Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter : Issue #6
Copyright (c) 2002 : http://www.ground-z.org
June 28 2002 : All Rights Reserved
Editor : Rik Tairea - webmaster@ground-z.org

This is a FREE monthly newsletter created for webmasters and website owners who are looking for resources, website tools, editorials, software, eBooks, promotion and design tips to help get the most out of a website. For in-depth webmaster resource reviews, website related articles, website awards and past newsletter issues then visit the Groundzero website located at http://www.ground-z.org


- In This Issue -

1. Introduction
2. Recommended Resources
3. Top 10 Resources @ Groundzero
4. Editors Corner
5. Promotion Tip
6. Recommended eBook
7. Design Review
8. Recommended Software
9. Contact/Unsubscribe/Subscribe/Privacy
10. Final Thoughts
11. Newsletter Details


- 1.Introduction -

Welcome to Issue #6 of the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. This month in the "Editors Corner" I talk about how when creating websites, practice makes perfect. We also have the usual recommended resources, software, eBook, promotion tip and design review.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been adding new reviews of various webmaster resources and website tools to the "Resource Reviews" section located @ Groundzero. I'm not talking about 5 or 10, I'm talking 22 my friend!

Plus, when I mean reviews I don't mean 10 - 15 words that don't even describe a thing. I'm talking about full pages that include a rating and an in-depth review.

View these new Resource Reviews :

Webmaster Resources and Web Hosting
Award Sites : award directory
iPowerWeb : web hosting
Learn JavaScript : eBook
Promotion eBooks : eBook
TH Media : web hosting

Website Tools and Software
123 Turnkey : website builder
3DStats : site statistics
Alerta : website monitor
Coffee Cup : design software
Done-Right Scripts : CGI scripts
Flash Blaster : flash creator
FusionBot : site search engine
Group Mail : bulk e-mail software
Logo Creator : graphics software
Midmart : CGI scripts
NetObjects Fusion MX : software
PhotoPost : photo gallery
Ulead GIF Animator : animation tool

Website Promotion and Traffic Generators
Extreme Traffic : exit exchange
iFoundIt : ppc search engine
Ignite Search : ppc search engine
Leaving Hits : exit exchange

Enjoy this months issue!


- 2.Recommended Resources -

MySQL Beginner Tutorial
http://devshed.com/Server_Side/MySQL/Intro/page1.html
One of the fastest SQL (Structured Query Language) database servers currently on the market is the MySQL server and it offers the database programmer with an array of options and capabilities rarely seen in other database servers. This resource tutorial is ideal for webmasters who want to learn about MySQL but have no idea where to start.

ShortURL.com
http://www.filetap.com/URL-redirection.html
ShortURL.com is a cost free and banner free URL redirection service (also known as URL forwarding) allowing anyone with a website to register a free subdomain name and redirect it to their real URL. shortURL is loaded with features and has address like you.2ya.com, you.vze.com and you.filetap.com.

Search Engine Optimization Strategies eZine
http://www.searchengineoptimizationstrategies.com
The Search Engine Optimization Strategies eZine is a free weekly e-mail newsletter offering the latest search engine news, facts and optimization strategies, for the top search engines, web directories, search portals and pay per click search engines. It is produced by Michael Wong, a critically acclaimed Internet marketing specialist.


- 3.Top 10 Resources @ Groundzero -

Here are the top 10 rated webmaster resources reviewed at Groundzero - http://www.ground-z.org - Visit the "Resource Reviews" section to read in-depth reviews on various website tools, affiliate networks, traffic generators and software.

1 : A Best Web
2 : Website Forums
3 : Shareasale
4 : Commission Junction
5 : Group Mail
6 : Trafficology
7 : Sitepoint Tribune
8 : iPowerWeb
9 : Flash Blaster
10 : Logo Creator

The top 10 list can update during the month.


- 4.Editors Corner -

"Practice makes Perfect"

I'm sure most of us have heard the phrase that practice makes perfect, it's a universal saying no matter what language you speak. When it comes to creating, maintaining and promoting websites the saying still rings very true.

I don't know about you but when I think back to my earlier attempts at making a webpage (way back in the 20th century) I can't help but be embarrassed.

The year was 1999, it was a Sunday afternoon and I was bored out of my head so I started to surf the web. I was checking my ISP account and had noticed that they offered free web hosting and template design. Half an hour later I had created my first website masterpiece that consisted of, wait for it, three whole pages.

Now I'm sure you can imagine by my little rant that my first website wasn't exactly the best. I'm still amazed that it actually got traffic thanks to a free listing in Yahoo (that was back in the old days when you could submit a site for free inclusion and be listed in less than a week, no matter how bad the quality).

Three years later after all the trial and error, I'm pretty confident in my website abilities (that's not saying that I am the greatest website owner ever, far from it).

For example, the latest redesign of Groundzero didn't really take long (compared to it's actual conception). That's because I've become very familiar with the design tools I use (mainly Macromedia Dreamweaver and Fireworks).

