Pineapple PC Blog in Franklin TN

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

2011-07-22T11:39:00.001-05:00

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

2011-07-22T11:17:00.001-05:00

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

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!!!

2011-06-01T16:11:00.001-05:00

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

2011-03-01T10:03:00.001-06:00

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

2011-02-25T08:06:00.001-06:00

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.

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

2011-02-22T07:33:00.001-06:00

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.

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

2010-10-25T10:24:00.001-05:00

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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Pineapple PC Sponsors Moore Miles in Franklin TN

2010-10-15T13:19:00.001-05:00

On October 8th, 2010 Moore Elementary located in Franklin, Tennessee, part of the Franklin Special School District held its annual “Moore Miles” Fundraiser. Pineapple PC is proud to be a silent auction sponsor for a third year. Being a member of the community and helping the schools and families is an important part of Pineapple PC.

Moore Miles is a fitness based fundraiser and a fall tradition here in Middle Tenn. Kids from all grades participate by running laps on the outdoor track for 30 minutes. Each quarter mile lap is recorded and tallied by student and class.

In honor of the event Pineapple PC is offering a 10% discount for new and existing customers with children in the Moore Elementary school. Simply mention this post and you'll receive 10% off of any service. This offer is good until the end of 2010.

Our thanks to all the volunteers and especially the kids for all the hard work they d0. See ya next year!!

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Social Media, Who Needs it? . . . Your Business that’s Who!

2010-09-02T17:11:00.001-05:00

If your business is not or has not considered social media as a way to connect with your customers you need to now. The world is changing fast and the way we access information and share it is changing just as quick. People want to op-in and follow who they want and once they have a product or service that like and follow they are less likely to look for others. That’s a face of human nature. Just look at how loyal people are to sports teams, winning or loosing.

The good news and bad (well not so bad)news. The good news first. Once you are set up you are free to communicate with your customers however and whenever you want. You don’t need to call your “web guy” each time you want to change something your add a photo. The not so bad news is that if you are not a developer with SEO and Social Media Development skills you will have a difficult time getting the most out of your time. Pineapple PC can make this part easy and keep you focused on your business and pointed in the right direction. We do all the backend work and deliver a set of tools and training so effective, that you will see results quicker then any other marketing you have done in the past.

Enjoy the stats below I hope it gets your mind going.

Via: OnlineSchools.org

Technorati Tags: tag target,web guy,sports teams,pineapple,human nature,bad news,right direction,seo,nbsp,marketing,photo

PC Do’s and Don’t. . . ideas that hold true over time

2010-08-23T15:34:00.001-05:00

I thought it was time I talked about and expanded a bit on my series of Do’s and Don'ts listed on my web page. What get’s me is how they have stood the test of time. Some might seem a bit rusty and maybe even dated, but let’s dig in deeper and see what’s going on.

Over these next series of blogs I’m going to discuss what I consider to be critical things each PC owner needs to consider. Some of these go back as far as computer time itself, some are more timely and some just might bring on some discussion.

In each post I’ll try to talk about at least one Do and Don’t.

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

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

Do #1 Back up

Once it’s gone it’s gone. . .

I can’t tell you how may people simply don’t back up their photos, itunes, documents and so on. The reason is simple in my mind. It’s a pain in the butt. Services like Carbonite and Mozy make it mindless. Let’s face it we like mindless. I use it you should too.

Don’t #1 Use AOL or any of its products

This is the one I hear about more then any other recommendation. Sorry folks but I have to be firm on this one. Let’s face it, AOL got America online in the 90’s. But at what cost. AOL put you in their environment and made it very difficult to get out. So much so that people still can’t get out. However they made it very easy for the bad guys to get in. There products are virus ridden, slow your computer and make you look outdated. If you are applying for that next job and have an AOL email address, your next potential employer might wonder which decade your in. Do yourself a favor and get a Gmail account. It’s free, well supported, hardware independent and works great with Iphones and Android phones.

