My Favorite Smart Phone App, or one of them….

I love my Droid X, it’s a great tool and has come in more handy then I ever thought it would.  And yes it’s not perfect either and it’s expensive to own.  Effectively I spend an extra $30 per month for all the services, apps, movies and web I use.  Not bad but still a lot of money.  You would think being in the business I would have had one of these a long time ago. Not so. I am a slow adaptor.  It has to pay for itself or add significant value I can’t get from anywhere else. 

ShopSavvy is my solution to this problem.  And here is why I rate it my number one.  Its not the one I use the most or the one I like the most, but it solves the ever present problem of all smart phones, that $30 per month data cost.

The app is simple, It’s a price comparison tool.  When you’re at the store, launch the app on your Android or IPhone and scan the manufactures barcode and it will return the prices both online and locally.  If your store matches you win, if not just drive to the closest store and save.  Simple really.

Where do I use it?  Best Buy, Home Depot, Publix, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Academy Sports, Office Depot and of course the mall (which I don’t go to very often) The great thing is that most stores will honor local price matches, because they want your business.

I have had great luck at Home Depot lately.  I needed a battery for my dogs electric fence collar, Home Depot was $9.97, and Ace Hardware was $5.47.  Score for me.  I saved the difference and Home Depot also gave me 10% of that difference as a bonus.  And the closest Ace is 20 miles away. 

If you’re thinking of adding a smart phone to your house but are on the fence about the cost make sure you install this app and use it.   Don’t buy more, just what you normal buy and that $30 will go away every month Problem Solved.  Then all the other things we use the phone for are just gravy.

 

Tell me your favorite app and why…

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Dell 3115cn Scanner Set Up - Solved

One of my clients had a problem installing his network scanner on his new Dell 3115cn Multi Function printer/scan/fax. Sounded simple enough. Just run the install disk and the scanner will simply set up. Not so fast. After installing the printer, the scanner simply would not work. I tried, and tried, but ended up making the dreaded call to Dell Service. After a long discussion I found out that this machine can not scan over a network out of the box. The supplied software as well as the downloadable software does not work. And forget about scanning from your desktop it isn't going to happen. now that I know how to set one up I thought I'd share the process with you.

Network Scanner set up for a Dell 3115cn printer/scanner/fax

Things you will need:

• The IP address of the client you will scan to
  • Click start, then Run ( or in Win7 simply enter CMD) then CMD
  • Once you have the command window, type "ipconfig" Write down the IP address, it should look like 192.168.xxx.xxx
• You will need the “Login Name” of the user
  • When you typed in “CMD” it will open a black screen and return a line that looks like this;
  • c:\documents and settings\xxxxxx (where xxxxxx is your “Login Name”)
• Create a folder called “dellscan” in the root of drive C.
  • It should look like c:\dellscan 
    • Not sure how to do this then Google “how to create folders in Windows”
• The '”dellscan” folder must be shared with read write access
  • Not sure how to do this then Google “how to share a folder in Windows”
• IP address of the Dell 3115cn Network printer/scanner/fax
  • This can be obtained by printing a configuration report from the printer.  See your manual for details.

Now that we have all the things we need we can log on to the printer and make the needed changes.

Open your internet browser and type the printer IP address into the address bar.

A log in screen will appear.  Type admin for the username, leave the password blank.

You have now logged on to the printer.

On the left-hand column Click on “Address Book”

On the top tabs click on “Server Address”

Select “add”

ID - (Prefilled in)

Name - (Enter your name, The one you want to appear on the scanner)

Server Type: SMB

Server Address: Enter the IP address of the client computer not the printer

Server Port Number: 139

Login Name: the login name of the client computer (see above)

Login Password: skip this

Share Name: dellscan

Server Path: Skip this

 

Click apply setting and your done. 

Now head over to the scanner and you should see your name on the list when you “scan to computer”  When the document is scanned it will go to the C:\dellscan folder.  Remember to make a shortcut on your desktop to make this easier to find your scans.

I hope this helps you save some time and money setting this unit up.  Overall it’s a nice printer/scanner/fax, but what were they thinking when they wrote the drivers. 

