More so, people wanted to know what I thought about HP waving the white flag.

I’ve had difficulty getting all my thoughts together. Partly because I’m in mourning. Partly because there are so many “what ifs” running through my mind I can’t get them sorted.

Do I feel dissed over HP’s decision? You bet. After all, like many here, I’m not just a Palm/webOS user, but a loyal advocate. I grew my business with many tools, including Palm products. I’ve used webOS to further streamline small business consulting operations. This, despite the fact that nearly 75% of my clients and colleagues use iOS, and the remaining use Android. I’ve been the lone webOS user at many small conferences, at Starbucks, even at the local bar. I’m the one who tells my husband to wait in the frozen foods aisle for a minute because, “I just saw someone texting on a Pre!”

Over the past few days I’ve received several messages, and one in particular sums them all up:

“It looks like it is time for you to join the iPad team! What are you waiting for?”

Well, I’m waiting for plenty of things…

• Disposable money. $600 worth.
• True multitasking.
• Flash. I’ve heard all the arguments, but if you had to incur the cost hundreds of thousands of small business and band sites do in order to have Flash content converted properly, you’d understand why it’s an important feature to have – at least today – on mobile devices.
• The ability to do what I want, how I want. iOS5 is going to be slick as heck. But, you know what? I want all those syncing features they tout sans cloud.

But there’s another key reason I’m not switching any time soon…

I don’t have to.

My devices work. Why spend money needlessly?

Despite the TouchPad being discontinued, it will still talk to wireless printers, still run Flash components and sync data.

Even if webOS itself is nixed, there are loyal developers and the Homebrew community who – unlike big business – will stick around until it gasps its last breath. These guys have never been paid the recognition they’re truly worth. They do what they do because they love the platform and have an affinity for making the rest of our experiences better. To them, jumping off the ship even while sinking is cowardice. Rather, they play the captain, stay with the ship and bail water as best they are able.

HP says the company will continue webOS software development, and hopes to partner with a hardware manufacturer. Some speculate it’s too late for that, and, perhaps it is. But this webOS user will keep forging onward until the powers-that-be, or her devices, just totally give out.

For those freaking out over the madness that is HP and webOS, I can only offer this one piece of advice. It comes from my husband – who’s said it to me hundreds of times as I’ve often (and, quite excitedly) try to make webOS the topic of conversation:

“Hon, it is just a device. It’s not like you couldn’t manage your life before it existed.”

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2011/08/24.
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Post tags: HP TouchPad, smartphone, Technology, webOS

When HP announced the launch of the TouchPad, I was eager to get my hands on the device. Not that I saw it as an absolute necessity, but rather a great add-on to my productivity suite of gadgets and software. Most of my friends and colleagues tote around iPads and Android devices, but I don’t like the restrictions set forth by Apple, nor the security issues with Google’s OS. Still, laying out hundreds of dollars for a device that would – for now – merely accompany my webOS smartphone was difficult to justify.

Then HP offered to send me a 32GB TouchPad to put to good, small business use. The only agreement was that I would write about the device from time to time. Who was I to refuse?

Rest assured, no promises of “praise only” comments were made.

With that, I’m declaring Wednesdays “webOS Wednesday” – whether posting here or at other outlets, I’ll be sharing my findings each week.

If you’re looking for ways to increase productivity and streamline communications, I invite you to come along for the ride. If you currently use another tablet, that’s fine – you’ll still gain some ideas on working more seamlessly.

To kick things off, I’ll share the #1 feature of webOS and the TouchPad: Multitasking. You can run multiple apps in pure form. That means web sites will load while you’re playing a game or writing an email.

Just how many apps can you run at once? I run 7-10 simultaneously (which I think would be the tops for many), but this video created by webOSroundup.com hits 31 (many HD) before the device poops out.

Oh, and that netbook? For now, it’s on standby as I get to know my new TouchPad. So far, I’ve been able to do everything I need while on-the-go.

You can follow all my posts on the HP TouchPad at the webOS Wednesday page.

Disclaimer: HP has provided me with a 32GB TouchPad and wireless keyboard for personal and business use, with the agreement that I will share my experience with the devices.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2011/08/10.
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Post tags: android, iPad, productivity, Technology, webOS

I received Guy Kawasaki’s latest book, Enchantment, as I was wrapping up work on my own recently published commerce manual. I was put on the list* to receive a review copy, and when the release date (March 8^th) passed me by I felt quite guilty. Fortunately I was heading to California on the 9^th for the annual Miva Merchant conference, and what better way to pass the time while at 35,000 feet?

