ThePodcastSisters

Google Maps - Great business help!

Last week I was in London and downloaded Google Maps for my mobile phone. I have a sat nav in the car but I now have a map function wherever I am...and it is superb (and free) wonderful when you are trying to find a client, a conference or even to see where you are when you are on a train journey! The software is still in beta but has a new option, that gives you rudimentary location information without needing a built-in GPS. This new feature is called My Location. The service will work wherever Google Maps for Mobile is currently available — the U.S., UK, Europe and parts of Asia, for instance Here is what Google states as the features of the mobile application

Detailed directions — Whether you plan to walk or drive, your route is displayed on the map itself, together with step by step directions.

Integrated search results — Local business locations and contact information appear all in one place, integrated on your map.

Maps are easily moved — Interactive maps let you zoom in or out, and move in all directions so that you can orient yourself visually.

Satellite imagery — Get a bird's eye view of your desired location. (It is like you are there, we swear.)

As a business owner, I love free software that makes my business life easier...and this is one!

Google Launches Presentation Tool

The Google Blog has launched the much awaited presentation tool. Again this is a free tool which will help with small business but also allows you to store your documents on line which means that there is no risk of loss of data.
I am presenting later this week and have done it on line using Google Docs. This will save me taking my laptop as I will just access it from the computer based at the client. I will then share the presentation with the client instead of emailing or uploading the work...easy, simple, straightforward...I hope! This is what Google say

"... a web-based platform for creating, sharing, storing, and publishing documents; it now includes capabilities for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.

• Create and keep presentations in one place on the web that's accessible anytime, from any Internet connected computer.
• Manage, update and share presentations with colleagues by sending them a simple email invitation.
• Edit together online and in real time, or contribute at different times to the same presentation on the web.
• Present and control slide shows for all viewers over the web, with no special setup required. Chat with viewers in real-time via integrated chat.
• Import existing presentations to get started quickly.
• Quickly publish presentations to the general public or individuals of their choice

Tricks from Google Search

Google offers many other tools than pure search for a term. For instance

1) If you want to know the time in a city around the world you can type in - what time is it in los angeles?

2) You can use it as a calculator - so you can type into the web address 5*2*2 and it will then display 20.

3) You can use it as a currency convertor - type in 2.5 USD in GBP and it converts it

4) You can use it as a dictionary - just type in for example  define engagement

5) You can see quickly who links to your web page. Just type in...for example link:www.thepodcastsisters.com

For more search features check out the Google help page, I find knowing more about search saves me so much time on the web.

Protect Your Software

Many of you are starting out on a new business venture and costs/budgets are tight. I thought I would share some free ideas of how to protect your work to ensure that you never face a loss of data through malicious attacks.

• Adware - Pop ups can be generated from software that has sneaked onto your PC. This happens when you download software not from its original source. For a free scanner try Lavasoft.
• Anti Spyware is a great tool as it identifys people who are trying to garner your personal information. A free software to stop this is Spyware.
• Antivirus helps to protect you from malicious attacks. If you want a free package look at AVG, Avast. Be sure that you keep checking for updates though with any anti virus program.
• Use a google account to hold your e-mail. Then if you lose your computer you don't lose your data.
• CC Cleaner is a free tool that clears your Windows computer of cookies, recycle bin items etc before you close your computer down.
• You should always back up your computer to an external hard drive on a regular basis. I back up twice a week - unless I have some really important documents that I have just created then I back up that night. Keep the external hard drive away from your computer.

Just some ideas - if you want to add to the list to help others feel free!