Free Life Savers

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Kim Komando's Best Shareware Picks...

Life isn't always full of Magic.. If you don't protect
your internet wonder-box, your life will be totally
devoid of magic and a hellish problem like no other
will invade your computer... No joke - Scooter...

This is a good one-source site to bookmark..

Most of these tools are free.. You can download
at: http://www.komando.com/bestshareware.asp

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Anti-virus -

avast! from ALWIL Software
AVG Antivirus from Grisoft
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Firewalls -

Outpost Firewall from Agnitum
ZoneAlarm from Zone Labs, Inc.
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Internet & E-Mail -

AI RoboForm from SIber Systems
ePrompter from Tiburon Technology Inc.
Google Toolbar from Google
MacWasher from Webroot Software, Inc.
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Miscellaneous -

GenoPro from GenoPro Inc.
OpenOffice from OpenOffice.org
QuickZip from Joseph Leung
Picasa from Google
Yeah Write! from Word Place, Inc.
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Spyware & Adware -

Ad-aware from Lavasoft
CWShredder from InterMute
Hijack This! from Merijn.org
Spybot Search and Destroy from PepiMK
Spy Sweeper from Webroot Software
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Tech Tools -

Apple System Profiler from Apple
Belarc Advisor from Belarc, Inc.
Power Toys for Windows XP from Microsoft
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SCAM

The South Carolina Association of Magician's (SCAM) convention in Columbia , South Carolina was a very enlightening experience for yours truly.

In other words... I loved every minute! Their selection of magicians for this years lectures and performances was an inspired combination of skill, story-telling, creativity, and theory.

David 'Silly Billy' Kaye, was right-on with his lecture about the nuiances of performing for children, and the specific requirements of each age group. He brought children from the audience on stage to aptly prove his points. I'm not a childrens magician, but the psychology behind his lecture was brilliant.

Rachel Wild and Tom Jones kicked off the lectures with a lesson in professionalism for everyone present. You couldn't take your eyes off the two as they taught exactly as you would expect two highly trained magicians, no.. entertainers.. to teach. Stunning...

Mick Ayers displayed why Disney has him locked in a contract that prevents him from performing almost anywhere other than at Disney.. Mickey Mouse and friends knew what they were doing! Micks storytelling was one of the true 'magical moments' of the entire convention. This guys good!

Columbia's own John Tudor, founder of SCAM ten years ago this year, was coaxed onstage to confirm what the attendee's already knew... that he is South Carolina's most beloved magician, a true scholar, and consummate performer.. Every magician present should have been forced to let John teach them a thing or two about a sorely overlooked aspect of magic - stage presence.

Robert Moreland gave his first public lecture, and slyly showed everyone present why he is a 'star in waiting..' A master of cards and coins, Robert is expected to become the next Michael Close, and his performance confirmed exactly that...

Dan Harlan constantly displayed his slightly bent sense of humor, as well as his repertoire of totally original magic. His performance in the stage show on Saturday night was simply brilliant. He gave everyone a lesson on how to take a simple trick - and turn it into twelve minutes of hilarious magic.

Dirk Losander was the star of the show with his lecture on Friday night. The 'master of levitation' amazed everyone with his sensitive and compelling revelations. Dirk proved to be an honest, down-to-earth guy with a genuinely friendly demeanor to match his larger-than-life magic. Impressive!

Never, ever, turn down a chance to attend this beautifully run convention !

Just Back..

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Just got back from the SCAM ( South Carolina Assoc. of Magicians ) Convention in Columbia, South Carolina. My wife and I had a wonderful time and I will relate some of the stories from SCAM shortly.

In the meantime... visit Tim Quinlan at Inside Magic to read some really great reviews. Tim, my wife Carolyn, and I attended the final gala event together, and also had the opportunity to talk about magic and business in general..

Visit InsideMagic.com

Later..

Mailer4u

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The other newsletter mailing system I recommend, and the one I personally use, is Mailer4u. ( http://mailer4u.com ) They also offer free mailings, up to a limit, and have a really simple control panel to control your mailings. I receive weekly updates charting the growing number of members to my newsletter.

I urge you to check these two good systems out if you're interested in starting your own newsletter...

Good Luck..!

Ezine Director

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Got a magic-related newsletter ? Do you have an idea for a newsletter, but just aren't sure what you need to mail it out, how to mail it out, or how much it will cost to mail it out?

