Pictures of Ireland

I recently setup a flickr account with the intention of adding images from around Glandore. In fact most of the images on the previous posts are all taken from my Flickr account which I could loosely place in the Pictures of Ireland category but I aim to be adding a few more that may move off into perhaps some art based work. Its over 10 years ago that I completed my degree course at Brighton University and since then I havn't had a week really where I did not look at some item or view and think that it would look good flattened into a two dimensional space.

Of late, my urge to make photographs has been somewhat rekindled by the move to Glandore , and I find that a lot of the Cork Websites that I have been doing for clients would benefit from some good views of the stunning landscapes around me.

Create a Blog

Not so many years ago, "blog" was not a household word. Today, blogging is almost an international hobby, with literally millions of bloggers, posting their thoughts on everything from global warming to tips on pet care. Some have huge followings, while others don't fare so well. Let's take a look at how you can create a blog that stands out in the crowd.

If you want to create a blog, the process is simple, quick and free with any of the many blog hosting services. When you create a blog page, give your topic and writing style a bit - quite a bit - of thought before simply jumping in and hoping for the best.

Most important in the planning phase is your topic. Passion for your subject is what ultimately breeds success with your readership. When you create a blog, select a subject that fills you with excitement, curiosity and a desire to share with others. This makes words flow easily and nurtures an untiring commitment, so necessary to long-term success.

Once you've nailed down your topic, your primary job is to tweak reader's interest with knowledge, perspective and provocative commentary. This causes readers to reflect on your posts and contribute thoughts, questions and perhaps new information that sets off a flurry of responses from yet other readers.

When you create a blog that meets this criteria, you're halfway there. Another key point to consider: know your topic and be willing to research and learn more. You've heard it said, the more you know, the more you realize what you don't know. This is what makes an expert in any field.

Readers may pose a situation or difference of opinion that requires that you do additional research before you can make an educated response. This only fuels your own enthusiasm and gains you further credibility. You'll learn new facts or ideas and have even more interesting material to offer. The usual result is a wider readership.

Word-of-mouth is an excellent way to promote your blog. However, a little active marketing never hurts.

Many bloggers swear by spreading word of their blog through personal profile sites such as myspace, where you can highlight your cyberspace presence with an infusion of your personality and lifestyle that will pique the interest of individuals who might otherwise not ever have come across your blog. Submit some of your best entries to article directories in the appropriate category. Search out newsletters that focus on your topic and then offer your most provocative pieces to the editor, in exchange for a byline that links to your blog. Just these three simple efforts will do wonders for your exposure to new readers.

Go for it! Create a blog! Choose your subject carefully, respect and encourage comments from others and learn all you can. Blogging is a satisfying activity. You may just change the world for the better!

Otters in Glandore

I was sitting at the desk a couple of weeks ago and just happened to glance out my window to watch the snow that had begun to fall quite heavely when I noticed something swimming across the harbour. The tide was about a quarter of the way in with hardly a ripple on the water so it was quite noticable. I grabbed the binoculars that I keep on the window sill and found it was an otter. Wow! I'd never seen an otter before. I watched for a few seconds and then to my surprise another two otters appeared beside the first and begun to play with each other. I watched the three otters for about 30 mins. They would swim along beside each other for a few moments and tthen plop! One of them would dive down, being followed by its two playmates. At one point a single otter came out the water and climbed, or rather lolloped, up the stone steps on the quay and scuttled around for a few minutes befor hoping back down into the water to join its companions. Blimy, I thought. Otters are like Dublin buses - You wait years for one and then three come along, one after another.

Onwards and Upwards - Web design moves to Glandore, Cork

Having spent almost a year in Ratharoon, Bandon. Our landlord decided just before christmas that he wanted his house back. Well you can imagine what that was like. Now a month later, and with all the computers and broadband installed and the furniture adjusted to my liking, efastnet has relocated further west to the stunningly beautiful village of Glandore.

This place is idylic and promises to be a perfect place for efastnet to grow and build on the succeses of the previous year. One sadder note is that Alison has decided to move on to bigger better things and will be starting a new job with a web design company based in Cork city. We wish her all the best in her new venture.