tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66669532011-12-15T02:48:41.717ZJohn K Mitchell's bloggerA few thoughts and useful links by John K Mitchell a computer consultant, webmaster, college lecturer and school governor from Peterborough in the UK.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.comBlogger1751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-79571522099082546712011-09-19T21:04:00.001+01:002011-09-19T21:04:08.952+01:00New blog post : 123-Reg and Domain Renewal - Caveat Emptor http://bit.ly/puLs4B smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-47739918109648044812011-09-09T15:08:00.001+01:002011-09-09T15:08:51.318+01:00New blog post : Basic SEO Tips for Ecommerce Sites http://bit.ly/oIDXxR smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-6941291509505755072011-08-10T15:13:00.001+01:002011-08-10T15:13:09.963+01:00New blog post : Holiday Home Insurance and Security http://bit.ly/qxS5Ws smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-86798074713497893502011-08-10T13:51:00.001+01:002011-08-10T13:51:09.718+01:00Holiday Home Insurance and Security : http://ping.fm/mdE1GJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-80200891461095162952011-05-31T22:10:00.001+01:002011-05-31T22:10:33.013+01:00New blog post : Giving Discounts to Customers http://bit.ly/murHlk smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-88781849203685040082011-05-20T14:40:00.001+01:002011-05-20T14:40:11.281+01:00New blog post : Alexa Rankings - How Important Are They? http://bit.ly/j1UEGh smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-22517094157794978712011-04-26T13:17:00.001+01:002011-04-26T13:17:11.231+01:00New blog post : Public Liability Insurance - Why You Need It http://bit.ly/i1UiVr smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-30968644658001625592011-04-13T16:48:00.001+01:002011-04-13T16:48:08.391+01:00New blog post : First Impressions Count ! http://bit.ly/ev3IRI smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-68808650774682158122011-04-06T15:28:00.001+01:002011-04-06T15:28:02.853+01:00New blog post : Don't Lose Visitors When You Redesign Your Site http://bit.ly/hdWI62 smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-83715199928499359012011-03-22T11:57:00.001Z2011-03-22T11:57:04.601ZNew blog post : Small Businesses and Charitable Appeals http://bit.ly/fW9b5f smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-65066522904273752712011-03-08T19:39:00.001Z2011-03-08T19:39:18.146ZNew blog post : Managing Remote Workers - 7 Simple Tips http://bit.ly/fTXRHL smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-71108100199092319272011-03-07T15:15:00.001Z2011-03-07T15:15:09.770ZNew blog post : Code of Practice 9: Civil Investigation of Fraud http://bit.ly/gHMdB0 smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-34415433294902115142011-03-02T17:38:00.001Z2011-03-02T17:38:06.440ZNew blog post : 7 Tips for Effective Email Subject Lines http://bit.ly/eqlvcI smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-66708089834076085882011-02-19T16:35:00.001Z2011-02-19T16:35:04.026ZNew blog post : Effective Marketing for Small Businesses http://bit.ly/ec9NuW smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-2400003410702467862011-02-17T21:19:00.001Z2011-02-17T21:19:03.627ZNew blog post : Seven Simple Tips For Exhibition Stands http://bit.ly/ezVUfq smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-28272755492130187532011-02-15T21:28:00.001Z2011-02-15T21:28:04.559ZNew blog post : URLs and SEO http://bit.ly/gNCBVC smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-39048263286461076402011-02-14T18:07:00.001Z2011-02-14T18:07:24.875ZNew blog post : Don't Be Afraid To Say No http://bit.ly/dWdU1n smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-62502376796813523092011-02-08T13:50:00.001Z2011-02-08T13:50:14.793ZNew blog post : Meta Keywords - Why Does My Website Not Show in The Results? http://bit.ly/fkDjwk smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-49609246997507772402011-02-07T14:27:00.001Z2011-02-07T14:27:05.733ZNew blog post : Speeding Up Your Broadband - Cheap and Easy Solution http://bit.ly/fC9oOr smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-79318661652196805582011-02-06T14:48:00.001Z2011-02-06T14:48:04.585ZNew blog post : Advertising on Websites - The ASA in the UK http://bit.ly/gWRmWt smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-24811932936634477872011-02-02T15:10:00.001Z2011-02-02T15:10:22.313ZNew blog post : Old Fashioned Sweets - Novel Business Gifts http://bit.ly/hfd3YJ smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-74418091388707051132011-01-31T20:28:00.001Z2011-01-31T20:28:06.203ZNew blog post : If You Build It They Will Come http://bit.ly/hmnFFk smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-25886266565349477552011-01-27T12:27:00.003Z2011-01-27T12:27:38.244ZNew blog