Rosetta stone, credit tkw954

When I was fifteen I had the opportunity to go on a missions trip to Hermosillo, Mexico. As we spent the week helping a small church build a new building, we got to experience a great number of really neat things. Having only taken a small amount of high school Spanish, I found it really different to hear it all around and only be able to catch certain words or phrases. One night in particular we were out visiting the city and sharing brochures with information about the church with anyone who would listen to us. One street vendor became very agitated and began to rant and rave in Spanish. Of course, my extremely limited Spanish was no match for the torrent of words flowing from this man, but suddenly in the middle of his tirade, he burst out with “I don’t speak any English.” My world was completely rocked by this revelation. For days I had been saying, “No hablo español,” and then suddenly I was hearing back exactly what it sounded like to people who only spoke Spanish when I parroted my phrase to them.

I believe that many times when we’re designing, sharing, or selling ourselves and our businesses, we often forget that our customers speak a different language than we do. When they visit your website, do they see a torrent of information that doesn’t make sense juxtaposed against tiny bits of information that they probably already knew. Are you using usability testing and other metrics to measure these kinds of things and to minimize the language barrier between you and your clients? Are you certain that the folks that you think are your clients are actually your target market? Are you learning your customer’s language on an on going basis? If you’re not, you should probably save yourself some money and just get rid of your site. Not everyone should have a website.

This is a post from the Nullvariable Web Consulting Blog.

Making the Connection

Today I had the opportunity to do a presentation at WordCamp Raleigh 2011. Here’s the slides for those interested.

This is a post from the Nullvariable Web Consulting Blog.

Slides from WordCamp Raleigh

This short video discusses the use of Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (https) when connecting to websites especially on a public network. This type of security is very important with the release of simple tools for session side-jacking. See our previous post for other wifi security tips.

You might have noticed a lock or key icon when visiting certain websites. This means that your connection to that website is securely encrypted. This makes nearly impossible for other people to read the data that you and that website are sharing. When you are on a public network this secure connection is critical. Without it anyone on that network could listen in and capture the information flowing between you and the website you’re using. Always make sure that when you enter personal information or login in to a website that the address in the address bar says https. When you are on a public network some websites will secure your login information but not all the communication following. Other users of the same network could intercept that information and either read it or use it to impersonate you. To secure yourself you can follow several different step some of which can be combined and each of varying levels of security.

Step 1. Set your most commonly used websites to force secure connections whenever you are logged in. For example, Facebook and Gmail allow you to do this. These lifehacker posts detail:

• https for Facebook
• https default for Gmail

Step 2: Install the FireFox plugin “https everywhere” that forces secure connections on all websites known to support them. This may slow down your browsing experience but is critical if you are on a public network. Fine to turn off at home.

Other options: You can mitigate all connection risks in public by choosing to use a Virtual Private Network connection or by using a mobile broadband option. Hotspot shield is a great free solution for most users. It does insert advertising into pages that you visit but it will keep coffee shop snoops from seeing anything you’re doing. If you are a more technical user, you could explore the use of “BlackSheep,” another FireFox addon that will let you see if someone else on the network is using FireSheep.

This is a post from the Nullvariable Web Consulting Blog.

Wifi Security Tip – Use https whenever possible

Recently a plugin for FireFox was released that made it easy for every day internet users to perform session side-jacking attacks. While this is not a new vulnerability, the release of this tool highlighted the need for more knowledge and protection against this type of attack. Here are some quick tips for keeping yourself secure while using public wifi networks (or any network where an untrusted individual may have access.

Clear Your Cookies  & Cache

Cookies are small bits of information that websites leave on your computer so they can remember who you are and your preferences. Clearing your browser data is good internet hygiene, and is always important; but especially prior to jumping on any public wifi network. Thousands of websites use services like Facebook Connect and Google Friend Connect to access your identity so that you can comment and interact on a personal basis with that website. You may not realize it but if these cookies are still active on your computer people and websites could be accessing them without your knowledge when you connect to a public network.

Here’s how to clear your cache and cookies in Internet Explorer

Tools > Internet Options > General > Browsing History > Delete Then select the temporary internet files option and the cookies option at least. You’ll also probably need to uncheck the Preseve Favorites website data option as it will most likely consider Facebook and similar sites among your favs.

