Internet blogs: a passing fad or a useful tool?(TALKING TECH)

Do you know what a "blog" is?

If you answered no, you are not alone. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, 62 percent of Americans are not familiar with blogs. However, as the number of blogs on the Internet continues to increase, the knowledge of them is quickly growing.

And, in our ever-more complex society, one of the best things about blogs is they are simple to use and create.

Blogs are an online journaling tool for information sharing. A blog differs from a traditional Web site primarily because its content is more dynamic and its presentation is much simpler--at its core a blog is essentially just a Web-based log of text entries, photos and links to other sites and resources organized by date. While many are used for disseminating personal information (imagine an electronic diary) they also have practical business possibilities.

What makes blogs so appealing is their broad accessibility. They are very low cost, easy to set up and maintain and do not require much technical knowledge.

To set one up all you need is some software and a host service just like you would have for a normal Web site. Even simpler yet, some sites such as MSN Spaces and Blogger.com are offering free on-line blog-creation services--no special software or skills required. Once a blog has been created it is very. easy to update and customize using design templates that can be found online or are built into the software.

How can a blog benefit your business? Blogging technology suits many businesses well because of its low-cost marketing potential and the fact that blogs can easily be created from scratch or added to existing Web sites.

Blogging culture also encourages bloggers to link to one another, and, as a result, informative and well-created blogs often get more attention than regular Web sites. Also, blogs often rank higher in Web search engine results such as Google because they are updated more frequently and the blog structure is easier to index than Web sites.

Blogs can also be a great resource internally within your business to help share knowledge more efficiently. A blog on your company's intranet could remind employees of current issues, policies and procedures or be used as a simple knowledge base where employees and team members can learn from each other. They can also be used for feedback purposes and posting remarks and comments to record information about how to do things better or streamline business processes.

As with any Web site or presentation, one of the keys to a good blog is preparation. How will you make your blog interesting and relevant?

For instance, a lawyer creating a legal blog might want to consider the use of humor to draw a broader audience (see http://ernietheattorney.net for a great example).

Frequent updating is another critical point for a successful blog. An out-of-date blog is akin to reading a copy of last week's newspaper. Finally, log entries need to be informative, focused and well organized with correct grammar to entice users to visit again and again.

That said, time is one of the biggest factors when determining whether creating a blog will be useful for your business. The initial set up is just the first step; it is a substantial ongoing commitment to research, gather information and write regular log entries.

So how do you get started with blogs? First, surf the Internet to get a sense of the style of blog that appeals to you. Once you have decided on a general theme and topic for your blog, consider using a hosted service to help get your blog up and running quickly. As you are ready for more advanced features there are more robust tools available for in-depth collaboration and knowledge management.

Sean Patton is an accountant and information technology professional with Cordell, Neher and Company, PLLC. He can be reached at 663-1661 or sean@cnccpa.com.

Victor Chandler ups the stakes as bookies dash for High St cash.

Byline: JIM ARMITAGE

VICTOR Chandler is planning a huge flagship betting shop in the City as part of a major expansion drive on Britain's High Streets.

Chandler bought the lease on a Grade I-listed bank building in Cornhill, last week.

Hit by the National Lottery and other scratchcard games in the early 1990s, the dapper bookie closed his chain of shops to concentrate on his trackside operation.

Then, in 1998, he led the exodus of UK betting firms offshore to avoid the onerous tax regime.

From his new base in Gibraltar, he built up a large international internet and telephone gambling business which continues to thrive despite the abolition of British betting in October 2001.

But now, with gambling deregulation triggering boom times among betting shops, Chandler is planning to open 50 this year, followed by 50 next year.

He is negotiating with planning authorities and English Heritage to refurbish the City bank building with mahogany panelling, lifts and other luxury decor including armchairs.

"It will be set on three galleried floors, with full uniformed waitress service offering free soft drinks and sandwiches. It will be the Rolls-Royce of the bookmaking industry," said development director John Trissler.

Chandler hired Trissler, himself a career bookmaker, specifically to build the UK business. In March, he bought Sports Bookmakers, a chain of 31 shops in London and the South-East. These are being transformed into Victor Chandler outlets.

The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, is funded by cashflow from the Gibraltar operation.

Chandler's British shops will guarantee to pay out up to [pounds sterling]1 million - double the standard maximum at many High Street shops.

Trissler has recently been taking out advertisements in the Racing Post offering to buy betting shops. He has had responses from across the country which he expects will fuel his progress towards Chandler's expansion targets.

