Saving Money Today, Trees Tomorrow

 

I found this neat little tool http://www.printgreener.com/ that lets you edit a document before you print it and best of all it is a free download.

GreenPrint scans print jobs and removes pages that it determines are a waste, like web pages with just one line of text, advertisements and unwanted graphics.

It resides in your printers folder so that you can use this with any program that you have on your computer.

You can preview your print job and remove pages or specific text and even print to PDFs.

Another neat feature is that it will track how much paper, money and greenhouse gases you have saved.

To learn more about GreenPrint, click here. or watch a demo of GreenPrint.

Blogging A Global Phenomenon

 

I came across this article in SEO News written by Mel Strocen, and thought it was really fascinating.

 Mel Strocen in Mel Strocen’s Blog

If you haven’t read Technorati’s State of the Blogosphere 2008 report, you should. The Blogosphere continues to grow in size and influence and the lines between what is a blog and what is a mainstream media site is becoming less clear with each passing year. The full report can be found at:

http://technorati.com/blogging/state-of-the-blogosphere/

But here are some interesting highlights:

1. Most bloggers are male ranging from 57% in the USA to 73% in Europe and Asia,

2. A high percentage of bloggers are college graduates and have household incomes greater than $75K/yr.

3.  77% of active Internet users read blogs and blogs receive more unique visitors than Facebook or MySpace.

4. Most bloggers have been at it an average of three years and are collectively creating close to one million posts every day.

Technorati Tags: Technorati,Blogosphere,Bloggers,Facebook,MySpace,Mel Strocen’s Blog

HP Smart Web Printing

I’ve just discovered this amazing little tool that works in Internet Explorer. It is called HP Smart Web Printing.

I must say, my favourite Browser is Firefox, but unfortunately I couldn’t get this little tool to install on this Browser. I did however find a work around for this as I have “view this page in IE” right on my toolbar. Now if there is something that I need to capture, I just click on the “view this page in IE” button and voila!

It is however, an invaluable little program that allows you to take clips of web pages that you visit. This is valuable to those of us who do research, who take notes on design ideas, and any other form of web research.

It copies multiple clips to a clipboard which you can then paste into Word and edit the information. It also lets you create PDF’s.

This is a great little tool that deserves to be checked out.

A word of caution, please don’t use this to copy and use  information as your own. Remember there are copyright’s in place for text and graphics on the world wide web.

Technorati Tags: HP,Web printing,screen capture

My Updates

I am passionate about being a Virtual Assistant and working on client projects.

It is true what they say about being a business owner, you spend more time working “in” your business and not enough time working “on” your business.

So today, I took a couple of hours out to do just that, work on my business, and updated my web site. It feels wonderful getting the few tweaks done that I’ve been meaning to get to for ages.

I hope that you will stop by and take a look.

 

Technorati Tags: Virtual Assistants,CMJ Virtual Office Manager,clickawayva

Are You At Risk Because of Weak Passwords

I have the pleasure of knowing Scott and Jen Gingrich of Piggybank Technology. They are a wealth of information on anything web.

This morning Scott sent through this article which he has graciously given me permission to use, thank you Scott…

 

Governor Palin’s Email got hacked…Is Yours Any Safer?

Governor Sarah Palin’s Yahoo Email account got hacked. That means someone got into it. Someone who shouldn’t have. And apparently it was relatively easy (especially for someone motivated to do harm) and involved using Yahoo’s password reset feature which asks for such information as your Birth date.

Lesson 1: Don’t use Email services like Yahoo, Hotmail or GMail for sensitive or business communications! Use a proper Email service…like your Business Email.

When I set-up passwords for my Clients, I usually get a look of disbelief when they see something like “3oL0B~vm$x”. “How am I ever going to remember that?!”

They’d much rather see something simple like “martha”. The problem is that when you use common words for passwords, they can be hacked much easier than “strong passwords”. Strong passwords are ones that are very difficult for humans (and computers!) to figure out. They have:

• at least 6 characters,
• use a combination of letters, numbers and special characters
• don’t repeat characters
• use a combination of upper and lower case characters

Lesson 2: I recommend that you use a separate strong password for everything; don’t re-use the same password.

There are many password utilities available to help you keep secure passwords safe. There is one really handy and FREE utility I use called “Password Tools Bundle“. Not only will it generate strong passwords for you, you can use it to securely store your passwords too.

 

Technorati Tags: Piggybank Technology,Scott Gingrich,Gingrich Group,Email,Yahoo,GMail,Hotmail,Passwords

Beat the Daily Crash & Burn – Workstation Ergonomics

I had a much needed appointment with my Chiropractor, Sheila Keber of Align Chiropractic Health Centre in Newmarket. Sheila gave me a sheet on Workstation Ergonomics and she also gave me permission to use this here on my Blog:

THE WORK AREA should be large enough to accommodate you, allow a full range of motion for daily tasks, and have room for equipment/materials.

