Useful Tips from the Gadget Girl!

Go go Gadget!  Useful tips for everyone!  FREE Programs that are great too!
  • Lately, there have been some nasty viruses, spyware, adware and other malicious web-based trixters that are annoying, to say the least!  They slow down your computer, can do crazy things like render your cd burner useless, or try installing things you really do not want installed. 
  • Having been through 3 bad viruses that attacked my laptop, wreaking havoc on installing new programs and burning cds, I got into the habit of updating my virus software daily - but not only that, I dump my temp internet files and have spybot scan upon startup.  Sometimes when I get wacky, out of the blue popups, I go into safemode to run spybot (I update it daily using the european servers - for some reason they work better).  These malicious adware buggers are actually now preventing many of the adware prevention programs from uninstalling them by changing their names or file extensions upon threats of uninstallation - hence running these programs in safe mode! 
  • Also, prevent anyone from stealing your passwords!  Always Pay Attention to the web address you are entering your username and passwords on.  Lord knows many people found out the hard way on myspace that phishing is not fun!  BUT - these jerks rely on ignorance - so again, pay attention to the URL in the Address Bar (located at the top of your browser where you enter in web addresses).
  • Another few programs I love - Avant Browser and Roboform! 
  • Avant Browser is free to download, quite user friendly, has funky features to entertain such as skins, great url shortcuts and more!  http://www.avantbrowser.com/   You will also find a few different versions of roboform on there - very worthwhile program that stores all of your passwords and encrpts them - you can use roboform to go with a lil microcruzer - and never be without your passwords!  ;)
  • Also, I use godaddy to buy my domain names - they are cheap and you can use free forwarding and masking - so if you have a myspace page that you want to use as your web page, or maybe your realtor.com page or office web page - make it easy to remember - like maybe your name? lol  YHou can also use their email forwarding to your own email account with your easy to remember email name - best thing about that?  I've owned janehaas.com for several years - my email at jane@janehaas.com has outlasted any other email addresses i've used - and I can forward the that email address to any of my current email accounts!  ;)  No need to constantly change business cards do to an email address change.
  • To keep in touch with customers, I use contant contact.  This is an AWESOME Program!  After an open house, just enter in your prospect names and you can send out weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly newsletters, or e-cards announcing open houses, etc. Great great program! 
  • I find all my cool free fonts here:  http://www.1001fonts.com/  Make sure your pop-up blocker is on - guess they have to pay for all those free fonts somehow, but it's not as bad as many other sites! lol<P>
  • Want a toll-free phone/fax?  E-mail me and i'll send you a link to the one I use - I can forward it to any number I want - I got to choose my easy to remember number and the service is GREAT! 
  • The other love of mine?  My San Disk Micro Cruzer!  1 Gig holds everything I need on a whim!  If i'm at the office and need to print out something I forgot - never fear - it's all backup on my cruzer!  All forms that I commonly used are kept there.
  • I have an 11 gig portable hard drive too - I save a copy of all my programs on there with a text file of my serial numbers.  Boy has that saved me on soooo many occasions!  Don't forget to run a virus scan on that drive too - you never know - better safe than sorry!
  • And last, but not least - like to make PDF's like my area newsletter?  You can do it FREE!!!!!!  I use primopdf.  http://www.primopdf.com/   Gosh I love that program!  So easy to use, works with all my programs and uber convenient!
 
Posted by Jane E. Haas on 04/11/2007 02:38 PM   Comments (43)   , , , , , , , , ,  
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43 Comments on Useful Tips from the Gadget Girl!

I have a few more great downloads you all might find useful! 
Anyone else have some great tools or sites that they use?  I know someone else mentioned Jott.com and I tried it out - very cool program!

04/12/2007 11:52 PM by Jane E. Haas (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)

Have you checked out JOTT? It's the most amazing communication system I've seen.  You can leave yourself a message from your cell, that comes into your email ......in your voice!  You can also Jott others.  Check it out!

04/13/2007 12:40 AM by Greg & Brian Perry, Working-for-you (Windermere Real Estate N.E.)

Yes, I played with it, trying to get some others to join - no one else in my group has yet! 

04/13/2007 12:50 AM by Jane E. Haas (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)

One more great program I use is roboformtogo!  I can bring all my passwords with me wherever I go!  FANTASTIC lil program!  http://www.roboform.com/pass2go.html  You can download it free to try it out with up to a certain amount of passwords, I forget how many;  I use the proversion because I have hundreds!

