I don't have any new tips today, but I found a great new giveaway on a fellow OLSers blog - ahappyhippy mom
She is giving away a $500 Walmart Giftcard!! Courtesy of Walmart and Rockfish International.
I'd say it's definitely worth checking out!
Looks like this one's over folks, sorry if you missed it.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Winner Chosen - Giveaway - for Blu-Ray DVD Owners - Ends 9/3/09 at 9pm Et
Update: A winner was selected from 225 Entries received. We have have verified their address. Karina, you should expect your prize in the next few days- the holiday may slow things down a bit. Congratulations on a great win! I hope to have others in the future.
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We all love Giveaways, and I like to keep it simple - so Here's a very easy entry:
I'm giving away a prize that I was very excited to win - Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1
The problem is that it's a Blu-Ray Disc and I don't have a Blu-Ray Player - so you have a chance to win this fabulous - never played - 7-Disc set.
We did open the plastic shrink wrap - before we realized that we couldn't play it - but I wouldn't consider it used.
1 Entry per email - and per person please. Random Drawing from entries received by September 3rd at 9:00pm ET
I will send an email to the winner - the winner must respond to that email within 48 hours or I will select another winner.
When a winner is verified, I'll post here.
Good Luck!!
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We all love Giveaways, and I like to keep it simple - so Here's a very easy entry:
I'm giving away a prize that I was very excited to win - Star Trek: The Original Series - Season 1
The problem is that it's a Blu-Ray Disc and I don't have a Blu-Ray Player - so you have a chance to win this fabulous - never played - 7-Disc set.
We did open the plastic shrink wrap - before we realized that we couldn't play it - but I wouldn't consider it used.
1 Entry per email - and per person please. Random Drawing from entries received by September 3rd at 9:00pm ET
I will send an email to the winner - the winner must respond to that email within 48 hours or I will select another winner.
When a winner is verified, I'll post here.
Good Luck!!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Does your Mouse have Programmable Buttons?
I have another huge time-saver for you. Program those Mouse Buttons!!
My mouse is a Logitech Laser - Wireless Notebook mouse. I bought it on ebay - and I'm on my second one because I love it so much. I left the USB plugged in and when I moved my laptop - I wasn't very careful. After getting bumped around, a lot, it finally gave out. I'm much more careful now.
What I love about this mouse is the programmable buttons. Many mice have them so you may just be using one right now!
Mine has 2 programmable buttons, I have them set as follows:
1 - Close the current tab or window - Program the button for a Keystroke Assignment - "Ctrl+w" After I'm done entering and I see the confirmation screen, I simply click the button and the current tab closes. Take me to the next sweep please!
It's unbelievable how much time that saves, when you don't have to move the mouse and find the "X" to close that screen!
2 - Back - My second button is set to go back a page in the browser - great for unlimited sweeps, where you can just go back and enter from the same screen again. My laptop also has a button on the keyboard that goes back - I really love that key.
My mouse at work doesn't have programmable buttons, and it drives me crazy - I miss it so much! I may just end up replacing that baby. I hope I win a Gift Card soon to pay for it!
My mouse is a Logitech Laser - Wireless Notebook mouse. I bought it on ebay - and I'm on my second one because I love it so much. I left the USB plugged in and when I moved my laptop - I wasn't very careful. After getting bumped around, a lot, it finally gave out. I'm much more careful now.
What I love about this mouse is the programmable buttons. Many mice have them so you may just be using one right now!
Mine has 2 programmable buttons, I have them set as follows:
1 - Close the current tab or window - Program the button for a Keystroke Assignment - "Ctrl+w" After I'm done entering and I see the confirmation screen, I simply click the button and the current tab closes. Take me to the next sweep please!
It's unbelievable how much time that saves, when you don't have to move the mouse and find the "X" to close that screen!
2 - Back - My second button is set to go back a page in the browser - great for unlimited sweeps, where you can just go back and enter from the same screen again. My laptop also has a button on the keyboard that goes back - I really love that key.
My mouse at work doesn't have programmable buttons, and it drives me crazy - I miss it so much! I may just end up replacing that baby. I hope I win a Gift Card soon to pay for it!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Another Great Win!
I just found out that I've won a trip to Hershey!
The trip includes 3 day/2 night stay at the Hershey Lodge (very nice!!) and 3 day passes for 4 to Hershey Park! Worth about $1200!
I had a good feeling about this one -- here's why:
The trip did not include transportation. I live 45 minutes from Hershey so the transportation was not an issue for me, but it would certainly cut down on the number of people entering. Much better odds.
