Photo by Ayhan YILDIZ

99% of the time, it’s probably because the code was pasted into the WYSIWYG editor. That won’t work. If you are given HTML, you will always have to switch to HTML mode or source mode. If you paset it into the visual or WYSIWYG editor, you’ll always see code and any commands the code does like redirecting a page etc, won’t work.

If your first instinct is to cringe, don’t feel bad, I did too.

Now, that doesn’t mean I feel there is anything damaging out there on me. I’ve been through several FBI checks (long story) so that’s not the kind of stuff you will find about me – ever. What made me queasy is the nagging thought of what an accumulation of this innocent information can be used for.

There are several tools and more popping up all over the Internet that can do this. Some call it social search, others call it people search. Spokeo is one of them and it’s kinda spooky. A quick import was all it took for me to find wish lists, favorite songs, pictures of family of people whom I barely know.

People search is nothing new. Back in 1998, I used the Internet to find out more about this guy I was talking to, to see if he’s the ‘real deal’. Side note, I ended up marrying him . But now, with the power of publishing in the masses’ hands, things change dramatically.

When you look at just your Twitter stream or your Facebook stream or your Flickr image. They don’t really say that much. But when you pool them into one spot, it says a ton about you. What dismayed me most is not the fact that you will find any ‘juicy’ bit of information about me. But, some sites are actually selling this information to businesses in order to ‘better understand’ their market.

This actually cuts me both ways. On one hand, I am the “Tech Based Marketer”. I am supposed to show and lead you to technology that can help you better market your business. So any tool that helps you along in that sense is, well, interesting. I would be so lying to you if I said it is not intrigriguing. It is. But on the other hand, I feel as businesses, we have a responsibility to our customers.

I don’t know, this is all very sticky because it could be compared to watching Twitter for trends or keywords which I absolutely do. On the other hand, that information is not in depth information about people. It’s collective data.

What say you?

The solution is not as difficult as you may imagine. Of course it all begins with having a good design. Mine is simple. I like to keep HTML emails simple so it loads fast and trigger less flags.

Step 1 – The best way to build an HTML newsletter template is to use your good old fashioned HTML editor like FrontPage, ExpressionWeb, DreamWeaver or Notepad (uhuh). Get the design down pat in the editor and save the page onto your computer.

Step 2 – Your next step is to upload any graphics to your web site or a web accessible space like Photo Bucket. I prefer to upload them to my web site because I don’t want images on third party sites to raise any flags with spam filters.

Step 3 – Third, you should go back to your template in your HTML editor and switch out the image references to the full URLs of the images on your web site. This part is probably the most crucial and where most who are new to the process mess up. When you build your template, chances are, your images are loaded from your computer. In order for everyone to see those images, you must reference the images in an online space or you’ll end up with broken images. So if your image references look like C:\\Mydocuments\somefolder\image.jpg that’s wrong and won’t ever work. They should point online – where you uploaded your images to e.g. http://yoursite.com/newsletterimages/image.jpg.

Step 4 – Lastly, save your template again and next time you are ready to write your email, copy the HTML code, paste it into your email newsletter service and edit the text.

Big Tip! When sending HTML emails, always include a plain text version of the email so that those who choose to read their emails as text only or are on a phone to not get a blank email.

I’m also including in this post, my personal email newsletter template so you can see exactly how this all works together. You will see some strange code in my template too. Those are Aweber tags that allow me to enter customized data into the template. Talking about email newsletter are you subscribed? If no, why not? Go ahead! I’ll promise to notify you of quality technology inspired marketing information and help. Sign up is on the right side of this page.

Photo by Ginny Austin

Problem is, looking them up can be such a pain. Sure I know where they are filed but have you looked at how many files or folders you have on your computer? I ton I bet. Sometimes when you’re distracted, a file which you can normally find with your eyes closed will seem to disappear.

