Those of you who’ve been following my Trying to work out how to use Twitter antics will already know that I’m still not 100% convinced. Yet would it surprise you to hear that there is spam in Twitter? Probably not. But this is a different kind of spam. I call it Pspam – pointless spam. This is how it works. … Read More
Certification and the competency of deceit
It had to happen. Google yesterday announced the launch of a new skills qualification program: “Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ), which allows individuals to demonstrate proficiency in Google Analytics“. SoftwarePromotions is an AdWords Qualified Company, so I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot to make my point. However, as a marketing professional, I have to tip my hat … Read More
Microsoft Testing New Search Engine
Microsoft has confirmed that it is internally testing a new Internet search engine which it has codenamed ‘Kumo’ (Japanese for ‘cloud’ or ‘spider’). At present, Kumo is being tested by Microsoft employees, but the company is hopeful that if all goes well, the search engine could be released for public use by the end of the year. In a leaked … Read More
Drinking, stealing or a bitter failure?
Seth Godin recently wrote a timely reminder about online responsibility. He describes how a friend advertising for a housekeeper Googled three of the applicants, only to discover that one was a binge drinker, one was a bitter failed artist, and the third a convicted shoplifter. He makes the point that anything and everything you do ends up on your permanent … Read More
Trying to work out how to use Twitter
On November 14th, 2008, I posted my first ever tweet: “Trying to work out how to use twitter“. 104 days later, I’m still trying to work out how to use it. But I’m getting there. I keep reading about how vital Twitter is for businesses. Having run a business for more than ten years and a Tweeter account for more … Read More
Software Pirate Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Prison
24-year-old Timothy Kyle Dunaway was sentenced to 41 months in a US federal penitentiary for selling pirated business software. Using servers in Austria and Malaysia, Dunaway ran more than 40 websites that sold over one million dollars of counterfeit software between July 2004 and May 2008. Dunaway was also ordered to pay more than $800,000 in restitution and had his … Read More
Windows XP Pro downgrade lawsuit
A class action lawsuit has been launched against Microsoft, for charging users who wish to downgrade from Windows Vista to Windows XP. I am no legal expert, but the lawsuit does not make any sense to me. If you buy a new computer and the manufacturer is not offering Windows XP as an option, you can either buy a license … Read More
Seth Godin, algorithms and Darwin
Confession: To my shame, I used to be cynical towards Seth Godin’s ideas. I know it’s hard to imagine a cynical Brit, but it happens. Today I’m older and wiser. Well older anyway. And I know genius when I see it. Or read it. I’ve been reading his books for some time now, and find his outlook on the world … Read More
Do you have any old adwords accounts for sale?
I just received the following email: “Good morning, I am looking buy old google adwords accounts an can pay $300 per account. Do you have any that you are willing to sell? Ideally I am looking for… Has been opened over 3 months A budget spend of over $100 – $200 a day for some time Account has less than10 … Read More
crowdSPRING – logo design; the easy way
Why is getting a logo so difficult? Whether it’s a graphic logo for a website, something for printed materials, business card design or even a website material, we’ve all experienced the sequence of pain: 1) Find a designer. Ask around. Get 3 different opinions for any company you mention. 2) Choose the company. Be impressed with their portfolio. Send details … Read More