Twitter Hashtags and Trending Topic

On June 5, saw the launch of Nokia’s new mobile device; n97. But I’m not writing to speak about the device or the event, Neither was I invited nor attended. However, I’m writing this article in sharing how social media and bloggers powered the event using Twitter.
 

There are a couple of elements you should notice from the Twitter conversation above. These elements weren’t only flooding Twitter but instantly telling Google how important was the phrase used; n97kl.

Words with hash in front of them are called, hashtags. These tags are like keywords Twitter users use to identify a unique name or event or person – almost anything.

And the more users who use the same hashtag, it creates a trending topic – like ShaolinTiger mentioned. Trending topics are very powerful like getting #1 on page #1 of Google but it’s for Twitter.

Though Twitter is very slowly gaining popularity, it’s growing very fast. Last I heard, even some of the radio DJs have hopped onto it – Moots, Natalie, Pietro, Phat Fabes and etc.

And by the way, Twitter is one of the social media marketing tools you should be looking at for your business.

Malaysia Defense Ministry Website is Lost Online

No surprise, huh? Well, let me show you another unsurprising sight I found when I visited the Malaysia Ministry of Defense website on June 9.

What in the world is happening to the Malaysia government websites online? Bad enough it’s been reported Malaysia government websites aren’t updated in a scheduled manner. But now, a Malaysia government website can still be found experiencing downtime.

Well, here are more embarrassing news comparing the Malaysia defense ministry website and other international defense ministry websites. While some Malaysia government websites are down or catching up with the technology trend, the US navy are employing social media like blogs, YouTube, FlickR and Facebook!

Image source: Guy Kawasaki

But that’s only for the US Navy. The British army’s website is now running a recruitment campaign to get more people interested in the army. And mind you, this isn’t some “we want you” marketing idea your local agency would recommend.

It’s a full interactive campaign placing you as an army commander with game like options to select the best motive of strategy. In it, they’ve even incorporated weapons introduction and training like how you play on a computer game. Plus, you can even experience a full 3D environment!

This is what makes people interested in the army. This is what makes youngsters being recruited at 17 years old want to experience the army.

This is one of the examples the Malaysia ministry of defense needs to keep in mind if they want 90% of students to not freak out about having to join the National Serrvice program.

Don’t they feel the least bit embarassed when compared to others?

Adobe Accelerates Website Design With Cross-Browser and OS Compatibility Testing

Fresh from the press, literally. Adobe is about to release a website cross-browser and operating system (OS) platform very soon.

Adobe Systems unveiled a free preview of Adobe BrowserLab, a new hosted service that enables Web designers to quickly view and test their sites on a wide variety of browsers and operating systems. Compatibility testing lets web designers standardize designs across browsers in a matter of minutes, saving time and effort and helping ensure brand continuity. BrowserLab provides real-time accurate screenshots of browser renderings and includes multiple viewing and diagnostic tools to help designers pinpoint compatibility issues that can compromise the design and layout integrity of a Web site or page.

The initial set of browsers that are supported include Windows® Internet Explorer® 6.x and 7.x; Firefox® 2.x and 3.x; and Safari® 3.x. This capability is enabled by virtualization technology, hosted through a cloud-based application, which eliminates the need to have browsers installed on a system before testing a site. Adobe BrowserLab lets designers compare and contrast browsers via an interface that works on any Adobe Flash Player 10® enabled operating system, making it compatible with Mac and Windows.

In addition, designers can view two screenshots from different browsers side-by-side, or they can use the “onion skin mode” to overlay screenshots on top of one another with variable opacity. There is also a zoom function to help zero-in on bugs. Testing preferences can be customized and saved with Browser Sets, for designers who work with specific platforms. While Adobe BrowserLab can be used by any Web designer it provides Adobe® Dreamweaver® CS4 users extended capabilities to also test Flash technology-based and interactive site elements, including dynamic widgets, rollover effects and AJAX driven content. The direct integration with Dreamweaver CS4 streamlines workflows and allows designers to preview both local and remote Web content without the worry of firewalls or publicly posting confidential client projects.

To access the BrowserLab Web site and take advantage of the service users must run: Microsoft® Windows® XP (SP2 Home & Professional or SP3), Windows Vista® or Mac OS X (version10.4 or later); Adobe Flash Player 10; as well as a modern browser such as Firefox version 3 or later, Safari version 3 or later and Internet Explorer 6 or 7. For additional information or to access Adobe BrowserLab, visit http://browserlab.adobe.com.

Create a Website Within YouTube

I stumbled on this unique idea by an advertising agency; BooneOakley, from the Adverblog. The idea uses the interactive hotspots YouTube now allows you to create within your YouTube video. As I recall, my first time ever seeing this interactive hotspots beind used was in some Street Fighter parody video.

When I saw BooneOakley’s version, they were fully harnessing not only a unique online presence but the power of social media marketing too! Talk about having two birds with one stone – in support against animal cruelty, I didn’t use killing. Well, have a gander at BooneOakley’s website within YouTube.

Now, who would’ve thought? Or, did you think it was too crazy? Well, there’s creative marketing for you. The one thing I’m also truly in love with in my life.

And, if you’re a motion graphics or post-production house located in Malaysia, this is another idea you can keep inside your notebooks.

Not All Malaysia Website Design Companies Are Honest

Email spam is a continuous problem in Malaysia because we have no guidelines (yet), therefore no penalties towards these companies. Nonetheless, here’s a spam email of another Malaysia website design company who was promoting their Content Management System (CMS) solution.

If you don’t know what’s a Content Management System (CMS), here it is in short:

A content management system (CMS) is a computer application used to create, edit, manage, and publish content in a consistently organized fashion.

Source: Wikipedia

In the email spam, they compared the benefits of using a hosted CMS solution to a tailor made CMS and lastly, an open source (free of use) CMS solution. While I applaud their effort to increase awareness and education of a Content Management System, I personally found part of the truth was missing.

Can someone tell me what’s wrong with this image?

Here’s a little more information on the education of a Content Management System (CMS). Normally, CMS solutions have no restrictions to the number of webpages you may create for your website.

At least, that’s what my Malaysia website design company; Simpleet, believes in whenever we offer and recommend a CMS solution to our clients.

Now, I’d like to be very clear. Every Malaysia website design company may have their own marketing strategy. What I’m doing here is filling the space, about the benefit of having your own Content Management System (CMS) solution.

Which is, the authority to create as many webpages as you want when you are given a Content Management System (CMS) solution.

Or, do you think otherwise?