blogs.matrixwebs.com

Ironman Cozumel 2011

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:45:41 GMT

First and foremost if you do not want to read this and would rather see the pictures:

https://picasaweb.google.com/115400923105264895889/CozumelIronmanTripAndRace2011

As most of you know I have two businesses. One is on the weekends which made training much harder this year. Basically this is the only Ironman I could target because we were finally off. Still training is not what it was a few years ago. Missing my riding buddy Elliott I have started riding with Paul Young. I think we were fortunate to get in around 7 nearly 100 mile rides.

This year I trained without my power meter, heart rate monitor, no coach, and no training logs. I just did not have the time. I did follow a book and started about 30 weeks out. I already had a really good running base leading up to the Boston Marathon. But I felt my bike had really suffered with no bike races this year. Swimming felt good though.

We arrived in Cozumel on Tuesday November 22. It was going to be strange missing Thanksgiving with the family. We had Debbie and Paul Young and my parents with us. As you can imagine it was humid and hot. The Cozumel course is notorious for wind. At my weight (147 at the start of the week) I'm not the best wind rider. I'm a better climber. But I was feeling really good during the week. Seemed like the first time I did not get sick before an event. It is tough going to a foreign country and eating out a lot beforehand though.

We had our fun days a few days before the busy weekend. We even went to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at Rock and Java. I should also note great meals at Guido's and Casa Mission. Exploring the island with Trinity is always the best. We would get up early. Get in a practice swim, get stung by jelly fish, then eat breakfast and then go explore. Iguanas everywhere, saw Crocodiles, climbed the south light house and spent many hours in the water. We stayed at Hotel El Presidente Intercontinential. The swimming snorkeling were the best right out front. Lionfish, eels, octopus, cool stuff.

Workout schedule went like this: Tuesday - swim and run. Wed - swim and run. Thursday - swim and bike. Friday - swim and run. Saturday - off.

On Thursday we checked in. The expo is crap. So don't expect much at these things. They did have nice long sleeve jackets.

Saturday we prepped our bags to drop off early. We were scheduled for bike check in at 3:00 pm. Of course when we arrive no one else cares about the schedule. Oh well. T1 is a maze! 2500 entrants. We drop off the bikes and bags. Saturday night we hung out at the hotel and had the pasta buffet.

Sunday we woke up at 4:00 am. First thing we had some coffee. I was not hungry so I ate a banana and drank an Ensure. So I was probably a little calorie light. But once again I was just going on feel. We arrived at transition about 5:30 am. Put the nutrition on the bike. We found out our Zoot Speedsuits were illegal the night before so we opted not to risk wearing them (everyone else apparently did not care). To be honest I wanted to go without it anyway. So I left my shirt with my helmet. I had 800 calories of Hammer Sustained Energy in one bottle and a bar, some Honey Stinger Waffles, and 2 gels for nutrition. I figured the rest would come from Gatorade on course. I also carried 5 SaltStick tabs for the bike. And one piece of chewing gum for the final stretch.

Swim - After doing our business we proceeded out on the dock to watch the pros start. The water looked calm. We jumped off the dock and shivered for about 15 minutes. They announced 2 minutes to go then boom the horn goes off. Holy shit! I had lined up in the front(ish), middle and planned to go hard the first 200 then settle in. I had been practicing this. This year I felt there was really no current to help. Felt the same in all directions. There was a ton of contact. I found some feet and stayed on them until the first turn. The first turn was a brutal wrestling match. I defended my space. I think I pissed some people off. The long straight after the first turn I found another set of feet and stayed until We were close to the submarine. The next rough spot was approaching the dock. People fighting to get out! I looked at my watch and it said 1:05 as I stepped out, woohoo, good for me. Official time 1:07:30.

In T1 even though I walked it a few times I was momentarily lost. But I went the right way. Had some sunscreen applied by a kid, proceeded to the bike. Put my shirt on and helmet. Now the funny part. I always leave my shoes in the peddles (when legal). I'm pretty good with the flying mount. Well I landed on my right nut and the bike jumped up, lost a shoe. I had to get it and put it on. What a clown. Glad only a thousand people were watching. T1 - 4:44

On the bike I figured I would gauge the wind direction the first lap and figure out my plan. The first portion was pretty fast as we left the park. We turned into a slight headwind (first lap was slight) pretty quick. So I broke it down in my head the way the course was. From the park we had roughly 12 miles of headwind. From that point we had 12 miles of brutal cross wind. Then a tail wind for what I figured was 10 miles and then a mix down to the park for each lap. 3 laps. So I figured I could hammer the wind section as it would only take me less than 30 minutes at a higher heart rate. The rest I could cruise. I should point out that I never, never drafted. I did pace off a few guys (legally) when I needed the mental break. I really had the mind set of bad karma for this race. I never even saw any big packs. I did see 5-6 guys together. I found pleasure in passing these groups solo. They should have smoked me. At mile 56 I was at 2:26. So I knew I had a chance at a fast bike split. When the last lap started I decided to go for a 5:00 bike. What the hell. Why not race the event. I figured I would pay on the run. The last lap I had a guy’s tag onto me a while. I tried to pee on them with no luck. I just minded my own business and kept working. I worked hard in the head wind section. I cruised the final 10 (chewed my gum) miles thinking I would take in some nutrition and give my legs a break. Final Bike - 5:02:25 (22.2 mph).

T2 - Potty break, sunscreen, shoes, a few oh shits, only a marathon left. 4:07.

The run started ok. It was hot still this early. First 2 miles were 8:20's. I must admit I had thoughts of going to the Kona slot allocation and maybe getting a roll down spot. I guess it was way too early for that! About mile 3, I started feeling like my head was cooking. Oh no. Gradually I started to pay for the bike. I figured I would but what the hell, how often can you ride a 5 hour bike. On the second lap I saw Paul Young starting his run. He looked good. Then the rain clouds came. It poured! It was like heaven sent. I had some trouble with nutrition at this point. The third lap I tried to pick it up a little. I felt like I was running faster than I was. I ended up 4:14:30 (9:41 pace).

I have forgot to mention the athletes are like rock stars during this event. On the bike and more so on the run. This place shuts down and everyone is out cheering. It's really, really loud.

Total Time: 10:33:24. PR by almost 40 minutes on a tougher, hotter course.

When I crossed the finish line I was very happy. I saw my family right at the finish. I felt a little lightheaded so after I got my medal and some food I went and sat down. After I felt better I went and met everyone, changed and hung out for Paul. Paul Young came in about 11:52 a PR for him. He was so fast we were not expecting him!

We went out to a burger and beer afterwards. I have been dealing with some blisters and soreness. I ran sockless, good thing due to the rain. But today almost all soreness is gone.

Overall it was a great event and a very fun trip. I hope to be back someday.

800 Number

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:37:36 GMT

We have had trouble with our 800 number ever since the weather back east last week. It comes up and goes down later that day. We have decided to use this opportunity to leave it off. We simply are not big enough to need it anyway and any savings we have is passed to the customer.

As always email is the best way to dialog, as we store for our records. The local number is listed below (along with newer extension).

Thanks

Happy Holidays!

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:54:00 GMT

We would like to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Matrixwebs.com will be closed on Friday December 24th and December 31st to observe the holidays.

Thank you to each of you for your continued support.

Merry Christmas

New phone extensions

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:52:49 GMT

We have had our phone system upgraded and we all have new extensions. Please dial zero for more information.

News and Updates

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:26:50 GMT

Important news from Matrixwebs.com regarding your service contract and new services.

Software Updates

Distribusuite: A new beta version has published today. Customers that are using the product will be updated shortly. Substantial work has been done in the order entry area.

FileItSuite: Is in the process of receiving style updates. These updates will bring the look in line with the newer packages.

New Sites

Matrixwebs has launched a few new sites:
http://www.svendurance.com
http://www.triathlonkidz.com
http://www.mhmarathon.com
http://www.conceptcycelry.com
http://www.cctriclub.com
http://www.consistenttee.com
http://www.euro-climate.com
http://www.infinitesunenergy.com/
Many of these customers are using our blog software (that ties directly to Facebook). For example:
http://blog.infinitesunenergy.com/
http://trikidz.matrixblogsuite.com/

Contracts

Many of our customers are under maintenance contracts. We have revised pricing to be more in line with our lower hourly rate. Please click here for samples. Contact: sales@matrixwebs.com if you wish to update your current contract.
http://www.matrixwebs.com/docs/maint.pdf

In addition we have added more services to contracts. Do you have a limited marketing budget? Well this is for you. We can change the look of your website to reference Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Yelp. We also add in blogging ability and tie everything together. We manage these for you. We friend people in Facebook and get them to follow posts about your business, company, or industry. All posts are written by our team of creative writers. Review some options here:
http://www.matrixwebs.com/docs/marketing.pdf

Another service we have added is managed electronic filing? Want to go paperless? Review this document:
http://www.matrixwebs.com/docs/filing.pdf

Please call or email if you are interested in any of these items or it’s just time to freshen your site up.

Why the Hype?

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:30:25 GMT

What's the hype with all of these new social networking and virtual texting websites? Do people really want to read about what you ate for breakfast or that you just fell down a flight of stairs? Do people honestly care?

The answer? Yes. People do care, people do want to know what you're doing, what you're planning on doing and what is new. Anything and everything. This is what makes sites like Facebook and Twitter so popular, not only with individulas, but also with small businesses and large corporations. People want to be the first to know whatever it is there is to know about.

Matrixwebs.com has decided to follow suit. In this coming year we will broaden our horizon and begin focusing our efforts on sites and applications such as these. We will help you manage your websites, search engine optimization, Facebook and Twitter accounts, in addition to the web and graphic design work that we are known and respected for.

Continue to check back for more updates about us, our team and what's new for Matrixwebs as a whole.

Find Us On Facebook

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:16:02 GMT

Matrixwebs.com, LLC is on Facebook...come join us!

We are exploring various networking options which may enable our company to reach out to different demographics in several different ways; Facebook being one of them.

If you would like to check us out as a company and follow our updates and promotions, follow the link below and be our friend!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Morgan-Hill-CA/Matrixwebscom-LLC/61633006506

Happy New Year!

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:35:52 GMT

Matrixwebs.com, LLC will be closing early on Thursday, December 31st and closed on Friday, January 1st.

We wish you all a fabulous 2010 and a safe holiday weekend. If you have an emergency, please send an email to support@matrixwebs.com

Until next year...

Merry Christmas!

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:15:14 GMT

Merry Christmas!

Matrixwebs.com, LLC will be closing early on Thursday, December 24th and closed Friday, Decmber 25th.

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe holiday weekend.

Holiday Tech Gifts

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:04:22 GMT

Heated blankets, coffee makers, and bath sets...sure these are the regulars on your shopping list, but what are you going to get your geeky nephew or socially confused niece? Here are a couple of gadgets that just might help save your Holiday and make you be the "best Auntie and Uncle ever"...

1) HP Dream Screen 100 $250-300

A digital photoframe that can hook up tp your wi-fi and tell you the weather, display your fav Pandora channels, and even converse with your friends on Facebook. *Seen Above.

