clockwork s'Mart

What could be better than having lunch with friends – Costa style.

Not much to say for this blog post today, it’s been a busy couple of weeks working over the weekend at the datacentre but I’m glad to say we’ve just completed the last of the web server upgrades – back to normal routine soon.

On the web site the development of the new blog is progressing slowly, bought a new domain called www.mosltywebdesign.com not sure if i’ll actually use it but if you stumble on a reasonable domain name it’s a good idea to buy it as it may not be there next time.

This is only a short post, but of course you can always catch me at http://twitter.com/mjnewham

Haven’t posted anything for a while, I could of course provide a number of excuses; busy at work, I have a cold – but to be honest, it doesn’t take much to craft a short post does it?

So what will be my next guest post? Ha-ha in this cut throat business someone else could have written it and posted it before you’ve even finished this sentence! Bit of course with a digital footprint like mine it shouldn’t be to difficult to find out.

So WTF am I’m doing in Starbucks again?of course I’m working on the content of the post using the iPhone apps Oops a clue perhaps?

Anyhow blogging stops for no-man, so it’s back to the grindstone. Keep reading.

It’s a strange experience, that I’m sure we are all seeing down the high street. Well known brands such as "Woolworths", originally an American company closed down, "Zavvi" another closure previously the "Virgin Megastore" just to mention a few.

It’s obvious the credit crunch is here to stay, an unwelcome guest we will have to deal with as best we can.

As freelancers I think we are always working to a tight budget, always networking and looking for the next project. If things start to get tight consider carefully by hiking your rates, during these difficult times clients are also looking for good deals.

Think about the services YOU are using now critical tools such as Freshbooks and Basecamp for example you may not be able to do without, but review your subscription plan. I know that some online services have rates based on the number of active clients you have. Check through you clients and see if any can be archived, typically they remain in the system but you need to reactivate then to use them – check your provider 1st.

Of course if you feel you cannot increase your rates, work smarter; create a library of code that you can re-use, likewise a library of plug-ins you always use. While this sounds simple it may allow you to push through a project quicker without dropping the quality of your work.

Remember that site you put together months ago? Revisit the client, ask them if they need any updates, the speed at which plug-ins are released you maybe able to provide additional services for their site.

Of course don’t panic, be aware of what’s going on with your business as well as your clients, and check those online services – they’re not going to tell you there is a better subscription option for you.

Starbucks; it's where I do my thinking and reviewing. An interesting placeif you're lucky it'll be relatively quiet apart from the shops day to day business. Typically some jazz playing in the background only interrupted by shouts for drinks and snacks. I've yet to bring my laptop into SB's and work for real – typically it's all paper based designs or hand written notes. It's true I use my iPhone a lot to write posts, chat with people on Twitter etc, but that's as far as my tech goes.

Haven't spend much time on the design this weekend, been putting my Mac back to how it was before the double glazing was installed. The Bose speakers are back and Time Machine is happy now its able to backup after 3 months! Later I'll add the tv tuner, card reader and fax modem back in.

I must admit I do luv my Bose speakers, anyone who was on twitter last night would have witnessed all my musical shouts from http://blip.fm which was fun.

Anyways I should be going, my Latte is getting cold – tweet you later.

Been a busy weekend, went through my blog re-indexed and re-categorised all the posts! That's over 1,000!
There are now no orphaned posts, cut down the number of categories to the minimum, this will help when I migrate the blog into a new site. All I have to do now is capture the whole blog with pictures and links.

Starting to think about what content I want in the new site; not even thinking about design or which platform to use; that's for later.

 

Just to say Mum lost the battle with an infection in hospital.

The last chapter of an epic life story was completed at approximately 04:00 on Thursday 27th November 2008 at the age of 84.

A wonderful person and a perfect mother in so many ways. She had a big heart always putting others first.

Mum, I miss you so much already – it may not always show on the outside, but my heart is sad, and you're never far from my thoughts -thanks for everything, love Martin.

I’m sorry that posts have been a bit far and few between lately; at least for my personal blog. for the past three weeks I’ve been busy at work costing and ordering for the next project I’m working on a wopping £660k’s worth! And guess what! Christmas is cancelled – I’ll be working at the data centre for most of December.

Mum is still in hospital, while her condition improves, she seems to be weaker every time I see or talk with her. Her medication always seems to be a balancing trick, I only hope they are still tweaking the many combinations, a we will see an improvement soon. Dad is soldiering on, although he caught the cold that’s floating around at the moment.

I was proud to have another guest post published at http//www.wearejustcreative.com and hope to write some more very soon.