Technology Over The Last Decade

Can you believe that we've already reached the end of the decade? It seems like only a short time ago we were all worried about Y2K. Since 2000 we've been given a lot to reflect upon, and in the spirit of the season, we've compiled a list of some of the technological consumer innovations over the last decade. You'd be suprised at how many things we take for granted that are fairly recent developments in the technology scene. Enjoy!


Top Consumer Technology Advances Over The Last Decade

• Sites like Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter have revolutionized the way we interact with our families, friends, and coworkers. Most of these sites provide a plethora of games, music, photos, videos and fan pages where a user can spend hours submitting comments, browsing and chatting with other members.

• In addition to the social networking site phenomena, blogs and Skype (a free video chat service) have changed how we communicate via the web.

• Cell phones have also become an inevitable part of everyday life including texting, email, and even the internet on smart phones. The 3G, and newly emerging 4G, wireless networks enable us to download web pages on our phones faster than ever before. With the advent of "apps" for practically every purpose, we have the world at our fingertips with the latest touch technology in phones like the iPhone.

• When was the last time you went to drop off a roll of film? Exactly. Digital cameras became the norm in the last decade as well as built-in cameras and video recorders in items like cell phones and iPods.

• Digital music also saw a boost with the introduction of the iPod and numerous other MP3 players.

• We saw the slow decline of retail video/game rental outlets with the advent of services like Netflix (which also can stream directly to your living room with the proper devices), RedBox and Gamefly.

• We can now rewind live TV and fast forward through commercials in recorded programs with DVR boxes and services like TiVo.

• Flat screen TV's have replaced the older tube TV models and the newest LCD TV's average only 1" thick. HDTV is also the norm with advancements like Blu-Ray discs that make the movies come to life like never before.

• E-readers like Amazon's Kindle, Barnes and Noble's Nook, and the Sony Reader series are beginning to edge in on the print publication market. These devices allow avid readers access to the daily paper, games and thousands of books anywhere in the world instantly.

• Video games have evolved tremendously over the last decade with advancements in motion technology on systems like Nintendo's Wii console. Microsoft's Xbox 360 console is not far behind Wii with its "Project Natal", but has yet to discuss an official release date. The Playstation 3 is billed as an entire home entertainment system, boasting a Blu-Ray player in addition to its solid gaming platform.

• Sirius and XM have changed the way some of us listen to radio. As a subscription service, satellite radio broadcasts commercial free on the same channels, coast to coast.

• Flash memory has made data transport the easiest it's ever been. With storage capacities upwards of 64GB, some have been compared to external hard drives.

• Cloud Computing is catching on. Internet based use of programs and file sharing will soon replace the need for multiple servers and heavy duty workstations. Bulky desktops with massive amounts of storage will give way to "thin clients" - basic workstations to access the "cloud".

• Hybrid cars are on the rise and practically every major manufacturer has their version on the market. The advances in green automobile technology over the last decade have given us a strong foothold for the future of hybrid and electric automobiles.

• GPS systems have now become easily accessible to consumers and have simple interfaces that any novice can figure out. Whether you are getting directions on your iPhone or using a portable GPS in your vehicle like a Garmin or Tom-Tom, getting where you need to go has never been easier.

• More and more states are passing laws regarding hands-free cell phone use. Bluetooth technology has made the "10 and 2" rule a breeze with their hands-free earpieces and other products. Some vehicle manufactures have even started to include Bluetooth technology in their products, allowing drivers to access their cell phones through a button on their steering wheel rather than fumbling around for their phone and being distracted from the road.

Who Else Wants New Computers This Year?

When your computers (or other network equipment) start acting slow, when your software company suddenly forces you into an upgrade because they will no longer support the version of software you have, or when you need to add a computer or server for a new employee or new project, you basically have only a few options available to you.

1) Swallow hard, dig into your cash reserves, and plunk down thousands of dollars in new computer and network equipment.

2) Lease the equipment at an astronomical rip-off rate.

3) Suck it up and live with the lack of productivity and daily frustration of incompatible or slow machines.

