This week, we released category site selection for the site tool. This allows you to browse sites by category, making it easier for you to find and include sites that are relevant to your products or services. For example, if I want to advertise my soccer camp, I would first select the 'Browse Categories' button in the site tool. Then I can select 'Sports' and drilldown to the topic 'Soccer' in order to view sites that may interest me. It's a great new way to help you browse for sites that fit your needs, and we hope you'll check it out.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Sam dams with faint praise
Forbes article on Sabre/Travelocity with an interview of CEO Sam Gillard. In response to a question about whether or not Sam and his family found a good deal on Travelocity for their vacation he says
"I think I got a good deal relative to what I could have gotten anywhere else"
What happened to CEOs screaming the benefits of their products from the rafters? I can see the new Travelocity marketing campaign now - cut to a gnome sitting on a milk crate saying "Sure we're not perfect, but heck, who is"
"I think I got a good deal relative to what I could have gotten anywhere else"
What happened to CEOs screaming the benefits of their products from the rafters? I can see the new Travelocity marketing campaign now - cut to a gnome sitting on a milk crate saying "Sure we're not perfect, but heck, who is"
Do you speak AdSense?
Do the acronyms EFT, PSA, and CPM make you break out in a cold sweat? Would you not recognize a destination URL if it bumped into you on the street? Then get thee to the AdSense Glossary, where you'll find a complete list of terms and abbreviations used in AdSense. We've recently made improvements to the glossary to help publishers become even more adept at jargon-izing. So give it a perusal when you see an unfamiliar feature or term in your account or in one of our emails. While we don't guarantee any of the terms will be allowed in your next Scrabble match, at least you can use the term "IP" with confidence.
Posted by Julie Beckmann - AdSense Publisher Support
Posted by Julie Beckmann - AdSense Publisher Support
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Why Use A Database Instead Of ____?
A recent blog entry by Simon Morris questions the usefulness of including a relational database (JavaDB) with the Standard Edition of the Java Development Kit (SE JDK). The JDK is primarily intended for the development of Desktop applications, and in Simon's words:
Let's take look at word processors: A very common business function for a word processor is to create a "form letter" and populate fields of the letter with data that comes from another source (sometimes a database, sometimes a flat file of some sort). Of course the word processor's author could come up with a custom mechanism for extracting data fields from a file... But if an RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) is used, much less custom code is required, and (much more importantly) the data will be stored in a format that makes it available to other applications.
Okay... So maybe you agree with me that storing data in a format that is accessible to many applications is a good idea, but why not use XML (eXtensible Markup Language) files instead of an RDBMS. XML files are very easy to parse, and they are very easy to extend over time.
True... But what if multiple applications need to be creating, updating and deleting data simultaneously?
All "real" Database Management Systems are designed from the ground up to handle simultaneous inserts, updates, and deletions. Options abound for managing simultaneous access to tables and records, and for handling collisions and potential deadlocks. Many people have worked for many years to fine tune these systems, and they work very, very well.
Okay... So maybe you are beginning to agree that an RDBMS is a good idea for inclusion in any development kit... but why JavaDB? It's not a "real" RDBMS. It's just a toy, and there are many, many alternatives.
Now we have reached an agreement of sorts. I don't really understand the merits of JavaDB over HSQLDB or any other contender... but I also have to admit that I really don't care all that much.
What is important to me is that an RDBMS is included (by default) in the development kit. Inclusion of something like JavaDB means that every single Java tutorial can assume the presence of an RDBMS. Every new programmer learning Java can painlessly learn to program using JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) and learn enough about SQL to keep them from being dangerous.
But wait... Isn't Java Object Oriented? Shouldn't Java developers be focused on using persistent objects rather than fields from a database?
I know that it's contrary to promote tables and fields over persistent objects, but in defense of this position I'd like to share with you some insights that Ken Orr (of Warnier-Orr diagram fame) shared with me (highly paraphrased below)...
Data is often a company's true "treasure"... They slice it, they dice it, they analyze it right, left, up, and down. Reports are written against this data. Presentations are built from this data. Businesses literally live or die on their ability to leverage this data.
This is true whether you are writing a Browser-based application for a business, or whether you are writing a Desktop application for a business. Data is really important, and an RDBMS is a really good tool for handling data.
(Cross-posted at my java.net blog)
"most real desktop applications (browsers, players, word processors, video editors) are not database heavy, why is Java DB being included in the SE JDK?"Simon's a smart guy (I sincerely believe that)... But I think that he's missing the nature of most of the software that is written for businesses. Most business applications are concerned with data entry, data manipulation, and data presentation... And in most case that data has value far beyond the scope of a single application.
