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Update: Monday, July 9, 2001
 
Recent issues of News2Me have focused on my newly released list-manager and email/web publisher software because, to date, it has been my largest inhouse design and programming project spanning the past two years in its development!
For those of you who've asked, here's that backgrounder I promised...
I do not think of myself as a "software engineer," though I admit I have been writing increasingly complex applications since the early '80s, some of which have enjoyed commercial success.
As an advertising designer and creative director for more than 25 years, I've been in a position to use some of the leading technologies of the day in the course of advertising design and production. I am an "early adopter" and have been called a "power user."
When a need is exposed that I believe I can satisfy with a software solution, I have had a tendancy to "go for it." The result is a tool that is useful for me and my production teams and, occasionaly, results in the basis for a program that is useful for others.
That proved true for my Formax System, which did quite well in the U.S. and internationally back in the mid '80s as an add-on application for the Compugraphic Integrator, a dedicated typographic system.
I proposed to Adobe the concept of nestable "layer folders" in their Photoshop and Illustrator products – now a very popular feature they incorporated into their most recent product updates to their software.
Envirolyzer, my freeware web development utility, was my first well-received "web application" and provided me with a great deal of encouragement to continue to explore the universality of web-based software solutions that are "platform agnostic."
AdminPro, by far my most popular web application with more than 100,000 users worldwide, has evolved into a great FTP replacement for web developers, producers and content administrators which features two-click CGI debugging as well as a full suite of remote file management functions. (Free download and 10-day trial, $20 for continued use.)
In 1996, I wrote a simple web application for sending personalized plain-text email messages to our members at FamilyReunion.com and, as that constituency quickly grew, so did the capabilities of that program. A couple years ago, I envisioned that simple "mailer" as an integrated, simple-to-use commercial application for online list management and web publishing along with a vision I had for a "hybrid HTML-text/plain-text" technology for more universal rendering of messages. I began handcrafting the appropriate modules, fine-tuning and refining each subroutine over time.
Remember, this development was concurrent with my other daily tasks as FamilyReunion.com's publisher, the ongoing development of AdminPro, the occasional acting job and my consulting, programming and design work for clients around the world.
Preliminary reviews for BigSender have been very enthusiastic and major publications both online and offline are currently evaluating BigSender for articles and/or reviews. Most importantly, those who are using it say it's among the best software applications (of any kind) they've ever used.
In the next issue of News2Me, I take a few more paragraphs to cover the concept of "web applications" more thoroughly... Hint: it represents the fulfillment of the "write once, run anywhere" promise and it's a technology into which our friends at Microsoft are pouring millions of R&D dollars to make sure they can fulfill its potential!
Until then, I encourage you to check out BigSender if you can say yes to any of the following questions:
- Do you have a contact list (of any size) and you wished for a really simple way to send out personalized messages to each recipient?
- Have you hired a third-party list-management / bulk emailing service but would like some cost-cutting alternatives that actually increase your capabilities and give you more control?
- Have you wanted to start an online newsletter or e-zine for your website to help retain and grow your constituency (and perhaps provide added value for your advertiser's shrinking budgets)?
With all the power of custom systems costing tens of thousands of dollars, BigSender is just US$189 and you can order online now for instant download.
For all the details on this multifaceted system, please point your web browser to CraigRichards.com/software/bigsender where you can even create your free custom demo to try it out before you buy.
Your ongoing support and encouragement for my work are most appreciated and I am grateful for the opportunity to be of service to you.
Virtual regards,
Craig Richards
Craig Richards Design
News2Me Archive
BigSender 3.80 Availability Announced
In addition to other improvements and enhancements, BigSender now includes the long-awaited user authentication feature for connecting to your mailserver.
News2Me 05/20/2006
In this issue: we discuss some hosting firms' anti-spam policies, our shiny new dedicated webserver, our discussion forum is temporarily disabled and improved transaction security at CraigRichards.com with high-grade 256-bit SSL encryption
Craig Richards Design Plans BigSender Update to 3.70 in Early January
This BigSender release further enhances the Message Composer interface with a realtime WYSIWYG HTML Editor, a plain-text wordwrap feature, an initial caps format for names and other handy improvements.
BigSender Now Speaks Italian
In addition to other improvements, fixes and enhancements, BigSender now includes an Italian BigSender Language File plug-in.
News2Me
In this issue, we announce our website's new search feature, information on my recent movie role and the latest enhancements to BigSender.
News2Me: Imagine Contact Management Made Simpler
What should you look for in a contact management solution? Power. Affordability. Flexibility. Simplicity.
BigSender 3.670 Released: Breakthrough Features
Innovative new features make BigSender 3 more powerful than ever!
BigSender Technical Bulletin: Annotations
BigSender 3.661 Gets Convenient New Features
BigSender Reviewed by The Office Letter
After an independent comprehensive evaluation of BigSender, The Office Letter concludes that, "for the money, it's a steal!"
BigSender Now Speaks German
BigSender Broadcasts: Get the Speed You Need
How to optimize BigSender and your server environment for the fastest send rates possible.
BigSender 3.6: Continuing the Revolution
After more than six months in development, now you can match to whole records or only specific fields for the most granular narrowcasting!
BigSender 3x: Now Even More Power and Flexibility
Announcing the newest batch of features in our popular web application designed to make it simple to manage your contact lists and to easily publish your announcements, e-zines, press releases and other online publications
Monday 10/21/2002 News2Me
In this issue: Pursuing Passions and Perfection
News2Me
In this issue, we announce our new alliance with Sun Microsystems, our smooth move, and BigSender gets even more new features!
BigSender 3 Released: More List-Management Features Built In
The most complete online list-management and email/web publishing system available gets a one-click automated bounce manager and other built-in conveniences!
News2Me: How To Publish Without Spamming
BigSender is a powerful yet easy-to-use publishing system ñ but like any tool, it can be used incorrectly. Follow these guidelines to get optimal results with BigSender...
E-News Gallery Goes Live
Where publishers of electronic newsletters & e-zines can showcase their publications.
AdminPro Is Updated
No longer requires Perl to execute!
Then The Rope Went Slack
Rather than dazzled and empowererd, has all this techno-speak ever left you feeling dazed and confused?
Marketing Secrets Revealed: When Customer Loyalty Isn't
Master Minds: Becoming a Software Guru
Are you an entry-level veteran or an inquisitive innovator?
What Is A Web App?
Bill Gates emphasizes the web browser as the "central application of computing."
BigSender Backgrounder
Microsoft Discontinues ListBot
Out: free services. In: fee services.
Official Premiere: News2Me
What's Happened to AdminFTP and TestMy.CGI?
AdminPro 2.5: More Power, More Control
Debug CGI & Manage Files from a Web Browser?
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