Cross-Platform, Multi-Net Instantbird Brings XUL to IM

Instantbird is a multi-protocol instant messaging (IM) client lets you connect simultaneously to multiple IM networks including AIM, MSN, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, XMPP-based services, ICQ, IRC, and several of the less commonly supported platforms, like Novell GroupWise and MySpaceIM.

Another important aspect of Instantbird is that it is free and open source software, so anyone is free to distribute and modify it, something that will appeal to many developers. Instantbird merges two popular open source projects; it uses Pidgin’s libpurple to connect to the different networks. This library, which is used for developing IM programs, is also used by Pidgin, Adium, Meebo, and several other popular IM programs.

Cross-Platform, Multi-Net Instantbird Brings XUL to IM
By Vangie Beal, March 24, 2009

eBay’s All About Fixed-Price

This week, eBay Watch looks at promotions around the world. Plus, eBay tools and Leno says he’s not worth it.

Last week, eBay held a meeting to announce its roadmap of growth plans through to 2011. The company said that its eBay Marketplaces business is expected to achieve revenues of $5 billion to $7 billion in 2011 with a continued shift toward more fixed price sales and a smaller online auction business. Following that announcement is a round-up of marketplace promotions aimed at international, fixed-priced listings and individual (non-business) sellers.

Starting on EBay.co.uk, eBay recently made changes that make it cheaper for private sellers to list on the auction site. Starting this week, private U.K. sellers who list on the auction-style format with a starting price of up to 99p (eBay.co.uk) or €1.49 (eBay.ie ) will not be charged an insertion fee. The newly dubbed “Zero insertion fees” means private sellers will now pay the majority of eBay fees on the back-end — that is when they successfully sell an item in a qualifying category.

eBay’s All About Fixed-Price
By Vangie Beal, March 19, 2009

Expert Tips for a Tweeting Business

Like blogs, Twitter offers you a new way to market products, promote sales and boost revenue — if you Tweet right, that is. This two-part seiries on EcommerceGuide.com takes a look at how to get your business online and tweeting, plus offers tips on avoiding common business Twitter mistakes.

How to Use Twitter as an Online Marketing Tool, by Vangie Beal, March 17, 2009
Like b-blogs (that’s business blogs) and social networking profiles, sites such as Twitter offer businesses a new way to market products, promote sales and boost revenue — if you tweet right, that is. In this Ecommerce-Guide.com How-To we’ll show you exactly how easy it is to set-up a Twitter account.

Expert Tips for a Tweeting Business, by Vangie Beal, March 18, 2009
It’s easy enough to use Twitter, but businesses have to use social media marketing in the same way they use any form of marketing — with a business plan and knowledge — to be successful. Blogger, social media strategy consultant and sought-after corporate speaker B.L. Ochman talks about to avoid common business Twitter mistakes.

Guide to Social Media and Social Networking Sites

Webopedia has a new Guide online this morning—a Guide to Social Media and Your Business.  There is some excellent information, terminology and articles for those looking to get up-to-date on social media and how to market your business using social networking sites.

From creating a Facebook group to tweeting—that is sending messages out on Twitter, many are looking for social media marketing business plans. Social media is a term used to describe a variety of Web-based platforms, applications and technologies that enable people to socially interact with one another online.

The following Webopedia Guide to Social Media and social networking sites will offer definitions to help you learn the lingo, plus show to create a Facebook topic, business profile, and provide details on many social media-oriented sites you can use as a business marketing tool.

• Social Media: Tips for Small Business Marketing
• How to Create a Facebook Page for Your Business
• How To Create a Facebook Group
• Social Networking Sites
• Thirty Social Media Sites
• Text Message and Chat Abbreviations
• The Differences Between LinkedIn and Facebook

Webopedia Guide: Social Media and Your Business—Business Tips for Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites.
By Vangie Beal, march 17, 2009

Contests and Coupons for Canadians

One of the sites I have been doing for the past year is GameGirlz.com—a main link for Canadian residents to find contests, freebies, and coupons.  For years I have been shopping with coupons, usually saving between $800 and $1,000 a year on the general household items I buy. I also started contesting several years ago and decided to incorporate high-value Canadian contests (national brand contests with prizes valued at more than $1,000) into the Web site, in addition to coupon and money-saving tips and resources. 

