When nothing seems to be going right, it's hard to find the root cause of it all. If you've been reading my past few posts, I've spent the better part of this past week (and note, I haven't written since) dealing with a rootkit on a client's machine. It is finally cleaned and I'm happy.
Unfortunately, along with that, comes the death of a wireless adapter or at least the ability of it maintaining a connection. It's a USB Wireless Adapter from Dynex (G) that's on my desktop . I've reinstalled the drivers but I still have a few things to try. I know the dropped connection is solely with the desktop because...my laptop is still connected and other people using the network have no problems with the connection.
That being said, it's ironic how systematic behavior of certain items can be expected in the computer world. We all just want it to work and that would be nice. Unfortunately, every system has its flaws. Every thing on a computer has an instruction to follow. What's instructing my wireless to disconnect? Not sure, but I'll find out.
I've learned that I've taken things for granted on systems. Systems follow instructions, take input and have a consequence of an action or output. At the same time, there are error systems in place to help handle those, and frankly, I'm that system.
So here is to systematic behavior: May you always be there to help out with systematic behavior.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Hanging on "loading personal settings"
Brain Date: March 7th, 2010, 6:08pm
I recently received a Windows XP Home machine that has been hanging at the log in "Loading Personal Settings" for a good ten (10) minutes. Yeah, I waited that long.
In any case, I was able to boot up to safe mode and have found out that it does NOT have an antivirus program. Hm, strange. Let's see what we can do when we upload one. My weapon of choice: AVG Free Edition. I'll be right back.
Brain Date: March 7th 2010, 6:32PM
MSVC Distributables Installation Failed error during AVG installation. Buggers. Downloading now from Microsoft.
Brain Date: March 7th 2010, 8:15pm
Despite thinking that doing a registry cleanup, or otherwise (Microsoft Cleanup Utility), I still have the same issue, no matter what I tried to install. So I went to ComboFix which uncovered TONS of problems, one of them being a rootkit.
Brain Date: March 7th 2010, 6:35PM
Downloaded and attempted to install. Error from "Windows Installer" "The system administrator has set policies to prevent this installation."
My conclusion: This baby is hijacked. On to the next one: ComboFix.
I recently received a Windows XP Home machine that has been hanging at the log in "Loading Personal Settings" for a good ten (10) minutes. Yeah, I waited that long.
In any case, I was able to boot up to safe mode and have found out that it does NOT have an antivirus program. Hm, strange. Let's see what we can do when we upload one. My weapon of choice: AVG Free Edition. I'll be right back.
Brain Date: March 7th 2010, 6:32PM
MSVC Distributables Installation Failed error during AVG installation. Buggers. Downloading now from Microsoft.
Brain Date: March 7th 2010, 8:15pm
Despite thinking that doing a registry cleanup, or otherwise (Microsoft Cleanup Utility), I still have the same issue, no matter what I tried to install. So I went to ComboFix which uncovered TONS of problems, one of them being a rootkit.
Brain Date: March 7th 2010, 6:35PM
Downloaded and attempted to install. Error from "Windows Installer" "The system administrator has set policies to prevent this installation."
My conclusion: This baby is hijacked. On to the next one: ComboFix.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Share much?
I love to share. What I try to do with my clients is work as remotely as possible. No, it's not that I don't want to be around them (trust me, I enjoy frequent social interaction, unlike a lot of people who are in IT), it's just that with today's economy, you want to travel as little as possible and use the tools available.
For instance, not too long ago, I came to help someone halfway across the country using showmypc.com. This application worked wonders in helping me get down to the bottom of an .zip issue the user was having but nobody they knew could figure out exactly what was wrong.
Another time this application helped me was when a client of mine was BSOD (blue screen of death)'ing after an uninstall of IE 8 (which was causing hang ups). I was able to clean up his registry remotely, but unfortunately, he has more problems than the symptoms surfaced so it'll be back to trying it again soon.
Sharing your desktop using this application has proven to me to be a valuable tool because I can experience the errors close up, which gives me an idea as to whether or not I need to be at the office/residence of a client to apply a fix.
On the theme of sharing, I found 4shared.com. Even though I love drop.io, 4shared.com has proven to me an easier upload of file sharing for download if all you really need to do is that. I was using drop.io for that, but it's best for collaboration. On the contrast, most of my clients still love F2F (face to face) meetings so drop.io isn't COMPLETELY practical for me, but I continue to promote and encourage it.
