Speed Test Your Blog
Friday, July 31, 2009
How fast does your blog loads? What’s slowing it down the most? If you don’t know, run a site speed analysis and find out. Then all you have to do is eliminate whatever is slowing you down and you should notice a drastic difference in your site’s speed ,all without moving hosts or paying more money. Be sure to optimize images as needed to keep them from dragging your site down.
Labels: Blog Tools
posted by Shirazi @ 6:55 PM,
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Texting Bee
Labels: Geeks
posted by Shirazi @ 2:57 PM,
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Onsite Training
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
With the advent of computers and the Internet and fast changing technologies, onsite training has become a need amongst the wide users base across the world. Many organizations are already getting onsite training in and are taking advantages.
Onsite training is making seismic impact in learning. This option is available to businesses that have multiple employees requiring business, soft skill, IT, or IT certification training. Countrywide Training has designed onsite computer training solution so that it appeals to organizations with the need for training groups of employees in the most convenient manner possible. We've also designed it to be a viable, and cost-effective, alternative to traditional classes held offsite.
Have a look at Countrywide Training. They are playing an important role in promoting onsite computer training. They offer Onsite Microsoft Office Training, Onsite IT Certification Training, Onsite IT Training and Onsite Soft Skills Training. Explore Countrywide Training Computer Classes and see what they are offering and how. The neatly laid out site contains wealth of Information. If you are interested in learning at your own place and want to improve your team’s skill level, I suggest you ask Countrywide Training and take advantage of the best that is available.
Onsite training is making seismic impact in learning. This option is available to businesses that have multiple employees requiring business, soft skill, IT, or IT certification training. Countrywide Training has designed onsite computer training solution so that it appeals to organizations with the need for training groups of employees in the most convenient manner possible. We've also designed it to be a viable, and cost-effective, alternative to traditional classes held offsite.
Have a look at Countrywide Training. They are playing an important role in promoting onsite computer training. They offer Onsite Microsoft Office Training, Onsite IT Certification Training, Onsite IT Training and Onsite Soft Skills Training. Explore Countrywide Training Computer Classes and see what they are offering and how. The neatly laid out site contains wealth of Information. If you are interested in learning at your own place and want to improve your team’s skill level, I suggest you ask Countrywide Training and take advantage of the best that is available.
posted by Shirazi @ 12:16 AM,
, links to this post
What is Blog to Me
'What is a blog to you?' When I first read the question I just half snorted and said 'depends what it's about' but on deeper reflection; any blog is a way of reaching out to other people - nothing more, nothing less.
Whether you are writing a blog about anything and everything as I do, or whether you concentrate on a single subject and try to explore every aspect of it in the way of 'the bad girls guide' - at the end of the day, you are writing to be read, to make a connection with at least one other person who 'gets' you.
Humans are by default very social creatures, so much so that a loner is considered 'weird' and not to be trusted, it's only natural that even in as sterile an environment as the internet we would create ways of socialising.
There's even a hierarchy to the thing - from blogdex to technorati, ratings are everything.
I think everyone who enters the 'blogosphere' becomes obsessed with stats and improving their ratings at least once in the lifespan of their blogs, I know I did way back when this blog was first hosted on blogger. I had an account with every traffic driving site that came along and watched my evolotion on the TTLB ecosystem with alternating bouts of joy and despair.
There's even awards handed out, some are yearly and come with prizes attatched (x-amount of free hosting or a personalised template) courtesy of a designer or hosting company sponsoring the 'event'.
Others are of a monthly nature and tend to derive from a community of like minded individuals perpetuating a traffic driving gimmick that allows the 'winner' to post an image link/ banner to the awarding site.
These days I think of stats as just more ways to procrastinate, they amuse me and yes, they occasionally allow me to puff my chest out in pride and proclaim "i'm popular me!" (until I remember that the traffic headed my way is courtesy of something like blogexplosion and none of those people want to stick around and marvel at my obvious greatness, they're just trying to improve their own stats and I'm a stepping stone on the way).
Let's face facts though, I'm unlikely to ever rise high in the blogging ranks because I don't specialise, there is no 'niche' into which I fit - and in all honesty, it doesn't bother me one little bit.
This is my virtual home and while I allow strangers to pass through and ccasionally leave their mark - I know that those of you who stick around and make yourselves comfortable 'get' me and so this blog fulfills it's purpose admirably.
posted by Shirazi @ 12:14 AM,
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ProTech Group Online Training
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
ProTech Group -Distance Learning is one of the best computer based training resources that is offering a wide range of online training courses in almost all formats. ProTech Group offers online computer training and certification in programs like Microsoft MCSE, MCITP, Microsoft Office Training, Cisco and Oracle, as well as e-learning courses in essential soft skills, including sales training and customer service training. ProTech Group's online computer training courses deliver effective, thorough training through online learning.
Approach ProTech Group and their experts can work with your team to develop your own custom e-learning courseware. Have a look at their information and resource rich site and see what they are offering how they can take your learning – anywhere anytime - to the next level.
ProTech Group self-study videos offer complete instructor led training courses that are very effective. Interested students can take advantages of these courses and gain required knowledge and improve their skill in their own time. Best thing is that ProTech Group Computer based training offers complete control to the students.
Explore and see what all computer based training is on the offer and how can it help to further your education and skill level. Best is that you make informed decision about your career growth.
Approach ProTech Group and their experts can work with your team to develop your own custom e-learning courseware. Have a look at their information and resource rich site and see what they are offering how they can take your learning – anywhere anytime - to the next level.
ProTech Group self-study videos offer complete instructor led training courses that are very effective. Interested students can take advantages of these courses and gain required knowledge and improve their skill in their own time. Best thing is that ProTech Group Computer based training offers complete control to the students.
Explore and see what all computer based training is on the offer and how can it help to further your education and skill level. Best is that you make informed decision about your career growth.
posted by Shirazi @ 11:41 PM,
, links to this post
Smilies
The tiny winy sequences of type characters referred to as smileys or emoticons are universal among those who live on the web across cultures through out the cyber world. Sometimes amusing and at times meaningful, smileys are used in electronic communication to enrich the meaning of text based messages.
The idea of graphically depicting human emotions is not new. BBC claims that, “the original smiley was created in 1964 by commercial artist Harvey Ball.” Russian writer Vladimir Nobaokov who authored Lolita, answering a question in 1969 was quoted by Scott E. Fahlman as saying , “I often think there should exist a special typographichal sign for a smile- some sort of concave mark, a supine round bracket.”
“The emoticon or “smiley” being discussed is the first ASCII smiley,” reads Plato Emoticons, “like so many things, PLATO was doing emoticons and smileys, online and on screen years earlier. In fact, emoticons on PLATO were already an art form by 1976. PLATO users began doing smiley characters probably as early as 1972 (when PLATO IV came out), but possible even earlier of PLATO III.”
Consensus is that the original ASCII smiley {:- )} with which every one on the World Wide Web is so familiar came into existence with a note written by neural networks researcher Scott E. Fahlman of September 19, 1982 as a means of indicating a joke marker during a contentious online bulletin board discussion. The origin of this smiley has been meticulously searched by Mike Jones and Jeff Baird. It has led to the creation of many other facial expressions built with keyboard characters as well as invention of the term emoticon- a combination of words emotions and icons- to describe them all during the past over two decades. Web mail and instant messaging service providers like AOL, MSN and Yahoo! And some dedicated websites not only list the digital displays of these human emotions but also turn them into thematic imagery. Inclusion of emoticons in Web mail and chat windows by the three providers has done best of popularize them among millions of their subscribers all over the world.
Communication experts are of the opinion that when using text-based online messages, smileys provide for lack of the body language or tone of voice cues that convey meaning when talking face to face or on the telephone. They are innovative and add a splash of colour in the otherwise eerie uniformity of a sloppy prose.
Some critics, who are more conscious about preserving languages, shrink at the very idea of smileys, arguing that writers should have no need to explicitly put a label on their state of mind or heart. As was being done since the invention of the written word, writers should have no need to explicitly put a label on their state of mind or heart. As was being done since the invention of the written word, writers should be able to express themselves with words alone instead. But proliferating the use of smileys indicated that they have already been accepted as a mainstream phenomenon.
Smileys are being used in e-mails, chat rooms, bulltin boards, newsgroups, blogs or where ever human beings get together in digital form; it is no more possible to use the internet without encountering these curious creatures. They have started appearing on mobile phone screens as well. What is more, smileys come into view in students’ work, on class room blackboards and on different market items from bedspreads to mugs to mouse pads. Large size smileys are seen in cybercafés. They are also being used in letters written in long hand and sent by snail mail.
In the process, the undertone of smileys is evolving from just humouous to more expressive. Which is why besides enthusiastic youngsters, academicians, editors and professionals are using smileys fro greater creativity and expression?
The internet is visibly changing the traditional frontiers of human communication. Zaheer Hassan, a recently laid off knowledge worker, still hangs around in America, armed with excellent interpersonal skills. He is heavily dependent on e-mail in work and he pithily makes use of smileys. “Emotions have become an important part of the online culture,” he says, “They make it easy and quick to communicate emotions- something that many people find difficult to express using words- particularly when dealing with people from diverse social and educational backgrounds.”
Mary, a busy IT analyst and writer from Canada e-mailed in response to a query, “It is true that e-mails do not accurately capture our feelings. How could they? Most are written quickly, with little regard for nouns or are just official communication. I recall an incident at work when a young lady caused a lot of aggravation to a co-worker due to her (perceived) abrasive style. Confronted by the manager, she was at a loss and started crying, she simply was not good with written communication. Emoticons may help somewhat. I personally do not use them; I rely on my words to do the whole job. I think a lot also depends on who the recipient is, style or the rapport of the sender with other person. If the two correspondents do not know each other’s style, mishap can occur. Emoticons introduce a note of informality… I can hardly imagine an e-mail from our corporate heads bearing emoticons. It is suitable for peer to peer communication.”