Do#2 Use anti virus software

Simple right? Not so fast. The overwhelming majority of clients I see have antivirus software that’s outdated or is simply not working. This is the single most important thing you can do to protect your computer. There are lots of good choices in freeware and paid software. Please make sure you have antivirus software installed, updated and scanning on at least a weekly basis.

Don’t #2 Use any file sharing sites like Limewire and Kazaa

First of all downloading content you did not buy is illegal. People argue this all day, you don’t need the financial hassle of getting in trouble with a lawyer out to prove his cause. Second programs like Limewire and Kazaa open your computer up to the world and I mean the world. For all you know a Russian teenager is running a file server off of your computer (bad news.) I know kids love these programs, but the cost is too high. Please uninstall them today.

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

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Get your Facebook Profile URL Today. Updated

2010-08-16T20:04:00.001-05:00

Please do this today!!!!!!!

I’m sending this out again since it’s so important that you do this for your Facebook as well as your business page.

Have you captured your Facebook profile name yet? If not you need to today.

Just recently Facebook made more changes to their site. Now you can capture your profile name so your Facebook URL address looks more like, well you. For example, here is a typical Facebook profile address http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1409804769

After the change here it mine http://www.facebook.com/sangeorgej . Much nicer.

Don't have a Facebook account yet. . .? You need to have one today. Don't worry about what to do with it just get one. . . we'll talk later about how to make money.

To do this follow this link http://www.facebook.com/username/

If you have any pages you can get the custom URL for them as well.

As always questions and comments are welcome.

del.icio.us Tags: facebook,pineapple pc,custom facebook url

Identity Theft; It’s not IF but when. 10 steps to reduce your risk.

2010-05-19T13:02:00.001-05:00

The Setup

It’s been a while since my last post. I try to be very deliberate when I blog, I don’t want to just go on and on about things that are not important to you. This topic is one you want to consider and seriously think about.

Just like the early days of the automobile, technology is, has and continues to change our lives forever. When cars first hit the road few people had them so the need for insurance was not there. Then as more and more people hit the road, we began to have accidents involving both people and property. Insurance began to make good sense. I’m sure at the time people thought that it wasn’t necessary, but as we all know it’s not if but when. The automotive insurance statistics are very compelling. At some point in your life you will be involved in an accident that will require the use of your insurance.

What does this all have to do with identity theft? Just like the automobile, in the early days of the internet few used it so few had problems. Now that it seems like everyone is connected in so many ways more bad things begin to happen. It’s simple, the more integrated we become and the more we connect the more chances there are that your identify will be stolen. Life just works that way, evil has been with us since the beginning and will continue to the end.

My Advice

Just like driving there are several things you can to to reduce your risk of identity theft. Here are 10 things you can do to reduce your risk:

1. Use strong passwords that contain numbers, characters, and special characters like “&”

2. Change your passwords monthly

3. Make sure your wireless network is secured

4. Put a password on your cell phone or smartphone. If you loose it all your info is easy to take

5. Have once credit card designated for internet purchases

6. Have that card tied to a separate bank account.

7. Make sure your computer has virus protection as well as spyware protection and make sure to run it.

8. Read your bank statements. Check for non-authorized charges.

9. Make sure your Facebook account is secure.

10. Get a GMail account to be used only for online purchases.

The next step is talking to your insurance agent about identity theft insurance. In most cases you home owners or renters insurance company will offer identity theft insurance at a reasonable price. Stay away from companies like Life Lock. They are too small and have that “here today gone tomorrow feel.” Check this article and you will understand what I mean.

If you follow these simple steps you’ll significantly reduce your risk and if it does happen it will make recovery much less painful.

If you have anything to add to this please comment. If you are not clear on any of the suggest points, let me know. You can always contact me through my web site at www.pineapple-pc.com.

Technorati Tags: identity theft,10 steps to reduce identity theft,pineapple pc,life lock,facebook,not if but when

Netflix + Wii + Wifi = Value in Franklin TN

2010-03-29T14:47:00.001-05:00

Alright, we all know what’s coming in the way of TV. We are just a few years from total on demand programming. A time when we can watch what we want when we want. Here is another step in that direction.

