Tony Smieja Patriot Web Tech Scamming Businesses

Tony Smieja promotes Patriot Web Tech as a Web Design, Hosting and Online Marketing Company. Tony Smieja, acting as the sales person, sells Web Design, Hosting and/or Online Marketing services, to his unsuspecting clients. Often times, these sales include 25-50% down, Which is common in the industry. The difference is, once Tony has your money, he runs off with it.

Surely I wouldn’t make these kinds of claims, without proof, right?

How about some information from the Better Business Bureau?

Patriot Web Tech is not a BBB member, but his company is building up a pretty unsatisfactory report, anyway. Check out these Business Reviews.

The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce was one of the victims of the Tony Smieja Patriot Web Tech Scams. Feel free to contact them for yourself at (651) 439-4001. When I contacted them I got the following email response:

I am sorry this happened to you. It has happened to a number of people in the area. He is good with the “excuses” isn’t he? We paid him an amount of money to redo our website – as well as getting complimentary Chamber membership. He never delivered so we canceled our work with him, asked him for the money back (hah!) and he is no longer part of our Chamber. Thank you for the heads up on this and I will make sure everyone here knows this info on him.

Tony Smieja only recently removed the Chamber Membership Badge from the Patriot Web Tech website. It used to appear directly below the feather banners, on the right hand side.

In fact, I haven’t talked to a single business, who has had dealings with Tony Smieja Patriot Web Tech, who will vouch for him, or his business. Some of these businesses have even had to forfeit their website, altogether.

If all this isn’t enough, lets look at the Patriot Web Tech, Facebook Page. You can click the link I just provided, or you can go to his website and click the Facebook link, he provides. Either way you do it, it isn’t there any more.

What happened to it, you ask?

Facebook took it down, because so many people reported it as a scam.

Even the Tony Smieja Patriot Web Tech Twitter Account is suspect. It hasn’t been used by it’s owner, since November 28th of 2012. There has been activity, just search for @PatriotWebTech or #PatriotWebTech on Twitter. Be careful if you want to provide feedback for others to read. Those people who try to inform the public, about the scams this company is running, will immediately get blocked by the PatriotWebTech Twitter account.

If you are a business, who got scammed by Tony Smieja Patriot Web Tech, or you want more information about the businesses who did get scammed, contact me through my website.

Tony Smieja Patriot Web Tech Scamming Employees

As if it wasn’t bad enough, to scam businesses, Tony Smieja Patriot Web Tech also scams their employees. Tony may seem like a nice enough guy, on the phone and in his emails, but there is a sinister scheme at work, from the very first time you start working with him.

How do I know?

I responded to an ad, looking to hire a person, with my skill set. After a couple email conversations and a telephone call, I went to my first interview. After a second interview, I was “HIRED” to work for Patriot Web Tech, reporting directly to Tony Smieja.

After nearly three months of trying everything I could, to help this douche, I cut ties with Tony Smieja and Patriot Web Tech. I reported him and his business practices to as many business organizations as I could come up with. I cooperated with Facebook, in an effort to get his Facebook Page suspended and eventually removed. I contacted former clients, to see if there was anything I could do to help.

Finally, I filed a report with the City of Oak Park Heights, Police Department (Case Number 13701079). I had an officer observe, as I removed my personal property, from the offices of Tony Smieja Patriot Web Tech, after the officer verified photographic evidence of my ownership and an email communication from Tony Smieja, himself.

What Does Tony Smieja Patriot Web Tech have to Say?

Well, not much, though I did get a full admission of guilt. I took a screenshot of the email he sent me and which I had the Police Officer from above, read.

As of the posting of this article, Tony Smieja has only paid $100 of a much, much larger bill.

Report Tony Smieja Patriot Web Tech

If you have had dealings with this scam artist, or his business, and feel you were wronged by him, I suggest that you:

• Contact the Better Business Bureau through the Complaints Link on their Website.
• Contact The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce at (651) 439-4001.
• Call the City of Oak Park Heights, Police Department at (651) 439-4723. Reference Case Number 13701079 and ask to speak with the original officer. He was understanding and eager to help.
• Post your issue as a comment to this post, so everyone else can read it, too.

If I can help, at any point, let me know, through this website. I have over 400 email communications with this scammer and would be happy to turn them over for any type of legal proceeding, against Tony Smieja and/or Patriot Web Tech.