04/14/2007 11:43 AM by Jane E. Haas (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)

Jane.. roboform is a great thing to use. There are so many passwords to remember and I don't use the same password for every site. I was forever going on the forgot my password area on the logons. I'm not in the least tech savvy so this is a great way to have your passwords on hand. 

04/14/2007 09:52 PM by Linda Haas (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)

Jane, another tool is surveymonkey.com, which are web-based feedback surveys on your service. Very easy to set up and find out what your clients REALLY think about you.

10/16/2007 08:33 PM by Gary Woltal - REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty)

HI Jane - Thanls for the infomation. A fun application I use is pixie by Nattyware. It allows you to scroll over any color on a webpage and it will tell you what that color is in HTML code, RGB, HEX, CMYK and HSV. Great to use if you are trying to match a color! Another similar application that was recommended to me is Color Cop.

10/16/2007 08:38 PM by Heather Tawes Nelson ABR, CLHMS - Scottsdale, AZ (Realty Executives Mountain View)

Thank you, Jane for this great information.  I will definitely be downloading some of those cool fonts!

04/15/2008 11:10 PM by YVETTE REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA (LIZ MOORE & ASSOCIATES)

What alot of useful information that you've given every one.

04/15/2008 11:14 PM by Cindy Bryant~Houston's Home Staging & Home Stagers By Redesign Etc.~RESA~ASHSR (Redesign Etc., Inc.-Texas)

Alot of great information.  I agree with everyone else jott.com is pretty cool.  Another big one is twitter.com, that is big in Arizona.

C. Lange

04/15/2008 11:27 PM by Michael Lange, e-Pro, GRI and Cheron Lange (John Hall and Associates)

Great info. - many sites I haven't thought about in a while.  Thanks!

Tina in Virginia

04/15/2008 11:51 PM by Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long & Foster Oceanfront - Virginia Tech Hokie)

THANKS Jane this is some great info that will help alot with getting the most out of the NET!!!

04/16/2008 03:42 AM by Greg Lightfoot (Solid Source Realty )

Thanks for the information.I have bookmarked it and will read it later.

04/16/2008 06:54 AM by GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR BUCKS COUNTY, PA HOMES (ReMax Centre Realtors)

Jane, Thanks for the list. I didn't know about 1001fonts.com, I'll have to check it out.

On my list I keep cutepdf (similar to primopdf), logmein.com (remote access to PC and Macs), Foldershare (great program for synching multiple computers).

04/17/2008 12:36 AM by Geoff Scowcroft (Coldwell Banker)

Thanks for a great list!  I was searching for an easy way to make a PDF yesterday.  I will try PrimoPDF and CutePDF.  As for great virus protection and adware I use Ad-Aware and AVG.  Both are free downloads and highly recommended by CNET.com. 

04/17/2008 07:37 AM by Calvin Neely, FLI Properties (FLI Properties)

Thanks I already have looked at the pdf site and plan on trying it soon.

04/17/2008 08:36 PM by Dick Betts (Dick Betts National Speaker)

Great tips jane! Thanks for sharing!!

04/17/2008 09:47 PM by Nancy Kent, RE/MAX Hill & Valley, Western Mass (RE/MAX Hill & Valley)

Jane - I love learning about new tech tips.  Thanks for sharing.

04/17/2008 10:31 PM by Lynn Johnson, Owatonna, MN Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Home Connection)

Jane this is great information and I'm all for learning new things! Thanks for sharing.

04/18/2008 09:00 AM by Terry Ledford-Your Ga. Mountain Realtor (EXIT Realty Mountain Properties)

Great info...I'm going to check some of these out.

04/18/2008 02:16 PM by David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.)

What great information.  Thank you.  I especially like the portable hard drive idea.  Why didn't I think of that???  Off to Best Buy tomorrow to get one!  Thanks again for the info.

