Hi,
Welcome to the July issue of Software Marketing News, an independent voice for software developers. An HTML version can be viewed at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/author-resource-newsletter56.html .

Awards
Voting is underway for this year's People's Choice and Outstanding Achievement in Educational Software. The voting is sponsored by the Educational Software Cooperative and is open through July 10, 2005. Vote now!
http://www.edu-soft.org/education-awards.shtm

Technology Review
Ok, most readers know that I've become casually obsessed with RSS feeds. Well I've started playing with NextUp's TextAloud http://www.nextup.com and have to say it just does not get any cooler than this! You simply paste text into TextAloud save the file as an MP3 enter the MP3 in the enclosure field of an RSS feed and you have a podcast without ever uttering a word. I have wanted a podcast for SMR for quite sometime *but* the fear of a microphone has held me back. I'm happy to now announce that the articles in the Marketing Directory http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/marketing-article-directory.html will now be available via a podcast, courtesy of "Kate" and "Paul" (my TextAloud voices). Now software developers can work (listening to articles) while jogging, and away from their computers. :-)

This stuff is really very cool. I would welcome feedback from readers (or listeners) and if they like the idea I will consider making the SMR newsletter into a podcast.

If you wish to subscribe to the article feed as a podcast use the following url - http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/smr-podcast.xml

Article(s)
Before I delve into the article, I want to address a specific issue related to copying. While the first article deals with clear copyright violations, there is also a rabid problem in the software industry related to the cloning of software applications. I have more ideas than I can keep up with, I don't know why the behavior of cloning applications is condoned, nor do I understand why some developers can't be innovative. Cloning may not be illegal, but it is certainly not ethical.


Competition is Good, Copying is Bad
I've always been of the opinion that competition is a good thing. It encourages all of us to be better and make better products. While it might be true that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, copying someone else's work is simply wrong.
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/article65.html

When Something is Free Online
Companies or individuals may promote a free offer or service for any number of reasons. From branding to ad revenue, companies often use "free" to attract attention or interest. As a consumer, it is important to realize what "free" might really mean.
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/article64.html

Submit Podcasts Feeds
Submit your Podcast Feeds to this categorized Podcast directory.
Podcasting Station is located at http://www.podcasting-station.com

Submit Security related RSS feeds and blogs to Security Protection http://www.security-protection.net

Conferences
Shareware Industry Conference
Time is running out for SIC - Register Now! The time for the annual Shareware Industry Conference is nearly at hand. The conference will be held July 14 through 16, 2005 in Denver, Colorado. There'll be infomative sessions, lots of networking, special events, and more. And of course, the highlight of the conference is the annual Shareware Industry Awards banquet. This is one industry event not to be missed.
Additional information - http://www.sic.org

European Shareware Conference
The 5th annual European ShareWare Conference Opening doors across Cyberspace will take place on the 5th and 6th of November 2005 in Brussels, Belgium .
http://www.euroconference.org/

5th Annual Game Developers Conference Europe
The European Game Developers Conference will take place in Europe 30 August-1 September 2005 Café Royal, London, UK. Scholarships are available for eligible students.
Additional Details - http://www.gdceurope.com/

Casual Games Conference
Insights to the business opportunities and design considerations required for Developers, Publishers and Distributors to succeed in this rapidly-expanding game industry segment. Sponsored in part by MSN Games. July 19-20, 2005 - Seattle, Washington http://www.CasualGamesConference.com

SLAM 2005:
Sales, Licensing, Alliances & Marketing for Software Companies In Vancouver on August 17-18, join leading software sales and marketing executives and consultants for two days of performance-driven sessions at SLAM 2005: Sales, Licensing, Alliances & Marketing for Software Companies. There is no other event focused on driving sales and profitability like SLAM 2005. Register by July 12 and save $400. Click here to download the pdf and see the program which features software executives and leading consultants.
http://www.softwarebusinessonline.com/slam_conf2005_index.htm

Software Business 2005
Software Business 2005 has been the premier software industry event for the past four years. C-level executives from top software companies and the hottest startups will come together in Tampa on November 1-2. Over 40 sessions with tracks in Finance, Sales & Marketing, Executive Strategy and Operations will give executives and managers the blueprint to run software companies successfully. Register by June 17 to save $300. Click here to download the preliminary conference brochure. Save $300 if you register by June 17th at a discounted rate of only $695! **Save even more with Team Discounts! http://www.softwarebusinessonline.com/sb_conf2005_registration.htm

Search Engines
Google Earth - The $299 service formerly known as Keyhole has been relaunched by new owner Google, and it is even more impressive-and free. Google Earth offers a powerful yet extremely easy-to-use digital globe that makes it a cinch to find a wide variety of geographical data for travel, business, or educational purposes.
http://earth.google.com/

Yahoo's AdSense Competitor - Yahoo has begun testing a program to show text listings on Web pages based on user behavior. In a pilot program with Revenue Science, a Bellevue, Wash., behavioral-targeting company, Yahoo's cost-per-click text ads are shown on Web pages using data collected by Revenue Science.

Yahoo Mindset - A Yahoo! Research Labs demo that applies a new twist on search that uses machine learning technology to give you a choice: View Yahoo! Search results sorted according to whether they are more commercial or more informational. http://mindset.research.yahoo.com/

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Software Marketing News tries to keep developers informed about important industry changes. Software marketing resource is an independent voice for developers. We welcome suggestions and feedback on our articles and information

Thank you for your continued interest in SMR.
Sharon Housley
Software Marketing Resource - http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com
NotePage, Inc. - http://www.notepage.net