At present all my blogs are hosted with Blogger. I am quite happy with that but I would be lying if I told you that I haven't been tempted to move to WordPress and hosted somewhere else. One of my friends was describing the various bells and whistles on his WordPress powered blog including the various plugins support by this blog publishing system, the ability to block IP addresses of people I don't like and of course the huge number of themes available on the web.
A lot of people told me that if I consider myself a serious blogger, then I should move from Blogger and get myself a unique domain name and host my blog somewhere. In the past I did survey around a bit but good hosting companies that supported WordPress were charging quite a lot. However, today I realise that there are a number of reliable and reasonably priced blog hosts around. 34SP.com Ltd is one affordable WordPress webhosting company that I recently came across. Their prices start from $35.95 per year for 200Mb space and 2000Mb of bandwidth per month. For those who are new to WordPress, do check out their list of useful WordPress resources on the web - from codex, themes and plugins to discussion forums.
Right now they are offering all new customers who order WordPress hosting a free upgrade - double storage space and bandwidth.
17 November 2007
Consumer vs customer
NOTE: Latest update: 25 August 2010.
Updated 18 Nov, 2007 after consultation with my the marketing expert, my wife.
Last week, I was in charge of this undergraduate class and I suddenly realised that a number of the students were using the words 'consumer' and 'customer' interchangeably. Guess this is true for a lot of people on the street. However, I have on some occasions come across some academics making the same mistake at academic conferences as well.
As used in marketing terminology, there is a huge difference between the two concepts. The term 'Customer' refers to individuals or households that purchase goods and services generated within the economy. On the other hand, a 'Consumer' is someone who uses the products or services.
At a glance, there doesn't seems to be any difference but if you examine closely, there is. For example, A mother who does the shopping for the family in a supermarket is a customer. She and the rest of the family sit down at the dining table to eat the food she has bought and they are all consumers. The mother is a customer and a consumer at the same time.
You might have come across the term B2B and B2C. B2B refers to Business-to-Business transections. For example, Tesco buys goods from Procter & Gamble in bulk. On the other hand B2B refers to Business-to-consumer transection. For example, I go to Tesco and buy Duracell batteries. For those who did not know, Duracell is owned by P&G.
Did that make any sense to you?
Updated 18 Nov, 2007 after consultation with my the marketing expert, my wife.
Last week, I was in charge of this undergraduate class and I suddenly realised that a number of the students were using the words 'consumer' and 'customer' interchangeably. Guess this is true for a lot of people on the street. However, I have on some occasions come across some academics making the same mistake at academic conferences as well.
As used in marketing terminology, there is a huge difference between the two concepts. The term 'Customer' refers to individuals or households that purchase goods and services generated within the economy. On the other hand, a 'Consumer' is someone who uses the products or services.
At a glance, there doesn't seems to be any difference but if you examine closely, there is. For example, A mother who does the shopping for the family in a supermarket is a customer. She and the rest of the family sit down at the dining table to eat the food she has bought and they are all consumers. The mother is a customer and a consumer at the same time.
You might have come across the term B2B and B2C. B2B refers to Business-to-Business transections. For example, Tesco buys goods from Procter & Gamble in bulk. On the other hand B2B refers to Business-to-consumer transection. For example, I go to Tesco and buy Duracell batteries. For those who did not know, Duracell is owned by P&G.
Did that make any sense to you?
15 November 2007
Online marketing companies
The World Wide Web is the first truly new medium since television, offering marketers with several opportunities as well as challenges. In fact, a study by the Internet Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers this year showed that online advertising is the fastest growing advertising medium. Thus, it no wonder that so many internet marketing companies have mushroomed all over the net. Even the traditional ad companies have got into the act.
So how do we know which company to choose?
I have a few simple tips: First of all look at their track record. The older they are, the better. Secondly, take a look at their own Alexa and Google rankings. If these companies claim to specialise in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), yet are themselves stuck with a low PR, it doesn't make sense.
Look at the companies that fulfils both criteria. They should have over over 10 years experience in SEO, Pay Per Click Management, Online Media Buying, and Website Usability.
Look at their home page - does it have a Google PR 3 and above?
So how do we know which company to choose?
I have a few simple tips: First of all look at their track record. The older they are, the better. Secondly, take a look at their own Alexa and Google rankings. If these companies claim to specialise in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), yet are themselves stuck with a low PR, it doesn't make sense.
Look at the companies that fulfils both criteria. They should have over over 10 years experience in SEO, Pay Per Click Management, Online Media Buying, and Website Usability.
Look at their home page - does it have a Google PR 3 and above?
14 November 2007
Malaysian universities out of the World top 200 list
The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) - Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings are really taken seriously by a lot of people. Thus the dropping of Malaysian Universities from the top 200 Universities list for the first time since it was first published in 2004, is indeed a big issue, especially among the Malaysian academic community.
The results are based on scores on 6 variables, namely, peer review (40%), employer review (10%), staff- student ratio (5%), citations per staff (20%), international staff (5%) and international students (5%).
Though I am not sure about the other variables, I am totally sure of two where Malaysian Universities will always have low scores: international staff and international student ratios. I guess it is related to the education policy there. Unlike universities in the US, UK or even Australia, majority of the Malaysian Universities are not profit orientated. They do not target foreign students for the undergraduate programmes. Most of the foreign students there are not in the Universities but rather in the various private colleges (many of them now with a unique Malaysian terminology - College Universities) scattered across the Klang Valley of Malaysia.
As for foreign academics, Malaysia is not exactly an attractive destination due to uncompetitive salaries and tough immigration laws. I know of some highly qualified academicians who had worked for more than 10 years in the country but were not given the permanent resident status, don't even talk about citizenship. Totally opposite of policies in the developed countries including Singapore.