2) FLO TV Personal Television $250 + $9 p/mo

A 3.5" touchscreen and a tuner that receives content via the FLO mobile TV network, which features live broadcasts of shows from most of the major networks and such cable staples as ESPN, MTV and Nickelodeon.

3) Blue Microphones Eyeball 2.0 Webcam $80

Features a large high-fidelity microphone with a tiny 2-megapixel video camera peeking out from the side. Place the device on your desk, or remove the base and anchor it on top of your notebook. If you don't want to show your face just snap the cam behind the mic to prevent any accidental broadcasts.

4) Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video Camera $180

Take your digital camera to the next level. The Zi8 captures full 1080p video at 30 frames per second, as well as 5-megapixel stills. Easily fits into your pocket or purse to make sure you'll always be ready for those unexpected "gotta film this" moments.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:17:22 GMT

Matrixwebs.com, LLC will be closing early at 2pm today. We wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Ironman 70.3 World Championships Race Report

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:03:33 GMT

Well this was my first trip to Clearwater for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships. I got a spot way back in May at Hawaii (Honu).

It's been a long year; I totaled up my events for the year:

Road Bike Races: 2
TT's: 3
Running races and Marathons: 4
Duathlons: 3
Short Triathlons: 1
1/2 Ironman's: 2
Full Ironman: 1

My training for the year: (up until 11-15-09)

Swimming: 252,000 yards
Bike: 5700 Miles
Run: 851 Miles
Time: A little over 600 hours

So as I went into this event I was not feeling really up for it. I felt like I peaked 4 weeks ago at the San Jose half marathon, I was lighter and ran a 1:32 which was 9 minutes faster than my previous best.

We arrived in Clearwater to horrible weather. The wind was about 30 mph from the north. It was very cold, and the ocean was huge. Unswimmable for me. Swimming is my weakest discipline. The current was so fierce that when I went out for a quick playfull swim, I was pulled down shore about 50 yards and it was very, very hard to get back unless you swam with the current. I went and bought gloves and arm warmers. It felt like Cour D Alene all over.

WTC ended up switching the swim to the harbor side of the island the day before. Thank god. Now we had a little longer t1 run, but I could live with it. It was to be an interesting start, TT version. The initial thought was it would break up the drafting packs a little more on the bike. NOPE!

Race morning came and guess what? Hot and Sunny. Little wind. I was supposed to be starting at 7:45 with the second wave on my age group. In transition I went to put my bottles on and check my tire pressure. I purposely got there a little late since my wave started later. My rear tubular had a huge gash in it. A few people said they had the same thing. I tried PITstop and co2, no luck. So now I'm panicking. Transition closes at 6:30 and its 6:20 and I have yet to use the restroom. I pulled my wheel off and ran to the bike shop tent. They said they could do it. I left it with them and ran to the porta potty lines. I waited until I was the next person; they then announced transition was closing. So I skipped restroom duty and ran to get my tire. They had it done. I ran back to my bike and did the quickest mount I have ever done. Thank god for rear dropouts.

In my bottles I had 1 500 calorie bottle of Perpetuem and 1 bottle of Coke. I also had 1 Powerbar wrapped on my frame in case I felt like eating and not drinking alone. In my bike and run bags I had some extra gels and my salt tabs for the run.

I walked with my awesome family and supporters (I had 11 people go out with us) to the swim start. I was able to find a porta potty. At the swim start they ended up having us jump off a dock 2 at a time. The contact in the water was very minimal. But navigation was very tough for me. It's usually easy for me. I missed a right turn along with a lot of other people. Swimming into the sun it was very tough to see the buoys. Basically we were supposed to go straight out, right for a few then left, then left again.
I ended up with a 36:23. I was fine with it; my goal was 35:00.

T1 was fine, a little long as I could not find my bag: 3:52

Oh the bike. Well to say it's flat and fast is an understatement. The one big hill you hit twice is a bump here. Never left the tri position on it until the top. Did I draft? Yes. I would estimate most people do there. It's difficult to describe, but the course if very tight and on only city roads. No urban stuff. So imagine 1 lane closed on an expressway or busy road like Almaden expressway. Then fit 2000 riders down it, all released in a bad order. So you may have slower age groups ahead of the 40 year old men (who can still peddle!). Well we come up on the slower people going 10mph faster than them. Space is at a premium. Plus you can also draft off the cars going down the roads. Draft fest yes. I was warned once along with a big group. So I backed off quite a bit, for a while there I thought I might break 2 hours. It's weird even at 5 meters you can still feel a large pack pull you. Plus we had a tailwind for the longest, straightest section. The tight race created some of the worst crashes I had even seen in person. Twice women were taken down by men hitting them. I was nearly caught in two of these. Only missed by inches. Thank god for Wednesday group Tri bike rides.
Time was: 2:11, goal was 2:15. Average speed: 25.63 mph. Interesting my watts were at 190 average (145 lbs). That's lower by 10-15 from previous 1/2's but not as low as I thought it would be.

T2 was slow. Tent was a mess, no help. Potty break. 4:06.

The run felt good for me. This was my main goal of this race, to prove to myself that I can run. The run was very pretty. But it was starting to get hot. We had to go over a bridge 4 times. That was the main hill. It was easy to break this run in sections. I took in Gatorade at each aid station. Water on my head to stay cool. 4 salt pills throughout the run. It was very cool running through twice and seeing the family there cheering me on. I kept picking people off, and trying to keep
my cadence up. I knew part way I could go for a sub 1:40. So I did not stop other then slow down in the aid stations. Run time: 1:39:59. 7:37 /mile.

Total time was 4:35:27. A PR by 35 minutes. Of course this is a faster course, so I'm not sure how or if it should compare. Goal for Hawaii next year is 4:45-4:50.

Overall it was a fun time. It was cool renting a house and hanging out with the family. Maybe my wife can go next year!

New Projects

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:53:16 GMT

Matrixwebs.com, LLC is thrilled about some of our newest projects and we would like to share our enthusiasm with you.

We have designed new websites for Infinite Sun Energy, CC Tri-Club, and South Valley Endurance to name a few. We have incorporated blogging into their sites as well...check it out, you might see something you like.

If you're interested in taking a peak at our creations or learning more about these organizations visit the following:

www.cctriclub.com

www.infinitesunenergy.com

www.svendurance.com

SV Endurance

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:19:26 GMT

Are you a fitness guru who is looking for fun, new challenging ways to stay fit and healthy? If this is you, then we have a great new club that is looking to help you have fun, meet new people and push yourself to new fitness limits.

Matrixwebs.com, LLC has partnered with South Valley Bike and Run Club, soon to be South Valley Endurance, and we couldn't be more thrilled. Visit their website at http://www.svbikeandrunclub.com/ to become a member and start yourself onto a new path full of rewards and excitement.

Like their website? Matrixwebs.com, LLC designed it. If you're interested in purchasing this package contact us at 888.776.1135 and ask for me, Trisha!

Food Meets Fashion

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:53:18 GMT

Have a love for food and fashion? If so, check out one of our newest BlogSuite customers' personal blog, Dominique Rooney.

Follow her as she explores the popular, trendy path of food and fashion and see how she creatively ties them both together with each new experience.

Find fashion, restaurant, and beauty reviews all in one fun, fabulous and custom destination. Want to learn more ways to "Go Green"? Dominique can help you out with that as well...don't hesitate and take a peak! Visit her blog at http://blog.foodmeetsfashion.com

Are you interested in having your very own custom blog to stay connected with the outisde world and share your unique experiences? Learn how BlogSuite can help. Visit http://www.matrixblogsuite.com to learn more today.

2009 Ironman Coeur D Alene CDA

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:58:58 GMT

In the weeks leading up to the big day we also ran the Hawaii 70.3 Ironman. I finished with a personal record there of 5:10, the run was brutal there. I used that as a prep race to test nutrition. I also made some effort to gain weight leading up to the race. I went from 148 to 153. In my past races I lost too much weight during the races.

We drove our RV to the Northern Idaho with my mom and Earl. My Aunt and uncle met us there later in the week. Elliott and his family arrived on Thursday. Amy arrived on Wed.

When we arrived in Coeur D Alene, the first thing I wanted to see was the swim. It was windy all week in the mornings. It looked scary to say the least. The pictures do not do the swim justice, look at the flags. I also rode the bike course on Sunday.

During the week I did some light runs, swims, and bike rides.

Friday-Trinity did a kids run and ran a 7:45 mile. Great job little girl.

Saturday- turned in my bike and transition bags. Just tried to relax and eat.

Sunday (race day)- up at 4:30. Ate a medium breakfast, eggs, wheat muffin with almond butter/honey, and an Ensure. Went down and turned in my special needs bags (never used). After watching the pros start I put on my wetsuit and went to the beach. I was surprisingly calm considering there were 2200 athletes around me. But hey not like you can change anything now!

Swim- It was rough. Not only the water with the waves, wind, chop, and helicopter splatter, but there was contact the ENTIRE swim. Second lap the water was even rougher. 1:21 on the swim and I’m happy with it. My secret goal was 1:15, but heck with the conditions…

Transition 1- 6:28. Ok I was slow here. I did not know that there were people to help you put on the cold weather cloths required for today’s freezing ass weather. So I sat down and calmly got dressed. Arm warmers, vest, socks, etc..

Bike- 112 miles. It actually went pretty easy considering there is 6000 ft of ascent. I had to take 2 stops to use the port o potty. I left my vest in one rather than getting a littering flag. I was warmer now because of the hills. Head wind back to town. I liked blasting through town. The support was great. Second loop was uneventful. Just put my head down and stayed steady. I must admit I was a little disappointed with 5:26 on the bike. I thought I had a 5:15 in me, but I tried not to push when my stomach acted up. But I did move from 1100 out of the water to 300, passed 800 people on the bike.

T2- 3:54 much better, I had help getting ready and stopped to use the toilet again.

Run- The first 2 miles I was moving at about 7:45 clip. But that did not last long, there is a steady hill out of town. My goal here was under 4 hours. But I soon realized I wanted to be comfortable running so I stopped 5 more times to use the toilet, a few times waiting for up to 2 minutes. But the important thing was I was comfortable. My magic elixir for fuel at each aid station: cookie washed down with coke. I had a few bananas as well. It was cold, cold. I felt bad for people walking it was so cold and rainy. Anyway I finished the marathon in 4:11.

It felt good to cross the finish line. When I saw my family and Elliott at the finish line, I almost got emotional. People were high fiving down the stretch. It was very cool. It was very cool to have the whole thing live on the internet and on the jumbo-tron as well. Makes you feel like a star.

Finish time was 11:10. Good for 78 out of 362 in my class and 382 out of 2300 overall. No I did not qualify for Kona, but I still have the 70.3 Worlds later this year.

I could not have done this without the help and support from my wife, Debbie. The support of my family and work were very important as well. Elliott and Paul Thompson are also responsible for pushing and training me. Thanks everyone

Web Design Practices

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:39:44 GMT

Need help deciding how to layout your website? No problem! Web Design Practices provides you with data statistics regarding the most commonly used layouts and design elements for websites.

