Majon.com Article Directory - Communication-wifi-wireless

Mobile Marketing Canada Calgary Strategies by User Type

admin — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 19:00:00 -0500

Back in 2009, Experian Simmons divided cell phone users into five types. Since then, the consumer research giant's reports on cell phone users have continued to compile information on those types of users and to suggest that the most effective mobile marketing campaigns will be those tailored to engage consumers in each of those segments. Knowing the segments is one thing. The real trick is understanding how to use them in your mobile marketing. Canada Calgary mobile web design and marketing company Hollow Earth Media offers tools, strategies and tips that can help you reach your customers based on the way they use their cell phones. Mobirati - Mobile Web Design, Apps and Web Development Experian coined the term Mobirati for the mobile generation - the 19% of mobile phone users who have grown up with cell phones. Not only can't they imagine what life was like before cell phones, they fully expect the role of their cell phones to continue to grow. They range in age from teens to late twenties, generally have plenty of disposable income and are drawn in by the cool factor. Impress this segment with slick mobile web design, apps that allow them to order and pay for your products directly from their phones and cool games or tools they can use in novel ways. This is one of the two groups that can take your company viral and put you on the map. Social Connectors - Viral SMS Marketing and Social Media Integration For Social Connectors, a cell phone is a tool that keeps them in touch with their social networks. They've got friends on Facebook, followers on Twitter and they're the Mayors of anywhere they go on Foursquare. They cover a wide range of ages - social savvy has few age limits, after all - and they tend to be trendsetters and leaders among their social groups. Social Connectors are the reason you have a Facebook page and at least one Twitter account, and why your mobile web design should make it easy to tweet and share your SMS marketing messages. Give them the tools to do it, and they'll forward your marketing messages to their entire friends list and give your mobile marketing campaign some serious legs. Pragmatic Adopters - Text Message Marketing and Useful Apps About 22% of cell phone users fit the segment Experian named Pragmatic Adopters. They were adults when the first cell phones hit the market, and probably bought their first one just in case they got stranded somewhere and needed to reach someone. Their cell phones are tools, not entertainment devices, but most do use their phones for more than just making phone calls or sending text messages. For this group, it's all about utility - these are the folks that will love the ability to save their favorite order from the pizza shop and order it with a text message. Get your web development and app development team to work creating pay-by-phone apps and put them on SMS marketing blasts to let them in on special discounts and they'll happily opt into your text marketing list. Basic Planners - SMS Notifications Named for their tendency to choose the most basic plan with their cell phone companies, Basic Planners see a cell phone as just another communication device. They're not impressed with cell phone games, don't bother with changing their ring tones and wouldn't know what to do with a "Share" or "Forward" button. They do tend to be as practical as Pragmatic Adopters, however, and if you offer them the option of SMS notifications that their car is due for an oil change or a reminder that they have an appointment with you tomorrow, they'll opt in to your mobile marketing list to get it. Mobile Professionals - Productivity Apps and Text Message Alerts The 17% of mobile phone users that make up the Mobile Professionals segment are the group that's most likely to own a smartphone. They use their cell phones to help them keep up with their professional lives - they check email from their phones, set alarms to remind them of appointments and keep their entire rolodex in their contact list. Market to these folks by making their lives easier with productivity apps and text message alerts about upcoming events. This is the segment that will appreciate the ability to get directions to your place from wherever they are, and the fact that your mobile web design is easy to navigate and use. Learn more about mobile marketing and its possibilities by contacting professionals in the field of mobile marketing. Canada Calgary-based mobile media designers Hollow Earth Media can get you started with a mobile marketing strategy that caters to your customers and clientele.

Mobile Marketing in Canada, Calgary and the World

admin — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:00:00 -0500

A new report from Experian Simmons found that about one in every four mobile phone owners believe that their phone will be their primary entertainment device in the future. The results of Experian's 2011 Mobile Consumer report point out - if you hadn't already figured it out - that mobile marketing is the way to go for nearly any business. Mobile marketing and advertising is in its infancy, but it's growing by leaps and bounds with new apps, new technology and new ways to apply that technology to marketing every day. Currently, most people see the small screen size and creative limitations as obstacles t mobile advertisers, but mobile web design experts are finding ways to work within those limitations and even to turn them into advantages. More to the point, web developers and mobile web designers are riding the cresting edge of the wave of the future in marketing because they, more than anyone else, understand the way that consumers use and interact with their smart phones, tablets, e-readers and mobile devices. John Fetto, Montreal's senior marketing manager for Experian Simmons, pointed out that as people become more aware of the capabilities of smartphones - and as more apps are developed for smartphones - consumers increasingly untether themselves from traditional wired media - television, radio and PCs - and embrace their mobiles. The end result is that they use their mobile devices for entertainment, communication, social networking and gathering information - and each of those uses opens up possibilities for a savvy company to interact with and engage its customers. The Experian report divides mobile consumers into five segments, each of which offer distinct opportunities to connect with customers in ways that aren't possible via traditional marketing media. The groups range from the Mobirati, who have never known a world without mobile phones, to basic planners, who see their mobiles as little more than a portable handset. Understanding the way that each of these groups uses its mobile devices - and recognizing which groups your customers fit - can help you tailor a mobile marketing strategy that is robust enough to keep you at the cutting edge with the Mobirati without overwhelming the basic users who are just beginning to understand that they can do more with their mobiles than answer telephone calls. Interestingly, while most mobile users object to traditional types of advertising on their mobile phones, they're very open to the more interactive types of marketing that allow companies to connect with customers in ways that they can't do through more traditional forms of media. Ad agencies and media marketing companies who specialize in mobile marketing are blazing the way into uncharted territory, which Fetto says, offers incredible tools for personalizing and targeting marketing in ways that were impossible before. Web-capable mobile phones with GPS capabilities allow marketers to get more personal with customers, and social media apps make it easy for customers to spread the word and connect the company with new customers. Mobile marketing encompasses far more than SMS notifications of sales or mobile web design. The world of mobile marketing is changing as rapidly as mobile phone technology advances, and the cutting edge SMS marketing campaigns of today could be hopelessly outdated in six months. The best mobile marketing companies provide you with the tools you need to create and launch your own campaigns, track the results and modify them as needed, along with creative, knowledgeable staff who can step in and design a complete mobile marketing package for you if that's what you need. Mobile phones are here to stay and mobile marketing will continue to evolve along with the technology. Hook your wagon to a star in the field of mobile marketing. In Canada, Calgary marketing companies are at the cresting edge of the mobile marketing wave that you can catch and ride all the way to your most profitable ad campaigns ever.

Mobile Marketing Calgary Customers Love SMS

admin — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:00:00 -0500

Mobile marketing platforms represent huge opportunities. Mobile can reach more than half a billion people today and nearly a billion people by 2015. Right now, there are 20 mobile telephones to every PC in the world, and that number is just expected to grow over the next few years. The most pronounced growth in the mobile industry will be in North America, including Canada, Calgary and the United States, which will encompass nearly 28% of the mobile phones in use in the world. If you mount a mobile marketing campaign tomorrow, you have the potential to reach 140 million cell phone users in a way that no other kind of marketing can. Mobile marketing offers advantages and opportunities that can't be matched by any other medium. It combines the interactivity of the best of the Web and social media with the portability of a cell phone. It's measurable, personal and direct, and is fast becoming the most popular type of marketing and outreach for industries and fields of all types. Advantages of Mobile Marketing Marketing via mobile phones is as personal as it gets. Unlike home phones and personal computers, cell phones are a personal accessory, most often used by a single person. They're interactive, and their use can be tracked easily so that you can attach marketing metrics to a personal identifier - the cell phone number. Because of this, mobile marketing allows you to customize and personalize all of your communications so that they best appeal to the individual who receives them. Communicate Anytime, Anywhere You don't need research to tell you that people take their cell phones with them everywhere. Research does show, however, that the average SMS message is opened within seconds of its arrival, so when you use SMS marketing to reach your target audience you have instant, anytime access to your customers. The mobile phone has changed the way that people communicate with each other and with businesses - and it has changed the way that businesses communicate with their customers. Companies of all sizes and inclinations have adopted SMS marketing as a cutting edge communications tool. Here are just a few of the ways that businesses in different industries can use SMS marketing to improve relationships with their customers. Doctors, dentists and medical professionals can set up SMS notifications similar to voice messaging services to remind patients of upcoming appointments or ask them to call the office for test results. A nutritionists office or a publication - online or in print - that focuses on diet and nutrition can blast a series of SMS messages that include motivational diet and exercise tips. A take-out pizza place can take advantage of text message marketing programs to blast weekly or daily specials available only to those who subscribe to their SMS feeds. The capabilities of mobile marketing have barely been tapped. The combination of text message marketing with social media and GPS positioning offers nearly limitless possibilities for customizing and tailoring your marketing message for particular demographics and situations. For more information on how to leverage your marketing, contact a specialist for mobile marketing Canada-Calgary area today.

