I’ve always been the type of person who believes that you can, at least 99% of the time, find a free alternative to everything.  Specifically when it comes to software there is usually someone who spent the time to come up with some similar free software that does what you want it to do.

Awhile back I remember reading a lot of talk about something called BANS (build a niche store).  Here is an excerpt from their site:

BANS (Build A Niche Store) is a website builder which enables you to create a network of traffic pulling, money making niche websites focused around the eBay affiliate opportunity.

And it looks like the software costs $97.00.  I was moderately interested in the software but not enough to actual go and purchase it.  The concept seemed so simple that I could have created something similar if I wanted.

However, after looking over at WF today, I saw a post about something called McJiffy.

McJiffy EASy is an open source project for quickly creating dynamic storefronts for the eBay affiliate program. Sites made with EASy can either be used as stand alone websites or included within an existing website.

What does it cost?- Nothing!  After all, you can’t beat free…
So you see, most times you can find a free alternative to most programs.  And if you can’t then maybe you aren’t searching hard enough…

I received this mouse a few days ago and have nothing good to say about it.

As you can see, you hold it like a Wii Nun chuck- buttons on the bottom, and a navigation ball on the top.  The concept is great, the reviews seemed okay, but nobody told me the thumb-controlled ball was sticky and non-responsive.  First of all, you have to understand that I use a trackball mouse on my desktop (previously posted image) and it will fly from top-to-bottom, left-to-right, and all over the screen.  Flip your thumb and the ball has a lot of “give” (if that is what you call it).  Nonetheless, the fish mouse ball is its major problem.

I probably won’t return the mouse anytime soon.  I’m thinking about using grease or graphite to get the sticky rollers working better.

So if you are thinking about a hand held mouse, then stop already.  The whole reason I needed something like it in the first place was for my laptop.  I actually changed my opinion on the mini-mouse and bought one for about $30 that works wonderfully.

First of all, I don’t do any e-mail marketing, but this is just something I thought of while checking my e-mail.

Some time ago I somehow got on publisher clearing house’s e-mail list and haven’t taken myself off for one reason. No, I am not hopeful of becoming a millionaire through the e-mails, but I like to see what tactics they use to get leads for their affiliate programs.

What you can Learn…

The Subject Line

This is logically the most important part of this e-mail marketing thing. If you can’t get the user to open the e-mail, then you have wasted your time writing the e-mail in the first place. Every time I see a PCH’s subject line, I must admit that I get a little excited. And that is an important part of any marketing- invoke emotion. For example, here is the subject line from the most recent e-mail:

You could be announced a multi-millionaire!

Not, “you could be a millionaire,” or “win a million dollars.” The subject line is indeed interesting and unique when compared to what I would usually see from the net’s incentivizable offers. The subject line doesn’t promise anything, but sort of lies between a statement of chance and one where you have already won something. With this subject line, I will read it, sometimes open the e-mail and then do a double take to read it again.

E-mail Content

This is also a very important part of the strategy that PCH uses. Right away after reading the first few lines of the e-mail is that they use a sensory word right away to get your attention, “You may have seen…”

The next thing I always see in their e-mails is a statement that makes you visualize something:

The PCH Prize Patrol will climb into their van and head out to deliver a millionaire-making SuperPrize®.

Again, this is just like the emotional words they use, it does basically the same thing by making you feel something.
The rest of the e-mail is pretty much just a statement of urgency and a call-to-action.
Conclusion

You can learn a lot just from doing something simple like subscribing to a company’s e-mail list. Become a customer. Not for the sake of being a customer, but instead acting as an observer. After all, it’s FREE!

I’ve been slightly annoyed by my laptop built in mouse pad ever since I got it (and ever single laptop I have used).  Yesterday I purchased something called a Fish Handheld Mouse from KlearGear.com.  It reminds me of the nunchuck extension on the Wii controller so I figure I will give it a try for $11.99.

In the past I have tried using the mini-mouse, but didn’t like it because I don’t have mini-hands.  Also, I didn’t like having to use desk space (which I usually don’t have with a laptop) when using a mini-mouse.

So I have this Fish thingy on the way and will post a review when it gets here…

Oh, I almost forgot.  I was wondering what other people are using on their desktops and laptops.

Here is what I use on my desktop:

I love this thing!  It looks weird and awkward, but once you get the hang of it, you will never go back to the 2d move around your desktop mouse.

What do you use?

I was watching this movie called, “Untraceable,” the other day and had a thought related to affiliate marketing.  Don’t you think that guy could have made bank by running some sort of affiliate offer on his kitten killing site…  I wonder how the merchants would respond if they were advertised on such a site.

Hmmm… Maybe I should start a kitten killing site… It would be like taking bonsai kitten to the Web 2.0 world. lol