The Bianca Gubalke Products Shop is the new WP Best eShop currently under construction – based on a WordPress based Semiomantics Script and configured at the first Ycademy Business Building Seminar 2010 that’s taking place right now.

Bianca Gubalke Products Shop

Based on remarkable results over the past years, the new Bianca Gubalke Products Shop will offer everything that’s needed for a professional and high ranking presence on the Internet – from a smart domain name research, over hosting to a customized setup, configuration, running and maintainenance of personalized Websites and Blogs for private individuals who wish to build their Authority on the Internet… to Small Businesses with an ambition to succeed online… and large Corporate Clients who need to build, maintain and expand a professional and continuous presence on Google Top 10 positions to maximize on Traffic and Sales while cutting down on increasingly expensive Google Ads.

Each Project managed personally by Bianca Gubalke will focus exclusively on the Customers’ requirements – dependable yet independent.

Personalized Web Design & Publishing Services

Benefit from our Personalized Web Design & Publishing Services based on Google efficient Semiomantics Scripts, original well-edited Content and eye-catching Artwork -

• Customized Web Design,
• Captivating Web Graphics and
• Search Engine Optimized Writing and Publishing

as lined out in Web Design Consulting.

Stay tuned as the Bianca Gubalke Products Shop evolves. . .

Top Performance and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) are the first and most important factors to be considered when setting up a new Website or Blog, never mind whether you are a private individual or a corporate company. Getting solid and knowledgeable advice from a professional web designer or Semiomantics consultant will save you money, time and frustration – although the fact is that performance and visibility on Google Top 10 as well as on Social Networks genre Facebook and Twitter do increase if you are prepared to invest more – provided you are in good, trustworthy hands – as at Web Design Consulting .

Top Performance

Top Performance is meanwhile an almost abused slogan and promise to any prospect who wants to start a presence on the Internet.

Not long ago, I saw it even in big, bold letters on the rear window of a car driving next to me on the highway. With a juicy price tag to the service, per month that is. I made a mental note of the website and promptly looked it up on Google – and didn’t discover it anywhere.

How to choose a Performing Web Designer

So how does a normal person without too much insight or experience regarding Web 2.0 know how to choose a performing Web Designer?

By doing his due diligence and looking the Web Designer or Web Design Consultant up on Google!

Is he in control of his own name to start with? Look at the website, the performance, the look, the functionalities… now… today! Not a year ago… right now! Look at what comes over, how the images talk to you, the content resonates or looks rather fishy. Is there a proven track record of consistent work and proven results, eg. screenshots as you see regularly on this website, biancagubalke.com? Meaning absolute proof of targets being reached and within which time frame?

Let’s look at yesterday’s example:

Web Graphics Joy

My article on ‘Joy’ as an important element of Web Graphics Design reached a top ranking on Google – position 3 on over a million entries to be exact – within two minutes! See the screenshot below, where I researched the search term “Web Graphics Joy” with quite another thought in mind… I wasn’t prepared for such a smashing result that fast … but that’s the Power of our Semiomantics Scripts in combination with smart Editing and Publishing :

"Web Graphics Joy" on Google Top 10 – position 3 – in 2 minutes

Web Design Consulting

When considering these details, one gets a feeling as to where Web Design Consulting Services sound right, efficient and reliable – and fun to work with! And, as we are talking about High Performance… where a script – meaning the secret engine that drives the performance of a website or blog – achieves its goals, meaning where posts reach Google Top 10 positions on the keywords as delivered by the client and then targeted.

Of course, a client needs to know his keywords; if he’s wrong on that one noone else is to be blamed.

Finding the right keywords should not be taken light-heartedly; getting it right here is fundamental to one’s success online, and it is a Science – a highly paid one. Yes, it pays to invest in proper keyword research – and as the Internet changes daily following the temperamental movements of the masses and of course Google, it’s an ongoing process.

It never ends!

Setting up a website or blog is only the beginning; then the real work starts with daily publishing of good, well-edited content and regular maintenance to keep it alive and building towards its goal in terms of visibility on Google – and then staying there.

With our knowledge, dedication and support at Web Design Consulting you will!

High Performance

High Performance and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) are the first and most important factors to be considered when setting up a new Website or Blog, never mind whether you are a private individual or a corporate company. Getting solid and knowledgeable advice from a professional web designer or Semiomantics consultant will save you money, time and frustration – although the fact is that performance and visibility on Google Top 10 as well as on Social Networks genre Facebook and Twitter do increase if you are prepared to invest more – provided you are in good, trustworthy hands – as at  Web Design Consulting .

High Performance

High Performance is meanwhile an almost abused slogan and promise to any prospect who wants to start a presence on the Internet.

Not long ago, I saw it even in big, bold letters on the rear window of a car driving next to me on the highway. With a juicy price tag to the service, per month that is. I made a mental note of the website and promptly looked it up on Google – and didn’t discover it anywhere.

How to choose a Performing Web Designer

So how does a normal person without too much insight or experience regarding Web 2.0 know how to choose a performing Web Designer?

By doing his due diligence and looking the Web Designer or Web Design Consultant up on Google!