“Emoticons may seem silly, but they fulfill an important function. Though emoticons cannot replace the full range of non-verbal communication,” e-mailed Maria Iqbal, “they can go a long way towards changing the mood of written statement, and the : -) or the (acronym that I think looks like smileys) can make it clear that you mean something in a light hearted manner, just as a reassuring smile or laugh might if you were speaking. So while I personally do not use a wide range of emoticons, or use them very often, I believe they are important tools for online communication.” Nan McCarthy, an expert in online relationship and author of three famous books (“chat”, “connect”, and “crash”) writes, “The primary purpose of emoticons in e-mail and live chats is to minimize misunderstandings, especially when a joke could be misconstrued as a serious statement and therefore hurt the recipient’s feelings. Hence, the frequent use of smiley faces, however, emoticons should not be overused or take the place of good writing and clear communication, even in live chats.”
Shahid Salahud Din, a programmer who spends most of his working time on computer, says “The last thing I want to do is writing more than what is absolutely necessary. So I use these typographical smileys that are computer equivalent of handmade drawings advantageously whenever I can. The problem is that smileys are yet not standard. There are so many different dictionaries each defining them differently dictionaries each defining them differently. Many have to be explained every time they are used even while communicating within IT professionals’ community.”
“I have gone past the age of sitting by a computer connected to the internet and waiting for an e mail or my chat buddies to appear online. I use computer as a useful working device. It has made my life easier as I ma more informed, accessible, and connected. I do not remember using smileys myself but I am familiar with them. I come across them every now and then mostly in mails from my contacts abroad. This is how I find out new emoticons if I cannot make sense out of them,” says Shamim Asghar, an advocate who is running his consultancy service for education abroad.
No one needs to sell to the young ones on the benefits of the internet these days. Traditionally, youth is the fraternity that has dominated the use of smileys here and elsewhere. For them smileys sometimes go beyond conveying feelings, cultural fusion or fun. Young e-mail and instant messaging enthusiasts normally remember the keystrokes for so many smileys by heart or keep a rich collection on their computers. But what is more, “rather than reading these sequences sideways they read in between and usually give deeper meaning to emoticons,” says Khalid Ahmed, a member faculty University of the Punjab.
Shahbaz Afzal is an IT undergraduate and a proud owner of a powerful machine. He keenly uses smileys in chat sessions and so many mails he exchanged with his friends and father in Dubai. “I have collected smileys from different sites, most of which sit in my favorite cache. I have also given print outs to my father and friends fro reference. They are all familiar with them” he says.
Like most people in this part of the world, I adopted this internet-ism and started using the pictographs of different facial expressions some time ago. I fine myself surfing different directories in an effort to know them all so that I am not caught “not knowing”. More and more icons are coming up every day. And, what some of my friends send me in their electronic messages sonly set me wondering where I stand with them?
It is safe to assume that new techniques of online communications will continue to evolve; smileys are one attempt at finding new ways for a new medium. Aptly and moderately used, these cute little sideway faces many are using on the internet can hit the mark perfectly or help clarify when one is being quirky or ironic or whimsical or miffed or emotional. Try them.
The idea of graphically depicting human emotions is not new. BBC claims that, “the original smiley was created in 1964 by commercial artist Harvey Ball.” Russian writer Vladimir Nobaokov who authored Lolita, answering a question in 1969 was quoted by Scott E. Fahlman as saying , “I often think there should exist a special typographichal sign for a smile- some sort of concave mark, a supine round bracket.”
“The emoticon or “smiley” being discussed is the first ASCII smiley,” reads Plato Emoticons, “like so many things, PLATO was doing emoticons and smileys, online and on screen years earlier. In fact, emoticons on PLATO were already an art form by 1976. PLATO users began doing smiley characters probably as early as 1972 (when PLATO IV came out), but possible even earlier of PLATO III.”
Consensus is that the original ASCII smiley {:- )} with which every one on the World Wide Web is so familiar came into existence with a note written by neural networks researcher Scott E. Fahlman of September 19, 1982 as a means of indicating a joke marker during a contentious online bulletin board discussion. The origin of this smiley has been meticulously searched by Mike Jones and Jeff Baird. It has led to the creation of many other facial expressions built with keyboard characters as well as invention of the term emoticon- a combination of words emotions and icons- to describe them all during the past over two decades. Web mail and instant messaging service providers like AOL, MSN and Yahoo! And some dedicated websites not only list the digital displays of these human emotions but also turn them into thematic imagery. Inclusion of emoticons in Web mail and chat windows by the three providers has done best of popularize them among millions of their subscribers all over the world.
Communication experts are of the opinion that when using text-based online messages, smileys provide for lack of the body language or tone of voice cues that convey meaning when talking face to face or on the telephone. They are innovative and add a splash of colour in the otherwise eerie uniformity of a sloppy prose.
Some critics, who are more conscious about preserving languages, shrink at the very idea of smileys, arguing that writers should have no need to explicitly put a label on their state of mind or heart. As was being done since the invention of the written word, writers should have no need to explicitly put a label on their state of mind or heart. As was being done since the invention of the written word, writers should be able to express themselves with words alone instead. But proliferating the use of smileys indicated that they have already been accepted as a mainstream phenomenon.
Smileys are being used in e-mails, chat rooms, bulltin boards, newsgroups, blogs or where ever human beings get together in digital form; it is no more possible to use the internet without encountering these curious creatures. They have started appearing on mobile phone screens as well. What is more, smileys come into view in students’ work, on class room blackboards and on different market items from bedspreads to mugs to mouse pads. Large size smileys are seen in cybercafés. They are also being used in letters written in long hand and sent by snail mail.
In the process, the undertone of smileys is evolving from just humouous to more expressive. Which is why besides enthusiastic youngsters, academicians, editors and professionals are using smileys fro greater creativity and expression?
The internet is visibly changing the traditional frontiers of human communication. Zaheer Hassan, a recently laid off knowledge worker, still hangs around in America, armed with excellent interpersonal skills. He is heavily dependent on e-mail in work and he pithily makes use of smileys. “Emotions have become an important part of the online culture,” he says, “They make it easy and quick to communicate emotions- something that many people find difficult to express using words- particularly when dealing with people from diverse social and educational backgrounds.”
Mary, a busy IT analyst and writer from Canada e-mailed in response to a query, “It is true that e-mails do not accurately capture our feelings. How could they? Most are written quickly, with little regard for nouns or are just official communication. I recall an incident at work when a young lady caused a lot of aggravation to a co-worker due to her (perceived) abrasive style. Confronted by the manager, she was at a loss and started crying, she simply was not good with written communication. Emoticons may help somewhat. I personally do not use them; I rely on my words to do the whole job. I think a lot also depends on who the recipient is, style or the rapport of the sender with other person. If the two correspondents do not know each other’s style, mishap can occur. Emoticons introduce a note of informality… I can hardly imagine an e-mail from our corporate heads bearing emoticons. It is suitable for peer to peer communication.”
“Emoticons may seem silly, but they fulfill an important function. Though emoticons cannot replace the full range of non-verbal communication,” e-mailed Maria Iqbal, “they can go a long way towards changing the mood of written statement, and the : -) or the (acronym that I think looks like smileys) can make it clear that you mean something in a light hearted manner, just as a reassuring smile or laugh might if you were speaking. So while I personally do not use a wide range of emoticons, or use them very often, I believe they are important tools for online communication.” Nan McCarthy, an expert in online relationship and author of three famous books (“chat”, “connect”, and “crash”) writes, “The primary purpose of emoticons in e-mail and live chats is to minimize misunderstandings, especially when a joke could be misconstrued as a serious statement and therefore hurt the recipient’s feelings. Hence, the frequent use of smiley faces, however, emoticons should not be overused or take the place of good writing and clear communication, even in live chats.”
Shahid Salahud Din, a programmer who spends most of his working time on computer, says “The last thing I want to do is writing more than what is absolutely necessary. So I use these typographical smileys that are computer equivalent of handmade drawings advantageously whenever I can. The problem is that smileys are yet not standard. There are so many different dictionaries each defining them differently dictionaries each defining them differently. Many have to be explained every time they are used even while communicating within IT professionals’ community.”
“I have gone past the age of sitting by a computer connected to the internet and waiting for an e mail or my chat buddies to appear online. I use computer as a useful working device. It has made my life easier as I ma more informed, accessible, and connected. I do not remember using smileys myself but I am familiar with them. I come across them every now and then mostly in mails from my contacts abroad. This is how I find out new emoticons if I cannot make sense out of them,” says Shamim Asghar, an advocate who is running his consultancy service for education abroad.
No one needs to sell to the young ones on the benefits of the internet these days. Traditionally, youth is the fraternity that has dominated the use of smileys here and elsewhere. For them smileys sometimes go beyond conveying feelings, cultural fusion or fun. Young e-mail and instant messaging enthusiasts normally remember the keystrokes for so many smileys by heart or keep a rich collection on their computers. But what is more, “rather than reading these sequences sideways they read in between and usually give deeper meaning to emoticons,” says Khalid Ahmed, a member faculty University of the Punjab.
Shahbaz Afzal is an IT undergraduate and a proud owner of a powerful machine. He keenly uses smileys in chat sessions and so many mails he exchanged with his friends and father in Dubai. “I have collected smileys from different sites, most of which sit in my favorite cache. I have also given print outs to my father and friends fro reference. They are all familiar with them” he says.
