Sites, Network, and Connection Downtime
Among the worst thing that may happen to a site or blog is experiencing downtime. For a blog or site, this temporary or frequent downtime may cause decrease in readership, rejected or withheld monetizing opportunities or even decrease in page rank (PR).
In an organization set-up, more and more companies these days depend on network services and applications so downtime of servers or connections are deplorable. Effective network monitoring services like the ones offered by Uplogix, a top IT remote network solutions company, are critical. Productivity of employees are now almost dependable on the speed and stability of networks.
I’m pretty lucky I have a particularly good host service for marikenya site. I hardly experienced downtime since it was created in October last year. I am not that lucky though with my broadband service at home since each time I log in, I always wait for an average of 20 to 40 minutes before I get connected and oftentimes, the speed connection is appalling.
Technology is at times, unreliable and most of the time, pricey.
Marikenya Reloaded. Experience It Better Now.
After some months of hoping for a makeover, the new Marikenya was finally developed — new title and tag, new theme and layout, more contents and announcements. It was more like planning and designing my new house but instead of shopping for teak furniture and consulting with an architect or an interior designer, I talk to “master” bloggers who are expert in html codes, programming languages, seo tactics, etc. Let me share with you the stages of development Marikenya’s blog has undergone…
—> The First Marikenya’s was simply a journal of my life’s experiences, learnings, triumphs and defeats which I hope to share with those who care enough to read. I called it My Freedom from Thirst. A good friend commented though that my theme’s color was dull.
—> After a while, I learned a little about designing headers and through the help of my friend neil, the site was improved with my very first customized header and with contents on Marikenya, my beloved hometown.
—> Since I was a certified kikay, I realized after some time that I wanted my blog’s design to be colorful and with a lot of widgets. I searched for the right theme, designed my new header and again seek neil’s help to upload it. I was very contented with the output and I have baptized the site “Marikenya in Full Color: Living the Different Shades of Life.”
—> Months after, I realized that my friend’s blog which was younger than mine immediately earned its page rank but my marikenya remained PR0 (page rank zero). A friend advised that I should find the niche of the site and focus only on several categories and subjects so I deleted and replaced the categories of marikenya and focused on these topics: Marikina, Education and Learning, Traveling and, Blogging. I then changed the title of the site to Journal on Places, Pieces and Praises.
—> Until finally, I leaned how to use Core FTP which is the program for uploading files like themes and images to my site (a lot of thanks to Neil and Glitch for their patience and time). At this point, I wanted a major marikenya makeover. I spent about a day looking for the perfect wordpress theme and some more hours designing the header and uploading it. Here comes the newest look of marikenya:
Marikenya.com is not just a personal blog now. It has become a way of life for me, continuously developing and updating it for the sake of the community who regularly reads it, mostly comprising of marikeños and those who experienced marikina in one way or another.
Although I’m already happy with the look of Marikenya today, I maybe changing some more attributes of the theme like colors etc. I would be very happy for suggestions and feedback on improving the layout or the contents.
To everyone, thank you again. 
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Marikenya Gives Back Special…
I had such a wonderful time managing and writing for Marikenya. It wasn’t easy for me to learn new things about blogging but I was very lucky to have such a good support system — my friends in the virtual and real world who helped, tutored, and read and subscribed to Marikenya.
To everyone… Allow me to say my thanks through my son…
A Filipina in Today’s Society
(Just last week, while uploading my post for Filipina Images dot com, an empowering Filipina website, I have stumbled upon the post of Ms. Leah Cantos, another proud Pinay, on her Contest for Filipinas with blogs. It is open to all Filipina bloggers residing in the Philippines. How to enter the contest? Blog about how you as a Filipina, achieved your goals for the past year and your plans for 2008. Here’s my entry for this contest.)
It’s a well known fact that the Filipinas of today are far different from the traditional Filipinas in the earlier period. Being a pinay myself, I am thankful for all those fearless Filipinas in our history who valiantly fought against the society’s narrow concept on women particularly on the issues of our rights, responsibilities and capacities.
Today, to my delight, our country is already inundated with empowered Filipinas. We are now free to obtain an education, plan and have our own career and fight for ideals and principles that we believe in. Although there still exist tapered dogma on our gender from the conservative and conformist sector of our society, everyday, more women are enlightened and refuting abuses and violence against them.