Recently Netflix launched the Wii app. If you are a member of Netflix ($8.99 per month) you get access to their vast array of DVD movies. For a while now you also have access to about 120,000 on demand online movies and television programs. Nice right? Well sort of. You needed a dedicated set top box or pc to watch the online content. Enter the game system. The bigger boys have been here for a while. I speak of the Xbox and PS3. They will play the online content no problem. But what about the Wii. That weird little game box that seems to get better as time goes on.

Well, now you can add Netflix to your Wii. Last night I received my free Wii disk from Netflix, loaded it, entered the activations code online and we were off. I was watching Richard Prior in The Toy in no time. The quality was great even though I was running it through my home WIFI network. No skips or jumps (sweet.)

Now not everything is available on line but I’m sure you’ll find something you’ll like. For $9 bucks a month, you get one DVD at a time and unlimited access to on line movies and TV. Skip rentals get Netflix.

Technorati Tags: Pineapple PC,Wii,Netflix,WiFI,Franklin TN

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

Knowing it's more about You

WIFI Hot Spots in Williamson County

2010-03-14T12:40:00.001-05:00

Here’s a quick guide to all the public WIFI hotspots here in Franklin and Brentwood Tennessee.

Click the photo for the PDF

Enjoy

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

Knowing it's more about You

Technorati Tags: wifi hotspot,Pineapple PC,williamson county,franklin,brentwood

Internet by the Numbers. . . Did you know this?

2010-03-01T08:23:00.001-06:00

Here is a little video I came across that puts the Internet into perspective. At the rate things change these numbers are outdated as you see this. But rest assured that they are only increasing.

Have a look and ask yourself if your business is using the power of Social Media to connect with clients.

JESS3 / The State of The Internet from Jesse Thomas on Vimeo.

Enjoy

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

Knowing it's more about You

Technorati Tags: state of the internet,pineapple pc,social media in nashville

Don’t open that e-mail from Mom!

2010-02-25T10:38:00.001-06:00

Do you know someone in your family that likes to send you forwarded e-mails of funny videos, or maybe a chain e-mail. Yes, we all have an aunt, sister-in-law or mother that loves to share that funny video. Don’t open it.

Over recent months there has been a rash of really bad malware going around. I know this because I get a call everyday. Jeff my computer is telling me I have been attached and I should purchase something to fix it. If this happens to you shut it down and call. Goofing with it will only make the problem worse. We have ways of fixing the problem. Call 615-942-0843

I suggest using Facebook as a means to communicate with family and friends. At this point it’s much safer then e-mail. But like anything don’t click on something you don't fully understand or someone you don’t know.

Here is an article from Forbes that talks about this very problem.

According to Forbes Magazine "The greatest threat to global cyber security today...may be your mother's computer". Josh Corman, an Internet Security Systems researcher, believes that the combined computing power of millions of outdated, unprotected computers can be used to attack business, government and private organizations. All these machines are commonly connected by the world's largest Wide Area Network, the Internet. That's not the real problem, though. It apears that in the last year all these machines have fallen under the influence of a single program. A strain of malicious computer software called Storm has been literally enslaving computers all across the planet. Spread by disguising itself as any number of e-mails that would pique human curiosity, the worm started out disguised as a news feed. Now experts judge that the number of computers infected could lie between fifteen and fifty million. What makes matters worse is the fact that the Storm bug has spread much like a terrorist organization. It has no central point of command. Instead, each computer acts like a terrorist cell, acting on it's own accord, but fulfilling an overall purpose.

Storm is scary, for obvious reasons. There is reason to believe it is actually under the control of it's creators. The bug has been used to perform denial of service attacks on researchers who are trying to analyze it. The worm is diabolical, operating in secret and often lying dormant for long periods of time. It is also polymorphic, changing its identity every 30 minutes in order to elude detection by anti-virus software. It also appears it can fool anti-virus programs into concluding they are operating normally, while having no effect on the bug whatsoever.

