Locating Diabetic Supplies to Manage Diabetes – Diet
Locating Diabetic Supplies to Manage Diabetes
Mike Yeager
In the United States there are around 17 million people with diabetes. Each of these people need certain Diabetic Supplies. While this may not seem like a huge number it does afflict around 6% of the population. When a person
How To Manage Your Username And Password The Easy And Secure Way – Spyware
How To Manage Your Username And Password The Easy And Secure Way
Jerry Yu
Have been an Internet user for more than 9 years, I have 100s of logins and passwords to keep. Im paranoid. Im now even more paranoid after I joined YMMSS because I use online payment systems on weekly basis if not daily.
I used to use Microsoft Excel to manage my usernames, passwords, and other registration information, both online and offline. Excel is not safe because there are programs to crack password protected Excel workbooks and I even cracked the spreadsheet and VBA source code password for one of my old Excel financial models I developed. Today I still use Excel to store some personal information but I only save the Excel file on my another PC that is not connected to Internet.
In my article "6 Essential Steps to Protect Your Computer On the Internet", I highly recommended the award winning RoboForm. Free version of RoboForm http://www.roboform.com does come with limitations such as 10 Passcards only. If you dont want to buy the Pro version costs $29.99 as of my writing, there is an easy-to-use freeware see below you can download right now and manage unlimited usernames and passwords.
Download freeware Password Safe from SourceForge.net - the Open Source community.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/passwordsafe/
Here are some great features of Password Safe:
No installation is required. Simply download and double click the pwsafe.exe file.
Easy portable. Just copy and paste the EXE file and .dat database file to any disks. Be aware that when you open Password Safe in the other disk, you need to specify the database file location the .dat file.
One master password unlocks an entire password database that can contain all your other passwords.
Grouping. Usernames and passwords can be grouped into different categories you define, eg. Email Address, Payment, etc. You are in total control.
Strong, random password generation.
Copy username and password to clipboard so that you dont have to type them. Always keep in mind that you should never type any username and password.
Browse to URL. With one click, the URL related to your username and password can be opened in your default web browser. Another save on typing.
You can create more than one password database but you have to memorize more than one master password. Not recommended.
Here are some tips of using Password Safe version 2.04 and managing password in general.
Tip #1 - Always create a strong master password Safe Combination as used in the software.
Strong password should meet the following criteria:
At least 8 characters long to prevent cracking. The longer the better.
The password should contain lowercase, uppercase, numeric, and any other characters that are available on keyboard.
Ideally you should not use any meaningful words or numbers in the password. Totally random password is the best.
Tip #2 - Let PasswordSafe generate random password for you.
To generate random password:
Click the menu item Edit.
Select Add Entry or use corresponding icon button.
When the dialogue window opens, on the right hand side, you can see a Random Password Generate button. Click it, a random password will be automatically inserted in the Password field.
The generated random password is constructed according to the password policy defined in Password Safe. You can modify the default policy.
Click the menu item Manage.
In the dropdown menu, click Options.
Click the Password Policy tab.
Change the policy based on the strong password criteria stated above.
Some sites only allow alphanumeric passwords so make sure you select the appropriate check boxes when this is the case.
Tip #3 - Very Important: Never type your master password when open PasswordSafe.
Keylogger spyware can record keystrokes.
How can you enter master password without typing I do this.
Step 1: Open a Notepad file .txt.
Step 2: Copy and paste an article from any Internet website to this .txt file.
Step 3: Select characters from this article and copy, paste to form your master password.
Tip #4 - Very Important: Never lose your master password.
I memorize my master password. In addition, I also physically write it down to a hand written study material that has my previous uni works. Among the 1,000s of words, I placed my 22 characters master password in two different pages in encrypted format that can let me derive my master password.
Tip #5 - Categorize username and password.
When you add a new entry, you need to specify Group, Title, Username, Password, and Notes. The entries that share the same Group name will be gathered together automatically.
One Group can contain another Group as its sub Group. For example, I have Email Address group which contains three sub-groups as Friend, Work, Family.
Tip #6 - For security reasons, always use Copy Username to Clipboard and Copy Password to Clipboard.
Remember, never type username and password on a web form. This is how to do it.
Highlight an entry.
Right click mouse.
In the pop-up menu, select Copy Username to Clipboard or Copy Password to Clipboard
Go to your login form, paste the username or password.
