It’s Virtually Done (IVD) Blog

When I worked for someone else, I automatically received a new computer every few years. It was never a big deal, either, because my data files were stored on the LAN server, and so I didn’t have transfer files from the old computer to the new one.

I bought a new computer when I started my business, but now I’ve been in business for more than 3 years. I take good care of my computer, as those of you who follow my ezine/blog know. But how long can I expect my computer to last?

I decided that it was time to hire an expert. By the time that Albee Kara of Faster Connections arrived, I had quite a list of questions/concerns for him:

1. Do I have any exposed ports for hackers?
2. Can I make my wireless router any safer?
3. Are my backup procedures adequate?
4. Can I print from my wireless laptop?

Happily, we addressed all of the above issues. Much to my surprise, however, Albee found that my external hard drive was about to fail. He explained that it’s a rarity for a hard drive to crash suddenly, and that usually the drive warns us, that is if we’re listening. I’ve replaced the external drive, and have augmented my regular computer maintenance routine.

My computer should be good for another year or two, and then I’ll replace it –not because of a crash, but because it is time. How nice not to be at the mercy of technological vagaries. If, however, the drive fails before that time, I have back ups in place. And, best of all, I have someone to call should the unexpected problem arise. I’m betting that an ounce of computer prevention will be worth the cost of not being technologically inconvenienced at the worst possible time.

I don’t let my fingers do the walking much anymore. Instead, my fingers do the tapping on the web when I’m looking for services to purchase. I decide very quickly whether a business has a “good enough” website to get my patronage.

Creating website content and launching it is very time consuming, especially when you have a business to run. Believe me, I know! But, it is important that one’s website have links that work, content that is current, and have a look that is pleasing, and keeps up with the times.

I once tried to refer work to a colleague, but the potential client later told me that she checked out the colleague’s website, and it wasn’t up to the client’s standards. None of us know how much business we miss by not being up to par.

So, what can we do to avoid negative website judgments?

•  Check your links regularly.
• Review your content at least annually.
• Compare your website to those of your contemporaries annually.
• Stay on top of the latest technologies for creating websites

Too busy to do all this yourself? Consider hiring someone to do it for you. The business that you gain may pay for the website improvements.

To celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary (coming in December), my husband Larry and I went to Europe in late September. Specifically, we visited Barcelona, Spain, the French Mediterranean coast, and Monaco. International travel is such an eye opening experience, a great way to get a new perspective on life. Here’s the top 5 things that I liked and didn’t like on our very memorable and enjoyable trip:

Liked:

• The charming labyrinth of cobblestone alleys filled with quaint shops.
• That people do more walking, less driving.
• French baguettes everywhere.
• The foreign languages, everywhere.
• The food, the food, the food (especially chocolate crepes).

Didn’t like:

• How difficult it was to get change, everywhere, even when we were buying something.
• People relieving themselves outside because there are few public bathrooms.
• Not being able to communicate sometimes.
• Mob rules when boarding buses and trains.
• The low value of the dollar against the Euro.