Issue 34

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The Eagle Flyer is published every other Thursday and is
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My goal is to offer you timely tips on new technology,
business and marketing, and to teach you techniques that
can help you multiply your business online.

Please share this newsletter with your business associates.
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IN THIS ISSUE:

1. FLIGHT LINES: Everyone needs to solve a "mystery"
2. WING TIPS: Windows 2000 - The power of the command line
3. FEATURE ARTICLE: "What Goes On Behind The Curtain"
4. ALTER EAGLE: A different kind of gift - for everyone
5. EAGLE'S TALON: "Sales Page Master" - No-Cost Software
6. FROM THE BENCH: "Write Here" Training Series Released
7. EYE OF THE EAGLE: Not all marbles are created equal
8. CONTACT THE FLYER: Send questions, comments and articles

1) ======= Flight Lines =======
[Observations on business and life]

It is the dim haze of mystery that adds enchantment to
pursuit. --Antoine Rivarol

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity
has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in
awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life,
of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one
tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every
day. Never lose a holy curiosity. --Albert Einstein

Solving a mystery, large or small, whether in business or
in other of life's pursuits, keeps us mentally sharp and
helps us to grow.

2) ======= Wing Tips =======
[A variety of business helps and tips]

Windows 2000 - The power of the command line

Windows 2000 provides a rich set of command line functions
that extend and enhance what has been possible with other
versions of Windows 2000 and MS-DOS.

For the Windows user who requires a bit more control over
routine tasks, especially when they are repeated often or
when there is a need to go beyond simple commands, using
the built-in power of the command line will get you there.

You can use these commands directly from a command prompt.

For example, to change folders you would use chdir or cd.
To get a list of the contents of a folder, type dir.
To copy files, use the copy and xcopy commands.

For access to all of the commands under Windows 2000, type
or copy and paste the following line:

hh.exe mk:@MSITStore:C:\WINNT\Help\windows.chm::/ntcmds.htm

in a command prompt window or from the "Start / Run" dialog
box. Take a look. You might be surprised at what you can do.

Even if you never use these powerful commands, you can get
a better understanding of how Windows operates "behind the
scenes".

===== Public Service Ad =====
Sheltie Rescue of Central Indiana
Provides rescue, foster care and
adoption of abandoned shelties.
To see if you can qualify, visit:
Sheltie-rescue of Central Indiana
========= End of Ad =========

3) ======= Feature Article =======

"What Goes On Behind The Curtain"
By Ralph Moore (c)2003

Have you ever wondered what goes on "behind the curtain"?

Man, I know I have!

I'm talking about the things that "make people tick".

The ideas, dreams, fears, desires and passions that go
through the minds of people we see every day, are often
a mystery to us at any given moment in time.

And this is especially true of our friends, distant family
members and some customers that we only see now and then.

I believe it is more important now, than ever before, that
we do our best to communicate with people whenever we have
the chance.

Here's why.

In just a few short years, we have come to rely on the
power and the convenience that computers and technology
have brought us.

Unfortunately, the side-effect of all of this new "stuff"
has been to reduce the face-to-face interaction that we
used to have.

The world of business is changing at an ever increasing
pace, and the results are both good and "not so good".

Consider the impact that the fax machine has had on how
we get things done. Instead of having to meet in person
to sign papers, now we just "fax it in". Of course the
fax machine has been a tremendous time-saver, but it's
not the same as a handshake, is it?

And now we are using email, web sites, online databases,
audio and video conferencing and other powerful ways to
"get together".

While all of these business tools can save time and money,
a lot is lost along the way. It's just not the same as being
in the room with the person that we are "talking to".

An email, web site and fax are what we call "flat" mediums
of communication. We do not get to see the smile or frown,
hear the subtle inflections and tonal qualities of voice,
or "pick up on" the body language that often offers added
insight into the meaning of the message.

When we use these ways to communicate with people that we
see infrequently, there is a chance that we could be
misunderstood or leave someone with the impression that
we might have a "hidden agenda".

On the other hand, when someone is in the same room with
you, chances are you will have the opportunity to stop,
look, listen and pay attention to the details. In doing
so, you can get to know them better.

If a customer who walks through your door is in a bad mood,
are they just having a bad day, or was there a recent loss
of a job or even a death in their family?

Sometimes asking a question or showing concern is enough
to open the gates to a better understanding of the person.

So how can we use our technology without losing touch with
our customers?

One of the keys is to make an extra effort to stay in touch
more frequently. You can send an email just to say hello
or send a message or "special report" in an effort to help
your customer solve a problem.

Be careful with this, though. Overuse can seem to anyone to
be intrusive, even in an email.

Another way to get closer to your customers is to become an
"open book".

If you are wondering what is going on "behind the curtain"
in their lives, then chances are they have questions about
you as well.

By letting others know more about yourself, you are saying
to them that underneath it all we are really a lot more
alike than we are different. And who knows? You just might
gain another close friend.