 

Thanks again

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Windows 7 Back up and Recovery Solved!!!

I’ll be honest I like Windows 7.  It is indeed a good replacement to XP, and much better then Vista.  But with all that goodness comes some bad.  As operating systems get more and more complicated and “security rich” they become more fragile.  Many time this year I have seen Windows 7 crash due to a virus and be un-recoverable. 

You can help to avoid this problem.  First make sure you have a good antivirus tool in place.  I like Microsoft Security Essentials. Use Google Chrome for your browser which will help reduce your exposure.  Then be carful how you surf.  Don’t click on all the get rich, and you have won offers you see.  Just be carful.  Also remember toolbars are evil and frankly serve no good so don’t install them.

 

But and this is a big one.  Make a Repair and Image disk for your computer.  This is what I like about Windows 7.  Simply click that start button and type “Backup” in the entry field.   Once you do this you’ll be taken to a window that gives you the option to create a recovery disk as well as a set of system image disks.  Grab some writable DVDs and follow the instructions.  Place them in a safe place and your ready to recover in the event of a catastrophe. 

Sadly most of my clients don’t do this and they end up suffering the consequences.  Please take a few moments and make those disks.  You’ll be glad you did.

 

Thanks again.  

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QR codes in Mainstream Media in Nashville, TN

 

The Tennessean ran an article called “Bar code fever: Smart phones turn squares into sales tools” in the February 20,2011, Sunday paper.  Writer Anita Wadhwani discussed the concept, how it worked and showed a few local examples.  The spot got a lot of buzz here in Nashville.  This is a good thing for those attempting to use the codes in daily business.  Click on the image to take you to the article itself. 

So for those of us who may want to use these codes, here’s the behind the scenes.  First, the photo of a tag being scanned at Best Buy is an example of QR codes in use.  Once scanned they take you to the company website and you can see the product there as well as the online price.  In a lot of cases it’s cheaper and they will match that price.  Ok, I guess that’s cool, but I already had the product info in front of me; and why would the price be different?  Best Buy, you need to add value to the scan, or why would I take the time to scan it?  Take me to a comparison review, or maybe a video of the product… tell me more.  As far as the price is concerned, Best Buy tells me that the online business is different then the store business.  I tested this and found some prices to be less at their online store then in-store.  But instead of scanning the QR code and stopping at Best Buy, I’ll use Shop Savvy and scan the product bar code and see the price across multiple stores.  Now we are talking value. Another problem I had at Best Buy was not all QR codes worked.  Some were dead links.  But all of the bar codes do scan.  Remember folks, people will only do this for awhile before they give up on it.  And Best Buy, if the only value you bring to your QR codes is for us to find pricing differences between in-store and online, then you have bigger problems at the corporate level.

Rating – B

Pro

• QR Codes on every product
• Price comparison between Best Buy in-store and online

Con

• Scanned codes take me to same information, no value there
• Shop Savvy is a better tool for price comparison

 

My next example is another big mistake companies make when using QR codes.  It’s the old bait and switch.  Take a look at the photo below.  It came from an ad placed in the Franklin Review Appeal. Guess where the code is going to take you?  I thought it was going to take me to the articles mentioned next to it.  And yes, one of those articles is the article mentioned above about QR codes.  So I curiously scanned the code.  Hoping for a great mobile enabled link to that article.  What I got was something very different.  It took me to an advertisement for a marketing service offered by Yahoo.  It took me awhile to get it.  This ad was designed to entice businesses to advertise.  Very confusing for the end user.  Funny really, talk about it on Sunday, fail at it on Wednesday. 

How to make this more successful?  First, put two codes in the ad; one to take readers to the article and to show potential advertisers what an ad would look like on a mobile platform, the other to take businesses to a mobile site to learn more about advertising in this new medium.  Make sure the code is large enough; this one was a bit small and quite dense.  Also, clearly tell people where this code will take them.  It’s really not that difficult to think these thing through before you print them.  But it’s very difficult to change perception once people feel like they are being misguided.

One more thing, make sure to include your social links in every mobile landing page.  Don’t trap people on a page.  Let them see the rest of your offering.

