Brad's Mind Vlog Video #1

If you like to check out my youtube channel, here is the link:http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv_jDo24VLZDyRmGaPYur8g

I hope you enjoy watching it. Stay tuned for more videos to come.

This is brad's mind signing off.

301 and Canonical vs 404 Error Pages

Sometimes you, including me get this problem when searching for a website. Just when you thought "yes, I found the website I was looking for, now time to click on it" and you click on it, this message pops up.

 

Not all 404s look like this.

(The image above was provided by google images)

Sometimes it’s not just that message it can be "coming soon" or "this site has been moved" and my personal favourite "I'm sorry the old site is longer available".

Now what do you do? Try to find it again? Or just hit close and give-up?

For some of you, try again to see if there is chance to find it again which is good. However the most of you like me just hit close, give up and call it a night.

This problem happens on occurrence on search engines such as Google, Yahoo, etc. As well this is the type of problem which can lead low traffic and lower your page-rank on your SERP.

Yesterday, I read an article on a website called searchenginewatch.com, as I scrolled hit next, I stumbled upon an article called "How and When to 301Redirects vs Canonical" written by Brad Miller.

Brad miller briefly explains 2 solutions, 301-redirect and the Canonical.

The 301 HTTP status code provides information to both the customer and search engine that the old web page no longer exist or it has been moved to a new location and provides the link to new page.

Brad miller also explains that 301 Redirect method has some has some cons to it such as:

·         Inputting the status codes may not be feasible sometimes.

·         It takes a bit longer for search engines to give the page authority of the old one.

·         The 301 redirect is used incorrectly for the wrong method to redirect the old page to the new page.

The article explains the time to use the 301 redirect, when the old page is no longer or moved. As well 404 page errors and content that is expired.

The Canonical on the other hand is different than the 301 redirect. Miller explains that it is used to provide the search engine the information on multiple pages of the same content with different URL’s and which one is the preferred web page.

This method as well has some cons to it:

·         Search engines don’t always pay close attention to the method.

·         The misuse of the redirect method by not including a large proportion of the content.

·         Another misuse of linking multiple pages by linking everything back to the first page. This will cause other to be not visible and confusion.

The article also explains the time to use of the Canonical, when you have content that is duplicated and want both to be live. As well web pages with multiple URLs of a single page.

Overall, for SEO or Search Engine Optimizers, it’s ultimately up you what you choose is the right redirecting method.

To me, there is no right or wrong answer to it. It just depends what you want to use for?

My choice would be the 301 redirect because it allows the web owner or SEO to explain to both the customer and the search what has happened to the old site and provide a link to the new one.

The Canonical in my opinion is a little too complicated for my perspective.

How does this fit in with the college course that I’m taking you may ask?

Well, we learned that we have to be prepared for arrives when a website has to be moved or maintained or updated. Having a redirect plan for this problem can easily rectify the situation.

Redirecting allows customers to access to content without having to re-search the web and keeps the traffic flow of the website going. As well it helps the search engine understand what is happening to the website and makes them see connection from the old page to the new page.

Before I go, I would like to give thanks to Brad Miller the author of the article “How and When to use 301 Redirect vs. Canonical”.

The article certainly helped me understand the options that are available to SEO on redirecting and the importance to how to properly using these options. As well when is the perfect time to use them.

I would like to thank Search Engine Watch.com for providing this great article. If you like to read more articles or like get to know the digital side of the marketing world?

Click on this link: http://searchenginewatch.com/

Thank you guys for your time, it feels great be to be blogging again.

Come back for more posts to come on September 20^th 2013 and more blog posts to come.

This is brad’s mind signing off.

Remembrance Day

The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier

Today is a special day for all Canadians. Today is the day when we take the time to remember and reflect on those served and sacrificed for our country and our freedom. As well, we honour those who continue to fight for our country in order for a better future. However, as I looked around at the Ottawa ceremony today, I wondered what does everyone remember?

As I stood there, I started to reflect on my very first Remembrance ceremony in public school during grade 2. On Remembrance Day, I also reflected on the service of my grandfathers and great grandfathers. One fought in WW1 with the cavalry; one who fought during the Second World War as an anti-aircraft gunner during the Blitz.

After the ceremony was over, I went to the local legion to have drink with my uncle and my father and talked with some of the veterans. As they explained their experiences and challenges they had faced, I realized the true nature remembrance day. They fought for a better future, for you, for me, and for everyone. 

I would like to say thank you to all veterans, past and present. Your sacrifice and service will never be forgotten and I urge you to wear a poppy and take a moment to remember. With the setting of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

Are Tablets the Newspaper of the Future?

The iPad, the newspaper of tomorrow?

Most of us read a newspaper every day.  They’re at the end of your driveway or in your mailbox waiting for you.  However, what would happen if you didn’t get the newspaper? How would you read it?  How about pulling out your iPad and reading it while you have your coffee or ride the subway to work.

Well, it could happen, as explained in the article “the Newspaper of the Future...”  The tablet, which was introduced only about a year ago, has started to gain a user base.  That was in 2010.  Imagine how many are there now.  As well, it explained that only 59% of tablet users still get their news from newspapers or magazines. 

