A Technology Service company that knows it's much more about YOU than the PC.
posted by Jeff San George @ 8:23 AM
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Here is a little video I came across that puts the Internet into perspective. At the rate things change these numbers are outdated as you see this. But rest assured that they are only increasing.
Have a look and ask yourself if your business is using the power of Social Media to connect with clients.
Labels: social media, Social networking
posted by Jeff San George @ 8:23 AM
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Do you know someone in your family that likes to send you forwarded e-mails of funny videos, or maybe a chain e-mail. Yes, we all have an aunt, sister-in-law or mother that loves to share that funny video. Don’t open it.
Over recent months there has been a rash of really bad malware going around. I know this because I get a call everyday. Jeff my computer is telling me I have been attached and I should purchase something to fix it. If this happens to you shut it down and call. Goofing with it will only make the problem worse. We have ways of fixing the problem. Call 615-942-0843
I suggest using Facebook as a means to communicate with family and friends. At this point it’s much safer then e-mail. But like anything don’t click on something you don't fully understand or someone you don’t know.
Here is an article from Forbes that talks about this very problem.
According to Forbes Magazine "The greatest threat to global cyber security today...may be your mother's computer". Josh Corman, an Internet Security Systems researcher, believes that the combined computing power of millions of outdated, unprotected computers can be used to attack business, government and private organizations. All these machines are commonly connected by the world's largest Wide Area Network, the Internet. That's not the real problem, though. It apears that in the last year all these machines have fallen under the influence of a single program. A strain of malicious computer software called Storm has been literally enslaving computers all across the planet. Spread by disguising itself as any number of e-mails that would pique human curiosity, the worm started out disguised as a news feed. Now experts judge that the number of computers infected could lie between fifteen and fifty million. What makes matters worse is the fact that the Storm bug has spread much like a terrorist organization. It has no central point of command. Instead, each computer acts like a terrorist cell, acting on it's own accord, but fulfilling an overall purpose.
Storm is scary, for obvious reasons. There is reason to believe it is actually under the control of it's creators. The bug has been used to perform denial of service attacks on researchers who are trying to analyze it. The worm is diabolical, operating in secret and often lying dormant for long periods of time. It is also polymorphic, changing its identity every 30 minutes in order to elude detection by anti-virus software. It also appears it can fool anti-virus programs into concluding they are operating normally, while having no effect on the bug whatsoever.
The major concern for security experts is the goal of the worm's creators. Is Storm a weapon? There are indications that the software is actually dividing it's hosts into groups, but to what end? Some suspect we are seeing the formation of a cyber extortion scheme of immense power capable of shutting down government web sites by flooding then with denial of service attacks. There is even speculation that the smaller groups could be formed into a kind of mercenary hit squad, or cyber guns for hire which could brought to bear on any company for the right price, shutting down their computer communications and possibly their operations.
The oddest thing about the bug is that it could be crippled by the simplest of security measures...Simply don't open that e-mail in the first place. As in many cases, it's the human element that forms the weakest link. Personnel have to become aware of the risk and responsibility the may lie behind that simple mouse click.
Unbelievable in its scope, the Storm worm sounds like science fiction. Then again, so did the Internet at one time.
posted by Jeff San George @ 10:38 AM
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If I could share a single bit of useful information with you it would be this; take 2 minutes and learn how to use Google Reader. Google Reader is an RSS feed reader. It allows you to take content from your favorite websites and put it into one place. Then each time that site updates your reader will tell you. It’s like having your own custom newspaper. I can’t tell you how much that has made my web experience better. I use to visit site after site each night to keep updated. No longer. . . now I just click on Google Reader and I’m updated.
Bet you didn’t know you could syndicate Craigslist adds, Twitter feeds, and LinkedIn updates. You can. I almost feel like I’m cheating.
It even works with your mobile phone as well.
Look for the rss icon on your favorite website as well as in the address bar of your web browser.
Best of all it’s free, and I always like that.
his video will help you get started.
Check it out and ask questions if needed.
And as always you can become a fan and save. Click on any of the icons, become a fan and you’ll save.
posted by Jeff San George @ 12:53 PM
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This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.
What’s the most important piece of your business’s web presence? Your website, of course.
Creating a website requires a good deal of thought; it’s important to plan what information you want on the site, what the layout will look like, and how you’ll connect each piece together.
Think of your website as your hub; it’s what people will see when they look for you. Here are four elements of a successful business web presence that can help ensure that your first impression is a good one.
Your very first step should be to define the goals of your website. Most businesses should have at least three: to create an online presence, to differentiate your business, and to capture leads.
1. Creating an online presence is the most basic reason for building a website. This means building a site that includes your business information, highlights what makes you special, and gives consumers a way to contact you.
2. Making your business stand out takes a more advanced strategy. Maintaining a blog that portrays your thoughts and insights can help your website stand out and help consumers better understand your business.
