What’s really scary is the growing number of dangers we face online as individuals and as business owners. That’s probably why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared October to be Cyber Security Awareness Month.

Since these threats know no geographic boundaries, I’m happy to do my part by sharing some information to help you avoid them, beginning with one of my own articles, Tips for Securing Your Online Accounts.

However, if you think changing your passwords on a regular basis will keep you safe, you’d better read Deb Lee’s post, Changing Your Password is a Waste of Time.

Job seekers, who may be particularly vulnerable, should heed the advice offered by Sharon Graham in her article, Job seekers: Beware of spammers, scammers, and schemers.

The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) has free downloadable tip sheets for children, parents, college students, and anyone who uses mobile technology or social media websites.

Have you ever been the victim of an online scam, hacker, or phishing attempt? What did you do about it?

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on Trick or Treat! Avoiding the dangers of cyberspace.

Of course, I know it’s not a real award, not like the Thomas Leonard International Virtual Assistant of Distinction Award I was nominated for in 2009. It’s really just a meme, but memes can be fun, so I’m happy to have an excuse to use one in my blog, and thank Erika for thinking of me.

There are four simple rules for The Versatile Blogger Award:

1. Post a link to the person who gave you the award.
2. Tell your readers seven random things about yourself.
3. Award 15 newly discovered blogs.
4. Send them a note letting them know you nominated them.

So, here are seven random facts about me:

1. I won second prize in the Discover Mississauga Photo Contest several years ago for this interior shot of Mississauga City Hall.
   
   (This is a photo of the photo, through the glass of the frame, so doesn’t really do it justice.)
2. I usually carry the same purse for months, and sometimes don’t even switch with the change in seasons, but I love shopping for purses. Shoes, not so much.
3. I love to play trivia games and am pretty good at them too.
4. I was a matched Big Sister for many years, and am still friends with my Little Sister, who is now all grown up and recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.
5. I have signed up for Google+, but haven’t yet figured out what, if anything, I will do there.
6. I was into Reduce-Reuse-Recycle before it was even a trend.
7. I make my own granola.

And here are the 15 blogs I’m nominating for the Versatile Blogger Award, in alphabetical order:

1. LinkedLearning by Margarita Ibbott: Help with using LinkedIn and other social media.
2. Daily Blogging Ideas by Michelle Shaeffer: Wonderful inspiration for both personal and business blogs.
3. Fabulous After 40 by Deborah Boland and JoJami Tyler: Fashion advice for those of us who aren’t as young as we used to be.
4. Garious Blog – Up to date information about social media.
5. Grow with Stacy: Tips for personal development, as well as blogging and social media.
6. The Lady Bloggers Society headed by Stepfanie Cuevas: Once a week they hold a Lady Blogger Social Tea Party to give readers a chance to share their blog posts – a great way to connect with other bloggers!
7. Marian Schembari: More goodies on social media and blogging.
8. MS Outlook for Business: Valuable tips for using email and discovering features of Outlook you never knew existed.
9. The Other Side of Organized by Linda Samuels: Explores the emotions connected with making changes in your life.
10. Site Sketch 101 by Nicholas Cardot: A wealth of information about blogging.
11. Solo-E.com by Terri Zwierzynski: Articles on all aspects of running a small business, including marketing, productivity and more.
12. Sunday Stealing hosted by Judd Corizan: A great place to find out about different blog memes of all types.
13. Teatime with Tina by Tina Chase: All about food and cooking.
14. Virtually Yours by Joanne Burgess: Fabulous tips about social media and small business topics.
15. WordPress Jedi: Information about WordPress themes, plugins, and security issues, as well as SEO and social media tips.

If you enjoyed this post, why not nominate yourself for a Versatile Blogger Award? If you do, please leave a link to your post in the Comments, so we can learn more about you and the blogs you read.

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on The Versatile Blogger Award.

There are also a lot of people out there who have discovered they can automatically send their tweets to Facebook and/or LinkedIn. But does the fact that you can do this mean it’s a good idea? I don’t think it is, and I’m not the only one.

Several months ago, Alex Astell gave us Six good reasons not to feed your Tweets to Facebook and LinkedIn which sums things up very nicely.

I connected with British social media coach, trainer and speaker Nicky Kriel in a LinkedIn group when she raised a question on this very topic, and I was delighted to discover that our opinions are very similar in this area.

