Following Suit!
2007-11-12 12:59:32
Well, I’m a sheep! I’m following the suit, of many bloggers, by enquiring (only enquiring mind!) on a custom style. I’ve had the idea in my head for months - I’ve just put it off, due to my tight fistedness towards money…and my fear of spending it!
But, I’ve been reinspired, due to bloggers like Smemon, and Mark Walsh (a few plugs there for the lads! ) sharing their experiences with custom themes, and their relative cheapness. Custom themes, when Wordpress wasn’t as widespread when I first began blogging, would cost in the region of $400+ for a basic one! But I’ve been quoted from $100-$175 for a redesign of madringo.com - not bad! Considering, the more individual your blog looks, the better chance that you’ll attract more reoccuring visitors - although as everyone always says, Content is King!
I’ve no problem with forking out the money, as I know I’ll make it back from the income of this site. But, I’ve decide
Read more: Following
We’ve Dumped Bidvertiser
2007-11-11 16:39:17
Well after a long (and happy) relationship with Bidvertiser, we’ve dumped them in favour of WidgetBucks - a new advertising network, which advertises various products and services related to the page their placed on, on a slender, quite attractive widget.
However, we’re only trialing this form of revenue earning - can’t you see I’ve been turning a bit commercial recently . We’ve been credited $25, on initial signup, so we’ve to generate $25 worth of credits on our account for the next payment - this will make or break the service for us.
We know, it’s a bit unattractive (as is our style!), but it will hopefully, contribute to the bills - believe me, I’d much rather have an ad-free site…if it wasn’t bankrupting me in the process (well not really…).
Don’t get me wrong, Bidvertiser was a great system, just their payouts weren’t as high as expected for the exposure. Most of the sites I run, had Bidvertiser on
Read more: Dumped
Happy Birthday to me
2007-11-17 16:26:32
I’d just like to express my gratitude to everyone who’s emailed, texted, phoned, sent eCards etc… and wished me Happy
Birthday
. Kept it a quiet one this year - just family. Didn’t throw a party, or go out boozing…as I’ve finally gotten my hands on the new PC and wanted to set it up, and obviously play with it - I know I have geeky tendencies!
It’s better than expected - Vista I mean. I’ve heard reports that it’s full of bugs, sluggish, and has a confusing interface. But I find it contrary to fact. It’s pretty fast - except when restarting after an update, I’ve found it faster then my XP system and laptop - although it’s true colours will shine when I load it full of Music, Photos and of course the software - Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash, etc…
I know I’m only getting hyped over a new pc, but feck it - it’s my birthday and I’ll blog about what I want to!
Read more: Happy Birthday
Snapped up!
2007-11-16 13:55:03
I haven’t been trading domains for a few weeks - mainly through being extremely busy with managing sites and planning out material for the domains I’ve already got in my posession!
Although, I came across an eBay auction last night and couldn’t turn the offer down. Basically, the domains:
WHATSMYPAGERANK.NET
WHATSMYPAGERANK.ORG
Came up for sale, at a steal! I won them both for $7.05, inc. transfer - not bad! They’re prime candidates for a profit, either through development, parking, or re-sale. Well what sort of mini-entrepreneur would I be if I didn’t see a profit in everything I buy!
While on the subject of websites. I’m opening Blogger Hub shortly - I’d say gimme another week! I’ve also to completely design, code and test the websites for the Motor Vehicle Preservation Society of Ireland and Rivercourt Coaches - which as client websites are pretty high on my priority list
To Blog or Not to Blog
2007-11-15 16:25:14
To Blog or Not to Blog…That is the Question!
Some advancements
2007-11-14 14:08:56
Okay, you’ll probably notice that the blog looks a little different today - well, I’ve been busy getting it looking more presentable, with a new theme, making the sitebar look more attractive, and messing around with the Widgets.
One thing, is it took ages! This new theme, doesn’t like Widgets (on it’s current layout), so we had to revert to our roots, and dust off our HTML skills to get the sidebar looking mildly well - if I do say so myself
I’ve gotten rid of WidgetBucks - as I don’t honestly feel I’ll make money from it, and it looked horrible, and flashy. So, I’ve decided to give Adsense another shot - I find that it can fit in better with a theme than Bidvertiser.
