Monday, October 29, 2012

25th Annual Catfish Rodeo in Yuma - | News for Yuma, Imperial ...

YUMA, AZ ? Four hundred pounds of catfish were added to the pond at West Wetlands in Yuma Saturday morning for kids to fish in.

Its all part of the 25th Annual Catfish Rodeo put on by the Yuma Optimist Club, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the City of Yuma Parks and Recreation and several other organizations.

Organizers say over 100 kids participated in the event and were given the opportunity to not only catch fish but receive tips on fishing, shooting and nature.

Ramon Arias, the Optimist Club of Yuma Co-President says "It gives every kid a chance to get out of their house and do something fun ad not be stuck playing video games all day long and everybody interacts and has a good time."

?A nature fair was also part of the Catfish Rodeo. Youth and their families were given the opportunity? to try archery, learn about gun safety as well as animals that live in our desert environment.

Source: http://www.kswt.com/story/19934595/25th-annual-catfish-rodeo-in-yuma

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Thursday, October 25, 2012

Tigers, Giants tied 0-0 in World Series Game 2

Detroit Tigers' Prince Fielder is tagged out at home plate by San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey, left, during the second inning of Game 2 of baseball's World Series Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, in San Francisco. Umpire Dan Iassogna makes the call at the plate. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Detroit Tigers' Prince Fielder is tagged out at home plate by San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey, left, during the second inning of Game 2 of baseball's World Series Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, in San Francisco. Umpire Dan Iassogna makes the call at the plate. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Detroit Tigers' Doug Fister reacts after being hit in the head on a hit by San Francisco Giants' Gregor Blanco during the second inning of Game 2 of baseball's World Series Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, in San Francisco. Fister stayed in the game. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Detroit Tigers' Doug Fister wipes his face during the second inning of Game 2 of baseball's World Series against the San Francisco Giants Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Detroit Tigers' Doug Fister is examined after being hit by a ball off the bat of San Francisco Giants' Gregor Blanco during the second inning of Game 2 of baseball's World Series Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

(AP) ? Detroit's Prince Fielder was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Delmon Young's double, pitcher Doug Fister remained in the game after getting hit on the head by a line drive and the Tigers and San Francisco Giants were tied 0-0 after three innings of World Series Game 2 on Thursday night.

Following San Francisco's 8-3 win in the opener, the Tigers sent Fister to the mound trying to gain a split before the Series heads to Detroit this weekend. Madison Bumgarner started for the Giants.

After tying the Series record by homering three times in the opener, Pablo Sandoval of the Giants flied out and grounded out in his first two at-bats.

Fielder was hit on the right shoulder by a pitch leading off the second and Young, the AL championship series MVP, lined the ball down the left-field line. Gregor Blanco picked up the ball after it caromed off the fence in foul territory and threw to second baseman Marco Scutaro near third base.

Fielder sped up as he turned third base. As he slid late, his left leg popped up off the dirt, and he was tagged on the butt by catcher Buster Posey. Dan Iassogna, working his first Series game behind the plate, made a demonstrative out call, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland came out of the dugout to argue briefly.

Fister was struck just above the right ear by Blanco's line drive with one on and two outs in the bottom half. The ball ricocheted into short center for a single.

"Whoa!" Iassogna said as he came out from behind the plate, adding: "Doug, you OK?" when he got to the mound.

After Fister was checked out by Leyland and pitching coach Jeff Jones, he loaded the bases with a walk to Brandon Crawford. Bumgarner hit a soft looper to shortstop Jhonny Peralta, ending the inning.

San Francisco entered with RBIs by pitchers in four straight games, a first by a team in a single postseason, according to STATS LLC. No major league team has accomplished the feat during the regular season since Colorado in June 2001.

Bumgarner, 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA in two playoff appearances, allowed just the one hit through three innings, with five strikeouts and no walks. He threw 39 pitches.

Fister, who had a 1.35 ERA in two postseason starts without a decision, gave up two hits, struck out two and walked one, throwing 49 pitches.

Detroit made one change among its position players, starting Gerald Laird behind the plate and batting eighth in place of Alex Avila.

Forty-one of 52 teams to take 2-0 leads have gone on to win the title. The Giants swept the first two games at home two years ago against Texas en route to their first championship since 1954.

When the Series resumes in Detroit on Saturday night, midseason acquisition Anibal Sanchez starts for the Tigers and Ryan Vogelsong for the Giants. The temperature in the Motor City is expected to be in the low-to-mid 40s.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-10-25-World%20Series/id-ec3793f20b5144558093172aed18221f

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Humane Society President on Nevada Wildlife Board - 8 News NOW

  • Obama Arrives in Las Vegas for Campaign Stop

    Obama Lands in Las Vegas for Campaign Stop

    Thursday, October 25 2012 12:31 AM EDT2012-10-25 04:31:05 GMT

    LAS VEGAS -- President Barack Obama has landed at McCarran International Airport. He is headed to Doolittle Park for a campaign stop. Before he arrives, Rep. Shelley Berkley and state Sen. Steven HorsfordMore>>President Barack Obama has landed at McCarran International Airport.More>>
  • President Obama Departs California for Vegas

    President Obama Departs California for Vegas

    Wednesday, October 24 2012 11:05 PM EDT2012-10-25 03:05:49 GMT

    LAS VEGAS (AP) -- President Barack Obama is heading to Nevada for a campaign rally featuring a free concert by pop singer Katy Perry at a park near downtown Las Vegas. Obama embarked Wednesday on aMore>>President Barack Obama is heading to Nevada for a campaign rally featuring a free concert by pop singer Katy Perry at a park near downtown Las Vegas.More>>
  • RealtyTrac: Las Vegas Ranks 25th in Foreclosure Activity

    RealtyTrac: Las Vegas Ranks 25th in Foreclosure Activity

    Thursday, October 25 2012 12:01 AM EDT2012-10-25 04:01:23 GMT

    LAS VEGAS -- The Las Vegas metro area ended the third quarter of the year ranked 25th nationally in foreclosure activity, RealtyTrac reported Wednesday night. The foreclosure analytics firm from Irvine,More>>The Las Vegas metro area ended the third quarter of the year ranked 25th nationally in foreclosure activity, RealtyTrac reported Wednesday night.More>>

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- An animal advocate has been named to the Nevada Wildlife Commission -- a board that critics say is unfairly stacked with hunters.

Karen Summers Layne is president of the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society. She was appointed to the nine-member policy board on Oct.3 by Gov. Brian Sandoval. Her appointment follows that of former Clark County Sheriff Bill Young in July.

