Computer Tips that Help Small Businesses Operate P

Computer Tips that Help Small Businesses Operate Profitably

by: Sharron Senter

When working properly, computers enable small businesses to make big business profits; however, get booted off your computer and you’re suddenly starving. In most instances, computers usually act up due to lack of care by its owners. Here are four computer tips that’ll keep you up and running smoothly.

Tip #1 Back up your computer’s data no less than once a month.

Too often a small business is thrust back to infancy because it didn’t take time to back up precious data; information that took hours upon hours to create. Information that’s irreplaceable, such as customer databases or employment contracts. Keep in mind you’ll want to back up your written data as well as check books such as Quicken and email address books. If your computer has a CD writer, it’s simple and quick to back up your data. Simply select the files and folders you want to back up and copy them to the writer.

Or if you have an older computer, copy your most important files to a floppy disk. Either way, don’t stop there; now take the CD or disk and store it in a firesafe box! To expedite the process, organize your files within folders so you can quickly grab and copy one or two folders.

Tip #2 – Don’t turn off your computer every evening.

Too frequently computer users turn their computers off every evening. This is unnecessary and not recommended. A computer’s components are at their most vulnerable when turned on and off. When a computer has to heat up [turn on] or cool down [turn off] it’s at this precise moment components fail. It’s recommended you turn your computer off once or twice a week or only when necessary, such as from a power outage. However, don’t do the opposite and never turn your computer off, since many antivirus programs require a computer reboot be performed before new virus patches take effect.

Tip #3 Automate antivirus software so it updates automatically no less than once a week.

Depending on your software, you may need to prompt it to update. Unfortunately, there are people with too much time on their hands who desire to attack and make your computer unusable. A computer user is not ultimately protected from viruses and spyware [popups, cookies, etc.] unless you’re using a combination of antivirus and antispyware software and a firewall, a piece of hardware that protects computers from being hacked. You must have all three pieces in order to ward off viruses, lurkers and attacks. What’s more, most of the attacks are very quiet. You don’t know someone is on your computer. Instead, they secretly store information, such as child pornography or music MP3s on your computer, since itกs illegal, and redirect childporno or MP3 seekers to your computer instead of theirs.

Tip #4 Install a firewall if you keep your computer constantly on.

Using a broadband or DSL connection dramatically increases your exposure to being hacked. It only takes an average of 15 minutes being online before a homebased computer is attacked. The only true way to protect a computer from a hacker is to install a hardware firewall. It’s a misconception that softwarebased firewalls ultimately defend computers. This is simply not true. Computers must have a hardware firewall for ultimate protection, such as a SonicWall or Netscreen firewall, a component installed between a home user’s cable or DSL connection and their computer.

About The Author

Sharron Senter is cofounder of http://www.VisitingGeeks.com an on site computer repair, security and networking company that helps families, home power users and small businesses north of Boston, Southern NH and Maine. Visiting Geeks’ technicians are crackerjacks at squashing viruses, popups and securing and making computers perform faster. To reach Visiting Geeks call (978) 3464087 or visit http://www.VisitingGeeks.com Sharron’s also the author of, ขMake Money While Sleeping.ข Learn more at http://www.sharronsenter.com/fs_increase_seo.shtml

This article was posted on October 05, 2004

by Sharron Senter

Getting Good Picture Results

Getting Good Picture Results

by: Gem Tullao

There was this guy who owns a stateoftheart, highend digital SLR. Since it was my first time to meet him, I initially thought that he could be a photographer, hobbyist or by profession, when he brandished the hitech gear. This initial impression only lasted until I saw one of his shots – man, there was no composition! What waste of money – unless of course, he manages to get acquainted with photography, even the basics at the least. Otherwise, the digicam ends up as the display instead of it churning out images for display.

Before you can even jump to tinkering with digital photography techniques, it would be good to learn basic composition skills to produce goodlooking photographs. By composition, we mean that the elements in the captured image are interacting with each other in harmonious relationship. There is a focal point and overall balance. Framing the subject matter helps improve the appearance of your photograph. You can try canopies of trees, arbors, or rows of trees for such effect. Weeping willows are just one example of elements effective for framing, with their drooping branches that can form into a dramatic frame for the composition. Your focal point does not necessarily have to be always at the center, but make sure that you still achieve a visual balance. Also, your finished product will turn out better if you keep looking for the best vantage point to create your desired composition.

To yield better picture results, it is imperative that you learn the tricks of your camera by reading the user’s manual carefully. Some people would waste time wondering why their pictures turn out bad with their digital camera, when all they needed to do was read the manual to know that they have to press halfway first to lock into focus. This attitude is perhaps influenced by the false assumption that digital cameras are supposed to make perfectlooking pictures with the least effort, and without the hassles associated with conventional cameras. It would also help to check out the website of your camera’s manufacturer to gain information, tricks and techniques that may not have been discussed in the manual.

The most common mistake in digital photography has got to be blurs. Pictures turn out blurred when the photographer does not keep a steady hand while shooting. It will help if you hold the camera closer to your body, bringing your elbows as near to your chest as possible, so long as you can still view the LCD. Another sure way of ensuring the camera is steady is with the use of a tripod. Tripods are useful when creating special effects, which you can do using special effects features already built inside your camera or by switching to the manual mode.

Once you feel you have outgrown the auto mode function, it would be interesting to experiment with the manual mode, so you can create more interesting photos. For instance, by slowing down the shutter, you can create impressive pictures of flowing water, or create interesting photos of moving objects. It is advisable that you use a tripod if you are going to expose the subject for longer than one second. You can also experiment on the use of the flash. Do not be too dependent on the auto mode to decide when it is appropriate to turn on the flash. Most digital cameras offer excellent close up functionality through the macro mode, so you might want to take advantage of this and experiment on your own. You can use the macro mode to get really close to a minute subject matter, as close as the camera will allow.

