Archive: July 2003

July 31, 2003

Kevin Rollins of Dell, and Hector Ruiz of AMD to Deliver Keynotes at TECHXNY

My spin: I'll be covering PC EXPO in full - stay tuned in this space - for all the...

July 31, 2003

Manpower Launches Online Business Resource Center for Small and Mid-Size Companies

My spin: HR is vital to businesses and finding the RIGHT employee for the RIGHT job is crucial. News...

July 31, 2003

HyperMart will soon become an important part of The Endurance International Group

My spin: I've been hosting with Hypermart since 1999 and have had no problems, only praise with their hosting...

July 31, 2003

New NetLedger App Links Front, Back Offices

My spin: Netledger continues to improve and better its offerings. It had a huge deal with HP announced in...

July 31, 2003

Lazy security makes life easy for hackers

My spin: It's not really fair to say this is all about laziness though. MANY business simply don't know...

July 30, 2003

MSNBC taps start-up for ad technology

My spin: Contextual based advertising is VERY powerful. If you are on a web page and reading about socks,...

July 29, 2003

BargainSpots.com, Inc. Launches PDAReviewSpot.com

My spin: News Clip: New Web Site Gives Consumers One-Stop Research Center to Learn About Latest PDA Models CINCINNATI...

July 29, 2003

WiFi Is Open, Free and Vulnerable to Hackers

My spin: WiFi is great and easy to setup and use. But if hackers can get into your office...

July 29, 2003

Acer, EMachines Show Bargain Notebooks

My spin: Ok - so should you trust Acer/eMachines for your business computers - or just buy this for...

July 29, 2003

Best Software Makes Top 10 of MSI's Top 100 Software Vendors List; The Only Application Vendor in MSI's Top 10 Dedicated Exclusively to SMEs

News Clip: IRVINE, Calif., July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Software today announced that it has been ranked ninth on...

July 29, 2003

The Seven Rings of CRM Hell

My spin: Verizon has EXCELLENT customer service! News Factor News Clip: This customer scenario is all too typical: The...

July 29, 2003

Mailblocks Update Offers Easier Spam Blocking

My spin: I'm looking desperately for an anti-spam solution and think I'll give Mailblocks a try. PC World News...

July 24, 2003

Wal-Mart lets Web shoppers pay by check

My spin: Hmmm - everyone let's people pay via credit card but paying via check offers a new and...

July 24, 2003

Defenders of Linux speak out on Smallbiztechnology.com

Join the discussion of Linux vs Windows on the smallbiztechnology.com discussion board...

July 24, 2003

First Look: Microsoft Office 2003 Small Business Edition

My spin: There's more to MSO than meets they eye and smallbusinesscomputing.com tells you why. Smallbusinesscomputing News Clip: With...

July 24, 2003

How to pick a cell phone plan for your business

My spin: Cell phones are almost a must. But wasting money on them is not. Get a cell phone...

July 24, 2003

My spin: If you are looking for a PDA there's no time like th present to get one -...

July 24, 2003

Hotels' High-Speed Internet Often Has a Catch

My spin: I don't frequent many hotels, but the hotels I have been in recently have had broadband, wired,...

July 24, 2003

Lindows Powers $169 Web-Centric PC

My spin: Consumers buying a Lindows PC. Nah. As a toy to fiddle around with - sure, but when...

July 24, 2003

Lexmark Woes An Investment Opportunity

My spin: Hmmm. So Lexmark is down. HP is taking an offensive - and Dell, which sells Dell branded...

July 24, 2003

New mantra for PC makers: Diversify

My spin: FYI Cnet News Clip: Although consumer PC demand led to better-than-expected sales growth in the second quarter,...

July 24, 2003

Siebel, IBM preparing online CRM service

My spin: Some very interesting tid bits in this article - but the main one, is that Siebel did...

July 23, 2003

Avaya and HP to Bring Internet Protocol Solutions to Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

My spin: Voice and data go together like gravy and fried chicken. HP and Avaya are working together (a...