Let's take look at word processors: A very common business function for a word processor is to create a "form letter" and populate fields of the letter with data that comes from another source (sometimes a database, sometimes a flat file of some sort). Of course the word processor's author could come up with a custom mechanism for extracting data fields from a file... But if an RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) is used, much less custom code is required, and (much more importantly) the data will be stored in a format that makes it available to other applications.
Okay... So maybe you agree with me that storing data in a format that is accessible to many applications is a good idea, but why not use XML (eXtensible Markup Language) files instead of an RDBMS. XML files are very easy to parse, and they are very easy to extend over time.
True... But what if multiple applications need to be creating, updating and deleting data simultaneously?
All "real" Database Management Systems are designed from the ground up to handle simultaneous inserts, updates, and deletions. Options abound for managing simultaneous access to tables and records, and for handling collisions and potential deadlocks. Many people have worked for many years to fine tune these systems, and they work very, very well.
Okay... So maybe you are beginning to agree that an RDBMS is a good idea for inclusion in any development kit... but why JavaDB? It's not a "real" RDBMS. It's just a toy, and there are many, many alternatives.
Now we have reached an agreement of sorts. I don't really understand the merits of JavaDB over HSQLDB or any other contender... but I also have to admit that I really don't care all that much.
What is important to me is that an RDBMS is included (by default) in the development kit. Inclusion of something like JavaDB means that every single Java tutorial can assume the presence of an RDBMS. Every new programmer learning Java can painlessly learn to program using JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) and learn enough about SQL to keep them from being dangerous.
But wait... Isn't Java Object Oriented? Shouldn't Java developers be focused on using persistent objects rather than fields from a database?
I know that it's contrary to promote tables and fields over persistent objects, but in defense of this position I'd like to share with you some insights that Ken Orr (of Warnier-Orr diagram fame) shared with me (highly paraphrased below)...
"An object is just a single hierarchical view of the underlying data. With an RDBMS, you can support many views of the data... each of which is appropriate for the application that needs it. Constraining data to a single view (as an object) is robbing the data of some of its worth"If you have ever written an application and had to implement the "Fast Lane Reader Pattern", then you have had a small taste of what Ken is talking about. Often, you do not need to retrieve all of the fields of an object... in fact the performance of your application can be severely hampered by doing so.
Data is often a company's true "treasure"... They slice it, they dice it, they analyze it right, left, up, and down. Reports are written against this data. Presentations are built from this data. Businesses literally live or die on their ability to leverage this data.
This is true whether you are writing a Browser-based application for a business, or whether you are writing a Desktop application for a business. Data is really important, and an RDBMS is a really good tool for handling data.
(Cross-posted at my java.net blog)
Choosing the Right Home Based Business
Copyright © Monique Hawkins
http://moniquerh.payitforward4profits.com
There are thousands of new small business, including home-based businesses created each year in the United States; some are successful, some are not. There is one element that greatly influences whether a new small or home-based business will have a successful outcome. The factor is a solid business plan.
The business plan should cover the business basics from goals to management, from marketing to operations. A business plan is a map for success, so don't go lightly on the details. A good business plan should include the executive summary, a definition of operations, an outline of the marketing strategy, and how the small business will be financially managed.
The Executive Summary
The executive summary should give a overview of the business and should include the following areas:
* A detailed description of the business and its goals
* Identification of the business ownership and the legal structure.
* Discussion of skills and experience the potential owner and partners (if applicable) bring to the business.
* Identification of advantages the business will have over its competitors.
The Business Operation
The business operation section should cover the daily happenings of the potential small business and should include:
* An explanation of how the business will be managed on a day-to-day basis.
* Discussion of hiring and personnel procedures.
* Discussion of insurance, lease or rent agreements, and issues pertinent to the business.
* What equipment will be necessary to produce the products or services.
* An outline of the production and delivery of products and services.
The Marketing Plan
The correct marketing strategy is important for any small or home-based business. Getting the word out and building a customer base is necessary and essential. Therefore, the marketing plan should include:
* A description of the product or service of the business specializes in.
* Identification of the customer demand for products or services.
* Identification of the market, including its size, location and demographics.
* An explanation of how the product or service will be advertised and marketed.
* An explanation of the pricing strategy.
Financial Management
Effective financial management will also help determine how successful a potential small or home-based business will be. Therefore, important elements of this to include in the business plan are:
* Explanation of the source and amount of initial equity capital.
* Estimated start-up costs.
* Projected operating expenses.
* Development of a monthly operating budget for the first year.
* Development of an expected return on investment and monthly cash flow for the first year.
* Projected income statements and balance sheets for a two-year period.
* Discussion of a break-even point.
* Explanation the business owner’s personal balance sheet and method of compensation.
* Discussion of who will maintain the accounting records and how the records will be kept.
* A provision of a "what if" statements that address alternative approaches to problems that may develop.
