Google Chrome Browser wins performance tests

I've been running the Google Chrome Browser since it was released. I really like the speed boost it has compared to IE7 and even FireFox.

I recommend it.

You can download it at: http://www.google.com/chrome

Reference: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2335256,00.asp

December sales pop

I read the linked story on Cnet - about the December online sales pop. 

We saw it on our client sites that sell to the general public, too. It's amazing to see the visits and sales charts, tracking conversion rates and such. 

Google Analytics makes tracking web site visits and sales a joy. If your web site doesn't have Google Analytics, ask your web developer to put them on your site. 

The biggest snafu we saw this year was the USPS shipping rate servers go unreliable for a couple of days earlier in the season. 

See http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/12/09/1935223 

Reference Cnet article about online December sales: 

http://news.cnet.com/8300-1001_3-92.html?tag=hdr;snav

Dated advertising

Twice this week I've seen out dated ads relating to gas prices.

Earlier this Summer, gasoline prices were about $4 / gallon. They are currently at $1.95 / gallon.

Yet, 2 large printed ads making major reference to $4+ gas were spotted this week. Print ads.

The Internet allows companies to update their marketing message quickly. Correct errors, Respond to changes.

This is another reason I believe traditional advertising (Print) will decline significantly.

Google Ad professional exam results

I've been studying to prepare for the Google Advertising Professional exam for a couple of weeks. I took the test this morning and passed.

The test was 110 questions long with a time limit of 90 minutes. 

You Tube gets number 2 spot for search engines

Here's an article saying that You Tube surpasses Yahoo for Searches.

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/39777/113/

Google is getting things right, apparently some others don't have a clue.

It amazes me how businesses can see the same information so differently.

We're working on a regional TV station that ties into the web video popularity: www.northcentralpa.tv - still a work in progress but something that makes sense to me.

We hope to someday have daily news feeds from a couple of regional radio stations, too.

Web Guy vs Sales Guy Funny You Tube Video

Person to person communication amazes me.

Whether in the same location or via electronic means, we don't seem to be able to do very well in sharing our thoughts and understanding with other people.

I came across this You Tube video yesterday that makes fun of this gulch between people, business departments and technology levels.

Please note, the foul language in this video is really quite offensive.

If swearing bothers you, don't view this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcQ7RkyBoBc

Old Browser Challenge

See CNet article on 600+ million people and computers running out of date web browsers

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10789_3-9981954-57.html

Why don't people update their web browsers?

Flexibility at Work

I remember working in a factory when I was just out of college. Mostly 2nd shift, doing troubleshooting on a consumer game console (Mattel Intelevision) identifing what circuit board problem or electonic component was causing the board to fail tests.

Because there was an assembly line on the shift (for constructing the circuit boards) the shift was punctuated by loud buzzers telling us all that is was time to start work, time for the start or end of a break or lunch and finally the end of the shift.

It reminded me of high school. Prompts to students to move somewhere other than where they are. While I realized the need for the synchronizing buzzer, I disliked the idea that we all should move as one in the workplace.

Fast forward 30 years. I now run a company. I choose to allow my team members significant flexibility in their daily work times. The important thing is that our clients work gets done quickly correctly.

There are no buzzers here. All of the staff have worked form home at one time or another. As long as they have broadband net access it doesn't really matter where they are.

Blog Start

After having a number of blogs, I've decided to start a Kolb Net Works blog.

Here I'll share thoughts about commercial web sites, small business marketing and operating a small business.

To visit our Web Site: http://www.kolbnetworks.com/

We offer web development services including web site design, web site hosting and web site marketing.