Ty's Tech Blog

Ok, this is one of the coolest things I have seen in a while.

There is now an application that will allow you to sign documents on your iPhone or iPad. Enter Zosh. Using the touch screen of your phone, you basically sign your name on the screen of your phone and it will place it on the document. You can then e-mail the document wherever it is supposed to go. It is that easy. Granted there are other features and functions, but that is all frosting.

Here is a link to a video demo

The only down side is that right now the application is only available for Apple products, but I would be willing to bet that an Android application isn’t too far off.

Check it out!

Since there are nearly 1,000,000,000,000 (yes, 1 TRILLION) web pages on the internet, it is very likely your name has popped up on one of those pages.

What does it say? Did a customer write a review of you and your service? Is your name tied to something positive, or maybe something negative? How nice would it be to know every time someone publishes your name on a web page? Enter Google Alerts (www.Google.com/alerts)

Using Google Alerts, you are able to monitor the use of your name in real-time or periodically. Just sign up for your alert, select how often you want to be notified and you’re done. Google will then e-mail you when your name is used.

When you enter in your name, put ” before and after your name (ie. “john doe”). That will increase the accuracy of the results so you don’t receive a bunch of alerts that are not correct.

Now, you can use this service to do much more, like tracking news, events, trends, products, etc. Just enter in the information, set the alert and that is it. So if you wanted to stay up to date on news about the first time home buyer credit, you could set an alert for any news regarding the program. You can basically choose your news.

So there are a couple benefits to this service. But most importantly, you should monitor yourself because you never know when your name will pop up online, and you always want to know what other people will see if they ever try to look you up.

So here it is, December 8th, and I am just now hunkering down to do my Christmas shopping. My computer is online and ready to rock and roll. I would say that 90% of all of my Christmas shopping is done online. Why? Well, one, because I am a compulsive buyer. I can’t remember the last time I walked in with a shopping list and didn’t walk out with extra “stuff”.

But enough about my personal issues, the second reason I shop online for the holidays is because I hate fighting the crowds. When I hear about people getting trampled by a mob of people at a certain major discount superstore, that is enough of a deterrent for me to stay home. That and the fist fights over parking spots. No thanks.

So if you are with me and would rather avoid all of the riff-raffs out there and if you want to save a few bucks this holiday season, this post is for you.

Here are my top 3 online holiday shopping tips.

1. Use Google! If you know exactly what you are looking for, go to http://shopping.google.com and enter in the product you are looking for. Once you get your results, find the line item that gives you the lowest price for what you are looking for and click the “Compare Prices” button. Once the page has loaded, click on the “Total Price” column header. This will sort the items by TOTAL PRICE. There are a ton of companies out there that will give you a great deal on an item but then they absolutely kill you with the shipping. This “total price” column moves all of those companies to the bottom and moves the best deals to the top. Pay attention to the ratings next to the company name. The less stars a company has, the more you should avoid them. (By following this procedure, I was able to save $15 on an iPod Nano.)

2. Know where you are shopping. If you find a good deal on an item but have never shopped at that site before, check them out. A simple web search for the company name plus the word “review” will give you all the information you need. www.epinions.com is a great resource for customer feedback on a web retailer (aka eTailer).

3. Try eBay. eBay is a terrific site for finding those obscure items your friends and family are looking for. It is amazing how much “stuff” you can find on eBay. To shop on eBay you will need an account along with a PayPal account. To set up an account on both sites is free, it just takes a little bit of time but it could save you a ton of money once you are set up. So if you ask me, it is worth the effort. My best tip regarding shopping on eBay is make sure you pay attention to the seller ratings (usually in the top right corner of the page). The higher the level of consumer satisfaction, the more confidence you can have that they are a trustworthy person. Be aware that high demand items usually have the most scammers, so proceed with caution.

Remember, the holidays are all about giving. Shopping for your friends and family should be FUN. If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, give the internet a try, you’ll save some time and possibly some money.

Ok. So you say you want to generate some business using FaceBook. First you need to have your own PERSONAL FaceBook page. That much is obvious. It is on your personal page that you will create your identity. People will get to know you on a much deeper level than just knowing what it is that you do for a career. Your personal page should be made up of no less than 80% personal information and 20% professional. Personal information would be talking about taking your dogs and/or kids to the park. The golf game you played over the weekend. The friends you got to see the other night. Professional would be the deal that you closed yesterday, the person you helped avoid foreclosure, the new designation you just earned. It is important for your FaceBook “friends” to know who YOU are, before they know what it is that you do.

So to get more exposure to what it is that you DO for a living, FaceBook allows you to create what is called a “Business Page”. A business page is the perfect forum for talking about a new listing you have, or a successful transaction or even an upcoming open house. These are topics one would expect to see more frequently on your business page, not on your personal page.