You can use mouse to do copy and paste. If you prefer short-cut keys, this is how.
Copy: Ctrl+C Paste: Ctrl+V
Tip #7 - Use "Browse to URL" rather than typing URL in browser address bar.
When you enter a new entry or edit an existing one, you can enter a URL must start with http:// in the Notes field. You can save website login pages URL in this field. When you need to open a login page in browser, right click the entry and click Browse to URL in the pop-up menu. Then the login page will be opened in your default web browser automatically.
Tip #8 - Dont forget to backup your password database file.
Use the Make Backup menu item to save a second copy of your password file.
Tip #9 - Store your backups in a different offline computer or location.
This is a widely used backup strategy.
If you dont have two computers, you need to use other storage media to save a second copy of your backup file and version them by date easy to track back. Other storage media can be zip drive, thumb drive, floppy disk, CD, etc.
Off site backups are also important. Dont overlook this. You lose all your data if you lose both your computer and your other storage media all together for any reason.
Many companies provide online storage services for a fee. You can store any digital files you should password protect these files first on their secure servers. Search Google and you will find a lot.
I have two computers. One is used to surf net and it does not have any sensitive info stored on it. Another one is for my development work not connected to Internet and it has my backup files. I also store my backups in a thumb drive and CDs sometimes.
About The Author
The author, Jerry Yu, is an experienced internet marketer and web developer. Visit his site http://www.WebActionGuide.com for FREE "how-to" step-by-step action guide, tips, knowledge base articles, and more.
10 Tips To Build, Manage And Profit From An E-Commerce Website – Web Hosting
10 Tips To Build, Manage And Profit From An E-Commerce Website
Vinai Prakash
Just because youve built your e-commerce website doesnt mean the customers will begin to come. You need to bring in the visitors, showcase your products, convince them to buy, and bring them back yet again to make any significant gains.
The customers need to be wooed by the unique customer experience that will bring them back, and have them sing your praise to their friends, spreading your name. This may seem like a tall order, but isnt. Listed here are the top ten tips to build, manage and profit from your e-commerce website. Follow them and see the benefits for yourself.
1. Organize your Catalog around Product Categories
Many sites either provide a long list of products or lump them behind a search button, making it difficult to find them. Arrange your products into logical categories and subcategories, but do not overdo it. Research says it that most people get overwhelmed with more than 7 categories. The customer must be able to easily search any product without help.
Your product should have a clear and high-quality picture, short and detailed specifications. If necessary add video or pictures of different view points top angle, side view along with the product specification.
2. Provide Multiple Payment Options
Keep all kinds of payment options available to your customers. Not everyone feels comfortable buying through a credit card, or has one. Allow for debit cards, fax, telephone, snail mail, paper and electronic cheques. And sign-up for fraud checking facility, without which you could easily end up losing entire days sales within minutes. Provide a currency converter if you offer products or payment in other currencies.
Including a telephone number for customer support on the order is a must. It gives the buyers some extra feelings of security that they can always talk to a live person if anything goes wrong in the buying process.
3. List out Clearly Outlined Policies
Privacy:
Make your privacy policy public. Keep it in a prominent place, and link it to the home, products and checkout pages, so that customers who are vary of providing personal and credit card details feel comforted. Tell them if you plan to share their email address with others, or plan to send in promotional mail or newsletters.
Further, allow them to unsubscribe or opt-out of such email if they think so. Never sell the customers personal particulars unless they have agreed, as this is a sure way to lose credibility doubly fast.
Security:
If you plan to collect sensitive information from your customers, you should use security systems like SSL Secure Socket Layer. This guarantees that the data provided by your customer will not fall into the hand of a malicious hacker while transferring from his computer to the web server.
This also will reassure your customers that you are truly concerned about the security of their personal information.
Terms and Conditions:
Write clearly and prominently all the sales and after sales support terms so as to avoid confusion. The internet is worldwide, and your customer can come from any country. List your shipping and handling costs upfront, and be ready to ship anywhere on the Earth. Publish your returns policy, support hours, and even the approximate time taken to deliver the goods.
Send a confirmation note thanking the customer, and listing all the products, prices and key terms of the purchase in an email. Keep the customer updated of the order status at all times by email or by providing a link in your shopping page where they can check the status of their order anytime.
