Tusler-Design Blog

Tusler Design website uses HTML5

2011-06-27T21:32:00.000+01:00

I forgot to mention before on this blog but our own site is now fully using HTML5.
We are using the Wordpress publishing system and Pagelines CMS template to control the layout.
Overall very pleased with the new web design and the resulting business.

Are we in bubbles on the web

2011-06-27T21:28:00.000+01:00

Watch towards the end for bit about ad re-targeting. Are we trapped in our own web bubbles? - http://bbc.in/mKChJ8

Graphene - The New Wonder Material

2011-05-25T10:04:00.000+01:00

Graphene is being hailed by the scientific community as the new miracle material that could replace silicon.

It is said to be 200 times stronger than structural steel and can be completely digitised. It can be stiffened or be completely flexible. It is seen as giving technology companies a potentially world-changing, clean slate to create new products.

One professor commented that an iPhone made of Graphene could be rolled up and tucked behind the users ear like a pencil!

So what is Graphene?

Graphene is taken from graphite, which is made up of weakly bonded layers of carbon
Graphene is composed of carbon atoms arranged in tightly bound hexagons just one atom thick
Three million sheets of graphene on top of each other would be 1mm thick
The band structure of graphite was first theorised and calculated by PR Wallace in 1947, though for it to exist in the real world was thought impossible
Due to the timing of this discovery, some conspiracy theorists have linked it to materials at the Roswell "crash site"
In 2004, teams including Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov demonstrated that single layers could be isolated, resulting in the award of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010
It is a good thermal and electric conductor and can be used to develop semiconductor circuits and computer parts. Experiments have shown it to be incredibly strong

This article is based on information here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/9491789.stm

Last IP addresses up for sale

2011-03-25T14:22:00.000Z

Apparently the last of the existing 4.3 billion IP addresses are being bid for by Microsoft from Nortel.
They have made the highest bid out of 80 companies. Objections can be made before April 4th.
Read the article on the BBC site

PC sales down in Feb 2011

2011-03-11T11:05:00.001Z

All the major far-east computer component manufacturers sales figures were down for February 2011 by up to 22%.
These are companies supplying all the major brands like Apple and Dell.
The implication being that the overall PC market is not as active as in the past.
Will the reduction in PC sales impact the Internet as a trading platform?
http://blogs.ft.com/fttechhub/2011/03/pc-makers-suffer-dismal-february/

Wi-fi speeds are slower than fixed connections

2011-03-11T08:07:00.001Z

Apparently there is a 30% drop off in speed when using wi-fi instead of plugging in a ethernet cable.
This can be mitigated by having a good quality router and by adjusting where you position said router.
If you are frustrated by the speed of your wireless connection you could try plugging your device into the router and seeing if it makes a significant difference.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12688839

Apps are the new black

2011-01-13T12:17:00.001Z

There seems to be lots of fuss about 'apps' with Microsoft trying to stop Apple from trade marking the phrase 'app store'. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12173224

Apparently 'apps' are the new big thing in computers and will become as 'big as the Internet'.

Surely software applications (apps) have been around since computers were created. In other words, the selling to consumers of the new 'apps' is nothing more than selling software, which has been going on for quite a while now.

Many of us now posses hand-held devices, which are basically small computers. These devices require software to do things. So why all the fuss about 'apps'?

We wonder if it is marketing speak that has enabled some large companies to sell us software as 'apps' so we think we're getting something we couldn't get before?

Changing Education Paradigms

2011-01-10T14:09:00.004Z

Brilliant animation challenging us to review our way of seeing ourselves and our system of education.

New version of HTML

2011-01-06T14:33:00.003Z

If you haven't heard yet - HTML 5 is here!
It shouldn't mean much to many web users but over the coming years it will be more widespread. Like all languages that are used regularly HTML is also evolving.
At Tusler-Design.com we think it is actually good news because in due course it will be a simpler and more intuitive process to create new websites and user experiences.
Check out the BBC article http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12070627

Folks at Mundos get new shop and new website

2010-11-13T10:30:00.002Z

Popped in yesterday on the good folks at Mundos who have moved to a new shop in Cardigan. The old shop was good but very small. The new one seems huge and is full of new products. Really liked the terrace at the back of the shop - looking forward to sampling the juice bar there next spring.

Their online shop is at www.mundos.co.uk/.

We are being watched

2010-10-04T11:20:00.002+01:00

Seems like we really are being watched. Or are they mostly guessing?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11450923

Huwbryn

2010-06-07T17:06:00.000+01:00

Huwbryn supply natural pet bedding and bagged animal feeds from their beautiful west Wales farm. They asked us to create their new site with easy to use Paypal shopping cart. www.huwbryn.com

Marks and Spencer award winning website

2009-10-21T13:31:00.002+01:00

Marks and Spencer (the well known shopping chain) has won awards for it's easy to use website at Marks and Spencer.com.

