I enjoy doing a Year In Review post to reflect on all that has happened the past year.  The 2007 Year In Review was my very first one, and I've decided to do it again this year. This one is going to be a bit different than last years though.

Here's something I discovered while initially trying to create this post, and I recommend trying this for  yourself.  This just might help to inspire and motivate some folks to look at their goals, plans, and life  differently in 2009.  Take a look and see what this type of "Yearly Review" might do for you.

  In 2008

 

This is a recap from the ActiveBrad "Archives", BUT it's not about me. 

If you check out "YOUR Archives", using the monthly links on your sidebar, it's really very interesting.  It's kinda cool to look at your own Blog and go back through the year and "YOUR" life.  What does your 2008 Blog on ActiveRain reveal to you, or about you? 

Have you ever looked back at the year through your Blogs viewpoint?  What will YOU discover?  Sorting your posts out by each month, lets you really see exactly where you've been, what you've done, and possibly where you're going or where you might want to be in the future?!?

Looking back at my year in review, I discovered many things about myself, my life, my goals and aspirations.  I reviewed my Blog from a 3rd party perspective, like reading a book, and it shed a whole new light on ME.  Who I am, what I like, what I don't, and what I want to change?   Your Own Blog may be the best goal setting and motivational resource you have.  It's your most accurate account for YOUR "Year In Review".

It's been one of the most wonderful, exciting, and yet different years I have ever lived through.  I have grown and learned so much from all of you, and now I'm even learning from myself, and about me too.  LOL~

January Has The Market Bottomed Out? - The Crystal Ball Says... - 01/26/08 11:57 AM

FLOCK - The New Social Web Browser - 01/26/08 11:22 AM

A Life Lesson - Don't Give Up - 01/12/08 02:36 PM

Overcoming Adversity, Change and Life's Challenges - 01/05/08 11:06 PM February 40 People Who Want More $$$$ for Your Listing Than Your Seller Does.. - 02/27/08 02:59 AM NEW MEMBERS - Start Here - 02/26/08 12:26 PM Active Rain Interview - Live on TBWS - Video Killed The Newsletter - 02/23/08 01:05 PM Your Blog - Is it Unwritten? - 02/17/08 01:53 PM Active Rain Dinner - Ends In Marriage Proposal - 02/14/08 09:28 AM 10,000 Blog Comments - 02/05/08 08:26 AM Active Rain Inspires Member's New Book - 02/02/08 10:23 PM March Flip Video - Taking It To The Streets - 03/31/08 11:08 AM Real Estate Technology - The RE.Net Update - 03/28/08 05:22 PM An ActiveRain Video Invitation - 03/27/08 03:59 AM How to Add a Power Point Presentation to Your Blog - 03/21/08 11:29 PM Passion, It's More Than Just A Word - 03/20/08 11:22 AM Active Rain Instructions - How To Post Your Listings - 03/19/08 03:48 AM Active Rain March 2008 Birthdays - 03/16/08 10:22 PM Making A Point - The Power Point Way! - 03/13/08 10:50 AM FHA Mortgage Limits - A Tool For You - 03/12/08 05:35 PM Real Estate 2.0 - Does Blogging Really Work - Letter To The Skeptics - 03/09/08 07:17 PM I thought I'd Seen It All... - 03/07/08 11:35 PM 5 Ways To Subscribe To Blogs - 03/07/08 09:52 AM How To Set-Up Your Active Rain Profile - 03/03/08 11:07 AM How To Complete Your Active Rain Profile - Part II - 03/03/08 10:19 AM ActiveRain Reunites Lost Brothers After 41 Years - Unbelievable!! - 03/02/08 02:43 PM