4. Build a Newsletter Around Your Products
To snag new customers and keep the old ones remembering you vividly, seriously plan to launch a newsletter, and send it to all prospects and customers on a regular basis. Apart from the credibility of being a serious player in the market, you dazzle them with your commitment by releasing the newsletter on fixed days - like 15th of every month, or every Monday.
You can also show your expertise in your field by writing regular, in-depth articles, covering the latest trends in the industry, and reviews of new products. Your customers, distributors, and partners will start to eagerly await your newsletter. Sprinkle your promotions and products in between the contents of the newsletter, and be ready to receive an increase in web traffic and order bookings every time you send out the newsletter.
5. Let Customers Gift Your Products
Allow people to gift your products to their friends and loved ones. Provide free gift wrapping, a personalized message or a free gift for the purchaser. Allow them to create Wish Lists that they may use to buy later.
These small things do matter and act as freebies that your competitor may not have. Although these are fast becoming standard feature, make sure you dont end up with the dumb ones who havent figured this simple technique out yet.
6. Promote your Site Every Day
Strong marketing is the most important aspect of having a successful website. The best of sites wont make money if people dont come in hordes. Launch promotions, and get the word to everyone possible within your target audience.
You can do promotions using direct mail to your existing customer, in your newsletter, and fliers. All the methods of traditional marketing apply here. Dont leave any technique untried. Remember the old adage - Market, market, market.
7. Measure Results and Reorganize
Measure the results you are getting from each promotion religiously, and note what works and what doesnt. Experiment. Study. Fine tune. This is the only way to know how effective your campaigns and promotions are.
You can also bring in some external people to visit your site and give you sincere feedback about each page on your site. The more critical they are, the more changes you will make, and eventually it will benefit you and your customers.
Keep making changes and test what works and what doesnt on a continuous basis. What works today may not work tomorrow.
8. Keep a Simple yet Effective Web Design
There is intense competition on the web. Make a compelling website that showcases your USP unique selling proposition and brings the customer back to your site. Differentiate from the rest by using your imagination to make your site standout from the rest. A cool, cathy, easy to remember name could definitely help.
Make a simple site, with plain HTML, and a consistent look and feel on all pages. Use an easy to read font, at least a 10 size font, preferably 11. Do not load with graphics and huge pictures on every page, which may slow down your page.
Although this advice is becoming old fashioned as most people are moving to broadband, it is still a good practice, as you dont want to lose the customers who use a low speed modem.
Flexibility and ease of use are far more important than flashy graphics or cool Java applets. The objective is to keep the customer looking at the products, and not keep them waiting or lose them by slow loading graphics or effects.
Keep the catalog simple, and with a consistent design with links to Home, Checkout page, Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, Customer Profile pages handy and at the same, consistent place on each page. Make it easy to browse the store and mark products for later purchase.
9. Make the Login Process a Breeze
The less clicks needed to order, the better. Amazon patented their One-Click method that minimized the clicks, making the checkout process simpler and easier. Try to make the registration or login process minimal, and only keep the most relevant fields mandatory.
I was disgusted by the lengthy logon process which forced me to enter my middle name, date of birth, and mothers maiden name for just registering for an online taxi booking service. I left it mid way, and went to another taxi operators site, which registered me within a minute. A simple thing can result in a costly mistake that loses the customer forever.
10. Reduce Popup Messages
Too many popups distract and disgust the customer. Especially after the visitor closes your website window, if you start to popup other windows with more promotions, it leaves a feeling of being chased. It is also the signature of most of the adult sites, so steer away from such insensitive practices.
Show your professionalism and respect the customers privacy and time. It will help to build your image as a serious and professional site and enhance your credibility.
11. Use a Reliable Hosting Service
Use a service that is good, reliable, and can provide you with customer support at all hours. Web hosting is getting very cheap but it is better to pay a little more and get a fast and reliable web hosting. Nothing loses a customer faster than a slow site or a site that is down frequently. Compare a few hosting services, and ask around before signing up for one. You wont regret it.
Copyright 2004 Vinai Prakash. All Rights Reserved.
About The Author
Vinai is a successful e-commerce consultant who has been providing sage advice to small and medium businesses in building, managing and profiting from e-commerce websites for the past 6 years. He is a sought after author & speaker on Internet Marketing and E-Business. Vinai can be contacted at vinai@intellisoft.com.sg for speaking engagements, as well as for consultancy engagements & advice on profiting from e-commerce.