Here’s how to clear your cache and cookies in FireFox

YouTube Video

Preferences (or Options) > Privacy > clear history | make sure the cookies and cache boxes are checked at least, normally you will want the “Everything” time range and then click Clear now

Here’s how to clear your cache and cookies in Chrome

YouTube Video

Click the wrench icon > Tools > Clear browsing data | Then check the boxes for cache, Cookies and other site data, choose the everything time period and click Clear Browsing data.

Watch the https

You might have noticed a lock or key icon when visiting certain websites. This means that your connection to that website is securely encrypted. This makes nearly impossible for other people to read the data that you and that website are sharing. When you are on a public network this secure connection is critical. Without it anyone on that network could listen in and capture the information flowing between you and the website you’re using. Always make sure that when you enter personal information or login in to a website that the address in the address bar says https. When you are on a public network some websites will secure your login information but not all the communication following. Other users of the same network could intercept that information and either read it or use it to impersonate you. To secure yourself you can follow several different step some of which can be combined and each of varying levels of security.

Step 1. Set your most commonly used websites to force secure connections whenever you are logged in. For example, Facebook and Gmail allow you to do this.

Step 2: Install the FireFox plugin “https everywhere” that forces secure connections on all websites known to support them. This may slow down your browsing experience but is critical if you are on a public network. It’s not something you need to run on your home network.

Other options

You can mitigate all connection risks in public by choosing to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection or by using a mobile broadband option. Using a VPN encrypts all of your traffic locally so anyone watching the local network would be hard pressed to listen in or side-jack a session (you still have to watch out for man-in-the-middle attacks but these are harder to perform and easier to spot). Using a mobile tethering option, like a mifi, with wireless encryption enabled is also very secure since you are on a different network than potential side-jackers.

This is a post from the Nullvariable Web Consulting Blog.

Public Wifi Security Tips

I have a bone to pick with you. Yes, you with the wordpress.com blog (or blogger.com or squarespace, take your pick). You see I have no problem with your personal blog being on one of those subdomains. In fact I have no problem with any those services or your personal blogs on them. The problem I have is when you put your professional, corporate blogs up like: companyname.wordpress.com. You see that makes me think a few things about you:

• you’re too cheap or broke to pay for a real domain name
• you’ve got no clue when it comes to the internet
• is this a legitimate blog? (Its free, anyone can claim any name)

But beyond the first impression problems there are some other issues you should consider. The first issue at hand is how search engines see you and your ability to impact them. The second problem comes with the blogging software that you’re using. A third issue is the control that you have to give up over your brand. These are certainly not the only problems that stem from using a service and not having your own domain name but these are at the forefront. Let us know what you think other issues are in the comments

Search Engines

A couple of different things happen when you blog under a sub-domain. First your blog gets less weight and becomes more lumped in with the other blogs residing under the same domain name. Because anyone can start a free blog and the massive amounts of spam blogs on most popular free blogging services, search engines are going to devalue your content to start out with. You’re starting out with a handicap. Not a big deal when it’s a personal blog and your intent is to reach friends and family—a much bigger deal when you wish to appear professional. Beyond the initial impression that search engines have of your site, you have very little control over moving or redirecting search engines, should you change the structure of your blog or move a blog post etc. Using a free blogging service often limits the level of access  you have to optimize on page elements that impact your search engine ranking too.

Blogging Software

By going with a free blogging platform (and not purchasing a domain name upgrade) you place yourself in the hands of the company running that service. If you’re running your own version of that software, you have much more control over it and nothing will happen to your site if the company putting out the software goes out of business or is acquired by another company etc. Blogger was originally it’s own company and while it’s still doing well, it was bought by Google. If you were too tied to that platform and they made changes you didn’t like, you wouldn’t have any options (like running an older version of the software). With blogging software like WordPress there are a great deal of powerful plugins and customizations that you can make but only if you’re running your own version of the software. If you’re running a professional business these limitations are a big problem.

Brand Control

Putting your website on a sub-domain gives up control of your brand. Operating your website there places you under terms of service that you probably didn’t read and that could change at any time. Often blogging platforms like these have terms that are restrictive about the way that you can promote products and services. You could be placing yourself in a difficult situation if you haven’t carefully reviewed these terms. By using a sub-domain you’re also giving away control over your brand name. People visiting your blog will always see the main domain name and your name instead of just your name.

