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Preventing and Guarding Against Viruses

I was contemplating some conversations that I have had recently with customers concerning virus protection.  Sometimes I forget, we all do, that people not in our own business world, don't know everything we do about our business.  For example, I have had mechanics tell me something about my car and become amused that I did not know how to do _____ or when to change _______.  Well, I couldn't tell you when to change the anti-freeze or the transmission fluid.  I am clueless about such things.  Likewise, I forget how many people know little more that how to turn on a computer and barely know how to check e-mail.

So, for those of you out there who don't know about viruses, here are somethings that I have learned.  Mind you, I didn't know these things until my computer crashed with a virus about three years ago.

  1. Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software as well as a firewall.  I use AVG firewall and anit-virus.  AVG does a good job.  They also have a free version for home computing.  Just Google "AVG FREE" and it should show up.  Yep!  Just Googled it.  It is number one on the list.
  2. Reduce your use of Microsoft products as much as possible. Microsoft makes a fine product, but since they are the most popular, they are the ones who get attacked before anyone else.  This is the primary reason that Apple does not suffer from virus attacks.  Apple does not have the lion's share of the marketplace (yet).  So, instead of using Internet Explorer as your internet browser, try Firefox.  Instead of using Outlook as your e-mail client, try Thunderbird. 
  3. Check your e-mail on a web-based email client BEFORE downloading it to your computer.  For example, Orange Jacket Web Design's e-mail comes with a web-based e-mail client.  I check my email there first, delete what I don't want, then download the rest to my PC for storage.  Why?  The web-based e-mail client is "out there somewhere"  while Microsoft Outlook is literally on my computer.  Viruses can't cause me harm as long as they are "out there."
  4. Back up your important files often.  If a virus gets through, often times the only way to delete it is to wipe the hard drive clean and start over.  When that happens, you lose everything.  If you have backed up your files to an external hard drive or an online storage system, then you can simply reload those files once your computer is restored.  Orange Jacket Web Design has an OnlineFileFolder just for this purpose.  I upload all my important documents and files to that site as well back everything up to an external hard drive for safe keeping.
I hope this is helpful.  These are some things I now do to avoid another virus attack.  I have not had a virus for three years now.  I hope it stays that way.

For more information on the OnlineFileFolder, go to www.orangejacketwebhosting.com.  Information about this product will be under the "Email" tab.

Shannon Fields,
recovering virus victim

Posted by Shannon Fields at 1/15/2009 8:51 AM | Add Comment

Customer Service: Lessons we have to learn

I had a conversation today with the owner of a local music store.  My twin daughters play flute and trumpet.  They are both taking private lessons, so I purchased them their first metronome.  This was an interesting process.  Apparently, the cost of metronomes has gone up since I first purchased mine years ago.  My last metronome was $10.00;  the two I purchased today were $30.00 a piece.  I about died!

Anyway, this article is not about metronomes.  This is about customer service.  We have two important music stores in town.  One is personable and will bend over backwards for you.  Their ...<< MORE >>
Posted by Shannon Fields at 1/7/2009 2:34 PM | Add Comment

Where Does the Money Go?

I have come to the conclusion that it is time to reveal what I do with the money that I make with Orange Jacket Web Design.  I spend 90% of it on the business, my family, and me.  The remaining 10% goes to God.

Well, not actually to God, but to a ministry that does work I believe in.  Orange Jacket proudly supports the ministry of John Anderson and Wycliffe Bible Translations.  Wycliffe translates the bible into other languages so that people can read the bible in their native language.  From their website, they say it this way:
"Today
about 200 ...<< MORE >>
Posted by Shannon Fields at 10/9/2008 11:01 PM | Add Comment

What I do


How do I do what I do?

I was talking with a long time friend recently about what I am attempting to do with my company and what makes Orange Jacket different.  It comes down to these few items:
  • Complete Honesty and Integrity
  • Combining both Value and Price for my Target Niche Market
  • Coordinating Existing Services so I don't have to Reinvent the Wheel

Integrity


I attempt to be transparent and honest with my clients.  I don't like feeling like someone is selling me snake-oil, so I try not to sell it myself.  Some would say that I am going to lose ...<< MORE >>
Posted by Shannon Fields at 3/27/2008 3:53 AM | Add Comment

Volunteerism: Again!!!! (Part Deux)

More frustrated pastors and staff members who have gone the volunteerism route.


In sales, it is common knowledge to argue value over price.  I've been told that for years by sales people - good sales people -  and just read it in Jeffrey Gittomer's book,  The Little Red Book of Sales.  As a consumer, I have to practice value over price for my family and as a sales person I have to preach it in order to gain business for my company.  However, when I deal with churches, it always comes down to price.

Orange Jacket was set up to ...<< MORE >>
Posted by Shannon Fields at 3/19/2008 7:31 AM | Add Comment

Everyone Needs a Website? Why?

This is not a surprising questions depending on the person.  If the person is internet savvy then they know that having a website is a necessity.  If the person rarely touches a computer, they just do not see the need.  However, each church and business need to concern themselves with the internet savviness of who they are trying to reach.  AND if your target demographic is under 40, then you can bet they are internet savvy.

In the under 40 demographic, there are two examples to prove my point:
  1. Under 40's are more likely to look for a ...<< MORE >>
Posted by Shannon Fields at 1/2/2008 3:15 PM | Add Comment

A Third Level of Web Design

Orange Jacket is pleased to announce a third level of web design.  In an increasing effort to place the customer's needs first, I looked for a mid-range package that would give the benefit of having Orange Jacket take care of all aspects of the design process, but be at a lower price like my template based service does.  Great news!  I found it.

There are several sites that have over 2,000 - that's two thousand - template options.  These templates are available for use for free as long as ...<< MORE >>

Posted by Shannon Fields at 9/10/2007 8:59 PM | Add Comment

The Volunteer, the Website, and the Frustrated Pastor: A Tale of Two Agendas

    I have had the same conversation four times in the past month while trying to scare up business for my new company.  I thought that if the problem is that common then I should write an article about it.  The four  conversations went like this:
  • "My church just had our website professionally redesigned, but a volunteer was going to update it and he's not updating it in a timely manner."
  • "A volunteer does web design and has been promising to do ours for a year and hasn't done anything."
  • "Many people in my church would gladly volunteer to do our web design, ...<< MORE >>
Posted by Shannon Fields at 3/18/2007 1:38 AM | Add Comment

Using Podcasts in School Based Health Practices

  In another conversation with my friend Barbara, the school based health physician assistant, she was telling me of another myth she encountered.  (See previous post for background).  Another  patient thought she was pregnant because she had three periods that month.  Her reasoning was that the pregnancy triggered the periods to make room for the coming baby.  ...<< MORE >>
Posted by Shannon Fields at 1/19/2007 8:16 AM | Add Comment

Using a Web Log to Stay in Touch with Your Congregation

Traditional churches publish a monthly newsletter.  Every Pastor I know hates coming up with that new idea or having to explain why Independence Day is so special to him, (for the umpteenth time).  Here's a new spin on an old idea.

Revive that newsletter by publishing it in the form of a web log.  The pastor and his staff can all publish their own articles as different categories.  Even better, church members can respond and give their views.  Instead of a static newsletter, the pastor and his staff now have an interactive feature that allows for a dialog between pastoral staff and parishioners. 

Using the same idea, youth pastors can do the same thing and stay in touch with their youth groups.  Staying involved is now easier with more consistent communication than just a couple of times per week.

Shannon Fields,
Orange Jacket Web Design, LLC

Posted by Shannon Fields at 1/13/2007 11:47 PM | Add Comment
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