Website Design and ASP.net Blog Melbourne

How to rank ahead in Google?

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:56:00 GMT

This saturday I was planning to make it a movie night but ended up landing on Matt Cutts' blog watching a video of Matt's SEO speech at WordCamp San Fransisco 2009. I highly recommend you to watch this 47 minute long video if you are starting on SEO of looking to sharpen your search engine optimisation skills.

Here, Matt has beautifully covered many aspects of search engine optimization from highlights on Page rank, SEO basics, facts about relationship between content relevancy and site reputation and so on.

Matt Cutts works at Google as a head of Webspam team

Save 50% on KM Advance eCommerce

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:27:00 GMT

Hi there!

For a limited time our Advance Ecommerce software is availalable to buy at a 50% of the cost when you choose from our pre-developed design templates.

So if you are happy to go ahead with any of our existing templates instead of choosing a custom design, don't miss this! KM does not purchase cheap online templates and designs its own premium templates so in a way its still customised.

We have a range of pre-designed demo sites to choose from and they are already integrated to the software. Please send a review request to KM Melbourne team by calling (03) 9467 9414.

Once you choose a design, we will integrate your logo to the site and also upload your first 20 products for you. The site will be ready to go live in less then 3 days!

We look forward to hearing from you

Regards,
KM Team

IE8 rendering white space - Asp.net Menu

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:26:00 GMT

If you are using the ASP.NET Menu control for navigation, you might have encountered this issue where the sub menu appears as a white blank box in IE8.

To resolve this, you just need to manually set the z-index property of the menu items (sub-menu) using the 'DynamicMenuStyle' property of the asp:Menu control.

Example:

//<head runat="server">

<style type="text/css">

.IE8Fix{z-index:100;}

</style>

</head>

<asp:Menu ID="Menu1" runat="server" DataSourceID="SiteMapDataSource1">

<DynamicMenuStyle CssClass="IE8Fix" />

</asp:Menu>//

How big is the internet?

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:32:00 GMT

The News.Com.Au posted an interesting piece of statistic today on their website showing number of internet users by country. As shown in the image (taken from News.Com.Au website), China has the highest number of users - 298 million , however, when we look at it as a percentage of country's population it is only 22.4%.

This has revealed something for us Australians to be proud of - Australia has the highest number of internet users by percentage of population with 80.6% Australians using internet.

Attack on Microsoft Office!

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:02:00 GMT

This week Microsoft warned that hackers have attacked MS Office software users. This has mainly affected Windows PCs. The hackers have found the holes in the office software that the giant has yet to repair.

Microsoft issued the warning this week about this and some other security issues in the office software.

Based on the available details, hackers are taking advantage of the Office vulnerability with help of dodgy websites by entering viruses that loads onto computers running Office software. These infected PCs are then used for identity theft, spamming and other cyber crimes.

There are not much details available from Microsoft on the number of PCs affected by this. However, it seems like a large number given the pace of response from the software giant.

As suggested by a KB article on Microsoft website, users can prevent attacks by disabling functions within the Office software that allow it to work over the web. A tool has been posted on Microsoft website that automatically disables the web component on your MS Office.

The users vulnerable to the attacks are Office XP, 2003 and 2007.

How to get folder names from server?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:50:00 GMT

To databind a DropDownList control with a list of all sub directories that exist in a particular directory on the server please use code below.

string[] folders = System.IO.Directory.GetDirectories(@"C:\");

DropDownList1.DataSource = folders;

DropDownList1.DataBind();

What is Text / Tag Cloud ?

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:28:00 GMT

Tag Cloud A.K.A Word Cloud is a visual representation of important title tags or link texts on a website. This is achieved with all tags so close to each other and separated with varying font size, style and colours making it look like a cloud. These tags are normally hyper linked.

The following Tag Cloud image is taken from our website home page. This interactive Tag Cloud is achieved with a flash and XML based textCloud:

DateTime Magic Function for SQL database

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:02:00 GMT

Here is a customised function you can use to get different date-time formats from your SQL database. These are obtained with a little twicks and tricks to make your SQL server do a little more then what it can with its native date/time functions. It may be very useful for some data-critical projects:

Function:

CREATE FUNCTION dbo.FormatToDateTime
(
    @dt DATETIME,
    @format VARCHAR(16)
)
RETURNS VARCHAR(64)
AS
BEGIN
    DECLARE @dtVC VARCHAR(64)
    SELECT @dtVC = CASE @format