post : Silver Surfers - Why SME's Should Not Ignore Them http://bit.ly/eeDHoM smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-56221236632132270482011-01-27T12:27:00.001Z2011-01-27T12:27:10.113ZNew blog post : Silver Surfers - Why SME's Should Not Ignore Them http://bit.ly/eeDHoM smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-43849626433202130162011-01-24T10:26:00.001Z2011-01-24T10:26:12.840ZNew blog post : Net Networking for the Small Business http://bit.ly/dY6Z58 smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-86628125996751119712011-01-21T06:20:00.001Z2011-01-21T06:20:06.057ZNew blog post : Cable Tidies and the Small Office http://bit.ly/eJIL5I smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-25756105552825179732011-01-19T23:24:00.001Z2011-01-19T23:24:10.668ZNew blog post : Web Design Terms and Conditions - Copyright Issues http://bit.ly/eLZcGh smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-388037427548955422011-01-05T21:32:00.001Z2011-01-05T21:32:59.065ZBlog post : UK email marketing law : http://ping.fm/x5fID smallbusiness marketingJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-61097065400611610012011-01-04T17:00:00.001Z2011-01-04T17:00:49.497ZNew Blog Post : New payment arrangements for self-employed from April 2011 : http://ping.fm/foVAS smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-22115991935622275662011-01-04T13:35:00.001Z2011-01-04T13:35:30.047ZNew blog post : Changes to Cookies in UK and Europe : http://bit.ly/gGC4iq smallbusiness cookiesJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-71727793000927370562010-12-21T12:18:00.001Z2010-12-21T12:18:40.601ZNew blog post : Main Differences Between Ltd Companies and a Sole Trader - http://ping.fm/rV5am smallbusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-10874274144904442952010-10-15T17:45:00.001+01:002010-10-15T17:45:23.888+01:00New blog post : Preparing for a Smooth Staff Handover http://bit.ly/9qamOfJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-39032698266281881122010-10-13T10:12:00.001+01:002010-10-13T10:12:22.057+01:00New blog post : Health and Safety for Small Businesses http://bit.ly/9sS5a6 health-and-safetyJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-39504612106029979282010-10-08T18:42:00.001+01:002010-10-08T18:42:18.860+01:00New blog post : Self Hosted v Off Site Blogs http://bit.ly/cnN93xJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-5982218677615749912010-10-07T12:58:00.001+01:002010-10-07T12:58:13.092+01:00New blog post : Bookkeeping and Accounting - What is the Difference? http://bit.ly/d3EELTJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-40486546536387660272010-09-30T21:03:00.001+01:002010-09-30T21:03:59.542+01:00New blog post The Penalties of not Listening to Customers http://bit.ly/apT04nJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-55905693643298452022010-09-27T22:16:00.001+01:002010-09-27T22:16:57.448+01:00New blog post Pensions for Small Business Owners http://bit.ly/dnbGOcJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-30674412016741337122010-09-21T14:58:00.001+01:002010-09-21T14:58:32.711+01:00New blog post Using Blogs as a Marketing Tool http://bit.ly/aJeFusJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-53692697383461986512010-09-01T16:11:00.001+01:002010-09-01T16:11:46.475+01:00New blog post 11 Ways to Get Your Website Banned http://bit.ly/9chdrHJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-57033716254522449772010-08-31T10:36:00.001+01:002010-08-31T10:36:18.526+01:00New blog post Expand Your Business Overseas http://bit.ly/cpgUfWJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-27974800598655570062010-08-27T12:37:00.001+01:002010-08-27T12:37:28.474+01:00New blog post Employers Liability Insurance http://bit.ly/alJGAzJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-33322736147469753932010-08-25T12:15:00.001+01:002010-08-25T12:15:13.539+01:00New blog post Accounting for Small Businesses - IFRS for SMEs http://bit.ly/9KMjXlJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-38882122406861454232010-08-20T21:30:00.001+01:002010-08-20T21:30:40.179+01:00New blog post Holidays for Small Business Owners http://bit.ly/b7zcC7Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-53852039478703524682010-08-11T20:41:00.001+01:002010-08-11T20:41:02.255+01:00New blog post How Not to Send a Marketing Email http://bit.ly/cVqJjEJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-38494605557375750802010-07-28T21:32:00.001+01:002010-07-28T21:32:34.736+01:00New blog post Making Pay Per Click Pay http://bit.ly/dskQVxJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-22146918442226630982010-07-28T20:39:00.001+01:002010-07-28T20:39:07.407+01:00New blog post The Science of Selling http://bit.ly/9obih4Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-22387326676106404202010-07-20T15:47:00.001+01:002010-07-20T15:47:40.865+01:00New