Filed under: Business, Utilities, Windows, Windows Mobile, E-mail, Productivity, Open Source

In wake of the federal government’s decision that they own your notebook computer plus all your flash keys and your first-born child, coupled with the costs and hassle of commercial flying, travelers are looking at alternatives to data-filled laptop personal. Besides, laptops are heavy, especially when you add in the battery, and then you’ve to schlep all those geeky-tchotchkes we stuff inside the bag. My eyes are a tiny too old to use my phone exclusively (it works for on-the-fly email and an occasional text message) but it doesn’t get me swiftly to web-based apps that I need for business. What to do?

Enter Ultra Mobile computing. From 7″ to 11″ screens, with Vista or XP operating systems, 2-lb ultra portable computers are entering the business landscape. Costs range from $300 - $2000 and up (US$) and what they offer may be just what you need. The trick is to purchase only what you need so it’s both portable and inexpensive. For example, I need Word and Excel when traveling but I hardly need to load Access or Publisher so a smaller hard drive works fine - what I really want is a web browser and speedy wireless World wide web with the ability to VPN. We’re a Windows shop, so Outlook Web Access (browser-based) takes care of email needs.

Fundamentally just a little computer, an ultraportable fits into a larger purse or in your briefcase (yay! no laptop bag to stuff into the overhead compartment!). Once you struggle through choosing to install only those programs you completely have to have because the hard disk is going to be significantly smaller than your 160+ Gb workstation, look into the free and low-cost portable applications that take little drive space and require almost no installation so your compact hard drive doesn’t get crowded.

But what about hauling all my files with me if I don’t have the luxury of a VPN or I haven’t figured out yet how to remote into my desktop back in the office (which I remembered to leave ON during my trip)?

The key? For your ultra-portable machine, get applications that fit on a Flash key or iPod with as close to “zero footprint” as possible. Zero footprint? These are applications that remove all temporary files/registry settings once the program has exited. If you create a document, you can move it as well to a portable storage device, like a Flash key. No trace left behind and less for the TSA to explore when they seize your personal at the border.

Continue reading Going Ultra - The Zero Footprint Grail

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Filed under: Marketing and advertising, Liz Claiborne (LIZ)

I’ve been expressing my long-term bullishness on Liz Claiborne, Inc. (NYSE: LIZ) since the company announced that Isaac Mizrahi would be taking over as creative director for its flagship brand. The stock is down a tiny since that announcement back in January, but with the re-launch under Mizrahi’s direction scheduled to hit stores in February, investors could start bearing the fruits of that deal soon.

A piece (subscription required) in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal looked at Mizrahi and his plans for the Liz Claiborne brand, which has seen its sales decline by about 50% so far this decade: “The collection includes modern styles like cork-covered high heels and oversize tote bags in soft neutrals, metallics and bright colors, according to two people who were there. The designs also incorporate an updated Liz Claiborne logo.”

Goldman Sachs analyst Benjamin Rowbotham called the relaunch “the single most important issue” for the company, and Liz Claiborne has reportedly given Mizrahi a rare level of creative freedom in reviving its brand.

Liz Claiborne has struggled of late, even more so than the industry at large, but remember: Mizrahi made Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) a cool place to shop for clothes. With the stock trading in the bargain basement, Mizrahi’s new collection offers savvy investors tremendous upside potential.

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Filed under: Design, Utilities, Windows, Productivity, Freeware

Ever on the lookout for a better screenshot application, I decided to give Jetscreenshot a chance. It’s available free right now, so I figured it was worth a shot (pardon the unintentional pun).

Like other similar apps, it’s a small download and doesn’t consume much in the way of CPU or memory while running, and it hides out in your system tray waiting to grab an image. Use its settings screen to add your FTP server details and http path, and you get three-click screen-to-server captures.

That part impressed me.

What didn’t was how Jetscreenshot started to freak out when I tabbed out of its capture window mid-edit. It didn’t re-appear, and there’s no option on the system tray icon to pull up your last capture. Still, after exiting and re-launching the program, it worked just fine again.

