Robert Braathe - Professor and Consultant

3 Keys to Surviving a Panda Attack

jsdickinson — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:17:18 +0000

Google Panda is causing ripples across the Internet. The machine-learning algorithm used by this update turns a lot of practiced SEO methods into detractors from your site and a lot of high ranked search results are getting lost in the “o’s” of Google. Although Panda has hit many websites heavily, the important thing to remember is anytime there is a monumental change like this there is huge growth potential. After all, if popular sites are getting penalized, that leaves room for everyone else.

So, what can you do to use Panda as a benefit to your site and traffic?

1. Create Original Content

This is important. Not just in keeping your posts fresh and unique, but your overall website theme. If your website is mostly template with a side of content, Panda will eat it. Panda is designed to weed out sites that are mostly copied material both in content and the overall display, so if the template footprint of your site outweighs the original material, you’re in trouble. Eliminate ads and redundant articles to help improve your rating with Panda.

2. Focus On The Pages

Filler pages and ad heavy pages negatively impact the entire site. One bad page previously would only influence that page’s Google rating, but now with the Panda algorithm it impacts the entire site. This is important to realize, because often sites will be riddled with confusing pages that serve no purpose other than to capture users for another 10 seconds while they navigate through the site with a few more hopeful AdSense ads throughout these pages. These commercials that we click through to get the content can lower your rating with Panda, and ultimately lower your overall success and traffic from Google.

3. Remember What Panda Does

Panda is designed to replicate a human interaction. It’s based on user inputs. Thousands of them. It then takes these inputs to decide what humans like and dislike, then organizes websites in this manner. When you design your sites or work on your pages, take this into consideration. Good content and SEO strategies were all that was needed for a while, but Panda changes this. Adding to those things (or maybe just becoming a part of those things) is the overall interface of your website. Previously, this was more of a best practice that many people became concerned with after they had their content and traffic in place.

Panda is the future of web searches. Social Media is becoming more popular, and I think as Panda updates roll out, Social Media’s role in generating traffic will continue to grow, but search engine traffic is going to continue to be a pivotal part of any online business strategy. Keep in mind that Panda is designed to view your site as a human, so when you are working look at your site as a human. Does your content flow? Does it look and feel unique? Is it overburdened with ads? Are many of your links redundant? One solid makeover of your website can drastically improve your Google rating, but also the functionality of your site and your reader’s experience.

Jon.

Why the 4s should be sending shivers down Google’s spine

jsdickinson — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:16:56 +0000

Source: http://static.unplugged.rcrwireless.com

The Smartphone market is growing more competitive and Google is continually trying to take away Apple’s well-earned title as the king of the technology industry. Although a lot of people were anticipating an iPhone 5 to raise the stakes of the phone industry, Apple’s well placed 4S shows that a few minor tweaks are all that they needed to stay at the top of the game.

My favorite thing about Apple phones (and products in general) is that the company understands that the physical appearance is just as important (maybe more so!) to the average person as are the specs. The shared body of the 4/4s is beautiful. No other phone can come close to the sleek design cues. The device blends trendy minimalism with chic industrialism and the result is stunning. Although I personally prefer the black design, the device is also offered in a more iconic Apple white. No other phone can come close to what this device looks like. Before even delving into the difference is technologies, the grace of the iPhone needs to be complemented over the generally clunky Android phones.

Aesthetic design only goes so far, though (otherwise we’d all be carrying LG Pradas). Working in the wireless industry, the two most common attributes I see people want in phones are screen quality and ease of use. Ill give my overview of Apple vs. Google in both of these areas, as well as a few minor advantages to each OS.

Android phones take a Super Size Me approach when it comes to screens. It seems like each model phone gets slightly larger in screen size, which is double edged. I personally do not like the 4.3 in screen size, although many people do. Despite the qHD and sAMOLED quality screens in various Android phones, none of them can compete to the Retina display quality in the iPhone. It’s dubbed Retina because above 300 pixels per inch, the human eye can no longer determine individual pixels. The iPhone 4/4s is the only phone above 300, at 326 pip. If you spend some time with the individual phones, the difference in astounding.