An excerpt from Web Design Practices:

Web Design Practices is a site devoted to helping designers understand what design practices are currently in use on the Web—and aims to gather research about the usability of commonly-employed design practices.

Excellent Resource for Learning Web Industry Phrases

Thu, 21 May 2009 16:41:24 GMT

Here is a good post from Smashing Magazine that covers almost all the basic jargon you should know when getting into the web design/development industry or maybe even if you just plan on launching a new website. It's always good to know the basics...

Web Design Industry Jargon: Glossary and Resources

Google Down

Fri, 15 May 2009 16:42:50 GMT

So after yesterday morning's shocking Google outage, there is now much speculation of what exactly caused the issue. There have been reports of DDoS attacks, viruses/worms, ISP glitches, and the list goes on as reported on many Twitter posts.

What exactly was down? Well everything Google really. Google search, Gmail, Maps, etc. What most users don't realize though is how much other third party websites, applications and services rely on Google's services to work. So you guessed it, if they go down, those services utilizing their technology will also mostly like have features disabled. Now you can begin to imagine the enormous effect this caused on many business operations. Luckily though, the situation did not last an entire day.

I'm sure, after this dilemma, that there will be some kind of backup plan brewing over at the Googleplex. There's a first for everything!

Check out Google's official blog post

The Great GoogleLapse

May 13th 2009 comments from Greg

Thu, 14 May 2009 22:30:20 GMT

Well today is my birthday. I'm turning 40. Hard to believe, the number just sounds so old. But I feel the best I ever have. This morning (as part of someone's tradition) I decided to swim 4000 meters (40 x 100), at lunch I ran 4 miles all sub 7:20. After work I rode 40 miles. Of course I ate 4000 calories during the day.

I do need to thank my staff for surprising me with a little party at 1 pm. The pizza and cupcakes were great.

One other note I have is more of a complaint on our current society. What is going on with our news media? Isn't it enough that they blow the H1N1 virus out of hand? Now we have the "Fremont Sniper" shooting windows in cars. Well it was a pellet gun. You just had to watch the entire time to get the whole story. They sure were playing up the way it was mentioned as well. I honestly believe this is what caused gas prices to go up and down last year and is somewhat responsible for our financial crisis.

Maybe it's time to ignore them.

Greg Richards

Spam level declines... to 97 percent of all email

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:40:40 GMT

If you think you're getting a lot of spam these days, well, that's because you are. In Microsoft's latest biannual report on the state of computer security, the company says that in the second half of 2008, a full 97.3 percent of email traffic was unwanted spam (or malicious email like phishing attacks and outright viruses). Surprisingly though, that's down a bit from the first half of last year, when total spam volume reached a whopping 98.4 percent of all email sent.

The latest report (which covers security through the end of 2008, so Conficker isn't part of the package) is available for download here. (Be warned: The full report is 184 pages long. Consider checking out the smaller highlight report instead.)

The good news: Spam filters are getting better than ever. Microsoft's filter system for Exchange now scrubs out 39 out of every 40 emails sent. Spam also saw that slight decline thanks to the shut down last year of the ISP McColo, a major haven for spammers who suddenly had to go shopping elsewhere.

What are we being spammed about? Pharmacy and other product ads make up the lion's share of spam, accounting for 72.2 percent of all spam sent. Only 10 percent of the total spam share now involves sexually-oriented pharmaceuticals; that's a huge decline from previous studies, as apparently Viagra and Cialis are no longer that hard to come by.

Image-only spam, dating come-ons, financial spam, and fraudulent diplomas round out the remainder of the most common spam subjects.

Alternate statistics show the total spam level at lower -- one source pegs it at a mere 81 percent of mail traffic (a figure which seems awfully low) -- and also notes that even with the taking down of McColo and other spammer ISPs, spam traffic will inevitably rise again to "normal" levels.

In the related world of malware infections, the Microsoft report noted that worldwide, 8.6 machines were suffering from malware for every 1,000 which were clean. That sounds pretty good, but it still translates to about 9 million computers worldwide suffering from malware attacks.

What do you need to watch out for today, attack-wise? The most common attacks at the moment target Microsoft Office and PDF files, and those types of attacks are further on the rise.

Donut Fridays

Fri, 08 May 2009 18:19:47 GMT

As much as I love the donut Fridays, I'm not so sure the donuts love us. SInce being pregnant I feel like every donut I eat is going to come after me with a vengeance and plant itself directly on my stomach or thigh. The problem is that I only care after I've already eaten it despite knowing that I am going to feel this way hehe.

Even though I complain about it, I still don't think I'm gonna discontinue my consumption or stop buying them on Fridays. I guess I will just have to live with it. Sorry team for subjecting you all to these delicious temptations. Yes, it's true...I am the one to blame.

10 Ways to Go Green at Work

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:49:10 GMT

While most of the country is focussed on going green at home we are going to take a step forward and consider going green at the other place that most of us spend a large chunk of our time...at work.

1) Cut the lights...

Turn off the lights when you leave a room for more than 10 minutes. Purchase EnergyStar rated light bulbs, which use 2/3 less than regular lighting. Consider installing timers or sensors that automatically turn on/off when not needed.

2) Computer Efficency...

When you leave the office for the day turn off your computer and the power strip it's plugged into. Computers are responsible for wasting $1 billion worth of energy each year. Screen savers don't dave energy btw.

3) Print Smart...

Print on both sides of the paper and avoid color printing when possible. Purchase chlorine free paper (choose recycled) and consider switching to a lighter stock paper. Recycle your toner and use recycled toner cartidges - it saves you money and the planet at one time.

4) Go Paperless...

Sign up for electronic billing for invoices and choose to save your files on your computer or network rather than printing the document; not only does it waste paper, but it also takes up space.

5) Recycle...

Recycle everything that can be recycled: paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, toner, and even used electronic devices.

6) Green Picks...

Only buy office supplies made from recycled materials; most suppliers offer recycled alternatives to every product available.

7) Watch What (and how) You Eat...

Use reusable dishes and utensils for your office meals and snacks. Provide filtered water to reduce bottled water waste. Switch to organic and Fair Trade coffee and tea and buy as much local and organic foods as possible.

8) Rethink Travel...

Take the train, bus or subway when feasable instead of a rental car when traveling on business. If you must rent a car, some rental agencies offer hybrid and high mileage vehicles.

Consider video-conferencing and other technological solutions than can reduce the need for business travel.

9) Your Commute...

Make it a habbit to carpool, bike, or take public transit to work and or telecommute when possible.

10) Office Environment...

Always use non-toxic cleaning products. Brighten your cubicle with plants, which absorb indoor pullution.

Compellant Storage Array

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:04:57 GMT

We have added an additional 12TB storage array to our Data Center. This compliments our Blade servers and existing Equalogic storage array. We added this to cover space used by our new Suite series of products (http://www.matrixsuites.com). Some customers already have 30 GB of data stored here. The storage arrays automatically Snap Shot the data each night, weekly, and monthly. In addition our development servers Snapshot each hour. This gives us the abilty to rollback very easy.

Video Series

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:08:24 GMT

We have started making videos on our software products. This will make training much faster for us and it will give the clients the ability to review their training at a later date. Looking forward to seeing more. Here is a demo:

http://help.matrixlegalsuite.com/Home.ashx

Thanks

Seven Basic Styles of Workplace Behavior

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:33:25 GMT

Copied from another web page...

From the shrinking "avoider" to the flamboyant "performer," a business consultant says that employees fall into seven categories. Which one are you?

In the workplace, we behave in seven "classic" ways, says a recent Fabricating and Metalworking article. According to author Francie Dalton, who is founder and president of Dalton Alliances, Inc., a Maryland-based business consulting firm specializing in communication, management, and the behavioral sciences, these general categories may not encapsulate all the actions of your co-workers, but they will give you insight into how to better deal with them:

Commanders
Curt and controlling, commanders don't waste time on niceties.

Drifters
Averse to structure, drifters often have trouble with rules, work hours and deadlines.

Attackers
Ill-tempered and contemptuous, attackers can have a dampening effect on workplace morale.

Pleasers
Considerate, sociable and friendly, pleasers rarely deny the requests of others and think of colleagues as extended family members.

Performers
Witty, charismatic and outspoken, performers engage and entertain others in the workplace.

Avoiders
Clinging to the status quo, avoiders shy away from increased responsibility because they fear it will make them more visible and accountable.

Analyticals
Meticulous, thorough and cautious, analyticals can get mired in details.

Election Day

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:37:44 GMT

No matter who you vote for today to succeed President George W. Bush, you will be a part of history in the making.

Some polling places looked as if they were handing out free money as voters across the nation - including Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama - hit the polls in a historic election Tuesday.

When the ballots are counted, the United States will have elected either its first African-American president, or its oldest first-term president and first female vice president.

At the end of the day, one candidate must concede to the other.

Beat the Workday Blues

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:33:24 GMT

With the population's job satisfactory level on a decline I have found some ways to help you keep those workday blues a thing of the past and get you on the road to a much more enjoyable day. I think most people lose interest in their job after they know they got the position. The job market is extremely slow and for those of us who do have a job should be thankful and learn to enjoy being at work while realizing the benefits that come along with being employed. I know this is tough for some of you, but here are 8 tips to help you along...

Learn to laugh
Humor is great way to provide balance to stressful situations and is a healthy release. It can promote team building, the generation of new ideas and even improves our brains' ability to cognitively solve problems. Keep it fun, nonpersonal and avoid being sarcastic

Complain
It is OK to vent, it really is. However, do it prepared to take action and be engaged. Releasing steam can be beneficial if it is done in an atmosphere of caring and commitment to changing the outcome. In other words, be willing to roll up your sleeves and pitch in. Be a force of change, not just blame.

Work smarter, not harder
Use time management and organizational skills to your advantage. Take the time to assess how effectively you schedule your time. Maximize technology to stay on task and organized. Make sure that you plan for regular breaks at work. Workers who take regular breaks for as little as ten minutes are more productive. Get up and move around.

Focus on safety and comfort
Major factors in job satisfaction are issues like safety, comfort and adequate resources. Things like ergonomic chairs, great work spaces and brightly lit rooms make a big difference. Ask for what you need. Create a pleasing work space. Bring in family pictures or add plants or fresh flowers.

Define your own success and satisfaction
Working in the information age, where more and more work is “invisible,” it may be difficult to see the immediate fruits of your labor. Homa Bahrami from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business writes, “Not only is work harder to measure but it’s also harder to define success.” One solution is creating your own short-term goals at work. Take pride in what you have accomplished. It may also help to have a hobby that has a tangible outcome, like knitting.

Focus on a personal goal
It may be saving for a vacation to a special place, running a marathon or creating a garden. Figure out a strategy to make it happen. Work then becomes a means to an end.

Make the most of your days off
Catch up on your to-do list. Use the days for me-time only. Visit friends, sleep, exercise … you get the picture. Change your perspective; don’t allow your work blues to color your free time.

