Its getting very close to my first whole month at Hogtronix, and what a month its been. Packed full of new things for me to learn. Some of the largest being more php and SEO writing and learning how pay per click works.
This past week I have written ten large articles for an online printing company. It's been a lot to take in, I've realised new ways of writing take time to get used to, and can be simple for some subjects and much harder for others. I've picked up extremely useful tips on how SEO works, and hope to keep picking them up and producing better writing.
Today, I won table football.(I'm losing overall still though). Close match going to the final ball. Proof that SEO isn't all I'm improving with.
We're pretty well established at our new office now (more or less unpacked) working hard on maintaining the best in Tunbridge Wells at web design and SEO title!
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Thursday, 23 July 2009
The New Pad
We moved into the new office first thing on Tuesday, and we're just about settled in now.
Its bigger, its brighter and we're pretty chuffed with it.(3 sandwich vans a day)
Even though we've been busy moving desks, computer files etc, I have been busy writing plenty of articles and code stuff.
SEO is new to me. I can admit that it hasn't come easy, but I feel that with every article, I improve, and with any luck, I'll have mastered in a week or two. Its a learning curve, something I'm going to have to get used to, and find out for myself, what I find easiest, and what i need to work harder on.
I've learnt how search engines are not what they first seem, and getting a website higher in the ranks, is NOT easy, it takes time, and several different types of links and content construction.
I have also, since my last post, been doing plenty of research into php scripting, learning how to involve more complicated pieces of code, to give plugin-type extras to already existing sites. (I'll make sure I make an update, once I've finally cracked how to implement it though)
Today the weather has been nice..but otherwise..its been a sad day...I lost at table football. No matter what anyone else tells you...the game WAS close (8-10 I believe) so there's still plenty for me to improve on there as well.
Top tip for the week? Ever get the option to buy a Foosball table, as Flat pack, or pre-assembled... CHOOSE THE LATTER.
Its bigger, its brighter and we're pretty chuffed with it.(3 sandwich vans a day)
Even though we've been busy moving desks, computer files etc, I have been busy writing plenty of articles and code stuff.
SEO is new to me. I can admit that it hasn't come easy, but I feel that with every article, I improve, and with any luck, I'll have mastered in a week or two. Its a learning curve, something I'm going to have to get used to, and find out for myself, what I find easiest, and what i need to work harder on.
I've learnt how search engines are not what they first seem, and getting a website higher in the ranks, is NOT easy, it takes time, and several different types of links and content construction.
I have also, since my last post, been doing plenty of research into php scripting, learning how to involve more complicated pieces of code, to give plugin-type extras to already existing sites. (I'll make sure I make an update, once I've finally cracked how to implement it though)
Today the weather has been nice..but otherwise..its been a sad day...I lost at table football. No matter what anyone else tells you...the game WAS close (8-10 I believe) so there's still plenty for me to improve on there as well.
Top tip for the week? Ever get the option to buy a Foosball table, as Flat pack, or pre-assembled... CHOOSE THE LATTER.
Friday, 17 July 2009
The Internet Returns
After several painfully slow-connection days, we now have some more appropriate internet speed!
The last few days, we have been busy. Several key projects moving along nicely, some finishing! New ones just starting and plenty of smaller ongoing jobs to do!
After spending some time researching some new ways to involve Polls, and sliding content into php, I feel that I have picked up some important information, and extended my current coding ability beyond what I first thought would be possible in only two weeks!
I'm starting to shave off time on each article I write, (surely must be a good thing) the style of Hogtronix writing is starting to sink in!
This will be the last few days in the Penshurst office, as we are moving in the early stages of next week! Boxes all already starting to fill up this office, but luckily the new one is much bigger! It has to be really....how else are we going to fit in a table football, bar stools and a Jakuzi? (I may have exaggerated a little with the Jakuzi)
The last few days, we have been busy. Several key projects moving along nicely, some finishing! New ones just starting and plenty of smaller ongoing jobs to do!
After spending some time researching some new ways to involve Polls, and sliding content into php, I feel that I have picked up some important information, and extended my current coding ability beyond what I first thought would be possible in only two weeks!
I'm starting to shave off time on each article I write, (surely must be a good thing) the style of Hogtronix writing is starting to sink in!
This will be the last few days in the Penshurst office, as we are moving in the early stages of next week! Boxes all already starting to fill up this office, but luckily the new one is much bigger! It has to be really....how else are we going to fit in a table football, bar stools and a Jakuzi? (I may have exaggerated a little with the Jakuzi)
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Battle With BT
The start to my second week at Hogtronix has been promising.
Plenty to learn and sink my teeth into. I have been working on improving my PHP and CSS, which (I think) is improving! Monday, I started with one page needing quite a lot of guidance. Come Tuesday, I was able to do a similar page with very few changes to be made, once I'd finished! (Improvement surely?)
I have been busy with other paperwork, and preparing letters for letterheads, setting up mail-merge and researching various things in preparation for our 'office relocate' next week!
This week however, has been hindered by constant internet trouble. Simply summed up by the letters B and T. With a ridiculously slow internet speed, website work has been tricky to say the least. The plus side, now we are more eager than ever to move to our new office next week!
In the past two days, I have started bigger projects, as well as maintaining support for other clients and venturing further and further into more technical parts of our work.
