By: Co-Editor, RB:

We have covered many restaurant and food related sites and apps. Recently we covered a company that runs a site called MobileHunger.com. MobileHunger.com, seeks to have restaurants download their menus so they are viewable on the iPhone  and iPod.

You can also download unlimited menu items, photo galleries, links to Facebook and Twitter and fully customizable colors to match the restaurants’ brand and logo. The app is OpenTable  compatible and Google Maps compatible.

Another new site in this space that we have found is called SaveMyTable.com. The site is based in Boston and was launched in March. SaveMyTable.com is a web-based SaaS that empowers restaurant host-stands with automated wait list management and on-line reservations. In that regard it is most similar to Textaurant.com. It also couples this technology with voice-call and SMS text message guest paging. Walk-ins and reservations are entered, or come in via the web. SaveMyTable.com automatically manages the wait list, along with seating assignments for every guest. The host is informed of wait times for every guest in the wait list, and tables are held automatically for upcoming reservations.

Now comes another site, strictly geared towards restaurants called ChompStack.com. ChompStack.com is a mobile website builder for restaurants. It allows restaurants to easily create a mobile version of their website that is compatible with many other smartphones.

Unlike other services focusing solely on the iPhone market, ChompStack websites are compatible with iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, and other smartphone devices. This takes some of the previously discussed apps a bit further and allows restaurants to be able to reach their entire customer base, not just those with iPhones. This is especially important given that 14% of smartphone users look for restaurants on their phones.

Most websites designed for the desktop do not work well on mobile phones; they take a long time to download, and navigating the site is a frustrating experience requiring lots of zooming and scrolling. If the website was built in Flash (and many restaurant websites are), they simply don’t work at all.

The mission at ChompStack.com is to make sure that every restaurant has a mobile website that your customers can easily access from their phones. They strive to provide a fast loading, fantastic looking mobile website that lets restaurants reach a whole new audience. They want to make it easy for your customers to pull up your menu, to find out about your latest promotions, and to get driving directions to your nearest location.

ChompStack.com was created by Hindsight Labs LLC, a Los Angeles based company dedicated to building software for restaurants. It was launched in April of this year.

Post from: GreatStartups.com

By: Co-Editor, RB:

Many brick and mortar business have found extra streams of revenue by selling online and one would expect many more to follow. In addition many folks who would be relegated to flea markets or other non-traditional venues to sell their wares are finding success selling on line. The question facing these folks, especially if they are new to e-commerce, is what software to use and what software best suits their needs.

With over 100,000,000 results in Google, when you do a simple search for “shopping carts,” it’s likely you don’t know where to start.

ZippyCart.com, a Seattle based startup launched in June of last year, is a site that has a clear mission: allowing people to easily find and compare the many different e-commerce software solutions that are available.

The site provides detailed reviews and interviews on the many available solutions, and by having a significant number of the Internet’s top ecommerce software solutions in the same spot visitors can make quick comparisons until they arrive at their own conclusions.

ZippyCart.com bills itself as the most unique and comprehensive ecommerce comparison site online.

The first thing you do to use the site is to tell them about your comfort level with e-commerce software. So whether you are new to e-commerce or a seasoned merchant just looking for price comparisons, the site will work for you.

Then they ask for your minimum performance requirements, and then it is on to features that are most important to the merchant. The only drawback on this step is that novices may have difficult ascertain what each feature does and what its benefits are. But most people using the site will know these recognizable features and/or they will have someone on staff that does. Otherwise, a perusal of the reviews provided by ZippyCart.com can shed additional light on these features.

After that, you will get a list of e-commerce solutions fitting your needs along with the price. If you click on learn more you will get ZippyCart ratings on a variety of categories, you can also compare to other e-commerce solution providers.

The site also provides a wealth of information and tips on shopping carts and e-Commerce. For example, the site discusses using a simple “buy now” button from PayPal or Google Checkout versus a robust e-Commerce shopping cart solution. A larger site will typically go for the eCommerce system for broader functionality.