04/19/2008 10:11 PM by Selling Homes in Western New York, Assoc. Broker, Terri Kern (Stovroff & Taylor Realtors)

Quite interesting and good info. Thanks for sharing - Carla

04/19/2008 11:04 PM by Carla Harbert - RE/MAX Pros (www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com)

Great Tips here!!  My favorites that are a MUST USE for me in my business are


(1) A FREE apartment address sequence webpage for marketing to apartment dwellers.  I posted a blog on it at:  http://activerain.com/blogsview/467325/FREE-Apartment-Mailing-List 

(2) I sell a lot of land and lake property and have to be able to draw a plot plan from a deed's Metes & Bounds description.  This one cost me about $125 but it's a must.  I blogged about it at:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/458624/How-to-Plot-Land

(3) We do a lot of email marketing and I'm real pleased with Talk Fusions program: I posted a blog about it at:  http://activerain.com/blogsview/475930/Video-Email-So-Simple

And THANKS Gary...that SurveyMonkey.com looks like exactly what I need to showing feedback.

04/20/2008 06:31 AM by David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.)

Thank you Jane.  I will try some of the tools you are suggesting in your post.

Enrico Pozzo, Coldwell Banker Bain: Seattle Condos, Lofts, Houseboats and all Seattle Real Estate Listings

04/20/2008 07:08 AM by Enrico Pozzo, Seattle Condos, Lofts, Houseboats (Coldwell Banker Bain)

Thanks Jane! - We can always use more freebies!

04/20/2008 07:17 AM by Kelly Shoemaker Realtor Broken Arrow, OK (Coldwell Banker SELECT)

Just wanted to remind everyone, that on Wednesday, 4.23.08 at 12 noon we are holding an Official Press Conference and an Open House for the the general public to visit the Ocala Mansion. This will be the only time the public will be able to tour the Ocala Mansion at 1315 SE 22nd. Ave, Ocala, Fl. 34471 prior to selecting the Winner! For more info http://www.ocalamansion.com/      

 

 

PET LOVERS START PACKING!

YOU COULD WIN MY OCALA MANSION!

Valued At $1,250,000.00

$200.00 Entry Fee & The Best "Pet Lover Story" WINS!

  

Ocala Mansion Essay Contest Kicks Off at Noon, Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008 

With an "Official Press Conference" at the property - 1315 SE 22nd Ave., Ocala, Fla. 34471

     Contest entrants will be able to visit the Mansion from 12 noon to 3:00p.m. Eastern Time. 

  

Would you like to own this extraordinary "Gone With The Wind" Plantation Style Mansion situated on more than two acres of land adorned with beautiful Oak trees, Camellia, Azalea, Gardenia and fruit trees in the heart of downtown Ocala, Florida? This magnificent home features approximately 5,200 square feet of living space, including five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a formal living room, a huge dining room, a spacious family room with a brick fireplace, beautiful pine wood floors throughout, marble bathrooms, three crystal chandeliers, 50 foot brick porches on the front and back of the home, 25 foot high grand foyer, a guest house, tree house, and a hand built dog house that resembles the mansion, complete with its own chain link fenced run.

 

The current owner, Miss Clementina Marie Giovannetti, a national best-selling author, spared no expense, approximately $200,000.00 to have the entire mansion completely restored, updated and freshly painted inside and out just for you! Why does she want to give such a magnificent mansion away to The Best "Pet Lover Story" Essay Winner?

 

"I purchased this magnificent mansion a few years ago for my retirement home and looked forward to having a quiet and simple life there. But sometimes, no matter how carefully you plan out the details of your life or make decisions, things change, and that's exactly what happened," Giovannetti said. "My entire life changed both professionally and personally while I was living there, and I am no longer retired. So to support my new lifestyle and career change I purchased a much smaller home in The Villages. Hence, this essay contest!"

 

"One person out of 6250 minimum entries will win this magnificent home valued at $1.25 million on or before July 23rd, 2008. All you have to do is send us your ‘Pet Lover Story' according to the rules and regulations, along with your cover letter, a 4x6 color photograph of the pet and a US $200 entry fee. In 100 to 300 words, tell us about your pet," Giovannetti said.  "‘The Pet Lover Story' can be funny, sad, heroic or inspirational. It can be about a rescue story, service animal, or an act of love or courage. The judges will select a winning entry based upon an honest and sincere expression of thought and emotions about a pet that is heartfelt and one that truly touches the hearts of the judges. It's that easy. "

 

"Even kids under the age of 18 can enter as long as their entry includes a written statement with a signature from their parent or guardian approving their participation in this contest. The contest is also open to all not-for-profit organizations," she said.