I have tried my hardest to practice…table football in some free time, so that when we set up the foosball table in our new office, I don’t get completely walked over. No doubt we will start getting some daily results to post (obviously only my wins are going to be posted…not that I always win, but why would I post losses!) so keep checking to see how many I’m winning by!
Friday, 10 July 2009
My First Week
Friday has come along so fast. This week has been uber-productive. I have picked up some new tricks and skills, which I know, I can only build on. Unless I forget all of them. (It's always a possibility)
My web construction techniques have vastly improved with every minute I spend on projects.
I have always considered myself pretty fluent in slicing with Photoshop. I still am. Its fireworks that's the new bit! Me and fireworks started out yesterday morning, barely exchanging words, but now, we just about manage to get along. Just. This has been one the most important things I have improved with.
Admittedly, I have been caught out in the past few days. A few little (sometimes massive) mistakes and moments of carelessness have made me sharper. On Wednesday, I accidentally turned a client’s full online shop, into a pretty standard static one-pager. Not good by any means (it was a good one page though, perfectly sliced!)
My coding (php, java, and html) have all taken a turn for the better. Closely working with 'A GENIUS' in Spain , has left me eager to improve, little tweaks and changes, are making me notice mistakes, and errors better than before. Certain progress.
Also, I feel it’s extremely important (perhaps the most), how pleased I am with the speed of my eBay item delivery. Wasn’t expecting it until at least early next week.
It’s been a good Friday!
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Day Two - The Storm Outside The Office
Second day at Camp-Hogtronix!
Today has been busy, many different jobs to get done. Once, of course, I'd plugged in the coffee machine, it doesn't make much coffee until you do.
I wrote an article for a website, which has been a learning curve. Its an art, and will take some getting used to, but I'm sure I will improve as time goes on. When I say improve, I aim to be a pro.
I have also written a letter to a client, getting used to the company style of such things, so that I get more efficient the more I do it.
I started the day with a client meeting, which I really enjoyed. This will be an important part of my time here, as learning the way that I need to work through projects with clients is pretty key to all of this business lark!
Other than that, I have spent some time updating homepage information on live sites, with a little bit of image work, so all in all, a very constructive learning day. But of course with every good day comes the obvious software teething problems. Luckily the storm I've sat through most of the day hasn't hindered work. Other than the occasional glance out of the window to watch the lightening strike, what has felt like, only a few yards from the office door!
Exciting stuff!
Today has been busy, many different jobs to get done. Once, of course, I'd plugged in the coffee machine, it doesn't make much coffee until you do.
I wrote an article for a website, which has been a learning curve. Its an art, and will take some getting used to, but I'm sure I will improve as time goes on. When I say improve, I aim to be a pro.
I have also written a letter to a client, getting used to the company style of such things, so that I get more efficient the more I do it.
I started the day with a client meeting, which I really enjoyed. This will be an important part of my time here, as learning the way that I need to work through projects with clients is pretty key to all of this business lark!
Other than that, I have spent some time updating homepage information on live sites, with a little bit of image work, so all in all, a very constructive learning day. But of course with every good day comes the obvious software teething problems. Luckily the storm I've sat through most of the day hasn't hindered work. Other than the occasional glance out of the window to watch the lightening strike, what has felt like, only a few yards from the office door!
Exciting stuff!
Monday, 6 July 2009
My First Day
My name is John and today, I became the latest member of the Hogtronix team! I am a student at The University Of Kent, studying, (pace yourself) 'Mulitmedia Technology and Design with a Year in Industry' and as stated starting a placement as part of my degree.
This morning, I left home, it was dry and sunny. Got to the office, rain and wind.
Luckily, the weather has not reflected my first few hours of work with Hogtronix. Unless of course, you like the rain, in which case the weather gave an excellent start to the day!
In the few hours that I have been here, I have been presented with the list of projects and aims for me to work through, and have been busy setting up my email , blog, and skype accounts!
My position is quite a mouthful, and may seem complicated. Admittedly it is baffling to begin with, but broken down is much easier to digest. I am a 'Junior Designer and SEO Technician'.
I handle both web and print projects, work remotely with other Hogtronix employees, who, so I've heard, will help me out if I find something tricky, and have become second-in-command-coffee-drinker. The last being a skill aqquired through two enjoyable years at Kent uni.
Im eager to get stuck-in with projects, and to make my mark, so watch this space!
This morning, I left home, it was dry and sunny. Got to the office, rain and wind.
Luckily, the weather has not reflected my first few hours of work with Hogtronix. Unless of course, you like the rain, in which case the weather gave an excellent start to the day!
In the few hours that I have been here, I have been presented with the list of projects and aims for me to work through, and have been busy setting up my email , blog, and skype accounts!
My position is quite a mouthful, and may seem complicated. Admittedly it is baffling to begin with, but broken down is much easier to digest. I am a 'Junior Designer and SEO Technician'.
I handle both web and print projects, work remotely with other Hogtronix employees, who, so I've heard, will help me out if I find something tricky, and have become second-in-command-coffee-drinker. The last being a skill aqquired through two enjoyable years at Kent uni.
Im eager to get stuck-in with projects, and to make my mark, so watch this space!
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