Man 'o man...have we been busy! We didn't plan to be, things just kind of dropped in our laps before we knew what hit us.
Have you ever had some big idea that you knew you could tackle...with proper planning. But then all of a sudden...pow! Something happens to push that project up to...well, NOW!
That's sort of what happened to TechTrax after the new year.
You see, we had been planning to upgrade TechTrax during our summer hiatus so we could come back with lots of new goodies implemented. People are always asking us for this or that enhancement.
"Please post more video training, they're great!"
"Can you create PDFs so we can download the articles or issues in an easier format...with pictures?"
"How come you don't have more software give-a-ways?"
"If you could do more training series with more in-depth information so I can understand the entire process, from start to finish, that would be fantastic!"
Yes, all those things (and more) would be fantastic...if we had the time and someone was paying us to do all that work! For the last four years, we have given all our great tutorials in TechTrax away for free. Search through Google and you'll find our articles at the top of the support heap in many cases. But since we've been volunteering to do all this work for free, we haven't been able to add the kinds of extra cool features we'd like to add.
We were planning to add an upgrade option over the summer hiatus. We had great plans! Then Microsoft handed us three incredible software subscriptions and said...here, give these away. If you were to purchase one of these software packages from Microsoft, you'd pay over $10,000! And yes...over the coming months, three people will walk away with one of these packages...courtesy of Microsoft and TechTrax!
We considered how to handle this. A few other factors fell into place. And we realized it was time for a change...NOW! Besides, what better time for something new than at the beginning of a new year. Therefore, starting in January 2006, TechTrax now offers a Premium Membership to its subscription base. Sure, you can still hang around for free. But for the nominal fee of just $2 a month, you will be able to access all the extra goodies we're adding to TechTrax.
But wait...it gets better! Until February 3, 2006...we are offering a special, bonus DISCOUNT! Fast acting readers can grab an annual membership for just $1 a month. That means that for just $12 a year you will be able to LOCK IN this special reduced rate membership. This rate will never change for you!
You will never have to pay more than $1 a month to access all the goodies we will be adding. But ONLY if you act now to lock in this rate. After February 3, 2006, our rate will go to $24 a year ($2 a month). But even if we decide to raise that rate in the future...you will never have to pay more than your locked in rate of $12 a year...no matter what our standard rate should become. Your annual renewal will always be $12 a year! DON'T miss this chance! It expires after February 3, 2006.
Are you familiar with Classmates.com? You see it everywhere now. It's great fun to chat with old friends. When they first started, they offered a special locked in rate. They were little more than a home page with a small database. But I saw their potential and got in on the ground floor by becoming a member to this little known web site. I was one of their first members. HA...now they charge a small fortune to be a member in order to get all the extra perks of Gold Membership. I'm a Gold Member and I won't tell you what I pay for it, because you won't believe me! I still pat myself on the back for not missing out on that opportunity. We have great plans for TechTrax. Don't miss your opportunity to get in on our ground floor!
What will you get for your $1 a month? Well, for starters, you'll get exclusive tutorials that won't be available to non-members. You'll also get in-depth video lessons and training series, as well as still being able to view the free subscriber videos! And you'll be able to download those videos so you can view them anytime from your desktop versus having to go online each time. You'll be able to download articles in PDF format for easy portability, reading offline, archiving and printing. You'll get one click entries to all our software drawings, including exclusive drawings for members only! And speaking of which, remember those other two Microsoft software subscriptions? We're giving one away this month, but the remaining two will be given away in the near future...through member only drawings!
Oh, and remember how we take a break in summer and go on hiatus? That won't happen for members. We'll still publish the member's article and video tutorials. You will get a full 12 months of TechTrax!
The reason this issue is later than normal is because we were very busy implementing all this new stuff. And because we were so busy coding up new member access pages, we must apologize for the fact that we were not able to make time to create our video lessons this month. So both the promised free Page Numbering II video and a special Jan member training video will be added in the February issue, along with the normal February videos. That means you won't have any videos this month, but free subscribers will get two next month, and members will have two exclusive video tutorials, plus the two subscriber videos to view. And members can download copies of all four if they choose.
The missing content is also one reason why we are giving you this special $12 discounted membership rate before February 3, 2006. This month's issue is a little slim on additional member's content due to the rush to get the Ezine upgraded. So in exchange for the lack of videos, you get to save money.
Show us you believe in us and our future and we'll show you a 1/2 Off Discount of only $12 a year! Join now before time runs out! Click this link to read more details and to sign up online: TechTrax Membership
This year, the next version of Office and next version of Windows will be hitting the market. Both have experienced dramatic changes. You'll want to learn how to use them and we want to teach you. We're already using both those versions and learning to master them now, so we'll be ready to show you how to use them as soon as they arrive. But the type of training we want to provide for you takes time...and money to justify that time. We are also working on additional discounts for certification training. Is this the year you get a better job because you have the computer skills companies want? If you believe in TechTrax...it can be!
You've seen the quality articles we've published for four years for free...just think what we can do with a little justification for our time!
And speaking of the last four years. We've also put together a Word doc that contains hyperlinks to over 600 articles we've published so far. You can sort it several ways to allow you to easily find the articles you want! We're giving this article library away free to anyone who wants it. Don't miss reading this month's article to find out how to download your copy. Put Over 600 TechTrax Articles on your Desktop! (Impress the bosses and toss a copy their way, too!)
Oh...and don't forget our drawing! You only have until February 1st to enter! Free subscribers need to take our quiz to qualify. Members can just head over to their member's page and drop in their entry...no quiz required. You can read the details, here: Win Visual Studio Team Suite 2005 with MSDN Premium Subscription!
Some of our regular authors have returned this month, although some are still recovering from the holidays with promises for next month. But even with the tons of logistics and coding we needed to handle these last couple weeks to upgrade TechTrax, we still managed to put together a terrific issue for you this month, albeit a bit light on the member's content. That won't be the case in the future. Free subscribers can also be assured that we will still put out a good issue for you each month. But why miss out? If you are serious about enhancing your skills and want all those extra benefits, lock in this month's special discount before its a memory! See TechTrax Membership.
Well, that'll do it for now. Enjoy this issue. But remember, February is nearly here! Enter our software drawing and lock in your discount membership rate before time sneaks away on you!
Here's to a fantastic 2006!
 
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