Exploring the Internet

Most people use Microsoft Internet Explorer or Apple Safari as their internet browser without ever actually exploring the different features and capabilities of the browsers that are out there. In the next week, I am going to be conducting a bunch of tests and create a bunch of reports about the different features and capabilities of the different browsers, which will lead to miLogos’ official endorsement of a particular endorsement. There will be three sections, and the bottom two after each section will be eliminated.

For example, the first section, conducted today, was the Speed Test. I started out with the following browsers:

-Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0
-Mozilla Firefox 3.5.1
-Opera 9.64
-Apple Safari 4.0.2
-Google Chrome 3.0.192.2
-Flock 2.5.1
-Maxthon 2.5.3

In the speed test, I took into consideration how long it took for the program to load up initially, how long it took for it to load up a large webpage (www.wave3.com), how long it took to load up a high-traffic website (www.facebook.com), and how long it took to open a new tab. Taking all of these into consideration, the results are as follows:

1. Opera 9.64 (20pts)
2. Apple Safari 4.0.2 (10pts)
3. Google Chrome 3.0.192.2 (5pts)
4. Maxthon 2.5.3 (3pts)
5. Mozilla Firefox 3.5.1 (1pt)
6. Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0 (0pts)
7. Flock 2.5.1 (0pts)

As noted before, IE and Flock have been eliminated and so will not continue into the next two sections: (A) Security and (B) User Interface. First place will always be awarded 20 points, second place will always be awarded 10 points, third place will always be awarded 5 points. In Section One, fourth place was awarded 3 points, and fifth place was awarded 1 point. Their total will be displayed next to their placement.

***Please keep in mind that although a particular browser may do well in one section of this experiment, all three sections are important when considering a new internet browser.***

SlideSnap HiView

SlideSnap HiView is a new product line for SlideSnap, that sells stock photography and visuals for use with church services and other events that need some sort of visual/background for the event. The collection is added to weekly, and anyone is able to buy images and videos that they like out of the files featured in the “Gallery.” The gallery will be fully operational by August 3, 2009, but that is not the only way someone can get images that they like. SlideSnap HiView also has DVD packages that go for $24.99 that have 50+ images, videos, and countdowns. Also, for those who are frequently or in the future will be frequently downloading images from the site, they can opt in to a subscription package.

More information as well as the gallery of images is available at www.slidesnap.com/hiview. Go check it out!

SlideSnap SlideShow

SlideSnap is a division of miLogos that is specialized in photography, and the SlideShow line of products has been going on even before miLogos came into existence. Whether it be a graduation, a wedding, a funeral, or some other special event, you can provide photographic memories to SlideSnap, and we will create a SlideShow that fits the pictures and the occasion. We have been making professional photo and video slideshows for almost seven years now, and we would love to help you out with yours. All you need to do is visit www.slidesnap.com/slideshow or contact us at slideshow@slidesnap.com and we will get in touch with you as soon as we can.

miLogos Website 5.0

It has been since January of this year that critical changes have been made to the miLogos website, but this summer we rolled out the next series of the Website.... version 5.0! But what exactly is different? Why did we make the changes we did?

First of all, the most recent version is built with DHTML code with a program that we use that is very similar to Adobe Dreamweaver. Except for miLogos 1.0, all the versions in the past have been put together using "image maps" where we developed a background image and then had certain areas of that image be links to other pages that were "image maps" as well. One big problem with this is that indexing sites like Google, Yahoo, and others couldn't read the text that was on the pages, because it wasn't actual "text," it was embedded into the image file. Also, if we wanted to change something to the page, we would have to create a whole new image file and a whole new map. Now, we just edit changes using the DHTML program. We will continue to do this with future miLogos website versions, as well as miLogos subsidiary and affiliate websites.

In changing to this format, we also changed some of the graphics. To see what exactly we changed, you can look at www.milogos.com and see the new graphics. Before we had red "buttons" and images that you could click on. Each department had its own website which was a little different than all the rest. We had several 4-page websites, rather than one 20-page website. Now everything will look the same, and no matter how many pages we add, it will still be one website. Our navigation buttons, titles, and text areas tie in better with the miLogos streamlined design than the red.

There are many other changes that we made, and we will continue to update the site, so be checking www.milogos.com frequently. We will also try to tell you on this blog each time we make a major change. If you have any suggestions for our website please email webs@milogos.com.

If you would like miLogos to design your website for only $4.99*, contact services@milogos.com.

*-Includes a simple 4-page website design. Additional fees may apply.