Get Unlimited Wireless and Freedom from Contracts

admin — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 19:00:00 -0500

If you're tired of paying for overtime minutes or losing your rollover minutes at the end of the month, you're not alone. Unlimited wireless phone plans nearly always come with lots of strings attached, and end up costing you a fortune. That's all changing as new wireless phone companies enter the market and start competing with the big cell phone providers. If you shop around and look beyond the major phone networks, you'll find contract-free wireless plans that offer you the freedom to make as many phone calls and send as many texts as you want. The new wave of cell phone providers now offer everything you can get from the big boys-without the strings and the hefty price tag. Contract-Free Plans If you're tired of being tied to a cell phone provider by a stifling contract, step up into freedom with a contract-free wireless plan. According to researcher released in November, you'll be joining about 25 million cell phone customers who plan to switch to a no-contract cell phone plan in 2011. That's 1 in every 5 contract cell phone user. In addition, another 1 in 10 current contract customers would jump ship for a no-contract plan if they didn't have to pay a hefty cancelation fee on their current contract. Why pay hefty fees and find yourself locked into a specific phone for years when you can have the freedom to choose a plan that works for you from month to month? Cell phone providers like Lightyear Wireless, a Tennessee-based cell phone and wireless provider in business since 1993, offer no-contract cell phone service and broadband wireless Internet service with a wide variety of no contract prepaid cell phone plans to suit every type of cell phone and wireless user. Unlimited Wireless Without Contracts Until recently, if you wanted unlimited wireless broadband Internet access, you were stuck with a contract that offered all sorts of services you had no intention of using. The new wave of wireless and cell phone providers offer plans that include unlimited wireless and great prices on broadband wireless devices like the Mifi or USB wireless cards for your laptop or computer. Since you pay as you go, you can choose plans that include unlimited wireless access on the network, as well as unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited Internet access on your BlackBerry or other Smart Phone - or you can choose a no contract prepaid cell phone plan that provides just the amount of minutes that you need. With plans starting as low as $20 a month, Lightyear Wireless is an example of the savings you can realize with prepaid cell phone plans. The Hottest Phones One of the biggest selling points for the larger networks used to be exclusive access to the hottest phones on the market. That's no longer the case because many of the smaller providers now offer a huge variety of phones, including the BlackBerry Curve and the super-hot, super-sexy HTC Hero running the Android OS. If the only thing holding you to your current provider is your addiction to your BlackBerry, it's time to break the chains. You, too, can get unlimited wireless, unlimited minutes and all the SmartPhone support you need with a no contract prepaid cell phone plan.

Increase Revenues by Using Mailing Lists for Your Business

admin — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:00:00 -0600

When it comes to direct marketing campaigns, mailing lists can help you efficiently target your customers. Yet with today's constant Internet presence, you may be wondering why bother with a mail marketing campaign when there are so many other ways to reach out to prospective customers. Simply put, direct mail marketing offers advantages that no other form of advertising can match-and mailing lists from a mailing list provider can cut out a lot of the initial work. Here are some of the reasons they can work for you. Direct Mail is Tangible Even in these days of Internet marketing and convenience, direct mail marketing offers one of the best values for your money. Unlike email, direct mail marketing put an actual, physical, tangible item into your prospective customer's hands. Once a target closes an email-if he ever opens it-it's gone from his mind and will never be seen again. Direct mail actually arrives at your prospect's home and sits there, to be seen again and again. And if you include a gift as part of your mail campaign that too is there in the customer's home, displaying your name or message. Direct Mail is Targeted You can tailor mailing lists for direct mail by many different variables, depending on your aims. Mailing list providers take a lot of the guesswork and legwork out of choosing recipients for your marketing campaign. You can specify a list by location, age, profession, group membership or any number of other factors. Specialized mailing lists can let you drill down to select your target market so that you don't waste your advertising dollars on unlikely prospects. Direct Mail is Economical While your company may spend more per customer contacted via direct mail, the ROI is significantly higher than it is with less-targeted methods of advertising. When you narrow your mailing list precisely to your targeted market, you can afford to use more expensive and more effective marketing methods to publicize your company. Combining Direct Mail with Mailing Lists Increases the ROI of Your Investment By narrowing your target market with a mailing list, you contact fewer people but those you contact are more likely to respond to your pitch. If you're selling a specialty product or service, you want to get your pitch into the right hands. Trying to sell baby formula in a retirement community is a waste of your money because few senior citizens have infants to feed. On the other hand, if you send your marketing information to a mailing list culled from the subscribers of top baby magazines, you're dramatically increasing the likelihood that every prospective customer on your list needs your product or service. As you can see, when you combine direct mail marketing with targeted mailing lists, you are investing in a highly effective and economical method of reaching your prospective market base. It provides an avenue to interact directly with the people who are most likely to buy your products. Why waste your time and money with less effective methods?

Specially Adapted Cell Phones Make Life Better for Seniors

admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:00:00 -0600

If you have an elderly friend or relative for whom you'd like to do something special, look no further than a cell phone designed specifically with the needs of senior citizens in mind. Cell phones with buttons, amplified sound, and innovative safety features bring peace of mind to those who give and receive the cell phone. Research shows that about one-third of people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing problems; by the time they reach 85 one-half of Americans have hearing loss. Hearing loss makes it much harder for people to communicate, especially over the phone where body language, lip movement, and other clues are absent. It's easy for even well meaning friends to start ignoring people who don't hear well, or to think they are confused or difficult. And how sad it is when grandchildren and great grandchildren don't want to talk to their grandparents over the phone because the elders don't hear what they are saying. If you want to help someone with hearing loss you can face the person when you speak and talk clearly and at a reasonable speed. If you need to repeat what you said, use different words. Reduce background noise and sit or stand in good lighting. And, buy them a telephone or cell phone that amplifies sound. Amplified cell phones make sounds louder and can even improve sound quality. About 3.5 million people over the age of 40 experience vision loss and more than 6.5 million Americans have severe visual impairment. With the aging of the baby boomers these numbers are expected to double. While some decline in vision is a normal part of aging, more serious problems that affect sight also occur with age. Loss of vision can make everyday tasks more difficult or even impossible, especially for seniors who are faced with other health challenges. Various assistive devices, including special telephones, make life easier for people with limited vision. Cell phones with larger buttons and better displays are designed for seniors. Many even have voice-activation systems which by-pass functions that require sight. In addition to adaptations to help people with limited vision or hearing, cell phones designed for seniors have other helpful features. With just one press on an emergency button, phones send out an alarm to alert others that help is needed. The SOS button also initiates calls to a series of pre-set phone numbers in order to reach friends and family. Cell phones for seniors typically have a built in flashlight that works whether or not the phone is turned on. Convenience features include an easy connection to live support that can help with use of the cell phone. Easy-to-use menus and navigation take away much of the difficulty seniors-who were not raised in the age of technology-have using cell phones. Most actions can be completed with one or two clicks. Twenty-one percent of Americans surveyed said vision loss was their greatest fear and three percent said deafness. While medicine does its best to prevent and treat hearing and vision loss, technology is making life better for people via cell phones that are adapted to the needs of aging people.

Cell Phones for Seniors Big Buttons are Critical

admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:00:00 -0600

My elderly mother has a cell phone. It has literally been a lifesaver, but as she gets older, her cell phone has become less useful. The problem is that she is challenged with failing eyesight and hearing, and is finding it harder and harder to use the cell phone. Her difficulty is largely due to the small buttons and poor sound, but also the menu, which is hard for her to navigate. I expect the elderly aren't the only people frustrated by standard cell phone design; I wouldn't mind an easy-to-use cell phone for myself. Imagine my delight when I discovered cell phones with large buttons and better amplification. The buttons on most models are about one-half-inch square. A number of innovative phones offer zoom options that enlarge the text on the display. Amplification on mobile phones for seniors tends to be twice as loud as on standard cell phones. Phones designed specifically for people who are hard of hearing enhance the quality of the sound, not just the amplification. Some of the phones for seniors have a built-in emergency SOS button. When pressed the SOS button dials pre-set phone numbers until someone picks up the phone. After someone on the other end picks up, the phone operates in hands-free mode. Plus, an alarm sounds when the phone is dialing to attract attention. What a great feature for safety and peace of mind! But that's not all that's great about these phones. The menus are so simple it takes only two or three clicks to execute functions. Some models have a built-in flashlight that operates even when the phone is turned off and a built-in FM radio receiver that works with or without earphones. A cell phone with a GPS location-tracking feature transmits GPS coordinates, a very valuable feature for locating lost or disoriented elders. With certain phones one click and a live person comes on the line for phone support. Many of the features of cell phones for seniors are also great for kids. Large displays, easy navigation, emergency features, and even GPS make it easier for kids to use the phone and keep in contact with their parents. Voice command features, common on most newer phones, are helpful for both ends of the age spectrum. There's another age issue to consider. Adults and children grew up in the age of technology; they are comfortable with it-it's second nature to them. Computer technology entered the lives of seniors in their later years, when it is typically more difficult to learn new behaviors. Some have embraced technology, some use it reluctantly, and others will have nothing to do with it. Easy-to-use cell make the technology less imposing. Mobile phones for senior make it easier for family members to keep in contact with one another, and offer a number of safety advantages. Anything that makes cell phones easier for seniors to use is a welcome addition to communications technology. With easy-to-use features, cell phones now make thoughtful gifts for aging parents, who can use them with pleasure rather than frustration.

Combining Contemporary and Legacy Serial Communication Systems

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:00:00 -0600

Contrary to popular belief, USB isn't the only game in town. Although USB has replaced older serial data communication protocols in most consumer computing products, RS232, RS422, and RS485 are alive and well, just as older programming languages such as Cobol, Fortran, Algol and Pascal are largely gone from view, but are still widely used in millions of legacy (and many new) applications around the world. In fact, there are still many data communications projects where the lower cost, simpler implementation and greater flexibility of those serial communication protocols outweighs the plug-and-play simplicity of USB, and that's why there's a whole industry offering data conversion products that make USB to serial conversion (USB to RS485, USB to RS232, RS232 to RS485, etc.) and RS232 over Ethernet simple. Why is serial data communication still so popular? There are many reasons, but first let's reiterate what those older data communication standards are all about, where they (still) excel, and where they have been replaced with newer standards (such as USB or Ethernet). RS232, as defined by the Electronics Industries Association (EIA) was adopted more than 40 years ago as a way to standardize modem communication between teletype terminals to mainframe computers. The standard was based on comparing different voltage levels to ground, and use that to represent binary ones and zeros. This worked quite well for the slow communication speeds of that era, but as technology advanced, it became obvious that RS232 had limitations in speed, flow control and reliability that, while acceptable in many applications, called for additional standards that addressed those issues. One answer was RS-422, a standard that takes uses twisted pairs to carry positive and negative voltages. Between using what are called "balanced" signals and twisted pairs wiring that is inherently less susceptible to electromagnetic interference, RS422 could handle much longer distances (up to 4,000 feet) and higher speeds (up to 100kbps, and up to 10 mbps over short distances). Even today, this type of "differential" data communication that allows easy detection of ground shifts and noise is often a quick and inexpensive answer for many projects. RS485 is different from RS232 and RS422 insofar as it doesn't mandate a specific data protocol or specific pinouts (like the DB9 or DB25 connectors). Instead, RS485 provides a standardized way for drivers and receivers to interact in digital multipoint systems that can handle up to 32 drivers and 32 receivers, and more with repeaters. This makes RS-485 an important network standard for many technical/industrial applications such as data acquisition, device control, remote systems management and similar network tasks. Over the years and decades, the original RS232 serial standard has therefore grown to include complementary standards that provide higher speed, reliability and flexibility, as well as numerous hybrid applications such as serial over Ethernet or USB to serial communication that are all connected via inexpensive and readily available serial adapters, serial converters, etc., and make such projects simple and affordable. What all of this means is that incorporating legacy and contemporary data products often provides flexible, versatile solutions that get the job done and may result in significant cost savings.