"The world is so full of care and sorrow that it is a
gracious debt we owe to one another to discover the bright
crystals of delight hidden in somber circumstances and
irksome tasks." --Helen Keller

Make an extra effort to be closer to your customers by
staying in touch more often. Not only will you improve
your business, but you might just discover even greater
rewards when you look "behind the curtain".

Ralph Moore, editor of the FREE Eagle Flyer Newsletter,
Provides "Motivational, Marketing and How To Technology
Tips That Can Multiply Your Business Online".
To subscribe: Email or visit: Eagle Flyer

4) ======= Alter Eagle =======
[Sites and services that we recommend]

A different kind of gift - for everyone

We've all done it. We have known that we needed to get a
gift for someone and were stumped. Or we wanted something
special and didn't know where to find a lot of variety.

Here is a web site that can help you find what you need
for that special employee, business associate or relative.

Unlike many gift sites that try to sell you whatever they
have on hand, Surprise.com is a little different. Not really
a store with inventory, but a guide you can use to find the
best gift ideas on the net.

The ideas come from other people, who tell what's worked for
them. There is a lot of variety in this well organized site.

With hundreds of categories, it's hard NOT to find something
for everyone. You can get more information by visiting their
website here: Surprise.com

5) ======= Eagle's Talon =======
[Tools to help you "get a grip" on things]

"Sales Page Master" - No-Cost Software

Sales Page Master is a powerful sales page testing and
tracking tool that is free for your use in the 'Lite'
version, with an expanded version available for a fee.

Paul Hancox who has been successfully marketing on the web
for over five years, is the author of this script.

Sales Page Master can do "split/run testing" which allows
you to split your list into two batches - A and B. By Using
similar copy and making a change to one thing, like the
headline, you can track the increased sales that occur as
a result of the change.

Recent tests reportedly have resulted in anywhere from a
37% to 400% increase in sales in split run tests, by simply
changing item in a sales page. The secret is in knowing
WHAT you need to change. And the only way you are ever
going to know is to test, and keep testing as you go.

Sales Page Master also allows you to use "Dynamic Deadlines"
with different times that actually result in, for example,
a higher price at the end of the time period. This allows
you to run sales for a certain period of time, and re-direct
the visitor to a different page when the sale is over.

With Sales Page Master you can feature a "Limited Quantity"
offer to keep track of the quantity you want to limit, such
as sales, and the number remaining to your visitors.

Then you can say, "We've already sold A, and only B are left
at this special price."

By limiting quantities and enforcing deadlines, you gain
credibility as a professional marketer, and increase the
value of the items that you are selling.

Feedback Seekers TM, another feature of Sales Page Master,
allows you to request anonymous feedback from your web site
visitors. Place this in a sales page, get the feedback and
the visitor never has to leave your sales page.

I am testing this script, and will give you the results of
my tests in the form of a full report at a later time. In
the meantime, grab a copy for yourself and find out what
is happening with your ad copy.

For a zipped version of the script with instructions -
Download: spmlite.zip

If you would rather have a self-extracting version -
Download: spmlite.exe

6) ======= From the Bench =======
[Real-life accounts of hardware, software and more]

"Write Here" Training Series Released

If you have ever wanted more information about when, where
and how to place your articles on the Internet, now there
is a way for you to find out, and it won't cost you a dime!

I have just released a new training series, delivered by
email, for anyone who wants to use the power of articles
to stay in contact with their customers and business
associates.

In this series, I share the techniques that will help you
make sure your articles are seen by more people, and bring
you the best results for your efforts.

I will also let you in on my secrets, like which software
I use to write, edit and distribute my articles, and how a
few simple tricks of the trade save me an incredible amount
of time each day.

Some of the topics covered are "targeting", using search
engines and directories, making your articles do twice the
work with a little extra effort, "mind-mapping", and more.

To sign up the FREE "Write Here" Training Series, send an
email to: Write Here Email Training Course

7) ======= Eye of the Eagle =======
[Ideas to inspire better communication]

You have 9 marbles. 8 of them weigh the same amount, while
one of them is heavier. Using a scale only twice, can you
find the heavier marble?

(Answer(s) in the next issue of the Flyer)

***
Answer to Last Issue's Puzzler...

[A man was driving his car, when suddenly a wheel flew off
of the vehicle. Standing next to his car, the shaken fellow
noticed a man standing inside the fenced compound of the
local mental hospital. The driver said "Well, I guess I'm
going to be stuck here for a while."

"Not necessarily, said the patient." What advice did the
patient give the driver, so that he could be on his way?]

"Take one lug nut off of the other three tires, and use
them to mount the fourth tire on the car. Drive slowly
and that will get you to a auto repair center."

8) ======= Contact the Flyer =======

Do you have questions that you would like to have
answered in a future issue? Would you like to offer
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Click Here To Email Your Tips

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Copyright © 2000-2004 Eagle Computers. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole, or
in part, without the express written consent of the
publisher.

Registered with the Library of Congress. ISSN: 1535-8429
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