Migration to Linux

A few weeks ago my trusted Acer Laptop died after 3 1/2 years faithful service. Whilst restoring data from backups to a new laptop I have decided to migrate to a linux based primary system (I will keep a windows laptop) I have tried to set a little challenge. Can I replace all my software with linux compatible open source software.

Step one was the operating system - no upgrade to vista for me. Having used linux a bit a few years ago I am quite used to a couple of the variations, but for my new setup I opted for UBUNTU basically as (I have been told) it is the easiest system to move to without being a linux / unix command line expert. I have done my fair share of unix stuff in the past, but frequent use of cheat sheets ment that I haven’t really scratched teh surface of what I can / should be doing with my own system.

Bye, bye to MS Office. I must admit I haven’t used MS office (regularly) for a number of years now. I have pushed for the almost completly compatible OpenOffice. What can I say. It works on windows as well as linux and does everything a full copy of MS office does and it is free. There is a wordprocessor, spreadsheet package, database, presentation suite, drawing package - what else does the average person need? All of these packages are compatible with microsoft file formats - input and output, though there are some quirk. The only thing missing really is MACRO compatibility with Microsoft, this is something I have found very useful in the past - indeed i wrote a datafeed website generator using just MS excel about 6 years ago now. Open Office has its own macro system - but it is not something I have gotten round to playing with yet.

Internet Explorer. - firefox plugs this gap nicely - and with most needed software packages this is pre installed with UBUNT. I stil l have a copy of IE on my windows laptop - good for bug spotting

Outlook, using Mozilla Thunderbird, good email client. As far as the calendar functions go I am experimenting with a couple of packages and may report back sometime.

MSN / LIVE messenger. Microsoft has not launched this on other OSs other than Windows. Thankfully there are a number of 3rd party messenger apps that will communicate with MSN. I am using pidgin simply as this is preinstalled with ubuntu. It will also work with a number of other messenger accounts including AIM Yahoo and ICQ. I had to download and install skype myself, thank god for ubuntu forums or I would have given up by now.

I must admit I havent found a good Dreamweaver replacement yet - again I am trialing a number of open source solutions.

One of the best things about UBUNTU is that there is a 1 click install of most of the major opensource projects that have been approved by UBUNTU.

- Any other UBUNTU users out there - any hints or tips, I am always ready to hear them.

October 13th, 2008 Posted by admin | Uncategorized | no comments

Business TV Shows

We all know about Dragon’s Den, which is fantastic entertainment and slightly informative. But what other business TV shows are there for inspiration, motivation and general tips?

There are a couple I watch, Tricky Business and Trouble online on the Business Channel (imports from Channel 4 -IIRC). Both of these follow young entrepreneurs. But unfortunatly they are getting a little old, and there are only a couple of episodes. Also the other problem with the Business Channel (SKY 547) is that their scheduling is a bit erratic - sometimes they seem to show the same 2 episodes for month online. Also there naming of programs is sometime wrong. Tricky Business is often put in the Doing Business slot, which is often a boring talking heads style show.

Some of the other programs on The Business Channel are worth a look, some of the lectures series are ok, but it can be very hit and miss. Hustlers is another show which again follows young entrepreneurs and is narrated by Sarah Cox (why? I am not sure).

S o what else is there? Badger Or Bust where Ruth Badger goes and shouts at failing business and usually teaches the sales persons how to sell. The Apprentice is ok. But I would like to see more of the programs that follow small or startup businesses.

Any suggestions?

August 7th, 2008 Posted by admin | Uncategorized | no comments

Mobiles.co.uk Destruction Derby Challenge - Samsung U600 Be afraid!

Mobiles.co.uk (AW) have a Samsung U600 which apparently is ready and willing to be trashed in the most violent and extraordinary way possible.

Poor Samsung U600 what have you ever done to them to be picked on in such a way.

What a good publicity idea though, after the success of ‘Will It Blend’ and other technology trashing websites mindless destruction of property is a quick visual way to review a product.

Being a big fan of MythBusters my initial idea was to test mobile phone myths, biggest one being petrol stations being blown up by sparks from mobile phones. Mythbusters have debunked this just a myth, there are some videos on youtube that show otherwise. Brainiac also dispelled this myth - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BBkPT-j8PNg

So petrol is out as it probably wouldn’t work. So from here…

I would like to see if a mobile phone could stop a bullet (as wads of cash, cigarette cases, decks of cards, lockets etc do in movies.)

