open source solutions for your business

This morning’s New York Times carried an article that outlined a serious security problem on the Internet that could effect you. If exploited, you could be redirected to a phishing site that mimics the bank or merchant URL that you typed into your browser - and that could cost you plenty if you give out any personal information.

There is a simple fix that also could speed up any broadband Internet connection. We’ve published more information and links to the New York Times relevant articles on OrangeCat.info.

This is far too important an issue to ignore. Read about it at the OrangeCat Info Blog ». Here is the permalink:
http://www.orangecat.info/go/post-080730.php

The latest version of the Open-Realty® real estate listings software is Version 2.5. Open-Realty® has been the standard in Open Source Real Estate applications since it first appeared in 2003. With the release of Version 2.5, Open-Realty® has solidified it’s position as the premier tool for Realtors® and Investors to publish their property listings on the Internet.

Web hosting service with Open-Realty® pre-installed and configured is available from OrangeCat.net. Customization service is also available from OrangeCat. Investors and Realtors® who are members of the Association of Real Estate Investment Professionals (AREIP.org) can get a special package deal on membership and Open-Realty® hosting. AREIP Members have access to special Open-Realty® templates that display the AREIP Membership logo and link.

The list of features for the software and users below was originally published on the official Open-Realty® website, which contains a lot more information on the software, documentation, a support forum and more.

Open-Realty® v2.5

Open-Realty® is a professional, open-source, web-based real estate listing management system written in PHP that is provided FREE by Transparent Technologies, Inc. Designed to be flexible, powerful, easy to install and maintain, Open-Realty® has powered thousands of real estate web sites worldwide. Open-Realty® is a mature application that is actively developed, and has been community supported since 2003.

Features:

Open-Realty® is written entirely in PHP, and utilizes a standards compliant XHTML template system, designing a new template from scratch or incorporating the look of an existing web site is greatly simplified.

Open-Realty® Features For Realtors:

How to comply with the new CAN-SPAM amendments

Last week we talked about the new amendments to the CAN-SPAM Act and how they could affect your business. Today, I’d like to offer a few simple ways to comply with the older regulation that requires a mailing address on all communications that are commercial in nature.

The new amendments allow you to use a PO Box as your mailing address. This just clarifies the rules as many mailers were already using PO Boxes.

One thing I have always believed when it comes to remembering to do things like backup files or include important “boiler plate” information in mailings - if it isn’t automatic, it isn’t going to happen. At some point, you’ll forget to include it - and that’s the email that some busy-body will use to report you to the powers that be.

Both AutoResponse Plus (ARP) and aWeber have the ability to insert the required information in your emails. They go about it in different ways but they both accomplish the goal.

Another very important provision of the amended CAN-SPAM Act is that you provide a “Single-Option Opt-out.” This is one that a lot of mailers have long failed on by creating complicated processes for unsubscribing - but no more.

From here on in, you need to comply with the new amendments and both AutoResponse Plus and aWeber have long had the feature of single action opt-out.

My email autoresponder services is one of the places where I’ve found that the available Open Source solutions come up short. There is a first-rate Open Source mailing list manager - PHPList - that does a great job for newsletter-type users where the autoresponder service isn’t necessary.

If you need an autoresponder, the best choices by far are AutoResponder Plus if you prefer a self-hosted solution with no monthly fees and aWeber if you prefer a solution where someone else has the responsibilities of software management.

Which ever of these solutions you choose, be sure to back up your mailing lists to your own computer. ARP has a simple export and download function that helps make the process very simple. aWeber has a more complex procedure, but one that anyone can master quickly.

The new amendments are easy to comply with. Using ARP or aWeber makes it even easier.

New emailing rules go into effect at the end of this month. Don’t get caught with your pants down on this one or you might have a problem. The changes aren’t earth-shaking but you will need to know and comply with them if you email any kind of commercial message to a list of virtually any kind.

The Federal Trade Commission has now issued four new rules that amend the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. The amendments go into effect at the end of this month - June, 2008.

The amendments affect all senders of any commercial email with a list of any size from 2, on up.

Here are the rules:

#1 The receiver of the email cannot be required to pay a fee, provide information other than his or her email address and opt-out preferences, and must be able to opt-out of the mailing list using a SINGLE ACTION.

This may be by replying to the email - or by clicking ONE link to go to a SINGLE web page.

#2 The use of the word “person” is defined in regard to whether the CAN-SPAM Act applies. “Person” is now defined to include non-companies. In other words, any and everyone can be liable for sending commercial email - breathing person, company, organization, etc.

#3 You may use a post office box or private mailbox (PMB) - rather than the address of an actual private building - as the physical address in your commercial mailings to satisfy the CAN-SPAM Act.

#4 For any mailing containing advertisements from 3rd party advertisers, either the party who the email is “from” must have an advertisement in the email - or - all of the advertisers with ads in the mailing are responsible for opt-out requests.

This is known as the “Designated Sender” rule. When the party listed in the “From” field has an ad in the mailing, that party becomes responsible for processing opt-out requests.

Source: http://www.i-cop.org/journal/06-23-08.htm
Author: jl scott
You can read jl scott’s take on this in the June 23rd i-Cop Newsletter.

In my opinion, these new amendments cover the places where people most often run afoul of the CAN-SPAM Act. The most common error is not having a “single option opt-out.” And since the term “persons” now includes non-companies (individuals, in other words), it is easy to be in non-compliance even if you are sending emails to a group from your AOL or Gmail accounts or even from your desktop if your email contains any type of commercial solicitation.

Please be aware that complying with the Act and the new amendments is YOUR responsibility as a mailer. If you’d like to read the entire 109 memorandum on these amendments, you can get it here.

Video instruction helps shorten your learning curve when faced with using new software and shows you how to get the most out of your new tools. I use videos to learn new software, programming or any other challenges whenever it is available. And being able to download entire sets of videos on a single subject means they’ll be there when I need to review them.

Professionally-produced video sets currently available show you how to get up and running with some of today’s most popular software. Start Blogging with WordPress. Set up and easily adminster your website with no knowledge of HTML or PHP using a Content Management System (CMS) such as Joomla!, Mambo or Drupal. Create a Membership site using the proven and easy-to-use DLGuard. Create, manipulate, correct and improve photos, graphics and images with theGIMP, and much more.

How Do I Do That? Videos has a new annual membership option that gives subscribers 12 months of membership for the price of 11. With monthly and annual memberships, free videos and samples of every video set, HowDoIDoThatVideos.com has created a resource for anyone needing to “learn and earn” on the Internet.

Video instruction helps shorten your learning curve when faced with using new software and shows you how to get the most out of it. I use video tools to learn new software or programming challenges whenever it is available. And being able to download entire sets of videos on a single subject means they’ll be there when I need to review them.

We’re including a sample video from the July 2008 set - Drupal Content Management System to give you an idea of the quality of HowDoIDoThatVideos.com video instruction. This is video 3 of a 17 video set and shows you how to do a manual install of Drupal.