Like most people in this part of the world, I adopted this internet-ism and started using the pictographs of different facial expressions some time ago. I fine myself surfing different directories in an effort to know them all so that I am not caught “not knowing”. More and more icons are coming up every day. And, what some of my friends send me in their electronic messages sonly set me wondering where I stand with them?
It is safe to assume that new techniques of online communications will continue to evolve; smileys are one attempt at finding new ways for a new medium. Aptly and moderately used, these cute little sideway faces many are using on the internet can hit the mark perfectly or help clarify when one is being quirky or ironic or whimsical or miffed or emotional. Try them.
posted by Shirazi @ 11:47 AM,
, links to this post
No Comments
Sunday, July 26, 2009
There is every indication that blogsphere - vibrant and unique community with its own criteria – is gaining greater influence as the number of blogs is exponentially growing and awareness of the form is becoming widespread.
One feature that distinguishes weblogs from static websites, making them more interactive, is that they allow instant comments by others. This is a matter of choice for bloggers, though. They can disallow other visitors to comment on weblogs or single entries or can authorize comments for all internet users, for members, or make their blogs as read-only. Generally speaking, comments are what most keep most bloggers (including me) going.
Which is why, the reconnaissance of blogsphere reveals that most blogs have the comments option turned on, which permits users to interact with the bloggers and each other at their own pace. Some go a long way to engage others and solicit comments. I have seen permanent banners on many blogs that read, "would it kill ya to comment" or "de-lurk" (meaning comment and just not visit the blog). In fact, a few famous bloggers celebrated De-lurking Day sometime back.
Some bloggers play games like asking leading questions and urging others to respond or offer different incentives like creating blog buttons or even promising gadgets like iPods to the winning respondents. Once I won a book on being first to comment on a blog entry. One blogger said she would give one dollar for each comment on a particular post on a particular day to charity. To date, she has received 171 comments and the number continues to grow.
On the other hand, some bloggers do not want or encourage comment on their blog entries. For one thing, policing and sifting them can be time consuming extra burden on the bloggers. If you do not want certain types of material or observations present on a site, then one has to constantly monitor comments. This can become tedious in case of blogs that attract a lot of attention and response. Open Comment options also cause spam where people (or machines) leave irresponsible comments or just mark their presence by leaving their own URLs in an effort to increase the page ranking of their sites.
Some new bloggers may not know how to turn the comment option on (and off) in the first place, or are afraid that they will not be able to remove offensive comments.
Thoughtful and witty comments, follow-up questions and extra information all add a lot to any blog and make it more meaningful. Comments by informed readers can add so many interesting and important components to any discussion. And given the blogosphere's potential to raise the level of intellectual discussions, the ideas are valued not only by who says them, but by their merits. The author of the blog more or less creates a topic and every one else who visits there gives input.
Comment on issues of real importance may also turn into a global conversation and readers can draw inferences from it. The main value of blogs, as compared to other forms of media, is that readers can immediately see contrasting views. Moreover, for bloggers, counting flow of comments is an ego booster too.
In order to determine different views on blog comments, I discussed this issue on my own blog, in addition to blogsphere scouting and email discussions.
Why you comment; I posted this question on my blog, where I got a modest queue of comments, counter comments and some emails.
Hamid Mahmood, who has been an internet user since 1999 and is an avid Pakistani blogger, blogging is a better way of using his online time. On the value of comments, he says, "I now have the unique ability to surf the net from the bloggers' perspective. One might label it as an invasion of privacy but then again the onus lies on the blogger who chooses to blog." Blogging is indeed the future of social interaction, so standards have to be established. He and another blogger Mark added, "blog commenting needs to be refined further and this phenomenon surely we will come to some conclusion soon."
Riaz Ahmed, another techie and a Pakistani (ex) blogger says, "I do it (blogging) because of the freedom to do that and then seeing people join (via comments) in this fun is much more attractive." How should visitors comment? Anyone who wants to comment should read the post first and then offer clued-up opinion or join in any ongoing discussion instead of just saying, "nice blog," "well done," "I was here," "you visit me there."
Sarah, however, who is another blogger, lives by her own rule for commenting. She says, "I visit the blog of the person who left a comment on my blog (interesting or not) and leave a comment on his/her site too. You never know what you might find there. You might even meet a new friend there."
When I started blogging, the comments option had not been invented yet for the software I was using then. I had a visible "mail to" link at my blog - if anyone wanted to comment, they could email me. That was somewhat tedious and only a few people reached out. Now, I have enabled comments on my blog and more people hit the comment button. The inputs from far and beyond sometimes clear my thoughts and help me see things from a different perspective. So the next time you browse through someone's blog, remember to comment, because for bloggers who post religiously, your comments might be the high point of their day.
One feature that distinguishes weblogs from static websites, making them more interactive, is that they allow instant comments by others. This is a matter of choice for bloggers, though. They can disallow other visitors to comment on weblogs or single entries or can authorize comments for all internet users, for members, or make their blogs as read-only. Generally speaking, comments are what most keep most bloggers (including me) going.
Which is why, the reconnaissance of blogsphere reveals that most blogs have the comments option turned on, which permits users to interact with the bloggers and each other at their own pace. Some go a long way to engage others and solicit comments. I have seen permanent banners on many blogs that read, "would it kill ya to comment" or "de-lurk" (meaning comment and just not visit the blog). In fact, a few famous bloggers celebrated De-lurking Day sometime back.
Some bloggers play games like asking leading questions and urging others to respond or offer different incentives like creating blog buttons or even promising gadgets like iPods to the winning respondents. Once I won a book on being first to comment on a blog entry. One blogger said she would give one dollar for each comment on a particular post on a particular day to charity. To date, she has received 171 comments and the number continues to grow.
On the other hand, some bloggers do not want or encourage comment on their blog entries. For one thing, policing and sifting them can be time consuming extra burden on the bloggers. If you do not want certain types of material or observations present on a site, then one has to constantly monitor comments. This can become tedious in case of blogs that attract a lot of attention and response. Open Comment options also cause spam where people (or machines) leave irresponsible comments or just mark their presence by leaving their own URLs in an effort to increase the page ranking of their sites.
Some new bloggers may not know how to turn the comment option on (and off) in the first place, or are afraid that they will not be able to remove offensive comments.
Thoughtful and witty comments, follow-up questions and extra information all add a lot to any blog and make it more meaningful. Comments by informed readers can add so many interesting and important components to any discussion. And given the blogosphere's potential to raise the level of intellectual discussions, the ideas are valued not only by who says them, but by their merits. The author of the blog more or less creates a topic and every one else who visits there gives input.
Comment on issues of real importance may also turn into a global conversation and readers can draw inferences from it. The main value of blogs, as compared to other forms of media, is that readers can immediately see contrasting views. Moreover, for bloggers, counting flow of comments is an ego booster too.
In order to determine different views on blog comments, I discussed this issue on my own blog, in addition to blogsphere scouting and email discussions.
Why you comment; I posted this question on my blog, where I got a modest queue of comments, counter comments and some emails.
Hamid Mahmood, who has been an internet user since 1999 and is an avid Pakistani blogger, blogging is a better way of using his online time. On the value of comments, he says, "I now have the unique ability to surf the net from the bloggers' perspective. One might label it as an invasion of privacy but then again the onus lies on the blogger who chooses to blog." Blogging is indeed the future of social interaction, so standards have to be established. He and another blogger Mark added, "blog commenting needs to be refined further and this phenomenon surely we will come to some conclusion soon."
Riaz Ahmed, another techie and a Pakistani (ex) blogger says, "I do it (blogging) because of the freedom to do that and then seeing people join (via comments) in this fun is much more attractive." How should visitors comment? Anyone who wants to comment should read the post first and then offer clued-up opinion or join in any ongoing discussion instead of just saying, "nice blog," "well done," "I was here," "you visit me there."
Sarah, however, who is another blogger, lives by her own rule for commenting. She says, "I visit the blog of the person who left a comment on my blog (interesting or not) and leave a comment on his/her site too. You never know what you might find there. You might even meet a new friend there."
When I started blogging, the comments option had not been invented yet for the software I was using then. I had a visible "mail to" link at my blog - if anyone wanted to comment, they could email me. That was somewhat tedious and only a few people reached out. Now, I have enabled comments on my blog and more people hit the comment button. The inputs from far and beyond sometimes clear my thoughts and help me see things from a different perspective. So the next time you browse through someone's blog, remember to comment, because for bloggers who post religiously, your comments might be the high point of their day.
posted by Shirazi @ 6:50 PM,
, links to this post
2009 First Half Domain Name Registrar Scorecard
Friday, July 24, 2009
A look at winners and losers in the domain race in the first half of 2009. The first half of 2009 was tumultuous for many domain name registrars. But a few — including GoDaddy — continue to grow their registration base.
Here’s how the top 10 registrars (plus a couple others popular amongst domainers) fared in terms of domain registration base from January 1 through June 30, 2009. This data is from RegistrarStats, and only overs .com, .net, .info, .org, .biz, .us, and .mobi. They are listed in order of size from biggest to smallest.
GoDaddy – up 8.42% to 34,453,064 domains. This includes Wild West Domains, GoDaddy’s reseller unit. Bob Parsons has proven that marketing is simple: girls and low prices. Works for everything else, so why not domains?
eNom – up 2.6% to 9,039,185. Will it break through the 8 figure barrier? The last million is always the hardest.
Tucows – up 3.3% to 7,432,309. Started adding ItsYourDomain domains in late 08/early 09. Reseller channel working well. Will new direct-to-consumer Hover brand boost volume?
Network Solutions – down 1.1% to 6,563,744. Given that many of its customers pay $35 a year for domains, I’d be willing to put up with a bit of churn as an investor.
1&1 – up 3.9% to 4,797,417. “Take our domains. Please!” Cut rate prices and big ad budget.
