VCARDLINK.COM: Online vCard

VCARDLINK.COM

WHAT IS VCARDLINK.COM?

Think of VCARDLINK.COM as your own personal white page directory. It is a Personal Web Portal (PWP) that stores your contact information with links to any other information you would like to share such as web identities, files, websites, blogs, etc.

VCARDLINK.COM centralizes access to all of the information that you'd like to share with your personal contacts. People access your PWP with your VCARDLINK address or your VCARD-ID # through VCARDLINK.COM.

	WHAT IS A PERSONAL WEB PORTAL (PWP)?

	A Personal Web Portal (PWP) is a single gateway through which you can share any and all information you wish to distribute through the Internet. Rather than having various places on the Internet where information is stored and having to direct people to multiple websites, you can link all of those various places with a single access point through a Personal Web Portal (PWP).

WHAT IS VCARDLINK?

VCARDLINK is a unique personal web address that points to a specific PWP on the VCARDLINK.COM website. VCARDLINK can be distributed in many ways. For example, the VCARDLINK address listed below could be printed on a business card, contained in the signature address of an email or placed in an advertisement.

VCARDLINK address Example: www.vcardlink.com/3D8-8C2-BSam

WHAT IS A VCARD-ID #?

A VCARD-ID # is a unique identification number that is assigned to each PWP on VCARDLINK.COM. The VCARD-ID # can be entered on the VCARDLINK.COM website (www.vcardlink.com) to lookup a specific Personal Web Portal (PWP). The VCARD-ID # is always contained in the VCARDLINK.

For example, the VCARDLINK address listed below has the following

VCARDLINK address www.vcardlink.com/3D8-8C2-BSam

VCARD-ID #: 3D8-8C2-BSam

HOW DO I LOOK UP A PERSONAL WEB PORTAL (PWP) ON VCARDLINK.COM?

There are two ways to look up a PWP on VCARDLINK.COM. You can access a specific PWP with either VCARD-ID # or VCARDLINK.

VCARD-ID Method:

1. Go to www.vcardlink.com

2. Enter the VCARD-ID # (Example: 3D8-8C2-BSam) into the �VCARD-ID # Lookup� box.

3. The �VCARD-ID # Lookup� box is located in the upper left hand corner of page.

4. Click �Lookup Vcard�

VCARDLINK Method:

1. Click on an active VCARDLINK address (Example: www.vcardlink.com/3D8-8C2-BSam) or

2. Type the VCARDLINK address (Example: www.vcardlink.com/3D8-8C2-BSam) into any web browser.

WHAT DOES VCARDLINK PWP LOOK LIKE?

This is an example of VCARDLINK: www.vcardlink.com/3D8-8C2-BSam.

If you click on this VCARDLINK, you will be able to see an example VCARDLINK PWP. Be sure to click on the following tabs to view the information that can be stored:

Summary
Name
Home
Business
Content
Links

HOW DO I SAVE THE INFORMATION FROM VCARDLINK.COM?

To save information from VCARDLINK.COM to your default contact manager:

Click on a VCARDLINK address or enter VCARD-ID # at www.vcardlink.com
Choose �Save This Vcard� (Link above the Summary Information)
Choose �Open�
Choose �Save and Close�

The information has now been saved to Outlook or your default contact manager.

	HOW DOES MY COMPUTER KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH INFORMATION DOWNLOADED FROM VCARDLINK.COM?

	VCARDLINK.COM downloads the data from the VCARDLINK.COM website using a file type known as a vCard. A vCard is the type of file that has been established by the computer software industry for transmitting personal contact information from one computer to another. You can recognize a vCard file because it has a specific file name structure (filename.vcf). Most contact management software systems such as Outlook, Outlook Express, ACT and others use this type of file to share information. These programs are already setup to import information from VCARDLINK.COM through the vCard standard. For more information about the vCard standard, visit the Internet Mail Consortium (http://www.imc.org/pdi).

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VCARDLINK.COM, A VCARDLINK ADDRESS AND A VCARD?

