Thursday, February 28, 2008

Google Tools and Services



Google Reader

Personally I think this is a very useful tool for me. It is a tedious process to visit individual blog sites; hence, with Google reader, time is saved. This is because Google reader allows all the latest blog entries to be available to you at any time. With that, I just have to click the link of the latest blog entries to keep updated with the current events that happened to my friends.

YouTube

This is probably the most effective way for hunting down videos on practically anything. Whether it is songs, campaigns, movies, or even scandals can be found using this tool. Want to learn language, go find a video from YouTube to help you do so... Want to learn guitar, same thing applies....

Google Search tool

Personally I think Google search tool is more effective as compared to Yahoo. I tend to get better results using Google. For me, I like Google scholar because I am using it as a platform for me to find relevant journal articles that is related to my topic more easily as compared to my school database. Only when I need access into articles that Google could not provide, then I will use the database.

Blogger

How can I not mention anything about blogger when I am using Google's service to blog? This is probably the most ingenious creation to allow people from all walks of life to share personal thoughts, feelings, and things about their own life with anybody online. Blogs allow me to understand my friends more when words are harder to be spoken. Pictures and interesting videos can also be uploaded to make blogging experience even more exciting.


More on Google tools and services, do refer to this website: http://www.linksandlaw.com/technicalbackground-Google-Services.htm#Google_Mobile
Furthermore, there are basic descriptions on each tool and services that Google provides.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Friday, February 15, 2008



Source: http://media.katu.com/images/070529_surface_470.jpg


Microsoft Surface Computer

What is it?

Microsoft Surface (Codename: Milan), is a forthcoming product from Microsoft which is developed as a software and hardware combination technology that allows a user, or multiple users, to manipulate digital content by the use of natural motions, hand gestures, or physical object.

The product provides effortless interaction with
digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects.
Source: http://faq.programmerworld.net/cool-gadgets/what-is-microsoft-surface.html

Benefits of surface computer
  • Recognize physical objects from paintbrush to cell phone
  • Allows hands-on, direct control of content such as photos, music and maps without the use of mouse or keypad
  • Allows interaction with all forms of digital content via gestures, touch and physical objects
  • Allows the sharing of photos, buying of items etc
  • Allows multi-user experience

Source: http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/29/microsoft-announces-surface-computer/ & http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/touch-me/microsoft-surface-confirmed-touch+sensitive-10k-minority-report-table-264338.php

How it aids learning?

  1. Provides an entertaining and innovative platform for interactive learning experience between students and teachers
  2. Allows fast transferring of pictures, lecture notes, homework from lecturers to students or vice-versa without the use of thumbdrive etc
  3. Reduces cost. For example, touch sensitive surface computer does not require any markers, pens, pencils for writings
  4. Motivates students to study because surface computer technology allows animated learning experience
  5. Reduces hunger that could impede successful learning. Students are able to order their choice of foods and drinks speedily using the surface computer while studying.
  6. Promotes maximum satisfaction in learning.

Cost of suface computer

Expected to be over USD $10,000; however, prices are likely to decrease over the next 5 years.

Source: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/touch-me/microsoft-surface-confirmed-touch+sensitive-10k-minority-report-table-264338.php

Success or not?

The technology looks promising; however, does people really require such a technology is still dubious. Furthermore, is there any security or privacy issue to take special precaution of with such a technology or does the cost justify the benefit of this technology requires years to examine.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Issues about security, privacy and legal issues for e-business

Legal issues for e-businesses vary accordingly to the law and regulation of the country that the e-business is in. At http://www.e-future.ca/alberta/ebusiness/pwt_online_legal_issues.asp, it provides an overview of the legal, security and privacy issues that must be taken into account when online business is in concern. Factors such as contract, consumer protection, taxation, intellectual property are mentioned.

In Singapore, entrepreneurs with the interest in setting up their e-business, they could refer to the E-Commerce Business Policy Helpdesk at www.ida.gov.sg to seek information on regulations and policies related to e-commerce.
E-marketing - How to make it a success?

1. Convenient search tool
"Searchandising -- provides a shopper experience in which it's easy to seek, browse, find,
compare, select and ultimately buy the perfect product."
Source: http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/60696.html

2. Help shoppers make decisions
- Navigation refinement
- "Take the example of a customer looking for diving watches. He doesn't know that's what
they're called, so he just searches for "watches." In addition to a result list of watches, the
search returns general attributes such as brand, price and gender, along with refinements
specific to watches, such as waterproof, warranty or strap type.

By clicking on waterproof, he finds the diver's watches he was looking for. Similarly, a search
for "blenders" shows refinements or features that would help a shopper make a purchase
decision about a blender (such as capacity and speed along with brand and price). Allowing
shoppers to narrow their search by attributes helps them find products that fit their buying
criteria and make buying decisions quickly."
Source: http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/60696.html

3. Invest in Search Engine optimization
- Millions of people rely on Yahoo, Google, Alibaba, MSN etc; therefore, it is important to
make your site prominent in the eyes of the consumers when they are searching for
something in the Internet
Source: http://fivesparrows.com/blog/2008/01/20/the-secret-to-e-marketing-success-just-do-it/

4. Personalization
Be close to clients by addressing their names in emails, e-newsletters etc. Makes clients feel
valued in your website, and so on.
Source: http://www.phoneplusmag.com/articles/241echannel2.html

