First of all, Happy New Year~
After a deep consideration on the blog development, I have finally designed to launch a Chinese version in parallel to the development of this English site on the very first day of 2009. Well, for the reason, it's actually a short story:
Thanks Google Analytics, I have found that after I have submitted my blog to a Taiwan blog tracking service, it did bring some visitors to this site (by checking the referral sites dimension), yet they have a 100% bounce rate with at most 5 sec staying... That's really upset me. Yet I don't know if it due to the fault of dump-and-dull content on my blog, or the fault of poor keywords management, or the fault of Chinese, like me, tends to read Chinese and leaving those English behind.... Whatever it is, I have to test it. And the most obvious way to see this is to launch a Chinese version.
In addition, there are not many entries talk about Web Analytics in Chinese, plus, the culture of Chinese companies (like mine) seem to have a lagging-phased mindset on such area, hence I would like to give it a shot.
Though this blog does not store so many entries like others, the convertion of English entries to Chinese ones still need a plan, even it is small in scale.
Phase 1. Converting all W.A. related entries.
Phase 2. Converting all other entries except the story-telling ones.
Phase 3. Converting all the remaining ones.
Throughout the phases, the follow task will be operated in parallel to the convertions:
Task 1. New entry posting. (I shall not make my blog dead, right?)
Task 2. Some tiny look-and-feel enhancement (you know, I do love drawing)
Task 3. Interface reconstruction. (still thinking but keep going)
Task 4. Whatever comes to my head.
So, bare with me. I promise I will not turn my little planet into a dead one. =)
Cheers & Happy New Year,
Dickson W.
Wednesday 31 December 2008
Friday 26 December 2008
Excel Progress Monitoring System - A "Should-be" Handy Excel Toy
Here's a new tool for me to monitor my task and sub-tasks progress (oh yes I am well-organized. =) ). Have fun. =)
Screenshots:
^~ (my list. Too many To-Do.s.... sigh....) Name: Progress Monitoring System v0.8
Description: A small tool for office people to monitor all his/her tasks (and sub-tasks) progress with ease (and fancy looking! XD)
Download Here: Click Me
Origin: As multi-tasking is becoming more significant during my work, I need to have something to keep track on my little task in details, especially for those requiring a link-by-link checking during UAT. An Excel-based non-macro tool is thus developed for such dirty task.
Good:
- Excel-based without any embedded macro script, perfectly fits those business PC with MS Office + high security check
- The appearance is designed to be similar to a reporting tool, fairly easy to present to your boss if he/she would like to "learn" more about your progress (kind-of show-off to me. =P)
- Support maximum a four-level-depth task description (i.e. a 1.3.2 level task .... etc.)
Bad:
- May not be user friendly enough (as lack of support of macros)
- Not easy to start without manual (Personally, I prefer no-manual-and-no-experience-required tools =) )
- Difficult for maintenance due to heavy usage of cell referencing and conditional formatting.
Simple Tutorial: (it's simply too large to fit in here, so please click to enlarge if necessary)
Further To-Do:
- May convert to Google Excel program.
- User Manual will be created in a day or two. (Done!~)
Feel free to let me know what do you think.
Dickson W.
P.S. This is also the first entry for "A.I. Eve's Toys Collection" label, a portion of my blog that stores mainly my "little toys", plus, a portion of Nekotopia's story. We shall see. =)
Screenshots:
^~ (my list. Too many To-Do.s.... sigh....) Name: Progress Monitoring System v0.8
Description: A small tool for office people to monitor all his/her tasks (and sub-tasks) progress with ease (and fancy looking! XD)
Download Here: Click Me
Origin: As multi-tasking is becoming more significant during my work, I need to have something to keep track on my little task in details, especially for those requiring a link-by-link checking during UAT. An Excel-based non-macro tool is thus developed for such dirty task.
Good:
- Excel-based without any embedded macro script, perfectly fits those business PC with MS Office + high security check
- The appearance is designed to be similar to a reporting tool, fairly easy to present to your boss if he/she would like to "learn" more about your progress (kind-of show-off to me. =P)
- Support maximum a four-level-depth task description (i.e. a 1.3.2 level task .... etc.)
Bad:
- May not be user friendly enough (as lack of support of macros)
- Not easy to start without manual (Personally, I prefer no-manual-and-no-experience-required tools =) )
- Difficult for maintenance due to heavy usage of cell referencing and conditional formatting.
Simple Tutorial: (it's simply too large to fit in here, so please click to enlarge if necessary)
Further To-Do:
- May convert to Google Excel program.
- User Manual will be created in a day or two. (Done!~)
Feel free to let me know what do you think.
