Osage Food Moves Forward With Google Apps

I'm excited to announce that OsageFood.com, an ingredient supply company located in Washington, Mo, with a primary focus in the dairy industry, is 5 Star Net's latest company to transform from Microsoft Office / Exchange to Google Apps.   I use Microsoft Office / Exchange, but what I don't like is the reoccurring upgrades, feature incapability between versions, overly complicated interface, file-contention in a multi-user environment, slow loading in outlook, and, most of all, how expensive it is.  Google Apps is only $50 per user, per year and you get email - 25 gigs worth.  If you need more storage, that can be purchased for a fee, as well. Best of all, there's no long download and software to install.  Just open Google Apps in your browser.

Installing Google Apps was a snap.  After we were able to login to the client's DNS provider, and using our Google Apps Reseller Tools, we were able to stage and stack up to 6 MX records for a painless  switch-over. After a training session with the entire OsageFood.com staff, we began eating lunch so I took the opportunity to switch MX records.  Knowing how DNS records can take hours to update was not a concern as it switched over instantly.  Following the switch-over, we were able to login as each employee, reset the password, and get all the mobile devices setup, too.  Part of the setup required us to migrate data from existing outlook users. Google provides a simple Google Apps Outlook Migration Tool that make the process of storing old outlook data in Google Apps, very simple. 

By the time I left the building, the entire staff at OsageFood.com was able to use Google Apps on their desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, and smartphones.  It's like the devices were made for Google Apps.  In fact, there were so many devices in the building that network services had to provision 50 more ip addresses so we could all communicate.  Bill Dickenson, owner of OsageFood.com, sent me this note just a few days after starting with Google Apps, "Everyone seems to be getting the hang of the Google Apps.  Some bugs to work out and still need to learn all the features but everyone seems to think it will be better."  

There are many neat features in Google Apps, but my favorite isn't a feature.  It's how Google designed Google Apps to be extensible with the Google Apps Marketplace.  There are so many additional products that can be turned on in minutes.  Pro Athlete uses the Mojo Help Desk solution for a help desk system and it works great.  There are so many others like, Run My Process. It's got 200 connectors, and counting, that allow workflow. For example, workflows to connect to an api, execute a command, retrieve the results, could be automated and setup within a few clicks.

I'll be sure to provide an update as to how Bill and OsageFood.com are doing in a few months of using Google Apps.

Twitter As A Command Line Tool

Twitter is a command line tool. I've always thought of twitter as a command line tool that fell short, however. Here's my idea to fix it.

When Chris Messina created the hash tag concept in August of 2007, he stumbled on to something that makes Twitter more exciting to use. It's like how TripIT works. If you have not used TripIT before, you can forward airline, hotel, dinner, rental car email confirmations and TripIT reads all the different formats and makes sense of the data. Maureen Evans wrote a cookbook called Eat Tweet which is made entirely from tweets. Each recipe has cryptic language, but once you learn the language, making the the shortened recipes is a snap. Here's a sample. Prime Rib Roast: Tie ribroast if boneless. At roomtemp slit,tuck+slicdgarlc; s+p/buttr. 15m@425F; +15m/lb@350F (turn1x) to desired doneness. The most commonly used of all Twitter commands, the @ sign, allows twitter users to speak directly to certain users. This is not the complete list of Twitter commands, but these commands above hit on a concept that processing disparate information is real and twitter in itself has the potential to become a more-powerful command line tool.

Twitter could be so much more if I could send a tweet like this: @hair_salon -function:appt -date:2011/12/22 -time:any -note:"is susan available". What does all this mean? Just like a command line I have included the necessary parameters to execute the appointment function just like someone executing the DEL (Delete) command would. I need a hair appointment on 12/22/2011 anytime during the day, and I've specifically asked for Susan. Why is this significant? Making an appointment has now been simplified to a tweet. All of the options could be loaded into your favorite Twitter client, so when you are ready to tweet, a simple right-click to see which "functions" are available or recently used is visible. I select Appointment, and fill in the details, then a tweet is formulated on my behalf and promptly tweeted. I could have also included @hair_salon_north and @hair_salon_uptown so they all can compete for my business. I'm sure you can begin to see there could be so many more Twitter command line functions, but let's continue with the appointment example.

