If you're looking for an easy way to ensure important items and events don't get forgotten, an e-mail reminder service may be just what you're looking for! One such example is Followup.cc , an easy-to-use reminder service to help keep you organized. While this service is great for e-mails you want to be reminded of in the future, it also offers much more, such as convenient reminders for meetings, birthdays, anniversaries, medical appointments, and other important events! For example, if you have an upcoming dentist appointment on August 21st, you can send an e-mail to August14@followup.cc that says "Dentist appointment next Thursday at 1pm" and another e-mail to August21-9am@followup.cc that says "Dentist appointment today at 1pm." The reminders also feature a "snooze" option that will let you easily archive the reminder and set it to remind you in 30 minutes or more. Once you register and set your time zone, you simply CC or BCC your e-mail to specify when the reminders will be sent. Here are a few examples of how to select a reminder:
August21@followup.cc = August 21
Monday-9am@followup.cc = Monday at 9am
3months@followup.cc = 3 months from now
2days@followup.cc = 2 days from now
If you add the follow-up e-mail address to the "To:" or "CC:" field, everyone who receives the e-mail will also receive the reminder. If you add it in the "BCC:" field, only you will receive the reminder. It is important to remember to add reminder@followup.cc and contact@followup.cc to your contact list to prevent your reminders from going to your spam box. Followup.cc offers more than other e-mail reminder services in terms of usability and customization. Once a reminder has been set, you can log into your Followup.cc account to view, edit, or delete reminders from your calendar. You also receive a configurable confirmation e-mail every time you set a reminder (which can be easily disabled). A settings page also offers links for adding reminders to your RSS reader or calendar, and features a bookmarklet that allows you to set follow-up reminders on web pages. We know your days are hectic, so whenever you need printing in a hurry, give us a call! We'll save you time so you can focus on other important business tasks.
Joe Gass @ Printing & Graphics _ 5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Suite G, Charlotte, NC 28269 * 704-551-0700 _ www.heritageprinting.com _ 22725 Washington St., Leonardtown, MD 20650 * 301-475-1700 _ Wide Format signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment Offset and Digital newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail Veteran Owned and Operated
PDF files are a great way to exchange information. Not only are they small in file size while preserving original formatting, but they can also be easily viewed. While PDFs are generally designed as read-only, there are ways to modify their contents without requiring the original source file or the Professional version of Adobe Acrobat.
Here are a few examples of free websites that allow you to easily edit PDF documents:
PDF Escape is an online PDF editor, reader, form filler, & form designer that enables minor changes to a PDF document, such as hiding part of the file (such as a personal e-mail address) and creating hyperlinks to other PDF pages or documents.
PDF XChange Viewer is a PDF editor/viewer. While the free version doesn't allow you to create documents from scratch, it does allow you to edit extensively â?? such as adding text or images directly on your PDF file.
Little PDF is a tiny PDF editor freeware which enables you to edit, read, open, print, save, convert, and view PDF files with ease.
While websites such as these are a convenient option for limited PDF editing needs, Adobe Acrobat products continue to provide the most robust functionality for power users.
Not only can we help you edit existing files, but we can also create fresh new forms, documents, and other critical business materials. Stop by today and we'll take your worries away!
Joe Gass @ Heritage Printing & Graphics
5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Ste G, Charlotte, NC 28269 * 704-551-0700 * www.hpvisual.com
 22725 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650 * 301-475-1700 * www.heritageprinting.comWide Format â?? signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment
Offset and Digital â?? newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail
 Veteran Owned and Operated
Being first to market is no guarantee you'll succeed. The business annals are littered with tales of cutting-edge companies that eventually lost out to newcomers who built a better mousetrap that redefined the game.
Google is a great case in point. By 1998, when Google burst on the scene, search engines and directories such as Yahoo!, AltaVista, Excite, Lycos, and AskJeeves were already firmly entrenched. Many people wondered why a new search engine was even necessary.
