Google plays it cool on VoIP rumours
Google has refused to confirm or deny reports that it is planning to launch a voice over IP (VoIP) telephony service.
The rumours were fuelled when the company posted a job ad last week seeking a ’strategic negotiator’ with experience in the “selection and negotiation of dark fibre contracts both in metropolitan areas and over long distances as part of the development of a global backbone network”.
Industry analysts pointed out that the ad could signal moves into IP telephony, adding that such plans could be a big money spinner for the company.
Google turns on peer-to-peer computing app
Google has turned on a distributed-computing feature in its toolbar which will allow idle computers to donate idle CPU cycles to cancer research–and to Google itself in the future.
However, company representatives said the feature is actually a “beta experiment,” and not available to the full community of users. The company rolled out the program to 500 beta testers earlier this year, and has since expanded the program to a second level of testing totalling about 1,000 users, a Google spokesman said.
Users with the Google toolbar enabled can add the Google Compute functionality, which allows an idle PC to evaluate proteins used by Stanford University as part of the Folding@home project for distributed-computing cancer research.
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Advantages of CSS frameworks.
In this article you find many interesting, important and useful information about CSS. You’ll know what is it, how does it work, what for CSS and why do you need that. Let’s start!
1. It’s better to use CSS.
The CSS frameworks are very popular in modern web design stems because it helps in web development. It’s very difficult and nervous to start from zero. A CSS framework’s real strength comes from its cross-browser compatibility. You can create websites without having to hack your way through your style sheet.
All this equates to time saved when building websites it means you can spend more time on not very important details. The second advantage is their compliance with web standards, which will allow you to build higher quality websites. It’s very important in a work environment where deadlines are tight.
2. Drawbacks
But this framework has some disadvantages. You will need much time to learn the framework which you choose. It’s important as you will only maximize your abilities when you know the full potential of framework you are working with. Another drawback is the taming nature of frameworks, they can be restraining for designers who want to achieve the unique design. As with any framework they are restrictive in nature.
3. Blueprint
Blueprint is one of the most popular CSS frameworks which are available at the moment. It’s convenient for designers of all levels, with a magnitude of layout options you are sure to find one to suite your web projects needs. It also has a strong developer community behind it that is always improving the framework to make it easier to use.
4. YAML
Yet Another Multicolumn (YAML) is another option you may wish to consider offering a range of ways to set your styles. This is a well known framework with a thriving community supporting it. And also it has a very good documentation.
5. Roundup
If you are new to web design, this is the best investment of your time. While more skilled web designers may avoid frameworks, but it’s very useful tool, especially if you are designing for a job where every second counts.
Recession isn’t a big problem for your business.
During the recession it’s very difficult to build your business when you should produce more but with less resources.
There you can find Market watch’s strategies for improving search engine optimization, engaging social media communities, maximizing online communications, reaching out to journalists, setting goals and measuring results.
1. You should spend more money on public relations than on advertising. It’ll be better for your business and you’ll get better mileage in today’s new media landscape.
2. Don’t forget about your brand. Maintain your brand. In this new media environment, focus on using search marketing, social-media press releases and building online communities.
3. Also you should use an integrated media strategy: podcast/video, blogs, RSS feeds and social networks.
4. Integrate marketing and sales and use a centralized customer database for leads customers and prospects.
5. The best way to improve your business to use search engine marketing and press releases. PR costs less. And when search engine marketing campaign is over releases still live.
6. Many companies don’t want to use blogs because they’re afraid of losing control. The advantages of building relationship with customers and prospects and to talk about your products and services outweigh the risks.
7. If you want to win new business or complete a project for a client you should set goals and measure your results.
8. Find creative ways to make your current customers satisfied. It’s easier and better for your business to keep clients than to find new ones.
9. Then you can create ready-to-go content for your customers and journalists. Write how-to guides, make yourself available to comment on current news events, offer multimedia content.
10. Concentrate on attributes that make you different from your competitors. Focus on the benefits you provide to your clients. Not all potential clients are motivated by price.
So, there were “The main 10 rules” of efficient business. If you follow these rules you can not only maintain your business but also improve it.
Details matter everything.
To make your SEO better you need to obtain back links. When Google ranks your website, part of their algorithm is to look at how many other websites link to you, this known as back linking and is key to the success of your website.