Fourth of July

Today was the fourth of July, a great marker of history for the United States. Summer 2009 has also been a great time for miLogos development. Sorry there have not been a lot of updates recently, from now on we will be posting more often. miLogos is releasing a lot of great services this summer. The list is below, but more information will be coming soon to this blog.

-miLogos Website 5.0
-SlideSnap SlideShow
-SlideSnap HiView
-miLogos Spiritual Design
-miLogos Web Design
-miPrint Studio Website
-and much, much more…

Keep checking back here and at www.milogos.com to stay up to date with miLogos developments. Also, be looking for a second miLogos blog that might be coming soon…

New Product Survey

miLogos is evaluating and drafting ideas about creating some new products and services to offer to businesses. We are always trying to offer cost-effective business solutions, but we need your help. Please click here to take our online survey with only 10 questions, or email us at feedback@milogos.com with your product idea!

Spiritual Design

Churches and other nonprofit organizations have design and marketing needs just as much as any other business, however because of the nature of a nonprofit, they may just not have the money to spend on high-priced designs and services that are offered to profitable businesses. miLogos realizes this, and that is why it has developed the Spiritual Design service line. Whether it be logo design, bulletin design, or website design, miLogos gives a discount to nonprofit organizations. In addition, there are a few services and products that we offer just for these nonprofit organizations.

One of them is the Background DVD and/or subscription service that we offer. This includes still and motion backgrounds, and will soon include countdown videos. For just $25, one will receive a DVD that has hundreds of images and videos that can be used in a worship service.

Another service we offer only for nonprofit organizations is the information center design. A welcome center/informational center is very important for nonprofit organizations that want to reach out to their community. It can include brochures, flyers, pictures, letters, booklets, etc. miLogos would love to help design these products as well as help set them up for the organization onsite.

If you are interested in any of these services, please email sd@milogos.com or visit www.milogos.com/sd for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.

Note: The Spiritual Design website is going to be changed very soon, and will feature more services when it is updated, so keep checking back!

SlideSnap SlideShow

Graduation is coming up soon, and what is a better way to celebrate it than to reflect back on the years that have passed by? The best way to do that is with a SlideSnap SlideShow that features pictures and/or videos of YOU. SlideSnap will compile all the photographs you provide and will make a slideshow that you can present at your party, a baccalaureate ceremony, etc.

Are you getting married? We would love to make you a slideshow that you can present at your reception.

Loved one passed away? Celebrate their life with a digital scrapbook.

Just email slidesnap@milogos.com to get started.

SlideSnap Photography and Website

miLogos is always looking to find a way to be available to the most people possible, and so miLogos is launching SlideSnap Photography very soon. What is it? SlideSnap Photography is a stand-alone subsidiary of miLogos, specializing in professional photography.

The website www.slidesnap.com will be devoted completely to SlideSnap Photography, offering all their products and services. On some services, SlideSnap will work jointly with miLogos, like the Worship Background service for the Spiritual Design serviceline from miLogos. However, such services like Photo Editing, Photo Restoration and Archival, Custom Photography,  and buying Stock Photography are exclusively available through SlideSnap.

Photo Editing packages start at only $3.99, taking care of basic needs that even amateur photography needs. For those who have old photography that is showing signs of aging, SlideSnap can restore those photographs to how they were originally, and put them in a digital format so that they will not continue to age. Custom Photography is excellent for anyone who wants to fill a wall with some nice nature image or a landscape of their family farm.

Stock Photography, however, is one of the products that SlideSnap wants everyone to know about. Starting very soon, thematic pictures will be posted on the website. Like one of them? Great! Just click on the image, and you can get it printed and shipped to your house! We will even frame it for you if you want. Also, for those who live in Fort Collins, there is no shipping costs, a SlideSnap representative will hand deliver it to you!

If you have any questions about SlideSnap Photography, please email them to slidesnap@milogos.com and we will get right back with you.

Are you a photographer and you want to have your work featured on the SlideSnap website? Just email me at mbeall@milogos.com and I would be glad to talk with you.

The Importance of A Website

The concept of having a website isn't new, but for some people its importance may not be that clear. Especially when in an economic crunch, a website may seem like the first logical thing to go. You may ask, "Why do I need a new website design?" or "Why do I need a website at all?" The answers to these questions are not easy to answer, as the answer is different for different industries and different individual companies. However, I have tried to outline some main things to consider while attempting to answer these questions.

Purpose
A website can be as simple as an electronic brochure, giving information about a company, or it could be an e-commerce site, allowing people to order services or products from the website. A website can host a podcast, or even allow for discussion rooms with potential clients and customers. It is important to figure out the purpose of the website before continuing in the process.