Types of Adapters, Repeaters, and Serial Converters

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:00:00 -0600

Converting data or extending its reach doesn't have to be a headache. Anyone dealing with RS232, RS422 or RS485 serial data communication, USB, Ethernet or TTL will occasionally have to convert and/or between them, extend reach, or add isolation. That's just in the nature of the game, and that's what serial converters, adapters and repeaters are for. Let's take a look at the various types that are available. Serial RS232 to RS485 converters convert signals between any standard full duplex RS-232C port to any two-wire balanced half duplex RS-485 port. These converters are port-powered and do not need external power. They are usually plug-and-play (meaning you don't need to set or configure anything), and they have built-in surge protection, static protection and surge protection. These converters are available in 9-pin and 25-pin format and are usually also available in industrial grade versions that can handle higher temperatures, more abuse, and they can be used with terminal blocks instead of just DB-9 or DB-25. There are also opto-isolated converters that use optical isolation circuitry to protect from transient surges, ground loop and remote lightning. There are also special powered opto-isolated units that can go from RS232 to RS422 or RS485 Serial RS232 to RS422 converters convert signals between a standard full duplex RS232C port and any four-wire balanced full duplex RS422 port. These converters are also port-powered and there is no need for an external power adapter. They, too, are usually plug-and-play so you don't have to set or configure anything. Most good ones have built-in surge and static protection. These converters are available for use with either 9-pin or 25-pin connectors and are usually also available in industrial grade versions that can handle higher temperatures, more abuse, and they can be used with terminal blocks instead of just DB-9 or DB-25. Serial RS232 or RS485 to TTL converters communicate between a standard full duplex RS232C port or a RS485 port and also 3.3 or 5 Volt TTL devices. TTL stands for Transistor -Transistor Logic and is a standard defined back in the early 1960s, but still used today. These converters, again, are port-powered and do not need additional external power. They are usually plug-and-play so you can start using them right away without any configuration, and they are generally protected against surges and static discharge. Opto-Isolated converters and surge suppressors include isolators that simply provide optical isolation to guard against transient surges, ground loop and remote lightning. These isolators are available in different configurations ranging from models with just three wires or seven or more wires for connections that require it. Opto-isolated converters are more expensive, but the extra investment buys peace of mind at a small extra investment. Serial data repeaters can greatly enhance the maximum distance of RS232 lines, therefore acting as RS232 extenders. Repeaters can also come in the form of combined converters and repeaters. These can be a very inexpensive way of solving distance problems. For mixed serial/USB environments, there are various types of adapters that convert from USB to RS232, RS422, RS485 or various voltage TTL. These adapters are usually all port-powered and do not need external AC adapters. If needed, they are also available with industrial terminal blocks. Fiber optic media converters convert from RS32, RS422, RS485 or Ethernet to fiber optic media. They are available for single mode or multi mode fiber and they are usually available with ST (Straight Tip) or SC (Subscriber Connector) connectors. Fiber optic can greatly extend the reach of serial connections, up to over 12 miles with single fiber links. Bottom line: Pretty much everything connects with everything else in the RS232/RS422/RS485/USB world of serial communication. Converters are inexpensive (usually US$30-60, except for optic media converters, which cost more).

How Do Twisted-Pair Cables Work and Why are They Needed?

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:00:00 -0600

There are some mysteries in life, many having to do with technology. One that's always puzzled me is why twisted-pair cables can reliably transport information over much longer distances than a neat and straight serial or parallel cable where all the just go from pin to pin without any twisting. Anyone dealing with USB, RS232, RS485 and RS422 cables and converters likely has come across that syndrome, and most tend to simply accept it as another one of those physics things that you need a degree in electrical engineering to understand. But since it is nice to know how and why things work, let's take a look what limits the length of straight-through cables and what enables twisted pairs to do better. Let's start by asking ourselves what a cable needs to do. That's simple: it needs to reliably let the other end know whether it has just transmitted a logical "zero" or a logical "one," also known as "space" and "mark." In RS-232 that's accomplished by sending either a positive or a negative voltage relative to a common signal ground. So if the receiving side sees a positive voltage in a certain range, it knows it's a "zero." If it sees a negative voltage, it knows it's a "one." That seems simple and error-proof, but it's not. That's because wires pick up noise. Noise can enter a wire from a noisy power supply, which is called conductive noise. Common-impedance noise can happen when two circuits share a ground. Magnetic and electromagnetic noise occurs via external or internal electric and magnetic fields. Capacitive and inductive interference happens when the voltage in one wire affects the voltage in another. What it all boils down to is that the receiving end may no longer know with certainty that a received voltage is a one or a zero, which renders the signal useless. This is why standard RS-232 serial cables have speed and distance limits (in general, the higher the speed, the shorter the distance). And it is also why RS-422 uses a different approach, one that allows RS422 (and Ethernet) connections to operate error-free at higher speed and over longer distances. One difference is that instead of using different voltage levels relative to a ground, RS422 uses what is called a "balanced" signal with negative and positive voltages. So now we're dealing with the voltage difference between two wires as opposed to voltage compared to notoriously unstable ground. But that alone would not allow for the much higher speed and stability. That's because the other difference is the use of "twisted-pair" wires. Twisted pairs are just that, a pair of wires twisted together (often in very precise and proprietary ways). This way, if one wire is subjected to electromagnetic interference, on the next twist, it's the other wire that's affected and cancels out the noise in the first wire. Simple as that! This method is not totally foolproof, but it reduces electromagnetic interference enough to allow for reliable data communication over much greater distances. As the name implies, twisted pairs always consist of just two wires twisted around each other. However, there can be more than one twisted pair in a cable, and individual pairs and the whole cable can be shielded or unshielded, depending on the application. As a result, cables are rated by impedance and maximum bit rate. What it all means is that the proper choice of cables, protocols, converters and adapters will determine the overall success of a serial communications project.

All About RS422 Converters and Using The Right Serial Connector

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:00:00 -0600

Let's face facts: there's still a need for serial ports in this world. It could be that a device doesn't have USB or needs something USB cannot provide, or that the project simply doesn't warrant the added expense and complexity of USB. Whatever the case, serial remains a viable answer for many projects and systems. Add to that the fact that serial allows for longer cables and that RS232/RS422/RS485 are incredibly flexible data communication protocols thanks to the flexibility of the standards themselves and also to the ease with which you can communicate between protocols via converters, and it's no surprise that serial ports are here to stay. That said, there are a few areas in serial communication where a bit more standardization wouldn't have hurt. How many times have you tackled a seemingly simple serial communication project just to find that you didn't have the right cable and connector? That can happen with USB, too, with its Mini-USB, USB-B, Mini-A and other connector variants, but it's really worst with serial connections where you often have no idea hat to expect. So let's take a look at the various connectors used in RS-232/RS-422/RS-485. By far the most common serial plugs are the 9-pin and 25-pin D-sub, or subminiature "D" connectors. Each comes in a male and female variety, and each has two rows of pins, 5 and 4 for the DB-9, and 13 and 12 for the DB-25. Older equipment with serial ports usually has the large DB-25 connectors but those have mostly given way to the smaller DB-9. That's because the significantly narrower DB-9 saves valuable real estate, and also because only very few serial connections actually use more than nine leads. Other commonly used jacks and plugs include the RJ-11 and RJ-45 formats. RJ-11, of course, is what's commonly known as a modem jack, and RJ-45 is generally associated with Ethernet connections. However, RJ-11 has six wires and RJ-45 8, and that is often enough even for complex serial connection projects. RJ-11 and RJ-45 jacks and plugs are inexpensive, reliable, and they use much less space than the DB-9 and DB-25 connectors, so keep them in mind. One neat thing about all those different serial connectors is that it's very easy to convert from one to the other. Adapters and converters are readily available and if you keep some of the common ones in your toolbox, there won't be any unpleasant surprises when you tackle a project in the field. Oh, and also make sure to carry along some gender changers. While DTEs (Data Terminal Equipment) should use male connectors and DCEs (Data Communication Equipment) female connectors, that's not always the case, and then it's so much easier to just pop in a gender changer than to make or buy a new cable. The one characteristic of serial communication that can throw a real monkey wrench into a project is when it's not clear which device is configured as a DTE and which as a DCE. That's usually the problem when you seem to have the right cable with the right genders, and yet, no communication. Sometimes both sides are configured as DTE or DCE. That's when you need a null modem, a special adapter that connects the proper outputs to the proper inputs.