Is he in control of his own name to start with? Look at the website, the performance, the look, the functionalities… now… today! Not a year ago… right now! Look at what comes over, how the images talk to you, the content resonates or looks rather fishy. Is there a proven track record of consistent work and proven results, eg. screenshots as you see regularly on this website, biancagubalke.com? Meaning absolute proof of targets being reached and within which time frame?

Let’s look at yesterday’s example:

Web Graphics Joy

My article on ‘Joy’ as an important element of Web Graphics Design reached a top ranking on Google – position 3 on over a million entries to be exact – within two minutes! See the screenshot below, where I researched the search term “Web Graphics Joy” with quite another thought in mind… I wasn’t prepared for such a smashing result that fast … but that’s the Power of our Semiomantics Scripts in combination with smart Editing and Publishing :

"Web Graphics Joy" on Google Top 10 – position 3 – in 2 minutes

Web Design Consulting

When considering these details, one gets a feeling as to where Web Design Consulting Services sound right, efficient and reliable – and fun to work with! And, as we are talking about High Performance… where a script – meaning the secret engine that drives the performance of a website or blog – achieves its goals, meaning where posts reach Google Top 10 positions on the keywords as delivered by the client and then targeted.

Of course, a client needs to know his keywords; if he’s wrong on that one noone else is to be blamed.

Finding the right keywords should not be taken light-heartedly; getting it right here is fundamental to one’s success online, and it is a Science – a highly paid one. Yes, it pays to invest in proper keyword research – and as the Internet changes daily following the temperamental movements of the masses and of course Google, it’s an ongoing process.

It never ends!

Setting up a website or blog is only the beginning; then the real work starts with daily publishing of good, well-edited content and regular maintenance to keep it alive and building towards its goal in terms of visibility on Google – and then staying there.

With our knowledge, dedication and support at  Web Design Consulting you will!

Read more…

• Joy
• Style
• 2010 Noordhoek Accommodation
• Captivating Pictures
• Web Design Consulting

2010 Noordhoek Accommodation

While I enjoyed Noordhoek Beach watching one of the rare Oyster Catchers. . . our articles about 2010 Noordhoek Accommodation have made their way up to Google Top 10 with the power of Semiomantics and smart Network Publishing.

Oyster Catcher on Noordhoek Beach

2010 Noordhoek Accommodation

Here are the latest results on Google Top 10 for “2010 Noordhoek Accommodation” which show that, within this short period of time and without the keywords within the domain name in any way, we now occupy 7/10 spots on page one on Google:

Amazing results!

However, on the Internet there is no standstill; like on Noordhoek Beach we are constantly on shifting sands with high tide and low tide and lots of surprises inbetween! So we have to be flexible and teachable all the time to work on our continued success.

Semiomantics Seminar 2010

As we are starting with our first Semiomantics Seminar 2010 today followed by our first InfoCall 2010, my entire focus will be there in order to be even better equipped in terms of latest Knowledge and cutting-edge Technology to best serve our customers at Web Design Consulting.

Read more…

• Style
• New Semiomantics XO 2010
• Best Price Accommodation Cape Town
• Best Price Accommodation Cape Town
• 2010 Noordhoek Accommodation

Announcing the new Web Design Consulting Service by Bianca Gubalke. While the site itself is currently still under construction, the Service is available since a while as you can see under “Web Design Examples” at the top of this site.

Web Design Consulting

Web Design Consulting will be focusing on assisting individuals and businesses from around the world in creating a professional, attractive and Google Top 10 efficient presence on the Internet with an emphasis on reaching top rankings on Search Engines via dynamic content instead of developing a lifelong dependence on increasingly expensive Google Ads.

Cup of Gold

“Cup of Gold” is an interesting search term with a whopping 37,3 million returns on Google. . .  but what I found was not exactly what I was looking for, at least not within the very concise context I was planning for my article to feature my Cup of Gold Image.

Cup of Gold

“Cup of Gold” as to Wikipedia is John Steinbeck’s first novel… some historical fiction which was more or less based on “… the privateer Henry Morgan’s life and death. It centres on Morgan’s assault and sacking of the city of Panama, sometimes referred to as the ‘Cup of Gold’, and the woman fairer than the sun reputed to be found there.”

Reminds me that it’s a while since I read Steinbeck…

“Cup of Gold” is described by Susan F. Beegel as follows: “. . . From the mid-1650s through the 1660s, Henry Morgan, a pirate and outlaw of legendary viciousness, ruled the Spanis Main. He ravaged the coasts of Cuba and America, striking terror wherever he went. Morgan was obsessive. He had two driving ambitions: to possess the beautiful woman called La Santa Roja and to conquer Panama, the “cup of gold.” Steinbeck’s first novel and sole work of historical fiction, Cup of Gold is edgy and adventurous, brash and distrustful of society, and sure to add new dimensions to readers’ perceptions of this all-American writer.”

Finding what you are not looking for and not knowledgeable about is always an exciting source for new ideas… at least for me :)

I will remember this when I write about “Obsession”. . . which of course brings me to fragrances… perfumes… and flowers in my garden! My preferred topic!

In fact, what I was looking for was at the bottom of  that Goolge Top 10 page:  “Cup of Gold Plant”. . . as “Cup of Gold” is the common name for Solandra Maxima!