3. A good business website can be used to capture potential leads. As the site grows it becomes a community for customers and potential consumers. Connect with potential consumers and find a way to continue marketing to them. Your website can be the elevator pitch and your connection the long sell.
With our goals in mind, we can begin to explore specific elements of a strong website.
The homepage will generally be the initial point of contact with your consumers. A good homepage will answer the questions “What do you do?” and “Why should I trust you?” Consumers will make a split-second decision on whether they’ll stay to learn more or go to a competitor. Don’t lose them at the start.
An “About” page can further reinforce the trust factor. Explain exactly what your company does, in-depth. I want to know who you are, why you do what you do, and what makes you special. This page should make an impact and impress your consumers.
Finally, create a “Contact” page. This page should clearly explain to your customers how to get in contact with you. Make sure it outlines your address, phone number, email address, and any other way someone can reach you. You might even want to include a Google Map with directions to your store or office.
These three pages create a basic online presence, but not much more. If you want to set your business apart from everyone else, the best way to do that is to create a company blog.
For some reason, many business owners shy away from blogs. What they don’t realize is that most business “News” sections are blogs. “Blog” simply defines any continually updated news or content section of a site. In fact, this is technically a post on a blog.
So why is a blog important? For one, it shows that you know what you’re talking about. It helps you identify yourself as an expert or unique. Secondly, a blog is constantly updated. It gives readers a reason to come back to your site. The more contact you have with your consumers, the more likely they are to buy from you.
Also, consumers have become savvier and will search out information. They want more than a simple explanation of what your product does. They want to know how to use your product, examples of interesting things people are doing, and how you can make their life easier.
After you have a site with information and a blog that is ever-growing, you’ll begin to experience a growth in site traffic. It would be a shame to ignore these potential customers. Which leads us to our next step; lead capture.
It’s here that we begin building leads from your website’s visitors.
The first and most important element is a newsletter form. I use Aweber to handle my own personal newsletter sign ups and delivery. I just write the actual newsletter and format it.
There are a number of other services you can use too such as MailChimp and ConstantContact; it simply depends on what you want. Do your research and choose a program you like. The newsletter cost quickly pays for itself. Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to generate sales.
Getting consumers to sign up for your email list means you no longer have to wait for them to come to you, you can go to them. You can offer your core consumers specials and keep them up to date on new products or changes.
Another option for capturing leads is social media. Microblogs and social networks such as FacebookFacebook
and TwitterTwitter
can help you connect with and contact those within your core community. For this strategy to work, your blog should serve as a central hub. The hub sends consumers to your respective social media profiles to build the connection.
Businesses with a Facebook Fan page can include a Fan box on the site to make it an easy process to fan the business page. If you have an active Twitter account, consider adding the “Follow Me on Twitter” button. These two elements can help turn a one-time reader into a connected consumer.
When you’re building an online presence, the most important aspect is your website. It’s your hub and your first impression. Are you using the right elements to maximize your website’s effectiveness?
, geopaul, WendellFranks, melhi
posted by Jeff San George @ 8:04 AM
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Just received more good news. I found out another client of Pineapple PC received a Google Favorite Places recognition. That business is Barnette Law Offices in Nashville. I just did some recent analysys on this client and he is dominating the organic search results simply by using the process developed by Pineapple PC. By blogging 2 – 3 times a week Barnette Law Offices in Nashville TN, has changed there face on all three major search engines.
The other recognized were Salon Capelli in Franklin, TN and Clothing Xchange in Hillsboro Village near Vanderbilt.
Congrats to all again.
Want to more about how Pineapple PC can change your business and put you on the map. Contact us or better yet scan this code with your smart phone and give us a call.
Note sure how to do this. . . visit. I-Nigma they will show you how.
Labels: QR Codes, social media, Social networking
posted by Jeff San George @ 9:31 AM
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Found this little shout out to from the good folks at StellaShops.com Stella Shops is a blog that finds the best boutiques in the Nashville area. They. . . as the name says love to shop. The business featured is non other then Clothing Xchange in Hillsboro Village. In the spot the reporter mentions Clothing Xchange’s recent Google Favorite Places recognition.
It’s a good read you’ll enjoy.
Click on the image to check the post and the rest of the blog out.
Labels: social media, Social networking
posted by Jeff San George @ 7:52 PM
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Founding Philosophy : I feel now and have for over 20 years that you should not be punished for owning a PC. It should be a joy and a pleasure to own one. But the reality is that relatively speaking they are very unreliable, and can be a pain to deal with. They are not simple and are getting more complex every year. Don’t worry I can help you. I can make your PC experience more enjoyable, secure and safe. Our children start on them at a very early age and today everyone uses one at some level. Think about it, if your car crashed as much as your PC you would never get anywhere.