A Flexible Multi-Point Network Standard and RS-485 Converters

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:00:00 -0600

These days, the term "network" basically means plugging into a wireless access point to access the Internet and perhaps files on other computers. To consumers who are accustomed to USB plug-and-play and perhaps an Ethernet cable for a reliable high-speed connection to a router, the terms RS232, RS422, or RS485 mean little. However, leave the world of consumer electronics, and RS-485 remains an important network standard for technical and industrial applications such as device control, data acquisition systems, remote peripheral management and so on. So let's revisit RS-485, what it is and what it can do. First, unlike the RS232 standard, RS485 does not specify a data protocol or pin-outs. Instead, it describes the electrical characteristics of drivers and receivers in balanced digital multipoint systems. Like RS-422 connections, RS-485 systems use "balanced" signals with negative and positive voltages (ranging from -6 to +6 Volts) on twisted pair wires. This makes them much more immune to interference than "unbalanced" RS232 signals and also allows for speeds is up to10 mbps over short distances an a maximum connection distance of 4,000 feet at lower speed. However, while RS-422 is limited to a single driver that communicates with up to ten nodes or receivers, RS-485 is a true multipoint system with a maximum of 32 drivers and 32 receivers. This means that up to 32 drivers can communicate over the same pair of wires. What if 32 isn't enough for an application? Then a repeater allows adding another 32. If that is still not enough, additional repeaters can be added, up to the addressing maximum of the system, which is usually 256 devices. As far as connectors go, the RS-485 standard doesn't specify any particular type. As a result, you can use standard DB9 or DB25 serial connectors, but also RJ11 or RJ45 jacks, a terminal block, or a variety of DIN-style connectors. Connection to computers with standard RS232 serial ports requires either a RS485 interface card or a RS232 to RS485 converter. They come in commercial and industrial-grade varieties. If voltage spikes, ground loops or transient surges are an issue, look for an opto-isolated converter to protect the computer. Note that RS485 networks may be configured either as 2-wire or 4-wire systems. On a 2-wire system drivers and receivers are connected via just one twisted pair (plus a dedicated signal ground connection). Nodes can communicate with one another, but the communication is only half-duplex. On a 4-wire system (plus ground), a driver transmitter is connected to all the node receivers on one pair, and the node transmitters are connected to the driver receiver on a second pair. This allows for full-duplex communication, but also means nodes cannot directly communicate with one another. Each system has its uses and advantages. Since RS485 or, as they are properly called, EIA-485 signals are not limited to any particular standard, they can be used in a very wide variety of control and automation systems. Add the minimal wiring requirements and great resistance to electromagnetic interference and you have a standard that will likely remain important for years to come.

RS-422 Converters Explained The Forgotten Serial Standard

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:00:00 -0600

Serial data communication was once the primary method of interconnectivity between computers. In fact, it is still being used today, typically to hook up peripherals and instruments. That's why almost anyone who has even a rudimentary knowledge and understanding of computers knows what RS232 is, or has at least heard of it. Ask, however, for a description and explanation of RS422, and you'll mostly get blank stares. That's peculiar as RS-422 is a logical progression of RS-232 and one that made a whole lot of sense. In essence, RS422 (which should really be called by its proper current name, EIA-422) happened due to a number of shortcomings and limitations inherent to the RS232 standard, primarily in the areas of speed, reliability and flow control. If RS232's limitations make it unfeasible for a particular project, RS422 can be a solution as it was designed to handle higher speed (up to 100kbps) and longer distances (up to 4,000 feet) than RS232. In fact, the highest data rate of RS-422 is up to 10 mbps over short distances, which means it rivals USB and Ethernet. Add to it that RS422 can use the same DB-25 connectors used by RS232, and you can see how RS422 is often used as an RS232 replacement or extender. If you remember the little round mini-DIN-8 connectors on older Macs, those used an RS422-style of communication, How can RS-422 connections be faster and operate error-free over much longer distances? That's because instead of using different voltage levels with respect to ground as RS232 does, RS422 uses a "balanced" signal with negative and positive voltages (ranging from -6 to +6 Volts) on twisted pair wires that is far more immune to interference. This is referred to as "differential" data communication because it relies on the voltage difference between the two wires as opposed to a voltage level compared to ground, a technology that makes it much easier for the receiver to recognize ground shifts and noise and reject them before they can introduce errors into the signals. In addition to speeds up to 10 megabits per second (albeit only over a fairly short distance of 40 feet) and a maximum connection distance of 4,000 feet, RS-422 can communicate in both directions simultaneously. And while the standard only allows for a single driver, there can be multiple receivers (up to 10). RS-422 systems need a dedicated pair of wires for transmitting and receiving, and also one for control signals, if required. Depending on speed, distance and the characteristics of nodes, termination (the matching of impedance between nodes and the line) may or may not be an issue in RS-422 systems. However, while RS-422 can be an excellent solution for many data communication projects, it also has an important limitation: it is still a point-to-point protocol and therefore unsuitable for many multi-drop applications. In other words, in a RS-422 system, there's always a single master or driver that issues signals to receiver nodes on a network. The individual nodes, however, cannot communicate with one another. This is where RS-485 comes in, a topic we'll cover in another article.

When Do You Need a Fiber Optic Converter?

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:00:00 -0600

Serial data converters are usually thought of as RS232, RS422, RS485, TTL, USB and other serial data communication protocols, or perhaps even connections to Ethernet. So where do Fiber Optic converters and adapters come into play? Fiber optic connections are used in situations where the serial communication protocols' speed and distance limitations interfere with a project. What are some of these limitations? It can be voltage swings, signal interference, electrical surges, or the need for absolute immunity to electromagnetic and radio frequency disturbances. Keep in mind that serial data communication protocols were mostly conceived decades ago when communication speeds were only a very small fraction of what they are today. As a result, while serial communication technologies and standards have proven remarkably adaptable, they were simply never meant to handle some of the complex and super-fast applications they are still being used for today. In many of those applications, fiber optics is the answer. Fiber optics uses light instead of electrical current to carry signals. Fiber optic connections provide much higher speed, high bandwidth, and they are inherently immune to radio and electromagnetic interference. This makes fiber optics perfect for serial communication applications that require very high speed or must transfer signals over much longer distances than RS-232, RS-485 or RS-422 can handle, or both. But aren't fiber optic systems too complex for most projects, and aren't copper and optical communication systems incompatible? The answer is "no" to both statements. As far as technology goes, including fiber optics to a copper-based data communication system requires little more than a transmitter, a receiver, and the fiber optic cable itself. There are some decisions to be made, such as building a single-mode system that uses a single strand of fiber for high-speed long distance communication or a multi-mode system based on less expensive multi-strand fibers. In terms of distance, multi-mode systems can generally extend a serial connection up to about 1.2 miles whereas a single mode system can be used for distances over 12 miles. As far as fiber optic converters go, they have come a long way since they were introduced a couple of decades ago. Today's converters are usually auto-sensing, self-adjusting and completely hassle-free. There are no manual settings or switches to figure out, and the converters are hot-pluggable. Fiber optic converters usually come with an external AC/DC power adapter and, depending on the system, may require either SC ("Subscriber Connector") or ST ("Straight Tip") connectors. There are numerous other optical connector types, so make sure you order the right one. Note that fiber optics is not simply a way to "hot-rodding" a slow serial communication system. While optical fibers theoretically can handle almost unlimited speed, the ultimate speed is still determined by whatever RS232/422/485 serial data rate is possible in a system. For serial data communication systems, the maximum data rate is usually around 460kbps. When used in an Ethernet-based system, of course, the fiber optic converter can easily handle 10BaseT or 100BaseT speeds, and gigabit-capable fiber optic converters are available as well. What this all means is that distance is not the limit it once was for serial data communication. Fiber optics can greatly extend serial communication reach, and the required adapters and converters are inexpensive, reliable, and easily available.

Your Serial Communications Toolbox Everything You Need

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:00:00 -0600

With plug-and-play computing, we expect electronic equipment to work as soon as we connect it via USB. That's why it's easy to forget about the tools we should have at hand when it comes to working with RS232, RS422 and RS485 serial connections and converters. These serial connections are still being used for all sorts of projects, and not being prepared with a properly stocked toolbox can mean the difference between an easy job and a frustrating one. The basic problem with serial connections is that upfront you never know for sure which of the RS-232 pins and signals are being used in a given connection, or even how they are being used. Things are far more standardized than they used to be, but it's still best to be prepared for anything. So if you're likely to encounter vexing RS-232, RS-422, RS-485 or TTL connections in your job or projects, here are some of the things you need: First, a breakout box so you can make manual jumper connections between pins. This lets you open pin circuits, determine if a ort is DCE or DTE, check RS232 leads to see if they are high or low, and so on. The box should have easily visible LEDs and perhaps battery power. Next, get a RS-232 male-to-female adapter. There's nothing more frustrating than to have a connector of the wrong gender, and an adapter will save the day sooner or later. Also get a RS-232 ABC switch so you can switch back and forth between multiple connections. Since serial connector pins are notoriously fragile, you want to make sure not to bend or break them. A RS-232 pin inserter/extractor tool makes it easy to insert or pull pins from connectors. These tools are cheap and work much better than regular pliers. Then get a RS-232 cable tester. It's used for situation where a cable may be bad or improperly wired, and you can use it to quickly determine whether pins are crossed or wired straight through. A synchronous modem eliminator does just that, it eliminates a synchronous modem between two systems, and it also includes a timing clock. You'll also want a RS-232 buffer. A lot of serial communications problems are due to improper buffering where data backs up or gets dropped. A buffer is often a simple fix. Finally, stock up on a set of good adapters and converters. That includes RS-232 to RS-485, RS-232 to RS-422, RS232 and RS485 to TTL (both 3.3 and 5 Volt), USB to serial, and Ethernet and fiber optic. Also consider getting serial data repeaters to easily extend connection distance without redesigning a whole system. Just because serial data communication has been replaced with newer communication protocols in most of today's consumer devices doesn't mean serial is no longer important. Expertise is designing, setting up and debugging of serial communication systems is highly valued these days, and a good working knowledge of RS232, RS422, RS485 basics and converters is a good skill to have.

