Hi,
Welcome to the April issue of Software Marketing News, an independent voice for software developers. An HTML version can be viewed at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/author-resource-newsletter65.html .

This month's SMR newsletter sponsor is Vertical Response additional details at
http://www.verticalresponse.com/landing/500/?softwaremarketingresource/apr06

Competitive Edge
What an edgy name! Dave Collins is starting a monthly newsletter that will give readers the competitive edge! Take advantage of Shareware Promotions expertise!
http://www.sharewarepromotions.com

Cool Technology -
RSS Scripts Directory
NotePage, Inc. is pleased to announce a new RSS Scripts Directory. The RSS Scripts Directory contains helpful scripts for managing, manipulating and converting RSS feeds. The intent of the the RSS Scripts Directory is to help users fully realize the potential and functionality of the RSS specification. RSS is a popular new format used to syndicate information on the Internet.

Current scripts contained in the directory include RSS Cache, FutureRSS, and RSSmesh. The RSS Cache script module expedites the retrieval and conversion of RSS feeds into html web pages. The FutureRSS script enables webmasters to prepare content for their RSS feeds in advance, and have it automatically appear at the desired date and time. The RSSmesh script allows for multiple RSS feeds to be merged into a single RSS feed. All of the scripts dynamically manipulate the RSS feeds, so all management occurs in realtime.
http://www.feedforall.com/scripts-directory.htm

Simtel
Get paid for your downloads! They pay your hosting costs and pay you to link to them. I got a note from Aaron (Shareware Promotions) letting me know about a new program that Simtel has implemented.

Simtel's new Affiliate Program has a twist, simply put, for every 1,000 visitors you drive to Simtel they will pay you $2.00! They will pay you for driving your download business through the Simtel site.
https://affiliates.digitalriver.com/affiliate_signup.html

Advertise on SMR
Advertise on the most popular software marketing resource! In an effort to better serve website visitors we will be removing adsense ads from the web pages on Software Marketing Resource website. A single 468X60 box (text or graphic) will be sold on each of the directory pages.

Prices are very affordable and only a single slot will be available on each page. Ads are first come first serve! Additional details at:
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/advertising.htm



Award(s)
Technology Awards
Get those applications buffed up and tricked out! The What's Next Forum & Technology Awards are coming to Boston in June at the Four Seasons Hotel on June 7, 2006. Entrants can enter their technology products or services categories ranging from Data Management to Mobile. Hurry! The deadline is Friday, April 7th!
http://www.mitx.org/technologyawards/

Shareware Industry Awards
That time has come! Submit your products for the Shareware Spotlight. The Spotlight highlights programs eligible for awards. Nominees will often review the list prior to submitting their nominations. Draw attention to your program by submitting it to the spotlight.
http://www.sic.org/submit.asp

Advice For Developers
I had an intern this past week, and I asked him what advice he would give to developers. He felt that many developers overlook simplicity in favor of features, and that ultimately simple=success.

According to my intern:
From newcomers to the computer world, to the technological savvy, simplicity is the key to a popular, great, and selling program. Something that isn't tedious, something that isn't bland, and something that isn't complex; something that is simple. Sure, great and smoother code is nice, but so is a better interface and simplicity. Programs that have a lot of options can overwhelm the neophytes to the program (although it may be very pleasing to the very few technical elite). Programs like BitTorrent, iTunes, and Mozilla Firefox all have two things in common: they have the user in mind and simplicity. Things such as a simple interface, a small learning curve, easy access to tools and options, enhanced search capabilities, and all-in-one packages make things for the end-user much simpler and friendly. Take for instance, Mozilla Firefox. The interface is fairly simple for the first time downloads/users and customizable later on for each individual needs, tabbed browsing makes it easier to surf through different web pages rather than having different windows, it works just like any other Internet browser, tools such as the built in Google search bar, download manager, and options menu are very easy to access, as said before, Google search bar and many other search add-ons as well, and all the privacy, security, pop-up blockers are there when you download for the first time. Mozilla even says it themselves on their site: "Our next generation browser will simplify and speed up your browsing experience." So whether you want a smoother code, better graphics, or faster load times, simplicity is the key for you and the user.

Conference(s)

Shareware Industry Conference (SIC) 2006
SIC 2006 Denver, CO on July 13-15, 2006.
Start making your plans to attend this year's Shareware Industry Conference. SIC is the premier shareware/software industry conference attracting vendors, download sites, and software developers from around the world.
http://www.sic.org

EuroConference
The dates for the 2006 European Shareware Conference have been determined. The EuroConference will be held in Cambridge, Great Britain November 4-5, 2006. Cambridge is a University City with International appeal.
Additional Details - http://www.euroconference.org

Resources:

Best Coding Practices
A new site has been launched that claims to promote the best coding practices, the site is designed to help developers to come up with the best methods to build code.
http://www.bestcodingpractices.com

Article(s)

PR Tips
While controversial issues frequently attract attention they can also alienate potential customers. Sometimes it is better to put a positive spin on public relations.
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/pr-tips.htm

Organic Search Engine Optimization
The fabled tales of successfully tricking search engines into high rankings have given way to a new truth, to achieve decent consistent ranking you cannot engage in tricks but on focused optimization done in a professional ethical manner. According to search sources, with the latest Google update, there is no longer an even playing field when it comes to search placement.
http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/organic-seo.htm

Using Delicious
Delicious is a social book marking system, that is notable, not only for its unusual web address http://del.icio.us, but for its unusual approach to content building that is becoming increasingly popular.
http://www.feedforall.com/delicious-rss.htm

Monetizing RSS Feeds
Publishers are evaluating options and determining how they can profit from RSS feeds. The two obvious contenders that publishers are considering to profit from their RSS feeds are: subscription RSS feeds and RSS feed advertisements.
http://www.feedforall.com/monetizing-rss-feeds.htm

AdSense Tips
AdSense allows website publishers to display contextually relevant advertisements on their website. If a web visitor "clicks" on an advertisement, the web publisher will earn a percentage of the advertising revenue generated as a result of the click.
http://www.small-business-software.net/adsense-tips.htm



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