Once the purpose is discovered, it is important to fulfill this purpose by reaching goals. But how do you set these goals? If it is an informational website, success should be measured by how many people are actually viewing the site. If it is primarily a podcast, success should be measured by how many people are subscribing to it. If, and only if, it is an e-commerce site, should it be measured by how much revenue it is bringing in. When looking at these statistics, you may be surprised how important a website truly is. Just for kicks, put a sale or a tidbit of information that is only available online, and see how many people respond.

Still not liking the facts? Maybe you need to market your site better. To do this efficiently and in the most cost-effective way possible, miLogos can help you out.

Leading 3-click Rule
A website needs to be easily navigable, user-friendly, and visually appealing. First impressions are very important to a business, and so if the first page is an ugly puce color, unless they are buying monster doors, the viewer will turn into a "bouncer." A "bouncer" is someone who goes to your website, but their visit does not lead them any closer to buying your services or products. A website needs to lead the viewer to information pages, product pages, or order pages. This information should be no further away then 3 clicks, otherwise statistics show that the viewer will most definitely become a "bouncer." Three clicks: that means they go to the home page, click on a department page, click on a specific product information page, and then click on the order page. Not everything needs to be on the front page, in fact that is discouraged. This balance is very hard to find, however and market research may be required.

Privacy vs. Follow-Up
Another very hard balance to try to maintain is by allowing the viewer to maintain some privacy, while at the same time getting enough information from them to follow-up. It leaked out that political campaigns as well as news sites were putting cookies on viewer's browsers once they left the site, so as to see why they had left. Many people felt this was an invasion of privacy. Also, have you ever wanted to ask a question on a forum or make an order with a company, and the form is asking you everything about you except for your Social Security Number? Determining this balance, is difficult, yet essential. If you go to far on either side, you won't get any results.

Need some help with any of these processes? Want to put up a website at very little cost to you at all? miWebs is launching in April 2009, and with it comes a new web branding for miLogos, as well as more services to offer. Website design, hosting, and online marketing strategic consultations will become available for very little cost at all. Website design will start as low as $4.99/yr, website hosting for as little as $2.09/month (24.99/yr), and marketing consultations for just $30/hr. Want to begin before April rolls around? No problem! Just contact me at mbeall@milogos.com and we will see what we can do.

Apology

I just want to apologize for not keeping up to date with the blog. I have been so busy with Romeo and Juliet and other projects that I was unable to get on and do the weekly blog. However, I am happy to inform you that tomorrow the blogging will return with "The Importance of a Website."

Romeo and Juliet Poster

Just an update: The Poudre High School Production of Romeo and Juliet now has a poster design. They are going to hit press no later than Tuesday and then will start popping up around town. Also, be looking for bumper stickers and bookmarks with the production information. This is going to be a really exciting event, and miLogos is proud to sponsor it.

Change

I think it would be appropriate to apply the theme of Change to this week. Monday marked the last day that Former President Bush was in office, and was also the celebration of the achievements of Martin Luther King Jr. who aided in the changes needed for whites and blacks to live in harmony. Tuesday marked the day that President Obama was sworn in as our president, and was the day that miLogos adopted its new logo and Website 4.0. On Wednesday, Obama announced a policy of an open government that would collaborate with the American people, using technology, in a way it had never done before. Yesterday, Obama stated that the individuals at Guantánamo Bay Naval Base would be moved from this location, and put a policy into effect defining certain processes like water boarding as torture. With all these changes, I look forward to the future to see what else may be changed.

A man by the name of Benjamin Disraeli once said, “In a progressive country change is constant; change is inevitable.” I completely agree with this, and believe that it pertains to business as well.

I think that by adding the Department of Technology, and by creating a government that is going to be more open with the American public, the American Government is furthering its efficiency in accomplishing the goals set forth by our forefathers. I am really glad that President Obama has taken this stand.

I am also really excited for the changes taking place in miLogos. First of all, some restructuring is occurring, with some more people being added to the team. Without disposing of the synergy that should always be present, the Art Department, Design Department, and Photography Department will have products of their own. Certain products may require collaboration on the part of the departments; however this move is supposed to inspire productivity and measurements by specific departments.

The new logo, the fingerprint design is a better representation of the mission statement of miLogos. The mission statement, which is available on the new website under the “Company Info” link, and goal of miLogos, is to create products that the client can feel proud to call their own. It’s almost like their logo is their fingerprint, and they are happy to put that fingerprint on the designs that miLogos creates.