I've also become more confident when choosing which marketing methods to use and what kind of affiliate programs best suit my websites. This is thanks to the whole trial and error method and researching my trade (articles, eZines, webmaster forums, etc).

Like I mentioned before, thanks to three years of practice and experience I am more confident in my website creation abilities. I am so confident that if I had the time (and if I wasn't so lazy) I would create a whole batch of new websites and not stress out about it.

Practice makes perfect, so keep at it.


- 5.Promotion Tip -

Creating an eBook is a good way to drive traffic to your webpages. This is because you can give it away, let others distribute it or list it at various eBook directory website for free. The key is to create an eBook that is of high quality, that has minimal advertising and make sure there are links pointing to your website. Be sure your link can be easily seen (it's usually a good idea to have a logo/link).

Places to submit your eBook :
http://www.ebooknet.com
http://carver.bizland.com/submit.htm
http://allaboutsuccess.com/successlibrary.htm
http://www.ebooksnbytes.com/submit_ebook.html
http://www.ebookpalace.com/newlink.shtml
http://www.stealthpromotions.com/e-library.htm
http://www.ebookdirectory.com/addebook.html


- 6.Recommended eBook -

Title : 7 Secrets to Unlimited Traffic
Size : 397KB
Price : Free
URL : http://64.65.38.141/7secrets.exe

This short eBook intends to help you go straight to the most important things you need to do to create major traffic and not waste your time bothering with useless methods like posting to free for all link pages.

While classified ads, newsgroups and free link pages may be ok for the short term, they absolutely can not create self generating traffic that grows on its own. If you concentrate your efforts on some of the ideas in this small eBook you can create massive traffic to your site that multiplies by itself automatically.


- 7.Design Review -

Site Name : Strangegirl.org
URL : http://www.strangegirl.org
Type : Personal Website

Strangegirl.org is the personal web hub of Kali. The website includes tributes to Jane Austen's Emma, Grand Duchess Marie of Russia, and Disneyland's Haunted Mansion attraction. Also included are sections on historic costume, her design work and much more.

Strangegirl.org is a previous winner of the Groundzero Design Award (awarded January 12th 2002).

Even though the predominate color of the website is white, the color scheme is very good with generous touches of green scattered around the webpages with black text on a white background. It gives the website total personality.

Visit http://www.strangegirl.org to see what I'm talking about. It's one of the few personal websites I have seen that really has it's own personality and feeling.


- 8.Recommended Software -

Name : Mozilla 1.0
Type : Browser
Size : 10.4MB
Price : Free
Operating System : Windows/Mac/Linux/Solaris
Minimum Requirements : 64MB RAM
URL : http://www.mozilla.org

Mozilla is an open-source web browser and toolkit, designed for standards compliance, performance and portability. Mozilla 1.0 is the most recent stable release. Mozilla's interface employs the standard browsing paradigm with back, forward, and refresh buttons. It is also skinnable and has many more features available for web surfers.

Mozilla also lets you open multiple browser windows and display multiple webpages in a single tabbed window at the same time. Even if you don't want to use this as your primary browser, it's a good idea to download this software to see how it renders your webpages.


- 9.Contact/Unsubscribe/Subscribe/Privacy -

If you have any questions regarding this newsletter then please feel free to contact me by e-mail. You can also send in any feedback about the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. I love receiving e-mail so feel free to send in a message to just say hello or, if you need any help (website wise) then send in a question that I might be able to help you with.

contact - webmaster@ground-z.org
unsubscribe - unsubscribe@ground-z.org
subscribe - subscribe@ground-z.org

I absolutely despise SPAM and I will respect your privacy. I will not share or sell your e-mail address with anyone, I will not send you any unsolicited mail or collect any demographic information about you. Your e-mail address will only be used to receive the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter and any correspondence with me will remain confidential.


- 10.Final Thoughts -

I hope you enjoyed Issue #6 of the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter. Remember you can always read past issues of this newsletter on the website and the next issue will be sent out July 28th 2002. Please feel free to send any feedback or comments you may have about this newsletter.

If you want to recommend some webmaster resources/websites, eBooks, software or any well designed websites then let me know, even if it's yours. If it benefits others then I'll feature it in an issue of this newsletter so send it in.

If you want to just say hello then go for it!

If you think you know someone who might be interested in reading this newsletter then do them a favor and forward them this entire e-mail or point them to the Groundzero website located @ http://www.ground-z.org

Just remember to inform them that "you" are recommending them the copy because I don't want to be perceived as a"spammer". If you want to help out some more and you think that this newsletter is useful then feel free to put a link on your website pointing to http://www.ground-z.org

Thanks for your time and stay safe.
Your humble editor : Rik Tairea


- 11.Newsletter Details -

You are receiving the Groundzero Webmaster Newsletter because you submitted your e-mail address by way of a sign-up form located at Groundzero or at one of our partner sites. You may have also subscribed by e-mail. If you do not wish to receive this publication anymore then please follow the unsubscription e-mail link located in section 9.

No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. You may forward this newsletter by e-mail as long as you forward it in its entirety. It is forbidden to post this newsletter on any website or republish it in print or other media without prior written consent from the editor.