LogMeIn lets you set up a network of computers so you can work anywhere. I have used remote access systems before, and the delay drove me nuts. I always felt like I was drunk driving with my mouse.

If you need to work from the coffee shop, you have to try LogMeIn! I put the desktop on first then registered my new laptop. When my desktop is on, I can use my laptop (or any other computer I am using) to access my home desktop. In real time. With no delay.

I have been sitting on my front porch every afternoon this week, using LogMeIn to reach the desk in my office. It’s so good I forget that I’m remotely accessing things.

Oh, and did I mention that it’s free?

Here’s a list of my other favorite free tools.

The other day I was reading my deodorant applicator. “Join the Wetness Protection Program” it said, with a website.

The Wetness Protection Program has a banner ad on the Arrid website.

Does Your Boss Stink?

Is Your Ex a Drip?

Report Them.

Become an Agent for the Wetness Protection Program.

As a freelance copywriter, I spend a lot of time working with clients to create a community of resources for clients and leads. Just as I want all of my readers to keep coming back to Life on Avenue Z for freelance anecdotes, small business tips and daily antics, my clients want their clients to come to them for information.

But we have to be realistic here, people. Raise your hand if you want to join the Wetness Protection Program (which, pathetically, is a broken link). Come on now, will you ever join Slurpee Nation? Do you subscribe to the Prilosec newsletter for tips on avoiding heartburn and news about NASCAR (not kidding here)? Have you taken the Ritz Cracker Personality Quiz?

All companies these days want blogs that people visit, newsletters that people enjoy, resources that people use. Each time a consumer sees a company as a helpful (or entertaining) resource, revenue is sure to follow. But we as consumers are overwhelmed with the number of offers to join company communities.

Newsletters are great for reaching out to consumers and keeping your name in front of them. These days don’t be surprised or discouraged if your open rate is decreasing with the increased competition for attention in an Inbox. If you continue to deliver relevant content to the right people, your newsletter efforts can pay off.

Blogs are excellent for SEO, but it takes a lot of effort to build a community around a corporate blog. If a potential customer is searching for information about a product you produce and lands on your blog, you should consider that a triumph.

White Papers and Tip Sheets work well to establish credibility in your industry, but don’t be surprised if people ask for them and don’t read them. It’s hard for a potential customer to delve into all that information when he is occupied with making a living. But having answers and resources on hand is always valuable. Hint: give your white papers and tips to your sales staff so they can become go-to people for their customers, and compile resources on CD for handouts at conferences.

Fun and Games — There’s a chance your funny video will be circulated to thousands or millions of people, but again you’ve got a lot of competition. And you should measure the conversion rate that your amusements produce… just because people find the Pepto-Bismol Dance Machine game amusing doesn’t mean that people will buy your diarrhea medicine.

Thus, when I am helping a company set up a blog or create resources, I urge them to make the information helpful, searchable and relevant. But I lower their expectations about the number of people who will visit daily to get the latest news on web-to-print techniques or mass text messaging advice.

Nothing to report today except that I am in the process of setting up my new computer.

Have a great weekend.

Oh… one more thing….. HELP!

I bought this laptop as a cheapo supplement to my work computer at my last job. It’s about 18 months old, and it’s always been a grinding, whining slowpoke. In the past month, the space bar has ceased to work, and it has stopped hibernating when I close the cover. Oh, and don’t get me started on how it hangs when I restart…

I’ve been researching desktops for several weeks, figuring that I can set up the desktop for my main work and get the laptop to a repair place. I zeroed on the HP Pavilion Slimline S3330f, which CNET loved.

Ha! So I just went to Overstock.com to link to the computer so you guys could get the great $799 price that I did, and now it’s $499! This is not the blog post I anticipated typing today, but I thought I’d share my adventures in electronic purchases.

