With geek friends and java forums

A lot of guys are really surprised when I reveal the fact that I don't have an IT background and most will exclaim "But how come you know a lot of the technical stuff?"

I guess it's all about interest and this interest was what lead me to specialize in web related technology and e-commerce. However, I have to admit, I am less inclined toward the programming details and more onto the managerial side of this field. The only IT related training I had was when I did a short certificate course in Informatics in Malaysia. We even had to do Java programming and to be honest I was quite lost. Was really thankful I had some friends who were experts in Java programming.

Talking about Java - I was having coffee with some of my IT friends and they were discussing Hibernate - an open source solution for the Java language. From what I could gather, it is used in developing databases. Suddenly they asked me my opinion. I didn't want to bluff and honestly told them I have no idea what they were all talking about. Like usual, some of them were quite shocked to learn that I do not have an IT background.

Anyway, if you are into Java programming, join the Java forums. Registration is quite fast and it's totally free. Besides discussion on various Java topics, the forum also carries info regarding books as well as job listings. I am not sure but they claim to be the largest Java community.

Getting it on with Steven

Just finished going through Steve's blog "Get your blog on!". Steve is a former model and Chippendale dancer.

Regarding the look of the site, as I have mentioned several times, I am not really fond of black backgrounds. Nothing wrong with that. It's just a matter of preference. However, some of the colors he uses (for example, red and purple) for highlighting some sentences or words might not really follow the web design guidelines. Some people may find it hard to read them.

Having said that, even if you have a great looking site, people won't come back if your content is lousy. That is one thing this blog is not. Steve's posts are humorous and interesting. You can judge this even without going through the posts,from the fact that it's Google Page Rank is 3 even though it is only four months old. I know of several people who have been blogging for more than a year and still stuck at 0.

Making learning fun with Pokemon

Mention maths or science and most kids will start complaining. I may be wrong but I guess one of the reasons is that teachers don't try to make these subjects fun to learn.

The Pokemon Learning League on the other hand, takes a fun approach to education. Based on the popular kid's cartoon show - Pokemon, this educational website is targeted at 8-12 year olds. It was designed by experienced educators and comprises of standards-based, interactive animated lessons in Science, Math, Language Arts and Life Skills topics in a unique interactive way for children in grades 3-6.

Right now they are offered on a subscription basis in both homes and schools. The great news is that you can sign up with the website for month's free trial.

FYI, Pokémon Learning League is a division of Pokémon USA, Inc. It won the 2007 Association of Educational Publishers award for Best Science web site. More features and content will be added to the site every week.

It's a dog's life

Was going through "Tip Tail", a blog about four dogs. Never thought that a blog about dogs would be interesting but as I found out, blogger Cynthia has a way with words. Kept me occupied.

It's not every time I say this, but I couldn't find any thing to criticise on the blog. I guess the only thing I can say about the blog is that images of Lucy and Angel are missing.

Maybe what the blog needs is more advertising and links to bring in more dog lovers. Hopefully it will get a higher PR in the future.

I like the top banner and the way that the blogger has personalized the referral buttons in keeping with the blog's orange colour theme. For example take a look at her "You comment, I follow" and the PerPerPost Direct button.

One of the requirements of my doing a blog review was a a link to either this blog or to my SEO expert blog, however I couldn't find any. Have gone ahead with the blog review anyway.

Solving the flea problem

My daughter wants to keep a cat. I had to refuse as I know from experience that keeping a pet is not that easy nor cheap. Moreover we plan to go back to Malaysia after 4 years and I won't want to have a situation where we might have to leave it here in the UK.

Anyway, one of the problems associated with cats as well as with dogs are the flea problems. If your dog or cat has fleas you better do something quickly as they can affect us too. It is dangerous if you have kids as flea bite can be really itchy and there might be secondary infections too.

I found out that besides flea shampoo there are many other ways to get rid of fleas. If you want to know more, visit the "Flea Control Guide", which has information and links to everything you need to know about flea problem and the solutions.

Blog with an interesting title

Was just going through the "'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves" blog. That's an interesting title for a blog. In case you are wondering what it means, I guess you better refer to the meaning of the poem "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll.

I couldn't find out much about the blogger as he/ she doesn't have a about me page and there's nothing in the Blogger profile. Some bloggers to prefer to remain anonymous and it's their choice.

Slithy Toves has been blogging since October last year, about random things that the Blogger found on the net. The blogger seeks to increase the Blogs PR (don't we all). Joining various social networks (for example, MyBlogLog, Spicypage )and forums on the net might help. You may have great content but people won't come if they don't know about your site.

I would also suggest that he ( I am assuming that the blogger is male) either replace or modify the generic Blogger template used. There are thousands of blogs with the same template. Doesn't exactly make your blog stand out, if you know what I mean. Maybe the blogger can think of modifying it with a personalised top banner. I can also see a minor spelling error in the description of the blog. Assume that it was supposed to be a "the" instead of "teh."

In his post "Starting to understand this whole blogging thing", Slithy Toves has mentioned some of the steps he has taken to improve his pr. Hopefully this review should bring him some more visitors.

Going to the Microsoft MGX - get special rate at resort

Are you part of Microsoft's salesforce or you are one of those lucky guys who got invited to MGX (Microsoft Global Experience), one of the must-attend Microsoft events?

Initially it was supposed to be held at New Orleans but has now been moved to Orlando. According to a report by ZDNet, an estimated 14,000 people attend MGX.

Anyway, if you are one of those guys going there for the event, you are probably looking for an affordable place to stay. Well you are in luck as International Plaza Resort and Spa in Orlando, Florida is offering a Microsoft MGX Special Rate of only $119 per night.

This luxury hotel is located within walking distance to convention center where the MGX is being held. Another great news for tech people (I don't like to use the word geek) is that there is free wifi access throughout the resort. Of course you won't be spending all the time at the event. if you would like to visit some of the popular theme parks nearby, the resort provides complimentary transportation.

That really does sound nice. Now here's hoping that Microsoft sends me an an invitation.