Choosing a Webhost

Your web host holds the key to a consistent web presence – but do you want the basics or something more advanced?

When choosing a web hosting company that’s right for your individual needs, you need to make sure that you’re getting the best deal possible.

While it’s tempting to judge a company on its web space price alone, there may be hidden costs that you need to consider too. However, don’t forget that companies with comparatively high prices may include a number of extras, such as free 24-hour telephone support and unlimited POP3 email addresses. A good standard of technical support is a vital need for business sites, so it may be worth testing the host’s helplines or email support before making your choice. It’s a big decision, so be sure to weigh up all the options of what’s right for your company before you commit yourself.

Here’s some advice on what to consider before choosing your Web host. It’s all about deciding what level of service you’re going to need – now and in the future. These will be your main decision factors:

Platform – which OS will give you the right stability?

You will have a basic choice of Windows or Linux. You will need to consider which will offer you the best uptime and stability for your site.

Design – can they support your design format and shopping cart?

Saying your site is designed in HTML is not going to cut it. Does the site use ASP, PHP, XML, CSS or another type of script?

Size – do you need 500 MBs or unlimited, does it include database space?

Picking the right size will be crucial to the future of your site; more space puts the price up but not enough will mean an upgrade sooner than you think.

Databases – do they allow databases, and which ones?

Can the web host support the database your Website or shopping cart needs? Can it be made secure if you are going to keep customer details? Will it be fast enough so it won’t slow your site down?

SSL – secure certificates or secure space, what is available

To ensure your customers trust the site to place that all-important order, you need secure space access.

Does your web host provide shared secure space or do you need to buy your own certificate? Are you using it wisely? Remember that too much use will slow your site.

Partners – who is going to get your money for you?

Can the web host support a financial transaction partner? Do you have to use a merchant account? What are the costs and requirements either way? 

The future – can you grow?

You may start with a small site, but what happens if it booms? Have you got the ability to grow? Just how scalable is your chosen host?

Draw up a short list of possible suppliers. Look at their sites; email them – not forgetting to check how long it takes them to reply (don’t count auto-replies). All of this will help to build an understanding of the different hosting companies you are interested in.

Once you have the information you need to look at each one objectively. Call them; ask questions, lots of question if you need to. The person at the other end should be able to answer those questions, or at least transfer you to someone that can.

Taking these seven main points into careful consideration will help you choose the right package.

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Lenovo unveils its first 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablet

Lenovo is launching its Miix 2, a first Windows 8.1 device this month. It's one of the latest tablets to use Intel's quad-core Atom Z3740 SoC processor clocked at 1.8 Ghz with 2GB RAM and 32 GB of storage. The Miix 2 include an 8-inch HD display screen running at 1280 x 800 resolution with multi-touch and 178 degree wide viewing angel; 16:10 widescreen IPS.

The tablet will also feature a microSD card slot allowing up to an additional 32 GB of storage, Wireless N and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, 3G-GPS3 connectivity in selected countries, and a battery promising up to seven hours on a single charge. By taking the advantage of much improved Windows 8.1 support for smaller displays, the company should have a winner on its hands.

Lenovo includes an optional stylus and a detachable cover that makes it look a lot like Apple's iPad mini at first glance. The tablet equipped with a 5-megapixel camera at the rear and a 2-megapixel one at the front.

The Miix 2 comes with pre-installed Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013. It's not perfect for small screen display as Microsoft has still not created a Modern UI version of the office suite. Creating and editing documents using the desktop programs may prove to be laborious on such a small screen. However, it may be useful for some.

Lenovo's Miix 2 is a light weight (weighs only 350g) and is 8.35mm thick so it compares well to its small Windows-based competitors. A 32GB version will debut for $299 and a 64GB will cost $349. The optional cover with stylus pen is expected to retail at $20.

Up to 7 hours long battery life and low price makes it a great value tablet and consumers should take a look when it is released later this month.

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Microsoft releasing Windows 8.1 today

Microsoft's update to its Windows operating system delivers a handful of new features

Microsoft is releasing its long-awaited Windows 8.1 upgrade as a free download starting today (Thursday, Oct 17). Previously, Windows 8 received mixed reviews when it was released. Critics blasted Microsoft for its redesigned user interface and removing the famous Start button. The company promised improvements in the next version of the operating system, now known as Windows 8.1. With Windows 8.1, Microsoft has attempted to fix a lot of the things that were wrong with Windows 8, and make the operating system more appealing by adding a bunch of additional features. It is a massive improvement over its predecessor.

The Window 8.1 update is free for Windows 8 users. You can simply find it in Windows Store app. It may take a few hours for updates to reach everyone. Windows 7 users need to purchase the base software for $119.99 (£75) and Windows 8.1 Pro for $199.99. It’s not designed for installation on devices running Windows XP or Windows Vista. Computers with Windows 8.1 already installed will go on sale Friday. People will also be able to buy stand-alone copies of Windows 8.1.

Windows 8.1 has several new features, including being able to boot directly to the desktop as well as the return of the Start button. The update adds some new finger-and gesture-friendly shortcuts for touch-based apps. The new Windows 8.1 lets you watch movies or play games with Xbox, access files anywhere with SkyDrive, or find your next favorite app in the Windows Store. You won't have to download Skype anymore. Anyone will get it when they upgrade their operating system to Windows 8.1 or purchase a Windows 8.1 PC. It'll be available as the default communications experience in Windows 8.1, replacing Microsoft's Windows 8 Messaging app.

Windows 8.1 returns the Start button to the desktop, although not the way it was before Windows 8 came along. In Windows 7 and before, a click on Start would have brought up programs and important folders in a list. Now, clicking the button will bring you back to your last menu, while a right-click will reveal more traditional options. From here you can easily restart or power down the computer, access things like your programs, system settings, and Device Manager, along with the Task Manager, Control Panel, File Explorer, and Search and Run functions. This menu can be accessed with a long press for computers with touch screens.

