Get rid of those spies!

It was weird. I was receiving advertising and promotional emails that I wasn't subscribing for and they were increasing everyday. Then I also found out that my company's email had been 'reused' by unknown individuals who were sending promotional emails on medical drugs such as cialis and viagra... how did that ever happened? I had a chat with my webmaster when all those activities were happening and for the very first time, I was told that my computer could have been 'spied'. Well, there are massive websites these days that allow free downloads of music, fonts, shareware, videos...etc and as I think they are great to have in my computer, I am not aware that my privacy is intruded and I am getting unwanted visitors to my PC! This is all so scary! Imagine the private and confidential that are stored inside my computer, they can be accessed by spies!

I was then introduced to Spy Sweeper, my rescue to squash out these uninvited guests. Spy Sweeper offers the protection on my system, detects spyware and completely destroy any of them who have entered my system during any internet surfing or downloading processes. It blocks any spy activities from entering before any intrusion to my system, files and personal information. This is definitely worth my investment as my computer is used for both business and personal use. The damage can cause more than the risk of being spied. Solving these computer problems can decrease productivity and is a waste of time and resources.

So why not grab a copy of Spy Sweeper so that you can also work, surf and sleep with the peace of mind?

Backup as you go

DH has been complaining about the technical errors and glitches from his laptop. Some time back, he opened a file from an email accidentally he received and lo and behold, it was a virus-infected document! Files were infected, documents appeared funny and at last, he had to reformat the entire hard disk. It was frustrating and presented alot of problems as most of those documents were business-related.

So the solution to hiccups like these can be as simple and hassle-free for Backing up is easier than you think these days. I stumble upon this fantastic online backup service where you can 'pay as you go'. What it means is that you only pay when you need to use the service, and only for $2 per Gb. The nice thing about this is that the backup is automatic even when your computer is idle, which means you don't need to keep backing up your documents manually. It is automatic!

As secure as it can be, it uses the strongest encryption methods whereby no one, not even the administrator can have access to your account. It is private and safe, only for your accessibility.

Sign up for a 14 day trial now for your Easy Online Backup on unlimited computers and mulitple users activation!

Print your own CD and DVD

I have no idea how CDs and DVDs are printed until I come across this website that specializes on CD/DVD Printer, CD/DVD Publisher and CD/DVD Duplicator. With the XInt Idea Nexis 100AP Printer, 50 discs can be printed easily with a simple operation. This is great for churches, schools, internet marketers and training companies. with this compact desktop printer, you can save on supplier mark ups and waiting time. Moreover, the inkjet cartridges are easily available.

Would you lik a digital PA and companion?

Do you have problems with keeping track of appointments, your wife's birthdays, anniversary or important deadlines for your work? If the answer is yes, then here's the good news. Introducing the new revolutionary Ultra Hal Assistant, who is your digital personal assistant and companion. Ultra Hal is an artifcial intelligence program who speaks English and has the ability to help you, get you organized, remind you and chat with you.

You can customized Ultra Hal in your chosen animated character and has the flexibility of speaking to Hal or typing a message in your computer. With Hal, your life will never be bored and you don't have to work alone. Hal can help you to find and run programs for you, remember email addresses and phone numbers. Ultra Hal runs on Windows and for a free 30 day trial, begin your download now!

Lifehacker

I was introduced to Lifehacker by Tracy during one of our girly luncheons. Being a WAHM of a 2.5 year old active and curious toddler, I have simply no time to keep track with alot of techie and internet news. So I depend on blog walking and conversations like these to learn and share new things.

If you are into Photoshop and like to learn some new tips and tricks, hop over to Lifehacker for the latest post on Photoshop and Image Editing. I'm heading over to check out the 111 free Photoshop Plug-ins from the Plugin site...

My first fliptrack video

I stumbled upon Fliptrack, a cool software that allows you to create your own music video. All you need is to upload your photos and choose the list of licensed music available at Fliptrack.

Try it out!

My preferred hosting: HOSTGATOR

Since purchasing my own domain last year, I have been hosting my 3 blogs and many other business domains with Hostgator.