They all sound the same but they are very different things. With VCARDLINK.COM, these three unique things work together so you can share your information more efficiently.

VCARDLINK.COM is a website that allows an individual to create, store and distribute their information through a unique Personal Web Portal (PWP). VCARDLINK.COM provides you with the ability to setup your PWP. It provides a place for someone to lookup your PWP and downloads your information to their personal computer.
A VCARDLINK is a unique web address that points to your PWP on the VCARDLINK.COM website. The VCARDLINK address contains both the information to direct your contacts to the VCARDLINK.COM website and the information needed to look up and access your unique PWP. Click on your VCARDLINK address and you will be instantly connected to your data (It works the same way when your contacts click on the link). All you have to do is share your VCARDLINK address with your contacts. You can share your link verbally, in writing and you can put your VCARDLINK address in every email you send. That way, your contacts can quickly and easily find your PWP and download your information directly into their contact management software. They no longer have to type in your information and you don't have to do anything but share VCARDLINKs.
A vCard is a type of file called a Personal Data Interchange file. This file allows you to transfer contact information from one contact management software system to another. The vCard file allows you to download information directly from VCARDLINK.COM to your contact management software.

When you put the three together, you get a very powerful system that allows you to: create and store a Personal Web Portal (VCARDLINK.COM); send someone a link to your PWP (VCARDLINK); and invite your contacts to download the information from your PWP directly into their contact management software (vCard).

HOW IS VCARDLINK.COM DIFFERENT THAN A WEBSITE OR A BLOG?

There is a big difference between a web site, a blog and VCARDLINK.COM. Each one of these services offers its own benefits.

A website is a group of published pages that are distributed electronically through the internet. Only you can publish information on your website. Think of a website as an electronic catalog. It is best for publishing general information you wish to share with the general public.
A blog is a website that allows you and others to post content to the same site. It allows people to exchange ideas and information on the website. Think of a blog as an electronic billboard that you wish to share with the general public. It is best for publishing general information posted by you and others with the general public.
VCARDLINK.COM is a directory where you publish a list of all of the information that you want to share over the internet. Consider VCARDLINK.COM like your own personal electronic white pages. With VCARDLINK.COM you share specific information with specific people.

With VCARDLINK.COM, you provide access to your VCARDLINK.COM PWP through your VCARD-ID #. Only the specific people that have your VCARD-ID # can access your portal. On your PWP, you provide the most direct route possible to specific content.

If you want to share a specific paragraph contained in a specific article that is posted on a specific website, you provide a link directly to that content. Your contact sees exactly what you want to share without distraction. This works better than directing someone to the website, telling them to lookup the article and then scan for the right paragraph. With VCARDLINK.COM, you precisely share specific information.

What are the advantages of VCARDLINK.COM over websites and blogs?

VCARDLINK.COM is a managed service. Unlike a website or a blog, there is nothing to design or setup. With VCARDLINK.COM you just fill in the blanks and hand out your link.
VCARDLINK.COM is secure. Your contacts need to know your VCARDLINK address, or your VCARD-ID #, to access your information. Websites and blogs are available to the public; this is risky because spammers can steal your information and sell it.
Only you can change the information on VCARDLINK.COM. With a blog, someone else can post negative comments.
VCARDLINK.COM allows all of the information contained in your PWP to be downloaded to your contact's computer. Websites and blogs can't do this without creating a security risk.
VCARDLINK.COM can direct your contacts anywhere you want them to go including your website and your blog without making that information available to the public at large.
Everyone's VCARDLINK can be accessed from a single point on the internet (www.vcardlink.com) while everyone's blogs and websites have different addresses making them cumbersome to find.
Finding the information that you want on a blog or a website can be daunting. With VCARDLINK.COM, the information is presented in a standard format. Once you know how to use VCARDLINK.COM, you know how to use it for everyone.
Your unique PWP on VCARDLINK.COM is hidden to the general public. Your competitors and strangers cannot see your information without your VCARDLINK address or your VCARD-ID #. With your website or your blog, information is available to anyone, including your competitors and criminals.

