Top Three WordPress Plugins

 Wordpress  No Responses »
May 042011
 

Wordpress-ReduceSpam-Increase-RankingHow to Improve WordPress Functions

To appreciate the capabilities of WordPress you have to include a few choice plug-ins. Do not go overboard, only use what you really need.

Here are my top three plug-ins to help your WordPress blog/website rank well on the Search Engines and to control Spam.

  1. All-In-One SEO
  2. Akismet
  3. Cookies for Comments

Search Engine Optimization for WordPress
SEO can help index your website for the Search Engines that can improve your ranking. All-In-One SEO plug-in for WordPress helps you adhere to Search Engine guidelines. While also making it easy to control your website Meta-data (Page Titles, Page Descriptions, Keywords and more).

PLUG-IN : All-In-One SEO

NOTE: Do not use more than one SEO plug-in at a time as they do not play well together.

Stopping Spam On Your WordPress website
Comments can play an important role in providing valuable discussions to your website. Think again before turning off the comment function. The Akismet and Cookies for Comments plug-in can greatly reduce spam comments.

Akismet
Akismet plug-in is developed by wordpress.com . The plug-in requires an API key by creating an account at  https://akismet.com/signup/

PLUG-IN: Akismet

Cookies for Comments
Cookies for Comments has many build in features that will help to determine if a comment is from a person or a machine. With tools that identify cookie browsers and length of time to complete the comment form.

PLUG-IN: Cookies for Comments

Listen to WordPress Article

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 Posted by at 10:36 am  Tagged with:

Why I like Google Chrome

 Google Docs  No Responses »
Apr 272011
 

I use Google documents everyday, both on my Android and on my laptop. Using Google Chrome seems to make sense when accessing Google Documents, however my web surfing is a better experience when using Google Chrome. Here is a start video on some of the basic tools that makes Google Chrome easy to use, as well as being fast.

Be sure to also watch the related links – as the videos are VERY short. Hope you enjoy.

For more videos and tips on Google Chrome – Google Chrome Help

 Posted by at 9:53 am  Tagged with: , ,

What to say on Facebook?

 Tech Blog  2 Responses »
Mar 142011
 

Suggests for what a business might say on Facebook

For many businesses setting up their Facebook account is the easy part. What to say next is the challenge.

Social Networking may be a new technology – but connecting with your client is not.

Creating a Facebook Business Page is simply creating an interactive online newsletter. Companies have developed newsletters, catalogues, brochures, fliers and postcards for decades. Facebook Business Page is now your paperless version, which can reach over 500 million Facebook members.

I would suggest that before you start posting photos, adding links and stock piling fans*, first consider the social message that you wish to create. Facebook certainly has some amazing tools for developing your message – as long as you have one to share.

Never forget content is key. Keep the content interesting and valuable – create a complete message and picture beyond posting an online catalog. Give your fans the inside scope. Here are a few suggestions.

BUSINESS NEWS

Use Facebook to report new business news.
• Articles about your company – including Press Releases and news coverage
• Feature Team member profiles and special interests and achievements
• Share your products/services with Facebook Galleries
• Include client related reviews, comments or complaints (and solutions)
• Industry News – be the voice of reason
• New product development/release
• Promotions/Giveaways

PEOPLE

Consider the different people who are a part of your business. Staff members, vendors, clients, target markets and interest groups, all with compiling stories and insights. What can you share about each of these different people that would help to form your Social Message?

  • Certifications
  • Awards
  • Recognitions
  • Special Promotions
  • Associations

EVENTS

Facebook comes with a terrific Events planner and invite service – if used correctly.
First off, do not assume that because you created an event on Facebook and invited everyone and their uncle that anyone will confirm to attend your event. Often, you have to simply get on the phone, email, text message, get on a bike, whatever it takes to get that confirmation.
Beyond the Events feature, there is also the opportunity to share news of events. When posting status updates let your fans know about all the small details.

  • Upcoming Events – meetings, conferences, trade shows, openings, workshops, open house, company picnic – any event that is news worthy
  • Preparation for events – talk about locations, color choices, food selections (gluten free, veggie), guest speakers and presenters, entertainment etc.
  • Other business events that your fans would appreciate – be supportive.

