Years ago I found these mottos for busy women:

I posted them on my wall in my office to read and keep my sense of humor!!!

• So this isn’t Home Sweet Home … Adjust!!
• Martha Steward doesn’t live here!!
• Ring bell for maid service. If no answer,  do it yourself!
• I clean house every other day. Today is the other day.
• If you write in the dust, please don’t date it.
• I would cook dinner but I can’t find the can opener.
• My house was clean last week, too bad you missed it.
• I came, I saw, I decided to order take out.
• If you don’t like my standards of cooking… lower your standards.
• Although you’ll find out house is a mess, come in, sit down, converse.
• It doesn’t always look like this: Some days it’s even worse. 
• A messy kitchen is a happy kitchen, and this kitchen is delirious.
• A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand!
• Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.
• Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.
• Countless number of people have eaten in this kitchen and gone on to lead normal lives.
• My next house will have no kitchen… just vending machines.

Author Unknown

What is a QR code and why would you need one?

QR codes (Quick Response Code) were first designed by Denso Wave in 1994 to track vehicles during the manufacturing process. QR codes consists of black patterns arranged in a square shape on a white background.

Smartphones have now changed the purpose of QR codes substantially and as a result, QR codes are becoming widely used in advertising promotions. Users with a camera phone equipped with a QR reader can easily scan QR codes to display text, contact information or even open a website.

So how could this be used to promote your company?

QR codes can be very useful on printed advertising to direct customers to website pages, landing pages, Facebook pages. Anything with a internet URL can be added.

For example, scan this QR code, you will be directed to my Facebook page where you can enter to win a FREE MYSTERY GIFT.

In this example, I was able to direct you to a specific page. I think this is important to do rather than just directing people to a just a website address.  QR codes are being under utilized like this. If you are sending a person to your website, why not send them to your products or sales landing page? For example, scan this QR code below:

In this example, I am directing you to my company’s Business Directory that has listings of all my customer’s details.

Other uses of QR codes

I recently watched this video on YouTube that talked about a company who adds QR coding to a person’s gravestone. Once this QR code appears, it directs the person to a memory page of their beloved where they can view photos etc. Another innovative way to use QR codes.

Now anyone with access to a website could create their own memory page of their loved one, not sure if you need to spend money getting this company to put the QR on the headstone though.  For example, scan the QR code below to see the memorial page I created on my website for my dear mother who passed away in 2009.

How do I get a QR code?

I found a company online that allow you to create QR coding for FREE. Go to this link: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/

Right now QR codes are the “new fad”. Will they last? Time will tell.

I am sure in the future, there will be many new innovations for this coding. QR codes could be a real way of taking us all to a paperless society.

Please Note: If you are directing phone users to your website, ensure that your website has a mobile website version.

Who knows what the future is of this product will be?

On a final note, please scan this QR code:

Yvonne Roth

Visit my website: www.xpressionwebs.com

Like me on Facebook and receive a chance to win a FREE MYSTERY GIFT: http://yvonneroth.com/mysterygiftcontest

Why you need a Facebook Business Page

Millions of people are using Facebook everyday. If your company wants to attract these Facebook users, then you need to have a Facebook Business Page. With over 600 million users and over 40% of businesses up and running on Facebook, why are you not using a Facebook Business Page to promote your business?

A Facebook Business Page is free and it works like a gigantic billboard for your business broadcasting 24 hours a day.  Plus you can continue to add to your Facebook Business Page, posting daily, weekly or even monthly for no-charge.

Social Media applications like Facebook and Twitter are not going away. In fact, every minute, every second, there are new Facebook and Twitter users. It has become the “new way of communicating”.

This is the time for small businesses to jump onto the Social Media bandwagon to reach existing and soon to be customers.

Reasons to setup a Facebook Business Page

• 50 million adults/young adults are using Facebook to connect on a daily basis with their friends and they are viewing details on businesses that they find interesting. Using the Facebook Business Page platform lets you take advantage of this ready-made marketplace of buyers looking for your type of product or service.

• Facebook Business Pages can have unlimited fans or likes.  On an individual Facebook account, profiles are limited to 5,000 friends, a company Facebook Page can have unlimited fans (or likes).

• The Facebook Business Page platform is fairly simple to set up and maintain.

• Facebook Business Pages are very search engine friendly since a Facebook Business Page is a public URL  As a result,  Facebook Business Pages have a much easier time making top ranking on a Google search.

• Your competition may already have a Facebook Business Page.  Many online marketers believe that the LIKE button on a Facebook Business Page has now become a new way to add a backlink to your website. The more likes your Facebook Business Page has, the greater chance of it ranking higher in the search engines.  