The cool thing about 4shared.com, you can create different folders to share with different people AND you can log in using your Google account.
So thank you for sharing your time with me to see how these items can probably work for your business. What free applications have you used to help your business along?
-eggBrain
For instance, not too long ago, I came to help someone halfway across the country using showmypc.com. This application worked wonders in helping me get down to the bottom of an .zip issue the user was having but nobody they knew could figure out exactly what was wrong.
Another time this application helped me was when a client of mine was BSOD (blue screen of death)'ing after an uninstall of IE 8 (which was causing hang ups). I was able to clean up his registry remotely, but unfortunately, he has more problems than the symptoms surfaced so it'll be back to trying it again soon.
Sharing your desktop using this application has proven to me to be a valuable tool because I can experience the errors close up, which gives me an idea as to whether or not I need to be at the office/residence of a client to apply a fix.
On the theme of sharing, I found 4shared.com. Even though I love drop.io, 4shared.com has proven to me an easier upload of file sharing for download if all you really need to do is that. I was using drop.io for that, but it's best for collaboration. On the contrast, most of my clients still love F2F (face to face) meetings so drop.io isn't COMPLETELY practical for me, but I continue to promote and encourage it.
The cool thing about 4shared.com, you can create different folders to share with different people AND you can log in using your Google account.
So thank you for sharing your time with me to see how these items can probably work for your business. What free applications have you used to help your business along?
-eggBrain
Monday, February 15, 2010
Stop! Yammertime!
So I just signed up for Yammer...and I'm falling in love with the potential of this, being a worker who works mostly remotely and would love to see how others with whom I collaborate are working on what they are working on to see how it could affect delivery times, what they could know about something I'm working on, etc. It does nothing but help focus the tapping of talent of other people you know in the company OR on your project.
It's like Twitter/Facebook for your workmates. Online collaboration in what I like to call "livetime".
AT the same time, I'm wondering if it'll really work for a remote worker such as myself because I'd have to convince the other members in other organizations, etc. to actually use it. And we all don't have the same hours.
If anything, it helps those on a project team communicate instantly on projects. But again, I think the main caveat is having the same project hours. And being on several projects at once in one organization.
I wonder how it would work for several contractors on one project? I think drop.io has a better interface, and ability for disparate times and collaborations, keeping the project all in one place.
As far as I could tell, Yammer is great for an already organized team or a business working on several projects.
What do you think?
It's like Twitter/Facebook for your workmates. Online collaboration in what I like to call "livetime".
AT the same time, I'm wondering if it'll really work for a remote worker such as myself because I'd have to convince the other members in other organizations, etc. to actually use it. And we all don't have the same hours.
If anything, it helps those on a project team communicate instantly on projects. But again, I think the main caveat is having the same project hours. And being on several projects at once in one organization.
I wonder how it would work for several contractors on one project? I think drop.io has a better interface, and ability for disparate times and collaborations, keeping the project all in one place.
As far as I could tell, Yammer is great for an already organized team or a business working on several projects.
What do you think?
Monday, February 8, 2010
Metro Area Entrepreneur's Club
Next Chapter Transitions presents:
The Metro Area Entrepreneur’s Club
Join other like-minded entrepreneurs for an informative
presentation by our special guest:
Chris DiSabatino
of DiSabatino Landscaping
“From Lawn Cutting to a Multi-Million Dollar Operation”
Discover how Mr. DiSabatino went from mowing yards as
a kid to to a multi-million dollar operation and how he
increased profits during the recession.
After the keynote presentation, you are invited to attend
our break-out session. Our inaugural break-out session is
an open forum to discuss your concerns.
Norman Gaither and Bill Pate, business coaches with over 60 years of
combined experience working with small and mid size
businesses, will lead the discussion.
combined experience working with small and mid size
businesses, will lead the discussion.
Find out how other
companies are navigating this economic climate.
Where: Ramada Conference Center
1700 Van Bibber Rd.
Exit 77A (SR24) off I-95
Edgewood, MD 21040
When: Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Networking 11:30am, lunch begins as Noon
The break-out session ends at 1:30
Cost: $16 per person (includes lunch)
RSVP: Visit www.maeclub.net to register.
companies are navigating this economic climate.
