Internet, web design, internet marketing and technolgy news from N - Web Design

Google Squared get its Lab Debut

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Wow, so many smart things happening right now, what with Bing in Beta and now Google Squared getting launched in Google Labs.

So what is Google Squared?

Looking for ever more useful and meaningful ways of presenting search results, Google have created an application that returns results in squares. This takes some explaining.

I initially imagined some really clever presentation layer that looked a bit like the Speed Dial thing in Opera, (which is one of the coolest ways of displaying bookmarked or favourite sites in the universe).

Instead, what I got when I finally picked something it could show me, was a pretty old fashioned spreadsheet style thing with relevant resources listed, I'm sorry Google but you have taught me to expect so much I am initialy a little disappointed...

I'm still not too sure where the 'squared' bit is? they are more like rectangles?

Don't give up, it does work. Honest...

So after my initial disappointment, and knowing Google are the kings of the Uber Presentation Understatement, I persevered. Now what can I search for?

I chose helicopters.

This gave me a rather uninspiring spreadsheet of helicopters with various columns of data and pictures. Ok, now I'm seeing its usefulness...

Now here is the REALLY clever bit. And I mean impressively smart.

When you search for something, provided Google gets some relevant stuff back [my earlier failures to launch were down to my ignorance], what it does is match content and references from many search results and compiles them into 'squares' for you.

Now I see where the squares come in...

And Google Squared will be really good for?

It'll be really good for searching and saving your searches and researching (that's researching not re searching, although it obviously does that too) and comparing and, well all kinds of really good things.

It'll appeal to small children as a sort've on-line Top Trumps as well as consumers comparing similar products.

If you have a Google account, you can save your squares too.

What will be in the future for Google Squared

I don't really know to be honest. There are probably a few bits of Goolge's own stable of products that could use some Squares?

I'll need a little time to absorb its capabilities but in the meantime, if you want to know more, you can read this Google blog post or just jump straight in and tryi it for yourself at Google Squared.

Meet Bing...

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

If you don't already know, there is a new kid on the [Search Engine] block and his name is Bing.

Who is Bing?

Bing is a new search engine, provided by Microsoft, and is part of the whole MSN/Windows Live family of internet based tools.

Currently in Beta but probably destined to become a production application very soon, Microsoft have really spent some time and effort to get a slick looking and potentialy useful product to market.

Microsoft define bing as: 'Bing is a search engine that finds and organizes the answers you need so you can make faster, more informed decisions.'.

Well, if it does what it says on the tin, then I'm quite excited about this.

What can we expect from Bing?

Simply put, Bing is a search engine.

But we all know that just means it is a concentrated honey pot to attract consumers so sellers rent a stall.

Looking under the hood, Bing integrates well with your Windows Live account so if you use MSN or are a Microsoft Partner, you can just sign in and start to do things.

In a similar mould to the way Google manage resources, there is a layered approach to ccess but it is just a lick to get into additional services and content.

Once you are signed in, you have access to your account preferences (I think these are just reserved to Bing, not global for Windows Live), access to the Bing community and access to the pay-per-click section through Microsoft Advertising.

the advertising section uses something called 'Microsoft Ad Centre'. The model for this is just like Google pay-per-click. You sign up, you select keywords, you apear at the top.

We have searches for web, images, videos, news, shopping which links to http://www.ciao.co.uk/, maps that link to http://www.multimap.com/ but the most interesting thing I found was xRank.

Now this could be good.

So what is xRank? Well it's... no, I'll let Microsoft tell you what it is:

'xRank keeps track of notable people and puts them in order for you. We count Live Search web searches for movie stars, musicians, and other famous people. Then, we compile our findings into an insightful ranking formula that tells you who the world is searching for most. The result is a cultural snapshot of who's hot and who's not!'

The full help page for xRank is found here.

Now this isn't exactly anything new or innovative but what is smart here is that they have put relevant things together in one place and given it an identity. There is some genius affot, believe me...

What will the future hold for Bing?

It seems likely that Bing will be trying to go head-to-head with Google in the Global Internet Meta stakes.

