CHCS Blog

Server maintenance overnight May 1-2

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:52:00-0700

One of our providers will be performing server upgrades beginning Tuesday, May 1 at 8:00 pm, and ending on Wednesday, May 2 at 4:00 am Pacific time. We are informed that the actual downtime will be from 10-30 minutes.

Email services, and CHCS customers on other servers, will be unaffected.

Thank you for your patience.

A Letter to My Senators and Congressional Representatives About SOPA and PIPA

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:09:00-0700

Senator Patty Murray
Senator Maria Cantwell
Senator Patrick Leahy
Representative Jim McDermott

I am writing to express my concern about the SOPA and PIPA. These pieces of legislation, while well-intentioned, would have extremely negative consequences for me, my employees, our struggling economy, and our American free society.

Since 1994, I have been fortunate to run a small business that develops and hosts web sites. The pending legislation would most likely put my company out of business, since we would not have the resources to comply with its provisions. Such a scenario would have major negative impacts on my employees, and on my clients. It seems to be classic case of "throwing the baby out with the bath water."

The websites my company create allow small businesses and nonprofit organizations to communicate effectively with their customers and stakeholders. The internet has also made it possible for smaller organizations, and those in rural areas, to compete effectively with larger organizations, and those in metropolitan areas. My nonprofit clients also depend on the internet to raise funds, which has been a lifeline for them in these difficult economic times.

I have been able to create reasonably well-paying jobs for myself and my staff which would not have been possible only a few years ago. And we are able to work from our homes, meaning that we are reducing our environmental impact. As I write this, it's snowing in Seattle, so much commerce will not be happening today, but thanks to the internet, many of us will continue to be able to work, shop and communicate.

I have many friends who work in the media, music and entertainment businesses. They tell me that their businesses have had to adapt to the changing landscape, but that the internet has provided them with new opportunities and made possible much innovation. Piracy is, of course, an issue, but there are existing laws and technologies that are effectively minimizing its impact.

I urge you to oppose the SOPA and PIPA legislation. Senator Leahy, I no longer live in your district, but I grew up in Vermont, and I still have many friends there who will be negatively affected, so I urge you to end your sponsorship of this bill.

Sincerely,

Charles Hamilton
Founder and Co-Owner
CHCS.com Internet Development

UPDATE: Senator Cantwell replied as follows:

Dear Dr. Hamilton,

Thank you for contacting me about the internet streaming of copyrighted material. I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.

On May 12, 2011, Senator Leahy (D-VT) introduced S. 968, the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property (PROTECT IP) Act. While I am supportive of the goals of the bill, I am deeply concerned that the definitions and the means by which the legislation seeks to accomplish these goals will have unintended consequences and hurt innovation, job creation, and threaten online speech and security. On November 17, 2011, I signed a letter along with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) objecting to the bill as it is currently written.

On December 17, 2011, Senator Wyden introduced the "Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade" (OPEN) Act (S. 2029), of which I am an original co-sponsor. The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee, where it is currently awaiting further review. The OPEN Act is a more effective approach to stopping foreign web sites that are found to be primarily and willfully used to infringe intellectual property rights. The OPEN Act builds on the existing legal framework used by the International Trade Commission for addressing unfair acts in the importation of articles into the United States, or in their sale for importation, or sale within the United States after importation.

Our trade laws have yet to catch up to deal with the global digital economy. The OPEN Act recognizes that the Internet has created new opportunities for foreign products to reach the U.S. market and that there is little difference between downloading a pirated movie from a foreign website and importing a counterfeit movie DVD from a foreign company. For those foreign web sites that are determined after an investigation to be primarily and willfully infringing, the International Trade Commission will issue a "Cease and Desist" order. The "Cease and Desist" order may also be served on financial intermediaries that provide services to that foreign web site, compelling financial payment processors and online advertising providers to cease doing business with the foreign site in question. This would cut off financial incentives for this illegal activity and deter these unfair imports from reaching the U.S. market.

The OPEN Act addresses the same challenges as the PROTECT IP Act, while protecting freedom of speech, innovation, and security on the Internet. The challenge of rogue web sites is one that many nation's face. The United State has always been seen as a leader on Internet issues. Laws we establish in the United States regarding the Internet are likely to be used as models around the world. And because the Internet is global in nature, it is important that we carefully consider how the laws and policies we adopt in this area may be received and translated by other countries.

Thank you again for contacting me to share your thoughts on this matter. You may also be interested in signing up for periodic updates for Washington State residents. If you are interested in subscribing to this update, please visit my website at http://cantwell.senate.gov. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator

*****

I am pleased that Senator Cantwell recognizes the difficulties with PIPA. The OPEN Act has some problems, too, but it is definitely a better alternative.