It was also a Blog contest that required trivia answers. Anything that requires effort will most likely cut down on the number of entries.
Great for me! We plan a day trip every year. But to actually stay 2 nights in the lodge, take our time and enjoy Hershey - the rides one day, and the waterpark the next day. This never would have happened for us - not in this economy!
I'm so grateful - my family would not have had any vacation this summer without this.
The trip includes 3 day/2 night stay at the Hershey Lodge (very nice!!) and 3 day passes for 4 to Hershey Park! Worth about $1200!
I had a good feeling about this one -- here's why:
The trip did not include transportation. I live 45 minutes from Hershey so the transportation was not an issue for me, but it would certainly cut down on the number of people entering. Much better odds.
It was also a Blog contest that required trivia answers. Anything that requires effort will most likely cut down on the number of entries.
Great for me! We plan a day trip every year. But to actually stay 2 nights in the lodge, take our time and enjoy Hershey - the rides one day, and the waterpark the next day. This never would have happened for us - not in this economy!
I'm so grateful - my family would not have had any vacation this summer without this.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Firefox Addons
Firefox is my preferred browser - and there are some fabulous addons that make sweeping easier.
My Favorites:
1. Tab Mix Plus -When using the "Shazam" button in OLS (Online-Sweepstakes.com) it works well to open the new links in Tabs, instead of new windows. (Go to Tools - Options - Click on the "TABS" tab, then under "Open links that open in a new window" -- select "New Tab" from the drop down list. The Tab Mix Plus addon allows you to customize your tabs any way you like.
2. Dogears - Avoid scrolling to find the submit button. On a form that you enter daily, just "dogear" where the submit button is, and the next time you open the page, it automatically scrolls to that marker.
** Edited: The link above is for the older version on the Firefox Addon site - it is not compatible with the new Firefox versions. Here is a newer version = hopefully this link will work for a while -- http://yellow5.us/firefox/dogears/
Under Dogears Options -
a) check the box to Begin Reading each page at last viewed Dog Ear.
b)enable "Mark/Unmark" with Shift+click
c) enable "Move to next" with Shift+Space.
Just press the shift key+click to mark your spot. Then shift+space activates the Dog Ear. Now the next time you open that page, it will automatically scroll to your mark. No more scrolling!
There are many more addons at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ Find your favorites!
My Favorites:
1. Tab Mix Plus -When using the "Shazam" button in OLS (Online-Sweepstakes.com) it works well to open the new links in Tabs, instead of new windows. (Go to Tools - Options - Click on the "TABS" tab, then under "Open links that open in a new window" -- select "New Tab" from the drop down list. The Tab Mix Plus addon allows you to customize your tabs any way you like.
2. Dogears - Avoid scrolling to find the submit button. On a form that you enter daily, just "dogear" where the submit button is, and the next time you open the page, it automatically scrolls to that marker.
** Edited: The link above is for the older version on the Firefox Addon site - it is not compatible with the new Firefox versions. Here is a newer version = hopefully this link will work for a while -- http://yellow5.us/firefox/dogears/
Under Dogears Options -
a) check the box to Begin Reading each page at last viewed Dog Ear.
b)enable "Mark/Unmark" with Shift+click
c) enable "Move to next" with Shift+Space.
Just press the shift key+click to mark your spot. Then shift+space activates the Dog Ear. Now the next time you open that page, it will automatically scroll to your mark. No more scrolling!
There are many more addons at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/ Find your favorites!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sweepin ain't for Sissies
One of the most common questions I'm asked is "Don't you get tons of Spam?" Well, the answer is Yes and No.
I mostly enter only sweeps that I know to be legitimate. Either well-known companies are sponsoring them, or they are run by well-known JA's (Judging Agencies - they run the promotion for the Sponsor).
On almost every form there is an Opt-Out box. It usually reads something like this: Yes, I agree to receive future emails from the sponsor. You simply uncheck that box before submitting the form. If you do start getting emails from a legitimate sponsor, they will have an unsubscribe link and it is very simple to be removed from mailing lists. I do not consider this Spam in any way. If you read the rules many times you are agreeing to receive emails even if there is no opt-out.
That being said, any time you put your email out there on the web, you are subjecting yourself to spam. So, Yes, I get plenty of spam.
My best advice for dealing with this is - set up a separate email account that you use only for sweepstakes. I prefer Gmail - their spam filter works very well, and I really like the interface and features.
You need to check this email everyday!!! Many times I have been notified of a win by email, and they require a response within a few days or you may forfeit the prize.
And, sorry to say, you must go through the Spam Folder to be sure that no wins have been sorted as Spam.