In addition to all of the essential elements of a business plan as outlined above, other important areas to consider when starting a small business are legal requirements, and registration and accounting requirements.
Legal Requirements
All small businesses must comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations. Small and home-based business owners need to know the legal requirements affecting their business. Talking with an attorney can also be very helpful.
Registration Requirements
One can’t just start a business without approval from their state; in other words, practicing without a license can result in all kinds of legal problems and can eave one vulnerable to law suits. It is always important to obtain a license or work certificate, a sales tax number, and to open a separate business account. Once the business grows to the point where employees are needed, then the small business owner is responsible for withholding income and social security taxes as well with complying with state laws covering employee health, safety, and minimum wage. Most home-based business don’t necessarily need a business license, although it would be a good idea to get one.
The U.S. Business Advisor has a site at http://www.business.gov. that assists small business owners in meeting the necessary requirements for their particular state.
Lastly, don’t forget about zoning! Be aware of local towns and cities zoning requirements. If they are not followed, a small business can easily be shut down.
Careful planning by way of a business plan and ensuring that all legal requirements are met are important processes for any potential new small and home-based business owner. If done correctly, these essential elements can greatly impact the success of a new small business.
About the Author:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find the best home based business ideas and
opportunities so you can work at home visit:
http://moniquerh.payitforward4profits.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © Monique Hawkins
http://moniquerh.payitforward4profits.com
There are thousands of new small business, including home-based businesses created each year in the United States; some are successful, some are not. There is one element that greatly influences whether a new small or home-based business will have a successful outcome. The factor is a solid business plan.
The business plan should cover the business basics from goals to management, from marketing to operations. A business plan is a map for success, so don't go lightly on the details. A good business plan should include the executive summary, a definition of operations, an outline of the marketing strategy, and how the small business will be financially managed.
The Executive Summary
The executive summary should give a overview of the business and should include the following areas:
* A detailed description of the business and its goals
* Identification of the business ownership and the legal structure.
* Discussion of skills and experience the potential owner and partners (if applicable) bring to the business.
* Identification of advantages the business will have over its competitors.
The Business Operation
The business operation section should cover the daily happenings of the potential small business and should include:
* An explanation of how the business will be managed on a day-to-day basis.
* Discussion of hiring and personnel procedures.
* Discussion of insurance, lease or rent agreements, and issues pertinent to the business.
* What equipment will be necessary to produce the products or services.
* An outline of the production and delivery of products and services.
The Marketing Plan
The correct marketing strategy is important for any small or home-based business. Getting the word out and building a customer base is necessary and essential. Therefore, the marketing plan should include:
* A description of the product or service of the business specializes in.
* Identification of the customer demand for products or services.
* Identification of the market, including its size, location and demographics.
* An explanation of how the product or service will be advertised and marketed.
* An explanation of the pricing strategy.
Financial Management
Effective financial management will also help determine how successful a potential small or home-based business will be. Therefore, important elements of this to include in the business plan are:
* Explanation of the source and amount of initial equity capital.
* Estimated start-up costs.
* Projected operating expenses.
* Development of a monthly operating budget for the first year.
* Development of an expected return on investment and monthly cash flow for the first year.
* Projected income statements and balance sheets for a two-year period.
* Discussion of a break-even point.
* Explanation the business owner’s personal balance sheet and method of compensation.
* Discussion of who will maintain the accounting records and how the records will be kept.
* A provision of a "what if" statements that address alternative approaches to problems that may develop.
In addition to all of the essential elements of a business plan as outlined above, other important areas to consider when starting a small business are legal requirements, and registration and accounting requirements.
Legal Requirements
All small businesses must comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations. Small and home-based business owners need to know the legal requirements affecting their business. Talking with an attorney can also be very helpful.
Registration Requirements
One can’t just start a business without approval from their state; in other words, practicing without a license can result in all kinds of legal problems and can eave one vulnerable to law suits. It is always important to obtain a license or work certificate, a sales tax number, and to open a separate business account. Once the business grows to the point where employees are needed, then the small business owner is responsible for withholding income and social security taxes as well with complying with state laws covering employee health, safety, and minimum wage. Most home-based business don’t necessarily need a business license, although it would be a good idea to get one.
The U.S. Business Advisor has a site at http://www.business.gov. that assists small business owners in meeting the necessary requirements for their particular state.
Lastly, don’t forget about zoning! Be aware of local towns and cities zoning requirements. If they are not followed, a small business can easily be shut down.
Careful planning by way of a business plan and ensuring that all legal requirements are met are important processes for any potential new small and home-based business owner. If done correctly, these essential elements can greatly impact the success of a new small business.
About the Author:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find the best home based business ideas and
opportunities so you can work at home visit:
http://moniquerh.payitforward4profits.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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