--Charles Hamilton

How to deal with "conflicting accounts" in Google

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:03:00-0700

Google Apps has recently made some updates that require users to change how they log into mail and other Google services. If you get a message that says you have a "conflicting account," here's a general outline on how to resolve it. Depending on your situation, you may see different screens and be offered different choices.

Caution! Read the documentation carefully! We have no way of retrieving any data if you do not follow Google's instructions.

Let's say you have an email account called me@acmexyz.org that is managed by the organization you work for, and you've used this address to sign up for Blogger, Google Groups, Picasa or other Google services.

When you log in to your email account, you might see a screen like this that says "An update to your account is required". Follow the information on this screen and the items linked from it, then click the "Get started" button at the bottom left.

On the next screen, you will see a couple of options. Decide which one is appropriate for your needs. If you want to continue using the same email address you have been using to log into Google services, click the link that says "Move data to your organization's account".

You will now be on a screen that says "Moving data between Google Accounts, 1. Review your accounts." Read the instructions, then look below the blue box in the left column, and you'll see a plus (+) sign next to "Google products used" and a number. Click the plus sign and the products will be listed. In the example below, Picasa Web Albums and YouTube are listed.

Now, below the gray box in the right column, you will see a button that says "Sign in to this account". Click it.

You will now be on a screen that says "Moving data between Google Accounts, 2. Sign in to the account receiving the data". At the right side of this screen, enter your email address (like me@acmexyz.org) and your email password (the one you use to get your mail for that address). Click the "Sign in" button.

You will now (probably) be taken to a screen titled "Important changes to your account". Read the information, then click the "I accept. Continue to my account." button.

You will now be on a screen that says "Moving data between Google Accounts, 3. Select product data to move". In the left column under the blue box, you'll see "Google products used" and a number. Below is a list of products. Check the ones you want to use -- in the example below, you could check Picasa and YouTube. Now scroll down to the gray box near the bottom of the page, read its contents, and check all four of the checkboxes. Then click the box marked "I accept. Move this data."

You will now be on a screen that says "Moving data between Google Accounts, 4. Check results". In the left column below the blue box, you will see progress toward moving your data. In the example below, YouTube was moved successfully, but Picasa was not. If you get a similar message, follow the instructions for moving your data manually.

Formstack maintenance this weekend

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 09:48:00-0700

CHCS customers who use Formstack for online forms should have received this notice:

We just wanted to give you a heads up and notice that on Friday, July 29th AND Saturday, July 30th between the hours of 12AM and 6AM EST, our data center provider will be upgrading their networks. This upgrade will cause brief downtime for your online forms and our website causing your forms and admin area of your account to be inaccessible. Each downtime should be no more than 30 minutes.

The downtime will be caused by our data center to upgrade switches and VLAN equipment which will result in better performance for our system.

We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you. Please contact our Support team if you have any questions.

Thanks,

The Formstack Team

InboundWriter Offers Tools for Improving Web Content

Tue, 24 May 2011 03:03:00-0700

Is search engine optimization (SEO) dead? The folks behind InboundWriter won't come right out and say so, but during my recent conversation with them, they made their feelings about traditional SEO techniques and tools clear, especially in light of Google's recent changes to its search algorithms, and its discussion of how they affect web publishers.

Which is why InboundWriter is a tool that helps writers create web copy that will increase its relevance, not only for search engines, but also for visitors -- with an eye to increasing engagement and sales conversion.

InboundWriter is extremely simple to use. Just cut and paste your copy into the web interface and add three keywords or phrases that describe your content. InboundWriter will then index the social web (including such sources as Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo, LinkedIn, Quora, Google, Amazon, Wikipedia, and up to three websites of your choosing) in real-time to see what your target audiences are reading, sharing and talking about.

You will then be taken to a screen where you can make a few selections about how you want your copy to be optimized, and the system will display a rating and tips to for improving your text. As you edit the copy, InboundWriter will update its evaluation on the fly. Once you have finished working with your document, it remains available in your account if you wish to return to it, or to collaborate on editing it with others.

InboundWriter's online editing tools include basic formatting controls, but they won't replace your favorite word processor or online editor. Since InboundWriter is not an SEO tool, it does not accept or evaluate links, for example.

While InboundWriter is very simple to use, what it's doing behind the scenes is not. I was told that it continuously reviews 15-20 different factors, and that those factors will continue to be refined as needed.

Eightfold Logic, the copmpany behind Inbound Writer, has announced that it has received $2 million in Series C funding from existing investors, including Rho Canada Ventures, Castile Ventures, Formative Ventures, and The Entrepreneurs' Fund III. The new financing brings the total capital raised to nearly $20 million.

InboundWriter offers a free plan under which users can optiimize up to 8 documents per month. An unlimited plan is also available for $19.95 per month. You may also try out InboundWriter without creating an account.

