Bah I hate SEO
Posted by Dave in
General
Tuesday, November 24. 2009
No I am not an SEO expert but I thought I knew a few things. But turns out I think I know bugger all. I hate artificial SEO, the stuff where you add stupid reviews to some random website about your own product. Or where you buy lots of different domains and point it to your main one. Google is dominated with the stuff. You try searching for something, like a how to do something, and all you get is someone selling you some crap. And it's always price comparison websites which is so annoying.
So anyway, why am I peeved? I created a long time ago a website devoted to free and open source software. (See what I did there? A link to my website, won't work apparently because it is hosted on the same IP as this website) Well it was a pet project, one for learning new techniques with PHP and the other because I am a proud supporter of open source software. It's all about freedom. So I wanted people to learn about some software which can be used as alternatives to commercial software and avoid resorting to pirating software. But this website only gets a few hits a day. There seems to be a lot of competition in this area.
So then I thought well I should start taking it a bit seriously. I created a free software blog to try and boost the traffic. I also wanted to try and learn to write a bit better as well as I always like to be straight to the point so thought I need to expand. Well since doing that the traffic on my website has dived completely. Why? Who knows. Maybe people don't really want free software. Or it could be my design skills are really bad. I am correcting that though. I have had a design created for me and hopefully a logo to go with it.
So why have I written this? Well in some desperation that the search engines will pick up the blog link and spider it. For some reason my own personal website gets more hits and there is nothing of value here?!?!!?
Wacky Jacqui made me laugh!!!
Posted by Dave in
General
Thursday, October 16. 2008
I just had to point this out as it made me laugh and realise I am obviously not the only one concerned with the mental state of our own Home Secretary, Jaqui Smith.
The Register has an article about the demise of a 'yoof' website which was designed to get the opinions of the 'yoof' of the nation's opinion on ID cards. Here is the link and title: Wacky Jacqui's yoof ID site goes silent
Rebound back to health
Posted by Dave in
General
Sunday, September 21. 2008
For the last few years I know I have been getting out of shape. As a programmer most of my activity is in front of a screen. I recently went to Edinburgh where most of it is walkable. I also took the opportunity to climb up Scotts Monument to see an amazing view. Then if that wasn't knackering enough I had to rush up Princes Street which is a mile long. It was at that point I realised I need to get back into shape. I was a sweaty mess and I didn't like it. Although as a family we go out to lots of places like Dartmoor it, hasn't boosted my fitness.
A few years a go I bought a Gazelle Air Walker endorsed by someone called Tony Little. I used it a few times. It was big bulky and I hardly felt I was doing anything. I now have a large bulky coat/clothes/junk hanger in the hallway! I kept meaning to use it but it's just so much hassle for little gain.
However a friend recently gave me something much more useful and I am now a massive advocate. Although I did complain about having more junk.
Continue reading "Rebound back to health"
The Great Supermarket Scam
Posted by Dave in
General
Wednesday, April 23. 2008
Update 28 April 2008: I would like to add that with one point to me it appears I am not alone in my thoughts regarding price fixing: OFT in new supermarket crackdown
It's been pointed out to me that I have been very angry recently so excuse the tone in this little
My recent bout of anger has come from the fact that not only are foreigners, banks and the government ripping me off, so are supermarkets. It's obvious the cost of living has increased over the last year or two, quite dramatically. Petrol prices are up and food prices are up. So, along with many people at the moment, I re-assessed where our finances are being hit. Apart from the usual petrol, electric, gas, water and council tax it seems the culprit is actually food. For the last 7 years or so my partner and I have been shopping at Tesco. We bought into the idea of earning points on that little card so we could get more deals and points towards shopping, or indeed a 'free' shop later on. But that has pretty much ended.
I was a supporter of Tesco. It is one of the few British success stories. I'm a patriotic Brit, no that doesn't mean I am racist. I was proud of a British company actually being successful. But having looked at where our money is going it seems a lot is on our food budget. I'm not fat although I eat more than I should. We survived on a quarter of what our combined income was 7 years ago. See a pattern in there anywhere?
Continue reading "The Great Supermarket Scam"
Insignificance
Posted by Dave in
General
Sunday, April 1. 2007
I was sent this in an email. Really makes you realise how insignificant we all are.