I am going to recommend two systems. You can set either one up for Free. They will give you a bit of html code to put on your site to generate a subscribe button. The subscribers will automatically be stored in your system, and you can mail out up to 500 free newsletters each month.

Of course, you can mail out however many you're willing to pay for.... but I'm guessing you won't have 500 subscribers from day one..

The first is EZINE DIRECTOR ( http://ezinedirector.com ). Your first 500 emails are free each month. After that you get 2000 for $7.75 a month or 16,000 for about $ 15.00 a month. This is the BEST price, with the MOST features I have found ANYWHERE...

Here are the features...

• enterprise email list management & ezine hosting-
• compliance with CAN-SPAM & Sender Policy Framework (SPF)-
• conformance to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines-
• compatible with all major platforms (e.g. AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail, Outlook)-
• will not interfere with your ISP -
• extremely customizable & feature rich- simple web-based administration-
• no software to download-
• manage an unlimited number of listsCustomer Support-
• 24/7 email response-
• toll-free help line-
• in-depth instructions-
• individual feature help tipsSubscription Management-
• new subscription acquisition-
• instant list up/download-
• demographic collection- search & edit function-
• date, time, & IP stampDelivery & Scheduling-
• set specific time & day-
• advance scheduling-
• non-branding system-
• HTML or text delivery-
• WYSIWYG HTML Editor-
• content & format test-
• customizable from line-
• recipient personalizationCampaign Results-
• web or file reports-
• automated bounce handling-
• on demand failed email logs-
• subscription cancellation report-
• optional URL tracking-
• HTML open rateHands-free Maintenance-
• subscription & removal-
• complaint filters-
• reply & out of office catch-
• subscription cancellation feedback-
• custom greeting message
• Total Cost- 38% less than competitors-
• no set up fees-
• real-time balance sheet-
• free version available

I will post the info on the second system within the hour... so don't make any decisions yet...

Inside Magic..

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My friend, Tim Quinlan of InsideMagic, has published a review of Dan Turcotte's "Anywhere - Anytime Close-up Magic " video package. The review was written by me.. You can read it at:

http://insidemagic.com/article_849.shtml

There's a lot going on at the moment, I'll be back shortly..

Pick a Side.. Any Side..

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Why should I be pressured into picking a side? Someone's mad at Steve Pellegrino (AtomicBrew) because they thought he said something good about Oz Pearlman.

What if he did? What difference does it make? What if I hated School of Rock ? What if I think Jack Black is no-talent rank amateur?

If you watched the movie, and if you took ANYTHING positive away from School of Rock, what right do I have to criticize you? It's not about whether or not I liked it... it's about whether or not YOU liked it - it's YOUR money !

I don't particularly like country music. I'm a rock/blues/jazz sort of guy. But I just shelled out sixty bucks for a ticket for my wife to go see Toby Keith.. I can think of about three good magical treats I could have bought with that money.

(But... As they say, " If momma ain't happy - then nobody's happy! ")

Oz has a relaxed style that transcribes well to the screen. I have yet to see him screw up a move on a dvd.. And if you're fairly new to magic I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to recommend his "Born to Perform..." .

I just paid good money for two dvd's by one of the most respected magicians in the world. The guy has a rock-solid reputation as a creator/performer of card magic. I promise you I watched him trying to perform a pass that you could have spotted from across the room...

Not once.. but twice.. on the same trick.

I was so bored watching this guy that I cut the dvd off about half-way through to go cut my toenails..

I eventually watched both dvd's, and I cannot remember one single trick from either.

Some of magics top performers have sat at this guys feet and studied his moves. It's a good thing he makes money giving lectures, because he wouldn't last two days in Vegas..

If YOU want to study under this guy, more power to you... I certainly won't hold it against you.
I'm just not going to spend any more of MY money on his dvd's... and I'm not going to trash the guy in public.

I've bought stuff from Penguin, and I've bought stuff from Ellusionist.

I could care less about your feelings toward Brad, or Oz, or Sankey. If they do something worthy of praise, I'll praise them. If they do something that really sucks... I'll criticize.

What I care about is the basics. And if Brad or Oz can help an aspiring magician learn the basics, then they have my support.

Teach me the basics !!

Teach me the move - and let me go my own way. Knowing HOW something is done, and then re-working the magic to make it your own, is the Secret to Success.