We should expect some additional and comparable tools, such as analytics and webmaster tools, as well as some carefully considered innovations. Come on, Microsoft can be innovative too you know.

The whole concept of bringing things together as one big family of services isn't uncommon but a little re-brand has certainly gone a long way. The cynics will suggest this is just the old MSN site with a new frock on. It'll be using the same old MSN search engine at least.

What do I think about it all?

I love what Google have done for the internet and searching.

Ok, so they are geting bad press as a bit of a money-making machine but we can't argue that they have raised the bar for other providers to follow, plus massively increased our demands as consumers and given us far geater expectations for our on-line content and services.

I don't think Google will be knocked off the top step just yet but Microsoft have somethng comparable and accessable, albeit immature. Bing is more likely to chip a big chunk off Google's search engine market share than Chrome has done so far with Microsoft's browser market share.

It's still 0 - 0 in the big game, but the Microsoft Super-Sub is just warming up...

You can check big out at http://www.bing.com

Changes to Google Base

Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Google have made some changes to their popular Base application that will effect users, especially those who use automated uploads and the API.

What are the changes?

The change is the inclusion of a required attribute for 'condition' of items listed as products. This requirement comes into effect on 30 June 2009

To read more about this change, visit the Google help site.

How do I know if I need to do anything?

If you manage your own products in Google Base, you should have received an e-mail telling you what the changes are and when they come into effect.

If you maintain your own listings and haven't received notification, just go to your Google Base account and make your changes there.

If someone manages Google Base products for you, make sure they do these changes before 30th June 2009, otherwise you may suffer a loss of service until changes are made.

Content Management Demo

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 +0100

N-Web Design launch their new white label CMS demo site

Doesn't news always sound so dramatic when you try to make it all PR-like.

Anyway, we have just launched a white lable Content Management System demo so that our clients can demo our great CMS services to their clients without giving anything away.

We can also use the CMS to show our direct clients what a CMS can do and more specifically, what SilverStripe can do, without us adding lots of extra, meaningless nonsense to our main web site.

Why is our CMS so good then?

Well, after working with several content management systems, both free and [very] expensive, we think that SilverStripe (that we use for our web sites and recommend to our clients) is as good an any open source offering and better than many rather expensive ones.

This makes our CMS really good, because we can be sure that it works how we like web sites to work, it is fast, stable and pretty straightforward to re-skin and deploy. This means it's a lot better for our clients, as it is more cost effective and quicker to produce results.

Getting a great CMS for yourself

Why not contact us and we will happily talk to you about content management system or anything else you need for your business. IF you aren't sure what a Content Management System does, We can also show you one in action with our demo CMS system.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Drugs and clinical sciences

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Many companies specialise in certain areas of business and even within these areas, businesses will often specialise in certain sectors.

We have recently been involved with some big names in the clinical and pharmaceutical sector and have found this has led to us having an interest in that industry.

The drug and pharmaceutical industry

There are many large pharmaceutical companies with big budgets and a large array of trading partners.

Although we are currently working and have worked in the past with some significant pharmaceutical and pharmacology organisations, there are many smaller support companies that fulfil roles and bring services to this sector. We have recently begun partnerships with some of these smaller providers to work on projects within the sector.

Efficiencies and economies of scale

Many large organisations are reacting to the current economic crisis by downsizing or cutting pending.

Although pharmaceutical companies are traditionally perceived to have 'deep pockets', they are still working in a finace and payment chain that involves reduced revenues. Like most businesses, they need to streamline.

Where do we come in?

Companies like ours can offer very meaningful, objective based services to companies that are traditionally very process heavy.

Because our way of working, whilst still involving planning, analysis and processing, is one which provides clarity and direction on small doses [no pun intended], it realises a far greater benefit to the overall business and brand. Because we help to trim the fat, improve efficiency and most importantly of all, re-inforce the brand strength to stakeholders and consumers, ther is a large advantage from a small investment.

The real news here

The real news here is that we have secured some work within a sector that is in need of our help.

The work so far has given us a better insight into the industry and what we can do to help businesses in the pharmaceutical, pharmacology, clinical trials and helthcare arena.

