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Aviary has an impressive suite of web-based software that is free to use.  They have built scaled-down versions of Photoshop, ImageReady, and Illustrator that run within a web browser in Flash (not Air, for the techies).  In addition, they have a multi-track sound editor that has the same core functionality as Apple’s Garage Band.  Although Aviary is pushing the limits of what Flash is capable of, their execution is outstanding.  This software suite works and works WELL!

Although these apps are lighter in features than their desktop counterparts, they are some of the most advanced web apps I’ve yet used.  All are incredible models of how web-based software should work.  These are the prefect tools if you have to do a little photo editing on an underpowered laptop or netbook.  If you’ve ever had to edit some photos when you’ve been on vacation with your old junky laptop, I’ve got the solution to your pain.  Photoshop on a crappy laptop just grinds your productivity to asnail’s pace.  But these apps fire up in about 30 seconds and you’re ready to go.  Working with large graphics files is nearly instantaneous because all the heavy lifting is being done on Aviary’s servers.

I highly, highly recommended Aviary as both a top-notch tool and an example of how to build web-based software.  Check it out here.

Need a solid video host?

Brightcove, an internet TV platform, not only hosts your vids but also helps you promote it via:

1. Community: Leverage viral video sharing.

2. Distribution: Attract affiliates and list content with video search engines.

3. Advertising: Generate revenue from advertising.

Check out their 2 minute demo: http://www.brightcove.com/products/index.cfm

On March 23 we announced the launch of an online mortgage marketing toolkit portal for Silver Hill Financial and three days later were featured on DSNews.com.   

Proof that press releases can get really you press!

http://dsnews.com/broadcasts_archive.cfm?streamid=285

Kinda cheesy but this flash based Wired Cover-O-Matic will kill 5 minutes out of your boring day.  

http://www.condenet.com/promo/xerox/

eBay’s feedback system is really the only solution online to reach true success in having consumers respect and base decisions on another users “Online Reputation.”  The Gorb is one of a few startups whose trying to capilize on that.  

The Gorb has anonymous comments and ratings about an individual so whether you love them or hate them you place a rating on their personal and professional lives.  Scale is from 1 to 10, with total averages and comments.  

Sound scary?  Maybe not.  Experts believe the future of the web (3.0, 4.0 whatever) relies solely on accountability and identity.  I’m just hoping someone doesn’t give me a zero and say I smell like Greek goat cheese!

www.TheGorb.com  

Are you an RSS fan and need help finding something interesting to subscribe to?  Try FeedMiner.  They stole Google’s interface but have fast results and can help you find random crap like “Patently Silly: The Humor of Invention.”

www.FeedMiner.com

Want a better alternative to taking a marketing class at your local college? Then pay attention marketing guru Seth Godin.  Here’s a 48 minute online video of him speaking to the people at Google about why they rock and what marketing means in web 2.0.   

Seth recaps his permission marketing, purple cow, idea virus and all marketers are liars concepts with remarks like “Tiffany’s doesn’t sell necklaces.  They sell blue boxes with the Tiffany’s logo on it.  They charge you $1000’s of dollars for the box and then give the necklace away free inside!”

“All Marketers are Liars” - Seth Godin speaks at Google

If you’re still using the painfully slow built in Windows search function to look for documents on your personal computer consider upgrading to Google desktop. Searching is as easy as searching on Google.com and also includes:

• Smart one time indexing when your machine is idle
• Searches all regular files as well as email and web history
• Google.com integration
• View news, photos and more anywhere on your desktop
• Outlook integration
• Add Google Gadgets to customize your desktop and sidebar
• Lock Search to prevent anyone else from doing a Google Desktop Search 

Google Desktop

A fast way to create your family tree online and stay in touch this web applicaiton is so web 2.0.   

www.geni.com/tree/start

Need more info about e-marketing?  I attended this informative webinar from Salesforce.com which did a good job outlining e-marketing concepts tips and tricks.   

Click here to watch it online.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ONLINE
(12.7MB Flash)

Or for your iPod:
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
(22MB M4V)

 Podcast Video: Download

Considered a MySpace for business professionals this web 2.0 networking site is awesome for keeping in touch with your contacts. Free to join it’s features include:

• Find potential clients, service providers, subject experts, and partners who come recommended
• Be found for business opportunities
• Search for great jobs
• Discover inside connections that can help you land jobs and close deals
• Post and distribute job listings
• Find high-quality passive candidates
• Get introduced to other professionals through the people you know

www.LinkedIn.com

And you can add me: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/3/338/b05

Mark Cuban is a nut case.  He sold  Broadcast.com to Yahoo! right before the bubble burst for $5.7 billion keeping $1.9 billion himself.  He then bought the Dallas Mavericks for $280 million, which at the time was the highest price ever paid for a basketball team and now he holds the record for largest NBA fine ever when he complained about an official saying, “I wouldn’t hire him to manage a Dairy Queen.” Dairy Queen in turn invited Cuban to run a Dairy Queen for a day.  So Mark did.  

This dude is outspoken, intelligent and has his pulse on technology which is all evident in his blog.  Like tech and basketball?  Check it out.  

www.blogmaverick.com

If you’ve ever looked into hosting your own webinar at first glance they may seem difficult and expensive to produce but with products like GoToWebinar and Simple Event keeping in touch with your customers is easier than ever.

Here are some tips:

1. Choose a stable software that has just the right amount of features.  No need to have all the bells and whistles you’ll spend weeks trying to learn it and GoToWebinar is good starting application at only $500/yr.

2. Plan it.  But don’t read it.
3. Practice! Practice! Practice!
4. Get help.  Have someone in your office attend it and monitor your presentation for errors.
5. Forget online audio, way too many problems. 
6. Use a free dial in service like Simple Event.
7. Test the audio.  The easiest way to lose an audience is if they can’t hear it.
8. Keep it short and to the point. Remember you’re on the internet, one of the most impatient places on earth.
9. Have fun! No need to bust out knock knock jokes but making your audience smile could be the difference between an OK webinar and a great one.

To quote Jerry Maguire’s mentor Dicky Fox “If you don’t love everybody, you can’t sell anybody” and if you love sales … you can’t live without SalesForce.com.

The price tag can be a bit steep depending on the features needed but entry starts around $700 for 5 users per year with the next level at $600 per user per year. But forget about the price.

The real value of this online sales and marketing automation solution is what it accomplishes.  It’s 100% configurable to your business logic, integrates with almost any technology out there, includes comprehensive analytics and within one day you can up and running without any software to install. 

I love it, and use it daily.

www.SalesForce.com