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Different Categories of Computer Games
Computer games can be categorized mainly into PC games that are played in your computer after installation using the CDs that contain the software, downloadable pc games, and the online games. Many websites provide you with the downloadable version...
ESecurity
ESecurity Current Situation Up until recently, security was very much like teenage sex in that it was typified by lots of talk but no action. Companies declared their sites as secure simply because the credit card payment page was protected by...
Finally... An Understandable Introduction To Computers
When you mention the word "technology," most people think about computers. Virtually every facet of our lives has some computerized component. The appliances in our homes have microprocessors built into them, as do our televisions. Even our cars...
Trouble-shooting mouse problems
Question : I have a problem with my mouse. This usually happens when I leave the PC idle for more than five minutes. The mouse goes berserk whenever I try clicking it. It would point to another icon and then run the related program. Although I press...
Worms, Horses, Bugs and Thugs
Worms, Horses, Bugs and Thugs by John Geiger
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“5 Ways to Give Your Web Site a Big-Company Look and Feel”
We all DO judge a book by its cover, and the same
saying goes for Web sites. I’ve seen many
entrepreneurs offer great information on their Web
pages, but compromise their image dramatically with a
few amateur mistakes that can be VERY unforgiving.
If you want to attract high quality clients and
customers, and convey that you’re a legitimate,
credible, and sought-after business, these five points
are a great launching pad to give your site that “big
company” look and feel.
<< 1. Start with a high-quality LOGO. >>
The one your kid created for you doesn’t count! I’m
talking about paying a designer to do one for you, and
it doesn’t have to cost in the thousands. If you don’t
have much of a budget, consider the following options:
For my E-zine Queen site, I used an online logo
service called “1800MyLogo”
(http://www.1800mylogo.com). At the time they charged
only $199 to design a professional logo based on my
business, style, and personal preferences. The whole
process only took about two weeks and was conducted
entirely over the Web. (To see the final result, take
a quick peek at http://www.ezine-queen.com)
I’ve also heard good things about
http://www.gotlogos.com, where you can get a quick Web
site logo for only $25!
<< 2. Get your own business DOMAIN NAME. >>
It’s just a fact that folks will feel safer shopping
at a site with its own domain name.
For example, if you were shopping online for a
circular saw, would you be more likely to purchase
from a hardware site called “www.bobshardware.com” or
the one whose URL is
“www.geocities.com/3339/bobshardware?” (This is a
fictional example, by the way.)
Having your own domain name implies you’re a “real”
company, and not Uncle Bob working in his kitchen at
night (even though you my very well be ; )).
There are several “bargain basement” places to buy
domain names, but the two most popular and credible
are still:
http://www.register.com
http://www.networksolutions.com
<< 3. Get (and USE) a business E-MAIL ADDRESS. >>
Nothing screams “amateur” like sending out
professional e-mail from a handle like
“fuzzybear4u@hotmail.com.” Once you get a domain name
for your Web site, have your hosting company set up a
professional e-mail *alias* for you.
Let’s go back to Bob, for example. Suppose Bob’s
e-mail has always been “BobSmith0002@earthlink.net.”
Now that he has his own domain name, he can instead
use
“bob@bobshardware.com”. He still KEEPS his Earthlink
address, because that’s where he’ll actually receive
his mail. But he should only GIVE OUT the new one on
his Web site, business cards,
etc.
If you use Outlook Express or a similar e-mail
program, you can set it up so that your e-mails ONLY
show your e-mail alias and NOT your personal e-mail
address. (To do this in Outlook Express, go under the
“Tools” menu. Then choose “Accounts.” Then select the
account you use, and click “Properties.” Enter your
e-mail alias in both the “e-mail address” and “reply
address” fields.)
<< 4. Get a professional-looking Web site DESIGN. >>
This can mean either hiring a designer to do a custom
site for you, OR designing it yourself. Unless you’re
both trained extensively in HTML and have a background
in design, it’s well worth the money to hire someone.
Find prospective designers who work with small
businesses, ask to see samples of their work, and be
upfront about your budget. If their rates are higher
than you can afford, ask them if they have any
pre-designed Web site templates they can just insert
your information in, cutting down tremendously on
design time and cost.
If you do want to put together your own site, check
out the “corporate” section of
http://www.freewebtemplates.com for several neat
designs you can use at no charge. (TIP: Avoid the ones
with colored backgrounds; they’ll make it more
complicated for you, and your text will be harder to
read.)
Whatever design you choose, make it CONSISTENT on
every page of your site, by using the same design
elements such as borders, fonts, and colors.