Where: Ramada Conference Center
1700 Van Bibber Rd.
Exit 77A (SR24) off I-95
Edgewood, MD 21040
When: Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Networking 11:30am, lunch begins as Noon
The break-out session ends at 1:30
Cost: $16 per person (includes lunch)
RSVP: Visit www.maeclub.net to register.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thank you SmartFilter!
I'm at the library waiting for the snow to come. But in any case, decided to write in my blog about the next entry or two on the Top 10 list I listed a few posts back.
Google Voice, like other Google services, you ahve to access through invitation only and a Google Account doesn't hurt. So I requested an invitation and like the geek who can't get into a party...I wait.
Then I tried to justin.tv, and SmartFilter (powered by Bess) listed it as a Chat site and won't allow me to go into there...yet I can MSN message? Odd. So now I'm down to Clicker.
You can browse by name (THANK GOODNESS!), AND search by name too if you can't find them listed. Unfortunately, my favorite paranormal show, Ghost Adventures, isn't on there by name, but you can search...but it's like episodes from 2004gotten. So for me, Clicker.com is probably ok, but it's going to take awhile for them to compile the stuff they have. I wonder if they have a crawler that does this stuff?
In any case, it's an ok site, I'm sure you can't find everything you need, like Wal-Mart. Now, I'm not saying you can find EVERYTHING at Wal-Mart, I'm saying that Wal-Mart can't sell everything, as much as they'd like to put that forward. Much like any large department store, they sell what sells, or will hopefully sell.
Alright guys, hang in there, next post is going to be probably while I'm holed up in snow. Which isn't so bad for a techie. Now I have a REAL excuse for being on the computer. LOL!
I said LOL.
-eggBrain
Google Voice, like other Google services, you ahve to access through invitation only and a Google Account doesn't hurt. So I requested an invitation and like the geek who can't get into a party...I wait.
Then I tried to justin.tv, and SmartFilter (powered by Bess) listed it as a Chat site and won't allow me to go into there...yet I can MSN message? Odd. So now I'm down to Clicker.
You can browse by name (THANK GOODNESS!), AND search by name too if you can't find them listed. Unfortunately, my favorite paranormal show, Ghost Adventures, isn't on there by name, but you can search...but it's like episodes from 2004gotten. So for me, Clicker.com is probably ok, but it's going to take awhile for them to compile the stuff they have. I wonder if they have a crawler that does this stuff?
In any case, it's an ok site, I'm sure you can't find everything you need, like Wal-Mart. Now, I'm not saying you can find EVERYTHING at Wal-Mart, I'm saying that Wal-Mart can't sell everything, as much as they'd like to put that forward. Much like any large department store, they sell what sells, or will hopefully sell.
Alright guys, hang in there, next post is going to be probably while I'm holed up in snow. Which isn't so bad for a techie. Now I have a REAL excuse for being on the computer. LOL!
I said LOL.
-eggBrain
Thursday, February 4, 2010
AVG v9.0
Go to free.avg.com and get VERSION 9.0. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell that. Version 8 will probably be unsupported soon. I've been using AVG for about 5 to 6 years now and it's GREAT! Get the free version to see if you like it and you can upgrade to whatever version helps you feel more secure online!
-eggBrain
-eggBrain
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
eggBrain is FaceBookin'
So yes, this is my BUSINESS Facebook (you'd think they'd give me a badge for Blogger that actually FIT!).
Enjoy.
-eggBrain
Enjoy.
-eggBrain
Monday, February 1, 2010
eggBrain is on Twitter
Follow us on Twitter! Ok, so it's one tweet right now. Don't be a tweehatah.
-eggBrain
Groooovy.
So I checked out grooveshark.com (Grooveshark). Ok, so it probably won't be something for a small business...or might it? You can listen to your favorite music while doing your work and not disturbing anybody.
Forgot your iPod? You can create your own playlist on the site, and even add them to your playlist and the nice side-scrolling menu for the songs is nice. A bit better than playlist.com. (check out these playlists: playlist.com/crazyeggs). But then again, I haven't really dove into GrooveShark. But I think it's a great application for listening to music while you're doing your work, in the zone...
Forgot your iPod? You can create your own playlist on the site, and even add them to your playlist and the nice side-scrolling menu for the songs is nice. A bit better than playlist.com. (check out these playlists: playlist.com/crazyeggs). But then again, I haven't really dove into GrooveShark. But I think it's a great application for listening to music while you're doing your work, in the zone...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Most Important Thing I've Ever Done...
