Welcome to www.minisinbox.com

Web Hosting - Databases, What Are They and Do You Need One? 'Database' is one of the most commonly used terms that one encounters in web site design. Yet, what they really are and whether they're essential is often not clear to novices. A database is a collection of organized data, stored in files that have a specific structure. It's that organization and structure that allows for easy and rapid storage and retrieval. The need for a database generally only arises when you have a certain amount of information and that information needs to have some structure. If you have a half-dozen names and addresses to store, a database is usually overkill. If you have a blob of data with no relationships between any of the items in that blob, maintaining a database is usually more trouble than it's worth. Maintain a database? Yes, like other complex systems a database, to be effective, needs to be designed properly at the outset then kept 'tuned' for good performance. The alternative is to gradually allow the database to become more and more disorganized. That leads to difficulty in use, poor speed of retrieval and more frequent failures. With MySQL, Access or MS SQL Server, the three most common choices of database product for web sites today, setting up a database is relatively simple. Even those with limited technical skill can get one up and running just by following some simple instructions. But some thought should be given to how you want the information organized, and to maintaining the system during its lifetime. Suppose you have a set of names, addresses, email addresses, products purchased, date purchased and amount. If you have only a few dozen records it matters very little how these pieces are arranged and related. A database usually isn't even warranted in this scenario. Once you have several thousand or more records, it matters a lot. Speed, the ease of expanding the set of attributes (like adding, say, product category), and other issues come into play. Even those with little technical expertise, but a willingness to exert logical thought and invest some time, can build a very robust database. Think about how you would organize a set of data (called 'tables'). Should Name, Address, and Product be in the same table? Or should the personal information be stored in one table and any product information (product, price, ...) in another? Some experimentation may be needed to get it right, but the choices have an impact on how easy the tables are to maintain. It also affects the speed with which programs can fetch old data and store the new. Having a database also introduces new maintenance issues for the server administrator, since backups usually need to be done differently. Recovering a failed database is usually more complicated than simply re-copying files from yesterday. Ask your hosting company what tools and skills they have for dealing with any database system you consider. It's true that introducing a database creates more complexity and the need for additional thought and administrative effort. At a certain level, professional expertise will be needed. But clearly the advantages outweigh the costs in many cases. Companies large and small eventually use databases to store and organize data. At some point, you may be fortunate enough to be one of them.

Hook Up with Fat Wallet for Free Sweet Deals on the Net Maybe you have heard of fatwallet.com, but you don't know exactly what this site can offer you. Their slogan is "pocket the difference," which sounds good, but what exactly can this do for you? Here is a brief introduction to fatwallet.com, and what it can offer you. Expect to find the best deals and consumer reports in this vibrant web community. Welcome to the Community of FatWallet What is the FatWallet community? The mission of this community is value, knowledge and guidance. The FatWallet community offers its users to share in the deals and knowledge derived from their vibrant and active forums. With almost a million active members and shoppers, the FatWallet forums are places of knowledge and exchanged information. You can save your best money-saving tips and deals in these very free forums. You will find that the FatWallet forums are often addictive and fun. Signing up for these forums is easy and fast, and you will have instant access to the best of what FatWallet has to offer you. How to Join FatWallet If you are new to the community, here are the three fast and easy steps you need to take in order to join FatWallet. First, you just sign up so that the company knows whom to pay. Joining FatWallet is fast and free. Next, just make sure to shop through FatWallet. You will find the best deals from your favorite stores. Whenever you make an online purchase, you will be earning back Cash Back. This money will begin to add up in your FatWallet account. Finally, get paid. You can request your payments to be made via PayPal or via check. If you need any help with FatWallet, you will find that the website offers responsive customer service that can help answer all of your questions and deal with your concerns. Why Should You Join FatWallet? Maybe you are wondering why you should bother signing up with FatWallet. There are many reasons why you might choose to shop through FatWallet. First, shopping through FatWallet allows you to communicate with almost a million shoppers in the FatWallet forums. Find out what's hot and what's not in the FatWallet forums. You can raise your shopper's IQ by reading up on money-saving tips and the latest deals. You will find that the FatWallet forums are what make the site so very special. You will also find that the forums can be very addictive. What Makes FatWallet So Special? Perhaps you are wondering what makes FatWallet so special. FatWallet is one of the most intriguing shopping websites because it is content-driven, and most of the content on the website is created by its users. That means that the majority of the content on the FatWallet website is generate by consumers, specifically for consumers. FatWallet is not just a fun and easy way to save money and make money through online purchases, it is also a great way to find out the latest shopping trends. You can easily find out the latest shopping trends. If you are looking for the best price on an item, chances are that you need only consult the FatWallet forums to find the best and latest deals on whatever you happen to be shopping for. Whether it is a new car, new laptop computer or new pair of shoes, you will be able to find the best deals by checking in with your fellow FatWallet forum members. Enjoy the experience consumer critical mass. When half a million consumers get together, you will be surprised and pleased by how much you can learn about the products and services that are currently available on the market.

Want a Favorite Product Free? Write the Manufacturer Are you ready to revel in all the freebies you can find? If you are a sucker for freebies, here are some easy tips for getting your hands on the best free samples out there. You will find that finding the right freebies is often as easy as picking up a pen or licking a stamp and putting it on an envelope. Should You Write Your Favorite Manufacturers to Receive Free Product Samples? Is there a special item or product that you love? Is there a shampoo you can't live without? Would you die if your favorite brand of toothpaste were discontinued? Fortunately, there are many ways to declare your allegiance to a specific brand or product, and get rewarded for it. If there is a product you simply cannot live without, go ahead and write the company. Write them a letter to let them know what a big fan you are. Companies appreciate positive customer feedback. Simply writing to your favorite company can get you on their free sample mailing list. In fact, go ahead and ask them for free samples. Most manufacturers and corporations are more than willing to oblige your request. Getting the Information You Need to Contact Your Favorite Manufacturer Where can you find the information you need in order to get free product samples? Luckily, finding this information is often quite simple. Most of the time, all you have to do is look at the back of the product label to find information. Always contact the customer service address. If no address is available or listed, call their toll-free customer service hotline. Ask the customer service rep about possible free samples. At the very least, you will probably be able to finagle a handful of valuable coupons to save money on your next buy. Getting Free Stuff From Your Favorite Manufacturers Online Did you know that there are plenty of places to get free samples and other freebies by checking online? The World Wide Web is a treasure trove of freebies. There are many websites that specialize in freebie offers. Think of these websites as the middleman to freebie paradise, as well as an easy way to save on stationary and stamps. What are some of these freebie sites? The freesite.com is a great site to find a variety of freebies, both virtual and beyond. To find the latest free stuff, turn to websites such as freeflys.com. This website's slogan is that "Cheap is good, but free is always better." Who can argue with that kind of logic. There are many other websites that can offer you a library of freebies. Here are some tips for sorting out the legitimate offers from the fake stuff. Don't Get Caught in a Freebie Scam Although there are plenty of great websites out there that offer real legitimate freebie offers, there are also many websites that prey on people seeking freebies. Here are some tips for filtering out the bad websites, and finding the best in legitimate freebie offers. First, do not accept freebies from websites that require too much personal information. Only give just enough information to get what you need. Avoid accepting freebies from websites that require you to sign up for a newsletter or email offers. These websites have been known to sell your email address to partners, thus causing your email inbox to become overwhelmed with offers and related spam. A good rule of thumb is that if you don't feel comfortable providing your personal data, you should not. Also, avoid websites that are too burdened with obtrusive pop-up or banner ads. Websites that rely too heavily on advertisements are more likely to sell your personal data.