Years ago a computer teacher told the class “You will not find a BUB on your keyboard!” Huh?? Blow Up Button – Ohhhhh! I’m not saying wordpress has a blow up button but if you don’t take simple measures – it might as well! WP hacks & crashes have become a concern the past week or more including sites like WooThemes and one of my own valued clients site and I’m sure that is far – far from the end of the list!

I feel it warrants some attention. I recommend a read through 4 Simple Ways to Secure (and Maintain) Your WP Site for some valuable information.

In a nutshell:
1. UPDATE, daily if needed: I know I sound like a broken record, but this is the most basic item on the list and it can literally make or break your site! WP 3.3.2 was just released and it addresses some important security issues – do not ignore it! Additionally, update plugins and themes as will. Remove any plugins or themes you are not using while your at it. WP is in the beta phase of 3.4 as well so look out for this.

2. Secure your computer – keep anti-virus software, and all software for that matter up to date, don’t ignore update messages there’s a reason they are there! Mac users beware! Viruses are gaining popularity. I had malware pop up the other day, it was written for Microsoft, it may not have hurt me but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t pass it along to others that have PC’s.

3. Passwords & Usernames: passwords, make sure they are secure, change them up, don’t use “admin” for your WP username, don’t use the same password everywhere, remove user profiles from your dashboard which no longer require access to your site.

4. Research plug ins & themes before activating them. Research the stability of a WP update before running it. Run a full cpanel update before a WP update. Don’t just install any plugin that you think will be neat to have. Read the details, research popularity, conflicts etc.

5. Hosting: Have a host that offers a standard cpanel and is secure. Run full cpanel back ups periodically and before doing WP updates. WP back up plug ins are good to have in place, but from experience when a full restore of your site is needed, the host needs the full back up. I have yet to find any use of the WP generated back up. IMPORTANT: I didn’t say don’t install/use them, I just said back up various ways. Find a host with 24/7 phone support as well as one recommended by friends and fellow site owners. There is nothing worse then discovering your site is down – having a host on the other side of the world – they only use a ticket system so no one to call – and when you get a response it’s too tell you they don’t have a security department – good luck with that!

All the above has NOTHING to do with how much traffic you get on your site! Too many people say, I don’t get much traffic – or my site isn’t that big. I don’t know why hackers and malware coders do what they do, but I promise they don’t care if you have high traffic or a huge page count. If your site is unsecured it’s fair game!

Trust me giving your WP site a little TLC is WAY better then waking up one morning and your whole site, all your hard work (and the hard work of your site designer) is gone! If you need help getting your site up to date Eco-Office Gals offers one-time or monthly maintenance services. Contact us at anytime.

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Does WordPress have a BUB?

Do you strive for a green lifestyle? It can sometimes be a struggle to keep with the latest green trends as you live your busy life. However, you might be surprised to learn how changing small facets of your everyday life can add up to big changes for preserving the planet.

Making Your House a Green House

Thinking about ways to save the planet can sure keep you up at night. But what if the answer to going green was literally right under your pillow the whole time? It turns out that the furniture you pick for your bedroom can make a big impact.

The synthetic plastics and chemicals that go into the making of some bedroom furniture can have detrimental effects on the environment. In addition, certain paints and dyes used to add colour to furniture are also potentially toxic to
the environment. When you decorate your bedroom with sustainable green furniture, you are not only creating a healthier planet, but also a healthier home environment for you and your family.

If you are committed to decorating your home in a way that is green friendly while still beautiful, you may want to consider wooden beds. Wooden beds made of sustainable materials are a wonderful alternative to today’s highly
manufactured and processed toss away furniture. Not only are they good for the environment, but wooden beds are high quality, durable and will last a lifetime. This means a winning situation for you and for the environment.

Be a Gem to the Planet

They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but a woman who wears eco-friendly jewelery is truly the planet’s best friend. Simply by purchasing handmade jewelery by local artisans, you can cut down on the pollution and toxicity
that is created by the fabrication of much of the retail world’s costume jewelery. Some shops have begun selling jewelery made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials. The market for green, eco-friendly jewelery has truly
blossomed in recent years. With such beautiful craftsmanship and artistry in such a wide scope of styles, you will never have to sacrifice style for sustainability when selecting from the amazing jewelery pieces for sale. For gift
giving, there is no better gift than giving a friend or loved one a stunning piece of jewelery that you can proudly tell them does not harm the environment.