...is offer a personal professional opinion on technology. Because technology should be that to you, a personal tool used for both personal and professional purposes.
Is this what the iPad does? See for yourself in the release article written by the IBTimes.
A lot of traditional media sees this as a new way of reaching its readers and are heading Apple's way. Of course, there'll be apps available to it. It seems to do everything a laptop does...it's just flat and you can touch the screen and it's the size of a US Standard sheet of paper. According to the article, seeing the whole screen is a big deal. There's going to be iBooks. If iSee another ixyz I'm going to iPuke.
You'll have to pay extra for 3G services (this is where they getcha, and I don't think the addition is correct in the article).
I'll admit, there may be some practicality in this item, but it has more of a "cool" factor than anything else from my opinion. A glorified smartphone or an undersized laptop. I'm awaiting to see what the limitations are.
In the meantime, would I need it? No. I'm sure many people will find a use for it. As far as I can see, it's an Apple laptop in new packaging. An iPhone on steroids. I'm not a gadget guy. And it's expensive for what it is.
If the stock thing is any indication: "Shares generally rose in anticipation of the event, but Apple dropped 1.68 percent, or 3.46 dollars as Jobs took the stage ."...we'll see how things go.
-eggBrain
Is this what the iPad does? See for yourself in the release article written by the IBTimes.
A lot of traditional media sees this as a new way of reaching its readers and are heading Apple's way. Of course, there'll be apps available to it. It seems to do everything a laptop does...it's just flat and you can touch the screen and it's the size of a US Standard sheet of paper. According to the article, seeing the whole screen is a big deal. There's going to be iBooks. If iSee another ixyz I'm going to iPuke.
You'll have to pay extra for 3G services (this is where they getcha, and I don't think the addition is correct in the article).
I'll admit, there may be some practicality in this item, but it has more of a "cool" factor than anything else from my opinion. A glorified smartphone or an undersized laptop. I'm awaiting to see what the limitations are.
In the meantime, would I need it? No. I'm sure many people will find a use for it. As far as I can see, it's an Apple laptop in new packaging. An iPhone on steroids. I'm not a gadget guy. And it's expensive for what it is.
If the stock thing is any indication: "Shares generally rose in anticipation of the event, but Apple dropped 1.68 percent, or 3.46 dollars as Jobs took the stage ."...we'll see how things go.
-eggBrain
Monday, January 25, 2010
It's an android!
So I browsed the Android OS, to see what it's like. I DON'T have a phone with the Android OS (Operating System) on it, and I'm not sure if I know anyone who does, but it seems to me that developing applications can be done in Java.
What does this mean for your business? You can create "apps" which is what everyone talks about for iPhone and other phones. Apps for your phone, apps for this apps for that apps to tell you where you are, who you are and what you're about to do. Now ain't that app-etizing?
What can an app do for your business? Well, you're using some now. An internet browser: app. Microsoft Office: app. And you can have apps within apps. If anything, an application is a tool on your computer that helps you get the job done.
So again, I ask, what's an app going to do for your business? GEICO has apps to help its clients. If you had to design an app for your business to help your clients, what would it be?
Mine? Mine would be a simple reminder to scan your computer and update your virus files.
'nuff said.
-eggBrain
What does this mean for your business? You can create "apps" which is what everyone talks about for iPhone and other phones. Apps for your phone, apps for this apps for that apps to tell you where you are, who you are and what you're about to do. Now ain't that app-etizing?
What can an app do for your business? Well, you're using some now. An internet browser: app. Microsoft Office: app. And you can have apps within apps. If anything, an application is a tool on your computer that helps you get the job done.
So again, I ask, what's an app going to do for your business? GEICO has apps to help its clients. If you had to design an app for your business to help your clients, what would it be?
Mine? Mine would be a simple reminder to scan your computer and update your virus files.
'nuff said.
-eggBrain
Friday, January 22, 2010
BING! You have me thinking
#2 on the top 10....BING!
BING!, Microsoft's search engine to rival Google, has me impressed so far. If anything, it prompted me to look at my competitors and for crying out loud, put some rage in my blood that I'm not as high as them on a couple of search engines. Time to turn up the heat.
It's a beautiful site and a very concise search engine that doesn't seem to breakdown the words you use into separate words so you get a gazillion results. For instance, if I type in: "Harford County eggbrain" I get 2 results. Which means, to my business, I need more link sharing out there (anyone interested?) AND they are relevant links (one of them is with James D. Otte, from ottelaw.com)
On Google, I'm tops, sure, but the next few entries covers this blog...old entries.
