Susan Finch - Web Solutions Provider

SmileCare Family Dentistry - Redesign and launch

SmileCare has been a client for a few years.  It was time to completely toss the old design and not just "adjust it" for new needs and trends. 

The client really likes their back end content management system. It's easy for each department to maintain their content, make changes to dentists, locations and services.

This new design also allows quick changes to promotional campaigns.  Everyone is pleased with this fresh look to SmileCare.com

Common Sense When it Comes To Giving Away Your Personal Information

We already are learning that what we post on the web in comments, on websites, on help desks is public, searchable and clickable.  Please remember to keep your personal information a bit more personal.  Remember the days of carbon credit card signatures?   They were constantly being dug out of the trash bins and used to commit fraud. Think about it - be careful with your full address.

From AdAge: The Official Social Media and Mobile Glossary of 2010

I'm so out of the iPhone arena at this time, since I'm usually tethered to my desktop with a VOIP phone that most of these terms were new to me. I geek-speak pretty well, but this is in another category altogether. Perhaps most of you are familiar -- or guilty of committing these terms below.

Top 20 Labels, Buzzwords to Describe Our Curious Stampede to the Social-Media and Mobile Future

by Pete Blackshaw 
Published: January 12, 2010

Just Launched - MuranoAcoustics.us

You never know how connections, networking and quotes will end up.  This one has a happy ending.  Through one of my favorite networking organizations,  I was asked me to quote on a job for their client, Murano Acoustics. I saw their existing site and was happy they were ready to update their image to match the quality of their products and clients.  This just launched today. 

Read the rest of the story to see the before and learn more about the redesign.  Live site is here >>

Just Launched - Orange County Cemetery District

The Orange County Cemetery District wanted to give their families more information and make it easy for loved ones to find graves.  The search/mapping feature will launch soon. They've started with a new site that includes an at-a-glance calendar to schedule events by property category.

 

 

They are very excited to update their look from their previous site.

I'll be working on their new logo/branding next. 

Sending Text Message via Email to Cell Phones

I admit I'm awful about texting. I have an old Razor style phone and it takes three clicks for every letter. I rarely use it because I'm always at my desk. When I'm out, I don't want emails or client calls. I'm taking a break during that time.  But once in a while I want to send a quiet message to a friend on their cellphone.  If you want to know how to send it to people on various systems, here you are.  Trick is, you have to know who they use. 

Signing Your Holiday Greeting Cards

Of the seven examples below, which ones are correct if the writer is sending greetings from his or her entire family?   

1. Happy holidays from the Smith’s 
2. Happy holidays from the Williams’ 
3. Happy holidays from the Smiths 
4. Happy holidays from the Williamses 
5. Happy holidays from the Smiths’ 
6. Happy holidays from the Williamses’ 
7. Happy holidays from the Williams family  

Is it me or is it I? easier to figure out than It's me or It's I.

This becomes a bit of an issue of personal style; both in speaking and writing.  If you are already using contractions, you're the casual sort.  Obviously, I am, too.

You're trying to make the right impression as you knock on the door of your blind date's apartment, or on the door of the personnel manager who has your job application. "Who's there?" you're asked. What's your reply? Usually, I say, "It's Susan."  It's rare that I would answer with, "It's me."  That's a bit presumptuous, but you get the point.

If you've ever been unsure of whether the answer is, "It's me" or "It's I," read on.

All members of South and North County PR and Marketing Group need to work in a different field.

Join South and North County PR and Marketing Group Saturday, December 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm when we work in Second Harvest of Orange County’s Incredible Edible Field.

Did you know that in Orange County, more than 456,000 people are at risk of going hungry sometime each month?

Fortunately, we can help. This year, our charity project is to help the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. We’re going to work in their Incredible Edible Agricultural Field in Irvine.

This is going to be fun, and a welcome change from your usual 9 to 5 gig! You can bring friends and family, including children. If someone is willing to help, they’re welcome to join us.  Learn more on their site >>

Weekly Word Challenge

I didn't like the word of the week, and didn't do so well on the vocabulary test. Giving Thanks is the theme, give it a spin:

1. bread-and-butter: (a) simple and inexpensive; (b) meager; (c) expressing sadness; (d) sent or given as thanks for hospitality.

2. Anatolia: (a) the part of Turkey comprising the peninsula of Asia Minor; (b) the part of a turkey comprising the beak, waddles, and nostrils; (c) first name of the wife of Miles Standish, a Pilgrim leader; (d) the sister ship of the Mayflower.

3. gallinaceous: (a) an expression of surprise or exhortation; (b) of or relating to turkeys; (c) of, relating to, or resembling deer; (d) of, relating to, or characteristic of fish.

4. Pilgrim Thanksgiving fare: (a) duck; (b) venison; (c) fish; (d) all the above.

5. Bradford: (a) the English king in 1620; (b) the second Pilgrim sailing ship to arrive at Cape Cod, in 1621; (c) the Pilgrim leader; (d) the original name of the first Pilgrim settlement.

6. decapod: (a) Indian beans; (b) a large ten-pointed spar projecting forward from the stem of a ship; (c) a subterranean food cache, usually for winter storage; (d) lobster.

7. throe: (a) a light coverlet (as for a bed) made from woven reeds; (b) the succulent part of herbaceous plants; (c) a hard or painful struggle; (d) a braided cord or fabric (as of plaited rope yarns).

8. blunderbuss: (a) a gross error or mistake resulting usually from stupidity, ignorance, or carelessness; (b) a muzzle-loading firearm with a short barrel and flaring muzzle to facilitate loading; (c) wide breeches worn especially in England during the reign of Charles II; (d) a man's close-fitting jacket worn in Europe especially during the Renaissance.

9. Massasoit: (a) a hardy strain of corn developed by the Pilgrims; (b) a native dish of boiled squash, turnips, and onions; (c) a variety of crested wheatgrass cultivated by the Pilgrims with the help of the Native Americans they met; (d) sachem (leader) of the Wampanoag tribe of Native Americans.

10. Deo gratias: (a) day of thanksgiving; (b) thanks (be) to God; (c) a muted compliment; (d) have a thankful day.