Another DDoS Attack Stomped 09/30/2009
 For the past few days my domain service has been working diligently to overcome a disbtributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. You may remember it was just weeks ago that Twitter was threatened with a similar situation. When this happens an attacker uses a computer system to send overwhelming amounts of data to a website or email addresses to prevent user access. Pages are unusually slow to load or not accessible at all. Your website could become totally unavailable. Weebly did not take this lightly. The support team went into overdrive to resolve this issue. Subscribers were notified of what happened and were kept up to date on the progress until all was fixed. I'm pleased to have the superior support and communication that Weebly provides. This is a senseless act but unfortunately can happen at anytime. Is your computer system prepared to handle a DDoS attack? If your PC or network is hit with this, not only is your productivity affected but your business could be in jeopardy. Think about it. A few steps you can take to avoid being a target of an attack:
Acrobat's Online Meeting Solution At No Cost 09/25/2009
 When working independently or part of a small team, meetings are still a part of the freelancing schedule. Though there are several good companies that offer different paid packages, this was not to my advantage. Since my online meetings are usually one-on-one paying $60-$70 per month was too costly. I stayed on the look out for a solution that would have the same features at a better price. Adobe ConnectNow has all the great features for a webinar such as:
The cost to host an online meeting for up to three participants is free! As a freelancer I have found this to be a perfect solution when I need to do a presentation or collaborate on a project. If you have a small team but more than three people there are pricing options starting at $14.99 per month. This is a fraction of other web meeting packages. Try it out and see for yourself that you don't have to sacrifice quality and can still have awesome webinars and online meetings. Adobe ConnectNow
 Finding legitimate online freelance writing jobs does not have to be a challenge if you write for Demand Studios. I have been writing for them for a while now and have never had to question on where I stand. As a studio writer, I choose my assignments, coordinate my schedule and get paid on time. What's even better, Demand Studios just announced that payday will be twice a week. Yes...twice! If you are just starting out as a freelancer, writing for DS is a good way to get your feet wet and while getting expert support. As an experienced writer, you can make some extra cash if writing gigs are slow or you can write full-time, it's up to you. Being a part of the Demand Studios community you are kept current on guidelines, can suggest titles and chat with other writers. The editors do a great job communicating with you about articles or any concerns you may have. I highly recommend writing for Demand Studios. Where else can you have control of which articles you write, choose flat rate pay or revenue share, get credit as the author and get paid twice a week. Things just keep getting better.
Gaining Momentum In The Ranks 09/18/2009
 It is now going on eight weeks since launching Freedomlance. So much has gone into the look, feel, connecting with and helping others. Enjoying every minute among millions I’ve naturally wondered where I stand in it all. In the beginning my Alexa ranking was a little over 13 million. Some might say “what a needle in a haystack”. What do I say?…”I’m in the haystack”!, and that was cool for me. Knowing where I stand has helped me position myself to move forward. And now seven weeks later, Alexa has me at a little over 5 million in the top 18.2% of all websites. Though I’m not where I want to be, I’m not where I was. I’m on the right track…and yes I’m very pleased. In this journey, which began sometime way before launching, I read other blogs, seek tips and learning material that has value that will a benefit. Some tell their way is the right way. This can get confusing for many writers and bloggers. Copying another site does not work…and it’s not cool. Gather the tools to help you in your development. Stay on top of your SEO, get indexed, network to foster positive relationships, post regularly, stay active with your readers, and most all be yourself.
 Many new freelance writers are having a hard time finding gigs that are legit and pay a livable wage. Then when they do find a job that pays $10-$15 for a 500 word count article they become hesitant because of some experienced writers criticize them for taking, in their opinion, such a low paying gig and they would not do such a thing. Though I don’t advocate jumping at an opportunity paying $3 for your efforts, I do respect your choice to do what you think is best for your situation. You cannot please everyone, nor should you try. Writing for a client or content site that is reliable and has integrity is what matters. If you can whip out an article an hour and your satisfied keep it going. If you can manage two within an hour or so that is even better! There is nothing wrong with writing for sites like Demand Studios or Quality Gal. They are credible and reliable. While there are some great sites for direction and advice, listening to everyone would not be the best thing to do, especially if they are going to put you down. Who needs that? We are all here for different reasons to reach our goals. Connecting with someone that has experience, knows what they are doing and offers good tips is a major help. One of my favorite people is Deb Ng at FWJ. She is knowledgeable, honest and supportive in her online community. Being fairly new to professional freelance writing myself, I’m glad to have found her site. The lady handles her business well. So don’t think that all experienced writers come off negative. Just move on in your quest for writing jobs that pay acceptable wages to get you going. They do exist. As you gain more experience the pay will increase.
 The unemployment rate is back on the rise for the month of August at 9.7 percent as estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Though there may be light at the end of the dark economic tunnel, the worst is expected to come by the beginning of 2010. This state of affairs has not changed the level of ambition of the focused entrepreneur. Particularly those that are online. Writers, designers, bloggers, marketing affiliates, developers, work at home virtual assistants, transcriptionists, and the like have not let this situation dictate their path. The internet has provided a separate job market for individuals that have decided to take control of their career and not leave it in the hands of hope, as in..."I hope I still have a job tomorrow". The days of feeling secure working for someone left a long time ago. If you are in a position to make the choice to go solo over the traditional job market, weigh the pros and cons. The entrepreneurial spirit sets an encouraging example of what you can achieve in the face of adversity no matter where the economy is.
Freelancing With Patience For Success 09/02/2009
Being a freelancer you have to do many things. One thing you cannot do without is patience. Successful entrepreneurs know where I'm coming from. While having to make the most of your talent, time, and energy, expecting immediate results for your efforts will quickly exhaust you. Making patience a significant part of freelancing is a must to keep you moving closer to your goals. If you didn't get the writing or developer gig you know were qualified for, don't dwell on "why", unless you want to stifle your progress and miss an opportunity. A key to having patience is knowing success is waiting for you. Your job is to clear the path to meet it. When your mind is focused on meeting your goals, there is no room for anything toxic (such as get-rich-quick wchemes and negative people). Accept the fact that building a solid business takes time. When you do that and take ownership of the success, don't be surprised as how well things begin to flow. You become more productive get good projects, and even worry less. Now don't get me wrong, we all have a bad day sometimes. Just don't carry it over into the next so you can stay on track. Patience is a trigger to many great things. Better health, positive relationships, and a better quality of life overall. Along with doing what you love, aren't these some of the reasons why you are a freelancer?
New Aggregate Freelance Job Source Engine 09/01/2009
 Whenever possible, the jobs page will still feature freelancing opportunities worth checking into with a preview of the search engine linking to the full search. I hope you enjoy this new feature and are able to make the time you save profitable. You can start a search here. Please share your comments on how this new feature can make a difference in your freelance job search. Good luck!
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