Keith Shirley

Over the few weeks I will be trying out a service called Searchles Discovery. The idea for me is that is will automatically cross reference some of the previous posts that I have written and display links at the bottom of new blog posts.

Why?

It’s become clear to me that a lot of blog posts that are extremely well written and useful get lost over time as new community members seldom go back more than a few posts. I’m talking about all blogs – not just this one. If someone reads one of my posts and there is something related – I’d like them to know about it.

Initially the related content will be empty or not very good but over time I hope it can become a useful resource.

My current concern is that it might just make everything too busy.

The Irish Internet Association and Net Imperative are running a free roadshow event that I think will be very interesting. It takes place on 28 Jan 2009 (so hurry) and has a great range of speakers on Digital Marketing for your business.

From their web page

”
From designing a website for the user experience, through building brands online, leveraging search engines, social media, and blogs, to campaigns, online PR and digital marketing. Hear from high-profile, industry leaders during this information packed day.

All delegates that attend the event will also be able to sign up for a free membership of NetImperative.com at the registration desk usually charged out at £99.00+VAT.
“

Have a look at the IIA site for more details:

https://secure.iia.ie/events/event/188/net-imperative-dublin-roadshow/

I recently changed the name of this blog to practical technology. My main focus will be on software and technology that is of interest to small business users. Occasionally I’ll get sidetracked and talk about some gadgets or enterprise level solutions – either because they impress me or because they provide good examples of where the technology we are using daily can lead to. I’ll also cover some tax or funding issues as I come across them. If I’m putting in the effort to learn them for myself then I want to be able to pass that on.

Blog posts have been a little sparse here lately and that’s mainly because I’ve been really busy (although I admit I did take a weeks holiday in between). Some of the things I’m currently working on are:

• A complete redesign of the Shercom website to concentrate on managed backups
• The IIA Social Media Working Group has some deadlines coming up soon and I really want to make the most of the opportunity to contribute
• I am still preparing the groundwork for a proposal for a research masters degree
• I will be teaching IT a few hours a week at the Carlow Institute of Further Education
• I have some course material to prepare for a course in Google Adwords I’ll be giving
• I have some course material to prepare for courses in IT for small businesses that I’ll be giving
• I am helping two customer’s completly overhaul their network and IT infrastructure
• Our house build has finally started
• Occassionally I sleep

No need to fret however – I have a backlog of reviews and reports that I hope to work on soon and publish here.

Stay tuned

Keith

I’ve just upgraded to Wordpress 2.5. Please let me know if there are any issues. Once again I’m impressed at how easy the Installatron tool that Blacknight uses has been. Of course – I made sure to do backups in advance.