Get The Most Out of E-Mail with IMAP

One of the best kept secrets to efficient email management lies in the protocol (how’s that for a $10 word!) that the email system uses. Aside from free email accounts, if you have domain email (you@yourdomain.com) - you’re more than likely using the emailboxes included with your web hosting service.

What most don’t realize is that web hosting email is based on POP (Post Office Protocol). POP is great - but it does have one very important limitation… your messages are never fully synchronized across all the places where you read mail… your desktop computer, your laptop.. your mobile phone.

That’s where IMAP saves the day! With IMAP (Internet Mail Access Protocol), your message folders are synchronized and identical across all devices. So, a message you send with your mobile phone is accessible on your desktop, etc.. In this age of mobile messaging, that’s a real advantage.

So, if your hosting service only offers POP mail, how can you get IMAP?

There’s a growing number of email-only service providers that do nothing but email. Besides being better able to offer much larger mailboxes and better support, a separate email provider will offer IMAP. Some of the best providers are nominal in cost (and in the case of Google Apps - free):

Mailtrust (Varable rates - outstanding support and reliability
Fastmail ($39.95/year)
Google Apps (Free or $50/yr; free service offers up to 100 6.7GB mailboxes!)

To switch your email while keeping your web hosting, you need to make a “MX” update to your domain’s DNS (something that ProVirtual Solutions can help you with!).

Here’s a recently posted article on the GMail blog that will help describe the difference between POP and IMAP.

Free & Low-Cost Alternatives to Microsoft Office: A Free Presentation

A few months ago, I did a teleseminar for members of DVVAA about free and low-cost alternatives to Microsoft Office. There are lots of options out there - and more becoming available every day!

This 32-page presentation provides a nice overview of what’s available for both in-office workers and road warriors. You may be surprised to find that you don’t need to spend hundreds for a full-featured office suite! Here’s a quick preview of the presentation:

Or… get a FREE PDF download! It’s much easier to read. Click the button…

Enjoy!

New Services! Web Conferencing, Google Web Services Support & More

ProVirtual Solutions is now offering one-time specialty services, including web conferencing and recording, domain record updates and Google web services setup. These services are specially priced to provide better value without the need for an ongoing service agreement.

Web Conferencing: 90-minute service package includes webinar hosting and recording to a WMV file (with audio & video), using GoToMeeting. This is a great option for clients that have occasional webinars and need the audio and video recorded on one file. 90-minutes includes session hosting and file preparation.

Domain Record Update: Do you need a mail exchange (MX) record update or other more advanced change to your domain record and are hesitant to try it yourself? Let ProVirtual Solutions handle it!

Google Services Setup with Overview Webinars: Choose one or save with our bundled service packages. Most options include personalized training webinars so you can get the most out of the Google services you selected.

• Google Apps with EMail: Have you heard about the great services Google offers for free? You can get the renowned GMail service for your own domain and enjoy access to a 6GB mailbox, IMAP/POP access and more - along with the other Google Apps: Google Docs, Google Spreadsheets and Google Presentations - all mapped to your own domain. Have ProVirtual Solutions set it up for you and show you how to use it in a personalized webinar.
• Google Analytics Installation with Optional Webinar: Wondering about your website visitors and how they are finding your site? Google Analytics provides great detail about your site traffic and also works seamlessly with PPC camapigns. Opt for installation only or purchase with a personalized webinar to show you how it all works.
• Google Webmaster Tools with Local Business Listing:  Maximize your site’s visibility with Google’s Webmaster Tools and Local Business Listing with Maps. Service includes: Installation of Google Analytics for one domain/website, setup of Google Webmaster Tools, creation of XML sitemap, submission of sitemap file to Google, creation of local business listing with map for Google Local. Includes a 45 minute webinar overview.

Learn more about all ProVirtual service offers here.

Merry Christmas & Happy Googling!

It’s already Christmas Eve… and another year is almost done! I look forward to 2008 with a fresh start with new services to kick off the year.

Every once in awhile, it’s a good idea to Google oneself and learn where you stand out on the web. The new year is a great time to do this - and resolve to do what you can to spiff-up your online image. Money.com has a nice summary about where to start:  You’re only as good as Google says you are (Money.com)

Merry Christmas!

gMigrate Moves PIM Data to Google Calendar for Free

If you ever considered moving to Google Calendar from another PIM such as Outlook, but cringe at the thought of reentering appointments, you should check out gMigrate from CompanionLink. gMigrate supports Outlook, Lotus Notes, GroupWise, and Palm Desktop calendars.  It’s free, but it’s intended for a one-way transfer to Google Calendar. CompanionLink also has a ongoing synchronization tool for Google Calendar as well.

Free download here: http://companionlink.com/products/gmigrate.html

Avoid Cell Provider Connect Charges with GOOG-411

Ok - I’ll admit it - Google’s ever-expanding tentacles into nearly every aspect of our daily lives would normally creep me out, but Google provides so many darned useful things for free - it’s hard not to love them.

Simply call 1-800-GOOG-411, state your location and the type of business you are looking for - and get connected for free. If you are calling from a mobile device, GOOG-411 can even send you a text message with more details and a map.

There’s no live operator, but as long as you know where you are and what you are looking for, Google 411 should be able to help find what you need - all while avoiding that nasty Verizon service charge.

Click here for more information and a charming video introduction by a Googler.

Keep Tabs on Your Business with Google Alerts

This is one of those web tools that has been around for awhile, but is easily overlooked. Google Alerts helps you keep on top of a news story, company, competitor - you name it - by sending you email alerts every time the key word or phrase you select newly appears on the web, news, blogs or Google Groups. You can set it to alert you daily, weekly or "as it happens".

It’s still in "beta" - not sure why, as it has been around awhile and certainly works well… and a great addition to your online marketing toolbox.

Google Alerts