And to encourage more RSS subscribers, we’ve dotted various methods to sign upto our RSS feed - such as the new Email Subscription option in the sidebar, which will deliver new posts direct to your inbox! And as usual, the bog standard Google Reader option is availa
Google PageRank returns
2007-11-23 17:24:34
I had previously written about how Google
PageRank
had taken a nose dive and it’s datacenters were down for every site/domain. Well it appears after many on and off spells it’s now running steady. We’ve obtained our PR4 back, and I’ve noticed that a number of well known bloggers (to me anyway!) have been downgraded, in Googles latest playground strop over many blogs accepting paid reviews, posts, links etc… It appears that Google wants to be the governing body of online revenue!
Well it appears that many bloggers and alternative services are retaliating - and Google may just give in! Basically, it all started when Google starting kicking bloggers off their Adsense programme, with accusations of “clicking fraud” which is like treason in the online PPC circle! When it appears that they weren’t (or so they claim! ), and Google were letting the power go to their heads when Bloggers turned to alternative services to earn money online such a
Read more: Google PageRank
Comment Moderation a Thing of the Past!
2007-11-23 13:11:34
I’ve decided that since Askimet is doing such a good job in the battle against SPAM, and it’s letting very little SPAM past it at the moment. I’ve decided to disable comment moderation, as I’m sure it’s irratating for you lot when you comment on a post to see that you’ve to wait until I moderate it, before your comment becomes active.
Well it’s now a thing of the past. All you’re required to do in order to comment is simply supply your name and email and don’t have more than two URL’s - otherwise your comment goes into moderation!
You probably think I a blog yuppy, having comment moderation - but anyone who visited the blog in the early days will know the severe problem we had with SPAM! So that’s no @mail.ru email addresses neither!
Read more: Comment
, Moderation
, Thing
About Me Page Updated!
2007-11-22 12:02:10
Having read Mark Walsh’s appraisal of my blog, it drew my attention to my about me page - the first thing I noticed after I reviewed it was the lack of information about myself. So I’ve rewritten it, including most of the already produced content, plus some extra bits and pieces as well as my social networking profiles.
Just thought I’d give everyone the update!
Me, Me, Me
The Blog Readability Test
2007-11-22 10:23:32
Been quiet around here lately - not much has been happening in my humdrum routine. So it’s time to rely on the ould favourite of blog tools, and various little widgets to keep you lot happy and content. I was reading Vincent Chow’s blog, and came across The Blog Readability Test, which basically scans your blog, websites, or MySpace profile of it’s literature and grades it on how readable it is, and what educated standard you must have to be able to understand it’s entirity. Of course it’s not accurate, but it’s good fun all the same
I just hate it when nothing interesting happens, makes my life seem boring - most of my ramblings I’m afraid are too inappropriate for the blog…or are boring (IMO) to others. So bear with me during the dry spell
Courses…
2007-11-20 15:41:21
At present, I’m spending the majority of this week on a ‘Leadership Course’ in the local youth center, due to my involvement with the Student Council in school - and I’m a senior so I’m just about required to do it for an upcoming inspection in school - for the next two weeks we’re going to be scrutenized by ‘up their own arses’ inspectors, so my princepal, year head and all teachers are on constant ‘rag’!
So this ‘course’ couldn’t have come at a better time, as we prepare for the inspection. The thing is, I would hardly call this a course. Basically, we wear our ‘own clothes’, and don’t have to arrive until around 10 - no big deal if you’re late! You then play Snooker, Fooseball, Wii, Playstation etc… until around 10:30, where you sit down for half an hour for the actual ‘course work’, before lunch - McDonalds, or Shopping Center right across the road, come back at
Unsigned Bands look here!
2007-11-19 15:23:22
Unsigned.com is a new independent artists portal, where unsigned musicians and bands can socialise with fans, and other artists by, creating a profile, uploading Demos and hopefully getting discovered! I’ve seen it done a number of times over the net, but never as widespread and viaried as Unsigned.com is.
Since the initial lauch of their website, Unsigned.com has had feedback from over 4000 Artists and Music Lovers about how to improve the services so just about every requirement is covered, as are most genres - my favourite being some of the artists in the Indy genre.
Unsigned.com has many unique features, such as a Media Player, Playlist creator, Page Creator for your own profile and music classifieds for bands requiring members, instruments for sale etc…
Apart from their features, Unsigned.com has an attractive, easy to use, web interface - that is asthetically pleasing to the eye and remarkably easy to navigate. It has hints of the newly re-designed Bebo, with the Fea
Read more: Unsigned
, Bands
Play Funkytown on any Keypad!
