Business, Marketing, and New Technology
Business Tools
Working With HP Photosmart C4200 Ink Cartridge Issues
Jan 24th
I have the HP Photosmart 7350 and it has worked flawlessly ever since I got it. However, some of my friends, who have the HP Photosmart C4200 and C4300 series printers have been getting error messages like “incompatible cartridges” or ‘missing cartridges”. So I was very happy to find this YouTube video which shows a work-around for the problem.
If, for some reason you cannot see the video, these steps might help your printer to print again.
1- Press both the “Power” button, and the “Cancel” buttons at the same time.
2- Watch the screen; it should tell you to enter a particular combo key. Then press first the blue button, then press the green one, then the grey button.
3- Then press the grey button until you see the “information Menu”.
4- Press the green button to Accept.
5- Press the grey “down” button again until you see “Checksum for relock data input”.
6- Then press the green button for ok.
7- You should now be seeing a number on the screen. Just back out of everything by pressing the cancel button 3 times.
Hope this helps! Here’s a video for extra explanation.
Gadgets on your Windows 7 Desktop
Jan 19th
The Windows 7 operating system has many things going for it, but one of my favorites is the ability to display “gadgets” right there on the desktop. These gadgets are little windows (although they don’t look like windows) that have various functions. You can have one that will tell you the local weather, or get sports scores, or view photos, without having to open up a new browser or program. Some gadgets need internet access to work, but others do not. You can have one that is a timer, counting up, or down, and I have one that looks like a post-it note, where I can type quick notes to myself without having to open word or text.
You can start installing the gadgets by right clicking on your desktop, and then choosing, of course “Gadgets”. There are a dozen or so gadgets for you to choose from right there. Just click on one and choose Add. If you don’t see what you want, never fear. You can go to
http://windows.microsoft (dot) com/en-US/windows/downloads/personalize/gadgets
where you can find hundreds more to choose from.
When you want to remove a gadget, you can hover over it with your mouse and click X, or right-click your desktop to open up the gadget collection, and then right-click on the gadget that you want to uninstall.
Easiest Way to Make Videos Ever
Dec 9th
Online video is still one of the best ways to create a relationship with your customers and prospects. However, many people don’t even attempt it, because it seems so daunting. Creating video and getting it online is not the complicated and demanding task that it used to be. The equipment needed has become much simpler to use, and easier to get.
For instance, many phones today have video recording capability, and the videos can be directly uploaded to YouTube. Flip cameras can plug directly into the USB port of your computer, and videos can be uploaded directly from there. But the simplest innovation of all is one that many people are unaware of- YouTube itself. YouTube has a feature that lets users record directly from the webcam on their computer. There is a “record” option that can be found right beside the “upload” button online. You just hit “record”, do your thing, then hit “upload”, and voila! You’re online!
Happy videoing!
How Fast is YOUR Broadband provider?
Dec 1st
I’ve often wondered if my broadband internet service provider was the best choice for me, but really, I was at a loss to know what my options were. So, I was delighted to discover today, a service that helps you to know what is available in your area, and will help you to decide which one fits your needs the best.
Speed Anywhere, is a company that is associated with 30+ broadband providers. You just fill out a short form, and they will recommend one that suits your needs. They’ll also discuss your options with you so you can make an informed decision. They have information on business broadband, including T1’s, Ethernet, T3’s, Business DSL, and more. They also cover home offices and residential high speed.
I had no idea that I really had so many options, since before, I was relying on friends and neigbors ( and advertising) to tell me what was available. Now I feel much better, having made an informed choice.
Hootsuite Changes It’s Business Model to Freemium
Aug 12th
Hootsuite, loved by it’s twitterers, has decided that its users might want more options, and will be willing to pay for them. Starting today, all new users will have to choose a plan when they sign up. There is still the free choice, but free will lose a few options. In order to get some of the basics, users will have to ante up for at least the lowest $5.00/mo. Pro Plan. Pro Plans range on up to $100/mo. for power users and small businesses who use social media a lot, and need control as well as analytics.
For the extremely hardy, there is another whole level of service called the Enterprise Package. This will set you back $1500 a month, and if you want the vanity URL shortener, it’ll be $2000 a month. Well, of course it comes with more, like geo-segmented monitoring for social networks, and an analytical package that slices, dices, and cooks dinner for you. It has Zendesk integration, and training called Hootsuite University, and of course, much, much more.
Thank goodness Hootsuite will continue with its free service option. Company officials estimate that about 95% of the users will still choose the free option.