The View from Landmark

Email Edition #1

A publication of Landmark Computer Laboratories

Landmark Lad (also known as Bud Stolker) is pleased to announce the re-launch of Landmark Computer Laboratories, a personal computer service and support firm based in Alexandria, Virginia.

Landmark has been building, maintaining, repairing, and consulting on personal computers since 1981. For the past six years while we partnered with Ameri-Tech Concepts, Inc. in Springfield, Virginia, we were known as Landmark Ameri-Tech.

We still share work with Ameri-Tech Concepts and refer clients to them. For remanufactured laser toner cartridges and printer, fax and monitor repairs, Ameri-Tech is without peer.

But for computer networking, PC systems integration, maintenance and upgrades, we have decided that we're better off as an independent company. Hence the re-launch of Landmark Labs.

Landmark specializes in personal computing solutions for small businesses, householders, entrepreneurs, academics, and those with special needs. We promote cost-effective computing by giving you the tools and the skills to succeed with your PCs without having an in-house expert. Landmark features prompt, expert service and provides the personal care that only a skilled local organization can offer.

Supplementing Landmark's usual repertoire will be some surprising new services available in the coming months: on-site backup, Web site hosting, and data recovery, to name a few. We have exciting hardware and communication options, too: a new generation of backup devices and techniques, a series of video/graphic workstations, and carefully crafted wireless networks for home and office.

Call on us when you need help with your PCs -- or when you need new ones -- or when you need them networked.

Is it spam? No way! The View will be sent only to those subscribers who confirm by email or by clicking on a hyperlink confirmation that they really want to receive it. This double opt-in process is the safest way for readers to subscribe, and for legitimate Web publishers to avoid being labelled as spammers. We promise that the mailing list will be held private and never sold, rented, or traded. We'll post a privacy protection policy when The View's Web site goes live.

Murphy's Law states that if something can go wrong, it will. The View from Landmark is generated by an interactive -- and idiosyncratic -- code-building tool on the Web. Composing The View is great fun but offers countless opportunities to screw up. The program requires lots of attention to detail. Everything must be without fault. (Thanks to BraveNet for a remarkable set of Web tools. They've provided a great way to get an e-newsletter started.)

Our current efforts include

• designing the newsletter's "look and feel" and integrating it with the new "View from Landmark" Web site
• building the mailing list and managing the double-opt-in subscription requirement
• writing pages for the new Landmark Web site, and
• (oh, yes!) launching the company itself.

We would appreciate your help in getting this e-newsletter off the ground.

If you're interested in helping Landmark Computer Labs grow and prosper, then please take the time to help us with the setup of The View, our primary online marketing vehicle. There's not a lot to do . . . just subscribe! You'll receive some test copies of this e-letter and note any problems or issues. If you have comments or concerns, please email us at and share them. Let us know what operating system and e-mail program you're using, too.

You may get several copies of the same issue, and you may get other multiple mailings from us as we test our software. We'll try to keep our pre-launch antics from becoming truly obnoxious. Feel free to opt out at any time. We have a reliable and automatic unsubscribe feature.

Verizon University is currently offering several free interactive computer- and business-related courses on the Web. For a limited time, registered students can enroll in a free thirty-day trial of one of several courses, including

• Microsoft Excel 2000 and Outlook 2000 proficiency
• Internet basics and Internet infrastructure
• Local Area Networks
• Web building tools like FrontPage, Dreamweaver and HomeSite, and
• Programming languages

The on-line school even offers a basic introduction to the Internet and World Wide Web for newbies.

It's a risk-free introduction to VU's courseware, which ranges in price from $34.95 (PowerPoint Proficiency) to $149.95 (C++ Programming) and higher for multi-course packages. Besides computing issues, VU offers courses on business topics, including sales and interpersonal communications.

At the $0.00 price point, there's precious little to lose, and you just might learn something useful.

And speaking of useful, we'll have info like this in every issue of The View. Watch for it!

Keeping your virus protection up to date is important, but you need a firewall, too. It can block worms and other creepy programs. Windows XP has one built in, but it's rather basic. We recommend ZoneAlarm. It works with all versions of Windows, and it's a free download.

Each edition of The View from Landmark will feature a piece of the panorama or an equally striking view.

Copyright © 2004 Landmark Computer Laboratories