Online Scheduling Software Versus Google Calendar - What's the Difference?

Online calendars, scheduling software and appointment programs abound in computer programs and the Internet. On the surface, they may appear the same. Delve in deeper, however, and you soon learn that they are not. This is especially true when comparing online appointment scheduling services and Google calendar.

WHAT IS ONLINE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING?

Online appointment scheduling is what's typically known as Software as a Service (SaaS), an online program that users access through the Internet or a secured online portal. Geared primarily toward large and small businesses that have a need for an efficient appointment and reservation system, SaaS scheduling providers typically charge a fee for using the software, which the user can set up and manage by logging into his or her account. Think of e-mail and online banking or shopping. It's the same principle.

Generally, online scheduling systems do a good job of pinpointing the specific needs of its clientele, and most providers offer functionality relevant to scheduling and managing appointments and customer, patient and student information. This includes:

• Online self-scheduling. Clients, customers, patients and students can book and manage their own appointments online. This can significantly reduce the number of phone calls and e-mails the business or organization receives.

• Automated e-mail and text message reminders. "No-shows" can have a dramatic negative impact on business operations. Surveys have shown that appointment reminders can help reduce these by 50 percent. However, many operators do not have the time or resources to call or e-mail clients, patients or students prior to their scheduled appointments. Automatic e-mail and text message reminders accomplish this without any effort on the part of the business or organization. Appointment-scheduling software typically sends these to both the owner/operator and the scheduled individual.

• Customizable templates. To help design a scheduling page that best fits their individual preferences and focus, some scheduling software allows users to incorporate specific color schemes, images, logos and other objects for that perfect look.

• Record-keeping and report-generating capabilities. Businesses and organizations typically depend on accurate, easy-to-create reports to examine the overall productivity of their operations. Managing multiple files and folders can be tedious. Some online schedulers give users the ability to manage and easily access this information from one central location.

• E-marketing capabilities. Many online appointment-scheduling software applications also provide excellent opportunities for e-marketing, as your current and past client information e-mails are readily available. It's a great way to communicate specials, events and other information with them.

HOW IT'S DIFFERENT THAN A GOOGLE CALENDAR

When it comes down to it, online appointment-scheduling software and Google Calendar really are two different things.

Google Calendar is, well, a calendar. Designed primarily for individual users, it provides a free and efficient way to store and manage events, as well as receive event reminders. As a Web-based application, it, too, can be accessed from any Internet connection and can synchronize with many mobile devices, such the iPhone and Blackberry, as well as PC applications such as Microsoft Outlook. You can use Google Calendar to share your events with friends or the public, as well as invite guests to an event. You can also send reminders to those guests.

It serves its purpose, but does not provide most businesses with the functionality they need to adequately manage their appointments, reservation and bookings. Scheduling software companies like Appointment-Plus know what businesses and organizations need in appointment-setting solutions and continuously examine ways of improving functionality and creating new, beneficial features. Who better to develop and improve on small business scheduling solutions than appointment software providers, who typically are small businesses themselves and can better relate to the every-changing needs of their clientele?

Google Calendar lacks important functionality in several areas, which reinforces the notion that its primary purpose is that of a personal calendar rather than a small business tool. Limited or missing features include:

• Scheduling "rules." These are important for successful scheduling, both internal and online self-scheduling. Not having the ability to properly manage days and times-when customers can schedule, blocking off days and times, limiting the number of registrations-can have a negative impact on business operations. In fact, a small business owner or staff may spend more time managing it than they would with a paper appointment book and phoned-in appointments.

• Sufficient database capability. A robust database is vital to small business operations. Not only does it accurately store customer information to access and review, owners and staff can use it to record notes and other details, as well as use it as a mailing list for e-marketing campaigns. Because it stores entire customer contact records and business-related information, it eliminates the need for maintaining separate files and folders. It's a beneficial component of a proper scheduling application...and one that Google Calendar lacks.

• Credit card processing. Most small businesses charge for their services. And most who offer online payment of these services realize the benefit, both from their end and their customers. Some appointment-scheduling systems allow for "point-of-sale" functionality on their clients' scheduler pages. Google Calendar and similar applications either do not provide this capability or require additional steps to incorporate it.

• Multiple Locations. Another advantage of online appointment-scheduling software is the ability to manage appointments and staff at multiple locations, a feature that's not available in Google Calendar. A business or organization would have to create a separate calendar for each of its offices, sites and other locations. To centralize scheduling and client information, a merging of the calendar data would be necessary, which can be a difficult and time-consuming task.

For a business owner just starting out or making his or her first venture into online scheduling solutions, these inefficiencies may not appear to be a stumbling block to accepting and managing appointments and reservations. However, they can have a tremendous impact on a small business operation and may force the owner and staff to rethink the way they handle their appointments and reservations.

EXAMPLE

A good way to demonstrate how a business owner realizes the importance of online scheduling software is through a "real-life" scenario.

John Smith, a personal fitness trainer, left a position at a large health club to start his own personal-training business. He found a small office to conduct his sessions and began advertising his business. In a short amount of time, his clientele rose from a handful to several dozen. Business was good, but his scheduling procedure was not.

While employed at the health club, Smith used a Google Calendar to personally manage his appointments. A receptionist and support staff was responsible for client scheduling and management, which included online client self-scheduling and processing session fees. Additionally, they monitored the schedule to prevent double-bookings.

Unfortunately, Google Calendar does not offer the functionality Smith needed for his growing business. He tried using the application for online scheduling, only to find that client double-booking occurred. After discontinuing online scheduling, he got bombarded with phone calls from clients looking to schedule and cancel sessions, which interrupted his sessions. Because the calendar lacks adequate database capability, he was unable to use it for e-marketing and general communication with his clients. And it didn't give him the ability to process credit-card transactions. Without a receptionist or support staff, he found himself spending long hours managing his calendar and clients.