The major concern for security experts is the goal of the worm's creators. Is Storm a weapon? There are indications that the software is actually dividing it's hosts into groups, but to what end? Some suspect we are seeing the formation of a cyber extortion scheme of immense power capable of shutting down government web sites by flooding then with denial of service attacks. There is even speculation that the smaller groups could be formed into a kind of mercenary hit squad, or cyber guns for hire which could brought to bear on any company for the right price, shutting down their computer communications and possibly their operations.

The oddest thing about the bug is that it could be crippled by the simplest of security measures...Simply don't open that e-mail in the first place. As in many cases, it's the human element that forms the weakest link. Personnel have to become aware of the risk and responsibility the may lie behind that simple mouse click.

Unbelievable in its scope, the Storm worm sounds like science fiction. Then again, so did the Internet at one time.

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

Knowing it's more about You

Technorati Tags: malware,pineapple pc,spyware,e-mai,mom

The Web Simplified. . . Using RSS Feeds

2010-02-18T12:53:00.001-06:00

If I could share a single bit of useful information with you it would be this; take 2 minutes and learn how to use Google Reader. Google Reader is an RSS feed reader. It allows you to take content from your favorite websites and put it into one place. Then each time that site updates your reader will tell you. It’s like having your own custom newspaper. I can’t tell you how much that has made my web experience better. I use to visit site after site each night to keep updated. No longer. . . now I just click on Google Reader and I’m updated.

Bet you didn’t know you could syndicate Craigslist adds, Twitter feeds, and LinkedIn updates. You can. I almost feel like I’m cheating.

It even works with your mobile phone as well.

Look for the rss icon on your favorite website as well as in the address bar of your web browser.

Best of all it’s free, and I always like that.

his video will help you get started.

Check it out and ask questions if needed.

And as always you can become a fan and save. Click on any of the icons, become a fan and you’ll save.

Technorati Tags: google reader,pineappl pc,rss feed,rss syndication,how to use google reader

4 Elements of a Successful Business Web Presence

2010-02-11T08:04:00.001-06:00

via Mashable | The Social Media Guide » Business Feed by Samir Balwani on 2/10/10

This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.

What’s the most important piece of your business’s web presence? Your website, of course.

Creating a website requires a good deal of thought; it’s important to plan what information you want on the site, what the layout will look like, and how you’ll connect each piece together.

Think of your website as your hub; it’s what people will see when they look for you. Here are four elements of a successful business web presence that can help ensure that your first impression is a good one.

Before We Begin

Your very first step should be to define the goals of your website. Most businesses should have at least three: to create an online presence, to differentiate your business, and to capture leads.

1. Creating an online presence is the most basic reason for building a website. This means building a site that includes your business information, highlights what makes you special, and gives consumers a way to contact you.

2. Making your business stand out takes a more advanced strategy. Maintaining a blog that portrays your thoughts and insights can help your website stand out and help consumers better understand your business.

3. A good business website can be used to capture potential leads. As the site grows it becomes a community for customers and potential consumers. Connect with potential consumers and find a way to continue marketing to them. Your website can be the elevator pitch and your connection the long sell.

The Website

With our goals in mind, we can begin to explore specific elements of a strong website.

The homepage will generally be the initial point of contact with your consumers. A good homepage will answer the questions “What do you do?” and “Why should I trust you?” Consumers will make a split-second decision on whether they’ll stay to learn more or go to a competitor. Don’t lose them at the start.

An “About” page can further reinforce the trust factor. Explain exactly what your company does, in-depth. I want to know who you are, why you do what you do, and what makes you special. This page should make an impact and impress your consumers.

Finally, create a “Contact” page. This page should clearly explain to your customers how to get in contact with you. Make sure it outlines your address, phone number, email address, and any other way someone can reach you. You might even want to include a Google Map with directions to your store or office.

These three pages create a basic online presence, but not much more. If you want to set your business apart from everyone else, the best way to do that is to create a company blog.

The Blog

For some reason, many business owners shy away from blogs. What they don’t realize is that most business “News” sections are blogs. “Blog” simply defines any continually updated news or content section of a site. In fact, this is technically a post on a blog.

