Have you had a chance to review the Woo Commerce plugin and themes?  The unbelievably talented team over at Woo Themes never ceases to amaze us with new and improved functionality to our wordpress sites.  You can download the free WooCommerce plugin and then upload to your exisitng theme or choose one of the Woo Themes specifically made for Woo Commerce.  It installs in a flash and you are ready to add products, and set up shop immediately.  There is beautiful integration with wordpress and you will find it easy to customize for the type of product or service you want to sell.  You can add additional extensions for Paypal and other popular services.

Let us know if you need any assistance.

So it seems easy enough to update your wordpress and plugins to the latest versions, yet some bloggers do not do this.  Words to the wise:  UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE.

Yes, the unthinkable happened to yours truly!  I had some old sites on my hosting account that were inactive and because there was an older version of wordpress (or plugin), it allowed a hacker to get it and corrupt other sites on my hosting!  All fixed now, but not without a few harrowing moments, and a few hours of downtime.

Do you need help getting your own “house” in order here?  Just CONTACT US and we can help you our in short order!

Check out the design awards that Apple recently bestowed on these apps.  And while you are there, look at those from 2010.  This is a good place to see if you are missing any apps for your Mac, iPad, or iPhone that meet some strict criteria in design, innovation and technical excellence.

This has to rank as one of the biggest stressors out there.  You go to your site and it is not there!  You get one of many messages.  You panic.  You wait on hold for the hosting company ‘s tech support to answer.  You message your tech.  You call friends and ask them if they see your site.  Here is what you should do first.  Just go to this site (and be sure to bookmark): DownforEveryoneOrJust Me Now wasn’t that easy?  At least you know if the problem is on your end or global!

Although I gave the iPad a mediocre review at first, I now admit, that I am an iPad fanatic.  You may wonder what made me change my mind.  The first is that I upgraded to a version with 3G.  This makes all the difference in that you aren’t always trying to get on wifi and enter passwords as you move about.  When traveling, it is superb.  Check all email just before the flight attendant closes the cabin door, and stay in touch constantly.

The second thing is setting up the iPad well enough to make it fully functional.  This includes using your calendar, and integrating work and personal email.  Getting the appropriate productivity tools, books and some fun videos and games makes it a total entertainment device.  Many iPad specific apps came out since i first wrote my review and many of them are stunning.  I am a definite “app hog”, but rely on some way more than others.  Have many pages of apps, but the home screen is where I operate most.  If you click on the picture above, you will be able to see the apps I use most.  I also save a few website pages as shortcuts so I don’t have to take the extra steps to go to them via safari.

The most important changed happened a few weeks after I got the iPad.  I finally got a decent case and it made all the differnce in the world.  Without that case, I was always feeling like I would drop the iPad.  The case made it so much friendlier!

So, to make a long story short, I now love my iPad so much I rarely go anywhere without it!

So, when Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 was released, I purchased the Home and Student version which comes with 3 product keys from Amazon.  Only one problem:  there is no Outlook.  If you wanted Outlook, you had to buy the Business version.   When you load the home and student software, they suggest you try the Trial version of Outlook, which I did.  It expired, so I decided to upgrade.  Sounds simple enough, right?

Well you can upgrade for $99 and get only 1 product key.  I was upset that I couldn’t do the upgrade on the 3 products keys, but it took me 45 minutes on the phone with several Microsoft employees and supervisors to decide that I would finally upgrade with 1 key.  I then tried to purchase online for 4 hours.  In between, I called Microsoft and asked for help since their website would just spin and spin and could not complete the transaction.  I got put on hold after being shuffled to 4 people.  Each took my phone number “in case we get disconnected” and I had to reiterate my story each time.  The last person put me on permanent hold, and disconnected me completely, but never called me back.

You may wonder at this point why I wanted Outlook.  I had already imported and customized my email(several issues, but all ultimately resolved).  I finally decided that perhaps the browser was the probelm, so tried Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.  Finally got connected and purchased, but this experience has made me even more of a hater.

After talking to 9 different Microsoft customer service people, I finally had to resolve the problem myself.  In all my years of using Apple customer service, I have never had any issues even remotely resembling this.  So Microsoft, perhaps you need to take a lesson from a company that provides excellent customer service and keeps their customers coming back to buy more.

This is an update to Part I of this topic…

As mentioned, I got the Macbook Air despite my qualms.  Now, after 2 months of using this sexy featherweight, I am even happier with the purchase.  I have been traveling a great deal, and I can stick it inside the carry on bag in a neoprene sleeve.  Pops in and out at security.

I thought I would still continue to bring the MB Pro 15″ to the office so I had a little more juice and the larger screen, but lo and behold, that Air goes everywhere with me.  In fact, the MacBook Pro 15 has essentially become my desktop computer and I never even unplug it from the Dell 24″ Ultrasharp monitor (still waiting for the Apple 27″ LCD).  If I am computing around the house, the featherlight Air is the computer of choice.  It is speedy with the solid state drive (don’t consider not getting that!) and performance is great for such a little dynamo.

Here is how I travel with the air:

• Air in neoprenene sleeve by inCase this is great since super thin and light.  You can get through airport security without removing from the sleeve as mentioned above.  If you do pack cables or accessories with the computer, you will have to remove it from the case.
• Mouse – Apple Magic Mouse – nice bluetooth slim companion.
• USB flash drive, portable SD card reader
• Charging cable for phone, iPad, iPod Touch
• A/C adapter (don’t forget this!)

To summarize, I was infatuated with the Air when I first got it, but now it is True Love!

