SWD News:
Check out the latest news from SWD and BBC E-Commerce
Web site reaches record levels
Visit Stamford reached record visitor levels in December thanks to the amazing success of the Stamford Christmas Festival it was involved in. Visit Stamford now ranks at #2 for 'Stamford' on Google and is becoming the first stop for information on Stamford...watch this space!
Peterborough Weather - 3 Day Forecast
After the success of Stamford Weather in Google it's time to try Peterborough Weather
Popular Search Engines in the 90's: Then and Now
Put your nostalgia hats on as we travel back to the ancient times of the internet!
History Of The Internet
What better time to recap on the last 40 years and provide a brief history of how a technology that has changed our lives, came to be. Sit back and watch this wonderful video that will take you through the decades to today.
The Microsoft-Yahoo Search Deal, In Simple Terms
Great piece from Search Engine Land. Still trying to digest all the news about the Yahoo Microsoft search deal? So are we. While answers are still coming in, here's what we know so far...
Twitter 101 For Business - Special Guide
Every day, millions of people use Twitter to create, discover and share ideas with others. Now, people are turning to Twitter as an effective way to reach out to businesses, too. From local stores to big brands, and from brick-and-mortar to internet-based or service sector, people are finding great value in the connections they make with businesses on Twitter.
Read this guide to see how you can use Twitter for your business!
StamfordWeb Indexed on Google - July 09
Stamford Web Design started its Twitter account in June, Google has already found the new page so it will be interesting how this effects incoming links and rankings.
Stamford Web Design - Twitter
Stamford Web Design has signed up to Twitter, follow me, you never know what you might find out! Twitter Name: StamfordWeb
Adwords - Better ad texts, better performance
Your potential customers decide to visit your website based solely on what they see in your ads when they type in a search query, so ad texts play a crucial role in determining the success of your AdWords advertising.
Watch this video Google shares with you its best practices for creating winning ad texts.
What is a browser?
Watch this funny video about what people reply when asked 'What is a browser?'
Microsoft unveils new search engine Bing
Microsoft has unveiled its much anticipated new search engine, called 'Bing', billed as offering a more user-friendly alternative to traditional search engines.
Google unveils new search tools
As people get more sophisticated at search they are coming to us to solve more complex problems. To stay on top of this, Google have spent a lot of time looking at how we can better understand the wide range of information that's on the web and quickly connect people to just the nuggets they need at that moment. Google want to help their users find more useful information, and do more useful things with it.
Two new improvements to Google results pages
The first offers an expanded list of useful related searches and the second is the addition of longer search result descriptions -- both of which help guide users more effectively to the information they need.
How to Get Better Visibility on Google
Matt Cutts of Google, explains the basics of SEO in an interview with USA Today. Matt provides viewers with an SEO overview and talks about the preliminary tasks involved in performing optimisation on your website.
Google is always experimenting with new features aimed at improving the search experience.
This experiment lets you influence your search experience by adding, moving, and removing search results. When you search for the same keywords again, you'll continue to see those changes. If you later want to revert your changes, you can undo any modifications you've made. Note that this is an experimental feature and may be available for only a few weeks.
Search millions of historic photos
Search millions of photographs from the LIFE photo archive, stretching from the 1750s to today. Most were never published and are now available for the first time through the joint work of LIFE and Google.
Domain Name Registry of America: Scam
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL OUR CUSTOMERS
Previously calling themselves the "Internet Registry of America/Canada", the DRoA/C has already received negative press coverage for sending renewal notices that looked similar to a government notice. DRoA/C originally started in the domain registration business as a reseller of Tucows. Our sources tell us that they were kicked out of Tucows due to these questionable business practices and it is reported that a number of other companies have already taken legal action or are in the process of doing so including the Office of Fair Trading.
There are a number of domain registration companies looking to grow their businesses by stealing business from other companies. Wherever possible, these companies will target registrants and trick them into moving their domain registration business. Often you find that you renew the domain and lose services such as email / webmail etc as well as customer support.
The letters sent are generic, yet formal. They don't state "The Domain Name Registry of America wants your business" or "DROA is offering your a better deal" and they certainly don't say, "switch to DROA"...
Companies such as the DROA and those with with similar business practices are what is know as "domain slamming" - the legal view is that this practice clearly constitutes a “deceptive marketing practice” and may, depending on the view of the courts, also constitute outright fraud, an offence punishable under the criminal code with fine or imprisonment.” under both US and European law.
As stated earlier if any of our customers wish to transfer their domain to the Domain Name Registry of America or any of their other alter-ego's they must contact us, we will then explain our position and them - if you still wish to transfer your domain to the DROA after this, they are free to do so.