I’ll admit, when Guy announced the title of his new book, I wasn’t impressed. The word enchantment, to me, had little to do with business in our busy world today. When he revealed the butterfly cover, my concerns grew—all I could wonder was, How is he going to push this book to the masses with a weak title and “pretty” cover? Despite the fact he’d already explained the basic concept of enchantment (in the sense of his message), it was still a turn off.

Mid-way through Chapter One I was hooked, primarily because Guy’s writing style is exactly what I hope mine is perceived as… Direct, easy to understand, and sans sugar coating. Yes, Guy’s very blunt about key issues, going so far as to say the moral wrongdoers have no right to succeed in business.

Enchantment is a guide for advancement. From teaching us how to smile and give a proper handshake, to lessons on leveraging today’s technology, Guy’s directives are not only clear, they make sense.

Enchantment is not a guide for becoming an instant hit. It’s about building relationships atop strong foundations.

I was so impressed with Enchantment that I made a last minute change to my presentations, which focused on shopability. During my sessions I explained how small business ecommerce sites shouldn’t try to mimic Amazon.com’s layout and flow. I used the product page for Enchantment as my example (with a side-note suggesting that the audience buy his book. Yes, the entire audience).

This was when I realized Guy used more “pull” than “push” when it came to marketing his latest book and growing his readership (he explains both these methods in the book). I’ve seen more third-party tweets, facebook posts and blog posts about Guy’s book than I have any form of mass advertising. And that’s exactly what Enchantment is about—growing by means of relationships and support—something every business and person needs in order to succeed.

Steve Wozniak says, “Read this book to create a company as enchanting as Apple.”

I say, “Read Enchantment if you want to succeed in anything…”

* This is not a paid review. I was provided the book only for consideration of review, with no agreements made. I do, however, use an affiliate link while linking the book title to amazon.com.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2011/03/15.
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Post tags: Ecommerce, marketing, Mistakes That Kill, reviews, social media

You’re either married to a device or a carrier. Pick one.

Read my editorial at webOSroundup

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2011/02/28.
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Post tags: smartphone, webOS

Many companies are waiting to see just what HP is going to do with Palm’s critically acclaimed, yet not-so-popular webOS. Users like me are left wanting more, while the Android and iPhone markets continue to grow.

This past summer I gave 10 tips on shopping for a smartphone. I think if more people really took the time to do the research, they’d find that the “obvious” choice is not always the ideal one. That’s not to say that webOS devices are for everyone – I wholeheartedly agree that the iPhone, Android and Blackberry have their place in the market for good reasons. However, the sheer number of complaints people post about their devices every day speaks volumes about the need to know what you’re buying before you sign a long-term contract.

At the same time, companies need to realize that there are users of each OS that are both loyal and passionate about their devices, and they, too, are seeking all-important services and apps. This is why Palm launched the PDK, which allows iPhone app developers to easily port their software to work on webOS.

Which brings me to the most common reason app developers and companies aren’t focusing on webOS at all. Despite many announcements concerning the future of webOS, Palm’s the underdog. Many developers (like Evernote) would rather wait and see if the platform gains momentum. The problem is, waiting could be opening the door for competitors to jump in and convert users on-the-fly.

It’s already happening – many independent developers are using service APIs to fill the void. The Foursquare webOS app was developed by @zhephree. While he had Foursquare’s support, the fact that a groundbreaking service which relies entirely on mobile needed to rely on an outsider to reach millions of additional users says something. Even Square co-founder Tristan O’Tierney said that company was playing wait and see with webOS.

For developers and service providers sitting on the sidelines, unwilling to take common business risks, while waiting to see if they can benefit, I have two letters: H…P…

That’s right, one of the biggest names in tech – Hewlett-Packard – has already announced it’s going full steam ahead with webOS. If that’s not enough reason for companies to get in on the ground floor in order to reap big-time benefits later, I don’t know what is.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/10/20.
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Post tags: android, iphone, palm, smartphone, webOS

In order for true multitasking to work, four elements must be present…

Read more at webOSroundup

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/10/14.
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Post tags: Technology, webOS

Was it really an addiction? On one hand, it wasn’t like I couldn’t function if I didn’t replant those strawberries. I didn’t bounce off walls if crops withered, and I didn’t freak out if another mafia of the same size beat me to a pulp on Mafia Wars. I didn’t spend money to buy an unwither ring or other cool “pixel” creations.

You can't just slap a cartoon avatar in a "real" withered field and call it "real". But he sure looks cute, doesn't he?

