Amazon's MP3's are DRM Free!

Amazon.com has one of the largest selection of MP3 Music on Earth. And because they sell MP3 files with absolutely no rights management software, you're free to listen to your music on any device you'd like.

Start exercising your freedom of choice with all MP3 players, including the new iPods, SanDisk Sansa, Creative, Zune, Archos, Samsung, and many more.

They even play on my Smartphone!

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Build a Bigger, Better Business

Steve Kaplan's approach to growing your business whatever your vertical, whether your one employee or 1000 employees has never been so clear. Steve's common sense strategy will help you minimize costs of developing new products and maximize success of selling new and existing products.

This is the step by step playbook to growing your business....

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Dictation with your cell phone? Use the free Jott service!

Jott is a digital transcription service, which basically means they take a voicemail that you send, transcribe it into text, and send it to a recipients e-mail address.

Using Jott is pretty simple: sign up for a free account, enter some address book information (names, phone numbers, e-mail addresses), and then you can use the service! Just call Jott and say the name of the person or group you want to get in touch with. Once you say your message Jott will confirm it and ask if you want to send it now as a voicemail or have it transcribed as an e-mail.

The service is good but it isn’t perfect. Automated voice to text systems can be tricky at times, and uncommon words are usually not translated very well.

For the most part Jott is simple, fun, functional and free!

Sign up now at Jott.com Read more ...

Can wireless improve Customer Service?

While speaking to a collegue about how this years budget process was coming along it was mentioned that the new wireless infrastructure was removed from the budget. The rationale was that the owner company did not think it was an important item and that wireless would not be utilized by guests in the future because of other upcoming technologies.

Interesting observation. But wireless infrastructure is more than just a guest convenience. If looked at strategically, wireless is more of an administrative tool that should be utilized to provide a higher level of Customer Service.

Wireless infrastructure can be used as the backbone for communications devices (replacing outdated pagers and radios with more data centric handheld units), allows the fast deployment of devices and services that are wirelessly enabled (environmental controls, private bars, door locks, surveillance cameras, wireless check-in), also allows realtime monitoring and alerting of these devices and services to ensure that a room is in order before a guest checks in and while they are in-house, as well automated distribution of alert messages to staff based on their role (when combined with Guest Response systems) provides a proactive approach to Customer Service.

I do agree that Guests will move to other wireless technologies in the next few years, technologies such as WiMax will provide enough bandwidth for guests to do their work and watch tv/movies without utilizing a hotel service. I, for one haven't used hotel wireless for over a year. However, after spending many years in the hotel industry as an IT and Regional IT Director, there is no doubt that the potential efficiencies that can be achieved by properly implementing a secure wireless infrastructure in a hotel for administrative purposes alone with a goal of improving Customer Service is worth it's weight in gold. Read more ...

Power in your pocket! A great portable travel charger, you won't leave home without it...

Airports sure don't make it easy for travelers to charge, cell phones, ipods, or any electronic device, and power outlets are few and far between. If you do find them, someone else is probably already there using the outlet(s).

Since I travel frequently, and travel as light as possible with my TMobile MDA running Windows Mobile (likes to run out of power after 2 hours or so of continuous use), IPod and Bluetooth headset (and my clothes of course). I needed a portable option that would recharge my portable devices and be small enough to fit in my pocket.

So I researched, found some options that are on the horizon and some that are available now. But none met the requirement like the the PowerMonkey!

Yes, the PowerMonkey, that's what I thought too...Powermonkey?..hmmm. Once I got past the name and after reading about the great features, I had to get one of these and try it out. Needless to say it's everything I had been looking for. Small enough to fit in my pocket, able to charge my phone, bluetooth headset, ipod and digital camera all without having to recharge the PowerMonkey. What a great product and it can be used in over 150 countries (comes with various adapters)!