Of course the most important factors are peer review followed by citations per staff. The universities definitely need to look at what's keeping the Malaysian academicians from publishing in top rated journals. However, I have no idea how they calculated the peer review thing, so I can't comment.
The report does mention a possible reason behind the fall:
"National shame" cries the opposition. It has become a political issue and I am sure that some heads will roll.
Read The Star's report: Whither rankings?
The results are based on scores on 6 variables, namely, peer review (40%), employer review (10%), staff- student ratio (5%), citations per staff (20%), international staff (5%) and international students (5%).
Though I am not sure about the other variables, I am totally sure of two where Malaysian Universities will always have low scores: international staff and international student ratios. I guess it is related to the education policy there. Unlike universities in the US, UK or even Australia, majority of the Malaysian Universities are not profit orientated. They do not target foreign students for the undergraduate programmes. Most of the foreign students there are not in the Universities but rather in the various private colleges (many of them now with a unique Malaysian terminology - College Universities) scattered across the Klang Valley of Malaysia.
As for foreign academics, Malaysia is not exactly an attractive destination due to uncompetitive salaries and tough immigration laws. I know of some highly qualified academicians who had worked for more than 10 years in the country but were not given the permanent resident status, don't even talk about citizenship. Totally opposite of policies in the developed countries including Singapore.
Of course the most important factors are peer review followed by citations per staff. The universities definitely need to look at what's keeping the Malaysian academicians from publishing in top rated journals. However, I have no idea how they calculated the peer review thing, so I can't comment.
The report does mention a possible reason behind the fall:
But we suspect that some Malaysian and Singaporean institutions have lost out because of our increased rigour over voting for one’s own university, and there are no Malaysian universities in this top 200.According to Ben Sowter, QS head of research, “nowhere has keener interest been taken than in Malaysia”.
"National shame" cries the opposition. It has become a political issue and I am sure that some heads will roll.
Read The Star's report: Whither rankings?
13 November 2007
Removal of spider and varicose vein
Two cosmetic problems that affect a number of women are spider veins and varicose veins especially during and right after pregnancy. Spider veins are small dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin, usually on the face. On the other hand Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and twisted. They usually occur on the legs. The later can be a serious problem as they are often painful. These veins can be removed through surgical or non-surgical means.
Removing these veins are considered harmless and may be necessary for medical reasons, for patients suffering from extreme discomfort or pain. However, most of the removals are for cosmetic reasons. Among the various available techniques and procedures for removing these veins, two of the most popular treatments options are the laser vein treatment and intense pulsed light therapy (IPL).
In case you are considering having such a treatment, do check out HealthySkinPortal.com which offers a list of pre-screened consumer rated medical spas and laser clinics. I found out that the average cost of Vein Removal is around $300 per session, depending on the type of treatment and size of the treated area.
The site has been helping consumers find qualified medical spas and laser skin clinics since 1998. They have various skin treatments ranging from light skin refreshers to anti-aging treatments. The featured skin care procedures include BOTOX cosmetic treatment, cellulite removal, laser hair removal, lipodissolve, mesotherapy, restylane and stretch mark removal.
Removing these veins are considered harmless and may be necessary for medical reasons, for patients suffering from extreme discomfort or pain. However, most of the removals are for cosmetic reasons. Among the various available techniques and procedures for removing these veins, two of the most popular treatments options are the laser vein treatment and intense pulsed light therapy (IPL).
In case you are considering having such a treatment, do check out HealthySkinPortal.com which offers a list of pre-screened consumer rated medical spas and laser clinics. I found out that the average cost of Vein Removal is around $300 per session, depending on the type of treatment and size of the treated area.
The site has been helping consumers find qualified medical spas and laser skin clinics since 1998. They have various skin treatments ranging from light skin refreshers to anti-aging treatments. The featured skin care procedures include BOTOX cosmetic treatment, cellulite removal, laser hair removal, lipodissolve, mesotherapy, restylane and stretch mark removal.
12 November 2007
Cabbage and caterpillars
Haven't been posting any pictures for Green Thumb Sunday. The reason is that I don't have any new plants in my garden. Not really sure whether this is suitable but posting it up anyway.
Anyway, I have this huge cabbage in my garden:
One day I noticed that it had like hundreds of small caterpillars everywhere. My first thought was to kill them all but I changed my mind. I decided to leave them alone and see whether they turn to butterflies. My wife says I am crazy.
Well it's been about a month now and they haven't turned to butterflies yet but they are really huge now.
Join
Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As the Garden Grows for more information.
Anyway, I have this huge cabbage in my garden:
One day I noticed that it had like hundreds of small caterpillars everywhere. My first thought was to kill them all but I changed my mind. I decided to leave them alone and see whether they turn to butterflies. My wife says I am crazy.
Well it's been about a month now and they haven't turned to butterflies yet but they are really huge now.
Join
Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As the Garden Grows for more information.
Cheaper broadband deals with BT
Regular visitors to my blog might recall that a few days back, I had blogged about BT broadband with wifi. One of my friends commented that even though the features listed were amazing, the prices were a bit too steep for his liking. What I forgot to mention was that they have cheap broadband deals as well.
The lowest is option 1, which still comes with 8Mb download speeds. With this, you get a standard wired router, 250 Wi-Fi minutes per month and 5GB of free secure online storage with BT Digital Vault. All this for £8.95 per month for 6 months followed by £17.99 thereafter on an 18 month contract.
I am on a budget as well and this deal looks quite attractive.
The lowest is option 1, which still comes with 8Mb download speeds. With this, you get a standard wired router, 250 Wi-Fi minutes per month and 5GB of free secure online storage with BT Digital Vault. All this for £8.95 per month for 6 months followed by £17.99 thereafter on an 18 month contract.
I am on a budget as well and this deal looks quite attractive.
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