My 2¢ Worth

he language of Web pages is HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) or XHTML. The X standing for extensible. XHTML is the newest standard for Web page creation.

 Web page is simply a document, specifically an HTML document. Wether it is created using plain HTML or XHTML it is still an HTML document. The Web page document is held in a file. Files containing HTML documents almost always have either .htm or .html as a suffix in their filename. When viewed in a browser a web page may include a graphic (picture). The graphic does not become part of the HTML document, but is held in its own file, and is referenced by the code in the HTML document.

raphics are usually in either jpeg, gif, png and sometimes bmp formats. Graphics are referenced in HTML documents by their file name, including the suffix, and also the path to the directory (folder) they are located in, unless they are in the same directory as the HTML document.

 Web page may also contain audio files, flash files and a number of other types of files. These are also referenced by their directory and file name in the HTML code.

ou may also see Web pages with suffixes such as .php, .asp or .cgi. While these are not technically HTML documents they often have HTML code embedded inside them. Web browsers need the HTML to tell them how to render the page. Without this information, you would have a blank screen.

he things mentioned above are the basic building blocks of Web page design.

Feature Article

Writing Marketing Copy That Sells

by: Charlie Cook charliecook.net

When your prospects see your marketing materials, your brochure, your web site or your ads you want them to read them. You want prospects to read not just the first sentence but the majority of your copy. Once they've read it, you want them to decide that they need your product or service and either make a purchase or contact you for more information.

When prospective clients and customers see your web site, ads or brochures, you want them to be captivated and impressed. You hope they'll read not just the headlines, but all the way through the copy. And you want this scintillating copy to motivate them to take the next step, and make a purchase or contact you for more information.

Is it working?

Do prospects read your marketing materials? Does the copy convince them that they need your products and services? Do they understand the value you provide?

Do they contact you?

What's the key to writing marketing copy that grabs your prospects' attention, overcomes common objections and leads to a sale or an inquiry?

When you finally call a plumber to fix that leak under the sink, does he spend ten or fifteen minutes talking about how long he has been in business, the wrenches he uses or the process he uses to solder a joint together? Of course not.

You have a problem and, in most cases, you need it solved immediately. You don't necessarily care how he does it you just want your leaky plumbing fixed. Of course you want to spend as little as possible, but you see the plumber's fees relative to the damage you're incurring from the leak.

Likewise, prospects' own problems and concerns precede their interest in your products and services. To capture their attention and get them to read your marketing copy; focus on what they want; don't begin your marketing copy with descriptions of the solution you provide or your credentials or processes.

Prospects' problems come first, then your solution. Problem; solution. Prospects want to see themselves and their concerns clearly identified in order to feel confident that you understand their needs. By addressing this, you create the context so that when you do describe your products and services, they are the obvious solution to your prospects needs.

Take a look at your marketing materials, including everything from your business card to your web site. Who and what are your marketing materials about; you or your prospects concerns?

Make a list of five to fifteen things that your prospects want. Turn these into questi0ns or statements about your prospects' problems. Asking questi0ns is particularly effective in getting prospects to think about solving their problems.

If you're a financial advisor you might ask, "Do you want to learn how to make more in both up and down markets?" If you help people with marketing their businesses you might ask, "Do you want to learn how to attract more clients and increase s.ales?" If you sell golf clubs you might ask, "Do you want to hit further and more accurately with less effort?"

To attract new clients you need to get their attention, demonstrate that you understand their concerns and clarify the value your products and services provide. Focus your marketing copy on your prospects' problems, ask them questi0ns and couch your solutions in terms of their objectives. You'll start more conversations, sell more products and sign up more clients.

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The author, Charlie Cook, helps service professionals and small business owners attract more clients and be more successful. Sign up for the Free Marketing Plan eBook, '7 Steps to get more clients and grow your business'at www.marketingforsuccess.com

Letting visitors search your page

Here is a very cool little script that will allow your visitors to search the page for specific words. If you have a lot of content on your page, this can be a useful tool to help your visitors find exactly what they are looking for. This would be especially useful for technical documents or other lengthy pieces of text that visitors would otherwise have to search through to find the term they are really looking for.