 

"Besides, all you ever hear on the news is bad news: crashing real estate market, pregnant women being murdered by their own husbands or boyfriends, political officials being indicted, gas prices going up, the economy going into a recession and on and on. I believe in miracles and sincerely want to bless someone else's life with this magnificent home. I need to find a very special family, individual or organization that could truly be happy there, and perhaps it would make his or her dreams come true! So start writing!" Giovannetti said. For more information visit http://www.ocalamansion.com/ 

04/20/2008 08:15 AM by Miss Clementina Marie Giovannetti

Jane, Some of your tips are good news for me:)  Thank you for sharing! 

It's a Good Life!

Fran

04/20/2008 10:15 AM by Frances C. Rokicki, Broker~Mentor (Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC)

Jane - great info - I'll check these out. Also - check out www.googleanalytics.com - free - I have just started using it - so don't know all the ins & outs yet. It will track hits on your website and analyze everything for you so you can make changes to your web site - if things aren't working well. Like I said - I need more time to check out all it's features.

04/20/2008 11:25 AM by Concepts by CoCo, Coco Lemmon, Home Stager, Portland, OR (Concepts by Coco, Home Staging, Portland, Oregon)

Just posted a Google Translation widget that lets people read your BLOG in around a dozen languages.  You can find my post and instructions HERE.

04/21/2008 09:27 AM by Steve Homer (The HBH Group (Keller Williams affiliate))

Jane,

Thank you so much for all the great info.  I will be looking into implementing any that I do not have already.  Sharing on AR is so impressive!!!!!

04/21/2008 10:39 AM by Cheryl S Glover, CRS, CIPS, GRI, TRC, Clermont,Fl (Watson Realty Corp.)

Jane,

Thanks for all the good advise for computer programs! These viruses are really annoying. Also the info about the Pet Lovers contest is great! It sure would be nice to win that mansion in OCALA!  Hey I have a 1 in 6,250 chance!  Not bad odds considering the prize!

04/21/2008 11:22 AM by Michelle Pimentel ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging (Empire Home Staging Solutions)

Great post!  Isn't it amazing how much fun stuff is available for free on the web.

04/21/2008 01:02 PM by The Bartley Group - Owatonna, MN Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Home Connection)

Hey Jane~ Thanks for all the vauable information. I have bookmarked the sight to return and read again.

04/21/2008 07:06 PM by DOUG FRITCHIE-Silver Legacy Properties,Inc.

There is a lot of info here, I think I'm going to have to bookmark this post.  Thanks!

04/22/2008 02:58 PM by Sandra Carlisle, Realtor - Newport Beach - Corona del Mar (First Team Estates)

Hi Jane. Thanks for sharing the great tips! Keep them coming.

04/24/2008 01:41 AM by Vincent Martinez (Prudential Network of Homes)

Thanks for the great tips!!!

04/24/2008 07:06 AM by Laura Jefferson (Asset Realty)

Great links - thanks!  I also like www.showingfeedback.com.  It's free and allows you to manage all of your marketing activities and showings and gives sellers their own webpage to go to.

Tina in Virginia

04/24/2008 07:11 AM by Tina Merritt - Virginia Beach Real Estate (Long & Foster Oceanfront - Virginia Tech Hokie)

Tina...I signed up for showingfeedback.com and it looks great!  I'm fixing to use it today.

04/24/2008 11:25 AM by David W. Bolick (Network Real Estate, Inc.)

keep it simple, start using a MAC

04/24/2008 01:46 PM by Chadd Ciccarelli (The Orange County Register)

Great tips.  Thanks and have a great weekend. 

04/24/2008 09:45 PM by Maryland Mortgage Experts, The Elder Mortgage Team

Again I will say it - I love AR and all the sharing of tips and information!  Thank you Jane.  Good tips - off to check some of them out right now.

04/26/2008 02:34 PM by Cindy Hill - Realtor®/1st Arkansas GMAC/Little Rock (1st Arkansas GMAC Real Estate)

Great information. Thanks for the tips and info.

All the best.

04/27/2008 12:23 AM by Kevin O'Shea, White Plains, NY Real Estate (American Classic Homes, Inc.)

Wow, thanx for this great information.  I think I will do some computer housekeeping now...

04/27/2008 08:54 AM by PATRICE BRICE (PB APPRAISALS)

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Real Estate Agent: Jane E. Haas (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)
Jane E. Haas
Middletown, NJ
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Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

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