Wipe Out MS

A Mobile Change

Alan — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:45:00 -0500

I guess it has been about 3 years ago I started working with the mobi domains. For my windshield repair business, it seemed like a natural fit. After all if you’re out on the road and you get a chip on your windshield, you could get the information you need on your cell phone.

I knew though, that there was one weakness to the mobi domain; it was a website that could be set up with a sub-page written for mobile devices. Some examples of an alternative way to create mobile content would be, ”m.example.com” or “example.com/mobile”.

As I see it, another problem was a host that would provide the program to meet mobi specs. Besides being limited at best, I was faced with either a good price and limited ability, or a high price. To solve the problem, I found an open source that cost nothing as long as I provided the storage. The storage wasn’t an issue as I have 40 gigabyte of storage through my company’s website host, not to mention several hundred gigabyte of bandwidth each month. When you consider, that by mobi specs, a page is limited to 20 kilobytes of data, using my existing host for storage wouldn’t be an issue.

As time has progressed, cell phones have gotten better and can handle a lot more data. This I believe has had an effect on mobi, because the restrictive requirements aren’t needed for the newer smart phones. As a result earlier this year, dot mobi was sold. Based on what I’ve read about the reason for the sale and all of the above issues, this showed me that storm clouds were forming.

Dot tel, another domain, also is a way to provide mobile content at a competitive price. Shortly after the dot tell domains were opened for sale to the public I purchased a dot tel for my windshield repair business and have seen my business grow due to customers using it on their cell phones.

Since the mobi sale, on several occasions I found a portion of all 3 mobi sites I have, didn’t function properly. On every occasion I had to go in and fix code that mysteriously had changed. While I know that the change of ownership of the domain had nothing to do with the code problems, it appears there are more issues.

Recently I received notice that the open source provider of the mobile program would soon be charging for the service. That in itself wouldn’t be a problem, the price being charged is. How ridiculously high? Well consider that the storage and bandwidth is a very small fraction of what I use for a conventional website. Yet the cost to keep my mobi sites up would be nearly 2 ½ times what I pay for my conventional website.

Okay, the question then becomes what should I do with WipeOutMS.mobi. Moving that material to WipeOutMS.tel was one option. Placing the material on OnCell411.tel another site I own that is dedicated to providing information while out on the road was a second choice. I had placed MS information on the mobi version of that website.

After thinking it over I decided to merge the information on WipeOutMS.mobi with OnCell411.mobi and put it on OnCell411.tel. Doing this I believe will create more awareness of multiple sclerosis (MS) and help the cause. A second reason is that to get to MS events you need to travel, and this website is designed for travel.

So what becomes of the old mobi domains? Well I’ve pointed OnCell411.mobi at OnCell411.tel, so if you use OnCell411.mobi you will end up at the new website. WipeOutMS.mobi is another story, efforts to redirect that domain with the current registrar has failed. A transfer to another registrar is taking place which will give me total control of the domain. I expect that to be completed by the coming weekend. Finally when I tested the new website with ready mobi it scored a 4, which means it will still load on most cell phones.

OnCell411.tel is still under development so if you have a problem please let me know. My hope is that this project will bring more MS awareness and more support to find a cure to Wipe Out MS-like diseases like polio has been.

2 Groups Bringing Awareness To MS

Alan — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 20:25:00 -0500

This last week I read a news article about a second group spending this summer bringing awareness to multiple sclerosis (MS). This post is for these 2 groups of MS fighters.

MS Run The US – This last week I learned about MS Run The US and Ashley Kumlien. Ashley is in the process of running across the United States (over 3200 miles) to bring awareness of multiple sclerosis, a disease her mother has fought for 27 years. She and her group of supporters are also asking for donations for her cause that will be donated to the National MS Society and the Montel Williams MS Foundation.

At this point she is over 1300 miles towards her goal. From her start in California she is now east of Denver. You can follow her on Twitter @MSRunTheUS.

When you look at her website (MS Run The US) make sure you check out all the photos she has uploaded from her Blackberry with the Verizon wireless network on her Flickr photo stream.

Bike The US For MS – A second group made up of of bicyclists from the United States left the coast of Virginia on June 1, and are headed to California. Bike The US For MS has made a trip across America for several years now. You can follow their progress on their website (Bike The US For MS) and their blog. Proceeds from the 2010 trip will fund a nurse practitioner position at the James Q. Miller MS Center in Charlottesville, VA.