Quit your job...Well, not literally
The point is, you can always fantasize about telling your boss to “take this job and shove it.” Fantasy is a healthy outlet. Daydream, be creative and find ways to change your perspective and beat the work blahs.

One minute manager book review

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:11:14 GMT

I pulled this from another site, but I do agree. Please read below:

The One Minute Manager reveals three secrets to productive and efficient managing as told through a young man's search for the perfect managing and leading skills. The One Minute Manager is focused on, not surprisingly, a one minute manager. The man is a venerable leader that is highly spoken of by his employees, his three secrets being the key to his success.

The first secret is One Minute Goals. This involves a meeting of the manager and the employee where goals are agreed on, written down in a brief statement, and occasionally reviewed to ensure that productivity is occurring. This whole process takes a "minute", which truly means it is a quick meeting, however it is not limited to just sixty seconds. The purpose of one minute goal setting is to confirm that responsibilities of each working is understood, understanding that confusion leads to inefficiency and discouragement.

The second secret to one minute managing is one minute praisings. This involves being open with people about their performance. When you catch someone doing something right, a goal of the one minute manager, you praise them immediately, telling them specifically what they did correctly. Pause to allow them to "feel" how good you feel regarding their importance to the organization, and finish by shaking hands.

The third secret is the one minute reprimand. Being honest with those around you involves reprimanding when a wrong has occurred. The first step is to reprimand immediately and specifically. This is the same as the second secret, and it holds an important aspect of the first secret: it enables an understanding of responsibilities and how to complete them correctly. Following the reprimand, shake hands and remind the person that he or she is important and it was simply their performance that you did not like. The one minute reprimand consists of the reprimand and the reassurance, both being equally important. If you leave the latter out, you will not be liked by those around you and they will attribute mistakes to them being worth less, which is far from the truth.

SEO Website Tips

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:29:05 GMT

From the obvious to the "Hey-I-never-thought-of-that-great-idea-before", here are 10 of the top 52 tips on how to optimize your website for its turbo-charge rocket ride up the search engine rankings.

Be bold. Use the <b> </b> tags around some of your keywords on each page. Do NOT use them everywhere the keyword appears. Once or twice is plenty.

Deep linking. Make sure you have links coming in to as many pages as possible. What does it tell a search engine when other web sites are linking to different pages on your site? That you obviously have lots of worthwhile content. What does it tell a search engine that all your links are coming in to the home page? That you have a shallow site of little value, or that your links were generated by automation rather than by the value of your site. Here is an example of deep linking, in this case to my personal happiness workbook.

Become a foreigner. Canada and the UK have many directories for websites of companies based in those countries. Can you get a business address in one of those countries?

Newsletters. Offer articles to ezine publishers that archive their ezines. The links stay live often for many years in their archives.

First come, first served. If you must have image links in your navigation bar, include also text links. However, make sure the text links show up first in the source code, because search engine robots will follow the first link they find to any particular page. They won't follow additional links to the same page. You can see this in action at the link to the home page on this web site monitoring page

Multiple domains. If you have several topics that could each support their own website, it might be worth having multiple domains. Why? First, search engines usually list only one page per domain for any given search, and you might warrant two. Second, directories usually accept only home pages, so you can get more directory listings this way. Why not a site dedicated to gumbo pudding pops?

Article exchanges. You've heard of link exchanges, useless as they generally are. Article exchanges are like link exchanges, only much more useful. You publish someone else's article on the history of pudding pops with a link back to their site. They publish your article on the top ten pudding pop flavors in Viet Nam, with a link back to your site. You both have content. You both get high quality links. (More on high quality links in other tips.)

Titles for links. Links can get titles, too. Not only does this help visually impaired surfers know where you are sending them, but some search engines figure this into their relevancy for a page.

Not anchor text. Don't overdo the anchor text. You don't want all your inbound links looking the same, because that looks like automation - something Google frowns upon. Use your URL sometimes, your company name other times, "Gumbo Pudding Pop" occasionally, "Get gumbo pudding pops" as well, "Gumbo-flavored pudding pops" some other times, etc.

Site map. A big site needs a site map, which should be linked to from every page on the site. This will help the search engine robots find every page with just two clicks. A small site needs a site map, too. It's called the navigation bar. See how the second navigation bar at the bottom of Last Minute Florida Villas is like a mini-site map?

Ford Ironman 70.3 Hawaii

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:19:31 GMT

First 1/2 Ironman!

Pre Race-

Arrived at the Mauna Lani on the Sunday before the race. Spent the week getting used to the heat and humidity. I ran twice during the week, less then 5 miles each time. I also worked out in the gym once. Just light stuff. We stayed in a condo so we could control our food pretty well. I also swam the swim portion 4 times during the week since it was my biggest concern.

The Swim- 46:13 - 1.2 miles

I do not trust my swimming so I started at the back of the pack. I ran into a lot of people pretty quick, just tried to stay calm. Since this was not a wave start the first buoy was a joke. Scary. Dead stop for maybe 2 minutes. My breathing always bothers me about 500 m into the swim. I feel much better after my heart rate get's up. But I was close to calling it a day. I could not get control. After the third buoy, I relaxed and was able to bi-lateral breath plus one breath on the right. The rest was cake.

The Bike- 2:41:36 - 56 miles

Never left big ring. I was going much faster then I planned. But I figured what the hell, hammer the bike. The hill up to Honu was my only tough part. I was so happy to be out of the water! I was going so fast and the wind so bad, I did not eat anything. Just did not feel like it. Paid for it later. Only drank 2 of my 4 bottles.

The Run- 2:19:10 - 13.1 miles

Well, I never cramp. I was beginning to think I could not cramp. I never really knew what it felt like. Boy did I learn in the first 5 miles. Each leg took a turn. Each muscle group took a turn. I had to walk a bit, and throught the aid stations. 1 bathroom break because I was very bloated. I'm a better runner, but not this day.

Total: 5:54:31 - 70.3

Overall great first half Ironman. I'm happy.

More information here:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=118450&posts=1&start=1

Fun Things to do When You're Bored at Work

Fri, 30 May 2008 20:44:46 GMT

Fun Things To Do When Bored At Work – Simpler Options

Music, yes music is perhaps the best stress buster for any and everyone. Although make sure you don’t play your music at a volume that might have people swearing at you.
You can try and have a power snack or a cup of hot coffee or tea to energize you. In case you are worried about the ill effects of nicotine and caffeine, try and have a nice herbal tea variety.
Try working out with some simple stretches at work. Hand rotations, leg stretches can be easily done at work and can actually make you feel fresh. You can also climb up and down the staircase that will not only be fun but will also help you stay active.
In case you like computer games, a good game of pacman or minesweeper is the best option for a fun break from work for a while.
In case your office system allows chat messengers, having a small conversation with an old friend or a relative can pep up your mood.
Call up a loved one or a friend just to say hi and catch up with them for a while. Talking to a loved one can be the best stress buster and helps you get back to work with added enthusiasm.
Try and clean up your desk and make it more interesting by adding post-its with funny messages, some interesting paper weights and so on.
Type ‘fun things to do when bored at work’ in the Google search engine and browse through the search results.
Clean up your computer, delete all the unwanted files, and try to find a better desktop theme for your computer.
Open MS paint and draw a picture. Painting or drawing can be a fun activity and it doesn’t matter how good or bad you are at it. Complete the picture and forward it to all your friends via email.
Make your own website and try to make it as good as possible with great content as well as pictures.

Fun Things To Do When Bored At Work –Wacky Options

Pick up random objects and super glue them together to create abstract art. Display it on your desk or present it as a gift to someone in the office.
Walk up to a co-worker and pretend to talk only using lip movements. Use funny hand gestures as well and just when the person starts getting irritated with your antics say " You better get your ears checked man!" and run to the next victim.
Make up a funny incomprehensible language and go around the office talking to people in your language for at least an hour.
Tell people they’ve got something stuck in their teeth and they better clean it up.
In case you’ve got mobile chairs in the office ask someone to move you around in the office by pushing your chair. Go around the office visit every cubicle and ask people how their day is coming along.
Make a buzzing sound which is loud enough for everyone around you. When everyone starts looking at you point suggestively at your neighbor and frown.
Have an imaginary friend and keep talking to him/her aloud in the office.
Have office Olympics and make people participate in funny games like three legged race or chair-racing . You can even have a typing contest where the one with the fastest typing speed wins.
Pick up a funny accent and talk to your co-workers in the weird accent throughout the day.
Try and google the names of people you know and see if you find anything interesting/funny. Walk up to those people and talk to them about the funny things you found out about them.

5 Ways Your Computer Use Can Get You Fired

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:47:49 GMT

It's essential for some jobs, handy for most, but don't be fooled -- the personal computer can be a job ender. Even as you read this story, you should probably be asking yourself: Am I actually allowed to browse online and read news stories at the office?

The parameters for computer use at work (and even at home) are often confusing. We communicate, network, watch our TV shows, do our grocery shopping, and get our news on our computers. But it's no free-for-all. Employees should know exactly what their employer's policies are for email and Internet usage, because workers are losing their jobs after computer-based missteps. Here are five ways to log on and lose your job:

1. Blog it up.

Blogger Chez Pazienza worked as a producer at CNN's "American Morning" until mid-February, when Pazienza says his boss informed him that the company discovered his name attached to blog posts written without CNN's approval. Pazienza was fired soon after. Pazienza runs Deus Ex Malcontent, where he writes about Oprah and President Bush with equal abandon. He hadn't identified himself as a CNN employee on the blog, but CNN spokeswoman Barbara Levin says company policy is that employees must first get permission to write for a non-CNN outlet. Levin didn't elaborate, noting that the company does not comment on personnel matters.

There's even a term for being fired because of a blog -- it's called being "dooced." While some blogging advocates say a well-executed blog can boost your career by presenting your best side to the HR executives Googling you, there are limitations. Dooce.com founder Heather Armstrong writes on her site that she lost her job a year after beginning the blog for writing entries that involved colleagues. She now tells site visitors, "Be ye not so stupid" and offers parameters for safe blogging: "Never write about work on the Internet unless your boss knows and sanctions the fact that you are writing about work on the Internet."

2. Play away.

Solitaire, that ever seductive way to while away the hours, is probably not a great choice for the workplace. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg caught sight of a solitaire game on a city employee's computer screen in 2006 and fired him. "I expect all city workers, including myself, to work hard," Bloomberg said then.

Richard Bayer, an economist and chief operating officer of the Five O'Clock Club, an outplacement and career coaching organization, says employees who use a company computer for personal matters on company time -- whether playing solitaire or checking on their 401(k)'s -- are essentially stealing from their employer.

"It's a new, 21st-century form of theft," Bayer says, adding that a couple of personal emails each day are within reason.

3. Look at pics.

Yes, those kind of pics. Think about this: Nearly one-third of bosses have fired workers for misusing the Internet, according to a recent study by the American Management Association and the ePolicy Institute. Eighty-four percent of those employers said the reason was the viewing, downloading, or uploading of inappropriate or offensive content. The Washington, D.C., city government recommended the termination of nine employees in January for allegedly looking at pornography sites at work.