You can generate links by contacting other websites directly and offering to trade or helping out in forums and including your website in your signature.
Modern web design has seen many advancements in JavaScript frameworks. You should know that Google’s search algorithm includes several parameter when calculating results. And the first of them is page load time — the time a JavaScript file takes to load up, not the physical page. But the result may seem minimal, it is imperative if you want to maximize the success of your site that you take this into consideration.
The most important rule of thumb is to create JavaScript files which are based on the pages they are used on. You shouldn’t make one big file with everything dumped inside it. Break the files down into specific pages, which will allow for minimal content to be loaded. This will improve your search results.
And now let’s talk about one of the most important aspects of search engine optimization - URL. URL is what a Googlebot will read when they search through websites. And if you want to make this process more efficiently your URL should be readable and search friendly as it possible.
Another important thing is directory structure. The most influence on how Google ranks you site can make names of your directories and sub directories. They should be descriptive and relate to the content on the page.
How to code html/CSS layouts
In this article you can find some tips which can help you in the transition from table-based web design to standards compliant CSS based layouts.
1) Read the noodle incident’s design rant.
You should use CSS for layouts. It explains it clearly and in-depth on the thinking behind separating style from content.
2) You shouldn’t over-complicate layouts.
It’s better to use bigger images with more detail as backgrounds and lay transparent divs over the top. If you follow this way it’ll give you more room for browser incompatibilities and other quirks that you will learn to recognize or avoid in future.
3) Don’t use dives too much!
You shouldn’t recreate table layouts with dives. You don’t need a new div for every single area. You can use other elements to achieve what you want.
4) What means Semantics?
Semantics is very important for the structure of your html. You should use only the correct html elements - this includes your navigation.
If its pairs of things, use a definition list. You can create the default definition list by yourself in style which you prefer.
Another advice is to use your headers correctly, mark it as a header and style that in your CSS.
5) Browser checks mistakes.
Rather than creating your whole layout, then checking it and finding that it’s screwed in one or more browsers, which you then fix and breaks in something else. It’s better to create the header section; browser checks it and fixes anything that’s wrong. Then create the nave, do the same. Create the body, and also do the same.
By breaking it down like this you don’t have to wade through loads of code and styles to find the problem.
How to grow in Ecommerce.
Posted by admin in Business, Website Development on May 3rd, 2010
It’s very difficult to start a new business and more over Ecommerce. It takes you many forces and time to do things well. You need to do many things to get a store launched. But in this article I’ll tell you about some of them to really take into consideration before implementing this store.
Modules. Modules are the main and important thing of the architecture. You should create your own and also keep the look consistent. But don’t try to do these things simultaneously. There are a ton of files needed to make this work and they are scattered. You need to use this Module Creator to set up your frontend and administration areas.
Skinning can get Messy. 6 style sheets make good use of CSS. You need to make sure that you follow their design guidelines to put everything together. To make everything work you’ll deal with .xml, .php, .phtml and .css files. And the last thing, you have to create a few images depending on your design.
Templates are Strict. Templates are in the format .PHTML. They may be a new letter added to HTML for some of you. These templates are also tied very closely to the XML layouts and also they call controller files. At the first time you need to be sure that your controller files have the right functions and are hitting the right tables.
Become a Forum Junkie. Magento has its own logic and it takes some time to get the hang of. You need to know the forums and documentation. There are a lot of information in there as well as everything else they have to offer such as the wiki, groups, chat and bug tracker. Also you can subscribe to support packages which start at $42 per month.
Requirements. This store requires everything that are latest, greatest and new. Also they have compiled both PHP CGI for you to use that along with instructions for getting yourself running on a windows environment.
How to improve your SEO using Google’s tools
For the last several years the web has grown and we have methods how to navigate it. If you need to find something in the Internet you can choose one of 2 methods. The first, you can use a search engine. But if you don’t want to return in someone’s results of search your website content should be optimized. And the second method is to use URL (Universal Resource Locator), but in this way you should know the exact URL of what would you like to find. Google is the world’s biggest search engine, so Google’s web master tools are important for everyone who cares about their website.
Firstly, you should visit Google website and create an account. You can do this by clicking SIGN UP.