Smith soon learned that a change was necessary, which came in the form of online appointment-scheduling software. With this technology, he's been able to completely automate his scheduling procedures. His clients now book and manage their appointments and session information securely online. They also pay for their sessions through the point-of-sale feature available on the scheduler. Smith also receives e-mail notifications when clients schedule, change and cancel their sessions.

Thanks to online scheduling software, his focus is on his business and clients, not managing sessions.

Google Calendar can be a perfect tool for your own personal appointments. However, when it comes to managing appointments and reservations, as well as your clients, you just can't beat Web-based scheduling software. Appointments are its business....it's what it was designed to do.

Eric Richard is the public relations specialist for Appointment-Plus, an online scheduling system that has booked over 45 million appointments and reservations since its launch in 2001. Almost 4,000 businesses throughout the United States, Canada and 10 other countries rely on the software for such tasks as scheduling customer reservation and appointment times, booking rooms, facilities and equipment, accepting online payments, sending reminders, and e-marketing. Its developer is StormSource Software, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based technology firm specializing in the development of online appointment software for a wide variety of applications and industries.

Internet Security Free Download from Google

Finding a decent, reliable internet security free download for you home computer used to be quite a challenging task. None of the software was from brand names you would recognize and to find a decent solution would require significant time researching - reading computer forum posts and reviews on CNet downloads. Most home users did not have the knowledge or patience to invest the time in selecting a good product.

At the 2006 the situation changed when Google introduced "Google Pack." Google Pack is a collection of over 10 free software programs. Included within Google Pack was 2 internet security downloads - an antivirus and an anti spyware program. The only program really missing to make this a complete internet security free download is firewall software.

Nobody really knows why Google did not include firewall software however there are a number of possible of explanations. In the more advanced routers a solid firewall is often included within the hardware which means firewall software is not needed. Microsoft included firewall software within Windows XP SP2 for free. The Microsoft solution is not the best as it does not monitor outgoing traffic from your PC to the internet. I use and recommend the free ZoneAlarm firewall software for home users.

The internet security software included within Google Pack is of high quality and is provided by some of the leading security software vendors in the industry. The anti virus software is provided by Symantec who make the Norton AntiVirus range of products. The Norton AntiVirus products are considered one of the best on the market and frequently score highly in independent tests. The version included within Google Pack is called "Norton Security Scan." Despite its name the product both scans and removes virus issues and is based on the award-winning Norton AntiVirus products.

The anti spyware software is provided by a company called PC Tools. PC Tools makes the leading spyware removal software called Spyware Doctor. Spyware Doctor continuously receives recommendations from leading PC Publications and has won numerous awards. Within Google Pack you will find Spyware Doctor Starter Edition which is contains the same spyware scanning and removal capabilities of the full version.

Given the quality of the software in Google Pack I recommend it as a top internet security free download choice. To make your computer's security complete all you need to add is the free ZoneAlarm firewall download.

Richard Rogers is a PC enthusiast and runs a number of PC related sites. He recommends you download essential free software from Google.

Google Hijack Virus - How to Remove the Google Hijack Virus

Have you been infected with the Google hijack virus? You are probably aware of the symptoms. You type a specific term into the search engine. When you click on the link you are suddenly redirected to an advertisement site.

At first I thought it was a new tactic from Google to make some extra advertising revenue. But then I quickly learned that it is actually a virus planted on your computer from a malicious party to hijack your system.

Unfortunately it can get worse than simply redirecting your searches. Some strains of the Google hijack virus have been shown to have spyware. What spyware does is use sketchy practices to record sensitive information on your computer. This can include passwords, credit card, bank account, and other private data.

Typically the Google virus will get onto your system through a browser hijacker. Certain sites can secretly take over your browser and infect it without you even knowing about it. This is why it is best to have some kind of real time protection running when browsing the web.

Google Hijack Virus Removal

In order to remove the Google hijack virus, you need to get into the registry. Just a little warning first. Do not attempt to remove or alter registry entries unless you are a COMPUTER EXPERT. If you begin messing with the wrong files you can cause severe damage to your system.

Go into the registry editor by clicking "run" and typing "regedit". Look into the following folders and eliminate any suspicious looking files.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\

HKEY_USERS\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\

Unfortunately the files can take on random names so we cannot predict which they are. But for those of you who have an intimate knowledge of the registry they should stick out.

Remove Google Hijack Virus Automatically

For those who aren't computer experts, there is an easier way. Simply scan your computer with a specialized Google virus removal tool. Follow the instructions and you should be free of the virus in minutes. The software also offers real time protection to prevent future attacks.

Tired of viruses infecting your computer? Want to surf the web with the peace of mind that your computer is safe and secure? Get your free scan from the top virus protection and remove Google hijack virus.

Jim Marshall is an expert computer technician with fifteen years of experience in the industry. Since his own computer was destroyed by malicious software, he has been studying antispyware, adware, and malware systems for years. His website details the comprehensive results of this research, ranking the best antispyware and antivirus programs available.

http://www.spyware-fix.net

Wiki-Wiki - Jotspot and Google

After their recent acquisition of YouTube and all the controversial dust that that has stirred up, we could be forgiven in believing that now would be an opportune moment for Google to regroup? Apparently not. Never one to rest on its laurels, Google has made a pre-emptive strike into enemy territory. While the smoke of battle still drifts thickly through the techo-air, Google has launched a seemingly covert offensive action into Microsoft's own backyard.

Google has again flexed its giant muscles by acquiring Jotspot. The financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. This seemingly minor situation may be the flashpoint that will bring Google and Microsoft into a head-on war. Like some of Hollywood 's more bizarre movie script ideas such as "Wag the Dog", this may turn out to be a virtual case of the tail wagging the dog. Certainly the potential for this small company of Jotspot to dictate terms to the giant Google is very credible - given their unique power of their software products.

