New Tools, Same Old Traps
May 6, 2009
OK, I love the web, and likely you do too. Still, I’ve been hard pressed to understand how “social networking” comes into play for business marketing. Most of what I’ve seen falls into the category of shameless self promotion. And that’s a shame.
Certain hard truths will always be unavoidable, be it in print, direct mail or on the web. Foremost among these, nobody else cares about your self-serving PR message. On the other hand, if you’re willing to share your knowledge and gifts with world and do so without the expectation of reciprocity, the universe will amply reward you.
Giving away the store may not be what your sales department is looking for but on the other hand, generosity is the only message that will ring out above the din of myriad competing sales messages that buzz overhead like mosquitoes in a swamp.
There’s no quick fix here, but if you’re willing to invest in a valid online strategy, I’ve posted some audio that might be useful. It’s from a webinar entitled Taking Your Brand Online hosted by John Jantsch with an all-star panel including Guy Kawasaki, Chris Brogan and David Meerman Scott. Grab a latte and put in an hour with some of the most interesting online personalities around. (Note: Click on the article title above if you don’t see the play button)
Recession Busting Graphics Software
December 23, 2008
This article appears on EzineArticles.com
NEWSFLASH:
We’re officially in recession. Isn’t that a shocking revelation? Unless a bailout is coming your way, maybe now’s a good time to save some green on your company’s publishing software needs. People often ask me “what’s the best software choice for my newsletter?” (or brochure, business card, mailer, etc.) Of course, no single software package fits everyone’s needs. This is my list of top picks for professional grade tools, available on the cheap.
Word Processor
Go-Go Clinton/Bush years: Microsoft Office: $420
Obama’s change: Open Office: FREE at http://openoffice.org.
It’s hard to believe that more people aren’t using this amazing, fully functional office suite, which is available for a free download. Once a bit rough around the edges, the last few years of open source development have added a lot of polish to the program. It includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database, powerpoint alternative, and even a draw program.
Page Layout
Real Estate Boom: Adobe InDesign CS4: $694
The Bubble Bursts: Scribus: FREE at http://www.scribus.net
Sure, I’d love all your projects to come in from clients using QuarkXpress, or Adobe’s flagship Creative Suite. Then again, Scribus represents a rock solid contender in the page layout category, once you get used to the quirky looking user interface.
Photo Editor
Dow at 11,000: Adobe Photoshop $630
Retire on tomato soup for dinner: GIMP : FREE at http://www.gimp.org
Let’s face it; you probably don’t need more than a few of Photoshop’s tools, commands and functions. All of its most important functions can be found in yet another open source project: GIMP. It’s nothing like the program you may have seen a few years back, while poking around in Linux. There’s even a hack to give it the look and feel you’ve grown to love (or hate) in Photoshop.
Open source software has come a long way in recent years, thanks to the generosity of the programming community. All of these programs are available in Windows and Mac versions, and the resulting output files are fully supported at Copies&Ink.
In upcoming posts: We’ll talk about some of the key features in these programs, and how they might apply to your work. Keep posted!
Clipboard on Steriods
November 12, 2008
OK, this is simple, cool, and best of all free. It’s a Macintosh utility that expands your clipboard into cubbyholes. Each time you copy to the clipboard, you fill a new cubby without overwriting your last clipboard copy.
Using a menu bar item, or keyboard shortcut, you simply select the content you need and paste it wherever you want. Simple and elegant.
It’s called Jumpcut. Download it from the author’s Sourceforge page.
A software pick that pops out!
July 17, 2008
I have no clue as to all the things you can do with FinderPop for the Macintosh. But if you just use it to sort your way through a messy desktop or to switch between applications, you should get it. Best of all, it’s free. Donations will be accepted by the publisher.
Free Font Utility from Linotype
June 26, 2008
OK, it may not be terribly original to build a font manager that looks almost identical to ITunes (including a built-in font store), but the venerable type founder, Linotype was shrewd to do so. There’s got to be a boatload of overlap between graphic designers and ITunes customers. I cut my teeth growing up with Linotype equipment, and the company’s entry into digital typography is long overdue.
I’m imagining that the market for font management software isn’t exactly vast. Hence there hasn’t much new to consider, certainly not from Adobe. Yet the need to organize your fonts remains as important as ever. So a FREE font manager that really works is a great addition to the Mac arsenal. (PC version out soon!)
Linotype is betting on the convenience factor here: click and buy. After all, Adobe isn’t the only game in town. I bet someone in San Jose got chewed out for not thinking of this first.