2007-11-29 15:00:25
That’s right you heard me! Play Funkytown on any keypad like Towlie out of Southpark! Basically all you need is:
A Keypad
(phone, etc…)
A piece of paper / a good memory
Stamina!
So basically what you type is: 5575445085 into your keypad…and keep practicing until it’s second nature. Then it’s time to go and show your new trick off to your mates!
Have fun now
The Late Late Toy Show
2007-11-29 13:34:41
(This post was for yesterday 28th November, but Irish Broadband were upto their usual shite!)
Okay, I know I’m a little bit too old to be getting excited over the Toy Show - but this year will be the first year ever that I will miss it! As I’m jet-setting off to Cork for my usual ramblings about t’yard. This visit will be focused on getting the vehicles set for the winter - anti-freeze, securing the perimeter, and getting in some driving practice
Back on topic now! The Late Late Toy Show has been an annual occurance since the beginning of time (give or take a year or two), and was something more exciting than Christmas itself - only once a year was I pleased and willing to watch ‘Funcle Pat’, or ‘Uncle Gaybo’.
For those of you not living in my humble island, the Late Late Toy Show was every young childs annual highlight (ha!), where the ‘in toys’ for that year were demonstrated by the over competitive Pat Kenny - and his prediscess
Big Toe Woes!
2007-11-27 13:17:13
I know I’m a big baby for complaining about a pain in my big toe - but I’m a male and all males are big babies when it comes to pain and being sick (proven fact!). Basically, I dropped something on it yesterday and the pain wasn’t too bad - a little sore and tender. But this morning I got up, kicked it (accidentally) off my bedside locker and the pain was so unbearable that it makes you want to curl up and scream “F**K” into your pillow!
So I solidiered on until lunch. Hobbling around, but the walk home to lunch was so unbearable I had to stop more than once! I had initially anticipated returning to school, but after a load of pain killers it was still agony to walk any distance. So took the decission to stay home and try to “build a bridge” to get over it!
I just hate it when I’ve nothing to blog about other than”toe woes“! Something interesting for tomorrow I promise!
Blogger Hub goes live
2007-11-26 17:40:45
I’ve finally gotten around to getting Blogger
Hub active and online! I haven’t been saying anything about it, but basically it’s a new Bloggers Community - the aim is to be for Bloggers by Bloggers. Although I’m the first to admit that it looks bleak at the moment! I haven’t done any promotion -even though the domain has a PR2 just from sitting around and a pretty good Alexa rank!
The forum basically revolves around Blogging - namely the Wordpress system, but I’m willing to expand should the demand be known. All blogging aspects including earning money, plugings, styling, selling text link ads, free link exchanges etc… And as time graduates, the forums will expand as well the subjects.
I’d like to ask any readers of the blog to take the time to register (and participate!) in the forums - here. We’re just trying to get our feet off the ground, and this is the first step to marketing the forum!
Aaron Donohoe (dot) com
2007-12-06 10:29:14
Had a spare half hour this evening, so knocked up a quick (I mean quick!) website for the domain: www.aarondonohoe.com that I registered a while ago for use as an online portfolio, and maybe a blog…
Has a Web 2.0 header, and buttons I roped together in Photoshop. I suppose it will do for the time being. Comments welcome!
Read more: Aaron
Slapped by Google!
2007-12-04 16:16:47
It appears, like many other bloggers, that I’ve been bitch slapped by Google
- over my participation in paid reviews etc… Although my mini-stab at Google may have increased my chances of having my blog downgraded to PR0 - after I worked so hard to get PR4, oh well shit happens!
What amazes me is, that Google hasn’t dared to completely strip the ‘big time bloggers’ of their PageRanks - it could be that they know better. But they don’t mind diminishing small-time, humble bloggers like myself! The likes of Mr. Chow have only been downgraded one maybe two marks, while the bulk of their users (Adsense wise), us small-time bloggers which use Adsense to gain some revenue from our blogs, and as there has recently been a drought from Adsense revenue here PayPerPost, Text Link Ads and other such services have helped generate revenue just to help cover running costs of the website!
We always thought Google was a nice company…looks like they’re jus
Accomplishment!