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Now, don’t start to worry. All hope is not gone. Posting to Google Plus via Email, may not be a built-in feature, but it can be accomplished, using a combination of other Google Services.

Requirements for Posting to Google Plus via Email

There aren’t many requirements for Posting to Google Plus via Email, but it definitely wont work without the following:

1. You must have a Google Voice account.
2. Your Google Voice email address and your Google Plus email address must be the same.

Those requirements aren’t too bad, are they?

Configuring Google Voice & Google Plus, to Play Nicely

These steps are important, if you want Posting to Google Plus via Email to work. So follow them carefully.

1. Navigate to https://www.google.com/voice and sign in.
2. Click on the “Gear” icon, in the upper, right-hand corner and then choose “Settings” from the menu.
   
3. From the Google Voice Settings page, click on the “Voicemail & Text” tab.
4. In the “Voicemail Notifications” area, place a check in the checkbox for “Email the message to:” and then select your Google Plus email address from the list of email addresses.
   
5. Click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the page. You will be directed back to the Google Voice Inbox.
6. Click on the “Gear” icon, in the upper, right-hand corner and then choose “Settings” from the menu.
   
7. From the Google Voice Settings page, click on the “Voicemail & Text” tab.
8. In the “Text Forwarding” area, place a check in the checkbox for “Forward text messages to my email:” and then verify the email address matches the email address from Step 4.
   
9. Click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the page. You will be directed back to the Google Voice Inbox.
10. Click on the red “Text” button and send a text message to the Google Plus, SMS number (33669 in USA). You’ll most likely receive an SMS reply stating something to the effect of “33669: Google+: Did not understand the request.”
11. Now check the email account, associated with the email address in Steps 4 & 8. You should have received an email from Google Voice, with the same (or similar) message, as I just mentioned in the last step.
12. Look closely at the”From” email address, of the email. It will look something like YourGoogleVoicePhoneNumber.GoogleSMS.HashCode@txt.voice.google.com. You need to copy this email address and paste it somewhere for later use. Writing it down is a little risky, as it is a long, complicated email address.
13. To complete this process, you will now need to Navigate to https://plus.google.com and sign in.
14. Click on the Drop Down arrow, in the upper, right-hand corner
    
15. Click on the Account link, in the pop-over
    
16. From the Account Settings Page, Click on the Google+ link, in the left-hand menu
    
17. Click on the “Add Phone Number” link. Enter your Google Voice phone number and hit the “Send Verification Code” button.
18. Navigate back to your Google Voice account and retrieve the Verification Code.
19. Return to your Google Plus Profile Settings and enter the Verification Code.

Done! If you followed these steps carefully, you will have successfully associated your Google Plus Profile with your Google Voice Phone Number. Now, Posting to Google Plus via Email is ready to use.

Google Plus Email Composition

Now that your accounts will allow Posting to Google Plus via Email, you need to know how to compose the email.

1. Create a new Email.
2. The “To Address” is where you will enter your unique email address, from Step 12, above.
3. The “Subject” is ignored and is not required by Google Plus.
4. Compose your Google Plus Post (email message), in the body of the email, followed by the circle or people you want your Google Plus Post to be shared with (+CircleName). If you want your post to be public, put “+Public” at the end of your email. If you want your post to be for a specific circle only, put “+YourCircleName” at the end of your email.
5. When you send this email, your message will be posted to your Google Plus Profile.

Yes, I hear you. This is a pretty long process and can seem quite complicated. However, if you followed these steps, exactly as I have them written, you too, will be able to start Posting to Google Plus via Email.

Automatically Post to Google Plus

Google is working on an API to allow better integration and interaction with Google Plus. However, if you are like me, you don’t want to wait for the API to be “Officially” released, before being able to Automatically Post to Google Plus.

I have great news!

Once you have Posting to Google Plus via Email set up and working correctly, automatic posting to Google Plus, is also available. For more information on this, check out IFTTT, or stay tuned to this website. An article about this exact topic is coming soon.

The post Posting to Google Plus via Email appeared first on Bamajr.com.

Posting to Google Plus via SMS, means registering the phone number, text messages will be sent from, on your Google Plus Account. There are instructions, for this process, on a lot of different websites. However, many of the instructions I found were incomplete, inaccurate, or simply didn’t work.