Take a Stand for the Environment

Instead of standing around wondering how to go green, why not stand around in a lovely pair of eco-friendly shoes? That’s right, you can outfit your feet in shoes that are good for the earth. In recent years, the demand for stylish and
affordable shoes that are manufactured with natural, non-animal ingredients has rocketed. Fashion lines have responded with footwear lines featuring vegan shoes. These ethically manufactured shoes come in all the styles you
love of traditionally designed shoes. From sneakers to work attire to fun sandals, eco-friendly styles have your feet covered. If you want to start living a green life, vegan shoes are a step in the right direction.

Small changes today can have a big impact on tomorrow. By implementing small, but often overlooked, changes like the ones mentioned above you are on your way to a greener life.

My name is Patrick and I’m guest blogging about how to live a greener life for Warren Evans a retailer of ethically sourced, hand built beds

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

A Green Life is a Good Life

I recently had the opportunity to try out the Zerowater system. Zerowater is a water filtration pitcher, with a twist. It comes with a tester for your water – called s TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) tester.

The TDS meter helps put a number on what your taste buds already tell you about what’s in water. The higher the reading on the water, the more things dissolved in water. It shows the total number of detectable dissolved solids.

When I first received the pitcher, I tested the water from the faucet and it read 048 this is actually not bad – I had heard SC had some of the best water in the country and now I see this is apparently true. Now funny enough just before starting this review I was staging the pictures in this post and the reading was 094, we had rain all day yesterday so I am assuming it must have stirred up the well water a good bit. My Zerowater reading is 000 every-time to-date and the water tastes great!

What I loved most about the pitcher I thought was going to be it’s biggest flaw. The spout at the bottom of the pitcher was an instant hit for me, no more waiting for the tap water to run through the filter before filling my glass. Especially since this household seems to love cold air (putting the pitcher back in the refrigerator empty). However, upon the first fill up my daughter was calling me into the kitchen – water was pouring everywhere! The button had popped out and water was pouring out! Luckily we fixed it quickly and the issue hasn’t happened again.

I love that it holds much more water then my former competitors pitcher, less fills up. Granted it takes up a bit more room, but that’s an acceptable trade off.

I’m very happy with the results of ZeroWater and I’m sure you will be, too! Want one now? Use coupon code MC30, for 30% off a 10 Cup ZeroWater pitcher. Or why not take your chance at winning one first?? My readers have a chance to win one of TWO 10 Cup ZeroWater Pitchers!

To enter for your chance to win complete the mandatory entry below and additional optional entries plus comeback and share each day for additional points! Two winners will be announced 4/25/2012 Due to shipping restrictions, we request that your giveaway winners live in the continental United States. – Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of ZeroWater and received a water pitcher to facilitate my review, two pitchers to giveaway, and extra filters to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

ZeroWater Review & Giveaway {2 Winners}

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Happy Easter 2012

I’ve had the opportunity to try several Shaklee products in the past. I’ve enjoyed cleaning with Basic H, a super concentrated cleaner which can be made into all-purpose, glass or degreaser based on the number of drops you add to good old water. I love their laundry line as well.

About Shaklee:

Our mission at Shaklee is to provide a healthier life for everyone and a better life for anyone. We do it by making natural products that are so exceptional, you just have to tell your friends. Every product that goes into every Shaklee bottle is designed to improve health, work without compromise, and be gentle on the planet. That’s the short answer.

Since I had done the round with the cleaning line and was very pleased I was more then happy to do another when I was approached. Since I’m getting up there in age, I’m trying to pay a little more attention to my skin these days. So this was a great opportunity to try some face remedies.

Enfuselle® Time Repair A.M.® SPF 15 -  A five-in-one wrinkle treatment that meets all your skin’s daytime needs for renewal, brightening, moisturization, nourishment, and protection. Your skin becomes measurably brighter, clearer, and smoother. Paraben Free.

I really like this lotion, it’s not heavy. Doesn’t stink with any heavy perfumes and a little goes a long way.

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Eco-Options: Shaklee

There are a range of methods which can be employed to make your workplace more environmentally sound. Though they may be harder to implement, due to the requisite approval from your employer(s), they are definitely worth being mindful of; this article outlines a few ways in which improvements can be made.

