Small-Business-Forum.net - The Water Cooler http://www.small-business-forum.net/ We all need a break from business at times. Post your chit chat here. en Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:55:55 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.small-business-forum.net/images/misc/rss.png Small-Business-Forum.net - The Water Cooler http://www.small-business-forum.net/ Dollar ReDe$ign Project http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3478-dollar-rede-ign-project.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:14:22 GMT I came across an interesting site a week or so ago called the Dollar ReDe$ign Project. It's a project for anyone to redesign U.S. currency. Here's what the site says about why it exists.

Quote:
The Dollar ReDe$ign Project hopes to bring about change for everyone. We want to rebrand the US Dollar, rebuild financial confidence and revive our failing economy.
It looks like the competition ends in about a week and they have a poll set up for voting.

Most of the designs are really interesting, maybe not all appropriate for currency, but still quite interesting. Most are also very modern. I have to say I'd much rather see a few of these than I would the money we currently have, though some I could never see on our currency.

Try to hold your political views while looking at some of the designs. Since many designers went modern you'll see some recent presidents. President Obama shows up a few times, which I imagine won't be to the liking of the Republicans we have here, though you probably will like the design featuring Ronald Reagan. There's a fair amount of the usual Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and some using famous people from outside of the government.

I was just reading over some of the comments about the designs and the Obama $1 bill definitely made quite a few people unhappy as you might expect. Again I'd try to look at these designs less for any politics associated with them and more for the designs and the ideas.

The designers also share a few words about their though process behind the designs. Some are very interesting and have some good ideas in general. For example the Obama design causing controversy has bills of different sizes. I'm not sure how practical that would be, but one of the ideas was to make it easier for the blind to distinguish one bill from another. So, yeah, Obama maybe not the best choice for our money (I think we need to stick to less polarizing figures), but the idea of different size bills is an interesting one.

There are a lot of pages of designs to go through so the site can keep you busy for awhile. I think this is also something that's been going on since last year and will probably continue into next year.

Anyway enjoy. There really are some very nice designs and odds are you'll find at least one you prefer to the bills we're currently using. You'll also find a few you don't care for at all and some that will probably make you anger at the people chosen to be on the bills.

Please Read: One last thing. I don't want this thread turning into a political battle where half of us choose one party and the other half choose the other party to be represented. Try to keep the discussion in the context of the designs themselves. There's a good chance I'll delete any post that starts trying to debate politics in general here. ]]> The Water Cooler vangogh http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3478-dollar-rede-ign-project.html antique etiquette http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3474-antique-etiquette.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:01:46 GMT if i sell you something for 1$ and its worth 100$$$...dont tell me about it.... ha ha.. .this happened to me sunday and the dang guy also ... if i sell you something for 1$ and its worth 100$$$...dont tell me about it.... ha ha..
.this happened to me sunday and the dang guy also didnt buy anything else....it was a rare fruit jar...#13...i cant know everything or look thru a pile of 100 fruit jars that just came in....im looking at it as good buzz.... as in go buy from those dummies, they dont know what they have..........oh well.. ]]> The Water Cooler greenoak http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3474-antique-etiquette.html 5 year old drummer - JonahRocksOfficial http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3442-5-year-old-drummer-jonahrocksofficial.html Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:09:23 GMT This kid is just amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3zrC-xASYM This kid is just amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3zrC-xASYM ]]> The Water Cooler Chimpie http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3442-5-year-old-drummer-jonahrocksofficial.html Ixquick Search Engine http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3441-ixquick-search-engine.html Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:37:58 GMT Anyone here use Ixquick Search Engine (http://www.ixquick.com/eng/what-makes-ixquick-special.html)? I saw it recommended on IObit. So far, I it. Anyone here use
Ixquick Search Engine?

I saw it recommended on IObit. So far, I it. ]]> The Water Cooler dynocat http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3441-ixquick-search-engine.html Borrowing Software? http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3437-borrowing-software.html Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:34:37 GMT I don't even know if this is legal to do or not. But, here's my situation. I got a new computer yesterday and the place I got it from did a pretty good job of getting all my files and programs from the old to the new.