Then they tried Google. Using a proprietary algorithm to generate its search results, Google quickly gained a foothold and the loyalty of users frustrated by the other brands. Word spread, Google's popularity grew, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, Google powers more than two-thirds of all U.S. searches, according to the latest data from Experian Hitwise (February 2011). Yahoo! Search accounts for just a 15% market share, and many of the other search providers in existence when Google began have gone the way of the dinosaur.
Sure, many factors went into the success of Google as a brand, and Internet search is now just a part of what the company does.
But, generally speaking, what are some basic lessons we can all learn from Google and other Johnny-come-latelies who now dominate their fields (Facebook vs. MySpace, anyone)? Lots of things, really, but three really stick out in my mind....
1. Don't underestimate the competition.
2. Don't rest on your laurels.
3. Don't ignore the ever-evolving needs of your customers.
That's pretty sage advice for any company, no matter how big or small you might be.
22725 Washington Street, Leonardtown, Maryland  20650 *     301-475-1700     * www.heritageprinting.com
Wide Format â?? signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment
Offset and Digital â?? newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail
 Veteran Owned and Operated
While most of us view system updates as annoying interruptions that will only slow us down, we must remember that these minor interruptions exist for a reason, and can ultimately improve the lifespan of our computer.
System updates are designed to fix security holes, optimize the operating system, update subsystems and drivers to increase software compatibility, and add updated features and tools - as well as remove outdated features and tools. Since most of us don't know when an update is important, that's why we should follow the lead of automatic updates.
Both Windows (for PCs) and OS X (for Macs) take care of updates automatically if you let them. Automatic updates load in the background whenever you are connected to the internet and won't slow you down or interfere with your work. Once the update has downloaded, all you need to do is install it, which sometimes requires a reboot.
Mac OS X: Click the Apple logo>System Preferences>System Updates>Check off "Check for Updates" and click "Check Now"
While software updates aren't overly thrilling, they can defend your files and personal information, as well as save your computer from online threats. You may want to think of them as a nerd superhero in disguise.
Wide Format â?? signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment
Offset and Digital â?? newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail
Have you ever wondered what is better for your computer when it is not in useâ?? to put it to sleep or shut down? Many people think it takes too long to wait for a computer to shut down because it must close all applications before switching off and booting up takes up time because you need to wait for each application and service to start up. The best way to save energy is to hibernate or shut down â?? don't just leave your computer in sleep mode. If you are using a laptop, your battery will last longer, too.
Sleep mode keeps your session in memory and puts your computer in a low-power state so that you can quickly resume working. This power consumption is similar to when you shut down and leave the power connected. However, if the power is interrupted, the RAM contents are lost.
A better alternative is to hibernate. When your computer hibernates, it saves your session and powers down your computer (the power can be disconnected). You can un-hibernate the same way you would after shutting down. Not only does the hibernate feature not use energy, but when your computer comes out of hibernation, it returns to its previous state â?? with all open files and documents as they were. It's not as fast as sleep mode, but it's faster than a normal boot up.
Lastly, shutting down your computer will do just that... end all programs and close all files you were working on. Shutting down is good practice when you're not using a computer for an extended period of time. As always, you should save your work frequently and reboot your computer occasionally to ensure system updates. A computer will also repair some minor operating system problems during a restart. Laptops should always be turned off during travel because your hard drive can be damaged while moving your laptop.
If you're looking for ways to save some of your own energy, let us help with your next printing projects. Not only do we ensure fast turnaround, but you can sleep better knowing your projects are in good hands.Â
Joe Gass @ Heritage Print & Visual
5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Ste G, Charlotte, NC 28269 * 704-551-0700 * www.hpvisual.com
 22725 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650 * 301-475-1700 * www.heritageprinting.comWide Format â?? signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment
Offset and Digital â?? newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail
 Veteran Owned and Operated
Researchers using data from Twitter, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Google Maps API have mapped the mood of our nation over a three-year span, based primarily on what we tweeted about during that time. A joint venture of scientists at Harvard and Northeastern universities, the study looked at 300 million tweets sent between September 2006 and August 2009. Here are some of the findings:
* Tweeters tend to be happiest early in the morning (around 6:00am) and later in the day (around 10:30-11:00pm). Moods dip to their lowest in the early afternoon, then slowly begin to rise again.