April The Blog and The Spouse - In Our House! - 04/29/08 02:07 AM

Mama Says NO BLOGGING! - 04/26/08 09:27 PM

How To Use Mixpo Video Online Tools - 04/24/08 07:54 PM

Viddler Video Commenting - Is This Vlogging? - 04/22/08 10:34 AM

Once Lost Brothers, Now Friends! - 04/21/08 11:29 AM

How To Get Started with ActiveRain Video - 04/20/08 04:08 PM

How To Customize and Personalize Your ActiveRain Blog - 04/15/08 09:51 AM

The Real Estate Market - Is Now The Best Time To Buy? - 04/12/08 02:01 PM

A Night Out With My Dad - 04/11/08 03:39 AM

ActiveRain LIVE on Late Night with TBWS - 04/10/08 07:53 PM

10 Tips For Creating Better Quality Videos - 04/09/08 05:02 PM

How to Use The Flip Video Camera with Your Computer - 04/08/08 09:32 AM

ActiveRain &;; Mixpo - 04/03/08 12:54 AM May Mr. Scribble on VIDEO - It's Not For Everyone - 05/30/08 01:25 AM Mobile Real Estate Technology - Is It Necessary? - 05/27/08 06:58 PM Real Estate Video Hosting - Dare To Compare - 05/23/08 03:52 PM How To Join ActiveRain - A Video Tutorial - 05/22/08 01:28 PM FLIP Video - On the FLOP Side - 05/22/08 10:30 AM Email Signatures - How Good/Bad Are They? - 05/20/08 01:54 AM ActiveRain Navigation - For New Members - 05/16/08 10:16 PM   7 Unique ActiveRain Video Tools - 05/12/08 11:39 AM ActiveRain Drops in Tennessee - 05/10/08 11:46 AM ActiveRain at Real Estate Connect 2008 - 05/02/08 05:14 PM June The Birth of a Beautiful Princess Gets Celebrated - 06/30/08 04:18 AM The Evolution of the ActiveRain Blog - 06/30/08 04:12 AM ActiveRain Launches Outside Blogs - How Do You Get Yours? - 06/26/08 11:31 PM 10 Top Excuses to Be On ActiveRain - 06/20/08 01:50 AM 3 Ways to Use the Join ActiveRain Referral Link - 06/17/08 09:35 AM The ActiveRain Video Blog - Video In Review and Challenge - 06/14/08 12:24 AM The Super 8 Meme - The Viral Tag in the Rain - 06/09/08 05:27 PM ActiveRain Voices - The New Q&;;A - 06/06/08 10:34 AM Ask A Real Estate Professional - Who Will Answer? - 06/04/08 11:02 AM

July The ActiveRain Gang - Follow Us Live @ RE Connect - 07/23/08 01:46 PM

The ActiveRain Starter Kit - 07/21/08 12:08 PM

The Official ActiveRain Gathering at RE Connect - San Francisco - 07/19/08 01:45 PM

Get a WiKi - With Just One Clicky - 07/15/08 11:26 PM

SEO Tools - You Should Know, about SEO - 07/12/08 03:11 AM

Real Estate Radio USA - ActiveRain Interview - Bob Stewart - 07/11/08 03:32 AM

Groups On ActiveRain - 07/08/08 03:50 AM August Pictures and Video DO Help Sell Real Estate - 08/29/08 12:49 PM The iPhone and Real Estate - 08/26/08 08:47 PM Karen George - Goodbye to an Angel - 08/25/08 01:29 PM An Ambulance, A Firetruck and Localism - What Do They Have In Common? - 08/23/08 12:39 PM So What Can You Do with ActiveRain Video? - 08/19/08 04:19 PM When NOT to use a Tripod for VIDEO - 08/18/08 06:01 PM ActiveRain Launches NEW Video Interface - 08/16/08 03:29 AM Getting to #1 on Google - 08/15/08 08:24 AM Social Media Marketing - A Webinar Series for Members - 08/13/08 09:50 AM Video Tutorial #2: The Basics of Shooting - 08/10/08 10:52 AM Video Tutorial #1: What is Flip Video? - 08/10/08 10:40 AM Localism - The Next Steps - 08/09/08 03:08 PM Blog Blog and Now ReBlog? - 08/09/08 04:27 AM A Symphony of Annoying Computer Sounds - 08/07/08 04:19 PM Subscribed - When Thank You Just Isn't Enough - 08/06/08 04:51 AM Localism - How to Add Photos and Why Quality is Essential - 08/04/08 11:05 AM 3 Ways To Bookmark and Manage Your Favorite Posts - 08/01/08 11:50 AM September The NEW ActiveRain Blog Customizer - Version 2.0 - 09/30/08 12:47 PM ActiveRain and Your NEW Twitter Settings - 09/29/08 12:02 PM Enjoying The Journey of Lifetime! - 09/29/08 02:16 AM New Members - Video Explanations - Social Media, Blogging and MORE! - 09/27/08 01:00 AM Is This Really 1929 - 2.0? - 09/25/08 11:09 AM The Petrified Forest Whispers Happy Birthday Today - 09/24/08 01:48 PM RETaggr - Can It Really Do All That? - 09/22/08 05:24 PM Disabled Comments or The Disabled Post - 09/20/08 04:22 PM Video Audio Indexing - Converting Your Voice and Audio To Text - 09/20/08 01:37 PM Reel Dwellings TV meets RAIN Radio - 09/18/08 09:40 AM 3 Ways To Reach Your Audience - Blogging Just Isn't Enough - 09/17/08 10:42 PM Adding Forms To Your Blog Post - 09/13/08 10:53 PM The ActiveRain Suggestion Box - 09/11/08 04:11 PM How To Use ActiveRain Channels - 09/09/08 01:54 PM Getting To Know ActiveRain - I Want To Know... - 09/08/08 11:52 AM Are You Sick and Tired of Scams and Spams? - 09/05/08 09:53 PM WEB 2.0 - Top 100 Applications and Sites 2008 - 09/04/08 11:00 AM ActiveRain Live Talk Show on BlogTalkRadio - 09/02/08 03:14 AM

