offTopic : creating another blog

It's been quite few days and to be exact this is the third day since I create a new post. During this short period, I've been creating a new blogger account for my 'item for sells' section. Which has already been up and crawled (submit few weeks back).

Generally, I sell cloths that are suitable for female in between early and mid ages. The link to this particular site will be promoted in ikmalsays.blogspot, once it's fully operational. There are pros and cons creating multiple controlled sites, which as you all know, the hassle.
But it's worth creating few great sites supporting each other and this does increase rank. Instead of exhange link with other sites, it's easier to exchange with one of your own.

Well, I just starting to manage two of them and already feel the pressure. Other webmaster able to manage dozens of them without breaking a sweat. I guess experience will make it easier.

Until then, thanks for visiting and have a nice day.

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ikmalTips : faster loading blogger template

Page load time is really essential in a blog. Every ticking seconds count, before your visitors click away. Every bytes conserve on page load will save you another second. But how I can achieve this? There are many possible way to achieve this. This is what I learn until this moment. It's sorted for better viewing.

Save on Image :

- Save image with lowest quality possible (without ruining the image).

• Image full of solid color doesn't need high quality format.
• Always specify image height and width, so the browser doesn't need to check the image first
  
• Try saving on different format. Sometimes small resolution image are better saved on GIF format. Or vice versa.
  
• Save image using appropriate resolution. You don't need 1280x1024 resolution for image on sidebar.

Save on HTML size :

- All unnecessary blank space (page break) on your html can be removed. It does not change page layout appearance. But be very wise to choose unnecessary space. On widget codes they are necessary (don't check Expand Widget Templates on your layout). Try remove blank space before and in between </b:skin> tag. Even though this could save you a slice of size, it does matter. That's why they are called unnecessary. And remember, ALWAYS preview before save them.

Save on FTP (File Transfer Protocol) :

- This is the term use for importing image or script from other sites to be viewed on yours.

• Save all images at one place. This will dramatically reduce request for FTP process.
• As for blogger, save your image on blogger account itself instead of other image hosting provider. Create another blog for image purpose only (hide from public view) OR go straight to Picasa since all the images save on your blogger template will be stored at Picasa account. Show me Picasa.

Save on Page Load :

- This is for tabbed navigation (check out buttons above header). They are not lag between image changes on hover.

• This can be achieved using Splice (or Sprice?) technique. Where both hover and normal image are basically based on the same image just the difference in positioning. Thus, count as on image load.

- This is for widget. You can hide few widgets that you thought not necessary to view at your post page. This is for making navigation faster to leave comment or viewing full post (if the posts are summarized). For instance, I hide few Ads and Entrecard widget on post page. You can use :

• <b:if cond> method. Placing the codes correctly between widget will hide your widget and show on certain page (main page, post page, etc).

- Another tips is for loading content first rather than widget. This is great for making visitors actually read your content before page fully loads.

• Find your outer-wrapper and sort them by moving main-wrapper to the first position. But please note that using this will make your sidebar moves to right side. Like on mine.

This is few lists that I know will create effect. Do leave a comment if you have any tips to share. OR if want to request a proper tutorial for any of tips listed.

That's all. Thank you and happy loading.

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ikmalThink : i post and get paid

Few days back, I've posted a good and decent way to earn money by participating in so-called forum called MyLot. I've tested the program and here's how the calculations are made (I've read about it). You get a cent on every :

• discussion you respond
• respond on your discussion
• click on your attached photo

It's not much but it will be if you participate hard enough. You can check out my post on MyLot. Anyway this is another program I've tested. You'll get paid on every paid review accepted by your advertiser. Best of all. Its looks just like your other blog post except you are being paid for it. How cool is that?

Sponsored Review

- You earn a lot more than your Ads on newborn blog. It's easy to sign up and approved. You only have to meet with their low requirement and that's it. Interested? You can take a peek at their sites, here :

SponsoredReview.com

Although it's maybe not as easy as it sounds and not financially be able to lose your day job. It is a great start for newborn. You can create a chain of funds to improve your site/business for further development. As they say, a great start promises a great ending.

What do you think ?

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ikmalThink : this is not another chrome review

Help! Cannot sign in to Blogger!

Several hours before I attempt to login into my blogger account (this blog) and from that point onwards (after waking up from a long nap) I still cannot login to my account since blogger sign in page does not load up at all. It's just remaining stuck at one point. I've clear all the history thought that it was problem caused by cache or sorts. But still don't load up. Please be note that I used Firefox 3. So I've change to InternetExplorer and try to sign in again. Suprisingly, it works like a charm.

