VirtualPBX: Clunkier to set up than it needs to be, but the service gives extension numbers that redirect to distributed staff, and cellphones. Skype: Alternative to Virtual PBX, a collection of Skype accounts, each with similar SkypeIn numbers, set to redirect to cellphones or PCs running the Skype software. FreeConference: Easy conference-calling. F1000 with Vonage: Just ordered this handset, for truly portable phone, at VOIP prices. Trillian: Internal communications. Administaff: Web-based benefits adminstration, recommended by Evan. Rent A Coder: Most outsourcing is a disaster, but it's still worth trying out a few offshore coders, and building a team, because it's only going to get harder to find great developers in the US. Basecamp: project management over the web, with feed output of updates, so can be monitored with a web reader. FogBugz: Email and bug management, also recommended by Evan. Google Groups: Better for email list management than Yahoo Groups, cheaper than Topica. Chase: So every bank sucks, by definition, but the free direct deposit facility is neat, and easy to administer over the web. Paytrust: it's mainly aimed at consumers, but give a Paytrust PO box as a billing address, link to a bank account, and never be late on a bill again. Typepad: I'd use this, a hosted version of Movable Type blog platform, for a corporate website. Trumba: Looks like this could be the solution for shared calendars for any small company without an IT department, particularly if people are using a mix of Macs and Windows machines. Server Beach: Web hosting at good prices, though we had problems with their parent company, Peer 1. Falk: Full-featured ad-serving, at a price way lower than DoubleClick, but don't believe their promises about automated invoicing of clients. House of Pretty: High-maintenance, headstrong, but supremely talented graphic designers, particularly strong in typography. John Duncan at Nixon Peabody: the best attorney I've ever worked with, for deals, corporate structure and tax, now unfortunately defected to one of his clients. Patent Authority: Patent applications at $8k per, without the overhead and overbilling of a large firm. 37 Signals: User-interface overhauls, though they now only work on big projects, or their own apps. Fred Wilson: Have never taken money from Fred Wilson, but he's one of the few venture capitalists with a mind of his own, and a feel for what makes a small company work. Perspective: Because nothing is ever as good, or as bad, as it seems at the time.