Solandra Maxima

Solandra Maxima! What an amazing flower! What an amazing fragrance… and yes, don’t eat this poison…

I’m happiest when discovering my magic garden, especially in the early morning hours when the first golden rays glide over the mountain tops and unveil the secrets of the new-born day, accompanied by the busy buzz of bees and birds and the beguiling fragrances of a softly rustling breeze.

Solandra Maxima – with 3,710.000 returns on Google – is a tropical plant that originated in Mexico, was brought as an ornamental to Hawai where it possibly got its common name “Cup fo Gold”…  and somehow this stunning vine with its large, leathery creamy-gold flowers marked by dark purple veins and exuding a strong scent between coconut and chamomile (my personal description), found its way to South Africa. I first saw it in the Company Gardens in Cape Town when I was a little girl… and then I planted it in my own garden!

The surprise of seeing it suddenly in full bloom in my secret jungle was yesterday’s gift – immediately shared in the Ycademy Seminar October 2009!

Ycademy Seminar with Cup of Gold

No Ycademy Seminar without “Secret Garden”; no Ycademy Seminar without flowers from my garden – as such “Cup of Gold” was presented live at the Ycademy Seminar October 2009… and it’s not over yet!

This month’s Ycademy Seminar focuses also on Media: how to firstly create a higher quality of original images for our Blogs and Websites using Digital Photography (mainly Author Blogs and NewsCast on Semiomantics Scripts) and how to obtain a higher visibility on Google and Social Networks through improved Editing and Publishing of the digital images.

Enjoy my gorgeous “Cup of Gold” for YOU!

. . .

Read more…

• Branding your Website
• Creating Web Graphics 6
• Interactive Video Blog News
• Your biggest Capital Online
• Cars Daily Chronicle by Gene Line

Some people punch “Accomodation Noordhoek” into the Search Engine when looking for Accommodation in Noordhoek – others may do it the other way round: Noordhoek Accommodation. Each gives us a different search return… and the art is to discover where there are the most searches and the least returns.

Voila – c’est tout… but what sounds so simple is an Art… a Science… and from large corporate companies to small businesses and private people: everybody is in the race of the big Internet Formula 1… and while the REAL Google AdSense game is for big pockets these days, it’s in reach of any ambitious entrepreneur on the Internet to get a Google Top 10 position with their website or blog. And to keep it. . .

Accommodation Noordhoek (Accomodation Noordhoek)

Accommodation Noordhoek is getting increasingly important as FIFA 2010 approaches, bearing in mind that Noordhoek is just about 30 miles away from Cape Town, the Mother City, where the music plays – with or without the Soccer World Cup by the way. So anyone to do with Accomodation in Noordhoek or anywhere else in South Africa focuses on high rankings to capture a maximum of potential clients NOW.

Here we just use the example of the charming “De Noordhoek Hotel” to test the efficiency of Semiomantics Scripts in combination with proper Editing and Publishing. Our first post 7 hours ago brought us several positions on page 3, now we will compete for more.

Watch this space!

Ycademy Seminars and Trainings Schedule

2009 is drawing to an end and we herewith finalize the Ycademy Seminars and Trainings Schedule for the rest of 2009 and into the new year 2010!

WOW! It’s again the time to change the year and let it be as golden and promising as this magnificent sunset over Noordhoek in South Africa, taken from my garden yesterday evening while my IP migrated my account to their new server and authentication problems caused a total collapse of my Internet connection for at least 5 hours.

Ycademy Seminars and Trainings Schedule

Our Ycademy Seminars and Trainings Schedule looks as follows:

1.

Ycademy Business Building Seminar on 12 and 13 December (12/12)

Depending on whether or not our Seminar participants from the far South – like South Africa and New Zealand – have received their CD material in the post by today latest, we will either do the planned Seminar on MS Office Enterprise (see my mail yesterday) or we have to switch over to the IT Consultant Agenda as you can see in today’s post HERE.

We will decide this at tonight’s WebMaster Call at 7 pm London time.

2.

Ycademy MS Office Workshops 14 to 18 December 2009

In case the CDs did not yet arrive but do so by Monday 14 December – hopefully -, we will use our normal calls for a MS Office Basics Crash Course (2 hours daily).

Please keep an eye on our communication on Monday for further directions.

3.

Final Xmas Call 2009 on Tuesday, 22 December 2009

Let’s finish an astonishing year with music and champagne!

While we will be available for Support if needed, this will be the last ‘call’ this year.

Yes… believe it or not, for once we can really go “… to the beach!”

4.

Semiomantics XO Special License Only Seminar on Saturday, 9 January 2010

All those who purchased this special license will get a One Day Crash Course to achieve high standards and get results. So we start the new year on a high performance and responsibility fast lane.

5.

Official start of the new year with Daily Calls as of Monday, 11 January 2010

I still have problems writing that new date… but yes, this gives us all a well-deserved break to rest and spend value time with family and friends.

6.

Ycademy Seminar January 2010 (1/12) on 23 and 24 January 2010

See the planned Agenda on How to become a professional IT Consultant on the paragraph above.

7.

Ycademy Seminar February 2010 (2/12) on 27 and 28 February 2010

See the planned Agenda on How to become a professional IT Consultant on the paragraph above.

8.