July 23, 2003

Big Hip Delivers the Power of E-Mail Marketing With an Easy to Use, Spam Free, Web Based Application to Enterprises of All Sizes

My spin: I use email marketing service from Constant Contact but there's many out there - some have tons...

July 23, 2003

SAP Gears Up Midsize Apparel Company for E-Commerce in Just Seven Weeks

My spin: SAP's going for small businesses and mid size businesses...it's got the large ones sealed up now it...

July 23, 2003

Yahoo Unleashes Small Business Site Builder

My spin: Check out my "Building Business Class Web Sites" piece too. News Clip: In an effort to expand...

July 23, 2003

First Look: Microsoft Office 2003 Small Business Edition

My spin: FYI Smallbusinesscomputing.com News Clip: Most of the new features in this fall's Microsoft Office 2003 are unabashedly...

July 22, 2003

Intel and Linksys to Improve the Wireless Broadband Experience for Home and Small Office Users

My spin: This is a GREAT boon for Linksys and follows INTEL's strategy of providing dollars to further technology...

July 22, 2003

VoicePulse Expands Phone Service into New York City

My spin: Vonage is busting out all over the US - now VoicePlus...competition is heating up (in New York)...

July 21, 2003

Developing Systems of Online Payment

My spin: Micropayments - this has been talked about for several years and there ARE a few services that...

July 21, 2003

Hackers War Drive into Wireless

My spin: If you've got wireless networking in your office, make sure you secure it - and secure it...

July 21, 2003

Sprint jumps into public-access Wi-Fi

My spin: This is no surpise. WiFi is getting more and more pervasive and telecom vendors are going to...

July 21, 2003

I'm away

I'll be away this week and so I'll most likely be posting news and "my spin" in the evenings....

July 18, 2003

Digging for Googleholes

My spin: I use Google all the time - and love it. It might not be omnipotent (only God...

July 18, 2003

VOIP--a Tower of Babel?

My spin: FYI News Clip: Jeff Pulver is the top cheerleader for voice over Internet Protocol, a cheaper form...

July 18, 2003

Getting a Grip on E-Mail Customer Service

My spin: Email is powerful and low cost - more companies should use it and encourage their customers to...

July 18, 2003

Who's Spying on You at Work?

My spin: Using technology to spy or monitor employee's computer use has its place. However a more successful strategy...

July 17, 2003

I'm wired and ready!

My spin: I recently bought a 500MHZ, 256MBRAM, DVD, etc IBM Thinkpad from eEbay ($481) it runs well and...

July 17, 2003

Verizon Introduces Unlimited Usage, Fixed-Fee Packages for Small Businesses in Maryland and Virginia

My spin: So Verizon's is expanding its "fixed-fee" package - I wonder if Vonage's expansion has anything to do...

July 17, 2003

The Sage Group plc, Best Software and Timberline Software Announce Definitive Merger Agreement

My spin: The verticalization of the software industry continues. Many of the financial software vendors now offer vertical pacakges...

July 17, 2003

3 Blinks Means You're Hot: A Wireless Network Tracker

My spin: Great gadget for wireless aficionados. NY Times News Clip: You've seen them wandering through airports and conference...

July 17, 2003

TRITTON Launches Affordable, All-in-One Network Appliance for SMBs and SOHO Markets

My spin: Simplified networking appliances are all the rage. Emerge Core's IT In A Box comes to mind when...

July 17, 2003

Microsoft Admits Flaw in Windows Software

My spin: The problem I see here is NOT the vulnerability but how can smaller businesses run their businesses...

July 17, 2003

Dell stops Axim PDA shipments

My spin: Technology is not perfect. Neither is Dell. But finding the solution to a problem is what makes...

July 16, 2003

Macromedia updates Contribute

My spin: Once huge new thing here is...PRODUCT ACTIVATION. I guess Macromedia hates getting ripped off. Digit News Clip:...

July 16, 2003

PeopleSoft Adds AIM To Its Apps

My spin: Enabling "presence" in applications is much more powerful and robust than only relying on one's IM client....