The key here is privacy -- as in, tell yourself you have none. The computer system belongs to the company, and courts have consistently sided with employers when it comes to computer-related terminations, says Nancy Flynn, executive director of the ePolicy Institute.

4. Post your pics.

Social networking may quickly gain an air of formality. The mayor of tiny Arlington, Ore. (population nearly 500), grabbed headlines recently after she was recalled by voters. Among other issues, the residents were sharply divided over the propriety of photos of the mayor dressed in her underwear that were posted to her MySpace page.

Employers are beginning to monitor social networking sites, Flynn says. Not only do companies fear employees posting proprietary information, but they also don't want to find photos of the boss dancing on the table drunk at the holiday party. Opinions posted that run contrary to company values can also get employees into trouble.

5. Write R-rated emails.

More than a quarter of employers have sent an employee packing for email-related offenses, according to the American Management Association/ePolicy Institute survey, and 62 percent of those said it was for inappropriate or offensive language. When you write, just assume that someone inside the company is reading it. Most of the 43 percent of companies that monitor email do it automatically, but 40 percent have live human beings reading and reviewing it.

Employers largely are concerned with their legal liability, Flynn says, noting that a growing number of companies are choosing to archive electronically stored information, rather than erase it, and it's subject to discovery in a federal lawsuit.

MatrixSuites

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:39:29 GMT

Matrixwebs.com, LLC has launched its new line of software programs. At this time, we have four new suite programs that are fully customizable to your company's specific needs. These suite packages are all web based and have been priced competitively. If you would like to learn more visit MatrixSuites

Mpack virus solution for Hosting and Windows servers

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:40:00 GMT

This solution worked for us. You do so at your own risk. This solution worked because we had some servers that kept getting the Mpack / Monkey script after each reboot.

Remove the following files:

far1.exe
install.bat
INSTSRV.EXE
sqlmgmt.exe
termsvc.exe
termsvc.reg
winhlp16.ini

Disable the following Services:

termsvc
Help

Notes:

INSTSRV.EXE, this file installs programs as services.

In the registry delete this key:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\termsvc]

Test restarting your server and make sure your html, aspx, php, etc files are clear.

New book that mentions Matrixwebs and their team.

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:16:14 GMT

Bruce Browns new book " The Secret Power of Blogging" has a few pages dedicated to a case study on Matrixwebs.com. The book is great reading and very informative.

http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Power-Blogging-Business-Organization/dp/1601380097

A New Approach to Moving Up the Corporate Ladder

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:58:56 GMT

Recently, I received an announcement regarding a symposium for mid-career professionals on "Moving Up the Ladder." Priced at $2,500, the three-day course was sponsored by a nationally respected business school.

Rather than tie up three days, here's a 15-minute short course. First, the Executive Summary ... Someone stole the ladder.

Today's organizations are struggling to survive in fiercely competitive global markets. They're restructuring, outsourcing, re-engineering, downsizing, subcontracting and forming alliances with friends ... and enemies.

The plugged-in, turned-on Internet-driven marketplace has issued new mandates to every organization to make dramatic, sometimes drastic, changes. Successful firms find they need to be lean, agile and quick to respond. The result has been a leveling of the corporate structure. Middle management layoffs don't even make the news any more. The thousands who find themselves suddenly without jobs wonder what the *&%$# happened.

Companies Struggle to Survive What happened was, we changed the way we do business, and firms must adapt to survive. Companies around the globe are eliminating excess baggage ... abandoning bureaucratic practices ... dramatically reducing the amount of time it takes to get things done. Organizations that don't or won't accelerate their change will disappear ... many already have.

The same is true for business professionals at every level who work in this Information Age. Forget about moving up the corporate ladder. Focus on making you your career. The truth is, no one owes you or guarantees pay increases, promotions, a job or even a career future.

In 1995, one in five American employees had been with their employer less than a year. Two out of three, less than five years. Gone are the nine-to-five jobs, lifetime jobs, predictable hierarchical relationships, corporate security blankets and even the conventional workplace.

Since 1980, the temporary, self-employed, part-time and consultant segment of the U.S. workforce has grown more than 65 percent. By year 2000, less than 50 percent of the industrial world's workforce were holding conventional full-time jobs.

A Quick Look Back To understand the reasons for the changing workplace, you have to examine the past. But do it quickly, or you'll get run over by the future.

In the '60s, half of the workers in the industrial world made or helped make something. By the year 2000, only one-sixth to one-eighth of the workforce in developed countries were making and moving goods. Statistics on the current U.S. working population show that two-thirds are already in the service sector. Knowledge is our most important product.

Today's businesses are in a constant state of flux. Rather than being bogged down with chain of command decision-making; project teams are made up of suppliers, customers, contractors and even competitors. There's a constant stream of new co-workers, new bosses and new challenges. A person's ability to become quick-change artist--and be comfortable in dealing with uncertainty--enhances his or her reputation and career.

You Control Your Career In this new environment, people have to take 100 percent control of their own lives ... their own careers ... their own futures. People have to come to grips with the hard fact that there are limits on how loyal an employer can be. Firms can no longer throw money and people at problems. They have to find better solutions faster ... with less.

People who struggle to maintain the past or status quo, who cling to old assumptions like the corporate ladder and job security, and who resist the inevitability of change are, unfortunately, left behind. Those who catch on and invest in finding and seizing change's opportunities, earn the rewards.

The Japanese call it kaizen--the relentless quest for a better way, for higher-quality craftsmanship--the daily pursuit of perfection. The passionate pursuit of kaizen improves your competence level and your worth to yourself and others. It also protects your career, even if your company or job disappears tomorrow.

While perfection is important, so is a strong sense of urgency. You can't be bogged down in endless preparation; fact-finding and planning before you make your move. You can't wait for a firm directive. High quality is important, but it must be done expeditiously. It means having the ability to fail fast, fix it and move on.

Dramatic breakthroughs in science and technology don't come in quantum leaps--they're the result of hard-won incremental improvements.

Empower Yourself In today's flattened organizations and reduced hierarchies, management can't wait for someone to "empower" you. You have to empower yourself.

If you empower yourself, you don't wait for someone to call the shots, to supervise you and to be accountable for the problems and results of your efforts. That's your job.

To be successful, you can't afford the luxury of a three-day symposium focusing on how to move up the ladder. You have to think of yourself as self-employed ... in business for yourself.

Whether you're inside or outside of the organization, focus on bottomline results and profits for the company. Don't waste time, energy and resources on activities that don't provide a strong payoff for your employer/client.

Dilbertism Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert cartoon, says he told his PacTel bosses (and by his accounts, there was a constant stream of them) that when he cost the company more than he contributed, he expected to be fired. Confident in himself, and perhaps bolstered by an increasingly lucrative creative career, he realized his job security was based more on providing added value to PacTel; rather than his tenure, company loyalty or activity level.

People who simply stay busy, without adding any real value, are building their careers on fantasy. The better you serve ... the more you take control of projects and their outcome ... the more you add value ... the better you perform ... the more you enhance your career.

It doesn't guarantee job security, raises or promotions. However, by practicing kaizen in today's boundaryless organization--even when there are a few loose ends or ragged edges to your decisions and actions, it helps high-velocity organizations stay ahead.

Attractive Candidate It gives you more energy, more self-confidence and more job satisfaction. It also makes you a more attractive job candidate--inside and outside your present firm.

Your three-day symposium is complete. Let's split the cost of the original course ... just send me a check for $1,250 and we can both move on to the tasks at hand.

Eight Ways to Be a Superstar at Work

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:45:02 GMT

Making the corporate climb hinges on observing common do's and don'ts, says Cathie Black, publisher of Hearst Magazines and author of the book "Basic Black." She and others share tips for hurdling land mines -- and landing higher on the org chart.

Decline the Oscar. "It's always tempting to be sucked into the whirlwind of office drama," but it's not worth the wounds backstage, Black said.

Next time you see a melodrama unfolding, exit stage left. Take a coffee break or "a long lunch," she said.

Handle it. "A crisis for you may not be one for your boss," so don't make it one, she wrote.

Announce the news with an end run. Problems have more receptive audiences when they're solved.

Go deep. When hiring, "look for a track record of success, not just the most recent" hits, said Black. Listing a few wins could mask a string of losses.

To check the candidate's home-run capacity, throw a curveball during the interview. Present challenges you face and ask how he'd handle them.

Also focus on balance. "If your current team is strong in analytical thinkers, perhaps adding a more creative thinker to the mix will juice things up," said Black, former president and publisher of USA Today.

Know what counts. There's a crucial difference between "being respected and being liked. One is in your control, and the other is not," she wrote. "Some people won't like you no matter how much you try to win them over. It's just a matter of personal chemistry. But if you conduct yourself in a way that commands respect, people will respond to it, even grudgingly."

Take the high road, and even critics will "tend to like you more."

Don't stop at no. "Very often, people can be -- and even want to be -- convinced," Black wrote. To sell an idea, hone your pitch.

The difference between no and yes often lies in the information you provide, the way you package it -- and your timing, says performance coach Jack Griffin.

Know whom to call. "If you want something done, give it to a busy person," Black said. "The ones who appear the busiest are (usually) the most reliable."

Forget the laggards with empty plates. They're busy staring at their reflections.

Do it later. If possible, avoid checking e-mails first thing in the morning. It puts you in grunt-work mode, says management expert Julie Morgenstern.

At most, spot-check mail for critical messages, then return an hour or two later.

In the meantime, do a task that fires you up.

Scope the big picture. "The first half of your life is spent chasing success," Black said. "The second half is spent chasing significance."

At some point, all leaders begin thinking about their legacies. It's not what you bring to the table; it's what you leave there.

"The energy spent trying to advance (seems) less important than the larger meaning behind your work," she wrote.

"Start thinking in those terms now. You'll accomplish more, with greater satisfaction, than you thought possible."

Cord Cooper, Investor's Business Daily

Tips 2 and 1 for a Happier Workday

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:05:21 GMT

1. Eat breakfast - If you skip breakfast, you won’t be at your best during the morning. You will more likely gorge yourself at lunch and have a sleepy afternoon. So eat something, anything (within reason) so you can ensure a smooth start.

2. Get plenty of sunshine - Sun in the morning signals the body and mind to wake up. So instead of reaching for a big cup of Joe, put on your shoes and go outside.

There you have it; tips 1-10 for a happier day at the office. Keep practicing these tips and see how much healthier your workday can be.

Mpack malware/virus or whatever it is!

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:24:47 GMT

This malware is yet another malware distribution and attack kit in the same vein as other kits, such as WebAttacker. This kit, called MPack, is a professionally written collection of PHP software components designed to be hosted and run from a PHP server with a database backend. It is sold by a Russian gang and comes ready to install on a PHP server, and it also comes complete with a collection of exploit modules to be used out of the box.

How it infects computers

Once the server is installed and running, all the owner has to do is to start generating some web browser traffic to it. They can do this by various means including:

• Hacking into popular web sites and adding IFRAME snippets to its web pages.
• Setting up typo-squatting web sites on popular domains to trap accidental visitors.
• Spamming out emails with the IFRAME code embedded.