So why is a blog important? For one, it shows that you know what you’re talking about. It helps you identify yourself as an expert or unique. Secondly, a blog is constantly updated. It gives readers a reason to come back to your site. The more contact you have with your consumers, the more likely they are to buy from you.

Also, consumers have become savvier and will search out information. They want more than a simple explanation of what your product does. They want to know how to use your product, examples of interesting things people are doing, and how you can make their life easier.

After you have a site with information and a blog that is ever-growing, you’ll begin to experience a growth in site traffic. It would be a shame to ignore these potential customers. Which leads us to our next step; lead capture.

The Newsletter

It’s here that we begin building leads from your website’s visitors.

The first and most important element is a newsletter form. I use Aweber to handle my own personal newsletter sign ups and delivery. I just write the actual newsletter and format it.

There are a number of other services you can use too such as MailChimp and ConstantContact; it simply depends on what you want. Do your research and choose a program you like. The newsletter cost quickly pays for itself. Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to generate sales.

Getting consumers to sign up for your email list means you no longer have to wait for them to come to you, you can go to them. You can offer your core consumers specials and keep them up to date on new products or changes.

Social Media Accounts

Another option for capturing leads is social media. Microblogs and social networks such as FacebookFacebook and TwitterTwitter can help you connect with and contact those within your core community. For this strategy to work, your blog should serve as a central hub. The hub sends consumers to your respective social media profiles to build the connection.

Businesses with a Facebook Fan page can include a Fan box on the site to make it an easy process to fan the business page. If you have an active Twitter account, consider adding the “Follow Me on Twitter” button. These two elements can help turn a one-time reader into a connected consumer.

When you’re building an online presence, the most important aspect is your website. It’s your hub and your first impression. Are you using the right elements to maximize your website’s effectiveness?

Imagea courtesy of iStockphoto iStockphoto, geopaul, WendellFranks, melhi

Technorati Tags: social media in nashville,pineapple pc,blog,facebook,twiter,web site gols

Google Favorite Places in Nashville

2010-01-21T09:31:00.001-06:00

Just received more good news. I found out another client of Pineapple PC received a Google Favorite Places recognition. That business is Barnette Law Offices in Nashville. I just did some recent analysys on this client and he is dominating the organic search results simply by using the process developed by Pineapple PC. By blogging 2 – 3 times a week Barnette Law Offices in Nashville TN, has changed there face on all three major search engines.

The other recognized were Salon Capelli in Franklin, TN and Clothing Xchange in Hillsboro Village near Vanderbilt.

Congrats to all again.

Want to more about how Pineapple PC can change your business and put you on the map. Contact us or better yet scan this code with your smart phone and give us a call.

Note sure how to do this. . . visit. I-Nigma they will show you how.

del.icio.us Tags: Qr Codes,Pineapple PC,Barnette Law Offices,Jason Barnette,Salon Capelli,Clothing XChange Nashville TN,Jeff San George

Stella Shops – Features a Pineapple PC Business

2010-01-07T19:52:00.001-06:00

Found this little shout out to from the good folks at StellaShops.com Stella Shops is a blog that finds the best boutiques in the Nashville area. They. . . as the name says love to shop. The business featured is non other then Clothing Xchange in Hillsboro Village. In the spot the reporter mentions Clothing Xchange’s recent Google Favorite Places recognition.

It’s a good read you’ll enjoy.

Click on the image to check the post and the rest of the blog out.

del.icio.us Tags: Clothing XChange Nashville TN,Stella Shops,Pineapple PC

QR Codes – What are they and how can I use them in Nashville TN

2010-01-06T08:36:00.001-06:00

So what the heck is a QR code and how can I the business owner or consumer use them. The QR code has been around for over 10 years and was developed in Japan (They are QR code crazy over there.) In Japan these codes show up on everything from digital media to print media. The QR code is a 2D code which allows it to store much more information then the 1D code we see on food and other items. Info like contact information, URLs, SMS, Text, and E-mail addresses can all be stored on these codes.