Sad, but true – I finally succumbed to the iPad.  This is not your normal iPad lovefest review, but it may help you make a decision about purchasing an iPad.

I resisted for a LONG time (at least for me).  This started by convincing myself that I really didn’t need an iPad since I like to travel light and was happy with my iPod Touch and MacBook Air.  For those who can travel without a computer, the iPad is great, but I need to be able to access corporate VPN, do website work and unfortunately, I need a computer for that.

Once I finally decided to purchase, I found out that it was almost impossible to get one quickly, and had both a good and bad experience, but that is the topic of another blog post ( – my first bad experience in my “happy place”).

What I love:

• Video is spectacular
• Words With Friends is so much better than on the iPod Touch
• Photos
• Web Surfing

What is suprising:

• It is turning out to be a good “at home gadget”
• Really enjoy using when on the ellipical
• The lack of good apps (not using an iPod app at 2x size with lousy resolution).
• iBooks is a very elegant app

What needs improvement:

• Availability of decent cases – supposedly the Apple one is good, but mine has been on order for a couple of weeks, and haven’t received yet.
• Not that much easier to transport than the Macbook Air, with a lot of sacrifice of applications
• Multitasking
• Need books at a reasonable price and more selection

What are your thoughts on the iPad?

Once I finally decided to purchase an  iPad, I found out that it was almost impossible to get one quickly.  I ordered on line (said 7-10 days before it shipped with no expedited options).  I also went into the Apple store and ordered one.  That is a great system.  When it comes in, they email you and you have 24 hours to claim it.  It only took 48 hours to get my email – ” Congratulations your 64GB Wifi iPad is here”.  Wow – that was fast.  Canceled the online order and headed to the Apple Store.  Good customer service, but then, I had my first truly awful experience at the Apple Store.  It started out when I mentioned that the sync cord looked the same as the iPod.   She said, “no, it is different”.  I said “it looks the same”.  She said, “it is different inside”.  Huh?

They said in the email that they could help you set up your email, etc.  I decided to take advantage of this since I have never had trouble getting my email on my Touch, but have had terrible problems with sending email.  She proceeded to try to help me, and could not get it working..  I asked if she could get someone else to help, and she returned from the back saying that Road Runner email won’t work in the store – just at my house.  I said that I had problems with my email on the Touch even at home, and didn’t plan to spend $700 for an iPad where I couldn’t send email.  We then proceeded to try a pop email account from my website.  That didn’t work either.    She seemed reluctant to get any help, suggested that I call Apple from home???  I said fine, but I want something in writing that says that if I can’t get the email to send, I could return the iPad without a restocking charge.  She said – “Okay, Mike (store manager) knows about this”.  I said I needed it in writing.  She went to the back and returned with his business card with nothing written on it.  Wow – I am sure that would have really helped me.    At this point, I asked to speak with Mike.  After a short wait, Mike arrived and did not appear to know anything about the situation.  He was nice and got a Genius to help me.  The store had closed at this point (I was there 45 minutes thus far), so the Genius (who was knowledgeable) was able to give me some quick help so that I could finish at home.  I asked him about the sync cord, which he confirmed WAS the same as the iPod Touch.  So, in the end, I was okay, but it ruined my previously unmarred impression of my “happy place”.  iPad review is up next.

All About BlogWorld

BlogWorld & New Media Expo will be hosting the 4th annual Conference October 14-16, 2010 in Vegas.  Having attended 2 previous BlogWorlds, I can give you the inside skinny on why you must be there and some helpful advice for attending.

Why Go?

Simply put, you can’t get this much value for the investment any other way.  In the past, I have had a chance to attend sessions with industry leaders like Jeremy Schoemaker (Shoemoney), Darren Rowse, Brian Clark, Chris Brogan, and Stephan Spencer.  Add in keynotes from Gary Vaynerchuk and Tim Ferris, and I got enough inspiration to get my blogging and social media skills kicked into high gear for some time.  It is not the same as sitting in front of your computer reading blogs and tweeting!  The networking opportunities are terrific.  Everyone is approachable and friendly.

Don’t Skip Thursday

The Thursday sessions are focused on corporate blogging, podcasting, social media and use of new media technology in business environments.  There is a much smaller attendance for this day which requires a full access pass.  Do not miss this day’s events.  The setting is more intimate for networking before the masses arrive, and you won’t be disappointed.  In 2008, Guy Kawasaki and Steve Rubel spoke during the luncheon (which is included in the price).

Twitter During the Event

Every room is equipped with a huge screen in the front that shows the latest twitter feed with the #BWE hashtag.  It is non-stop tweeting including to the speakers during the sessions!

The Trade Show

The trade show portion is an added bonus.  You get to meet a diverse group of vendors and check out new products.  Of course, be sure to have room in your suitcase for all the SWAG you will get.

Other Advice

Wear comfortable shoes.  Lots of walking on concrete.  Consider not carrying your computer around unless you have a lightweight machine.  Bring your camera, digital recorder and/or flip camera.   You won’t want to miss opportunities to record the important moments.

If you want to attend parties, tweetups, and more, be sure to sign up for all facebook groups and follow other attendees on twitter right before the event.

The hotel prices are very aggressive this year.  I prefer to stay at the Renaissance because it is so close to the South Hall, but the Hilton and Courtyard have really low pricing.

Be Sure To Sign Up Early for Price Breaks

Click here and use coupon code TWEET20 for 20% off sale.  Hope to see your there!  Tweet to @custommarketing or comment below to let us know if your are attending!

Special thanks to Rick, Libby, Dave, et al for a great event.