Netco newsletter Sep/Oct 2006

this issue:
Dodging spammers | TeamTxt | Aussie Scammers | Mass mailing | Netco Search

TeamTxt

New service

It wasn't that many years ago that cell phones were status symbols, yuppie toys and amazing inventions. It's likely now that many of your competitors are using them just as everyday work tools. Here's your chance.

Netco has released TeamTxt, a suite of tools to make cellphones become more useful than expensive thumb cripplers:

TeamTXT uses simple ways to link your computer to the cellular network. TeamTXT allows you to send e-mails as cell phone texts so all your contacts and mail groups may receive text messages when they're out an about. They can reply into your e-mail too from their cell phone. In short, use your computer to send and receive texts just like any old e-mail. Use it to contact staff, to alert customers, sports teams and family.

TeamTXT consists of three levels of text tools:

Text Widget sits on your desktop and sends your text messages. It's easy to use and adapts Yahoo's Widget engine to allow you to flick messages out to customers and staff alike. It's a New Zealand first.

E-mail2TXT lets any e-mail client send and receive SMS text messages. Enter your contact's cell phone number where you would otherwise put his or her e-mail address and that's about how difficult it gets. Use your e-mail client to group recipients, for example, all sales staff, all customers or contacts. Cell phones text directly back into your e-mail.

Web2TXT is for corporate and high-use texting. An admin Web sites lets you set up users amongst your staff, control their sending privileges and view reports on their activity. Set up your groups and assign individuals their own admin account to run their own team's texts.

Aussie Scammers

The New Zealand Domain Names Commissioner has jumped quickly on the Aussie scammer who tried to trick holders of New Zealand domain names into paying about 5 times the going rate for domains. The DNC obtained an interium injunction against NZ Domain Registration Ltd. and has also had the court seize all money sent to NZDR's Auckland Post Office box.

The problem with the Australian scam is that paying its backers $225 for the domain didn't stop anyone else registering in the meantime, through an authorised registrar. The Australians have no registrar rights in New Zealand. New Zealand domains are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Chasing the Australians for a refund would certainly have cost more than the initial loss and still not secured rights to the the domain.

We reiterate our e-mail warning sent on the day the scam began, bin the pro forma invoice and cancel any cheques you may have sent.

this issue:
Dodging spammers | TeamTxt | Aussie Scammers | Mass mailing | Netco Search