Rating – D

Pro

•   Use of a QR code

 

Con

• Misleading code
• Code size too small
• Density too high
• No social links offered when scanned
• Poor use of the code

 

I didn’t want to comment on the photo of the real estate agent holding a blank sign with a code on it.  I’ll let you comment on that.  Tell me what you think and how you would approach this.

 

About the Author:

Jeff San George, owner of Pineapple PC, believes it’s more about you than the technology. An expert at QR codes, San George helps clients use this measurable and cost effective tool to extend marketing shelf life, as well as shorten the path from required action to results. Although not new worldwide, QR codes are quickly becoming a very valuable tool, especially for traditional print based marketers. San George believes QR codes offer unlimited potential for your clients, now and in the future. 

Based in Franklin, TN, Pineapple PC is a technology, web, and social media solutions company that always considers the customer first. Pineapple PC listens to the needs of the client and helps that client select the right tools for the job. Using our vast knowledge, considerable experience, and constant research, Jeff San George offers clients well formed strategic solutions that are ready for today’s market.

Jeff San George
Pineapple PC
(615) 942-0843
www.pineapple-pc.com

Knowing it's more about You

QR Code Business Cards for Pineapple PC in Franklin, TN

How often do you change your business cards;  yearly, monthly, never?  I always suggest annually at a minimum.  That way you can change things up a bit and give a reason to hand them out again.  Always use the back of your card.  100% more space sits on that back side.  It’s a great place to tell people you’re on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.  Remember when you give them to someone flip them over as you make the delivery and show them.  Don’t assume that people will see the back.

So I needed new cards.  I was out of my old ones and it was time for a change.  This year I integrated QR Codes into mine.  The front is your standard design, all that usual suspects, glossy finish nice stock, nothing out of the ordinary.

The back, however, is where the fun begins.  This is where I enter the new world of the QR Code.  Now anyone with a smart phone can scan my contact QR code and my contact info will be entered on their phone.  No more hoping someone will take the time to enter your info in their contacts.  The other code is my social media code and link to my mobile site.  Scan it and you’ll land on a simple mobile site providing all the information necessary to understand my offering place a call and order service.  It also has links to my social network so you can join in the conversation.  Here is one other great thing; the code on this card is measurable.  Every time it’s scanned I know about it.  I know when it was scanned, where, and with that device.  Can you say that about your business cards?

I like Shop Savvy, I-nigma, or Barcode Scanner as apps for scanning QR codes. 

Special thanks goes out to Bryan Myers at ABS Envelope & Business Systems.  They do a great job printing and work hard to make their clients very happy.

Click on the images, try them out and tell me what you think.  Next for me is a name tag.  

 

About the Author:

Jeff San George, owner of Pineapple PC, believes it’s more about you than the technology. An expert at QR codes, San George helps clients use this measurable and cost effective tool to extend marketing shelf life as well as shorten the path from required action to results. Although not new worldwide, QR codes are quickly becoming a very valuable tool especially for traditional print based marketers. San George believes QR codes offer unlimited potential for your clients, now and in the future. 

Based in Franklin, TN, Pineapple PC is a technology, web, and social media solutions company that always considers the customer first. Pineapple PC listens to the needs of the client and helps that client select the right tools for the job. Using our vast knowledge, considerable experience, and constant research, Jeff San George offers clients well formed strategic solutions that are ready for today’s market.

Jeff San George
Pineapple PC
(615) 942-0843
www.pineapple-pc.com

Knowing it's more about You

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Examples of QR Codes in Use – The Good the Bad and the … Ok

 

As my mentor always told me, Execute, Execute, Execute or be executed.  In this article I’ll be talking about execution, or lack of it.  I’ve got three examples of large companies using QR codes in full page adds.  Some with better overall results then others and none perfect.  As with any new technology if it’s not applied correctly people think it doesn't work.  The point of this post is to discuss some of the simple mistakes made by companies using QR codes and how to fix them.  Let’s take a look.