Layne opposed establishing a black bear hunting season in Nevada two years ago and has worked on trapping regulations for the Mount Charleston region outside Las Vegas.

She holds a doctorate degree in public administration, and is retired from both UNLV and the Las Vegas Police Department, where she worked as planning director.

She becomes only the sixth woman to serve on the commission.

Source: http://www.8newsnow.com/story/19906264/humane-society-president-on-nevada-wildlife-board

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F5 Networks shares slump on December quarter view

NEW YORK (AP) ? Shares of F5 Networks Inc. sank Thursday after the company's forecast for the current quarter disappointed, and the company said the slower economy is weighing on its customers.

THE SPARK: F5, which provides corporate networking equipment and services to businesses, late Wednesday issued a profit projection of $1.14 to $1.16 per share for the quarter ending in December on revenue of $363 million to $370 million. Analysts expected more: Profit of $1.20 per share on revenue of $373.7 million.

THE BIG PICTURE: F5 said the weaker economy has hurt its outlook and its growth slowed down in the second half of its fiscal year. Beginning this summer and continuing into the fall, deals with big U.S. customers got smaller, said CEO John McAdam.

THE ANALYSIS: Wunderlich Securities analyst Matthew Robison downgraded the stock to "Hold" from "Buy," saying the company is spending more than he expected, while customers are being cautious. He cut his price target by $15 to $100.

But Caris & Co. analyst John Slack lifted F5 to "Buy" from "Above Average," saying that revenue growth for the company's product division will pick up next year as it releases new products.

SHARE ACTION: Shares of F5 Networks lost $10.20, or 11 percent, to $83.12 in afternoon trading. Shares have dropped 22 percent this year.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/f5-networks-shares-slump-december-quarter-view-192815830--finance.html

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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Miesha Tate pushes for Zoila Gurgel to get better Bellator billing

Former Strikeforce bantamweight champion Miesha Tate is not afraid to speak her mind. Last week, she caused a stir when she said there are circumstances where it's acceptable for a man to hit a woman. This week, she's speaking up on behalf of Bellator flyweight champion Zoila Gurgel.

Despite holding a belt and fighting near her hometown, Bellator has placed Gurgel's non-title bout with Casey Noland on the untelevised undercard. For good reason, Tate was annoyed by this and tweeted Bellator president Bjorn Rebney.

Tate sent several more tweets like these and encouraged her followers to tweet Bellator and Bjorn Rebney until they put Gurgel on the main card. Rebney explained his reasoning to MMA Fighting.

"Zoila's been plagued by injury after injury over the last 19 months, having not fought since March, 2011," he wrote. "We felt that the best road back for her did not include rushing her into a major fight against one of the top-ranked women in the world. This is not a world title fight as it's made significantly north of the 115 weight limit where she holds our title. Depending on how Zoila feels and performs on Friday, we can then determine the next appropriate step back."

But that doesn't explain why a champion isn't on television. Brian Rogers is not in a "world title fight," nor is he part of the Bellator tournament bouts that will be aired, but he's on the televised card. When fellow champions Michael Chandler and Ben Askren fought non-title bouts, their fights were on the main card.

When Tate spoke on men hitting women who hit them first, she was railing against a double standard. It looks like she's still fighting one this week.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/miesha-tate-pushes-zoila-gurgel-better-bellator-billing-163345831--mma.html

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Customer service should not be taken lightly | The Business ...

10/23/2012 at 9:58 am by The Sage ERP Team

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

When it comes to choosing an internet or cable provider, having the latest technology is certainly important. However, a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) survey indicated that innovation should not come at the expense of good customer relationship management (CRM).

"Customers are less sensitive than one might think about always having access to the latest technologies and the social influences of their friends and family," Dan Hays, U.S. wireless advisory leader at PwC, recently told Marketing Daily. "Do their problems get solved? They want a good value, but value doesn't always win out."

The survey of more than 1,000 Americans found that, while nearly three-quarters of people appreciate up-to-date technology, 93 percent of respondents did not say it was in their top three priorities. Instead, consumers are interested in factors like reputation, good prices and top-notch customer service. Speed and reliability were also important, as 90 percent of respondents said it is key when choosing an internet provider.

In a recent blog for 4Hoteliers, Kevin Dwyer, a change management specialist at Australia-based EQmentor, advised companies not to forget to forget about the importance of good customer relations. He cited a 2009 report, which found that the top 16 industries worldwide lost nearly $340 billion per year due to poor CRM strategies.

Long waits or frustration with automated services were two of the most-cited reasons people switched brands. Dwyer cited his own annoyance with a taxi company's automated phone system that apparently could not understand his accent.

In addition to better customer service, enterprises may want to look to more innovative strategies to separate themselves from competitors. A recent Finextra Research blog advocated loyalty programs, for instance, as a way to keep people coming back, even offering personalized rewards or coupons based on individual interests.

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About the Author

The Sage ERP team report on various topics related to ERP and business management.

Source: http://blog.sageerpsolutions.com/customer-service-should-not-be-taken-lightly/

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How To Get The Best Online Payday Loans All around | Invest In ...

Get instant $ 200 payday loans online Lexington-Fayette, KY no faxing .

There are plenty of aspects to consider when you are likely to have a pay day loan. Prior to deciding you want to have a pay day loan, be sure that you know many of the basic information and facts that is certainly associated with them. So look into the following advice, to learn things to take into account when getting a pay day loan.

Get instant $ 200 online payday loans Newark, NJ no faxing .

An excellent tip for those who take out payday loans is, to ascertain a good reputation promptly payments, with the same loan provider every time you require a financial loan. Accomplishing this will enable you to have a higher quantity the very next time you need it.

When applying for a pay day loan, ensure that every piece of information you provide is correct. Sometimes, such things as your employment background, and property could be verified. Make sure that your entire information is proper. You can stay away from getting declined for your personal pay day loan, leaving you helpless.

In order to make application for a pay day loan, you should make sure you understand the consequences of defaulting on that financial loan. Payday advance loan companies are notoriously well known for their assortment techniques so be sure that you can pay for the financial loan again once that it must be thanks.

When applying for a pay day loan, the borrowed funds representative request which you provide a federal government granted photograph id greeting card or driver?s license, a recent power bill displaying your street address plus a latest income stub. The street address displayed on the id, power bill, income stub and personal examine need to all be listed for your home?s bodily street address.

Read every single term of any pay day loan deal. Some businesses, especially Internet-structured businesses, benefit from payday loans to acquire your get-straight into other goods and services. Often, they generally do this without having you understanding, via an agreement?s small print. Know exactly what you really are departing with once you get a pay day loan. Read everything.