I don't think that really helps me ENTIRELY, but it almost helps. I guess.
What upset me the most is my search engine ranking (tanking?). Yeah, I'll admit it, it's not the best and I have to step it up to beat my competitors, so upwards and onwards.
So yes, I endorse Bing! They give me a focused search. OH! And cashback on shopping. As a small business, that's key. I don't have to worry about Google AdWords to get by (which, by the way, you can't have a P.O. Box for them to mail click throughs).
Compute safely!
BING!, Microsoft's search engine to rival Google, has me impressed so far. If anything, it prompted me to look at my competitors and for crying out loud, put some rage in my blood that I'm not as high as them on a couple of search engines. Time to turn up the heat.
It's a beautiful site and a very concise search engine that doesn't seem to breakdown the words you use into separate words so you get a gazillion results. For instance, if I type in: "Harford County eggbrain" I get 2 results. Which means, to my business, I need more link sharing out there (anyone interested?) AND they are relevant links (one of them is with James D. Otte, from ottelaw.com)
On Google, I'm tops, sure, but the next few entries covers this blog...old entries.
I don't think that really helps me ENTIRELY, but it almost helps. I guess.
What upset me the most is my search engine ranking (tanking?). Yeah, I'll admit it, it's not the best and I have to step it up to beat my competitors, so upwards and onwards.
So yes, I endorse Bing! They give me a focused search. OH! And cashback on shopping. As a small business, that's key. I don't have to worry about Google AdWords to get by (which, by the way, you can't have a P.O. Box for them to mail click throughs).
Compute safely!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Fancast - a quick review
Did a quick search of technology and science fiction on the fancast.com site (the first of my related top 10 from Computerworld of top 10 sites and services to look out for), just to see what it held as far as technology news, etc. No, you have to look for the SHOW by name, not subject area.
This is first glance for now, but I'm not convinced it's for any business application. ALL entertainment if ever you are looking for it.
-eggBrain
This is first glance for now, but I'm not convinced it's for any business application. ALL entertainment if ever you are looking for it.
-eggBrain
eggBrain commissioned to design and build DCW Business Organization website
eggBrain (that's me) has just been commissioned to design, build and host the DCW Business Organization website.
I am in the process of developing a project charter for the project and hope to have the site turned around quite quickly.
I am in the process of developing a project charter for the project and hope to have the site turned around quite quickly.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Diving into a top 10 services to watch
According to ComputerWorld.com's columnist Mark Sullivan, these are the top the sites and services you should look out for in 2010.
(please use Firefox, IE 7 has problems with the site all the time)
Ok, compute safely. Why? Because a colleague of mine just told me his PC has been completely hijacked (yes, the whole "you have no rights to this machine" kind of thing). I gave him some tools to work with and he insisted he do it on his own. I wish him luck. I'll let you know how that goes too.
-eggBrain
(please use Firefox, IE 7 has problems with the site all the time)
- Fancast Xfinity TV - Watch TV Episodes online
- Bing.com - A better search engine from Microsoft? NUH UH!
- Android OS market expands
- Grooveshark - listen to music online
- Google Voice
- justin.tv - Live video streamed straight online (according to the article, a sports game was streamed from someone's camera...is that legal?)
- Clicker - A programming guide for ONLINE video....whodathunkit?
- Yammer - Connect and share with people in your organization. Ok, now you got me interested in this one. It's Twitter for your office.
- Wikitravel - Yes, wiki for your travels. It's a place where you can find out other people's experiences to areas around the world. So you'll get another perspective, experience, viewpoint from other than a Chamber of Commerce type organization.
- Postabon - Find deals in your area. As of the writing of the Computerworld article, it works only in NYC right now. But when I visited it, it gave the impression it is now widely available. We'll see.
Ok, compute safely. Why? Because a colleague of mine just told me his PC has been completely hijacked (yes, the whole "you have no rights to this machine" kind of thing). I gave him some tools to work with and he insisted he do it on his own. I wish him luck. I'll let you know how that goes too.
-eggBrain
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Haitian Tragedy
Many a people are now affected in the Haitian tragedy. There are many links you can find in the search engines covering the story and I trust that those who can help, will.
Times like this, I hope many a large corporation across the world will be able to help them. Digicel, the largest Haitian Cellular Phone provider will be helping with 5 million dollars. Other companies too.