blog post How to Write a Press Release http://bit.ly/d3y7tVJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-18894203963398098612010-07-20T15:05:00.001+01:002010-07-20T15:05:51.865+01:00New blog post Serviced Offices in Sheffield http://bit.ly/dma1AyJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-34213789282560040932010-07-01T09:49:00.001+01:002010-07-01T09:49:15.107+01:00New blog post Smelling Good at Work http://bit.ly/czeYGgJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-9888961269768209652010-06-29T11:09:00.001+01:002010-06-29T11:09:55.568+01:00New blog post Making Your Aims Clear http://bit.ly/ceYiBlJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-51815524072533478482010-06-23T13:10:00.001+01:002010-06-23T13:10:23.645+01:00New blog post Keeping fit in an Office Job http://bit.ly/91iWEUJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-64179359979596673502010-06-15T13:12:00.001+01:002010-06-15T13:12:38.394+01:00New blog post Are You IR35 Compliant? http://bit.ly/936txDJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-10318926396196661162010-06-03T12:34:00.001+01:002010-06-03T12:34:34.399+01:00New blog post Customer Service - How to do it http://bit.ly/b1Q2aBJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-36580069661121109382010-06-02T18:40:00.001+01:002010-06-02T18:40:55.458+01:00New blog post How to build a good business website http://bit.ly/bmgrLqJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-41286579229990303612010-06-02T12:59:00.001+01:002010-06-02T12:59:52.887+01:00New blog post Why does my site not rank well in the search engines? http://bit.ly/dt0zijJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-26880919394015464102010-05-25T12:47:00.001+01:002010-05-25T12:47:27.047+01:00Fire Extinguishers For The Small BusinessJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-58120752390134089452010-02-26T10:25:00.003Z2010-02-26T10:34:58.074ZNew Local Accounts DirectoryA new directory listing local accountants in the UK has just been launched, this directory allows you to enter your postcode and a distance and displays all accountants nearby including Chartered Tax Advisors, Chartered & Chartered Certified Accountants and other types of accountants.In addition to this useful tool you can also read articles about accountancy and Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-63581176228540073662010-01-20T11:00:00.002Z2010-01-20T11:07:34.280ZWow, has it really been 6 months since I made my last posting? I must get back into the habit of posting much more often.My excuse is that I have been busy in my new job as an SEO manager for a firm that builds websites for accountants and solictors here in the UK.I've also been busy redesigning my own site at Forest Software and getting to grips with twitter (you can follow me as forestsoftware Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-5642342271710763462009-07-24T14:34:00.004+01:002009-07-24T14:42:28.725+01:00Facebook now lets advertisers use your pictureIt seems that Facebook now lets advertisers use your picture without your permission - you have to opt out of Facebook being allowed to do this.I wonder how this fits in with UK copyright and data protection laws - it would be interesting to see, I know I would be horrified if my picture was used on a dating site advert like the original posters Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-54362168123527346732009-06-29T15:40:00.004+01:002009-07-21T10:09:43.376+01:00Revised Image ReplacementAs part of a project I have been looking into the different methods of displaying a "header" image but having a proper H1 tag underneath it.This is needed as a client wants pretty images as headers for their pages but from an SEO (and accessibility) perspective there should be H1 tags at the top of the page acting as a header.After trawling through several forums and Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-45379315089660637232009-06-15T16:30:00.003+01:002009-06-15T16:36:41.570+01:00A personal rantI have a business bank account with a bank here in the UK. It seems that their systems had a problem in January and thay they have just realised that customers may have gone overdrawn in December and not been charged. It certainly came as a suprise to me to see a note on my statement issued for the month from 7th May to 6th June that the bank were going to charge me £32 for a Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-66993859937287513782009-03-16T15:04:00.002Z2009-03-16T15:24:55.182ZAnother new site, this time for a firm of brickworkers and scaffolders based in Rushden.Of particular interest to me (I watch a lot of C4 Timeteam on the TV) was the fact that as well as providing scaffolding in the East Midlands, and brickwork they have worked on refurbishing 17th and 18th century brickwork at Merton Hall, St Johns College in Cambridge. Old