For those who have less-than-perfect credit, a pay day loan could be a terrific way to get immediate funds to use for an unexpected urgent. Payday advance businesses will not operate a credit history examine, however they should know that you are currently employed or acquire regular payment coming from a reputable resource.

When deciding if your pay day loan fits your needs, you should know that this quantity most payday loans will let you use is not really an excessive amount of. Generally, as much as possible you can get coming from a pay day loan is all about $1,000. It could be even decrease when your earnings is not really way too high.

Will not sit down around and wait for a examine once you have applied for a pay day loan. Virtually all pay day loan businesses sends you your cash into the bank checking account inside of a couple of days via electronic digital down payment. Once this receives transferred, you ought to easily negotiate your economic urgent due to the fact pay day loan phrases are extremely quick.

Just before investing in a pay day loan, ensure that the opportunity company you will be borrowing from is certified from your state. In the United States, no matter which state the corporation is in, they legitimately have to be certified. If they are not certified, chances are great that they are illegitimate.

Mentioned previously just before, if you are in the midst of a financial scenario where you need cash on time, then a pay day loan could be a workable option for you. Make absolutely certain you keep in mind suggestions from the report, and you?ll have a very good pay day loan quickly.

Source: http://www.investinmiskolc.com/how-to-get-the-best-online-payday-loans-all-around/

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Assassin's Creed Aims to Make a Killing in Hollywood

The mysterious video game assassin Alta?r was able to perform a variety of incredible moves in his efforts to take out his targets in the medieval Holy Land, but he could soon be facing a far greater challenge -- bringing that action to the big screen. New Regency and Ubisoft said Monday they would be partnering on a film adaptation of Assassin's Creed.


Source: http://ectnews.com.feedsportal.com/c/34520/f/632000/s/24cb3af6/l/0L0Stechnewsworld0N0Crsstory0C76450A0Bhtml/story01.htm

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'My Xperia' trademark filing points to possible Sony cloud service

Android Central

A trademark filing by Sony Mobile suggests the company may look to launch its own mobile-centric cloud service in the future. Sony has applied to trademark the term "MyXperia" at the European OHIM?(Office of Harmonization for the Internal Market), and the listing is available online for all to see.?

The trademark application lists a number of mobile-based services for MyXperia, including??upload, storage, retrieval, download, transmission and delivery of digital content and media." That's a fairly vague definition, but it points to a possible proprietary Sony cloud service for exchanging photos, music and other data between Xperia phones and other devices.

Previously, Sony Mobile has relied on a partnership with Box.net to bring cloud storage to Xperia smartphone buyers.

The company also owns MyXperia.com, though currently that hosts nothing more than a nondescript login page.

With more and more mobile device manufacturers -- including Android giant Samsung -- getting into the cloud storage game, we wouldn't be too surprised to see MyXperia making an appearance on upcoming 2013 Xperia?phones. Precisely what form it'll take, though, will remain to be seen.

Source: XperiaBlog

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/UI3I2LguDwc/story01.htm

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Monday, October 22, 2012

Amateur Radio Communications Workshop Report | M1BCM ...

Brand new Yaesu FT-1807m for sale.

Brand new Yaesu FT-1807m 70cm mobile txcvr (HAM RADIO) for sale, unwanted gift, never used except for? [more]

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Home Brew 160m-6m Indoor Loop

160m ? 6m loop, here?s a real cheap antenna to make from 160m ? 6m and it WORKS! Full constructional? [more]

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Attic Trap Dipole I came across this interesting article the other day, it intrigued me enough to want? [more]

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Yaesu FT-902DM Tune Up Video (how to)

How to tune up the transmitter on a Yaesu FT-902DM. This also applies to the 901 and FT-101 series from? [more]

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Indoor loop antenna for 160m ? 6m

Here's a real cheap antenna to make from 160m - 6m and it WORKS! Preamble It was developed simply? [more]

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Source: http://m1bcm.elementfx.com/amateur-radio-communications-workshop-report/

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Mood Mate: Great Mental Health App, Could We Get One Like It ...

Sometimes the time for an app has just come.

Launched on World Mental Health Day?on October 10, a new mental health app already has?more than 1,500 downloads and a #3 ranking among free Health & Fitness apps?and, lest we forget, a mention on Twitter by none other than Alistair Campbell, Tony Blair?s former spokesman who now campaigns on mental health.

It?s got the properly British name of Mood Mate, as the application comes out of the University of Reading, where researchers are studying whether an iOS app could, as they write, ?help people with low mood and anxiety to find and seek local treatment.?

And after all my beefs about mental health apps not being backed up by research (see ?We Know There?s an App For That?But Often Research Lags Behind Mobile Mental Health App?Claims?),?this app continues the research even as it is being utilized.

Alex Gyani, a researcher at the University of Reading Department of Psychology, devised a way for people to use an app?and for research data to be gleaned from it at the same time.

Mr Gyani said: ?Having a randomised [forgive the spelling; he's a Brit] controlled trial built into an app that is available on the iTunes store is a fantastic way to conduct research ? and the more participants we can recruit, the more we will learn.?That?s why an app is such a great way to conduct a trial like this one.?

He continues, ?We hope it will enable us to find new ways to help people suffering from mental health problems in the UK get the psychological treatments that have been shown to work.?

So users of the app become subjects when they download it. People are only eligible to be part of the study?although given the number of downloads, seems like people who are not officially part of the study find the app useful, as well?if they?re suffering from anxiety or low mood.

The study is structured so that two-thirds of those who download the app are asked to monitor their moods for 30 days and are given information about where to find local services where they can receive mental health help, without going through a GP, the equivalent of a primary care physician.

In a really cool move, the treatments recommended are part of the National Health Service?s ?Improving Access to Psychological Therapies initiative, or IAPT, on which the government has spent ?400 million since 2007,?and are therefore free. [Can you see this happening in the States? Free medical care for mental health? Seems like that could be a big part of the holdup in getting a similar app here Stateside.]

The remaining third just get the information about where to find services without monitoring mood.

The point, you might ask? Researchers are trying to determine whether monitoring mood encourages people to seek out treatment.

You can find more about the app from its Tweets (handle @MindAboveMood), from its website, and from reading the reviews on iTunes?where you can purchase it, as well?for nothing down?if you happen to be British.

Mood Mate would certainly have to be tweaked to fit into an American approach to medicine (and lose the word ?mate,? as well, I?m sure)?but it doesn?t seem all that hard, if someone takes an interest. Well, maybe if you cut out that offering free services, too.