If you’ve been using automation to send all your posts from Twitter to LinkedIn and/or Facebook and are now seeing the light, Nicky provides some great tips for switching it off:

• How to disconnect Twitter from LinkedIn
• Sharing Twitter on Facebook?

If you’re not yet using Twitter, or you need a few pointers on using it as an effective networking tool, you need my Basic Guide to Networking on Twitter.

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on Avoiding Automation Overkill.

I don’t have the power to make it summer all year round, but since the first week of August is Simplify Your Life Week, I’m going to share a few of the things I do to keep it simple.

1. Only buy what you need. This saves both money and storage space. If you’ll only need something once, or even once in a while, consider renting it instead.
2. Clean out your wallet. Do you really need all those credit cards? One for business and one for personal use should be ample. Now that the major departments stores accept Visa and MasterCard, there’s really no sense having separate cards for each store. Same with rewards cards. Keep the ones for the stores you shop at regularly, and trash the rest.
3. Use an online bookmarking service like Delicious. You’ll be able to access your bookmarks no matter what browser or computer you’re using, including your mobile phone, and you can tag them with whatever keywords make sense to you, making it easy to find information when you need it again.
4. Use a password manager like Roboform. It allows you to generate unique, random passwords for each of your online accounts, and stores them securely so you don’t have to write them on a sheet of paper or remember them all.
5. Keep your inbox under control by unsubscribing from newsletters you don’t read. Better yet, use a separate email account for subscriptions and only check it when you’ve got the time and the desire to read.
6. No matter what season it is, remember to take time to get away from your day-to-day activities, even if it’s only for a few hours.

In the comments, please share what YOU do to keep it simple. If you don’t, what’s stopping you?

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on 6 Easy Ways to Simplify Your Life.

For several years, I’ve been hosting my sites with HostGator (affiliate link), one of the world’s largest web hosting companies. It offers unlimited domains on a single account with most plans, reliable servers and more. Their service is easy to use, and their tech support is great, whether you’re in a jam or just have a simple question.

Simply follow these instructions to create your account in a few minutes.

Step 1: Decide which type of hosting you need

HostGator offers four types of hosting, including:

Shared Web Hosting:

This is the type of hosting most people purchase. It gives you everything you need to get your online presence set up and going.

Reseller Hosting:

If you want to sell hosting services through your own hosting company, this is the option you would choose. It’s also a good choice if you need more than one SSL certificate and cPanel.

VPS Hosting:

VPS allows for more flexibility in software, installations and configurations. It is a good choice if you have resource-intensive needs such as streaming large media files, sending large amounts of email and so forth.

Dedicated Hosting:

This type of hosting is typically used by big businesses. Not only can you sell hosting, but you also have the ability to customize their server settings and environment. Like VPS, it’s also a good option if you have a high-traffic site, large customer database, large amounts of streaming media and so forth.

Choose the plan that best suits your needs at present and in the near future. You can always upgrade or downgrade your plan if your needs change down the road. Most individuals and small businesses use the Shared Web Hosting .

Step 2: Choose a hosting plan

Once you know which type of hosting you need, it’s time to pick your plan. HostGator offers three levels for their Shared Web Hosting.

Hatchling Plan:

Hatchling is the smallest plan HostGator offers. It allows you to host one domain with unlimited disk space and bandwidth. Depending on how often you want to pay, you can get this plan for under $4 per month.

Baby Plan:

The Baby Plan includes everything the Hatchling plan has, but with no limits as to how many domains you can have.  Prices start at just over $6 per month.

Business Plan:

Selecting the Business Plan gives you everything in the Baby Plan plus a free toll-free number, free dedicated IP and free private SSL. You can also choose to use anonymous FTPs. This plan starts at just over $10 per month.

View a full comparison chart here.

Step 3: Start the order process

Now that you know what type of hosting you need and which plan will work best for you, it’s time to place your order. Select the plan you wish to purchase.

Step 4: Enter your domain

Enter the name of the domain that you’ll be using with this account. If you need to register the domain first, enter it into the first box. If you already own the domain, enter it into the second box. Enter coupon code JB03312011 to receive a 25% discount, then click Continue to Step 2.

Step 5: Enter your billing information

• Double check that the right plan has been selected.
• Using the drop-down, select how often you want to pay
• Choose a username and security pin for your account. This will be your login information.

• Enter your billing information
• Select Credit Card or PayPal
• If using a credit card, enter the card details
• Review your order details
• Select the box to say you have read and agree to the terms and conditions.
• Click Create Account. You will be redirected to confirm your order.