For quick screenshot chores that require minimal text overlays or MSPaint style arrow drawing, Jetscreenshot is a capable choice for Windows users. How does it stack up to your favorite grabber? Try it out, comment, and let us know!

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Filed under: Good news, Google (GOOG), Apple Inc (AAPL), Marketing and advertising

Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) were named as two of the top companies in customer satisfaction recently by an ACSI index released out of the University of Michigan. This is the same study that pounded U.S. automakers in favor of foreign auto brands.

In the index that measured e-business companies, two of the most powerful brands in technology rose to the top. It’s no surprise Apple made the top of the list, with its ability to mesmerize iPod, iTunes and iPhone customers. The company is also selling more Macintosh personal than ever — and customers are buying them as fast as Apple can make them.

It’s also hard to think that any web company can catch Google. The world’s largest world wide web search company has such a huge first-mover advantage that it’s next to inconceivable that any competitor will be able to offer a superior product in such a way that Google will lose a decent chunk of market share. It, along with Apple, has an extremely high customer satisfaction rating. Even if there are better products, perception is reality — and the perception is that Google offers the information as fast as it can and connects the searcher with the information they need, and with quality.

At least two U.S. brands top their respective list, while U.S. automakers slide further down the pile of irrelevancy in a changed age of fuel efficiency and the perception of superior foreign brand auto quality.

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Filed under: Microsoft (MSFT), Apple Inc (AAPL), Marketing and advertising, Technology

According to Moneyweb, software giant Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is hooking up with Jerry Seinfeld. No, they’re not trying to revive the comedian’s sitcom career (although that would be cool). It seems Microsoft is feeling a bit blah about its brand equity, so it’s looking to initiate a hip advertising campaign that’ll tout the company’s image and its powerful Windows Vista technology.

No doubt, the advertising campaign from Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) that makes fun of the PC-Windows platform has a lot to do with it. I love those commercials, and I think it’s about time Microsoft came to its senses and decided to do something serious to answer them. A campaign with Seinfeld, if done with a maximum amount of creative wit, will work wonders. But of course, that’s the point — it has to be done right. Seinfeld is a massive name, and his presence carries a lot of weight with consumers.

Still, I’ve reservations about using him in an ad campaign. Am I the only one who wasn’t impressed by his American Express commercials? I liked Seinfeld in his famous television show, but seeing him pitch charge cards didn’t make me want to apply for one. I thought he was boring in the format.

Apparently, ad firm Crispin Porter + Bogusky will be doing the ads featuring Seinfeld, and they were the creative force behind the Burger King commercials with the creepy King mascot. Those commercials rock. It would be nice if the firm could do something as edgy with Seinfeld and Microsoft, but I’m not holding my breath. I’m not sure that kind of lightning could strike twice.

Microsoft had no choice though; it had to do something like this. With Apple’s brand equity on the rise, Microsoft needed a counteracting measure. And if the Vista ads work and Seinfeld’s association can increase the value of the company’s logo, I don’t see why the celebrity can’t be used for campaigns involving other parts of the portfolio. As an example, Seinfeld might be used to pitch Xbox 360. Could you imagine him depicted in a campaign as a player of Xbox Live? I’m telling you, I see it.

I know I’m sort of contradicting myself here considering my thought of the American Express spots, but I’m not sure my feelings necessarily matter. Seinfeld is popular, his old Television show is a hallowed member of the broadcasting zeitgeist, and an investment in his celebrity could yield a decent return.

Again, the ads need great scripts and innovative concepts, but I’ll have to assume that Microsoft knows this. Bill Gates will be a part of the campaign too. At the very least, everyone will be looking forward to them, and that should be an advantage for Microsoft.

I’m sure there will be a lot of cynics out there who will think that Seinfeld and Gates won’t do a thing for Mr. Softy’s bottom line. That remains to be seen, but I nevertheless am of the view that Microsoft is wise to recognize the fact that the current generation’s infatuation with Apple and its iPod-Mac juggernaut is something that should be taken more seriously than ever before. A fresh, competent marketing initiative is long overdue.

Disclosure: I don’t own any company mentioned; positions can change at any time.

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