You can see how they responded to some of their customer feedback by making specific changes to the way their site works and the way users interact and shop.

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Our-Websites-Just-Got-Better-Whats-New/b/310116031

Tusler Design promo

2009-10-08T15:28:00.001+01:00

Pigeon faster then broadband

2009-09-10T15:26:00.002+01:00

So, in part of South Africa at least it appears that the humble pigeon can deliver data much more quickly than ADSL.

Will they try the same test here in the UK?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8248056.stm

Sustainable eco building products at Celtic Sustainables

2009-07-30T11:49:00.002+01:00

If you need to buy some eco paint or eco insulation take a look at Celtic Sustainables new website at www.celticsustainables.co.uk.

Celtic Sustainables are a friendly company based in Cardigan, Ceredigion and have a big warehouse with all sorts of eco, natural, sustainable products in stock all the time.

They also have a great deal of experience and expertise which they are happy to share.

What can happen to your photos online

2009-06-11T10:10:00.002+01:00

This family sent their photo as a Christmas card to friends and posted it on a blog.

Next thing a friend told them the picture was on a poster in a Czechoslovakia... they now watermark any images they post online.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8094420.stm

Jac y Do Lettings and Property Management

2009-05-20T13:52:00.003+01:00

Jac y Do are a lettings and property management company based in west Wales in Aberporth.

Have a look at their new website at www.jacydo.com and if you're looking for somewhere to rent, or if you're looking for someone to manage your rental property (or properties), then drop Jac y Do a line.

What is going on in west Wales

2009-04-21T16:15:00.002+01:00

There is a great new website just been launched called 'Whatever the weather Wales' http://www.whatevertheweatherwales.co.uk/.

You can see what's on in the west Wales (lower Teifi Valley estuary) area and even book online. What a great idea and there are also plans to make the service available for mobile phones so anyone can see what's happening and book no matter where they are.

The site is aimed at tourists and locals who want an easy to use website to preview and book events and activities.

New site for Decorend

2009-03-17T19:40:00.002Z

Here's a recently published new site for Decorend with information about their amazing decorative concrete products www.decorend.co.uk.

It really is quite astonishing what can be achieved with some careful thought and artful finishing. The effects are just like real stone but the product is concrete.

What do you think?

BBC Weather Site Gets Updated

2009-03-07T21:15:00.004Z

Such a great way to display the useful and regularly updated weather information provided by the Met Office.

Now the weather site is quickly made relevant by changing as soon as you put in your location as either a postal code or town name.

Some of the forecasts and weather observations can be embedded into your own site or blog...

You must have a browser that supports iframes to view the BBC weather forecast

Yield Build - build your advertising revenue

2009-02-17T18:10:00.004Z

I came across this service today and it seems rather interesting.

YieldBuild gives you one place to manage multiple advertising accounts and also tests various formats of the different ads to see which are the most effective.

Sounds good doesn't it?

Is anyone using it and care to comment?

Too Busy To Blog

2009-02-13T16:35:00.004Z

It has been ages since I last posted to my blog and for that I apologise to those who have dropped by to read it.

As of January 2009 I celebrated 10 years of designing and building websites.

I also passed the 10 year milestone of putting audio and video online.

So much has changed since we started out using Dreamweaver version 1 to code and manage websites.

I wonder which is the most influencial site of the last 10 years? Contenders must include the BBC, Google, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Amazon and Wikipedia to mention a few household names.

I would say the best is Google because no-one else has achieved so much in terms of easy access to information - just my humble opinion of course.

As for favourite software it would have to be Photoshop, Dreamweaver and since converting to Macs I've fallen for Garageband. Final Cut is also rather splendid.

Online and offline is becoming an increasingly blurred line with many of my friends and colleagues having as much Internet access at home as they do at work.

Whatever next? 10 more years of web design hopefully...

UAE website

2008-03-31T17:32:00.003+01:00

Find out more about the amazing and wonderful United Arab Emirates in these pages created for travel information website Visit the World.

Google Analytics Reports v Other Stats

2008-02-25T16:47:00.003Z

If you're a user of Google Analytics and have compared it's reports with almost any other statistical package there appear to be quite big differences in the numbers.

Why?

In a nutshell - this discrepancy is caused by differing reporting methods, the important thing to watch is 'trends'. When you compare trends in your server based stats package with Google Analytics trends the percentages are often much closer than the numbers appear to suggest at first look.

Fortunately Google have a thorough knowledge base article on this in their very useful Google Analytics Help Centre.