Jotspot, founded by Joe Krause and Graham Spencer introduced us to the term WIKI. The term 'wiki' is believed to have been originated by Ward Cunningham from a Honolulu International Airport sign that he had seen. The Hawaiian terms means 'swift' or 'quick' and then referred to the shuttle bus that was labeled "Wiki, Wiki". Like the shuttle, the wiki was simple and quick to use.

Many people are not yet aware of the impact this little Hawaiian word is about to have in their daily lives. Much like the term 'blog', wiki is poised to become the next major buzzword around the water cooler. A wiki is basically a web site that can be edited with simple tools and no experience of html coding. It could become the Pandora's box of the internet. The term that most people will know associated with this term is 'Wikipedia' - the largest available online encyclopedia.

The framework of a wiki is fairly democratic, allowing in most cases, anyone to edit materials online that formerly they would have required permissions before being able to edit. This creates a very even working ground in which creativity and chaos both hold equal sway.

Many companies now use wikis as a collaboration tool that is far more accessible than the traditional and rigid intranets. All departments of a company can achieve equal status in communications. In terms of productivity, early results have been very positive - particularly in the area of employee suggestions. Currently, most wikis are on retained inside intranets because of the accepted social controls. Any and all employees can interact. Now that Google has become a player in this arena we can expect the usage of wikis to become universal. Prior to the introduction of wikis, there was always a moderator that controlled postings - before they were available publicly. With wikis virtually all censorship has been removed.

So where is the battlefield, you ask?

Microsoft's flagship Office Suite has faced little competition in the arena of PC integrated office management software. Now Google has begun freely providing a directly comparable facility for creating online documents and spreadsheet applications. In recent years Microsoft's pockets simply became heavier and deeper. That may be about to change with the universal adaptation of wikis..

Richard Patton.. Author, screenwriter and webmaster. Specialist in pitching screenplays to Hollywood [http://www.pitchmyscripts.com].

Google Hijack Virus - Google Hijack Removal Made Easy

When you search Google and you find a promising search result you click on it and instead of landing on the result you are redirected to an unknown site. The first time I encountered this I thought it was an error from Google and I assumed that it will soon be taken care of. To my surprise the redirection occurs again and again and I found that many people are having the same problem. Soon after the culprit is found and people named it Google hijack virus. I researched on ways to remove Google hijack and tested them. Read on to learn how to remove Google hijack.

There are two ways to remove Google hijack. Manual removal and Program assisted removal. Let's start with manual removal. Before we start I have to warn you not to perform this kind of removal unless you are a computer expert. One small mistake you make here can cause you a lot more trouble.

Manual Removal can be done by removing Google hijack's vital files and therefore disabling it permanently. If you are lucky and your computer has not been too severely infected, manual removal will surely work. Go to the folders I mention and delete files that suspicious:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\

HKEY_USERS\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\

Now why didn't I mention any file name? It is simply because Google hijack virus can have any random file name. However computer experts will not have any trouble sniffing them out.

Once you have gotten rid of those suspicious files, restart your computer and test it out. Make sure that everything is functioning correctly. If you find any suspicious reactions or you keep being redirected then the infection has gotten severe. In this case we need to resort to the second option.

Now to start with the second part let me ask you a question. Are you using an antispyware? If yes check if your antispyware is an official and certified one. You should also update it and then run a thorough scan and see if Google hijack is detected. If your antispyware still fail to detect it. Get a good antispyware.

If you are not using an antispyware you should know that you definitely need one! Spyware threat can do more than what you think. If you want to know more about spyware threats you can search the internet and you will find thousands of cases involving them.

Need to remove Google hijack? Here is a list of certified antispywares that will help you get rid of Google hijack once and for all!

How Google Can Solve Your Microsoft Word File Problem

I recently received an email with a file attachment that I needed to open. However, when I tried to open the file, I received an error message that the file could not be opened. The file format was tagged as a docx file and after some checking I found out this was the new file extension format that has been used beginning with Microsoft Word 2007. Unfortunately, for those of us with earlier Word versions (I have Microsoft Word for Mac 2004), docx files are unable to be opened.

One option is to go ahead and purchase a new Microsoft Office Suite. However, I've vowed to never buy any more Microsoft products. This decision dates back to a IBM Thinkpad laptop that never survived a Windows XP service pack 2 upgrade several years ago. That's another story but I went exploring for some alternative options.

There are some file conversion programs available on the web. I played around with a couple of them. Some converted the file but then asked for a fee before allowing access to the file. But I then found a better work around--a workaround that was free and easy to implement.

Google Documents is able to read and convert docx files. So I had the docx file on my desktop which would not open but could upload the file to Google Documents. When I uploaded the file, it quickly became readable in Google Documents for review and editing. Google provide multiple file save options to allow me the flexibility I needed to continue to work with this file.

It's interesting that Google, a serious competitor to Microsoft is solving Microsoft user software problems. This solution reduces the need for Microsoft software upgrades and I think will push more people to use the free web-based software that Google provides. Thanks Google for putting this helpful feature in your web-based software. It helped me out and I look forward to help with future Microsoft problems.

Microsoft Logs On To Google Complaint, To Alter Vista

MICROSOFT agreed to make changes to its Windows Vista operating system in response to a complaint by Google that a feature of Vista is anticompetitive, lawyers involved in the case said.

The settlement, reached in recent days by state prosecutors, the justice Department and Microsoft, averted the prospect of litigation over a complaint by frustrate computer users who want to use software other than Microsoft's to search through films on their hard drives. Google had made its complaint confidentially as part of consent decree proceedings set up to monitor Microsoft for any anticompetitive conduct after it settled a landmark antitrust lawsuit five years ago that had been brought by the states and the Clinton administration.