Typical Attack Scenario

In a typical attack scenario, a user enters in the URL of a legitimate web site into their browser. Unknown to the user, the web site they are visiting has been hacked into and the web pages tainted with malicious content.

1. A user accesses what they believe to be a legitimate web server through a web browser.

2. Unbeknownst to the user, the web server they are accessing has been hacked and the server responds with what they requested and some additional IFRAME code embedded within the HTML source.

3. Once the user’s browser receives the tainted HTML code, the IFRAME code causes the browser to make an additional request to another URL; in this case it makes a request to an intermediate server.

4. The intermediate server redirects the request to the final target server, which is the one hosting the MPack server.

5. The MPack server analyses the HTTP request header received from the user’s browser. Standard HTTP request headers contain information about the browser type and operating system used as well as other information. Once the MPack server determines what browser and operating system are used, it uses the information to select which exploits it will send to the user’s browser to try and exploit it. The server may try as many exploits as it has available or the targeted computer is compromised. Data is stored by the MPack server about the user’s computer, what exploits were used and successful, as well as the user's country of origin.

6. Once the user’s computer is compromised, the shell code directs the computer to download an additional file from the MPack server.

7. The MPack server responds with the requested file (file.exe or file.php). This is executed by the compromised computer and causes it to download further files from other sources.

This post was quoted from Symantec. It is currently causing headaches on our servers.

Tips 4 and 3 for a Happier Workday

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:43:02 GMT

3. Get Aerobic Exercise - while you are getting your sunlight, use it as an excuse to get a good walk or jog in. Excercise lowers stress, gets your blood moving and wakes you up.

4. Avoid RSS, EMAIL or phone before 10 am. RSS, email and phone demand immediate attention. Whereas your goals and work for the day can easily be brushed to the side. If you can avoid the urgent and uninportant until 10 or 10:30, you’ve got a fighting chance at getting all of the important tasks done.

Check us out at http://www.InWithFitness.com for excellent aerobic exercises and more tips to stay in shape.

Tips 6 and 5 for a Happier Workday

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:09:44 GMT

5. Think positive thoughts not negative - Seems simple, but many people never do it. Instead of looking on the worst side, try to see the bright side. Ask yourself “what is the advantage of this situation?” “how am I benefitting from this? What am I learning?” These are all good questions that you can ask in all negative situations to turn them to the positive.

6. Take breaks - If you push on one task for too long you your work starts to suffer. It’s easy to become tired and frustrated. So every 30 - 45 minutes, take 5. Get up from your desk, stop what you are doing and get your mind off your work for awhile. You’ll find you’ll return with more ideas and renewed energy.

Tips 8 and 7 for a Happier Workday

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:57:32 GMT

7. Go for a mid-day walk - again, I’m harping on the excercise. Getting a brisk walk in over lunch (even if for only 10 minutes) will get you to feeling better about your afternoon. Where most others are sitting around digesting, you can be energizing.

8. Avoid gossip - One drain on your day is gossip. It may seem fun and exciting to learn some juicy tidbit about your officemate or boss. But good gossip is always negative talk. Negative talk starts the pendulum swinging toward negativity.

Tips 10 and 9 for a Happier Workday

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:36:31 GMT

10. Be slow to react to other people’s “urgent” requests. When someone else asks you for help, to do a project or to meet some other urgent need, practice saying “what’s your deadline on this? or when do you need this done?” Then schedule that day. Most people when asked one of those questions realize it’s not as urgent and will set a future date. That way, you can go back to working on one of your top 3 activities.

9. List your top 5-7 objectives for the day and break the list down to 3 - It’s good to get in the habit of making lists, it’s bad to make long lists. If you’ve got more than 5 items on your list, break it down to the top 3 things (you can always go back and edit in another task or two). But with a list of 20 things, how can you not be overwhelmed? 3 is a managable, magical number. Break your list down to 3. Anybody can do just three things right?

Check back on Monday for two more top 10 tips...

microsoft.com

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:28:22 GMT

Is a great site for windows based support.

All you have to do is type in the error code you are recieving and you will be graced with at least 5 fixes to try.

Another cool feature on the microsoft site is you can get all the new programs when they are in beta and you can try them out for free before they go live.

ALl windows updates also run from that site, If you feel you are having issues then go and see if you are in need of updates.

If you have never visited that site I suggest checking it out at least once.

Updated Blog Software

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:27:45 GMT

We have updated our blog software for better SEO optimization. Only time will tell!

On another note we have released Scansuite, Attendancesuite, Salesdesksuite, and of course the Blogsuite.

See http://www.matrixsuites.com/ for more information. Thanks

SEO 101

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:25:01 GMT

Intro to Search Engine Optimization

Search engines are one of the primary ways that Internet users find Web sites. That's why a Web site with good search engine listings may see a dramatic increase in traffic.

Everyone wants those good listings. Unfortunately, many Web sites appear poorly in search engine rankings or may not be listed at all because they fail to consider how search engines work.

In particular, submitting to search engines is only part of the challenge of getting good search engine positioning. It's also important to prepare a Web site through "search engine optimization."

Search engine optimization means ensuring that your Web pages are accessible to search engines and are focused in ways that help improve the chances they will be found.

This next section provides information, techniques and a good grounding in the basics of search engine optimization. By using this information where appropriate, you may tap into visitors who previously missed your site.

The guide is not a primer on ways to trick or "spam" the search engines. In fact, there are not any "search engine secrets" that will guarantee a top listing. But there are a number of small changes you can make to your site that can sometimes produce big results.

Let's go forward and first explore the two major ways search engines get their listings; then you will see how search engine optimization can especially help with crawler-based search engines.

APC Battery Backup

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 00:05:33 GMT

Battery backups for servers are a must nowadays; however, i have come to dislike the design of the APC units. Inside one of these APC units, comes with two battery packs with 4 cells attached to each. It has been a common headache for us when one or more of these cells "blow up." This causes the battery cells to become stuck inside the unit. The units come with a hot swappable feature; however, it does no good when you cannot take the cells out normally. The top of the unit must be unplugged completely and the top of the unit must be taken off the retrieve the cells. I can only hope that these manufacturers come up with a better design some day. Please APC, hear my cries!

You Tube Election!

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 23:49:15 GMT

I am a huge You Tube fan as most of us at Matrixwebs are. I thought I'd share this with everyone. At this time last year, YouTube had developed a reputation as a place where "gotcha!" videos posted by citizens were changing the political landscape. Some even called the 2006 U.S. midterm elections "the YouTube election" after several candidates were caught on camera saying things they probably shouldn't have. But in 2007, that changed. Seizing the YouTube opportunity, presidential candidates came rushing to the platform themselves, setting up official campaign channels on our You Choose '08 platform. Seven of the 16 presidential candidates even announced their candidacies on YouTube.

Candidates and voters now speak to each other through video. At their best, campaigns use YouTube not as a shrunken TV screen through which to distribute their soundbites, but as a window through which to have a dialogue with the American people. YouTube's leveling effect is this: anyone can upload a video with their political message, and the best content rises to the top through community view counts, rankings, linkages, and embeds. Any voter with a video camera and access to the Internet has the opportunity to be seen and heard.

Our two presidential debates with CNN highlighted this phenomenon. Eight thousand video questions were submitted for the two record-setting debates, which opened up a traditionally closed event to the rest of the world via YouTube. Time was, you had to be in New Hampshire, Iowa, or Florida to get access to candidates at a debate. With questions coming directly from voters via video, our YouTube debates helped to break down some of the geographical barriers that have so sharply defined American politics in the past.

So what's ahead in 2008? Things are only going to get more exciting. As Congressional and Senate races heat up, you'll see more and more candidates coming to YouTube. And as the presidential races narrows down to two candidates, YouTube will be a critical battlefront in the general election. With voters, candidates, issue groups, media companies, trade associations, lobbyists and activists all interacting on the same level platform, 2008 promises to be a true "YouTube Election."

www.Dell.com

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 23:37:52 GMT

I believe of all the major computer sites Dell has the best online setup. With finding Drivers, and getting information about your PC.

Also I believe Dell has one of the most responsive support options. Recently I was on with Hp and they were terrible, so its refreshing for us when we work with dell Servers and such. Also troubleshooting issues related to Dell products.

SEO Benefits from Blogs

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 23:32:41 GMT

I found this article and thought it might be an interesting read...

Is blog optimization part of search marketing? Absolutely! Blogs are web site content management systems with additional functionality such as comments, trackbacks and RSS. Blogs are really no different than web sites.

If you can optimize a document and that document gets indexed, categorized and ranked by a search engine, it’s part of search marketing in my book. As such, marketers should be aware of how these kinds of channels can be used within the overall online marketing mix. Blogs are one of many platforms that benefit from optimization.

I sincerely believe using blog software to manage certain kinds of content on a web site such as an online media room, to archive newsletters, post frequently asked questions and to provide product updates can make a site that is otherwise very search engine un-friendly, become a viable source of great rankings. This applies to both regular search engines as well as blog search engines. These are applications for a blog besides the common use as a platform to increase credibility and communicate a more personalized voice for a company.

Blogs are no silver bullet though and require working hard and smart - especially smart. However the payoff can be significant.

Online Marketing Blog receives the majority of it’s traffic from search engines. I can’t mention any of our clients, so I’ll risk being a bit vain and offer a few of our own examples. This is a blog after all and these are very practical, verifiable ranking examples.

The top referring search phrases in the past month for this blog include “marketing blog“, “online marketing“, “rss button” and “social bookmarks“. Even more niche phrases bring in quality search traffic such as, “blog optimization“, “press release optimization” and “social media optimization” which are all services our SEO firm provides.

Of course the rules can change slightly over time, but here are a set of benefits I often find myself explaining to people wondering about the search engine optimization benefits of having a blog.

Structured content - Blog software with category features allows the aggregation of content according to themes. This makes it easier to algorithmically categorize content. If you can make it easier for search engines to understand your content, you have a much better chance of ranking well on those topics.
Crawlable URLs - Most blog software offers uncomplicated URL structure, making it fairly easy for search engine spiders to find and crawl blog content.
Internal links - Blogs that post product or service related information can deep link anchor text to product information or purchase pages deep within the web site. This is very beneficial for ranking on long tail phrases.
Inbound link magnet - One of the biggest benefits, blogs link freely to each other - much more than web sites do. Blogs are also a significant source of many posts to social news and social media web sites. Text, audio and video are all easily supported for syndication by blogs. The more media available, the more likely it will attract incoming links. Additionally, there are many widgets and plugins that make it easy to share blog content, thus encouraging links and traffic.
RSS - Links to RSS feed urls that use the blog domain name will assist in building link popularity and when RSS content is syndicated or cited by other blogs, any embedded links will also assist in sending traffic.
Fresh content - Both readers and search engines reward fresh content with repeat visits. From a search engine perspective, that means your site can be crawled more frequently, allowing your new content to become searchable more quickly. Fresh content is also indicative of a more authoritative web site.
Active community - Comments and trackback features in blog software encourage interaction. An active blog community creates the kinds of citations or signals from other sites (annotated and contextually relevant links) that search engines tend to reward in the rankings. Loyal blog readers can boost a site’s visibility through advocacy on other blogs, in forums offline at conferences as well as on their own blogs and within the comments of your blog.
Non-Search traffic - I think the greatest benefit of having an active blog has little to do with improving your search engine rankings though. The best thing about blogs is that they allow you to generate substantial amounts of traffic via RSS and links that have NOTHING to do with search engines. My recommendation to marketers in 2007 is to pursue traffic alternatives to search engines as aggresively as their budgets and marketing programs will allow. The result will be incremental increases in site traffic with search engine referred traffic an added bonus, if not correspondingly enhanced.

