I have been advertising my website www.eyebag.ca left right and center these days. One avenue of my advertising has been thru facebook.com. I created an EYEBAG group, where I invited all of my friends to join, who then decided to invite their friends to join.

One particular 8th grader decided that he knew better than me...  I am a humble guy, open to everybody's opinion and always willing to learn as much as I can from whoever I can.

I will paste for you our conversation... I kept it professional with him, however I must say I am a bit frustrated. Check it out:

8th grader says:

Comments on the website:
1) Tangled code very? Like I can still see it, but is there a real need for a image preloader when you can beautify it with CSS? Actually, there isn't that many images anyway and the preloader probably lengthens loading time.
2) WHY advertisements? They detract from professionalism and can draw users away. And you shouldn't be paying so much for hosting anyway that it's needed.
3) Why have some parts externally hosted? Blog, forum, polls can all be done by yourself (integration might be a bit harder but it's doable...)

I haven't done any serious devving in months, but there's some of my comments

Sepy Replies:

Hey man I appreciate you taking the time to look @ the site and give me your feedback.

Basically I am a Dreamweaver rookie, and everything I know is self taught pretty much. I am just proud of the fact that I am able to make a successful website with E-commerce without outsourcing it for 1-3 grand.

As far as image preloaders go, I don't even know what that means so shed some light on that for me por favor.

Now advertisements make money... It's an affiliate program that iTunes graciously accepted my website for. And seeing as my product is one for your iPod, iTunes is a very fitting party to be affiliated with. Any professional site you look at has advertisements so I don't see your point of view in that sense.

And I use 3rd party programs (such as my blog or my message board) because first of all I am not interested in spending money to purchase a software and take the time to learn something new that will ultimately do the same thing it's doing now.

Also, vox.com is currently hosting my blog, and the reason I have chosen them is because of the large amount of exposure it gives me to different groups of people. I can join groups, I can build a network of 'friends', I can create links to my website from there, and that will end up showing up on google when people search for my keywords, since vox.com is already a highly respected website.

As far as a web developer point of view you may be correct in the things you said. I could be doing a lot of things differently.

However from a marketing point of view you are very very wrong. I have read literally 100's of articles online regarding marketing in new media as well as a book i purchased a couple of weeks ago. My reading combined with my hands on learning has taught me a great deal in regards to E-commerce and Marketing, and I hope I can pickup a lot more soon!

Once again, thanks for the feedback.

8th grader replies:

ok one point at a time:
1) Search engine optimization is not hard and it doesn't cost anything. You just need to place the correct keywords between <meta name="Keywords" content="keywords, separated by commas" /> and the correct description <meta name="Description" content="description goes here, keep it relatively short as it's what shows up under the title when you do a google search." /> After that, just submit your site to search engines and wait a few days. It works. (Google "ewdin" for an example, the first hit is my website. Yes, I know it's broken right now because I got a new server in my garage and while I've set up almost everything else, I haven't had time to properly edit apache2.conf. So you don't really need to rely on other sites, I do agree that having friends/groups can be beneficial (why bands, etc have MySpace, etc)

2) Yes, advertisements make money, but they *IMHO* detract from the elegance of the site. I've grown so used to living with Adblock that whenever I see Facebook without it, I get shocked by the Flash ads. iTunes ads = okay. On-page text or static banner ads = okay. pop-up/animated ads = bad... again, in my opinion. Marketing isn't my field of expertise though, so again you may be right.

3) regarding the image preloader, I had a second look. It's not that big, but there's other JavaScript code that I have no idea about. This is what I'm referring to:
function MM_preloadImages() { //v3.0
var d=document; if(d.images){ if(!d.MM_p) d.MM_p=new Array();
var i,j=d.MM_p.length,a=MM_pre

loadImages.arguments; for(i=0; i<a.length; i++)
if (a[i].indexOf("#")!=0){ d.MM_p[j]=new Image; d.MM_p[j++].src=a[i];}}
}
From my limited grasp of JavaScript, it tells the browser to fetch the images first then the rest of the page. This could be desirable or undesirable, it depends. I'm not really going to decide on that as they can be beneficial to say, slideshows, but honestly I don't think a static page needs it.