At least this shows that the problem come from the browser itself. After using IE for a while I became frustrated again seeing my page misalignment and list-style problem (only occurs on IE). Out of desperation, I decided to try the new Google Chrome.

Then, it occurs. A tiny bit of love to the new Google Chrome. The page load pretty darn fast. I make this comparisson by loading my site, ikmalsays.blogspot. By using IE and Firefox loads the page by loading content first and then sidebar (as optimized, because I wanted the content to show first on page load). However, on Chrome, both section loads near exact moment but with a few per seconds lack at start. This is good. For me at least.

But since it's new, they are not much plugin that can be integrate in the browser (I use Roboform). I'm sure this will be sort in few days, at least week. But one thing that I love about Chrome, it's new feature called Incognito Window. Basically, you can used this window tab to browse and surf net with total privacy. That means no browsing history and cookie. Only to that particular window. But any bookmarks and download are properly saved. Isn't that cool?
Interested? Download here :

GoogleChrome(Beta).com

However, I've heard rumours saying that Chrome saved password in text format. But other than that, it's awesome!

But I cannot login to my account using Chrome as well. Does this mean I need to use IE? Forever...? No..!

*Update : Problem solved. It caused by Vundo Trojan. It prevents browser to access certain high-traffic sites. You can remove it using Spybot S&D. Where can I get that? Check my previous post here.

That's all. Thank you and happy preventing.

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ikmalThink : my spelling is prefect!

Everyday you create a great post content on your blog but failed to get notified by your readers and this lack of respond makes you want to quit blogging.
For any reason that you read this particular post up to this level, then you are proving me right. This post is written based on my new blogging experience.

Like newspaper, people often browse the pages by the headlines not by reading text content on every corner on the newspaper. Human eyes need to be distracted before it can focus properly. <- (I made this up. I don't know if it's true. :P). So you need to create a proper attention to your post before it can gain publicity, so to speak.

And I think there a several section of the post that can be made attractive. As listed below :
- Headlines

• even though it's the great place to gain SEO rank, you should include few non-relevant keywords to attract readers eyes.
• mine is dumb, don't use it, i only need it for sorting purposes.

- Pictures

• a great picture that is significance to your post is extremely a bonus point.
• you should be familiar with common used idiom; "a picture worth a thousand words". which will help you a lot since you are dealing with text-based content.

- Text Decoration

• using bold/underline/strikethrough/italic on proper section of your post content creates variety from another.
  
• statistics shows that human eyes can be easily get tired on reading the same style font after a period of time <- (I was making stuff up again. haha. but i really think so).
  
• highlight your text to create extra attention on certain interesting facts only. not all of it. want me to make up statistics again?

This is short list of available tips on writing a great content. There is lots of different opinion out there. Google them or experience yourself. If you like to share yours, kindly spends 10 seconds and leave a comment.

Wise people learn from mistake made by others, only fools learn from their own.

- quote found on Myspace. haha.

That's all. Thank you and happy posting.

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ikmalReview : tropic thunder

Rated :

Honestly, if you are expecting to see a bad review about this movie, then you're absolutely on the right track.
Long story short, this movie is about 5 (including 2 bum) movie stars or so called 'primadonnist clown', who often differs opinion from each other while on set. The conflict between actors cost director and producer big loads of cash while creating their latest war film. Thus, creating major headache to the movie director, who then accept a suggestion from another clown to bring the movie production to the real life movie set. With a hope that they can clear and straightened each others out.

But soon, they discovered they are playing with fire on real gunpowder, literally. What's the worse that could happen to them? Everything actually. A sip of the storyline creates attention on the premiere but not on the screen. It does have its funny moment and over reacting situation that giggles you. But not much.
The big-name actors that are casts in this movie are fine. Just look at the poster. But I don't think by combining them together will create a great combination. Stiller? Wacky. Jack? Wacky. African Downey? What? See what I mean. And I'm not even including Tom Cruise.
It's like a drummer in a rock band. One is perfect. Two is acceptable. Three is just weird. They create laughter on their great acting but not as the character they posed.