Ycademy Seminar March 2010 (3/12) on 27 and 28 March 2010

See the planned Agenda on How to become a professional IT Consultant on the paragraph above.

Let’s get 2009 to a grand Finale to end the year the way we want to start the next one!

Read more…

• Jim Rohn Went Home
• Design a professional looking Website
• Monkey Valley Beach Nature Resort
• Working From Monkey Valley
• Working from Monkey Valley

Bianca Gubalke on Google Wave

Bianca Gubalke on Google Wave – I am excited about this future-oriented new Communication and Collaboration tool on the Web – and I thank the friend who invited me. As yes. . .  it needs an invitation… and it’s early days. However,  Google Wave can only be as good as the people who actually have it, set it up, test it, work with it and play with it. People like you and me who firstly create and then ride the Google Wave. . .

The Internet is a pretty wet affair… from surfing to waving. . . we stay in the waters and if I look outside it’s a wave all over, a curtain of a wave of pouring rain, day and night, since a week… where is our sunny, hot and simply stunning South African summer? A summer we love to spend on Noordhoek Beach as the kid below just a month or so ago. . . ?

Let’s quickly look at Google Wave. It has a simple layout consisting of 4 modules:

* Navigation in the left column, top – consider it your Inbox

* Contacts in the left column, bottom – sort of your Addressbook or List of Friends (with pictures)

* List of Active Waves in your Inbox – in the middle column

* New or Open Wave in the right column – here is where things happen, here you can write, comment, add images, respond via audio or video, add gadgets (like games, puzzles, ratings, conferences, Google Earth…)  and robots ( eg. for surveys amongst Wave collaborators).

If you are fortunate enough to get a Google Wave account, do what I did right away and check out the many short yet explicit videos that illustrate the many features – and then play with them!

Bianca Gubalke on Google Wave

As with any Social Network, you want to set up your Profile in a professional and branded way. Besides, Google is the Master of the Internet in a way and has found the many versions of YOU anyway – be it in form of Blogs, Websites and other Links.

My Profile about “Bianca Gubalke on Google Wave” is a reflection of what I set up on my general Bio and Profile HERE. If you wish to have a Profile that you can link to from everywhere on the Internet, register for a free account right there and I teach you how to have your own Google-efficient page. Once done, you never have to worry about it again. . . just do the occasional update. The difference here is that this page is under YOUR control – not that of any Social Network or other Program. Be and stay independent – as far as that’s possible on Web2.0.

What still needs to be added is my Picasa Album, which I will do in the near future – then it’s all about the Wave!

What do you do on Google Wave?

A good question: What do you do on Google Wave?

Google Wave is still in a development stage and I assume that those who are fortunate enough to test it right now will provide lots of feedback and valuable input for improvements and adaptations to common needs.

Once the excitement of the new trend is over, I could imagine a very useful tool to work directly on projects with ones’ collaborators and partners from anywhere in the world. This is the thrilling concept behind it as far as I am concerned. If one can stop the spam before it starts and really work within an open yet private and respected environment – that would be perfect!

Here are just a few Benefits that simply trigger faster Action more often:

* The moment someone comes online, one would know through the green mark. Action!

* The moment a wave is updated or gets a new comment, one would know and be able to check immediately without losing time. Action!

* If something needs commenting – it’s instant, whether in the open or in form of private replies.

* If something needs the direct contact – say a document or article needs to be discussed in real time – voila! Let’s talk or even start a conference! Instant Action!

These are amazing possibilities saving  time and making teamwork faster, smoother and more efficient – not to speak about excluding misunderstandings right away through immediate interaction.
What always amazes me with Google is the amount of foresight and preparation at the highest levels. But then if not them… who else could deliver at that level in the virtual world?

So let’s learn all about the new tool and expect lots more to be coming from Google Wave in the future!

Learn Google Wave at Ycademy Seminars

To learn more about Google Wave at Ycademy Seminars get one of the few privileged tickets for the Ycademy November Seminar on 21 and 22 November 2009, totally online and recorded for Seminar participants! Knowledge is Power – and Ycademy Seminars add Action to it, guiding you forward on your personal “Path to Profitability”.

. . .

Read more…

• Google Wave Communication Tools
• Branding your Website
• YORGOO Blaster for Online Tax Filing
• Your biggest Capital Online
• Communication with Birds

Bianca Gubalke on Google Wave

Bianca Gubalke on Google Wave – I am excited about this future-oriented new Communication and Collaboration tool on the Web – and I thank the friend who invited me. As yes. . .  it needs an invitation… and it’s early days. However,  Google Wave can only be as good as the people who actually have it, set it up, test it, work with it and play with it. People like you and me who firstly create and then ride the Google Wave. . .

The Internet is a pretty wet affair… from surfing to waving. . . we stay in the waters and if I look outside it’s a wave all over, a curtain of a wave of pouring rain, day and night, since a week… where is our sunny, hot and simply stunning South African summer? A summer we love to spend on Noordhoek Beach as the kid below just a month or so ago. . . ?