Thankfully, a fourth, more agreeable option is now available: our Total Care Plan. By incorporating your hardware and software costs into your IT support agreement, you can get new equipment whenever you need it without having to drain your cash flow or put you into a restrictive lease. You get the support and service you need PLUS any new computers, servers, software and other network equipment rolled into one easy monthly investment. It’s sort of like renting your equipment, only it comes with all the support and service too. In addition to freeing up your cash, this new program also provides these benefits:

* You don’t have to keep track of which computers are getting old

* You don’t have to front thousands of dollars to revamp your network

* If something breaks, ThinkTech has to take care of it

* You don’t have to track any warranties

* There may be tax advantages since capital expenses now become operational expenses

* No big surprise hardware or software bills

* Your computers all stay pretty much the same age and performance

* No waiting on parts to be replaced – a free loaner service is included

Want To Find Out If Our Total Care Plan Will Work For Your Business?

FREE 27-Point Network Analysis (A $540 Value) will examine your entire network, review your backup technology, and document the software and hardware you use to determine a game plan for your specific situation. We’ll even tell you how to get the new equipment you need without breaking the bank.

(508) 992-2541

How To Get Paid $817 Every Year For “Going Green”

While Kermit the Frog may disagree, it turns out that it IS easy being green. For many small businesses, going Green is a way to cut costs with the added benefit of helping the environment. Follow these three simple steps to be on your way to greener, more cost effective computer systems...and put about $817 bucks back in your pocket.

1. Buy Green Equipment.

When it’s time to purchase new computers, monitors, or printers, consider asking your computer company for “Energy Star” rated equipment. According to Energy Star’s website, using electronics with the Energy Star seal of approval can save you as much as 60% in electricity costs over non-rated equipment. For the average small business with just 5 computers, this would represent a savings of over $442 per year, based on average computer electricity usage and costs.

2. Implement Green Processes.

Maybe your work orders are still hand-written, or company memos are printed and passed around, or perhaps you have a paper component to your invoicing. New hardware or software can solve most of these non-eco-friendly communications and save you a few hundred dollars a year in ink and paper costs. In addition, many IT companies will do research to find cost-effective and specialized solutions, such as giving sales people on the road the ability to electronically enter information into your system. The total financial benefit of these kinds of services is hard to measure, but small businesses can expect to see significant results from implementing any electronic processes, since in a smaller organization, updating even one process makes a huge difference.

3. Use Green Power.

Certain power settings on your computers can give you huge savings in terms of electricity costs. “Hibernate” and “stand-by” settings, for example, were found to save most businesses an average of $375 per year. There are also important battery backup decisions to consider, since those can affect your power usage as well.

Want To Find Out How You Can Improve Processes, Save Money & Save the Earth?

Sign up before December 31st and get our “Go Green” Network Audit (a $397 Value) for only $47!

Call 508-992-2541

4 “Techie” Reasons Small Business Owners Can Be Thankful This Season

1. Cyber Thieves Keep A Knockin’ But They Can’t Come In

A study presented at the Inter-national Conference on Dependable Systems and Networks showed that small business networks are attacked every 39 seconds by some type of hacker or malicious software. Thankfully, having the proper firewall and Internet security software tools can prevent even the most determined hacker from getting his hands on your network.

2. Downtime Can Be A Thing Of The Past

Thanks to new 24/7 remote monitoring tools, most reputable computer companies can now actually notice when things go awry and prevent your computers from having issues. Hot fixes, patches and security updates are generally items that, when maintained on a regular basis, keep a network healthy and up and running.

If, for some reason, your network still does have some kind of downtime, remote management software allows your IT professional to access your system from anywhere, getting you up and running more quickly than ever before.

3. If Disaster Strikes, You Can Be Back Up & Running In 24hrs

In addition to lost data, many businesses’ operations would be completely down for days, weeks, or even months if a major disaster like fire, flood, or theft ever occurred. Here’s where Backup & Disaster Recovery solutions (BDR) can help you feel very thankful indeed.

Most BDR solutions include a “virtualization” component, which means an exact “picture” of your server is taken and then typically stored offsite. If you ever need to get back up and running, your IT company simply puts the offsite copy on to a new server...and you’re back in business.

4. You Don’t Have To Wait

Though some computer techs are amazingly unreliable (when you call them for help, you always end up talking to their voice mail) ... when you finally get them on the phone, they make you wait days before they can respond to your needs), the most savvy IT companies can now provide new support plans with guaranteed response times as part of their service offerings.