July 16, 2003

AOL ends ties with Mozilla but helps keep it alive

My spin: This will not NO affect on Microsoft at all. However, by keeping Netscape alive, there will continue...

July 15, 2003

For Printing on the Run, Inkjets to Go

My spin: Useful NY Times News Clip: WHATEVER happened to portable printers? They were tiny battery-operated laptop companions that...

July 15, 2003

Is Microsoft Office 2003 Worth the Upgrade?

My spin: It might be worth the upgrade if the new features it has or what you need. Did...

July 15, 2003

Why Google Should Be Worried

Business Week News Clip: By buying Overture, Yahoo! is challenging its rival in the booming paid-search market -- and...

July 15, 2003

LIVEOFFICE CORP. ADDS ONLINE SHOPPING CART MONITORING FEATURE TO LIVESITEMANAGER

My spin: Very, very cool. So when your customer deletes that $500 PC from there shopping cart you an...

July 15, 2003

BERTL's Best 2003--8th Annual Awards Recognize Top Products and Manufacturers in the Copier, Printer & Fax Industry

News Clip: (July 14, 2003): The eagerly anticipated 8th annual BERTL's Best Awards were announced in a 151-page report...

July 14, 2003

Back to my email provider Zorka

Well, as you can read from my last posting, I had switched to Earthlink to host my email for...

July 14, 2003

Vonage(R) Introduces Call Hunt Feature to All Calling Plans

My spin: Vonage is not only expanding it's footprint but also its features - and they are easy to...

July 14, 2003

Happy to Share Wi-Fi, for a Fee

My spin: FYI NY Times News Clip: Drive through any affluent neighborhood with a laptop that can receive wireless...

July 14, 2003

Dell tops PC Magazine's annual computer survey; HP, Compaq at bottom

My spin: So Dell's got low prices and great support. Why can't other vendors compete? Read my recent article...

July 14, 2003

Yahoo says to buy Overture in $1.63 bln deal

My spin: Ok, so now the battle lines are drawn Google vs Yahoo (vs Microsoft...as in most all case!)...

July 14, 2003

The politics of open-source software

My spin: I'm glad that Cnet is putting (well actually ISC) a spot light on this. How many software...

July 14, 2003

'IT is just too complex' says CA chief

My spin: The technology sector is one where the giants of IT are consolidating and going through tough times...

July 14, 2003

7-30 EVENT: Looking for Tech Jobs or Business Investment Money?

Find it 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at the "Jobs & Procurement: Where is the tech work?" keynote,...

July 12, 2003

More on my spam solution...

My spin:In a post a day or two ago I told you about how I switched from one ISP...

July 11, 2003

Coming up NEXT WEEK: Instant Messaging

I've been working on a piece about "Instant Messaging" - it'll be out next week. It's a pretty substantive...

July 11, 2003

WEB-BASED ACCOUNTING GAINING MOMENTUM AMONG SMALL BUSINESSES

My spin: I usually do not include full press releases in this space (or any other space) but I...

July 11, 2003

The Promise and Peril of Remote Systems Administration

My spin: I use remote administration to access one of my own servers and it works LOVELY. In fact...

July 11, 2003

Is VOIP ready for prime time?

My spin: Hmm. This is a VERY insightful article. 1. Vonage has only 34,000 customers and makes only a...

July 11, 2003

The ABCs of Network Security

News Factor News Clip: The security testing approach taken by an enterprise generally depends upon its size, mission-critical applications...

July 11, 2003

OpenOffice gets groupware boost

My spin: Microsoft's got so many haters and small companies fighting against it. Open Office Group is one in...

July 11, 2003

Smallbiztechnology.com is SPAM free thanks to Earthlink

I've been getting, tons and tons of spam over the past few weeks and I've been looking for a...

July 11, 2003

CDW Announces 4.7 Percent Increase in Average Daily Sales for June

My spin: I've been a long time CDW customer. But have always been amazed at the huge turn over...

July 11, 2003

Best Software Honored as Hot Company of the Year by Start Magazine

My spin: Best Software deserves the award. It has tons of competition but still thrives and continues to make...