4) There is no need to spend money on blogging software or message board software or polling/survey software. Plenty are available. Have a look at WordPress (http://wordpress.org/) for blogging software and phpBB (http://www.phpbb.com/) for message board/forum software.

And... you mentioned shipping on the site?
Have you got a Canada Post VentureOne card?
(http://www.canadapost.ca/business/intsol/sb/ventureone/default-e.asp)
5% discount for shipping parcels and (supposedly, I haven't tried even though I have one, as I just mail everything small packet/lettermail as it's cheap) there should be, on top of the 5% off, a free upgrade to Expedited Parcel from Regular Parcel.
There are times when you can't drive to everyone's house :P

Sepy replies:

As much as I think you are so smart and on the right track, I think the problem lies within the fact that you are an 8th grader with little experience attempting to give directions to a guy who's been an entrepreneur for a long time now.

As far as code goes, you are absolutely right, i should clear up that messy code ASAP. that is true.

However in response to everything else you said:

If SEO was as easy as keywords and meta tags, googlebot would crash and die. Back in march 2004, google implemented the "sandbox" technique to website indexing. After your website has been submitted to google, it is placed in what is known as "the sandbox" where your site and all the other new sites can play together far away from the REAL websites. After an approximate 3 month grace period, if your website is still around and being maintained regularly, then you will begin to see your site move up in the ranks... IF it is fully optimized to google's standards.

They do this to keep the 'spammer' websites from weasling their way to the top of the charts and gives websites with a bit more history and stability a chance to shine. Google is revolutionary and would not be so popular if any website could get to the top by placing a few effective keywords in their <head> tag.

Now the reason ewdin shoes up firs on my google search is this:

Firstly, ewdin is not a word, and is not a word that many people would make up because it's not aan appealing word. It starts with EW! Therefore your odds of reaching the top are higher. Secondly, i took a look at your /index of the site, and noticed your oldest folder on there dates back to 2004, and second oldest to 2006; this proves my point. Your site has been online for a long time, functional or not... and you don't even have a homepage with keywords so how do you expect me to believe keywords got you there?! It's all about being the seasoned website.

Now as far as ads go...I never visited a website and said " ooh this website is elegant, there are no ads. I want their product! " ...

When people see ads, especially ones that relate closely to your website (not the fart button ad) they feel like they can trust your website. They feel as if it's a real and respectable source to make a purchase online. If you are making an online portfolio of your work, obviously you don't put ads... but for a commercial website man, you HAVE TO. You are so incredibly wrong on this point, or at least I am misunderstanding you... but you need to rethink this particular piece of advice if you are thinking about going into E-commerce. University professors have written books that tell you to get affiliated with relative businesses. You are not smarter than them! lol

And trust is an issue that rises when it comes to my shipping also. Ebay uses paypal... Ebay is amongst the oldest and most trusted and most visited websites IN THE WORLD! Paypal is the best way to make payments online... they accept EVERYthing and they allow me to setup my shipping however i damn well please. You have to realize my business does not consist of the lower mainland... I have shipped to Japan, Germany, US.... and there have been no problems or complaints. My shipping is not established as a last resort due to a lack of understanding. It has been implemented because that is the way I have chosen to run my business. If some joe shmoe goes to my website from hong kong, and sees CANADA POST as method of shipping, they will turn and run! When they see Paypal, an international source of funds transfer, they will feel comfortable knowing that their hard earned money is in good hands! Trust me man!

And as far as wordpress goes, It may be fully integrated into my site, but I don't want that. Then I have to advertise my blog as well! Vox advertises my blog for me! I created a group, so many people have joined so far, my website is all over that group... AKA I'm getting hits! I don't have a blog because I feel compelled to tell the world what I ate for breakfast! it is for advertising only! once Eyebag is as big as Nike, then I will have my team of 10 programmers create me the best damn blog you h ave ever seen and half the world will comment on it... until then, vox does the job so that I DON'T HAVE TO!

