While I appreciate you including a list of business software for
Mac users ("The Right Stuff," May), I was
surprised that many notable free and low-cost products weren't
mentioned-specifically GIMP graphics program, Jaws PDF Creator and
OpenOffice.org.
Those of us just starting out need all the breaks we can
get!
Lisa S. Knopp
Indianapolis
Technology editor Mike Hogan responds: Macintosh software
doesn't run on Windows computers, and vice versa, so we're
obliged to differentiate them for our readers'
convenience.
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But we don't consider price to be a good way to
differentiate business--as opposed to consumer--software because
the cost of deployment, training and support is so many times
higher than the price tag of any program.
We have covered or mentioned open-source, shareware and
freeware programs in stories before, and will again as
appropriate.
Shaping Up
I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to read about
David Barton in the "Almost Famous" section of the July
issue. As a fellow fitness entrepreneur, I can tell you from
experience, we aren't always held in the highest regard.
I've had more than a few people snidely tell me they wished
they didn't have to work at a "real job," either.
I think Mr. Barton is a perfect example of the new fitness
professional. Many personal trainers are nurturing their
entrepreneurial spirit and building fitness empires. The days of
being labeled "muscleheads" aren't quite behind us
yet, but with the David Bartons of the world leading the way, our
reputation will soon [be] the one we deserve: highly educated,
motivated and skilled professionals who can no longer be ignored by
the rest of the business world.
Jim Labadie
TrainandGrowRich.com
Tampa, Florida
Site Seen
Thank you so much for having such a wonderful and informative
website. I have found countless resources for my own business.
I began searching the site when my business was in its planning
phases. I used so many marketing techniques and gathered so much
wonderful advice from your articles.
I was against the odds going into business as a 23-year-old
female with a partner who is an 18-year-old female. I am very happy
to say that, with a lot of help from Entrepreneur.com, and a lot of
prayer and hard work, I now have a business that is becoming a fast
success.
Candace Chiet
Via e-mail
Spreading the Word
"Behind the Magic" (August) by Chris
Penttila was great. I especially enjoyed the diverse businesses
represented.
Having known one of the contributors, Kara Vample Turner, for
over 10 years, I commend you on selecting entrepreneurs who truly
understand customer service and how to build client loyalty.
I advise entrepreneurs daily on income enhancement techniques
and tax-savings strategies. I will share this article with my
300-plus clients, because the piece provides excellent step-by-step
strategies on how to generate more income for your small business,
no matter what the industry.
Genevia Gee Fulbright
Vice President and Marketing Director
Fulbright & Fulbright, CPA, PA
Durham, North Carolina
Page Turner
I'd like to commend Rieva Lesonsky for her excellent
editorial leadership of Entrepreneur magazine. I have
subscribed to your publication for over a year, and my
gratification with the content has not waned, but has grown
exponentially over the past few months.
I was a journalism professor for over 21 years prior to starting
my business, and I know a helpful magazine when I see one.
Entrepreneur has been a tutorial course for me on operating
a successful business. The information is comprehensive and covers
topics month after month that are of interest to all individuals
who are aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as those who took the
plunge decades ago. I literally cannot stop reading the publication
from cover to cover when the mail carrier delivers it to my
office.
Because I don't want to make copies of pages of a
publication that is going to be thrown in the garbage, I tear the
pages that I want out of periodicals. This also was the pattern
that I adopted for the first couple of Entrepreneur
issues-until I realized I was tearing out almost all the pages of
the magazine. Entrepreneur is now one of the publications
that I archive for future reference. Kudos to you and your
staff.
Marilyn Kern Foxworth
President and CEO
Kern Foxworth International LLC
Silver Spring, Maryland