Addicted to Technology?

2008-02-21T12:59:00.001Z

Something you may have already been aware of has been confirmed by an academic study, we really are becoming more and more addicted to technology.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7253493.stm

New Dubai Related Websites

2008-01-15T18:13:00.000Z

Just completed a set of mini websites about Dubai for the travel website Visit the World.

There are sections on Bur Juman, Jumeirah and the famous Gold Souq (to name a few).

New Website - Dragonsway Wales Ltd

2008-01-10T12:28:00.000Z

Tusler-design are pleased to present the new website for Dragonsway Wales Ltd at www.dragonsway.co.uk.

Dragonsway Wales are the far-sighted and inspired people behind the new housing development in Letterston, near Fishguard in west Wales.

The development will feature 95 new houses. Many of them unique in design. All built according to traditional Pembrokeshire styles and themes.

Dragonsway have a great approach to their new constructions; aiming for top-quality buildings that feature modern technological advances in heating and insulating, without the cost being prohibitive.

Anonymous Web Browsing

2007-11-10T08:26:00.000Z

I never saw this before but apparently you can browse the Internet and use instant messenger software without anyone being able to track you.

If you need this sort of security or if you need to get around blocks that don't let you use certain websites then give this tool from the Tor Project a try.

As they say on their site - "Tor is a software project that helps you defend against traffic analysis, a form of network surveillance that threatens personal freedom and privacy, confidential business activities and relationships, and state security. Tor protects you by encrypting your communications and bouncing them around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers all around the world."

http://www.torproject.org/

New Website - Artcrete Wales

2007-10-24T11:21:00.000+01:00

Here's a great new site for Artcrete Wales.

Artcrete use decorative concrete to re-face all sorts of surfaces and make them look as good as new.

We made the 'How it's Done' video and then made the new site as well.

Ever since seeing the success of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies video and the PAVS videos I've wanted to make this kind of website.

Along with the Gallery and Case Studies visitors get a really good idea of what the product can do for them.

www.artcretewales.co.uk

New Website - Anona Development Consultancy

2007-09-14T12:35:00.000+01:00

Here's a newly completed website for the Anona Development Consultancy.

Anona Development are based in London and work with a wide variety of organisations.

Anona offer 'strategic planning, management development, team-building, training, mentoring, facilitating, research, public speaking and expertise in equalities, diversity and international development issues'.

www.anonadevelopment.co.uk

Pictures - Sorted

2007-09-14T11:09:00.000+01:00

'Hello' is a new service from Picassa (owned and developed by Google).

It allows users to collaboratively view and discuss images. Its a kind of instant messenger with high quality image tools.

If you ever need to look over a lot of pictures with someone in another location then this seems to be the perfect tool.

www.hello.com

Create Slideshows Online - Very Cool Tool

2007-09-03T13:15:00.000+01:00

I heard about this site today, signed in, and within 5 minutes had a slide-show of a few images from the garden at Cilmieri and from Rhoshill.

http://www.slide.com/r/gYIcDG186j9_g_A8ziJ_tugQ6bMW7W1Z

www.slide.com

Tusler Design Website New Look and Feel

2007-09-03T12:05:00.000+01:00

It took me 10 months to get this new version of the Tusler-Design.com website complete. The intention is to give clients and potential clients access to information quickly and easily.

The design and content for the new website was originally posted in the /webservices sub-directory of tusler-design.com. At the end of September this section will be re-directed to the main site.

The new version features a complete listing of all the services offered, a selection of examples, pricing guides, a free quotation form, order form and contact form.

The new site links to this weblog for Patrick's Website Designers Blog. The old weblog, which was hosted by Tusler-Design.com, will be archived.

As soon as I have it ready I will post the audio and video pages including the recent video we made for ArtCrete Wales Ltd.

www.tusler-design.com

New Website - Pembrokeshire Paths

2007-09-02T16:22:00.000+01:00

We've had a lot of fun working on this attractive website with Andrew from Pembrokeshire Paths. What do you think?

Pembrokeshire Paths provide people with carefully researched guided walks in rural west Wales. The walks are supported by stops for lunches and include transport from pick-up and drop-off points.

If you're looking for a healthy break then Pembrokeshire paths can offer you a truly unique experience walking in the Preselis or along some of Britain's best coastline. Complete with historical perspectives and insights!

Pat's Website Designer Blog Comes to Blogger

2007-09-02T10:38:00.000+01:00

Hi

Yes I moved my entire blog to Blogger.com.

Why?

Because I find Blogger to be a perfect tool for managing my thoughts and messages chronologically.

And it presents 'news' in an easy to use format for those who are interested. This means the message gets through.

Hope you like it...

Patrick