Findings – Calculating Consumer Happiness at Any Price – NYTimes.com

But suppose, instead of scanning people’s brains as they’re sipping wine in a laboratory, you tested them in a more realistic situation: a restaurant where they’re spending their own money. That challenge was undertaken at an upscale restaurant in Tel Aviv by two behavioral economists, Ori Heffetz of Cornell and Moses Shayo of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who expected to be able to manipulate diners’ choices by changing the prices on the menu.

via Findings – Calculating Consumer Happiness at Any Price – NYTimes.com.

POS Design .:. Highly Usable Point of Sale (POS) Design

Everyone loved the first word processor. Editing and correcting was so much easier than using a typewriter. But then competition got fierce, and usability became a major factor in purchase decisions.

The same thing happened on the web: At first, just getting a web site was the important thing. Then, when everyone was online, usability became an important differentiator.

Employee tools are poised for the same evolution—especially those at customer touch-points, like Point of Sale systems. The market is now flooded with POS Vendors who are looking to differentiate themselves. Moreover, with the difficult economy, companies in the hospitality and retail industries are looking for ways to increase profitability.

via POS Design .:. Highly Usable Point of Sale (POS) Design.

‘Wine globes’ keep top-shelf vino fresh out of the bottle

It’s a common misconception that all wine should be cellared and aged before drinking. In reality, around 90% of today’s wines are released from the vineyard tasting as good as they’re likely to get – and leaving them in the bottle for more than six months, slowly interacting with the small amount of oxygen left after corking, is often actually detrimental to the flavor.

via ‘Wine globes’ keep top-shelf vino fresh out of the bottle

New Eugene restaurant dares bad economy – Breaking News, Local News, Local Weather, Local Sports

A new Eugene business owner is hoping his brand new eatery will weather this economic storm and come out on top.

via New Eugene restaurant dares bad economy – Breaking News, Local News, Local Weather, Local Sports

Our latest project is now open for business!

Boaz Gelbord: Nevada Mandates PCI Standard

Nevada has recently passed a law mandating PCI compliance for companies accepting payment cards that do business in the state. It is scheduled to go into effect on January 1st, 2010.

via Boaz Gelbord: Nevada Mandates PCI Standard.

Anton Chuvakin Blog – “Security Warrior”: How to Harness the Power of PCI DSS? Tip #2

These tips are most useful for those in the trenches who are required to comply with PCI DSS while keeping the systems running and secure, but maybe do not know how

via Anton Chuvakin Blog – “Security Warrior”: How to Harness the Power of PCI DSS? Tip #2.

Anton Chuvakin Blog – “Security Warrior”: How to Harness the Power of PCI DSS? Tip #1

I’d like to draw my readers’ attention to a few specific things in PCI DSS guidance that will help with security if they are implemented. Also, please keep in mind that your PCI QSA is your final authority on what must be done for PCI, not some random blog on the Internet! 🙂

via Anton Chuvakin Blog – “Security Warrior”: How to Harness the Power of PCI DSS? Tip #1.

In Recession, Strategy Shifts for Big Chains – NYTimes.com

In Recession, Strategy Shifts for Big Chains – NYTimes.com

“Hammered by the recession, some of the nation’s biggest retailers are seizing the moment to reinvent their business strategies. And the impact will mean both sweeping changes in the merchandise on their shelves and subtler alterations, like how many pantyhose to keep in stock.”

Is the Credit Card Squeeze a Blessing in Disguise? – You’re the Boss Blog – NYTimes.com

Is the Credit Card Squeeze a Blessing in Disguise? – You’re the Boss Blog – NYTimes.com

“The credit card squeeze may be hard on small business, but it was probably inevitable. The banks were too easy with their credit for years and now they need to control their losses. Here is all I would ask of the credit card companies: transparency, honesty and a fair shake.”

A Credit Squeeze for Small Business Owners – NYTimes.com

A Credit Squeeze for Small Business Owners – NYTimes.com

“Owning a small business has always been a challenge — half wind up failing within the first few years. But the financial crisis has dealt them a one-two punch, as big banks cut the credit card lines that many entrepreneurs were forced to lean on when a once-abundant supply of loans dried up.”