Yesterday I had written about a small feature available in AdSense Ads, that is, having a Google Checkout symbol in the Ad. And today as I published “Google Guide for Bloggers” article, I could see some widgets like ads in my AdSense Ad units. And when I placed my mouse pointer over the link of the Ad, I got the following URL in my status bar..
When we take our mouse over the arrow mark, a message “Next item” comes. This can be seen in below screen shots.
Above are the screen shots showing all the 6 Ads present in that single Ad Unit.
Loading time of this page is more, as I have put .png files without optimizing it. I wanted to keep up the quality of those image.
These ads are similar to those of ebay ads. But the scrolling of ads brings more interactiveness for the Advertisements. And these ads look more clean and interesting and more importantly, they load faster, unlike ebay, widgetbucks, amazon etc ads.
I had heard of Google testing this Ad format, but had not seen it live before. It was nice to see this kind of new ad format on my own blog today. Anyway, I wish Best-of-luck to Google, with its testing.
Each and every blogger on this earth should watch this video fully, to learn some of the best practices, which Google itself follows.
This is a video recording of Marissa Mayer’s keynote that she recently delivered at the Google I/O Developers Conference. You’ll learn some very interesting facts about Google in this video. But more importantly, you should observe and relate or compare every aspects followed by Google to that followed by you, on your blog.
This would give you some idea of where you are doing wrong and what you should do, so that, to be on right track.
Here are some of the points you should observe and learn from this video…. 1. Google has employed designers, fashion designers, cartoonists, choreographers, developers etc mainly for its iGoogle project. So that, each and every aspect of their website is professional looking. So we should also give importance to every aspect of our blog, starting from the logo, design, content, layout, advertisements etc. It should be handled professionally.
2. Watch the video at 4min 55 sec, here Mayer is talking about the simple design of Google homepage. We should also make our website/blog as simple as possible, Without including more images, flash, etc, which increases the load time of our blog.
3. Get some friends and tell them to use your blog. Get some unbiased feedback. Take all the feed backs positively. Actually, negative feed back will help us a lot to improve our blog.
4. You have to know about how the data transfer takes place when a user visits your blog.
When a visitor visits your blog, all the http request is sent from the users computer to all the http objects present on your blog page. So if you have many objects displayed on your blog from different servers, then the load time would definitely be higher.
Its ideal to place all the objects like images, scripts etc inside one server and then link them on to your blog.
Also the speed of the server(where you have hosted your blog) is also important. And if you have frequent downtime means, you should think of changing your host. Technotip.org recommends Doreo host.
5.A/B split testing. Use some testing methods to determine the logo positioning, advertisement positioning etc.
6. Positioning of each thing on your blog will contribute to your success or failure. So be careful in A/B split testing.
7. “If you don’t listen to your customers, someone else will”. — Sam Walton.
8. “If I had asked people, what they wanted. They would have said, faster horses”. — Henry Ford.
9. Number of items displayed on your blog also play a vital role.
It is recommended that, you should remove all those widgets, badges, social networking link logos etc from your side bar, as it increase the load time and contributes for the bad user experience.
Social networking link logos can be displayed in your about me page or contact page.
10. Faster loading websites get more returning visitors over time.
11. Allow the comments to show on your blog, by making comment moderation quicker. And it will be good to see their comments live as soon as possible. And also reply for the comments quickly and aptly and promptly. This will show your commentators(who are the actual contributes of your blog) that, you value their voice(opinion).
12. Always welcome feedback.
13. Be upto date and blog according to the current trends of your niche.
14. Once you have implemented everything in your blog(after A/B slip testing), just don’t think its the perfect one. You need to run A/B slit testing again after a year or two. Because, the user requirements change along with time and you need to be quick to act accordingly.
16. Have “Healthy disrespect for the impossible”. — Larry page.
17. Nothing can be a perfect solution. We have to work constantly and keep moving nearer and nearer to perfection.
18. Imagination is muscle…We need to assume ourselves for What problems to work on, what products to develop etc.
19. Respond faster, for all those who report any bug on your blog.
If you can’t resolve the problem, just inform them that, you are working on it currently.
In some cases, the reporter of the bug himself/herself may even give the solution to the problem.
20. Watch from 45th min of the video to see a small Summary of this video.
Watch from 46th min for the question and answer session with Marissa Mayer.
These are some of the things that I could make out while watching this video. But this is not the end. Each person has his own ability to watch and understand. You may even get some more ideas after watching this video. If this is a case with you, then please share your thoughts in the below comment section..