Serial Communication Speed and Distance Limits

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:00:00 -0500

When discussing RS232, RS422 and RS485 serial data communication protocols, questions that come up are related to the speed and distance limits of the various protocols. This directly impacts the choice of protocol and therefore warrants discussion. To reiterate, from an architectural standpoint, RS-232 is a uni-directional or bi-directional point-to-point link where a single channel is used for "half-duplex" communication or two independent channels are used for two way, or "full-duplex," communication. RS232 can also carry flow control and modem control signals. There are two types of connectors commonly used for serial communication. One has nine pins and one has 25 pins. RS232 signals consist of voltage relative to a common signal ground. A logic zero, also called "space," can be anywhere from 5 to 25 Volts. A logic one, also called "mark," can be anywhere between negative 5 and 25 Volts. This kind of communication is referred to as "unbalanced." The RS-232 standard defines a maximum speed of just 20 kbps (kilobits per second). That modest speed, however, does not pose a hard barrier as serial connections are routinely much faster (up to 115kbps and more). Unfortunately, it is in the nature of RS232-based communication that interference occurs between adjacent wires. Wire capacitance and inductance limit serial communication speeds and the length of the connection that will still result in reliable communication. As a rule of thumb, an RS232 connection running at full speed should not be longer than 50 feet. In essence, there is a very direct correlation between RS232 speed and distance: the higher the speed, the lower the maximum cable length before errors become too high. It's unclear and unfortunate that the RS-232 standard was not based on the much faster twisted pair technology that even back in the late 1960s had been around for many decades. This was clearly a case where the standard makers did not see past the immediate problem, that of connecting terminals to the very slow modems of the time. So why is RS232 still being used even today? Because it's been around for so long, because it's cheap, and because a lot of handheld devices and instruments still use it. If RS232's limitations are unacceptable, the solution is often using the RS-422 standard that was designed for higher speed (up to 100kbps) and longer distances (up to 4,000 feet). The maximum data rate of RS-422 is up to 10 mbps over short distances, rivaling Ethernet and USB speeds. How can RS-422 be faster and error-free over much longer distances? Primarily because the standard uses a "balanced" signal on twisted pair wires that is far more immune to interference. This is referred to as "differential" data communication. Ground shifts and most noise is easily recognized and rejected by the receiver. Where does RS-485 fit in? It is used in projects that have the same speed requirements that RS422 can deliver, but also need multiple drivers (as opposed to just one in a RS422 setup). Are the 4,000 feet maximum cable length and 10 mbps speed for RS-422 and RS-485 hard limits? Not really. There are now transceivers that support up to 10 mbps over short distances, and fiber optics can greatly extend the functional length of serial data communication. Use the proper adapters, converters and transceivers, and serial data communication is far from dead.

Visit Friends and Family with Free Live Cam Chat Rooms

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:00:00 -0500

With an elderly mother in Florida, a son in the diplomatic corps in the Middle East, grandchildren all over the globe, and friends in Europe, my family needs an easy and inexpensive way to see and hear the people in our lives. That's why we like free live web cam chats. With a free web cam chat, we can visit with friends and family all over the world using our browser. No download is need. We can broadcast audio and video and stream live webcams. What is a webcam? A webcam is a video device that is connected to a computer or computer network. A webcam allows a computer to act as a videophone or video conferencing unit. Like much of modern technology, webcams have had a meteoric rise in popularity since their beginning in 1991. Webcams are so popular today they have their own verb; to webcam is to connect with other people through a computer-based video device. Apple and other computer manufacturers now build webcams directly into their laptops. Creative uses of webcams Webcams are most popular for one-on-one communications between people who are at a distance from one another. People have stretched the use of webcams to include some very creative applications. Military husbands stationed in the Middle East have been able to witness the birth of a child through webcams. Deaf people who communicate through sign language use webcams to speak with one another. You can point a webcam in your house to check on your children, your pets, or the babysitter. Going on vacation? With a webcam you can keep an eye on your house without hiring a house sitter. Nature lovers have been making great use of webcams. With webcams positioned high in trees, bird watchers can observe nesting behavior of bald eagles and other endangered birds. Deep-sea webcams let you observe underwater happenings and allow scientists to monitor the effects of climate change. Want to find out who's dumping trash on the far side of your property? Post a webcam there and you'll soon find out. Grandparents can keep in touch with their grandchildren through webcamming. They can read stories, have conversations, and watch them nap. Grandchildren can show off their latest artwork and demonstrate their tumbling expertise. This is especially valuable for elderly people who cannot easily travel and for families who live far away from each other. Web cam chat rooms Free live web cams offer free unlimited messages, high quality video and audio rooms. Users can video chat one-on-one with others. You don't need your own webcam. With webcam chat rooms, there's no download, registration, or account. Users go to an online chat room, visit with their friends and family, or meet new people. Users can find free chat room for teens, for adults, for men, for women, and for speakers of various languages. Or, you can just log in and share your point of view. The growing community of free live cam chat rooms is one more example of how the Internet and computer technology enhance communication and connection.

Extending the Reach of Serial Communications USB, RS232, RS485, RS422 Converters

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:00:00 -0500

RS232, RS485 and RS422 are legacy serial communication protocols that continue to be used in a surprising number of applications. When you think of fiber optics, it's more long-distance telecommunication and networking applications that come to mind. So what do those older serial protocols, or USB, have to do with fiber optics, if anything? Turns out, quite a bit. And that's why there are fiber optic media converters, for communications projects that require both technologies. Now just to recap, the serial RS232 communication protocol uses different voltage levels with respect to ground to go point-to-point at slow speeds and over short distances, like between a computer and a printer or a scientific instrument. RS422 uses twisted pairs for faster (and bi-directional) signals over longer distances, and it uses positive and negative and positive voltages. RS485 works like RS422, but uses an addressing scheme to talk with multiple devices. Converters and adapters are used to translate between computers and the various RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, TTL, USB and Ethernet devices. So far it's all strands and wires and making sure the leads are connected properly. Now where do fiber optics come into play? That would be in situations where the serial communication protocols' speed and distance limitations interfere with a project. Serial communication was never meant for some of the complex applications the technology is being used today, and it has its inherent limitations: Large voltage swings, the need for positive and negative signals, and signal interference are all issues. In many applications, these issues can be addressed with fiber optics. Fiber optics use light instead of electricity to pass along signals. This means higher speed, higher bandwidth, and inherent resistance to electromagnetic and radio frequency interference. Fiber optics is therefore a solution for systems where serial data protocols are used to communicate with remote locations. How do electrical wires communicate with optical fibers? Via fiber optics converters. Beyond the obvious physical limitations of the various serial protocols, there are no hard rules as to when the use of fiber optics becomes advantageous or imperative. In many systems, copper-based connections exist side-by-side with fiber optic connections, with each type being used where it works best. In terms of technology, adding fiber optics to a copper-based data communication system requires a transmitter, the fiber optic cable, and a receiver. Even though converting between electric signals and light might seem complex, fiber optic converters are generally simple to use and hassle-free in operation. Good converters are completely auto-sensing and self-adjusting, without the need for manual settings. Also note that fiber optic converters can handle both single-mode and multi-mode. Single-mode systems use a single strand of fiber for distortion-free, high-speed long distance communication whereas multi-mode cables use less expensive multi-strand fibers that are a bit more prone to signal distortion. Each cable type requires the proper transceivers. The point is that a lot of the limitations of RS232, RS422, RS485 and even USB and Ethernet communication systems can be addressed by including fiber optics. All the technology is freely available, and the required converters are inexpensive and mature.

Video Conferencing Cool and Timesaving Features

admin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:00:00 -0500

I've been a huge fan of video conferencing since it became available in the late 1980s. I used to marvel at the technology, how useful it was, and how much time and money it saved my company. These days I just use it and rarely even think twice about it. Video conferencing is just there whenever I need it. Be that a corporate meeting or some lighthearted chat with a friend halfway across the world. It occurred to me that it might make sense to list all the cool and timesaving features you can expect from a modern video conferencing system. First of all, state-of-the-art video conferencing, unlike older systems where you just got a video and audio link, offer excellent management and control features. Most support a hierarchy of hosts, presenters and participants. The host has a full control menu and is in overall charge, presenters have a share menu, and participants simply sit back and watch. Second, in a world where, for better or for worse, ideas are generally conveyed with a PowerPoint presentation, most full-featured video conferencing systems let you run PowerPoint files directly from the conferencing software. All you have to do is share the PowerPoint file. It is then compressed, sent to the server, and all the participants. Since the individual slides are cached, going from slide to slide is very quick. Third, the same holds true for document sharing. Most systems let you share Microsoft Office documents such as Word and Excel files. That includes multimedia files that contain rich text and images. And like PowerPoint presentations, once a file is shared it gets cached over the network and presenters can flip through pages as fast as they want to. Fourth, and here it gets interesting, is the ability to share applications as well. This comes in handy when a concept is best explained while using a particular application. It's also invaluable for training sessions. Some video conferencing systems that support application sharing even provide keyboard and mouse input to conference participants. You can even grant remote control to an application or desktop. Fifth, it's possible to share live web browser windows. This means everyone is looking at the same web page instead of trying to type a URL into their own browser and trying to follow the presenter's instructions as to where to go or what to click. Sixth, video conferencing can support shared white boards. These work like regular meeting white boards, only the host can give participants the privilege to join and add their own ideas or comments. Whatever is on the white board can later be shared as handout files. Seventh, and most stunning to video conferencing newcomers, is the ability to run multiparty video. The host can set things up so that several meeting participants are visible live in video windows, or there can be multiple video originations. The possibilities are endless. What all of this means is that video conferencing has grown to be much more than simply a conference call with video. Video conferences can now incorporate all the productivity and presentation tools we use in our work, and this makes them ever more valuable. At this point, any business that is not using video conferencing services is not being run as efficiently and productively as it could be run.