Today, I am celebrating my being a proud Filipina and let me share with you my accomplishments last year as an empowered pinay juggling different roles in life:
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Filipinas are truly amazing. Once they set their eyes on their goals, nothing would be able to stop them. I need not be a powerful, rich or popular Filipina to impact lives and change society and culture, but in my own ways, I know in my heart that I am affecting lives. Hopefully, 2008 will be a better year… A year where we would be able to help more and redirect more lives for the better. After all, I’m a Filipina.
Choosing Valentine’s Gift For Your Lady Love
(This article was created by request of my favorite reader, palitoking.)
A couple of days ago, I’ve written tips onInexpensive Valentine’s Day Gifts for boyfriends and husbands. This time, I would be sharing to you winning ideas on what a boyfriend, husband or even a suitor may give his lady love this valentines.
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Inexpensive Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
“Love is in the air… Can you feel it? If you can’t, you’re insensitive and hopeless!” Marikenya
It’s already mid-January and at this time, malls and other shopping places are already crawling with Valentine’s Day gift items. Hmm… Being a total shopping freak, my issue is choosing to buy my honey an expensive valentine’s day gift or… make him one?
Since I’ve bought him an expensive shirt last Christmas and I’m short of budget, I’l vouch for the latter — my valentines day gift would be a personalized one.
And of course, if you would opt to give your honey a personalized treat, then better start thinking now! Let me share with you some fantastic personalized and inexpensive ideas that would melt and fire the passion in your romance this Valentines.
Blog Advertising War
“Whammy, Whammy, Spare My Blog Money!!!”
When I started blogging a year ago, I only thought of it as a venue for self-expression and exercising my writing skills. Everything changed when I acquired my self-hosted blog. The money factor, whether I like it or not, is a major consideration. Why? Because I have to pay for my domain and hosting, electrical bill and internet connection charges. It’s not enough that I get the high from blogging, it’s a reality that I need to settle my account by monetizing my blog.
Today, a lot of advertisers uses the internet versus the mass media as a cheaper alternative in advertising their products. This is where a lot of bloggers earn revenues. By being paid through ads.
How to get paid for blogging? Advertisers choose to advertise on blogs which are registered and approved by “paid posts” sites. Once approved, you will be given tasks to write about articles on specific services, company, organizations, or websites which you will be asked to post in your blog and voila! Easy Money! From what I’ve experienced and heard from fellow bloggers, Smorty is among the most popular sites where you get job offers regardless of page ranks and it also pays faster than competitors.
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Online Store Anyone?
Want to Open an Online Store?
Tips and Tricks on Getting One and Becoming Successful.
We all blog mainly for two reasons — first is because we love to blog (blogging is addictive I say!) and second, because there is money in blogging.
Since I started my blog a couple of months now, I’ve been experimenting continuously on adding and removing features on it that I deem necessary. Just yesterday, I’ve ventured into another business tactic for my blog. I opened my Marikenya’s Online Store! I’ve been a seller a in ebay for more than a year now and selling online has been a really good source of income for me and I believe having my own store will be more exciting and more lucrative!
Let’s say I’ve been so convincing that you now wanted to have your very own online store. Here are some of the steps to take in getting one:
1. Decide on the kind or type of products to sell. Will it be fashion products? Electronics or gadgets perhaps? It may be goodies for home improvement or even digital scrapbooking designs… The key in choosing your product is knowing what interest you and the availability of raw materials or suppliers to get your items from.
2. Get an ecommerce software. Make selling easy and fun by getting a an ecommerce software that offers total solution to a seller like the hosting provided by ecommerce software. Choose one that is affordable, easy to use, offers a 24/7 technical support and one that will get you on top of the search engines.
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Blog Talk
Marikenya’s Journey Into the Blogging Haven
“Slowly finding my niche in the blogging world.”
I have long ago thought of having my own blog. In fact, before having my own domain Marikenya, I was already maintaining different blogs hosted by friendster, multiply, blogger and even piczo.
It was through Neil, a good friend I met in my CPE class, that I finally decided getting my own domain (Neil paid for my domain and hosting and I still owe him dollars for that hehehe). He was very convincing and very supportive and truly knowledgeable that I know, I’d be lost in my blogging venture if not for him.