Google AdSense is improving all the time. And you might have observed some of the improvements recently. Today I just wanted to show some screen shots of the ads which shows that, the advertisers website has the option of payment as Google Checkout, even before we click on the Advertisement. Below are the self explanatory screen shots…
Observe the symbol inside the circled area. This actually indicated that, the the site accepts Google Checkout. This helps the user to know the option of payment before he clicks on the link(Advertisement).
Google Checkout is a Google service used to buy and sell things. It is a secure place for all type of transactions. We can connect our Credit card to our Google Checkout account and carry on the business transaction more securely.
Now, when we rollover our mouse pointer over the circled area, we get the following message “This site accepts Google Checkout”. Below is a screen shot…
You may say, this as a small feature. But I think all such small features will really help Google to get more Advertisers.
We have been using avast! in our home computer from 2 years and its a tension free computing now, as our computer has never been infected by any virus, spyware or malware from 2 years.
Before installing avast, I use to format my Computer almost 3 to 5 times in 6 months, due to some external attacks. But after installing avast, I have not at all thought about formatting my PC. Its a kind of – “Simply install and forget”.
The impressive part is, avast Home edition is free to use for non-commercial, home purpose.
And avast! is offered in over 30 language versions, and you need to select the language you require before you download.
You can register avast! online, and you will get a unique, free registration key and it will only work for your computer. So, your registration key would be of no use for some one else.
After you use the FREE version of avast! for one year, all the updates will get expired and you must again register for new registration key online and you will start getting updates again till 1 year. Like this, you need to register every year.
And note that, you just have to install it, get the registration code and leave it, the updates are totally automatic(internet connection required! ).
The free version supports:-
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows Me
Windows NT 4 (No Server)
Windows 2000 (No Server)
Windows XP (No Server)
Windows Vista
It is sad to see only the Windows OS support here.
I have used many anti-virus programs available in the internet, and had one or the other problems…like the increase in loading time, popups, update notification etc. And the software did not work to the mark.
And in my journey of trying anti-virus programs, I got avast! , used it for almost more than 2 years now, and I am a satisfied user. And I will surly buy the paid version of avast! in the future, for commercial use.
Now I am using avast in my home computer(used for entertainment, surfing and for testing some software etc — Totally non-commercial). And on my laptop(which is used for blogging), vista firewall does all the job.
So, if you are looking for a FREE version anti-virus, with professional performance and simple to use interface, then avast! could be for you. And remember, use it on non-commercial,home computers only.
Tried and Trusted With over 50 million users of avast!, you can rest assured that you are using one of the most tried and trusted products in Windows security.
If you want more security, more protection and still more features, for your office or for any commercial purpose, then there is paid avast! version for it. And it would be smart to investment on buying avast! products.
Which anti-virus do you use to protect your computer ? And what do your feel about its performance, please share with us, in the comment section.
As we all know, Orkut is one of the most widely used social networking site in Brazil and India. Well its a bad news for all those Orkut addicts, that Orkut is again down. And the message displayed says that, it is under maintenance.
Here is the Screen Shot…Click here to see below image in original size.
I was online just prior to the downtime – the friends list went down first and then there were plenty of their donut error messages and finally the above page came to rescue me from further wasting my time.
One thing I am not sure about is, Why Google doesn’t inform the users before the maintenance time.And there is no information available in the Official Orkut Blog either.
Anyway, lets wish Orkut to successfully remove all the bugs in it.
Update: Orkut is back to its normal state, without much delay.
Now a days 2GB of RAM has become the minimum requirement. And with 1GB or below RAM, if you keep lot of icons on the Desktop means the system will slow down.
Previously my desktop was also filled with many shortcut icons, many folders(which I needed frequently), and many notepad files, some games and some music files. Totally, my desktop was filled.
And I could observe that, the speed of my computer(with 512MB RAM) was getting slower. And the browser opening time also took longer time(which is the most irritating thing for me).
So I just moved all the files on my desktop to some other drives and made my desktop look clean. Now I could observe that, the speed of my computer has been restored.
So keeping many things on the desktop would slowdown performance of the computer(which has RAM below 1GB).
And having lot of icons on desktop, will make us mess up with the things and we end up not looking at many icons and forget it over time. So arrange all those important files in a folder. Learn to manage all your files in a systematic manner. It will be difficult in the beginning, but after you get used to it, you will be using all those important files without forgetting. And this practice would make you more productive.
Following such simple techniques will surly make you more productive over time and this could even save much of your time.
Keep all the image files in one folder, music files in one and the blog related files in one folder, and that too in a separate drive. This will ensure that, you won’t lose it in case you need to format your hard disk(only the drive where you have installed the OS), if there is a sudden failure in Operating System(OS).
And when you require any image for your blog, you can just search one folder and you may find a better one, than what you were looking for.