Try Internet Phone Service if You're Fed Up with the Phone Company

admin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:00:00 -0500

Not that long ago, the original AT&T completely dominated phone service. You had no choice but to use them. AT&T not only owned the phone market, the company also owned your phone. You couldn't buy a phone from anyone else. In fact, you couldn't even buy one from AT&T; you had to rent it from them, and the charge never went away. I even remember AT&T spying into people's homes to figure out if they had bought their own phones, which was strictly forbidden. How times have changed. The old AT&T monopoly was broken up a quarter of a century ago and the local Bell System phone companies became independent. Initially there were seven "Baby Bells," and what was left of AT&T handled long distance, eventually duking it out with the competition at Sprint and MCI. Then the Baby Bells began merging and buying each other. One of them, SBC Communications, bought the much-diminished AT&T, gave up its Cingular brand they had spent a fortune promoting, and again called itself AT&T. So things have come pretty much full circle. One thing that has changed is that you can get home phone service from a wide variety of companies. Theoretically that should result in more competition and better rates for residential phone service and business phones. In reality, the deregulated phone companies simply came up with so many rules and plans and services that no one could figure out anymore how high their phone bill would be. People began distrusting the phone company after they were socked with absurdly high charges that were buried somewhere in the fine print. I personally almost stopped making long distance calls for fear of huge charges. For a while cell phones seemed to promise cheap phone service with fixed fee rate plans. But then the phone companies got greedy again. They lock you in with their mandatory two-year contracts, and then pepper you with extra fees and charges that can add hundreds of dollars to a monthly phone bill. It's still somewhat simpler to keep on top of cell phone charges than the Byzantine landline phone charges, and a lot of people have given up on landline phone service entirely. The problem there is that the voice quality is generally awful. And you're dealing with an industry that thinks "fewest dropped calls" is something to brag about. Geesh! Fortunately there is an alternative. Just as the Internet has totally revolutionized the way we entertain ourselves and communicate with one another, it is also rolling out Internet phone service. VoIP stands for "Voice over Internet Protocol" and describes Internet phone communication that is now rivaling and surpassing the convenience and quality of traditional landline phone service. Rates are generally a lot lower and legalese is kept to a minimum. Internet telephony has come a very long way since the first online IP phone. These days you can get very inexpensive plans and packages that let you keep your existing phone number. Plus, you often get all the usual goodies (caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, additional lines, caller block, conferencing, etc.) thrown in for free. Since broadband phone service uses the high-speed Internet connection in your home, you don't need any equipment other than a broadband phone adapter that usually comes with the VoIP service. This is not just a case of switching to a different phone company. It is leaving the old telephone company monopoly behind entirely and using the Internet for phone service instead. Once you switch over, you'll find that it is simpler and better in every respect. And a whole lot less expensive to boot.

Video Conferencing Etiquette and Efficiency

admin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:00:00 -0500

When it comes to corporate communications, video conferencing is becoming increasingly important. And with many companies restricting business travel due to rapidly rising travel and lodging costs, the adoption of video conferencing is increasing at record rates. Not everyone, however, is comfortable with this still fairly new means of communication, and some training may be required to take full advantage of the technology. There are two major roadblocks to efficient use of video conferencing. The first is people not being comfortable with it, and the second people not taking video conferencing seriously because, after all, they are not "there." The first problem requires training and practice, the second a set of rules and guidelines. So let's see how we can best negotiate those roadblocks. Video Conferencing Angst Video conferencing angst describes the feeling many people get when they are confronted with people on a screen looking back at them and talking to them. This is an interesting phenomenon. While people have no problem having a conversation with a disembodied voice in a headset, they may clam up or feel uncomfortable when they do something much more natural - talking with people they can actually see. People stricken with this sort of anxiety may stare at the screen, avoid eye contact, or avoid video conferences altogether. Fortunately, for most video conferencing phobes, getting over the uneasiness and awkwardness is simply a matter of practice. Set up some training sessions in a relaxed setting without pressure and with people they already know, and most will quickly become comfortable with the technology. Video Conferencing Etiquette Most people know phone etiquette and meeting etiquette, but not everyone seems to know (or observe) video conference etiquette. While being on time, being prepared, and paying attention are the norm for phone calls and person-to-person meetings, some people do not follow those common sense, common courtesy rules when video conferencing. Just like using a Blackberry or walking off to use a cell phone during a meeting reduces productivity and disrupts the flow of the meeting, those same transgressions are equally unacceptable in video conferencing. If this is a problem, managers and supervisors need to bring it to the attention of individuals who do not follow etiquette. What works even better is setting up periodic meetings to review video conferencing issues, including rules, use, issues and etiquette. Why is it important to tackle these issues? In the case of video conferencing "angst" because employees who shy away from video conferencing not only hurt their own career path, they also hurt overall efforts to use the technology to its best advantage. In the case of poor videoconferencing etiquette, transgressors can hurt their company by leaving poor impressions with other conference participants and by making the conferences less efficient than they could be. Either syndrome results in under utilizing a potentially terrific productivity tool. Video conferencing can cut costs and improve communication but, like any other technology, it must be used properly. That means effectively dealing with holdouts and setting reasonable rules.

Online Stock Photography Quick Resource Guide

admin — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:00:00 -0600

A picture is worth a thousand words - or so saying goes. Indeed, the right photos can bring copy to life. But with today's time and budgetary constraints, it's often not practical or possible to hire a photographer to get the pictures you need. That's why, whether you're a website designer, an art director for a print publication, or even a photographer, online stock photography has much to offer. Buying Online Pictures For the uninitiated, stock photography is often known as royalty free photography. In other words, those who want to buy the pictures do not have exclusive rights to use them. The upside is that royalty free pictures and illustrations cost only a tiny fraction of the price of an exclusive photo or the cost of hiring a photographer to take the shot. Better yet, when compared to only a decade ago, even royalty free pictures have come down in price. Thanks to digital photography and high-speed Internet connections, you no longer have to buy an entire stock photography CD (and wait for it to be shipped to you) to get the shot you want. Instead, you can buy only the photos you need and download them immediately. Prices can range from two dollars for a small photo (500 pixels on the longest side) to twelve dollars for a large photo (a minimum of 1600 pixels on the longest side). Similarly, the cost of illustrations ranges from about three dollars to about twenty dollars. So, in what ways can you use online stock photography? Each photography site has its own licensing terms, but generally you can use the pictures for your own business, in print publications, on websites, in marketing and promotional materials, in PowerPoint presentations, and in film and television. You can also use them for materials you prepare for your clients. Online stock photography sites typically prohibit you from re-selling or distributing pictures, using them as part of a template that you sell, or on packaging for commercial products. Selling Pictures If you're a photographer, you probably already have a collection of stock photographs. Signing up with an online stock photography site is a painless way to increase your revenue stream and gain exposure for your work. Typically, a royalty free site requires that you complete an online application and submit three sample images. Once the site accepts your submission, you can begin selling your stock photos. To sell your pictures online, a site normally requires that the photographs be your own work and that you hold the copyright to each image you sell. For photos of people, the site may require a standard model release. Typically, the site handles all of the sales, promotion, customer support, and transaction issues, and you receive half the fee from each sale. Generally, you get paid once your sales reach a certain dollar amount (the threshold for many site is fifty dollars). Photography adds warmth and vibrancy to everything from simple brochures to complex websites. Images instantly express concepts and emotions, and can quickly capture a reader's attention. With online stock photography, it's easy to bring your work to life.

How to Land a Great Magazine Job Women's Career Tips

admin — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:00:00 -0600

Women of all ages and backgrounds are find that new media jobs are opening up every day. Magazine jobs are especially popular among women. Career women often enjoy the thrill of working on a busy magazine editing staff, photography staff, or working as a writer. Magazine employment offers many advantages for women. Magazines often provide a good, upscale office environment with great career pay and benefits. Also, many magazines (especially online publications) allow women workers to telecommute so they can work flexible hours and stay home with their children. Choose a Magazine Career There are many magazine jobs for women requiring a variety of skills such as typing, editing, photography, graphic design, newsletter layout, writing, management, advertising, printing, and computer skills. One large magazine might employ hundreds of people on staff or as freelancers. Women can select a magazine career based on their special skills and what type of work they enjoy. They should consider what's required for the job and if they have had proper training in that area. Some magazine editor jobs or magazine writer jobs might require college training. Next, women can sift through jobs with magazines that cover subjects of interest to them. Every magazine has a theme such as business, finance, home decor, travel, fashion, working women, parenting, or gardening. Fashion magazine jobs, for instance, would be perfect for a woman who loves working in fashion and wants to have a magazine career as well. Job Resume Tips for Women Before applying for a magazine job, women should create a very professional, detailed resume. Two formats should be used - one for online applications and one to print for applying in person or by postal mail. The resume should be detailed with all high school, college, and other special training. Any skills or experience working in an office environment should be listed, even if they're not directly related to magazine work. Also, the resume should detail personal accomplishments such as musical skills, honors, awards, sports, and so forth. The layout should be professional and easy to read with no grammatical errors. Research Magazines before Applying Media jobs for women aren't always what they seem to be. Applicants should do some legwork to find out what the job entails as far as tasks, hours, and pay before applying. Also, there should be the opportunity to move up the career ladder later on. To do research, applicants might be able to call or email to ask questions. Otherwise, they can have a list of questions ready for the job interview. Career Success Tips Women's jobs can easily be found these days, but aren't always easy to keep. Once a great career has been secured, this is just the beginning. To be successful, women must work hard, be dependable, and meet deadlines. Magazine editors, writers, designers, and printers must complete their tasks before the print date or the magazine will not stay afloat for very long. Women who are new to the field can secure their position by showing diligence with even the smallest of tasks and by being willing to go the extra mile. Another way to secure long-term magazine work is to be willing to start at the bottom. A woman might start out as an editor's assistant, but the opportunity to become an editor could be just around the corner. Or, she might start as a freelance writer or photographer before getting hired on as a staff employee. Magazine jobs for women provide exciting opportunities in a variety of fields. Women of all ages are realizing their career dreams through magazine jobs and are enjoying a healthy salary and great benefits in the process. Use these magazine job hunting tips to discover your dream career!

