Newport Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Business Award Nomination

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You might already know that RI Computer Learning Services (the legal name of robinTime) won one of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce's Excellence in Business awards in 2011.  It was pretty exciting to be named among the 7.  I never did learn who nominated the company, so if you're the one, and I didn't give you a hug at the time, I'm sorry I missed you! I'm just as excited this year to tell you that robinTime's been nominated again.  This time, I want to thank Julie Janson of I Love You Often.  Julie's a woman of vision and big ideas, and it's been a pleasure to meet her and get to know her better both in class and outside of it, and I'm honored that she felt robinTime was deserving of a nomination.  The winners are due to be announced on May 28th at the Chamber's annual breakfast, Click for more of the story [...]

Hands-On Learning - so important for so many things

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The other day, I saw a mailer that extolled a proven computerless training approach to helping people to become confident and capable computer users, and I just couldn't see it. Most of us can learn a certain amount of new material by reading or listening, but it takes hands-on practice to obtain mastery.  I would never want a surgeon to operate on me who had never had hands-on practice.  How about you?  Along similar lines, can you learn to drive a tractor trailer without sitting at the wheel?  Can you learn to pilot a plane by using a simulator but never actually flying?  Can you learn to cook merely by reading a cookbook?  Can you learn to paint by studying the masterpieces in the museum?  So, how can you learn to use a computer or a computer program well by using a computerless training Click for more of the story [...]

Your server IP address is in the SORBS DNSBL database - hogwash!

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If you've tried to email me in the last several months, and gotten this message, "Your server IP address is in the SORBS DNSBL database", I'm sorry.  But I do want to reassure you that it's not true. So, what exactly is the SORBS DNSBL database, and why does it matter?  Here's the explanation directly from the Spam and Open Relay Blocking System (SORBS) website: "The SORBS (Spam and Open Relay Blocking System) provides free access to its DNS-based Block List (DNSBL) to effectively block email from more than 12 million host servers known to disseminate spam, phishing attacks and other forms of malicious email.  The list typically includes email servers suspected of sending or relaying spam, servers that have been hacked and hijacked, and those with Trojan infestations. In an attempt to Click for more of the story [...]

Why Should I Pay For Help with Free Social Media?

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On lots of blogs (like mine), comments made by site visitors and replies to those comments are often hidden in plain sight, and other site visitors never see them.  The other day, I received a comment that made me think, and the person basically asked Why Should I Pay For Help with Free Social Media? and How Do I Know I'm Getting Value When I Do? So, I thought I'd recycle those comments as a new post.  Basically, the original comment said that he needed to learn how to use social media and he needed to learn for free - how could he?  He followed up with another comment that he'd noticed that there are a lot of social media consultants out there these days and they all charge for their services. How could he know if they know what they're doing?  What kinds of services do they provide?  Click for more of the story [...]

Coming to the Expo?

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Are you in the southern Rhode Island area and planning on coming to the Expo?  It's tomorrow, Tuesday March 12th, at the Hyatt on Goat Island here in Newport, from 4 - 7 pm.  The Newport County Chamber of Commerce sponsors this event annually, and it's a great opportunity to learn about member businesses, either for your own personal needs or for your business. robinTime, the only local and award-winning source of computer and application training, will be there, sharing a booth with Newport County Computers like we did last year.  This year, robinTime will hold a drawing for the following great prizes: One hour of one-on-one tutoring 3 SocialMunch sessions to help you tune your business social media practices 50% off one workshop or CompuChild series (excludes Total Immersion Click for more of the story [...]

What Is The Value of Social Media to My Business?

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Recently, I had a conversation with a gentleman whose work I have recommended to others. Besides the fact that he’s great at what he does, he’s someone I see often at area networking events. We got into the conversation about using social media for business. He mentioned to me that he had visited the Facebook page of another business person whose specialty is marketing, and he wasn’t impressed at the low number of Likes on that person’s page. I responded that it’s not just the number of Likes – it’s really about what that person is doing about them. The very concept of social marketing is that it’s social – that means it’s interactive. By that I don’t mean it’s a 24/7 party, but I do mean that it’s a 24/7 opportunity for a business owner to interact with everyone there who can affect his or her business. It’s an opportunity to participate in dialog, answer questions, and engage. So what does that mean for a business owner? Click for more of the story [...]