Apple wins hands down in ease of use and functionality. iOS5 copies the incredibly convenient Notification bar from Android and incorporates it into the seamless interface that Apple is known for. Siri is the true champion, though. My favorite thing about my Droid phones was the voice recognition software for Talk-to-Text and GPS use while driving. Siri takes voice recognition software to a new level. You can nearly have a conversation with your iPhone, instructing it what you need to do and it will scan your phone, Google, Bing, and Yahoo to find the answer you need and responds in a friendly voice. The 4s also picks up an additional hour of talk time to the already impressive battery life of the iPhone 4.

Although I clearly prefer the iPhone, the Android operating system does have a few advantages. The first is the breadth of the line up. There are many different styles, designs, and manufacturers to choose from. A tech-savvy user can navigate through the options to find a more custom-fitted phone. Verizon also offers a growing line up and expanding market of 4G LTE which is a very impressive data network that the iPhone 4s is not compatible with. This substantial advantages aside, I’m still opting for the iPhone 4s. They have successfully incorporated the advantages Google had into the intuitive interface for which Apple is known. No need yet for an iPhone 5, this one again is Apple setting the bar.

Doing Business Near Disney in Business, Education and Technology

galaconcierge — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:55:36 +0000

I am beyond excited at my newest expansion of my business in to the Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg area this fall. 11 years after I left my management career at Disney to return to the Northeast, it brings me great joy to bring my work to Florida on a semi-regular basis.

On September 26th, I will officially be doing business in Florida with some local business owners, entrepreneurs, Mac users, and more. Much like my work in Westchester and Fairfield County, CT, I plan on visiting the Orlando and Tampa St.Pete areas every 4-6 weeks and work virtually between visits. I will have local contact people for Braathe Enterprises based in Florida who will act as my contact points in between visits to make the process smooth.

I truly look forward to the opportunity to serve the Florida market once again, this time in the areas of business, education and technology.

Whether it’s recommending, setting up, or training you on a Mac, delivering or designing a traditional or online course, or assisting you in growing and promoting your business, Braathe Enterprises and I are delighted to be returning to Orlando, where indeed for me

“It all started with a Mouse.” Walt Disney

Robert

Technical Support for Apple – New York – CT – Online – Phone

galaconcierge — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:24:26 +0000

As a member of the Apple Consultants Network, I’ve been providing pre-purchase advice, support, and customized training to clients since 2005. My Mac and business clients range from small business to retirees, creative professionals to students, and from local clients in Saratoga and Albany to clients in Fairfield and Westchester County.

Recently, I’ve added remote support as a regular item offered through my services. This has enabled me to offer services to clients on an a la carte or scheduled basis no matter where they live.

One of my most popular new services is my scheduled remote phone or direct connect support through Skype or iChat. For $29 for up to 20 minutes of support, this service allows people to handle small issues or learn things in a short amount of time without the need for an on-site visit.

For those needing more extensive support, I also offer 3-6 month retainer plans that allow you to utilize more regular service including email support.

For more information, contact us at info@galaconcierge.com or 518-290-0812

If you already know what you’d like to buy from Apple, whether it would be an iPhone, iPad 2, Mac or Apple accessories, visit our Apple Store for Business

Providing Workforce Training and Development Now for New York

galaconcierge — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:57:40 +0000

In a recent article on education in the Troy Record, it was announced that upstate New York colleges applied for a $50 million grant to develop new programs for students looking for work.

From the article –

“If funding is approved, workers will be trained for skills in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, design, renewable energy, entrepreneurship-business-hospitality and nanotechnology.
Depending on the needs of particularly companies, community colleges will use this funding to develop new classes and certification programs, bring new technology into labs and expand the availability of internships and externships at local businesses.”

At Braathe Enterprises, we are providing internships and externships to students and those looking for work today, and have developed customized and standardized courses in the areas of entrepreneurship, business and hospitality.

We are confident that the programs we provide to the students, entrepreneurs, and others who have joined our continuing education and professional training programs will meet the needs of the changing workforce.