Melbourne IT – down 3.5% to 4,798,615.
Register.com – down 0.7% to 2,726,896. Another registrar getting away with murderous pricing.
Moniker – down 2.4% to 2,587,695. Loyal customer base trimming portfolios, but sticking around.
PublicDomainRegistry – up 2.75% to 2,331,684. Directi’s army of resellers is working hard.
Fabulous – down 13.7% to 1,110,624. Big drop likely due to culling its own portfolio, but surely doesn’t account for 176,000 domains lost.
Dotster – down 2.8% to 1,036,550. {#}
Here’s how the top 10 registrars (plus a couple others popular amongst domainers) fared in terms of domain registration base from January 1 through June 30, 2009. This data is from RegistrarStats, and only overs .com, .net, .info, .org, .biz, .us, and .mobi. They are listed in order of size from biggest to smallest.
GoDaddy – up 8.42% to 34,453,064 domains. This includes Wild West Domains, GoDaddy’s reseller unit. Bob Parsons has proven that marketing is simple: girls and low prices. Works for everything else, so why not domains?
eNom – up 2.6% to 9,039,185. Will it break through the 8 figure barrier? The last million is always the hardest.
Tucows – up 3.3% to 7,432,309. Started adding ItsYourDomain domains in late 08/early 09. Reseller channel working well. Will new direct-to-consumer Hover brand boost volume?
Network Solutions – down 1.1% to 6,563,744. Given that many of its customers pay $35 a year for domains, I’d be willing to put up with a bit of churn as an investor.
1&1 – up 3.9% to 4,797,417. “Take our domains. Please!” Cut rate prices and big ad budget.
Melbourne IT – down 3.5% to 4,798,615.
Register.com – down 0.7% to 2,726,896. Another registrar getting away with murderous pricing.
Moniker – down 2.4% to 2,587,695. Loyal customer base trimming portfolios, but sticking around.
PublicDomainRegistry – up 2.75% to 2,331,684. Directi’s army of resellers is working hard.
Fabulous – down 13.7% to 1,110,624. Big drop likely due to culling its own portfolio, but surely doesn’t account for 176,000 domains lost.
Dotster – down 2.8% to 1,036,550. {#}
Labels: Data
posted by Shirazi @ 11:42 PM,
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Blog Tools
Bloggers need a a little help sometimes. They need to know blog rankings, stats, search engine placement and activity, growth and more. Below is a list of great tools and resource sites that will help give you the edge in your efforts.
- MarketLeap Search Engine Marketing Tools
- Google Webmaster Tools
- Google Trends
- Overture Keyword Selector Tool
- Alexa Site Rankings
- Find Your Google Page Rank
- RankAlert.net.
- Technorati
Labels: Blog Tools
posted by Shirazi @ 12:10 PM,
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Yes, Blogging is a Lifestyle
Thursday, July 23, 2009
posted by Shirazi @ 9:53 AM,
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Future is Now
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Given the rapid growth in the field of computing, one expects that there will be greater interaction between people and the Internet in future. And the netizens now have mixed feelings for the future of Internet revolution; Whereas some may not use this facility ever, for some the boundaries between real and digital life are already blurring.Speedier bandwidth is becoming common (using 56Kbps modems and telephone lines seem painfully slow now) and everyone is expected to have real-time link to everyone. Once this happens, “the concept of who is online and who is offline will melt away,” says Bradley Horowitz, Yahoo’s director of media and desktop search.
As a result, conventional devices and skills are either disappearing or seem to have been put on hold. The Internet is changing the way people work, share knowledge, entertain or socialise.
It is suggested that there will be better and much wider media coverage. No matter what, people will keep making more money from the Internet in a variety of ways: more information in any language (real-time language translation will be available), more and efficient searching and more focused marketing.
On the other hand, new threats are also being introduced. Service disruptions, viruses, security and privacy, the web’s vulnerability and lack of robustness have all become issues of enormous importance as the role of the Internet grows in the global economy and society. Even spam that used to be a minor irritant has become a hazard which can cost heavily.
Monopoly over the control of the Internet, lack of access among a large majority of people, affordability, censorship and levels of education are just a few of the more serious problems.
What is more, in his book The future of the Internet and how to stop it, Zittrain warns of a possible “cyber 9/11”, referring to the Sept 11 attacks. Such an attack, he fears, may prompt governments to curtail the accessibility and openness of today’s Internet, a move that would undermine the creativity — or the generativity — of the network.
The nature of changes taking place due to the advent of Internet is persuading policy-makers to make new regulations with an eye on the virtual developments and how society is adopting them. China’s censorship rules are a recent example.
So what do people think about the future of the Internet? For those who are interested, there is an online interesting time study by Elon University and the Pew Internet and American Life Database.
The research project began more than 10 years ago and so the database is full of predictions made in the early 1990s. The researchers intend to continue the study into the future, to judge the success of predictions. These predictions should be read by everyone since they are not only a meaningful peep into the future but some are also funny and humorous read.
A personal survey of the net-savvies in Pakistan revealed a mixed bag. The general perception is that the users’ base will grow in size, scope and significance, and more concerns will shift from conventional to Internet-based practices. More people and organisations will place their vital interests online.
Some of the responses could have important implications for policy-makers and other stakeholders in our country. According to the survey, the Internet has become a powerful medium for the users to raise and discuss political and social issues and gather public support all over the world. But Pakistan has yet to utilise this medium for such purposes.
“The majority of the population in Pakistan is still not online,” says Prof Hashim Sher Khan. “It will take some time to build an online political platform and culture in this country.”
Spending millions of rupees to take Internet places has not made much difference so far in the country. “Overall, we do not know if it is a useful business investment,” says Mobashir Ahmad, marketing manager in an international company manufacturing cables.
Dr Faraz Ahmad, an educationist thinks: “The Internet is at a turning point and the changes are big enough in nature to warrant huge investments in Pakistan even if we cannot cite any example of huge returns purely from the Internet technologies. We simply cannot remain oblivious to what is happening in the world.”
Beyond Internet service provisions, application service stipulations, grid computing and other shared applications are new ways to meet some or almost all aspects of the Internet needs in Pakistan. IT professor, Zafar Zaidi says, “These concepts have come a long way since they first came on the scene in the late 1990s in the more connected world. The idea of virtual cooperation and application sharing is a solution to many problems in Pakistan. These computing practices will take start in Pakistan soon. They have to.”
Similarly, the concept of telecommuting has been in existence for some time, and the Internet technologies available today are making it possible to practise it more productively. The trend has steadily grown over the past two decades in the world. The local job market, however, has traditionally been tight. “We might see telecommuting trends taking birth in corporate Pakistan in future,” says Prof Zaidi.
“The best use of the Internet can be in the education sector. The integration of Internet in teaching can be very fruitful in a country like Pakistan where education is not affordable for everyone yet.
“In future, students as well as teachers will become meaningfully familiar with the use of the Internet. At least that is one hopes for,” says Hadi Imam.
When asked, Fariha Javed, a housewife and a concerned mother of five said, “I have to monitor what my children do while online. But in ten years they will be grown up and I will not be worried over what they are doing on the Internet.”
As more people discover the power and value of the Internet for commerce, communication and entertainment, the role of the Internet and its challenges will grow in Pakistan. Meanwhile, all stakeholders should build the infrastructure and take extensive confidence-building measures for using the Internet.
posted by Shirazi @ 11:20 AM,
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Text on Text
Monday, July 20, 2009
In the time of increasing interaction between human and machines, more than any thing technologies are bringing sweeping changes to how people communicate and share information. Just as email, instant messaging, forums and Weblogs are distributing information on the Internet; mobile phone text messaging, also known as SMS, short for Short Messaging Service, has become one of favourite pastimes for youth and useful utility to the mobile many.
Seamlessly, SMS has become one of the mainstream trends and an integral part of mobile lifestyle in our otherwise low tech environment. Young and old alike are seen deeply concentrating on mobile phone screens and punching every where: in streets, shopping malls, mosques, buses, collage dormitories, class rooms and on dining table or while watching thrilling cricket matches. One college student I spoke to described leaving home without mobile phone, letting it fall in the hands of someone else or allowing the prepaid card balance exhaust as new anxieties. And "there is a great peer pressure to join the SMS crowd," says Nazish Noor. That is not what SMS was originally meant for.
When SMS was launched in 1992 as part of the GSM (Global System for Mobile) Phase 1 protocol, it was considered as a low volume, low yield service primarily for business use. But, the technology has been rapidly adopted by societies, and its usage has exploded worldwide. Now billions of fun, greeting, reminding, alerting, and business messages are exchanged every day. No one imagined this till it has happened. Now this trend is upon us all over.
What is more, proud owners of mobile phones with inbuilt camera do not send simple SMS messages. Instead, they write down their message on a piece of paper, take a photo of it and send it as a picture message. SMS lets users do a lot more. Well beyond simple person to person messaging, SMS is being used to download ring tones, animated graphics and logos, getting, news headlines and Quranic verses, notification of new emails and faxes, and much more. In more tech savvy world, businesses are using it to send out virus warnings, advertising, bulletins, stock quotes and news headlines.
Text fever is exponentially rising with rapid expansion in numbers and growing innovations in the design and functions of mobile phone instruments -- most handsets in use allow initiation of text message. t may vary a little from handset to handset but is fairly simple. Users can go to phone's messages menu, type by pressing key 2 once for A, twice for B, three times for C and so on till the hit Send button. The recipient on the other end, anywhere in the world with suitable mobile phone, hears a tone and sees an envelope symbol on the display screen indicating that new message is waiting to be read when ever convenient. Press a couple of more buttons and read the message within seconds.
