So we have entered the beginning of our second
decade of the 21st Century. As a small business owner it is important to stay
on top of many different types of technology that change at a rapid pace.
From hardware to software to cloud-based applications, it can sometimes be too much. I find that I am the go-to person for computer help, yet I am sometimes quite overwhelmed with the multitudes of NEW.
From hardware to software to cloud-based applications, it can sometimes be too much. I find that I am the go-to person for computer help, yet I am sometimes quite overwhelmed with the multitudes of NEW.
With the help of friend Paul Faustine (the owner
of the former Red Dragon Toys in downtown Brunswick) I have updated my website.
Paul created a back end database-driven site so that adding books to my store is easy. Adding photos of each author is easy. Changing a price and offering sales will now be much easier. All my social media buttons are easily accessible to website visitors. My blog can be found and several recent blog titles show on the opening page of my website. This is all new and better. New Releases are shown at the push of a button.
Paul created a back end database-driven site so that adding books to my store is easy. Adding photos of each author is easy. Changing a price and offering sales will now be much easier. All my social media buttons are easily accessible to website visitors. My blog can be found and several recent blog titles show on the opening page of my website. This is all new and better. New Releases are shown at the push of a button.
I found a calendar that is great to add to my
website: Tockify. I put in the information and the program automatically places
the events in order. When the event date goes by, the event scrolls off the
page—out of sight.
The look of the website didn’t change much—I
didn’t want that. What I wanted is for the user experience to be easy and for
my management of it to be easy. Now it is.
I currently use a cell phone, a smart phone—that for nearly three months wasn't
smart and I could not access my contacts/phone numbers or even use navigation
or access the internet when I was away from my computer. My smart phone is smart again. I replaced the touch screen
myself.
First I tried to do this locally. The
person took forever to get my replacement screen—I gave up. After waiting six weeks, I was informed that they
needed to cancel the order. So I found a used phone on eBay that matched my
phone. I thought my carrier Credo would allow me to activate the new used
phone. Not even helpful.
So, when the phone arrived, I Googled
Samsung Conquer touch screen replacement. I didn't
get the Conquer, but I did get a Samsung that was similar.
Using $3 worth of previously
purchased computer tools I removed both touchscreen components from my phone
and the ebay purchase. I installed the replacement screen.
So $38 and my phone
is like new again. No new contract required.
In 2011, I finally purchased a digital SLR camera. I use it for most
of the photos I post on my website, blog, Facebook pages (personal and Just
Write Books and two non-profit pages Save Our Swinging Bridge.Org and
Androscoggin Riverwalk). I really love the freedom of taking hundreds of
pictures and deleting dozens and dozens.
Recently I received a mailing from Fairpoint
about DSL. I called and confirmed that they could again provide DSL to our home
and business. With a special deal (very deep discount), we were offered
Fairpoint’s unlimited local and national calling plan. We've now migrated over
to Fairpoint for our Telephone and
DSL internet service provider. I also discovered that GWI offers DSL
over the same lines that Fairpoint uses for DSL and voice telephone.
During much of the past several years I have
been using Vonage for my phone and fax machine. Vonage provides phones through
the internet. The voice quality had really improved over the years and the
device didn’t require that you have a computer running all night to receive
phone calls.
Each change requires some changes in wiring and
connections. I'm lucky that I can do this small changes necessary. I can even
wire the telephone outlets and restring telephone wiring—a benefit of living
with my late first husband, a Navy communications officer, who loved to work
with wires and hardware. I was the extra hand but it seems I absorbed the
knowledge to troubleshoot connections, settings and hardware. I'm lucky.
In a future post I'll deal with the multitude of
software packages and the problems and joys that go along with running a
business in the 21st Century.
4 comments:
I feel that switching to one of the top voip providers was the best step my small business has taken as far as using new technology goes. Interesting post, thanks for sharing the insight.
Some businesses that cannot cope with the swift-paced growth of technology also tend to outsource some tasks. What can you say about it?
Regards,
Alleli of Infinit-O
Its really good to know about that the facts and the other points given here are quite considerable and to the point as well would be so far better idea to look for more of these kind.
Construction Service Management Software
These upgrades certainly help in running your business more easily. Making it more streamlined by also confirming your business maximizes profit from every sale. In addition, making sure that you have the tools to find out where every dollar you earn is allocated goes a long way in maintaining one.
Lorna Schmitt @ CashFlowMojoSoftware.com
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