October Your Social Media User Name - Is It Too Late? - 10/31/08 04:00 PM

Who Is ActiveRain's Jeff Corbett - The XBroker? - 10/31/08 02:40 AM

Listing Router - How To Set Up Your Own Click Campaign - 10/29/08 12:56 AM

Listing Router - How To Setup and Save Your Own Traffic - 10/29/08 12:56 AM

Listing Router - How To Opt Out - 10/28/08 11:52 PM

There's No Place Like Home... - 10/26/08 02:57 PM

☂ ActiveRain at REBarCamp - LIVE Updates and Real-Time Feeds ☚ - 10/20/08 12:20 PM

ActiveRain @ REBarCamp - Knocking on the Doors of Opportunity - 10/17/08 02:38 PM

We Built This City... - 10/15/08 02:29 AM

ActiveRain Approved Widgets and Script Codes - 10/13/08 02:18 PM

Be On The Lookout ... SPAMMERS are Sneaking Into The Rain - 10/11/08 07:01 PM

ActiveBrad's TOP FREE Picks - 2008 - 10/08/08 03:29 AM

URGENT - Help Me Get This PreSCRIPTion Filled - 10/04/08 02:16 PM

The Extinction of Money - or -  Tips For Buyers - 10/02/08 06:52 PM November There's Blog Power in Your Mouse - It's The Right Click - 11/30/08 01:28 PM The Power of Giving - The Gift of Thanks - 11/27/08 11:31 AM The Turkey Ran Wild - ɹǝʌɹǝs ǝɥʇ uı ʇɥƃnɐɔ ʇoƃ - It's Only Temporary... - 11/23/08 03:39 PM Twitter Gone Wild! - Rated T - 11/20/08 07:15 PM Social Media Networking - Welcome To The Matrix - 11/17/08 04:27 PM Convert Your Blog To Audio in 60 Seconds - 11/16/08 08:58 AM Copyright Laws and You - Here's All You'll EVER Need To Know - 11/13/08 03:46 PM 300 - Where Will You Be for #300 on ActiveRain? - 11/09/08 05:34 PM LinkedIn Becomes More than A Profile -or- The On-Line Resume' - 11/04/08 03:56 PM Copyright - Is It Clear? Are We Safe? - 11/02/08 11:00 PM December ActiveRain Gathering 2008 - Our Final Social Networking Party - 12/18/08 02:42 AM Generating Leads Using IDX Tools - 12/15/08 10:38 PM 1000 Posts In One - It's A FeedFuze - 12/13/08 11:48 AM The On-Line Book To Show Face and Make Friends - 12/10/08 05:37 PM ActiveRain Widgets and The New and Approved HTML List - 12/05/08 07:07 PM How To Remove Antivirus Pro 2009 VIRUS from your Computer - 12/02/08 10:08 AM

It's really different when you see all that you've done in a year, your life all on a single page.  It's like a big recording of events that you might have forgotten about, or lost if it weren't for your Blog.  So what does your Blog's "Year In Review" say about you, or to you?  I know in 2009, I'm making some changes, and without a doubt, "I'm starting with the man in the mirror."

It was a GREAT 2008, I'm looking forward to a DIVINE 2009!!   :-)

Come Play In The "RAIN" with us!
Here's the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How

Click On The "Sign" for Location and Details...
all members and guests are welcome

 RAIN Radio    "Live" PARTY Chat"   Call In #347 677-1643  Listen To Show   Send To A Friend   RSS

IF YOU MISSED the PARTY, CLICK HERE, DON'T MISS THE BROADCAST

Here's a cool way to setup your IDX and AR Blog as a Lead Generator.  Jenniffer Lee from RE/MAX has done a nice job, in my opinion, of adding a feature like this to her Blog. Having this option available on a post like this is potential lead generation at its best. Yes, this is a shameless plug for Jenniffer.

