We're Growing Up!

Adorable Dora has been a better than excellent mama. The babies are getting their feathers now and seem to be about half as big as Dora, herself.

By size I think I can tell the boys from the girls, but they don't stay still long enough for me to get a really good look at each one. They're a real busy little gang of ruffians.

Someone mentioned, last week, that I haven't mentioned ET, lately. Poor thing has had to take a back seat for my attention the past few weeks. And, is he ever jealous!

He throws a fit every time I go outside. In fact, he's shown his displeasure by “forgetting” a few times where his potty area is. This, of course, doesn't do his case any good - and “Time Outs” just make him madder!

The Smart Money Gets Going

I probably say this every year, but summertime isn't a time to kick back and relax if you work online. Since so many business owners, do slack up June to August, the smart money takes advantage of this and steps up marketing.

In addition to that, it's a time to plan and prepare for the “season” coming up. So, we actually have to gear up - not down - during the time we might like to play.

I'm speaking, of course, of the Northern Hemisphere. You can bet those in the Southern Hemisphere are taking advantage of our Northern inclination to slack off!

So, my suggestion for the next three months is to market, plan and prepare. When August hits, we truly need to set our plans for new business. It's the best month for preparation to put plans into action in September.

So, when August hits, keep a sharp eye out for good deals.

JavaScript Series

One of the things I plan to put into effect this year is to pump up the iCop site with new scripts. Scripts can do amazing things to increase sales.

I've been receiving Will Bontrager's JavaScript Series. I love this thing. I receive a weekly email each containing an awesome script. And, hey - it's free.

I especially like Will's work. He doesn't appear to work on the premise most script writers use, that the more complicated it is, the more folks will think he's a genius.

Which he is - but for different reasons. Will seems to work from the premise that if you keep it simple, nearly anyone can use the script. That includes techno-idiots like me.

In my book, that makes Will the smart one! He's clear - he's concise - and the dang scripts WORK!

Like I said - I love his JavaScript Series, and I think you will, too. Get it here:

www.willmaster.com/possibilities/

While you're there, subscribe to “The Possibilties Ezine,” too. That will get you even MORE great scripts. Pick and choose what you want for your web site, then, file the rest. You'll probably want them, later.

Time to Write to the Imbeciles

Sorry this only applies to the USA, but this needs to be publicized.

A letter signed by 171 Republicans, and a separate letter signed by 77 Democrats, has been sent to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman, Julius Genachowski, urging the FCC NOT to reclassify broadband service and a phone service under Title II of the Communications Act.

This would effectively stop Net Neutrality, allowing such companies as AT&T, Comcast and Verizon to speed up, slow down, or block Web content based on its source, ownership, or destination.

The only web site I've found that has a form to protest is only aimed at the Democrats who signed their letter. In fact, the Republicans aren't even mentioned - so I don't know what good it would do.

However, I'm betting most of you know how to email your legislators. And, I STRONGLY suggest you do it.

Here's the article:

i-cop.org/go/pYrY

One More Week!

On June 15, 2010 iCop Hosting's offer of six months free web hosting will end.

As our birthday celebration, we are giving away Intermediate hosting packages. This gift is valued at $77.70 - no strings attached.

Read about the Intermediate package here:

www.icophosting.net/hosting.html

Sign up here:

www.icophosting.net/order-special.html

Free Fix It Center

Check it out ...

“Fix it Center finds and fixes many common PC and device problems automatically. It also helps prevent new problems by proactively checking for known issues and installing updates. Fix it Center helps to consolidate the many steps of diagnosing and repairing a problem into an automated tool that does the work for you.”

fixitcenter.support.microsoft.com/Portal/

Today's Article

I have reason to believe our world is going to see a long, hard next three months. Although I just wrote we need to keep our noses to grindstone during the summer months, a little nostalgia never hurts, either. At least, we can remember.

I failed to run this article last year, and folks told me they missed it. So, I'll give it to you this year - and hope new folks will enjoy it, too.

(Maybe soon, I'll write the other half of it - about life in the big city.)

Have a nostalgic week, and ... Keep on Keepin' On!

     jl

Join me on Twitter - twitter.com/jlscott_iCop

Duckling Update

WHEW! Last week was a crazy week! Too many things flying around all demanding attention - online and off. Luckily, I have a terrific article for you today from an “outside” writer.

But, First ... the Duckling Update

As of this writing on Friday, we still have 14 babies, and what a band of little outlaws they are! Every day, I see Adorable Dora teach them something else about being grown up. They always take it and run with it!

Right now, I'm watching them swim together about 15 feet out in front of Dora. Either she told them ahead of time, or they decided where they're going to hang out this morning. And that's where they're headed - to a shady spot on other side of the lake.

They are at least as big at 17 days as Alex was at three weeks, last year. Of course, that could be because of the food they forage for themselves in addition to what I feed them.