building facsinate me and I would Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-87505088472281718772009-03-10T15:58:00.002Z2009-03-10T16:09:31.290ZI have just been reading Matt Cutts (the head of Google's Webspam team) blog on sponsored conversations which I found interesting.It seems that Google are looking for blogs where people are paid to make posts to their blogs as they feel that this people are posting to influence the results on the Google search engines. Google seem to be saying that it is ok to be paid to post on blogs if you useJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-51449674821889979052009-02-25T15:59:00.002Z2009-02-25T16:07:40.560ZA change of jobJust over a week ago I changed my job from being a technical manager at a SEO company to being an SEO manager at a specialist website design company.While I enjoyed the work at my old company I felt that it was time for a new challange and spotted an advert just before Christmas for the SEO managers position.A couple of emails and meetings later I was offered the position and took Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-75576526708123633602008-12-05T11:13:00.001Z2008-12-05T11:58:53.050ZAnother "new" site is launched. This time it is a reworking of a site built by someone else a few years ago.The work on the Rainford Models website really consisted of adding text, making the navigation easier for the search engines to use, removing extra html tags, adding new pages and generally improving the site so that it might be found by search engines easier.Rainford Models are based in Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-65675099531450850012008-11-24T14:13:00.000Z2008-11-24T14:17:39.720ZYet another new site.A client asked for an overhaul of their website (an old frames based type of site with Java navigation) and to bring it into an in-house feel.A little bit of work means that the site at www.lansonfinancial.com is now much easier for people to navigate and also for the search engines to find their way round. Now all I have to do is try and get the site ranking better for tax Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-70316126841394107802008-10-01T10:43:00.000+01:002008-10-01T10:55:12.565+01:00Health and SafetyThe office I work in is undergoing a rigorous health and safety check at the moment. Everything from the fire plan, electrical equipment, trip hazards to the emergency lighting is being looked at and checked.We thought about doing this ourselves but decided that it would be better to get in some experts in health and safety in Lincolnshire (the office is on the borders of Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-60873842582766693822008-09-11T11:41:00.001+01:002008-09-11T11:46:29.182+01:00PHP : How to send email from PHP with attachments Email is the most popular Internet service today. Millions of emails are sent and delivered each day. A client wanted to send automated email messages from your PHP application. This could either be in direct response to a user's action, such as signing up on their site, or a recurring event at a set time, such as a monthly newsletter. SometimesJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-32550466912448220902008-08-07T11:01:00.001+01:002009-02-04T13:35:53.474ZGraphics chips help supercomputers become commonplaceAn interesting article in Computer Weekly the other week about how graphics chips could help supercomputers become commonplace made me think.It says that for around the cost of £3,000 scientists will soon be able to buy supercomputers for their desks rather than spend millions of pounds !It seems that by treating each graphics chip as a Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-26263548617663926092008-08-07T10:50:00.000+01:002008-08-07T10:58:56.595+01:00Websites for Law FirmsI was approached recently by a law firm that wanted a website - this led me to think about a new venture, could I build websites for law firms and was there enough of a market for it here in the UK ?A quick search in Google (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1T4SUNA_enGB258GB259&q=websites+for+law+firms&btnG=Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB)showed that Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-56991681688478422012008-06-29T21:41:00.000+01:002008-06-29T21:53:42.166+01:00Once in a while I get the urge to write a blog posting and can not think of anything to say, so I sit in a dark corner waiting for the moment to pass :)Today was one of those days until I came across an article on the BBC website saying that "A review into school toilets across Wales has been ordered amid concerns about health, hygiene and safety." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7473960.stm. Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-69449104523847164582008-06-27T13:55:00.001+01:002008-06-27T14:01:31.122+01:00While looking at sites for online conveyancing I came across a blog called theRatandMouse, there were several good articles and links on the site, in fact I spent so long reading the blog that I had to go back and start my search again as I had forgotten where I was up to.Oh, and if you are interested I eventually found a great source of information about online conveyancing and the whole Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-52488952267826346602008-04-29T16:00:00.001+01:002008-06-27T14:09:26.833+01:00A moanI have a page at www.forestsoftware.co.uk/designterms.html that contains my design terms and designs - they have been the way they are for over 4 years nowYou can imagine my suprise when I did a search for a phrase that is on the page and found that there are 77 other pages out there with exactly the same terms and conditions - even down, in some cases, to the formatting of the terms.I Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-49972778870386187182008-02-22T11:43:00.000Z2008-02-22T12:46:03.052ZI have just finished another website, this time it's a directory listing local solicitors in the UK. At the moment there are not a large number of solicitors listed but the company that I built the site for is offering free basic entries to the directory for any UK based local solicitor (with an enhanced listing option available as well).The directory is set up to allow visitors to find a local Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-9152903099335365662008-02-18T11:24:00.000Z2008-02-18T11:33:12.285ZAt a recent Governors meeting we discussed the idea that visitors to the school should wear visitors badges so that we had an audit trail of who came into the school, when they arrived and when they left.After a bit of searching (I am the lead governor for property and Health & Safety - so it falls under my remit) I came across B.I.G. Badges who can provide a "time expiring" visitors badge that Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-25058007615041096452008-01-29T11:43:00.000Z2008-01-29T21:50:53.397ZIt's been a long while since I last posted - things just seem to have got in the way and the time has flown by.Anyway, I'm back now and planning on spending more time posting to this blog.I've just been reading about another fine example of government IT systems here in the UK, it seesm that a failing £447m project to provide a national case management system for magistrates courts has been Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-91873663103737021752007-06-30T20:37:00.001+01:002008-02-18T11:37:22.056ZRecently I have read articles and heard reports on the radio about an online "world" called Second Life.I decided to have a look around and it is quite impressive. When you sign up (and you can do this free) you choose a name and then walk around as an online character. While "in world" you can buy and sell items, buy land (if you have a paid account - costs $9.99 per month plus a monthly fee Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-24085923843949949612007-02-14T10:53:00.000Z2007-02-14T11:05:55.779ZIt's Valentines Day today and I was thinking about a website that I visited a couple of days ago called TreatHer.com to buy a gift for my wife.The site seemed to have lots of fun gifts so I decided to stop browsing and started to look more seriously. There a was a navigation panel on the screen showing the type of person you are looking for (you know the kind of thing... friend, mum!, lover, Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1168962473271060432007-01-16T15:47:00.000Z2007-02-09T21:41:48.819ZTypical isn't it?Over the Christmas period the UK Government issued some new legislation that extends the requirement for companies and LLPs (Limited Liability Partnerships) to include certain information in their electronic documents and on websites.While companies have been used to including their name, place of registration, company number and registered office address on letterheads and Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1168261873161960482007-01-08T13:01:00.000Z2007-02-14T10:52:46.207ZWe have decided to redecorate our house and one of the first things that sprung to mind was "where are we going to put things while the rooms are being painted?".It's easy enough to move everything into the middle of the room so that the walls and woodwork can be can be painted but we want to do the ceilings as well and I do not fancy climbing over furniture to do this.I thought of the garage as Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1163766887261683682006-11-17T11:56:00.000Z2007-02-09T21:43:09.216ZIt's been a hectic few weeks with clients suddenly wanting changes to their sites and a possible large building project at the school.Then I was contacted by a client who wanted to know why he could not find his website any longer in Google. He was understandably concerned