Even though this movie is lack on storyline, it do have it's big explosion, faggot fight and gruesome kids holding AK's. I don't think you will appreciate this after you paid for it. I'm not supporting piracy or any of that kind that makes movie star short a few bucks from their million dollar income.
But if you interested to watch the movie. You can watch it here :

VideoEmbedder.com

* Remarks on star rating given (2.5) : This movie could fill up your time between twinkling moment you had when your eyes are open between sleep. Not really, they do create a good movie but just not as good as you actually pay for it. This is not 'the movie' to watch this month. Because when I watch comedy, I expect myself to laugh and cries. This don't do both.

• storyline (0.5)
  
• graphics - explosive (0.7)
  
• soundtrack (0)
  
• genre element (0.3)
  
• originality (1)

That's all. Thank you and happy wacking.

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ikmalThink : i don't want to click you

How to make your Entrecard click-friendly?

Most advanced blogger would be familiar with a widget-based program called Entrecard. Similar to all other programs that let you promote your site on other site with a certain amount of credit. Entrecard was one of my top traffic sources since my blog is still fresh and considered unknown to the internet community. I really strongly recommend this service to new bloggers. Entrecard will provide you a small amount but decent traffic. But that depends. On what?

Maybe you will pay a big load amount of money to advertise on high traffic sites but will you get your traffic as well?
It depends on your banner. You need advertising strategies. You need the attraction. The wow! factor.
Please be advised, I'm not a professional on any field, I just want to share my new blogging experience. This is an example of Entrecard banner.

Would you rather click on this?
- Flashy, strong keywords and straight forward

OR

Would you rather click on this?
- Clean (maybe a bit messy), contains incomplete statement

This is a random example and I hope you're getting the picture. And please don't answer you won't click any cause it's hideous. The point is, the general keywords, most used terms such as "free, money, sex and such as", no longer attracts most of internet surfer.
But curiosity and common-sense will never abandoned human.

If you're regular Entrecard user, you will possibly be noticed the 'blue monkey', and it's really stand out amongst other user. But I do think flash banner is awesome.
However, please leave a comment on any suggestion, recommendation you had in mind.

That's all. Thank you and happy Entrecarding.

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ikmalTips : summarize blog post on blogspot ( III )

Quite recently, I post guide for summarizing blog post on main page. The purpose of using this hack is you can display more post at your front page without clogging the layout with too many posts and texts. Thus, you will maintain a clean and easy to read page content.

There are actually two types of summarizing your post. The first hack, will provide you link at the bottom of summarize post and once clicked you will directed to the post page of the topic desired.
While, the second on will expand/collapse your post on the page itself. You can check out both hacks here :

• summarize post with link directed to post page
• summarize post with link that can expand/collapse

In this post, I will write about the third option. I read about it at BloggerBuster by Amanda. Check out her blog for lots of easy to follow tutorial. These hack utilize the jQuery Expander Plugin by Karl Swedberg.

The advantage of using this hack is

• You no longer need to edit your post with span command to divide between full and summarized
  
• Expanding post are equipped with smooth transition (i recommend older hack if you are planning for this, they have fade effect too and proper alignment on collapse mode)
• You can manually select the length of your post by characters.

Let's get on with it.

jQuery Expander Plugin

Step 1 - Back up your original template

• Whenever your tries to customize your blog template ALWAYS save the original template into your computer. In case of anything goes wrong either with the code or the after-effect are worse, you can always revert back to the original template before you applied the editing.
• To back-up your Blogger template, go to Layout > Edit HTML and click on the "Download Full Template" link near the top of the page. You will be prompted to save a copy of your blog template as an XML file to your computer. Be sure to save this to a location where you can easily find it if required.
• To restore to the original setting (before editing), simply upload the template using the upload form located on the same page.
• Or, a quick method I always use. Check Expand Widget Template option and copy all the text (Ctrl + A) in the scroll bar box and save it onto any simple text application (Notepad, Wordpad, etc). In case of mishap, simply reverse the process. - useful when you are going to restore in between editing time.

Step 2 - Start adding the codes
- This are for the expand/collapse hack | i want post page method

• Find the </head> tag (use Ctrl + F on Firefox for quick find), and paste the following code BEFORE the tag.