One of them finally decided to take something from my hand, yesterday. It almost did it the day before, but Mom moved in and stopped it. Yesterday, she allowed it.

I've read repeatedly that daddy ducks do not take care of their baby mamas or the ducklings. Ha! They should see this outfit!

We have outside lights here for night time. Last night, I looked out and saw Dora, Leroy, Jake and Cody all lying in a fairly close circle (or square, if you prefer) on the bank of the lake with all the babies in the middle. I tried to get a photo, but they were too far away. Amazingly cute!

To Answer a Couple of Questions ...

Someone wrote and asked me why I hadn't mentioned any of the ducklings looking as if they belong to Cody (The turkey-sized Caretaker) when I named the rest of the drakes. Well, for some reason I don't understand, Cody doesn't mate. But, he also doesn't quack, so I know he isn't female.

Maybe he's too busy acting as the patriarch and taking care of the rest of the flock. He's also the only one of the riff-raff bunch that won't eat out of my hand. (The mallards never have, either.) Cody is just a little different. He'll only occasionally even eat a treat from me if I throw it to him. Mostly, he completely snubs me, although he does come up to the patio.

The second question was from someone who had always believed barnyard-type ducks don't fly. Yet I mention these flying.

Well, Cody started it. He hangs out with the mallards about a third of the time, although he'll protect his own flock from them. Then, he learned he could fly, too. I don't know if it's because he has enough mallard in him, or just because he's so big and has such powerful wings.

Next, was Dora. She learned it could get her away from the unwelcome advances of the mallards faster. She never flies high like Cody, but I have seen her fly almost clear across the lake, maybe four or five feet off the water.

Next, Leroy - who flies about like Dora. Jake doesn't fly except for very short distances when he's in a hurry to get to the lake.

It might be because he's the smallest and may not have the strength of the others. You wouldn't know it to see him chase those mallards, though. He's quite ferocious when he's after them.

So, again, I have no explanation. I only know what they do.

I just realized this morning one of the reasons I write so much about ducks and things at the lake. I am so enraged at some of the crap going on in the world, this keeps me in the safe zone.

Maybe this is a warning. I'm not really sure how much longer I'm going to be able to keep my mouth shut - or my "pen" quiet. And, that's all I've got to say about that ... for now.

Traffic

I still haven't come up with a new traffic system for us to experiment with. The last one certainly brought in more traffic - but nothing like it promised. But, then promises are seldom produced when it comes to web traffic.

We'll come back to this as soon as I have time to find another one for us to try.

PayPal and Other Business Challenges

PayPal must have an idiot running their department that handles secondary funding sources, i.e., our credit card and banking information. I can't help but wonder how hard it is to live this stupid.

As you may know, when you update credit card or banking information at PayPal, they may cancel all your subscriptions. If you remove the old information before adding the new - it's all gone.

Now, it seems they are canceling subscriptions when someone's credit card expires - if you are using a credit card as your secondary funding source. Ridiculous!

But, far be it from them to simply send you a notice that your card needs to be updated. Rather, they'll let your membership companies deal with the situation of unintentional canceled subscriptions! Not to mention they are wasting our time dealing with their asinine business policies! UMPH!

My other business challenge is this: I love getting to know my readers on a more personal level. I've learned so much about you in the past few months - especially, what fascinating lives you lead.

The problem with that is, although I like having you think of me as a friend, I still have a business to run. And, friendship can get in the way of that.

Since I live The MASTER COURSE, I always manifest whatever I need. I don't say, “whatever I want” because I don't bother with that much, anymore. Been there - done that. It works, and that's all I needed to know.

I have no interest in making a fortune, or even the big bucks. I've already done that in my lifetime and it was a giant PITA. Why would I want to go back?

I also tend to give away most of what I have, anyway. And, I'm okay with that. It's what I do.

However - iCop is a lot of hard work. And this organization must adhere to good business practices. Otherwise, what kind of example am I setting for other online businesses?

iCop is well-known and makes a positive statement on the World Wide Web. I know that for a fact. I also know what, maybe, you don't - that iCop turns down almost as many new members as we accept.

Therefore, iCop ain't always rollin' in dough, like many folks think. iCop still has to pay the bills to stay in business - just like everyone else!

I do everything I can to give you as much as possible, whether it's “freebies” or working with you to the extent I can if you're having a hard time.

So, please don't give in to the impulse to take advantage of our friendship. Business is business, and it has to stay that way.

No matter what else goes on, whether with PayPal or iCop, business needs to go on in the most professional way possible.

Have a fabulous week, and ... Keep on Keepin' On!

     jl

Join me on Twitter - twitter.com/jlscott_iCop

Babies on the Lake

Last Tuesday afternoon, Adorable Dora left her nest to eat and swim. I went to check the eggs and found one with a tiny hole. I watched off and on over the next couple of hours as a tiny duckling hatched and burrowed under the other eggs to keep warm.