And make it clear that, there is no perfect way or one best way to organize it. It just depends on how you use and what makes you comfortable. So you think yourself rather than following some “A” grade bloggers procedures.
And remember, you may be having high configuration computer with you, but you must also learn the management skills, to manage the files on your computer. You may feel that, whats the big deal in managing computer files? But the real difficulty comes when you have large and very important files, that you want urgently. To get the things as soon as possible, you must learn and practice to manage the file in some self defined conventions orelse you may repent some day!
And send me( satish@technotip.org ) your desktop screen shots, after re-arranging the things. And it will be featured on Technotip.org with a linkback to your blog in the future post. And you can also write some points about, how you manage your frequently needed files(This will also be posted in the future blog, along with your desktop screen shot).
This is a very common feature used by many people(even if you are not a geek). But I would still like to write about it, because this is a very small and potentially great feature available in almost all the Operating Systems now a days.
If you yet don’t know about this option, then we would be very happy to let you know about this…..
This option would save the time used to boot your computer, by resuming your works directly from the point where you left.
When your computer hibernates, it stores whatever it has in memory on your hard disk and then shuts down. When your computer comes out of hibernation, it returns to its previous state.
While shutting down your computer, select the option Hibernate, instead of selecting Shutdown. And that’s it, you are done.
Here are some screen shots..
Windows XP :-
If hibernate option is missing means, here is a work around to get it in place.
Right click on your desktop, select properties. And then click on the Screen saver tab, now follow the below screen shot..
Now after you Enable hibernation option, click on the OK button. This should get you the option working.
UBUNTU screen shot below :-
Hibernate option is useful in following cases :-
1. When there is power failure and the UPS backup is dying and you know that, the power will be back shortly. In this case, it will be frustrating to shutdown and again boot the computer, when power is back. So in such case use Hibernate option, to consume your time and mood.
2. It was reported in some studies that, IT and other professionals leave the computers as it is, without shutting it down(in office), just because they need to start it up again tomorrow morning. Now, this will simply waste lot of money(remember, its a national waste). So please use this Hibernate option in office, if you can’t shut it down.
3. While going for a nap. While going out for coffee etc.
4. This option is very helpful for those who have lot of peripherals connected to their computer. Like printer, bluetooth etc, which require you to install separate driver software. This will make your computer to boot slowly. In such case you can make use of this Hibernate option. And you can shut down your computer at the end of the day.
5. And if you are using different IM, and download manager, spywares, malwares, bla..bla..bla, then your computer needs some more time, after booting, to start working in its normal way. So in such case also you can make use of Hibernate option, and shutdown only at the end of the day.
Now this option is so good, then why should we ever shutdown our computer ? Lets all consume our time and do someother useful work in that time! Its right to get that kind of thoughts, but the reality is, your computer becomes slower, if you use this option all the time. Its advisable to shutdown your computers atleast once in a day, inorder to maintain its health.
But actually, personal computers are built to handle such things. And I am almost confirm that, there will be no problem to RAM, as it will unload all its content as usual, when you use the hibernate option. As I said earlier, it will unload all its content into hard disk and then load it back when we turn on the computer again. So there will be almost no effect on RAM. But still, as we know technology is not 100% perfect, its just the long, unending journey towards perfection. So I think Permanent use of Hibernate option may cause in the failure of some hardware parts(over time) and it may also corrupt the Operating System over time. I am talking about the personal computers and not the Super computers(which will be having high configuration and will not have any effect even after using hibernate option over years).
I have put only windows and Ubantu Hibernate screen shot here. If you use some other Operating System(OS), then please send the screen shots to me(with hibernate option) and you would be helping lot of people out there, reading this post.
Also share your thoughts about this article in the comment section.
All young guys/girls get thrilled by hearing the word Speed. But we should also know some of the consequences of this thrilling speed before we try to indulge ourself in it. And we all love our vehicles ( Bike, car, bicycle anything for that matter), we take care of it like our wife or children.
You might have heard this line ” Speed thrills, but it kills”. And many of you might just don’t agree with it, as you have never met with such an killing incidents or accidents.
But before adopting the Speedster name and fame, just be aware of the following things….
Think about your loving parents who don’t want to see you dead on the road.
Think about their efforts to bring you up to the stage you are in now.
Think about the pain you get when you get into troubles after an accident.
Just visit and see some of the patients in the hospitals who are suffering from the accidents.
And remember that, while you are driving fast, you may also kill some innocent people(it may even include aged or new born) on the road.
Think about anyone who really loves you very much. And never think that, nobody in this world loves you. In case there are no one in this world who loves you, you should develop such a character(good) that, whoever meets you should fall in love with you and everyone should aspire to be your friend.