Rule #1 Don't work harder, Work smarter!

Same thing applies to my message board, I just am looking for customer feedback. If they are happy with my product, they will write a review, and as you can see, they are! I don't need anything fancy, i need functional, and I know that if i try my hand at that open source crap, i will screw something up, and I really have way more marketing to worry about that programming at the moment. Years later my programming crew will hook that up too. My site is aesthetically pleasing enough that people are making use of it. I don't need a fully customized message board... it won't change a thing!

I do once again appreciate your positive criticism, however.

TO BE CONTINUED...

I would like to know what you all think about what he said and what I said. I am not looking for anybody to side with anybody, I just would love to hear all of your feedback. So far those who have commented on me seem to be very smart and enlightening.

Lemme know!

Eyebag Guy Signing Out
www.eyebag.ca

Today was a great day. I woke up and enjoyed my breakfast. Watched Oprah with my mother... the usual. Then I went to pick my brother up from school, and I took along my trusty EYEBAG.

After i picked him up, we rolled down to the beach where we met a few friends. Being lazy under the sun ensued. soaking up sun rays, talking smack, wishing we had a ball to throw around. All the good stuff. But we were missing something... MUSIC!

So this is what i said: Don't worry guys! I have my EYEBAG!

What's an Eyebag they asked.

Eyebag is my trusty iPod bag. It comes fully equipped with an advanced speaker system that plugs directly into your iPod and blasts music that could turn the whole beach into a sandy outdoor rave! And not only does it play music, but it carried my blanket, suntan lotion, and snacks for the beach (amongst other random paraphernalia).

So we all jammed out to my wicked iPod blasting thru the awesome power of the EYEBAG!

Next we all decided we were hungry for food, so we rolled down the street to earls where we continued to listen to the EYEBAG while eating our dinner and conversating. Everyone around us was amazed by the performance of the EYEBAG and immediately asked me where I got it.

Yes yes, women wanted me and men wanted to be me. All because of the almighty EYEBAG!

Afterwards we all decided to head over to Delaney's (local coffee shop) for some London fogs and other flamboyant and metro sexual beverages. Once again the EYEBAG was the center of attention, continually blaring background music that created such a mellow and joyful vibe for all of us. A photographer even came over and asked if he could photograph us all jamming out to the EYEBAG. We all clearly posed for an offensive amount of photographs.

As I went home tonight, i realized how much fun this little bag can be, and how practical at the same time! It's carrying around everything I need, it looks cool, and it plays music... AND IT GETS PEOPLES ATTENTION!

I LOVE PEOPLES ATTENTION!

I think everyone needs an EYEBAG for this hot summer we have coming up... it really couldn't hurt and it really is quite affordable.

Check out the site: www.eyebag.ca

GET YOUR EYEBAG ON!

Eyebag... Do you?

EYEBAG GUY Signing out... for now
www.eyebag.ca

It was over a beer at the Rusty Gull pub in north Vancouver that I realized the incompetence of a large population of the united states...

We were discussing politics and such when the subject of US citizens arose. The battle between "Zed" and "Zee".

Everytime I have visited the states, and gone to a store to buy something they often ask me for my name. My first name, simple, Sepy... S-E-P-Y. My Last name not so simple, Bazzazi... As i begin spelling the name out to them i am halted by the third letter.

Sepy: BEE, AYY, ZED...
US Store clerk: *looks at me, shocked*
Sepy: *ahem* ZED ZED...
US Store clerk: (nearly gasping) Zed???
Sepy: Oh sorry, ZEE ZEE AYY ZEE EYE.

at the time i spell the name out in their desired american fashion. However it is much later that I realise the utter ridiculousness of this scenario.

When an american comes to the US and for whatever reason spells out a word with a 'Z' in it, they say ZEE. Us Canadians understand completely what ZEE means. we take it with a grain of salt... no harm no foul.

When Canadians go to the states, we need to follow their special alphabet, and if for some reason we accidentally say ZED instead of ZEE. We are frowned upon in such a manor that we feel as if we have personally offended the other person.

