Help My Arm Hurts From Blogging?

My arm is hurting but is it from blogging? Actually, because I should have frequent flyer miles from physical therapy I suspect the pain is from, once again, poor egonomics. Yes, I have been blogging, ebaying, working for the job, research,etc from the work station called the TV tray and laptop. A place without arm or back support that is only supposed to be used for quick email checks, etc.

I KNOW BETTER.  I have a really nice set up in the basement, but alas, I admit I cannot watch an old movie while working. Oh, and did I mention cooking without burning something or eating dinner near the computer? You see, we have a no eating in the basement rule so my little snacking is reserved while I am upstairs.

Why do I share all of this with you? Because :

  • It is a reminder and chastisment for me
  • I don’t want you to fall into the trap of ignoring the correct ergonomics of blogging.
  • I want to hear some of you solutions, good habits and positive reinforcements.

You know, I am a health educator by training and still function in that capacity. For me to go through these issues is like being in a car accident without my seatbelt. When you know what to do but do not do it that is not a good thing. Are there things you know to do but not doing as it relates to keeping healthy while online?

Ok, going to bed early tonight, that is another thing I must go back to doing.

Sensational Low Cost and Free Graphic Editing Software

Did you know there was low cost and free graphic editing software that can resize photos, touch up photos and create pdf files, PLUS MORE?
Well, I visited Heidi Caswell’s blog and had to post this just to have a place to come back and find it!

Get this unbelievable software review NOW!

Before You Update Your WordPress.org Blog

A new version of WordPress is coming out. However before you update consider checking to see if your theme, host and plugins are going to work with the new version. Here is an excellent post about that issue.

If you are not the person doing the update then be sure to share this with your support staff. (Although, they probably know this already.)

A Glossary of Web Content-Terms All Writers Should Know

This is an article by David Stockwell. Thought it would be useful to view some of the different definitions related to web content.

Before launching into any enterprise, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the terms used in the field. For any producer of content, there are also legal and social issues to be aware of. The following is a glossary of the main forms of content found on the web. While not complete, all writers should be aware of the differences, the legal implications, and the effects of the various forms on reader reactions and search engine rankings.

Content – is defined as any form of information, here referring mainly to text, or text and images together that form a coherent work, referred to as an article.

Free content – is work legally usable without paying a fee, although legal restrictions may exist on modification, redistribution, and attribution.

Open content – is generally free, and may be redistributed provided it remains unaltered. The open content license (OC) also allows the charging of a fee for distribution services but not for the OC material itself. The OC license also allows modification providing attribution information, OC license and zero cost remain intact.

Content syndication – refers to the distribution of content to multiple Web sites through technologies as RSS, or catalogs of articles. The most common examples are the use of selective RSS news feeds to populate web pages with relevant daily changing updates.

Original content – refers to work that is significantly unlike any other work as to be regarded as ‘original’. For example, an original work would be expected to pass the plagiarism test at http://copyscape.com. Sources of original content include vast compendiums of online articles.

Custom content, in contrast to the above forms is paid for, and developed to the clients specifications. It should be original content, without the legal limitations of the above forms as it becomes owned by the client, may be attributed to him/her, and used in any way. A familiar example of custom content is ‘advertising copy’ describing products for sale.

Creative content – like custom content, is paid for and owned, but unlike advertising copy might engage an audience to provoke comment, controversy, and be read for recreational or educational purposes. For example, a blog post would generally be regarded as creative content. The number of comments received by a post could be an indication of the degree of creativity.

Technical Content – while being custom and original, would not generally be regarded as creative, consisting of such things as specification or requirements documents, legal documents, and objective accounts such as financial or scientific reports.

User-Generated Content – on sites such as Wikipedia, YouTube, Flickr, and MySpace have taken the web by storm, and now rank among the top ten fastest growing web brands. User-generated content has the advantages of being free, although the legal usages of the content are not clear.

Destination Content – is an example of industries with unique forms of content. One major example is travel industry destination content, information and media for potential travelers about their destination.