If you are a business that works within these areas and would like to learn more about how we can improve your marketing, image, dat capture or brand, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.

N - Web Wesign HIT the mark

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

N - Web Design have been commissioned to complete a web design and implementation project for HIT.

HIT are a leading provider of harm reduction publications and training courses to the Government, the NHS and local authorities.

The project outline

N-webdesign will be working closely with HIT's own design team to introduce a new skin to their new web and content management system.

N-webdesign are really excited about the opportunity to work closely with HIT on their latest project.

HIT can be found at hit.org.uk

HIT score high with e-mail marketing

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

N-WebDesign have recently embarked on an e-mail marketing campaign, in partnership with HIT www.hit.org.uk, to help promote their training courses and publications.

A little about HIT

HIT are a leading supplier of harm reduction and drug & alcohol information to healthcare, government and private sector organisations.

Reachng the customers through good marketing and data

HIT have seen a significant increase in course bookings and publication sales following a targetted e-mail marketing campaign, aied at their current customers and stakeholders.

N-WebDesign collated and filtered existing customer data, advised on best practice regarding age and usability, then initiated a campaign based on brand awareness and then specific target courses and products.

Long term e-mail marketing works

We are yet to see the project through to its conclusion but with some comparison studies and design tests underway, we are confident that e-mail marketing is working for HIT.

Good data + good designs = great results

By spending some time and preparing the data, only using appropriate records, we have seen less than average unsubscribes, bounces and a better than average open and click-through rate.

With great designs and a structure based on E-mail marketing best practices for structure and content, we are sure the forthcoming marketing activity will be a great success.

E-mail marketing working for your business

To find out how we can help you use your existing customer data more efficiently and successfully, please contact us to discuss how we can help.

Award Marketing choose their web design partner

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Award Marketing, a leading marketing and PR agency in Manchester, have commisioned N - Web Design to develop and implement their new web site.

Working closely with Award MArketing's in-house creative design team, we will combine to provide a cutting edge design with a strong technical product.

About Award Marketing

A leading provider to the bio-pharm, pharmacology and pharmaceutical sector, Award Marketing work with many international companies and organisations to provide professional marketing services and resources.

Internet Explorer 8 is [almost] here

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Hold the front page. IE8 is upon us.

You can now download and use IE8 for windows any time you like.

But what does this mean for your browsing, your system o your website?

What will IE8 mean to me?

If the difference between IE6 and IE7 is anything to go by, the differences in IE7 and IE8 will make the web design community breathe a huge sigh of relief.

The impact isn't likely to be that significant, although how much did we really realise about just how poor IE6 was until Firefox, Safari and Opera came along?

We will still get some interesting interpretations of the box model (the way browsers interpret sizes of elements in css and display them), it is likely to be fairly slow, it will still do annoying security related things when switching between web and local resources and will probably be the target of every browser hijacker and browser helper object bloatware add on known to man.

Am I a cynic? Probably, but the other guys like Firefox, Opera and Safari have shown us how we can get so much more from companies with a fraction of the resources available to Miscrosoft.

Microsoft do some really great things but they do drop the ball with some really important products and issues that lets them down occasionally.

What would be really cool in the new IE

I don't want a lot. Some better developer tools (like the excellent FireBug available for Firefox) would be nice.

What shoul I be concerned about with the new version of Internet Explorer and my web site?

Don't panic. IE8 willtake time to filter through to the die-hard IE fans.

There will be a few issues with layout, but I can't see CSS support in IE8 being as different from IE7 as some people may suggest.

There are some simple fixes available to set IE8 to use something called IE7 compatibility mode. Yo should check with your admin, developer or designer to see how this may help you deal with IE8 and your web site.

Talk to N-webdesign about your site

If you have any concerns or want some more information on IE8 and your web site, why not contact us and we'll see how we can help.

N-webdesign's new site is launched

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

After a minor revamp and a fairly major conversion into an open source content management system, the new n-webdesign site is up and running.

What has changed

The layout of our web site has remained close to our last version but we have softebed the colours on the site, changed a few styles and given it a more contemporary feel.