Dickson W.
P.S. This is also the first entry for "A.I. Eve's Toys Collection" label, a portion of my blog that stores mainly my "little toys", plus, a portion of Nekotopia's story. We shall see. =)
Saturday 20 December 2008
Yeah! Finished Derren's book! - Finally.
So finally finished Derren's book Tricks of the Mind.
Rarely I would re-read any books (even lecture notes btw), yet this one is simply too innovative for being read once only. As long as you are interested in social psychology, or social science, or NLP, or magic tricks, or his shows, or, his belief and belief on others' believes, you should definitely give it a shot.
I would like to type in some of his content later (for some reason), sometime when I have mood, and spare time.
Gonna try the Fooled by Randomness, again. After three years of abandonment, as well as completion of some other English books, well, I think I should be ready for this tough little one....... (my English was bad, and it is still no good at all.....)
===
Still waiting for the arrival of my Christmas present, the Web Analytics : An Hour a Day written by Avinash Kaushik. =)
Thursday 18 December 2008
A Youtube for All of Us - Oh, Really?
Nay, it’s Google’s. =P
Announcement of algorithmic demotion in Youtube has caused lots of voice in the community. Well, pretty negative though.
It happened on 2nd December 2008, an entry with a header “Youtube for All of Us” was written, showing a very positive intention that Youtube really wants to keep its community clean and healthy for everyone, however, maybe, in a wrong way. As quoted in the entry, “Demotion of sexually suggestive content and profanity - Videos that are considered sexually suggestive, or that contain profanity, will be algorithmically demoted ....” What?! Algorithmically?!... It may be relatively-easier to seek for sexually suggestive post automatically (well, maybe), yet I really don’t know how such in-human method can search for clues to proof for profanity… Yeah, I did once-upon-time hate people playing around with my nickname Dickson (I do believe in you that you are a good person, aren’t you?), but I think that I might need to start worrying if I use my “censored” name as an username on Youtube, or whatever post crediting my name will simply be demoted, algorithmically, by our lovely bots on Youtube, because of having something that Youtube doesn’t what to see. If so, then it’s really not that difficult to understand why so many Youtubers have posted numerous of videos with long *beep* sound and censored words. Really, I do understand their anger.
“Oh honey, be cool, Youtube isn’t really that bad, they are for Us, aren’t they?” True, especially when the Us means only Goolge. (And that’s why they can come up with those not-so-human-friendly complex automated demoting bots to handle such dirty task.)
A Chinese quote 成事在人, means “People is a matter of Successes”, well, correct, and so does failure.
The Web 2.0 generation is a internet generation that treats people in its highest priority. (as they DO matter). Although I am interested in how the algorithmic demotion functions (and implemented), I do also want to see the Blackout event on Youtube, hosted by Youtuber, started on 19th Dec (should be lasted for a few days, correctly me if I’m wrong). Participants will not enter Youtube for days (not even browse) and thus cases a shape drop on Youtube’s traffic-metter. You know, traffics mean LOTS of money on the net. Oh, that’s REALLY hurt.
Be understanding and concerning for your visitors, you may not need to create everything that they desire, but just be respectful, and you will still survive or even earn some pocket money for being yourself and having some uniqueness.
Cheers,
Dickson
P.S. You can now easily find those angry video on Youtube, or you may go to Youtube's blog for more details of the announcement.
Announcement of algorithmic demotion in Youtube has caused lots of voice in the community. Well, pretty negative though.
It happened on 2nd December 2008, an entry with a header “Youtube for All of Us” was written, showing a very positive intention that Youtube really wants to keep its community clean and healthy for everyone, however, maybe, in a wrong way. As quoted in the entry, “Demotion of sexually suggestive content and profanity - Videos that are considered sexually suggestive, or that contain profanity, will be algorithmically demoted ....” What?! Algorithmically?!... It may be relatively-easier to seek for sexually suggestive post automatically (well, maybe), yet I really don’t know how such in-human method can search for clues to proof for profanity… Yeah, I did once-upon-time hate people playing around with my nickname Dickson (I do believe in you that you are a good person, aren’t you?), but I think that I might need to start worrying if I use my “censored” name as an username on Youtube, or whatever post crediting my name will simply be demoted, algorithmically, by our lovely bots on Youtube, because of having something that Youtube doesn’t what to see. If so, then it’s really not that difficult to understand why so many Youtubers have posted numerous of videos with long *beep* sound and censored words. Really, I do understand their anger.
“Oh honey, be cool, Youtube isn’t really that bad, they are for Us, aren’t they?” True, especially when the Us means only Goolge. (And that’s why they can come up with those not-so-human-friendly complex automated demoting bots to handle such dirty task.)