Good luck everyone in reaching their goals and be safe.

In closing this post I would like to add a special comment to Verizon wireless. “Please hear me now”; for sometime here in Oklahoma City and most likely across America I’ve seen in print, heard on both the radio, and television how you, AT&T and Sprint each have the best data network. I’m sure millions are being spent to advertise your point. Verizon wireless you are missing a golden opportunity to prove this. Looking at the MS Run The US, Flickr page I see all these photos Ashley has uploaded using her Verizon Blackberry and the Verizon wireless network. I can’t think of a better way to prove your case of being the best than having a runner who is crossing America and uploading photos everywhere she goes.

Further Verizon I believe I can safely say that if you become a sponsor for Ashley’s cause you will be a friend to the over 400,000 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States. Let’s also not forget several million family, friends and care givers to those 400,000 Americans. Keep in mind Verizon wireless multiple sclerosis (MS) is the leading cause of disability in young adults as per the National MS Society and is the third leading cause overall of disability in America according to the MS Center in Denver Colorado. Please hear me now as Ashley is helping you online with a photo stream being loaded with the Verizon wireless network and the website actively says so. What can Verizon wireless do for Ashley Kumlien and the multiple sclerosis (MS) community?

Tweet this on Twitter, contact Verizon on Twitter @Verizon or go to their website and either email them or call them; ask them to support Ashley and MS Run The US.

Information On MS Try - WipeOutMS.tel

Alan — Mon, 31 May 2010 22:20:00 -0500

It has been a little over a year that I bought my first Dot Tel domain and at the time I just didn’t know what others would think of it. With my windshield repair business I thought using one domain that would work with my regular dot com site besides blog and Twitter page was a good idea. As time has gone on I’ve had many positive comments about GlassAid.tel.

What makes the Dot Tel so great is that you can put all of the ways you have to communicate in one spot on the internet. It works on all internet capable devises and when used on a smart phone you simply click to call a phone number, no dialing required or needed. Add to this a map that can show a location even on a smart phone with just a click.

Earlier this year I asked a number of people I know and also asked on Twitter.com/WipeOutMS if an online directory of information about MS would be a good idea. A few said maybe, while others weren’t quite sure of what I was proposing. I began building http://WipeOutMS.tel a couple of months ago. Again I asked a few for their opinion and was given positive feedback so I continued.

Whether you access http://WipeOutMS.tel from a smart phone or computer it is just in the beginning with what can be done. I’ve put together listings for virtually all major groups involved with multiple sclerosis. Besides a phone number say you want to know if a certain group has a Facebook or Twitter page, a link can and has been shown.

So what is next? Well what about listing local support groups contact information? Another thing I’m considering is listing information for MS centers. Got another idea let me know by messaging me on Twitter @WipeOutMS or call me at Glass Aid during the work week at (866) 400-6565.

There is no cost to list your group but it must either support the MS community or raise funds for research.

Want to update your group’s information or add your organization; contact me at (866) 400-6565 or on Twitter @WipeOutMS.

Naturally if you want your group to be unlisted please let me know.

So what changes can be performed?

Header - A header paragraph that appears under the banner can be left out or changed; just email me with the changes you want and I will give you an email address if you call me. There is a limit of 255 characters and spaces in the header.

Order - I can change the order that information is shown, to a point. Both the address and the map link can’t be changed from their current placement on the bottom of the page. For those that have a donation page I have placed that link at the top, as I feel it is the most important but I can move it or remove it all together.

Social Links – If you have social website links like a blog, Facebook, Flickr, Myspace, Tumblr, Twitter, You Tube, etc. please let me know so they can be listed. More than one Twitter or Facebook page etc. is not a problem either. One reason for this project is to give everyone a chance to easily find others, connect, share, and learn.

Branches – Do you have other offices? If you give me the address, phone, and fax numbers, I will list them. A map link can also be shown if you wish.

Logo – If you would like your logo or photo shown in the banner I can do that also. These images are a Gravatar that you can create for free. They are an 80 by 80 pixel image. Go to http://Gravatar.com and set up an account; there is no charge. If you have a WordPress account, you have a Gravatar account. Just use their tools to create your Gravatar, and contact me so I can give you a way to send me your link.