Usability

We thought our old site was pretty good. Clear, easy to navigate and informative.

We think we have made this site even more usable by adding a context based navigation system that allows us to manage pages in our web site as multiple pages that are relevant to a parent page.

This means we can spread content over several pages an allow the user clear, informative links to find their way around.

We have added breadcrumbs and reduced the menu items on each page to keep things neat and tidy.

Content managed

The web site is now completely content managed. Previously we only had a blog and some news content that was CMS based. This now allows us to keep content fresh and active, change styles and global setting easily and also showcase a really useful product to our clients.

Blog, news and Web2.0

We have changed the news and blogging system to one native to the content management system we are using.

This means we have really neat and efficient integration into our site with real flexibility to manage content in a structured and uniform way.

Getting a cool website like ours

We are really pleased with our new web site build.

We are really pleased with the content managed solution we have chosen.

We love the easy access to content and also the way we can develop, manage and maintain aspects of our site through a useful management framework.

The best thing about our new web site is that it is agret showcase for our skills as well as demonstrating an open source (that means it is free software) content management system that would bring great benefits to our clients. A system that is manageable, usable and cost effective.

Want to know more?

If you want to know more about our web site or content managed solutions, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.

N-webdesign CMS build in progress

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Using an open source CMS, the build is proceeding nicely.

We have implemented the basic structure and added our own features and branding. It is now just a matter of adding content, adjusting the layout ith CSS and letting the beast out of the cage...

New CMS build in testing

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The new CMS build for our website, www.n-webdesign.co.uk, is now in testing.

We are hoping to complete the initial testing and UAT tasks before Easter and we are well on the way to achieving our goal.

So far, we haven't had too many problems with the CMS build and the publishing system seems to be behaving itself.

There are of course a number of issues involved with devloping a completely new web site but we seem to be quite luck so far.

Come back soon and see how we are progressing.

Thanks for reading...

More cool stuff...

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Some more cool stuff has been added...

We now have a blog and a few other nice features as well as a mini-revamp of the layout.

Things are moving forward so please come back soon and see how we are doing.

Express Safety web site launched

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Today sees the launch of www.express-safety.co.uk, a new provider of PPE and safety equipment.

The site has been designed from the ground up and includes many attractive features and advantages for users and buyers.

Built using ASP.NET, with a comprehensive product and inventory management system, linked into stock, pricing and ordering through the company's existing buying and accounting system, the site is easy to manage and maintain.

We are expecting great things from Express Safety in 2009.

N-SuperMailer gets A/B testing.

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

N-SuperMailer get A/B testing

A/B testing has now been added to our e-mail system, N-SuperMailer

This allows us to try different details and content for an e-mail campaign and automatically set the bulk of recipients to receive the best performing version.

How will this help our e-mail campaigns?

We are all aware of how much goes in to creating an e-mail that will be successful, well received and most importantly effective.

We can create vibrant and stimulating designs, consistent themed marketing messages and great reasons to respond to our offers. But until we send the e-mail, we aren't entirely sure how effective it will be?

This is why A/B testing is so important

With A/B testing or split testing as it is sometimes known, we can choose two options for our subject or sender identity, send the e-mail to a selection of recipients and see who opened more?

Our pplication then chooses the most effective version and sends it automatically.

What could be simpler.

How can split e-mail testing work for you?

If you would like to speak to us regarding e-mail marketing and campaigns, please contact us

You can now follow us on Twitter

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

It' been a while, but N-Web Design are now Twittering.

We have been a little late in arriving, especially as we are always telling our clients they should be using Twitter and other social networking applications in their businesses.

How do we find you?

To find us, simply click on the twitter logo on any of our pages.

Alternatively, you can go straight to the N-Web Design Twitter page

Visit our Facebook page

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

N-Web Design have added a page to Facebook.

We will be putting up comments, information and comment that will parallel and complement our web site blog and news.

Finding our Facebook page

You can visit our Facebook page by clicking on the Facebook logo on any of our pages.