The regular PowerMonkey can be used by the Business Traveler or for the outdoor/sportsminded use the PowerMonkey Explorer that includes a Solar charger for the PowerMonkey.....

You can purchase your PowerMonkey from Amazon......
Read more ...

How to set Parental Controls on Gaming Consoles......

Several Games are not suitable for children and while we may monitor
what are kids are doing we can't be there all the time nor can we keep
the upcoming onslaught of Online Games from making their way into our
homes.

Fortunately, the new generation of game consoles have Parental
Controls. The Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360 both include
parental controls. So do Sony's handheld PlayStation Portable and
console PlayStation 3. You can block games and movies you don't want
your children viewing. Here's how:

Sony PlayStation 3

The PS3's restrictions are enforced by a four-digit password. The
default password is 0000 (four zeros).

Select Settings, then Security Settings. You'll find options for both
DVDs and Blu-Ray movies. Options for games are listed under Parental
Control. A number system indicates the level of restriction. The lower
the number, the tighter the restrictions.

You'll need to experiment to find the right restriction level. Start
at 1 and gradually increase the number if acceptable games or movies are blocked.

To set parental controls for the Web browser, select Internet Browser
Start Control. Your options are limited to On or Off. Selecting On
will block access to the browser.

The default password is well known. If your kids don't know it, their
friends might. So once you've set the restrictions, change it. In the
Security Settings menu, select Change Password. Enter the default
password, then select a new password.

Sony PlayStation Portable

The PSP's menu system is similar to the PS3's. Turn on the PSP and
select Settings, then Security Settings. You'll see the options for
games and Universal Media Disc (UMD) videos.

Select Internet Browser Start Control to change the Web browser
settings. Select On to block access to the built-in Web browser.

Again, you'll want to change the password. Select Change Password.
Enter the default password, 0000 (four zeros). Then set your own
four-digit password.

Nintendo Wii

You can set restrictions on games and online features on the Wii. Just
click the Wii button at the bottom of the screen. Then select Wii
Settings and select Parental Controls.

The Wii's Restrictions are based on Entertainment Software Rating
Board (ESRB) ratings. Select the highest rating with which you are
comfortable. Full rating descriptions are available on the ESRB
website at www.esrb.org.

When you connect the Wii to the Internet, you'll get additional
options. The Wii features a Web browser and a basic e-mail service.
You can disable the Web browser and put limits on e-mail. You may also
want to set up a PIN for purchases from the Wii Shop.

After you make your changes, you're prompted to create a password. You
also can specify a reminder question for your password.

Microsoft Xbox 360

To set parental controls in the Xbox

360, start the console without a disc. Then select System, Family
Settings, Console Controls.

There are options for games, movies and Xbox Live. Base restrictions
on ESRB game ratings and Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)
movie ratings.

Once you set restrictions, create a pass code. The option is listed
under Console Controls as Set Pass Code. The code can be any four key
combinations on the controller.

Safe computing doesn't happen out of the box... Read more ...

Google Apps for your Domain - will it work for your Small Business

Since Google experienced it's first major outage on March 1, 2007, some users have questioned whether Google Apps was robust enough to support Small Business owners.

Since then Google has been making serious in-roads into Small Business and Education.

Here is a good article about Google Apps ->Google Apps the sleeping giant... Read more ...

Affiliate Marketing, you don't even need a product of your own.....

Okay, what if I told you that you could make money selling products you don't own, you never created and with little or no investment.......

It's true, you can make money by becoming an affiliate agent. There are thousands of merchants that have put resources into developing affiliate programs so that others can promote their products in exchange for a commission, which is usually a percentage of the product's price. If there wasn't money to be made, Sony, Dell and those thousands of other merchants wouldn't waste their time and money building affiliate programs.

How does one get started? There are lots of Internet Marketing programs that promise the world. But as with all good things, it starts with basics, a sound plan and steady progress. So be careful with your choice of information sources about Internet Marketing.