Minimize the amount of paper used
A nice starting point; this can be achieved in many ways. Perhaps one of the most obvious is to print fewer documents; with the advent of email this is now easier than ever, and a quick internal email can replace the old fashioned memo, and save a sheet of paper in the process. The same can be achieved with presentation hand-outs, receipts for payments, and many other documents used in the workplace.

If a document must be printed, ensure that double-sided printing is used, as this will halve the amount of required paper. Not only does this save you money, it also reduces the impact of your business’ printing on the environment. Unfortunately some older printers do not offer this function, which brings us to the next point.

Recycle!
This is so easy, yet so effective. Dividing the rubbish bin into two separate bins, one for trash and one for recyclables, allows you and your colleagues to do your bit for the environment with minimal thought and effort. The simple act of separating recyclables and non-recyclables means that cans, bottles, paper and cardboard will be recycled into other products rather than being incinerated or put into landfill.

Out with the old, in with the new!
Though the initial expense may be off-putting, replacing old IT equipment with newer versions can reduce your carbon footprint, and may lower future costs through reducing the need for maintenance. Modernizing computers and printers, for example, is likely to reduce electricity bills and will optimize the efficiency of your office operations (new machines are faster, and may feature settings that were not present in, their ancestors).

• Equipment you may consider replacing includes:

• CRT monitors: replace with LCD monitors (lower power consumption)

• Printers: replace with newer models (more efficient with toner consumption, offer double-sided printing)

• Lights: old bulbs can be replaced with energy saving bulbs (the clue is in the name!)

What to do with the old equipment?
Replacing old equipment is all well and good, but it does lumber you with a large amount of redundant equipment to dispose of. In this day and age, simply throwing old computers in the bin won’t cut it. This is not only because of the environmental impact of doing so; if the thrown out computers are found, important files left on them may be accessed by individuals outside of your business.

In terms of the environmental aspect, the chemicals and toxins found in old electronics can contaminate the area in which they are disposed, and cause lasting effects to the surrounding ecosystems. WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) recycling can help you to dispose of unwanted equipment while protecting the environment and your data. WEEE recycling may be an option worthy of considering for disposing of your business’ electronics.

Author Bio: Chris Lee is studying for a BA in Music, and also enjoys blogging on a range of topics including cooking, being a student, and IT. This post was written on behalf of Equanet; providers of WEEE recycling options.

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

How to Make Your Workplace Greener

Businesses these days are flocking to green options and to cloud services. Fortunately, the two are interconnected and, in many cases, complement one another perfectly. Innovative, progressive companies will look at a variety of ways to please their personnel and scale up their information infrastructure—be it investing in comfortable chairs for back pain or doubling down on new software. One of the best ways for a company to show its employees that it is committed to curbing carbon emissions and e-waste is to embrace cloud computing services in the office. Here are a few of the reasons why cloud services are eco-friendly:

Cut down on e-waste. Each year 20-50 million tons of electronic waste are dumped into developing nations, polluting their water sources and air. Many companies have committed to reducing their e-waste and a great way to do this is by eliminating the need for its sources, namely office electronic appliances such as mobile phones, computer circuits, printers, etc. While you may not be able to completely liquidate your office gear in exchange for cloud services, you can reduce it a great deal and significantly cut down on the lead, cadmium, beryllium, and BFRs (brominated flame retardants) that have to be disposed of. The use of cloud services should considerably cut down on your business’s annual e-waste.

Many cloud services use a pay-as-you-go model. This allows flexibility among your IT department, as you can pick and choose the applications and platforms you need. In other words, you don’t have to purchase an entire package of unneeded gadgets and circuits just to get the one you do need. Speaking of IT, you will likely be able to reduce your workforce, as many technical administration duties can be handled by cloud programs.

Cloud services cuts down on carbon emissions. Because real time communications, web conferencing, chatting, and synced mobile phones can eliminate the need for expensive business trips and unnecessary commuting, the cloud will reduce your carbon footprint as well.

The cloud saves paper. Sync your files online and collaborate in real-time. You won’t need to print the same document twenty times for slightly new versions, nor will you need to use barrels of ink simply to distribute a single office memo.

These are some of the environmental reasons to go with the cloud in your office. There are also practical issues of efficiency and performance. Ultimately, you want to balance your bottom line with your duty to run a sustainable eco-friendly business. Adopting cloud services is a great first step.