But, there’s many hours – probably hundreds – that I lost, never to be recouped, playing these games. In the mornings, I took shorter walks in order to keep up with my farming. In the evenings, I’d often crawl into bed in the wee hours. It was all outside of work time, yet I couldn’t help but wonder: Just how much more would I have accomplished if…?

Now, I know. In April I upgraded my Palm Treo to a Palm Pre Plus. Within weeks my passion for all those games on Facebook dwindled as I opted for the simpler things in life. Apps like Scrabble, Crosswords and Solitaire can be launched from the main screen on my webOS device. Games? Yes. But certainly more brain massaging than clicking my mouse a thousand times an hour. I get more enjoyment out of learning new words than I’ve ever gotten mastering crops on Zynga’s most popular social-based game.

While I’m on the topic of social-based, by the way, there are a few more things I’ve discovered:

• Most of these social-based games aren’t really that social at all. Sure, you “compete” against others (your friends) and send and receive gifts, but you never really converse about your farms or mobs or restaurants. It’s all point and click tools that do all the talking for you.
• I couldn’t play any of these graphical games with my husband, yet we often enjoy completing a crossword during dinner.
• I can pass time and stimulate my brain at the same time, and thus have more real-life time to spend with real people at real places.

This week marks a three-month hiatus from social gaming. Every now and then I think about hopping on and seeing what’s new. And that thought leaves my mind just as quickly. It’s not that I’m concerned I’ll relapse, but, to be honest, I’m content just swiping my fingers across the screen of my Pre to form words, solve puzzles and otherwise “think” about what I’m doing.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/10/13.
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Post tags: facebook, smartphone, webOS

You may be eager to update your online store to use the latest technology. By doing so, however, you just might be crippling your customer base.

With all the latest and greatest Web features, browsers are constantly needing to be updated to keep pace. The problem with that, though, is that online shoppers might not be ready for these new bells and whistles. Keep this in mind when introducing new technology to your website.

Earlier this year, one online store upgraded the site’s JavaScript functionality, rendering previous versions of Internet Explorer useless. Shoppers are now prompted with a message to upgrade their browsers. While the site is stellar in its design and offerings, I can only imagine how many sales are being lost because of the upgrade requirement.

Recent stats for an online store show that more than half its visitors run some flavor of Internet Explorer. Of that, 8.6% still run IE 6, and just over 23% run IE 7. That's nearly 1/3 of IE users running outdated versions...

Just as requiring Flash installation back when it wasn’t a standard impeded the shopping experience, requiring an upgrade that could take more than – well, any amount of time, really – is a good way to lose business to competitors.

Laugh all you want, but I still strive to make websites function with IE6 – because stats for many clients show that a decent percentage of shoppers are still running the older browser, especially those overseas. While certain graphic formats, such as PNG, may render a bit differently, the core experience is retained. Sure, I’m working at phasing out IE6 configurations on new site launches, but only because there are security elements required for stores to pass PA-DSS compliancy tests. Still, any online store should be able to render properly at least two versions back on most browsers.

Then, there’s accessibility software, such as JAWS, utilized by the blind and visually impaired. Yes, I know it’s personal (my husband can’t see a thing and uses screenreading software on his laptop), but you need to recognize that there are millions of blind and low-vision folks surfing the web. Wouldn’t it be great if those customers didn’t have to rely on family or someone sighted because they can’t shop your store for a gift for their wife or children? As more and more sites are configured not to run in previous browser versions, the more sites there are which Joe cannot navigate. Whenever this happens, it requires a major upgrade in the screen reading software (and trust me, it isn’t cheap). All this, because some sites (and not techie ones) think it’s necessary to use the same functionality as, say, a financial institution.

Online shoppers, like the rest of us, don’t like fixing what isn’t broken. Ask around, and you’ll find most of them hate being forced to upgrade or install software just to reach a web site when a good portion of the others they visit load just fine. Not all newer site designs are going to look stellar in 3-year-old environments, but they should still be shopable.

Keep in mind that many computer users run what was already installed on the system the day they brought it home. Unless someone they know presses them to upgrade, they often leave the system as it was configured from the factory. So, if that means forgoing some “sleek” updates, which can, most of the time, be done by other means anyway, then so be it. Bash Amazon all you want, but that site loads in a wide variety of versions of browsers.

By the way, as I type this, I’m struggling to start an online chat with big tech company. Apparently none of the browsers I’m running are the right flavor. Guess I gotta pick up the phone…

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/10/04.
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Post tags: browsers, Ecommerce, Technology, web design

If you’ve ever tried to hop online during a conference or convention, you’ve probably experienced the molasses-slow chug of data transfer. This June, Steve Jobs asked a room full of journalists to turn off their WiFi connections so he could continue his presentation.