Please Note: Facebook Business Pages will only work for you if you work at building a “fan” base.

So how do you get started?

Due to an overwhelming amount of requests from our customers, Xpression Webs is now offering a Social Media Package for the introductory price of $95.00 which includes:

• Full Setup of a Facebook Business Page – Includes logo and cover photo.
• Full Setup of a Twitter Page with a starter following.
• Automatic synchronization of the Facebook Business Page to the Twitter page.
• If applicable,  links will also be created on your company website.
• A telephone training session can also be scheduled with our to staff to explain how to you can continue to add new posts, photos and or invite people to like your Facebook/Twitter page.

Let us help you kickstart your Social Media experience!!!

Contact Yvonne at 780-963-5501 or email yroth@xpressionwebs.com for more details on this exciting new Social Media Package.

I have to admit, I live in one of the most beautiful provinces in all of Canada.  With the exception of winter, I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful place.

Watch the video below to see some of what is available in Alberta:

 

Help! My site’s been compromised. Now what?

Directions

1. Change all relevant passwords: Assume your passwords have been harvested and immediately change all critical passwords, including shell access, FTP access, Joomla! Administrator accounts, and the database account.
2. Check raw logs: Identify when and how the attackers gained access to your site by carefully reviewing your raw server logs. Make careful note of the date/time and names of attacked files. Note that these logs may have been deleted or altered, so a lack of evidence does not prove a lack of activity.
3. List recently modified files: Before making any changes to your site, generate a list of recently modified files. There’s a php script that will list the files for you. Remove this script as soon as you have your list and don’t publish a link to it!
4. Note suspicious newly-created files: Use this list to identify new files that don’t belong. Pay particular attention to their creation and modification dates, and correlate them to the dates of attacks shown in your log files.
5. Note suspicious recently-modified files: Check the modified files list for any files that were recently changed. Pay particular attention to the modification, and correlate them to the dates of attacks shown in your log files.
6. Check for bogus CRON Jobs: Hacked cron jobs can be setup to reinfect your site over and over again.
7. Coordinate with your host: If you have identified how you were cracked, report the method to your host. If you are on a shared server, you may have been attacked through another vulnerable site on your server. Report this to your host. A reputable host will appreciate your efforts in this area.
8. Delete the entire public_html directory: This is the best way to guarantee that every potential vulnerability in that site is removed.
9. Delete related database records: This step may only be possible if you have good backups. Simple script kiddies, who are only trying to mark your index page, may not attack your database, but professionals are usually very interested in confidential data, such as passwords. They may pose as script kiddies to avoid suspicion while repeatedly harvesting confidential information from your database.
10. Reinstall everything: Use pre-crack backups. If you don’t have good backups, go on to step 10.
11. Reset critical passwords again: You must reset your passwards again now that your server is finally cleaned of any possible, hidden trojan horses.
12. Rebuild site: If you are unable to rebuild from clean backups, rebuild your entire site using original, pre-crack installs. Use only the latest stable versions of all software, and check the List of Vulnerable Extensions
13. Review security processes: Follow standard security precautions for important settings in php.ini, globals.php, configuration.php, .htaccess, etc.
14. Review backup processes: If you don’t already have one, add a dependable backup process to your site administration practices.
15. Stay watchful: Attackers return repeatedly. Closely monitor your raw logs for suspicious activity.

Believing in yourself and your dreams

though impossible things may seem.

Someday, somehow, you’ll get through

to the goal you have in view.

Mountains fall and seas divide

before the one in stride,

takes a hard road day by day,

sweeping obstacles away.

Believe in yourself and your plan.

Say not – I cannot – but I can.

The prizes of life we fail to win

because we doubt the power, the power within.

Author Unknown

Someone sent me a link to this powerful video today. It really make me think about the world and how amazing it is. I don’t think that we ever really stop to think about all the wonderful things that the world offers. Too much technology, too many material things, when will this cause beautiful natural things to disappear? Something we need to think about, that’s for sure.

Enjoy this video called – She’s Alive

I watched this video today on YouTube and was amazed at the teamwork that was involved in creating this beautiful song. Using one guitar, these five people were able to create a masterpiece! Using everyone’s strengths they combined to create so many levels to this song. I am amazed and can’t believe how creative this band is! Enjoy this song by “Walk off the Earth.”

ICU

I was feeling a little nosey, so I thought I
would look in on you and see if you’re sitting
at your computer and if you’re OK.
Yup, there you are and you look great!
Everyone needs a smile today!

Happy Friday!!

Happy New Year 2012. I wish you love, laughter and prosperity for the New Year.