The stylists are busy at the salon and cannot take the time to answer the phone, respond to email, let alone read Twitter, so that's where Twitter as a command line tool comes in. When new tweets arrive, a plug-in to your favorite Twitter application checks for appointments and processes the request. Of course, this will require the Hair Stylist business owner to configure the settings by providing the location to the schedule, and CRM data. The system parses the tweet into a command, and executes the steps necessary to complete the request. If further information is needed, then a Direct Message will be sent back to the original requester asking for more information. If not, an appointment is made and a Direct Message from @hair_salon is sent with all the details that confirms a reservation is made.

Google Lawyer Speaks About Kansas City Google Fiber Project at KCSEM Meeting

The Kansas City Search Engine Marketing group (KCSEM.org) met tonight, 9/27/2011, at the Wheat Room in Barleys Brewhaus. Greg Kratofil, Jr. Technology Attorney at Polsinelli Shughart, and attorney for the Google fiber project spoke about all the details concerning Google Fiber’s implementation in Kansas City. Sure, there have been questions answered by Google about the details of this project, but this was a Google-appointed lawyer from Kansas City, proud to announce some serious opportunities, so I had expectations. Google fiber pricing details were discussed, Google fiber location ground-breaking was discussed, Google fiber features were discussed, and Google fiber dates of availability were all asked by the crowd, but a guarded, Mr. Kratofil, held solid and did not answer a single question.

Here’s what Greg did say, however.

Google is protective of their brand. I took this as if they are focused on game-changing technology. One element of proof is that Time Warner Signature Home program, which includes the new Ultra-Wide Band Internet, is now more frequently advertised in the Kansas City market. It’s clearly an attempt to lock customers into the Time Warner product, so Google fiber penetration is minimized. Several people I know already have the Signature Home service and love it. I still think Time Warner has room to grow.

There are many business opportunities in many different markets for Kansas City that Greg spoke about. For example, real estate, start-up, medical advancement, and a venture capital booms were heavily discussed. If the town becomes an incubator for start-ups, for what I like to call them (finish-ups), there’s no telling how many business consulting opportunities could crop up. There also needs to be a good mix of business coaching that’s available in the Kansas City area from marketing to financial expertise if we expect any traction with start-ups.

In 2004, North Kansas City started liNKCity.com with the aim to draw in businesses with a ultra-high speed fiber-optic asymmetrical internet connection that was cheaper and faster than anything. linkcity.org has been down for maintenance for weeks now.



Google fiber is not aimed at Business, but instead, aimed at home consumers. Google is an advertising company first, so that only makes sense. Implementing in customer homes provides Google far more doors for their ads to knock on.

Check out the Google Fiber FAQ, blog or email kansascity-fiber@google.com for the most current information. If you have a business in Kansas or Missouri and need a website, please sign-up for Google's free Kansas and Missouri Business Website Offering at http://www.kansascitygetonline.com. In Missouri - http://www.missourigetonline.com and in Kansas - http://www.kansasgetonline.com

Great Opportunity To Geek-Out With The SEO's Of The World In Kansas City

In the Wheat Room at Barley's Brewhaus tonight, many folks met at the most recent Kansas City Search Engine Marketing Association meeting to compare several versions of analytics software.   When I walked in, I asked, "Where's the geek fest?"  They laughed.

Steve Wright, Digital Marketing Consultant  from vml started the evening covering omniture.  Steve says he comes to viewing analytics from a staticians view.  Take for example, If you look at conversion through the eyes of one channel, but operate in many, Steve likened that to the following statement.  Given a family with multiple kids of both genders, and when someone inquires about them, you respond the hermaphrodite is fine.   Interesting analogy Steve.

The main difference I could ascertain is that omniture has a more refined user-interface and is built for multi-dashboard-style custom displays and reports.   Ben Douglas of H&R Block presented on Omniture and how HR Block leverages the tool.  There were no company secrets released, but Ben did discuss how H&R Block uses Omniture to make data-driven decisions.  Viewing the screen shots of omniture, I could tell the application interface is well polished.  Since Omniture is sold on a per-license basis, they can milk excess dollars from companies who need multiple users to access the system.  Steve recommended using the report email tool to get around this issue.