Bonus benefit of a blog:
Blog & RSS Directories - With a blog and corresponding RSS feed(s), your site can now benefit from visibility within blog and RSS search engines. Web sites without feeds (your competition maybe?) are not included in these kinds of directories and search engines.

Here are a few additional blog marketing tips from this blog as well as a recent blog optimization article on Search Engine Land.

So there you go. A basic list of practical reasons a blog can be beneficial as a site optimization tool and for improved web site traffic. What SEO benefits have you found from having and promoted a blog?

Spam in your email?

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:27:49 GMT

1. Never use a business email address for purchasing items on the web.

2. Never use a business email address to fill out any form on the web.

3. Make sure to use the spam rules in your email software (like Outlook) and use the spam rules in the web mail. They are your only defense without high end spam filtering.

4. Never open email from people you do not recognize, even if the email says it is from you (unless you sent it).

5. Add messages to your safe senders list from people you do know.

6. In outlook contacts are automatically trusted.

7. Never post your email address on a web page, even sales@yourdomain.com will generate unwanted spam. There are screen scrapers that grab all email addresses off web sites to send spam.

8. Don't list your company email address in any directory listings.

9. Do not forward chain email.

10. Never reply to a junk email with the remove option, it's a scam to get you on more lists.

11. Never point multiple domains towards your primary domain for email. This gives spammers more opportunities.

Thanks

Q&A: Publishing Tools

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:20:45 GMT

Q. Are simple Web publishing tools pushing the average designer out the window?

A. If you're a web designer, you're more likely to lose clients to foreign competitors than to Web publishing tools like Weebly or SynthaSite. Yes, these programs have significantly lowered the bar for the technically challenged, making it easy to setup a page in a matter of minutes. They're great for firts time users and small time entrepreneurs.

But to get to the next level in the competitive Web 2.0 market, they'll need a unique site, not cookie-cutter pages fromprepackaged programs. They'll need an easy-to-navigate, high quality homepage to build brand identity - which only a Web designer can provide.

"There's a lot of hand holding, and it doesn't pay as much as corporate gigs, but small business is a huge market," says Adrian Chan, a design consultant for sites like GoingOn, Trustedopinion.com, and MicrosoftLive.

The biggest threat that designers face today is not from Web software, but from competitiors in Eastern Europe and South America. "You may quote a job at $10,000, but your client has $3k in his mind," Chan says. "You hear these low rates from offshore competitiors, and people get it in their heads that that's all they're willing to pay. But we still have one edge over foreign competitors - we're local."

Q&A: Google Adwords

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:05:05 GMT

Q. My website, which aggregates deals on travel and electronics, isn't getting much traffice from Google Adwords. How do I market my site and generate traffic on a small budget?

A. Let's start with the most important thing: a good product or service. It sounds obvious, but all the traffic in the world won't convert to to paying customers if there's nothing good to buy. "Grab2travel.com needs unique content if it's going to compete with the larger service," says Aaron Wall, who literally wrote the book on search engine optimization (see www.seobook.com). Find a niche - extreme travel, for example - write about it on your site, and offer relevant travel deals. The same goes for electronic goods.

If you clear that first hurdle, Dave Feller, vice president for marketing at StumbleUpon, has a few suggestions for maximizing free traffic. Try joining online communities or creating widgets that are distributed on sites like Facebook. Free content-distribution networks like StumbleUpon and Digg are also good channels. Viral marketing can be extremely effective, so encourage customers who have had a good experience with your site to spread the word through coupons and othere incentives.

When you enter the world of paid marketing, hone your search engine campaigns. Your site is in a competitive field, so find out exactly what is and isn't working. "The number of keywords, match type ad copy, bid amounts, and landing pages all affect marketing ROI," says Ken Li, CEO of Multilytics, an Internet marketing firm. "If you don't know how to track this, hiring a consultantor search-engine marketing firm is a good investment."

After you get visitors, you need to turn them into customers. Track how many people are actually doing what you want, Feller says. How are they getting to your site? Where do they get stuck? How can you get users to stick around longer? The answers will help you figure out how to get traffic and make it pay.

Safe Browsing Techniques

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:18:45 GMT

Believe it or not, browsing the internet can be very dangerous. Most end users are unaware of malicious activities on the web. Here are some important things to remember. Stay on "trusted" sites. (Websites your know to be non malicious). Do not click on pop up stating that your system is "infected" and that you need to purchase their software to fix it. This is known as spyware and can damage your computer's operating system drastically. Do not open email attachments unless you are expecting them. These unknown email attachments may harbor a virus. Remember, be skeptical beforehand and your computer will be better off.

Google it!

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:57:44 GMT

Out of all the websites on line I would like to pick Google as my favorite website. Google works best because there aren’t many pictures of nonsense which helps loading go faster, but if you do want to search there is an image link that will bring up a bunch of pictures on what-ever you are searching for. I am a horrible speller but no matter what I type in It still search's out what I was looking for with the option of re-searching with the correct spelling. It has many different search option's. Its one of the only websites that is one stop. you can find a job print directions to the interview and find the lyrics to your favorite song all at one place. Now I really understand why everyone always says "Google It"!

**Judy-Lyn**

Blueray VS HD

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 22:52:40 GMT

Which is going to ultimately win out????

I personally like blueray better. Lets have a vote( BLUERAY) or (HD)

Business 2.0 magazine

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:30:45 GMT

We'll I read 2 magazines religously. Business 2.0 and Forbes Small Business. I'm sad to read today that Business 2.0 was closed by the parent company Time. This magazine alone has brought us many new ideas in a wide range of fields. The largest factor being marketing.

Sorry to see you go!

Greg

Boost Conversion Rates

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 22:59:48 GMT

I recently came across an article from Inc.com entitled "Turning Browsers Into Buyers" that addresses two websites that went through redesigns to boost their ability to turn more of their visitors into actual buyers. In it, they explain some crucial key points that I always try to always keep in mind when designing for our clients. Some favorite points of mine were:

Explain What You Do
Make The Call To Action Clear
Make It Easy For Customers To Buy
Remove Clutter

The web design industry and the technology around it are always evolving, and this article reminds us to always keep these essential goals in mind as they can easily be forgotten in the site creation process. Without achieving these basic goals, your site may already be doomed.

Windows Vista

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:27:08 GMT

Now that new pc's and laptops are being sold with only Microsoft Windows Vista, we have been learning the new "bells and whistles" of the operating system. We have been setting up and configuring pc's and laptops with Windows Vista installed for business use, and have actually been warming up to the new OS. Fortunately, WSUS and Windows VPN is compatible with Windows Vista. These are critical in a business environment. Thank you Vista for being so accommodating to our needs!

Sharing your salary details

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:18:29 GMT

I ran across this article and thought it is very accurate. http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobseeker/tools/ept/careerArticlesPost.html?post=128

In today's work environment many people think it's ok to talk about everything. This article mentions how salary is not one of those items.

Greg

Disney.com

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:37:16 GMT

Disney fans are in for a treat; DISNEY.COM is a sleek, crisp Web site with all things Disney. From movies to television to radio to games and more, kids can find their favorite Disney people, places, and things all in one spot.

Clearly organized by type, character, or age group, kids can find their favorites very easily. They may be distracted on the way, however; streaming videos are found mid-screen throughout, highlighting Disney.com offerings, and multiple banner ads rotate for optimum attention grabbing (and diversion).

New at Disney.com is DXD: Disney Xtreme Digital. This section offers access to games, full-length television episodes, behind-the-scenes movie clips, Radio Disney live, full-length Disney songs, and previews of soon-to-be released games. For access to most of the content you must be a registered user. Registration is free, but input of your date of birth, full name, email, zip code, and typical login information (ID and password) is required. You do have to put your parents' email address, but kids can just make one up. The "parent" immediately gets an email saying that their kid has signed up and has the option of revoking the registration or regulating how the minor participates in public forums.

This is the area where community happens: Message boards, real-time chatting (extremely well regulated with preset phrases and questions), and swapping of messages from Disney friends (you have to share your registered code to do this). Parents must enable the chat feature for kids under 13. Kids can also create their own personal page with icons, personal information, and multimedia -all chosen from preset lists. To spruce up there pages, kids can "buy" other things with earned points.

Content on Disney.com is organized by category on the top navigation bar for ease of use. An additional side navigation bar breaks the content down by target audience: Preschool, Boys, Girls, Kids & Teens, Families, and Disney Fans. Lots of the content crosses over target audiences, but each section provides an individual look and focus. For example, the Boys section is an "Action packed adventure we picked just for boys"; Cars, Toy Story, and American Dragon are front and center here. The Girls' section says "It's a girl thing, no boys allowed" and includes Kim Possible, Fairies, and Hannah Montana. The Preschool section is full of appropriate Playhouse Disney content. However, going to PlayhouseDisney.com directly is highly recommended for this age group as exploring this site is kid friendly (e.g. no streaming videos, Web site hopping, or scrolling).

The games on Disney.com are definitely worth mentioning and playing. Whether going on an Orchestra Treasure Hunt with Little Einsteins, completing Black Pearl 101 with the Pirates of the Caribbean, or playing Super Villain Smash Out with Kim Possible, the games are fun -- and a lot are educational.

Disney .com gets a big thumbs up! I love it!

**Judy-lyn**

Norton Internet Security

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:04:22 GMT

As long as I have been in the IT industry, I have grown to actually despise a software application called Norton Internet Security. It promises to provide a powerful antivirus, antispyware, firewall, intrusion prevention and anti phishing; however, this application has been nothing but a thorn in my side. We have had at least ten (10) customers call in regarding some kind of computer problem. At the end of troubleshooting, it turned out to be the Norton Internet Security that was blocking something of importance 100% of the time. I believe this software application should be discontinued forever. Symantec develops great antivirus; however, the Internet Security application causes nothing but problems. PLEASE BE AWARE!

PS3

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:03:43 GMT

I recently purchased the much anticipated and contriversal PS3. I absoluly love it. From the amazing graphics to all the features it has within the system. It is pricy but once you get it you will see that it is totally worth it. Exspecially when you check the price on just a blue ray player (It is very exspensive) and with the player you also get an awsome gaming system. Also I have done some reserch and its looking like Blue ray is going to beat out HD. So Yea!! for PS3. I definatly recomend it.

Happy Gameing.