An Introduction to Google Adwords
Every day people use Google to search for businesses just like yours. Google AdWords allows you to reach thousands of potential new customers - at the magic moment when they are searching on terms related to your business. And because you can target your ads by country, city or region, you can attract new customers from Stamford and around the world.
UK broadband use reaches new high
Almost nine out of 10 UK net users are connecting via broadband services, official figures reveal.
Google Test Results #1
Here is an example of how well one of our clients sites rank on Google for the products they sell.
Aces High Collectables sells diecast model aircraft (amongst other products) so let's see how well it ranks for 'diecast model aircraft' on Google.com
Google Moon
Google Moon went live back in July 2005 with relatively low resolution images of our closest neighbour. In conjunction with today's news about Google backing private moon landings through the Google Lunar X PRIZE, a new version of Google Moon has been released.
Resolution is higher, the company says. There's also short stories about things like moon landings integrated into the map (example), and you can get some 360 degree "Street View" style views in some places (example), as well as some charts.
No.1 for Stamford Weather
We did it! Stamford Web Design now lists at No.1 for the search term 'Stamford Weather'.
It was our attempt to see if we could rank for this term over the past few months and it also offers a service to the local (and international) community who want to know the weather in Stamford, UK. We also show the weather for Stamford, Connecticut for our American visitors.
Personal touch to Google homepage
Google is reinventing its simple homepage to offer users greater scope for personalisation - iGoogle.
The search giant is introducing features to allow users to publish their own content on a personalised Google homepage.
It represents Google's latest move towards a more user-centric web.
10 Most Commonly Used Passwords Online
In PC Magazine's upcoming May 8th issue they list the 10 most commonly used passwords online - if you are using any of these please turn off your computer immediately.
1. password
2. 123456
3. qwerty
4. abc123
5. letmein
6. monkey
7. myspace1
8. password1
9. blink182
10. (your first name)
Map of Stamford
Ok, time to get Stamford on the map. Stamford Web Design has decided to put Stamford on the map using this nice little gadget supplied by Google.
Google offers personal searches
A bespoke search engine that can be included on people's websites or blogs is the latest offering from Google.
Google Custom Search Engine, as the tool is known, allows users to choose which webpages to search.
Stamford Web Design will be trying out this great new offering asap! Watch this space!
And now for something entirely different — Google Dirtbike Jumping!
Is this going to far? Fun all the same, some people must be very, very bored!
Ever wondered how technologically enabled your neighbours are?
By entering a postcode in the e-Society profiler search box and clicking "GO", our classification will tell you about the type of technology use in your neighbourhood and those areas with similar profiles within Great Britain.
Funny Firefox Movie
This one made us laugh but only one for web geeks I'm afraid...enjoy!
Let your fingers do the walking...
Stamford Web Design means business so that's why we're on YELL.com (THE UK's LOCAL SEARCH ENGINE) for Web Design in Stamford.
Google Notebook
Search is all about finding the answers you need. Unfortunately, some kinds of questions--like where you should stay and what you should do on your Hawaiian vacation, or what kind of digital camera you should buy, or what the latest treatments for arthritis are--can't always be answered in one sitting, or by visiting one site.
That's why Google built Google Notebook--to give you an online "notebook" where you can organize all your research, add personal notes to it, and share it with others. Google Notebook surfs along quietly with you as you browse, letting you clip and annotate whatever text, images, and links that help answer your question, all without ever leaving the webpage you're on.
Fun with George
Drag George - Drag George with your mouse and then drop him.
It's not all work and no play here at SWD!
Google offers a free web page creation and hosting service
Google has rolled out a free web page creation and hosting service that uses a simple, web-based, what-you-see is what-you-get interface designed to make it easy for anyone, obviously SWD were the first to try it out!
First thoughts....nice, easy, produces very simple 'non-complicated' web pages.
Hot Air Ballooning Over Stamford
Some video footage SWD took last year.
Take a Hot Air Balloon from Stamford, across Burghley Park and on to Barnack. with Google Video (broadband required).
Google Dance and fun with Google
SWD has some fun with this short video.
Playing with the search engines
We learn by doing, right? I had noticed that the term 'Stamford Weather' had been searched for on Google over 360,000 times! WOW
So I thought I would try to get a page listed if you searched on Google UK for the term 'Stamford Weather', within two weeks I had a great listing!! Check out the link!
Remember search rankings change so let's see how long I stay on page 1 of Google!!
Contact me if you want to know more on how I did this.