Windows 8 supports two tile sizes at the moment; the new Start screen in Windows 8.1 now offers a choice of four different tile sizes. The new large and small sizes are great and provide more options for organizing apps. Windows 8.1 automatically detects screen size and resolution and if it’s running on a big screen, it will provide more rows.

The Internet Explorer received many improvements with its most recent update, but not everyone prefers to use Microsoft's Web browser. The browser now supports plugin-free HTML5 video, WebGL and the latest standards for closed captioning. It also lets you have up to 100 tabs per window in modern UI version, which can now also permanently show tabs and the address bar.

Windows 8.1 now allows users to set default apps for things like the Web browser, e-mail client, music player, video player, photo viewer, calendar provider, and map address. Windows 8.1 also gives users the option to organize apps into various groups. A right-click will give you the opportunity to name specific app groups. Not every app is displayed in the Start screen. Windows 8.1 will allow running two apps side by side rather than one thin and one large as is the case with Windows 8. On higher-resolution devices you will be able to run three or four app windows side by side for those who really want to embrace multitasking on the same screen at the same time.

 
Live Tiles can be reordered by dragging and dropping makes it easy to select and move lots of tiles around at the same time.

The onscreen keyboard now includes the ability to type numbers or punctuation marks by swiping up or away from certain keys on the standard QWERT layout, eliminating the need to toggle between numeric and alphabetic layouts. Users can also select from suggested words mid-stream using side swipes and taps on the virtual spacebar.

Microsoft introduced Hot Corners last year with the release of Windows 8. Each corner of the screen has a different function; the Charms menu is in the lower and upper right, the back button is in the lower left, and the running apps window is in the upper right.

Users were previously forced to look to third-party alternatives to disable this feature. However, Microsoft adds the option to disable these corners directly into the operating system.

Microsoft added even more customization options in Windows 8.1. You can now set the same background for both your desktop and Start home screens.

(Source: CNET)

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Microsoft Windows Phone 8 update features Driving Mode

MICROSOFT is introducing a drive mode to its Windows Phones to help users avoid distractions on the road. Other features include rotation lock, new layout for bigger phones.

Microsoft announced update for Windows Phone 8 software. This significant update offering a number of enhancements including support for higher resolution and to include a new featurecalled Driving Mode.

It's the third update to Windows Phone 8 software since the system's release a year ago. Devices with this new update will start appearing in the next few weeks. According to Microsoft, all the older phones will be eligible for a free upgrade.

A new Driving Mode will automatically silence incoming calls and texts so that you can focus on the road. You also can configure the feature to automatically send out a reply to say that you're driving. What the Driving Mode won't do, however, is block outgoing calls or texts.

It can be activated automatically when the phone is linked with a Bluetooth device in a car. Apple added a “Do Not Disturb” feature for iPhones, but that needs to be turned on manually.

The new OS is going to support 5 and 6-inch class devices with support for resolutions up to 1920X1080.Currently, the system supports a highest resolution of 1280 pixels by 768 pixels, which is adequate for phones with screens no larger than 5 inches on the diagonal. But video and image quality degrades when stretched out on larger phones, such as a 6.3-inch Android phone from Samsung.

There are a few ways Microsoft Corp. will catch up to the iPhone and Android phones with the new update. For the first time, Windows phones will have a rotation lock function, so that the screen won't switch back and forth between horizontal and vertical mode while you're curled up in bed. There also will be a central way to close open apps. Before, you had to go into each open app and press and hold the back button.

Microsoft is launching a program to give app developers early access to the new software. Apple has had a similar program for the iOS software behind iPhones and iPads, while Google often has worked with selected developers on unreleased features.

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Find a great Domain Name

Your domain name is just as important as the name of your business, and registering the best name available can play a big part both in your business and your website's success. A custom domain adds a professional touch to your online presence, improves your site's rank and make it easier for visitors to find and remember you. Buying a domain name for website is not easy. Deciding which domain to buy can take massive time and effort alone. If you’re focused on starting off strong, chances are someone else already owns your primary option.

Keep these tips in mind when purchasing a domain of your own.

Keep it Short: 

Remember that visitors will arrive at your website by typing your address directly into their browser's address bar. Try to make it easier for your visitors by buying a domain name that is short and to the point Aim for 16 characters or less to maximize your type-in traffic.

Be Simple and Obvious: 

Make sure your domain is easy to remember and spell. If possible, it's best to err on the side of being straightforward.

Avoid Numerals, Underscores and Hyphens: 

Adding numbers and non-alphabet characters to your domain name can cause confusion likely to result in lost traffic to your site.

Consider Keywords and Cleverness: 

If your top domain choice is already registered, consider adding a descriptive keyword as a starting point to brainstorm alternative ideas.

Register for Multiple Years: 

If your budget permits, registering your domain for multiple years can help your site rank higher with search engines like Google and secure the investment in your website brand.

When you register a domain name it becomes your property for the length of the registration. Once that registration period is over you can renew the domain yourself to maintain ownership or let it expire so that someone else can purchase it. Registering the domain name for multiple years means you've secured it, and you don’t have to worry about expiration and renewal until much later down the line.

It’s a good idea to register several similar domain names. If you have yourname.com, register "yourname.net" so no one else takes it. You can register your full company name and a shorter, easier to remember version. Several domains can easily point the same Website. So, you don’t need a separate Web page for each domain name.

Keep in mind that these tips are only meant to be a guide; they’re not rules. If you have a domain name in mind you really like and that you feel is the right fit for you then go for it!

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