I am wondering how much time do we really spend surfing the net? When I search the net for topics on this, the first page is about "how much time wasted on socializing in the net" or "I do only my surfing after office hours", and it gives me negative vibes and a feeling it is being controlled. On the other hand, it seems it is so common doing it at work that our employers find it unproductive.

Is it really unproductive? How do we define the use of the internet during office hours to be overly excessive that it catches their attention? Isn't it the internet is a resource, and information we gather here should add to our knowledge? Even if we our into the social sites like Facebook and Twitter, we tend to bond with others in our industry, and even spot marketing moves our competitors are implementing. Surfiing may not at all be detrimental to our production but may somehow be a concern.

As people, we always are to be connected to others whether physically or in the internet. It is basic and natural for us to do so. I couldn't imagine that a good worker is just alone in a cubicle or a corner in the office trying to write and aswer the mail, and believe that it is "just enough to be who you are" at the moment. Learning is a lifelong process, and it is prudent we get hold of all information we could grab to improve our skills.

So why are we regulating the use of the internet during work hours? This somehow touches on ethical issues that most of the companies are creating controls on or is setting an environment of "do's and don't's" hoping they can limit exploitation of the technology. Some of them approach it by time-use surfing, that in my opinion is too lame to be a control point and also unnecessary. In fact, there is a study on the effects of technology in connection to the risk of ethical and illegal practices in the workplace and the numbers are interesting. (http://ansteadsue.tripod.com/technology_ethics.html)

In the final analysis, what is "wrong to do" in surfing the internet is dependent on how the user has applied this technology in himself and his work in accordance with the Laws such as Intellectual Property Rights, Copyrights, etc. It is the responsibility of each of us to know which one is "right or wrong" based on our judgement, and our companies set the guidance on how we use the internet on our jobs in relation to those assets - physical or intellectual in class.

Photoshop is expensive! Reading the comments and reviews made me sigh.

In my mind, I personally felt disappointed that a technology supporting the development of the internet was only affordable to a select market. The capability to create better animation and graphic design has prevented the Filipino web designer an opportunity to showcase their creativity, simply because we couldn't afford the better, if not the best, software available today. How sad that this barrier is so real for us.

I always believe that with good training one can achieve his full potential. And this is very true in almost all aspect of one's profession. The skills he wishes to be expert in is rooted on his desire to be perfect. However, it is limiting if the tools are not available to him. As an analogy to web designing, it is not only important you master the skill; it is as equally important also to master the tools.

The Filipino web designer is world class. But they also need the support to improve themselves. Not with standing the limitations economically, our talented designers shall strive to be the best. I hope somehow software developers, with the mutual exchange of expertise and ideas in the industry of web designing, can help to level the playing field by offering selective price offers dependent on its affordability per country, in a way increasing our enjoyment of the web.

Ecommerce is doing business in the internet. This encompasses fund transfers, logistics systems, transaction processing in a secured network, and data interchange across platforms and systems. So complex that somehow it overwhelms the not so techy of us.

What does it really do? Its just a way to pay and bring funds where it is intended? It seems so technical and absurd to even think that others sends and received money electronically, and are confident that it reaches the suppose beneficiary. It makes the internet so powerful, we rely on it on our transactions and money flows, helping us not only reconcile the finance side of our business, but also captures our inventory system. Not to mention, it also provide us with information on data between our partners and suppliers.

When we incorporate Ecommerce into our online business, our users and visitors see it as a friendly interface in sending money and transacting their intended purchases confidently. However, this is not just a simple click and forget system, but a whole connected system flow within a reliable network of computers from businesses and banks that allows all these to happen securely. We know that somehow the flow of money will still be used the way it is by essence, which is to facilitate exchange of goods and services in the marketplace. The Ecommerce facility allows it to be done in cyberspace, different from the shop purchases we do in the mall or else where.

Looking at it as a system of exchange in the internet, how is it so valuable in our lives then? What does it really bring us in terms of our time, money, and overall satisfaction? To simplify Ecommerce, it is a simple method of payment in a complex computer system in the internet that spells again.... CONVENIENCE.

I read an article recently about how web content - color, pictures, graphics, layouts and text - make a website express the message clearly. The color suggest the kind of emotion a company or an individual would like the visitor to feel. The pictures and graphics, on the other hand, create a visual for the visitor to imagine in his mind a glimpse of the message to be imparted. The layout directs the position of the eyes to the right page location - just like a story board. And finally the text, to impart the exact message it wishes to convey.

All of these elements draws the visitor closer to an egagement by expressing a good image of what to expect of the service or product or information the website wishes to convey. In the process, increasing the amount of enthusiasm and interest of the visitor to the subject matter. By having a clear visual experience and a clear text or article, that culminates in a good website visit.

Somehow it would always be visuals that make the first impression. The style and the methods used on the pictures and graphics, for technically inclined visitors, already makes a good subject matter encouraging for these type of visitors to stay. And I know the longer they stay before a drop-off is a little bit closer to an engagement. Now that they are awed by the design and the visual content, the substance of the message in text becomes easily absorbed.

The website is a cyber-magazine targetting a specific group of individuals comprising of the market segment. May it be to inform of a new product, a message for a group of people, or an announcement of a special event, the website should have these basic elements synchronize to increase the enthusiasm for the new and the repeat visitors. In this way, the bounce is minimized and prevented, capturing the interests of each visit. Just like a good magazine, it stays on the shelf for people to read again and again.

It's been Holy Week here in my beloved country, The Philippines, last week. The post I was planning to do just couldn't grab space in my vacation mode life. Nevertheless, I hope to continue to write on the Tabs dominance over the PC - so it seems.

I said in my previous post that the Tabs were so convenient to use, and the Internet's vast information so easily accessed with a mobile, light, and reliable computer.

Wait?! Did I say computer... so is the Tab a computer? Defined by utility, is a machine that allows processing of data into useful information. Does the Tab really provide so? ... Not at all. I couldn't even do a simple 20 pager powerpoint with animation and really save all my work into it. Yes it may be done, but for my kind of work in the bank, it's just not efficient.

If the Tab has this weakness, though functioning well for some in this aspect; my option is to buy a computer for my processing and save my Tab for the research and information available in the Internet. It is queer indeed, to have a laptap on the table, a Tab on my hand, and a cup of coffee in a nook at my favorite coffee shop. I dont't like to be branded to be a Geek.

Wouldn't it be better to just have one piece of computer and Tab in one? Is there one which shall suit my desire, providing me with good computing power and convenience? I know there is. THE ULTRAPORTABLES!

If the Ultraportables are computers and internet capable bundled into mobile, light, and reliable that spells CONVENIENCE, I can have a good satisfaction experience. So if the Tabs were really ahead today in unit sales than the PC, and the PC evolving into speedy computing, to crisp displays and abundant storage capabilities, then size and light as a Key Feature for Success... then the ultraportable may have the better of both. If the PC manufacturer price these miniature mammoths just a little bit higher than a Tab, and a great discount compared to a PC, then I have in a way hit a bargain, isn't it?

So If I find a good ultraportable that is mobile - meaning 8 inches lengthwise and 5 inches in height display and its lighter than 0.80 kilograms (and I believe this is the only perceived product differenece the Tabs have over the PC) can I still say its a Tab?