Conclusion

Hopefully these thoughts make you pause before you go off and signup for a free blogging service somewhere. If that’s what you do, at least make sure that you choose one that offers a data export so that you can move your posts somewhere else without too much difficulty. Please note that I have no problem with using services like wordpress.com to handle your company blog if that’s what you feel best meets your needs. Just make sure at the very least that you purchase a real domain name and the service upgrade that lets you use it with wordpress.com. That will mitigate all of the issues here except for being able to install plugins and add-ons other than the ones that they offer.

What are your thoughts? Do you trust company blogs that are run from wordpress.com or some other sub-domain?

This is a post from the Nullvariable Web Consulting Blog.

Ditch the subdomain—stand out from the crowd

• Outliers
• Linchpin
• The Power of Less
• The Checklist Manifesto
• Dug Down Deep
• The Mesh
• Made by Hand

Outliers

I’d seen this one around but I’d not taken the time to read it. After a recommendation from my friend Hank Merkle I picked up a copy and really enjoyed it. I’d not thought about some of the things where people seem to just be “lucky” but in fact have had years and years of being prepared just for such an opportunity. The biggest take aways from that book were that sometimes you have to change an entire culture to solve a problem (Korean Airlines) and that often what appears to be luck is really years and years of preparation.

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The Power of Less

Leo Babauta offers practical advice on lessening the call of thing and clutter in your life. Always a struggle for anyone we live in an age where more people need to be on the bandwagon of less instead of more. Among the personal stories and struggles that Leo shares is great motivation for carving out things and learning to say no. The ideas and concepts from this book go well with Made by Hand too. While I don’t agree with everything that Leo has to say I think it’s a great starting point for all of us and something we should all think about. Too often we allow busyness to absorb our lives and forget the simple, important things in life. Sometimes just turning things off is important too. As Seth Godin points out, losing yourself in the noise is a great way to avoid getting things done. What would your life look like if you bought less things, checked your email less often and spent less time at work?

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The Checklist Manifesto

While written by a surgeon, this book is a must read for anyone whose job involves complex, creative solutions. Atul outlines a case for consistency in difficult tasks. He takes us through professions like construction and explores the impact of checklists in and out of the operating rooms with some stunning results. If you’re ready to take your game to the next level you’re going to need these ideas. The biggest idea that I took away from this book was not that a checklist creates the perfect product every time but that checklists are existential for forcing communication at critical points whether performing surgery or building mobile web applications.

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The Mesh

Highly recommended by Seth Godin this book outlines the wave of the future. Focused around modern technologies enabled by the web and mobile platforms Lisa Gansky outlines a number of successful “Mesh” businesses and shows us how they’re transforming the world in ways never possible before. Companies operating in the Mesh tend to do two things, rent instead of sell and collect vast amounts of customer data. Mesh companies like Netflix are coming and while your company might not be perfectly suited to this sort of business you should definitely keep your eye on the arena for partnerships and new markets that might not have existed yesterday.

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Made by Hand

A manifesto for the tinkerer in all of us, Made by Hand explores the adventures and creations of Mark Frauenfelder of Boing Boing and Make magazine fame. Mark’s experiments in island living, cigar box guitars and chickens offer fascinating lessons and will certainly inspire you to think about finding an outlet for your own creativity. In a world where it’s often easier and cheaper to throw things away (and an economy that’s centered around cheap replaceable goods), Mark offers a different path, filled with adventure and mistakes but compelling nonetheless.

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Dug Down Deep

An early hero of mine, Josh Harris digs deep not just into doctrinal issues but his own personal life. Having met Josh many years ago after he wrote his first book, (and as someone who eagerly awaited every issue of New Attitude Magazine) I was excited to learn that he had a new book out. As I began to read it I discovered that Josh and I went through many of the same thought patterns. In a sincere, personal and challenging way, Josh takes on deep scriptural doctrines and encourages us to do the same.

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Have you read any of these? Thoughts?

This is a post from the Nullvariable Web Consulting Blog.

7 Books I Read in 2010 (and you should too)

It seems that everything has a “Like” button now days. Apparently 65 million Facebook users “Like” things on a daily basis. Here are two things to consider with the “Like” revolution.