Registering Your Phone Number

1. Navigate to https://plus.google.com and sign in
2. Click on the Drop Down arrow, in the upper, right-hand corner
   
3. Click on the Account link, in the pop-over
   
4. From the Account Settings Page, Click on the Google+ link, in the left-hand menu
   
5. On the Google Plus Settings Page, click on the link that says: “Add Phone Number”
6. Select “United States” for the country.
7. Enter your Phone Number.
8. Click on the “Send Verification Code” button and follow Google’s instructions.
9. Once your Phone Number has been verified, it will be connected to your Google Plus Profile.
   

Compose SMS

When you are ready to post your first SMS to Google Plus, simply text your post to 33669 (United States).

If you want your post to be public, put “+Public” at the very beginning of your SMS.

If you want your post to be for a specific circle only, put “+YourCircleName” at the very beginning of your SMS.

If you want your post to be for a single person, put “+SinglePersonEmailAddress@Domain.com” at the very beginning of your SMS.

Google Plus Notes

• Public posts, shared on Google Plus are likely to show up in Google Search Results. So, make sure what you are texting, on your phone, is what you want the world to see. Think before you speak (or text).
• SMS/Text Messaging is a service, provided by your Cellular Provider. It is subject to their usage agreements and messaging rates.
• Your Cellular Service depends on your location. So, if you find yourself without access to a 3G/4G Data Connection and can’t get a broadband connection on your Laptop/Tablet, Posting to Google Plus via SMS is an efficient way to continue using Google Plus.

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I am Bamajr. So when someone says they found great information about Internet Marketing, Search Engine Optimization or Web Design, on Bamajr’s Blog, they usually mean they found the information on this website (http://bamajr.com/). However, they could have also found the exact same information on:

• Delicious
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• StumbleUpon
• Tumblr
• Twitter

…among others.

When I publish an article on this website, the article is also published to the Bookmarking and Social Networks, listed above, automatically.

Bamajr’s Blog – The Application

This website is powered by WordPress. WordPress functionality is infinitely expandable through the development and use of plugins. I have chosen to expand my WordPress installation, by using the Social Networks Auto Poster (SNAP) WordPress Plugin, created by NextScripts. This plugin automatically publish my articles to the Bookmarking and Social Network Platforms, of my choosing.

The SNAP Plugin takes every new article I post, on this website and automatically posts it to Bookmarking and Social Platforms, using their approved Application Programming Interface (API).

While I did not write the API, many times APIs require specific configurations, permissions and settings, in order to work correctly. The collection of these configurations, permissions and settings is often referred to as an Application, by the Bookmarking and Social Platforms. Since I’m using the API to access newly published content, on my blog, I called the application the same name as my blog – Bamajr’s Blog, making it easy to identify and remember what the application does.

SNAP Functionality Expanded Using IFTTT

IFTTT is a service that lets you create powerful connections with one simple statement:

If This, Then That

There is a great explanation about how this works, on the About IFTTT page. In short though, IFTTT allows a person to create recipes, where a channel event, triggers an action.

While I may eventually switch all the automatic posting functionality to IFTTT, currently I’m only using it to expand the functionality of the SNAP WordPress Plugin. SNAP already handles Delicious, Facebook, LinkedIn, StumbleUpon, Tumblr and Twitter. So, I’ve used a few IFTTT recipes to automatically post to:

• App.net
• Bitly
• Google Plus
• Blogspot

Automatically posting to Google Plus is quite problematic, but the rest work great and without adding additional load to my WordPress installation. Incidentally, improving the efficiency of my website, is the primary reason I’m considering IFTTT as a complete replacement for the SNAP Plugin.

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CrossLoop The Software, is screen sharing and remote access software, which allows a professional to view and control a remote user’s, computer. It’s free, easy to use and it is pretty cool. Even with several similar software titles available, CrossLoop is certainly, a viable option.

On my Technical Support page, I pointed out that CrossLoop has a widget, allowing me to integrate my CrossLoop Profile with my website. I also showed that a I was able to directly integrate CrossLoop’s Chat System, with my website, allowing my clients to use CrossLoop Chat, to to chat with me, all without leaving my website.

CrossLoop doesn’t have an Official Chat Widget, yet!

Actually, to call the existing widget, a widget, may be a stretch. When I think of a widget, I don’t usually think iframe. However, if your thought process is a little more simplistic and you would consider a widget to be any type of utility, then, I guess, iframing something would qualify.