<< 5. Tell us WHO YOU ARE and HOW TO REACH YOU. >>
Most of us (and rightfully so) are leery of purchasing
online from a company we’ve never heard of before. To
alleviate our fears, put contact information on every
page if you can, with a physical mailing address,
phone number, and e-mail address.
If you’re uncomfortable posting your home address,
lease a box at a mailing and shipping center and use
that address. Avoid using “P.O. box” in your address
if possible, which can appear suspicious. Real
companies have real addresses!
Also, get a *toll-free* number if you can — it really
says “big company.” I got mine from my long distance
provider, 1Com (http://www.1cominc.com), because they
charge no setup fee or monthly fees — I only pay for
the incoming calls at my usual great long distance
rates.
About the Author
Copywriter and consultant Alexandria Brown's FREE
biweekly e-zine, "AKB MarCom Tips," gives how-to tips
on creating compelling Web sites, brochures, and
e-zines. Learn easy ways to "write to sell" and
attract new customers today! Subscribe now at
http://www.akbwriting.com or via
mailto:AKBMarCom-On@lists.webvalence.com
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| Tom's Hardware |
| : Tom's Hardware Guide is the Internet's premiere resource for hardware news and reviews. |
| www.tomshardware.com |
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| HardwareCentral - Your source for in-depth computer hardware info. |
| HardwareCentral is the #1 Hardware Information Resource on the 'Net. Featuring over 600 pages of Hardware information, including advice on System ... |
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| Apple - Hardware |
| Find your favorite Mac, iPod and other Apple accessories. |
| www.apple.com |
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| Ace Hardware |
| Nationwide (United States) hardware and home improvement retailer. Includes products, dealer locator and corporate information. |
| www.acehardware.com |
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| Computer hardware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and ... Personal computers, the computer hardware familiar to most people, ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| Hardware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| Hardware is the general term that is used to describe physical artifacts of a technology. ... In a looser sense, hardware can be major military equipment, ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| Open Directory - Computers: Hardware |
| Hardware Central - Computing-centric community providing vital information, support, tools and interaction facilities for power computer users and ... |
| dmoz.org |
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| Microsoft Hardware – Home Page |
| Learn about Microsoft mice, keyboards, desktop sets, webcams, media center peripherals, gaming products, fingerprint readers and presentation tools. |
| www.microsoft.com |
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| AnandTech: your source for hardware analysis and news |
| Independent hands-on reviews of computer hardware such as motherboards, graphic cards, and CPUs. |
| www.anandtech.com |
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| hardware.com - Routers, switches, firewalls, servers, memory ... |
| Supplier of new and refurbished networking hardware and approved and compatible network accessories. Located in the United Kingdom. |
| www.hardware.com |
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| Slashdot: News for nerds, stuff that matters |
| From the article: "Although the news caused barely a ripple of reaction in the audience of software and hardware engineers, there are industry analysts who ... |
| hardware.slashdot.org |
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| InformationWeek HardwareTech Center |
| Our hardware coverage ranges from mobile computers and PDAs to servers and supercomputers, and the infrastructure issues enterprises deal with every day. ... |
| www.informationweek.com |
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| What is hardware? - A Word Definition From the Webopedia Computer ... |
| This page describes the term hardware and lists other pages on the Web where you can find additional information. |
| www.webopedia.com |
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| Google Directory - Computers > Hardware |
| Hardware Central - http://www.hardwarecentral.com/ Computing-centric community providing vital information, support, tools and interaction facilities for ... |
| www.google.com |
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| Gifts: Unique Gifts & Gift Ideas at Restoration Hardware |
| At Restoration Hardware, you'll explore an exceptional world of high quality unique gifts. Browse our products to find gift ideas & more at Restoration ... |
| www.restorationhardware.com |
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| HwB: The Hardware Book |
| HwB provides you with circuits, pinouts, cable/adapter descriptions and other technical information. |
| www.hardwarebook.net |
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| Reg Hardware: Product News and Gadget Reviews from The Register |
| More Gadgets Stuff. 5th December 2006 12:09 GMT. Author: Reg Hardware ... 27th November 2006 15:31 GMT. Author: The Hardware Widow ... |
| www.reghardware.co.uk |
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| red hat hardware compatibility lists |
| hardware.redhat.com/ - Similar pages |
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| TrueValue.com |
| Here's our tip to hang strands of lights with ease. Jeanenne & Jim Tucker Plantation True Value Hardware Richmond, TX ... |
| www.truevalue.com |
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| A complete illustrated Guide to the PC Hardware |
| A complete illustrated Guide to the PC Hardware, Logic and Architecture. 500 easy-read articles about the modern PC. Understand the basic architecture of ... |
| www.karbosguide.com |
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