 The Good

Let’s start with some good news first.  Our first example is from Falken Tires.  This full page add showed up in Dirt Rider magazine.  Dirt Rider is a magazine geared for off road motorcycle enthusiasts. The add was spot on with the market it was going after. 

Notice the QR code at the bottom (click the image for a larger look.)  It’s nice looking, has a low pixel density so its easy to read, it even has their logo in it.  As a bonus they also tell you they’re on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Vimeo and YouTube.  They even have a web address.  Next let’s scan the code.  I like Shop Savvy, I-nigma, or Barcode Scanner as apps for scanning QR codes.  Once I scanned it with my Android phone, it takes me to a great mobile based site.  The site is set up well, is very useful so I give it high marks for that.  However, where are the social links? No Facebook, Twitter etc. I can’t join the conversation or, subscribe to your company?  Opps Falken you missed a critical piece of the puzzle.  Remember QR codes are supposed to make your life easer.  This campaign fails at that.  I even tried the web address on my phone and it took me to the main site which is not mobile friendly.  On top of that it didn’t work in all mobile browsers.  A simple redirect would have sent me to the mobile site. 

Rating   B

Pro

• QR code took me to a mobile site
• Low density QR code (easy to scan)
• Logo in the code (nice touch)
• Social Media icons on the add

Con

• No social media links on mobile site
• Web address did not take me to a mobile site when entered from a mobile devise
• Web address did not work in all mobile browsers

 

The Bad

This next example is why people get bad feelings about new technology.  Motonation.com placed a fill page add on the back cover of Dirt Bike magazine.  Overall the add gets the point across, but look at that little QR code stuffed in the middle of the add just hanging there (click the image to see a larger version.)  No social links on the add, just a traditional add with one of those “new fangled widgit” things in it.  Once scanned you are sent to a standard web page not a mobile ready page.  At that point I’m done.  I can’t use this code at all, Fail.  What the add agency failed to understand is that people who ride dirt bikes have to travel in most cases a hour or more to ride.  During that time they talk…. you guessed it about dirt bikes.  They bring their latest magazine and in most cases someone in the truck has a smart phone and yes you guessed it again they will scan codes.  So make it worth their while.  Land them on a simple mobile webpage, that allows them to buy right now.  Why make it difficult.  Another area that Motonation failed at was the size and density of the code.  The code needed to be 25% larger and significantly less dense.  This will make it easer to scan.  People are impatient and will not try more then 3 times to scan a code.  Density can be controlled with URL shorteners. And in all cases add social links to you mobile site.  People may want to follow you.

Rating  D-

Pro

• Well at least they had a code

Con

• Check that.  This execution was so bad it gives QR codes a bad name
• Too dense
• Too small
• No mobile site
• No social links

 

The Ok

Now on to the mediocre.  This add showed up in Entertainment magazine this month.  It was for the upcoming Grammy awards.  Overall it told the story and made it’s point.  The QR code had a Grammy award in it which was cool, the density was a little tight but usable.  Here is the issue I had with it.  The code background was the same as the add (click the image to see a larger version.)  This presents a contrast issue.  The brown gold-ish color against the black of the code made it difficult to read in low light. . .  like from a night stand light next to your bed.  I had to move to a room with better lighting before I could get it to read.  Sorry Grammy folks you fail on this one.  Again where are the social links on this add.  Do the Grammy folks not like Facebook, and Twitter.  Or do they think anyone that uses those sites don’t buy music.  Once I did get the code to scan it took me to a mobile ready site.  The good thing about the site was it was interactive.  I could listen to a snippet of a song but I couldn't buy.  However once again as with many of these sites it was a dead end.  I was trapped in the site.  If I wanted more I was stuck.  Why not include a purchase option, or an award summery after the event, or even a link to Facebook so I could discuss the event with my friends.  

Rating  C

Pro

• QR code landed me on a mobile site
• Medium density not to hard to read (in good light)
• Logo in the QR code

Con

• Hard to read code in low light
• Limited function once in the mobile site
• No social links at all
• No purchase option

 

In Summary

So what have we learned here.  Well first and foremost it’s not the fault of the QR code.  They all worked, some easier then others but all the codes read.  The failure in all of these cases was what happened after the code was scanned.  Each example failed to deliver on a full experience.  Let’s not confuse full with complicated and costly, full in most cases is a reason to return to the site.  Let me buy, let me communicate with others, let me access your products, let me subscribe.  If you make it difficult for people to use QR coded they will stop using them. 