Market Place – If your business has a fundraiser for the multiple sclerosis community I will list your business also at no charge, but you must make donations to an MS group and show something on your website to show awareness.

Finally this website is free for all to use however if you down load information on a cell phone your provider may have additional charges. Contact your cell phone provider if you have any questions about downloading data to your phone.

OKC Walk MS 2010

Alan — Tue, 04 May 2010 22:21:00 -0500

The weather forecast was for rain and for it to be cooler than the normal, but even that couldn’t stop those with a desire to create a world without multiple sclerosis. The 2010 OKC Walk MS I understand set a record with over 2,000 walkers. According to an email I received an amount exceeding $128,000 was raised.

Even with the large crowd the Oklahoma Chapter did an excellent job in spite of the rain. Paula and her team that includes Blaine, Brandi, Cristy, Lucy, along with the rest of the chapter put together quite a program. Anyone with MS should make note of all the sponsors; a big “Thank You” to all. We had 101.9 The Twister there, Cox Communications had plenty of volunteers on hand and all their people deserve a thanks for a job well done. I might add I’ve been a part of a number of events with the Oklahoma Chapter of the National MS Society and Cox people are all over these events.

I don’t want to leave out Supercuts either; they advertised the event, collected and donated $7000. That’s one reason why I myself visit Supercuts when I need a clip.

This year’s Oklahoma City Walk MS honorary chairman was Dr. Gabriel Pardo, who specializes in treating MS patients and is considered to be one of the best in the nation. And yes we have him here in Oklahoma City.

With that said let me close by saying that I have created a photo album from the event, I hope you enjoy the photos of the zoo. Possibly due to the weather some of the animals weren’t out so I didn’t get photos of all the animals. Photo Album Link

Eating To Benefit MS – MS Dinner Nights 2010

Alan — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:04:00 -0600

Starting this Monday,March 8, 2010 is MS Awareness Week and across Oklahoma several restaurants are having “MS Dinner Night” all will donate 10% of proceeds to the National MS Society.

You have to eat so why not take a break from the cooking and dishes while helping those that have multiple sclerosis. Below are the restaurants that are participating and the times of the events.

Make sure you let the restaurant know you are there to support the MS community for proper credit.

March 9, 2010 McAlester, Chili’s Restaurant; 617 S. George Nigh, Expressway; All day

Find It

March 9, 2010 Stillwater, Chili’s Restaurant; 310 East Hall of Fame Ave

Find It

March 10, 2010 Lawton, Fisherman’s Cove; 6 Wildwood; 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Find It

March 11, 2010 Tulsa, Mexicali Border Café; 14 West Brady; 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Find It

March 12, 2010 Oklahoma City, Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler; 2652 W. Britton; All Day

Find It

Saying Thank You To Our MS Sponsors

Alan — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:45:00 -0600

As we approach MS awareness week I’m getting emails about events that businesses are sponsoring to support those with multiple sclerosis. First I would like to say thank you to all businesses that are helping the MS community. Without these sponsors there very well wouldn’t be all the events we have. That would mean there would be fewer funds available for research and to support those with multiple sclerosis.

Looking in the news everyday you can see that business is tough for corporate America. Many layoffs and closings are taking place. This could affect us as well with fewer sponsors and reduced financial help for MS events.

The MS community as a whole can and should come to the aid of those that have helped move our cause forward in finding a cure. As I see it there is couple of things we as a community can do. Naturally when given the opportunity we should patronize these businesses. When you decide to purchase a product or service from them make it appoint to say “Thank You, I chose your company because you support the MS community”.

While the above will help there is something else that you can do and it won’t cost you a dime; only a few minutes in time and you could win some cash. Yet it can have a big impact for our business friends besides bringing a little more awareness to the multiple sclerosis movement. Here’s how you can help out. This goes whether you purchase from them or not.

Currently there are a number of online phone directories, along with social sites like Merchant Circle, and Yelp, not to forget Google Maps or Yahoo Local. Almost all have a place for ratings or comments. Visitors that are looking for a service or product from our business friends have many choices to choose from, your rating or comment can make a difference as to who gets a sale.