    WHEN 'LONGDATE' THEN

        DATENAME(dw, @dt)
        + ',' + SPACE(1) + DATENAME(m, @dt)
        + SPACE(1) + CAST(DAY(@dt) AS VARCHAR(2))
        + ',' + SPACE(1) + CAST(YEAR(@dt) AS CHAR(4))

    WHEN 'LONGDATEANDTIME' THEN

        DATENAME(dw, @dt)
        + ',' + SPACE(1) + DATENAME(m, @dt)
        + SPACE(1) + CAST(DAY(@dt) AS VARCHAR(2))
        + ',' + SPACE(1) + CAST(YEAR(@dt) AS CHAR(4))
        + SPACE(1) + RIGHT(CONVERT(CHAR(20),
        @dt - CONVERT(DATETIME, CONVERT(CHAR(8),
        @dt, 112)), 22), 11)

    WHEN 'SHORTDATE' THEN

        LEFT(CONVERT(CHAR(19), @dt, 0), 11)

    WHEN 'SHORTDATEANDTIME' THEN

        REPLACE(REPLACE(CONVERT(CHAR(19), @dt, 0),
            'AM', ' AM'), 'PM', ' PM')

    WHEN 'UNIXTIMESTAMP' THEN

        CAST(DATEDIFF(SECOND, '19700101', @dt)
        AS VARCHAR(64))

    WHEN 'YYYYMMDD' THEN

        CONVERT(CHAR(8), @dt, 112)

    WHEN 'YYYY-MM-DD' THEN

        CONVERT(CHAR(10), @dt, 23)

    WHEN 'YYMMDD' THEN

        CONVERT(VARCHAR(8), @dt, 12)

    WHEN 'YY-MM-DD' THEN

        STUFF(STUFF(CONVERT(VARCHAR(8), @dt, 12),
        5, 0, '-'), 3, 0, '-')

    WHEN 'MMDDYY' THEN

        REPLACE(CONVERT(CHAR(8), @dt, 10), '-', SPACE(0))

    WHEN 'MM-DD-YY' THEN

        CONVERT(CHAR(8), @dt, 10)

    WHEN 'MM/DD/YY' THEN

        CONVERT(CHAR(8), @dt, 1)

    WHEN 'MM/DD/YYYY' THEN

        CONVERT(CHAR(10), @dt, 101)

    WHEN 'DDMMYY' THEN

        REPLACE(CONVERT(CHAR(8), @dt, 3), '/', SPACE(0))

   WHEN 'MM-YY' THEN

        right(convert(varchar(10),@dt,105),7)
   WHEN 'Mon YYYY' THEN

       SUBSTRING(CONVERT(VARCHAR(11), GETDATE(), 113), 4, 8)

    WHEN 'DD-MM-YY' THEN

        REPLACE(CONVERT(CHAR(8), @dt, 3), '/', '-')

    WHEN 'DD/MM/YY' THEN

        CONVERT(CHAR(8), @dt, 3)

    WHEN 'DD/MM/YYYY' THEN

        CONVERT(CHAR(10), @dt, 103)

    WHEN 'HH:MM:SS 24' THEN

        CONVERT(CHAR(8), @dt, 8)

    WHEN 'HH:MM 24' THEN

        LEFT(CONVERT(VARCHAR(8), @dt, 8), 5)

    WHEN 'HH:MM:SS 12' THEN

        LTRIM(RIGHT(CONVERT(VARCHAR(20), @dt, 22), 11))

    WHEN 'HH:MM 12' THEN

        LTRIM(SUBSTRING(CONVERT(
        VARCHAR(20), @dt, 22), 10, 5)
        + RIGHT(CONVERT(VARCHAR(20), @dt, 22), 3))

    ELSE

        'Invalid format specified'

    END
    RETURN @dtVC
END
GO

Example :

PRINT dbo.FormatToDateTime(@now, 'DD/MM/YY')

Now you can also use some tricks by using mix and match to get more out of it. It is easy to alter this function for adding more datetime formats.
Enjoy....

How to disable dotted outline in Mozilla Firefox

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 17:08:00 GMT

In Mozilla browsers it shows a dotted outline around a button, any link or an object like flash or video when it is clicked. It can be removed by applying following code to your CSS:

Accepted Solution :

* { outline: none; }

here we have used * to apply the rule so it applies to everything system-wide and you do not need to define it manually for every single thing. However, if you prefer to keep this dotted line for any specific event then you should not be using the * and define it to individual item that you would like to exclude.

features of sql server 2008

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:13:00 GMT

SQL Server 2008 is a way better then its previous version when it comes to reliability, security and scalability for your business-critical applications. The major feature offered by the robust database server from Microsoft includes, but not limited to:

Analysis Services
Data Mining
High Availability—Always On
Integration Services
Manageability
Performance and Scalability
Programmability
Reporting Services
Security
Spatial Data

How to remove __VIEWSTATE from asp.net?