What an utterly unAmerican idea.

Source: http://healthworkscollective.com/rhona-finkel/58996/mood-mate-great-mental-health-app-could-we-get-one-it-stateside

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Holdem Spy to maintain his proud Coventry record in Newry Hill ...

Holdem Spy to maintain his proud Coventry record in Newry Hill Standard Div A

Holdem Spy boasts a proud record at Coventry, and has registered plenty of magnificent victories over 485 metres. The black dog is all set to add more to that this Sunday, as he aims to strike in the Newry Hill Standard Div A.

He has been producing very good results over the past couple of months. After two fantastic wins in August, he could not continue the winning rhythm, and faced an unlucky loss on September 9th.

C. Weatherall?s charge quickly got his act together, and completed a wonderful hat-trick recently. Ahead of taking a break of almost three weeks, he took a comprehensive 2-length win over Mays Gold.

Perpetuating the fine work, the son of Hondo Black bagged a couple of marvellous triumphs earlier this month. After a classy 3?-length success, the dashing hound proved too strong for the opposition in mid October, when securing the first place by a length?s distance.

Winning five of the previous six races shows how good momentum he is in. So, there is no reason why he should not come up with a fascinating act this time around.

Among his rivals are: Lionhearted Andy, Shaneboy William, Gemstone Annie, Forest Force and Slick Signature. The action is due to get started at 20:30 GMT. A cash prize of 200 pounds is reserved for the ultimate champion.

As far as Gemstone Annie?s case is concerned, only A-game will suffice in this contest. On the other hand, Forest Force is in decent form these days. He clinched a classy win here at the end of last month. Trained by H. Dimmock, the son of Royal Impact is likely to play a major role in today?s race.

It has been a while since Slick Signature past the post in front. Shaneboy William will struggle to get competitive if falling out of the boxes. Lionhearted Andy looks an obvious danger clad in the stripes.

All votes go to Holdem Spy, who is in superb shape at the moment. The draw is not a concern for the black dog. So, it is highly likely that he will grab a straightforward win today. Good luck to all.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.com?s editorial policy.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Holdem-Spy-to-maintain-his-proud-Coventry-record-in-Newry-Hill-Standard-Div-A-a196341

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Sunday, October 21, 2012

The state of online retail | Nett

Despite all the doom and gloom in retail-market forecasts, retail entrepreneurs are continuing to try their hand at online ventures ??often with considerable success. But as a new generation of online-only ventures runs its lifecycle, many entrepreneurs are finding that the old rules of running a business most definitely apply ??and then some.

Just ask Samantha Leah, a longtime archivist who two years ago teamed up with her sister-in-law to found Beautiful Fairy, a self-publishing venture that lets customers order custom-made photo books and similar products. With Leah?s administrative capabilities and her sister-in-law?s design skills, they figured they had everything they needed to pursue their goal of offering high-quality books ? but that didn?t make the venture any easier.

Getting noticed in the increasingly-cluttered online environment has been particularly challenging: ?It has been quite hard,? Leah admits, ?especially with the economy and trying to reach our target market ? part-time mums with part-time income ? and trying to get their attention enough to sell them a product that?s priced higher than what they can get in other places.?

It?s a common conundrum for small retailers trying to stand out in their fields, but online there?s an additional challenge because they can?t rely on impulse buying after customers touch and feel the products. The duo initially tried to overcome this by trying to attract customers with promotional product giveaways ??but this approach quickly backfired.
?The people who utilise free samples are not necessarily the sort of people who will give you follow-on business,? Leah explains. ?Our demographic just doesn?t visit those websites for shopping reasons. Once we figured out that those sorts of things were not going to work for us, we had to find different ways to build trust.?

Bricks-and-mortar

Conventional wisdom suggests that most new small businesses will fold within just a couple of years. Little wonder that business people are rushing towards the online model, which many see as a chance to bypass that statistic thanks to lower operating costs, more business and logistical flexibility, and geographically broader customer base.

Recent statistics suggest the money is there, with around three-quarters of Australians? online spend found to be spent with domestic online retailers. That?s a market worth billions, and it?s there for the taking ? as long as you take the time to remember every online shopfront needs to have the right kind of business behind it.

This was a tough lesson for Alec Nelson, who for years had operated a Godfrey?s vacuum franchise in Wagga Wagga, NSW, but eventually grew impatient when he began butting heads with management over his efforts to start selling online. Early eBay sales were a hit but drew censure over franchise territory rights, and a later decision to open a separate vacuum repair shop created friction as Nelson was forced to decide whether he wanted to remain a franchisee or head out on his own.

He chose the latter, with great success selling products via eBay as a complement to his bricks-and-mortar presence. However, he quickly came to realise the repair shop?s high skills costs were eating into margins that couldn?t be recovered through equipment sales because traditional competitors were dominating the market. Nelson eventually shut down the business and, in October 2010, set up VacuumSpot, an online shop devoted to sales of vacuum cleaners and parts.

That?s when things went pear-shaped. Despite doing what he thought was the right thing ? investing heavily in an online system developed for him by a Sydney web development house ??Nelson soon found sales dropped precipitously with the new site. Within the first six months, sales had dropped from around $15,000 per month to just $3,000. Nelson was, in a word, stunned.

?For three months we were just sitting there saying ?oh my God?,? he recalls. ?We ended up in all sorts of trouble with our suppliers, and I was researching like crazy about how online shops worked. I hadn?t intended to, but learned a lot about the mechanics of how online retail works, how to get found on Google, how to get design and other work done at low cost on eLance.com, and so on.?

The biggest problem, however, lay in what he assumed would have been a whiz-bang, fully featured website ??but turned out to have been poorly designed for VacuumSpot?s user base. ?I realised sales were dropping because the navigation wasn?t simple and clear,? he recalls. ?It?s a very specific product we sell, and people were confused so they would just leave from the site.?

A redesign rapidly turned things around, and the business has picked up dramatically as Nelson?s improved online presence took hold. Sales have grown healthily throughout the year on the back of a new online environment built around PayPal-owned infrastructure. This has had the added impact of providing a company logo that consumers recognise and trust.

That growth brought other challenges, however, as Nelson was forced to revisit his sourcing and delivery arrangements. Because suppliers charge delivery fees for each shipment under a certain value, for example, he?s learned to group orders and manage excess stock more effectively. He?s also taken out warehousing space in Melbourne, to which suppliers are often willing to deliver smaller orders for free.