This first part of our function is the actual Javascript. It's always good practice to place your scripts within the <head> of your HTML document, but it's not necessary.

<script language="JavaScript"> var NS4 = (document.layers); var IE4 = (document.all); var win = window; var n = 0; function findInPage(str) { var txt, i, found; if (str == "") return false; if (NS4) { if (!win.find(str)) while(win.find(str, false, true)) n++; else n++; if (n == 0) alert("Not found."); } if (IE4) { txt = win.document.body.createTextRange(); // Find the nth match from the top of the page. for (i = 0; i <= n && (found = txt.findText(str)) != false; i++) { txt.moveStart("character", 1); txt.moveEnd("textedit"); } if (found) { txt.moveStart("character", -1); txt.findText(str); txt.select(); txt.scrollIntoView(); n++; } else { if (n > 0) { n = 0; findInPage(str); } else alert("Not found."); } } return false; } </script>

Now that you have your script in place, you need a way for your visitors to actually use it. We do this by adding an HTML form to the page, so people can enter terms to search.

<form name="search" onSubmit="return findInPage(this.string.value);"> <font size=3><input name="string" type="text" size=15 onChange="n = 0;"></font><input type="submit" value="Find"></form>

Note that unidentified terms return a customizable error prompt. As well, this script parses through each repeated value until it reaches the end of the text on the page. It does not matter if you have the form above or below the page contents, it seeks all text on the page. It would obviously be most handy to install the form at the top of the page.

* Get these syndicated tip feeds for yourweb site, free. *

Second Article

Home Computers - What's right for you?

by: Helodi Armen RCU Computers

There are many types of computers you can find if you look for them. Some are large and take up a whole room, while others actually fit in the palm of your hand. The kinds of computers which are commonly seen today include mainframe computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, and handheld computers. When looking for a computer for your home, you have several choices.

For those unfamiliar with the common home computer (yes that is still common today), there are several parts; there is the CPU (central processing unit) which is the actual computer that is usually housed in a box if you have a desktop computer. This box contains the microprocessor, memory, storage, and any display or input/output devices. You will also have the more visible components such as a keyboard, mouse, monitor and sometimes speakers and a printer.

The two specific categories of computers are : PCs and Macs;
~~PCs are computers that run on standards and components that are created by IBM. As much as 90 percent of all personal computers are PCs. Some of the companies that manufacture them are IBM, HP, Gateway, Dell and many more.
~~Macs (short for Macintosh) are personal computers manufactured by the Apple Company. While there still are some die hard fans of the Mac, they are not as popular as they used to be. However, some of the newer models like the Imacs are attempting to stage a comeback and are doing well.

You can use personal computers for many tasks, like word processing, personal and business correspondence and finance, internet searching, photography, and graphic design and publishing. You can also have a lot of fun on personal computers playing games and watching movies!

When you are ready to get a personal computer for yourself, you will need to determine the type of user you will likely be. Would you be someone that is constantly on the computer and run complex programs or play high end games loaded with heavy graphics? Will you be an average user doing common tasks like word processing email, etc? Or would you be the type that occasionally uses the computer for really simple tasks . Whatever your type, it would be useful to know before you go shopping for a personal computer.

There are some basic elements of personal computers you should know when heading to the electronics store: the processor, RAM, floppy disk and CD-ROM drives, hard disk drive, sound card, speakers, monitor, modem and graphics card. When you decided what kind of user you plan to be, that will help you decide just ~how much~ of everything listed here you will need. When you find out what you need, that will determine the overall cost of your personal computer.

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Helodi Armen is the chairman and operator of RCU Computers - an excellent resource for information on computers. For questions or comments about this article, please visit: www.rcucomputers.com

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