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:48:00 GMT

There is no obvious side-effect free way to remove this.

The problem is that the hidden type can never be empty. even if you try EnableViewState = False then also the hidden type __ViewState is still rendered with some values. Yes one can make it "" to ViewState, but this may be an invitation to errors for some other applications! Yes, things may get worse this way.

No Search Engine Effect

As per my experience it generally does not affect your ranking or position or search engines. Most search engine bots such as google are familier with this and so the ranking is not affected.

Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 (VS 2010 - BETA) is out now!

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:43:00 GMT

The VS 2008 is a new additional to the family and some of us may still be in a process of migrating from VS 2005to VS 2008. Well, you better be quick as all new VS 2010 is already knocking your doors!

The new VS is believed to be equipped with a better set of tracking, debugging, modeling tools and it will have improved security measures.

As suggested by CNET, in an event of failure airline investigators can try to determine the source of the problem with use of intelligent recorders fitted on the airline. And Microsoft is aiming to give the same sort of tools access to the developer community with all new Visual Studio 2010.

For more information visit: http://news.cnet.com8301-13860_3-10052412-56.html

The BETA version of Visual Studio 2010 is available to download at:
http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/en-us/products/2010/default.mspx

Google's Mobile ambition!

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:06:00 GMT

Has it been delayed?

Google aquired mobile software company Adroid in 2005 and started on developing a new advance mobile software. Google heavily announced the launch of this platform by end of second quarter 2008.

Many of us are eagerly waiting for the launch since long, and it seems like the wait is going to be continued. Some news resources have confirmed that it is going to be delayed by a full quarter!

VJSLIB - Could not load file or assembly

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:13:00 GMT

Application is compiled properly and runs on local server but it throws the following error when uploaded to a web server:

Error 1 Could not load file or assembly 'vjslib, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b03f5f7f11d50a3a' or one of its dependencies. C:\Program Files\Microsoft ASP.NET\ASP.NET 2.0 AJAX Extensions\TemplateVSI\TemplateVSI.csproj 57 5 TemplateVSI

vjslib.dll Solution

It is most probably the compatibility issue. The server can not execute the x32 reference on x64 environment, so for this J# application (vjslib.dll) Install J# redistributable on your server and it should work fine.

Did you also upload the VJSLIB.DLL on to the bin folder of your application? If not, please do so and apply reference to it in web.config file.

Apply css class to linkbutton asp.net

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:29:00 GMT

Asp.net does not recognize LinkButton as <A> tag.

set the cssclass property for the linkbutton (i.e: cssclass="linkbutton5") then in your css just add the following:

.linkbutton { text-decoration:none;}

.linkbutton:hover {text-decoration:underline;}

That's it!

Save $$$$ - Employ automated billing and collection system

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:33:00 GMT

80% of your business come from 20% of your customers - Every marketing manager knows this fact. This helps allot as marketing expense does not reincure. However, the accounts administration and collection costs remain the same for most companies.

If you spend good amount of money on account administation and collections, this is the time you look at employing an automated web based "autmated invoicing and colleciton system" and you can surely save a good amount of money each year!

Benefits of web based invoicing system

Affordable

Having "my account" tab on website and allow clients to check their billing history in real time is not only for big companies, there are many pre-designed modules available out there that can just do the job.

KM Websol's own advanced auto invoicing, payment and collection module package is available under only $1500 (one-off setup cost, no monthly charges). This comes with free setup and integration to your existing website.

Minimise administration time

Enter the service invoice details once only and specify recurring interval, your web based sytem will automatically generate a new invoice on a specified interval and send to your client by email. This will save time generating and sending the invoice each month.

Creative and professional

The system can send the invoice in a profesisonal looking PDF format just like those big companies.

Direct debit option - never forget to process

If your client agrees, you can set the direct debit for the client's account and system will automatically process the payment on specified day.

Collection is easy for non-subsription items!

Let's say the invoice is not for a subsription and there is no direct debit setup, no problem, the system will send the outstanding reminder to client and will keep sending it on a specified interval.

Manual reinder emails can sometimes offend some clients who have been with you for long period of time, however, when automated email is sent most people take that for granted as they understand that system sends it automatically to all customers, nothing personal.