The current chairman is the third Victor Chandler to run the firm. His grandfather founded the operation in the 1920s.

The company remains committed to its operations in Gibraltar, which now employ more than 400 mostly multilingual staff, serving clients in 165 countries.

It is said to be the biggest private employer on The Rock.

ADVISORY/Micropayments Conference: The New Business Models Driving Internet Commerce.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...for Monday (Nov. 3)

Micropayments Conference

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

         Ron Rivest, Co-Founder of RSA and Greg Papadopolous, CTO       of Sun Microsytems Among the Visionaries to Discuss Future              of Micropayments at New York City Conference             The Harvard Club, 27 West 44th St. New York City;                          8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.      On November 3, 2003, at the Harvard Club in New York City, more than 80 senior executives from leading entertainment, media and publishing companies will gather to discuss the future of Internet commerce at the first executive conference focused on micropayments.     The conference, hosted by Peppercoin, a micropayments company that enables profitable, new business models for low-priced digital content and physical goods, will focus on the potential of micropayments in today's business climate and how micropayments will fundamentally change business models in music, gaming and other industries. The full-day program features keynotes, six panels, a sit-down lunch and a post-conference cocktail reception.     Ron Rivest, founder of RSA Security and Peppercoin, and Greg Papadopoulos, chief technology officer for Sun Microsystems, will be presenting keynotes. Executives from Nickelodeon Online, PayPal, Sony Music, Visa USA, Warner Music Group, and Yahoo! Music, among other companies, will explore business and technology trends and new business models as they apply to micropayments and e-commerce.     Panel discussions will focus on:      --  The future of micropayments keynote by Ron Rivest      --  New business models in online publishing      --  New business models in digital music      --  Micropayment infrastructure keynote by Greg Papadopolous      --  Micropayments and the payment industry      --  New business models for online games      REGISTER: To register as media, request additional information or arrange an interview at or before the conference, please contact Mark McClennan or Scott Love at 781-684-0770 or email peppercoin@schwartz-pr.com. 

About Peppercoin, Inc.

Peppercoin is a micropayments company that enables profitable, new business models for low-priced digital content and physical goods. Only Peppercoin helps merchants build market adoption quickly through a consumer-friendly, pay-as-you-go approach that eliminates prepayments. Peppercoin integrates easily with existing business models and systems to accelerate revenues and increase profits while dramatically lowering transaction costs. For more information visit www.peppercoin.com.

British Airways awards key WiFi contract to Spectrum Interactive; UK's leading airport public internet access operator to provide public WiFi services to 16 British Airways lounges.

M2 PRESSWIRE-March 31, 2011-: British Airways awards key WiFi contract to Spectrum Interactive; UK's leading airport public internet access operator to provide public WiFi services to 16 British Airways lounges(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:31032011

Hemel Hempstead -- Spectrum Interactive has announced that it is to provide public WiFi services at some of the biggest and busiest airline lounges across the UK, through a new contract with one of the world's leading premium airlines, British Airways. The agreement will see Spectrum deploy and manage 'free-to-user' WiFi internet access at a number of British Airways lounges across the UK, including eight at Heathrow Airport.

The British Airways tender required the highest support & service levels, and a system developed with ease-of-use in mind. The service has been optimised for the latest smartphone and hand-held devices in order to provide the best possible user experience.

"Our passengers quite rightly expect reliable and convenient internet connectivity in our lounges as part of our offering as a premium airline," explained Nick Teale, British Airways worldwide networks manager. "Spectrum offers the capability, coverage and dedicated engineering base to meet our needs, so that we deliver the robust and resilient WiFi solution that our customers demand," he added.

Daniel Gray, director of Spectrum's travel division commented: "British Airways has very high, exacting standards for its WiFi provision, and so naturally we are delighted to have won this prestigious contract. The airline accepts nothing but the best for its passengers and turning to us to deliver a state-of-the-art WiFi system is a huge compliment and testament to our track record specifically within travel locations and transport hubs." Daniel concluded: "This agreement benefits from the people, knowledge and systems that Spectrum has invested into its WiFi service, which is now running at 50 plus airline lounges."