When hosting your own events be sure to have a photographer photographing the event and the guests. Considering establishing a fun photo booth to create new Facebook Profile shots with product placement and business branding – it is a good idea to get permission prior to publishing photos of people on Facebook – which could be as easy as having a clip board with your statement of purpose and signatures of permission.

FACEBOOK PHOTO POLICY -When you do post photo to Facebook “you grant us (Facebook) a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any Intellectual Property content that you post on Facebook. This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it”.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Your Facebook Business page can be an effective educational tool. Share articles, case studies, Surveys, Time Saving Tips, or How to do’s, New Approaches that would appeal to your Facebook fans.
Permit your company to be a little lighted hearted (at times), your news does not have to be all serious – but do resist posting every funny YouTube video you see (not funny).

WHAT’S NEXT?

Once you have your message together, then consider how to best share that content on Facebook
• Simple Status Update
• Link to Website
• Video Post
• Photo or Photo Gallery
• Blog Post
• Event Posting
• Group Discussion
• Business Email

Fan vs. Like

* The term Fan was once used to describe a person who selected to follow your Business Page. The term has since been changed to LIKE – I prefer using the term Fan.

Join Gary Crossey for Facebook for Business class

 Posted by at 2:22 pm  Tagged with: ,

Reasonable NoClone

 Tech Blog  1 Response »
Mar 092011
 

Clean up your computer with Irish Guy Computer Tip - NoClone With the arrival of the crocuses and the daffodils comes the beginning of spring and time to shake off those winter time cobwebs and seasonal blues with a spring fever computer clean.

When I clean my computer, there are a number of different areas I wish to impact. First off, I want to make sure that my computer is receiving an adequate air supply. With dogs and cats, you can rest assured that the vents on my computer always have some type of amalgamated animal hair and dense dust balls.

Occasionally, I open the entire tower and “carefully” use a small vacuum cleaner to remove dust from around the fans and off the motherboard; I would not recommend using a vacuum cleaner, unless you really know what you are doing. Be sure to earth the vacuum cleaner and yourself prior to you poking around the inside of your computer, or have the machine professional cleaned in your local computer repair store. The computer will run faster and generate less heat and noise.

The second area I want to clean is the computer data files. I work on many different types of projects that involve working with a large assortment of digital media files. Often I am jumping between different computers that are not networked, which results in files being emailed and transferred with Flash key or CD. Any which way, the result is duplicate digital files.

Spending the time to figure out which files are duplicate files is a daunting task, and quite impossible, unless you have the very convenient tool – NoClone 2010– an easy to use software package that will analyze your computer files and determine which ones are duplicates.  The software can be modified for different search criteria, including duplicate Outlook email messages and comparing folders.

The compare folder feature one that I especially appreciate. I often carry project folders on my Flash Key and for speed reasons I tend to grab the entire project folder and pull it onto the computer desktop to access the files quickly, certainly beyond the USB 2.0 connection that would be obtainable via the Flash Key. This workflow is not ideal as you quickly end up with copies of copies of copies, and that is where NoClone 2010 jumps in to help by first identifying the duplicate files – quickly and effectively.

NoClone 2010 found more than 200 duplicate files

After scanning my music library, NoClone 2010 found over 200 duplicate files that were taking up over a gig of storage space on my hard drive.

To download a free test copy of NoClone 2010 please visit http://noclone.net

 

 Posted by at 12:14 pm  Tagged with: ,

Windows ReadyBoost

 Tech Blog  No Responses »
Jan 272011
 

Increase the speed of your computer by using a ReadyBoost ready Flash Drive.

Not all Flash drives are the same – be sure to check for a Windows label and match your drive to the RAM on your computer. Only one ReadyBoost for each computer.

 Posted by at 4:20 pm  Tagged with: ,

Why use Google Docs?

 Google Docs  No Responses »
Jan 252011
 

What is all the excitement about Google Documents?


When Google give us Gmail, many people missed that Google actually launched an entire new technology unlike any other email service in the world. Granted some of the Gmail features are dim, but Google approached email without piggybacking off old technology, ideas or workflows. Everything with Gmail was new and built from the ground up by Google developers.

The same standard changing approach is evident with Google Docs – Improving your workflow by altering how you think about digital documents. Find out why using Google Documents is a smart and effective way to create and share your documents, charts, presentations, drawings and forms.

