Donations for Tsunamis Victims

CNN.com - Aid groups accepting donations for victims
International aid organizations are accepting donations to help victims of the powerful earthquake and resulting tsunamis that caused widespread destruction in parts of Asia and Africa.

If you can, please help support the relief effort and keep the victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Old Server Offline

It's official, just moments ago I "pulled the plug" on our old web server.

All of our clients' sites are now running from our new server... many have been for several weeks in fact. Among the benefits of the new server are increased speed (more than twice as fast), daily backups, automatic virus removal from email, and especially for those clients that had trouble sending mail through their ISP, you can now send mail through our server.

Broadband Use Hits High in US

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: AP - High-Tech
With increased availability and lower prices, residential internet access by dial-up recently got surpassed by broadband here in the US. According to Nielsen/NetRatings, 53 percent of surfers hitting the web from home are now doing so with the high speed and 'always on' availability of a broadband connection.

In addition to just surfing the web, broadband users are also doing more with their conections, including making phone calls. Gone is the need to use a headset plugged into your computer (though those methods are cheap/free), in are VOIP or Voice Over IP services like those offered by Vonage. I've been using Vonage for over 4 months now and besides a few minor problems with my cable connection, I totally love it. I get all the 'extras' such as caller ID, voice mail, 3 way calling and lots more for one low monthly price. Home plans start at $14.99 a month ($24.99 for unlimited) and business plans are $39.99 or for unlimited service, just $49.99 in the US & Canada. (Prices as of 12/21/04)

If you live in the US or Canada and want to know more about Vonage, just send me an email and I will have Vonage send you more information and while available, also an offer for one free month of service. You won't get this offer on their web site, you have to get referred.

Future Firefox Update Planning Begins

Mozilla Firefox 2.0 Roadmap
Although the future revisions to my favorite web browser are few so far, development towards "Firefox 2" is underway. We could see version 1.1 as early as March 2005 and I can't wait to see what the fine folks at Mozilla have in store for us.

Avalon Distribution Launches First Web Site

Avalon Distribution - Sterling Silver Jewelry, Pendulums & More
Earlier this week, Avalon Distribution Company, supplier of fine sterling silver and gemstone jewelry, pendulums, scarves, incense and more entered the online world.

Their new web site helps Avalon expand its reach by allowing retail customers to order their products easier, something which they could only do at shows a few times a year previously. It will also make it easier for their wholesale clients to see and order their new products much faster then they could in the past with only paper catalogs.