Internet browsers

admin

Sometimes you face a problem in using a particular website or making online payments, this problem can easily be solved by changing the browser used.  The latest version of Firefox seems to be saving passwords for all websites, even if you specifically state that you do not wish to save password for a website.

Many websites are designed for optimum performance with Internet Explorer alone. If you call customer support, they will tell you not use other browsers like Mozilla, and change to the latest version of Internet Explorer.

Fake Rapid Tax refunds

admin 
Have been getting a lot of mails regarding fake rapid tax refunds. 

From: Income Tax Departament [mailito:refund@incometaxindia.gov.in]
	Subject: Rapid Tax Refunds

	Dear applicant,
	After the last annual calculation of your fiscal activity we have determined
	that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of 150000 Rupees.

	Bank account holders at the Bank of India, will receive the money within 12 hours after filling the form
	To Access your tax refund please complete the form attached to this email .
         If you are using Internet Explorer please allow ActiveX for scripts to perform all data transfers securely. 
	---------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Department of Revenue,Ministry of Finance Government of India 
        If you are using Internet Explorer please allow ActiveX for scripts to perform all data transfers securely.

Talking too much

admin

In most industries, the turnover and profits of a company is considered a measure of the size , competence and skill of the company. In the Indian internet industry, the amount of media coverage and venture capital funding is .
Most people have not heard of the saying ” Loose Lips May Sink Ships”
More info at http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/237250.html

Email marketing

admin

Email marketing can be very effective for SMEs ,  but many Indian companies and website send  emails which exclusively consists of images which are hosted on their server.  Due to security reasons, these emails are rarely opened and the email marketing effort is wasted.

Most foreign companies use email marketing more effectively,  they at least  include some description of the product or service they are offering in their email message.

High heels

admin

In recent years, the  general perception in certain companies and business sectors is that if you wear Indian clothes, a woman must be  not be competent or efficient.

But the fact is that most  Western clothes are not very comfortable and the high heels that women are forced to wear in Western countries as part of their dress code cause health problems.

In UK, Unions are fighting to ensure that women are not forced to wear high heels due to the dangers to health and safety.

Advertising spam

admin

I am getting this email regularly, this is the 4th email I have got.
———————————-
Dear Sir

Across India, Google AdWords is proving to be a key ingredient in the success formula of many companies like yours. Have you started using the power of Google to attract more and more prospective new customers? Remember, your limited time offer of Rs. 2,500 is valid only till November 30th. So, call 1860 266 6622 and get started now.

Advertising on Google through AdWords helps you target thousands of potential new customers inexpensively, effectively and at the exact moment when they are searching for your products and services.

You can now test the power of the Internet for yourself by advertising on Google through AdWords at absolutely no risk. Google offers all Indian SMBs a special limited time advertising trial offer of Rs. 2,500. Which means Google will be paying for Rs. 2,500 worth of advertising for your business.

AdWords puts you in total control of your Internet advertising.

* You choose where your ad is displayed – across the world or in specific cities

* You set your own budget, as there are no minimum spend levels required

* You pay only when a prospective customer clicks on your ad

To get started with your advertising trial offer from Google, just call 1860 266 6622 and mention your personal code to our customer representative. We will help set up your AdWords account and credit your account with Rs. 2,500 of free advertising. You can also visit www.adwords.google.co.in and follow the steps to create your account.

Your Promotion Code: 7AZ2-UG5T-ST9J-297P

On behalf of the Google team, I look forward to introducing your business to the power of advertising on Google. So call 1860 266 6622 today and start promoting your business on Google.

Yours sincerely

Sridhar Seshadri
Head of Online Sales and Operations

*Credit Terms and Conditions:
Promotional credit must be applied to a new AdWords account within 14 days of creating the AdWords account and is valid only for new Google AdWords customers with self-managed signup accounts. Advertisers will be charged for advertising that exceeds the promotional credit. Advertisers will need to suspend their ads if they do not wish to receive additional charges beyond the free credit amount. Subject to ad approval, valid registration and acceptance of the Google AdWords Program standard terms and conditions. The promotional credit is non-transferable and may not be sold or bartered. Offer may be revoked at any time for any reason by Google Inc. One promotional credit per customer. Offer void where prohibited by law. Advertisers with self-managed signup accounts are subject to a Rs. 250 account activation fee. Prepay customers must deposit Rs. 500 into their account for activation. Offer expires on 30th Nov, 2009.
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Some big companies online and offline are able to offer personalized service to their customers. Others use automated systems. But they should remember that in most SMEs, spending decisions are not taken by bots, but by human beings who remember past unpleasant experiences.