That keeps his own costs lower, increases profitability and allows him to minimise his own shipping charges?? which in turn boosts the business and opens new options. ?We can keep some pretty obscure products because our warehousing costs are a lot lower,? says Nelson. ?We?ve most recently been talking about drop shipments, where we take the order and suppliers ship directly to the consumer. They get more sales and we can sell more of their product catalogue.?

The new entrepreneur

These are the sorts of lessons entrepreneurs quickly learn as they move from eBay-styled hosted stores to building and promoting their own web businesses. Freed from the expenses of street leases and seven-day retail operations, small-business owners are learning that hard work and flexibility are as important in the online world as they ever were in the ?real? world.

One of the crucial lessons that both Leah and Nelson learned was just how important it can be to find and market to the right customers online. Yet despite its importance, Craig Reardon, director of online-business advisory firm The E Team, warns that many online business operators simply don?t do their homework about the right approach and provision of superlative customer service.

?All of this web commerce doom and gloom from traditional retailers comes in a different light when you ask how many have a professional website, and how many are doing the right marketing,? says Reardon, noting a friend who has set up a sustainable-products site is turning over $250,000 a year. ?The margins aren?t great, admittedly, but he?s not even using proper online tools.?

?It?s very much a passive approach to his website, but that quarter of a million is coming from his [traditional retail] competitors,? he adds. ?Those High Street companies, in the main, are slow, defensive and technophobic ? and the ones complaining the loudest are the ones that just haven?t done anything about it. They?ve got to stop looking at the notion of sales across the counter, and start looking at the lifetime value of the customer.?

Building that relationship might involve anything from asking customers for a valid email address before they leave the shop, designing elaborate loyalty programs that reward repeat behaviour, or simply building an online business as a destination for customers who share a mutual love of a particular area.

This last approach was a core part of the business plan for Cate Burton, a Sydney-based hobbyist candlemaker who walked away from a 15-year career in law and banking to start up Queen B, a combination bricks-and-mortar and online business that sells a broad range of homemade candles and related products.

As with any business, Burton says, the key to succeeding in this market is to have a clear mission statement and to make sure you follow it. ?You need to have very clear differentiation, and stand for something that isn?t already out there and available,? she says. ?Otherwise, there are probably companies out there doing it with a much bigger budget.?

Burton has built up a client base not only through walk-ins to her retail shop, but by writing regular blogs about her interest in candlemaking, and by sending monthly email updates to customers on an opt-in basis. Nearly half her customers click through when they receive her emails, which is a response rate many direct marketers could only dream of.

?You need to have that conversation,? she explains. ?You have to be a person, and more than a business. I only email customers when I have something relevant to say, and I?m not just always trying to flog candles. That?s what I think has made people very loyal to us.?

Annual revenue growth of around 30% to 40% suggests she?s on the right track, as does a regular return of around $5,000 in new orders each time she sends out an email blast. Yet it?s crucial to not stretch the friendship with customers, she warns.?There?s no point in sending a 10-page manifesto, but if you communicate with them in tidbits you can build up an impression of who you are ? and build a more substantial relationship with them.?

Taking the step

These may seem like obvious lessons for some business owners, and completely new ideas for many others. But wherever you lie on the spectrum, there?s no question that it?s easier than ever to get your business online.

Just look at PayPal ??an eBay subsidiary that offers person-to-person transfers ? which has joined Mastercard and Visa as the de facto third form of payment online.

?We?ve seen a lot of fear from small businesses,? says Elena Wise, director of merchant services at PayPal. ?Most people who get into small business do it because they?ve got a passion for it, but many are not tech-savvy. So the technology of getting online is a big barrier to overcome.?

Tying small business websites to back-end payment fulfillment systems can be tricky, as Vacuumspot?s Nelson found. His original systems had trouble integrating smoothly with his payment fulfillment provider. This makes an integrated solution valuable for small businesses that can design their content and product layout online, then turn to integrated platforms that help publicise products using tools like search engine optimisation (SEO).

As well as building confidence in her own ability, Beautiful Fairy?s Leah says a key to building momentum for the business has been climbing the learning curve; seeking out new information on business practices on a regular basis, sourcing quality suppliers and advisors wherever possible, and taking care not to burn out with your own enthusiasm.

?In the first year you?re quite happy to work 60 hours a week, because you?re so passionate and excited, but then that starts to drop off,? Leah says, ?especially when you?re not making any money and there are always bills to pay. If you keep putting those hours into it and trying to do everything yourself, it doesn?t thrive. You have to take a step back and trust yourself to see if it will float without you holding it up 24?7.?

Ultimately, these guidelines apply to conventional small businesses as well. Many will be familiar to long-time business owners, or seem like common sense to newer entrants. It?s entirely possible to fail spectacularly online, but that doesn?t mean you have to; the key, as always, is to execute deliberately and effectively, because a good business is going to succeed whether it?s online or off.? ?

Image Credit: Thinkstock.

Source: http://nett.com.au/start-up/22371/

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DUDE FOR FOOD: Chocolate Love and More at Slice

Feel the need for a serious chocolate rush? Then Slice just might be the place for you. Read on and enjoy the ride...