Let’s quickly look at Google Wave. It has a simple layout consisting of 4 modules:

* Navigation in the left column, top – consider it your Inbox

* Contacts in the left column, bottom – sort of your Addressbook or List of Friends (with pictures)

* List of Active Waves in your Inbox – in the middle column

* New or Open Wave in the right column – here is where things happen, here you can write, comment, add images, respond via audio or video, add gadgets (like games, puzzles, ratings, conferences, Google Earth…)  and robots ( eg. for surveys amongst Wave collaborators).

If you are fortunate enough to get a Google Wave account, do what I did right away and check out the many short yet explicit videos that illustrate the many features – and then play with them!

Bianca Gubalke on Google Wave

As with any Social Network, you want to set up your Profile in a professional and branded way. Besides, Google is the Master of the Internet in a way and has found the many versions of YOU anyway – be it in form of Blogs, Websites and other Links.

My Profile about “Bianca Gubalke on Google Wave” is a reflection of what I set up on my general Bio and Profile HERE. If you wish to have a Profile that you can link to from everywhere on the Internet, register for a free account right there and I teach you how to have your own Google-efficient page. Once done, you never have to worry about it again. . . just do the occasional update. The difference here is that this page is under YOUR control – not that of any Social Network or other Program. Be and stay independent – as far as that’s possible on Web2.0.

What still needs to be added is my Picasa Album, which I will do in the near future – then it’s all about the Wave!

What do you do on Google Wave?

A good question: What do you do on Google Wave?

Google Wave is still in a development stage and I assume that those who are fortunate enough to test it right now will provide lots of feedback and valuable input for improvements and adaptations to common needs.

Once the excitement of the new trend is over, I could imagine a very useful tool to work directly on projects with ones’ collaborators and partners from anywhere in the world. This is the thrilling concept behind it as far as I am concerned. If one can stop the spam before it starts and really work within an open yet private and respected environment – that would be perfect!

Here are just a few Benefits that simply trigger faster Action more often:

* The moment someone comes online, one would know through the green mark. Action!

* The moment a wave is updated or gets a new comment, one would know and be able to check immediately without losing time. Action!

* If something needs commenting – it’s instant, whether in the open or in form of private replies.

* If something needs the direct contact – say a document or article needs to be discussed in real time – voila! Let’s talk or even start a conference! Instant Action!

These are amazing possibilities saving  time and making teamwork faster, smoother and more efficient – not to speak about excluding misunderstandings right away through immediate interaction.
What always amazes me with Google is the amount of foresight and preparation at the highest levels. But then if not them… who else could deliver at that level in the virtual world?

So let’s learn all about the new tool and expect lots more to be coming from Google Wave in the future!

Learn Google Wave at Ycademy Seminars

To learn more about Google Wave at Ycademy Seminars get one of the few privileged tickets for the Ycademy November Seminar on 21 and 22 November 2009, totally online and recorded for Seminar participants! Knowledge is Power – and Ycademy Seminars add Action to it, guiding you forward on your personal “Path to Profitability”.

. . .

Read more…

• Google Wave Communication Tools
• Branding your Website
• YORGOO Blaster for Online Tax Filing
• Your biggest Capital Online
• Communication with Birds

Communication with Birds

Communication with Birds is a red thread through my life. . . but this was definitely a Cape White-eye SOS this morning! Panic in my garden!

Social Networks

These tiny birds form large “social networks” outside the breeding season and often visit flowering bushes or berry-bearing plants in large flocks – appearing like shimmering clouds feeding on insects and nectar, berries, fruit and small grains.

As in all Social Networks (in one way or another), Cape White-eyes are very vocal and can easily be distinguished by their soft trilled pee, pree or pirreee callnotes that they use to stay connected, however, what I heard this morning was a highly agitated pitch varying in volume and tempo. . .

Communication with Birds

One doesn’t need a degree in Communication with Birds to understand if something is wrong – and to react accordingly… and fast!

MadMax was with me, so it wasn’t the cat… but it could be a snake, a hawk or a mongoose… to name just a few of many possibilities.

Cape White-eye

Guided by what turned out to be the parents, I discovered a tiny little Cape White-eye (Zosterops pallidus, ‘Glasogie’ in Afrikaans) sitting motionless on the ground – an easy prey for any predator. I had to operate fast to capture the little being and get it into a safe, warm place – while the parents fluttered in great distress around me. . . and MadMax already watched my movements with great interest from my studio. Getting him out there and me inside – the adorable little being warmly covered with my hands – was not an easy operation, however, he also seemed to . . . understand!

Finally, I could check this tiny feather ball without finding any external damage, caress it and get some life back into it… while the parents watched through the windows, cheering with their little voices.

When I was called to my PC to answer a call… the idea of  “Cape White-eye Online” was born!

I took a series of quick – and far from optimal shots photographically speaking – with my Logitech camera, however, you rarely get a Cape White-eye chick this close in front of your lens! And how exciting and touching: you see how it basically ‘woke up’ and then flew onto a window sill – an indication that after all it was well! it could fly!

So I caught it gently and took it to the golden Solandra Maxima tree I told you about in an earlier post – where I know many birds are currently breeding – and let it fly into the air! It was wonderful to see it happy and free… and immediately its parents were around with some tremolo chirps… and life continued as normal!

Read more…

• Malachite Sunbird
• Malachite Sunbird
• Google Wave Communication Tools
• Google Wave Communication Tools
• Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers

Watercolor Online

Watercolor Online – is this possible?

