Marvin Lee Dot Net

This is the second part of my personal evaluation on the past one year long of blogging.

I have previously revealed some statistics of this blog which was never before seen by anyone except me.

In this post, I am going to highlight some social activities which had happened due to the existence of this blog.

1) New acquaintances
Many bloggers say they get to know people via blogging and I half-heartedly believed it, and now I truly believe in it myself.
People go online to search for stuff and sometimes they drop by your blog and if it’s something good enough for them, they leave a comment and come back again.
Or they leave a link so that you know their blog and that’s where the relationship begins.
Although it’s in the online world, but we are still humans.
There are some people that I communicate with online (and only online) as we have never met before, but the things that worked out are more than leaving a comment, hi, bye and thank you.

2) New opportunities
Blogging presents new opportunities.
What are those that will interest you? Girls? Guys? Those fall into New Acquintances.. oh.. so i forgot to mention…
Other opportunities includes contest that requires you to blog about something, and they have cool prizes. Like DSLR and iPod.
Some opportunities include making money, like putting a link to some websites and receive cash. I had such once but I happily rejected it as it’s just a way to increase the rank of that targetted website for search engine and I rather keep my blog clean.
Some events or activities that are indirectly linked and I appreciated it much was the LG event, GTUG KL and Code Android Malaysia that I took part this year.
Well, just in case you don’t know, some bloggers get invites to super cool events and recently there’s a few selected to test drive BMWs with the company of police. How cool is that huh?
But I’m not aiming for that la, at least for the very moment…

3) Existing friends
This blog serves in a way for me to update some of my friends about technology stuff, and I try to put in in a way that is as simple as possible so that the most of my non-IT friends would understand. I received comment that it’s still kinda geeky from some, so I will try to improve on this, to make it as lay-man as possible but also not too boring for IT people.

By the way, I do not consider myself a blogger yet just because of my blogging, just like we do not say we are facebooker because we use facebook. It’s probably due to the frequency I’m coming out with my blogpost. I’d consider a blogger if they come out with blog post every 1 or 2 days and they make a lot of money out of it.
I’m still far from that and I have not decided to be a problogger. Don’t call me a blogger.

The third and last part of the first year review: Blogging One Year After – The Unseen Blogging Knowledge

Internet, Internet Marketing, blogging blogger, CodeAndroid, EOE, Exabytes, GTUG KL, iPod, LG, slr

In December 2008, I posted an article about Exabytes Switchhhh Program.

The sole reason for me in posting that was because I am really satisfied with hosting with Exabytes. During conversations with friends, discussions about web hosting providers sometimes came up and everyone has their own opinion. When I came upon an email about Exabytes’s Santa Ca$h Frenzy promotion, I figured it was a good oppurtunity for me to blog about it then. Furthermore, it promised a RM20 cash per post, I’d thought it will build up a bit my referral account, but turned out it is a cheque sent directly to me.

Anyway, I was really surprised to get an email recently informing that I am the winner with the most creative review. You’re asking what? Yes, I’m thinking so too, that my review is anything except creative.

It was purely my humble and honest opinion. I think another point is proven, when lately circuit faults slow down Internet. I’m very certain I would be very worried and frustrated if I’m not able to access my website located in foreign countries just for the sake of cheaper rates.

Enough of promoting Exabytes, I’m not their ambassador.

So, let me present the prizes of the Exabyte’s Santa Ca$h Frenzy most creative review:

Other than the RM 20 cheque, they sent me a goodie bag consisting of the “green” bag in blue colour, a notepad, 2 calendars (that has my face in it ) and a highlighter. The main happiness here is of course the 8GB black colour Apple Ipod Nano!!

Exabytes team is very efficient, I’ve received the prizes via courier on 24th Feb 09 when I was only notified on 19th Feb 09. Only three working days in between!

Thanks Exabytes and TW Ku.

By the way, Eric, I hope this reassured you of picking Exabytes for your web hosting.

Expect more of Ipod nano related posts soon.

Internet, Internet Marketing, Malaysia Exabytes, iPod, iPod nano, web hosting

Web hosting is a tough industry. Competition is tough, and there are too many providers claiming they have the best package with the best price.

I had my first hosted website with Webserver.com.my for a year in 2003 and then I switched to Exabytes and have never looked back since. If I’m not mistaken, my relationship with Exabytes started since 2004 and it has now been four years. I’m still feeling like a new customer!

If you are considering going from a free blog to a paid web hosting, I would suggest you go Exabytes.

If you already have a web host and you think that they are not doing much for the money you pay, go Exabytes.

Initially I have thought of hosting overseas, especially in US with major web hosting companies like GoDaddy. Usually it is much cheaper, but considering that my audience will mainly be in Malaysia, having it hosted locally will definitely be the best option. You will have faster page load for your visitors and you will feel secured that your site is nearer to you. You see, you will get worried when the internet connection goes down and you are not sure if your site is down or the connection between Malaysia and US is the problem.

Now, there are many advertisements on the web hosting company website, even at Exabytes. Read about the features and why you should host with Exabytes as said by Exabytes here.

And here is what I’m telling you things I’m getting for hosting with Exabytes:

1. They provide what they claim. They state it at their website, they give you with no hidden agenda or dirty marketing tactics.
2. Everything is automated and speedy, right from the time you placed your order and made payment
3. Responsive and swift action via email support. This point is something really worth praising, as they have support team working even on Sunday and Public Holidays and their replies are really quick.
4. Freebies, I have gotten a desk calendar, twice free movie shows (2 tickets each time with goodie bags!)
5. Frequent newsletter on security issues, patches and updates. Maybe you do get them from other companies, but from my previous experience, I get no contact at all after payment and site setup and running. This is where Exabytes wins in customer engagement.
6. Contests running the whole year with great prizes to be won. I have not won any yet, although I wished I got the MacBook Air!
7. No 1 web hosting company with numerous awards to showcase.

By far, I am extremely satisfied with the services I get from Exabytes with the price I pay. I hope they continue the way they are or do it better.

Are you satisfied with your web host? If not, I think it’s time to switch.

Exabytes is currently running a SWITCH promotion to help customers to switch from their existing web host, with nothing to lose.

What do you benefit from the switch program

• Example #1: If your existing hosting with other vendors will only expire in another 6 months time, we will extend your next renewal date of Exabytes hosting plan for another 6 months.
• Example #2: If your existing hosting with other vendors will only expire in another 15 months time, we will extend your next renewal date of Exabytes hosting plan for another 12 months only as the maximum period we can extend for you is 12 months.

There are also other benefits, read it here.

Start your SWITCH HERE.

Internet, Internet Marketing, Malaysia Exabytes, web hosting