Infrastructure

admin

They are many infrastructure related issues which result in problems like the water pipeline collapse on the train last Friday.  Thousands of commuters were affected.

Online office and tools

admin

Web based applications, productivity suites and tools get a lot of coverage in the websites covering technology. These include online office tools like Google Docs, Zoho and personal finance management tools like Onyem, Boxfer , Perfios . These tools may be very popular but may not succeed locally because of several reasons

  • Internet access is still expensive, ISPs like BSNL, MTNL, Hathway charge users on the basis of every MB downloaded. For BSNL , the lowest plan has a download limit of 150 MB, so just uploading and downloading the documents can be expensive.
  • Internet connections are not reliable. At times, the connection is not available for more than  24 hours due to cable failure and other problems. You may need to review it , but will simply not be able to access it.
  • Security – Even when you deal with the largest internet companies today as a customer or affiliate, most of them are unable to ensure that your data is confidential, some times due to factors beyond their control. Uploading your personal information including finances and bank details online can lead to a new set of problems.

Ad Networks

admin

Recently I noticed some of my older websites get a significant amount of  traffic, so  I have been looking for suitable  advertising programs , preferably CPM or CPC,  with a low minimum payout. I already use 3 ad networks for this website,  but am always experimenting with new networks.  The  visitors for some websites are from different parts of the world, so I will first review the global ad networks.

There are many lists of ad networks published on many  blogs and websites,  but few writers bother to check whether they actual exist (often you are directed to a parked page), sign up  with them and most importantly find out whether they actually pay.  Some of the biggest ad networks are:

  • Valueclick
  • Tribal Fusion
  • Casale Media
  • Revenue Science
  • Vibrant Media

Many of these ad networks have very high traffic requirements are suitable only for generic news,  technology , entertainment websites.  For example Tribal Fusion site requirements are 5,000 unique visitors per day,   but few niche sites will have that kind of traffic.

The second requirement is that the website content should be regularly updated, which is not applicable / relevant to niche websites.   Technology and the internet changes quickly, offline things don’t.  A few years ago,  Myspace was the most popular social networking website,  today Facebook is popular and in a few years some other website will be.    I have a website on pests,  and there have been few changes in the nature of pests (not the online variety) over the last few years and unlikely to be in future too.  So till many of these ad networks are able to cater to these websites, monetizing them will continue to be a problem.

Wireless Internet connection

admin

I have been searching for a reliable wireless internet connection for some time , which allows some amount of  flexibility while using it.   My requirements are simple , it should be a prepaid USB connection and should work in  Mumbai and Goa.  Since I do not view videos or download movies,  the connection should have the speed of a dialup connection at the minimum.

I have evaluated the various internet connections available and listed their features and problems:

  • Airtel USB Modem :  Costs  Rs 2999, can be purchased through Indiatimes,  tariff  starts from 20 paise / 50 KB download (or Rs 4 / MB download) ,  Rs 349 for 500 MB free data usage,  1 month validity. However, there is no information on  how you are going to charge /load the amount for the prepaid usage. Seller B.T. Agencies has no feedback on Indiatimes
  • Idea Netsetter : Costs Rs 2490 ,  Minimum prepaid  amount is  Rs 150,  Access charges are  Rs 1.7 / MB  ( from http://www.ideacellular.com/IDEA.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=IDEA_Page_Advertisements&displayParam=NetSetterPostpaid/NetSetterUSBModem_DELHI.html) . However some users have found the speed of an Idea connection slow.
  • Vlink USB modem :  Starter kit is the cheapest at Rs 99 ( but should be used with a mobile phone) ,  data charges  60 paise / minute.   However, the terms for their Rs 349 and Rs 801 recharge at their website are confusing and this connection does not offer the coverage I want.
    http://www.virginmobile.in/plan_special_offers_vlink-usb.html

Reliance Netconnect seems to be a data card. I will also check forums and list the feedback from users , so that this review is comprehensive.