NOW WHY IS IT THAT CANADIANS MUST KNOW WHAT ZED AND ZEE IS, WHILE IGNORANT AMERICANS MUST ONLY KNOW ZEE ?!?! IS IT BECAUSE THEY ARE BETTER THAN US?!

This is only the tip of the ignorance iceberg.

I hope one day  we too can rise above this and many other challenges presented to us by the United States.

My aim is not to offend any American as i do like the states and enjoy shopping and vacating there whenever possible, however i do feel you guys have some stuff to work on!

Eyebag guy Signing out for now.
www.eyebag.ca

I recently posted a poll on my website asking people if they were given 1 million bucks to bet on the upcoming UFC match between chuck and quinton, who would they bet it on. (www.eyebag.ca/poll.htm)

So far the winner in the peoples head (or at least who they hope will win) is Chuck the Iceman Liddell.

I am one of thosse people. Not only do i want him to win, but I think he will win. Liddell has come a long long way and gained a lot of experience ever since that pride match when he lost to Rampage initially. Not to mention so far 2/3 of his losses were avenged in the rematch. Now this is the third one. Liddell has been training hard and I am very confident he will take this match via knockout. It will be very weird seeing rampage knocked out, since he's such a freakin animal. The self proclaimed 'werewolf' has never been knocked out before but i think he even has doubts about this match in the back of his head.

Definately will be one of the tougher fights of both of their careers but i hope Liddell comes out on top!

check out the poll and vote for yourself!

www.eyebag.ca/poll.htm

EYEBAG Guy Signing out!
www.eyebag.ca

Damn Google

For the past some time now I have been learning as much as I can in regards to E-commerce and whatnot. Learning how to put together an online storefront that is appealing to viewers on a conscious and subconscious level. My goal is to get visitors to my site, get them to stay a while and enjoy the scenery, and then to buy!

Isn't that everyones goal?

I wish i could say "I did it! And we all lived happily ever after!" and that would be the end of this post... however, I am still a young jedi in the world of online sales/marketing strategies. I have done much research on Search engine optimization, as well as found many forums with relative themes as that of my website. However there is only so much forum posting one can do (no not spam! I actually respond to posts!) to advertise their site.

I am pleased to say that I have learned quite a bit from the internet, and a lot from my friend Cas (check out his blog, click here!). He is a real genius when it comes to the web. And although I have made much progress, the 'quest to be my best' if you will has not even really begun. I am scratching the surface really... and that is why I'm so excited about my new purchase on a visit to !ndigo books today!

I was surprised to find that indigo didnt have shit all for you in regards to the internet, unless you were looking for a "dummies guide to email" or "internet for seniors" book. However, on my empty handed journey towards the !ndigo exit, I came across and tower of paperback books. The one that immediately caught my eye:

Marketing In The New Media By Holly Berkley.

I picked up the book and skimmed the front and back covers, and I was reading things like "Dramatically boost website traffic" and "Increase online exposure and sales". By this point I was ecstatic and took my $21.87 book to the desk where i proceeded to whip out my !rewards card.

Although I have not cracked the book open yet, I still feel 30% more educated just being in the presence of this magnificent paper miracle. Well let's not speak to soon... I would be very upset if this book sucked.

In the meantime, help me out and visit my website www.eyebag.ca

Cheers,

Eyebag Guy Signing Out
www.eyebag.ca

In 5 words or less, who are you? 
Submitted by dejablu503.

Destined for Greatness

Who is your favorite video game character? 
Submitted by Korgoth.  

Ummm, so many to choose from, however I will easily say: Solid Snake. I have never enjoyed being anybody in a video game as much as him. Ryu is clearly also a classic but not nearly as incredibly cool as Snake. He is a lady's man, he is rugged and brutish. He is strong like a wild bull. He has skills. He wears a bandana. his voice is sexual and violent. he is a soldier. he has guns. he does not speak unless spoken to. he does not share his opinions. he has no fear. it's his way or the highway. he has a problem with authority. god i could go on forever. He is such a man's man. You really can't mess with Solid Snake.

I really wish they would make the movie.

