Business Membership Program

TEL: +1 608-238-6001 Email: greg@cruisingreview.com

New Health Series An important part of traveling is maintaining proper health. This series dives deep into help making good food choices and techniques that reduce the effects of long flights and other travel struggles. More Info

Bemer PEMF Device Review and Experience New as of April 2024 and updated on 27 June, 2024 I just received the Bemer Therapy System Evo to see if it helps after long flights, post covid, and circulation. More Info

DIY Skin Cream Make skin cream at home using natural products. More Info

Software SwissMixIt is now offering software based on Filemaker database platform to make your system more efficient. Software for customers and Business Membership clients

web engine developed to avoid lousy wordpress hassles

Why I Left Wordpress and developed my own Web Page Engine For the past 6 years I've been using WordPress. Initially, I thought it was super easy to build and maintain websites (I had over six), but then quickly realized it was the big Trojan Horse in the room. Basically, they lure you in with flashy sites, then bog you down with Microsoft-like annoyances (uploading plug-ins to fix basic site user experience problems) and other inherencies. One feature I loved was a mobile upload using a smartphone app. It was great until I found out that images were not rotated properly, and yes, you guessed it, there's a plug-in to fix that. So annoying. It got so bad I found myself spending more time trying to fix the base operability than actually building content. So I decided to rely on what I know best. And that was FileMaker Database. The essence of FileMaker is to storage and manage data, and replicate success, while eliminating having to do things over and over. I used this basic foundation to write a database which stored all my content (text), links, images, and pdfs and then present them in a logical format based on functionality and good content creation tags presented by the search engine Google (most searches are done from their base). This includes tags they consider important, and leaving out the gobbledygook that is not necessary. Time savings from not dealing with WordPress issues, image management, and basic user experience were quickly realized. While more time is spent on developing a strategy, the huge time savings by eliminating duplication and confusion quickly bubbled to the top. Now I can build, modify, and create content quickly and easily. The images and pdfs are contained within the app, so I don't have to worry about managing separate folders of each. Keep your images web friendly at around 300kb and pdf documents the same. If you need huge files, then store them remotely (separately) and link to them for speed. For movies, use Vimeo and YouTube as your storage medium and link or embed them. This not only broadens your exposure to the web for visibility, but allows you to build additional SEO and page ranking. This happens intrinsically when you link back. The basic premise of the Web Engine strategy is to have a web page, which is comprised of blocks of information (similar in nature to WordPress, but delivered much better). Gone or endless options on text type and size and confusion in WordPress. Each page is part of a group of pages for your website. Blocks comprise the content of that page, also part of a database. Each block has options for text only, image only, text and image, or raw data (in case you want to utilize code which already exists in HTML format). Using any of those options gives you complete control of appearance and delivery. Gone is the contact page. Instead, why not give interested viewers the ability to contact you from the top and bottom of the page. I've never understood why it has to be an Easter Egg hunt just to send and email or make a call. First Principles is the living methodology of Nikola Tesla and Elon Musk. Make it yours. That is, functionality over form (purpose vs. flash). Who is this type of web strategy good for ? Those who want to delivery a message quickly, efficiently, and those who want to deploy information. We base the business functionality of this strategy incorporating the QR code. The QR code gives quick link access to information. We recommend you put one on each page, which when printed out (each webpage generated can be printed out on standard format paper), gives the reader the ability to point their smartphone at the code and immediately link up to the page, or to order a part, or to reference a fix, or to buy a product. Instantly. Quickly. Eliminate manual duplication. With WordPress, there was a time when you could duplicate information. For some reason, that was eliminated (of course, unless you search, find, and activate a plug-in). This means that had to manually work around the issue and take time to duplicate a page, a block, or other information. With Web Engine, duplicating pages or blocks is as simple as clicking a button. Because this is a database, you can export lots of pages, blocks, or other information, and then import them back in as new. Simple. Fast. Make information handling simple. Any website is basically a information management system. The better you can strategize and have that information automatically organized, gives you the leading edge over your competition. Some of my background is developing equipment and systems, which involve lots of parts. My biggest pet peeve was not being able to just click, buy, and ship. The antiquated dealer network, dealer relationship, quotes, and purchase orders were just a waste of time. Give me information to buy, and let me buy. Save my time so I can go have fun or focus on what I actually enjoy doing. No, I don't need to have lunch with my supplier rep, and develop a relationship with a person just to buy a part. What I want is information quickly, accurately, and the ability to act on it. Streamlined. Efficient. If you want to empower yourself, your ideas, and your content, consider Web Engine. It's a choice that gives you the freedom to develop, build, maintain, and deliver.

Receipt Management Strategy

Receipt Management Strategy Note: This is part of the accounting solution we provide to business members. The solution which runs on FileMaker allows you to perform simple accounting (easily log income, expenses, and receipts). One of the biggest hassles of running a one-person small business is managing receipts and accounting. We have developed a simple FileMaker database to help out. We have been using this for the past 20 years, and its evolved into a elegant but simple solution. Digital Office: Using this solution allows you to scan in any paper document, store it in pdf format, and then you are all set for any records the IRS may request (example: audit). If you need paper receipts, simply print out the .pdf copy. The basic strategy to eliminate all paper receipts and documents: 1. Request .pdf invoices or documents from suppliers whenever possible. 2. If you receive any paper receipts or documents, then scan them into a pdf document. 3. For small receipts, combine a page worth of receipts and lay them on the flat bed of your scanner. Scan to a page .pdf, or copy to one page, then use your auto-feeder to scan multiple pages of receipts at one time. 4. You can then label the scanned page(s) with a descriptive label (one is generated automatically from the program if you use it). For example of a utility bill: 20210515-utility-300.pdf Be sure to use standard file naming formats (no special characters as part of the name) or just copy and past the name automatically generated when you create a new receipt record in the program. 5. Simply drag and drop the pdf into the receipt field of the database and it is stored automatically in FileMaker. You can easily export the .pdf if you need them in the future. Receipt Management Strategy (pdf)

Formulations and Recipies This section will include new recipes and formulations. A database will contain both ingredients and the process to make the recipe. Currently we’re developing a SwissMixIt home software kit which will allow you to use your computer or iPhone (or iPad) to access your own database and quick order links from the palm of your hand. RTM Ready to Mix Skin Cream Packages: We will soon be offering pre-measured ready-to-mix Mason jars with ingredients.

Business to Business Topics

Business to Business Topics Here are some selected knowledge base article reviews for the botanicals industry. Botanical Extraction Topics for Business Members

Recipes and Formulations A database will contain both ingredients and the process to make the recipe. If you have a recipe to share, please email it to me and I will post it here. Currently we’re developing a SwissMixIt home software kit which will allow you to use your computer or iPhone (or iPad) to access your own database and quick order links from the palm of your hand. We’re also offering a professional version for craft manufacturing and selling of your own skin care products. This will include label makers and other tools to help you formulate, develop, and sell your skin care products. RTM Ready to Mix Skin Cream Packages: We will soon be offering pre-measured ready-to-mix Mason jars with ingredients. Simply heat up, add distilled water, and mix to make luxurious skin creams. Add your own essential oils and fragrances (including perfume) for your own personalized cream.

DIY Formulation Logs: Download, print, and use this log for writing down your formulas. Printable Formulator and Log for Mixing and Infusions (pdf)

Travel Size Coconut Skin Cream

Travel Size Coconut cream in travel size tube.

High Performance Heat Conductive Paste Tech Ingredients has recently formulated some heat conductive paste, which you can make yourself. Please see their links below. High Performance Heat Conductive Paste (YouTube Link) Heat Conductive Paste Thermal Epoxy