A Chinese quote 成事在人, means “People is a matter of Successes”, well, correct, and so does failure.
The Web 2.0 generation is a internet generation that treats people in its highest priority. (as they DO matter). Although I am interested in how the algorithmic demotion functions (and implemented), I do also want to see the Blackout event on Youtube, hosted by Youtuber, started on 19th Dec (should be lasted for a few days, correctly me if I’m wrong). Participants will not enter Youtube for days (not even browse) and thus cases a shape drop on Youtube’s traffic-metter. You know, traffics mean LOTS of money on the net. Oh, that’s REALLY hurt.
Be understanding and concerning for your visitors, you may not need to create everything that they desire, but just be respectful, and you will still survive or even earn some pocket money for being yourself and having some uniqueness.
Cheers,
Dickson
P.S. You can now easily find those angry video on Youtube, or you may go to Youtube's blog for more details of the announcement.
Tuesday 16 December 2008
Google Analytics vs WebTrend - Do you really know what your boss wants?
Not the functionality, not the efficiency, not the convenience, not the cost - this entry talks only about feeling.
Humans have feeling, so does your boss (I know some of you may not think so). Do you know what he really wants? It may be difficult to convince your traditional boss to use web analytics tool (when he had none), it may be more difficult to convince him to use a tool that really fits the company.
Personally, I favor in Google Analytics. Not counting the fact that it cost nothing (not really, as it takes time to learn, right?), it has Google, a giant that dominating the 0/1 information on the Earth, as its backup (no, this' not an ad.), and surely GA has the greatest potential in utilizing all those bits in its future expansion (I really don't get paid, really.), even though it may not be too convenient for in-house enhancement, like reporting, when comparing it with WebTrend. It seems good to have GA in a long run, well, maybe just too-good. Ever think of what's your boss attitude towards GA, and WebTrend?
It may be the responsibility of the proposal (and the ones who write it) to demonstrate about the profitability that brought to the company, yet it is the responsibility of us, the Web Analysts to convince those business people to use certain tool (which fits them). In the business point of view, no one-time and annual payment is surely an advantage, yet having all the information (here we have the sites' traffics and other metrics) storing on an external domain and may be (with very high chance) shared among other entities (individuals, companies, and Google) in the world, such decision will definitely turn into the least priority.
Why? Every business has secrets, and it should have. Sharing confidential information simply implies that your competitors can easily find a way to beat you down (that's why Coca Cola has kept its formula that long... ). WebTrend does provide a very convincing approach on this matter: every client of WT has to build a server for the storage of their traffics analytics information (correct me if I am wrong, since that's what I have heard in my company, a bank that seeking for usage of web analytics tool). While GA brings the fear to the management, WT shows its concerns, caring and professions to their customers, who care any more about that 7-digits-a-year one-time payment! (and don't forget the maintenance annual fee and the consultant fee...)
Web analyst is a bridge between IT and Business. We connect the business people to the IT world, lead them to the 0/1 digital sea, and explain to them how those floating bits can assist their decision making process. Fear causes you struggle and sink; only people with braveness and courage can enjoy the happiness of swimming. Comfort them, before convince them to do anything, anything silly.
Have only join the e-banking team for a few weeks, I shall learn more about these two lovely tool on the web. And I shall share more on this blog in the future, too.
Cheers,
Dickson W.
P.S. I like GA, but I don't know whether GA or WT will fit well for any company (in my case, it's a traditional bank). Every company has its own culture and management, analyze the situation well, and you should come up with the best idea. That's what a Web Analyst need to do, right?
Humans have feeling, so does your boss (I know some of you may not think so). Do you know what he really wants? It may be difficult to convince your traditional boss to use web analytics tool (when he had none), it may be more difficult to convince him to use a tool that really fits the company.
Personally, I favor in Google Analytics. Not counting the fact that it cost nothing (not really, as it takes time to learn, right?), it has Google, a giant that dominating the 0/1 information on the Earth, as its backup (no, this' not an ad.), and surely GA has the greatest potential in utilizing all those bits in its future expansion (I really don't get paid, really.), even though it may not be too convenient for in-house enhancement, like reporting, when comparing it with WebTrend. It seems good to have GA in a long run, well, maybe just too-good. Ever think of what's your boss attitude towards GA, and WebTrend?
It may be the responsibility of the proposal (and the ones who write it) to demonstrate about the profitability that brought to the company, yet it is the responsibility of us, the Web Analysts to convince those business people to use certain tool (which fits them). In the business point of view, no one-time and annual payment is surely an advantage, yet having all the information (here we have the sites' traffics and other metrics) storing on an external domain and may be (with very high chance) shared among other entities (individuals, companies, and Google) in the world, such decision will definitely turn into the least priority.