My spam story ~~ I found a win in my Spam Folder. It didn't say what I'd won, so I called, it was NBC. The gentleman I spoke to said that the only information they collected on the form was email so there was no other way to contact winners. If they didn't respond in time, they pulled another name. He then said "Thank goodness, I've been trying to give this away for a long time". Apparently it had gone into other people's Spam Folder unnoticed and this went on for him for months. He was really thanking me for calling so he could give away this darned LAPTOP - the one I'm using right now as a matter of fact.
Lesson learned, at someone else's expense, is to check emails often, I know I check too much, but it's so much fun when you find a Congratulations you've won... and it's not the Nigerian Lottery.
I mostly enter only sweeps that I know to be legitimate. Either well-known companies are sponsoring them, or they are run by well-known JA's (Judging Agencies - they run the promotion for the Sponsor).
On almost every form there is an Opt-Out box. It usually reads something like this: Yes, I agree to receive future emails from the sponsor. You simply uncheck that box before submitting the form. If you do start getting emails from a legitimate sponsor, they will have an unsubscribe link and it is very simple to be removed from mailing lists. I do not consider this Spam in any way. If you read the rules many times you are agreeing to receive emails even if there is no opt-out.
That being said, any time you put your email out there on the web, you are subjecting yourself to spam. So, Yes, I get plenty of spam.
My best advice for dealing with this is - set up a separate email account that you use only for sweepstakes. I prefer Gmail - their spam filter works very well, and I really like the interface and features.
You need to check this email everyday!!! Many times I have been notified of a win by email, and they require a response within a few days or you may forfeit the prize.
And, sorry to say, you must go through the Spam Folder to be sure that no wins have been sorted as Spam.
My spam story ~~ I found a win in my Spam Folder. It didn't say what I'd won, so I called, it was NBC. The gentleman I spoke to said that the only information they collected on the form was email so there was no other way to contact winners. If they didn't respond in time, they pulled another name. He then said "Thank goodness, I've been trying to give this away for a long time". Apparently it had gone into other people's Spam Folder unnoticed and this went on for him for months. He was really thanking me for calling so he could give away this darned LAPTOP - the one I'm using right now as a matter of fact.
Lesson learned, at someone else's expense, is to check emails often, I know I check too much, but it's so much fun when you find a Congratulations you've won... and it's not the Nigerian Lottery.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Those Pesky Flash Forms
There are no form fillers that work with Flash forms. So here's a great program that will help you fill Flash Forms out quickly, without having to type out your name and address.. Shortkeys
I've found that I use this program at work now, and lots of other applications that have nothing to do with Sweepstaking. It is a very useful tool.
It may take some setting up, but you'll be glad you took the time. There are many ways to set it up, but here's what I found easiest.
Whenever you type your prefix followed by a specific letter, the program will replace that text with your chosen text.
example -- When I type "dfe" The program will replace "dfe" with my email address. When I type "dfn" it replaces "dfn" with my phone number. "dfa" is my address, "dfc" is my city. and so on and so on.
When you have completed Setup, it's time to add your own Shortkeys:
Once you memorize your Shortkeys and get used to using the program, you will be flying through those Flash Forms!
I've found that I use this program at work now, and lots of other applications that have nothing to do with Sweepstaking. It is a very useful tool.
It may take some setting up, but you'll be glad you took the time. There are many ways to set it up, but here's what I found easiest.
- Download the program from www.shortkeys.com
- Run the setup
- It will guide you through the initial setup. Choose to Use Prefix Keys - You can use any prefix you want - I use the letters "df", an unusual combination.
Whenever you type your prefix followed by a specific letter, the program will replace that text with your chosen text.
example -- When I type "dfe" The program will replace "dfe" with my email address. When I type "dfn" it replaces "dfn" with my phone number. "dfa" is my address, "dfc" is my city. and so on and so on.
When you have completed Setup, it's time to add your own Shortkeys:
- Right Click on the Shortkeys Icon in your System Tray,or press the Start Button and look for Shortkeys in your programs list. -this opens the Shortkeys Editor and you will now see your stored Shortkeys. The free version gives you 15 keys. If you upgrade - you get unlimited Shortkeys.
- Click on the Add Shortkeys button. Another dialog box opens allowing you to Modify Shortkeys.
- Type in a single letter in the Original Shortkey box. This is the letter you will type after the prefix you have chosen.
- Type in the Replacement Text
- Click on Save and repeat the process to add more Shortkeys, or Save and Close when you are done.
Once you memorize your Shortkeys and get used to using the program, you will be flying through those Flash Forms!
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