	IS VCARDLINK.COM FOR PERSONAL OR BUSINESS USE?

	Both.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VCARDLINK.COM?

It makes every business card, email, advertisement and communication more valuable. It saves you and your contacts time by automating the information exchange. Your contacts don't have to type in your information. VCARDLINK.COM transfers more complete information with less effort to your contacts. Use it and your contacts will thank you.

A QUICK OVERVIEW�

Why give an incomplete business card when you can provide a VCARDLINK address that can exchange more information with less effort? Now you can give all sorts of information (including your contact information) to anyone, anytime, with one easy savable VCARDLINK.

It's centralized. Your VCARDLINK address directs your contacts to your Personal Web Portal (PWP) on VCARDLINK.COM that centralizes access to all of the information that you would like to give to your contacts.

It's complete. You can include numbers, addresses, internet contact information, links, references, graphics, streaming audio or video, forms and more.

It's savable. You can save it to almost any platform: Outlook, ACT, Word, Excel, Desktop, etc.

It's easy to use. Simply create your VCARDLINK.COM account and give your VCARDLINK address to all of your contacts. It's that easy.

It's secure. Your PWP is protected on the VCARDLINK.COM website. Without your VCARD-ID # or your VCARDLINK address, nobody can access your data. This keeps spammers, stalkers, telemarketers and criminals from downloading your contact information.

It's creates relationships. People are more likely to do business with you if they save more information about you.

	WHY USE VCARDLINK.COM?

	It automates the exchange of information. It saves time. You don't have to type in any more contact information; you just download it from VCARDLINK.COM. It's accurate. You control the information that the customer saves. People are more likely to do business with you if they save more information about your products and services. (It's difficult to do business with someone who you don't know!)

	WHY NOT JUST USE A BUSINESS CARD INSTEAD OF VCARDLINK?

	Business cards are an old-fashioned way of sharing information. Business cards are usually incomplete. People don't save business cards like they used to. After someone receives your business card, they must type your information into their computer. This takes too much effort. Most people will not make the effort to save your information. Even if they do take the effort, most people will not save all of the information you want them to save. Even if they scan your card, they won't be getting as much information. Business cards have limited space for information.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH SHARING INFORMATION THROUGH EXISTING SYSTEMS?

There are other systems to share information with your contacts. The bottom line: VCARDLINK provides a different service that can do more. Let's look at your other choices:

- vCard (http://www.imc.org/pdi)

A vCard is different than our product VCARDLINK. Let's talk about the vCard concept.

A vCard is a file that can be exported from Outlook and e-mailed to people. It can store all of the information that can be stored in VCARDLINK.COM but there is one very serious limitation to vCards: they must be emailed to someone by the person that has the vCard or they must be publicly posted on the internet where anyone, even criminals, can access the information.

Let's say you meet someone on the street and you want to give them your information. If you simply have just a vCard, you cannot give it to them (unless it is on a computer disk). You must e-mail it to them. (That's a hassle.)

With VCARDLINK.COM (our product) you simply give someone your VCARDLINK. This allows them to get your vCard themselves. It enables transmission of vCards by telephone and in person rather than limiting transmission to e-mail or public posting only.

In the real world, people trade contact information by providing business cards, and phone numbers. Most people don't even use vCards because they are hard to set up, annoying to add to an e-mail and complicated to use.

Most of the time, they just type their contact information into the signature line of their e-mail address. Then their contacts take that information and type it into Outlook.

VCARDLINK emulates the way that people interact in the real world.

VCARDLINK.COM allows you to tell someone a number (your VCARD-ID #) and they can access your contact information and any other content you wish to share over the Internet. It also allows you to place a link in the signature address of your email where it can be accessed by simply clicking on the link or cutting and pasting the address into a browser. No more typing in contact information. No more incomplete data.

- PLAXO (www.plaxo.com)

VCARDLINK creates new records in Outlook. Plaxo updates those records automatically, once they exist.

Plaxo is a great service but there is no way for a person to get your contact information from Plaxo directly. They have to get it from you first, type it into Outlook and then Plaxo will keep the information updated.

