Google tool and services

Google has a wide range of tools and services for its users. The tools and services are divided into four categories. They are Google Tools, Google Services, Google Programs and Google Download. Each category have different things.

Google Services

1)Google Alerts

Google Alerts are emails automatically sent to you when there are new Google results for your search terms. Google currently offers three types of alerts: 'News,' 'Web,' and 'News & Web.'

2)Google Catalogs

The searching of various catalogs are made available by Google catalogs. It used character recognition, users can search for a text string in these catalogs in a similar fashion to how they would search for materials on the general web.

3)Google Directory

The directory is a subset of the links in Google's database arranged into hierarchical subcategories like an advanced Yellow Pages of the web.

4)Froggle

Google announced Froogle in Dec 2003, a price engine-like spin-off that searches online stores for particular products. It is now offering in Wireless Markup Language (WML) form and can be accessed from cellphones or other wireless devices that have support for WML. Froogle organizes its results by relevence.

5)Google Groups

Google maintains a Usenet archive, called Google Groups. Its Groups service includes archives mailing lists in addition to usenet posts, using the same interface as Gmail. Google Groups is much more advanced than the last, letting you more easily join a group, make a group, and track your favorite topics.

6)Google Images

Google Images allows users to search the web for image content. The keywords for the image search are based on the filename of the image, the link text pointing to the image, and text adjacent to the image.

7)Google Labs

Google Labs consists of all of Google's experimental technologies. The Google Labs site allows user to access Google Suggest, Google Desktop Search, and other web technologies.

8)Google Local

Google Local helps one to focus the search on a specific geographic location. Google Local display the website of the businesses, phone number and address. It is now the basis of Google Maps.

9)Google Maps

The service features draggable maps, a location search, and turn-by-turn directions. It has received praises for the speed of its operation, produced by the pre-rendering the maps.

10)Google Mobile

It allows users to search using Google from wireless devices such as mobile phone and PDAs.

11)Google News

The service covers news articles that appeared within the past 30 days on news websites in different language, from various countries. It provides around the first 200 characters and links to the full article. Users can request Google News Alerts on various topics by subscribing while using key words. An email is sent when a news article matching the request comes online.

12)Google Scholar

Google Scholar indexes and searches academic literature across an array of sources and disciplines. Results are ranked by the "relevance", which is based largely on the number of citations.

13)Google Special

It allows users to perform special searches such as U.S. Government Search, Linux Search, BSD Search, Apple Macintosh Search, and a Microsoft Windows Search.

14)Google University

Allows users to search within certain University domains.

15) Google Video

It allows users to search through television content based on title, network or a closed caption transcript.

16)Google Web Search

Google is most famous for its search engine. It has indexed over 8 billion Web sites, has 200 million requests a day and is the largest search engine on the Internet.

Google Tools

1)Blogger

Blogger is a service to make weblog publishing easier. The user does not need to write any code/ worry about installing server software or scripts. The user can influence the design of his blog freely.

2)Google Browser Buttons

This tool allows users to put links to Google services in their web browsers.

3)Gmail

A free webmail service by Google. It can generate revenue by displaying advertisements from the AdWords service based on words in users' e-mail messages.\

4)Google Language Tool

This tool allows users to use Google in many different languages. Furthermore, it can translate from one language to another.

5)Google Web API

The Google Web API is a public interface for registered developers. It uses Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), a program that writes services for search and data mining twhich rely on Google's results. Furthermore, websurfers can view cached pages and make suggestions for better spelling.

Google Programs

1)AdSense

AdSense enables text or image advertisements to be displayed on Web sites that need advertisments to raise money. The ads are administered by Google and it generates revenue on per-click basis.

2)AdWords

AdWords is a service that allows advertisers' advertisments to appear on any Google search page, GMail or AdSense when certain keywords are displayed using a self-service system. The AdWords service is Google's largest source of income. The advertiser pays Google on per-click basis, and there is a bidding system to determine ad's ranking.

Google Downloads

1)Google Earth

Google Earth uses online satellite maps that has the ability to view geographical information in 3D view. It covers over 80 major metropolitan areas and thousands of cities. The data is updated every two to three years on average.

2)Google Desktop Search

It runs locally on a PC and will index all Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Netscape Mail, Thunderbird emails, text documents, Microsoft Office documents, AOL Instant Messenger conversations, Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Firefox,and Netscape history on that PC, PDF, music, images, video, and allow the user to search them from a browser. Google Desktop Search is an extension of Google Search. After indexing a user's files, his or her local results will turn up on normal Google search on his or her local computer.

3)Picasa

The aim of the software was to make photo editing simple and easy to use. It also allows managing and sharing of digital photos.

Reference: http://www.linksandlaw.com/technicalbackground-Google-Services.htm

Video making of Chang family

This is my first time using windows video maker to make a 'movie.' As I do not have actual videos, I have replace it with photos. The making of it is easy and simple for a first timer like me. The importing of photos, adding of transition, and adding of music were easy as there is no complicated procedures. This is a very simple video, hope that you will enjoy it.