Messaging some time called texting can be taxing due to typing on a narrow numeric keypad. The word is out that a 12-number keypad to make typing easier has been invented and may be available in local market soon.
The current SMS format allows for 160 characters in a message in the Roman alphabet (including punctuation, numerals and special characters), and 70 characters in a message in other pictographic alphabets of ancient languages, after which the message is truncated. This has helped users to invent a new language - mix of abbreviation and shorthand now millions of people are reading, writing and understanding very well. Some familiar abbreviations have come from instant messaging on the Internet and text messaging has also created some of its own unique usage and set of text phrases and rules. In the SMS world, youths often use an abbreviated language to reduce the time and effort to type a message. There are over 1000 recognized abbreviations. Genie has already launched SMS DXNRE dictionary followed by another one titled the Little Book of TXT by a phone a manufacturing company and a special SMS index has been added in the Concise Oxford Dictionary. Mobile messaging is usually text mixed with smileys and face characters like (;_;) (unhappiness) or m(__)m (modesty). Some of the icons are usually pre-installed on mobile phones these days.
Who needs more space? Many users have evolved their own 'mutual' language that is all together new. Some time a single alphabet can convey powerfully. "The 160 character provides a lot of writing space, especially when you know what you want to say and to whom. It is short but sweet (and cool)," says one avoid texter.
In Pakistan, the mobile phone has grown exponentially. There are six mobile service providers serving the growing demand of the consumers now. The cost of sending SMS messages varies from rupees 1.50 to 5.00 (for messaging overseas) depending upon the service being used. One of the newer service providers has offered free SMS. This has given yet another boost to the use of cell phones.
Like everywhere else, youth is the natural market for SMS. Ever one who can afford carries mobile phone. But it is no longer the preserve of teenagers (or only for techie or geeky types) as every one seems to be embracing the convenient technology. Parallel to the trend in more developed western world, eager local corporate sector is quick to capitalise on the possibilities of the new technology, coupled with an increase in the ranks of a fashion elite ever keen to refine its yuppie airs. SMS is continuing to rise in popularity and diversity and is bridging ICT gape in its own way. Locally text messages are replacing greeting cards. SMS is being used to locate people in crowds and to tell and ask locations or "to exchange fun remarks while sitting in the same class room," says a Dr. Sonia Rehman.
The key message is that the future of text messaging as a mass communication lies in its use rather than in technical invention. So SMS is, in effect, preparing mobile phones users to see their mobile phones as much more than jus t things to speak on.
While most text messages are delivered within a few seconds, some may take more time and yet some other may never reach the destination and get lost in cyberspace. The first dumping ground is the hardware in every mobile network that co-ordinates the sending of text messages - the SMS Centre. The second choke point is the part of the mobile phone spectrum over which the messages travel. Finally, there are the buffers, waiting rooms essentially, on the base stations that make up a mobile network. That does not stop people sending SMS messages.
Are you a part of the Free SMS ride yet? Every one else is.
posted by Shirazi @ 9:14 AM,
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Role of K Alliance in Computers Education
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Computers have made seismic impact in distance education. With the advent of computers and the internet, learning is no longer restricted to time and place. Students these days have access to a great amount of relevant information and resources outside the confines of classrooms and auditoriums.
Computer based training is case in point here. Have a look at K Alliance. Reuters story says, “k alliance is now a member of CompTIA's Network of Specialized Trainers that gain exclusive insight into requirements and guidelines for each of their certifications.” K Alliance is playing an important role in promoting online computer training. They offer a complete e-learning solution in the form of either CD, intranet, or online training video course-ware. No matter which method users prefer, K Alliance has online courses to help them achieve your e-learning goals. K Alliance self-placed computer training videos include hundreds of choices in topics such as IT Training, Certification Training, Desktop Office and Soft Skills. In addition, we can work with your team to develop your own custom e-learning course-ware.
Explore K Alliance and see what they are offering and how. The neatly laid out site is users friendly and contains wealth of information. Their article section is particularly very useful. See K Alliance can do with you.
Computer based training is case in point here. Have a look at K Alliance. Reuters story says, “k alliance is now a member of CompTIA's Network of Specialized Trainers that gain exclusive insight into requirements and guidelines for each of their certifications.” K Alliance is playing an important role in promoting online computer training. They offer a complete e-learning solution in the form of either CD, intranet, or online training video course-ware. No matter which method users prefer, K Alliance has online courses to help them achieve your e-learning goals. K Alliance self-placed computer training videos include hundreds of choices in topics such as IT Training, Certification Training, Desktop Office and Soft Skills. In addition, we can work with your team to develop your own custom e-learning course-ware.
Explore K Alliance and see what they are offering and how. The neatly laid out site is users friendly and contains wealth of information. Their article section is particularly very useful. See K Alliance can do with you.
posted by Shirazi @ 10:29 AM,
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How China is Changing - and Changing the World
The total number of China’s Internet users reached 338 million as of June 30, representing a 13.4% increase from the end of 2008, according to the latest report by the China Internet Network Information Center a government-affiliated Web research organization. Some other highlights from the report:
- As much as 94% of the Internet population — about 320 million people — use broadband connections to access the Web. However, broadband Internet speeds lag far behind more developed countries.
- Over 80% of Internet users surf the Web at home. The number of people going Internet cafés decrease by 7% since end of 2008. Only 5% of the Internet population accesses the Internet from the workplace.
- The Internet penetration rate reached 25.5% as of June 30, up from 22.6% at the end of last year. While this puts China above the global average of around 24%, China’s Internet penetration rate remains low compared to developed countries (the U.S., for example, has a penetration rate of around 75%).
- The number of people who surf the Web on their mobile phones hit 155 million, representing 46% of the overall Internet population. The number of mobile Internet users is likely to see further growth in the coming years with the launch of the third-generation (3G) mobile phone networks in China, CNNIC said.
- By June 2008, China had passed the United States to become the world’s largest Internet market by number of users. But with the total number of Web users in China reaching a critical mass, the rate of growth has slowed a bit. Liu Bing, director of CNNIC’s research and development department, forecast a 6% to 7% yearly increase in China’s online penetration rate in the coming years.
- The report also notes that the global economic slowdown does not seem to be having a big impact on China’s Internet, but that Internet safety remains a major obstacle to the substantial development of the China’s online market.
Labels: Data, Digital Divide
posted by Shirazi @ 9:56 AM,
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Use ForeUI to Make Great Design
Friday, July 17, 2009
Anyone who has design in mind but just can make others understand easily, when your beta version is too late to collect user's feedback, when you need user testing quickly or when you need some figures for design documentation, you must use ForeUI.
ForeUI is a handy UI prototyping tool. ForeUI can rapidly create wireframe prototype of your software or website by dragging predefined elements to the plot. You can also customize your own elements. In addition, ForeUI can do a lot of other things for your website or software including drawing the GUI in your mind and make others understand quickly, make run able mockup of website or software to collect feedback from potential users, performing usability testing before releasing the beta version, generating the schematics that can be inserted in the design documents.
Offered by EaSynth Solution Inc - an innovative software publishing company based in Beijing, China, ForeUI comes in different UI Themes, runs interactive simulation in Web browser, support customized elements creation, slide Shows and PDF exporting and lot more and works on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Sorlaris. It is simple to use; download, install and run ForeUI or just launch the online demo. I suggest you see what ForeUI can do, better still try it.
posted by Shirazi @ 8:37 PM,
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Why You Go Online, Apart From Learning and Fun
If idle hands are the devil’s workshop, the Internet is a pretty hot place. According to Ruder Finn, 100% of US Internet users surveyed in Q2 2009 went online to pass the time. Other popular reasons were education, connecting with others, researching and sharing. The least common intentions when logging on were to make purchases, manage finances, comparison shop and join causes.
“Intent is the new demographic,” said Kathy Bloomgarden, Ruder Finn co-CEO. “Delving deeper into the underlying motivations of online behavior is critical to developing proactive strategies.”
Overall, Ruder Finn divided online activities into six categories, listed from most common to least: Learn, Have fun, Socialize, Express oneself, Advocate, Do business, Shop. Men were more likely than women to go online for business, entertainment and to keep informed on news and current events. Women, in turn, were more likely to use the Internet to advocate for a cause or issue, express themselves and socialize.
More than two-thirds (69%) of young adults ages 18 to 29 posted comments on social networking sites, 55% played games and 50% went online “specifically to rage against a person or organization.” Seniors were nearly twice as likely as young people to manage their finances, and 65% of seniors went online to be part of a community.
Why you go online?
Via eMarketer
posted by Shirazi @ 7:46 PM,
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The Internet
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Having to survive without the Internet when every one seems to be living in the cyberspace and achieving is a new king of anxiety. It is very hard to perceive life offline especially for those who have integrated Internet in their lives and work.
The Internet is a shorter route to many things: obtaining information, conducting business, making decisions, socializing or spending leisure time. Researchers are trying to find out Internet's impacts on life on and offline. Celebration of the Internet Free Day or the 20-year net veteran Steve Cisler's expedition to put himself "in other people shoes who are not online" are some cases in point.
For generation that is growing up with the Internet, the essence of existence lies in their presence online and being disconnected in their totally connected circle means like living in a digital dark age. This fraternity thinks that every one in the world is online. They forget an overwhelming majority of humanity which is without the Internet. Convinced that there is nothing that cannot be done online, this generation looks up to the Internet world for help and support for every thing from writing term papers to writing emails 'to the future' or doing what many will not try in real life -- even shy adolescents are active and bold in the virtual world when engaged in Internet communications as a passionate past time. I browsed MSN Member Directory with my search preference (Pakistan, single and looking, age 20-29) and found 20 pages of results showing Pakistani males and 20 pages of Pakistani females. Well, in today's world, the Internet does net people in a well knit circle together!
