Go Multimedia with Windows Live Writer

Maintaining a company blog is a great way to engage your customers and raise your online profile (Google's search algorithm loves good blog content), and you don't need to hire a web developer to do it. Microsoft's Windows Live Essentials provides several useful tools to help you publish a media-rich, professional looking blog free of charge. Today we'll discuss Windows Live Writer.

First, download the software package here.

Once you've got it installed, open Windows Live Writer, and you'll be asked which blog site you use. Choose the service you're using, or pick a new one.

We chose to create a new blog using WordPress.

Enter the login credentials for your blog into Writer, and you'll see an editing window like this:

Enter a title for the post and begin typing! If you'd like to add a link, select the "hyperlink" button on the top right corner of the editor.

Writer will automatically create the appropriate HTML code for your links.

Adding images and web video is just as simple. Choose from the "Picture" or "Video" drop-down menus below the "Hyperlink" button, and select the source. You can add media either stored on your computer or out on the web.


Alternatively, click on the "insert" tab for more media-embedding options.

Once you're ready to put it up on the web, just hit the "Publish" button, and you'll be taken to your latest post.

Congratulations! Your blog now has content!

Stay tuned for more QuickTips on how to use Windows Live Writer to get the most exposure for your business, including search-engine tools, best-practices, and social media.

Beware of Shortened Web Links

Shortened URLs essentially condense a link so it can fit in a smaller space. This is especially ideal for sites like Twitter that restrict the number of characters used. Popular shorteners include TinyURL and Bit.ly. While it may seem helpful to abridge a link, this can also be a major security risk. Now users can’t immediately tell if they are being redirected to a faulty or infected site. We generally advise people to be wary of links in general, but shortened URLs should especially be paid attention to.

To check the legitimacy of a link, hover over it and look in the lower left corner of the screen to see if the link matches. With shortened URLs, it is impossible to complete this particular verification method. Because of this, cybercriminals are taking advantage and using these “abbreviations” as a way to spread malware. This is especially the case on various social networks, since it can appear like they are sent from friends.

If you are hesitant about a link you come across, there are a couple ways that you can check if you are being taken to a safe site. One way is to use verification sites such as AVG’s Linkscanner that can detect faulty pages behind shortened URLs. Also be sure you anti-virus software is up-to-date. This way, just in case you click on a link, your software can help protect you.

Working in a Virtual Team

In modern day offices, we find ourselves working closely with co-workers who aren't in the same physical location. Whether they are on a different floor or in a different hemisphere. Use these handy tools to stay on the same page as your team members.

Instant Messaging (IM, or "chat")
Instant messaging works like e-mail, except you know who is online and when. It is a great tool for quick check-ins and questions when you need a rapid response Popular free IM programs include Google Chat (integrated with Gmail), Yahoo! Chat, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and Windows Live. These programs use your email address as your login. If your team isn't all using the same one, programs like Pidgin, Spark IM, or Digsby work across multiple platforms. Digsby also lets you manage your social media, as well as chat. For secure chat, Microsoft Lync Server provides IM services that never leave your corporate intranet. It is not free but has a 180-day trial period.

Central Storage
If your team needs access to the same documents, set up an online file cabinet to keep pertinent documents in a single spot. Applications like Microsoft Sharepoint, Dropbox, ADrive, and Box.net provide easy and secure access to your group's files, which helps eliminate version-control issues with documents that receive frequent edits.

Track Changes
Microsoft Word allows users to see what changes have been made to a document, and by whom. This is a great feature if you have a question about why changes have been made or need to quickly see what edits have occurred without having to read through the entire document. Enable "Track Changes" through Word's "review" menu.

Conferencing Tools
For more formal meetings, such as one a client attends, a tool like GoToMeeting provides both audio and visual conferencing, allowing your group to simultaneously view documents or presentations. GoToMeeting also allows you to record meetings for future reference.

The key to a successful virtual team is communication. Try these helpful tips to make sure your team collaboration is efficient and easy.

Computer & Desk Stretches

Sitting at a desk in front of a computer all day can cause muscular tension and pain. We want to inform you about a series of stretches that will make your body feel better. It might be helpful to stretch throughout the day, for any part of the body that feels tense.

It is ideal to stretch to a point where you feel a mild tension and then relax as you hold the stretch. They should generally be held for 5-30 seconds, alongside slow and rhythmic breathing. Always remember to stretch within comfortable limits. Any stretch feeling that grows in intensity or is painful is an overstretch.

To view specific stretches you can complete at your desk, click here.

PowerPoint Alternatives

While Microsoft PowerPoint is always a popular type of presentation software, there are many tools on the Internet that can be graphically pleasing and engage your audience. Here are some options that we recommend!

Google Docs: This web-based presentation tool makes it simple to collaborate and share, which goes along with many of the benefits we have been discussing lately about cloud computing. You have the ability to import existing PowerPoint slides, and easily incorporate multimedia. Furthermore Google Docs is free to use!

SlideRocket: This offers more advanced functions than PowerPoint or Google Docs, such as automated Flickr searches, and the ability embed RSS feeds. You can also track data about your presentation, such as how many hits each slide received and how long users spent on each slide. Presentations can become interactive with the embedding of forms and polls. SlideRocket is free for the “Lite” version.

Prezi: This tool has become increasingly more popular and allows for more customization of flow, with features such as zooming, spinning, and motion-based depictions. You can easily customize fonts, backgrounds, and more. Prezi works very well with the iPad too. The basic version is available free of cost.

Visit CMIT at FREE Franchising Workshop This Monday!

CMIT will be an exhibitor at a FREE Franchising Workshop sponsored by the Thypin Oltchick Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship @ FEGS.

"In Business For Yourself, Not By Yourself"

Monday June 13th

6 - 8:30pm

130 East 59th Street

7th Floor Conference Room

www.yourfutureinbusiness.org

We hope to see you there!

Collaborating in the Cloud

One of the main benefits of the cloud is the ability to access your work from anywhere, which then leads to increased collaboration. It can be frustrating to keep sending email attachments of various versions, all that include new comments and changes. Trying to pull the most up-to-date version can become a process, but cloud computing can help aid this.

An efficient cloud-based collaboration and content management tool is Microsoft SharePoint 2010. It provides a central place for data storage, access, and management. SharePoint works very well with Microsoft Office too. SharePoint uses cloud infrastructure to provide users with access to centrally stored content, granted the user is connected to the Internet. This stored content includes Word, Web content, and multimedia.

The system offers simple methods for tagging content, enforcing retention schedules, declaring records, and applying legal holds. This is beneficial for businesses that are subject to regulatory compliance.

This is our final QuickTip on Cloud Computing and we hope you have found it informative.