For only $9.95 a month, I chose the Baby Croc plan, which is also the Most Popular Shared Hosting Plan. This plan comes with support for unlimited domains, 5GB disk space, and 75GB bandwidth, 99.9% uptime guarantee, free scripts, 30 day money back guarantee, and the online web site building software provided.

The 24/7 customer service support is another draw for an internet newbie like me. I can chat LIVE with the online support when I run into an error or technical difficulty.

Seriously... if you are looking for a good hosting company, choose Hostgator. And if $9.95 is too much for your budget, choose the Hatchling at $6.95!

Flickr + cash = Flickrcash

You have heard of Flickr and probably a registered member too but have your heard about Flickrcash?

While Flickr allows you to store, search, share and sort photos, Flickr connects image buyers with image sellers. It is a platform with unique features to assist image buyers to find and search for images easily and effectively.

Flickrcash provides installable lightbox grids and slideshows for publicity and marketing of images so that your clients can view and select their desired images. The powerful keyword search translates your search results into thumbnails on your screen, allowing you and your clients to have a quick overview, saving time and increasing productivity.

Image owners can sell their images through Flickrcash while ensuring prompt payments and licenses being automated for public inspection.

Register for a free account to test out Flickrcash.

Voice Over IP Forum

The new technology of Voice Over IP (VoIP) is becoming popular among business people and home users. If you are already a VoIP user, you can agree that it is convenient, flexible and most inportantly, it lowers your spending on phone calls, especially international calling.

Vonage, a VoIP telephone company has a forum that contains reviews, discussions, news for VoIP users. Whether you are new to VoIP or is a current user, you can join in the forum to discuss VoIP issues with other users. The forum contains useful FAQ and detailed information of this new technology. Personally, I find the reviews section very informative as they are posted by actual users who share their experiences and honest opinions.

So if you like to save on your phone calls, check out Vonage. All you ever need is a broadband internet connection and you are ready to make calls anywhere, wherever you are.

Power of VoIP technology for home businesses

As home business owners, DH and myself make a conscious effort to save on our administrative and marketing costs. So we are constantly exploring ways to minimize our costs to reach maximum profits for our business. One of the high admin costs goes to our telecommunication bills as telesales is almost the core of our business.

Thus, we are exploring the use of small business phone systems which uses VoIP technology to help us in long term savings on our phone systems as well as telecommunication costs. A broadband internet connection is all we need for VoIP phone systems which means we won't need to invest in expensive phone systems which require constant upgrading and regular maintenance.

Besides saving on overseas calls, we can have the flexibility of working out of our home office when we are outstationed. Our part-time telesales consultants who work in our partner's office can also utilize the phone system with no added hardware to purchase.

I can agree more to the versatility, convenience and cost-effectiveness of this wonderful technology.

Cool and free cell phones at Wirefly

The telecommunications industry is in such a competition these days. Offline or online, you see cell phone deals everywhere and alot of these deals are super attractive and super irresistible!

I remember paying a hefty sum for cell phones in the past and sadly, I still do now. The cell phone deals in Malaysia is pathetic and there is no such thing as getting a free cell phone when you sign up for package. It's not like Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan or USA where FREE cell phone deals are not only common but attractive and are crowd pullers.

Just look at Wirefly cell phones, the FREE cell phone deals will sure to 'wow' you. They are giving away a free Blackberry Pearl when you sign up for a new T-Mobile account. And in case you are not aware, this cool phone is worth $450! I have been eyeing on it after reading about the great features. The fact that I can organize my emails on the go is the main attraction. And who wouldn't want a super slim phone which only weight 3.2ounces!

And if you are a fan of Motorola cell phones, this Motorola RAZR V3m Charcoal is yours when you sign up for a new Verizon wireless account. Besides all the usual Razr features, the Razr V3m comes with a new VCAST Music player and expandable memory card slot. According to reviews, the Razr V3m is one of the best Razr with all the digital camera, camcorder and advance voice dialing features.