After looking at the facts and statistics, a tablet like the iPad could change the focus of news where it would target the young and the old. I hardly read the newspaper but I do read the news on my iPod, so why not read it on an iPad. 

If people read their news on the iPad in the future, it will have a consequence, which will be good for our planet. If we download our news instead of buying newspapers, it would reduce the number of trees that would be cut down and reduce paper waste.  This in turn would help the environment ensuring that our future generations have a healthier and greener planet.

So will tablets be the newspaper of the future? It sure seems that’s the road we’re taking. The tablet is a fresh new technology and it has yet to reach its full potential. So, if you’re thinking of tossing your newspaper and getting a tablet, go for it. It’s a small price to pay for a greener future.

The White Coca Cola Can?

The Brand New Coca Cola Can; like it?

When you think of Coca Cola, so what comes to mind? The bright red label, however what if I told you that Coca Cola was changing the label from red to white?

Well it’s true, as explained in an article on the CTV News website that Coca Cola is changing the label colour but for a good cause. One of their beloved icons is in trouble. The polar bear population is dwindling and their habitat is slowly melting away. As the polar bear has such a big connection to Coca Cola, they have decided to provide millions of dollars to the World Wildlife Fund to help save the polar bears. 

"It's part of our overall campaign of how we interact with the communities in which we operate," he said. "It will continue to get stronger over time and better."

You can read more at: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/SciTech/20111025/coca-cola-polar-bears-arctic-111025/#ixzz1cBgykwgj

The polar bear; Canada's and Coke's popular icon.

So, could this work for Coca Cola? I think so because this can help Coca Cola’s image; into becoming a socially responsible company and helps further the connection between Coke and polar bears. What better way to raise awareness of a situation like by simply changing the colour of the can.

The Art of Apple

Hello and welcome back to my blog.

When we think of art, we think beautiful paintings or sculptures but how about an ipod or ipad? You may think that's not art but have you ever looked at your ipod or ipad? have you ever wondered how beautiful it is? Look at it, it's so sleek and cool. There was a reason why Steve Job's showed the back first and yes, the logo obviously but look at the details, the design of it.

As I read the article called the computer is modern art from Macleans it explained about how Steve Jobs revolutionized the way we look at technology today. Steve Job's idea that the design is just as important as how it works has influenced apple over the years of success. 

The look and changes of Apple through the years

Even in the article explains the Museum of Modern Art has an ipod displayed right now because it showed how it raised our expectations of all products.

So, is computers like the ipod modern art? Well not the technology inside of that computer, no that's just silly but the design of them. Imagine something that small and sleek as an ipod could probably make such a huge impact only based on the design of it. Still looking at your ipod? just imagine one day you might be seeing that in an art museum in your future.

Charles Darwin and Marketing?

Welcome back to my mind!

This month has been busy.  During my time I’ve been working my homework, tests, studying, however I finally took a moment to breathe and find out what has been going on in the world. As it turns out some companies have more problems to deal with than ever, while other companies are adapting. Maybe Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution doesn’t only apply to animals alone like the platypus.

Simply, animal lives in environment, animal changes abilities, survives in the environment or company sees competition, company changes advertisement, and the company survives. The best example is Mark’s warehouse, which was discussed in Kip’s class on Wednesday he explained “Mark’s warehouse was changing its logo to Mark’s to unify both the male and female consumers”.

To me, I feel this necessary change because they are trying to be unique, appealing to more than one demographic, and creating a new perspective. On the other hand, some have been suffering like RIM dealing with blackouts, shareholders, and Apple because they ignored the problem until it was too late, standing still where changes could have been made. There was a saying in battle“You stand still your dead “, that might apply to this.

At the end, who wins? Those who change, and evolve or those who don’t and stay where they are? It is your choice, but for me I feel it those companies who do change because as our world is changing like technology, etc and in turn we have too. During the course as I take these classes, I’m starting to think that there is more to it that just placing an advertisement or product  out on the market. Thank you again for reading.

This is Brads mind signing off.

So it begins...

Welcome to my mind everybody.

This is picture of myself, holding up my name.

During the month of September 2011, at St. Lawrence College, public blogging was the major topic of discussion and at first I felt like an astronaut on a different planet. Public blogging to me was something alien, however as the weeks went by and a little help from my teacher Frank, I slowly became intrigued and interested.

To better understand about blogging, on the 22nd, Frank explained that a blog "is like a web journal or diary, and that's yours to share to everyone". As well Frank explained that not just regular people us blogs as well business owners, musicians, and even celebrities like William Shatner really the guy from Star Trek. On the 20th, Frank, introduced us to Brook Johnson, a former student of St.Lawrence college, to further our understanding by explaining his experience and gave us helpful advice.

A blog is more than just professional, it's also personal, talk about things that your passionate about and that you have an opinion that you want to express to everyone

If you asked me "what's a blog" before I started college, I would have scratched my head and say "I don't know I never gave it any thought". Now it's becoming more interesting. Thank you for reading my first post, I hope you enjoyed it, and keep checking back for more.
This brad's mind signing off. Not literally.