Once your transaction goes through, you’ll be able to log into your Control Panel and begin using your new hosting account!

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on Getting Started with HostGator.

Here are the apps I’m using:

iTreadmill

After trying a couple of free pedometer apps and not being entirely happy with them, I decided to take the plunge and pay for one that would work the way I wanted it to. I chose iTreadmill after reading that it was recommended by Oprah’s O Magazine, Weight Watchers, and other reputable sources.

You simply open the app, press Play, and tuck the phone in your pocket. The screen immediately goes black to save battery power, but the counter continues as long as you keep moving. Whenever you stop for 5 seconds, it beeps politely to let you know it has auto-paused. It automatically picks up where it left off when you resume moving.

By default, it chimes whenever you pass .25 kilometers or miles (whichever you choose), and it’s nice to know how far you’ve gone without constantly taking out your phone. In addition to distance, it keeps track of steps, time, and calories burned. If you wish, you can set a goal in one of those areas, and select a tune from your music library to play when you achieve it.

When you’re finished your walk, you can save your data and view a summary of your totals to date in a chart or a graph.

The only downfall I’ve experienced is that if you want to access any of your other apps while you’re walking (other than the iPod, to which there’s a direct link inside the app), you need to pause it. That’s not a huge deal, as long as you don’t forget to start it again!

Heart Pal

I was a bit perturbed when, despite my positive lifestyle changes, my doctor told me my blood pressure was too high. As she pointed out though, maybe it would have been a lot worse if I hadn’t made those changes.

In any case, I began monitoring my blood pressure as per her recommendation, but I wasn’t keeping track of it anywhere. I knew I could just write it on a piece of paper, but I loved the idea of recording it on my iPhone.

I downloaded the free version of Heart Pal and liked it right away. You just enter your data and save it. It doesn’t get any easier than that! After five entries I discovered that I had to upgrade to continue using it, but for 99 cents, I wasn’t too worried about it!

Now, when I see my doctor, I can just show her the readings on my phone. I also have the option of emailing it to myself (or someone else) in PDF, HTML, or CSV format.

Do you use any apps to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle? Which ones?

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on iPhone Apps to Keep You Healthy.

Early versions of Windows included a simple personal information manager called Cardfile, which functioned as an electronic Rolodex. Just like a traditional Rolodex, most people used it to organize their business contacts, but some used it for other types of information they needed to have at their fingertips. Although Cardfile was discontinued when Windows 95 came out, avid users were able to transfer the program and their data to new computers easily.

Unfortunately, Cardfile is not compatible with Windows Vista or Windows 7. Although some might see this as an opportunity to try something shiny and new, not everyone wants to do that. After using Cardfile extensively for over 15 years, a couple of my clients weren’t too keen on investing time learning how to use a new program or entering all their data into it. They were therefore delighted when I discovered AZZ Cardfile, a simple program that does everything Windows Cardfile did, as well as allowing you to insert images, use different font styles, sizes, and colors, and much more.

Here’s how to convert and transfer your data from your Windows XP or earlier system to your new one:

1. Download AZZ Cardfile installation file to a USB key.
2. Install AZZ Cardfile on your old computer.
3. Open AZZ Cardfile and import the .crd file(s).
4. Copy the AZZ Cardfile files to the USB key.
5. Install AZZ Cardfile on your new computer.
6. Copy the AZZ Cardfile files to the new computer.

You know what they say,

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Photo: Seth Sawyers

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on A Simple Information Organizer.

On the other hand, if you’re in the early stages of your business and you have more time on your hands than money, you may be set on developing your own website. The least I can do is let you know about some resources to help you through the process.

Web Hosting

No matter who creates your website, you’ll need a hosting service. You can sometimes find free web hosting, but keep in mind that free services are usually funded by advertising which will appear on your website.

My preferred web host is HostGator (affiliate link). Their prices are reasonable and, even more importantly, their technical support is excellent. In fact, I’m so sure you’ll be happy with their service that I’ve arranged for you to get a 25% discount simply by entering the coupon code JB03312011 when you sign up.

Domain Name

Your domain name is what people type in to go to your website, such as janetbarclay.com. Some people prefer to buy their domain name and web hosting from the same company, but others like to keep things separate. Even .CA domain names, which typically cost quite a bit more than .COMs, are very inexpensive when purchased from GoDaddy.