Microsoft Surface

Isn't it cool to have a computer like the one in the Minority Report? Controlling the things with just your hands. Now,Microsoft has recently came out with the new Surface technology which is just like the one in Minority Report on 29th May 2007. Microsoft has 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 gesture, or physical objects. Surface is a Windows Vista PC tucked inside a table, topped with a 30-inch reflective surface in a clear acrylic frame. A projector underneath the surface projects an image onto its underside, while five cameras in the machine's housing record reflections of infrared light from human fingertips.

Here are some videos to let you know more about this cool technology:

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Surface

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6014701105010913952

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3633201198556949376

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2052468617242327428

E-learning - How can we use it more effectively and what are the critical success factors?

E-learning is a computer-enhanced learning, and deals with both the technologies & associated methodologies in learning using networked and/or multimedia technologies. E-learning has grow over the years. It has been used for higher education purpose, and a way for companies to provide training for their staff.

Citeria of effective e-learning

1) Interaction
Interaction is the ability to communicate with people who are interested in the same topic/are using the same online resources. It allows one to speaks to their schoolmates or instructors. E-learning is often thought as a pre-packaged course or instructional program. These learning matrials are useful for starters.
Interaction provides human content. It gives people an opportunity to communicate, and to help each other. This creates a deep layer of the learning content.

2) Usability
The greatest usability experts are in the design labs of Yahoo! and Google. This is because the common key factors of usability found in these two are: consistency and simplicity. Simplicity is the feature that strike user first, and consistency is the color and words are same throughout the site. The advantage of having consistency and simpicity is speed, as this would make the downloading faster.

3) Relevance
Relevance is obtained through precision and simplicity. Making each bit of web content about one and only one thing greatly increases the chance that a reader will find the resource being sought. Placing the relevant content in the exact right context at the right time is an art, and few e-learning companies have not succeeded in attaining this combination. This involves both aspects of effective content design and aspects of dynamic search and placement. The placement will depend on the precise nature of the request sent by the software/tool. In addition, the ability of a piece of content to respond to that success.

Critical success factors of e-learning

1)E-learning should not be positioned or perceived as a cost cutting activity
Cost-cutting sets the wrong tone for successful motivation to learn. This is frustrating where it may never have been the intention – but suspicion has fuelled the perception of cheaper.

2) Investment in human resources to create and run virtual learning programmes
The support of the tutors, facilitators and technical team are critical success factors.

3) Initial impressions last a long time
The users need to have the right approach from the start. By helping out team members to get to know each other, and feel comfortable working together. An open mind and grasp of ownership for their own learning success is needed.

4) Takes time for people to become comfortable in the online environment
Early activities are important to generate confident. This may need to take a few runs before users fully participate in it.

5) Progression by participants in the quality and depth of learning
This is demonstrated by penetrating questioning, discussion intensity, taking responsibility for sharing information, taking control of the learning process, and through positive qualitative feedback comments.

The summary below shows the success of e-learning by the three-way partnership between the organization, learner and supplier.

Personal
Team focus
Ownership of learning
Time management
Motivation
Past experience
Adaptability to new learning paradigm
Realistic support requirements

Provider
Resources
Academic standards
Technological capabilities
Suitability
Learning stimulation

Organisation
Business needs
Internet business environment
Technological capabilities
Corporate expectations

References:
http://www.downes.ca/cgi-bin/page.cgi?post=13
http://mitchellpalomares.com/resources/pdf/4%20Success%20in%20elearning%20(final).pdf

E-Marketing

E-marketing is greatly used by many compaies and indivduals nowadays. This entry will look into the two articles of successful e-marketing tips.

10 e-marketing successful tips

10) Plan for success
People who fail to plan tend to waste the time and money trying to solve unplanned issues and opportunites. Planning is an important step.

9)Brag!
Use the blogs, electronic press release and email newletters to distribute the news to people. Place these in the search engines which will help to index your site and rank the pages

8)Cuddle up to a client
Feedback from clients would help to improve the marketing stragerty for each medium that you used.

7)Domain thing
Do some research on the domain names and hosting arrangments. The reason is because search engines are sensitive to the physical location. This may affact the rankings. The reason for checking the availability of other domains is to protectyourself against rivals, and prepare for future international success.

6)Don't forget the back-end
E-marketing is more than just selling things and promoting the company. It is a long term process about satisfying customers.

5)Measure up
E-marketing can be measured by using analytics products such as Statcounter / Google Analytics to provide detailed information about the visitors to the website. This way, the comapny can track the behaviour of the clients.

4)Long arm of the law
Remember to add registered address, company status, company number and VAT number to the websit and email signature

3)Spot the sitemap
Having a sitemap would come in handy for the vistors. In addtion, it helps search engines to recognize and index the site.

2)Key words
Search engines identify key words from by reading the text on the webpage. Tips of choosing key words:

• Be realistic
• Get feedback from clients
• Check popularity of key words

1)Content is king

Content that is expressed in words and pictures are what people would see and be influenced by. Review your content.