Of course I would like to start small (pea shooter, spud gun) and work my way up to bb gun, air rifle and if necessary shotgun, depending at which point the phone gives in.

Having the phone attached to a shop dummy in order to give some indication of the protective value of the phone in a gunfight situation, I would take it along to a shooting range of course to ensure safety to all witnesses of the shooting.

I would love to see some other Destruction Derby entries - so if you wanted to post a link in a comment that would be great.

July 29th, 2008 Posted by admin | Uncategorized | one comment

Being Social

Looking for some followers on twitter - I don’t use it much at the moment but would if I had some followers.

Would be good for keeping up to date with quick and fast posts about our clients and just general chit chat.

http://twitter.com/scifind

You can also find me on facebook

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=668141342

and A4u forum

http://www.affiliates4u.com/profiles/scifind/

July 15th, 2008 Posted by admin | Uncategorized | no comments

Thank you Affiliates for a good Launch Month for Purely Diamonds

The PurelyDiamonds affiliate program (Affiliate Window) has been running for around a month now and our sales, and affiliate commission has started to accrue.

To date affiliate generated transactions are averaging over £1000 per sale, this is greatly in excess of the £650 average basket value usually experienced, so well done.

This means that the average affiliate commission is £70.

PurelyDiamonds have a very strong product range and excellent commission, This combined with their high quality products makes this a very strong affiliate program.

How Should You Promote Purely Diamonds?

PPC

PPC is a great way to promote our site. With our high basket values, allowing you to target our site directly and excelent on site sales tools (Flash Video) we have an ideal program for the experienced PPCer. We just ask that you refrain from using our name or vairiations (for full details of our ppc terms please login to your affiliate window account).

Content

The best content sites are currently wedding and engagement sites, though we expect good conversion from high quality gift sites, especially christening / new baby sites.

Have a look at our selection of banners and links once you are logged into the AffiliateWindow site. Need any other banners / links - just get in touch!

July 15th, 2008 Posted by admin | Uncategorized | no comments

Important Information Regarding The Bespoke Gift Company

Firstly a big   thank you to all your hard work in the build up to FathersDay 2008.   Please see below for a small selection of our top products.Please can everyone   check deep links that have been generated manually for this affiliate   program if you used to use this affiliate program when it was ThePoetryStudio.   As we informed you all when the website changed, commissions with   ThePoetryStudio would cease to be tracked. We have done everything   that we can to ensure that all affiliate traffic is now directed   to TheBespokeGiftCompany and we have given a generous grace period,   but again please be aware that no future sales through ThePoetryStudio   website will be validated.The   Bespoke Gift Company has a huge assortment of great gifts for   the deserving anyone and everyone. Below is a small list of some   of the best.
Personalised Quad Warholesque Pop Art Canvas Prints Only:   £274.95 - Free Delivery	Polished   Aluminium Mid Life Crisis Decision Dice Only:   £4.95 - Free Delivery	Children’s   Fun Baking Set Only:   £14.95 - Free Delivery
Personalised   Poem Only:   £79.95 - Free Delivery	Personalised Train Canvas Quad Only:   £78.95 - Free Delivery	Framed   Poem with Photographs Only:   £99.95 - Free Delivery
For   more information please feel free to contact Brian Edwards at affiliatemanager - thebespokegiftcompany.co.uk

June 19th, 2008 Posted by admin | Uncategorized | no comments

Earn an average of £45 per sale, with quality and style.

Purely Diamonds are very excited to announce that they have just launched their affiliate program with AffiliateWindow.

Purely Diamonds have been in the diamond industry for over 30 years. They are specialists in the design and manufacture of diamond jewellery—everything from rings and earrings to bracelets, bangles and pendants. They are also experts in the manufacture of Platinum pieces as well as 18-carat yellow and white gold.

Having built up an enviable reputation selling to High Street retailers, Purely Diamonds recently took the decision to offer our products dire

ct to public. Why? Purely Diamonds can offer substantially lower prices when they sell direct to customers. The benefit is High Street quality without the High Street price.

Almost every item you see on this website has been designed and manufactured in-house in the London workshop of Purely Diamonds. In fact, they are one of the few genuinely in-house manufacturers still around today.
Purely Diamonds Offer Affiliates.