Shawn: Thanks for visiting Overstock.com, this is Shawn, how can I help you? you: I just bought an HP Pavilion slimline s3330f for $799 you: It’s now $499! you: And mine hasn’t arrived. Shawn: Just to confirm, are you referring to ‘HP Pavilion Slimline S3330F Desktop PC w/ Blu-Ray/ HD-DVD’ which was placed on 06-13-2008? you: Yes Shawn: Would you mind holding for 3 to 5 minutes while I check on that for you? you: No problem. you: Just make something wonderful happen here, Shawn. Shawn: Thanks for holding. Shawn: Elizabeth, we have a Price Change Policy. Shawn: As per our Price Change Policy, we can offer you an in store credit of the difference in price towards your next purchase when prices are reduced within 5 days of the purchase date. Shawn: You have placed this order on 06-13-2008. Shawn: This order is beyond 5 days timeframe. you: Today is 6-18, Shawn. you: I haven’t even received the order. Shawn: 1—06-13-2008. Shawn: 2—06-14-2008. Shawn: 3—06-15-2008. Shawn: 4—06-16-2008. Shawn: 5—06-17-2008. Shawn: Today is the 6th day, let me check what best I can do for you. you: Thank you. I appreciate your help. Shawn: Since you are a valued customer for us, I will make an exception and issue $50 as in-store credit back to your Overstock.com account which will reflect on your next purchase. you: What is your return policy? Shawn: Can I know the reason that you are asking about the return policy? you: Perhaps I don’t need this computer. I’m certainly disappointed about this policy. you: That’s $300 difference. Shawn: Click here to view our Price Change Policy. Shawn: Elizabeth, please accept my sincere apologies for any disappointment or inconvenience we may have caused. you: What is the return policy? you: Not the change policy. Shawn: Let me check what best I can do for you. Shawn: As per our Computers and Electronics Return Policy, Computers and Electronics returns must be initiated within 20 days of the purchase date. Shawn: The items must arrive at our warehouse within 30 days of purchase. Shawn: You must return items in their original condition to qualify for a full refund. Shawn: We will issue a partial refund of up to 70 percent if returned items have been opened, used, or returned late. Shawn: You can expect to receive the refund within four weeks from shipping your return to Overstock.com. you: Ok, so if I just turn this around and ship it back, I get a full refund. Shawn: This includes conservative estimates of the time required for the return shipping, inspection at our returns facility, and processing from your bank or credit card company. Shawn: We will notify you via email with the details of your refund. Shawn: You will receive your refund via the form of payment that you used. you: Ok. I’m quite disappointed, Shawn. $300 difference. you: One day. On a product I haven’t even received. you: And the reason I found out about the price was that I was writing a blog post on where people should get this computer. Shawn: Elizabeth, let me check what best I can do for you. you: Thank you, Shawn. Shawn: Since you are a valued customer for us, I will go ahead and issue $100 as in-store credit back to your Overstock.com account which will apply on your next purchase with us. Shawn: Is that okay with you? you: I need the $300. Shawn: Let me check with my Supervisor. Shawn: I have checked with my Supervisor. Shawn: Since this order is outside the Price Change Policy timeframe to issue the difference price, I will go ahead and issue $150 as in-store credit back to your Overstock.com account which will apply on your next purchase with us. Shawn: Is that okay with you? you: I’m sorry. It is not. Here’s what will happen if I can’t get the $300 credit: you: I will return this product unopened for a full refund. you: I will buy the product with the new price. you: I will keep the $300 difference myself. you: If you give me the credit, I will spend the $300 with your company. you: If not, you will not get the extra $300 Shawn: You can return the product unopened for a full refund. Shawn: Since you are a valued customer for us, I will make a note on your account to release a free shipping label to return this item. Shawn: Once the ‘HP Pavilion Slimline S3330F Desktop PC w/ Blu-Ray/ HD-DVD’ is delivered to you, please do not open the package and contact us so that we can set up return for refund and release a free shipping label to return the item. you: You understand, of course, that by not giving me the $300 credit today, you are losing the opportunity to have me spend $300 at your store. you: All it costs me is a little extra time to get the computer. Shawn: I’m sorry, as per our price change policy, we can offer you an in store credit of the difference in price towards your next purchase when prices are reduced within 5 days of the purchase date. Shawn: Once again, I apologize for any inconvenience or disappointment.

I just received a promotion from Marketing Profs, a group that puts on super duper marketing programs and sends out really helpful marketing tips. They’re offering 40 percent off their yearly subscription price of $249.

This is actually a great deal, and I’m considering it. But it will add to the ever-growing list of subscription-type services I’ve chosen.

Just like the monthly deduction for the gym you haven’t been to since your New Year’s Resolution wore off in February, I pay each month for services that I don’t necessarily make the most of.

• GoToMeeting/GoToWebinar — $99 a month
  This is my most expensive service. I can host my own webinars for up to 1000 people, as many as I want per month. I’ve done two since January. But it also allows me to jump into a screen-sharing session with a client on the fly. There are actually free services that allow screen sharing as well. I could also drop the webinar part and pay just $49 for the GoToMeeting part, but I do like the ability to do webinars when I want to.
• SurveyMonkey — $19.95 a month
  Frankly I’m not getting much out of SurveyMonkey right now. I just don’t have the need to run many surveys. But I’ve started assisting my clients with surveys and letting them use my service. It helps pay for the fee.
• Constant Contact — $30 something a month
  Constant Contact allows me to keep track of my contacts and send out mass emails. I have the archiving feature for an extra $5 a month. It’s a necessity, but I don’t use it enough.
• BlackBerry service — $19.95 a month
  Ok, are there really that many copywriting emergencies in my life? Do I really need to know the exact moment when a guy responds to my online dating ad? I would love to have the courage to drop the service, but I’m addicted.
• Web hosting and domain services — Maybe $20 a month
  I pay Yahoo about $10 to host my main website, plus another company $8 or so to host lifeonavenuez.com. Well worth the money.
• Mozy.com backup service — $4.95 a month
  Automatically backs up my whole computer each night. Awesome.