This is a switch in perception you will be glad you took.

 Posted by at 2:55 pm  Tagged with: ,

Adobe InDesign Shortcut Select First Field

 Adobe Creative Suite  No Responses »
Dec 142010
 

Adobe InDesign Shortcut Key - Select First Field

Work faster with Adobe InDesign with this easy shortcut key for selecting the First Field from the Control Panel.

 Posted by at 12:33 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Adobe InDesign Image Grid Tool

 Adobe Creative Suite  1 Response »
Dec 102010
 

Adobe InDesign Image Grid Tool - Step by Step video

Adobe InDesign Image Grid Tool is a great time saver for placing a grid of images or for creating a single row of images. The shortcut keys, at first, can be a little difficult to masters as they require a strange combination of shortcut keys that are tricky to grasp, but so worth learning.

This short video (Image Grid Tool) will show you how to  place your grid images while using the Image Grid Tool.

Shortcut Keys

  • Place Images > With Mouse Held Down > Press CTRL SHIFT keys
  • Drag mouse to set the outer grid frame > DO NOT let go of Mouse
  • Release shortcut keys
  • Use arrow keys to create rows and columns
  • Adjust space between rows and columns SHIFT Arrow keys
  • To add images > Release all shortcut keys > release mouse

The most difficult part about using this fast method to place a grid of images within Adobe InDesign is keeping the mouse button pressed down the entire time, while controlling all the other shortcut keys with your free hand. Thankfully, on my keyboard my SHIFT and ARROW keys are right beside each other making it easy enough to apply the shortcut effect.

 Posted by at 4:52 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Adobe InCopy Overview

 Adobe Creative Suite  No Responses »
Nov 292010
 

When teaching Adobe Creative Suite classes I often hear the same two questions about InCopy.

  1. What is Adobe InCopy?
  2. Do I need to learn InCopy?

What is Adobe InCopy?

This is what Adobe explains InCopy - ”A professional writing and editing solution, Adobe® InCopy® software tightly integrates with Adobe InDesign® software. Enable a parallel workflow between design and editorial staff, precisely fit copy to layout, and efficiently meet editorial deadlines.” – Adobe InCopy.

To get a larger overview of Adobe InCopy in actions enjoy the video – located below the video are links for more information, resources and the InCopy WorkFlow document.

How the InCopy Workflow Works

Video presented by: Annie-Marie from http://incopysecrets.com/

Right Click Link to download the InCopy Workflow CS3 White Paper

Adobe InCopy as a Word Processor

Another great real-world example of how to use Adobe InCopy in your workflow – with a ton of really handy tools that make writing Copy much faster and easier to create and share.

I like that ability to have an InCopy document track the amount of words, as well as being able to connect with the InDesign style sheets.

Do I need to learn InCopy

For many writers, you will still want to write your copy in Microsoft Word, then place your Word document into the InCopy environment – the big tool for InCopy is the integration between InDesign and InCopy, giving the writer the ability to submit rough drafts that can be placed into the final project, while the writer makes revisions.

 Posted by at 4:05 pm  Tagged with: , ,

Adobe InDesign Shortcut Key

 Adobe Creative Suite  No Responses »
Nov 232010
 

Character / Paragraph Formatting Control Panel

It is no secret that using shortcuts keys within Adobe InDesign is essential for a productive workflow. However, after ten years, there are some truly smart shortcut keys that are not clearly listed within Adobe InDesign.

The Adobe toolbars have always included the practical facility to roll over a tool icon to access the name of the tool and the shortcut key, even when those shortcut keys were more than one letter, the shortcut keys are always listed. However, with the arrival of the Creative Suite came the control panel.

The Control Panel is the central control system for accessing the most popular features for your active tool. The control panel is basically the same as access the tool panel from the Windows menu. In most cases, the control panel is a great time saver, with the one exception being the most popular Character / Paragraph formatting control panel within Adobe InDesign.

Roll your mouse over the tool icons and their name will appear, however, none of the shortcuts are included. Being able to toggle between the Character and Paragraph panels without having to click either icon is a great time saver for me.

Adobe InDesign Character and Paragraph Panel Shortcut Key

Shortcut Key: CTRL ATL 7

 Posted by at 3:34 pm  Tagged with: , ,
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