I loved doing watercolors in the good old days before the PC entered my life, and I still admire artists who really know how to create this form of spontaneously controlled Artwork where everything needs to flow to give a satisfactory if not stunning result.

Either it’s good – or it’s for the waste bin… there’s no inbetween!

The question for me now is:

Can one really achieve anything online that gives a result that can be compared in terms of visual appearance to the traditional Watercolor Technique – Wet in Wet, Washing, Glazing and the subtle methods of dropping colors into the wetness, lifting superfluous pigments off and working over it all when completely dry with a dry brush?

Watercolor Online

Watercolor Online may not be everyone’s cup of tea, however, most people are equipped with digital cameras and can capture their favorite motives – in my case Pictures from my Garden.

Honey Bee on a Bottlebrush

To see whether I could get anywhere near the impression of  Watercolor Online, I manipulated a digital image I took of a Honeybee on a Bottlebrush in Photoshop… and while I obviously have a bigger original, here’s a small version of my series on the topic  “Honey Bee on a Bottlebrush”.

Another question was the presentation on something more ’tissue-like’ without distorting the image itself… and as I have a transparent background on my Author Blog here was the next challenge.

I’m working on more . . .

…

This page is wiki editable click here to edit this page.

Read more…

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• Wegowell Publishing
• Landscapes Photography
• New Web Design for Auctiontalk Live
• Transparent Fonts

Malachite Sunbird

The Malachite Sunbird – or so-called Green Sugarbird – is endemic to the Cape Peninsula, right at the tip of Africa. It depends on the many nectar-producing plant species and the insects attracted to them on which they feed  – especially the sugarbush Protea, the Pincushion Protea Leucospermum and Pagodas Mimetes, as well as Eucalyptus trees, Agave americana, and the New Zealand Christmas Tree (Metrosideros excelsa) – all of which I grow in my garden here in Noordhoek.

Malachite Sunbird Stamp

The Malachite Sunbird and its joyful voice is such a typical presence down here in South Africa that I decided to dedicate one of my specially designed stamps to it!

Voila the Malachite Sunbird Stamp!

. . .

Read more…

• Malachite Sunbird
• Landscapes Photography
• Communicating with Dolphins
• Communicating with Dolphins II
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Malachite Sunbird

Malachite Sunbirds (Nectarinia famosa, 1766, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa ) are beautiful little emerald jewels on flurry wings. Attracted by the rich colourful proteas and many other flowering species in my garden, I have a couple of them breeding and it’s not rare they even come into my Studio… the event being an absolute highlight for MadMad, my hunter-hearted cat! It really gets the adrenaline up on all sides. . .

Malachite Sunbird

Malachite Sunbirds – also called Green Sugarbirds -  are extremely fast and often mistaken for colibris, who are much smaller though.  I had not yet taken the time to really wait patiently with my Nikon Coolpix P90 to eternalize these adorable little beings, but they come and greet me every morning and evening with their distinctive voices and cascading songs… and yesterday I quickly caught a male on the large Strelitzia Nicolai on my terrace – and this while the storm was roaring and stripes of rain dimmed the light.

Imagine the colours in full sunlight! It’s a photo still to be made… but the rains continue down here at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa – which is totally unusual for this time of the year.

Wildlife Art

From Digital Photography to Wildlife Art – I just love this combination and can lose myself completely in it. I did publish a few of the many artistic versions I created with Photoshop in my Gallery… and these are just some delightful experiments, however, they gave me some ideas for commercialization that I will be investigating and possibly putting into practice. Nothing I haven’t done in my ‘low-tech’ past as an artist. . . sometimes one just needs a hint to remember :)

Exciting!

Read more…

• Landscapes Photography
• Google Wave Communication Tools
• Google Wave Communication Tools
• Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers
• Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers

Google Wave Communication Tools

Google Wave Communication Tools determine the way we will communicate and interact on Web2.0 in the near future; it is the big OLA! you definitely want to catch and ride with ease the moment you can.

Of course, there are waves and waves… so: what does the “Google Wave” stand for?

About Google Wave

This is what I found directly on wave.google.com – the source so to speak:

Conversation and Document

“A wave is equal parts conversation and document. People can communicate and work together with richly formatted text, photos, videos, maps, and more.”

WOW – this will be saving lots of time and speed up the communication process immensely, also making so many time-consuming extra miles redundant – although they may have their charm and thus their place. It’s gain a matter of choice.

Example: If I send out an invitation for a party, I can do so the noble yet complex low-tech way and expect RSVPs in the same way. Which rarely happens. . .

Alternatively, I can use the Google Wave Communication Tools and everything is in one place and easy to be responded to by anyone, while being open to all. It’s so-to-speak one invitation document bundling a wave of conversation in forms of enthusiastic yesses, apologetic no’s and the usual odd questions. All in a mini-blink of an eye… almost immaterial and certainly less than a laborious mouse click.

Sharing

“A wave is shared. Any participant can reply anywhere in the message, edit the content and add participants at any point in the process. Then playback lets anyone rewind the wave to see who said what and when.”

Actually, we’ve been exercising the “wave principle” already in our Conference Rooms during say Ycademy Seminars. Everyone coming in – even if hours late – can scroll back and follow the conversation (chat) right from the beginning and then add an input… at the end of it.