The existing, “official” widget looks like this:

It’s design is very basic and completely static, preventing any easy modification of the way it looks. However, the fact that it is an iframe, got me thinking.

I know when one of my clients, comes to my website, and clicks on the “Chat with Me” button, they are directed to a CrossLoop web page, where the chat will actually occur. If the client is a first time user, they may be directed to sign up first, but will eventually get to the same chat page.

That webpage has a specific Helper ID number, as shown below:

This Helper ID number seems to change, for each chat request. However, using the URL, up to the end of the Helper ID, as the iframe source, does allow the client-side, of CrossLoop’s Chat System, to be exposed, for a specific CrossLoop Technician. The code I used is below:

<iframe src="http://www.crossloop.com/helpeechatnew.htm?helperID=6cf898ae735673bc9323a0d0b7a21abf" width="752" height="450" frameborder="0" style="overflow: hidden"></iframe>

The result of adding the above code, to your website, is the client-side user interface, to initiate a chat, on CrossLoop’s Chat System. Of course, if you use the exact code, I provided above, without changing the Helper ID to your own account, people will connect to me, instead of you. See it in action, below:

If you already have a CrossLoop account, and you are logged in, you may see the LIVE chat interface. Oh, and you will be added to my client list, in CrossLoop.

CrossLoop calls their iframe utility a widget, so I’m calling this iframe utility a widget, too – The CrossLoop Chat Widget!

The post CrossLoop has a New Chat Widget? appeared first on Bamajr.com.

Ok, I know Internet Exploiter (IE) still has the largest Web Browser Market Share. But why?

It sure isn’t a result of developing a superior web browser. Quite frankly, Micro$lop’s IE sucks and Micro$lop doesn’t care.

The real reason has more of a “sexual” nature. Micro$lop is in bed with the largest companies in the world. Micro$lop easily exploits the fact that those running the companies, are incapable of making technology decisions on their own.

Internet Exploiter Creates Jobs

If businesses didn’t use Micro$lop, they wouldn’t need half their IT departments. That would mean tremendous margin improvements to investors, but massive layoffs of Micro$lop sell-outs.

Micro$lop is Loosing Control

Micro$lop is loosing control and they can’t stand it. Micr$lop’s IE usage always peaks after a new OS release, but I would venture to say, beyond this graphic, there are other stories, not being told (like mobile browser market share).

Micro$lop says: “Use other Web Browsers”

I find it absolutely hysterical that Micro$lop is now encouraging the usage of other web browsers, to test a website’s compatibility for IE (See Microsoft taps BrowserStack to launch Modern.IE, aims to ease the pain of IE testing for devs). For me, this just shows how Micro$lop is conceding the browser war. They are basically saying: “We know we suck. We know people are rapidly moving to other, better, more stable web browsers. We’re to arrogant to actually listen to our user base and fix the issues we have, but please, please please, don’t forget about us.”

Little Fish – Big, Big Pond

I am a 33 year old Internet Professional and I have been working in the Internet Marketing, Search Engine Optimization and Web Design industries since 1997. Even at my size, I know I’m a little fish, in a big, big pond. I know Micro$lop could care less what my opinion is and I’m ok with that. Though, I spend very little time developing my own website (http://bamajr.com), I spend a lot of time developing websites and consulting on IT, for small/medium businesses.

I never recommend the usage of Micro$lop!

Businesses wanting Stability, Security, Piece of mind and Better ROI, will never use Micro$lop (including Internet Exploiter). The rest are pulling their pants down (or skirts up – so that I’m not sexist), for Micro$lop.

The post Internet Exploiter The Poltergeist? appeared first on Bamajr.com.

Official Twitter Widget – Where do I find it?

This may be the reason, so many people cannot find Twitter’s Official Twitter Widget – It’s too easy to find

Simply go to http://www.twitter.com > Settings > Widgets or simply go to http://twitter.com/settings/widgets

Wow, wasn’t that difficult to find now, was it?

How do I set up the Official Twitter Widget?

If you were following the instructions above, you’ll be on a screen where you can “Create and manage your widgets.” Simply click the “CREATE NEW” button. You can use the image below, to help you define your settings. Please remember to substitute your username, in the “Username” field, or your Twitter Feed will not show up the way you expect it to.

Copy the blue, highlighted code and keep reading.

Why not use a WordPress Plugin?