The federal government and the states were planning to file a joint status report by midnight on Tuesday in the consent decree proceedings that outlined the changes Microsoft would be making to Vista. State and federal lawyers were exchanging drafts of the report Tuesday evening. They said they had reached agreement on a remedy, although there was still some disagreement over the report's language. The disagreement reflected tensions between the Justice department, which initially sided with Microsoft in the dispute, and some of the states, which have supported Google and advocated a more aggressive stance.

Google has sought to keep a low profile in the dispute, in part because the Federal Trade Commission has recently opened a preliminary antitrust investigation into Google's proposed $3.1billion acquisition of DoubleClick, an online advertising company.

Lawyers involved in the proceedings said the changes to Vista would allow customers to decide which desktop search program they want to use, and that selecting software from Google or some other company would no longer slow down the computer as it does now. They said that as part of the settlement Microsoft would let Vista users know how to change their desktop search program. But the settlement would not require Microsoft to make all the changes that Google has sought.

Google maintain that its desktop search problem was slowed by an equivalent feature that is built into Vista. When the Google and Microsoft search programs run simultaneously, their indexing programs slow the operating system considerably, Google contends. As a result, Google has said that Vista violated Microsoft's 2002 antitrust settlement which prohibits Microsoft from designing operating systems that limit the choices of consumers.

Visit my technology blog for more technology news, Top gadgets reviews and more. Visit http://technologyandinternet.blogspot.com

The Future of Google Android

Google Android is a complete software system which can be adopted to mobile devices like cell phones, PDAs etc. It is developed by a consortium of many leading players in the consumer electronic segment such as Google, HTC, Intel, LG, Motorola, Samsung and many others. Initially it was Google who started the process of developing it in an endeavor to provide open standard for mobile services. Other entrepreneurs joined Google to form the consortium named Open Handset Alliance (OHA).

The first Android mobile device platform built on the Linux kernel version 2.6 was soon introduced. This achievement of Open Handset Alliance earned the promoters accolades of others like Sony, Ericsson, Toshiba Corp, and Vodafone who also joined the consortium. By the end of 2008 Android was made available for the users as an open source. The platform is found adaptive to larger VGA, 2D and 3D graphic library and MP3 players based on an open general license.

The new operating system has many takers. Acer has already announced the production of Android handset. Similarly Samsung and Vodafone are also contemplating on the introduction of Android Handsets. Many others may follow suit if the market sources are to be believed. Hewlett-Packard Company is in the process of manufacturing small computers or net books adopting the software developed by Google led consortium. Many other leading manufacturers have expressed their options to make use of Android based devices taking advantage of the multiple platforms offered by the new technology.

The consumers can expect more products in the market based on the Google Android, as efforts are being undertaken to produce them with active support from the hardware makers all over the world. Linux net books and embedded systems are expected to reach markets soon. Other innovative products are Home phones and Tablet Computers both from T-mobiles. It is indicative of the fact that market competition will be stiffer between these products and those of Microsoft. Google, which is playing a dominant role in the internet search platform, has now to face the Microsoft, a monopoly player in the computer segment. But Microsoft is so far safe from potential competitors. However market watchers are cautious when pointing out that Android based Net books may make dents on the Microsoft's profits.

Many of the leading PC makers are planning to use the Google Android operating system. The emerging trends in the contemporary markets are indicating the upsurge of Google Android as a complete software stack for mobile devices. As in the case of other technologies, there are ample prospects for Google Android as it is redefining the concepts of handsets as well as other wireless devices in the consumer electronic segments. Some market watchers are optimistic to predict that Android will capture a significant market share in the near future despite Microsoft.

Find unlimited broadband, business broadband, wireless broadband services, compare UK broadband bundles and check out broadband special offers at Broadband comparison site.

Microsoft and Ethics - Get Some Google Search Share at Any Cost

With the majority of the rich world now having upgraded to IE7, did Google notice the way Microsoft have stolen search share? Did WE notice? In IE7 there is now an embedded web search facility in the toolbar at the 'top right' of the browser. Whilst Google can be selected as the search provider, did we think Microsoft would give up the search currency so easily? Not the same people that knocked Netscape into a cocked hat and into the sidelines of connected world control. But with world on constant alert of the software giant's malpractice, it can't be too high in profile. They chose a perfect way to unethically get people to stray from Google.

How they did it How? By not allowing the selection of a 'regional' Google as the search provider. Let's take the case of a searcher in Canada. When searchers use Google.com for their searches they get a set of results. If they travelled across the border to the US, using Google.com for the same search would yield a different set of results again (some similarities, but different). Now back in Canada the user searches using Google.ca and gets different results again - this time the best optimised set of results. He's in Canada and Google.ca is built for Canada and delivers the best results (Google.com gives results somewhere between the two because of the overwhelming recognition of .com as a first stop for many domains). The fact that for USA searchers it makes no difference at all gives Microsoft a leading time for regional users to become dissatisfied with the search leader Google before it's flagged up as a 'bug'. It's a perfect mechanism to accomplish their plan of shifting some of that persisting favour Google has amongst web users.

Why don't they just switch to local Google? You can try it. Selecting different search providers takes you to Microsoft's web site from where you get a choice of providers. If you need a regional Google, you have to jump through hoops which the vast majority will not do. But even if they do, the selection doesn't persist across browser sessions. Microsoft have to allow users to select a different search provider, who knows - someone may even want to use MSN. But the selection is only available from the broad companies - MSN, Yahoo, Google, Ask, etc. These other main search engines (Yahoo, MSN and Ask) have redirects in place that provide local results just as if they were using yahoo.co.uk, yahoo.ca, etc. Google is on their own in the way they provide regional results. Perfect then. Microsoft put up with Yahoo, but bitterly hate the Google that some of their best people are defecting to. The IE7 browser upgrade doesn't permit people to easily select Google.ca (or other region) as their search provider - and even successfully jumping through the hoops they provide doesn't allow the selection to persist. Users aren't going to bother - over time they'll notice the sub-optimal results but not work out why, they won't see this search turf issue. They'll go elsewhere - right into the arms of the next two - Yahoo and MSN.

