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newsletternewsletter 327
Google Chrome A Great Find
Google Chrome A Great Find
In last week’s newsletter, I suggested Firefox as a great
alternative browser. A few readers wrote to me about Google Chrome.
I was hesitant to try yet another browser, but gave it a try. Most of you are currently using Internet Explorer 7 or Internet Explorer 8. Internet Explorer is the Microsoft Browser that came with your computer. We mostly use the browser to access the internet. Many of you just click on the Internet Explorer icon and go to places like CNN.com, Facebook.com, Itunes.com and all of the favorite sites that you like to explore. Most of you don’t care about the Browser, you just click on it and surf the web. There are several alternatives to Internet Explorer. Before we get to it, you should know about Internet Explorer 8. When you purchased your computer or laptop, it probably came with Internet Explorer 7. In the past year, Microsoft updated their browser to Internet Explorer 8. If you are a purest that wants to stick with Microsoft, updating to Internet Explorer 8 is probably a good idea. Internet Explorer 8 is faster and uses less resources than version 7 and offers lots of nifty extras that make it a good choice. Updating to version 8 is a good thing. (But don’t blame me if something goes wrong!!!...updating takes about 15 minutes or so. I have had a 100% success rate updating computers that I work with. When you perform such a large update, there is always the chance that something could go wrong). There are several alternatives to Internet Explorer. Last week, I recommended Firefox. About 27% of all computer users now use Firefox. It is somewhat similar to Internet Explorer but is significantly faster and uses less resources. Firefox can also run in a secure mode that automatically delete all cookies, browsing history, and files and photos that you may have browsed during your last internet surfing session (including those photos that perhaps you shouldn’t be looking at). It is quite likely that your kids use Firefox. Along comes Google Chrome. Last week, several readers emailed me about Google Chrome. I’ve read all about it, but never used it. I decided to give it a try. What a pleasant surprise? Google Chrome downloads and installs in minutes. It is absolutely the fastest browser I have ever used and users even fewer computer resources. Surfing from one website to another is significantly faster. Here’s my suggestion. Understand that by adding Google Chrome or Firefox to your computer, you are not committing yourself to making any permanent changes to your computer. Google Chrome or Firefox appear on your desktop as an added icon. Either one takes up very little space. WARNING. When you install Chrome or Firefox, you are asked a few questions that you must answer correctly. Don’t make Chrome or Firefox your DEFAULT BROWSER unless that is what you want to do. Internet Explorer is probably your current DEFAULT BROWSER. You may want to keep it that way until you have given the alternatives a good try. You also don’t need the Google Toolbar. Just say no. You can always add it later. Assuming that you did not make Chrome or Firefox your default browser, you can use either one just by clicking on the appropriate Desktop icon on your computer. If you like it, you can make it into your default browser later. If you made a mistake and made it your default browser, you can always remove that option. Why are your kids using Firefox or Chrome? They know that it is significantly faster. Should you use Google Chrome or Firefox? I say, give it a try. For me, when I get up in the morning, I read my emails and then check out the major news sites. I go to The Wall Street Journal, Google News, CNN.com, and Foxnews.com and check out the latest headlines. After that, I quickly go to some of the retail websites followed by a few other websites just to check out what is happening in the world and the retail industry. I can do it all in significantly less time using Google Chrome. I love it. Google Chrome is far from perfect. It is not quite as secure as Internet Explorer and lacks many Internet Explorer features. I thank those who pushed me into giving it a try. It works especially well on slower computers that lack sufficient RAM and speed. It’s free. Get it on the Google website: Or go to verticalreseller.com and search for pcAmerica. 7 Franchises That Went Bankrupt Most retail store owners and managers have considered investing in or buying a franchise at one time or another. CNNMoney.com just published a fascinating article about failed franchises. Mrs. Fields Famous, the parent brand of TCBY. The franchise went Chapter 11 in August, 2008 and has recently emerged from bankruptcy. Cork and Olive opened up 17 stores and lasted only four years before filing for Chapter 11 protection. The stores still operating without their parent company. Bennigan’s went Chapter 7 in July 2008 and closed all of its corporate owned restaurants. Several of its privately owners restaurants were able to survive. Dial-A-Mattress (you know that jingle, DIAL 1-800-MATRESS)...filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and later changed it to Chapter 11 in an attempt to survive, closing 20 showrooms and warehouses. Bally Total Fitness is not so fit. It has now filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice. Fatburger has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Buffets, Inc. has filed for Chapter 11. They are best known for operating Home Town Buffet and Old Country Buffet. Read the entire story at: pcAmerica In The News Hear an interesting Podcast featuring David Gosman, CEO of pcAmerica, hosted by Vertical System Reseller magazine, and sponsored by Honeywell related to the newest POS technologies . Click here to listen to the Podcast: http://www.edgellcommunications.com/main/thankyou.php?_id=705 Increase Retail and Restaurant Sales by 18% Using Social Media Does Facebook, Twitter, texting, and using other types of social media work? According to an article in Media Post News, companies with the highest level of social media usage increased revenues by an average of 18% during the past year. In other words, Facebook, Twitter, texting, and other computer related marketing really work. To read the entire article, go to:
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=110120
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