Through February, eggBrain vows to donate a percentage of its sales towards the aid being provided to those in need in Haiti.
Be well. Be safe.
-eggBrain
Times like this, I hope many a large corporation across the world will be able to help them. Digicel, the largest Haitian Cellular Phone provider will be helping with 5 million dollars. Other companies too.
Through February, eggBrain vows to donate a percentage of its sales towards the aid being provided to those in need in Haiti.
Be well. Be safe.
-eggBrain
Monday, January 11, 2010
Big difference
Been waiting too long to get things started. Always wanting to jump into the pool, but not quite. This year is the year to deliver. This year:
eggBrain delivers IT.
Last year was a good start, but not good enough. This year, I create situations and deliver what I'll say I will deliver: on time, to the customer's standard and within budget.
Compute safely
Friday, January 8, 2010
Drop It...just drop it
Just a couple of nights ago, I decided to use drop.io or rather, test it out and it worked wonderful. My colleague and I could see real time changes to documents as they happened and were able to upload and edit notes, photos, links, etc.
What is drop.io you say? As per the website:
"Use drop.io to privately share your files and collaborate in real time by web, email, phone, mobile, and more. Create each drop in two clicks and share what you want, how you want, with whom you want."
And that's the truth! It is totally great. I'm able to send an e-mail to it (or anybody can send an email to it for that matter) and it becomes a note. We can schedule a time to meet if necessary to discuss a certain item on the list, or the project at the drop. It's a real nice collaboration tool! (Chats, etc. and you can even call a phone number to leave a voicemail that'll leave an .mp3 for a discussion or comment) I like it a lot. I do plan on testing Dim Dim soon, but this is incredible.
Oh, and you won't have to worry about it being available forever, you can set the time as to how long the drop is active.
COST: Free up to 100MB/drop and you can create as many drops as you'd like.
In any case, I have a tight schedule next week, being that this week I've had to move other scheduled items around and decided to do a collaboration online using drop.io with a client of mine. I told him it would save time and money. But that didn't sell at all.
This is frustrating: 1) Now I have to spend time on the road which is lost business time with other clients. I don't like "dashboard time" which is what a prospect called his driving time. 2) And I have to spend more money on gas.
Granted, I'm happy to keep the customer happy, but this leads to other customers probably not being happy. Good thing is, with this client, it's time to renegotiate terms so I'll be doing that before anything else happens in the meeting.
Ok, that being all said. It will be a primary way I communicate with my customers: online collaboration to save us all time and money.
Wish me luck and compute safely.
-eggBrain
What is drop.io you say? As per the website:
"Use drop.io to privately share your files and collaborate in real time by web, email, phone, mobile, and more. Create each drop in two clicks and share what you want, how you want, with whom you want."
And that's the truth! It is totally great. I'm able to send an e-mail to it (or anybody can send an email to it for that matter) and it becomes a note. We can schedule a time to meet if necessary to discuss a certain item on the list, or the project at the drop. It's a real nice collaboration tool! (Chats, etc. and you can even call a phone number to leave a voicemail that'll leave an .mp3 for a discussion or comment) I like it a lot. I do plan on testing Dim Dim soon, but this is incredible.
Oh, and you won't have to worry about it being available forever, you can set the time as to how long the drop is active.
COST: Free up to 100MB/drop and you can create as many drops as you'd like.
In any case, I have a tight schedule next week, being that this week I've had to move other scheduled items around and decided to do a collaboration online using drop.io with a client of mine. I told him it would save time and money. But that didn't sell at all.
This is frustrating: 1) Now I have to spend time on the road which is lost business time with other clients. I don't like "dashboard time" which is what a prospect called his driving time. 2) And I have to spend more money on gas.
Granted, I'm happy to keep the customer happy, but this leads to other customers probably not being happy. Good thing is, with this client, it's time to renegotiate terms so I'll be doing that before anything else happens in the meeting.
Ok, that being all said. It will be a primary way I communicate with my customers: online collaboration to save us all time and money.
Wish me luck and compute safely.
-eggBrain
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Zoho is so oh...and let's not Drop(.io) the Dim (dim) Sum...
I was browsing around Zoho.com and found out it IS free...to a point. I am currently looking for collaboration software and Zoho was listed as #1. Although the exposition of this software says its free. It is LIMITED free. Yes. We all want free stuff and as far as I'm concerned, I plan on getting what I want for free. Due to a limited budget: $0.00.