On the first step is to add a site you have signed up and logged. You can do this by inputting the URL of your website and clicking the ADD SITE. And then you will be asked to verify your site. There’re 2 ways to do this. The first, to upload some meta tag information into your web page. The second, to upload a blank html page with a file extension that Google will specify. And after that you can tell Google more about your website’s purpose and content.
It’s better to submit a sitemap to Google. A sitemap tells the Google bots how to navigate your site by providing a map to each page of your site. It will also give you access to a big range of tools and facilities to help you analyze your site. You haven’t choose between HTML and XML formats, you will only need to submit the XML format to Google. And when you have done this Google will verify what you have sent. This can take a day.
How to write the best project proposal?
If a freelance developer has 100% of project proposals it usually means that he has had a few clients. Low percentage rates mean that you have send proposals to people who didn’t ask. There I would like to give you a number of tips that were tried and tested.
1. If anything is unclear - ask questions. Before you start your proposal, you need to be sure you know exactly what you’re proposing. If one part of your project is unclear, ask your potential client a few meaningful questions. If you don’t understand anything of what they want, ask them to explain and then give them a list of possible options as to what you think they might have meant.
2. Summarize the project. When you received all information from your client about the project and summarize it briefly, using your own words, in an opening paragraph. That will help you to understand clearly the concept of the project and your client will know that you understand his needs.
3. Break down the project into a “to do” list. When your summary is complete, follow-up with a solid “To Do” list, which is very useful for you and the client. List everything that they’ve requested so far as well as your standard work on the project. Your client will understand that you know what you’re doing and that you’ll do the job well.
4. Split the project into phases. You should split the project up into phases. There may be three phases. The first one - initial first draft. There you begin work on the project and at the end of the phase you send it to client for testing and revision. The second - bug squashing and customizing. On this phase the project is tested and revisions are made until the client is happy with the work and it’s ready for action. And the last one is finalization - you send them an invoice and collect payment.
5. Give your clients a timeline. You should to inform your clients how long you expect the project to take. Be generous and then strive to finish up ahead of time.
6. Estimate your time involved. Giving an estimate of time involved is useful for most and not only gives the client a sense of what to expect and that you know what you’re doing. Also it’ll help you to plan ahead.
7. Use the multiple choice price strategy. So, it’s time to give your client the price. Calculate your predicted time involved. Then, you should give him your standard hourly rate followed by a discounted “flat rate” and the total number of hours.
8. Offer a satisfaction guarantee. You may give your client a satisfaction guarantee. Satisfied customers often end up being repeat customers and they are more than worth the time spent on those who may not appreciate your work.
9. End with a call to action. When all the details have been made clear let your client know what he need to do to get started. If you require payment upfront, let them know where to send the money.
10. Grammatical project. Don’t forget about not the last thing – the format and style of your project. Check grammatical errors and “IM Style” typing.
Make your site more accessible.
Posted by admin in Website Development on April 30th, 2010
To make your site accessible for more people was developed the idea of 508 Accessible. For the first time it was for the visually- or mobility- impaired, but now it also applies to people who view web pages on small devices.
It’s not a law which requires a site to be 508 accessible, but there’re recommendations to follow that increases the accessibility of a site. Believe statistics if a website isn’t 508 accessible, you loose 20% of the audience and this audience continues to grow as more and more people view websites on their cell phones.
Now I would like to tell you about only 4 main items.
Use the alt attribute with the img tag.
<img src=”../images/logo.gif” alt=”company logo”>
This alternative text you need to replace image by text. Readers of small devices or screens may ignore the image, but they will announce or print the alternative text. You should make the alternative text informative and relevant to the content of the page. It’s not effective to add unnecessary information within the alternative text. If the image is only for decorative aims, you should use a null value for the alternative text.
Title your page and use headings to organize information
To provide a descriptive title for that page use the <title> tag. Assistive technology uses this to identify the page for the user. The use of the heading tags helps organize the information and make it more easy-to-use for people.
Use Cascading Style sheets and the visual presentation of a page.
This can aid to separate the presentation from the actual content. It is the content within the html code that the screen users read. If you want users of assistive technology to understand your page easier your code should contains content. Also cascading style sheet allows the user to set their own style to view better or read the webpage.
Don’t use “click here” to describe a link.
The text of the link should be clear and specify what the link is pointing to. Don’t use “link to click here” it’s better to be ‘link to home page’.