Hi,
Welcome to the June issue of Software Marketing News, an independent voice for software developers. An HTML version can be viewed at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/author-resource-newsletter67.html .

Domain.com
This site allows you search for domains in various countries, there is an option to search for related domains, in addition you can watch for related expiring domains. http://www.domain.com

ESC Has a New Home
The ESC forums have moved to a new location. If you are an ESC or AISIP member, your current user name and password will be the same.

Server Name: esc.newsgrouphosting.com esc.private is the ESC's members-only newsgroup (also currently available to AISIP members).
esc.public is the ESC's public newsgroup - no password required.

The server requires you to log on. It does NOT require Secure Password Authentication. You can access the web forums online, and change your password at http://esc.newsgrouphosting.com/.

European Union Says No to Patents
Commission said last week that computer programs will be excluded from patentability in the upcoming Community Patent legislation and that the European Patent Office will be bound by this law.

Code Signing
Mitch Vincent of KSoftware is providing a code signing service to developers. K Software is a reseller for Comodo, a global certificate authority. The certificates are exactly the same as the certificates you would get if you ordered from Comodo directly and the only difference is that ordering here gets you a a $14 discount! http://www.ksoftware.net/code_signing.html

Conference(s)
Shareware Industry Conference (SIC) 2006
SIC - What to Expect
Each year I always receive a handful of questions related to the Shareware Industry Conference, so I thought I'd take a moment to let first timer's know what to expect and how to prepare. If you have been to SIC before, try stepping out of your comfort zone. Meet and chat with people that you don't already know.

1. Packing - Plan on bringing an extra bad for goodies. SIC sponsors are very generous and it is a shame to leave things behind because your luggage doesn't have room.

2. Dress Code - The conference itself is very casual and most people wear slacks or jeans with t-shirts, polos, or dress shirts. Many people wear shirts with company logos to promote their brand. While the conference and sessions are casual, the SIAF banquet is anything but, with most everyone wearing suits, gowns, dress' or even tuxedos. Additionally, I would recommend bringing a sweater or light jacket as in the past the conference rooms have been on the cool side.

3. Meals - Most meals are sponsored or made freely available to registered conference attendees (meaning attendees that have paid to attend the conference and sessions). Throughout the day, beverages are available. The sponsors with hospitality suites usually have an assortment of goodies and refreshments available.

4. Sessions - Throughout the day sessions are held. There are 2 sessions running at any given time and attendees can optionally choose which sessions they would like to attend. The SIAF makes an effort to make presentations available for all attendees. The speakers sit at the front of the room, facing the attendees. Each session has 1-3 panelists. The last 15 minutes of the session is typically reserved for questions. CDs will be provided to attendees that will include all presentations.

5. Wireless Access - The hotel has wireless access, and in the past the SIAF has made a cybercafe available for attendees to use. If it is crowded attendees, are asked to use the systems for no more than 15 minutes in a single sitting.

6. Freebie Table - A "freebie" table is made available for attendees. Attendees can provide product literature, CDs or promotional items. Attendees are free to browse the table throughout the conference. Space on the table is somewhat limited and attendees are asked to be courteous to other people's items. If exposure is critical consider sponsoring. All sponsors are given the opportunity to include an item in the goodie bag that is given to each attendee.

7. Networking - Without a doubt the biggest benefit of the SIC are the networking opportunities. No need to be shy everyone is welcome. Bring business cards and take the opportunity to talk to anyone and everyone. I find it helpful to write notes on the back of the business cards that I collect to remind me what was discussed.
Make your plans to attend the Shareware Industry Conference! July 13-15, 2006 in Denver, Colorado. Rooms are filling up fast.
http://www.sic.org

Conferences Austin Game
Conference on September 7-8, 2006 Austin, Texas The Austin Game Conference has distinguished itself as the definitive event for professionals focused on online game development for PCs and consoles. The 2006 program covers everything from MMOGs to digital distribution and offers lectures and workshops conducted by industry veterans and luminaries.
http://www.GameConference.com/

Award(s)
Software Business Magazine Conference
Software-as-a-Service at the "Tipping Point" has been announced as second keynote for Software Business 2006.

Nominations are now being accepted for Software Business Magazine's Software Industry Awards 2006. Categories include:
° Industry Leadership Excellence
° Business Development Initiative
° Best Partnering Initiative
° Best Financing
° Best Acquisition
° Best Sales Strategy
° Best Product Delivery Strategy

The deadline for nominations is July 21. Please submit a 100-500 word pitch that presents why the company is leading the software industry. http://www.softwarebusinessonline.com/SIawards2006.htm

Software Review Site for Sale
Software Transit http://www.softwaretransit.com is for sale, the total price is $25,000 or best offer. The first year of sales netted $12,000, but time is limited so they are looking for a buyer.

Article(s) New Articles
Social Networking for Business
Acknowledging the need to connect with others to grow and expand a business may seem like common sense. Cultivating business relationships and interact with other small businesses is often mutually beneficial and should not be underestimated.
http://www.small-business-software.net/networking-for-business.htm

What is Fair Use
Determining protection can be complex. Fair use is often disputed, and it is difficult for legal scholars to understand, and even more difficult for publishers to decipher. When determining fair use there are a few questions that help determine whether a copyright violation has occurred.
http://www.feedforall.com/what-is-fair-use.htm

Search Engine Optimization Tips
When struggling with search engine optimization just go back to the basics. What do search engines want? Search engines want to return search results, that are relevant and useful to the searcher. Webmasters can help search engines discern what keywords or phrases their site relates to.
http://www.small-business-software.net/search-engine-tips.htm

New Website(s) Worth a Look

Security Port - Security means different things to different people but the focus of security is protection. This site's focus on various types of security and resources to help those in need of protection whether it be computer security or personal security.
http://www.security-port.com

Podcasting Tools - This site is a comprehensive podcasting resource detailing everything you need to know about Podcasting
http://www.podcasting-tools.com

Search Engines
Fascinating Post on Axandra about Google
There's a lot of speculation about the information that Google has about domain names. Last year, Google became a domain name registrar but they haven't offered domain registration services. So why would Google decide to become a registrar? Why did Google become a domain registrar?

It seems that Google doesn't intend to buy or sell domain names. It is much more likely that Google wanted to have greater access to domain information for its search algorithms. As a registrar, Google has access to the APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) of other registrars. While Google doesn't have access to the customer records of VeriSign or other registrars, they can now easily query WHOIS records, and use it as part of their ranking algo.

If you do not read Axandra's free weekly newsletter consider adding it to your list! http://www.axandra.com

Google Privacy
Kory Becker of DummySoftware sent me an interesting post and blog post as a result of my article entitled Google Paranoia or a Cause for concern. He has introduced a freeware product called "G-Zapper" at http://www.dummysoftware.com/gzapper.html and talked about it in his blog at: http://www.dummysoftware.com/blog/post11.html . If you missed the article about Google and their mass of aggregate data details can be found at: http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com/google-paranoia.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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