July 11, 2003

New NetSuite(TM) Marketing ROI Manager - Midmarket Solution To Track Lead-to-Invoice Conversion

My spin: Netledger continues to push out new products and move nimble and fast to capture more customers. SAN...

July 10, 2003

PC users rate Dell tops in desktops

My spin: FYI News Clip: NEW YORK, July 10 ó The biggest merger in high-tech history may be a...

July 9, 2003

Linux solutions save SMB's $$$$ using MS apps

In my discussion board, Frank of Ho'ike Tech, outlines how his clients are using Linux solution to save money...

July 9, 2003

ACCPAC Expands Advantage Series Accounting With New Project and Job Costing Module

News Clip: PLEASANTON, Calif., July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ACCPAC International, Inc., a subsidiary of Computer Associates International, Inc. ,...

July 9, 2003

Pitney Bowes Launches Priority, A Pitney Bowes Publication(TM), The Magazine For Small Businesses

My spin: Custom, vendor produced magazines are a great way to help your customers use your products better, get...

July 9, 2003

Culinary Software Services Announces QuickBooks Data Integration for ChefTec

My spin: This is what makes things so hard for Intuit's competition. Intuit's got such a huge installed based...

July 9, 2003

Sant, Kinko's, PlaceWare and Encounter Team Up to Deliver a New Integrated Sales-Effectiveness Solution

My spin: There's a lot going on here - none of it really innovative. However, it's always nice when...

July 8, 2003

Do you USE INSTANT MESSAGING in your business?

Could you please tell me about it? I'm writing a story about instant messaing for business - available solutions,...

July 8, 2003

Efficient Networks Introduces Gateways Combining DSL Access With 802.11g Wireless and Powerline Networking

DALLAS, July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Efficient Networks, Inc., a subsidiary of Siemens AG, today announced the availability of the...

July 7, 2003

The Lure of Data: Is It Addictive?

My spin: I check my email once a minute and AM one of those guys/gals who love being wired....

July 7, 2003

Calling via Internet has suddenly arrived

My spin: First of all, calling the the "Internet" has NOT SUDDENTLY arrived. People have been doing it for...

July 3, 2003

D-Link Delivers One-Port Wireless Print Server

My spin: Just ONE of the great products coming out of a great company! News Clip: IRVINE, Calif., July...

July 3, 2003

Laptop PC sales outpace desktops

My spin: No surprise. Notebook computing is the way to go. Get a docking station and throw your desktop...

July 3, 2003

Toshiba Enters Wireless-Networking Fray

My spin: FYI News Factor News Clip: Toshiba has announced its own entrant into the race to capture the...

July 3, 2003

HP Unveils Linux PC

My spin: This is not earth shattering and should be expected to happen more and more. But I wonder...

July 2, 2003

ICODE Certifies First 142 Independent ERP Representatives

My spin: Establishing a reseller channel is paramount to the success of selling products and services. Selling direct can...

July 2, 2003

SMBs Are Big IT Spenders

My spin: One comment was interesting and gives a bright star for Microsoft. Companies looking for application solutions, look...

July 2, 2003

Study: HP's share of printer market drops

My spin: FYI - nothing earth shattering, but interesting. Cnet News Clip: Hewlett-Packard continued to dominate the U.S. printer...

July 2, 2003

Elance Online Launches eBay Store Designer Program

My spin: Some eBay stores already look pretty good. But for the many merchants who'd like a better store...

July 1, 2003

Overture unveils content ad service

My spin: The text adv links you see to the left are served by Google and doing extremely well....

July 1, 2003

Microsoft Confirms Lite Version Of Windows Small Business Server 2003

My spin: I've used MS Small Business Server for many years now and it works pretty well. There are...

July 1, 2003

Gartner projects rapid growth for hot spots

My spin: I think that the service will reach "critical mass" (I hate how Gartner uses that phrase in...

July 1, 2003

AOL Adds VeriSign Encryption to IM

My spin: Instant messaging is not just for kids who want to communicate with pals around the world or...