* Not surprisingly, weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) are the happiest days of the week. In fact, Sunday morning ranks the highest overall.
* Thursday -- not Monday -- sees the lowest dip, on average, of any of the days. Our collective mood bottoms out on Thursday evenings, apparently.
Tweets were scored against the Affective Norms for English Words (ANEW) word list to determine their overall "mood." The researchers say they plan to continue their work into the future, with further breakdowns of weekday versus weekend moods.
More details can be found online at the study's website:
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/amislove/twittermood/
Joe Gass @ Heritage Print & Visual
5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Ste G, Charlotte, NC 28269 * 704-551-0700 * www.hpvisual.com
 22725 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650  * 301-475-1700 * www.heritageprinting.comÂ
Wide Format - signs, banners & banner stands, displays, posters, wall and window graphics, vehicle and floor graphics, decals, backlit signs, point of purchase, end caps and toppers, on-site installation and fulfillment
Offset and Digital - newsletters, magazines, publications, catalogs, conference and meeting materials, brochures, rack cards, presentation folders and direct mail
 Veteran Owned and Operated
Ever find yourself waxing nostalgic about the days when gas was less than $1.00 per gallon, soft drinks cost 10 cents, and you could feed a family of four for under $10? Inflation seems to be a natural part of life... except when it comes to technology. While most consumables have gotten more expensive with time, many of today's high-powered consumer electronic goods are vastly cheaper than their predecessors, when compared in today's dollars.
For example, the Atari 2600 sold for $200 in 1977. Today, Nintendo's Wii sells for the same price, while Microsoft's Xbox 360 sells for around $250. On the surface, these numbers seem comparable, but in reality, they are not. At $200 in 1977, that Atari would put you back $589 today.
And what about cellphones? In 1983, a DynaTAC 8000x sold for $4,000. Today, the Apple iPhone sells for around $499. That's a striking enough difference by any standards, but if you calculate the price in today's dollars, that DynaTAC would run you a staggering $8,589.
Televisions, computers, printers, and other consumer electronics have also gone down in price significantly, even as the technology behind them has improved by leaps and bounds.
Intac.net, a trusted source for information on web hosting technologies, has put together an infographic featuring these and other comparisons that will show you just how good we have it today when it comes to consumer electronics pricing. You can find the details on Intac's website, at http://www.intac.net/the-cost-of-technology/.
You would be amazed at the great value that you can receive with your marketing and point of purchase materials at Heritage Printing & Graphics. Our investments in technology and staff training have allowed us to give you more for your money over the past 34 years.Â
Heritage Printing & Graphicsâ?¦. Improving Your Image in the Marketplace
 Signs, Banners, Posters, Displays, Decals, Wall, Window & Floor Graphic, Backlit Signs, Brochures, Booklets and Publications, Marketing Materials & Direct Mail
5900 Harris Technology Blvd., Suite G, Charlotte, NC 28269, 704-551-0700Â
22725 Washington Street, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650, 301-475-1700www.heritageprinting.com
If youâ??ve received warnings about a weak wireless signal or lost your connection entirely, here are a few tips for extending your wireless range and improving your wireless network performance.
Position your wireless router in a central location. If you canâ??t move your wireless router, simply try moving it off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets) which interfere with your routerâ??s wireless signals.
Replace your routerâ??s antenna. Standard antennas broadcast in all directions around the router, so if your router is near an outside wall, half of your signal is sent outside your home, wasting much of your routerâ??s power. A hi-gain antenna focuses wireless signals only one direction so you can aim your signal in the direction you need it most.
Add a wireless repeater, which will extend your wireless network range without adding any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and your computer, and you'll get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength.