Email accounts from CHCS and Google are changing

Mon, 02 May 2011 06:07:00-0700

Most CHCS email customers are using email from Google Apps. Google is making changes that will allow you to access to a myriad of other Google services. This was announced a year ago, and the transition is being completed shortly.

If you are a Google Apps administrator, you have been receiving notifications that all Google Apps accounts will become "enhanced" with the additional services in the next couple of weeks.

Please contact CHCS if you have questions. Detailed help about the transition is available from Google.

In another change, effective May 10, companies that sign up for the no-cost version of Google Apps will be limited to 10 users. Organizations with existing free Google Apps accounts will continue to be able to create up to 50 accounts. Schools and other nonprofits using the Education version will not be affected.

Happy Holidays from CHCS!

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:37:00-0700

We thank all our friends, colleagues and clients for making 2010, our 25th anniversary year, an excellent one.

Our offices will be closed on Friday, December 24 and Friday, December 31. We'll be operating with reduced staff through Tuesday, January 4, but will be available if immediate assistance is needed.

All of us at CHCS wish you a joyous holiday season, and success and prosperity in 2011.

Anniversary party today!

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 08:06:00-0700

We hope you'll be able to attend our 25th Anniversary Bash this afternoon. If you can't come by in person, we hope to have a live stream of the events. Or post to Twitter using hashtag #chcs25.

Thanks again to our clients and friends for making it all possible.

CHCS 25th Anniversary Fact #31 -- A record year

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:33:00-0700

In 2009, CHCS had a record year for sales, despite the weak economy. It's all due to our clients, who recommend us to their friends. We thank you very sincerely!

To show our gratitude, we're holding our 25th Anniversary Bash tomorrow. Please join us! It's still not too late to RSVP. Visit the event pages on LinkedIn or Facebook. Or email us from our website.

CHCS 25th Anniversary Fact #30 -- Web Worker Daily

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:49:00-0700

In 2009, Charlie began writing for the well-known tech blog Web Worker Daily. He's been reviewing software, web apps, and gadgets, as well as producing commentaries on running a small technology business. He's having great fun, and hopes that CHCS clients find the information useful.

Our 25th Anniversary Bash is coming up on Sunday. Please join us! It's still not too late to RSVP. Visit the event pages on LinkedIn or Facebook. Or email us from our website.

CHCS 25th Anniversary Fact #29 -- Websites for nonprofits

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:42:00-0700

In 2008, we continued our long tradition of developing websites for nonprofits with nuclearweaponsfree.org. This site includes custom design, content management, and many other features that have made it a very successful centerpiece of the organization's activities.

Our 25th Anniversary Bash is coming up on Sunday. Please join us! It's still not too late to RSVP. Visit the event pages on LinkedIn or Facebook. Or email us from our website.

CHCS 25th Anniversary Fact #28 -- We support Click Wine Group

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:25:00-0700

In 2007, CHCS began supporting Click Wine Group, importers of such brands as Fat bastard wine. We've developed several sites for CWG.

Click Wine Group has kindly provided some of their great wines for our 25th Anniversary Bash, which is coming up on Sunday. Please join us! It's still not too late to RSVP. Visit the event pages on LinkedIn or Facebook. Or email us from our website.

CHCS 25th Anniversary Fact #27 -- Google Apps

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:12:00-0700

In 2007, we began offering Google Apps to CHCS customers. This suite, including mail, a calendar, and online document editing, has proven to be very popular. We combine its functionality with our customer service!

Our 25th Anniversary Bash is coming up on Sunday, and the weather forecast looks great! So bring a friend and a swimsuit. We're expecting a good crowd, including four friends from the east coast.

It's still not too late to RSVP. Visit the event pages on LinkedIn or Facebook. Or email us from our website.

CHCS 25th Anniversary Fact #26 -- Connected to social networks

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:36:00-0700

In 2007, Charlie joined LinkedIn and Facebook. CHCS began positioning websites as the "hub" of the various web presences clients have -- social networks, blogs, Twitter, and so on. We also teach clients how to best take advantage of the latest trends in social networks.

Our 25th Anniversary Bash is coming up on Sunday, and the weather forecast looks great! So bring a friend and a swimsuit. We're expecting a good crowd, including four friends from the east coast.

It's still not too late to RSVP. Visit the event pages on LinkedIn or Facebook. Or email us from our website.

CHCS 25th Anniversary Fact #25 -- The updated CHCS.com

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 10:24:00-0700

In 2006, we made some major revisions to our website. It was redesigned by Darren, and much of it was rewritten by Tara (who's now married to Darren). We think that the site still looks great, although small changes are made frequently.

Our 25th Anniversary Bash is only a week away! Have you RSVP'd yet? Visit the event pages on LinkedIn or Facebook. Or email us from our website.