BBC Technology News:
File-sharing sanctions 'unfair'
Illegal file-sharers should be fined, rather than have their internet connection cut off, says the boss of BT.
Hard drive evolution could hit XP
Hard drives are about to undergo one of the biggest format shifts in 30 years but it could cause problems for Windows XP users.
Porn net domain name plan revived
A plan to create a .xxx net domain for adult content will be revisited three years after it was rejected by internet regulators.
Banking fraud 'moves to internet'
Fraudsters are continuing their switch from traditional card fraud to raiding online bank accounts, new research shows.
Nanotech 'fuse' for novel battery
A never-before-seen reaction in nanotubes could make for batteries that pack a mighty punch, say researchers.
Games migrate to the social side
The merging of social networks and games is set to dominate this year's Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
Sony eyeing June launch of 3D TV
Electronics giant Sony says its new 3D television will be on sale in Japan from June, with a cost of £2,600 for a 46-inch screen model.
Skynet satellite system extended
Skynet 5, the UK's single biggest space project, is to get a fourth satellite to up the bandwidth available to British forces.
US eases sanctions for freer web
The US eases sanctions on Iran, Cuba and Sudan to help further the use of internet services and support opposition groups.
Dotcom Crash
10 years on from when the Nasdaq bubble burst
Final Fantasy
Costumed fans queue for launch
dot.Rory
Time for the tech world to do a little bit of politics
Well-rounded
Indian computer graduates get etiquette classes
dot.Maggie
Dotcom crash: Where were you on 10 March 2000?
Sun spotters
Your help is needed to watch the surface of the Sun
Facebook death 'lessons to learn'
The home secretary says internet safety lessons must be learned after a convicted sex offender contacts and kills a teenager.
Weak questions put e-mail at risk
Questions used as security checks on websites need to be replaced by better tests to see who someone is, say researchers.
Drug scam hijacks college sites
UK university websites are targeted by criminals peddling counterfeit drugs from fake online pharmacies.
Mobile phones learn to lip read
A device that could allow people to conduct phone conversations without uttering a word is shown off by researchers.
Queen expresses net concerns
The Queen warns that businesses in developing nations are missing out because the internet is an "unaffordable option" in many areas.
Browsers demand screen time
Small browser firms want changes made to Microsoft's browser choice screen to make their programs more prominent.
S Korea 'web neglect' baby dies
A South Korean couple addicted to the internet let their baby starve while raising a virtual daughter online, police say.
Has copyright gone too far?
Has copyright gone too far? asks Bill Thompson.
Open society and open systems
Openness must be defended, says Bill Thompson.
The past is the future for tech
Bill Thompson keeps an eye on the future
The media and the message
Innovation is the key for papers says Bill Thompson
Naples' online 'ethical' city
The web community founded on morals and manners
Technology and education
A special edition of BBC World Service's Digital Planet programme looks at three unique uses of technology in education.
Will people pay for net news?
Can newspapers charge online and survive?
Are all bits created equal?
The US struggles with the battle over net neutrality
Digital Revolution
Internet Blog
Stamford Local News:
Accident causes tailbacks in Collyweston
A CRASH in Collyweston caused tailbacks for motorists during rush hour. (09/03/2010 12:38:02)
Rutland County Council approves post-16 education plans
RUTLAND County Council approved plans for post-16 education in Rutland at a meeting tonight. (08/03/2010 22:50:40)
Archbishop visits Stamford
THE Archbishop of Canterbury learnt about the good work completed by members of a Stamford church during a tour of the Lincolnshire. (08/03/2010 17:32:52)
Pub accident leaves man in hospital
A MAN is in hospital after falling 20ft from a stairway in a pub. (08/03/2010 09:12:46)
UPDATED: Book of Condolence for Dominic Archer-Fern
THE Mercury has opened up a book of condolence to teenager Dominic Archer-Fern. (04/03/2010 19:49:28)
Driver in Pointon died of natural causes
A DRIVER found dead in his car died of natural causes. (05/03/2010 11:27:46)
MP laughs off 'threat to Tory leader' claim
A HEAVYWEIGHT current affairs magazine has listed Rutland MP Alan Duncan in a list of people Tory leader David Cameron should "fear". (08/03/2010 10:00:00)
Inquest opens into tragedy
THE man found dead in a flat last week has been named by police.
(08/03/2010 07:00:00)
Drummer Harri joins band with Prodigy's Gizz Butt
A TEENAGER has joined forces with a former member of The Prodigy. (05/03/2010 10:15:51)
Interest shown in Bourne's Budgens site
A CLOSED town centre supermarket has attracted interest from a potential tenant. (05/03/2010 10:13:03)