• Use a headset for lengthy or frequent telephone work.
• Place the items you use most frequently directly in front of you and organized to avoid excessive extending and reaching.
• Place the phone on the side of your non-dominant hand.
• Position you desk lamp so that it illuminates source documents without causing either glare on the computer screen or direct illumination to your eyes.
• Use “Dynamic sitting”, don’t stay in one static position for extended time periods.
• The angle of the backrest should ensure the trunk and legs should form an angle between 90 & 115 degrees.
• Adjust height of chair so feet rest flat on the floor. Feet, legs, thighs and hips should all be at 90 degrees.
• Hands and wrists should be kept in a straight wrist posture when typing and should not be resting on a pal rest, table, or lap while typing. Wrist and palm rests are designed to provide support during keying and breaks from it.
• Repetitious static work (working at the computer) is very fatiguing on your upper extremities as well as your eyes.
• Schedule breaks every 20 – 40 minutes in order for your body to rest and recover.
• Taking a short break (3 – 5 minutes) does not = stop working. Do other activities such as networking, making copies, filing etc. as breaks from typing.

MONITOR

• Make sure the surface of the viewing screen is clean.
• Adjust brightness and contrast to optimum eye comfort.
• Position the monitor directly in front of you to avoid extra neck twisting.
• Position the monitor at a comfortable viewing distance approximately 18 – 30 inches.
• Position monitors at right angles from windows and light fixtures to reduce glare. Close blinds as needed.

MOUSE, TRACKBALL, OR OTHER INPUT DEVICE

• Placing the mouse, trackball, or other input device too far away, too low, or too much on one side can cause shoulder, wrist, elbow and forearm discomfort.
• Do not bend your wrist upward – sit high enough so the desk is slightly below the elbows. This way the hand rests naturally on the mouse.
• Mousing demands a certain level of surface stability; if used on a keyboard try, the tray should not wobble or tip.
• Test different mouse models. Consider size, shape, comfort and special features that could make your job easier.

LIGHTING: Use the following recommendations to reduce eyestrain and eye fatigue:

• Close drapes/blinds to reduce glare.
• Adjust lighting to avoid glare on screen (light source should come at a 90 degree angle, with low watts).
• Avoid intense or uneven lighting in your field of vision.
• Place monitor at 90 degree angle to windows (where possible).
• Reduce overhead lighting (where possible).
• Use indirect or shielded lighting where possible.
• Walls should not be painted with a reflective finish.
• Use a glare screen or monitor shield to reduce glare from overhead lighting.

LAPTOP COMPUTERS: A laptop is still a computer so use a docking station, with proper ergonomics as above, for prolonged use. Laptop transport is important. Consider using wheels, getting rid of extra weight and using a padded shoulder strap.

If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort from working too long at your computer, I would highly recommend visiting your Chiropractor.

If you are in the Newmarket area and are looking for a great Chiropractor I would highly recommend Sheila Keber, Sheila can be reached at the Align Chiropractic Health Centre

Technorati Tags: Align Chiropractic,Workstation Ergonomics

at: 905-953-1008.

Google Has Launched New Browser

Google has launched it’s new Browser, Google Chrome. You can read all about it in the comic book that announced the Browser here: Googlebooks Chrome 

You can download Google Chrome here: http://www.google.com/chrome/

I’ve just downloaded it myself and from playing with it for a few minutes this morning it looks pretty good. It states that your pages will load faster, and it does.

There are some things that you will miss from other Browser’s like my favourite, Firefox, but all in all it does look promising.

Technorati Tags: Google,Google Chrome

Happy 5th Birthday VAnetworking.com

Technorati Tags: VANetworking,5th Birthday Celebration,Virtual Assistants,Virtual Professionals

Feeling Like There’s Never Enough Time to Let Your Hair Down With Some Friends?

Maybe You Just Haven’t Found the Right Kind of R ‘n R!

What if we told you about a new kind of get-together for Virtual Assistants and other Virtual Pros? A casual kind of party that:

• Worked around YOUR schedule?
• Was so much fun you wanted to go back for more?
• Lasted all day and all night so you could come and go as you pleased?
• Had no dress code, no expectations, and no pressure to do or say anything?
• Had fabulous door prizes just for showing up?
• Cost NOTHING?

Sound like your kind of party?

Good! Because starting August 28th until the end of the year you can do all of the above and more.

You’re Invited to the VAnetworking Never Ending Birthday Bash!

And if you are a Virtual Assistant or even just thinking about becoming one, there’s a lot to celebrate:

• 5 years in at VAnetworking.com and people just like you have made us the warmest place on the web for Virtual Assistants globally.
• VAnetworking.com Forums are a community that VAs from around the world have come to rely on for support, camaraderie and invaluable industry knowledge and know-how.
• A membership base of 10,000+ makes VAnetworking.com the largest professional online network for Virtual Assistants—that’s networking you can take to the bank! (And many here have.)
• Being “five” means VAnetworking.com offers a comprehensive array of both FREE and paid services to Virtual Assistants. From sophisticated eSeminars to incredible downloads to a huge network of helpful VAs, we’ve got every need covered for every kind of VA.
• Our new premium membership package—VAinsiders—is wrapping up its first year as the hottest professional membership going for Virtual Assistants around the world.

So put away the email, shove aside the client work (for just a little while) and join the VAnetworking.com Never Ending Birthday Bash … VIRTUALLY!

Just imagine, you get to party every night—heck every week—whenever it suits YOU and YOUR schedule for then next not 5, not 10, not 15 but 20 WEEKS! Talk about the network that never sleeps!

And it’s all just a click away. Any time you need a break, the party will be happening over at VAnetworking.com’s exclusive Party Hall.

Look forward to attending our Birthday Bash knowing that you can:

• Wear whatever you want (elusive “perfect” outfit be gone!)
• Whoop it up while the kids are sleeping (no babysitter required).
• Eat or drink or listen to WHATEVER you want while you have fun.

Oh yeah, did we mention the festivities are totally FREE? You need only be a member of VAnetworking.com Forum (also FREE) to attend.

We can’t divulge all the super cool activities, events and unbelievable prizes that will be going on for the next 20 weeks straight starting August 27th, but we can tell you that you’d be crazy to miss out!

If this sounds like something you could get into (and really, what VA couldn’t?), then RSVP NOW:

Virtual Assistant Networking Events, Birthday Bash Celebration

Canada’s National Do Not Call List

Mark your Calendars, you can start to register on September 30th, 2008 here: Canada’s Do Not Call List

What a welcome relief this is going to be. You will be able to register your cell, fax and phone numbers.

This is renewable after 3 years and it is up to you to make sure that you renew after that time period. I would suggest putting it into Outlook or your preferred Calendaring system to remind yourself.

Registered Charities, Government and a few select groups do not fall under this “Do Not Call” umbrella. All  other  offenders will be faced with nice fines if they do not comply and remove your numbers in 30 days.

FoVA 2009 Announcement

Extraordinary plans are being made for FoVA ’09 and I can tell you that we have an incredible program shaping up for you! 

Mark your calendars!

FoVA ’09 will take place June 4 – 7, 2009 in Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada. http://www.niagarafallstourism.com/

To our U.S. colleagues, you can fly in to Buffalo, NY and just cross the bridge!! No need for inflated “international” airfare rates! (You’ll still need a passport though so if you don’t have one, be sure to get one before next spring.)

Come see one of the 7 Wonders of the World!!

In addition to our newly expanded 2009 Forum program, we also have 4 amazing Full Day One-of-a Kind Workshops being offered Pre-Conference on Wednesday June 3^rd! You may never get the chance to participate in these Workshops in person at any other event!

I don’t want to spoil any surprises but I can tell you that we already have commitments from some unbelievably huge VA industry leaders!! 

Check out these names:

Michelle Jamison of MJVA and Associates -  Author and Multi VA Business Guru!

Erin Blaskie of Business Services, ETC – VA Coach and Expert on Passive Income Extraordinaire! … and

Kathie Thomas of Award-winning “A Clayton’s Secretary”® VA Coach, Speaker and Author of the very popular “Worth More Than Rubies” coming all the way from Australia!!! Outstanding!!

(I have 1 other very special guest lined up but I’ll tell you about that next time. J  I can’t let you in on ALL of my secrets now can I?)

To top things off, we will be offering a mini French FoVA Forum for our bilingual colleagues. Imagine a whole day of French Workshops designed and delivered “en français” just for bilingual VA’s!!

FoVA started as a dream for Canadian VAs. It blossomed into a North American event and is turning into a Global Forum!  

If you are serious about your VA business, our industry as a whole and want to meet, network and collaborate with some of the most important and influential VA’s in our industry, be sure to mark June 3 – 7, 2009 on your calendar.

We are working feverishly on the FoVA ’09 website which will provide you with all of the necessary details. We will let you know when that is available in the next several weeks.

We look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones in June 2009!!