January 17, 2002 Welcome to Issue 004 of the Fortress E-Newsletter! The New Year is here once again. To kick things off, we're focusing on business resolutions and how to actually put some of them into action. For those planning new web sites or revamping older ones, there are some helpful points to consider that might streamline the process. It seems that there is never a shortage of virus alerts and scares, and this month we're going to point out one more. Meet the "Gigger" worm. Outlook users beware. Our web spotlight this month is Cascade Business Services. Who says that accounting and taxes has to be boring? Our Fortress Services feature is a bit of a spin on our eStationery line of products. For those selling goods or services (that would be just about everyone) how about sending your invoices via email with full graphics? Enjoy the issue.

In This Issue Feature Article Resolutions Internet News "Gigger" worm Web Spotlight Cascade Fortress Services View back issues of this newsletter at fortressweb.com ------------

Resolutions and Planning 2001 has finally finished winding down and we're already starting to make a dent into 2002. As we start into the New Year it's time to look at those business resolutions. Most of us start with great expectations for the New Year and a long list of goals. Normally we accompany that with the promise that this year we'll stick to them. As times goes on we tend to hit an unexpected setback or problem and the goals and expectations fly right out the window. We tend to immediately begin repeating the slightly less than stellar approach to business that we stumbled along with last year. Why is that? As people we're naturally wired to remember the negatives far easier than the positives. We lose our great expectations the first chance we get. None of us really believes that we've been uniquely selected to win $100,000 by the clearing-house, but we'll instantly believe that we're next in line to be audited by the government. So what do we do about it? The first step is to make a realistic set of goals for your business. Don't mark out step 10 by itself, write in steps 1 through 9 as well. Write down your goals and post them somewhere where you can see them on a daily basis. Revise, revisit, modify and adjust as needed... and each day keep your eye and your energy on the next step above. This is how your web project should be approached as well. Very often we will deal with clients that want a level 10 web site on a level 3 budget. When they cannot reach the peak in one leap they become discouraged and the project is shelved or discarded. Start at whatever level you are able and revise, revisit modify and adjust your site as needed. A web site is a living thing that grows and adjusts all the time. Planning on that from the beginning will save a lot of time, energy and frustration. If you have an existing site that isn't quite looking or working the way you want it to then sit down and make an action plan for your site. Work through that with your web designer and take the steps that time and budget will allow. Be realistic about results and revenue and get second opinions if you're unsure about the advice you are being given. Key steps to look at: When evaluating your current site or planning the next one, the following breakdown of components may help you organize your key options: 1) Layout and Design (The look and feel of your site) 2) Sections (How your site breaks down into key topics or areas of interest) 3) Text Content (What do you want to say in each section?) 4) Graphic Content (The photographs, artwork, and other images that work with your text) 5) Interactive Content (Message Boards, Fill-in Forms, Client Sections) 6) Push Marketing (Search Engines, Link Exchanges and other web listings) 7) Pull Marketing (Electronic Newsletters and Electronic Stationery) How can we help? If all of this seems a bit overwhelming to you then take heart, you're not alone. At Fortress we're here to help you through each step of the process and beyond the initial design. We can make recommendations and provide some clear facts on where the best place is to start and what you can expect with each step. Then we'll help you make a plan of action and see it through. What are your resolutions for 2002? -

The "Gigger" worm A new computer worm masquerading as a software update from Microsoft is capable of deleting all files on the hard drive of an infected computer but has so far spread very slowly, an antivirus vendor stated recently. The so-called "Gigger" worm is a low threat since so few computers have been infected, said Vincent Gullotto, senior research director for Network Associates Antivirus Response Team. "It's a mass-mailer with a dangerous payload but it's not in the wild," he said. "If it was to begin to spread, it could cause significant problems." Apparently, few people have been duped into opening the attachment, which has limited the spread of the worm, according to Gullotto. The worm, a self-propagating virus, is written in Java Script and uses Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express and mIRC Instant Relay Chat channels, to spread. It arrives as an attachment to an e-mail that has a subject line of "Outlook Express Update," sends itself to addresses in the address book, and tries to delete all files on the hard drive according to Gullotto. All of this once again reinforces the rules of safe computing. If you don't know who it's from, or what it is... don't open it.

A Look at Cascade Business Services Tax time is coming... how are your books looking? This month we're featuring a site we did for an accounting services company. Cascade already had a strong image with a logo, colour scheme and selection of common images. We used the existing elements and created a 3D look to them. Then we used some additional photoshop effects to add some more depth and dimension. Once the design was done, it was fairly simple to find additional images that fit the theme. The strong colours and sense of fun is something we don't normally see in sites of this nature, but in this case it came off very well. Cascade offers a wide range of services including: Bookkeeping setup (no matter what state it's in now) Invoicing / Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Payroll Inventory Mobile Tax preparation and e-filing Filing setup / Systems integration and much more.... We use Cascade for our office record upkeep and recommend them highly. Visit the Cascade Business Services Web Site at: www.c-b-s-c.com

eInvoices Fortress eInvoice Sample Expanding on our eStationery line of products in as many ways as possible... we are now using eInvoices in our business. Faxing lacks the vibrancy of colour and mailing simply takes too long, so what's the alternative for your invoicing? email of course! The Electronic Invoice comes through via email in full colour with your company logo and imagery front and center. Product and service detail is clear, crisp and understandable. Often the low resolution of a fax will make some items on your invoice unreadable. Using an eInvoice eliminates all readability problems. Using email as a delivery system also allows you to send the invoice directly to the person responsible for paying it. As an added bonus users of Outlook and other email programs can request a receipt when the invoice is opened. That way you will always know if your invoice was properly received or not. eInvoices are designed to be printed and will work with all email systems that support eStationery or eNewsletters. Ask us for more information and a demo today... and streamline your invoicing process!

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