CHROME WINS in our “Battle of the Browsers: 2013″

All things considered, what’s the best browser out there that you should be using as your default search and web tool?

Chrome boasts top-notch speed, secure browsing and sync capabilities that allow you to access your customized browser from any device.  It is built for speed, and its secure, intuitive operation makes it the best internet browser hands down in our opinion.

Google Chrome will say its best attributes are the following:

1.  Speed

2.  Simplicity

3.  Security

In addition to those key selling points there are special Privacy features, Customization options, and multi-app Sign-ins.

We did a little digging to determine if we were the only ones obsessed with Chrome.  It wasn’t long before a good article by TechNorms confirmed the lesser known key attributes that our team also celebrates.  We’ve added our perspective below:

Clean, Simple User Interface.

One of the biggest complaints about Internet Explorer back when it was one of the only browsers available was how clunky it made users feel while using it.  After Firefox’s release, many flocked there because of how they revamped what a browser should look and feel like.  Then, Chrome hit the web and users were thrilled with its simple, clean user interface.

Searching From the Address Bar.

Typing in Google.com in your address bar, waiting for it to load and then typing what you want to look for online is annoying for those of us familiar with using Chrome.  Why even have a search bar when you can use the address bar for both direct URL links and search queries?  Simply type in what you want to look for and you’re off-and-running.  Use Google Chrome for a week and then switch back to Safari.  The inability to search from the address bar in Safari might be one of the most annoying differences after you’ve had the ease of Chrome.

Large Library of Extensions and Add-ons.

Chrome has one of the largest libraries of extensions, add-ons and built-in applications on the planet.  These extensions not only enhance the browser’s ability to do what you want it to do, but it helps you do your job even better.  We use web design applications and extensions that are free and integrate directly with Chrome.  Big fans.  While Firefox and Internet Explorer boast impressive extensions as well, they can’t even come close to the amount of encouragement Google gives to developers to change the way Chrome works.  Google themselves release official Chrome extensions, add-ons and more to make the browser more functional for its users, and Google has let’s say, well…influence.

Chrome’s Task Manager.

Have you ever clicked “Shift + ESC” in Google Chrome?  Give it a try.  Chrome’s built-in Task Manager should pop-up in the middle of your screen and give you a list of all the tabs opened; along with the memory, CPU, Network and FPS resources it is using.  If a particular tab is giving you issue, you can close it by clicking “End Process.”  No other browser provides a Task Manager like this and no other browser is intuitive enough regarding the user experience that it would even think of such a thing.  Bonus: if you right-click on any task, you will be given options as to what other statistics you can display to see what resources it is using while open.  Awesome.

Incognito Mode.

The most under-known, under-used feature of Google Chrome is the amazing Incognito Mode.  If you haven’t used this yet, you’re missing out.  Incognito Mode allows you to surf the web without worrying about browsing history, download history or cookies.  These are all deleted when you close the browser.   Why does this matter?  Any changes you make to settings or bookmarks are saved for you, which allows you to remember less.  It also means you don’t have to worry about other users seeing what cool research you’re downloading and no cookies are being stored.

In order to get started with Incognito Mode in Chrome, you can either click on the “Wrench Icon”and click “New Incognito Mode.”  The keyboard shortcut for incognito mode is “Ctrl+Shift+N”.

  
Time to stop the search and click those heels together…there’s no place like Chrome.

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This Monday, May 27 (Memorial Weekend 2013) WordPress is turning the Big 1-0!  Happy 10th Birthday to our favorite website development platform!  You’ve helped us create some great websites for our clients the past several years, and we’re pretty grateful.

To celebrate you, dear WordPress, we have compiled your accomplishments and created a list of your successes (don’t let it go to your head):

• 48% of the top 100 blogs run WordPress.
• WordPress is used by 56.9% of all the websites whose content management system is identifiable. This is 18.2% of all websites.
• Number of WordPress sites around the world – 59.4 million.
• 22 of every 100 new domains created in the US are running WordPress.
• 3.5 billion WordPress web pages viewed each month.
• An average day on WordPress sees around 500,000 new posts
• There are 19,000+ plugins freely available in the WordPress Plugin Directory and WordPress plugins have been downloaded more than 285,000,000 times.

Info credit shoutout to @WPGirlFriday and our Founder @LynneKurdziel.

