
Although the American presidential campaign is getting most of the attention right now, other causes have received some action due to the Internet. Les Scammell, an educator and business manager who lives a small town in SE Queensland Australia, launched what he calls “My Radical Blogs.” One of his projects is the Protest Against The Slaughter Of Whales that has a goal of getting 1000 bloggers to add their blogs to his “1000 Blog Protest Against The Slaughter Of Whales” campaign. So far, he has a little over 150 blogs that have added their URLs to his blog.
CAPTION: The 1000 Blog Protest
In response to the massive government buyout of distressed assets, http://www.buymyshitpile.com launched with the message, “What Happens on Main Street Affects Wall Street.” With a more serious tone, Downsize DC has over 23,700 members who receive email “dispatches” about pending bills in Congress that will increase wasteful federal spending. These members in turn call and fax their Senators and Representatives and give them an earful about pending legislation that would normally be obscure because it is simply not reported in mainstream media.
Organizations such as FreePress.net with thousands of online activists have been making an impact in Internet and other media. An example of one of their recent success stories has been to let the average person know about the arrests of journalists who were reporting on protests at the 2008 Republican convention. Thanks to their efforts and the work of other grassroots organizers online, over 60,000 letters were delivered to St. Paul demanding that no charges be pressed against the journalists. They won. Charges were dropped.
Mainstreet America Roars
As to the current political campaigns, more than ever before, the common voter is getting to have his or her say. It’s not just a handful of voices. The volume has turned into a roar. It’s unknown whether politicians actually pay attention to what the people are saying (for instance, voters were saying “no” to the massive bailout with a ratio of 300-to-1, but it looks like it’s going to pass anyway). What is known is that the average Joe gets immediate gratification for publishing his opinion, and that opinion will undoubtedly translate into what voting lever Joe pulls.
Twitter has been around since March 2006, providing a real-time short messaging service that works over multiple networks and devices. It’s no surprise that the Twitter platform has been integrated into numerous political forums. Read about politics and Twitter at the Twitter blog. It’s amazing to watch Twitter’s own election updates, with “Tweets” scrolling through every second.
Mainstreet America is highlighting information about the politicians and their compaigns that the average voter would never know about from the mainstream press and television coverage. For instance, this little clip about Sarah Palin showed up in one of the Diggs I’ve received. You’ll never see this on TV:
Of course, we can’t forget YouTube as a way for the average person to be heard in today’s political climate. YouTube as an “Election Channel” that covers all kinds of political races, including the presidential race. You’ll find the less mainstream videos by searching through the main site.
Here’s where it’s really going to get intense. Although it is still perfecting the tool, Google has launched “inQuotes,” which allows you to find the candidates’ quotes on just about any topic. “Flip flops” and lies are going to be revealed at the speed of the Net, thanks to Google.
What’s to be Learned from This?
Voters who want to know more than what is presented in media soundbytes are definitely going to be researching the candidates and the issues online. With more information readily available, there’s going to be a greater accountability than ever facing candidates, and this will affect activist issues and politics.
From a small business perspective, there is a lot that can be learned about social media and marketing. Check out all the links above to see how they are used, and how your business can participate.
On the good side, we can take advantage of social media to get the word out about our offerings. Conversely, our business reputations and the reliability of what we sell can be made or broken by opinions on the Internet.
Aside from the never-ending stream of political stories, there were some real interesting “Diggs” that were shouted this week.
CAPTION: Screenshot of Optical Migraine Movie
One of them answered a question I had for at least ten years. Several times a year, I can’t see because of a kaleidoscope of colors spinning around my line of vision. Eventually, these colors merge and I can only see out of a “pinhole,” so to speak. It can get very disconcerting — some people would probably take drugs just to experience this effect! Mine come totally drug free and no doctor has ever been able to explain this experience to me. A blogger using the name “Known Johnson” made a short video about this very phenomenon and at last, I finally know what it is: an optical — or visual — migraine. It turns out that a lot of people experience this sensation. In fact, Known Johnson’s blog kept going down because it kept exceeding its bandwidth with people constantly “Digging” the article and watching the demonstration. The blog is back up right now, so take a look at his short flash movie clip. Like me, you might learn something new, too.