I've read thousands of posts on AR, seen hundreds of buttons and "Search MLS" icons, and have seen some really creative images and ways to entice readers and traffic to visit your listings and MLS systems, but this really caught my attention.  As I was making my rounds this morning making sure things are working or being fixed, I couldn't help but notice this and wanted to test it out.

 

Search Homes For Sale In Florida

I was impressed with her new RE/MAX office, but when I saw this on her most recent post, I just had to write about it. I'm not saying to add this to every Blog post, but to have it on her Profile and on other topic related posts, I think this is genius. Thanks for letting me share this Jenniffer, I can see how a tool like this could generate you much success. Congratulations on your new office, I wish you all the best!

Do you use IDX? What lead capture tools are you using? Did you know tools like this are available?

Taking RSS Feed and Syndication to the next level, I think this one is pretty self explanatory.
Here's another ActiveBrad tool and concept to enhance the mktg. senses and stir the creative juices.

Here's an RSS sample of some "Top Point Scorers" on AR, "fuzed" from 20 of our Industry Categories.

This really represents RSS well, Really Simple Syndication, and NOT Really Stupid Stuff. :-))

New and "Approved" means "Improved"

Having a network with 123,000 members poses this question, can our network handle this kind of volume and continued growth at this rate?  Yes it can!  However, there are some things that have had to be changed in order to build a better, more secured and stable platform.  Here's your update from the "ActiveRain Files" regarding Widgets and the New HTML approved list.

There are more widgets out there than we have members and new scripts and widgets are being created by the hundreds everyday.  Unfortunately, some of those widgets, scripts, and HTML codes can jeopardize and compromise our growing network.  After taking a serious and detailed look at these, we have come up with the Approved ActiveRain Widget and approved HTML List.

ActiveRain historically has not supported or endorsed third party sites and software applications that are used to create and write posts, grab the code, text, or HTML,  then copy and paste it to ActiveRain.  Fortunately, many of these have worked in the past and will continue to do so, but some outside sources of  HTML may no longer be compatible with our system.  We recommend creating new posts in the ActiveRain formats provided.  Security is our #1 priority to avoid malicious or viral causing scripts or code.

What Is A Widget?

 

Here are the approved Widgets for ActiveRain 

• • codeamber.org 
  • apture.com 
  • blogburst.com 
  • edatanews.com
  • feedburner.com
  • feedjit.com
  • getclicky.com
  • google.com
  • mybloglog.com
  • designyourownweb.com
  • quickribbon.com
  • realbird.com
  • retaggr.com
  • sitemeter.com
  • topproducer.com
  • twitter.com
  • vflyer.com
  • weatherlet.com
  • amung.us
  • widgetbox.com
  • singlepropertysites.com
  • geovisite.com
    
  • babelfish.yahoo.com
    
  • entrecard.com
    
  • synd.trulia.com
  • blogrush.com is shutting down. Click Link.
  • Statcounter.com was removed
    

This list only applies to "script" widgets.  Not all widgets have script codes in them.  If you do not see a widget that you are using here, and it is currently working on your Blog, then it is not a script widget that we have to worry about, and it is automatically an approved widget.  If your widget is not working, then chances could be that it has code or script in it that will not be allowed on the network.  It may also be that the widget was not installed properly, dare I say...operator error.  LOL~  Here's How To Add Widgets.

(Got Your Own Widget? Make suggestions here, but I can't guaranty they will get approved)

Here are the New "approved" HTML Tags for ActiveRain

Don't pass out on me now, this is important stuff.  I'll provide a link to each <tags> definition.  Beginners: What Is HTML?

a, abbr, acronym, address, b, big, blockquote, br, center, cite, code, dd, del, dfn, div, dt, em, h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6, hr, i, iframe, img, ins, kbd, li, object, ol, p, param, pre, samp, small, span, strong, sub, sup, table, tbody, td, tfoot, thead, tr, tt, ul, var.

For Font Sizes: Use the <h1-h6> tags, or in Wysiwyg mode, highlight your text then use the CTRL+1 thru CTRL+6 keys.

For Font colors: Use this html code now  <span style="color: #29d150;"> instead of this <font color="green"> Here's a link to some different color codes.   Still Lost or Confused?  Click Here

Look for enhancements and upgrades to the wysiwyg editor in the near future.

A Few New Fixed and Added Features

We updated the network last night and ran our maintenance & upgrades.  It will just keep getting better!!

• Every 10 seconds, your draft posts are now being saved automatically.  No more lost posts from frozen browsers, accidentally clicking the back button, or just mistakenly clicking on that red x up in the right hand corner.