The solution

Who know the best way for Google to beat this? But first they need to recognise it - we doubt they even know. Effecting a solution could start the first search world war. Consider the most blood curdling solution - Google developing their own browser. Could Microsoft 'netscape' it? Google have nearly as much money as Microsoft and so could fight them legally equally - but what would the famous Microsoft fighting with 'time' produce (as with Netscape)? Other solutions? Google could skew results locally when searching through this toolbar facility, so that effectively users would be seeing the same results as the google.co.uk or google.ca they should be using. Google could show nothing, no results at all for searches originating through this IE7 toolbar. Google could do what the other engines have done - show the same results for regional uses of .com as those searched for using google.co.uk (etc.), or redirect IP ranges to their regional engine.

Microsoft have skewed the results for searches outside the USA. It may seem minor, but companies in other countries don't show up when searched for through the Microsoft utility - a solution is needed - wake up Google - work on this one.

By Baron Turner, Search Strategist at TurnerDow Search Engine Optimisation - where optimising web sites for search engines is our passion. Web Optimisation for the new connected world - let us help you make a success of your web presence. Let us help you get heard above the noise.

Web Site Promotion - What Will Be the Effect of the Google Chrome Operating System?

Web Site Promotion - Google Chrome Operating System

What will be the effect of Google's new Chrome Operating system on web site promotion efforts ?  The simple answer to this question is that it probably will have little or no effect.  Google's search engine rules and methods will not change appreciably under a new operating system. What will be the impact of a new Chrome Operating System on the computing world ? It may significantly affect the type of computer you buy in the future.  It may also have a significant affect on Microsoft, and this is why.   

We have yet to see really low-cost netbooks hit the market, but it is quite possible that we will see sub $ 200.00 netboooks in the very near future. We already see cell phones with multi-function capability, namely Internet and e-mail capability, and this trend will likely continue.  We probably will also see hybrid types of devices that are not quite a computer, but more than a cell phone.  

 In order to keep the price of netbooks and hybrid devices as low as possible, it will necessary to eliminate the cost of software.  The only practical way to do this is to use Open Source software with this type of appliance computer.  It is quite impossible to bundle any of Microsoft's operating systems, or Office Productivity software in at such a low price.  Windows plus any other piece of software is already more than $ 200.00 retail, even in OEM versions.  

 Linux is an alternative, but it doesn't quite measure up to Windows in terms of usability and user-friendliness.  It has been around for quite a while, and although servers run Linux quite effectively, Linux has not really shown it's strength as a personal computer operating system in the way it has as a network operating system.  Google Chrome actually sits on top of a Linux kernel, but it is not Linux itself, but something new.

  If you think for a moment about how many computers are used mainly to access the Internet, read e-mail, and for some kind of simple office-related task; that accounts for a very large number of computers, easily fifty percent, or more, of the PC's in use right now.  Microsoft products dominate this market today, but 5 or 10 years from now, there may be a much different looking landscape in the world of personal computers. There are computers in libraries, schools, second and third family computers at home, Internet cafes, and guest computers in offices, that really have no compelling reason to run Windows or other Microsoft software.  (Sorry Microsoft, but that's the way I see it).

 It is these types of shared computers, that would benefit the most from a Google Chrome Operating System.  Especially if this kind of computer could be made to access the Internet faster, start nearly immediately on boot-up, and run on-line applications faster than the equivalent software running under Windows, wouldn't that be rather obvious choice to opt for the free, (and faster), alternative ?

 The keys to the success of this new operating system are threefold.  

 1) It must run an Internet browser and Internet applications faster than Windows.  

 2) It must be more stable than Windows.  This means it must have bullet-proof security.  This is a tall order for any operating system, but it should have built-in protection against viruses,  spyware, and other type of intrusions.  This could easily be the key differentiation between Windows and Chrome. since Windows has had, (and continues to have), so many security vulnerabilities.  It should be a top priority for Chrome.

 3) It should run the widest possible array of software programs.  Google has done a good job of providing internet applications up until now, but there needs to be a Chrome, (or online) application to match, or nearly match most of the software that currently runs on Windows.  Chrome will not go head-to-head with Windows across the software spectrum, but the wider the choice of Internet-based software available, the more success Chrome will enjoy.  It it not intended to be a network server operating system in the same way that Windows server is, but just the operating system of choice for computers connected to the Internet.

Google is probably the only company in the world today with the resources to be able to develop and maintain an operating system like Chrome.  On the other hand, since it is open source, Google may be content to manage from the sidelines and eventually let the Open Source community take it over.  Note:  At least that way Google may not be tempted to have sponsored links pop up on your screen as you work.  (lol - Sorry Google)

It is true that Google as a company cares little how you access the Internet.  In other words, they are computer hardware and operating system neutral.  Of course, I'm sure Google's management and software engineers will be smiling ear to ear if they are able to compete head to head with Microsoft, (Google's main search rival), on Microsoft's home turf of the PC operating system. Nothing would be sweeter for Google than to have Google Chrome enjoy a resounding success in the marketplace.  Google has everything to gain, the more computers there are on the Internet, and nothing to lose.

 We will have to wait until the second half of 2010 to see Google Chrome, according the Official Google Blog.  It is possible that the most significant beneficiaries of Google Chrome will be thirld world computer users. The dream of a $ 100.00 computer is not yet a reality, and remember that 75 % of the world's population does not yet have e-mail. 

The availability of free computer operating systems and software is essential to begin to close the gap between have's and have not's in this world.  This author, for one, hopes that Google Chrome becomes the operating system of choice for many of the world's PC's, and helps to hasten the day when the vast majority of the word's people have access to computers and the Internet.