Earning raves from its line of cupcakes, there's definitely more to Slice than desserts. Slice offers a fresh take on old favorites and new dishes in a cool and casual venue where one can simply relax and chill, a perfect spot for diners to take a "slice" of some of the coolest flavors on Bonifacio High Street.
Slice is bright, clean and modern yet casual and inviting, uncomplicated yet there is a noticeable air of coolness and sophistication, a great place for a light meal or some indulgent dessert with friends.
One is immediately drawn to the tempting display of freshly baked treats upon entering Slice, as you leisurely take in the sights and delectable aroma of the place. I was fortunate to be invited by OpenRice.com to sample some of the signature dishes at Slice, and it was an amazing dinner. Pretty much a "slice" of the best at Slice.
Owned by lawmaker Pia Cayetano, the extensive menu offers diners a wide range of different options from healthy meals to indulgent dishes.?For starters, we were served sampler plates of granola, a specialty of Slice, reflecting the owner's personality and healthy culinary lifestyle. Slice also offers granola in special packs to take home, a great snack alternative to the usual salty snacks, great while watching some NBA games at home. It's definitely a cool way to start any meal at Slice.
To start things, I go for the?Choco Stirrer (P 150), a rich, creamy hot chocolate drink with a twist, or in this case, a stick. Pour some hot frothy milk and stir in the block of chocolate until it melts and combines with the milk. Cool.
If you've somehow managed not to take a big bite off the chocolate block, you can see the steaming milk slowly change color as the block gradually melts with the milk. Stir the chocolate block a few more times, and you then have a rich cup of cocoa that not only tastes good, but actually fun too.
Pat Bocobo, Manager of Slice, explains the sampling menu for the evening, including popular bestsellers and signature dishes from starters, to mains, and desserts.
And the chocolate rush continues with the indulgent?Belgian Dark Choco (P 150), rich, decadent, really thick premium dark chocolate. It's like drinking a dark chocolate bar...
Smooth, thick and deliciously rich, one sip will telly you why chocolate lovers go crazy over this. This is, by far, simply one of the best cups of chocolate I've tried.
As I gently took another sip, you immediately sense some positive energy flowing through your body. For real. Seriously, the world can be a much better place if everyone had chocolate...
Pair it with another cool Slice specialty, the homemade bread sticks, and everything's just perfect. Thin, crisp and light, these bread sticks are also great paired with other dishes...
Next up,?The Slice Cheese Platter (P 490), featuring a selection of fine cheeses and crisp, thin homemade bread sticks. Cheeses include Pecorino style goat cheese, Camembert style la maria and a rich yet mild Davao bleu cheese, with red onion marmalade, dried fruits and granola.
The sharp Pecorino, the rich bleu cheese and the mild camembert provide distinct flavors in one plate.
The different flavors and textures of the cheese platter is another great starter, a prelude to more good things to come...
Cranberry, Apple and Chicken Salad (P 290), sweet, fresh and crisp, topped with goat cheese and glazed walnuts. The apple slices and chunks of chicken combine well with the fresh greens and sweet dressing, very refreshing.
Then, the first of two rice melts arrived. Rich and hearty dishes with brown rice baked with cheese, these dishes are a meal in itself.
The Barbecue Chicken Rice Melt (P 390), loaded with strips of smoky barbecued chicken is ideal for sharing, and the serving is quite large.
Dig in and you'll find rich and creamy cheese covering the tender chicken and brown rice in every spoonful. The rice and cheese work well, almost like a lasagna, but refreshingly different.
The Beef Rice Melt (P 420), with Angus Beef and brown rice similarly covered in cheese, another hefty and filling dish.
Unlike the light and almost subtle flavor of chicken, the beef version has a much stronger flavor. If you like beef, go for the Beef Rice Melt.
Next up, the pasta dishes. The Seafood Puttanesca (P 390), shrimp and chunks of rich salmon in a refreshing and different puttanesca, enhanced with cream. Not your usual tomato based puttanesca, the cream adds a richer and new twist to the pasta dish.
The Aglio Olio (P 390), with shrimps and salmon sauteed in garlic and extra virgin olive oil, enriched with crab fat giving it a nice reddish tint and flavor. Again, a nice different twist to the usual aglio olio with that inventive Slice touch.
Seafood Medley (P 250), a hearty seafood stew with a rich, tart tomato base, loaded with chunks of salmon and shrimp, and a side of homemade bread sticks.
A rich and hearty soup, a perfect starter or light meal anytime of day. The thick tomato base gives it a burst of flavor, and the chunky vegetables and seafood makes this a complete dish.
Paired with a crisp bread stick, perfect.
One can sense the fun and playful inventiveness of Slice as the next dish arrives. A champorado with granola? Why not.?The Slice Champorado (P 200), with a large bowl of granola, steamed milk, and rich, dark Belgian Chocolate. Sides of peanut butter and sweet bananas are also included if you want added sweetness and texture. Very cool.
Our server then pours the steamed, frothy milk and rich, dark, Belgian chocolate on the granola...
...definitely a refreshing new take on the traditional champorado, a real winner.
Still on a cool chocolate high with the champorado, why not follow through with the?Naked Black Chocolate (P 120), sugar-free, pure dark chocolate goodness.
Deliciously rich, thick and creamy, chocolate perfection in a cup...
...and since its sugar-free, might as well go for another cup.
Slice also offers a full range of specialty beverages...
...like specialty iced coffees...
...and fresh fruit smoothies.
Then, there's always the popular cupcakes...
...a sneak peek at some halloween treats...

...and a wide variety of cupcakes and other baked treats.

But dinner wasn't over. Not just yet. Desserts were up next...


The Red Velvet (P 240), the cake version of the popular Red Velvet Cupcake, moist velvety cake with rich, cream cheese frosting. Rich and decadent, just a perfect ending to any meal at Slice. But there's more...
The Mochamisu (P200), a refreshing take on the usual tiramisu, made with their very own specialty espresso. Creamy, but not too sweet, a great dessert option.
The Double Choco Yema (P 240), a Slice Signature. If you've tried the Choco Yema Cupcakes, you'll enjoy this cake version. A relly decadent dessert with smooth and sweet layers of Yema on moist, dense dark chocolate cake covered in thick chocolate ganache. I definitely won't mind another slice of this one...
And finally,?Cafe Mocha (P 130), to cap the evening. A perfect dinner, with a slice of everything. And I'll definitely be back at Slice for another, well, slice. Great food, excellent service, really cool place. Special thanks to Pat Bocobo of Slice and Khaezel Espiritu of OpenRice.com for hosting an awesome dinner.

Slice is located at the Ground Floor, Bonifacio High Street Central, West Superblock, 7th Avenue corner 29th Street, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Metro Manila or call 565-1998 for inquiries.


Dude for Food is now on Facebook, check out the new FB page to receive regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB "Like" widget on the right sidebar.


Source: http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2012/10/chocolate-love-and-more-at-slice.html

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Romney ups criticism of Obama's second-term plans

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) ? Heading into the campaign's final weeks, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is upping his criticism of President Barack Obama's plans for a second term, accusing the Democrat of failing to tell Americans what he would do with four more years. The Obama campaign is aggressively disputing the notion, claiming it's Romney who hasn't provided specific details to voters.

At campaign events, in a new ad and fundraising appeal out Saturday, Romney is setting up the closing weeks as a choice between what he says is a "small" campaign that's offering little new policy and his own ambitious plan to fundamentally change America's tax code and entitlement programs.

The new Romney ad criticizes the president's policies on debt, health care, taxes, energy and Medicare, arguing that Obama is simply offering more of the same. The campaign did not say where the spot would air. The fundraising appeal hits Obama for raising taxes and increasing the debt by $5.5 trillion, repeating the lack-of-agenda criticism.

"Although President Obama won't lay out his plan for a second term, we already know what it will be ? a repeat of the last four years. We can't afford four more years of crushing debt and wasteful spending," Romney says in the letter, adding he has a clear plan to put America on a path to prosperity.