2007-12-03 16:45:35
Well, I’m back from a hard working weekend in Cork. I got back last night, but was too wrecked to write anything - I just hopped into a shower and straight into bed!
Woke up this morning in bits! Could barely get out of bed, so took a sickday off. Back aching, tired, arms & legs hurting, and no homework done - I didn’t get a chance as I was on my way to Cork as soon as I was home! But recovering - slowly. Spent the entire day in bed until around 3pm, got up and reviewed my photos, and got to editing some videos I got of our accomplishment!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9nY9xlZI8k
As you can see, we did some major transformation to it. A total of 12 man hours has gone into it so far. 8 hours ‘getting it going’, and 4 hours tidying and cleaning the bodywork and interior. It sounds absolutely demonic, as there is a hole in the exhaust - which will be patched next time we’re down. But it’s nice to get things like this, considering it&rsq
Read more: Accomplishment
The Adventures of Bertie Ahern
2007-12-14 16:46:38
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLSTesNHDNs
Read more: Adventures
Tests
2007-12-13 11:57:34
Sorry for the lack of postings recently, I’ve been busy with other websites, and preparing for the next week of tests! Both in and out of school! For most of next week, I’ve exams, I didn’t have any last year (incase you couldn’t tell!), so I’ve been looking over some stuff I’m not to fresh on. I don’t intend on doing proper ’study’ until the night before the exams - I’ve two most days, except Wednesday and Friday.
The other exam I’ve to limp through is my ‘Driver Theory Test’ that has been book for Tuesday 18th of December, for 2:00 - I’ve to arrive 15 minutes prior to book in and sit twiddling my thumbs like an eegit for 10 minutes! It’s probably the only exam I don’t have to study for, I’ve a good knowledge of driving and the rules of the road - even if most of the test is basic general knowledge. Nevertheless, I’ll still do some practice tests on the CD. I got 40/40 on my fir
Normal Services Resume…sorta!
2007-12-10 15:27:25
I’m back after having a few days rest from blogging and the internet. Mainly as I’ve been focused on a few other projects, and other bits and pieces.
I’ve been busy running around since Saturday, we got ourselves another bus, an Ex-London Transport Leyland Titan that used to work around the Coolock, Kinsealy, Swords area. Ended up being roped into helping out tiling a floor (with big f**k off slate tiles!), and later that evening repaneling a bus…I wasn’t much of a help as I was fucked and wanted to go home…as you do!
Sunday I spent mainly coding and editing photos, and making headers and various other jobs I’ve been putting off for ages! On Sunday, I made the decision to free up my portfolio, by selling most of my projects/websites. A drastic move, and my online income will be severely reduced, but I believe that it would be for the best.
Considering, I will have more time to focus on websites I’m keeping online - futher their developm
Read more: Normal
, Services
, Resume
, sorta
Merry Christmas
2007-12-23 16:46:08
It might seem a little premature - although not if we’re in ‘Tesco Time’, I should have wished you all a Merry
Christmas
back in October…. Anyway, I’m wishing you all a Merry Christmas
this evening, as I am logging off for the festive holidays - Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St. Stephens Day (Boxing Day).
Everyone deserves a holiday, I want a break away from the internet in general at Christmas. Of course I’ll login to check emails, and make sure the websites are ticking away nicely, but I won’t be making any posts until the 27th of December.
I’m just tying up loose ends on the website front, any jobs that needed doing I’ve been doing today - I did take 2 hours off to watch the Great Escape (such a brilliant film!), and making sure I’ve no overdue bills that could get me cut off over the festive period - although any hosting company that would cut you off on Christmas must be heartless money grabbing philistines!
I’m
Seeking Business Partnerships
2007-12-22 15:14:11
I’ve only really been into earning money online these past few months - and mostly I’ve only been earning ’small change’ just enough to cover my expenses and perhaps buy a few luxuries on eBay. I have tried setting up large websites, but I usually cannot manage them due to either expenses or the sheer demand of them - and often I sell them off before I reach my maximum potential with the website.
Whereas, if it were a business partnership, between two or more persons, management and motivation of the website would be increased - I know this through existing websites I’ve partnerships in, you’re more motivated to keep on progressing with the website, as you don’t want to let your partnership down from your side of the dealings.