First is your business taking advantage of it? Are you making it easy for users to spread your products, services and ideas? If not you’re missing out on a huge market segment. There are a lot of ways to leverage this but start with a plan. Also if folks aren’t sharing your ideas in real life, it’s not very likely that they’re going to share them virtually either.

Secondly, what do you like? Are you careful or liberal with what you “Like”? Facebook is starting to allow people to touch your news feed if they’ve liked your page so if you’re a liberal liker you could end up with a very interesting news feed. I often see folks “Like” dozens of pages within Facebook at a time (perhaps) without the realization that these pages can see a lot more about you than they might think (and so can other people who “Like” those pages) and that they’re opening their news feeds up to anything that’s posted to these pages. There are also a lot of privacy implications surrounding the “Like” pages, some worth more consideration than others. Just like the dangers of Foursquare stalking, being aware of what you share and what you “Like” definitely deserves some consideration.

How much do you share? Do you care if people and companies have the ability to see deep into your personal life?

This is a post from the Nullvariable Web Consulting Blog.

What does it mean to “Like” something?

As a sponsor and the team that built the InnoVenture South East 2010 website we might be a little biased when we say that you can’t miss InnoVenture South East this year. Don’t take our word for it, watch this video, 45 more reasons to attend Innoventure this year, from the GSATC and decide for yourself.

Reason #46, Nullvariable will be there.
I don’t know about you but the opportunity to connect with so many people who need customers, capital, talent, and technology is too great to pass up. See you at our booth there?

www.innoventuresoutheast.com

This is a post from the Nullvariable Web Consulting Blog.

46 Reasons to Attend InnoVenture South East 2010

Greenville, SC isn’t the only city that’s yearning for Google’s fiber project. There’s plenty of competition from Topeka, KS (who didn’t really change their name, just said you should call them Google), to Baltimore, MD and many others. So why does Greenville matter in all this, and why should folks from Greenville care?

Greenville is a most excellent city with fabulous dining, beautiful scenery, wonderful parks and an awesome, highly awarded downtown. Greenville’s culture is progressive and very innovative. Greenville is also uniquely located in the sweet spot of what’s considered the “Southeastern Innovation Corridor,” a six-hundred mile long region roughly as large as from the San Francisco Bay Area to San Diego, CA and regionally is only exceeded in population by California. This Innovantion Corridor is home to many international industry leaders including BMW, Michelin, Bosch, Royal Dutch Ahold, Fujifilm, Milliken, Kemet, and more. My friend Richard Peck describes in detail some of the benefits of this corridor. If Google is looking for a place that can take this level of technology and turn it into something amazing there really is no better option. Greenville and the Upstate are moving forward with or without Google but what a sweet ride it would be to share.

Residents of Greenville should be excited about this opportunity for a few reasons, some of which I cover in this 30 second video:
There are of course plenty more reasons and I want to hear about them from you in the comments.

Are you feeling lucky yet? Want to get involved? Visit http://www.wearefeelinglucky.com/ for the whole scoop. And don’t miss Google on Main Saturday March 20th!

In case you needed more reasons Greenville is great:

• Main Street, Greenvile: Top 10 Great Places in America 2009 – American Planning Association
• Top 20, Best and Worst Bang for the Buck Cities – Forbes
• Best Places to Live the Simple Life – AARP
• North American Cities of the Future: Greenville Named Microcity of the Future [PDF] – Regions Magazine
• A Tale of Two Cities – Good Morning America

Update (3/22/10):

Here’s the end result of 2200 glow sticks, some social media, some traditional media and some serious desire for Google Fiber:

This is a post from the Nullvariable Web Consulting Blog.

Why We Want Google Fiber

How long as it been since you updated the copyright date on your website? I don’t know about you but I see this as one of those little things that is important. Same as a company blog that hasn’t been updated in months. Did you know that you can keep the copyright date on your site up-to-date with just one simple line of code?

Yep, all you have to do is use the following code:
<?php print date('Y'); ?>

That’s all it takes for your site to display an up-to-date copyright date. Blogging isn’t quite so easy but you should really get rid of the blog if you’re not going to post anything to it. You’re probably losing sales because people wonder if you’re still around. Neglected blogs make me wonder what else you neglect.

This is a post from the Nullvariable Web Consulting Blog.

It’s the Little Things