Category Archives: Free-For-All

When The Blogging Barista’s blog posts don’t fit neatly into a category, they land in the free-for-all category.

Win 1,000 Custom-Designed Business Cards

Posted on November 19, 2010 by Laura Christianson

I planned to publish the next installment of our continuing e-course on The 12 Types of Blog Articles today. But alas, life got in the way. The Blogging Bistro team took on several new clients this week, and we’ve put… more >

Posted in Clients' Blogs, Free-For-All | 1 Comment

An Easy Screen Capture Tool for PCs

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Laura Christianson

I’m always discovering functions on my computer that I didn’t know existed. When I was searching for a way to take custom screenshots on my PC (other than Ctrl + Prt Scr), I learned about the “Snipping Tool” that comes… more >

Posted in Ask the Barista, Free-For-All | 4 Comments

Memorize English Phonetic Spelling With Me

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Laura Christianson

When I’m listening to the radio, the hosts and advertisers often rattle off website addresses so quickly that I can’t figure out what they said. You may have experienced the same problem during phone conversations, when spelling a name or… more >

Posted in Branding, Free-For-All | 9 Comments

Should I Buy a Kindle?

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Laura Christianson

Amazon has slashed the price of their Kindle electronic book reader by $70, to $189. Is it time for me to buy one, or should I hold off in hopes that they’ll slash prices even further by Christmas? The reason… more >

Posted in Free-For-All | 11 Comments

New Web-based List-Making Tool: TeuxDeux (Review)

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Laura Christianson

I’m always looking for tools to help business professionals (including myself) stay organized. Discovered a new to-do list-making tool called, appropriately, TeuxDeux. I’ve been testing this free, Web-based tool this week (you just need to create a username and password… more >

Posted in Free-For-All | 7 Comments

Live in the Seattle Area? Here’s a Great Factory Tour

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Laura Christianson

If you like taking tours of factories and live in the Seattle area, here’s a must-dotour: Travis Industries House of Fire Tour. During the tour, you’ll learn more than you ever thought possible about how wood, gas, pellet stoves and… more >

Posted in Clients' Blogs, Free-For-All | Leave a comment

How to Create a Hacker-Resistant Password

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Laura Christianson

Did you know that identity thieves use password-hacking software to break into your site? The Fall 2009 issue of USAA Magazine gives three good tips for creating hacker-resistant passwords: 1.  Lengthy. At least eight characters. 2.  Multi-character A combo of… more >

Posted in Ask the Barista, Free-For-All | 5 Comments

Happy 50th, 'Elements of Style'

Posted on March 27, 2009 by Laura Christianson

When I was in high school, I read Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style. Just for fun. (Yeah, I know I’m weird.) The little volume — considered a must-read for every writer and wannabe writer — was ancient when… more >

Posted in Free-For-All, Twitter, Writing | 4 Comments

The 10 Most Important Things to Do Today

Posted on March 3, 2009 by Laura Christianson

Years ago, the president of General Motors asked a consultant how to improve his business. The consultant handed him a narrow pad with these words printed across the top: “The Ten Most Important Things for Me to Do Today.” The… more >

Posted in Free-For-All | 4 Comments