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Why the Cloud is Green

If you’re looking to start a service-based business and have a mind for both energy efficiency and eco-friendliness, then near the top of your list of priorities should be securing green office space. While we’re mostly familiar with the dead giveaways when it comes to evaluating the greenness of a particular space, there are subtle indicators of a property’s green status relative to other options. If you aren’t sure what to look for when scouting for green office space, use the following as a guide:

Windows that open: A common feature of modern office environments has been the complete sealing of windows in order to better control the internal climate. But the downside to this has been the complete reliance on heating and cooling for maintaining a desirable office temperature. To avoid such a dependence, stick to office spaces that include windows that can be opened. That way you can take advantage of fresh air as much as possible.

Close proximity to public transit: For the sake of reducing the amount of fuel you and your workers will burn through for your business to exist, opt for office space near bus lines or other forms of mass transit. Go the extra mile by encouraging your workers to use these means of transportation by providing them with monthly passes.

Natural sources of light: In addition to windows that can be opened, look for windows that get a strong exposure – mainly those that face east and west. This reduces your dependence on artificial light, which will lower energy costs as well the size of your company’s carbon footprint.

Shower facilities: It may sound a little silly, but on-site showers are critical in the promotion of a green corporate culture in that they encourage employees to ride bicycles into work. If they know they won’t have to sit at their desk drenched in sweat for the first five hours, your workers are certain to choose cycling instead of driving whenever possible.

Solar paneling: This is the one feature everyone looks for when scouting for green office locales. While not the end-all-be-all of what constitutes an environmentally sound office, solar panels are important and should certainly be something you look for in your potential office space. With that said, do the math before embracing extra rent on account of an office being solar powered. It’s good for Mother Nature in any case, but it may not always be optimum for your wallet.

A green (or white) roof: This one is a bit fun to do since it requires some spying via Google Maps. When you get the address of a potential spot, plug it into Google Maps and zoom in to get a glimpse as to whether or not green roofing materials were used. A “green” roof, while most commonly appearing white, is one of the easiest ways to reduce energy usage in a large complex. If the owners of an office building haven’t taken this step, you can safely say it isn’t the location that’s right for you.

When looking for green office space to place your new company, don’t just settle on whatever a realtor wants to tell you or give into charming copy. Go to these locations and see for yourself whether or not they’re “up to code” as far as going green is concerned. That way you can be assured that your efforts to create an eco-friendly business are not in vain.

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Six Things to Look for When Scouting for Green Office Space

Until Monday, you can get all 44 StudioPress child themes, plus every child theme design they make in the future, for only $299.95 with the StudioPress Pro Plus All-Theme Package. That’s a savings of $887.80 off the price of buying everything separately.

Of course, they didn’t want to let the price increase without one last deal…

For a very short time discount code TEN will give you and extra 10% off your Pro Plus purchase!

On Tuesday January 31, 2012, the price goes up so don’t miss out. You know how much we love StudioPress at Eco-Office Gals and now you can have them all!

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

Grab StudioPress Savings While They Last!

We made noise and they listened!

“On January 18th, 13 million of us took the time to tell Congress to protect free speech rights on the internet. Hundreds of millions, maybe a billion, people all around the world saw what we did on Wednesday.”

This was unprecedented. Your activism may have changed the way people fight for the public interest and basic rights forever.
The MPAA (the lobby for big movie studios which created these terrible bills) was shocked and seemingly humbled.  “‘This was a whole new different game all of a sudden,’ MPAA Chairman and former Senator Chris Dodd told the New York Times. ‘[PIPA and SOPA were] considered by many to be a slam dunk.’”

“’This is altogether a new effect,’ Mr. Dodd said, comparing the online movement to the Arab Spring. He could not remember seeing ‘an effort that was moving with this degree of support change this dramatically’ in the last four decades, he added.”  — Fight for the Future

We ALL made a difference, I was saddened by a commenter on Facebook who stated:

“What will it change? None of the people voting are going to personally visit my blog and see whether I do/don’t like the bill. I’m of the mindset that if I don’t know enough about a topic to make an educated decision about it, I just don’t engage it. Which is also why I don’t vote.”

I tried to send her as much info as I could to change her mind about participating in the strike, I’m not sure if she did in the end or not. I’m glad so many people didn’t feel the same way. Thank you to everyone that knew they could make a difference!

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

SOPA: It only went as far as we let it!