 Good Luck in all your web site promotion efforts.

by John Lombaerde, a CNC programmer with over 15 years experience designing, programming and cutting complex parts on multi-axis computer numerically controlled, (CNC) milling machines. He is an experienced Product Designer, CNC Programmer, CNC Machinist, and CAD CAM Consultant. He also is an SEO Consultant specialized in Search Engine Placement for Web Site Promotion.

For information on web site promotion, see: The Web Site Promotion Blog

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Go Google Virus - How to Perform a Go Google Removal

Computer infected with the Go Google Virus? You are not alone. This virus has been taking the internet by storm over the past few months. Go Google is unlike typical viruses that have been spreading lately. The typical viruses use fake antivirus software to fool you into purchasing their software.

The Go Google Virus is a little different. What this virus does it redirect your searches to advertisement websites. It is known as "Go Google" because that is the name of the website that is the source of the redirection. Unfortunately this virus has been shown to effect both FireFox and Internet Explorer so you cannot get around it by changing viruses.

The Google virus has also been shown to prevent you from booting into "safe mode" as well. In safe mode you can use your system free of hijackers and infections in case they are blocking your typical antivirus software.

Other strains of the Go Google redirect actually have spyware attached to them. Spyware uses malicious software to record data on your system like credit card, passwords, and social security numbers. If you have this particular infection, the longer the virus sits on your computer the greater the chance you can become the victim of identity fraud.

This is why is it paramount to remove Go Google Virus as soon as possible. Unfortunately getting rid of this pesky threat can be quite difficult. For computer experts only, you can try to remove in manually by deleting the malicious registry entries. These would be located in the following directories:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\

HKEY_USERS\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\

Automatic Go Google Removal

For the non computer experts you can install software that is specifically geared towards removing Go Google. Simply scan your computer for free and then follow the removal instructions. You can be virus free in minutes.

Tired of viruses infecting your computer? Want to surf the web with the peace of mind that your computer is safe and secure? Get your free scan from the top virus protection and remove Go Google virus.

Jim Marshall is an expert computer technician with fifteen years of experience in the industry. Since his own computer was destroyed by malicious software, he has been studying antispyware, adware, and malware systems for years. His website details the comprehensive results of this research, ranking the best antispyware and antivirus programs available.

http://www.spyware-fix.net

In Search of the Future: Google Vs. Microsoft

Since last year, the Google Phenomenon has been creeping steadily into all factions of society, from the broadsheet financial papers right down to the teenage magazine weeklies, making Larry Page and Sergey Brin household celebrities worth billions of dollars and determined to change the way everyone works, plays and interacts over the next decade. When even notoriously "anti-American corporate" French periodicals start declaring the rise of U.S. companies, you know something's going on: only last week, Le Point featured both founders on the front cover and declared boldly inside: "L'ambition de Google parait n'avoir aucune limite" (the ambition of Google seems to recognise no boundaries).

Suddenly everyone everywhere is talking about Google teaming up with Sun Microsystems, who has come obligingly out of left wing, to possibly create the most advanced new desktop software around, making a challenge to the Windows standard. And Google is laying the groundwork with numerous Beta test applications, taking on everything from academia (Google Scholar) to e-mail (Google Mail) down to internet chat and VOIP communications (Google Talk).

But how credible are these threats? Certainly the savvy invitation-only launch of applications such as GMail and Google Talk has elicited some favourable press, and the functionality and usability of its Beta launches has been extremely well received by both the public and by technical critics, but could this innovative relative newcomer really take on Microsoft? Many seem to think so.

While there is a lot to be said for the weighing up of the technological merits of both companies' capabilities, how about looking at it from a purely financial perspective? After all, as history has continually proven, a specification war is not only won on the technilogical superiority of a comapny's product but on its muscle in the fight. What most people seem to have forgotten in the midst of the Google hyperbole are the fundamentals behind the two companies. Google has a reputation for being very secretive, something that has been, again, well received, while Microsoft's very public announcements appear to be going in one ear and out the other of most analysts. But is Google really that secretive? The company is touted almost weekly in one broadcast or another as "changing the world" or "knowing no limits" or "never ceasing to adapt", and one has to posit, with this much excitement in circulation, does Google really have nothing at all to do with all this?

It would be naïve to think not. Furthermore, a closer analysis of the company's share price since the IPO last year seems to give way to more suspicions about the apparent 'secrecy' Google encloses around its HQ in Mountain View, California. The company is now trading at nearly four hundred dollars a share, or, in real value, at a P/E of 85! The last time this kind of valuation was seen anywhere near the NASDAQ was back in the heydays of the tech bubble. To believe that this kind of price performance in the current market climate is achievable without a heavily active PR department is somewhat risible.

The more "extrovert" Microsoft, by comparison, trades at only a fraction of this price, at a P/E ratio of just over 20. In addition to this, while Google is worth just over $100 billion dollars, Microsoft is worth $250 billion. This comparison alone makes Microsoft extremely good value and Google way overpriced by any measure, espcially with Microsoft's earnings up on the year to date.

It is easy to take cheap shots at Microsoft because of its gargantuan monopoly, and undoubtedly, it makes for great news when a young upstart takes top lead over a franchise of Microsoft's size. But for all its evils, Microsoft has consistently delivered us into the world we now know and use: from the desktop to the application I use to write this article on, to the software that enables me to broadcast it out to a planet of six billion people, Microsoft has provided by far the bulk of the platform.

What is interesting however, despite the potential Microsoft-Google wars, is that all this publicity signals a demand from the world at large for some kind of change of the current software standardization. A lot of Microsoft's success depends on whether its next foray into the market, Windows Vista, can provide a sufficient enough change to satisfy the demands of customers tired of filing by a limit of subject and surfing by a limit of criteria.