-LINKEDIN (www.linkedin.com)

LinkedIn is a business networking system. It is like a giant version of the �6 degrees� of Kevin Bacon. People sign up because their friends, coworkers and customers asked them to. I enter my contacts, they enter their contacts, they enter their contacts, etc.

Now I can see that if I contact John and John contacts Jim and Jim contacts Sue and Sue contacts Bill and Bill contacts Ralph and so forth and so on.

Unfortunately, LinkedIn does not allow you to meet someone on the street, have them give you a number which will allow you to go to the LinkedIn website, enter the number and download their contact information.

-MySpace (www.myspace.com)

MySpace is a social networking site where you can create a personal blog that is supported by advertisements. You can share pictures and files and manage an online discussion forum. It is a place where people can come to meet you and you can exchange information and ideas with each other.

Unfortunately, everything on MySpace is public so anyone can access it. If you were to post a vCard on your site so that someone could download your information, everyone would have access, including criminals.

-Personal or Company Websites

A website can provide all of the information that can be provided by VCARDLINK.COM but there are several reasons why it doesn't work as well as VCARDLINK.COM.

A website is complicated to setup and hard to design. Most people and companies have to spend a lot of money to design a nice looking site that works well.
A website publishes your information publicly, where it can be seen by anyone, including competitors and criminals.
Spammers look for email addresses on websites so they can sell your name to marketers.
Websites usually have too much information making it hard for your customers to find the information they want.
Every website works differently so your contacts have to take time to learn how to find and download the information they want from your site. Most of the time they get tired and give up.
Websites are best for providing general information. VCARDLINK.COM is best for providing specific information.

HOW DO I USE VCARDLINK.COM?

It's easy and fast and accurate. You never have to fight Outlook to export a vCard again and your contacts never have to type in your information again. That's a win-win scenario.

How does VCARDLINK work?

1. Activate your VCARDLINK: (www.vcardlink.com/signup)

2. Fill in the information that you would like to share. (http://www.vcardlink.com/Account/vCardEdit.asp)

3. Give your VCARDLINK address(A unique web address to your PWP on VCARDLINK.COM) to your contacts .

4. To access your information, your contacts either

� Enter your VCARD-ID # at www.vcardlink.com to access your information.

� Type your VCARDLINK address into their internet browser.

� Click on your VCARDLINK address(If it is contained in an email).

What happens when my contacts type in my VCARDLINK address or click on my VCARDLINK?

They are immediately connected to your information. Your contacts simply click on your VCARDLINK address and have instant access to everything you want them to know about you, your company, your products and services.

How do I share my VCARDLINK address?

Put your VCARDLINK address on every piece of correspondence that you generate. Include it on emails, business cards, catalogs, advertisements and voicemail. When someone asks you for your contact information on the phone tell them:

1. Go to www.vcardlink.com,

2. Enter VCARD-ID: 3D8-8C2-BSam (Give them your actual VCARD-ID #) in the box in the upper left hand corner and push �Lookup Vcard.�

3. Click �Download This Vcard�

Or, send them an email with your VCARDLINK address so they can click on the link.

How do I convince my contacts to use VCARDLINK?

On your business card and E-mail signature, include only your Vcard Link address and nothing else. They will click on the VCARDLINK address to get your information.

Business Card Example:

John Smith
800-800-8000
www.vcardlink.com/3D8-8C2-BSam

Email Example:

John Smith
VCARDLINK: www.vcardlink.com/3D8-8C2-BSam
Click VCARDLINK to download contact information.

Where do people save their VCARDLINKs?

They save it to any system that accepts the vCard standard such as ACT or Microsoft Outlook. Or, they can:

Save it as a �Favorite Place� in their web browser.
Save a list of VCARDLINKs in a Word document or in an Excel spreadsheet.
Save the vCard file to the desktop.

Am I required to use Outlook to use VCARDLINK?

No. It works in other platforms. Any contact manager that uses the vCard standard will work.

Does it work with other contact managers besides Outlook?