About Spectrum Interactive

Based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, UK, Spectrum Interactive is a specialist provider of innovative communication, entertainment and internet access solutions. With dedicated divisions serving the travel and hospitality sectors, its client experience includes BAA Group, Manchester Airport Group, British Airways, Flybe, Servisair, Cathay Pacific, Hilton, Hyatt, Radisson, Travelodge, Premier Inn, Holiday Inn, Brewers Fayre, Accor, Center Parcs, Whitbread, Moto, and Greene King.

The market leader of public access internet provision in UK airports with services in operation at over 24 airports across mainland UK, Spectrum also provides solutions to over 1,100 hotels, 50 airline lounges, 75 motorway service stations, and over 50 marinas in the UK.

Combining leading-edge technology with in-depth market understanding and innovation, Spectrum delivers flexible solutions that reduce operating costs, improve efficiency, build brand loyalty and enhance customer service.

For more information on Spectrum visit http://www.spectruminteractive.co.uk

Press contact:

Daniel Gray

Spectrum Interactive

daniel.gray@spectruminteractive.co.uk

01442 205 515

www.spectruminteractive.co.uk

www.spectrummarinawifi.co.uk

For more information on British Airways visit http://press.ba.com/

((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).

New Information Technology Study Findings Reported from S. Kim and Co-Authors.

According to a study from the United States, "This paper explores a sample of thirty-six active users' experience of credibility judgments in Yahoo! Answers, the most popular social question and answer site in the U. S., to understand how users evaluate the credibility of answers provided by fellow users on the Web. Interviews were conducted with thirty-six questioners of Yahoo! Answers by e-mail, Internet chat and telephone. Analysis."

"The interviews were transcribed and the data were analysed using the constant-comparison method of content analysis. The questioners' credibility judgments in the site link to a broad context of an information seeking process, including pre-search activities and post-search verification behaviour. Many message-and source-related criteria from previous Web credibility research transfer to the social question and answer environment, but Website-related criteria do not apply here because questioners evaluate answerers in the same site. Also, the questioners evaluated message credibility more often than source credibility due to the frequent unavailability of source information. Many questioners exhibited critical evaluation skills at least to some extent," wrote S. Kim and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "An improved design of the site and user instruction, however, could further help questioners and answerers find or provide credible information."

Kim and colleagues published their study in Information Research - an International Electronic Journal (Questioners' credibility judgments of answers in a social question and answer site. Information Research - an International Electronic Journal, 2010;15(2):432).

For more information, contact S. Kim, University of Maryland, College Informat Studies, Hornbake S Wing, College Park, MD 20742, USA.

Publisher contact information for the Information Research - an International Electronic Journal is: University Sheffield Dept. Information Studies, University Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, S Yorks, England.

Keywords: City:College Park, State:MD, Country:United States, Information Technology

This article was prepared by Information Technology Newsweekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Information Technology Newsweekly via VerticalNews.com.

Med DataCare Pro's Healthcare Network Links with Home-Based Billers.

Med DataCare Pro, a healthcare service provider based in Dallas since 1999, joins hands with home-based billers to create a network of healthcare professionals at a national level for the mutual benefit of home-based billers, physicians and Med DataCare Pro.

According to the CEO and Managing Partner of Med DataCare Pro, "This network will revolutionize the healthcare outsourcing scenario because of its adaptability and value addition to all parties concerned."

Creating a national presence for a company is extremely difficult and the growth prospects for a home-based biller are limited; this network seeks to generate positive synergies between the two and create a win-win situation for both, the Company noted in a release.

The Business Development Director at Med DataCare Pro explained how this network was conceived, he said, "We received many enquiries as a result of the huge Internet campaign that we ran in 2010. However, we were not able to close the leads in the absence of a national sales force. That is when we actually recommended a home based biller from Arkansas to service the leads and she was able to close significant number of leads for us in the same region."

The home-based biller also represents Med DataCare Pro at industry associations and keeps tabs on the current happenings, regulatory changes while providing industry updates. The Biller enhances the value of the network at such forums and helps the network to grow for better future prospects.

With this association, the healthcare providers will be helped: - The cost of administrative services is reduced - "Sales Force" is eliminated - They can use the advice of a qualified biller - Can get personal attention, making them more confident about outsourcing.

All in all, Med Data said that this network aims to improve professional efficiencies of all parties concerned and create a win-win situation for everyone involved. The revenue for the "Home-based Biller," the efficiency and cost optimization for "Physicians" and a national presence for "Med DataCare Pro" is a solution, which in the long term will benefit the Healthcare Industry.

((Comments on this story may be sent to health@closeupmedia.com))