MySQL update

The MySQL database server is the world's most popular open source database. MySQL 4.1, the latest production-ready release includes numerous enhancements that improve performance, internationalization, and the ability to embed the MySQL Server with other hardware and software solutions.

http://dev.mysql.com/tech-resources/articles/4.1/index.html

I am a fan of Open Source.

Net Travel Websites

Find out how much you will actually save on global travel by visiting the websites below and see what the lesser known websites too have to offer.Major companies have taken a stake in the lesser known companies.

http://www.sidestep.com
http://www.cheapflights.com
http://www.qixo.com
http://www.mobissimo.com
http://www.kayak.com
http://yahoo.farechase.com
http://www.expedia.com
http://www.travelocity.com
http://www.orbitz.com

Mooter

I love the search engine Mooter.Search on the internet is finally becoming more meaningful!

www.mooter.com

Tips for selling a product & getting attention

Find people who might be interested in your product.

If a anybody posts about an itch that your product scratches, email them, work a link to their post into yours, and be sure to send them a trackback ping.

If people with the same itch comment on the blogger's post, email them too.If people mention similar products that don't quite scratch the itch, look for posts and comments on those products, and repeat.

I have a lot of new products to try, too.Tell people how you found them and why you think they might be interested in your product. "I read your post on , and I think you might be interested in because ." is more compelling than "! ! !"

Find the people who use your product.

If someone sends you a trackback ping, read their blog, see if anyone commented on their post or sent them a trackback ping, and repeat.

Not everyone sends trackback pings.

Search for your name, your product's name,trade names name with search engines.

Be accessible and engage everyone.Solicit feedback, constantly, about everything. Ask everyone what they like, dislike, would like added, would like changed, etc. Incorporate their feedback into your product.

Help people use your product. This is easy if you know who's using it.Ask individuals to help you do things that you can't do yourself.
A list of stores in a city where your products are available will help customers,a newsletter giving related information on developments in the industry also helps.

Thank everyone.It probably doesn't need to be said, but if someone plugs your product, finds a bug, submits a patch, or suggests a feature, thank them for it. If someone doesn't like your product, but they're polite about it, thank them for trying it. I don't think anyone will object to a thank-you email.

Don't go overboard.Don't email everyone you've ever talked to about your product every time you release a new version or make a change to it. Instead, email everyone who contributed to the new version, thanking them for their contribution, and let everyone else subscribe to your blog or opt-in to a mailing list.

Don't blatantly advertise on all channels.Remember, no matter how proud you are of your product, you don't want to annoy potential customers do you?

Investors will ask?

INVESTORS will always ask such questions and it is best if you are prepared with answers to questions posed below:

1. What's the opportunity? It's not enough to say you've spotted a problem and a way to fix it. Investors despise those marketing studies that say "this market is expected to grow 250% a year for the next 10 years, and if we can capture just 1.7% of the market, we'll all be multi-billionaires." Instead, you need to show how your approach will work better than any previous attempts to exploit the opportunity, and how you'll make money doing so.

2.What special advantages do you have? That might mean a management team with a distinct skill set that a rival company couldn't easily match. Investors probably won't be impressed if you claim your advantage is having a head start on the competition — not unless you have a barrier to entry, such as a patentable product or process that would make it hard for new rivals to imitate your offering.

3.What is the secret of your expected sales success? Investors know that selling is a special talent, and one that many young companies don't have on board. They'd love to hear that you have a rainmaker on your team, or a proven sales technique that can easily be taught to others.

4.What have you learned from the competition? The more specific your answer, the better. For instance, "competitor X impresses us by being so systematic in asking new customers what they like and dislike about its service. We plan to take that idea a step further by responding immediately to customer dislikes."

5.How will you use the funds you raise? Investors are more concerned than ever that their money be spent in ways that most directly generate revenue and profits. They'd rather hear you itemize how you'll use it to hire three more salespeople and develop sales support literature than on product innovation research.

6.What are the risk factors? Your realism in this area will reassure investors. If it's likely that competition in your industry will intensify over the next six months, then tell them you expect this to happen and explain how you plan to respond.

7.How do you plan to use the Internet,why and how many people do you know who will actually help you and make the venture a little less risky ?