Do you use Instant Messaging? (Or IM for short)

Instant Messaging

Do you use Instant Messaging? (Or IM for short)
We sure do!

Definition: IM falls under the umbrella term online chat, as it is a real-time text-based networked communication system, but is distinct in that it is based on clients that facilitate connections between specified known users (often using "Buddy List", "Friend List" or "Contact List"), whereas online 'chat' also includes web-based applications that allow communication between (often anonymous) users in a multi-user environment. (read more at wikipedia)

Our favorite tool is Trillian because it allows us to manage multiple accounts on multiple types of services like Google, Facebook and Yahoo on both Mac and Win machines (your cell phone too!).
Download Trillian here!

You can chat with me a variety of ways:
jameybypbco (yahoo)
jbrumfield@gmail.com (google)
JameyBrumfield (facebook)

Instant Messaging is like a quick phone call that you do not have to pick up a phone and dial. Just check to see if I am online and send a quick text note. I can then respond using Instant Message or if more conversation is needed, I can call you! It is a great way to check in, ask a quick question or schedule a meeting. Faster than email and less intrusive than a phone call. Check it out! See you on IM :)

More fun than "Lorem ipsum"

Lorem ipsum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In publishing and graphic design, lorem ipsum is placeholder text (filler text) commonly used to demonstrate the graphic elements of a document or visual presentation, such as font, typography, and layout. The lorem ipsum text is typically a section of a Latin text by Cicero with words altered, added and removed that make it nonsensical in meaning and not proper Latin. A close English translation of the words lorem ipsum might be "pain itself" (dolorem = pain, grief, misery, suffering; ipsum = itself).

Even though "lorem ipsum" often arouses curiosity because of its resemblance to classical Latin, it is not intended to have meaning. Where text is comprehensible in a document, people tend to focus on the textual content rather than upon overall presentation, so publishers use lorem ipsum when displaying a typeface or design elements and page layout in order to direct the focus to the publication style and not the meaning of the text. In spite of its basis in Latin, use of lorem ipsum is often referred to as greeking, from the phrase "it's all greek to me" which indicates that this is not meant to be readable text

Recently a client sent us this note:
More fun than “lorem ipsum” http://www.fillerati.com/

Now you have a quick way to pour some content into a layout and keep your clients entertained while they finalize their web content! Enjoy!

Save your eyes! Suggestions to preserve your eyesight while working on computers...

We are guilty of working at our office computers for hours at a time, forgetting to take short breaks to move around and now, more importantly, LOOK around. A recent article in Women's Health magazine reminded me to remind DavidB and Cat to look away and blink more often when working at their computers... and now I am reminding you!

The Truth Behind Computer Vision
by BRIGID SWEENEY
"Will your beloved time with your computer, smartphone, and tablets come back to bite you in blurred vision? Learn how to preserve your eyesight in an increasingly digital world..."

Read More!

And some extra hints and tips to Preserve Your Eyesight

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saint Valentine's Day (commonly shortened to Valentine's Day)[1][2][3] is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions.[1][3] The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 500 AD. It was deleted from the Roman calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, but its religious observance is still permitted. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. - wikipedia

Back in 2004 we made a fun flash game, thought you might enjoy a little blast from the past!


Other fun site for Valentine's Day:
History of the day
Valentine statistics
TLC How Valentine's Day works
Hallmark cards
Valentine concentration game
Online games

Have a sweet one however you celebrate :)

AVOID Email Scams

How do you know?

Recently, a client forwarded us a message that sounded pretty good but yet too good to be true. Her question was "Is this a scam?"

Our response: Usually if you have to ask, it is a scam.

If there are strange characters, page breaks, indentations and other incorrect or choppy english, it is usally a scam.

Here is an article about this particular scam our client received:
http://www.seony.com/20090922-marc-schneider-phd-spam-under-www-mplw-net/

Another good way to test if something is a scam is just to type the URL, EMAIL and SCAM into Google and see what shows up. For this one we searched for "mplw" and "scam". And got our answer.

Some helpful articles about avoiding email scams:
1. How to recognize a phishing scam email
2. How Not to Get Hooked by a ‘Phishing’ Scam
3. How to Avoid Email Scams to Prevent Identity Theft
4. How To Avoid Email Scams
5. Email Scams

Happy Birthday JameyB!

caption: very young JameyB with her Dad (early '70s)
"I must confess, I was born at a very early age."
Groucho Marx

February 2 not only is JameyB's birthday, it is also GROUNDHOG's DAY!

What will Punxsutawney Phil predict this year? And will it match JameyB's prediction?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMEYB!

Happy 14th Anniversary Your Plan B Company!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

On January 27, 1997 DavidB and JameyB left the lawyers office with the official papers making Your Plan B Company a reality! 14 years later we are still as in awe of the internet and all that it can accomplish as we were back then.

THANK YOU for your continued support as we work together to make art, programming, marketing and entertainment come together online for you and your audience!



THANK YOU from the creative crew at Your Plan B Company!
JameyB, DavidB and Cat