Tag: internet

Advertising is damaging the Internet experience

12th March 2009 by Giles Smith

In my humble little opinion the original intention of the web was to be a worldwide free medium to share documents and discuss idea. So far this ideal has been somewhat achieved but there is something that is threatening the ideal.

I have recently stopped following some blogs and websites, not because I find their content irrelevant or or lackluster, but because my experience whilst on these sites has become so tarnished by advertising that I can’t read the content. Some of these sites are industry leaders in breaking news for the technology and IT worlds, but if I cannot read the content I am not going to bother coming back.

Now I am not saying that advertising is all bad, most of these blogs and websites depend on it to remain publishing. However as the average user learns to automatically and involuntarily tune out the distractions, advertisers keep coming up with new innovative methods of annoyance.

I am at breaking point.

First we had JavaScript pop ups loading advertising pages up continually in your face and these were easily stopped by blocking JavaScript. These were soon replaced by flash banners normally at the top or sides of a website, which flash, scream or try to get you to shoot a duck.

Oh yes the ones that really drive me mad are the holding page adverts, where if you don’t have a cookie for a particular site you have to sit and wait for 10 seconds while several adverts are paraded in front of your face.

Now we have the CSS/Ajax pop up windows asking stupid questions like

“As a valued visitor please take a moment to tell us what you think about our site, and then if you wouldn’t mind visiting one or two of our sponsors…”

So I am quite certain that the vast majority of Internet users will agree with me here, but by charging less and less for more intrusive adverts, the only long term success that will be gained will be in driving readers away, not wealth.

The web is now one of the most powerful mediums on the planet, surely there is a better way of generating revenue whilst still maintaining a meaning?

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Categories: IT, Tech & Internet • 2 Comments »

Text Internet Marketing Launches Free Express Web Test

20th August 2008 by Giles Smith

Original Article

Leading online marketing specialist Text Internet Marketing has launched a revolutionary new website diagnostic tool which will be invaluable for all website administrators.

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Text’s Business Development Manager, Graeme Hastings commented: “Unlike other internet marketing agencies, Text Internet Marketing does not believe in shrouding services such as web design, SEO and pay-per-click campaigns in mystery,” adding “there are no dark arts involved, it’s common sense and hard work.”

The Free Express Web Test enables webmasters to review their sites instantly to gauge their effectiveness in search engine rankings, enabling the reviewer to ascertain areas within the site that need to be addressed.

Manchester based Text is at the forefront of internet marketing, specialising in content based web design, PPC campaigns, banner advertising, link building, online PR and much more with clients ranging from Haydock Park, to Baines and Ernst and Donington Park (a list of Texts web design clients can be found on Text’s portfolio page).

You can try out the new Express Web Tester at the Text.co.uk Website

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Categories: IT, Tech & Internet • 2 Comments »

UKFast Win ISPA Award for the 4th Year Running! Best Dedicated Hosting

17th March 2008 by Giles Smith

Award Results at the ISPA Awards Homepage

The judges agreed that UKFast has placed importance on client data protection and can offer customers a variety of secure hosting packages which include automated patch management and good SLAs

UKFast LogoThe winners were picked from the elite of the Internet Industry and gathered at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square on the 14th March 2008.

When accepting the award Lawrence Jones thanked his hard working and dedicated team:

The technology industry relies on people and I have some of the very best. So I would like to thank my team,

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Every year we return and look at where we can improve our offering. In the immediate future we are recruiting within the customer service team in order to further improve our service to the growing number of businesses that join the UKFast network.

Brian Ahearne, organiser of the ISPA awards, and Communications Manager for ISPA UK added:

In the ten year history of the awards no one has managed to win four years in a row before. It is unprecedented.

As a software developer for Text.co.uk, UKFast’s research & development, marketing and PR arm, it is extremely refreshing to work alongside such a professional and supportive team – a team who show a passion for innovation and dedication to dynamically improving the Internet hosting industry in every aspect.

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Categories: IT, Tech & Internet • 2 Comments »

Internet Filtering, the sensible way

2nd November 2007 by Giles Smith

Unfiltered Internet

Practicle Internet Filtering

“Saw this in the San Clemente, Ca library. I was performing my magic show and took this poor pic on my Treo. The ‘unfiltered’ side faces the reference desk so the librarians can monitor usage but they say it has reduced abuse and given adults uncensored access to the internet.”

Amazing Dana noticed this

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