An e-Commerce shopping cart allows you to build and manage an entire online store, using virtual CMS software so that you can update and manage your store and website anywhere there’s an Internet connection. ZippyCart.com tells its users that there is an e-commerce shopping cart available for every level of experience and knowledge. If you are not familiar with website development and coding, then you should consider an online shopping cart solution versus a PHP cart that you host yourself.

A plug and play cart, on the other hand, may require some HTML knowledge so that you can embed the button throughout your site. This solution may be more appropriate given the size of your company and volume of product moved. Unfortunately, just adding a “buy now” button to your site that you have integrated with your PayPal account doesn’t help you manage the sale from start to finish, which an e-commerce solution will. So, if you plan on selling enough that managing all the details will become a headache, then you are definitely the right size company to use an e-commerce solution rather than just a button on your site. All of this information and loads more is directly from the site.

Judging from my research, e-commerce providers take the reviews posted on ZippyCart.com very seriously. I highly recommend this site. It is easy to use and informative.

Post from: GreatStartups.com

By: Co-Editor, RB:

“I’ve never let my school interfere with my education.” Was once very rightly said by Mr. Mark Twain. There is a huge difference between education and quality education. Schools educate you, but experience polishes it with quality.

We have previously covered another education website out of India called NalandaU.com.
Now comes another called iWillStudy.com. Launched on February 5, 2010 out of Mumbai, iWillStudy.com promotes “Quality Education” in various engineering colleges in India. IWillStudy.com conducts seminars and workshops in various colleges, and thereby connects students with corporate veterans who share their experiences and knowledge-base.

Their business orientation is towards bridging the gap between the ‘engineers’ and the ’smart engineers’. And for this particular task, they believe, they have an authentic speakers composition that includes- three IIT alumni and industry people, and some other master engineers of their respective fields, some having worked with Google and Yahoo.

They will be conducting Seminars, Webinars and technical talks, and workshops in Engineering Colleges where you can be guided by some ‘real talents’ of engineering regarding knowledge and exposure over the respective subjects and industrial experience.

At iWillStudy.com, they have come up with some innovations that makes you richer- by education and hence, more successful. They want the students who face the problems in building their career because they lack in quality education, to gather the required knowledge, and then go out and find success in the world.

They have quality engineers and entrepreneurs, who will guide you in the seminars that they will be conducting throughout India.

In the workshops and seminars their focus will be on giving a rich knowledge about respected subjects and technologies.

Their research team comes up with various innovative ways of providing a rich and quality education. This includes: educating students on the latest technologies; educating students about the first principles of engineering; and conducting entrepreneurship sessions.

They also capture videos of their events so that if in case you miss them, you can view it on our website.

They believe that education should not have geographical boundaries. Their teams connect to the colleges of the city, and do a thorough survey, where they plan their next seminar. All this is based on the survey feed-backs provided by the colleges.

When it comes to online education and bringing skills for the future to their populace, India takes a back seat to no one.

Post from: GreatStartups.com

By: Co-Editor, RB:

While many bloggers toil in anonymity, hoping to gain traction and maybe some Google ad money, I found an online magazine that is more aggressive in its marketplace approach.

Smidge Magazine, which was started August 1st, 2009, and based in Ohio, is dedicated in bringing the reader, a fun and enjoyable reading experience.

They provide subscriptions that start monthly at $1.99. Their content changes on a monthly basis and they cover topics from family issues to a 365-day movie blog. The site also has forums and music integrated though the site.

Holly Sodeman runs the magazine and her goal is to presenting a user friendly, helpful monthly online magazine.