5. Top ten tips for e-marketing success
Source: http://www.businesszone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=170381&d=1095&h=1097&f=1096
RANKINGS

30 largest social bookmarking sites: http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/social30.html OCT 2007 1. digg.com

25 most popular tech business sites: http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/tech-business.html NOV 2007
1. News.com

According to Economists Intelligence Unit E-readiness ranking in 2007 is as follow:
1. Denmark
2. USA
3. Sweden
4. Hong Kong
5. Switzerland
6. Singapore
7. UK
8. Netherlands
9. Australia
10. Finland

Source: http://graphics.eiu.com/files/ad_pdfs/2007Ereadiness_Ranking_WP.pdf

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Why E-Commerce failed

10 reasons why E-commerce failed

According to http://www.allbusiness.com/sales/internet-e-commerce/3972-1.html the reasons are:

1. Selling the wrong product online
For example, perishable goods such as vegetables are not advised to be sold online.

2. Lack of marketing

3. Poorly designed web site
For example, a website that is very complicated with too many graphics or little links for users
to get information.

4. Obsolete
Sites must always be updated with the current happenings in order to stay competitive.

5. Poor checkout procedures
Shoppers should not have difficulty making purchases online. If they have, then the
chances of them not returning to the site to make purchases the next time will be very high.

6. No privacy policy
This is highly important for the shoppers to give them an assurance of what the company
would do with the information collected especially when credit card numbers etc are involved.

7. Not testing the site
This is to ensure that all links within the site are able to work so as to allow shoppers or users
to get information readily.

8. Poor order fulfillment
Word of mouth is either disastrous or beneficial. Therefore, what is promised on the site must
be fulfilled.

9. Straying away from objective
If the objective of the business is to sell men's apparel, then sell only related goods and not
foods, bikinis, etc.

10. Poor customer service
This is the factor that cannot be abolished whether in online or traditional business.
Customers are the only people that your business depend on. Without them, your business
cannot survive.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

10 Key factors why some E-Commerce succeeded

1. Provide better customer support, resulting in customer satisfaction

2. Provide constant updates of information for the customers i.e. useful for their needs
- Encourage online customers to return to the site for more information
- For example constant updates on promotions. Refer to http://coldstorage.com.sg

3. Navigation of the site is easy and simple
- Allow fast search of products and services
- Allow fast and simple transaction

4. Introduce new products and services that meet the growing demand of customers
- Products fit is crucial

5. Ensure utmost security and privacy of consumers' datas

6. Good site design
- Allow consumers to judge the company and form liking based on first impression

7. Ensure consumers' expectations are met
- For example, delivery on time

8. Good marketing strategies
- Knowing exactly who are the target groups
- Knowing how to attract more people to the site
- Knowing the future plans etc

9. Specialization in E-commerce
- For example, successful online retailers like www.walmart.com, www.amazon.com,
and http://www.dell.com

10. Competency in managing the company
- Trained employees
- Skillful technicians etc

According to SIIA http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9027149 below are the Top 10 E-Commerce developments:

1. Google (launched September 1998): "Google did more to fundamentally change the way we use the Internet than any other event in the last 10 years," the SIIA said. Thirty percent of users turn to Google to help them find information on the Internet, and nearly one-half of 6.9 billion online searches conducted by Americans in February were on Google.

2. Broadband (June 2004): Available and affordable broadband penetration reached 50% among U.S. users in 2004. Although it took nearly four years for broadband to reach this milestone, the SIIA said estimates indicate that by the end of this year, broadband penetration among U.S. users will reach 90%.

3. eBay auctions (launched September 1997): "EBay showed us that the Internet could be used to reach massive national -- and even global -- markets better and faster than ever before," the SIIA said.

4. Amazon.com (initial public offering May 1997): The SIIA said Amazon popularized online shopping because it's Web site was easy to use and offered customers a wide variety of products from which to choose. "It signaled the increasingly important role that e-commerce would play in the American economy," the SIIA said.

5. Google Ad Words (2000): Keyword advertising represents 40% of the online advertising market, bringing in $6.8 billion in revenue annually, the SIIA said. "Keyword ads are the simplest and most cost-effective mechanism to reach targeted audiences, affordable to even the smallest business," the group said.

6. Open standards (HTML 4.0 released in 1997): Overseen by the World Wide Web Consortium, the HTML open standards are the "most influential and important data standard in the history of publishing," according to the SIIA.

7. Wi-Fi (802.11 launched in 1997): The development of this form of wireless networking allowed business users to be connected to their clients and their companies no matter where they were and paved the way for more mobile technologies.

8. User-generated content (YouTube in 2005): "Right now it is impossible to say what the full ramifications of the 'citizen journalist' era will be -- but the dramatic impact of YouTube tells us more than any other recent development," the SIIA said. YouTube is what Web 2.0 should be, the trade group said: Anyone, anywhere can use You Tube to deliver a message that will be heard and seen around the globe.

9. iTunes (2001): "ITunes legitimized the digital music industry, revolutionizing the music industry," the SIIA said. In 2006, more than $2 billion worth of music was sold online or through mobile phones, almost double what was sold in 2005, the group said.

10. BlackBerry (1999): "The BlackBerry makes communication instantaneous, and mobile," the SIIA said. The Internet-connected device has allowed users to engage in e-commerce anywhere and launched a whole mobile culture, the group said.

->More to come