So quit hunting. I did. I replaced the text files with Direct Access – a macro program. All I need to do is type a keyword and the program will automatically type the bio for me. If you’d like to learn more about the program, you can read my review.

These services allow you to great a graphic with your latest tweets that you can put into your signature, on your blog, emails, or just about anywhere you can post HTML.

• Twitstamp – I like this one, it has the most options and different sizes, some novelty designs too.
• Twitsnap – simple and effective but I think it’s too large.
• Twittertag – once again simple and elegant I like that it pulls your Twitter avatar.
• Tweeterized – I think I like this the best so far. See my Tweeterized Active Badge below.

I’ll be first to admit, while the thought of macros sounded super interesting to me, it took me a really long time to warm up to them. Mainly because the first few apps I tried was kinda technical and involved a little programming which I’m not a pro when it comes to Windows.

Then I found Direct Access. I was still a little skeptical how useful it would be for me. I was attracted to the autotext feature, not so much the application launcher. After all, how hard is it to launch an application? Can’t take more than 5 seconds. Just click Start, then All Programs then look.

But once I gave Direct Access a chance I can’t tell you how completely lost I feel without it. Here’s why.

Launching an application really is easier

I thought I was pretty quick at launching applications but have you noticed how many steps it takes just to get to the programs list. But that’s not all. Take a look at this screen shot. I’m not sure about you, but that’s a lot of applications. That’s already as lean as I can get it. Sometimes, there are more. It gets really difficult to find the right applications in that list. To make things worse, many developers these days like to put their apps in folders that are in their company name – not the application name which makes it even more difficult to find!

Using Direct Access, when I want an application, I just type it’s name or an abbreviation that I can customize. For example, to launch my browser, I simply type FF or IE.

Be kind to your hands and fingers

While I’ve not been diagnosed, I believe I suffer from arthritis. When it flares up, it hurts. When I use Auto Text in Direct Access, I type less. I have programmed all kinds of things into Auto Text. Here are a few examples.

• My own website URLs
• WordPress Tags
• Commonly used PHP code
• Commonly used HTML code
• Bios
• Affiliate URLs
• Email addresses
• Canned emails and responses

Saves time finding files and opening folders

Just like launching an application, using Direct Access helps me quickly open folders that I use regularly. Have you tried hunting for a folder and never seem to find it? Yeah so have I. Too often. I don’t anymore

So that’s a preview what Direct Access can do for you. I challenge you to try it and see if it doesn’t change the way you work. You can grab a free trial copy by clicking the button below.

Turns out, they just didn’t realize it was possible to organize your passcards into folders. Well, you can and that’s how I organize my hundreds and hundreds of logins. I should probably do some spring cleaning soon but that’s another story. You can have folders and sub-folders too. If you didn’t know, now you do

Don’t have Roboform? You can grab a free trial download right here.

The following is the recording of my call with her. We also talked about a tool that surprisingly is a good one for affiliate managers to leverage. To listen, download or click play.

Photo by Christian Glombitza

Hmm… WordPress, upgrade. Ah! That’s probably where the files are kept so WordPress can do its upgrades. So… why keep it there after the upgrade is successful and done? After all, you only need the files once and it’s a duplicate.

I decided to delete them. Guess what? The sky didn’t fall on my head!

If you’re wondering where all your web space went, might want to check in there, maybe do some housekeeping once in a while in that folder.

Hmmmm….

Creator unknown

I’d really like to know what it says at the bottom know. Can anyone translate?

Ones That Keep You On Your Toes

By action datsun

That’s a good reminder to quit squandering your time away on Twitter.

By f2b1610

Isn’t that the truth. Great when you’re frustrated your computer won’t obey you.

By Stefanos Karagos

Another GTD inspired wallpaper if you’re the organizing, GTD type.

Stunning Wallpapers

By Tina Jiménez

Love this one. Makes me feel like Alice in Wonderland.

Photo origin unknown

Not sure but I like it