Once only set-up cost

If you have a website, you are already paying hosting costs so there are no extra ongoing costs for employing such system. Just get your web designers to upload the system on your website.

Could you re-send the invoice please?

Now your clients do not ring you to get a copy of their invoice, they can use "my account" tab on your website to login to the system and check their billing history and pring-off any of the invoice if required.

Easy dispute resolution

With client being able to view their billing history online, they can find most of their billing related answers there and reduces the amount of phone calls with those questions and gets disputes resolved before they arise.

Know your accounts better at no extra costs

Most good auto invoicing systems like KM Websol Web based invoicing system come with cool features such as graphical representations, reports and reminder tools that does not only help you save time but also provides you with vital informations. Your bookkeeper no longer need to send time on generating monthly outstanding reports, received reports etc. and can focus on more important things.

With these you can easily know the status of cash flow and receivables.

Interested?

"no follow" attribute within link property

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:57:00 GMT

Search engines count every outgoing link as your vote to that site. Sometimes we like some sites and add their link to our sites to let our website visitors know about the cool products / service or free stuff available on the XYZ site.

However, people are allowed to put their website links on some blogs and forums, in this scenario, anyone can use your blog to get a link to their site. In other words they can make your site submit a vote to their site. In some cases it could be the site that is penalized by search engines. You surely don’t want to submit your vote towards that site!

The best approach to overcome this situation is to have “no follow” attribute in the link property so that search engines will not count these as outgoing links.

How to add the “no follow” attribute to link property?

Here is how your link property looks like

<a href=”http://www.not-good-website.com”> Website Designers </a>

Link with “no follow” attribute

<a href=”http://www.not-good-website.com” rel=”no follow”> Website Designers </a>

How to include web link within website texts

Sat, 24 May 2008 20:21:00 GMT

My inner salesman requires me to advise you to get a content management system enabled website from KM Websol. With our CMS you can add link by just highlighting the texts you want to apply link to and then click on the chain icon and enter destination URL.

For your existing static website (static website means the sites without CMS), you will need to open the site in HTML mode. Your texts will look like this:

site body area start

paragraph start

These are some demo texts. click here to read more.

Paragraph ended

site body area ended

Apply web link to word "click here"

These are some demo texts. <A href=/0about.aspx>Click here</A> to read more.

In the given example, we provided the link to the page in root directory of your website. The root directory means the first directory in your HTTP folder. Let's say if the webpage was located inside a folder called "About", you would have applied A HREF link by adding the folder in front of / sign. It would have looked like "About/0about.aspx".

How to customise image size in Photoshop

Wed, 21 May 2008 20:08:00 GMT

This is a simple tutorial I came across on You Tube. I have often got clients requesting information on how to customise their product image size etc. This is the best video to address that and it also shows the effect of customisation on resolution etc.

Silverlight vs. Flash

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:50:00 GMT

Silverlight vs. Flash

As Microsoft describes Silverlight is a cross-devise plug-in for delivering the next generation of .NET based media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web. In other words, it is something and only format to date that may be a threat for Macromedia Flash.

As a .net developer I am all excited about Silverlight. I am also a big fan of Macromedia Flash and as Silverlight is in first stage of its life cycle it is difficult to comment if it will be better then Flash. however, we can not deny the possibility.

As you may know when Flash was first released there were many a thing that did not seem right, file sizes were bigger, load time, animation quality but over the time we have seen it getting better.

When we say there is a possibility that Silverlight may eventually be better than flash, following factors may play a big role in making it a reality.

Animation – Flash is frame based without notion of animation while Silverlight is better in this regards as it supports the WPF animation model so it lets you define the start and end motion conditions.

Shapes - Flash shapes are stored using binary shape records which may make it a bit too technical for beginner users to write shape definitions. Silverlight’s XAML is text based and can be output using a simple XML object.

Text - Flash stores font’s glyphs using the same shape definitions that are used for any other shapes. Silverlight WPF/E lets you embed true type font information directly into your projects.

Scripting - A .net developer can reuse C# classes for Silverlight while flash requires writing Action script. This means that a .net developer can reduce a lot of work load by using Silverlight.

Tools – As with scripting, Silverlight content can be created with the same tools that you use as a .net developer. Visual Studio.NET is by far the most powerful and most popular IDE.

This does not mean that Flash is not great, it certainly is. It will surely keep getting better. However, for a .net developer, Silverlight may turn out as an extra bonus from Microsoft!