Generated Content – usually refers to html code that is generated automatically in the course of displaying documents. As such, it is convenient and saves typing html. However, generated content can also refer to text generated to bait search engines without real creative content.

Spamdexing – or search engine Spam, are web pages created or modified automatically and expressly to improve rank and attract search hits to a website. Spamdexing is generally regarded as dishonest, though not technically illegal. Wikipedia has quite a good glossary of terms and techniques related to deceitful search engine optimization techniques.

Conclusion:

Content must be original and creative to boost the search engine rankings over the long term. It must also be creative to engage users in a blog, and provide the feedback, contributions, and excitement that form the basis of respected, authority site. Ultimately, any shortcuts to search engine optimization that compromise creative quality will, sooner or later, be detected and the engine algorithms modified with drastic effect on your rankings.

David Stockwell PhD is helping people to develop and market web-sites by applying statistics similar to those developed in ecology to discover new species. Custom Content: From Content Creation to Web Dominance. Niche Modeling: The Science and Statistics of Niche Modeling.

Technology and YOU

Technology and you is the topic of a powerful full day conference sponsored by the New Jersey Chapter of National Speakers Association. If you want to hear some national speakers give you thousands of dollars worth of information for an unbelievable low investment come to New Jersey on May, 9, 2008.

I am doing a Meet the Pro’s table on blogging and would love to have you at my table.

Check out the flyer below!

flyer-2008.pdf

Virtual Assistants Can Save You Time When They Know This Shopping Cart

I am currently using a great shopping cart and took a class several months ago to learn more. It was a class for Virtual Assistants. I think they are one of the best keep secrets around and felt honored to be online learning from a webinar with such great professionals. I am not currently using the services of one yet but trust me it is in my plan!
Now, if you already have a Virtual Assistant or if you are a Virtual Assistant I just wanted you to know about this great upcoming training that will help you really learn the 1shoppingcart system.
Trust me if you have a Virtual Assistant they will save you so much time because many also know blogging and so much more.
So click on the image below if you want to know more about the training. And yes, you can take it yourself if you are a one-person show right now.

pps-training.jpg

So You Want To Learn More About Website Code and Stuff for Mac or PC?

Websites, blog sites, all sites need code! Now you do not have to be a webmaster to learn some key things related to creating a website. Or, did you know that if you wanted to customize a blog theme or check out that funny looking stuff behind the scene of your blog or website you could actually trouble shoot it yourself without turning green?

A friend of mine is doing a webinar series on web site stuff you need for websites as well as blogs. I have included the link in this email and know that she is excellent! I have been a follower of her free webinars

so I know the quality of her work and how much she extends herself in sharing her expertise. If you have any questions you can email her at toolie@tooliethetravelguide.com. Please note that what she is covering is good for PC and MAC! And yes, I intend to be on the webinars also which will take place in the evenings and replays available if you miss one.

Anyway click here to get in the live class that starts next week!

Toolie’s Webinars: HTML with No Fear!

Hang out with us on Toolies, Free webinar series. They are only 30 mins. and you see everything  that she is talking about. She holds your hand and takes you step by step. So say hello on Wednesday, March, 5, 2008

You have a choice of times to attend:

12 Noon Pacific / 3 pm Eastern
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/774476318

or

5 pm Pacific / 8 pm Eastern

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/764815989

Learn HTML in 6 Weeks!-Free Webinar by Toolie

Learn html in 6 weeks with a free webinar offered by Toolie. I have written about Toolie’s free webinars in the past on this blog. I only repeat it because I am learning so much and want to pass it on.  These sessions are only 30 mins. and you are able to view every thing she is doing on her screen as well as listen and ask questions.

So go over to her site HERE and sign up for this first installment of this great 6 week series. Note that she offers it two times on a Wed to accommodate all the time zones.

Enjoy and I will listen for you on one of the calls.

Rosie

PS If you don’t like it I will give your money back! (I am smiling and hope you are also)