Want to Feel Thankful Instead of Frustrated With Your Computers?

Call us before December 31st for a FREE 27-Point Problem Prevention Network Audit (A $540Value) that will help eliminate problems on your network and give you peace of mind.

CALL 508-992-2541 NOW!

Tweeting Could Land You In Jail

The Associated Press reports that Guatemalan Jean Anleu may spend five years in a Guatemalan jail for his anti-government Twitter rant.  It makes him the first person in the world to be arrested for a tweet!

Using his Internet alias "jeanfer," Anleu advised Guatemalan depositors to "take cash out of Banrural and bankrupt the bank of the corrupt."  According to prosecutors, these words "illegally undermined" the banking system, violating a 2008 law enacted by the fledgling democratic government.

Foreign governments aren't the only ones concerned about the use of social networking sites.  Many US businesses are revising their acceptable use policies regarding company-owned technology to include social networking.  A recent survey estimated the annual cost to US businesses in lost wages due to personal use of technology on company time topped $1 billion.  FREE assistance with the creation or modification of acceptable use policies is one of the many benefits enjoyed by our Network Headache Eliminator Platinum clients.

                                

How To Secure More Sales And Clients Using FREE Search Engine Marketing

With the economy tanking and businesses looking to cut costs every way possible, it only makes sense that many are focusing more attention on using free social media marketing to fuel sales and new customers. After all, almost everyone uses the Internet to research a company before buying from them; and if you are not coming up in the local searches, you are definitely missing out on a number of potential prospects who are ready to buy what you sell.

While there are dozens—if not hundreds—of strategies for being found online, I believe you have to walk before you run. To that end, here are a few simple, key strategies you can use immediately to improve your search engine ranking locally.

#1: Add yourself to the local search engine pages:

GOOGLE LOCAL
http://local.google.com/

ADD YOUR BUSINESS
http://www.google.com/local/add?hl=en&gl=us

YAHOO LOCAL

http://local.yahoo.com/

ADD YOUR BUSINESS
http://listings.local.yahoo.com/csubmit/index.php

MSN LOCAL
http://local.live.com/

ADD YOUR BUSINESS
http://webapp.localeze.com/bizreg/add.aspx

Other web sites to list yourself include:

• CitySearch.com
• Local.com
• MerchantCircle.com
• Yelp.com

#2. Figure out a handful of “seed” keywords you will focus on.

While many online marketers will tell you to have hundreds if not thousands of keywords, the reality is that there are only a few key search terms people will be looking for.

The goal is to get 10 very well selected TARGET keyword phrases that will be worth the effort. These target keyword phrases should provide enough traffic, a spot on SERPs (search engine results pages) that you can potentially get top ranking in, and will provide the type of targeted traffic you most want.

Use your KEYWORD PHRASES in:

•  Page TITLES 
• Page Headers 
• Sparse bold or italic words  
• Internal linking (Coordinate things so that they match up; linked TEXT must go to a page with the same keywords in the TITLE) 
• External links coming into your site such as Twitter, YouTube videos, your blog (if hosted on an external web site), etc.

Here are a few web sites that will help you determine what keywords you should focus on:

http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com/

https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

http://www.google.com/insights/search/#

#3. Add a blog to your web page and update it with a new article or post at least once a week.

One of the best is WordPress; however, you will need help from a web master to set it up. Another option is to set up a blog at www.Posterous.com or Blogger.com, which you can easily do in a few minutes.

Whatever you choose, make sure you write relevant, keyword dense articles that link back to your main web site.

BLOGGER.COM
https://www.blogger.com/start

WORDPRESS.COM

http://wordpress.com/

POSTEROUS.COM

http://www.posterous.com/

This blog replicates posts to Blogger.com, Tumbler and Twitter. To post something, simply send an email to post@posterous.com and it will instantly update the pages on all sites, as well as embedding photos and videos.

#4. Start Tweeting!

Twitter is nothing more than a mini blog that should be updated daily. The best Tweets include news, jokes, offers and quotes. Try to include at least one keyword in your Tweet.

TWITTER.COM

Create an account here: http://www.twitter.com/

Read Dan Hollings' work on how to use Twitter in your marketing: http://twittinsecrets.com/