The main Web site, GameGirlz.com offers coupons and saving guides, plus I also maintain two related blogs; one for contests one for Canadian freebies. 

The site was updated today with lots of new contests (Enter to Win a Blackberry Pearl ($400), Brother Printer ($349), Juno Swag bag ($5,000), $10,000 from Lindt, Mr.Clean Gift baskets ($250), Trip to London ($6,000), Home Theater Package ($3400), and a $20,000 game room from Hasbro). The Canadian Coupon blog was also updated with new manufacture coupons that you can request to save money when grocery shopping.

Good luck contesting– and I hope you save lots of money!

How to Create a Facebook Page for Your Business

The best way to start is with creating a Page for your business. Those who have created a personal Facebook profile will find the process pretty simple, but the step-by-step form pages will also make creating a Business Page painless for those new to Facebook.

You will need to have basic business information ready before creating the page —decide on a page name and find any images you want to upload. Remember that your company logo is best for the profile picture. When you create the page you will need to include a description of your Web site, product, brand or company.

With this information handy, simply choose one of three categories for your business: Local Business (and the industry), Brand or Product, or choose if this will be a Page for a public band, artist or other public figure. Once you select a category you are required to enter the business name. When you submit this information you will then see a Business Page that shares some resemblance to personal profile pages on Facebook.

On a side note, Facebook completed implementing changes to the Facebook business pages that will make the page look exactly user profiles.

How to Create a Facebook Page for Your Business
By Vangie Beal, March 12, 2009

Facebook Opts for Oodle for Social Classifieds

Facebook announced a new partnership with an online classifieds ad vendor.

The Oodle Facebook Marketplace currently has 656,460 monthly active members. You can use the application to see what your Facebook friends have posted for sale and what items are available in your local area. You can also use Marketplace to support charities by selling for a cause.

The Marketplace discussion topics and user reviews have not been overly positive since recent changes to the application. Annoying existing Marketplace users, Oodle was unable to move existing listings over from the old Marketplace.

Facebook Opts for Oodle for Social Classifieds
By Vangie Beal, March 11, 2009

Chat With Your Visitors Using AIM’s Wimzi

AIM’s Wimzi widget offers a way to chat with visitors to a Web site or social network profile without having to provide your AIM username.

Wimzi can be used by any AIM user with a Web presence. Once embedded on your page this widget enables you to privately chat with visitors while they are on your site. If you use a personal AIM account—and not a work account—you can still incorporate the widget on your business or work page without giving away your personal AIM name.

You will need version 6.1 or higher of the AIM Client if you want to integrate the widget with your AIM Buddy List. This will let you chat with a Web site visitor in the same way you IM your buddies, using the AIM client.

Chat With Your Visitors Using AIM’s Wimzi
By Vangie Beal, March 10, 2009

eWayDirect Brings Browsers Back to Buy

Online marketing company eWayDirect’s new service helps e-commerce site owners reconnect with customers who leave without making a purchase.

The new service basically identifies those customers who have previously agreed to receive your opt-in messages but who also fail to make a purchase on your site. Once the potential buyer leaves your Web shop, a customized e-mail — that can be related to the products the customer was viewing — is sent out to the non-buying browser.

eWayDirect Brings Browsers Back to Buy
By Vangie Beal, March 9, 2009

Do You Know Your Browser History?

Web browsers, often referred to just as browsers, are software applications used to locate and display Web pages on the World Wide Web. While this is the most popular usage, browsers can also be used to access and view content on a private or local network as well. Most, but not all browsers are graphical browsers, which means that they can display graphics as well as text. In addition, most modern browsers can present multimedia information, including sound and video, though they require plug-ins for some formats.

Web browser is actually a software application that runs on your Internet-connected computer. It allows you to view Web pages, as well as use other content and technologies such as video, graphics files, and digital certificates, to name a few. Some browsers will translate only text while others do support graphics and animation. Web browsers are not all created equal, and Web pages also will not be displayed the same in different browsers.

All About Web Browsers
By Vangie Beal, March 06, 2009