Always looking to own new gizmos, experience new technologies and find ways to do novel things online, it is the youth who are future computer scientists, engineers, programmers, developers and end users (also the Web queens and the Net princes). Youth are worst affected by no access to the Internet or outages. How do you perceive life without the Internet? "Without the Internet my life is unimaginable. It gives me feelings of being a dweller of the Stone Age if all of a sudden I were to quit use of the Internet. But like radio, television, or telephone, or cars and microwave ovens, the Internet is not going to go away. So I think of making best of it rather than thinking about living without it," says Sara Kazmi, editor Ravi, a magazine of Government College University Lahore. Jaffar, a Syrian student of de'Montmorency College of Dentistry Lahore says, "A lot of thrill and interactivity is attached with the world online so it really is painful to perceive life without the Internet."
The other categories hit by no access or disconnections are of IT professionals and those end users who are supplementing their earnings by pursuing income generating activities online. Zahid Shahzad, a techie says, "When I am disconnected, I attend to those assignments that otherwise keep piling up in the in-tray waiting for my attention. And, I keep jotting down things and thoughts, what I would do when online." Hafiz Munir is an urbanite computer engineer with his roots in the village where his mother, brothers and sisters live without telephone or possibility of the Internet access. He says, "I have always been going to my village to refresh my urban attitudes but going has become greatly difficult since I have put my work and life on the Internet. And it is no only me. No IT professional can afford to live without continuous connectivity. One of the reasons is that others assume IT people as 'on call' every time."
Users who have been online all their life have started taking it for granted. Any interruption, short or long, is frustrating. What do you do when you have to live offline for reasons beyond control? "Me and every one in my circle (presence on the Internet seems to be defining social circles) groans and grumbles when ever there is a disruption in connectivity; and there are so many," says Sara. Enthusiastic users have connections from more than one ISP (and the Internet cards at hand) and still "the first thing I do is to ring one or two ISPs and inquire, then I ask my friends before I decide what to do. One has to run around if there is a hardware or software problem that needs a repair or reinstallation. In our country you can do nothing in case of electric failures, telephone line disruptions or ISP 'maintenance' problem. Even respective departmental inquiry stations and help lines will not tell you what is happening," laments Arshad Mahmud. And Hafiz says, "After ascertaining the cause, I look for alternatives to remain online till things are back to normal at my own work station."
Acquiring necessary skills and hooking on the Internet at later stages in life was a major shift for those who were in the middle of their life when Internet necessitated changes in job specifications and descriptions as well as in societal norms. It is comparatively easier for this class to strike balance in on and offline life.
For Maryum Yunus, switching from the position of a sub editor in a print publication was a major shift -- especially in terms of Internet access and experience online. "The usage of the Internet mainly depends on what sort of work one is doing. I have Internet exclusively available to me at work as well as home. For my newspaper job, use of the Net was essential for me. I would logon and remain online more though I never was a freak. My present job as the Assistant Manager Image Marketing does not require active use of the Net. I only need to go online every now and then for a short duration to download my emails, fire off replies, weed out spam to keep the inbox under limits, exchange Hello Hi with friends if I can could catch someone online or to surf any specific site and look for particular information. Life never stops for me if I am disconnected or do not go online for days. After all people had been living, working and communicating even before IBM launched the personal computer. No?"
Life offline is rather harder for those who are yet striving to go online; those who are aware of the Internet and what people are accomplishing online. In our infrastructure poor country, majority of people are not online, for a variety of reasons. "I always dream about life online and what all I will be able to do when I join college in the city," told Mumtaz, a metric student from village Mong who is using computer since last one year and is to go to the city for college education where he will be able get connected. "People are migrating to cities for providing opportunities to their wards in the online world," says Hafiz.
There is an equilibrium point between the virtual and real life though it is getting difficult to point out where that point is. Life online is difficult but life can be much more enriching for those who are online, can take control of the Internet and are not mesmerized by its rhythm.
The Internet is a shorter route to many things: obtaining information, conducting business, making decisions, socializing or spending leisure time. Researchers are trying to find out Internet's impacts on life on and offline. Celebration of the Internet Free Day or the 20-year net veteran Steve Cisler's expedition to put himself "in other people shoes who are not online" are some cases in point.
For generation that is growing up with the Internet, the essence of existence lies in their presence online and being disconnected in their totally connected circle means like living in a digital dark age. This fraternity thinks that every one in the world is online. They forget an overwhelming majority of humanity which is without the Internet. Convinced that there is nothing that cannot be done online, this generation looks up to the Internet world for help and support for every thing from writing term papers to writing emails 'to the future' or doing what many will not try in real life -- even shy adolescents are active and bold in the virtual world when engaged in Internet communications as a passionate past time. I browsed MSN Member Directory with my search preference (Pakistan, single and looking, age 20-29) and found 20 pages of results showing Pakistani males and 20 pages of Pakistani females. Well, in today's world, the Internet does net people in a well knit circle together!
Always looking to own new gizmos, experience new technologies and find ways to do novel things online, it is the youth who are future computer scientists, engineers, programmers, developers and end users (also the Web queens and the Net princes). Youth are worst affected by no access to the Internet or outages. How do you perceive life without the Internet? "Without the Internet my life is unimaginable. It gives me feelings of being a dweller of the Stone Age if all of a sudden I were to quit use of the Internet. But like radio, television, or telephone, or cars and microwave ovens, the Internet is not going to go away. So I think of making best of it rather than thinking about living without it," says Sara Kazmi, editor Ravi, a magazine of Government College University Lahore. Jaffar, a Syrian student of de'Montmorency College of Dentistry Lahore says, "A lot of thrill and interactivity is attached with the world online so it really is painful to perceive life without the Internet."
The other categories hit by no access or disconnections are of IT professionals and those end users who are supplementing their earnings by pursuing income generating activities online. Zahid Shahzad, a techie says, "When I am disconnected, I attend to those assignments that otherwise keep piling up in the in-tray waiting for my attention. And, I keep jotting down things and thoughts, what I would do when online." Hafiz Munir is an urbanite computer engineer with his roots in the village where his mother, brothers and sisters live without telephone or possibility of the Internet access. He says, "I have always been going to my village to refresh my urban attitudes but going has become greatly difficult since I have put my work and life on the Internet. And it is no only me. No IT professional can afford to live without continuous connectivity. One of the reasons is that others assume IT people as 'on call' every time."
Users who have been online all their life have started taking it for granted. Any interruption, short or long, is frustrating. What do you do when you have to live offline for reasons beyond control? "Me and every one in my circle (presence on the Internet seems to be defining social circles) groans and grumbles when ever there is a disruption in connectivity; and there are so many," says Sara. Enthusiastic users have connections from more than one ISP (and the Internet cards at hand) and still "the first thing I do is to ring one or two ISPs and inquire, then I ask my friends before I decide what to do. One has to run around if there is a hardware or software problem that needs a repair or reinstallation. In our country you can do nothing in case of electric failures, telephone line disruptions or ISP 'maintenance' problem. Even respective departmental inquiry stations and help lines will not tell you what is happening," laments Arshad Mahmud. And Hafiz says, "After ascertaining the cause, I look for alternatives to remain online till things are back to normal at my own work station."
Acquiring necessary skills and hooking on the Internet at later stages in life was a major shift for those who were in the middle of their life when Internet necessitated changes in job specifications and descriptions as well as in societal norms. It is comparatively easier for this class to strike balance in on and offline life.
For Maryum Yunus, switching from the position of a sub editor in a print publication was a major shift -- especially in terms of Internet access and experience online. "The usage of the Internet mainly depends on what sort of work one is doing. I have Internet exclusively available to me at work as well as home. For my newspaper job, use of the Net was essential for me. I would logon and remain online more though I never was a freak. My present job as the Assistant Manager Image Marketing does not require active use of the Net. I only need to go online every now and then for a short duration to download my emails, fire off replies, weed out spam to keep the inbox under limits, exchange Hello Hi with friends if I can could catch someone online or to surf any specific site and look for particular information. Life never stops for me if I am disconnected or do not go online for days. After all people had been living, working and communicating even before IBM launched the personal computer. No?"
Life offline is rather harder for those who are yet striving to go online; those who are aware of the Internet and what people are accomplishing online. In our infrastructure poor country, majority of people are not online, for a variety of reasons. "I always dream about life online and what all I will be able to do when I join college in the city," told Mumtaz, a metric student from village Mong who is using computer since last one year and is to go to the city for college education where he will be able get connected. "People are migrating to cities for providing opportunities to their wards in the online world," says Hafiz.
There is an equilibrium point between the virtual and real life though it is getting difficult to point out where that point is. Life online is difficult but life can be much more enriching for those who are online, can take control of the Internet and are not mesmerized by its rhythm.
posted by Shirazi @ 9:31 AM,
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Blog Lifestyle
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
posted by Shirazi @ 9:17 AM,
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Top 50 Gadgets of Past 50 Years
Monday, July 13, 2009
We're living in the golden age of the gadget. Don't believe it? Check your pockets. Odds are you're carrying a portable music player, an electronic organizer, a keychain-size storage device, a digital camera, or a cell phone that combines some or all of these functions. And you'd probably be hard-pressed to live without them.At PC World, we'd be lost without these things. We don't merely test and write about digital gear, we live and breathe the stuff. In honor of this raging gizmo infatuation, we polled our editors and asked them to name the top 50 gadgets of the last 50 years. The rules? The devices had to be relatively small (no cars or big-screen TVs, for example), and we considered only those items whose digital descendants are covered in PC World (cameras, yes; blenders, no). We rated each gadget on its usefulness, design, degree of innovation, and influence on subsequent gadgets, as well as the ineffable quality we called the "cool factor." Then we tallied the results.