How do you set up a business page you ask? Well, here you go. First, go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php Enter in the information it asks for and be as descriptive as possible. Remember, this is where you will build your BRAND. So when you go to upload your logo, make sure that if you don’t have a logo that you are using a professional shot of you. For your information, add as much as you can. Your website, your motto, anything about your business that will be of use or interest to the visitor. Most of this can be posted on your “Notes’ tab. BE CREATIVE!!!

Upload photos! Upload photos of families you have helped, homes that you have bought or sold, area photos of communities you specialize in. People love graphical content. You have the ability to add captions to each of your photos. Don’t slouch here. If there is a story to tell, tell it! Just don’t go overboard.

Once you have the page built, be sure you invite as many people as you can using the “Suggest to Friends” link on the left side of the page. Also, promote the page on your website and other print media. I recently did a post on how to create a “Vanity” url. Here is the link http://tylerlein.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/facebook-vanity-url/

Once you have created your vanity URL, that is the link you will use to maintain your page. And it will be much easier to remember!

Finally, be consistent, but not overbearing on your posts. If you send out hundreds of messages in a short period of time, you’re likely to lose fans. So go easy. A post every other day is about as much as you want to post unless you have some time sensitive information to share. And always remember, WHAT IS IN IT FOR THE “FAN”? Post information that is relevant to your business and will be of use to the visitor. If you post nonsense, you will lose credibility and fans. If you find a good article online, post the link. If you find a good video, post it. Just keep the content relevant to your business.

Now, because I know many people (myself included) love tutorial videos on how to get something done, I found the following video on YouTube which goes through the Business Page set up. I DID NOT create this, but I felt that the person that did, did a great job putting it together and that I should share it with you.

Now there are NO excuses, just get in and get your page going and don’t be affraid to poke around in your new page. You will be glad that you did!

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.

Did you know that there are over 300 MILLION searches performed PER DAY on GOOGLE alone?

The amount of traffic search engines receive is absolutely mind boggling.  I know that I personally perform anywhere between 20-30 searches per day.  It is a tool that I rely on for me to be productive.  So it is important for me to know how to best utilize my tool in order to be as efficient as possible.

So here are my best tips for finding information quickly on the web via search engines.

1. Use the search box at the top of your web browser.  If you haven’t downloaded Internet Explorer 8 or the latest version of FireFox, or any other browser you may be using, do so.  Browsers now have integrated search boxes located very close to where you enter in website addresses.  By using this box, you don’t have to navigate to another website and wait for it to load before you start your search.

2. If you are looking for something specific, enter in as many details as you can as to what you are looking for.  The more general you are the more likely you are to get results that have nothing to do with what you are looking for.   So start small, and work your way out.  Pretend you are starting with a microscope and gradually step back to see more information.

3. Phrases will help you find what you’re looking for.  If you are looking for a particular article regarding the First Time Home Buyer Credit, enter it in with quotations at each end.  That way the search will look for results with those words in that exact order.  (ie. “First Time Home Buyer Credit”)

4. Use the search engine like a calculator.  If you need to do a quick calculation, enter it into the search engine.  Most search engines can do addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and even return percentage results (ie. 45% of 39)

5.  Use search engines to find images.  I constantly find myself looking for images online.  In Google, type in what you are looking for and then click on the “Images” link at the top.  From here you can sort through the images to find what you are looking for.  To fine tune your search, click on the “Advanced Image Search” link to specify the file type and size you are looking for among other options.

Now, I know there are some people who don’t like Google for one reason or another.  If that is the case, I strongly recommend the new Microsoft “Bing” search engine.  If you haven’t seen it or heard of it, go to www.bing.com and play around with it.  It is a very slick search engine that is poised to give Google a run for its money.

Don’t like all of the extras in Facebook.com? Try the new “Lite” version!

Facebook Lite brings a simplified, faster-loading experience in comparison to the traditional site. Part of the new Facebook Lite design, the news feed includes a simple top toolbar and buttons for posting status updates and media uploads.

The profile page on Facebook Lite removes many of the bells and whistles from the traditional version and keeps only the basics: your wall, info, friends, and photos and videos. The status and sharing interface is unchanged.

For those of you that don’t want to be bombarded by many of the applications and extras, this version is for you.

Also, if you are not already on Facebook or if you are new to the service, you could call this the “training wheels” version of the site. Check it out.

Facebook Lite can be accessed by visiting http://www.lite.facebook.com.

It seems like just about everyone today is carrying a smart phone.  For those of you who don’t know what a smart phone is, it is basically a phone that can perform numerous tasks other than just making and receiving phone calls.  Smart phones can now manage your contact list, calendar, notes, surf the web, download e-mails and display most attachments and much more.  They are the ultimate tool for the road warrior REALTOR. 

The most popular smart phones right now are the BlackBerry and the iPhone.  I personally recommend the BlackBerry since it works on all mobile networks, is very intuitive and has numerous capabilities due to competition like the iPhone and Google Andriod operating system.  Supra has also now released a product that integrates with both the BlackBerry AND lockboxes.  For more information, visit http://bit.ly/Jp8jV (or if this link doesn’t work, just do a search for “Supra+BlackBerry”)

Here are some of the tips/tricks that I have found through using my BlackBerry that should help other BlackBerry users get around a little easier.

