1 - 2009 | Websites Made Simple

Weekend Mountain Retreat

January 31, 2009 by Danny

I’ve followed my parents to retreat to the mountains this Chinese New Year weekend. It’s a good idea to getaway from all the hustle bustle and (I don’t believe I’m saying this) the computer for awhile. But I know stepping away from the keyboard and my 22″ widescreen has been a great way for me … Read more

Social Bookmarks Win Browser Bookmarks Hands Down

January 30, 2009 by Danny

There was a phrase I heard watching Discovery Science this Chinese New Year. It goes something like, “technology is the key to the future but what is the key to technology”. It’s an inspiring start to what we could term as innovation. Therefore, browser bookmarks aren’t the exceptional tools left out of innovating our Internet experience.

So, what does social bookmarking mean?

Social bookmarking is a method for Internet users to store, organize, search, and manage bookmarks of web pages on the Internet with the help of metadata.
Source: Wikipeida

Some quick examples of social bookmark services; Del.icio.us, StumbleUpon, BlinkList, Reddit, Fark and more. But why will social bookmarking soon replace browser bookmarks?

Basic Search Engine Optimization Tips

January 28, 2009 by Danny

A friend of mine showed me his new website pending launch on Tuesday. It was done by another Malaysia website design company and not us at Simpleet Solutions. He was rather concerned about the position of his company website in search engines – who isn’t today. So I agreed to have a quick assessment of his website.

I was surprised to find not even the basic of search engine optimization (SEO) steps were done for his website. So, here are 10 basic search engine optimization techniques you can tell your provider. :)

Will Netbooks Change The Internet Experience?

January 24, 2009 by Danny

netbook Netbooks are like the next generation of consumer mobile computers or notebooks right now. What’s even more surprising is this comes not late after the super low-cost laptops for poverty stricken countries. But there’s nothing to complain, because more laptops means a more Internet connected community.

Sure, we’ll have more Internet addicts and black hat hackers on the prowl but at least netbooks are making technology advancements quicker. It’s become an instant hit even Wikipedia has an article about it already.

A netbook is a light-weight, low-cost, energy-efficient, highly portable laptop that achieves these parameters by offering fewer features, less processing power and reduced ability to run resource-intensive operating systems.
Source: Wikipedia

Flash Media Server 3.5 Now Available

January 22, 2009 by Danny

flash-media-server-icon Today, Adobe Systems announced the immediate availability of Adobe® Flash® Media Interactive Server 3.5 software and Adobe Flash Media Streaming Server 3.5 software, two key components of the Adobe Flash Platform, the de facto standard for delivering breakthrough interactive content, applications, and video and audio on the Web.

The new versions advance Adobe’s leadership in rich media and open significant new opportunities for content owners to continue to drive the business of video though synchronized, interactive and social media experiences.

Have You Got A Location Map?

January 20, 2009 by Danny

location-map How often have you wanted to visit your client’s office but not sure where is it? Or, wanted to eat at a restaurant recommended by friends? Although I reside in Petaling Jaya, I’ve not been through all the roads in Kuala Lumpur and even Petaling Jaya. Plus, I’ve a better visual memory than one of text. So if anyone asks me for directions and mention road names, I’m as lost as them.

Therefore, most of the time I’ll ask, “have you got a location map?”. Most of the replies have been “No” and I can’t understand why. Why is it so difficult to come up with one? You don’t need Adobe Illustrator to design it so your customers can see it better. It’ll look more professional but the goal is to be able to get to the location. Which means, clear landmarks and directions or names of the roads.

What's Hot in 2009 Dialogue

January 19, 2009 by Danny

whats-hot-in-2009 The last dialogue I attended was the Malaysia Bloggers Buff 2007. It was a workshop come forum for fresh and veteran bloggers to speak about the importance of responsible blogging in Malaysia. The passed Monday, I attended the What’s Hot in 2009 dialogue organized by the Cradle Investment Programme (CIP) in collaboration with Malaysia Entrepreneurs (MYE). I actually only heard about this event from a friend of mine who heard from a friend of his either via Twitter or elsewhere. Hail, social media! :D

Anyway, I actually didn’t see the additional word; dialogue, when I was reading about the event. My expectations was an event where the speakers would share their insight on what’s to be hot in 2009. For example; due to the increase in oil the retail industry will be hit and consumers will look towards online as an alternative. But when I was there, it wasn’t like that.

Why Churches Are Hiring Modern Website Designers?

January 15, 2009 by Danny

notre dame catherdral I was reading The Role of Design in Modern Church Marketing at Sitepoint articles and really liked the perspective thoughts in it. Modern website designs may not be touching base in Malaysia yet but I’ve definitely come across churches who engage Malaysia website design companies to either build a website or online community.

In the US, it’s become such a trend you can even hire a website agency specialized in developing church website solutions. *shock* Plus, most (or all) these websites are web standards compliant while looking great and interesting. But why or how hiring modern website designers beneficial to the church website?

Malaysia Website Hosting versus International Website Hosting

January 13, 2009 by Danny

network-cable It doesn’t take a genius at this moment to realize our Internet has slowed to a crawl – especially Streamyx users. Some of your favourite websites or blogs even, take more than 3-5 minutes to load on a single connection. I can’t even bear to mention the number of times I’ve refreshed and reset my connection, just to get a better IP address. For those who don’t know, selected IP connections do give a faster browsing speed. Don’t ask me why. *points to TMNet*

You may have noticed selected local websites still loading at the normal speeds. Well, it’s because the local connections aren’t fully affected by the international cables – which are down now. Yes, apparently there’s an underwater cable disruption on TMNet’s website which they always assume for its customers to refer instead of informing us via email. Well, the next common question some clients ask me is; what’s the difference between hosting in Malaysia and outside of it?

Economic Downturn versus Creative Marketing

January 10, 2009 by Danny

money pile Marketing as some say is only a gimmick. However, marketing plays an important role of gaining business and winning over competitors. Just like how Absolut positioned itself with it’s creative marketing campaigns, I love the creative form of marketing. Turning and twisting simple ideas into mind boggling yet interesting (or interactive) visuals.

Especially in times of turmoil; economic downturn, financial crisis is transforming from rumour into reality all around the world. But I’d believe creative marketing is a force for it to be reckon against. Here’s one I found today. A very simple idea but a catchy one.