And think about your girl / boy friend. They will be having worst time in their life, if something happens to you. And if you don’t care for it, then you are not a perfect one for your girl/boy.
Care for all those who care for you.
Vehicles are to be used to get maximum benefits from it, and your speed must not trouble anyone.
You may get fined by cops.
You may get jailed. And it may cause unwanted troubles for all those who belong to you.
High speed is even bad for engine of your vehicle.
You may become a permanent handicap and a permanent burden to your family people. And may lose the hope in your life and your ambitions.
Fuel burns more when you drive very speed. Remember, don’t use any methods which consumes more petrol or diesel, even if you feel your life isn’t worth anything, petrol certainly is. Without fuel, almost all factories, companies will have to suffer a lot and will surly affect its economical position. And this will surly be a great problem to the next generation(or may be to our generation itself, who knows what exactly is the future? ). The only alternate is to find an alternate to petrol and diesel. Anyway, we can also contribute to the solution by driving slowly and consuming the extra unnecessary burning of fuel.
You may think that, you are looking cool while driving fast, but the reality is…..wise people will really be having a big negative impression about you.
And those who are sitting with you inside your vehicle, while you are driving, will surly don’t like your speed. And you should be caring about their safety, as they have come with you, believing you.
While driving fast, small accidents may cause big impact and big damages.
You won’t get anything after reaching a place too early. You may just endup wasting all the time that you might have spent, if you had not met with an accident.
Think about your Career plans. Will you just leave all your career and life plans, just for the sake of speed driving.
Those who drive fast will not be able to take correct decisions as soon as they come from a fast drive. This is a psychological fact and will surly affect your business.
Trying to be cool among friends and relatives, you may endup looking like a fool in any of the hospital or may be in any of the jail.
If you are participating in any legal racing competition then its an exceptional case, as there will be lot of precautions taken well in advance.
And most of the youngsters get influenced by the speedsters in films and advertisements. But bare in mind that, they will be having all sorts of training and precautionary steps and lots and lots of rehearsals and retakes(re-shootings) and more importantly they will be having a very good camera man and technicians.
Another thing that may influence us is the Games. Hope almost all of us have played games like Need For Speed Most Wanted. Yes, its a nice game. Getting inspired by any game is a common thing, as it involves lot of graphics. But you should also remember, how many times you have been caught by cops in the game and hope you can’t even remember the number of times you have met with accident in that game. Its a game and speed is OK there, but please don’t play with your and especially others life in real life by showing your craze for Speed.
You might be a perfect rider and may be best in controlling your vehicle at any speed. But remember, there are always almost endless reasons for an accident to occur when we drive fast.
Someone else on the road may get scared seeing your speed. And may come on your way by mistake.
Some dust particles may go into your eyes suddenly and you may create disaster, if you drive fast.
Humps or speed breakers may also contribute to accidents when you ride fast.
Some innocent animals like Dog, pig, cat etc may come on your way suddenly.
Small children and old people or handicap people may come on your way by mistake.
like this, there is a long list, where someone else may contribute for an accident, when you are driving fast.
If you drive slowly, you can almost control your vehicles in most of the cases. And even if you met with an accident while driving slowly, the damages caused will be comparatively lesser.
If you believe that, when death is written in a persons fate, then he will die anyhow, so lets don’t care about driving fast. This would just be a foolish excuse.
You might have heard the saying:
With effort and prayers, destiny can be attained. Start the effort.
Like wise, we should not give any excuses, we should just put our 100% effort. And the rest leave it to fate.
We know that, every living being born on this earth will surly die one or the other day. This is a universal truth. And the Irony of life is: “Everybody wants to goto heaven, but nobody wants to die”.
I can just put some horrible pictures and videos of accidents here, but I am not here just to scare you with this post. But I want to convey that, driving your vehicles fast is not good. And I will be very happy, if you adopt the mantra ” Start Early, Drive Slowly, Reach Safely”.
There will be no necessity to drive faster, if you start early. And by driving slowly there is more chances of reaching the destiny safely.
Always remember your responsibility towards the society. Following these small responsibilities will really make a country safe to lead a happy life.
You must see the people suffering from accidents live in any hospitals, until then you can’t really know the value of this post.
“Please forward this article to all those people, about whom you really care. You could be saving some of them, by making them read this article. By forwarding this article, atleast, let them know that, there is someone who care about them.”
part is, avast Home edition is free to use for non-commercial, home purpose.
I have used many anti-virus programs available in the internet, and had one or the other problems…like the increase in loading time, popups, update notification etc. And the software did not work to the mark.
If you are participating in any legal racing competition then its an exceptional case, as there will be lot of precautions taken well in advance.