One other top selling cell phones which comes free with a new account signup is the Sony Ericsson W300i Walkman. Tied up with a new Cingular wireless account, this sleek cell phone is ideal is you are a music lover as it is powered with a Megabass speakerphone. You can count on the long battery life and other powerful features like the Bluetooth, 4x digital zoom digital camera, FM stereo and all the messaging features.

So who says free cell phones are cheap, unattractive and low quality? It's time to check out more free and cool cell phones at Wirefly.

Introducing a new Web Directory

Hmm.. offer a high bid amount and you end up in the home page of the web directory - that is what Big Web Links Directory is all about. This is a new web directory which offers a new concept to conventional web listing.

Basically, the top 10 bidders will appear in the main page of the directory, followed by the top 20 on the top links page. In other words, if you like to get more awareness and be found on the first page, you just need to offer a higher bid. Your bid can be adjusted accordingly and the results can be seen immediately.

So, like to get listed on first page? Bid high.

New Tech Blog for your reference

My postie friend, Jimi, started a new tech blog: JMH Techtronics. If you are like me with little knowledge on techie stuff, this would be a great resource to browse and learn a tip or two. In his post on Link and Blog Challenge, Jimi mentioned that "Getting links is great, but getting them from common keywords, and relevant blogs is much better." This is good knowledge for me which means I should focus more on keywords when it comes to any link exchange. Like to know more about this post, hop over to Jimi's.

My Nokia 6300

Yeah! I got a new cell phone. My cell phone has been playing up in the last two days - blank scree, faded screen, I was frustrated with turning it on and off just to get it going.

Since it's a Valentine's Day yesterday, it became a convenient Valentine's Day gift from my other half. Good excuse, isn't it? Well, I got myself a Nokia 6300 - 2.0 megapixels camera features, 16 million colors interface... light, sleek, stylish... can I visual my excited face?

Thank you, darling :)

Power of online chats

I'm having a fun time tonight. The power of technology allowed me to communicate with two freelancers via MSN a while ago and we got all the project issues discussed and settled. There are still many who do not subscribe to online chatting - my husband is one of them. But the truth is it is a powerful communication medium when used efficiently and appropriately. Personally, I also use it to keep in touch with friends, local and overseas. It makes keeping in touch so much easier.

Few days ago, I chatted with a friend who was busy writing paid posts in the late hours. She commented that it felt good to be 'working with an online friend', she was writing and chatting with me at the same time.

Online chatting helps to build relationships too!

Are you with the ideal cell phone plan?

This is just getting me curious. When was the first time you owned a cell phone? If my memory didn't fail me, I got my first cell phone way back in 1991. And it was the heavy, bulky Motorola one, if you could still recall the first generation of cell phones.

During those days, people would stare at me when my cell phone rang, it was uncommon to own one. However, things were a lot different in Hong Kong as a lot of business people would walk on the streets chatting away with their cell phones. I remembered how embarrassed I would feel bringing out that bulky Motorola when it rang, it was just very unfeminine to be talking with that huge gadget.

In other words, I have been subscribing to countless cell phone plans. Little by little, as cell phones become part of our lifestyle in the last 10 years, it's also becoming cheaper to subscribe to a plan. No matter where you are, telcom providers are constantly launching new phone plans to encourage new subscribers or retain current ones. Therefore finding the right plan can be confusing and mind boggling for some. To find the right plan for yourself, you need to identify your cell phone needs. Many of these plans are categorized to appeal to different users - business or leisure. If you need assistance to find the right plan, there is a wireless widget tool available in Wirefly to answer that need.

The all new Prada phone

Another wish list down the line...

I just read about the new PRADA Phone by LG (KE850) in the inTech column today! If you adore sleek and sophisticated cell phones, plus, if you are a Prada fan, you will drool on this! Last week, I read about the new Apple iPhone and now, there is the Prada.

Features of the Prada phone by LG include:

• Tri-band GSM plus EDGE
• 2 megapixel camera
• Bluetooth
• Music and video player
• Just 12mm thick
• microSD card slot

And the good news, they will be in mobile phone and Prada stores this February (earlier than the iPhone), expected to retail around 600 euros. Umm... I better start thinking of a good reason to get a new phone!