Category Archives: misc

Google’s Attempt to obtain more Local Reviews = Recruiting “City Experts”

Google’s Attempt to obtain more Local Reviews = Recruiting “City Experts”

“Do you love to review places around your city and share your opinion with others? Our new Google City Experts program gives top reviewers (users with at least 50 high quality reviews, and at least 5 reviews in the current month) special perks like event invitations, custom swag, special access to contests and more.”

Users opt-in with their Google+ accounts.
To qualify as a City Expert you have to be among “the most active users on Google Maps who write reviews and upload photos of local places” (50 reviews, 5 reviews per month). Perks or rewards include the following:

  • Access to fun, exclusive events in their local area
  • Free custom swag
  • Special online recognition
  • Google City Expert Badge

For more info visit https://www.google.com/local/contest/cityexpert

GoDaddy go GOT HACKED

Go Daddy Hacked September 2012GoDaddy said it is working on resolving a problem that has caused many of the sites it hosts to go offline.

“Status Alert: Hey, all. We’re aware of the trouble people are having with our site. We’re working on it,” the company tweeted Monday morning.

Some GoDaddy sites began experiencing problems after 10:00 a.m. PDT, and a quick search of “GoDaddy” on Twitter indicated that the issues are likely extensive. Many users are sending tweets saying all of their websites are down.

“Awesome. My @GoDaddy hosted site is down….as is their site. #NoDaddy,” tweeted@MinorLeagueBlog, the Twitter account for TopProspectAlert.com, a site that was affected.

Some on Twitter say every site hosted by GoDaddy is down, but the company has not confirmed that. Its own site was running slowly after sites began going offline, although it appeared to be working fine later.

The hacker group Anonymous took responsibility for the problems, with one user sending the following tweet around the time sites started going offline: “Hello everyone who wanna me to put 99% of the global Internet in #tangodown?”

Not long after, another Anonymous-associated Twitter account tweeted “#TangoDown,” which members of the group tend to do when they claim to successfully attack a target.

The group may have hit GoDaddy with a denial-of-service attack, which bombards a site with more traffic than it can handle and crashes it.

ccording to many customers, sites hosted by major web host and domain registrar GoDaddy are down. According to the official GoDaddy Twitter account the company is aware of the issue and is working to resolve it. Update: customers are complaining that GoDaddy hosted e-mail accounts are down as well, along with GoDaddy phone service and all sites using GoDaddy’s DNS service.

Update 2: A member of Anonymous known as is claiming responsibility, and makes it clear this is not an Anonymous collective action.

QuickBooks Online vs. QuickBooks Hosting

QuickBooks Online vs. QuickBooks Hosting

QuickBooks Online Edition

Bookkeepers and accountants with simple bookkeeping/accounting may consider using QuickBooks Online Basic or Online Plus. The internet-based accounting programs run on Intuit’s web server which is accessible from anywhere at any time. The requirements are only an internet connection and a web browser. However, QuickBooks Online Basic and Online Plus are not the same programs as the QuickBooks desktop edition software like QuickBooks Simple Start, Pro, Premier, Enterprise etc. The Online programs offer different features and capabilities for which it is sometimes found more appealing than others.

Advantages of QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online Basic and Online Plus offer several advantages over the traditional desktop editions. Some of the advantages are:

•    The software is easy to set up. Companies can subscribe to the service simply completing an online interview of approximate 10 minutes

•    While data cannot be imported from or exported to the desktop-based version of QuickBooks (or other formats) into QuickBooks Online Basic, users can convert the file switching from QuickBooks desktop to QuickBooks Online Plus

•    If the company decides to cancel QuickBooks Online Plus, they can export their data back to QuickBooks software easily

•    Users do not need any special internal information technology resource except an internet connection and a web browser as QuickBooks Online is hosted and managed by Intuit on its servers

•    Users can access the service anytime from anywhere. They can also allow access to public bookkeepers/accountants or trusted employees at remote locations

•    The monthly subscription fee to QuickBooks Online Plus varies to the number of users. Each time when a user logs into the company’s file, an entry is added to the Access Log which describes his identity and activities into the system

•    Online Basic allows access to one user and a public bookkeeper/accountant while Online Plus allows three users and a public bookkeeper/accountant. A maximum of 25 users can be added for an additional cost

•    Users can enter data directly into the accounting system that eliminates the delays and inaccuracies caused by sending data back to the public bookkeeper/accountant for review

•    Users need not concern to upgrades or system backups of the software as it always stays in the latest version automatically in the Intuit’s servers. Moreover, Intuit’s server files are backed up daily and the backups are moved to a remote location. Thus the data is safeguarded in the event of a fire or other disaster

•    Intuit tries to notify users in advance for scheduled maintenance downtime. Besides, Intuit’s servers are connected to backup generators to protect against power failures

•    Intuit maintains a range of procedures for the security of data. Such as: Passwords must be used to gain access to data, data transmit over the internet is encrypted with 128-bit encryption and Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. Besides, QuickBooks Online is a VeriSign Secured™ product which is the leading SSL Certificate Authority

•    Public bookkeepers/accountants are benefitted from a client’s use of QuickBooks Online Plus in the following ways:

I)    The service can help bookkeepers/accountants perform bookkeeping or write-up work “on demand” since the client’s information is accessible from anywhere any time
II)    The traditional process of transferring files back and forth, while making sure both the client and the bookkeeper or accountant are using the same software release, is replaced with “real time, anytime” involvement that can better suit the schedules of both the parties
III)    As the bookkeeper/accountant gets relieved of some of the manual operations required in performing traditional bookkeeping/write-up services, some bookkeepers/accountants believe the use of online bookkeeping/accounting services such as QuickBooks Online Plus will make them more efficient and better able to fulfill a more value-added advisory role to their clients
IV)    Bookkeepers/accountants can access their clients’ QuickBooks Online Plus files for free

Disadvantages of QuickBooks Online

Of course, QuickBooks Online is not for everybody. There are several drawbacks or risks to using the service, many of which are inherent to any online bookkeeping/accounting software program.