But, one program they couldn't move was MicroSoft Picture It, Premium 10. I have lost the disc and the program is no longer made - and no versions were produced after my version. I found one used for $200. Since I already paid for a legal version - I was wondering if it was legal to just borrow a copy and install it (if I was lucky enough to find someone with a copy to lend me, of course).

Is this O.K. to do? Will it work?

B.T.W. - I use it to manage my photos. I know there are a lot of other programs, but this particular program allowed me to type in captions about the photos. Any other software that I used to view the photos with will not show the captions typed in with this software. I had my mother and father tell me stuff about 1,700 slides that I digitized a few years ago. My Dad has since passed - so we can't recreate this information. ]]> The Water Cooler Steve B http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3437-borrowing-software.html 2 kinds http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3430-2-kinds.html Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:37:01 GMT once in a while PEOPLE from far away WANT OUR CUPBOARDS AND WE DONT SHIP AND WE DONT TAKE ORDERS.....but we do have them to sell.... ... once in a while PEOPLE from far away WANT OUR CUPBOARDS AND WE DONT SHIP AND WE DONT TAKE ORDERS.....but we do have them to sell.... usually they see the web, email me, call me and talk about how bad they want them for their store or whatever...then we talk about the shipping and i have to say its for them to figure out.and give them an option or 2......then nothing usually.....BUT the other kind of business person comes upon us a couple of times a year..... and its no problem !!! i dont even have to talk about the possibilities...she can do it...
this is happening right now and im sellilng either 4 or 6 of our big cupboards to a new store in california....
i just love this can do attitude!.... ]]> The Water Cooler greenoak http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3430-2-kinds.html Who was Right? Orwell or Huxley? http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3429-who-right-orwell-huxley.html Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:53:53 GMT Found this interesting comparison between George Orwell and Aldus Huxley today. It's a series of cartoons comparing what each predicted about their future or our today. If you read 1984 and Brave New World you'll definitely enjoy this, but you don't need to have read either to understand what's going on.

Orwell and Huxley: Who was right?

What's really interesting is seeing the things they feared would happen to society juxtaposed against each other and the world today.

It's a quick read and worth the visit regardless of whether or not you've read their books. ]]> The Water Cooler vangogh http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3429-who-right-orwell-huxley.html Thunderbird Users Input Needed http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3406-thunderbird-users-input-needed.html Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:41:29 GMT I finally downloaded TB a few days ago, after hitting my breaking point with Outlook Express. I have 12 email addresses that are set up correctly. ... I finally downloaded TB a few days ago, after hitting my breaking point with Outlook Express. I have 12 email addresses that are set up correctly.

My problem is how to have the program get mail automatically on startup. I looked for a general setting, but couldn't find one. Do I need to go into each account to set that?

Any other tips are appreciated. ]]> The Water Cooler dynocat http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3406-thunderbird-users-input-needed.html love the new geico commercials... http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3404-love-new-geico-commercials.html Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:05:34 GMT especially the one with the whiney depressed guy on the couch..their whole thing for the last couple of years has been brilliant ... especially the one with the whiney depressed guy on the couch..their whole thing for the last couple of years has been brilliant imho......i hope for that good of an ad!!!! ]]> The Water Cooler greenoak http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3404-love-new-geico-commercials.html thanks http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3392-thanks.html Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:55:12 GMT thanks to whoever gets to clean up all the spam this morning...ikkk... thanks to whoever gets to clean up all the spam this morning...ikkk... ]]> The Water Cooler greenoak http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3392-thanks.html Design Competition! My Experience http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3368-design-competition-my-experience.html Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:25:37 GMT Well, after reading this thread all the way through Which Logo do you like the best... Well, after reading this thread all the way through

Which Logo do you like the best by Four94

I couldnt help but notice there are quite a few people who have very strong opinions on both sides of the fence as to whether websites like 99designs etc are not only having a negative effect on the design industry but also whether they are just plain unethical.