Eyebag Guy Signing out
www.eyebag.ca

Logitechkeyboard

Ever since my ALT button has stopped working, the whole rest of my keyboard has begun to fall apart. Since a keyboard is a vital part of my computing/gaming experience (not to mention, who wants to use the on screen keyboard?!) I have been on the market for a new keyboard. I did not want something that was going to cost me battery money with it's cordlessness. I mean who sits 20 feet away from their screen just so they can test how far away they can headshot someone from in CS? Gimme a break.

Anyways, I started my hunt and i found the Logitech G15 Keyboard. Clearly i took a second look at the G15 because it had a fold out LCD screen on top of it... yep you heard me. Check out the photos:

This LCD Screen shows a you a lot of useful things such as:

-System Status
-Media player info
-Timers & Clocks
-CPU Use and avail. memory
-And for you gamers (like me :D) it displays, somehow, all of your important gaming info (ammo, health, etc..)
-Lots more stuff

Logitechkeyboard4

Now you can also program up to 18 'G' Keys to quickly access any file/folder/program/game... anything you want. SO basically you wanna launch your porn folder? click G1...(get your priorities straight :P)

My favorite part of the keyboard is the volume and media control nobs. So great... You have all of that on this keyboard and by simply installing the software you are putting full media control at your fingertips rather than changing the volume tediously thru the screen. I know it's not new technology but fuck it's great.

This keyboard includes also 2 Low power USB slots, for things such as your mouse or headphone... pretty cool idea no?

Logitechkeyboard3

Okay now what really sold me on this keyboard, which I can't wait to see in person, is the fact that the keys and the LCD both have blue backlighting. so you can be sitting in the complete dark, and you will see exactly where your fingers are. Really helps for those people who never aced keyboarding class with the whole ASDF JKL: method. I myself have perfected the art of index and thumb typing. I can probably type faster than many trained professionals! I just like the cool blue backlighting idea... will add nice ambience to my office.

Now the system requirements for this Keyboard are as follows:

PC With Pentium Processor Or Compatible
256MB RAM
20MB Hard Disk
CD-ROM Drive
USB Port
Windows XP or Vista

And the pricetag on this beauty is only about $140 Canadian... give or take a few bucks depending on where you shop and if there's a sale that day or if your cousin works in the black market. *ahem*

If you're on the market for a new keyboard, try not to ignore my advice for I am a genius. :D

Thanks for reading

Eyebag Guy Signing Out
www.EYEBAG.ca
 

What item(s) do you have to prevent yourself from buying at the grocery store? 
Submitted by Places Unknown.

haha... great question. there are many things. I will list them off:

-Condoms (i just like the fancy packaging and colors... they seem like fun but who needs them)
-Oreo cookies (eating 1 means you end up eating the whole box, which means you end up buying another box... which means you will be 300 pounds in 1 year)
-Magazines (especially the ones with beautiful women on the cover)
-Feta stuffed Peppers from the deli (those things are expensive and delicious.. but leave a burning sensation in your mouth after, and there never seems to be water around when i eat them in my car)
-M&M's from the bulk section (if you buy the equivalent of 3 packs of M&M's from the bulk section, it will cost you around $16... don't let the apparent abundance of M&M's fool you into buying them)
-Breakfast sausage (i love it so much oh god. I could eat breakfast sausage all day... so bad for you)
-Eyebag iPod Bags ... (oh wait... the grocery store does not sell these... but www.EYEBAG.ca DOES!!!)

There may be others but for now this is enough.

Eyebag Guy Signing Out!
www.eyebag.ca

What's happening-

Look i'm going to get straight to the point:

first of all, read the post directly below this one because it is freakin cool.

second of all, I want you to do me a favor and follow a link and help me out with something.

http://digg.com/apple/EyeBag_iPod_Bags_The_greatest_iPod_accessory_yet

visit that link and click "DIGG"... it would be greatly appreciated and if you do it I will give you 1 million dollars. Just leave a comment and let me know you did so i can send you your million dollars! ;)

Thanks Guys

Eyebag Guy Signing Out
www.eyebag.ca