It doesn’t and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to do this either. Naturally make sure you give them a 5 star rating. Short and sweet on the comments; it’s best if you limit your comments to 3 or 4 sentences max. Examples of what you can say include:

To the restaurant: I was there the other night because I saw where you held a multiple sclerosis fundraiser. I found the food was excellent, I had the chicken and would recommend it to friends. Mary was our waitress and she did a super job.

To a business helping with a bike ride or walk: I was at the Walk MS here in (My City) it was nice to see your company help out by supporting those with multiple sclerosis. Your employees did a great job. I recommend that people try your company when they need (Your Services).

If you were looking for a business and found one that had comments like the above would you not at least call them first? By helping companies that help us we can form a bond that will benefit both groups while minimizing the affect of a bad economy.

Another thing we can do is write a tweet on Twitter to show our support and even link our comments to that tweet.

So where can you post comments and ratings? I’ve listed some of the websites with a few comments about them. My advice would be to visit each and choose one or two for commenting.

MerchantCircle.com – One of the newer sites and growing. I’ve seen reports that they now rank fifth in size. Merchant Circle has helped me with the Wipe Out MS page on their website, they are a friend to the MS community by also providing a free listing to all nonprofit organizations including local MS chapters. Besides a five star rating and the ability to comment you can also give complements in which icons will be posted on the business’s page at the top.

YellowPages.com – The AT&T directory on line, depending on the source they rank either one or two in size. They are also tied to a number of other listings online.

SuperPages.com – Again ranked either one or two in size and also tied to a number of listings online.

YellowBook.com – The online version of Yellow Book and generally ranked number three. They have a contest at this time for those that give a rating, winners get $500. If you win would you give a part of it to help cure MS?

CitySearch.com – One of the first online directories and generally ranked around fourth in size and use.

InsiderPages.com – A smaller directory although popular in some areas.

Yelp.com – I think they were the first directory that I consider a social phone book. I have seen them being ranked as high as number two in use. Some that use Yelp swear by it.

There are also several other sites that come to mind such as Angie’s List and Back Fence.

Let’s not forget Google Maps and Yahoo local both of which are tied to their respective search engines which you can comment on.

In closing by taking a few minutes to help those businesses that not only are good community citizens but support the MS community, we can help insure support for MS research and those with multiple sclerosis. By forming a bond with our corporate friends our quest to find a cure for multiple sclerosis will move forward.

Mommy Or Daddy’s Story

Alan — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:13:00 -0600

There are number of organizations and groups that support the MS community. Of course the big one is the National MS Society and I must say they do a fantastic job here in Oklahoma. Another organization is the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), they also support research besides helping the MS community in other ways.

Recently I visited their website to find they have created 2 excellent online story books, “Mommy’s Story” and “Daddy’s Story”. These are short stories that can be shared with young children that have a parent with multiple sclerosis. For young kids having a parent with MS or for that matter any disease can be scary. I know about this first hand as my birth mother died when I was 8 from colon cancer. I can attest to children not understanding what is going on when a parent is sick.

The MSAA is helping with this problem by putting these 2 stories online at no charge. The books are in PDF so they can be easily down loaded or emailed, shared online or printed. They are a great way to help young sons or daughters to learn why a parent is not feeling well, taking injections or needs a cane, walker or wheel chair.

Since MS is a leading cause of disability in young adults, a time in which many are starting a family but sadly find they have multiple sclerosis these books can be a big help. I myself have talked with a couple of young adults that have young children with a mother fighting MS. With my own experiences I know some of the problems they face. I will place links to both of these books below so anyone can share this with a parent that has multiple sclerosis.

Mommy’s Story

Daddy’s Story

Thank you MSAA for these great books. If you would like to donate to the MSAA to help with projects like this please click on this link. You Helped Me

Valentine’s Day and Multiple Sclerosis

Alan — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:22:00 -0600

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day? If not here’s a couple of ideas that that will help support those with multiple sclerosis (MS). First if you need flowers use this link to ProFlowers http://is.gd/7MysU$10 dollars will be donated to help find a cure for MS. Other gifts can be found at Red Envelope and if you use this link http://is.gd/7MyGm $10 will also be to donated to help find a cure.

With both links the money donated will go to the Nancy Davis Foundation; that since it was founded in 1993 has raised over 30 million dollars to fund research. After being diagnosed with MS in 1993 Nancy Davis formed this organization with the idea of funding the best researchers working to find a cure. The result is her Center Without Walls Program. As part of this program the nationwide group of researchers can’t duplicate research and they must communicate results among the group.