When mama came back, she hesitated a minute to see what that was in her nest. Then, she settled back down, and at 6:00 AM the next morning I found 15 little ducklings running all over the place back in her nest area.

I waited for Dora to take them to the water. I waited … and waited … and waited. All DAY I waited ... until I saw the five eggs still under her. I had seen her take four eggs to the lake (apparently, not viable) so that accounted for all 24 eggs.

I decided she wasn't going to get off that nest until she had them all. I also realized it could be a long, long wait on them, since those mallard drakes had nailed her quite a while after she started sitting on the original bunch.

The baby ducklings were going to need food after 24 hours. To eat food, they had to learn to drink water, since they need it to swallow. So, I introduced them to water. What a MESS!

Next, came the poultry starter crumbs. MORE mess. One ducking is one thing - 15 are something else entirely! But, what a comical brood! You can't watch them without laughing. You can see all the different fathers in their colors and markings. What a bunch!

Mama was very good about letting me tend to them. But, then, I was hand-feeding and watering her at the same time, since she clearly didn't want to leave the nest without the rest of her babies.

She only hissed at me twice but, both times, I had something in my hand she didn't recognize. As soon as I talked to her, she simmered down. I made no attempt to take any of the ducklings since I didn't want her to abandon the nest.

On Thursday, she finally brought them out. Here's where I thought I might be able to snag a few, but she kept them all clustered around her tightly, rather than in a line like I've seen ducklings before.

I held my breath for six hours while they all swam, sunned and played. She took 15 out, and brought 15 back to the nest that evening. I couldn't believe the luck! But, I did see both her and her mate (Leroy) strike at turtles that came too close during the day.

So far, they've been very good parents. Leroy is right beside her most of the time. He and Dora are both white and gray. It's quite a colorful sight with all the yellow and gray and black ducklings cavorting all around them.

Actually, it, so far, seems to be a group effort - which surprises me. Jake is the black duck who undoubtedly is the father of some of them (and, who was Alice's mate before she was shot). He also hangs out with them. Cody (the big, REALLY big guy and flock caretaker) keeps the mallards at bay if they come too close.

Cody is damn near as big as a turkey. He has a lot of mallard in him. He's black with a white ring around his neck, a few teal-colored wing feathers and about six inches of white tips on his wings.

You don't see those fabulous wings until he flies, which he learned to do about a year after he got here. Now, he flies as high as the mallards. It's a magnificent sight to see something that big, with those long, white wing tips fly!

I nearly gave him a standing ovation the first time he did it. And, he was so happy he just dived and played in the water for a long time after he landed. He also loves to swim under water. He dives, and you never know where he's coming up.

Cody has to have a chat with those mallards every once in a while. He kicks both their butts once a year, then, just gives them directives the rest of the year.

I call him “Cody” for co-dependent, because he truly is the care-taker. He's the first to arrive when Dora quacks for the flock to come to her.

When Dora was ready to bring the babies back to the nest that first evening, she had a problem. The water is down 16 inches from the bank of the lake closest to her nest. By then, she seemed too exhausted to figure out how to get those little heathens back to the nest. They were everywhere!

Leroy and Jake both tried to herd her down to a place where she could walk them out. But, for some reason, she wouldn't pay attention. Finally, I swear, I thought I saw ol' Cody sigh. Then, he swam over to her and led her out.

But, at daybreak the next morning, Dora had the ducklings back on the lake. And, this is where we are as I write this. If I leave those other eggs in the nest, and she brings her babies back to it each night, she might actually have a chance of raising some of them.

And, the beat goes on ...

Email Marketing

Every time I hear that email marketing is dead, I want to scream. I know a lot of folks would like for everyone to THINK it's dead. But, I've always known - it isn't!

The only reason we have fewer people publishing is that too many have bought the Kool-aid. Email marketing is alive and well!

If you've either stopped publishing - or let up on acquiring new subscribers - or stopped publishing on a regular schedule - I suggest you read these articles:

www.webpronews.com/tag/email-marketing

I Thought I'd Heard it All!

I just have to share this with you. I didn't think I could ever hear anything this asinine. I've heard of pushing the envelope, but I guess some folks just don't know when to stop.

The $12 cup of coffee - Pu-leeeeez!

The sad part is, enough goof-balls will buy it to encourage this kind of nonsense!

www.i-cop.org/go/hQ3f

Reminder

The last day you'll be able to pick up The MASTER COURSE and pay with four payments will be Saturday, May 15, 2010.

This will NOT be an ongoing situation!

www.i-Cop.org/tmc-special.htm

Have a fabulous week, and ... Keep on Keepin' On!

     jl

Join me on Twitter - twitter.com/jlscott_iCop