Palmerston North Linux Users Group (PLUG)
Palmerston North Linux Users Group (PLUG) is a group computer enthusiasts that meet once a month to share their knowledge of what is happening with new software technology. Everyone is welcome to attend and it's free. Just turn up to the meeting. If you're interested in computers or new technology then you'll love this vibrant group of Open Source software enthusiasts. More info...
Segue Awards
Spinning Planet was proud to be a key sponsor of the Palmerston North Seque Awards this year which profiles art created from recycled materials. View some of the amazing art here. More info...
New Zealand's first rocket company
Rocket Lab is a New Zealand privately owned rocket science company, which intends to be at the hub of a vibrant private space industry in the Southern Hemisphere. Find out what they're doing at www.rocketlab.co.nz.
Marshmallow Challenge
I found this really interesting exercise to improve teams. Whether your a CEO or a child you'll see the benefit in this: More...
International "People's Choice" Award!
| The Manawatu is very proud that our very own Dr Binh Trinh of Picture Perfect Photography has won a prestigious international photography award. Below are two photos of local businessman Brynn Neilson: |
| About Dr Binh Trinh Click here | About Brynn Neilson Click here |
Sea Dragon from Microsoft
Seadragon is an incubation project resulting from the acquisition of Seadragon Software in February by Microsoft. Its aim is nothing less than to change the way we use screens, from wall-sized displays to mobile devices, so that visual information can be smoothly browsed regardless of the amount of data involved or the bandwidth of the network.
Watch the Sea Dragon video here.
Online numbers stack up.
Online advertising in the United States grew 26% in 2007 and is now more than 22 billion dollars a year whcih is a serious threat to televison and newspaper advertising. There is also a 51% increase in performance advertising such as Google's pay per click advertising and affiliate programs. This same trend is happening in New Zealand and Spinning Planet is releasing a number of tools and services to meet this need.
Read the full article here.
Find out more about our Internet Advertising services here.
Researchers Find Way to Steal Encrypted Data
The technique, which could undermine security software protecting critical data on computers, is as easy as chilling a computer memory chip with a blast of frigid air from a can of dust remover. Encryption software is widely used by companies and government agencies, notably in portable computers that are especially susceptible to theft.
Click here for the full story...
Internet now a primary medium for local consumers
"Study after study has confirmed that consumers research products before buying (mostly offline). However, perhaps more strikingly, the internet has now surpassed the venerable print yellow pages and newspapers as the primary local resource for consumers looking for services. This is not to say that print newspapers and yellow pages don't have meaningful usage anymore, but we've reached an important "tipping point" of sorts."Read full article here.
What is The Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007?
If you send email newsletters to your customers you need to be aware of the new anti-spam law. Here's a brief interpretation: Steps to ensure you're not 'spamming'
Follow the steps below to ensure you are not sending spam:
- Make sure you have consent to send to people in your email list. If you've already been sending out group emails you will need to get consent from those people to continue sending them messages.
- On every message you should have the details of the real person sending the email and the contact details of the business sending the email.
- There has to be a working unsubscribe link on the email.
- Don't use software that collects email addresses off websites (email harvesting).
- Don't give your email list to anyone else. This breaches the New Zealand Privacy Act.
What is Consent?
People on your email list must consent to you sending them email messages. There are three different types of consent in the Act: Express consent, Inferred consent, or Deemed consent.
Express consent
The person has directly said that it's OK for you to send them email messages Most commonly this would be a box that they ticked on your website or a form they filled out in your shop.
Inferred consent
Inferred consent is when the person expects to receive email from you such as when they complete a form and supply their email address.
Deemed consent
When someone publicly displays their email address to be contacted such as a business card or website. You may only contact them in relation to their business.
Helpful Links
Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007: www.antispam.govt.nz
New Zealand Privacy Act 1993: www.privacy.org.nz/privacy-act
Spinning Planet Email Newsletter Service: www.spinningplanet.co.nz/newsletter
Notes
If you don't want your email address added to lists put a statement such as "Do not use this email address for unsolicited commercial electronic messages" on your business card or website..
Use email marketing software that adheres to the new spam act. Ours can be viewed here: www.spinningplanet.co.nz/newsletter
This document is only an interpretation of the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007 and supplies no guarantee of correctness. Please consult the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007 or legal council for clarification of the Act.
Spam Act overview supplied by:
Brynn Neilson (CEO), Spinning Planet New Zealand - Internet Technology and Design
www.spinningplanet.co.nz
 | We now offer our services with Bartercard. Check it out here | Contact Us Now... |