VCARDLINK can be used with Outlook and any other contact manager which uses the industry standard of the vCard. Most contact managers use that system. You can also save the VCARDLINK address in various other ways and just access the data on the Internet.

For example, you could have a word document where you keep VCARDLINK phone list:

Jim Smith - www.vcardlink.com/098-348-5smi
Paul Brooks - www.vcardlink.com/TY7-6GG-2Bro
Stephanie Williams - www.vcardlink.com/345-RR3-VWil

Will VCARDLINK work with my PDA?

Yes, it will work with hand-held organizers that use the vCard standard and most do. It also works with most Personal Information Managers (PIMs), electronic E-mail applications, web browsers, laptops, desktops and cell phones with Internet access.

How much information can I include on my personal VCARDLINK?

As much as you'd like. Space is virtually unlimited.

What information may I include in my VCARDLINK?

Anything you'd like. Of course, you can include the basic stuff you'd normally put on a business card. However, you may include much more:

Basic information:

- Your name

- Company name

- Business address

- Mailing address

- Home address

Internet contact information:

- Website address

- ISDNs

- E-mail address

- Blogs

- myspace.com

- Instant messenger address

- profile@match.com

- Personal website

- Personal director

- Personal web portal

Numbers:

- Telephone

- Fax

- Cell

- Home

What else can I include on my VCARDLINK?

Here's where it gets really useful. You can include all kinds of information:

Links. For example:

- Product Catalogs

- Consumer Reports

- Rules & Regulations

- Resumes

- Photos

- Recipes

- Menus

Reference material. For example:

- Hours of operation

- Schedules

- Price Sheets

- Geographic time zone information

- Product catalogs

- Specification sheets

- The name of your wife, kids and pets

Graphics. For example:

- Photographs

- Company logos

Streaming audio. For example:

- Radio Advertisements

- Interviews

- Podcasts

Streaming video. For example:

- Television Advertisements

- Online Training

- Streaming Video introductions of yourself or your company

- Family Movies

- Video Logs

Forms. For example:

- Order forms to order merchandise

- Fill-in-the-blank forms

Can anyone access my VCARDLINK?

Yes. Just give them your VCARDLINK address or your VCARD-ID #. It really is that simple. However, without your VCARDLINK, nobody can access your information. Your privacy and security is protected.

Can I change the information?

Yes, and you can change it often as you want. Only you can change the information.

Does it update my information on others' vCard directories?

VCARDLINK.COM does not automatically update your contact information. However, the VCARDLINK.COM system automatically includes your VCARDLINK address in every download. To update your information, your contacts simply click on your VCARDLINK, and download your updated information. The system will ask them whether they want to save it as a new contact or update your old file.

Even if you move, your contacts will still be able to find you because they can always go back to your VCARDLINK address to get your updated information.

Is my information secure on my VCARDLINK?

Yes. Only you can change the data that your provide through your VCARDLINK. You choose what's available through your VCARDLINK. (But remember, anyone with your VCARDLINK address will be able to access the information)

How do I activate a VCARDLINK?

Activating your VCARDLINK address for one year is only $30.

If you refer a friend that signs up, you will receive a $1.00 credit towards future activation fees. Refer 30 friends and your next activation will be free.

Rewards for referrals

When you refer a friend, we will credit your account $1.00. Refer as many friends as you'd like. There's no limit to the amount of $1.00 rewards you can earn. (No cash value. Credits are applied towards future VCARDLINK activations.)

	CONTACT US

	To contact VCARDLINK.COM, please send an email to: support@VCARDLINK.COM

	TRADEMARKS

	VCARDLINK.COM is not affiliated with the following trademarks or their respective owners: Outlook^TM is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft. ACT!^TM is a trademark or registered trademark of Sage Software. Blackberry^TM is a trademark or registered trademark of RIM. Plaxo^TM is a trademark or registered trademark of Plaxo, Inc. LinkedIn^TM is a trademark or registered trademark of LinkedIN Corporation. MySpace^TM is a trademark or registered trademark of News Corp. vCard^TM is a trademark or registered trademark of Internet Mail Consortium. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.