Verizon Wireless' MiFi gives me a fast, secure connection from virtually anywhere.

I’ve been using my own connection via Verizon Wireless for a few years now. Though I’ve always been pleased by the ability to connect from anywhere, the MiFI 2200 took the cake. I was thrilled to read Wired’s thumbs-up approval, and applaud them for recognizing what I already knew. This device is sleek, fast and easy to connect.

Don’t take my word for it though. Last February, while at a conference in Las Vegas, a rather influential colleague mocked me for paying $60 a month for Verizon’s 5GB service. He pulled out his iPhone and said, “All you need is this”.

I scoffed again, as I’d already heard the lectures for using a Palm Treo (I ran the 755 at the time). I simply shrugged and replied, “It’s never failed me. It’s cheaper than hotel connections, and it’s secure.”

The next morning he called me over to a table. We were scheduled to give a presentation in about an hour, and he was up in arms.

“Let me connect to that thing,” he said, holding up his iPhone. “I just can’t get a connection in here.”

And thus, my point was made. A separate device built specifically for connecting to the Internet will almost always be superior to tethering and mobile hotspots. Not only that, but while I consistently hear others complain about poor conference-wide connections, I just keep on working. And when the WiFi at Starbucks goes down? No problem.

I’ve let others hop onto my connection – last month an author desperately trying to research shared my device, and I’ve been known to let others in airports get online as well.

So, for that, I say stop mocking my $60/month service when it works virtually anywhere, almost 100% of the time – even when others can’t get a signal. Be nice, and perhaps I’ll let you piggy back off me when you need it the most.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/10/03.
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Post tags: Technology, WiFi, wireless

Gmail is attractive because it’s free, accessible from anywhere and most smartphones support its usage. All arguments of potential security or privacy risks aside, I’m willing to bet the majority of Gmail users didn’t research various email clients or services, but rather, accepted Google’s service by default.

So, for those a little green on the topic, here are email options, clients, and services explained.

If you run a web site or online store, chances are the host provides access to a mail server. This is what allows you to use an email address at your actual domain. You can port that domain mail over to Google (or another web service), or use an email client (like Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird).

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t necessarily need a third-party cloud service to sync emails across multiple accounts. That’s where IMAP comes into play.

Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) allows you to access email just as you would the standard POP method, but instead of downloading complete messages to a local computer (and, in return, by default removing them from the mail server), the email itself remains on the server so it can be accessed by additional devices (such as a laptop or smartphone). When you transfer messages to folders, or reply to them, that action is also stored on the server. This means you can access both incoming and outgoing emails, as well as filed emails, across all devices.

What makes IMAP so appealing is you don’t have to transfer files from one device to another in order to maintain a record of everything. For example, when I travel, I can still access organized folders and all my replies from my Palm Pre. I can quickly refer to a message I sent to someone a month earlier, providing I haven’t removed the data from the server itself.

Post Office Protocol (POP) requires that I transfer complete mail files from one computer to another, and unless I configure email software to leave a copy of the emails on the server, they cannot be accessed from any other device, including webmail.

There’s another popular method of handling emails across larger organizations. Microsoft Exchange Server is much more robust and also integrates calendars (scheduling), contacts and tasks. However, Microsoft Exchange is often overkill for smaller business because it costs additional money and often requires a network technician to configure and maintain.

For small businesses with fewer than five computers, IMAP configuration is relatively simple to handle, allowing managers and owners to see how employees are responding to messages. This, integrated with a calendar or task system is usually sufficient for a small business’ needs.

The most popular email software is Microsoft Outlook (Outlook Express for older systems). In my experience, Outlook does a good job when it comes to basic email functionality and scheduling tasks. However, its files can often become bloated and the software itself can in turn be a resource hog on a local machine. Last year I permanently switched to Mozilla Thunderbird and couldn’t be happier. For those on a Mac, Mac Mail is actually pretty robust and supports multiple account creation as well.

I’m surprised how many business owners use Microsoft’s default Word-integrated settings for their email accounts. This is mostly because Microsoft products are the most popular targets amongst hackers and virus developers.

HTML formatted emails certainly look prettier, but when it comes to conversing with customers, unless you’re running complete system scans to ensure you’re virus-free, you should consider sending messages and replies in a simple text format.

Selecting the right service and method is key to maintaining organized and clean communication. Fortunately, there are many tools available, most offering guided setups and additional features to streamline correspondence.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/09/30.
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Post tags: cloud computing, email, smartphone