The second speaker was John Koehler, from Vizion Interactive, who was presenting on Google Analytics.  John mainly focused on the differences between omniture and Google Analytics, so you know what you are paying for with omniture.  Then, John discussed some of the new attribution features in the new version of Google Analytics.

There were many questions for each speaker, which I enjoyed.  However, even though the A/V equipment was great, the sound was not.  The speakers needed a podium so they could continue to see their slides, but view the crowd so their voice-level would sustain.  What really happened, is that the speakers viewed their slides while speaking which meant they faced the same way as the audience.  Some people in the back had to move forward, but once they did, we were back to the seminar.

Breht Burri spoke on the recent MozCon conference in Seattle, Wa.  There were many speakers he mentioned and pulled slides from.  Brett covered the best parts from that event.  Every month someone that attends a conference is encouraged to present.

If you are interested in Search Engine Marketing or just want to hang with some nerds and drink some adult beverages, then KCSEM is the right thing for you.

Come see us at kcsem.org.

The Next Version of JustBats IS HERE NOW!!!!

Customers, Fans, and Friends - thank you for your feedback. We've listened and incorporated many of your ideas and created a new JustBats buying experience for all your baseball bat and softball bat needs. Please see our beta.JustBats.com site for your exclusive look at the next frontier in bat buying. We are asking for your feedback about how we are doing with the new, beta site, so please take a moment to click the thumb's up or thumb's down badges all over the website or complete the short 8-question survey at the bottom of the page.

We know you like our bat packs, so we've taken the process one step further. We still have a dedicated page for bat packs, but it now includes filter-based navigation for easier find-ability. Bat packs are also included in search results and bat coach results, so you'll always have them near. We've changed the product detail page so you can see all the bats in a bat pack in their original glory to help make a better informed buying decision.


Our main product grid has also changed to incorporate our new compare features, and quick view, but it's also there to accentuate our custom product images that we shoot in house using a proprietary method. To compare bats, simply hover over each of the bats you want to compare, and select the compare button from the overlay. There is a limit of four bats to compare. Once you have them in your list to compare, select the compare link. This new method allows customers to highlight similarities which, again, helps customers make a better informed buying decision.


We've completely updated the bat wizard and changed the name to bat coach. The bat coach is not just for beginners either, because we created a new "pro flow" for all the pro players out there. The previous bat coach would ask questions, but if you wanted to change one of your answers, it would require going through the entire set of questions. This was not acceptable, so we changed the questions into a breadcrumb-style display which allows them to be selected. This allows any answer to be changed, and then subsequently, wipes out the remaining answers. Results are returned in a small product grid as questions are asked, so users can refine their datasets accordingly. Even Bat packs can be toggled on or off in the results set.


Our previous bat reviews page only allows search by vendor, which was atrocious, so with the new bat reviews page, we've attached the same product filters; bat type, bat size, length to weight, brand, barrel diameter, and material to the product reviews. It's now super-easy to slice and dice your way to product review bliss so you can make a better informed buying decision. We've extended our customer testimonials system to the new site as well. This means, you may still perform a search for our shipping, customer service, low price, product selection, and returns process testimonials from people who ordered from your home state. See how well we ship to Hawaii, or see what our returns process is for people who live in Oregon. It's all there. Check it out. Still needing some help with making an informed buying decision? Chat with one of our experts using the "chat now" button at the top of every page. You may also review and ask product questions from the product page. See what others have said in our product reviews. Vote up or vote down the reviews which make you happy or sad. All of this can be done, right now, on the new JustBats.com. It's totally designed to help you make an informed buying decision. The product page has been redesigned so that all the details are on the page when it loads. There is nothing hiding behind a tab or click. There's a zoomable image, alternate image and video strip and a downloadable audio file of how the bat sounds when it strikes a baseball or softball. We've streamlined our related-item formula so you can rest-assured knowing JustBats.com will always recommend quality related products. Once a customer has made a buying decision, we've made the checkout process even easier. After making it to the cart, the shipping options and multiple payment options are available. When choosing to use a credit card, we take the customer to a one-page checkout where the purchase details are captured. It's as simple as it gets.