From an interview with Esther Kruijver, VP of Platform for U3, LLC, the U3 developer:

“USB flash drive market leaders msystems and SanDisk envisioned a transformation for USB flash drives, from simple storage devices into USB smart drives that people can use not only to carry data, but also software programs, preferences, and profiles to launch on a PC wherever they go. However, there was no standard platform to enable software developers to create applications that are portable and secure on all drives.”

When traveling on business, you can now leave your laptop behind. You can store everything you need on your U3 flash drive. All you need is access to a Windows computer at your destination.

U3, with over 130 software applications available already, has made the business startup faster and cheaper than at any time in human history.

Programmers all over the world are creating new software applications for the U3 platform.

Business applications include OpenOffice (a free replacement for Microsoft Office), accounting, and personal information managers (PIM). I use only free software for my online business system, but dozens of low cost software applications are available if you have some special business needs.

If your business is totally online – most likely Internet marketing of affiliate goods and services – your whole business costs only $10 to $80 to start, depending on the U3 drive capacity and manufacturer. About 70% of all USB drives sold in the U.S. are now U3.

At this point, an Internet marketing business only depends on one application – the web browser. Already you have a choice from Mozilla Firefox for U3 to Maxthon to Opera to ArmorSurf Private Browser for U3. Most people select Firefox, but it helps to see how your blog or site looks in other browsers. If you want to protect sensitive information, ArmorSurf is the choice.

Affiliate marketing is all about pre-selling, not sales. When someone takes your advice and buys a product via your affiliate link, you are rewarded for your efforts with commissions from the merchants.

The Internet is a form of communication like television and cell phones. I hear people say they have an online business when what they really have is an advertising business. No one says I’m in the cell phone business unless they sell cell phones or service contracts.

If you think of yourself as an online, pre-selling, results-based, advertising agency, you will be close to the mark.

Affiliate marketing requires sending visitors from your content links to the merchant’s sales page in a mood to purchase.

It’s up to the merchant to make the sale. I would call this a win-win.

You must keep an eye on your promotions by tracking your clickthru and sales rates. If a merchant starts shaving some of your sales, you can switch to different products using redirects.

It’s simple. Protect yourself. Track your affiliate program results. Add new content and new affiliate links daily. If you are serious about your business, the merchants will not cross you. Their businesses depend on you.

The u3m411 Internet marketing system combines the best of article marketing, bum marketing, and affiliate marketing using cutting edge social networking.

If you are comfortable with Internet marketing, jump right into the steps anywhere. If you are a newbie, take your time and set up your u3m411 business first.

I make no assumptions about your marketing ability. Each step in the u3m411 system is broken down to a single activity. If you don’t find a step valuable, don’t use it. But it does not work if you do not take action.

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Charles Lamm is a junkyard philosopher, blogger, and former job developer. While working with a nonprofit corporation and assisting non-violent offenders in finding jobs upon release from prison, he put together an Internet business that does not require a computer, prior business experience, or transportation – all of which many just released convicts lack. His latest blogs can be found at: u3m411, Asset Protection Iron Triangle, Online Education, and Live Free in an Unfree World.

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Charles Lamm is a junkyard philosopher and blogger now working on an online business anyone can run from a U3 thumb drive. Carry your business in your pocket. Learn more at: http://u3m411.com.