Ty's Tech Blog

If you have a personal or business website, it is likely you would like to provide links to your social networking pages like FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  Here is a really short and quick summary on how to find the HTML coding that will allow you to create graphics that link to your pages.  You then copy the code and paste it into your website content editor. 

For FaceBook, know the code for your profile badge.  You can find this at http://www.facebook.com/facebook-widgets/index.php.  Click on the Profile Badge link and then click the “Other” button.  It will then give you HTML code to copy and paste into your website. 

For LinkedIn, know your “Public Profile”.  Sign into LinkedIn,  click on “Account & Settings”, click “Public Profile”, click “Promote your profile with Customized Buttons”, select the format you like most and copy the HTML code in the box next to it.

For Twitter, sign in, click on “Settings”,  under “More info url”, click on the link “(You can also add Twitter to your site here)”.  From here, click on the Widgets for “My Website”, then select “Profile Widget”.  Customize the widget with the links on the left of the page, then click the “Finish & Grab Code” button at the bottom of the screen.  Copy the HTML code in the box. 

Here is what the results will look like, with the exception of Twitter.  To embed my Twitter feed into my blog, I have to use an alternative method, but the instructions above will work for your standard websites.

Tyler Lein

Create Your Badge

Quite often I am asked, “how can I turn my document into a PDF” or “I have a file that needs to be changed but it is a PDF file and I don’t have any way to edit it.” 

These are common challenges and until recently, in order to resolve the issue you usually had to go out and purchase expensive software.  Well, those days are gone.

Enter CutePDF Writer.  CutePDF Writer is basically a printer that instead of printing out paper, it prints out PDF files.  It allows you to take any file, document or webpage (anything you can print) and turn it into a PDF file.  And the best part, IT IS FREE!!!  Here is the link to download the program.  http://www.cutepdf.com/download/CuteWriter.exe

Once you have installed the CutePDF Writer program, when you’re ready to create a PDF, you just go to the print menu, select the CutePDF Writer and click Print.  Follow any prompts from there and presto!   You have a PDF file.

Now, when you want to go the other way, that is, turn a PDF file into a Word or RTF (Rich Text Format) document, there is a FREE service that will do all of the work for you.  Go to http://www.pdftoword.com.

All you have to do is upload your PDF file, select the output (.doc or .rtf, I recommend .doc), enter in your e-mail address and then click the “Convert” button.

Within a few minutes (yes, it does take some time) you will then receive an e-mail with your converted file.

So while PDFs are a great way to send information in a nice, neat little package, not everyone loves them.  Now, you can, with these two great tools.

I have tried a few times to create a “Vanity” URL for my company’s FaceBook page with no success, but I have FINALLY figured it out!

If you have a FaceBook page, but don’t know what  a “Vanity” URL is, here is a quick explanation.  A vanity URL is basically a shortened, but personalized URL for your FaceBook page.  For instance, the page I just created is www.FaceBook.com/remaxexcalibur.  Before, it was http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scottsdale-AZ/REMAX-Excalibur/91461444294.  See the difference?  It is A LOT easier to market a Vanity URL than the standard one.

So how do you do it?

Actually, it is pretty simple.  Just go to www.FaceBook.com/username.  (yes, type it EXACTLY like I have here) and just follow the instructions from there.  It is that simple.  Now if you have a common name, it is likely your options will be limited, just try to be creative when selecting your Vanity name.  You want it to be something short, yet memorable.

To set up a Vanity URL for a Fan page, first, you must have at least 25 followers.  Now, on the same page as before (www.facebook.com/username), there is a drop window to select the page you wish to set up the name for. Select the page from the drop menu in the middle of the page and then enter in the name you want to use.  Once you enter it, you will click the button that checks to see if it is already in use.  If it isn’t, it is yours.  From there follow the instructions and you’ll be set.

Having a Vanity URL is by far the easiest way to promote yourself or your page(s) on FaceBook.  Just like any other websites you may have, promote your pages wherever you can (business cards, e-mail signatures, other websites, etc) using your new Vanity URL.  You are sure to get more Fans and Friends.