One of the best resources is Rosalind Gardner's NetProfits Today. Rosalind's goal is to help you learn how to build a lasting Internet business, based on sound business principals.

Here is the link to Rosalind's website http://www.netprofitstoday.com/?a=30GCjzI

Learn how to Start an Internet Business Without Your Own Product... the RIGHT way! Read more ...

Monetizing HSIA and Online Video

The impact of online video content on Hotel Pay Per View revenues will likely mirror what occurred with Telephone Revenues, a slow degradation. So how does the industry prepare for this trend and potentially recover displaced Telephone revenues at the same time? The answer starts with a carefully planned strategy and a technical environment that allows Hoteliers, Pay Per View, Video On Demand, and High Speed Internet Access providers to include online content and monetize the technical environment.

What does this mean, "include online content and monetize the technical environment? Presentation, Dynamic Content, and Monetization are three important 3 priorities to include in this strategy.

1)Presentation (common look and feel) - the strategy starts with presenting a common look and feel (environment) across all medium, on the TV screen, Internet on the TV, High Speed Internet Portal, Mobile Devices and the Hotel/Corporate website. This commonality creates a feeling of familiarity and thus a comfort level with Guest towards the brand. This is not to say that screens should be exactly the same and simply formatted for a TV, computer, or mobile device. However, the style, color, texture and concept should be similar. Marketing Guru's calls this the "Brand Strategy".

2)Dynamic Content - Our younger, and even some of our older customers are now viewing content that lives on the Internet. They are viewing what they want to view and when they want to view it. From online post broadcast tv from Hulu.com, Veoh.com and directly from the major broadcaster websites as well as downloads of movies from Netflix, CinemaNow, Movielink, ITunes, Amazon and others, to industry specific Podcasts, user generated content on "MySpace" and "YouTube", as well as online games such as "World of Warcraft" and virtual reality environments like 2nd Life and SimCountry. Niche content is available on the Internet that fulfills anyone and everyone's taste.

Thus, content options being presented to Guests should adapt to the customer, the content being presented should be able to dynamically change according to the customers recorded preferences, business segment they are in, and historical choices they've made during previous stays. For instance, if a Guest is staying in a hotel and is from the Banking industry, why not present them with the latest news wires about the Banking industry in a ticker format. If the Guest historically has watched action films, then action films can be filtered to the top of the Movie Guide. As well, if a Guest is on the Internet and viewing specific content, then other styles of the same type of content can be presented for viewing in a hotel portal toolbar.

3)Monetization - the environment needs to have the ability to be monetized. This is where the potential is to replace displaced revenues.

For instance, this website/blog is based on Google's environment called Blogger (Blogger.com). Google's search engines will dynamically display advertising that is pertinent to the subject and content you are writing about (take a look at the sidebars to the left). Should you, the reader click on these links and purchase an item, then I as an affiliate received money from that click and potentially from the sale of the item (so, if you would please click on all the advertising buttons and purchase something so that I can make a living). Think about it, an environment that dynamically changes based on what the person is viewing and automatically generates targeted subject matter advertising. Wow!

That said, we don't necessarily, want to throw just any advertising at our Guests, we obviously, should be offering what our brand approves. Thus, it is in the best interest for service providers to create monetized environments based on partnerships that leverage the Internet as well as specific approved brand advertising. Hoteliers, already have partnerships with traditional magazines and television programming (both live and online post broadcast)that are subsidized by advertising from retailers and it would be safe to say that these retailers already have a web presence. Why not leverage that presence, present these advertisers and provide another avenue for revenue that can be shared with the hotelier. This additional revenue can be a differentiator in a service offering.

Conclusion, monetization of online content and services is one that hoteliers and service providers can and should capitalize on to generate new streams of revenue. Content is moving to the net...the opportunity is now.. Read more ...

Welcome to The BITS Group......

We have received your inquiry and will contact your shortly.

Thank you for the opportunity to be of service......

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