Blogging from Indonesia
CAPTION: Blogger Lukman F
Though not because of a Digg shout, I also visited Lukmanf’’s Tips this week. Self-described as a famous Indonesian blogger, Lukman blogs about a variety of subjects, from the Internet to education and to writing. Judging by the photo slide show on his “about” page, it’s evident that Lukman is a world traveler. He has been to Holland, Egypt and of course, visited various Indonesian sites.
While Lukman is a prolific writer when it comes to product and blog reviews, some of his most interesting material comes from his own culture and observations. For instance, he has a lengthy comparison of Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Indonesian girls. After talking about their differences, Lukman concludes that Indonesian girls may be the best, citing advice from his junior high school teacher who had admonished students to “love what is made in their country.” Indonesian girls are, after all, “mostly made in Indonesia,” concludes the writer.
Perfectly Preserved – Why Can’t They Come Up with an Anti-Wrinkle Solution Like This?
Back here in America, obesity and diabetes are big health problems, and fast food is often blamed as the culprit. Another Digg shout sent me over to the “A Hamburger Today” blog, which had a shocking photo comparing a 12-year-old McDonald’s hamburger with one purchased in 2008.
CAPTION: Photograph taken by Karen Hanrahan
I am not going to spoil the surprise by telling you which one of the above burgers is a dozen years old – you’ll need to visit the Hamburger Today blog to find out!
Giving with a Twist: Non-Charitable, Non-Tax Deductible Donations Needed
And finally, a friend of mine took his first stab at a blog and wants comments and donations. He’s made some political opinion videos for his “Anthill Industries” blog that are quite funny. This is one of the few blogs where both hateful comments and generous donations are welcome! Here’s one of his videos:
So visit Anthill Industries, write a bunch of comments for backlinks, and send a dollar or two. You won’t get anything out of your donation, but maybe you’ll feel good about your generous self.
Blog Buzz about Taxes & Politics
Anthill Industries is not the only blog that’s talking about politics. The huge bailout, McCain’s suspended campaign, the debates and taxes are, of course, generating a lot of commentary on blogs across the spectrum. The National Taxpayers Union took a look at the spending proposals by the presidential candidates and published its analysis on September 25. Here’s a quick look:
When I started this blog, I did so to meet a personal challenge. My goal was to see if I could blog each and every day, see what would happen in terms of traffic and page rank by doing so, and get some creative flow going. So far, so good! I’ve hit 120 articles and have been blogging consistently for over three months now, which is something I wasn’t sure I could do. Quite frankly, when I started out, I wasn’t sure if I could think of something to write about every day. It turns out, there’s plenty to write about!
Kudos to Reason Magazine for its Web 2.0 Technology
Constantly evolving Internet technologies is just one fertile area of many that provides something to review in a blog. For example, I was totally impressed with Reason’s online live coverage of the presidential debates last night, in which the magazine invited Bob Barr, the Libertarian candidate, to participate in real time.
CAPTION: Screen shot of Reason's online debate coverage.
With over 1,000 viewers logged in, the live stream was surprisingly good. There were a couple of times that the sound disappeared, but by refreshing the page, the debates would load quickly and the sound was restored. While the debate was taking place, viewers could comment in the chat area on the right of the screen. Bob Barr handled the debate questions and comments wonderfully, and you could hear a lot of hooting and clapping from the audience. From a small business perspective, live telecasts such as what Reason put together for the debates would be an awesome way to market. Thanks, Reason!
Google Page Rank Update and Alexa Traffic
It appears that Google is either in the midst of a page rank update, or it has just finished updating PR. I didn’t think this blog would get any rank for at least six months, but it turns out that it got a rank of 1.
CAPTION: Google Page Rank as of September 26, 2008
After hovering around an Alexa Rank of 10 million for the first week, the blog jumped to 7 million, and then started climbing in traffic pretty quickly after that. On Labor Day weekend, I was showing a friend the rank, and it was around 568,000. Today, it’s hit an Alexa traffic score of 366,558.
CAPTION: Alexa traffic score as of September 26, 2008
In case you’re wondering where these screen shots came from, I use a Firefox plugin called SEO Quake. You can get it here.
Why Am I Telling You This?
If you are sitting on the fence about starting a blog, it’s time to jump off and make a commitment to yourself. The holiday season is around the corner, and having an active site, whether it’s a blog or e-commerce site, will pay off for you. Believe me, as a self employed small business owner who regularly puts in 12 hour work days, if I can write totally unique blog content every day, so can you. You’ll probably do a better job of it. The main thing is to start set up your blog and start writing.