For example:

•    Many of the QuickBooks Desktop features are not available in QuickBooks Online

•    At the time of data conversion, all the data may not be converted or it may be converted into different format and not intact

•    QuickBooks Online currently does not support purchase orders or inventory tracking

•    Reports and graphs are available but not as many as in QuickBooks desktop

•    Report customization is somewhat limited in QuickBooks Online

•    Heavy internet traffic may slow down service response time and servers may be down, preventing access to company data though Intuit tries to notify users in advance for scheduled maintenance downtime

•    Company data cannot be accessed if the user’s internet connection is down or slow. Therefore, Intuit recommends a persistent, high-speed internet connection such as DSL, a cable modem, or T1 line

•    In spite of maintaining every reasonable precaution to protect the privacy of company data, there always remains the possibility that a malicious hacker could break through Intuit’s security configuration and access accounting data

Who Should Consider Using QuickBooks Online?

Because it lacks many of the features of QuickBooks, QuickBooks Online works best for service companies with relatively simple bookkeeping/accounting needs (i.e., those who do not need estimates, online bill payment, or inventory tracking). Even then, those companies may not see significant benefits from the software unless they wish to give bookkeepers/accountants or employees in remote locations access to their bookkeeping/accounting records (Online Plus only). Generally, users who want a more full-featured bookkeeping/accounting program to create estimates, perform job costing, track inventory and purchase orders, or integrate with Microsoft Word and Outlook should use QuickBooks rather than QuickBooks Online.

Those who are confused of using QuickBooks Online can try the software for free for 30 days trial. During the free-trial period, users can view a sample company; try various features, change and view reports. Alternatively, users can enter their own company information and begin using QuickBooks Online.

QuickBooks Online Basic and Online Plus are accessed through Intuit’s QuickBooks website at http://quickbooksonline.intuit.com.

young millionaire quotes

 “You’ve got to be passionate about it,” he said in an interview with the Academy of Achievement.   “I think people that look for great ideas to make money aren’t nearly as successful as those who say, ‘Okay, what do I really love to do? What am I excited about?’ ”  – Michael Dell

 “Stop just thinking about it, and make it happen.  When you’re young is the best time to start your own business, as you do not have the responsibilities you will have when you’re older. The worst that can happen if you fail now is that you have firsthand experience to make your next venture a success.” – Catherine Cook

“It is never too early to start. I started when I was 14.There was a lot of great information on the Internet. Just do the research and find a way to do what you want to do.” – Sean Belnick

“If someone starts to doubt your company and what you’re doing, you need to get rid of them.” –  Juliette Bridnak

“People who say it takes money to make money are using the worst excuse ever. . . Create massive value for others by providing a solution where no other exists.” – Matt Mickiewicz

To read more visit http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/111047/how-to-be-a-millionaire-by-age-25?mod=career-worklife_balance

how to transfer your domain to new registrar

Throughout the course of your web site for various reasons you may want to change your domain registrar.

Transferring your domain or a domain transfer is, in effect, to transfer domain name from the management under one registrar to another registrar. As a registrar is only responsible for the management of your domain records, this transfer should in no way affect your website, relevant email or DNS.

First and foremost you will need to have the domain already under your ownership.  Secondly you will need to know what registrar you want to transfer that domain to.

The process if fairly a simple procedure – but you need to understand the workings of the domain registars so that things do not get more complicated. In order to put your domain name transfer into effect, you need to apply for a transfer to the registrar that you intend to move your domain over to. Most registrars will have a form or an option on their website that you can select to ‘transfer domain’. Once you select this option, the registrar (that you are transferring your domain to) will have to contact – usually via email – the administrator of your domain.

The contact details of this administrator should have been supplied by you when you registered your domain name and updated accordingly, if that contact has since been changed. Upon receiving the email notification, the administrator of your domain has to agree to accept the transfer. This step generally helps to validate the authenticity of the request for a transfer of domain name. If the administrator does not accept the transfer within a given period of time (within 5 days) then the registrar will assume that the transfer has been rejected. For this reason, it is important to ensure that all the contact information in your domain records is updated and valid.

If the email has been accepted, on the other hand, then your transfer is effectively in progress. Bear in mind that in order for the transfer of a domain name to be successful, that domain must be active. If, the domain is locked, inactive or in the process of being deleted or redeemed, then this does not meet the criteria for a transfer.

A domain must also have been registered for more than 60 days before you are allowed to transfer registrars. If, however, your domain happens to be involved in a legal dispute or if you are facing bankruptcy then the transfer of a domain name will not take effect.

If successful, the transfer of your domain name generally takes at least ten working days to complete – this can be shorter or longer depending on the registrar you choose. The cost of transfer will also vary depending on the registrar. Some registrars may be more willing than others to work out a package deal for you. For example, they might offer to provide you with free domain transfer service if you agree to register your domain with them for a period of more than a year. Again, the deal you score will depend on the registrar and on the amount of time you put into finding a package that is most suited to your needs.