Millions Can Communicate with the Help of Hearing Impaired Phones

admin — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:00:00 -0600

As a society, we are more dependent upon communication technology than at any other time in human history. And, with one out of ten people living with a hearing loss, it's critically important to ensure that technology is readily adaptable to people who have mild to severe hearing loss. Thankfully, there are a number of hearing impaired phones on the market that are designed to keep everyone in the communication loop. A wide range of amplified phones is available, including both corded phones and cordless phones. If you are interested in buying hearing impaired phones, here are some brands and models to consider: GE: If you, a coworker, or a loved one suffers from moderate to severe hearing loss and also has vision problems, GE's big button amplified phones may be the answer. The phones have graphic equalizers that can customize the phone for a person's hearing loss, and have ringer amplification up to 90dB and a handset boost up to 40dB. The amplified base speakerphone works like a charm, and an enhanced visual ringer and vibrating alert ensures that no calls are missed. For users with mild hearing loss, GE offers a wonderful cordless audio boost phone. Its oversized ear seal helps hearing capability, and the hearing aid-compatible phone provides a 20dB gain. In addition, its backlit keypad, large buttons, and large LCD display are invaluable to those who are also sight-impaired. Clarity: Clarity's line of corded phones are known for amplifying only the sounds the listener wants to hear while reducing irrelevant and unwanted background noise. With an audio output jack that can be connected to a headset, a neck loop, or a cochlear implant, the phones can amplify an incoming voice for a 60dB gain. Plus, they're fully compatible with hearing aids. ClearSounds: ClearSounds offers hearing impaired cordless phones that are perfect for people who need the versatility and mobility that cordless phones offer. With amplification up to 50dB, the phones have tone controls that affect both low and high frequencies. With a vibrating alert in the handset and a loud ringer in both the base and the handset, calls won't be missed. Ameriphone: Ameriphone offers a variety of amplified corded phones that both increase volume and make words clearer and easier to understand. Slide control gives the moderately hearing impaired user the ability to adjust the tone range, while large, backlit buttons make it easy for those with impaired vision to dial. Of course, corded phones and cordless phones are only one type of technology that can assist those with hearing impairments. TTY/TDD phones are vital for some people, while warning devices like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and weather alert radios can save lives. Similarly, knock sensors, light alerts, and bed shakers can make the lives of those with hearing impairments easier. Hearing impaired phones are made by a variety of manufacturers and have myriad features. In order to find the right phone to fit your needs, shop with a reputable online store that has sales associates who are both knowledgeable and who are eager to help.

The Secret to Making Cheap Telephone Calls Using SMS

admin — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 19:00:00 -0600

Around the world, Short Message Service (SMS) has become ubiquitous. Millions upon millions of SMSes are sent and received each day from one mobile phone to another. These 160-character messages are the way in which people around the globe or around the corner stay in touch with one another. Increasingly, however, people are realizing that they can make cheap telephone calls using SMS. Using an SMS gateway, a cheap phone call can be triggered using SMS. An SMS triggered phone call to Jamaica, for example, would cost less than one U.S. dollar. Technology allows you to place a call between any two telephone handsets, while your mobile phone or computer keyboard becomes a convenient dial pad. Contrary to what you may imagine, a telephone call placed with an SMS gateway uses a reliable telephone network, so the quality of the call is high. More than Telephone Calls An SMS gateway can be used for more than a cheap phone call. There are a variety of SMS-based services that you can use. Email to SMS: An email to SMS service allows you to send SMS through email. Some SMS gateways go a step further by allowing your business contacts, family members, and friends to send SMS to you. SMS to Email: Almost all mobile services offer SMS to email. Some SMS gateways, however, allow two-way communication between email and SMS - without limiting communication to a short window of time. SMS to SMS: With SMS to SMS communication, you can broadcast one SMS to one person or to many different people. The better SMS gateways allow for an SMS to be sent discretely, or allow an SMS to be sent to a set of predefined names that you provide. Scheduling: Although simple SMS scheduling can be done with a mobile phone, SMS gateways use a Web interface to allow for more complex scheduling. Fax Services With the right SMS gateway, you can send faxes anywhere using email to fax. In addition, you can fax a web page to any fax machine using SMS. Furthermore, you can create a schedule so that you can regularly receive a fax of a particular web page. Some SMS gateways charge for their services in hard currency; typically, you can use a credit card or a payment service like moneybookers. Other SMS gateways incorporate a credit system, and charge for services with credits. You can either purchase credits using a credit card or payment service, or you can earn credits by referring friends, family members, and business associates to the service. In essence, you receive a commission each time some you refer uses the services of the SMS gateway. If you choose to go that route, you can go from making cheap telephone calls using SMS to making free telephone calls using SMS. What could be better than that?

Anonymous Email Allows You to Voice Your Concerns

admin — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 19:00:00 -0600

Although anonymous email may have negative connotations, it is actually very useful. Anonymous email is a means of sending a message without revealing your identity. You may use it for personal email or chat, private business emails, and posting sites. It protects your privacy from unwanted communications or solicitations. Uses for Anonymous Email Sometimes you might wish you could talk to someone about a problem, but you think they will misunderstand or be offended. So, you never do it. Avoiding the problem can lead to greater problems. One solution to addressing distasteful issues is through anonymous email. On the other hand, you might like to compliment someone on a job well done but do not want to call attention to yourself. This is where sending an anonymous e mail would be a good thing to do. Protect Your Privacy Sending an anonymous email is an inventive way to protect your privacy. You will be able to express your feelings and opinions without fear of reprisal or censure. Setting up anonymous email accounts is simple to do with companies online who offer this service. By using their server, your emails cannot be traced back to you. Your messages are sent to the recipient with the server's address. If they choose to reply, the message is sent to your server where you may retrieve it. It is different than private label email, which provides a separate address for you. Contact Your Educational Facility Some educational facilities are seeing the need to gain knowledge of opinions and views in a more confidential manner. Some of the sites that offer anonymous email have a list of school facilities that have registered to receive email from them. Even if they have not, you may use your anonymous email account to send communications. If you're a school principal or superintendent, there are positive grounds for using anonymous email. Your faculty might be more willing to speak out and point out trouble areas if they were not concerned about unpleasant consequences. They may feel more comfortable to speak out by remaining anonymous. Parents and students may sometimes feel their opinion would not be heard in a respectable or reasonable manner so they hesitate to approach anyone in authority. The use of anonymous e mail makes it easier to report inappropriate behavior or dishonest practices by faculty or students without severe consequences or penalties. Positive Anonymous Email Anonymous email is not to be used to harass, threaten, or deceive others. It should be considered a privilege to voice your opinion or ideas anonymously. You don't have to use it only to complain. Use it to make positive comments or to offer constructive criticism. If you would like to see things improve, have a supportive approach and a helpful attitude. Using your anonymous email is an excellent mode of communication. When you see a need that should be addressed, don't hesitate out of fear or embarrassment. Send a message that will help build integrity and trust in your learning environment.

Increase Your Telemarketing Profits with Predictive Dialers and Other Vital Tools

admin — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 19:00:00 -0600

The face of telemarketing has undergone a makeover during the past few years. With innovative technologies being released, such as Spitfire predictive dialers and other call center software and products, your telemarketing team can now be more productive than ever. Computerized telemarketing tools and the recent integration between the Internet and telephone systems enable your telemarketers to spend less time dialing and more time actually giving their presentation to potential customers. Below are some unique telemarketing services and products that have revolutionized the way telemarketers conduct their businesses. Predictive Dialers A predictive dialer was developed to dial phone numbers automatically and then monitor calls and the types of answers it receives when dialing. It then connects telemarketing agents to the call once it recognizes that a real person is on the line. Predictive dialers are used in many call centers today, and have helped thousands of telemarketers maximize their efforts and waste less time dialing non-responsive numbers. How It Works With a hosted predictive dialer system, you'll only need a computer, Internet connection, and a telephone line for each telemarketing agent. With a Spitfire Predictive Dialer, for example, you'll receive outbound and inbound dialing capabilities, and can integrate the system with your T1 or analog lines without having a separate database server. Other features include query-based dialing, and time zone sensitivity. You'll also have the capability to run multiple campaigns simultaneously, alternate number dialing, and monitor and record calls. This setup is an easy-to-use system and requires minimal effort to get started. This amazing CRM (customer relationship management) software drastically reduces the number of answering machines, voice mails, busy signals and hang-ups that your telemarketers may encounter during the workday. Auto Dialers Auto dialers were available prior to predictive dialers. These can dial telephone numbers automatically for your call center agents, but do not use algorithms such as the predictive dialer to connect the agent to only successful calls. The auto dialer is a handy tool if you have a limited budget but want to automate your telemarketing efforts. Monitoring Systems A monitoring system enables you to monitor calls for testing, training, motivation and assistance. You can ensure better quality service by keeping an "ear" on your telemarketers during their training. Amplifiers Amplifiers are great for ensuring good sound quality for each telephone call. With an amplifier, you can control the volume and enable muting. With some amplifiers, you can switch from your telephone to your computer easily. Headsets With headsets, your telemarketers can have free hands to write, type or do anything else while talking with potential clients. This prevents dropping of the receiver or the need to hold the receiver in an odd position while trying to write or type the client's information. There are many types of headsets including voice tubes, in the ear, over the ear, noise canceling, wireless, and convertible. These are just a few of the basic tools every telemarketer should have to be successful. In today's ever-changing marketplace, you have to stay ahead of the game with innovative call center software and products like predictive dialers to be a success. Telemarketing is still a great way to contact potential customers once you have all the tools you need.

Press Release Distribution Effectively Getting the Word Out

admin — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 19:00:00 -0500

If you have a small business, you probably don't have the budget to place prominent print advertising, much less television and radio advertising. In fact, chances are that you're struggling to establish or maintain your market niche. To grow your business to the next level, you need to get the word out to your target audience. As it turns out, the best advertising - and the most effective advertising - is free advertising, in the form of media interest generated from a press release. But, even if you write a press release, how do you master the art of press release distribution? Targeted press release distribution is one of the most powerful forms of marketing and advertising available. The value of the exposure your product or business will receive as a result of a television segment, a newspaper or magazine article is exponentially more than you'd receive as a result of paid advertising. That's because, although the media doesn't explicitly endorse products and businesses, it has an objectivity that provides consumers with a perception of credibility and legitimacy. In other words, consumers know that the media isn't being paid to cover your product or business, so they trust that writers and producers will provide them with unbiased information. The bottom line is that, if you get press attention, your business is bound to grow. The trick is getting the word out to the media. In days past, this would involve countless of hours of research and lots of postage stamps, then crossing your fingers and playing the waiting game. But in this day of sophisticated Internet marketing, press release distribution can be accomplished instantaneously through press release services. When selecting a press release distribution service, follow these guidelines: * The press release distribution service should be able to provide online distribution to thousands of media outlets. * The press release distribution service should be able to provide you with press release writing services for an additional fee. * The press release distribution service should be able to provide you with fax distribution and audio distribution, in addition to online print distribution. * The press release distribution service should have a proven track record, with clients who have been featured in major daily newspapers, major consumer or trade magazines, major Internet portals, and on television shows and radio stations. * The press release distribution service should be able to target email press releases to those media outlets covering your preferred market. Newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, and websites all depend upon a steady stream of press releases in order to provide content to their readers, listeners, and viewers. They want to hear about new products, services, and businesses, and they prefer to obtain the releases electronically. When you select a press release distribution service that has a proven track record, you can be assured that the media will turn to the press releases distributed by that service, knowing they are trustworthy.