With digital imagery, it becomes easier to enhance and alter photos with the use of computer software. Here, you will not need worry about red eye, and you can even remove blemishes like magic. However, software can only go so far, and it is still best to perfect the picture at the point of capture – it will save you a huge amount of time editing.

Digital cameras offer broad possibilities for creating great images. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not take full advantage of these possibilities and end up with mediocre photographs. Do not assume that the digital camera will do the magic for you. A lot of the work will have to rely on the user, so you should exert some effort to learn some tricks and techniques to see the full potential of your gadget.

About The Author

Gem Tullao

Versatile and hardworking. Two words that clearly describe Gemกs work attitude. She can just write and talk about everything. Her green thumb for writing can turn seeds of ideas into excellent writing pieces. She loves to read books especial novels that are set back into the Medieval Period.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.ucreative.com

[email protected]

This article was posted on February 18

by Gem Tullao

Choosing a Business

Choosing a Business

by: Hamoon Arbabi

Creating a Business of Your Own

The majority of people who have a home business started from scratch. Creating a successful business requires that you ask yourself กWhat will people pay for?ก Market research will help you find out, and that can be as simple as asking prospective customers what they need and investigating whether you can compete on price, service, quality, variety and ease of use.

With these considerations in mind, here are six possibilities for finding the ideal business for you. You can:

• Turn your favorite hobby or interest into a business

Find a need you can fill thatกs related to your interest. Example: Someone nearing retirement and interested in helping other senior citizens remain active could create a counseling business, advising on how to enjoy retirement.

• Turn your existing job skills into a business.

Accountants, communications specialists, graphic artists, salespeople, teachers people from all walks of life can take their skills and reinvent them. Examples: A secretary could start a secretarial service; a personnel director could set up telecommuting guidelines for companies.

THE RIGHT BUSINESS FOR YOU

• Solve a problem

People will pay to have someone do tasks they find unpleasant or need help with. Examples: Errand runners help thousands of people take care of their daily tasks; someone whoกs dealt with a disease and recovery could provide information and teach classes on coping.

• Use a hidden or latent talent

Take notice of the talents you use without thinking. Example: A great hostess never thought of being a party planner until she threw a party for a friend. The friend said, ‘that was so great, I would have paid for it.ก

• Use technology and other resources you have around the house

Many people have created successful businesses with equipment and technologies they already had around the house. A sewing machine can be the key to an exclusive dressmaking business. We even know two women in Texas who use their washing machines to run a laundry service for the crews of ships that dock in the local harbor.

• Put what you know to work

You can turn virtually anything you know into a business if enough people want to know it too. The author of 1,000 Adorable Names for Your Cat sold enough copies of his book to start a petoriented mailorder company.

Good luck.

About The Author

Hamoon Arbabi

Find more about Making money on the Internet, Online business opportunities, Marketing tactics, Free services, Free tools and… in http://homebusiness.nexuswebs.net

[email protected]

This article was posted on April 21

by Hamoon Arbabi

Shifting Sands Online

Shifting Sands Online

by: Nicholas Dixon

The internet is considered a godsend by many people all over the globe. Never before has such an opportunity been placed on the table for your taking. Where else could you set up a business transcending borders for fifty dollars a month or less.

Opportunities abound everywhere you turn nowadays online, just name it there is a way for you to turn a profit. Newsletters, store fronts, affiliate programs and content sites are just a few examples of the diverse choices our there.

At the turn of the millennium when I first got involved on the net there were far fewer websites then. Now there are a vast variety of websites on different topics all vying for attention from web surfers. Because of this growth you can ensure that the competition for traffic is stiff.

One very important thing of note is that one’s success is not guaranteed online. Business online should be approached in the same professional manner as one would offline.

Since building my first website I have been through countless setbacks, I once lost seven months worth of subscribers in one fatal click. Setbacks are natural though, the important thing is to move ahead through the fog and mist even with uncertainty.

Passion is also very important to the success process. My passion initially was to offer the best website about my hometown, not to make money. Profit is just a byproduct. That passion has been realized and even though I don’t make money by the bucket loads, I feel fulfilled.

Hardwork, perseverance, vision and commitment is required to see you through to the end. Don’t fall for the hype about get rich quick programs, success at these are the exception and not the rule. Buckling up for the long haul would be highly recommended.

Years ago if I had known such things I wouldn’t have had it so hard. But there is a learning curve in life and it makes no sense to try and avoid it. The experience you gain along the way is your wealth.

>From the days of not knowing how to turn on a computer to publishing a newsletter I have always realized that. It is not really the money that makes one wealthy but the skills and abilities that one possess. Look at Donald Trump, even if he went bust tomorrow he would still rebound because of his knowhow.

Many times I have reached a point where I felt like quitting. But the options available deters me from doing so.

Just like how everyone takes time to become good at basketball, soccer or finding the perfect excuse for forgetting their anniversary so does running a business. Patience is a valuable virtue .

Over a period of time, one’s skills and abilities will improve once they are used regularly. Don’t let your current skills get rusty and at the same time endeavor to learn new ones. Do not allow the weeds to stifle your garden.

Copyright © Nicholas Dixon

About The Author

Nicholas Dixon is the creator of Jamaica’s first article directory. Free content and information about a cool island town. Visit http://WWW.Oceanroc.com to learn more…

[email protected]

This article was posted on October 15, 2004

by Nicholas Dixon