ASP.NET UpdatePanel

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:50:29 GMT

I love the new ASP.NET UpdatePanel. It is very easy to use and implement into your site. I recently used the UpdatePanel when drop-down lists needed to post back to the server to populate the next drop-down list. It made the process very smooth and fluid, and nice not to have the screen flashing back at you.

You can download ASP.NET Ajax at:
http://ajax.asp.net/ to install and begin creating Ajax enabled websites in Visual Studio.

Some good tutorials to start out using the UpdatePanel are at:
http://ajax.asp.net/docs/tutorials/UpdatePanelTutorials.aspx

Playstation and Nintendo

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:25:48 GMT

Sony Playstation and Nintendo have had two long awaited releases this year. The infamous PS3 released by Sony and the exciting Wii by Nintendo.

Being that these were hyped up so much one would think that you would have the ability to go to www.playstaion.com and purchase a PS3, but for some reason you can’t. Doesn’t that make sense to you? The system has a url, but you can’t buy it on the manufacturer’s very own website? That has to be the most frustrating thing I’ve ever come across. Don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to single them out because there are plenty of these big name items that do the same thing.

I have wanted a Nintendo Wii from day one, but I have had so much trouble trying to track one down. I waited in long lines, but never got in and I went online to distributors’ websites, but was never lucky enough to get it in my basket and complete the purchase. I guess I was too slow. As of lately I have been searching on the one and only eBay to try and find one that is priced right just for me.

Thanks for sharing in on my frustration.

*Judy-Lyn*

Naked CSS

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 17:53:34 GMT

Believe me - it's a purely technical term amongst the XHTML purist. That's the way they have fun - stripping out the good 'ol CSS styles from a webpage and show off the raw XHTML code.

Why you might ask? By stripping all styles out, you can then look at your webpage in its most basic form to see if it's still readable and navigable.

The main idea behind Naked CSS is to promote Web Standards. By stripping out the facade, you can see if the raw code has good hierachical structure. Not only that, this will be the time you can see if you have managed to separate the content of your site from the presentation.

Web standards you say - who cares about that? Well, there are a few important reasons to this. One is basic human decency. With good web standards and web accessibility, you are helping users with visual impairment navigate your site with screen readers and braille devices. Although they might just make up a tiny percentage of your users, they're still an important part of your audience.

The other could fall into a fame or monetary gain category. By making sure your raw code presents the content efficiently (with good markup and presentation layer not interfering with content), search engines are more likely to index your site contents correctly. Good ranking in search engines = more visitors (perhaps more to click on those ads on your site to increase your revenue) or just a chance to form a cult.

There are also other aspects to good web standards; especially now with more and more people depending on communication devices like the iPhone, Palm and etc. By making sure a webpage adheres to web standards, a user who accesses the webpage either from his desktop or his mobile phone will get his information seamlessly. It might look different in those mediums, but the satisfaction level is still high since he's still able to complete his task.

Photoshop Skeleton - The Basics

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 17:58:09 GMT

Automation and template processes are a computer user’s best friend. What’s the point of recreating the basis/skeleton of your projects over and over? The same can not only be said for programmers and developers, but for designers as well. In the next couple weeks, I will provide links to template files I use myself day in and day out. This week, we’ll take a look at Photoshop.

These ideas aren’t anything new, but hopefully could help others who are always looking for some help in speeding up the prototyping process. Make sure to turn on the guides to see the grid structure I utilize when designing for 800x600 and 1024x768 screen resolutions. Also, you will see the folder structure I use for the layers. It basically follows the standard components for a website layout, ranging from the header, body and footer.I developed these Photoshop files in CS2.

PSD Template - 800x600 (with a 750 safe zone)

PSD Template - 1024x768 (with a 960 safe zone)

LIVE CHAT

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 18:50:58 GMT

We have this great feature that you can access on our site. It is called Live Chat. It allows us to chat with anyone in the world. You can get your questions answerd as soon as they pop into your head. So next time you are having some trouble or have questions about our operations in general dont hesitate to chat live with us through our online chat located both on our website and our support site.

Webex - Our New Savior

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 18:46:58 GMT

We have just recently purchased a very powerful tool that allows us to view our customer's desktops and gives up the capability to "take control" of their entire computer. This software is called Webex. It is very user friendly and can be used internationally. I have grown to love this software simply for the fact that it replaces all remote software including pcanywhere, remote desktop protocol, and vnc. Take a look and you will be amazed.

Project Risk

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:54:11 GMT

As the manager or company owner for a design firm, you need to evaluate the risk a potential project has to your company. There are two main problems that exist when accepting work from clients (and a few minor ones).

1. Will the client pay or pay on time? This obviously is the golden question. Make sure your payment details and plans are written in a solid contract. Does that mean you will get paid? No. But it helps. Another key to enforcing payments is having the customer sign off at stages of work. Why is this important? Because you may have to prove you completed the work you were paid for or are trying to collect.

2. Does the project have the potential to sap all your resources? This is an often under estimated problem. Last year we had a $300, 000 project come in. We were very happy. Guess what? Very quickley we realized we were not only suffering "Death by Meeting" but all of our resources were working on the project. Other customers were upset.

Over the next few days I'll go over some of the other issues I have with Project Risk.

Updated Blog Software

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:46:13 GMT

We have updated the blog software to restrict spammers commenting. This same version is now available for sale.

Thanks

Upcoming Releases

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:25:02 GMT

In just a few short weeks Matrixwebs will be unleashing a couple of fun new sites that will make you never want to leave. We have a couple of fashion and fitness sites that will allow you to post your own articles and opinions on the latest trends and what you think about them.

You can even comment on our sites. If you love them we want to know; if you hate them we want to know. What's the best part? $$$ You can earn BIG bucks. That's right, Matrixwebs will be handing out cash to a select few bloggers that really know their stuff and have something to say.

Keep reading...there are is one more perk to those of you who are so lucky to be chosen as our "featured" bloggers. Let us sell your products on our site. You read it right...you can sell your goodies right on our site - basically it is a free to use marketplace.

We want opinionated and knowledgeable individuals that can really keep up an argument and keep the sites fun and fresh for everyone that pays us a visit.

Remember to keep checking back for our launch. In the meantime you may want to brush up on some of your notes and skim the headlines for some opinionated ammo. See you then.

Database performance

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:23:47 GMT

When working on data intesive websites, database speed and performance is very important.

A few helpful pages/articles I found in dealing with the issue address the topics of SQL stored procedures and page caching:

1. http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/default.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/dndotnet/html/storedprocsnetdev2.asp

2. http://www.sql-server-performance.com/transact_sql.asp

3. http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnaspnet/html/asp04262001.asp

Hiring

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:21:16 GMT

We are having the toughest time filling 3 more Asp.Net programming positions.

Anyone out there need a job?

Developing a marketing plan

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:20:55 GMT

A strategic Website marketing plan is similar to a strategic business marketing plan, but with a narrower focus (i.e. the Website plan focuses on Internet marketing strategy and programs while the overall marketing plan encompasses the entire business).

As with any marketing plan, the online plan includes developing strategies and tactics (also called action plans) that, when implemented, will help you reach your marketing goals. An objective, strategy, and tactic are each progressively narrower in scope:

The objective addresses the “big picture”. In general terms, your objective answers the question “How will I overcome my main marketing challenge(s)?” If your company’s main site-related challenge is figuring out how to use your Website to help build client business, for example, an objective for your online marketing plan could be “To enhance online client service as well as build site awareness and interest with clients.”

A marketing strategy supports your objective. The strategy defines general approaches you will take to meet your objective. For example, strategies to support the above objective could include 1) improve online communication, information, and education, 2) build awareness of and interest in your company on the Internet, and 3) communicate the Website’s existence and advantages to existing clients.

A marketing tactic is where the action takes place. Also called marketing programs or action plans, they are the things you will do to bring each marketing strategy to life. Tactics for strategy 2 in the above example (improve online communication, information, and education) could include 1) sharing experience and observations in your industry through participation in discussion boards, 2) offering an email newsletter, and 3) listing/submitting your site to targeted search engines and directories.

By implementing marketing programs that are consistent with your site objective(s) and marketing strategies you improve your chance of business success

How to turn off an audience

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:20:29 GMT

Current surveys show the top 10 web irritations:

Slow loading websites 87%
Help buttons that can't help 83%
Requests for personal details before being allowed to progress into the site 82%
Irrelevant search results 79%
Poorly organised content 78%
No search facility 75%
Scrolling down/through lots of pages to get to the info 74%
Adverts
Pop-up boxes 70%
Cluttered Design 63%

Personally I think these are pretty spot on. My biggest complaint is number 5, poorly organised content. This is where most sites need help and in future blogs we will be picking on some sites. What do you think?

New Software Work

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:20:02 GMT

Some of the new packages we are writing have me really tired and feeling brain dead. Over the last 3 days I have created 172 wireframe pages for a site we are working on. In the next 2 weeks I have to finish nearly 500 more for the new packages we are doing.

I think the wireframes will continue to really help the staff work, and any design company out there shoud consider creating them before the work is turned over to a programming team.

Currently I use Smartdraw to create these and it works well. But I do wish the PDF creator worked a little better.

Will we or won't we?

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:19:37 GMT

Quick answer, probably not. With the newer versions of Windows (2000, XP, and Vista) I see no real reason to go out of my way to upgrade for a business. Primary reasons for this:

1. The software applications we use are critical and we do not have the time to fiddle with them. Examples are Visual Studio and Adobe Creative suite.

2. These same products are very expensive to upgrade.

3. My business is working already.

Even though we try to set standards here, we have had employees download the Betas, and there are issues. Too many to handle during business hours.

Even when the team has tried simple upgrades like Internet Explorer 7, we run into isses with personal on the design team seeing different things. This is unacceptable in our environment.

And to tell you the truth, we could be running Windows 2000 and not seeing the difference right now.

I'm sure new pc's will come with Vista when released, and that will be fine as long as our core software works with it.

PSP3

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:19:12 GMT

Can you believe the prices being paid for the Playstation 3? I can't either. Im would love to have one, butI would have sold it if I was lucky enough to get one. Is it worth my time to wait around, no. But the games look truley awesome.

I'll wait until next year.

Flash "asfunction"

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:15:31 GMT

While working on a Flash project this past week, I stumbled across a tiny problem that stumped me for a little while.

With all the Flash data coming in from an XML file, I could not set certain items to be clickable before runtime and assign it a "onpress" event. For this particular issue, I needed a function that would allow me to target items created at runtime.

With a little bit of rummaging through Macromedia (or Adobe's - to be more precise) Knowledgebase, I found a neat little function that potentially saved my weekend from being runneth over by "what can i do" worries.

By using a function called "asfunction", I assigned a HTML enabled text field with a HREF that pointed to an ActionScript statement. For example, I wanted my dynamic list item to execute a function called "displayAddress" when clicked.

So, I targeted my HREF like this:

<a href="asfunction:displayAddress,country">Country</a>

Once the link is clicked, the "displayAdress" function would be executed.

For functions that don't need an argument, simply remove the argument and the preceding comma.

<a href="asfunction:displayAddress">Country</a>

And that was all, simple and painless. The weekend was good too!