Software

WordPress isn’t the only program you can use to create your website, but it’s certainly one of the most popular, and it can be used for anything from a simple blog to a full-fledged content management system, with or without a blog component. It’s completely free, and many hosting services, including HostGator, offer an easy-install option that requires no special technical skills.

Design

There are loads of free themes available on the WordPress site, but if you want something with a little more pizzazz, you might spring for a premium theme, such as those available from iThemes.

Whether you choose a free theme or a premium theme, you might want to customize it so it better reflects your business brand. In most cases, you’ll need to have at least a basic understanding of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). CSS controls the look of your website, whether you use WordPress, Dreamweaver, or some other tool to create it.

I learned CSS by working my way through CSS: The Missing Manual, which is an excellent resource.

If you prefer a more structured approach, you might be interested TechBased Training’s new CSS Quickstart Coaching, a four-week program which includes video tutorials, weekly assignments, and lots of other learning resources and tools. Please note that registration for this program ends on April 3, 2011, so if you’re interested, be sure to sign up right away.

Now that you know what’s involved, if you still want to create your own website, I wish you all the best. Please come back here and share your new site in the comments, and be sure to mention whether you used any of the resources mentioned in this post.

On the other hand, if I’ve completely scared you off, I’m sorry, but isn’t it better that you know what’s involved before you get started than to find yourself in over your head? If you’ve concluded that you’re better off letting someone else do the work for you, drop me a line – I’d love to help you make your ideas come to life.

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on So you want to create your own website….

Best Choice

Ideally, everyone should have their own domain name. This is not only important for branding, but it tells the world you are serious about your business. Even if you don’t intend to have your own website right away, or at all, you can still benefit from using your own domain name. Since domain name registration costs $15.00 per year or less, it is affordable even if you’re on a shoestring budget. I would be very leery of dealing with someone who doesn’t have enough confidence in their business to invest $15.00 in it.

Second Best

If, for some reason, you really don’t want to invest in a domain name, you should at least create a separate email address for your business. Many ISPs will give you multiple email addresses at no extra charge, so why not set one up that is yourbusinessname@yourisp.com, or even yourpersonalname@yourisp.com if you haven’t decided upon a business name.

Third Choice

If you absolutely MUST use a free email service, choose a user name that reflects your business appropriately. Keep in mind that many people will be reluctant to deal with a business that uses this type of service, as they are often associated with spammers and here-today-gone-tomorrow operations. Not only that, they may question why you are using an online service and think you don’t have your own computer and must go to a library or Internet cafe to check your email. If this is the case, it is vital that you make every effort to do so every day and to respond to your messages promptly in order to establish your professionalism.

Bad Choice

Do not use a shared email account (e.g. johnandmarysmith@isp.com) for business purposes. Not only does this send up a red flag – your clients probably do not want your spouse reading their messages to you – but it is too easy for you to miss a message if your spouse reads it first and either doesn’t remember to mark it unread or accidentally deletes it. I have had this happen to messages I’ve sent to clients, on more than one occasion.

Worst Choice

Under no circumstances should you use an email account with a cutesy or suggestive user name for business purposes, unless of course it relates to the nature of your business. Would you entrust your bookkeeping to angelblondie@yahoo.com?

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on Your Email Address and Your Professional Image.

I’m always on the lookout for tools to make my life and my job easier, so I was really impressed when Lynette Chandler, the brain behind Blog Energizer, told me about the Grab & Save plugin for WordPress, which basically streamlines four steps into one. Watch her video to see how it works:

Pretty good stuff, eh?

There are probably times when you want something very specific, and you just might not be able to find it in the public domain. In those situations, it might be worth buying royalty-free stock photos from a site like iStockPhoto or Crestock, but you won’t be able to use Grab & Save. Fortunately, there’s another plugin just for cases like this.

After you install the Microstock plugin, you enter the details of your iStockPhoto and/or Fotalia account. When you create a post, you’ll see a new field where you enter your search terms for a photo to go with your post. These will probably be the same as the tags and/or keywords for that post. Immediately you’ll be presented with thumbnails of images to choose from. When you see one you like, click on it for a larger view and to see how many credits it will cost you. Click on the download button to add the image to your post and the credits will be deducted from your account. You’ll have the option of automatically adding a copyright notice below the image, and if you’re also an affiliate, you can have your affiliate link inserted as well.

With great tools like this available, there’s no longer an excuse for not putting images in your posts!

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on How to Easily Spice Up Your Blog with Images.