I LOVE what it can do for me (or at least the highlighted features that they sold me) and the possible outcomes (in my mind): minimize drive time, phone time and all other kinds of time that take time to make the time to get the time to meet. Was I almost clear?
I love it if I can afford it. I can afford it when it's TOTALLY free. You can visit the site to see what I mean. But in any case, it's a wonderful price, just not for me right now.
Campfire: same idea.
drop.io: Free for up to 100MB. It's worth a shot if you ask me. I can drop something, then delete it. It's 100MB (of storage). I don't have many things that exceed that. Maybe I'll give that a shot.
And Dim Dim is perfect for up to 20 people they say? SIGN ME UP! Yes, I'll be signing this up, so let's find some people to test with shall we?
-eggBrain
I LOVE what it can do for me (or at least the highlighted features that they sold me) and the possible outcomes (in my mind): minimize drive time, phone time and all other kinds of time that take time to make the time to get the time to meet. Was I almost clear?
I love it if I can afford it. I can afford it when it's TOTALLY free. You can visit the site to see what I mean. But in any case, it's a wonderful price, just not for me right now.
Campfire: same idea.
drop.io: Free for up to 100MB. It's worth a shot if you ask me. I can drop something, then delete it. It's 100MB (of storage). I don't have many things that exceed that. Maybe I'll give that a shot.
And Dim Dim is perfect for up to 20 people they say? SIGN ME UP! Yes, I'll be signing this up, so let's find some people to test with shall we?
-eggBrain
Monday, January 4, 2010
The New Year Wave
Happy New Year! I hope Techno-Santa brought you all your tech-gifts in one piece and you have some kind of warranty for all of them.
This New Year, what are you planning to do with YOUR technology in your business? At home?
Here are my top 5 suggestions:
As far as my business endeavors:
I've been redefining eggBrain. Headlong into market research and detailing administrative processes. Earlier I posted about the Google Wave. They sent me an invitation and now I'm in...
...but...
...I looked at it and tried it out, but without anyone I know using Google Wave, I'm kind of...collaborating with nobody at the moment. So I decided to look for the Top 10 Web Collaboration Tools (that aren't Google Wave). And I found it. Interesting. Very interesting stuff. I suggest you check it out if online collaboration is something you want to add to your repertoire. I sure am. In fact, the next several posts will be about my endeavors into these tools.
By the way you CAN get an invitation to Google Wave, as long as you are a member of Google.
Compute Safely!
-eggBrain
This New Year, what are you planning to do with YOUR technology in your business? At home?
Here are my top 5 suggestions:
- Clean it out - Yes, I mean DELETE DATA. All the old data you haven't looked, read, or anything elsed, DELETE it. Old programs too. Take the time to do so, you'll be glad you did.
- Clean it out - YES, I mean AIR IT OUT. Go to your office supply store or Wal-mart and get yourself some compressed air. Open up your case and spray it out. And sweep afterwards. If it's a laptop, spray in between the keys and I HOPE you aren't putting your laptop on dirty counters. Some intake fans face downward and you don't want junk in your laptop. EVER.
- Clean it out - YES, I mean WIPE IT DOWN. Find a non-static electronics cleaner, a dustless cloth (or even those mechanics cloths that come in a box) and wipe down your equipment. Besides the real cool technology smell, you'll be glad your fingers aren't sticking to the keyboard, the keyboard isn't sticking to the desk (or your lap).
- Clean it out - I mean DEFRAG your machine (on PCs). Yes, do it. Just do it.
- Clean it out - I mean RUN A VIRUS SCAN/MALWARE SCAN already. Yes, I know you haven't for some time. Do it. Now.
As far as my business endeavors:
I've been redefining eggBrain. Headlong into market research and detailing administrative processes. Earlier I posted about the Google Wave. They sent me an invitation and now I'm in...
...but...
...I looked at it and tried it out, but without anyone I know using Google Wave, I'm kind of...collaborating with nobody at the moment. So I decided to look for the Top 10 Web Collaboration Tools (that aren't Google Wave). And I found it. Interesting. Very interesting stuff. I suggest you check it out if online collaboration is something you want to add to your repertoire. I sure am. In fact, the next several posts will be about my endeavors into these tools.
By the way you CAN get an invitation to Google Wave, as long as you are a member of Google.
Compute Safely!
-eggBrain
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