This Issue:

Marketing Your Site
What's New
Hot Tip
Hot Links
Just for Grins

Website Design          Affordable Hosting          Hosting Plans       Custom Solutions

CD Business Cards        Business Promotional Tools      E-Commerce       Print Services

October 2010

Volume 102

 

Marketing Your Site

What's New ?

New Economy Customer Service

Those of you that have read my other articles know that friendly customer service or the lack there of is a pet peeve of mine, especially when it relates to fast food restaurants and discount stores. In the past it seems that some of these establishments either trained their employees to be rude or neglected to train them regarding customer service at all. A passing grunt from a drive thru window as my food is passed in a paper bag hardly qualifies as a winning formula for customer retention. But recently something has changed, a grand transformation is taking place or the new economy has brought a new sense of awareness regarding the value of customer service.

A recent trip to an area "Big Box" store and fast food restaurant drive thru left me scratching my head. Two of the places better known for causing me to clinch my teeth while paying for poor customer service surprised me with what I least expected. In each department of the "Big Box" store we were greeted with friendly smiles and offers to help find whatever we needed or answer any of our questions. The fast food drive thru was no different, smiles and manners for everyone. Now for a moment I considered the possibility that everyone had read my previous articles and realized the error of their ways. Then I returned to reality and considered what had caused this amazing conversion. Then it hit me, news of a poor economy either motivated employees with a desire to keep their jobs or management had determined that quality customer service was their only chance of keeping market share. Whatever the reason, it was enjoyable. It made the entire evening better. (I know, I need to get a life.)

Then I began to wonder, will a reverse of this dynamic customer service turn around take place when there is better news about our economy? I hope not, but as a cynic I won't be taking any bets on the long term return of a thank you, a smile or general use of manners. I guess I can enjoy it while it lasts and maybe, just maybe it will become a habit in the mean time.
Drive by Malware

After recently reading an article I thought it was important to remind everyone why, as updates and new versions of software become available it should become a habit to update the software promptly.

The article I read was about drive-by malware. My understanding of drive-by malware is that it is a 3 step process designed to run with out the knowledge of the user.

Step 1 is to exploit the vulnerable web browser component. (Non-updated browser)
Step 2 the code is injected into the web browser. (Malicious code attaches to #1)
Step 3 The web browser connects to the malware server and then installs the malware on your computer. (Infected browser acts as a gateway for a hacker)

Although none of us have ever knowingly chosen to download malware to our computer we may be guilty of not updating or installing new versions of the software we use through our browser. A diagram in the article stated that the applications most targeted by drive-by malware are as follows (this was based on 19,000 trials):

#4 Adobe Flash
#3 Internet Explorer
#2 Sun Java
#1 Adobe Reader

Of course these are four of the most popular browser related programs. The more popular a program is the more prone to vulnerabilities it is if left unpatched.

Software companies update programs for many reasons and one of them is to close exploits that may have been discovered. By updating our software we can help to protect our systems from getting caught in a drive-by.

New software maybe available soon to help block drive-by malware. You can find out more information about drive-by malware and a new program called Blade at the Tech Republic website.
 

    Just for Grins    

Stupid Headlines

1. Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
2. Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
3. Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
4. Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
5. Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
6. Include Your Children when Baking Cookies
7. Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
8. Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years at Checkout Counter
9. Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
10. Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge

   

Hot Links

Hot Tip

Denison Links 
Area Website Directory, Recipe Database, Family Resource Links, and E-Minder

 Monarch Country  
Highlights, Scores, Schedules and More..

PPP Design Website Design Marketing Checklist
A categorized website design marketing review.

Help Files and Tutorials
Tutorials provided by PPP Design and BT Computers LLC.

Definitely Denison
Find out More about Denison (Where to shop, eat and stay)

Download Explorer++
Free, open source multi tab folder manager for XP and above

Blade ~ Anti Drive by Malware Program
Anti Malware Research Prototype coming soon

 Explorer ++

Explorer ++ is a free multi-tab file manager for Windows XP and above operating systems.

Explorer++ is portable and uses tabs for managing multiple folders at once.

Drag and Drop supported.

Advanced options and keyboard shortcuts available.

Free and Open Source
 

Download Explorer++

 

 

Contact: PPP Design

Visit PPP Design Online

If you would rather not receive this newsletter please click the link below to unsubscribe, you will be removed from our mailing list immediately.
Unsubscribe