We all love 'Freeware' right? After all it's human nature to want something 'free'. There are some very good freeware programs out there, Simple to download, simple to install, simple to get started with, especially when you don't have a lot of money to buy all programs you want or need right?

Well........ There's always a Well... isn't there.

If you have installed any freeware, there's a good chance that you've also got some advertising - supported software too. Working in background, downloading banner ads - pop ups etc.

Then there's something different - spyware - collecting information about you and your Internet related activity.

How does spyware get onto you computer? Usually downloaded as part of or in addition to freeware application. You install program you have downloaded then another user agreement pops up that you click 'OK' (how many read all user agreement - you should). Sometimes spyware is 'misnamed' as freeware. Then when you uninstall original program spyware can remain.

What Can You Do?

A good first step is to install a firewall. ZoneAlarm a good very popular firewall. A firewall stops spyware 'reporting back home' when surfing Internet. You have good control over what is allowed to have access to Internet. Get a copy from ZoneAlarm www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

Others include Tiny http://www.tinysoftware.com/ Sygate Personal Firewall 5.0 www.sygate.com

A Baker's Dozen Copyright © Darlene Styers 2003

How many times have you been told "The Money Is In The List"? Let's talk a bit deeper today and discover just how to build a list. It goes without saying that larger list, more potential. Everyone wants their list to grow as quickly as possible. But even more important than subscribing is retention of your subscribers. And perhaps most challenging. Let's discuss 13 (a Baker's dozen) ways to maintain your list.

ONE: Place a Subscription Form on every page of your site. It does not have to cost an arm and a leg to have a website. The total cost involved in site we use is $6 per month including hosting. No HTML knowledge is required. If you can type you can build a site. This is probably one of most important things you will do.

TWO: How do you feel about subscription forms that ask for your life history? Actually all you need is their email address so don't ask for more. Do you always give your true name when filling out one of those long subscription forms?

THREE: Your Welcome Letter as well as your Subscribe page should give lots of information about your publication. How often do you publish? Just what's in this subscription for reader?

FOUR: Do you offer free advertisements or subscriber bonuses? Tell them about it. You may want to, at least, offer advertisements for new subscribers. However, there are many who are simply looking for free advertisements and nothing else. You never know when someone interested only in free advertisements may just become interested in your Newsletter. Be sure to make it obvious there is no cost involved in subscribing to your list, and that their information will never be shared with others.

FIVE: Search for websites that invite Link Exchanges. If you have your link on a dozen websites and you gain only one per week from each link, this could bring you as many as 600 subscribers per year. Link Exchange pages also require that you place their link on your site.