Buy why. . . what’s the point. It’s simple, the point is mobile computing. We have moved from our desktops, to our laptops and now to the phone. With the popularity of the IPhone, Droid, Blackberry and others it seems that everyone has one of these phones. The problem with them is input. No matter what it’s still tedious to type info into one of these and voice recognition is not ready yet. Now with a QR code you don’t have to type a thing, just scan it and you have it.

Scanner apps are free. I like the ones from I-Nigma it reads fast and is very accurate. Go ahead scan the image above and see where it takes you.

The codes can be used in may ways from business cards to print adds to websites to posters and banners. As I said before lots of info can be stored in these codes.

Want to learn more about this technology and how it can be used in a successful Social Media plan contact me at 615-942-0843, or better yet scan the code below.

del.icio.us Tags: qr code,nashville tn,pineapple pc,i-nigma,barcode scanner

QR codes come to Nashville TN via Google Favorite Places

2010-01-05T10:08:00.001-06:00

Recently two of my clients here at Pineapple PC were recognized by Google with the honor of being chosen for the pilot of Google Favorite Places. Out of over 28 million businesses listed with Google Business Listings, Google identified 100,000 businesses based on their popularity and how often people found them on Google Maps. Quite a big honor if you ask me.

The winners were Clothing Xchange located in Hillsboro village and Salon Capelli located in Cool Springs. Congratulations to both of you.

So what did they win?

For starters this decal for their window. This decal identifies them as a Google Favorite Place. Also if you look at the lower right corner you’ll see a funky box with lots of dots. This is a 2d bar code called a QR code and this is the now in mobile computing. With your smart phone you can scan this code and go right to their business listing on Google Maps.

If you have an IPhone, Droid, Blackberry, or Windows mobile phone you can download a free app and scan these codes. Lots of info can be stored in these codes.

Here is the code for Salon Capelli in Franklin, TN. Check it out. You’ll be amazed.

Go to your app store and download your free app. I like the scanner from I-Nigma

Congratulations again to these outstanding businesses. You’re proving everyday how social networking can help you connect to your customers, and how your customers and connect to you.

In my next post I’m going into detail about how QR codes can be used and how they can be woven in a successful Social Media campaign.

del.icio.us Tags: google favorite places,qr codes,nashville tn,pineapple pc

To Upgrade or Replace. . . That’s the Question

2009-10-18T09:43:00.001-05:00

I get asked all the time by my clients; Jeff is the computer worth keeping and upgrading or should I replace it? In most cases I tell folks to keep what they have and upgrade. I say this for may reasons. First is Windows XP; if you have it you want to keep it. If you buy a new PC today you will be stuck with Vista and that’s not a good thing. So much so that Microsoft quickly saw this and is replacing Vista with an even newer operating system called Windows 7. The second reason upgrades are not that expensive; for the most part, if you have a PC that is running Windows XP and was bought after 2003; you have a PC worth upgrading. Typically three things go bad or need to by expanded; your hard drive, power supply and ram. Two things will happen with the hard drive. It will either die one day or you will run out of room. New ones are not expensive and are many times larger then your current one. Your power supply will die one day, they just do. The power supply is located in your desktop case and converts your wall power into a power the computer uses. Again they are inexpensive and easy to replace.

Last is your memory or ram. New programs need more ram. It’s inexpensive and easy to install.

So before you consider replacing your old computer, consider upgrading your current one. This will keep your wallet full and the landfills empty.

Your comments are always welcome.

del.icio.us Tags: Upgrade,landfill,pineapple pc,power supply,hard drive. ram,Vista,XP,Windows Mobile

Spy on your Community. . . At least the ones that Tweet

2009-10-13T19:24:00.001-05:00

Yes we’ve all heard about Twitter and how it’s changing the world. But how do you use it. . . how do you make the information useful to you. As I develop more solutions for my clients I asked myself; self how can I find out what people are saying in my neck of the woods. Then I found a neat little tool called Geo Chirp. www.geochirp.com

This little mashup between Google maps and Twitter is brilliant. First search for a location. Then set your radius and now you have Tweetdar (Twitter Radar.) Oh but it gets better. Now you can search within your area and see what people are saying about things you are interested in. For example; if you own a salon you can search for the word salon in your area. Now you can see any Tweet that has the word salon in it. Very powerful. You can also reply to those Tweets as well as ReTweet.