Tommy Hilfiger who has been a major sponsor since 1997 and who has a sister living with MS.

You, by using the above links can help find a cure as they are coded so that a donation will be made to fund MS research. So make your gift count this Valentine’s Day to help cure Multiple Sclerosis.

Merchant Circle - Another Avenue for MS Awareness

Alan — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:30:00 -0600

It’s good to see many either with MS or those working to find a cure using Twitter and Facebook to bring the MS community together. While I know there are other social websites out there that can be used to bring more into joining our cause I would like to urge everyone to check out MerchantCircle.com.

Compared to other sites it is small with about a million members, but I think it offers a golden opportunity to further our cause. Merchant Circle has been described as a combination of an online yellowpages and Facebook. Merchant Circle is a site for business, but offers many opportunities for the MS community.

First if you have a business and a phone number you most likely have a free listing. To start all you need to do is claim it. It’s easy to claim and the basic features cost nothing. If you can’t find a listing for your company creating a listing is just as easy.

I have found in many cities a listing for the National MS Society, yet many are unclaimed and doing nothing. Here in Oklahoma City the listing has been claimed but it appears sadly little has been done. Like most things on the internet if you work with them good things happen. The more you blog about something the more the search engines will rank your page higher. More page views means more multiple sclerosis awareness and the more that could join us in working to find a cure.

Merchant Circle is a cross link champion; once you start using it the search engines will move your listing towards the top. With this website you can link with other businesses, further it tracks others as they surf the site and places links automatically between pages they have visited. It features a means much like Twitter to post a text message that is posted to others in your community. How does that benefit us? Well if you’re having an MS fundraising event you can post it. Add to this Merchant Circle has a blog platform that things dealing with MS can be posted. Last fall on my windshield repair listing I wrote an article that was picked up by Glassbytes a publication for the auto glass industry that has reported getting over a million views per month. Think about how the support for those with MS would be if a million page views were added each month.

You can create a free coupon or advertisement that also is placed on other pages and all directed back to your listing.

Okay so why is Merchant Circle important for the MS community, beyond what I’ve said, particularly if you don’t own a business? For a number of reasons, to begin with if you have ever been to a fundraiser for an organization that supports funding MS research or those with multiple sclerosis you know they have sponsors. Without sponsors events like Walk or Bike MS would be scaled back or just wouldn’t happen. This would clearly reduce the amount of money available for support and research. Merchant Circle gives everyone a chance to post comments and ratings on a company’s page. For those including friends and family that are affected by MS wouldn’t you be more inclined to use a business that supports a MS event? By us giving support to businesses that support our cause we both win.

For groups like the National MS Society this gives them a chance to be seen by businesses and maybe get additional sponsors. The online message service gives a chance to communicate with others much like Twitter. And provide another source to get the word out about events. I’ve talked to a number of people that have told me that they knew nothing about an event that they would like to have been involved with simply due to lack of communicating. Merchant Circle offers another means to drive customers into say the restaurant or other type business that is giving an MS benefit.

If you would like to see more about Merchant Circle, check out my page on Merchant Circle click on this link. Wipe Out MS on Merchant Circle

While you're looking at my Merchant Circle page look at the counter in the left column you'll see I have gotten 177 page views and that's in about 2 weeks. That could very well be another 177 that are now aware of what MS is and will possibly join us in working to find a cure.

Vote For The Wendy Booker Story – 10K For Multiple Sclerosis

Alan — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:28:00 -0600

I came across a link on Twitter from the Southern California MS Society about a contest with the winner being able to choose what charity will get $10,000. The advertisers for the movie “Extraordinary Measures” are having a contest that you can submit and or vote for a video. The person submitting the winning video can choose where the money is donated.

A little background on Wendy; in spite of having MS Wendy has competed in several marathons including the Boston Marathon. Further she has climbed to the top of the tallest mountains on 6 of the 7 continents. Falling short due to weather last year on her first attempt at Mount Everest; the highest point in the world.

To vote, click on this link, http://extraordinarymeasuresthemovie.com/#/quilt . Once you’re there below the quilt on the right is a search box, search for “Wendy Booker”. Look on the quilt for her image, click on her image to view the video and or vote. You can vote once a day. Please vote and help Wendy win for those with MS.