Something that has been bothering me for such a long time is the Wordpress update requirements. When I first started this blog last year, I was running version 2.7.8. Nothing wrong with that and the appearance was pretty much the same as version 2.8 and even 2.9. Over a couple of months is it really necessary to have so many updates? I had a few clients who noticed the ‘Upgrade Now to Version…’ appear at the top of the blog and after clicking it promptly called me to say what they had done and now the blog doesn’t appear. The automatic upgrade, in my opinion is bollocks.

So after much deliberation and preparation I decided to try the upgrade myself. In fact, come to think of it I was trying to install a plugin that required Version 2.9 to run. Yes, that was the catalyst I remember now. So into the upgrade process I went and I promptly made a hash of things. Completely. I even managed to loose the entire back end and the whole blog became a blank page. Never fear, this kind of thing really makes you learn…fast! Off came Wordpress from the server and my old holding page was put back. Not very professional but I there you go. Wordpress 2.9.2 downloaded and put on the server and then start the upgrade process manually. About one month later The Tai Pan is back online with a new design. Needless to say I’m happy now and really pleased with my ability to get myself out of trouble. Again.

So now I have taken my Wordpress skills to the next level by totally destroying my site only to resurrect it to enlightened glory (if I don’t mind saying so myself lol). More to come with this and never a dull moment with playing with stuff. Anyhow, I did make things even better and also learned in the process. Only when you’ve totally wrecked something can you only see how to rebuild it to even greater heights. Hmm, I like that

And yes, F has been toned down a bit these days but still lingering. One crisis down, one bigger one to go. Wish my luck!

I can remember when the internet really began to be social. I can remember when I first came across the word ‘Blog’. What is that supposed to be? All started with MSN Spaces and the popularity that was Messenger. A perfect way to keeping in touch with people and the very first popular real-time communication vessel. Now I don’t know anyone who actually uses Messenger? I do have one big thing to thank to Messenger though.

Facebook changed things in a big way. There wasn’t much that was innovative or different on Facebook initially and the functionality was limited. Poke people, turn them into a vampire, send people flowers, vote for each other and upload some photos. Anything else? I can remember when I first set up a profile, I was really disappointed that I could not customise it to how I wanted it. I was a fan of MySpace initially as I could have the freedom to make my profile really different. As well as uploading photos, music, message people and post blogs etc.

It is incredible to see how the two horse race was won by the slower horse. Really it was! It was almost like a two cars coming on the market, one with power steering, AC, ABS, Sat Nav, bigger engine, stronger chassis, Slip Diff etc etc, the other with only half of that. Both at the same price. The winner, is the latter less features car. Why? Popularity.

Another similar fad that gets me confused. PC and Mac. To use the car analogy once more, the PC that is unreliable, cheaply made and slow against the stunning, reliable and fast Mac. Most people wish to drive the slow car that breaks down often. Why? Popularity.

In this world of innovation and design, it is not always the best that wins. Remember Betamax? What can often be a market leader, is just simply down to what is popular because if everyone else has one, you want one too.

I have set up a new Facebook account despite my whining and complaining. Don’t hate me, I’m just like you.

I love independent cinema and I especially love beautifully shot films. Being a photography enthusiast, as soon as I read anything that says, ‘Beautifully shot’, ’stunning cinematography’ or ‘perfectly filmed’, I feel compelled to go see it. I’m a fan of using the full landscape to show a scene and use the actors to interact with their surroundings. That not only makes it easier to watch but it brings out so much more than someone’s face or body language. You can almost see how we are a part of this earth and I love films that can show this to full extent.

Let me explain a little further. Wonderful Town was set in a sleepy post-Tsunami coastal town in the south of Thailand. For me, that part of Thailand (and the world) is exceptionally beautiful and it would be a crying shame to not include that stunning scenery as part of the film. It was achieved brilliantly. There was no complicated plot. A not very extensive script. A very basic storyline. Very few actors. On paper this would make quite a unappealing film to go and see. The beauty of Wonderful Town was all of the aforementioned characteristics. What was left was the interaction of the people in their environment in such a beautiful way.

Simplicity at its very best. Uncomplicated, unpretentious and very engaging. One such scene was very emotional to me. The lead character standing on the beach looking out to sea while the sun sets. Being a city person this was something that he did not get to see and the full splendour was shown with little camera movements and using the natural light. Accompanying this was a simple acoustic guitar soundtrack that added to its simplicity. The shot remained still and the character walks from edge to edge of the view, edited with some close ups of a face of thought, emotion and happiness. Nothing complicated, no effects and capturing beauty in the environment with a human beings’ interaction. I can relate to that so much as I was lucky enough to live there for a while too.

Why make a film that misses out the context of environment? Why use out of focus, shaky and close up shots of actors when it misses out on the full picture? A true masterpiece can sometimes say nothing much at all but speaks more words of wisdom through the whole picture. Pretentious?? Bah!

Also see for cinematography:

• Lost in Translation
• No Country for Old Men
• Apocalypse Now
• American Beauty
• Blade Runner

Catch me in the Land of Smiles this June.

Until then please check back soon as something should be appearing jolly soon.

Keen2learn is an eCommerce site for educational games and toys to children and teachers. The initial concept for the site was created in 2005 and developed as the first website to offer specialist school learning resources direct to the consumer market. The first incarnation went live in early 2006 and quickly was redeveloped to meet the competing eCommerce conditions. As with all eCommerce projects, the redevelopment cycle is yearly to allow the website to meet customer expectations and enhance conversions. The website then branched into a resource of information for parents on the teaching process, to having a custom Wordpress template created for the integrated blog and CMS, together with enabling Schools to purchase via invoice online. Since the initial launch, the site has grown 30% each year and has successfully established a foothold in both the B2B and B2C markets.

Web Blinds is the direct eCommerce website for the Hillarys Group, selling made to measure window blinds to the consumer market. With a large monthly turnover, the Web Blinds website was demanding to meet the challenges from the competition and also to develop sales. The website was built with expanding features in mind and provide the customers with market leading product enhancements. This included a ‘room creator preview’, advanced colour selector and a customer survey.  This enabled the site to maintain a loyal customer base and achieve above average conversion rates.

The flagship of the Hillarys group, www.hillarys.co.uk was designed not only to be a gateway to the Hillarys websites but the site to drive appointments for the different high quality product that were manufactured. The Hillarys eCommerce website was designed for generating leads for window blinds, shutters and awnings. Working in the capacity of Online Media Manager, the Hillarys website was focused on demonstrating the high quality of the products available and the bespoke service for people to have their blinds installed. This required working closely with the web developers and media planners to make sure that visitors were captured and converted into customers. During the time I was at Hillarys, the website exceeded company targets to end a highly profitable year.

Mobility Buddy sell disabled scooters, wheelchairs and mobility aids through open source CMS OSCommerce. The website has seen many additions to functionality, including a separate VAT calculation at the checkout and downloadable brochures and VAT Form. The Mobility Buddy website attracted a large amount of traffic from the main advertising spend of SEO and PPC. Being focused on conversions, I managed the upgrades and testing of a new checkout structure that removed the required account sign up, which improved conversions by 96%. The navigation was also improved to remove so many product categories and focus on the main products with the biggest profit margin.