How to increase your PageRank in Google

Found another useful article here, which details some excellent methods for a major online goal; increasing your Google Page Rank.

Note: having your URL on this shirt would increase your website traffic.

(Cartoon courtesy of blaugh.com)

Cody James Miller

Apple iPhone or Nokia N96? Review time.

An interesting review with some handy feature comparisons, here.

So what comes out on top? You decide.

Cody James Miller

Dream travel destinations with Google Earth

Did you ever want to see the great pyramids of Egypt. Perhaps Niagara Falls, or the Grand Canyon. Ayers Rock in the outback of Australia. The Greek Islands or the Alhambra of Granada, Spain.
The peak of Mount Everest at 29,028ft above sea level.

Maybe you have been lucky enough to have witnessed some of these great sites in person. Did you get to stay for as long as you wanted?
Were you able to view all the details / angles from the vantage point of your own two feet?

The answer; Google Earth.

Real time satellite imagery provided by Google Earth provides quality viewing to anywhere in the world. See places in more detail than ever before.

View your dream holiday destinations, see all the sights from your very own home. Return to your favorite travel destinations, and see them up closer than in person. Even check out your own ‘hood just for something to do.

Is Google Earth better than the real thing? Probably not. But, you will have bragging rights over the most avid traveler. Tell your rock climbing buddy that you have seen the peaks of Everest in more detail than they ever could imagine. In real time.

Check out the top 10 Google Earth destinations of KCC Big Country here.

Happy internet travels to all!

Cody James Miller

Knowledge Bases; an online library for your business.

A Knowledge Base is a great online tool / resource for your business. Like an online library, KB’s can be very educational for existing clients and establishing your business as a subject matter expert.

A Knowledge Base shows just that, knowledge, in your area of expertise or business. As well as providing a valuable source of information, clients can search articles that you post to answer their questions, concerns and get help.

For example, read a step by step guide on how to configure your iPhone for email, as posted here, learn about recovering back up files, or discover how to install the Pronto! Air dynamic web interface.

Incorporating a KB into your website for your business can help, in more ways than one.

Cody James Miller

10 best strategies to increase online exposure

I subscribe to A LOT of e-mail newsletters, sorting the useful from the trash, every week.

Some are worthy of an instant delete, masked “tips” and “how to guides” that are blatant advertising for everything under the sun. Others, stand out and are worthy of a click through.

One in particular, stands out, week after week.
No buy-ins, just useful information.

Today, 10 strategies to increase online exposure, as supplied by Site Reference Newsletter here. Some great information within.

Cody James Miller

Configure your Nokia to receive email from your mail server

This Fastmetrics article will tell you how to configure your Nokia E Series to receive e-mail from your mail server.

Provides Over The Air synchronization to wireless devices such as Nokia E Series with Nokia “Mail for Exchange” software installed. The lastest version can be d/loaded here.

Enables end users to synchronize Personal Information Manager (PIM) data such as email, contacts, events and tasks, on devices running Microsoft Windows Mobile OS 5.X / 6.X to a server-based information store.

Compatible with NOKIA E50, E60, E61, E62 & E70 mobile devices.

On your Nokia E Series Mobile Device, press the MENU key, to access applications screen.
-Select INSTALLATIONS.
-Open MAIL LAUNCHERS icon.
-On the INSTALLATIONS Screen, select MAIL FOR EXCHANGE and install it.
-Create a synchronization profile that controls what and when you synchronize.

Under CONNECTIONS settings;
-Enter Exchange Server details, eg: “mail.fastmetrics.com”.
-Enter Internet access point your mobile phone will use to connect with the mail server.

Under CREDENTIALS tab;
-Set the Credentials that ID the account to the server;
-Username.
-Password.
-Domain.

Under SYNC CONTENT SETTINGS;
-Select what to synchronize;
-Email.
-Contacts.
-Calendar or tasks.
-Plus what to do in case of content conflicts.