Consistent blogging is a good way to generate traffic to your other sites by linking to your main site(s) in your posts or blog roll, can be a good method to start making a bit of money online, and is an excellent tool to start setting goals and make yourself create new and unique content. What’s more, it’s kind of fun — especially if you write about things that interest you. You don’t have to blog every day. Once a week may be fine. The key is to stick with a schedule.
Have You Reached a Milestone?
If you, too, have started blogging and challenged yourself to be consistent about it, please add a comment and a link to your blog in the comment section below. I’d love to hear your success stories and strategies.
If you need a new hosting service, here’s an awesome deal: You get a quality, lifetime hosting package for just $20.
This is the real deal, with a control panel that has Awstats, Fantastico, CGI and all of the other features that you come to expect with a good hosting service:
Unix Hosting with COMPLETE Panel!
CGI-BIN + Latest PHP 5
100 POP3 E-mail Accounts
1000MB (1 GB) Storage &1000000MB monthly transfer & bandwidth (More storage then most people will ever use but will be bumped up if needed)
Complete Fantastico
Frontpage extensions
No popup’s no advertisements of any kind!
Quad Core for lighting fast processing.
And much more!
This offer expires at midnight so get it right now by visiting this special link from Web Promotion Systems. I’ve bought one of these and yes, it is definitely the real deal. This might be one of the best promotions you’ll find in a long time, so take advantage of it.
It’s election time again and many people will be tuned into the debates. McCain has announced that he will participate, so everything’s a go. From a tech perspective, there are some awesome developments.
Micro-Blogging the Debates with Current and Twitter
Current and Twitter have partnered in what they call the “Hack the Debates” project, which will broadcast as many of debate tweets as possible right over Obama & McCain, in real time, on their live broadcast. Learn more about this and how you can add your “Tweets” at Current’s site.
CAPTION: The Blogging the Debates Project
Another cool online feature comes from Voter Watch, which is sponsoring the Blogging the Debates project. In the days following each debate, Voter Watch will feature expert commentary from Dick Morris, Cynthia McKinney and many others in its special “Voter Watch Media Player.” Voter Watch partnered with Current to air a recap of the Current/Twitter debate footage (complete with Tweets) following each debate — so if you want your opinion and Tweets heard, check it out by visiting Blogging the Debates.
A Bit of Background and Reason’s Live Counter Debate
People who study how presidential debates are conducted over the last several election cycles are aware that ever since Ross Perot, they are now controlled by the Democrat and Republican parties through an organization known as the Commission for Presidential Debates. Previously, they were conducted by the League of Women Voters who became so disgusted with the scripted questions and behind-the-scene games that they threw up their hands in disgust.
After the Perot experience, the bipartisan CPD blocks all legitimate viewpoints other than those presented by their two parties. This has angered many voters who would like all candidates who have achieved significant ballot access to participate.
The way it is now, there is a nebulous polling requirement that a candidate must have a 15% approval in the polls before he or she can participate in the debates. The CPD does not specify who gives these polls, when the polls are to be taken, and does not address the very practical issue that most polls only list the two major parties’ candidates and “undecided.” It is impossible to get 15% in the polls when your name is not in the poll. A more factual and unbiased qualification would be based on ballot access throughout the states.
The strongest third parties having ballot access this year are Ralph Nader and Bob Barr. A recent Zogby poll indicated that 55% of Americans wanted these alternatives to participate in the debates. Given the economic climate today, this only seems fair to the American voter. The third parties offer insight that is very different from the same old routine given by the Democrats and Republicans.
Reason is going to interject live responses in its real-time debate coverage. Here’s how Reason describes its event:
Please join reason, either in person or online, for a live counter-debate on Friday, Sept. 26, with Libertarian Party nominee Bob Barr, who will respond to John McCain, Barack Obama and moderator Jim Lehrer in real time. We will be live-blogging Barr’s responses at Hit & Run, and videotaping the whole proceedings, which will include a brief post-debate Q&A with reason staffers, bloggers, and other interested parties. The fun begins at 7:00 PM, the debate starts at 8:00 sharp, and the drinks will be provided by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. In a year rich with libertarian politics, the only place you’ll hear a candidate talking libertarian ideas will be in reason’s Washington headquarters.