Why? Every business has secrets, and it should have. Sharing confidential information simply implies that your competitors can easily find a way to beat you down (that's why Coca Cola has kept its formula that long... ). WebTrend does provide a very convincing approach on this matter: every client of WT has to build a server for the storage of their traffics analytics information (correct me if I am wrong, since that's what I have heard in my company, a bank that seeking for usage of web analytics tool). While GA brings the fear to the management, WT shows its concerns, caring and professions to their customers, who care any more about that 7-digits-a-year one-time payment! (and don't forget the maintenance annual fee and the consultant fee...)
Web analyst is a bridge between IT and Business. We connect the business people to the IT world, lead them to the 0/1 digital sea, and explain to them how those floating bits can assist their decision making process. Fear causes you struggle and sink; only people with braveness and courage can enjoy the happiness of swimming. Comfort them, before convince them to do anything, anything silly.
Have only join the e-banking team for a few weeks, I shall learn more about these two lovely tool on the web. And I shall share more on this blog in the future, too.
Cheers,
Dickson W.
P.S. I like GA, but I don't know whether GA or WT will fit well for any company (in my case, it's a traditional bank). Every company has its own culture and management, analyze the situation well, and you should come up with the best idea. That's what a Web Analyst need to do, right?
Thursday 11 December 2008
The Experiement in Vault - Purpose of this blog and other blogs
Have been "playing around" with Google Analytics for 2 months already.
Originally, the blog was created with certain "value", aimed to attract traffics and thus provides sufficient data for the Google Analytics fun. The Good thing is, while I was creating those "valuables", yes, that's the theme and appearance, and I do really enjoy; the bad thing is, others DON'T seem to enjoy it as much as I do. Painting non-commercial goodies for self and wait until someone love and start talking about his "art", after his death.... what a life of an artist!
And that's what really happening on most of the other blogs, too.
Creating fancy-looking blogs will rarely attract a long-term traffic, especially when visitors are getting bored with your fanciness....
The above graphs show the visitor of this blog since it's founded (you may click to enlarge). Obviously, visitors get bored.... (properly due to my laziness .......) Anyhow, that's the fact: No value, no visitors.
Regarding the "value for visitors", many bloggers have already spent bottles of ink on it, so I better not to repeat. Yet among all, most of them do mention a successful blog (a noun) should blog (and a verb) about what your visitors want. Being an artist-like creature-on-Earth, I hold a totally different point of view. Instead of serving the majority, squeezing the minority that interests in your very-narrowly-targeted market segement should also rewardable. Those who have heard of the "long-tail" will understand.
So, my blog is suffering, what should I do now?
Well, maybe just blog more then.
Yeah, just blog whatever you want to, and you will find your audience some day. (or your audience find you!)
Cheers,
Dickson
P.S. I may have a chance in using Google Analytics for working in the coming future. And I shall write more on my experiences in using such handy tool for e-commerce system. (Oh, btw, I have just found my grad. work in a bank. =) )
Originally, the blog was created with certain "value", aimed to attract traffics and thus provides sufficient data for the Google Analytics fun. The Good thing is, while I was creating those "valuables", yes, that's the theme and appearance, and I do really enjoy; the bad thing is, others DON'T seem to enjoy it as much as I do. Painting non-commercial goodies for self and wait until someone love and start talking about his "art", after his death.... what a life of an artist!
And that's what really happening on most of the other blogs, too.
Creating fancy-looking blogs will rarely attract a long-term traffic, especially when visitors are getting bored with your fanciness....
The above graphs show the visitor of this blog since it's founded (you may click to enlarge). Obviously, visitors get bored.... (properly due to my laziness .......) Anyhow, that's the fact: No value, no visitors.
Regarding the "value for visitors", many bloggers have already spent bottles of ink on it, so I better not to repeat. Yet among all, most of them do mention a successful blog (a noun) should blog (and a verb) about what your visitors want. Being an artist-like creature-on-Earth, I hold a totally different point of view. Instead of serving the majority, squeezing the minority that interests in your very-narrowly-targeted market segement should also rewardable. Those who have heard of the "long-tail" will understand.
So, my blog is suffering, what should I do now?
Well, maybe just blog more then.
Yeah, just blog whatever you want to, and you will find your audience some day. (or your audience find you!)
Cheers,
Dickson
P.S. I may have a chance in using Google Analytics for working in the coming future. And I shall write more on my experiences in using such handy tool for e-commerce system. (Oh, btw, I have just found my grad. work in a bank. =) )
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