After a lot of Web surfing, spreadsheet wrangling, and some near fistfights, we emerged with the following list. Some items in our Top 50 are innovative devices that appeared briefly and then were quickly consigned to museums and future appearances on eBay, but whose influence spread widely. Others are products we use every day--or wish we could.
Read at CIO
Labels: Gadgets
posted by Shirazi @ 9:41 PM,
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Power of Mom Bloggers
For such a powerful group of Web influencers, it's tough to determine how many mom bloggers are actually out there. In 2005, blog tracker Technorati estimated there were about 8,500 blogs where parents were writing about their kids.
Now, the number is certainly larger, but hard to ascertain because so-called mommy blogs (and daddy blogs, too) are classified as something else (craft blogs, coupon blogs, product review blogs) and many mom bloggers don't lump themselves in with the crowd.
"Nobody really knows how many there are," Hogue of Nielsen Online said. "There's issues with how things are tagged and how people self-identify. Even the term `mommy blogger' - some own it and some find it to be one-dimensional and, in a way, offensive."
The diversity of backgrounds and home situations of these bloggers has at times led to online "mommy wars" over issues like breastfeeding or staying at home versus juggling kids and career. It's easy to exchange heated words with strangers who might be halfway around the world.
Read at statesman.com
Labels: Bloggers
posted by Shirazi @ 9:37 AM,
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Coins Collection
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Asma Mirza
Time was changing when I opened my eyes to this world; everything seemed to be going ‘online’. But still it was not that bad - we still were living our offline lives too. It was time when stamp collection, reading books in their ‘hard copy format’, gaming (offline) with hands and feet involved, making scrap books, collecting dolls, coin collection were few of the more common hobbies instead of chatting, surfing online and downloading music.
I inherited not the coin collection hobby but the coins themselves from my sis (and probably my parents too since she cannot collect coins issued years before her).
I remember years back when someone would come from any foreign land me and my siblings’ would surely ask for some coin tokens to add up in our collection. And it used to be great time of pleasure for me to open up my sis’ stamp and coin collections whenever she was away, as a feast.
To date, State Bank of Pakistan has issued numerous (and many uncountable too) coins of different denominations; from Takka to Paisa, 5 paisa’s to 50 paisas’s and then quarter rupee to 5 rupee coin. Since, I’ve a 100 Rupee coin too; so I guess, as commemoration, larger denominations in fewer amounts were issued too. Interestingly, whether 25 paisas or 50 paisas, the term Paisa was more popular, but I came across a 10 Pice too issued in 1961. I guess people were more comfortable with paisa than pice! Quarter rupee or ‘aadh pao’ was an interesting term too
English, Urdu, Bangla and Arabic are some of the main languages inscribed on these coins from time to time. With language, size and shapes also saw no restrictions but the rounder coins remained the most popular with issuing authorities. In the 1970’s and 1980’s the one rupee coin was of much better size than today’s 5 rupee coin and the value matters too (Ouch at Rupee devaluation).
Coins were used as phone tokens too back in time till early 80’s - now the calling cards rocks. While I was looking for coins online, I found an interesting site showing off real ancient coins such as this billon, issued in 1200’s by a Sindh ruler, with a horse embarked on it and even a coin from Akbar’s time too.
The oldest coin, I have, is from early times of Pakistan i.e., 1948. Other notable coins are the ones issued to commemorate 100th birth celebrations of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 1976 and Allam Iqbal in 1977, Islamic Summit conference 74, Beginning of Al-Hijrah in 1401 and even one coin with the slogan that “Pedawar Barhao” jo aaj tak na barhii!
For some reasons, amongst most Pakistanis, metallic and plastic money is still not popular; it’s more of a burden than ease.
I wonder if, over time, our coins would come cherished as collectable items some time. After all, in countries like USA, UK, Canada, rare coins, stamps and even game tickets are sold for hundreds of dollars, and more!
Asma Mirza blogs at FunInLife and also at Metroblog Islamabad.
To date, State Bank of Pakistan has issued numerous (and many uncountable too) coins of different denominations; from Takka to Paisa, 5 paisa’s to 50 paisas’s and then quarter rupee to 5 rupee coin. Since, I’ve a 100 Rupee coin too; so I guess, as commemoration, larger denominations in fewer amounts were issued too. Interestingly, whether 25 paisas or 50 paisas, the term Paisa was more popular, but I came across a 10 Pice too issued in 1961. I guess people were more comfortable with paisa than pice! Quarter rupee or ‘aadh pao’ was an interesting term too
English, Urdu, Bangla and Arabic are some of the main languages inscribed on these coins from time to time. With language, size and shapes also saw no restrictions but the rounder coins remained the most popular with issuing authorities. In the 1970’s and 1980’s the one rupee coin was of much better size than today’s 5 rupee coin and the value matters too (Ouch at Rupee devaluation).
Coins were used as phone tokens too back in time till early 80’s - now the calling cards rocks. While I was looking for coins online, I found an interesting site showing off real ancient coins such as this billon, issued in 1200’s by a Sindh ruler, with a horse embarked on it and even a coin from Akbar’s time too.
The oldest coin, I have, is from early times of Pakistan i.e., 1948. Other notable coins are the ones issued to commemorate 100th birth celebrations of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 1976 and Allam Iqbal in 1977, Islamic Summit conference 74, Beginning of Al-Hijrah in 1401 and even one coin with the slogan that “Pedawar Barhao” jo aaj tak na barhii!
For some reasons, amongst most Pakistanis, metallic and plastic money is still not popular; it’s more of a burden than ease.
I wonder if, over time, our coins would come cherished as collectable items some time. After all, in countries like USA, UK, Canada, rare coins, stamps and even game tickets are sold for hundreds of dollars, and more!
Asma Mirza blogs at FunInLife and also at Metroblog Islamabad.
posted by Shirazi @ 6:22 PM,
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SKLZ Sun Brella
Friday, July 10, 2009
Tennis players and fans all over the world are familiar with Do It Tennis – one of the best places that provide every ting tennis including the top Tennis Racquets of 2009 including Head Tennis Racquets, Prince Tennis Racquets or Dunlop Rackets, Volkl or Yonex Racquets, tennis clothing, and tennis shoes online.
Now they are also offering the SKLZ Sun Brella for maximum sun protection. SKLZ Sport Brellas will also brighten up your tennis courts with new tennis nets, and tennis wind screens. What is more, there are some great rewards and discount being offered. Have a look and see what they can do it for you.
Now they are also offering the SKLZ Sun Brella for maximum sun protection. SKLZ Sport Brellas will also brighten up your tennis courts with new tennis nets, and tennis wind screens. What is more, there are some great rewards and discount being offered. Have a look and see what they can do it for you.
Backordered item available only until July 15th, SKLZ Sun Brella is best for tennis courts or at the beach as the SKLZ Sport-Brella gives you instant protection from the sun, rain, and wind with its domed shape, side flaps and 125 SPF. It sets up in just three seconds and fits the family or the whole team.
Do It Tennis is a neatly laid out and users friendly site. They offer many options for payment including Paypal and Google checkout. The shopping is secure online and easy. Have a look and see what they offer for you. What else, SKLZ Sport Brellas is already on my wish list.
posted by Shirazi @ 11:25 AM,
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Feedly
I try to read as many blog as I can every day. If you also read a number of blogs, try Feedly - RSS blog reader. Feedly weaves your favorite content into a fun, magazine-like start page. Feedly is built upon Google Reader and Firefox and you need both to play. Feedly displays your Google Reader feeds in a magazine-like format, allowing you to browse over multiple categories, preview post pictures and all your read items are synchronized back to Google Reader. However, if you are already using Google Reader and Firefox then the Feedly Firefox extension will add a new level of ease and enjoyment to your blog reading. Imagine the difference between a text book and People magazine – that’s the difference between most RSS readers and Feedly. Explore and see what all it is offering and how you can take advantage. There is lot more to it than what meets the eye.
Labels: Feedly, RSS Readers
posted by Shirazi @ 8:12 AM,
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Incredible Stylish Frames From Zenni
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Zenni Optical offers some of the most stylish prescription glasses online. They carry huge selection on very affordable prices. They sell only their own manufactured frames direct to the customer so they're costs are low. With no middlemen and almost no advertising budget, there's no need to make their products expensive. Which is why Zenni Optical on TV!!! and media articles like How You Can Start Spending Smart and High Five to Zenni Optical are suggesting using Zenni products and saving. I suggest you also try ZenniOptical.com.
posted by Shirazi @ 8:48 PM,
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Fighting Porn Addiction…Online?
One recovering addict is using a free program called X3watch that runs in the background of his Web surfing and keeps a running log of questionable sites he visits. The program then emails the log to to a self-appointed “accountability partner,” in his case a long-time friend, who then proceeds to give him a talking-to. A $19 pro version allows for more reports and accountability partners.
Read at the WSJ
Read at the WSJ
posted by Shirazi @ 9:31 AM,
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Google to Launch PC Operating System
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Google has sensed a window of opportunity: The company is taking aim at Microsoft's Windows operating system by releasing an operating system of its own. "The system, based on Google's Chrome Web browser, is designed for all classes of PCs, 'from small netbooks to full-sized desktop systems', and will be available in machines from 'multiple' PC makers in the second half of next year," according to the Financial Times. Google promised its OS would resolve many of the frustrations of Windows users, from slow start-up times to viruses. The Chrome OS will first appear on notebooks in the second half of 2010.