I am proud to use WordPress and it’s Open Source, Publishing Platform. Open Source makes it possible for an infinite number of Plugins and Themes to be developed. In fact, many WordPress Plugins and Themes offer Social Integration. If you can find one to suit your needs, far be it from me, to tell you not to use it.

However, these Plugins/Themes can be way more complicated, than they need to be. I’m often asked for (or told to find) an easier way to do things, in WordPress. Using the Official Twitter Widget is pretty simple.

1. Log in to WordPress.
2. Go to Appearance > Widgets
3. Drag a TEXT widget to a widget area.
4. Past the code (you were instructed to copy above – remember?), in the text area.
5. Click the “SAVE” button.
6. View any page, displaying that widget.

If you did it correctly, you should see your Twitter Feed, in a similar way, as the image below:

If you need a more thorough explanation of how to do this, check out Brian Bourn’s article on Bourn Creative. The article is about a year old, so expect some minor differences.

The post Official Twitter Widget on Your Website appeared first on Bamajr.com.

Short Message Service (SMS) is a text messaging service component of phone, web, or mobile communication systems, using standardized communications protocols that allow the exchange of short text messages between fixed line or mobile phone devices – Wikipedia

Email SMS – What is it?

In short, Email SMS is a simple process where a text message (SMS) is sent to a cell phone, by email.

Email SMS – Why is it important?

Messaging has become a very popular means of communication and many companies know this. Bigger companies have even created messaging services, to compete with SMS. However, SMS (or text) messaging is still the most basic, easiest to use, messaging system, for cell phones.

Email SMS can be used for:

Marketing – Companies are allowed to send marketing materials to cellular subscribers. While this type of marketing may be legal, I’m not a fan and there are laws about how this is done, what is allowed, and options for opting out. Regardless, I find SMS Marketing to be a huge annoyance.

Reminders – Many services have the ability to send out reminders and/or confirm appointments. Having a reminder or confirmation, sent to the cell phone, I always have with me, is a huge convenience, as far as I’m concerned.

Updates/Alerts – This is the most important reason for me. If I’m running a business, where some equipment or service is crucial to daily operations, I want to know, immediately, when there is an issue, requiring my attention (I.E. A website is down. A server is down. A priority service ticket has been generated. There is an emergency.). I may not be able to check email from my phone, but just about any cell phone, available these days, allows text messaging (SMS).

Email SMS – How to do it.

If cellnumber = your 10 digit cellular telephone number, compose a short message, in your favorite email program and in the “TO:” field, use the email format below:

1. Alltel: cellnumber@message.alltel.com
2. AT&T: cellnumber@txt.att.net
3. AT&T MMS: cellnumber@mms.att.net
4. Boost Mobile: cellnumber@myboostmobile.com
5. Centennia: cellnumber@cwemail.com
6. Centennial MMS: cellnumber@myblue.com
7. Cricket: cellnumber@sms.mycricket.com
8. Cricket MMS: cellnumber@mms.mycricket.com
9. I-Wireless (Kroger): cellnumber@iwirelesshometext.com
10. Metro PCS: cellnumber@mymetropcs.com
11. Mobi: Itsz (Hawaii): cellnumber@mobipcs.net
12. nTelos: cellnumber@pcs.ntelos.com
13. Powertel: cellnumber@ptel.net
14. Qwest: cellnumber@qwestmp.com
15. Rogers (Canada): cellnumber@pcs.rogers.com
16. Sprint: cellnumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
17. Sprint (HTC Mogul): cellnumber@pm.sprint.com
18. SunCom: cellnumber@tms.suncom.com
19. T-Mobile: cellnumber@tmomail.net
20. US Cellular: cellnumber@email.uscc.net
21. US Cellular MMS: cellnumber@mms.uscc.net
22. Verizon: cellnumber@vtext.com
23. Verizon MMS: cellnumber@vzwpix.com
24. Virgin Mobile: cellnumber@vmobl.com

An easy way to determine what email address to use, for Email SMS, is to do the opposite. Send a text message (SMS), from your phone, to your email address. Simply put your email address in the “TO:” field, of your phone’s SMS application.

I have tried this for several cellular providers and it has always worked for me.

Word of Caution

When one communications technology talks to another, there are always some restrictions. Keep in mind a text message needs to be short (less than 160 total characters). Another thing to remember is many cellular subscribers still have to pay for Text Messaging (SMS), so use this technology sparingly. Finally, I do not condone SMS marketing or SMS spam. I firmly believe I should treat others as I want to be treated. So, if you don’t want your cell phone spammed with SMS marketing, don’t spam others with SMS marketing.