Change your wireless channel. Wireless routers can broadcast on several different channels similar to the way radio stations use different channels. Try changing your wireless routerâ??s channel through your routerâ??s configuration page to see if your signal strength improves.
Replace your laptopâ??s wireless network adapter. Wireless network signals are sent both to and from your computer, but sometimes the computer doesnâ??t effectively send signals back to your router. If your laptop has a PC card-based wireless network adapter, replace it with a USB network adapter that uses an external antenna. Note: laptops with built-in wireless typically have excellent antennas and donâ??t need to have their network adapters upgraded.
Update your network adapter driver. Free updates may increase your routerâ??s performance. To get the latest updates for your wireless router, visit your router manufacturerâ??s web site.
If youâ??re looking for other ideas on how to save time by becoming more efficient, give us a call. We can also help you develop creative marketing materials to increase your sales range!
Joe Gass, President
Heritage Printing and Graphics
5900 Harris Technology Blvd, Charlotte, North Carolina, 704-910-9914
www.heritageprintingcharlotte.com
22725 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD, 301-475-1700 www.heritageprinting.com
If your computer lost its get up and go, or if a new computer seems to drag when opening multiple programs, the solution is easy and relatively inexpensive: upgrade your memory.
One of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to boost computer performance is by upgrading your computer's memory (RAM). RAM, or computer memory, often determines how fast your computer will operate. The more memory a computer has, the faster it will operate. In the early 80's it was commonly thought that 640K (about 1/2 of a megabyte) of RAM would be enough memory for anybody. Things have sure changed over the past two decades. Today the average computer user has 512 MB to 1 GB of RAM, and often needs more for optimal performance when using graphic or multimedia programs. You will probably notice the biggest improvement from additional RAM if you work regularly with large files (photos/graphics, video, etc). Additional memory also increases performance when running multiple programs simultaneously and switching between your browser and other applications.
Here are a few other benefits of a memory upgrade:
Faster surfing. No matter how fast your internet connection, a memory upgrade can help your browser display pages faster.
Prevent printing bottlenecks. Increased RAM will help you print large files faster and increase productivity in a networked environment where several people share one printer. Adding additional memory to your printer also allows you to print at higher resolutions, resulting in higher quality printing.
Multitasking made easy. Memory upgrades ensure smooth, effortless multi-tasking when switching between several programs that are open at the same time.
If you're looking for cost-effective ideas on how to upgrade your marketing materials, give us a call. Our team can help you add a new spring in your creative step.
Joe Gass, President
Heritage Printing and Graphics
3601 Rose Lake Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina, 704-910-9914
www.heritageprintingcharlotte.com
22725 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD, 301-475 1700 Â www.heritageprinting.com
PDF files are a great way to exchange information. Not only are they small in file size while preserving original formatting, but they can also be easily viewed. While PDFs are generally designed as read-only, there are ways to modify their contents without requiring the original source file or the Professional version of Adobe Acrobat.
Here are a few examples of free websites that allow you to easily edit PDF documents:
If youâ??ve received warnings about a weak wireless signal or lost your connection entirely, here are a few tips for extending your wireless range and improving your wireless network performance.
If your computer lost its get up and go, or if a new computer seems to drag when opening multiple programs, the solution is easy and relatively inexpensive: upgrade your memory.
One of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to boost computer performance is by upgrading your computer's memory (RAM). RAM, or computer memory, often determines how fast your computer will operate. The more memory a computer has, the faster it will operate. In the early 80's it was commonly thought that 640K (about 1/2 of a megabyte) of RAM would be enough memory for anybody. Things have sure changed over the past two decades. Today the average computer user has 512 MB to 1 GB of RAM, and often needs more for optimal performance when using graphic or multimedia programs. You will probably notice the biggest improvement from additional RAM if you work regularly with large files (photos/graphics, video, etc). Additional memory also increases performance when running multiple programs simultaneously and switching between your browser and other applications.
Here are a few other benefits of a memory upgrade:
