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Ways to Use the Internet for Business

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In the last 15 years, the Internet has altered the way businesses are run. Many of the original “successful” online businesses proved to be little more than flashy slogans that excited investors. The true power of the Internet was revealed once businesses understood the model and used online sources to communicate with customers. It’s worth noting that many of the hundreds of online business tools are free.

Selling a product now means building a relationship with customers and letting them know that someone inside the company cares about them. Before the Internet, hearing from consumers in a meaningful way often meant spending money on focus groups or unreliable mail surveys. Free online surveys improve upon this model and provide businesses with the input that’s necessary to improve products and processes. Even though people cannot be forced to provide feedback, most people want to share their opinions. A free online survey is a powerful tool for business owners to determine the exact needs of their customers and ways they can improve sales.

Providing customers with the means to express their opinions is an important step in establishing a positive online presence, but building relationships requires more than just a single positive exchange. Companies need customers to see them as more than just a place to do business. Repeat customers enjoy their shopping experience because it makes them feel comfortable, like they’re doing business with a friend.

With the popularity of Facebook, Twitter, and other social media tools, it’s imperative that businesses have a presence on these sites. People are more understanding when something goes wrong if it appears that company executives are listening to them. It’s also important to have a website that offers fresh content and a great search engine optimization team. This will ensure customers can find you when they search for keywords that are relevant to your business. It’s easy to see that the Internet is a powerful business tool, if used properly.

Filed Under: Internet

The 9-Year-Old Neo

Online bingo sites, Facebook games, Wikipedia–all of it seems pretty harmless, but might it lead to something more for our children in this day and age of convolution toward the rise of technology? It seems like the sky isn’t even the limit. They can now reach as high as the universe all on their own. Just logging in, a couple searches on Google, and they’re linked to the world, and it’s so easy! Decades ago, all children did was play with boxes and paper. Nowadays, they’re chatting on Java applets and learning how to create bottle rockets all on their own. Should we be worried?

On the one hand, better technology does mean better security. Our kids can be better protected all because of technology. Even as they surf the web and are open to a lot more danger in the world, the ability to monitor and survey online for possible predators is plenty easier than if they were walking down the alley after school, approaching a man carrying candy. However, how would you feel about chip implantation in your child’s body to better monitor location? Might make them seem like ‘products’ or something.

That ultimately brings out the rather uneasy feeling that someday soon children will have the necessary knowledge to accomplish their own computer hacks. With enough knowledge and skill in learning, the world might have little Neos from “The Matrix” running around, taking over everything, and at these young, tender ages, learning is intensified. Technology from a certain standpoint can act like a loaded gun. Could that be our future?

There will be no way to predict. Appropriate technology is something to be experienced and experimented on to see if it will be a hindrance or a help to the betterment of humanity. The major point to keep in mind is this: humans are not technological beings. So let us keep technology as a tool and not a replacement.

Filed Under: Internet, Technology

Understanding why your Internet speed may be slow

There is nothing more frustrating than having to wait for your Internet browser on your high speed Internet to load. Before you throw your computer or go out to purchase a new, faster computer. There are several things you need to understand about why your Internet speed is so slow.

Your Internet service provider, ISP, number is the faster your Internet speed can go. It is unrealistic for the Internet speed to always perform fast. Some fluctuation occurs resulting in various speeds throughout various times of the day.

There will be certain times where the Internet will seem extremely slow. This may not be because your ISP or your computer is slow, but because so many people are using the service at the same time. Some of the peak times are early in the morning just before people leave for work, around noon for lunch, and into the evening after dinner. The slowest times are during the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. work times when people are hard at work and during dinner when most families sit down together for a meal. There is not much ISP can do about these peak hours other than making their Internet faster.

If your Internet speed is slow during the down times when people are at work, the problem may not be the ISP but your computer. It is possible that other hardware and software on your computer is slowing down the Internet’s performance. If you can uninstall the program or hardware without affecting your computer, it may be wise to do just that. If you do not have to have the hardware or software running while you are on the Internet, turn it off so that your Internet can perform faster. If you are still having trouble with your Internet speed, it is time to run a speed test program often available on the Internet.

Filed Under: Internet, Technology Tagged With: Access Providers, Internet access, Internet service provider, Wireless

Four simple ways to increase your Internet speed

No one likes to wait for their Internet browser to load. If you are no longer using dial-up, (do they even offer dial-up anymore), your Internet should be loading fast depending on your ISP speed. It is possible to run online Internet speed tests to determine if your Internet is running as fast as it should be. If you think it is not, here are four simple ways to increase your Internet speed.

First, check the way you get online. Your Ethernet cord makes it possible for you to connect the Internet.

Even though it may seem simple, double check where your cords are plugged in. If you use wireless built into your laptop, hold down the wireless button until it either comes on or goes off. It may be necessary to refresh your wireless connection in order to get a better speed.

Second, it is important to know how much RAM your computer has because not having enough RAM available for your computer to use can cause your Internet to slow. This happens if you have other programs like music players or movie players like xvid up and running. If they need RAM to work it can limit the amount of RAM you have available.

Third, maybe the problem is not your Internet, but your choice of Internet browsers. Not all browsers are fast like they say they are. Mozilla Firefox is one of the fastest and safest browsers available keeping you safe online as you quickly get from site to site.

Fourth, if you have a Windows Pro computer, your settings may be keeping your pages from loading quickly. This is because 20% of your bandwidth is reserved for other uses. This includes Windows updates and protection against spyware. Change the settings by clicking Run and type in gpedit.msc. Find Computer Configuration, expand the Administrative Templates, click Network, and click the tab labeled QoS Packet Scheduler. Enable Limit Reservable Bandwidth, change the bandwidth to 0%, and click apply. Restart when finished making changes.

Filed Under: Connections, Internet, Technology Tagged With: Administrative Template, Internet access, Internet service provider, Mozilla Firefox

Determining your Internet connection speed through an online test

Have you ever wondered how fast your Internet really connects? There is a great way for you to check your computer’s performance against how fast your Internet service provider says your Internet connection should be. One way to test your speed is to use an online speed test such as speedtest.net.

To determine what online speed test you should use, you will want to pick a registry that is local to your area. You do not want the test to be half way around the world. Your test results will be flawed.

On speedtest.net, you are able to determine the service or registry closest to you to use. You will have to adjust the settings before running the scan. In the top right hand corner, click Settings, click Preferred Server, and then click Save to change your settings. You will be able to adjust the time zone, date format, speed measurement, and distance measurement all with a click of a button.

Speedtest.net is a simple and quick test. If you are look for a more complete tool, MyConnection PC Lite is the speed test for you. It is a Windows product available for use on their website. Never download any tests from third-party sites. They are breeding ground for viruses.

Before you do your test, you are going to want to know what your theoretical optimum speed is. When you receive your results, you will compare that number to what your ISP tells you it should be. If the upload or download speed is 30 to 50% below that amount, you need to contact your Internet provider. Ask for instruction and tips for improving your Internet speed. It should be wise to run a virus and spy-ware scanner before running a speed test because viruses can affect your Internet and its connection.

Filed Under: Internet, Technology Tagged With: Bandwidth (computing), Internet access, Internet service provider, Speedtest.net

Ways to make Internet Explorer run faster so you have faster Internet

The Internet gives you the ability to find anything in lighting fast speeds; you can stay in contact with your aunt across the country and easily look for the recipe to make homemade lasagna, but your anticipation and motivation can be ruined if your browser takes several minutes to appear. There are ways you can make Internet Explorer perform faster and help your get closer to chatting or cooking.

Did you know that it is possible for your past web browsing history to slow down your Internet? It is possible. Internet Explorer records the websites you visit and places them on your computer for easy access. Long after you have forgotten about the website you visited last Tuesday, the browser stores the history. There is no need to keep more than a week’s records. You can easily go into your history and delete them.

In order to prevent the history browser folder from filling up, it is possible to reduce the number of days your browser records your history. In IE click on the Tools menu, click Internet Options, click the General tab, look for Browsing history, and then click Settings. Under Settings, you will located History and change the Days to keep pages in history to 1. You can exit out of the program.

Another way to improve your Internet speed is not to save Encrypted websites. These websites save passwords, but they can also use up a lot of space. In IE click on the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and click the Advanced tab. In the setting box, you will scroll down to Security and unclick the Do no save encrypted pages to disk. You can exit out of the program after that last step. You will notice your computer is working faster with just these two small changes.

Filed Under: Connections, Internet Tagged With: Internet Explorer, Microsoft, Web browser

4 ways to improve your wireless connection

Wireless Internet makes one’s life so much easier. However, there are times when the wireless connection just is not working correctly. Here are 10 ways to improve your wireless connection in order to get faster Internet.

First, if your router if not centralized in your home, you should move it. Centralizing your router allows more areas in your home to get a wireless connection on your laptop preventing blind spots around your home. It also prevents people from using your wireless without your permission.

Second, your router should be off the floor and away from walls because the route’s signal can be interrupted. Metal objects such as metal filing cabinets, racks, or desks can also interfere. Keep the router away these objects for a strong signal.

Third, it is possible that your router’s antenna is no longer properly if every room is not getting wireless. The antenna enables the wireless to flow in every room making it possible for everyone to do their homework, watch online shows, and surf the web. If your antenna is facing the wrong way, it could be sending signal in the wrong direction. For a stronger signal, purchasing a hi-gain antenna will push the signal in one general area.

Fourth, if you have a big house, it is possible to extend the length of your wireless capabilities by purchasing wireless repeaters. They work by boosting the signal strength. It needs to be halfway between the wireless access point and the computers that will be using the wireless. ViewSonic, Linksys, and Buffalo Technology are just some of the companies offering wireless repeaters.

These tips make it possible for your wireless Internet to connect smoothly and easier. You do not have worry about your Internet not connecting after applying these steps to your wireless connection. You will have a strong signal every time.

Filed Under: Internet, Technology Tagged With: Linksys, Router, Wireless, Wireless network

Work faster even if your Internet connection is slow

Do you have a slow connection that keeps you from being able to work and surf quickly on the Internet? Have you tried everything you can think of to make your Internet speed work faster but are still seeing no results? Do you live in the country where Internet service provider options are minimal? Here are three tips to increase your working time on the Internet to help make your experience more enjoyable.

First, if you have to email multiple files to a client, family member, or friend, save some time and compress the files. Using this tool is useful because you are putting all of your documents, pictures, or music into a single folder and uploading that folder to an email message. To create a compressed folder, right click on your desktop, move your mouse over New, and click on Compressed (zip) folder. Then to make things faster think about getting a FTP program like FileZilla which is an open source free software for File Transfer Protocol.

Second, if you have to send an email to more than one person, create a group and type in their emails. This will save not only you time when you have to email your contacts again, but also it will cut down on the amount of time your email takes to send out. By simply clicking on your contacts in your Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc. email, you can click on pre-made contacts to put them into groups.

Third, for Internet connections at are patchy or can be lost throughout the day, consider saving the websites you visit on a regular basis to your computer’s desktop. You probably did not know that by saving it to your computer you are able to look at the site even if your Internet is down. Simply click on the File tab in your browser and click on Save Page As. If you are unable to upgrade to a quicker and better Internet with an Internet service provider, use these times to save you time as you wait for your connection.

Filed Under: Internet, Technology Tagged With: Gmail, Hotmail, Internet service provider, Yahoo, ZIP (file format)

Several troubleshooting tips to help your computer run faster

Your computer was working great a couple of seconds ago but now several programs have frozen and Excel will not open. It is struggle to deal with the “Not Responding” warning when the program was working fine a minute ago. Here are several troubleshooting tips to help your computer run smoother and faster.

If your computer showed an error message, do not fret. Instead, write down the message and Google the error. You will be able to find an explanation and tips on how to fix the problem so it does not happen again. Microsoft offers the Fit It Solution that allows you look for solution to errors.

There is new program called Microsoft Fix it Beta that you can download to your computer. After it installs, you able to sit back, relax, and let the program work for you. It will tell you if you need to make any changes and it updates for you.

Your system could be running slow because you need to clean up your disk space. This is easy to do. To clean up space on your disk, click the Start button, click All Programs, find the Accessories folder, once inside click Disk Cleanup. A box will pop up and you will go through and click any data you do not need on your computer that can be deleted. Once you have picked all of the Files to delete, click OK. This process will make your computer run better. You have the option to delete any temporary Internet files, program files, optional files, Windows temporary files, empty the Recycle Box, and much more.

All of these options give you the ability to make your computer go a little bit faster and clear up some space on your computer for other files and software that you would use.

Filed Under: Internet, Technology Tagged With: Google, Microsoft, Microsoft Windows, Start menu

Tips to make your Internet surfing experience successful and safe

It is hardly possible to go into public and not see someone using their laptop. Wireless hot spots have made it possible to get more work done in situations that are more enjoyable. Instead of putting work off during lunch, you can take your group to lunch and continue working into the lunch hour. It is important to have strong Internet protection set up for computer especially if you are going to download important files. Here are three tips to remember in order to keep your surfing successful, faster, and safe.

First, make sure your computer is protected with virus and spyware prevention security. Wireless connection can be vulnerable to online threats. If you do not connect to a secure wireless connection, you are more at risk for being targeted. Restaurants, libraries, and airports are less likely to have a secured connection because it would make it harder for their customers to use their wireless.

Second, make sure your firewall is up and working before you connect to a wireless connection. Even if you are using a secure file sharing program like Ares Galaxy, a firewall gives you another layer of protection against online threats. If a firewall is turned off, it can lead to various problems to your computer and Internet connection. It is even possible that your online connection can be slowed because of threats.

Third, make it harder for hackers to view your folders by making them private and if possible encrypting them. Window Vista already protects your documents and files when you create and save them. In order to double check your security settings, right click on a folder or document and click Properties. Then click on the Security tab and you are able to look at your settings. It is possible to control who looks at the file and what changes they are able to make to the document. On a Windows XP computer, click on Start and select My Computer. Click the drive and select Documents and Settings. From there go into each folder and then right click document you want private.

Filed Under: Internet, Technology Tagged With: firewall, Security, Windows XP