Small Business Computing Staff

TechWeb: Lenovo Refreshes ThinkPad Laptops The new models are ultra portables and include one line of convertible tablet/laptop PCs. Prices: from $1,200 to $3,800. “Lenovo on Tuesday introduced three ultra-portable laptops, including a tablet, and two portable workstations in the latest refresh of the ThinkPad mobile PC line. The ThinkPad X201 and X201s laptops and […]

PCWorld: Up Close: Google Docs Online File Storage A step-by-step guide to using the new feature and an account of the experience of using it – which is not without frustrations. “Years after rumors surfaced that Google would provide online hosted storage with limits akin to those offered with Gmail, Google has added an upload […]

Inc.: Where CRM Is Going The Gartner study predicts a greater focus on workplace and marketplace collaboration using social media – but with the proviso that businesses will demand strong return on investment metrics before green-lighting projects. “In two words, the answer is ‘social networking.’ But, it comes with the condition that there are firm […]

IT-Director.com: Lotus Symphony 3 beta 2 available for testing The reviewer is impressed with new features in the free downloadable beta, including new properties and navigation sidebars and an improved PDF export function. “IBM Lotus recently announced the availability of the latest beta for Lotus Symphony and I have been trying it out for the […]

Small Business Trends: Types of Posts To Incorporate On Your Blog Lisa Barone comes up with a laundry list of new types of posts to try in your flagging blog. Examples: lists, rants, how-to guides, interviews. “It doesn’t matter how many blogging ideas you’ve got stacked up. Sometimes you just get in a rut. You […]

PCmag@Work (Small Business): Userful: Turn One PC Into Ten It’s a neat trick: run the Userful Linux software on a conventional PC and hang up to ten monitors off it, sharing under-utilized computing power. Saves money and reduces carbon footprint. “As businesses both big and small continue budget belt-tightening, one industry has discovered a cost-effective […]

InformationWeek SMB: Google Helps Small Publishers Serve Display Ads Google launches new display ad platforms for big and small publishers, based on DoubleClick technology the company acquired two years ago. “Google on Monday introduced DoubleClick for Publishers (DFP), a revamped version of its ad serving technology for large publishing companies. Google also said that a […]

PCmag@Work (Small Business): Docstoc Open To All Selling Biz Documents Now anyone can become a document seller, though you need to be approved, and documents can be in any of several standard file formats. “Docstoc is going to be like the eBay of documentation letting anyone sell docs, spreadsheets, presentations and more. With 13 million […]

Switchfast Blog – The Future of IT: Small Business Blogging – Benefits and Drawbacks Blogging may be particularly useful for small businesses, Michael Holley argues. Tips included: write for your audience, use a consistent voice, use a more personal tone. “Facebook isn’t the only arena where information spreads like wildfire. The blogosphere is a great […]

Inc.: More Doubts About iPad Among this blogger’s doubts: no USB port, no Flash support, no camera, no multi-tasking. He may have a point. “The more I hear about the iPad, the more doubts I’m having about its success. I keep thinking of the word, ‘Newton.’ [ ed. – Apple’s failed early PDA platform.]”

Social Media Today: ROI: How to Measure Return on Investment in Social Media Bottom line: it’s difficult. But as Social Media Today blogger Brian Solis explains, it’s crucial that you make the effort and new approaches make it easier. “Over the years, Social Media experts attempted to redefine ROI for a new era of influence. […]

Smallbiztechnology.com: Using Crowds To Help Grow Your Business A brief primer with links to tools and additional information. “Crowd sourcing is a powerful way to leverage the Internet, to enable large groups of people to provide insight (or advice or joint work) on something. Wes Cutshall, CEO of 32nd Degree LLC which builds web site […]