So I was a little intrigued by the contests and decided to have a go at a couple. I wanted to make an attempt to get some first hand experiences before I jumped to either side of the fence.

After 10 minutes of looking for the right place to post this I thought I'd post this blog post here for those who would like to get an insight of what the designers go through competing on these sites (I was a little worried the scary mods here will delete me for self promotion...... I dont mean it to be)

Heres the blog post

I hope this thread doesnt turn into a big debate on whether they are good or bad.

I really do believe there could be a future for this way (or similar concepts) of doing things so Im interested in hearing what you guys think could be done to fix what most designers see to be the problems.

After reading about my experiences what do you think 99designs would have to do to make it more ethical towards designers? ]]> The Water Cooler lav http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3368-design-competition-my-experience.html Do You Know? http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3365-do-you-know.html Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:37:27 GMT Insourcing is a very real threat to small business and minoirty owned business. I am trying to figure out how to estimate just how many small... Insourcing is a very real threat to small business and minoirty owned business. I am trying to figure out how to estimate just how many small businesses and minority owned businesses will go out of business as a result of the government's in sourcing directive that they have in effect. Can anyone help me....or better question, who knows about the insourcing directive? ]]> The Water Cooler alizabeth http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3365-do-you-know.html pale http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3362-pale.html Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:33:49 GMT is the forum paler than it used to be? ann is the forum paler than it used to be? ann ]]> The Water Cooler greenoak http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3362-pale.html Anybody see this 10 y/o girl sing? http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3358-anybody-see-10-y-o-girl-sing.html Sat, 14 Aug 2010 04:05:01 GMT I'm not a classical music fan although I do like this song. In any case this kid has talent!

YouTube - America's Got Talent YouTube Special - Jackie Evancho ]]> The Water Cooler billbenson http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3358-anybody-see-10-y-o-girl-sing.html I keep running into unemployed people http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3357-i-keep-running-into-unemployed-people.html Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:10:04 GMT I'm not one to pitch doom and gloom but I just recognized that where I live leads the nation in unemployment, foreclosures and bankruptcies.

Lately it seems every time I run into someone on the streets they are looking for work, just got laid off, or are bitching about the bureaucracy of the state's unemployment offices and how they still haven't been paid and are about to be homeless.

I have never see so many people that I know out of work, especially here where we have enjoyed a good 15 years of prosperity.

It's not much better on my end..clients are having a hard time..I lost 2 recently that couldn't keep our monthly contract and haven't been able to replace them and none of my U.S. clients seem to be very happy right now.

I always keep a positive attitude, but this summer has sucked and things overall seem to be getting worse.

What's going on where you guys are? ]]> The Water Cooler eborg9 http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3357-i-keep-running-into-unemployed-people.html Ipod problem http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3354-ipod-problem.html Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:09:50 GMT Can anyone help with my ipod problem? I attempted to charge it up this morning, by connecting to my PC as usual. It did not recognise my ipod in... Can anyone help with my ipod problem? I attempted to charge it up this morning, by connecting to my PC as usual. It did not recognise my ipod in itunes. I've tried the usual re-set buttons on my ipod, but it is still frozen. Any ideas?

Yes, i know it's Friday 13th :( ]]> The Water Cooler hdm http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3354-ipod-problem.html Plastic vegetables! http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3328-plastic-vegetables.html Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:59:25 GMT I enjoy a good curry, like a lot of people. Being a vegetarian, I choose from the many vegetable curries, vegetable biryani more often than not. ... I enjoy a good curry, like a lot of people. Being a vegetarian, I choose from the many vegetable curries, vegetable biryani more often than not.

I try many Indian restaurants, and I hate to say that it is becoming an increasing trend for the chefs to use tinned vegetables in the curry and the rice. It is so obvious, as all the carrots are cubed and of identical size, and there are always sweetcorn and broad beans, and the dishes are tasteless :(

Come on, Indian Restaurant owners. If you're going to charge for vegetable dishes, at least use real vegetables!

Anyone else, or is it just me? ]]> The Water Cooler hdm http://www.small-business-forum.net/water-cooler/3328-plastic-vegetables.html