Effective Email Marketing is both an Art and a Science

admin — Fri, 05 May 2006 19:00:00 -0500

These days, most people's first response to the thought of email marketing is negative. That's because legions of spammers have given email advertising and marketing a bad name through filling our inboxes with unwanted, and sometimes offensive, junk email. In reality, though, legitimate email marketing is an effective tool to promote your business, regardless of whether it's online or brick-and-mortar. What differentiates legitimate email advertising from that of spammers? Legitimate email marketing is only sent to potential customers or clients who have actually asked to receive it. In other words, the recipients are people who have expressed an interest in receiving information on the type of product or service you provide. Setting up an effective email marketing campaign is both an art and a science. First, you need to obtain a list of people to whom you will send your advertising emails. It's crucial that the addresses on this list are from those who are specifically interested in your product or service. These are called either opt-in email lists or permission-based email lists. By using opt-in or permission-based lists, you will not be accused of spamming, and your Internet service provider won't receive complaints about your emails. If, for example, you have a home-based business opportunity you would like to market through email advertising, you need to find an Internet marketing company that has a list of people who have expressed an interest in receiving information about home-based businesses. You will write your sales email, and the company will distribute it to their permission-based list. The tried-and-true marketing rule - in any medium - is that a person needs to be exposed to a message three times in order for it to "stick." Therefore, it's optimal to plan your email advertising campaign so that you can send out three emails to the same list over a 7-10 day period. Once you've selected the Internet marketing and advertising company that will distribute your email marketing campaign, it's time to develop the content of your emails. Here are some tips to keep in mind in order to write an effective email sales message: * Write clearly and concisely. Your potentials customers should be able to identify your message at a glance. Communicate that you respect their time by getting to the point quickly. * Include a call to action. You can eloquently explain your product, service, or opportunity, but you can't close the deal unless you have a call to action, such as "Take advantage of this opportunity TODAY!" * Dangle a carrot. Everyone likes something for free, so if you're able to offer free information (a downloadable booklet, for example) or a discounted product, you'll obtain better results. * Run your spell-checker. When your email has spelling errors or is grammatically incorrect, it communicates that you don't care enough to get it right. Make sure to spell- and grammar-check your message before you send it. Once you've launched your email marketing campaign, it's crucial to follow up with great service. That means responding promptly to emails and treating those who respond as though they've just walked into your place of business. If you fail to give them prompt attention, they're likely to walk right back out!

Effective Press Release Distribution is Key to Spreading the Word

admin — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 19:00:00 -0600

When it comes to getting your message out to the media, there are two forces at work. The first is the diversity of media outlets that exist today. In addition to the mainstream print, television, and radio media, there are now millions of websites that publish news as text, audio, and video. The second force at work is the media's insatiable appetite for content. In an era of 24/7 cable news channels and Internet access, there is a never-ending demand for news. Both of these factors work for you as you design a plan for press release distribution. Unfortunately, balancing the media's ongoing need for content is the exploding growth of competition among those wanting to get their message out. Everyone from the President of the United States to the most recently launched website is competing for airtime, column inches, click-throughs, and blog entries. There's nothing more frustrating than to carefully craft news releases, only to find they don't even create a blip on the media's radar. Today's competition demands that, in order to get your message out, you have to adopt a sophisticated strategy when it comes to press releases and press release distribution. The path of least resistance - and often the path of greatest success - is to engage the services of a PR service or news release services. They have access to professional writers and reporters who are well versed in the art of creating an attention-grabbing press release. News release services also have extensive media contact databases, which means that your release can reach hundreds of thousands of members of the media. A PR service can also distribute news releases through multiple channels, such as radio, fax, and email. Conversely, it can personalize and target press releases to a specific segment of the media. Most importantly, news release services have triggers that can make press releases available online at a moment's notice. This capability can be very important to editors, who rely on established press release distribution networks to gather information about new products, services, business relationships, and other announcements before their competitors. If you choose to write and distribute your own press releases, keep these tips in mind: Make it Newsworthy: Regardless of how well-written your news release might be, it won't get picked up if it's not newsworthy. Not every topic is earth shattering, but help it along by hooking it to current events. Editors are always looking for a new angle on a current story. Make it Well-Written: A poorly written news release will end up in any editor's trash bin. Make sure the headline commands attention and that the text follows the "Five Ws" - Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Editors should only have to read the first paragraph to understand your point. Above all, don't forget to run a spell check and grammar check. If you're not a good writer, hire a PR service and have them write your press releases for you. Distribute it Properly: If you're announcing an event two weeks ahead of time, don't bother sending your press releases to magazines that go to press more than a month before they hit the newsstands. If your news releases are specific to a certain industry, don't waste your time sending them to consumer publications. Above all, don't simply post it on your website and hope that the media finds it. A press release distribution service is well worth the money it can disseminate your news as broadly or as narrowly as you wish.

Navigating the Maze for Low Cost International Calls

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 19:00:00 -0600

I know I'm not alone in feeling as though I'm in the Dark Ages when it comes to figuring out phone services and various calling plans. I'm truly not a Luddite, but with the plethora of phones, phone cards, calling cards, long distance phone service options, and local phone service options available, how is the average consumer supposed to make an informed decision? There are times when I find myself longing for the old days, when AT&T was the only game in town - or the country, for that matter. I received a call from my phone company about a week ago. It turns out that my DSL contract is up at the end of the month. To be honest, I didn't even know I had a contract for DSL. I thought I just signed up for it - end of story. The sales rep on the phone started asking rapid-fire questions about my current phone service and rattled off different types of phone service and rate plans. I was completely paralyzed. First, I didn't understand why, if she was from the phone company, she didn't already know my calling plan. Second, I have a deep distrust in this phone company, and simply wanted to keep my service, and for her to go away. I told her as much, though very politely, of course. Needless to say, I'm dreading my next phone bill, just in case she messed with my plan. In the meantime, I decided to hold my breath and dive into the world of telephony in an attempt to figure out what options are out there. What I've discovered is that there are many new technologies and plans available for virtually every need. For example, dial around is a great option for people who want to save money on domestic and international long distance while still using their own phone (cell, home, or business) and not changing companies. It combines the convenience of a calling card with many of the features found with traditional long distance. VOIP is a great option for people with high speed Internet. They can have low cost local and long distance phone without sacrificing quality. They will also get very low international call rates and many features not found with traditional phone service. International callback works well for people who live outside the U.S. and want to make low cost international calls. They can bypass their existing high cost long distance company and make high quality, low cost calls throughout the U.S. Pre-paid phone cards are great for people who are traveling or who want to make occasional low cost domestic or international calls. They can be used to make calls from 130 countries and offer convenience because they can be used from any phone. Right now, I'm deciding which option to use for low cost international calls, since my mother-in-law lives in Europe and I live in the U.S. Although my cell phone service touted low international rates, my last bill was astronomical. I'll definitely never call her from my cell phone again.

Low price per minute calls with high quality world wide.

admin — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 19:00:00 -0600

RealisticPhone promises that you can make cheap international phone calls from any phone in the world with their new IP telephony package and free calls with Realistic Softphone. Unlike most VoIP Phone services, RealisticPhone is enabled to work with your regular phone, your cell phone, a paybox - in fact, with any telephone in the world. The secret is in their state of the art connection center located in Fuengirola, which can take connections from any kind of phone, including Internet telephony programs, and connect you to any telephone user worldwide - at the cheapest international phone rates available. With the release of RealisticPhone's new SoftPhone software, the pioneering IP telephone service now saves its customers big money on cheap international phone calls in four different ways - VoIP phone, regular non-internet phone with an IP gateway, prepaid phone calling cards that can be used with any telephone including call boxes, and RealisticPhone's new SoftPhone internet phone software that allows you to make VoIP cheap international phone calls directly from your computer. RealisticPhone's pioneering cheap international phone call service works on much the same principle as a prepaid calling card. You simply register an account with the company for free. When you're ready to start making calls, charge your account with as little as 5 Euros, dial their toll-free number and enter your PIN number, dial the number you wish to call - and you're connected, for as little as .019 cents per minute. In addition to its international calling service, RealisticPhone offers a full line of IP telephony hardware. With an IP phone from RealisticPhone, you can simply plug in your phone wherever you are and enjoy the same cheap international calling rates that you do at home. Because the IP phone features a built-in IP address, you can unplug it and take it with you when you travel to get the same low rates no matter where you are. If you'd rather leave your phone at home, you have a choice of methods that allow you to take advantage of the world's best Internet phone. The newest is their newly introduced FREE SoftPhone software for your computer. It features instant messenger service and full video capability, and allows you to call any telephone in the world directly from your computer screen - at the same low prices you'd enjoy with the IP phone. RealisticPhone also offers prepaid calling cards in denominations from 5 to 50 Euros to allow you to make cheap international phone calls from any phone, including pay boxes located throughout the world. Simply call the toll-free number and enter your PIN number to start your call. You can find more information about all of RealisticPhone's VoIP and international phone services at their web site (http://www.realisticphone.com), where you can register free for your RealisticPhone account and start saving big money on your international phone calls. In response to their growing number of Spanish-speaking users, RealisticPhone has recently added and launched their site in Spanish as well as English. To learn more about how you can get the lowest international calling rates in the world, visit www.realisticphone.com for full details.