Both Obama and Romney retreated from the campaign trail Saturday to bone up on foreign policy, leaving the work of courting voters to their running mates.

Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan on Saturday continued the no-agenda theme against Obama at campaign stops near Pittsburgh and in Belmont, Ohio.

"He's not even telling you what he plans on doing," Ryan told a rain-soaked crowd of about 1,100 people at a campground in coal-rich eastern Ohio.

Obama's campaign disputes the notion that the president hasn't outlined a detailed second-term agenda, pointing to his calls for immigration reform, ending tax breaks for upper income earners, fully implementing his health care overhaul and ending the war in Afghanistan.

In a statement sent after Romney's Friday night event, Obama campaign spokesman Danny Kanner ticked through a series of policy items, calling them "just part of President Obama's agenda for a second term."

Obama, at the Democratic National Convention, called for creating 1 million manufacturing jobs over the next four years with a mix of corporate tax rate cuts and innovation and training programs. He has set a goal of cutting the growth of college tuition in half over the next 10 years. He also has called for Congress to pass proposals he made last year that include includes tax credits for companies that hire new workers and funding for local municipalities to hire more teachers, police officers and firefighters.

As for why Republicans would back the same proposals they have already voted against, Obama has told supporters he expects his re-election would "break the fever" on Capitol Hill that led to gridlock during his first term.

Vice President Joe Biden made a diagnosis of his own on Saturday, saying Ryan had caught "Romnesia," the word Obama used the day before to describe what he calls Romney's changing polices.

"That man is contagious," Biden said of Romney, to loud cheers at a campaign stop in St. Augustine, Fla. "Congressman Ryan caught it as well."

He said the Wisconsin Congressman is now giving a new explanation for cuts in the budget he oversaw and passed in the House.

The president's aides are particularly irked by the questions about Obama's second-term agenda, because they say it's Romney who has failed to provide voters with details. They point to his refusal to provide specifics about his tax plan or outline what he would replace the president's health care overhaul with if he makes good on his promise to repeal the federal law.

An independent group backing Obama, though, is trying to renew attention on Romney's tenure at the helm of the private equity firm Bain Capital. The group, Priorities USA Action, is re-airing an ad about an AMPAD plant in Marion, Ind. That spot features former employee Mike Earnest recalling being told to build a stage from which officials of the office supply company later announced mass layoffs.

He says, "It was like building my own coffin." That ad first aired in battleground states in the summer.

Romney aides have said AMPAD was a struggling business to begin with, and Bain overall created many more jobs than were lost.

That ad will air in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Ohio, Nevada, Virginia and Wisconsin. The new campaign will be in addition to a $30 million effort against Romney policy proposals, the group said.

Monday's debate in Boca Raton, Fla., with its focus on international affairs, is the third and final between the two rivals and comes just 15 days before the election.

Obama left Friday for Camp David, the presidential hideaway in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains, where he is huddled with advisers preparing for the debate. Among those with him are White House senior adviser David Plouffe and senior campaign strategist David Axelrod. Aides say Obama was also being assisted by National Security Adviser Tom Donilon and former Obama aide Karen Dunn.

Romney was also with aides preparing for the debate, spending the weekend in Florida.

Both campaigns are heavily targeting Florida and its 29 electoral votes ? the most of any tossup state. It was the second day of a two-day Florida swing for Biden, which overlapped a two-day swing by Ryan. Romney's wife, Ann, was also in Florida Saturday and First Lady Michelle Obama planned a visit Monday, ahead of the presidential debate that night in Boca Raton. The president is planning at least two days of campaigning in Florida after the debate.

Monday's 90-minute debate will be moderated by Bob Schieffer of CBS News. It will be similar to the first debate, with both men standing at lecterns on a stage. Schieffer has listed five subject areas, with more time devoted to the Middle East and terrorism than any other topic.

While the economy has been the dominant theme of the election, foreign policy has attracted renewed media attention in the aftermath of the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens.

Obama had ranked well with the public on his handling of international issues and in fighting terrorism, especially following the death of Osama bin Laden. But the administration's response to the Libya attack and questions over levels of security at the consulate have given Romney and his Republican allies an issue with which to raise doubts about Obama's foreign policy leadership.

Romney has spent large amounts of time off the campaign trail to prepare for the upcoming foreign policy debate. Aides say the additional time preparing is well-spent even if it comes at the expense of public events.

___

Kuhnhenn reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Julie Pace and Ken Thomas in Washington and Ann Sanner in Belmont, Ohio, contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/romney-ups-criticism-obamas-second-term-plans-154532730--election.html

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Early look at Windows 8 baffles consumers

FILE - In this Monday, June 18, 2012, file photo, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer comments on the Windows 8 operating system. The PC industry is in a slump, as consumers show more interest in tablet computers and smartphones. Officially, PC makers say they expect Windows 8, which launches Oct. 26, 2012, to get buyers to open their wallets, but industry watchers and analysts are skeptical. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

FILE - In this Monday, June 18, 2012, file photo, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer comments on the Windows 8 operating system. The PC industry is in a slump, as consumers show more interest in tablet computers and smartphones. Officially, PC makers say they expect Windows 8, which launches Oct. 26, 2012, to get buyers to open their wallets, but industry watchers and analysts are skeptical. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012, file photo, a new Microsoft Corp. logo, left, is seen on an exterior wall of a new Microsoft store inside the Prudential Center mall, in Boston. Microsoft is making a radical break with the past to stay relevant in a world where smartphones and tablets have eroded the three-decade dominance of the personal computer. Windows 8, set to be released Oct. 26, 2012, is supposed to tie together Microsoft's PC, tablet and phone software with one look. But judging by the reactions of some people who have tried the PC version, it's a move that risks confusing and alienating customers. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, file photo, Steven Sinofsky, president of Windows and Windows Live attends the Windows 8 Consumer Preview presentation during a press conference at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Microsoft is making a radical break with the past to stay relevant in a world where smartphones and tablets have eroded the three-decade dominance of the personal computer. Windows 8, set to be released Oct. 26, 2012, is supposed to tie together Microsoft's PC, tablet and phone software with one look. But judging by the reactions of some people who have tried the PC version, it's a move that risks confusing and alienating customers. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012, file photo, the new Microsoft logo is seen above the entrance to a company store in Seattle. Microsoft Corp.'s net income fell 22 percent in the latest quarter as it deferred revenue from the sale of its upcoming Windows 8 operating system to PC makers, and as PC sales in general took a dive. The software company's net income was $4.47 billion, or 53 cents per share. That was down from $5.7 billion, or 68 cents per share, a year ago, and exceeded analyst estimates, which had been in the 50-52 cent range. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

(AP) ? The release of Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system is a week away, and consumers are in for a shock. Windows, used in one form or another for a generation, is getting a completely different look that will force users to learn new ways to get things done.