Synchronization occurs according to the profile created.
-MANUAL- Must select option > SYCHRONIZE to get content for the first time.
-ALWAYS ON – First synchronization occurs when profile saved.

For a video demonstration of this process, please visit Communigate here.

Cody James Miller

Facebook user fury over content rights

Recent changes to the Facebook terms of service have sparked outrage in the social media platform, with users responding angrily to Facebook claiming ownership to user’s content, even if it is deleted.

“The February 4 change to the terms of service — the online agreement that users must accept to join — included language giving Facebook “perpetual worldwide license” to anything posted on the network. The move sparked a backlash among users with more than 85,000 joining a Facebook group “People Against the new Terms of Service”".

“Facebook should now be called The Information Blackhole,” one commenter proclaimed. “What goes in never comes out. Be careful what you huck in there.”

Since the change, Facebook founder & CEO Mark Zuckerberg has posted in the Facebook Blog, stating that Facebook would be returning to its previous terms of service; “Based on this feedback, we have decided to return to our previous terms of use while we resolve the issues that people have raised”. A quick shift in policy from the world’s youngest billionaire.

Zuckerberg said a new group had been created — “Facebook Bill of Rights and Responsibilities” — to allow users to post “questions, comments and requests.”

Zuckerberg said the terms would be revised — but with the input of users this time.

Cody James Miller

President Obama’s Twitter Tweets

Twitter, yes we can.

Know about Twitter? Heard of it?

Twitter is one of the most popular social networking platforms of today, with over 6 million users and monthly visitors of 55 million. What makes Twitter so popular, why are people so interested in these things they call “Tweets“?

Twitter is a free social media / micro blogging site that allows you to follow people and keep up to date with what they are doing, in a “Tweet”. Follow people of interest and click to sites which are updated through Twitter, in 140 characters or less. Of course, this is handy for promoting your own site, blog or just letting your followers know what you are up to.

Even President Obama has joined the Twitter flock! Twitter and it’s ability to re-tweet, certainly helped Obama spread his “word” leading up to the 2008 election race.

Automatically update your Tweet every time you make a blog post, or update your Facebook or My Space status with some great Twitter Widgets. Receive Tweets on your iPhone and update your status remotely with the Twitter application for iPhone, PocketTweets.

If you are interested in keeping up to date with your peers, friends, colleagues, heroes, President Obama…Twitter is worth checking out.

Cody James Miller

How to set up and connect VoIP in your home – a guide

Using VoIP from home, you can place calls over the internet to any phone in the world. The phone you are calling does not need VoIP.

Generally, the cost of using VoIP is less than your local telephone company, you can also keep your existing phone number or pick a new one with an area code anywhere in your country.

Here is a step by step guide on how to set up VoIP for your home. There are a few things that you will need. Tips and warnings also included.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO SET UP VoIP

1. You will need a VoIP phone – you cannot use an ordinary phone unless it specifically mentions VoIP or Skype.

-The VoIP company you obtain your phone adapter from should send you instructions on how to hook it up.

-Some phone adapters are intended to go between the cable modem and your router or computer, while others must be plugged into a router that you supply. Follow the instructions provided.

2. Connect a telephone to the LINE 1 port of the phone adapter using a standard phone line.

3. Power on your phone adapter by plugging in the power cord to the back of the adapter and the plug into the wall outlet. You should leave this plugged in at all times to maintain your phone service.

4. Wait a couple minutes while your phone adapter starts up.

-There may be updates that need to be downloaded, such as new firmware or changes to your features. These will be downloaded automatically. Do not interrupt this process by unplugging the power to the phone adapter or ISP supplied modem.

5. Pick up your telephone receiver and listen for a dial tone. If you hear a dial tone, you have finished the installation and can begin making calls.

Polycom VoIP phone power set up

HANDY TIPS

1. If you want a VoIP which works without your PC running, choose a WiFi enabled VoIP phone or one which will plug directly into your router.