But wait there is more. . . . At the bottom of the page you can click on the syndication button and syndicate your search to your favorite RSS reader. Now your life just got mush easier. Not sure what syndication is or what RSS means. Stay posted I will discuss that next.

Try searching for your name. If anyone is talking you’ll know.

Check out Geo Chirp and let me know if it’s been helpful at all.

You comments are always welcome as well.

del.icio.us Tags: geochirp,pineapple pc,tweeter,google maps,Tweetdar

What is The American Dream ?

2009-09-20T10:45:00.001-05:00

In this post I wanted to spotlight a new client of mine LegacyTree Foundation. Jim Wolter, LegacyTree Foundation co-founder came to me with a simple request. Can you provide tech services for this start up business I’m apart of. I said what do you need? Phones, networking, printers, faxing, servers, wiring, security. . . you know the whole lot. Oh and I need it running in one week the rest of my team leaves their job on Friday (this was Wednesday.) Sure I said I will do my best to make it happen. And I did just that. In one week Pineapple PC had the office ready and LegacyTree Foundation was in business ready to make it’s mark on the world.

What I didn’t realize when I met Jim and the rest of his team Annette Johnson and Nanette Beebe was that this was a great group of people with a passion for serving their customers and their community in a not for profit charitable giving kind of way.

Why leave a good job and start your own thing? Big risk right? Believe me I know all about this. The reason in this case was simple. These people wanted to do more with there time here on earth. They want to serve more customers, do more for people and bypass the barriers of the corporate world. They want to make a difference in the lives of there family.

I see great things for LegacyTree Foundation. To learn more about that they do, check them out at www.legacytreefoundation.org

Annette Johnson, Jim Wolter, Nanette Beebe

Founders of LegacyTree Foundation

So if you ever want to know What the “American Dream” is. Ask these folks they’ll tell you. Succeeded or fail, the ream has been realized.

del.icio.us Tags: pineapple pc,legacytree foundation,Jim Wolter,Annette Johnson,Nanette Beebe,American Dream

Pineapple PC Blog in Franklin TN

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

Dell 3115cn Scanner Set Up - Solved

Windows 7 Back up and Recovery Solved!!!

QR codes in Mainstream Media in Nashville, TN

QR Code Business Cards for Pineapple PC in Franklin, TN

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

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

Pineapple PC Sponsors Moore Miles in Franklin TN

Social Media, Who Needs it? . . . Your Business that’s Who!

PC Do’s and Don’t. . . ideas that hold true over time

Get your Facebook Profile URL Today. Updated

Please do this today!!!!!!!

I’m sending this out again since it’s so important that you do this for your Facebook as well as your business page.

Have you captured your Facebook profile name yet? If not you need to today.

Identity Theft; It’s not IF but when. 10 steps to reduce your risk.

Netflix + Wii + Wifi = Value in Franklin TN

WIFI Hot Spots in Williamson County

Internet by the Numbers. . . Did you know this?

Don’t open that e-mail from Mom!

The Web Simplified. . . Using RSS Feeds

4 Elements of a Successful Business Web Presence

via Mashable | The Social Media Guide » Business Feed by Samir Balwani on 2/10/10

Before We Begin

The Website

The Blog

The Newsletter

Social Media Accounts

Imagea courtesy of iStockphotoiStockphoto, geopaul, WendellFranks, melhi

Google Favorite Places in Nashville

Stella Shops – Features a Pineapple PC Business

QR Codes – What are they and how can I use them in Nashville TN

QR codes come to Nashville TN via Google Favorite Places

To Upgrade or Replace. . . That’s the Question

Spy on your Community. . . At least the ones that Tweet

What is The American Dream ?

Imagea courtesy of iStockphoto iStockphoto, geopaul, WendellFranks, melhi