Quick Thank You…

I’ve been taking advantage of Email SMS technology for quite a while, but I didn’t have a complete list, including every cellular provider. I was able to strengthen my list, thanks to the articles and comments found here:

• SMS through E-Mail: Cingular, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, Virgin Mobile
• SMS through E-Mail: US Cellular, SunCom, Powertel, ATT, Metro PCS and Alltel

Thank you David Kirk and Tech Recipes.

The post Email SMS appeared first on Bamajr.com.

CrossLoop The Software has a lot going for it and I can see a day when it:

• Competes head to head, with TeamViewer and LogMeIn.
• Has an API (or service), available for a fee, allowing service and support companies to host their own, fully customizable, CrossLoop remote access system.
• Is THE software to use, for Technology Support, at home, in small businesses and in major corporations.
• Is as widely used as antivirus software and I could even see antivirus companies using CrossLoop The Software, to support their antivirus software.
• Is worth millions of dollars.

CrossLoop The Software is installed on all my computers and on the computers of many of my family and friends. I even make CrossLoop available on my Technical Support page.

However, CrossLoop The Software, doesn’t have enough “Cool Factor” to sustain CrossLoop the Company and the company, is a wreck! None of the things, I listed above, will ever happen, until several severe opporational issues are addressed

• Billing, Fee & Payout System
• Customer Service
• Follow Through
• Marketing
• Support

CrossLoop: Billing, Fee & Payout System:

Working in the IT Industry, I know anything that can be hacked, cracked, exploited or circumvented, WILL BE! This includes a Billing System.

Right now, the Billing System, which manages all the Provider revenue streams, has a gaping problem. There are no measures in place, to prevent Providers (Technicians) from billing customers outside of the CrossLoop Billing System. I’ve even had CrossLoop Providers (Technicians) suggest that I do the same and had I heeded their advice, I wouldn’t be hounding CrossLoop about one of my own customers.

Are you telling me CrossLoop’s Billing System is allowing people to circumvent the company’s primary source of revenue?

Yes, that is exactly what I’m telling you!

CrossLoop is loosing money, hand over fist, due to this serious problem in their Billing System. It doesn’t take a strong business mind to realize that any business operating this way isn’t just doomed to fail, it IS a failure and so are the people running it!

In addition to being able to circumvent the Billing System, their Payment System is the most complicated, cumbersome and time consuming, I’ve ever seen. Providers, using CrossLoop, shouldn’t have to wait for access to their money and they shouldn’t be forced to use another third-party payment system (PayPal) to get paid. It shouldn’t take longer than 72 hours for a payment, made today, through CrossLoop, to be in a Provider’s bank account.

Having a more efficient Fee and Payout System, will encourage additional qualified providers to join. Every provider is a revenue stream, so more providers means more revenue streams. How is this a bad thing?

CrossLoop: Customer Service

CrossLoop seems content to drag their feet about getting anything done. As far as I can tell, that attitude is present across the entire company, especially the Customer Service Department.

When I see poor Customer Service, it makes me question the validity of a company. Sure, CrossLoop has the appearance of a big company, with emails for all kinds of departments, but I could set up 60 email addresses in about an hour. Poor Customer Service, makes me think there are probably very few people involved.

If CrossLoop was as big as the image, it tries to portray, Customer Service would be a focus, instead of an after thought. Conflict resolution would occur within minutes and people wouldn’t have to sit around waiting on something to happen.

CrossLoop: Follow Through

CrossLoop employees and executives need to make sure what they say, is acted on, immediately. People will not take CrossLoop seriously, if this isn’t addressed.

CrossLoop: Marketing

CrossLoop has to be better marketed. I can think of all kinds of ways to become the PREMIER REMOTE ACCESS & SUPPORT SYSTEM.

This needs to start with a better web presence, better on-page SEO and singnificant improvements in promotion of Provider pages. If this was taken seriously, CrossLoop would generate a lot more money, through every available revenue stream.

I’m saddened to think about all the lost revenues, missed, due to piss-poor placement on the Search Engine Results Pages (SERP).

Marketing needs to continue with an API/Service. The API/Service should be somthing available for a fee, which would allow companies to integrate CrossLoop with their own IT systems. This has unlimited potential, including several possibilities with social networks.