Reference:http://www.businesszone.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=170381&d=1095&h=1097&f=1096

8 key factors for success in Internet marketing

1)Be confident

Internet marketing requires lot of hardwork, commitment, patience and focus. Being confident can help one to achive their desired success

2)Assign some start-up and underway resources for your business

Money is needed for the promoting of the product/company. In order to be successful, start-up and monthly marketing budget need to be allocated. Time, effort and dedication are invested into it.

3)You must have a high quality product and/or you must believe in the product

The product that is being promoted or sell must be of good quality, and you need to believe in it. One also need to know the product well, and be proud & passionate about it.

4)Your sales letter must clearly show the benefits of the product or service

Clear information of how the product can benefit / solve problems is needed. The website need to emphasis the reason for customers to buy this product.

5)You must always make your advertisements convincing

Avoid exaggerating, and make sure the approach, language and tone of the advertisment is conviincing.

6)Develop a good reputation

A good reputation on the Internet would be important. One needs to make sure that the promise made is delivered on time and in good quality. It is alos important to bulid good relationship with customers and prospects.

7)Always go the 'extra mile' for your customers

In Internet marketing, applying more effort and having a 'personal touch' to it would be important. By showing that you care your customers would help to bulid good relationship. This would promote repeat business. In addition to this, trust is being bulid through this proccess.

8)Be well-informed about the current and effective marketing techniques that are on the internet

Knowing of the tools that you use would be essential. One need to master the promotional techniques and make it effective. Pick the marketing strategies that work best for the business, budget and knowledge.

Reference:http://www.articlesalley.com/article.detail.php/48121/173/E-Business/Internet/36/Key_Factors_To_Guarantee_Your_Success_In_Internet_Marketing

Success and Failure of e-commerce

E-commerce has evolved since the late 1990s. Companies and indivduals have been using e-commerce to do business; furthermore, it allows people to do shopping online. Many have succeed, and many has fail as well. Let us now look at the reasons for the success and failure.

10 reasons for successful e-commerce

1)Target the Un-Targeted

• Know your customers thoroughly
• Target needs that are unseen by your competitors.

2)Strong Business Planning

• Know your source of revenue, break-even and the strategic details
• Decide on the future goals that you want to achieve

3)Business Friendly ECommerce Software

• Choose software that is easy to manage and allows you to focus on core business activities

4)Create a Web Store with a Difference

• Branding is important for the success of your online business
• Attractive domain name can play an important role in branding

5)Make your “Hot Sellers” most Visible

• Create your specialty
• Show your best product/service first

6)Do not let your Customers forget you

• Customer Relationship Management is important (especially small and building a permenant customer base)
• Pamper your customers to generate permanent sales

7)Increase your Web Presence

• Perform search engine optimization for your site.
• Associate with web sites that provide complimentary products or services (help to increase web presence for search engines and customers)

8)Build Robust Backend Operations

• Backend operations are the backbone of the online shop
• Choice of e-commerce solution would determine the strength of the backend operations

9)Learn Faster and Better

• Be prepared to spot your mistakes and assess the business with no biaseness
• Learn the loopholes and mistakes and rectify them

10)Surprise your Customers

• Have incentives by providing offers, discounts etc
• Make changes that do not sway away from the brand image that has been created in your customers' mind

Reference: http://www.goecart.com/online-business-success.asp

Top 10 e-commerce mistakes

1)Trying to sell the wrong product online

There are products that are not approriate to be sold online. Products which are inexpensive, and could be easily bought from the local store are not worth selling on the Internet. Products that need trying would be diffcult to sell.

2)Lack of marketing

Marketing of the site is needed for both online and offline. Identify your competitive advantage , and to show the customers the best price that can be offer.

3)A poorly designed website

Overcrowding is a major issue for this. A professional website need to feature the items clearly with photos and descriptions. Another issue is too much color, flash animation or graphics that slowed down the downloading process.

4)Falling behind time

The infrequent updating of website would be easily overtaken by competitors, and customers' visitation would fall. In order to stay at the top, updating is needed to feature any new products or news.

5)Poor checkout procedures

When a customer has decided to purchase an item, it should be easily linked to the shopping cart and pay with ease.

6)Not testing your site

Testing of links are important to make sure that they are fuctioning properly.

7)A hard-to-find or nonexistent privacy policy

Most people would not read the privacy policy, but there would be some who want to know whether their privacy is protected.

8)Poor order fulfillment

Information on the Internet spreads like wild fire. If words of unhappiness are being spread around to potential customers, the reputation would be damaged. Therefore, do leave a good impression on your customers.

9)Straying from your objective

Do not lose your primary focus. Stick to your area of experise.

10)Poor customer service

Poor customer service would send your customers runninng away. Provide excellent service would not only satisfy your customer, but also bring in potential customers.

Reference:http://www.allbusiness.com/sales/internet-e-commerce/3972-1.html