Mark the difference: at the end… not inbetween. If that’s now going to be possible on Google Wave we’re messing up the concept of linear time – I’m all for it! Perhaps we learn something to apply to our lives… like going back in time and doing things different! Let good old Stephen Hawkins get back to the drawing board and rewrite the History of Time!

Real Time – Live

“A wave is live. With live transmission as you type, participants on a wave can have faster conversations, see edits and interact with extensions in real-time.”

Faster than fast – past Facebook and Tweets…  that’s where we’re going! Instant. Live. We’ve got to have our act together to avoid ‘doing’ before ‘thinking’ – or is it all about a spontaneous reaction… reflex… almost non-existent, over, forgotten, next… ?

Social Networks watch out!

Google Wave Communication Tools on Google Top 10

“Google Wave Communication Tools” made it speedily to Google Top 10 within just a few hours… ahead of over 3,6 million search returns – here’s the screenshot:

This high performance in terms of Search Engine Optimization just reflects the results achievable when the right Script – in this case a WordPress based Semiomantics Script – is paired with correct Editing and Publishing as taught in the monthly Ycademy Seminars – even on high traffic keywords.

Google Wave Communication Tools on Ycademy Seminar

While such results are not achieved overnight, everybody can acquire the Knowledge and Skills.

If you enjoy doing so within the safe and trusted environment of a bonded Team, join us on the next fully online Ycademy Seminar on 21 and 22 November 2009 which focuses on Social Network Publishing in general and “Google Wave” in particular.

. . .

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Read more…

• Google Wave Communication Tools
• Facebook Profile
• Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers
• Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers
• Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers

Google Wave Communication Tools

The brand-new Google Wave Communication Tools are about to create waves and will definitely open new horizons of never before experienced speed in terms of Online Communication.

Now it’s all about catching the “Google Wave” . . . firstly understanding and then implementing this “personal communication and collaboration tool” that merges e-mail, instant messaging, wikis and social networking. . .  and where the sky is the limit!

Google Wave Communication Tools on Ycademy Seminar

Faithful to its philosophy of always being at the edge of technological developments… as well as under the topical umbrella of Social Network Publishing , this month’s Ycademy Seminar on 21 and 22 November 2009 will introduce all Seminar participants to the new Google Wave Communication Tools – the features, possibilities and how to make the best use of this future-oriented and highly interesting new arrival on the Web2.0 sky!

Interested in joining the Ycademy Seminar?

Get your ticket HERE and prepare to take your Online Communication to another level!

Read more…

• Creating Web Graphics 6
• Top 10 on Google with YORGOO Booster
• Facebook Profile
• Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers
• Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers

Facebook Profile

When dealing with Social Networks on the Internet, Facebook is a key player and whether we like this social arena of Mr. Everybody or not… what is important is to create a Facebook Profile that reflects who we are or how we wish to present ourselves when it comes to Social Network Publishing.

Facebook Profile Picture

Besides being in control of our names – ideally as a .com – the next step is to upload a Facebook Profile Picture.

While my usual colour scheme is reflected on the white-black-silver-red version below , I tried to play with Facebook and integrated their illustruous variety of blue hues in a soft degrade – the above is a screenshot and not as sharp as in reality.  When trying to define a color, you’ll notice that the color code changes with almost every new placement of your color picker – amazing!

I intentionally didn’t want to start off with a tone-in-tone of their grey in my top picture frame, but rather have it flow in and merge in a more dynamic yet unobtrusive way.

The little thumbnail works perfectly well, but too much traffic on Facebook or slow connections down here in South Africa probably caused the error when I did the Screenshot above.

Facebook Profile Picture Examples

These are just some Facebook Profile Picture Examples that illustrate what can be done with a vertical banner with a 200 x 600 pixels format.

Read more…

• Creating Web Graphics for Nutrinsider 4
• How to Twitter
• Twitter with Twy2
• Social Network Communication
• Social Network Communication

Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers

“Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers” got such overwhelming response – not only on Google Top 10 – but also in form of rather secretive comments, questions and remarks from inquisitive people… that I can no longer withhold the amazing vista of a minuscule alien invasion I came across in my garden the other day, digital camera in hand… as I had just captured the pictures for my article on “Cup of Gold” (Solandra Maxima, remember).

Snow Hoppers on Sun Sneakers – LIVE!

Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers

See my version of Sun Sneakers? Drying after a good wash in the hot African summer air… but not the tiniest drop is lost in Africa…  see the Snow Hoppers invading the lush white grounds to capture a bit of humidity twinkling in the sun!

See the telescopic-eyed ‘Captain’ keeping watch at the top of the hill while the bataillon of semi-transparent aliens creeps up from behind, each taking a strategic position for optimum Lifestyle!

So many things we don’t observe unless we walk around with an open heart and an inquisitve mind!

Imagine these minuscule weirdos locked on crystal Swarowski blings, kicks and sneakers? Right there on Google Top 10 powered by Semiomantics Scripts – what else?

Push Marketing or Pull Marketing – that’s the question!

Certainly a worthy topic to be discussed at the unbeatable daily Info-Call in  http://yorgotalk.com  – at 8 pm London time – meet you there!