If you’re interested in hearing more than just the usual rhetoric tonight, be sure to visit Reason.
Injecting another party — live — into the debate should prove to be an Internet technology wonder. If for no other reason, it’s worth watching Reason’s version of the debate to see how this will work.
Whether or not we think the current debate process is fair or biased, the web is quickly becoming an awesome tool for live participation. I know I will have a couple of Firefox windows open tonight so I can see how Web 2.0 will play a role in the debate coverage.
Having recently moved, I found a small box in my “stuff to do” pile filled with old cell phones from past service providers. Some of these phones are a bit outdated and cannot be hooked into my current service provider. I was going to throw them out but thought maybe they could be recycled, so I took a look online to see what I could do with them.
It turns out that not only can these old phones be recycled, but you can actually get paid for them at a site called Cell For Cash.
The process is simple. First, you visit the site and select the manufacturer (or service provider) and model of your old cell phone. The manufacturer and provider list is extensive and includes:
Audiovox Cell Phones
Boost Cell Phones
Danger Cell Phones
Firefly Cell Phones
Hop-On Cell Phones
HP Cell Phones
HTC Cell Phones
Kyocera Cell Phones
LG Cell Phones
Mitsubishi Cell Phones
Motorola Cell Phones
NEC Cell Phones
NewGen Cell Phones
Nextel Cell Phones
Nokia Cell Phones
Palm Cell Phones
Panasonic Cell Phones
Pantech Cell Phones
RIM Cell Phones
Sagem Cell Phones
Samsung Cell Phones
Sanyo Cell Phones
Sharp Cell Phones
Siemens Cell Phones
Sony Ericsson Cell Phones
Torq Cell Phones
UTStarcom Cell Phones
Vertu Cell Phones
Cingular Cell Phones
Nextel Cell Phones
Sprint Nextel Cell Phones
T-Mobile Cell Phones
Verizon Cell Phones
Once you’ve selected your phone, you submit your information online, send the phone and then get paid for the old cell phone. Many non-profit or school organizations use this service in their fund-raising efforts.
In case you’re wondering, you don’t even have to pay shipping. The service provides a box and prepaid shipping label for the phone you specify. Once you ship the phone, the company verifies that you sent what you said you were going to send, and then cuts you a check. The process takes around a month and a half or two months (45-60 days).
There’s no point in throwing your cell phone away if it can be recycled or reused. And if you can get paid for that old phone, that’s even better!
The news of massive government bailouts for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers and AIG are inescapable. Whether it’s the internet, email alerts, radio, or television, we keep hearing about these gigantic bailouts.
But as taxpayers who are stuck with paying for these bailouts, how much do we actually owe?
The Libertarian Party figured it out … roughly $3,278 for every man, woman and child in the United States.
Entrepreneurs to the Rescue!
An entrepreneur will see opportunity in the massive government bailouts and learn to profit from them. Join in on the action by visiting the site below:
As a mom and pop business owner, it’s time to move from a “brochure” type of web site to the world of Web 2.0, which includes social marketing.
Social marketing involves networking with other site owners and participating in communities such as Stumble Upon, MySpace, Digg and so forth. It also includes marketing your site with Hub Pages, Squidoo lenses and other things that you may have never heard of before.
In what I consider to be one of the most useful, targeted giveaways ever, you can learn about social marketing by downloading free software and ebook gifts at the Social Marketing Giveway, which launches today and will be live until October 7, 2008. Here are a few of the offerings that you can get absolutely free at this giveaway event:
A 5-part e-course on Web 2.0 secrets;
A video tutorial series on how to build great Hub pages;
A step-by-step course on how to profit with Squidoo lenses;
How to profit using MySpace;
Various guides on Craigslist and how to use it effectively;
How to use ethical bribes;
YouTube video sites in a box;
Blogging secrets; and
A heck of a lot more.
People who are already subscribed to various Internet marketing memberships know about social marketing to some extent, but the people I work with — mom and pop businesses — generally do not know much about this concept. For that reason, I really think that this giveaway event is an important one for small businesses that are wanting to know how to get more traffic to their websites.
For those of us who know something about social marketing, the Social Marketing event has some material that may be new to us. In fact, I’ve found a few ebooks there that will teach me something new.
The Social Marketing giveaway event is available until October 7. Visit it right now so you don’t take a chance on missing it.