Read it FT.Com, also read Why Chrome OS Now? Because Microsoft Office In The Cloud Comes Monday
posted by Shirazi @ 6:54 PM,
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Park City Ski Rentals
Sunday, July 5, 2009
One of the best places for skiers to start is Park City Ski Rentals. This can make ski vacations easier and a lot more fun? Make reservations with Ski Butlers - Park City Utah’s premiere ski shop, delivering snowboard and ski rentals to Utah ski resorts, including Deer Valley, Park City and The Canyons - and leave the rest to them. Ski Butlers has come a long since they were founded in Park City, Utah in 2004.
As featured in The Wall Street Journal, SKI and Outside Magazines, anyone will love the convenience of the preferred Deer Valley and Park City ski rental delivery service. Deer Valley and Park City ski rental expert technicians’ custom fit all of your snowboard and ski rental needs in the comfort of your own living room. What is more, they bring all the sizes you need including extra boots to ensure that perfect fit. They also bring ski accessories so you are ready to hit the slopes first thing in the morning. Why stand in a rental line? We offer the best ski rental equipment at the same or lower prices than many of the local Park City ski rental shops and Deer Valley ski rental shops.
Have a look at the neatly laid out site and see what they are offering and how. Better still, you can book during off season on lesser rates and save on what everyone will be over charging during peak season.
posted by Shirazi @ 1:22 PM,
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Start a Blog
Friday, July 3, 2009
Let us assume that you have a blog on a platform (software) of your choice. You define your goals; your target, audience and the content you will be writing. Your next aim is to pick the right blogging tools that work for you.In addition to the integration of blogging tools, and free and premium blogging software, new blogging tools and services are being released every day to help blog masters add new features to their blog. This becomes quite overwhelming to choose from and to choose the best from among a number of blog promotion tools and add-ons. It all depends on your goals, your expertise, and the time you are consuming for it. Here are a few common solutions for different situations:
Any serious blogger needs to read a lot of other blogs to know what is going on in the ever expanding blogsphere. Technorati alone in its October 2006 report claims to track 57 million blogs. One of the marvels of technology is that you can have new post from every blog. It is delivered directly to you via “Really Simple Syndication”(RSS). Bloglines is a good online choice to start feed reading. And there are so many others.
Similarly, you can make it easier for your readers to subscribe to your blog's RSS feed. “RSS is a protocol, an application of XML (Extensible Mark-up Language) that provides an open method of syndicating and aggregating Web content. By using RSS files, you can create a data feed that supplies headlines, links, and article summaries from your Website. Users can have a constant updated content from websites delivered to them via a news aggregator, a piece of software specifically tailored to receive these types of feeds”, reads a Web definition. One of the ways to do this is to go to Feed Burner and burn your own RSS feed there and use the tools they provide to set up to automatic subscriber links so that even people who want to use Bloglines, Google Reader, My Yahoo or Pluck can subscribe to it. And it also can be figured out without the buttons but why not have a prominently visible button? It creates an option for people to subscribe by giving an email address so that they can receive your blog posts like an email message. Feed Burner offers this service for free.
Feed Burner also offers automatic pinging but in case you want to use a separate service for pinging, try Ping Goat and Ping O Matic. Most blog software these days ping each post automatically.
As readers search from blog to blog, they may find interesting sites that they want to point out to their readers. Online bookmark managers allow readers to collect bookmark and categorise blog pages and all other interesting stuff found on the Web. I use del.icio.us but Blink List does a fine job as well.
Then there are statistics produced by analysing the access logs for a blog which are very useful for the success of blogs, while boosting the webmaster. The number of hits also determines a click-through rate for those who have subscribed to Google AdSense or other similar affiliate programs. There are countless technologies, making it possible to track statistics in real-time to show what other web users may be visiting or still linking to you or posting about your blog.
In almost all blog software, you must go online and can post using a set of tools provided. Many bloggers like to use a desktop application like “w.blogger”, “Performancing and Qumana” to create and publish their posts as it gives them some extra help and allows them to integrate content and files more easily on their computer. Maybe it looks like they are far more tech-savvy folks but there is no harm in trying and learning in the process.
There is also a blogger’s display, automatically changing daily quotes or cartoons on the sidebar of their blog for their own interest or for their readers. I am not counting different revenue-generating blog affiliates (Google AdSense, Amazon) that turn in content-related ads on any blog.
The choice is endless and users can have anything on their blogs from blogchat to blogmap; time, temperature and weather display of any area or a nifty new blogbar (blogbar.com) that allows them to search from 12 search engines from single search box. On one blog, I clicked on an array of symmetrically stacked colourful buttons and found “email icon generator”, “official seal generator”. The good thing about the blogger community is that they share anything new that is announced. Thus, it gets moving fast in the blogsphere.
Since 2003 when I started blogging, I have been using many blog tools. The fact is that whenever any new blog tool was announced, I would try it. But over time, I have settled for site metre (statcounter.com), analytical tools (Google Analytics), news aggregators, news sourcing tools (Technorati and Blogpulse), polls (blogpolls.com), email subscription and newsletter service (feedblitz.com). And there are some others like Pingoat, Audiobloger, Blogrolling and Flickr.
When my daily blogging time starts, I first go to my invisible site metre to find out who has been reading my blogs. Then I read my feeds and know what has been happening on blogs of my interest since I last went offline, bookmarking items. In the meantime, I plan to write and post entries and start pinging. In the end, I read the feedback and find some burning replies but it doesn’t make any difference to me. In fact, it keeps me going.
Labels: Blog Tools, Blogging, Blogs
posted by Shirazi @ 9:27 AM,
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Answer My Quires
Thursday, July 2, 2009
In addition to search station like Google, Bing, Wikipedia, answers come and many more search engines, have a look at the following and see if they can answer your quires better:
1. Mahalo Answers
2. Yahoo! Answers
3. Answerbag
4. Twitter
5. Countless Forums
1. Mahalo Answers
2. Yahoo! Answers
3. Answerbag
4. Twitter
5. Countless Forums
Labels: Search
posted by Shirazi @ 11:36 AM,
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On My Wish List
Who would buy the world’s most expensive mobile phone that comes with a 18k gold and diamonds - Goldvish?
Labels: Cell Phone, Mobile Phone
posted by Shirazi @ 11:29 AM,
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Chicago Plumbing
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Water supplies have become a vital part of contemporary urban society. This is one of the modern conveniences. Problem is that most residents cannot handle the plumbing troubles when they come in. Plumbing seems difficult and the specter of leaking water is scary. Most people do not know that doing certain jobs like tightening a basin screw can be easy and safe, provided basic safety precautions are followed. Many homeowners cannot (or do not) tackle even minor plumbing problems, like dripping faucets and clogged drains what to talk of repairing leaky water-supply lines or fixing those messy plumbing problems in kitchens and bathrooms.What you do when you need a plumber in a hurry? You should start at Chicago Plumbing. Efficient technicians at Chicago Plumbing delivers the highest quality service, and materials and the job done on time. Have a look at Daniel Handrau Plumbing and see what all they are offering and how can they make life a lot easier. Better still ask that they submit an estimate to you for the work you’d like done.
Daniel Handrau Plumbing is a licensed plumbing company with experience and expertise. They have earned a good reputation by being honest and reliable and what is more, they are committed to giving the best customer service possible while being competitive with our pricing. Try them.
posted by Shirazi @ 9:57 AM,
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I Settle for Mannuals
Mostly the brochures are artistically laid out and presented whereas users’ manuals are like government notifications; life less, color less and totally technical. The brochure gets the bigger share of budget as compared to the manuals. This indicates that most concerns treat potential users so much better than existing users and focus accordingly?
I think this should be other way round. I am not suggesting that marketers should stop making the documents to be given away for free. What I am saying is the focus should change. Users should get much nicer manuals, the way they want to, including online. That will help the potential users to buy and existing users to learn?
Paying more attention and better budget allocation to product manuals and support will help everyone. There is no harm in trying to get new customers for anyone, particularly those who are in the market for short term but those who are here for long term must refashion their focus and invest more users’ manuals.
I think this should be other way round. I am not suggesting that marketers should stop making the documents to be given away for free. What I am saying is the focus should change. Users should get much nicer manuals, the way they want to, including online. That will help the potential users to buy and existing users to learn?
Paying more attention and better budget allocation to product manuals and support will help everyone. There is no harm in trying to get new customers for anyone, particularly those who are in the market for short term but those who are here for long term must refashion their focus and invest more users’ manuals.
It is the users manuals that can bring loyal users, passionate users, repeat customers and can form the bases of what is called customers relationship.
Here is the simple philosophy: Users manuals will get passionate users who will get others. The better users get at something (through learning from freely available manuals), the better the user experience. The better the user experience, the more likely they are to keep trying to use the same product. Nobody is passionate about something they are stuck with. Helping your users learn is the best way to up the odds they'll become repeat customers.
Creating fabulous users’ manuals might be a far better use of the budget than creating fabulous ads and brochures. If traditional advertising and marketing is becoming less and less effective, why not move all that talent including designers, artists, copywriters and others from before the sale to after the sale?
Labels: Mannuals
posted by Shirazi @ 8:22 AM,
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What is a blog to you?
Internet is a lonely place without Blogging; a fine art, science, also economics. Blogs are different to different people. Fine Art of Blogging asks you to share your views on what is a blog to you?
Please contribute your thoughts on blogging in general. In particular, write how you blog? Why? How blogging matters in life and work? Success stories and inspirations. Answer these questions and more (add what you feel is important dimension for you) and email me.
Fine Art Claimer
My blogs are a resource for my writings. More often, I blog informally, sharing impressions, generating ideas to see how they invoke reactions, keeping track of others’ work in the fields of my interest, or simply ranting or pointing out things that come to my attention.
Also, I use blogging as a platform to prune ideas. This is where I meet others and share experiences. “I am neither geek, nor nerd, I am not a hacker, a phreaker, a programmer or any variety of technoid dweeb.”