- When needing to dial a number that has a word in it (ie.  1-800-BIG-SIGN), or when you get into a voice automated system that asks you to input words instead of numbers (ie. “please enter in your mother’s maiden name”) use the ALT key and press the corresponding letter on the phone keypad.  The phone will send the corresponding digit.  That way you don’t have to remember that 1=A,B,C, 2=D,E,F, and so on.

- Set up browsing bookmarks.  You can set up bookmarks on your phone’s browser just like you can on your computer.  And most popular websites now have mobile specific webpages so it is easy to read the content.  My suggestions for bookmarks?  FlexMLS – wireless.flexmls.com | Google Reader – m.google.com/reader | AZCentral.com – azcentral.com.  Most websites will automatically take you to their “mobile enhanced” pages when you enter them into your browser.  Try it out, you’ll be surprised how many of your favorite sites can be easily viewed right on your phone!

- Download social networking applications.  If you have a FaceBook or Twitter account, having their applications are a MUST.  Now if you don’t have social networking accounts, please, keep reading.  I will get to you in a second.  When you find yourself waiting around, updating your FaceBook page can be a great way to 1. Kill some time 2. Put out a good message about yourself and/or your business.  Social networking is the wave of the future when it comes to communication.  There are people out there that communicate only by Social Networking sites.  I hear a lot of  people say they don’t have time to be on FaceBook or Twitter.  Well, if you download thier FREE applications, I guarantee you will find times where you will be able to and maybe even bored enough to interact with these services.  I can’t tell you how many times I have been in line at the store and I will update my FaceBook page.  For the FaceBook application, visit www.blackberry.com/facebook.  For the Twitter application “TwitterBerry” (there are a few applications available, but this is the one I use and like the most), visit http://orangatame.com/ota/twitterberry/ 

- Use the Google Maps application.  It is as close to a GPS unit as you will get without having to pay big bucks for another piece of equipment.  It is fairly accurate depending on where you are and is certainly better than guessing your way to your destination.  You can download it by going to (on your phone’s browser) m.google.com/maps

- Use a FREE directory service.  Program the following number into your phone.  1-800-GOOG-411.  This is a FREE directory service from Google.  It is incredibly easy to use since it is voice activated.  Just talk slowly and you’ll find the person or the place you are looking for.  (Yeah, this isn’t really a smart phone only tip, but it is a good one.  I use it all the time.)

- Use it as a flashlight.  You may not think your screen is that bright but have you ever been in a movie theater and noticed when someone checks their phone?  That sucker is BRIGHT!  If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need a little extra light, just turn on your phone.  The BlackBerry screen (and the screen of most phones) emit enough light to illuminate small areas (think, the receipt in a poorly lit restaurant)

If you have a BlackBerry, I hope these tips have helped.  If you use any smart phone, you can still benefit from some of these tips.  And if you don’t have a smart phone, hopefully these tips will help convince you that now is the time to upgrade and let a little piece of equipment simplify your life.

Most real estate agents are now dealing with short-sale transactions, or at least will be in the near future.  One of the biggest hassles of dealing with short-sales is the transferring of data to the asset manager/bank.  When a file is scanned to be e-mailed, in order for it to be legible, you need to scan it into your computer in AT LEAST 150 dpi or greater.  Well, when you are scanning in a document that can be up to 100 pages, the size of the file you are trying to send can become too large for the standard e-mail program to send.

Enter, YouSendIt.com.  YouSendIt.com is a FREE service that allows you to send LARGE files (up to 100 MB) via e-mail to the recipient(s) of your choice.  Here is how it works, you go to www.YouSendIt.com and set up your FREE account.  You can then draft an e-mail and attach the file (just like you would with your e-mail service) and it will then send an e-mail to your recipient(s) with a link to download the file.  The link lasts for only 7 days so make sure they open it or you will have to re-send the message.

Another benefit to the service is that they also have a Microsoft Outlook plug-in program (version 2003 and higher only).  Once again, this program is FREE.  The difference between the plug-in and what you see when you go to www.YouSendIt.com is in your Outlook, you can set the plug-in to automatically kick in when you try to send a file over a size that you specify.  I have mine set to 7 MB since some e-mail programs still have a pretty low limit for the size of attachments that can be sent and/or received.

The only downside of the FREE service is when you are sending a file, it has to be ONE file.  You cannot send multiple attachments.  To get around this, just create a .ZIP file (it is an option on when you right click on your desktop and select “new”) and click and drag the files into the new ZIP folder you created.  Then send that folder via the service.

I find myself constantly using this service and it is INCREDIBLY EASY to use.  If you can send an e-mail with an attachment, you can use YouSendIt.com.  Yes, it is that simple

Whether you are dealing with a short sale transaction, or sending a large folder of pictures to family members, YouSendIt.com makes it easy to deliver your large files and it will save you time too.