• 7% commission on all sales
• 90 day cookie
• Average basket value of £650
• Average Commission of £45
• Goods value from £200 to £5000
• A Dedicated Affiliate Manager
• Full product feed

Purely Diamonds Offers Customers

• Fantastically low prices
• The highest quality product.
• Unrivaled customer service
• 30 day money back guarantee
• Flash Video of each product. See Example
• Interactive 3d view of some products

Products from Purely diamonds are often bought as:

• Engagement Rings
• Wedding Rings
• Birthday gifts
• Anniversary gifts
• Birth of a child (gifts from husband to wife generally)
• Christmas gifts

PPC Terms
Affiliates are allowed to direct traffic directly to www.purelydiamonds.co.uk and use that URL as a display url.
Affiliates are NOT allowed to bid on domains containing:
PurelyDiamonds
Purely Diamonds
www.purelydiamonds.co.uk
www.purelydiamonds.com
Misspellings or variations.

Key PPC terms that affiliates are encouraged to use are:
Engagement Rings
Diamond Engagement Rings
Diamond Rings
Eternity Rings
Diamond Eternity Rings
Platinum eternity rings
Dress rings
Diamond earrings
Diamond bracelets
Diamond bangles
Diamond pendants
and variations

If you need any further help in promoting this program please contact the Purely Diamonds affiliate manager:
Brian Edwards
Scifind Limited
info {at} scifinddigitalmedia.com

I am sure you are dying to know.

The featured ring above is a Platinum 1.10ct diamond ring, set with a princess cut centre and princess cut shoulders, retail price £2975, Purely Diamonds Price: £1979 (Affiliate Commission: £138.53)

Affiliate link:http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=1992&awinaffid=AFFILIATEID&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.purelydiamonds.co.uk%2Fpurelydiamond%2Fproducts%2Fproducts.php%3Fid%3D1303%26metal%3D4%26total%3D24%26pos%3D4%26cat%3D4

June 10th, 2008 Posted by admin | Uncategorized | no comments

Father’s Day Competition

We have a Fantastic Father’s Day competition, but be quick you have just over 4 weeks as this year Father’s Day is on the 15th June.

The competition is open to all The Bespoke Gift Company Affiliates. Generate as few as 3 sales and you will be entered into our draw for a Father’s Day Message Canvas.

Please note we will be able to provide the equivalant canvas for any occassion should the winner desire.

May 20th, 2008 Posted by admin | Uncategorized | no comments

Is Barefruit Good For the Internet? Are they using underhand techniques to Hijack traffic?

Who are BareFruit?

Basically they work with tiscali in the UK to manage display of information if your are using a dead link / mistyped link

So what happens if I type in an incorrect domain?

Typically you get a page like the following: (Click to see full image)

BUT the big issue comes in when you make a near miss on the domain for a big company (as pointed out by Keith Budden here).

Using the example of CURRYS.co.uk. If you were to mistype the domain syntax ie www.currys.co.u.k, you will be redirected to currys.co.uk. Which seems OK, until you realise that it redirects through an Affiliate Window affiliate link.

Now affiliates have been prohibited from using domains that use the word currys or contain mispellings of their brands, the following is copied and pasted from Awins T&C

If affiliates wish to direct traffic through to their own site then their domains must not include the word ‘Currys’. This restriction includes mis-spellings of the brand. Examples: www.currrys.co.uk, www.curryoffers.com, www.curriesfridges.co.uk etc.

 

So does www.currys.co.u.k (and hundreds of other vairiations) breach Awins t&cs? Yes it does. This leads us to one of two scenarios, Barefruit is breaking these T&C and should be picked up by affiliate window OR there is a ‘brand bidding’ style agreement between awin/currys/barefruit. Which is worse?

The scariest thing is that if you were to type in a subdomain that is not being used by currys followed by the .currys.co.uk you will see that the redirect happens through barefruit. If you type in wwww. or ww. you get a redirect through guess whos affiliate link.

Affiliate window are looking into the matter and I hope to get comment from them soon.

April 30th, 2008 Posted by admin | Uncategorized | 4 comments

Affiliates - Get £30 free Google Adwords Voucher

Just to let everyone know there is a free google adwords trial voucher available at the moment.

I have a link to the voucher and the form is live. I am unsure of the expiry of the voucher so I hope that you can make use of this while the voucher is live.
The free credit can only be used in AdWords accounts that are less than 14 days old. Only one credit per person. The code cannot be used more than once. Your email address will not be shared with anyone else.

I have posted the link here

April 25th, 2008 Posted by admin | Uncategorized | one comment