Alternatively, you can link directly to our Facebook page

Web Design Portfolio

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

N-Web Design add their web portfolio

It's taken a while to get round to it, but our portfolio application has been added to our web site.

Rather than just adding a load of normal pages to the CMS, we decided the best way forward was to decide what we want to say, how we want to present it and what was the easiest way to manage it.

Creating a 'wizard' rather than regular pages

Yes, we knew just adding pages to our portfolio section would work fine, but we also knew it wouldn't get updated too often.

We wanted to create something that allowed up to add the basic details, such as the Company and web address, some images and at least a simple intro so we could add new things in 3 or 4 minutes, letting the CMS application itself worry about formatting and placement, linking and inserting. That makes sense...

Creating custom page types and templates in the CMS allowed up to integrate our simple wizard into the main CMS admin area. We also have all the regular CMS editing facilities so we can add as much additional content, free form, as we like. Most importantly, we can add enough information to showcase our work in about 5 minutes, including making a screenshot.

The power of Content Managed Web Sites

Because we spent a little time thinking about how we would implement our web site and project portfolio, we have created something that is manageable, extendable and really easy to use.

Come back regularly and check out our new projects as we add them to the list.

Windows Seven

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Windows Seven is [almost] here...

There have been betas and 'evaluation' versions around for a while but Thursday 22nd October sees the launch of the latest version of Microsoft's Windows OS, Windows 7.

So what can we expect?

Personally, I'd expect much of the same as we've seen in the past. After all, the Windows Kernal can't really be changed too much, can it? So will we get a slick and smoothe GUI at the most, with a bloated underlying operating system framework?

Well maybe, but I'm a little less cynical and critical of Microsoft, mainly because of the way they are changing their attitude to source code and IDE's for use in the web arena. Could this arrive on the desktop with a vengeance with Windows 7?

I think not. But the signs are there for us to expect something significantly 'open' by, oh, Windows 9 or 10.

I think we will get a lot of nice gimmicks and features, but I think Windows do take the user experience seriously and, not wanting to be left behind my OSX, are likely to have a ton of smart and useful GUI tools and gadgets, moving parts and slick transparent elemnts to keeps us all oooh'ing and ahhh'ing.

If Windows Seven is truly faster and less bloated and has the windows desktop features we are expecting, I think it'll be pretty good.

We will probably have the spectre of upgrade issues, backward compatibility and missing features as we always have with a new build of Windows, but I am expecting this change to be less of a hassle than XP -> Vista was.

More information about Windows Seven

If you want to read a ittle more about Windows Seven, there is a nice 3 minute overview on The Beeb.

You can also read all about it on the official Microsoft Windows Seven website.

Visual Studio 2010 & .NET 4.0

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This isn't exacty news, Viual Studio 2010 & .NET 4 is big news right now in the Microsoft development community.

On Tuesday, Microsoft released Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2 to the MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) and on Thursday 21st October, timed nicely to co-incide with Windows 7, it was released as a public beta.

Ok, so what is VS2010 and .NET 4?

Visual Studio is an application development environment that developers use to write programs for Microsoft Windows. Much like a writer uses Word and an artist uses Photoshop, when developing web sites or applications for Windows, many developers use Visual Studio.

.NET 4 is a little tricky to explain. Basically, it is a runtime framework, intended to allow programs access to libraries, functions and templates that belong to the underlying operating system, that can be used by the programmer to write and build an application, whether a web site or Windows software, that will work in Windows.

See, I said it would be tricky.

In layman's terms, the .NET framework is like all the gears and shafts and nuts and bolts that a mechanic puts together to make and engine that he then puts in a car.

.NET 4 is just the latest version of .NET.

How will this change the world?

In the short term it won't.

It'll mean that thousands of developers and managers (like myself) will be downloading, testing and evaluating these 2 tools to see if they are worthy and whether or not they allow us to make things better, stronger, faste. It is almost guaranteed that they will make our lives better.

For the user, it'l hopefully mean faster applications, richer, more usable applications and content, better security and most importantly less development time.

To read more about these releases, go to the official Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 website and see what you think.

Thanks for reading.