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A More Colorful Marikenya
A New Look for Living The Different Shades of Life :)
Since it’s almost Christmas and soon, the start of 2008, I decided to give my Marikenya Site a major make-over!
I designed a new header and chose a new theme for my layout (thanks to Neil for helping me every step of the way)! Since I’m such a fun-loving and dynamic type of person and well… very kikay also… I thought the new Marikenya should be colorful so here goes —
Marikenya in full color
Living the different shades of life.
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Tintin Rios: Nice article mhel! As always, I am indeed enjoying all the stuff that you are doing. Very honest and very inspiring. Keep it up! :)
Big Brother: Very helpful and enlightening person, always there to lend a hand whenever you’re in need… Keep it up !!! GOD Bless!!!
Zaldy: Very interesting and informative. Lovely as the author.
Kengkay: Ipagpatuloy ang pag blog tungkol sa kagandahan ng pinas… gusto ko ang mga ganitong blogs. nakakataba ng puso :)
Apple Lucero: It's wonderful, and knowledgeable. I love the beauty of marikina, continue blogging, great!
Ed Ebreo: You have a very interesting blog and an even more interesting work. Keep up the great work!
Rino: Thanks for this information. I would never have known about this. Good job and please continue to provide us with more of these…
Eclud: You surprised me mhel!!! This is great.. keep up the good work… (saka parang paganda ka ng paganda..) *From the author: "Aint this the best comment of 'em all?" :D
AnitoKid: Wow! Danda na ng Marikina! It has been a while since I last visited it! I studied at Marist School (Gr 1-6, HS 1-4). Loved your site kabayan! And I kid you not!
MyGlitch: Hi, Mhel. I salute you for promoting Marikina, the only blogger I know who truly loves her municipality.
Alvin Aljecera: Marikina is the Best in TOWN!!!
Lad Madrigal: Nakakatuwa, napaka informative at talagang helpful ang blog mo. Rating: 11 out of 10 haha.
Edelweiza: Hi der! I admire BF, too. I always see him during Cabinet events in the Palace as our office is the one in-charge of them. It’s his strong character and sincere efforts to “urbanize” the metropolis and us city dwellers that keeps me an avid fan. He belongs to a very rare breed of public officials that really walk the talk. I think he deserves all the support he can get from Filipinos. :D
Dennis: I was once a passerby, ngaun mukang magiging regular reader at “avid fan” na din! hahaha!
Ericc: Congrats to this wonderful website! it’s a good advocacy for responsible citizenship and good city governance! all the best to marikina!
Heidelyn A. Camaligan: We are so lucky living here at Marikina, werein lots of educational training are offered.
Islander: Wow! grabe na talaga ang marikina. beyond the legend na kayo. pano pa kami makakahabol nyan? hehe. Alamat!
Reign: I used to pass by Marikina since i’m just 40 minutes drive away from Antipolo but I never thought of these great facts about your lovely place. You’re a sure proud marikeña.
Lotus Flower: Happy Marikina Day to you. Aren’t you glad to be part of this quaint but definitely bustling and progressive city? I am :-)
Meeh: Maituturing na ang marikina ay nakilala sa paggawa ng mga dekalidad na sapatos na nagdala sa ating lugar upang makilala sa ibang panig ng pilipinas at sa ibang bansa…at ipinagmamalaki ko na ako ay isang marikenya…mabuhay!
Tapsiboy: Marikina is my happy and comfort place.
Spinning Lovely Days: I’m so glad there are so many interesting places to check out in our city now. with gas getting so expensive, i’m all for limiting our explorations within marikina. :D as always, thanks for all the wonderful tips.:)
Mera: Ang ganda naman ng lahat ng nakapost dito sa site mong marikenya Ms.Mhel…more of it were very inspirational.interesting and educational…just keep it and godbless u!
Abby: Hi. I'm glad i chanced upon this really interesting blog. i'm from marikina too. we’ve been living here for more than a year now. i'm super excited about your list. you see, hubby and i frequent eating spot in town. we are, still in search for the perfect crispy pata. a lot of my friends say you can find it here.
CallCenterGal: Thanks for the additional tips on improving one’s blog in simple, doable ways.
Sagada Philippines: I like your niche. More power to your blog! =)