. . .

Read more…

• Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers
• Sun Sneakers or Snow Hoppers
• Landscapes Photography
• Transparent Fonts
• Transparent Fonts

With the Social Media Marketing buzz reaching peak levels in the virtual world… and the fierce competition – Google + – having come up with a social media platform I personally really like – Facebook is releasing its new Timeline and I’ve just got my head around setting up the new Facebook Timeline Profile – here’s a screenshot:

New Facebook Timeline Profile

The New Facebook Timeline Profile features a bigger picture at the top with a very smooth and simple upload facility. The little icon to the left sits basically on top of it. As I did not want the face again, I added an icon first… see screenshot below – however, this little icon accompanies each post and, as this face is sort of known already and basically my brand, I gave it a slightly different shape and uploaded it. That it would come up large in 1 : 1 format on the resulting action was quite a surpise, but one will get used to this! In any case, everything is much better integrated as far as I can see.

To the far right, top, you see the timeline… and depending on when your online autobiography starts, that’s as far as it goes down. You can now go back in time and add comments, pictures, documents – whatever. We are writing our life story here – well, if that was my intention I would have to sit here for quite a while – but those who have been active on Facebook for a while will love this feature. It’s much more organized for sure and certainly a brilliant move – for Facebook.

The new Family Tree – let’s face it :)

Web Design with Passion

This Facebook page gives us a nice opportunity on a privileged spot to present who we are, show whatever we wish to be seen as or to simply give people an idea as to what our business is about.

In my case it’s Web Design with Passion – that’s what I stand for with all that’s connected to it: the Discussion and Research with the Customer, the entire Project Management, some Code, the entire Web Design including Media, Editing and SEO efficient Online Publishing… and all this on WP based Semiomantics Scripts of course. This means Google Top 10 positions and exposure on Social Networks.

Tip: make sure you go through your settings on Facebook to control who and what you allow.

The Importance of Daily Postings – not necessarily long but regular, meaningful and contextual articles that is – may not be under-estimated especially in the early times of a new CMS.

We monitor the performance of the websites and blogs created on our WP based Semiomantics Scripts very closely to ensure the customer – in this case Magnetic Transport Surplus in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines – has properly understood and applies the correct basic principles in terms of Online Editing and Online Publishing and – based on his efforts – gets the corresponding exposure on search engines, i.e. Traffic to his targeted keywords and topics of interest. Traffic translates into inquiries, direct communication between seller and potential buyer – and, eventually sales.The more Traffic, the more Conversion – that’s simple mathematics.

The Importance of Daily Postings and Google

So how are the Importance of Daily Postings and Google connected?

Simple: search engine spyders need fresh, daily content – it’s what fuels them, what gets them excited, what makes them tick so to speak! They crawl all the time across the web looking for that: fresh content! Hungry monsters they are… but they reward us by positioning our posts where we target… at least with the right script and optimization! While they cannot evaluate the quality of the content, they look for certain ‘hooks’ and, once satisfied, send us some ‘flowers’ and move on on their unstoppable virtual journey.

Magnetic Transport on Google Top 10

I checked the latest submissions by Magnetic Transport Surplus to see their positioning on Google Top 10, here’s the example “Isuzu CXZ71U 10PD1 Dump Truck” – you can click on the images to enlarge them for better vision:

While it’s a small search term, there still seems to be a lot of interest as we can deduct from the Google Ads – and Magnetic Transport occupies spot 1 on Google Top 10 and… as you can see… even the next positions.

A customer looking up exactly this keyword on Google will have the choice between the 10 websites on the left and the ads (3 above and a couple to the right).

As Magnetic Transport occupies a number of positions on the left side, chances are big they capture the customer’s interest. Any person looking at their website costs Magnetic Transport nothing, not a cent.

If however the person checks out the various ads (on top and to the right, i.e. AdSense), each click will cost the owner of the ad – with no guarantees. If say 100 people click on Magnetic Transport, chances are big this leads to some form of exchange… especially as Magnetic Transport occupies, in this case, 4 out of the 10 top positions.

If these 100 people click on the various ads instead, firstly the clicks will be diluted between the various advertisers – and secondly each click costs the corresponding advertiser. Calculate the value of a click – is it $1? Is it $11? Depending on the daily budget of the advertiser, he can take a certain number of clicks until he disappears from the radar – depending on his daily advertising budget. Is it $100? Is it $1000?

Not so for Magnetic Transport who have invested in an excellent CMS setup on Semiomantics and learned some basic Online Publishing skills. Here, each click will count for them in terms of Traffic. What they are interested in is to offer customers what they are looking for at the right place: on Google Top 10 – meaning: what do they punch in as a search term? Isuzu Mixer truck? Isuzu 10PD1? The differences can be huge depending on the actual terminology you choose – just study the two images as an example… and it’s the same product:

The solution is not in the “either or” – it’s in spreading through study, research, effort and – most importantly – a razor-sharp goal in mind. Magnetic Transport is not limited by any financial budget of doing that and positioning themselves exactly and wherever it’s relevant for them to be found.

Semiomantics Web Design reaches the customer only once properly indexed on Google; it’s then up to the customer to expand his positions and build his authority… and this largely depends on regular daily postings!