BTW, the ability to switch your fonts on and off as needed, helps your computer run faster. Thanks to Copies&Ink Graphics Manager, Dave McPherson for pointing out this find!
Free download from Linotype Corp.
iWork 08 Pages: Pretty Slick
April 23, 2008
OK, it’s not QuarkXPress or InDesign, but if you need a good basic layout program, I give Apple’s Pages a thumbs up. If it was only the MS Word import capability and the seamless export to PDF, it would be worth the $89 cost. But, there’s a lot more under the hood in this slick word processor/page layout hybrid.
Add in Keynote (a presentation program that imo is better than PowerPoint) and Numbers, a slick looking spreadsheet program and you’re good to go. It’s about 1/4th the cost of Microsoft’s Entourage Suite. BTW, the word is that the new 2008 version of Entourage is a dud. In any event, even if you can’t image life without Word on your PC, I’d encourage you to download the free 30 day trial.
For a pro environment, I’d never give up a “real” layout program, but if you are an occasional publisher, and you prefer a more visual approach to layout, (Pages includes some pretty nice templates) I think you’ll be happy with Apple’s latest version of Pages.
Look that laptop thief in the eye!
April 4, 2008
Well, in the vernacular one would say “this really sucks!” And indeed it does: both my son and his college roommate suffered the theft of their laptop computers when a thief forced a window and broke into their student housing apartment in Los Angeles. The LAPD was great about it, taking a full report, even dusting for fingerprints. But still, the chance of recovery is almost nil.
My son’s computer held no mission critical or sensitive information. For that we are thankful. But still, it was a fairly new MacBook. His roomate’s was only a few weeks old. Arrgh! Here’s the advice I should have given them, though whether they would have followed it is another issue:
1. When you’re gone, lock your laptops to a solid object using a cable.
2. Prep your machine to increase the chance of recovery. You can set up your machine to require a login password. You may even be able to set a password at the firmware level, which would help preventing someone from booting your machine from an external disk, or from a newly intalled hard drive. See this Apple article about setting it up on a Macintosh computer. Make a careful note of your new firmware password; your machine will need major surgery if you forget it.
And here’s a clever idea from Macworld magazine: change the login window wallpaper to have your name & zip code on it. If the machine is taken to a repair center, sold or recovered, the user will be able to see who it belongs to when the login screen come up. Here’s how:
1. Goto Library>Desktop Pictures & make a duplicate of Aqua Blue.jpg
2. Now open the original in Photoshop or an equivalent and insert some text at the top and/or bottom that will say who owns the computer E.G. “This computer belong to Joe Bloggs. 91730″
3. Save it and change the wallpaper in Preferences to Aqua Blue copy.jpg or some other if you don’t want the message displayed once you have logged in.
I just learned that there are several “Lo Jack” style products available for computers. On machines that have built in cameras, the software can actually snap photos of the thief and send them to the authorities once he/she logs into the internet! In addition the software will send ip address information to help track down the physical location of your machine. This software might be a good investment on certain high risk desktop machines too!
Here is one such program for Macs and another for both Windows and Mac.
Finally a wikipedia article that outlines the enormity of computer theft. We should all take it seriously.
What’s my postage?
March 28, 2008
Online Postage Calculator from the US Postal Service
LATE UPDATE: Click here for information on the new NCOA regulations and special offers from Copies&Ink
A question heard frequently at Copies&Ink is: What’s the postage tab for my upcoming mailing? Here’s the easiest way we’ve found to calculate postage for your business mailing, and also compare the costs for various types of mailing services offered by the USPS.
To be completely accurate, you’ll need to know how many of the destinations in your mailing list will be sorted into 3 digit, 5 digit, carrier route, etc. Of course, this is nearly impossible without software to analyze your list directly. (That’s a service we offer at Copies&Ink.) But for a rough estimate, it’s usually safe enough to guess that your mailing will mostly fall into the “3 digit” category unless it’s going to just a few cities in a focussed area. If you mailing for a certified non profit, you can apply for a special permit to mail at greatly reduced rates. Check out the latest rates at the official USPS online calculator site.
Postage is often one of the largest costs in your direct mail campaign, so it pays to understand the “rules of the road.” When in doubt you can contact your regional USPS business center. We find that for the most part, you’ll find helpful and knowledgeable assistance just for the asking. In our Santa Ana, CA region their phone number is 714-662-6483.
Finally, don’t forget that a well designed mail piece will keep postage at a minimum, while at the same time optimizing response. So the sage advice is: don’t cut corners in the planning stages. Wanna’ know more? Sign up for our InkBlot newsletter. We’ll keep you up to date on all matters print and direct mail.