The magazine touches on the following topics; Children (the magazine touches upon “the good, the bad and the ugly” of raising children); Education (the magazine will focus on how to enhance our student’s minds and succeed in things that they do and helping students get the right education and getting through the school years and beyond. It will also focus on adults going back to college and the affordability of college in this financial crisis); Environment (How we can enhance this planet we live on); Family Issues (the inner workings and dynamic of family, step parenting, in-laws, mothers and fathers); Finances (we will talk about getting into a 401k, investing, trying to survive in the slump economy); Pets (fun loving dogs, cats, fish and other animals, finding the right pet, living with them); Home Maintenance (gardening, painting, getting a home and more); Fertility Issues (what to do when it happens, what to do if a miracle happens, and all the attendant emotions); Marriage (the ups and downs of marriage, divorce, weddings etc.); the Movie Blog (must be a member) reviewing a movie a day for the next 365 days; Recipes; Single Life (parenting, dating tips, single parent dating tips and much more, when to let the bum go or know when you have a keeper); Work (Starting up businesses, working from the lowliest job to the highest, the dynamics of the work environment with other employees and bosses. How to stay sane in an insane environment) Health (Depression, postpartum depression, mental health, stress and dealing with stress, making a better you, the dreaded exercise, eating healthier, feeding children healthier and family and tips on how to when you are busy busy.)

Every subscription order is a recurring payment.

The Staff of Smidge Magazine is as follows:

Holly Sodeman-Owner

Stephanie Hand-Column Writer:
lives in Texas, but was born and raised in Denver, Colorado is married and has two amazing daughters (7 and 4) and two outstanding step-sons (8 and 6). Stephanie is currently learning to take on the challenge of being a step mom. She is a stay at home mom and a coach’s wife. Those two things alone keep her pretty busy, but she is always up for a challenge and ready to tackle life’s obstacles! She will focus on articles dealing with how to deal with life in general.

Kathy Carr-Column Writer:
lives in Ohio with her husband, and three kids.. She also is a stay at home mom and is busy with volunteering for her local MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) group and helps out with Sunday School at her church.

Kara McElhinny-Column Writer:
is a married, mother of two (a son and a daughter.) and also a stay at home mom and works part time at a local bookstore. New to writing, she hopes to share her journey and inspire readers to go after what they believe in.

Obviously, the magazine is geared towards woman and family issues. It will be interesting to see if it catches on.

Post from: GreatStartups.com

By: Co-Editor, Bobby B:

Free language translations are ubiquitous on the web. Google and Yahoo! both have free language tools. However, if you have ever used these and other like services you realize that there are severe limitations. Colloquialisms, slang and difficult syntax make these computer translators difficult to use for anything other than simple translations.

There are also numerous software programs that provide language lessons such as Rosetta Stone; however obtaining translations for business projects in a pinch is obviously not the strong suit of these programs.

The founders of a Bulgaria based website launched in August of 2009 aims to change all that.

The founders of TranslationsPal.com started the site because they were frustrated with the existing options for getting things translated. They aimed to solve the two problems associated with language translations. The inaccuracies of the “machine-based” or automatic translators and the expense and slowness of a traditional translation agency point to a need in the market for such a site.

TranslationsPal.com claims to be three to four times lower than in price than other language services in the United States and Europe.

TranslationsPal.com is a web-based, real time online translation service powered by human translators. The fact that human translators power it is the key. It aims to be a fast, low cost translation service, providing translations in all major languages provided by native speakers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all around the world. The site provides instant pricing that you can review online.

This professional translation service can be used for all publications and documents; it can become a dedicated multilingual outsourcing support for service sectors. You can use it for the production of emails, letters, product description, annual reports, agreements, sales brochures, websites and just about any other kind of text.

Clients can review their project costs online without hard sales telephone conversations by translation suppliers. They can, in the privacy of their own offices, compile budgets with accurate pricing for high quality, speedy, low-cost translation for any length of project.

Clients can deposit files for translation using TranslationsPal’s service via a secure connection website and the work will be processed immediately. Clients are kept informed of the status of their project via TranslationsPal’s unique web-based interface and even pay for the work on-line securely.

It is easy to use and to price your next project’s translation needs.

Post from: GreatStartups.com