Like most emerging technologies, people get all wrapped up in the tech and forget marketing 101.  Help make it easy to make a sale, a point or whatever you want from your potential customer.

Help me out and send me some outstanding examples of QR codes in action.  I’d love to check them out, and author other posts about them.  I like good news.

 

About the Author:

Jeff San George, owner of Pineapple PC, believes it’s more about you then the technology. An expert at QR codes, San George helps clients use this measurable and cost effective tool to extend marketing shelf life as well as shorten the path from required action to results. Although not new world wide, QR codes are quickly becoming a very valuable tool especially for traditional print based marketers. San George believes QR codes offer unlimited potential for your clients, now and in the future. 

Based in Franklin, TN, Pineapple PC is a technology, web, and social media solutions company that always considers the customer first. Pineapple PC listens to the needs of the client and helps that client select the right tools for the job. Using our vast knowledge, considerable experience, and constant research, Jeff San George offers clients well formed strategic solutions that are ready for today’s market.

Jeff San George
Pineapple PC
(615) 942-0843
www.pineapple-pc.com

Knowing it's more about You

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PC Do’s and Don’ts. . . ideas that hold true over time, Part 2

Today is as good as any other day to discuss part 2 of my computer Do’s and Don’t.

Let me know your thoughts as we move through this next series. 

And remember to share this with a friend.  It’s easy and it’s the right thing to do. 

Do #3 Anti Malware Software

This is a critical line of defense against nasties that invade your computer.  If I have worked on your PC you already have two of the best tools out there.  Remember to run them once a month.  Just put a reminder in your calendar and run them before you go to bed.  If you do this you won’t have as many problems with your PC.

Don’t #3 Pirate music and videos from the internet

This is an easy one.  If you don’t own it don’t pirate it.  And besides the sites that offer pirated content are also infected with lots of Viruses and Malware.  Just stay out. 

Do#4 Understand 2nd life, Facebook and Myspace your kids are using it

This is a critical one.  When I first wrote this I thought 2nd Life would be bigger then Facebook.  I was wrong.  Never the less, you must be a friend of your child on each of their social networks.  You must monitor what they are saying and you must talk with them before they say it.  Remember once it’s on the internet it’s there forever.  One trick kids like to play on their parents is the multiple account trick.  They friend you on one account then open another one.  If you see the activity drop off, it’s possible they opened another account.  Remember your the parent.

Don’t #4 Ever give anyone your account information via e-mail , NEVER EVER

This is an easy one.  If someone asks you to email them your account information, friend or not don’t do it.  Again this information can easily be shared with others. 

Do# 5 Understand instant messaging, your kids are into it

Texting and instant messaging is not new but it’s more prevalent today then ever before.  Texting is very difficult to monitor and control.  The best method is to talk with your child before hand as well as having a policy that says you can check their phone or PC at any time. 

Don’t #5 Never use you company computer for personal use. You are being watched

When you work for an employer and use a computer, the information on and transmitted from that computer belongs to the company.  Keep your personal life off the computer, no emails, Facebook, IMs, or shopping.  Employers can monitor each keystroke if they want.  If you need to do this kind of thing during work, then get a newer smart phone like an IPhone, or a Droid phone.

Do#6 Use parental controls on all your computers

The use of parental controls on all of your computers at home is critical.  Parental controls allow you the parent to determine what content is OK for your family.  I like K9 Web Protection, I’ve been using it for many years myself as well as many of my clients.  It’s easy to use and free.

Don’t 7 Never put anything on the net you don’t want the world to see.

Remember once it’s out there it’s out there.  The web is like a giant tape recorder.  Don’t say it, post it or talk about anything you wouldn't discuss with your mother.  Just for fun Google your name, or better yet, visit www.pipl.com and enter it there.

Be looking for future posts on Jeff’s Do’s and Don'ts by Pineapple PC

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