Microsoft is making a radical break with the past to stay relevant in a world where smartphones and tablets have eroded the three-decade dominance of the personal computer. Windows 8 is supposed to tie together Microsoft's PC, tablet and phone software with one look. But judging by the reactions of some people who have tried the PC version, it's a move that risks confusing and alienating customers.

Tony Roos, an American missionary in Paris, installed a free preview version of Windows 8 on his aging laptop to see if Microsoft's new operating system would make the PC faster and more responsive. It didn't, he said, and he quickly learned that working with the new software requires tossing out a lot of what he knows about Windows.

"It was very difficult to get used to," he said. "I have an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, and they never got used to it. They were like, 'We're just going to use Mom's computer.'"

Windows 8 is the biggest revision of Microsoft Corp.'s operating system since it introduced Windows 95 amid great fanfare 17 years ago. Ultimately, Windows grew into a $14 billion a year business and helped make former Chief Executive Bill Gates the richest man in the world for a time. Now, due to smartphones and tablets, the personal computer industry is slumping. Computer companies are desperate for something that will get sales growing again. PC sales are expected to shrink this year for the first time since 2001, according to IHS iSuppli, a market research firm.

The question is whether the new version, which can be run on tablets and smartphones, along with the traditional PC, can satisfy the needs of both types of users.

"I am very worried that Microsoft may be about to shoot itself in the foot spectacularly," said. Michael Mace, the CEO of Silicon Valley software startup Cera Technology and a former Apple employee. Windows 8 is so different, he said, that many Windows users who aren't technophiles will feel lost, he said.

Microsoft is releasing Windows 8 on Oct. 26, and it doesn't plan to cushion the impact. Computer companies will make Windows 8 standard on practically all PCs that are sold to consumers.

Speaking to Wall Street analysts on Thursday, Microsoft's chief financial officer Peter Klein said he isn't very concerned that user confusion could slow the adoption of Windows 8. When Microsoft introduces new features, he said, people eventually realize that "those innovations have delivered way more value, way more productivity and way better usability." That's going to be true of Windows 8 too, he said.

Instead of the familiar Start menu and icons, Windows 8 displays applications as a colorful array of tiles, which can feature updated information from the applications. For instance, the "Photos" tile shows an image from the user's collection, and the "People" tile shows images from the user's social-media contacts. (Microsoft is licensed to use AP content in the Windows 8 news applications.)

The tiles are big and easy to hit with a finger ? convenient for a touch screen. Applications fill the whole screen by default ? convenient for a tablet screen, which is usually smaller than a PC's. The little buttons that surround Windows 7 applications, for functions like controlling the speaker volume, are hidden, giving a clean, uncluttered view. When you need those little buttons, you can bring them out, but users have to figure out on their own how to do it.

"In the quest for simplicity, they sacrificed obviousness," said Sebastiaan de With, an interface designer and the chief creative officer at app developer DoubleTwist in San Francisco.

Technology blogger Chris Pirillo posted a YouTube video of his father using a preview version of Windows 8 for the first time. As the elder Pirillo tours the operating system with no help from his son, he blunders into the old "Desktop" environment and can't figure out how to get back to the Start tiles. (Hint: Move the mouse cursor into the top right corner of the screen, then swipe down to the "Start" button that appears, and click it. On a touch screen, swipe a finger in from the right edge of the screen to reveal the Start button.) The four-minute video has been viewed more than 1.1 million times since it was posted in March.

"There are many things that are hidden," said Raluca Budiu, a user experience specialist with Nielsen Norman Group. "Once users discover them, they have to remember where they are. People will have to work hard and use this system on a regular basis."

Mace, the software CEO, has used every version of Windows since version 2.0, which came out in 1987. Each one, he said, built upon the previous one. Users didn't need to toss out their old ways of doing things when new software came along. Windows 8 ditches that tradition of continuity, he said.

"Most Windows users don't view their PCs as being broken to begin with. If you tell them 'Oh, here's a new version of Windows, and you have to relearn everything to use it,' how many normal users are going to want to do that?" he asked.

The familiar Windows Desktop is still available through one of the tiles, and most programs will open up in that environment. But since the Start button is gone, users will have to flip back and forth between the desktop and the tile screen.

There's additional potential for confusion because there's one version of Windows 8, called "Windows RT," that looks like the PC version but doesn't run regular Windows programs. It's intended for tablets and lightweight tablet-laptop hybrids.

Budiu believes the transition to Windows 8 will be most difficult for PC users, because Microsoft's design choices favor touch screens rather than mice and keyboards. Alex Wukovich, a Londoner who tried Windows 8 on a friend's laptop, agrees.

"On a desktop, it just felt really weird," he said. "It feels like it's a tablet operating system that Microsoft managed to twist and shoehorn onto a desktop."

Not everyone who has tried Windows 8 agrees with the critics.

Sheldon Skaggs, a Web developer in Charlotte, N.C., thought he was going to hate Windows 8, but he needed to do something to speed up his 5-year-old laptop. So he installed the new software.

"After a bit of a learning curve and playing around with it a bit more, you get used to it, surprisingly," he said.

The computer now boots up faster than it did with Windows Vista, he said.

Vista was Microsoft's most recent operating-system flop. It was seen as so clunky and buggy when released in 2007 that many PC users sat out the upgrade cycle and waited for Windows 7, which arrived two and a half years later. Companies and other institutions wait much longer than consumers to upgrade their software, and many will keep paying for Windows 7. Many companies are still using Windows XP, released in 2001.

Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Financial, is optimistic about Windows 8, pointing out that it's snappy and runs well on PCs with limited processing power, making it suited for compact, tablet-style machines. But he also notes that through Microsoft's history, roughly every other operating-system release has been a letdown.

Intel Corp. makes the processors that go into 80 percent of PCs, and has a strong interest in the success of Windows. CEO Paul Otellini said Tuesday that when the company has let consumers try Windows 8 on expensive "ultrabook" laptops with touch screens, "the feedback is universally positive." But he told analysts that he doesn't really know if people will embrace Windows 8 for mainstream PCs.

"We'll know a lot more about this 90 days from now," he said.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/495d344a0d10421e9baa8ee77029cfbd/Article_2012-10-19-Microsoft-Windows%208%20Users/id-61f61167751d4bb2a5931bdacdcc9bde

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