2. You can use dial-up internet for VoIP but broadband is recommended.

3. Your computer does not need to be turned on to use your phone service.

4. If you plug the VoIP adapter directly into your broadband modem, then you will want to power down the modem prior to initially connecting the VoIP adapter.

-After making the connections, power up the modem first, wait a minute for so for it to stabilize, then power up the VoIP adapter.

-On the other hand, if the VoIP adapter plugs into your router, then it should not be necessary to power down the modem or router prior to connecting the VoIP adapter.

5. Should your VoIP service stop working (if, for example, you do not get a dial tone), first check to make sure that your broadband connection is still working. If that seems to be working, try unplugging your VoIP adapter for about 30 seconds, then reapplying power.

-Then wait a minute or two (in case it has to download new settings or firmware) and try again. Often a power-down reset of the VoIP adapter will fix the problem.

6. Many VoIP service companies offer great features like caller ID, call forwarding, conference calling, and having your voice mail emailed to you.

-Some companies offer more or different features than others. Check to see if the company you are considering offers any features you need.

7. Some VoIP companies let you choose a second or third virtual phone number, at an additional monthly charge. This phone number can be anywhere in the country that the VoIP provider offers numbers (a few providers can even offer virtual numbers in other countries).

-If you live on the east coast and have friends and family that live on the west coast, you can choose a virtual phone number with a west coast area code. That way your friends can call you and it’s only a local call for them.

8. If your upload speed (as supplied by your ISP) is less than 256K, you may not be able to use three way calling successfully, nor more than one line simultaneously.

9. It is suggested that you plug your modem, your router, and your VoIP adapter into a single Uninterruptible Power Supply that is not used for any other purpose.

-This may allow you to have working VoIP service for a longer period during a power outage, assuming that your broadband service is still working.

10. If you want to replace your existing wire-line telephone service, you can use your home telephone wiring to extend your VoIP service throughout your home, although some VoIP companies may not recommend this.

-But, you must first completely disconnect your inside telephone wiring from the telephone company’s cable coming into your home.

WARNINGS
1. Some VoIP service companies require you to explicitly turn on 911 service. Check with the company to make sure you will have 911 service.

2. In the event of a power failure or an interruption in your broadband service, you will lose the use of your VoIP service for the duration of the service outage. You may be able to avoid an interruption during a power failure by using an Uninterruptible Power Supply.

3. Should you attempt to connect your VoIP service to your home’s inside telephone wiring, you must first completely disconnect your inside wiring from the telephone company’s cable coming into your home.

*Failure to do this will damage your VoIP adapter, and for that reason some VoIP companies do not recommend connecting your VoIP service to your inside wiring*.

4. A few VoIP companies advertise an “unlimited” service tier, but in reality they will cut off service to what they consider to be “high usage” customers, or will force them to move to a more expensive class of service.

*If you are considering signing up for “unlimited” service and think you may fall into the “high usage” category, read the company’s terms and conditions carefully, and read reviews of that company online to see if other customers have experienced problems*.

5. When comparing prices of VoIP providers, note that some companies charge a “regulatory recovery fee.”

*You may want to ask the provider what your actual monthly billing will be before you sign up*.

6. Any phone connection such as Vonage that goes through the cable connection, does not connect to any 911 police emergency. It is not advisable to only have a cable connected telephone as your only phone system in the house.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED
1. A Wireline
2. VoIP Telephone
3. Uniteruptable Power Supply (recommended)

Happy VoIPing!

Cody James Miller

Turn your iPhone into a guitar with PocketGuitar

Yes, that’s right. More interactive applications for your iPhone or iPod touch.

With PocketGuitar, iPhone makes further use of the touch screen, turning the display into a guitar fret board.

If the airy flute sounds of Ocarina are not your thing, you can crank out guitar riffs with PocketGuitar, with the ability to switch from acoustic and electric guitar modes.

Includes the option to play along to songs stored in your iPhone / iPod.

Check out the Pink Floyd classic, “Wish You Were Here”, on iPhone in this clip.

Cody James Miller