• All hyperlinks in your posts should now open in a new window by default unless you change that option manually. Posts written with links in the last week or so will have to be manually corrected.
  

• Twitter Feeds from ActiveRain Posts are now working again.

• Links placed in comments will still work but have "no-follow" tags.  This allows members to place links that are related to the authors topic, but spamming will be useless.
  

Though you may have experienced some minor technical issues in the past, or will from time to time in the future, just know that we are restructuring and rebuilding a stronger, faster, secure network for our members.  Your support and patience is always appreciated, and your help and participation has been stellar.

Thanks for Building and Growing with us. Happy Holidays. :-)

Images By: ImageChef.com

How do I get rid of the Antivirus Pro 2009 Virus? 

Those are the exact words I Googled when I found out we had been infected by the virus on our home network last Friday night.  Three days later, I'm here to tell you, BEWARE, WARNING, DANGER, CAUTION!

If you are reading this post, and you have been infected with the Antivirus Pro 2009 Malware Virus, STOP HERE!. This is the ONLY way I have found that will effectively kill and remove this "monster virus" from your PC computer.  I've tried every possible site, scanner, bug-fix, free application, and removal instruction, ALL to no avail.

After two days of (real-time) on-line battles with one of the nastiest, most malicious virus, Rogue AntiSpywares out there, today, I finally found the cure, the complete removal and fix.

This virus has many names, and it will usually appear as a pop-up warning in your system tray that tells you "Spyware has been detected on your computer", then it coaxes you to run their program to remove it.  DON'T DO IT!  Do NOT click on that pop-up bubble or the warning that appears.   Not even Norton was able to detect this one sneaking onto our home network.  Not knowing, my wife made the mistake of clicking on it.

Here is the known Danger level on a scale from 1 to 10. 

It is so bad, that as fast as people are posting instructions and creating solutions to fix it, AVP2009 goes  into your computer, and disables all the tools and applications that are created to kill it.  This is no joke!  Katerina Gasset had the same virus, but with a different name, and now even her instructions won't work.  This is one of the worse virus's I have ever had to tackle.

I spent hours researching this so you won't have to.

Click here to find out more about the Antivirus Pro 2009

Look what others have to say about it

Hundreds of computer users looking for solutions

Yahoo Answers solutions won't even work

How Do You Get Infected with It?

There are many ways your computer could get infected with Antivirus Pro 2009. It can come bundled and hidden with shareware or other down-loadable software.  Maybe watching a video, and a pop-up requires you to download a codec file that has it attached etc.  The worst part is that it looks legit.

What can the Antivirus Pro 2009 Virus do if not removed?

According to WidowsVistaPlace.com - "failure to remove Antivirus Pro 2009 results in instant bothering. Effects after Antivirus Pro 2009 presence are not just annoying, they also include upload of various viruses and programs pretending to be useful like either fake registry cleaners or system optimizer and privacy guards. These fake utilities share the same final aim with Antivirus Pro 2009, i.e. they want users to pay for registration. The last but not least undesirable consequences of Antivirus Pro 2009 activities are system disordering and data erasing."

THIS IS ONE SCREEN TO AVOID AT ALL COSTS!  THIS PROGRAM WILL COMPROMISE YOUR SECURITY.  IT CAN SEE YOUR PASSWORDS, LOGINS, ACCOUNT NUMBERS, ANYTHING YOU TYPE OR ANYWHERE YOU GO!

 

 

Here's The Solution I Found after Numerous Calls, Reading, and Research.

I'm not going to post the exact instructions, as it will only aid the creators in developing yet another way to prevent you from fixing your computer.  Instead, Here is the solution, it's the only company and application I found that could do the job!  They are the real deal.  Malwarebytes.com.  I'd also add AVG antivirus before or after.

They had to remotely access my system, run it in safe mode, run various scans, apps and cleaners, rename and remove files, reboot multiple times etc.  Even as an experienced (protected) PC user, I still couldn't have done it without their help.  This could happen to anybody, don't think it can't happen to you. 

This is a sure fire, guaranteed way to defeat this virus.  It's a nightmare, I hope this post will help you if you're a victim, or heighten your awareness if you're a target.  What's scary is, as fast as people are posting instructions and apps, this virus is finding ways to disable them, and doing it on your computer.  It's that bad.  Contact me if you need more details, I won't post them here because I know how this virus, and its owners work now.  It's really very disturbing.  Watch out for the Anti-Malware apps that say they can remove it as well, they are in fact Rogue Malware applications themselves. If in doubt, just call me, I will walk you thru this process right over the phone.  :-)