as he feels that much of his traffic and enquiries comes from Google searches. There had been no changes to his site and it Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1161273942994562012006-10-19T16:56:00.000+01:002007-02-09T21:38:43.480ZThe village where I live is just to the north of Peterborough in the UK but is far enough away that there are green fields between us and the city itself.Unfortunately, the Government has decided that Peterborough needs more housing (as part of the so called Stansted corridor - remember that Stansted is more than 50 miles away). This means that the fields to the north of Peterborough are likely Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1158353488586549002006-09-15T21:43:00.000+01:002006-09-15T22:12:52.536+01:00I've just finished a new site for a client - a searchable directory of UK schools and other educational establishments such as : creches; nurseries; playgroups; colleges etc.This was an interested project as part of the brief was to a allow searches at specified distances from post codes. There was a lot of research needed to work out how to calculate the distance from any given point in the UK.IJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1158354560919032642006-09-03T22:02:00.000+01:002006-10-19T16:51:30.523+01:00Just got back from holiday - a two week cruise in the Mediterranean visiting several places including Florence, Pisa, Rome and Naples amongst others on the P&O cruise ship The AuroaCruises are great ways to get a flavour for a place so you know if you want to go back (and we definately want to go back to Rome).We drove down to Southampton, the cases were unloaded from the car, we checked in and Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1154723218944911642006-08-04T21:26:00.000+01:002006-08-04T21:26:59.886+01:00I've been looking at the possibility of buying an interactive whiteboard for the company I work for so that we can convert our meeting room into a joint meeting and training room.Having had some experience with these boards at the college I was very aware of the problems of working too close to the board and the funny tricks it can play with your eyes.Looking on MSN I found a company based in Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1153217586935355122006-07-18T11:02:00.000+01:002007-01-16T15:24:58.293ZA consultation, launched on the 17th July by the UK's Department of Health, is seeking views on the proposed Government regulations to maintain a smoke free environment in virtually all enclosed public places and work places from summer 2007This legislation seems to be similar to that passed by the Scottish Parliament which came into effect in March 2006, whereby smoking is banned in any enclosedJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1152525156091721442006-07-10T10:44:00.000+01:002006-07-10T10:52:36.626+01:00Only two weeks to go at the school before the end of the summer term, and the activities are ramping up. As a governor I like to try to support the school in as many of these as possible but I'm not sure how many I'll be able to get to in the next two weeks.For example :-Monday 10th July : Years 3 & 4 have a Tudor dayTuesday 11th July : Open evening at the schoolWednesday 12th July : Years 5 & 6Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1152526010376449732006-07-05T11:06:00.000+01:002008-01-29T21:54:33.566ZI keep seeing programs on the television about buying homes overseas for holidays or to move on a permanent basis.As is the case with a lot of people I suspect, this has started me thinking about buying a house abroad that the family could visit when ever we wanted. I first looked a Cyprus but have seen reports in the press and on the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office website that there are a Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1150368500798532502006-06-15T11:35:00.000+01:002006-06-15T11:56:38.266+01:00Yesterday afternoon I went to a performance of Shahrázád (otherwise known as "The thousand and one nights") put on by the key Stage 2 children (7 to 11 year olds in years 3,4,5 and 6) at the Peakirk cum Glinton C E Primary School in the village.The main characters were taken by the year 6 children and how some of them remembered all the lines that they had is beyond me - the performance started Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1149856581961379402006-06-09T13:03:00.000+01:002006-09-15T21:30:09.560+01:00Every so often I get to feel my age and start to think that I need to top up my life insurance policies before it gets too expensive.Just recently I came across the site for a broker who are based in the UK. Looking around their site it seems that they are an insurance broker and not just a website that acts as an affiliate link to other sites.Now I'm not sure if it's a top up to my normal life Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1149019007878735982006-05-30T20:47:00.000+01:002006-06-09T13:38:29.606+01:00Another IT failure from Central GovernmentAccording to an article on the BBC website a large number of Doctors have called for a review into the £6.2bn NHS computer project.The IT upgrade aims to link up 30,000 GPs to nearly 300 hospitals in an overhaul of the NHS IT network. Aparently half of the GPs said the "choose and book" online booking system was poor or fairly poor. The poll was completedJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1148674204855894742006-05-26T21:03:00.000+01:002006-05-26T21:20:29.410+01:00As a Coeliac (or celiac in the USA) sufferer I tend to keep an eye open for websites about gluten free food.Recent, while playing blogshares I came across the gluten free girl blog that made interesting reading.For those that are not aware gluten is a protein that is found in many cereals including Wheat, Rye and Barley although not in Rice or Corn. The gluten allergy (coeliac disease) is Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1147205744222974472006-05-09T21:08:00.000+01:002006-06-09T13:39:43.170+01:00BlogSharesYou may have noticed that there is a link on the left hand side of the page to something called BlogShares.This is a fantasy stock market where weblogs (blogs) are the companies. Players invest fictional dollars on shares in these blogs. The blogs are then valued by their incoming links and add value to other blogs by linking to them. Prices can go up or down based on trading and the Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1146220283782897262006-04-28T11:31:00.000+01:002006-05-30T20:42:29.813+01:00I've just finished working on a website for Accountants Search UK which lists accountants from all over the UK. The idea behind the site is that it is that it’s a directory of accountancy firms who can help clients with all aspects of accounting including; audit, bookkeeping, general business advice, management accounts, payroll, income tax, self assessment, corporation tax, inheritance tax, Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1146083700210404712006-04-26T21:35:00.000+01:002006-04-26T21:35:00.273+01:00Teaching Ideas & Resources - TES - The Times Educational Supplement has a great free interactive poster about the Great fire of Lonodn that can be used on interactive whiteboards in classrooms.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1144750550387806212006-04-11T11:13:00.000+01:002006-04-11T11:15:50.713+01:00The information below about a scam has been received from both Trading Standards and Cambridgeshire Police and is relevent for readers in the UK :PARCEL SCAM WARNINGIf you receive a card through your door from a company call PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) saying that they have a parcel awaiting delivery instructions and can you contact them on 0906 6611911.DO NOT call the number as this is a mail Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1144418044038380222006-04-07T14:48:00.000+01:002006-04-07T14:54:28.893+01:00Last night was the first night of the new-werri-thorpe gangshow mentioned earlier.As has been the case with the last 5 years the show was of a good standard with a cast of 85 Cubs, Brownies, Guides, Scouts and leaders all taking part. I know that they have been rehearsing since just after Christmas and it really shows in the standard of performance by the cast.Next year is the 30th gangshow put Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1143722997321552532006-03-30T13:47:00.000+01:002006-03-30T13:49:57.676+01:00Just found this blog that contains IT and computer hardware news, events, reviews and personal takes on things that are happening in the IT field you should know about.It makes for an interesting read.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1142286520209352242006-03-13T21:48:00.000Z2006-03-13T21:48:41.026ZThis family sized Villa in Orlando is available for holiday lets. Owned by one of my neighbours in Glinton, this stunning, spacious four bedroom/three bathroom villa is located in a quiet gated residential development off Highway 27, within a few minutes' drive of both the 192 and the Interstate 4. It is within 15 minutes of Disney World and Epcot and only 20 minutes from Sea World and Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6666953.post-1140531982812530542006-02-21T14:26:00.000Z2006-02-21T14:26:22.883ZThe school at which I am a governor (Peakirk-cum-Glinton C of E Primary School) has just had their Ofsted Inspection. To quote the report "This is a good school. The inspection agrees that this is an effective school which provides good value for money. There is accurate and honest self-evaluation, which provides the school with a good basis for further improvement. Improvement since the last Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07083310178818688067noreply@blogger.com0