CrossLoop: Support

Let’s face it, CrossLoop’s Internal Support is a joke. Providers offering support services through CrossLoop and those people who are in dire need of help, will not (or cannot) take the time to click through FAQs, or to send an email. Support needs to be live, immediate and always open. Otherwise, it just proves how small and insignificant the company really is.

CrossLoop has a great application but it isn’t enough to make CrossLoop a viable company. The people who are running the company could become very wealthy, if they make some serious changes. Without those changes, CrossLoop is little more than OpenSource Software.

FYI: Yes, I’ll be looking for a significant consultation fee, if any of these ideas, are put in action, by CrossLoop.

The post The Software and The Company, CrossLoop appeared first on Bamajr.com.

user@server: /var/log/apache2

The “500 Internal Server Error” is in fact, an error, so , my first look was at the Apache Error Log File.

user@server: pico error.log

Log Files are Most Useful when they Start Empty

The issue I have with Log Files, is how much information they collect. Log Files can contain information about all kinds of system or application events, even if I wouldn’t consider the information or event to be a critical issue. Take a look at the Apache Log File, from one of my servers:

At the bottom of the image, you can see there are 187 lines of information, so the image only represents a portion of the total errors, in the Log File. You may also notice lines that seem to end abruptly, with a dollar sign ($). This means there is more information, after the dollar sign ($), which cannot be displayed, at that particular terminal/console screen size.

Server Administrators can waste a lot of time, wading through log files, for what may be a single error. Personally, I find it faster and way more efficient, to start my diagnostics with empty Log Files. Take a look at the same Apache Log File, only empty this time:

With this empty log file, I can more easily identify a specific error. The “500 Internal Server Error” mentioned above, is an error, displayed to a user, through a web browser. However, the Apache Error Log, will show information, specific to why a “500 Internal Server Error” occurred.

Log Files: Their Location and the Process to Empty

To empty the contents of the Log Files, all at once, first they have to found. My servers all run Debian GNU/Linux 6.0 (Squeeze), so the vast majority of the log files are in the log directory. Navigating to the log directory from the command line, is as simple as typing…

user@server: cd /var/log/

…and pressing the <Enter> key, on your keyboard.

From here, you view all the files and directories, at this location, by typing…

user@server: ls

…and pressing the <Enter> key, on your keyboard.

The “root” or “super user” permissions (su or sudo), will be needed (not covered in this post) to proceed past this step.

MAKE SURE YOU BACKUP the existing Log Files, before proceeding (also not covered in this post).

Now, removing all the information, contained in these Log Files, is as easy as typing…

user@server: for logs in `find /var/log -type f`; do > $logs; done

…and pressing the <Enter> key, on your keyboard.

DONE! Log Files are now empty, but can start to retain new information, immediately.

This same command could be run as a script and saved for future use. To do this, start by typing…

user@server: cd /var/log/

…and pressing the <Enter> key, on your keyboard.

Then type…

user@server: pico nulllogs.sh

…and press the <Enter> key, on your keyboard.

In the new nulllogs.sh file, add the same command (from above), by typing…

for logs in `find /var/log -type f`; do > $logs; done

… in the first line of the nulllogs.sh file. Then press the <Ctrl> and <X> keys, on your keyboard, to save and exit.

You’ll be presented with the following message…

Save modified buffer (ANSWERING “No” WILL DESTROY CHANGES)?

..to which you’ll want to press the <Y> key, on your keyboard.

You’ll again be presented with a message…

File Name to Write: nulllogs.sh

..which you’ll simply answer by pressing the <Enter> key, on your keyboard.

Now, you can verify that the “nulllogs.sh” script was created by typing…

user@server: ls

…and pressing the <Enter> key, on your keyboard. You should see the nulllogs.sh script, in the list.

Now you need to change the permissions of the nulllogs.sh script, by typing…

user@server: chmod +x nulllogs.sh

…and pressing the <Enter> key, on your keyboard.

user@server: chmod +x nulllogs.sh

is the same as

user@server: chmod a+x nulllogs.sh

See: ‘chmod u+x’ versus ‘chmod +x’

Then, the next time you want to clear the Log Files, you can simply execute the script, by typing…

user@server: ./nulllogs.sh

…and pressing the <Enter> key, on your keyboard.

I know my steps are pretty thorough, so it may seem quite complicated. However, for an Advanced Server Administrator, these steps can all take place in less than a couple minutes time.

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