Monthly Archives: February 2008

Online magazines

Have you noticed the increasing number of magazines that are going online instead of having hard copies?

There are obvious advantages to this for the publishers

  • reduced costs of printing and layout
  • longer deadlines can be allowed – without having print times, the magazine can be prepared closer to publish dates
  • the ability to refer to older articles with a link so readers can access multiple articles on a topic with ease
  • greater ease at measuring popularity of sections through website statistics

Online magazines also use up less paper and energy in the printing process, which is why many of these online magazines announce they are green. Of course, there is the energy of establishing, running and visiting a website but this has a smaller impact than cutting down trees, making paper and printing on that paper.

On the other hand, there are some advantages to a hard copy magazine, too, and publishers need to consider which group of advantages best suits the needs of their readers.

A hard copy magazine:

  • is easy to read anywhere – in the bath, waiting for an appointment, while using a treadmill or exercise bike, sitting in the park with the kids
  • is easier and quicker to read than onscreen information
  • can be ripped apart to store valued sections (e.g. a recipe or craft pattern) – of course, an online magazine can always have these sections printed!
  • has a feel and smell that some people enjoy
  • arrives in the mail as a treat for subscribers – a nice change from bills and ads!

So which do you prefer to read? Which do you think is the better option moving forward? If you were to start a magzine, which way would you present it?

Confessions of a SuperMom by M L Hauser

Confessions of a SuperMomConfessions of a super mom book cover
by Melanie Lynne Hauser
Published 2005  Dutton, Penguin Group New York

For every woman who has struggled with being an ordinary housewife and for everybody who has wished that superheros are real, this is the book you need.

Single Mum of two, Birdie Lee, underrates herself and struggles to work, help with the PTA and be a good Mum. She also fights against dirt and stains in her house, which leads to the Swiffer incident that changes her life.

Birdie is knocked out by a chemical cleaning concoction and slowly realises that it has transformed her into a superhero like those in her son’s comics. Of course, it takes time to learn what her powers are and how to deal with being a super hero; as an outsider, this learning curve is great fun to read about.

With children to save and an arch nemesis to defeat, Birdie sets off in a costume to rival Wonder Woman.

A great, fun book I’d recommend to anyone with a sense of humour (and maybe those who don’t!), Confessions of a Super Mom is easy to identify with and has a fantastic ending – and I can say that without giving away the story, too, as there is more to the ending than you’d expect!

Bathrobe treasue hunt

Save Time Online is participating in the Business Mums Network Bathrobe Treasure Hunt (try saying that 3 times quickly!)

So what is it? In short, you need to visit a number of websites to find out answers to questions in the hunt. You send those answers in to the organisers (the Business Mums Network) and are in the running for a number of prizes.

You get to see some new sites and potentially win some great prizes, and entry is free, so it’s worth thinking about! And if you run your own business, you’ll be happy to see a feature listing from us is one of the prizes - just choose your favourite seasonal section from our site (Valentines Day, Easter, May Madness, Mothers Day, Christmas in July, Breast Feeding Week, Fathers Day, Spring, Christmas)

The full list of prizes and involved sites is:

  1. Business Mums Network GOLD membership valued at $245
  2. Blogging for Beginners CD & Notes set from Business Mums Guides valued at $33
  3. Three hours VA admin support only (excluding website design) from Tilda Virtual Services valued at $132
  4. Nuvo Swirl Raglan Top from Nuvo Maternity valued at $54
  5. Silk slippers for Mum from Nature’s Cradle valued at $49.95
  6. Two hours interior design consulting from Green Room Interiors, including summary and samples (if required) valued at $300
  7. Bach consultation and Rescue Remedy spray from Emotional Equilibrium valued at $50
  8. One pair of Vintage Chenille Pants from Oli B Designs valued at $24.95
  9. One Hairclip, Flower elastics (set of two) and one Girls Headband from Kidz Funky Designs valued at $28.95
  10. One nappy wallet from Belly Bumps to Baby Hugs valued at $13.50
  11. Vanchi twin  bib set plus a  matching wrap and hat set from La Toriana valued at $45
  12. Sterling silver and Shiva Eye ring –This ring is 925 Sterling Silver and is nickel free. (Size chart: USA size 7 or British Size O) from Marakye valued at $23.85
  13. An Ickle Kids Brain Teaser Activity Pack from Ickle Kids valued at $44.95
  14. Book and accompanying CD - Ready, Set, Go For It! The complete women’s guide to operating a small business in Australiaby Donna-Marie Coggins from Your Small Biz Expert valued at $33
  15. A $50 gift voucher from Baubles, Bubbles and Bags.
  16. A pack of personalised family stationary valued at $50 from My Beechworth Secretary.
  17. One feature listing on Save Time Online valued at $100.
  18. Complete handbag spritz – the set of 4 Real Mums Spritzes and Sprays, including Instant House Clean, Monster Spray, Snap Out of It Spritz and Escape Spritz valued at $29.95 from Real Mums.
  19. Amboni Organics Rosehip Oil valued at $29.95, hypo -allergenic and fragrance free valued at $29.95 from Natural Form.
  20. A necklace of your choice valued at $20 from Sparkling Dragon Designs.
  21. JBW Harvest Song kitted with threads, fabric and charm, valued at $25.00 from The Needlework Boutique
  22. A MYOB version 17 fully installed and the first month data processed together with a health check on your bookkeeping system from Jim’s Bookkeeping.
  23. One year’s free subscription to Mail Magic or the Site Builder valued at $120 from MultimediART.

 PS It is called the Bathrobe hunt as it is part of the celebrations of ‘doing business in your bathrobe month’ – a time to recognise all those people running a business from home.

Valentines Day is almost here…

Valentines iconChristmas and Australia Day are now behind us and we’re rapidly heading into the last month of summer.

In two weeks, it will be Valentines Day. We have a collection of ideas, articles and quotes on our Valentines Day page, but we also thought we’d remind you now so there is time to grab a gift if you’re so inclined.

And we’d love to hear – what does Valentines Day mean in your life? (and ‘nothing’ is an acceptable answer!)