Because, contrary to public opinion, it looks like Google might have over-sold itself too early. A P/E ratio at its current level cannot be sustained for an indefinite period of time. The only way that Google can possibly sustain this kind of price to earnings valuation is to actually deliver a viable desktop software before Microsoft comes out with its challenge next year. If it doesn't, and the price of its shares starts to fall (as it surely will), Google is going to find itself having to split its current stock in order to attract more investors to its equity, a strategy that could lead it to decline further. Capital withdrawal from shareholders at the moment of a head-on confrontation with a monolith such as Microsoft can be disastrous to the outcome, particularly when Microsoft is sitting pretty right now at a relatively low industry valuation.

Microsoft has been a public company for long enough to know the tricks of the trade that rookie Google still has yet to acquire: Page and Brin should be careful where they tread.

http://danielmarkharrison.blogs.com

Google Vs Microsoft - The Ultimate Cage Match

Google and Microsoft were some of the friendliest companies ever existant. Microsoft loved Google, Google loved Microsoft. It should have stayed like that forever. But it isn't going to. Pretty soon, it is going to become extremely ugly between Microsoft and Google. It is going to be the ultimate cage match.

Why wouldn't it? Google is competing with the software giant Microsoft with it's new Chrome OS And due to many factors, Microsoft has to fear Google's new OS. It is supposed to be the most revolutionary OS the world has ever seen, but for free.

Over the years, Microsoft has built up a name for itself in the business world. It has a fairly affordable OS, and Windows can run on virtually every computer created. Yet, individuals hate Windows due to the lack of stability and the lack of features. From Windows 95 to Windows XP, not many people have loved Windows.

Microsoft's Windows Vista had a chance of breaking the line as the best version of Windows, but just like before, Microsoft let the general population down. But what could the general population couldn't do crud about it. All us poor people had no choice between an expensive mac or a cheap pc.

Apple's Mac OS X is also popular, but no where near as affordable. After Microsoft let people down again, they could have built an affordable macbook, but it didn't take the opportunity to kick Microsoft out of it's niche. It had a perfect opportunity to lower the price on it's popular macbook to something people could afford, but it still didn't. So now it has pretty much lost it's big chance.

After all this, people have a new option. Turn to the other other guy. But, for a long time, there hasn't been the other guy. So, what has happened? A new guy claimed the call. But not just any new guy. The PPC giant Google claimed it.

For years, people have flocked to Google, giving it a ranking of number one on Alexa.com. From searching, to Google Earth, to Blogger, to PPC ads, Google has had almost every single internet user on it's site at least once.

Contrary to Microsoft, Google is actually someone people like and trust. Google has given the people what they need. Their products are actually good products, not just made for profits like Microsoft's inventory. So unlike Microsoft, Google has a good reputation.

And because of that, when Google announced that they were releasing an OS for netbooks, everyone listened and eagerly waited for the big day, the day that they could actually get boot time in seconds, not minutes, the day everyone could use their computer's full functionality without wasting resources.

But will Google deliver to it's great number of followers? We will have to wait to find out.

For more good articles, go to http://www.gourabwritersofficialblog.blogspot.com

Is Google Becoming a Real Threat to Microsoft's Business Model?

Both Google and Microsoft are probably one of the largest and richest companies in the world. Both have made their money with the computer industry, but in totally different sectors. Microsoft was in the industry a lot earlier and now dominates the computer market supplying vast amounts of PC's with operating systems and software packages. Google on the other hand have dominated the internet industry and most importantly the search sector, which has earned them billions of dollars. But Google are now dabbling in Microsoft's dominated sector, let's have a look at the markets that Google are now getting into and see if it will affect Microsoft.

Browsers

As we are all well aware Microsoft has been the dominant force in the browser sector, simply because of the sheer volume of their operating system that has been distributed. Google have now jumped on the bandwagon and launched Google Chrome, which is said to be a lot faster than the Microsoft browser. Google are also rumoured to have signed a deal with Sony to get the Chrome browser installed on all of their systems.

Operating System

No one has been able to come close to Microsoft's operating system Windows. But Google are developing a new operating system that is going to concentrate on making things a lot easier. The operating system will be non reliant on desktop applications, as Google look to make everything web based.

Software

Microsoft's office package is huge and used by companies and individuals throughout the world, but once again Google are approaching this from a web based view and are looking to get people to store their files on Google's secure servers.

All this being said though, this is not just a one sided race. Microsoft are also looking to promote their search engine and internet presence by rebranding their search engine and purchasing sites such as Yahoo and Facebook to build a user base. It is going to be a great battle to watch as each company looks to enter the others sector. We could potentially see in the next few years Google tapping in to the games console market, as we already know that Microsoft are fast becoming the dominant force with their X Box brand.

Or maybe both of these companies are just concentrating on outwitting each other so much, that they could leave themselves vulnerable to a startup company doing something innovative and potentially pushing the two power horses out of the market completely.

If you want to buy Used Cars, Buy a Ford and Buy a Toyota

Microsoft and Google Show It's Time for RSS Marketing

Many internet marketers are still wondering whether to start marketing with RSS or not. It seems that not even all the case studies, hard metrics and benefits available can't convince them, or everyone would be jumping on the RSS wagon by now.

Just as an overview, here are some of the benefits marketers are missing out on by not marketing with RSS:

A] 100% delivery of their marketing, relationship building and educational messages to their subscribers, customers, prospects and partners. E-mail isn't getting delivered, but with RSS you will achieve 100% delivery.

B] Increased search engine rankings and quick content indexing, and increased traffic from other RSS-enabled online sources.

C] Getting your internet content published on other websites.

D] Generating new subscribers more easily and quickly.

E] And much much more ...

Even if you don't believe that RSS is being used by enough people right now, that's still no excuse to not start using it as a vehicle to generate more traffic to your sites.

But, soon all of this will change, too.