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We are all blessed with skills, relationships, and education (formally, or what we’ve learned throughout life).  What will you do with these blessings?  Who will they benefit?

The American capitalistic culture of “every man for himself” has left millions feeling empty, and wondering how to find a life of meaning.  How do you take your ordinary talents and use them for extraordinary purposes? Is it possible to turn a normal life into an amazing story?

Learn how to use your skills to make a difference through this Story and Podcast from our Founder!

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Most people would agree that as a society we are moving at a faster pace now than ever before.  This pace can be exemplified in the “efficiency” by which we communciate.  Conversations that used to happen in person were dilluted to a phone call.  Then to an email.  And now to a Tweet.

We see it in the way that we learn new information, frequency and substance of meaningful social interactions, and across various forms of recreation.  Some ask, why would you bother filling your brain with information you can Google?  Take a look at this video…it might change your opinion.

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Hope for the Children is an International Nonprofit with a heart for orphans.  They believe it is their mandate to provide for those who cannot provide for themselves.  The Luminate Video Team traveled across the United States to capture footage of HFC’s Founder and Board Members.  We heard their mission and vision, but wanted to see for ourselves.

Last Fall our Founder traveled all the way to India with this Client for footage and images.  The Team traveled all across India, from the slums of Delhi to the mountains of Manipur (between Bangladesh and China).  In Churachandpur, within the heart of Manipur, we were touched by the beauty of the Indian people and their culture.

Above all, what left the most lasting impact was the courage and optimism the orphans in every orphanage carried with them…and the light they bring to the world.

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We came across this young little go-getter with a cause and purpose in his life.  To motivate YOU!  That’s right, you!  Our team was captivated by this youngster and the light and life he carries.  What’s your dream?  What’s your “Space Jam”?  Questions that will get you thinking…and remembering how to dream big.  Perhaps even to recover a dream that was lost somewhere along the way.

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According to research conducted by HubSpot, your email marketing database diminishes by about 25% every year.  This is partially due to the fact that your contacts’ email addresses change as they move from one company to another.  Others may opt-out of your email communications or abandon an old email address they no longer use.

How do you keep your numbers growing in 2013 and not lose those valued 2012 contacts you worked so hard to get?  Here are our Top 3 Ways to Grow Your Email Marketing List this coming new year:

1) Create Great Content.  If you want people to stay subscribed to your list, and be interested in forwarding your communications to friends and family, the content needs to be original, engaging, and relevant.

2) Host an Online Webinar.  Nothing says “thought leader” like positioning yourself as the expert on a particular topic or subject matter.  Better yet, make it a little funny here and there, and engage the audience to create a more loyal following.

3) Give Them Something ‘Free’.  Create something that people value that necessitates their providing an email address to get it.  Free tools and resources, or access to valued information, are all good examples.  The days of people handing out their email address without expecting something in return are gone.

For the Full List of 25 Ways to Grow Your Email Marketing List, check out this article by HubSpot.

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This Social Media Platform has some serious holiday spirit, and we love it!  For 30 days, Pinners, Nonprofits, and Brands, share what inspiration means to them.
Pinterest is a fairly new social media tool which helps you find your inspiration and share it with others.  Users utilize Pinterest in collecting things they love and find interest in and then “pin it,” organizing and planning anything from fun ideas to important projects.

While primarily a social platform, there are also business uses now as well.  In fact, Pinterest has been shown highest in E-commerce conversion, above even Facebook.
A social platform with many uses which celebrates what people find interesting and meaningful…now that’s Pinspirational!

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Social Media has changed the way people give.  As nonprofit marketers, this has more than just holiday implications for us, but has become a year-round focus.  Check out this great article by Shaun King, founder of HopeMob, who says new avenues for generosity are changing.  How and when people donate time and money includes moving away from giving to anonymous charities and moving towards giving directly to people in need.

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What is the status of Mobile?

It’s clear that in the previous several years Mobile has truly made a splash in locally, nationally, and globally.  From the ability to constantly communicate and be accessible, to GPS and navigation features, and Apps that can basically do anything (coining the popular phrase, “there’s an app for that!”), it seems the sky is the limit when it comes to the far-reaching effects of Mobile.  Here are some infographics we like which help tell the story.

For more on Mobile Trends, visit this website.

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