<script language='javascript' src='http://halotemplates.s3.amazonaws.com/jquery-truncator/jquery-1.2.3.pack.js' type='text/javascript'/>
<script language='javascript' src='http://halotemplates.s3.amazonaws.com/jquery-truncator/jquery.expander.js' type='text/javascript'/>
<script type='text/javascript'>
$(document).ready(function() {

$('.excerpt').expander({
slicePoint: 280, // default is 100
expandText: '[...]', // default is 'read more...'
});

});
</script>

• Next, find the following codes (or similar) ;
  

<div class='post-body entry-content'>
<data:post.body/>
<div style='clear: both;'/> <!-- clear for photos floats -->
</div>

• And replace all with these following codes :
  

<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType != "item"'>
<div class='excerpt post-body entry-content'>
<data:post.body/>
<div style='clear: both;'/> <!-- clear for photos floats -->
</div>
<b:else/>
<div class='post-body entry-content'>
<data:post.body/>
<div style='clear: both;'/> <!-- clear for photos floats -->
</div>
</b:if>

• Preview your template and save upon success
• Skip to Step 3
  

- This is for the post page hack | show me expand/collapse hack again

• Find the </head> tag (use Ctrl + F on Firefox for quick find), and paste the following code BEFORE the tag.

<script language='javascript' src='http://halotemplates.s3.amazonaws.com/jquery-truncator/jquery-1.2.3.pack.js' type='text/javascript'/>
<script language='javascript' src='http://halotemplates.s3.amazonaws.com/jquery-truncator/jquery.extractor.js' type='text/javascript'/>
<script type='text/javascript'>
$(document).ready(function() {

$('.excerpt').expander({
slicePoint: 280, // default is 100
expandText: '[...]', // default is 'read more...'
});

});
</script>

• Next, find the following codes (or similar) ;
  

<div class='post-body entry-content'>
<data:post.body/>
<div style='clear: both;'/> <!-- clear for photos floats -->
</div>

• And replace all with the following codes :

<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType != "item"'>
<div class='excerpt post-body entry-content'>
<data:post.body/>
<div style='clear: both;'/> <!-- clear for photos floats -->
</div>
<a expr:href="data:post.url">Continue Reading</a>
<b:else/>
<div class='post-body entry-content'>
<data:post.body/>
<div style='clear: both;'/> <!-- clear for photos floats -->
</div>
</b:if>

• You can change this to desired text
• Preview your template and save upon success

Step 3 - Settings available for hack

• Take note on code your applied on </head> mentioned on Step 2. You will notice these codes :

$('.excerpt').expander({
slicePoint: 280, // default is 100
expandText: '[...]', // default is 'read more...'
});

• This can be customizable to your liking. And also other few available options.

Hope you achieved the summarize layout you want so much. Thanks to both Amanda and Karl again.

That's all. Thank you and happy tweaking.

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ikmalThink : not another one?!

Here's another Paid To Write program that needs you NOT to quit your day-job. Actually it's all based on participation. Ever use Yahoo! Answers? Similar to this program, it needs participation from around the world to provide respond on any discussion created. If you ever used one, you'll see how fast you get your respond. And the best part; Yahoo! Answers, doesn't pays.

But not this one. And yes I already signed up. Haha. I'm talking about MyLot. It's been there for a while now. It's like PayPerPost and Y! Answers combine. You get pennies for people respond to your discussion or your blog post. It's the same concept like forum posting. It is easy money and it is better than nothing right? But then again, people are too obsessed with earning money online nowadays.
That's why there are too many of these program around. Check out my post later for another PaidToWrite program.
Oh, I forgot. Check out :

MyLot.com

That's all. Thank you and happy responding.

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ikmalReview : house m.d - tv series

Rated :

Dr Gregory House(Hugh Laurie) a.k.a Dr. I Stuck A Needle Up My Ass, is the stars on this hit medical series, House M.D. This series revolve around the life of middle-aged doctor who's in fact a genius. This series has aired for four season and already scheduled to broadcast the fifth on September 16, this year.
Each series starts from a random situation somewhere and ends up having someone panicking over a person coughing blood or such as. Then, Dr. House assemble his team of 3 (change on season 4) and tried to diagnose the patient's problem from start to ends and have few unexpected outcome in between.

What makes this series a hit; is not the medical diagnosis nor the panic situation but the way Dr. House treats or cure his patient. Dr. House is a genius and a guru in medical diagnosis but he has issue for being polite to people around him. Add to that, he's having problem with his leg and makes him more irritating to all.

All the disease that is featured in this series are rare but realistic. Most of them even though rare but have the possibilities to appear in our daily life. All series broadcast will feature different patient and disease. But starting on season 4, it's more focused on Dr. House medical staff (due to the changes of cast). But stills have the same concept of treating people.

I don't get bored watching these because it doesn't get boring over time. They brilliantly shift focus on House, his staff, patient and situation. And the storyline doesn't really link or connected to other (some of them are) that makes it watchable even on mid-season.