Lion Review – Mail

galaconcierge — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 02:38:27 +0000

I downloaded Lion yesterday morning and was very impressed with the process. After buying Lion through the App Store, I waited about 90 minutes or so for the download to complete on my high-speed connection. The install itself after the download was complete took about another 90 minutes.

One of the biggest changes I noticed were some of the new features in Mail; Mail on Lion looks very much like Mail on an iPad; I preferred what Mail looked like in 10.6, so I was hoping there was a way to switch the view, and indeed I was pleasantly surprised when I found a way to change the look back to one I was used to.

Under Mail, Preferences, Viewing is a checkbox which allows you to Use Classic Layout. I may change back to the new layout at a later date.

Another feature in Mail I really like is the ability to flag messages in multiple colors.

To see all about Lion and whether you’d like to download it, visit http://bit.ly/apple_lion

Genius Bar Access and Alternatives in Saratoga Springs

galaconcierge — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:59:33 +0000

The Genius Bar at the Apple Store is a great resource for Apple and business support. We recommend using their online registration system to register for an appointment ahead of time to meet with the Business Team or Apple’s Geniuses for any business or personal related technology issues.

Here is a link to the Apple store in Crossgates, where you can make appointments for a variety of services.

http://www.apple.com/retail/crossgates/

As well, Braathe Enterprises offers on-site support and service to the entire Capital Region. Recently, we added office hours at Prestwick Chase at Saratoga. Check the link below for hours and days. You can also book an appointment with us by calling 518-290-0812.

TECH Time with Robert Braathe of Braathe Enterprises in the Prestwick Chase at Saratoga Piazza

http://www.prestwickchase.com/tech-time

We Build Inexpensive Websites That Work

galaconcierge — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:13:47 +0000

At Braathe Enterprises, we have built a number of inexpensive websites that work.

Many of our most satisfied clients have had either no website or a website that didn’t generate the kind of results that they were seeking (in terms of traffic or visits turned into sales).

We have worked with businesses in New York, Connecticut and virtually to provide support and assistance to update existing websites that need a fresh design or building new websites in WordPress that allow you to update your site on your own once our build and design is complete.

Examples of our work

http://www.prestwickchase.com – Site design and updates, WordPress, SEO and Social Media Marketing

http://www.undefinedcreative.com – Site updates, WordPress, SEO and Social Media Marketing

http://www.enricohaircare.info – Site design, WordPress, and updates

http://www.galaconcierge.com – Site design, WordPress and updates

http://www.baroquefestival.org – Site design, WordPress

http://www.northriver.com – Site updates and management, SEO and Social Media Marketing

Summer Virtual Internship Opportunity through Braathe Enterprises

galaconcierge — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:07:52 +0000

Are you looking for an internship? Braathe Enterprises is now seeking interns for Summer 2011.

Internships run from May 1st through August 1, June 1st through September 1st, or July 1st through October 1st.

During your internship, you will work virtually for 5-10 hours per week on projects such as marketing, web design, e-commerce, project management, and more. The internship is designed to offer you the opportunity to learn things outside of the classroom about your major.

While there will be specific assignments required, during your internship, you will have the flexibility to make your own schedule, learn more about your major from a college professor, and participate in online discussions about business.

While this is an unpaid internship, you will gain valuable experience working with companies and on projects that range from startups to existing businesses, and gain knowledge you can bring back to your college or to your job.

At the end of your internship, you will receive a letter of recommendation and recognition on the Braathe Enterprises website for your contributions.

For more information, please contact us at robertjbraathe@gmail.com

Happy Holidays from Robert Braathe – Apple and Business Consultant

galaconcierge — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 14:39:07 +0000

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays. It has been a great year for my company and I am happy to report that I have been blessed with many new clients this year, as well as continued work with several existing clients.

No matter the size of the company, the length of the relationship, or the dollars spent, anyone I cross paths with deserves and gets my full attention. In the words of Joe DiMaggio, one of my beliefs is that “There may be a kid out there who is seeing me for the first time. I owe him my best.”

I look forward to working with you if I haven’t done so yet, and if I have done work for you before, I look forward to doing so again in the coming years.

Happy Holidays!

Robert