Another advantage of business partnerships would be reduced cost to individual, and more of a likelyhood for the website to succeed. Two minds are greater than one, I have a number of good ideas and resources, and I&rsquo
Read more: Business
, Seeking
Christmas Tests Evaluation
2007-12-21 14:40:33
I thought for my own personal reference, and just to ramble on as I’ve nothing better to blog about -it’s getting pretty busy in the run upto Christmas
! I’m presently busy getting a new venture on its feet - Joozo.net, just a small forum, I’m mainly doing it as I had ’surplus resources’ available, so this was used to fill them up - the only thing I’ve to pay for is Hosting which is $4 a month which isn’t bad!
Anyway, I’ll get back on tracks. My Christmas tests weren’t too bad, nobody likes them but they have to be done - it’s really the only means of evaluation in my school, except general classwork which isn’t really anything to go by.
English: First exam, didn’t go as well as I’d hoped. I got through all questions and had 10 minutes to spare at the end of a 2 hour test which wasn’t bad. The only reason I think I could have done better, is the test was entirely composed of John Keats and Macbeth.
Read more: Evaluation
Passed…with Flying Colours
2007-12-18 13:24:40
I’m delighted to say that I passed my theory test with flying colours - 39 out of 40 correct . I know the exact question I stumbled on, which was the only one I really had to put any effort into answer.
Q: (Picture of a car in Fog) - What are the road safety issues pictured:
1: Reduced Visability
2: Danger of ‘aquagliding’ due to rain
3: Being dazzled by oncoming drivers headlights
4: Danger of low-hanging branches hitting your car
The green ones are the answers I answered, but on consideration after the exam it could possiblybe the one highlighted in red. It was a bit of a trick question or one of those ’stupid questions’ in my previous post. The image did not show any rain, only fog - therefore there would be no immediate danger of ‘aquagliding’, but instead a danger of being dazzled by oncoming head & fog lights.
My appointment wasn’t until 2 o’clock, but I was in town at 12:00 to get some shopping out of the way. But
Read more: Flying
, Colours
Small Reshuffle
2007-12-17 15:43:29
I’ve done a bit of reshuffling on the blog, I’ve messed around with some of the code (tidying it up), added an advertising space (for more see here), added new bits and pieces and removed some redundant ones. I’ve been considering making a logo, but I haven’t the time right now, so I’ll probably get around to it during Christmas.
What do ye think of my quicky advertise here button? Not bad for a few minutes in Photoshop (for someone who only knows a bit more than the basics!)
Edit: Robert pointed out that the comment box was near on impossible to see, I’ve since edited the stylesheet to resolve this. Thanks Robert.
Read more: Small
Theory Test Tomorrow
2007-12-17 15:01:32
I have my Driver Theory
Test tomorrow, at 2pm. I’m not worried about the whole ordeal, I’m confident in my knowledge of the rules of the road. But I am worried about those stupid questions I’m bound to get asked! I’ve passed most of my ‘mocks’ using the CD. I failed once, due to the ’stupid questions’ whos answers are completely rediculous and incompetent!
One I failed on in my ‘mocks’ was something simular to this: Your right rear taillight is out. How can you tell that it is out?
A. Your footbrake pedal becomes heavier (?), B. Your left taillight becomes dimmer, C. You get another person to check at the rear of the vehicle (!), D. Your left taillight becomes brighter.
Now I would (and did) guess B, as the circuit would be broken. And anyone hazard a guess at the correct answer? That’s right C! How stupid is that question, designed to trip you up!
If I don’t get tripped by any ’stupid questions’ I shou
I'm Back…a day early
2007-12-26 10:08:10
I know I said I wouldn’t be posting until the 27th, but I have been bored out of my skull the past three days! So I need something to take up the slack! Christmas so far has been good, as usual Christmas is boring as there is nothing to do, except sit at home, or perhaps visit some relatives. My family chose the sitting at home approach as this year we hosted Christmas dinner at our house.
Christmas Eve was spent cleaning (took me 3 hours to get through my room!), I did a small bit of work, and vegged out for the night. Went to bed around 3:00 (ish) on Chrtistmas morning, my sister was up at 3:30 eagerly awaiting her haul from the big fat man. I didn’t roost from the bed until 6:00, when I eventually got up, I found my way downstairs, opened my presents, gave out mine, shuffled around for a bit and went back to bed.
Got a decent haul this year I must say! I went all out this year too, so far I’ve received:
The PC,
Driving Lessons,
iPod/FM Wirelsss Transmitter,
Automa
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