You can start watch full episode here :

Hulu.com

or get yourself House M.D DVD if you don't want to miss a single episodes.

* Remarks on star rating given (4) : If you are a fan of medical series, you love blood and syringe, you gonna love this. And if you think you hate hospital condition where it tense all the way, you're wrong, you will love this. This is no EmergencyRoom (a hit in early 90s).
Following my review criteria :

• storyline (0.8)
  
• graphics (0.8) - realistic video content
  
• soundtrack(0.7)
  
• genre element (0.7)
  
• originality (1)

That's all. Thank you and happy blood splitting.

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ikmalThink : bloglog from yahoo or google?

I realized something today. There is new added widget for blogger. It's called 'Followers'. (How to? - Dashboard > Page Element > Add A Gadget). This is a Google version of Bloglog that are currently provided by Yahoo!.

This is a screenshot of Bloglog :

Maybe the requirement of loading the widget itself on the the blogger platform site makes the widget unacceptable by few users. But then again, it's not too large. There are pros and cons here.
Bloglog has more variety in receiving readers whilst the 'Followers' are restricted to blogger from blogspot only (correct me if i'm mistaken). But the requirements of loading external widget are higher on Bloglog. But not to forget, big thumbs up for recent readers on Bloglog. So, which is better? I will try test-run Followers over the weekend.

If you are interested in my blog. Follow me using Followers on the sidebar. In order to maximixe the Followers, I will promote the same campaign as U Comment | I Follow but with U Follow | I Follow U Back term. :-)

That's all. Thank you and happy following.

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ikmalTips : 7 tips for earning money on new blog

There are several attempt of creating blog with a purpose to create huge sums of money. However, most newbie, such as myself; always see this big picture of having easy money as a goal. This is my first mistake. There is no such thing as easy money. At least you need to work on it.
If you are one of us. Then you should be familiar with Ad program such as :

Google Adsense
- Ads contains text or image or Ads are being implemented on search result. Most stable and mostly preferred by experience blogger. Will displayed relevant Ads over time.

AdBrite
- Has options like Google. But fewer ad format. Can be target by viewers age, keywords and countries. Check out their product, BritePic.

Chitika
- high CTR rate with their Chitika eMinimalls product. Ads shown will browse to internet merchant. Including Amazon and eBay for appropriate item. Bloggers will gain percentage profit on buyer directed. Target US visitors.

This is a few list of Ad program available. I'll post a new one listing all known Ad program later. Let's get on to this! Here are the 7 tips for money on new blog.

1. Don't be too eager
There are no chance people will visit your site and purposely clicked on ads shown. So there is no point showing lots of ads in every corner of your site. (check out point no.5)

2. Double the visitors, double the profit
The first real step is gain visitors. You visitors is money, in a way. You need to attract as many people as you can. The higher your page impression, the better chance you'll get.

3. Blend Ads with your template
Always make the ads look like it came from your site. People always envy others. They would never let you easily get rich intentionally.

4. Spend time to target your Ads shown
As Google AdSense, the option to show relevant ads are automatically reach within month, others will need to customize on their own. Search for ads that relevant to your post. This will increase percentage of people clicking the ads if they are relevant.

5. Attract visitors
If you own a new blog, which having the difficulties of getting visitors. You need all possible attraction. You need to have a decent layout. Fast loading sites. A great content. Which categorize this as a good first impression. That's why you don't need too many ads on one page.

6. Positioning
Optimizing the position of ads are important. You don't need a big advertisement instead on your page header. You don't need your top sidebar full of Ads of cologne. (unless you reach a certain level which your ads will perform better above fold)

7. Visitors, visitors, visitors
That was the only point. You only need visitors to achieve your money-making purposes. Don't get too excited with all the hype you heard over time. They all real. They did earn quarter mill monthly. But they earn it. You need to work for that.

I did a few mistake too, but I've learn my lesson. Now I can gain more than few bucks each month. At least better than nothing. A good start promises a great ending.

That's all. Thank you and happy making-money.

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offTopic : traffic gone?

As expected, after I'm back from my holidays. My viewers drop nearly 50%. I suspects this is due to the traffic program. Only half from my visitors intentionally visit this site, so to speak.

I need to work harder! Traffic that rush in doesn't last long. But any traffic is good traffic. Improvement will be made.

P/S: Currently, upgrading ikmalMusic topic. - music charts

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