As it was widely predicted, Microsoft is integrating RSS support in the next version of its Internet Explorer, and perhaps even more important, it's making it an integral part of its long-awaited Longhorn operating system.

What does this mean for marketers?

A] By being integrated in IE and other Microsoft software, RSS will achieve mass penetration. For marketers this means that RSS will finally become one of the standard tools of mass communication and content delivery. Furthermore, internet users will start to expect RSS from marketers, probably even more so than e-mail newsletters.

B] Marketers will no longer (eventually, of course, when most of the world starts using the latest software versions) need to explain how to get an RSS reader, but will be able to focus only on presenting their business and benefits to the end-user.

C] Broader RSS integration in Microsoft's tools will enable for additional RSS uses, far beyond basic content delivery in the form of stories, podcasts and products. Marketers and developers will be able to deploy rich interaction applications to make communication and business/personal interaction more fluent, easier and more effective. In essence, for many advanced marketers the capability of marketing with RSS will mean their either "in" or "out" of the game.

D] This is now official. Marketers need to start taking the lead and implementing RSS feeds accross all their communicational innitiatives, from PR to direct marketing and sales.

And to top all of this, Google just recently started serving Google AdSense ads in RSS feeds as well.

The deeper meaning behind this is four-fold:

A] The new "program" is the perfect opportunity for RSS publishers to monetize their RSS feeds. With inclussion in Google's standard "runnings" of AdSense ads, publishers can expect to monetize on RSS immediately.

B] This is yet another reason for publishers to start publishing their content via RSS, especially since it won't cost them anything or very little, but will provide them with an additional source of revenues. With the low-cost aspect of RSS, we can expect a flood of new publishers to set-up RSS feeds of their content to generate additional AdSense clicks.

C] With RSS ads included in feeds, more advertisers will become aware of RSS and its marketing potential.

D] Using RSS advertising publishers are now not only creating an additional revenues source, but are in fact making sure they don't lose ad revenue opportunities.

We used to refer to RSS as the future. Well, that future is now. If you're not ready to start marketing with RSS, time just might run you over. As well as your competitors...

Copyright 2005 Rok Hrastnik

Rok Hrastnik is the author of ?Unleash the Marketing & Publishing Power of RSS?, acclaimed as the best and most comprehensive guide to RSS for marketers by leading RSS experts. The complete guide on RSS for marketers: http://rss.marketingstudies.net/index.html?src=sa10

Take a Look Into GooOS, Google Operation System

Let's move on to the last part of this series of articles and take a look at what google has to offer in this battle for the dominion of our computers...

A lot has been written about google trying to develop a new operating system (known off the record as GooOS), which would be hosted by a super computer in which anybody could have an account, access it through the Internet and carry out all kinds of daily tasks...does this represent the end of the normal distribution of operating systems as we know it? Does this mean that we will no longer need to go to a store to buy our new version of MS Windows?

During the past years, Google has focused its efforts on developing a totally innovative software distribution platform. It has been working on being ready to offer the world all the packages of necessary utilities...for free. It all started with Gmail, one of the first e-mail hosts to offer more than 1GB of storage capacity. As the storage capacity of my email started increasing, I stopped worrying about the extent of its growth or if I was ever going to top it off.

Not happy with that, Google now offers us a whole lot more: Google Desktop, a powerful tool to index the contents of our hard drive (yes, it works a lot better than the funny looking dog that hosts file searches on Windows XP); there is also Google Maps which allows us to travel to and look up practically any location around the World; and if we want to go further, we can edit and build things in this virtual World with Google SketchUp.

Let's continue with our list of applications...Google Calendar is an application designed to keep a complete online record of one's life. Though it is still on its Beta version, it offers reminders with images, scheduling of events, and it even allows you to send automatic reminders via SMS. There is instant messaging with Google Talk, it is possible to create web sites with Pages Creator...and the list goes on and on...with Writely (bought by Google for a couple dollars), you have the first online suite of office programs that does not use up space on your hard drive and even allows you to save your work as pdf files and share them so they can be complemented by anyone. If this weren't enough, now you can even purchase online through Google Checkout, as an alternative to PayPal.

Google is basically growing together with the Internet, and it is practically at the point of being able to offer users all the applications that they might need in their computers...for free. The missing part in this puzzle to simply and definitely forget about Microsoft is an operating platform. A tool that could be used for this purpose might be the Secure Global Desktop Software by Sun, which allows users to generate a remote desktop via internet and to run "cross platform" applications. All of this at a very low hardware cost, something that goes hand in hand with Google's hardware policy which privileges a lower cost per CPU cycle over more specialized hardware that is therefore, more expensive.

So what does Google get from all these free offerings? First of all, due to the lower associated costs, it drives users from Microsoft to its new system, and then there is advertising revenues generated from "customized" advertising, and of course the fees charged for "Premium" Products.

We are definitely facing a very complex scenario. As long as Microsoft continues to delay the launch of Windows Vista, we will keep on seeing Google come up with new products and services. Google is only lacking an operating system in order to provide us with complete package and by doing so, placing itself in a privileged position on the run for dominion of the personal computer market.

Finally, what can we expect from all of this? Certainly, the outcome of this battle is still a couple years down the road...maybe Windows Vista is the last one of Microsoft's operating systems...or maybe not...what is truly important is that for the time being, as time goes by, new alternatives are rising and it is important that they consolidate in order to become a real contribution to technology. If Google were to finally to bring down Microsoft's empire with a new operating system, it would only be a matter of time...however, it would be important not to go from one monopoly to another one, but to have various alternatives to choose from that are efficient and result in a true and creative contribution to the development of even better technologies.

Marcelo R. is a Data Recovery engineer at Kepler Data Recovery. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of KDR.

To read more articles from this author or other Data Recovery Engineers please log onto the ([http://blog.keplerlabs.com]).