The new website, the desk has always been my dream for the website. Even the last website design, Website 3.0, was an attempt at file folders, but then morphed into what it did. I also like the way that it is set up, with a bunch of different mini-sites, instead of a bunch of pages under one humungous umbrella. This way, if one department or specialized product needs to be changed, or if the look needs to be altered, I don’t have to redesign the entire website, I can just redesign a certain mini-site. By the end of the weekend, the Spiritual Design mini-site will be up, and this new product will be a great way that miLogos can expand its audience. The miPrint Studio mini-site will also be added fairly soon, a new service that miLogos can offer. The miPrint Studio is a way that miLogos can offer very cheap printing services. To get a quote, simply email miprint@milogos.com or email me at mbeall@milogos.com.

I am so excited about all these changes, and I am also looking forward to the production of Romeo and Juliet by Poudre High School! (Pay attention to next week’s article for more information.)

A Special Day

I just want to congratulate President Obama on a great speech. What he is doing is really changing America, and I am looking forward to the next four years. We all need to put our opinions aside, pro or con, and see what Obama has to offer to our country before we judge. As Americans, we need to come together and unite in body, mind, and spirit.

On top of our new President, miLogos adopted its new logo today, and the Website Design 4.0. Check them both out at www.milogos.com.

I will speak more about these topics on Friday when I write my post on "Change."

Concept Behind A Name

I go to www.dexknows.com and click on Chicago, IL. I find several businesses with interesting names like, James Shoe Repair, Always Ready Repair Co, and Arts and Letters Ltd. Naming a business can be very important in determining a business' success. So why do so many businesses spend so little time on it? I really don't know.

There are many important things to consider when naming a business. First, one must take into account the purpose and the vision for the business, giving the customer or client a sense of identity. James Shoe Repair. Automatically, you know what the business does; it repairs shoes. A name like Arts and Letters Ltd, one would have to take a guess at what the business does, and people don't spend time researching that kind of thing. Even the biggest corporations take this into account: Coca-cola (it's a cola), Washington Mutual (mutual funds), Paramount Pictures (film).

The next thing is that your name needs to be something the business can work off of, and it needs to have an edge. Burger King is unique, creative, tells the consumer what to expect (burgers), and it gave them the opportunity to campaign with an "actual king." Every business needs to stand out, and the name can be very important to make this stand out. Another great example is that when you are going down the highway, and you see the famous golden arches and you start to get hungry. Even if you do not like McDonalds, you have given attention to them because they stand out. The golden arches come from the M, and if McDonalds was "Best Burgers," then the golden arches could not be used.

Another thing to take note from successful businesses is length. Starbucks, Target, Sears, Macy's, Barnes and Noble, Old Navy, etc etc. They are all short, and all give an immediate image in your mind. If Sears was actually named "Store Filled With Tools, Technology, and Clothes" then customer/client loyalty would be hindered by the simple fact that they couldn't remember the name. A name needs to be memorable, and the length of a name contributes a large portion to this.

When I named miLogos, I took into consideration all these aspects. I had a purpose (logo and graphic design) for this business, as well as a vision. I wanted the clients and customers of this business to feel like the designs they received were their own, and be proud about it. Almost as if they could put their stamp of approval on it, and call it theirs. When I came up with miLogos, this is exactly what I wanted to flow from this; its MY logo, its MI logo, we create MI logos...miLogos! It's creative, we have been able to create other products off of it (not to mention the newest, miPrint Studio), it fits the purpose of vision of the business, and it is memorable.

This coming Tuesday, miLogos is going to adopt its new logo, along with a new website, miLogos Website 4.0. I hope I am not giving too much away, but I will just say that the new design really reflects this concept of having a "stamp of approval" and the clients being able to call the designs their own. Lots of celebrations this coming week... Monday we are celebrating both Martin Luther King Jr's bravery and leadership in a social movement. Also on Monday we will be celebrating the past 8 years that President Bush has served our country, keeping the American people close to his heart in his decision-making, and leading our country the best way he knew how. On Tuesday, we will celebrate our new President Obama, and his ideas and plans that will go underway to help this country get out of a recession and global problems. I am looking forward to all these events, and hope that you will join me in these celebrations. Have an awesome week!

A Company's Image

All businesses have an image of their company, something that guides their progress, and is how they are seen in the community. A business does not need a logo to establish this image; it can be there without ever having a marketing scheme.

Large corporations are great examples of how businesses have images. Remember, however, that an image can be altered and changed, but it is also not necessarily malleable by the CEO. It’s the first thing that pops in your head when you think of the company.

Microsoft. Immediately, I think of Windows Vista, and its problems. That has reshaped the way that people feel about Microsoft. First description that jumps in my head is “flawed.”

Apple. Quality.

McDonalds. Cheap, Greasy.

Disney. Fantastical.

The list could go on and on. The thing to remember about an image of a company, is that it is how the general public sees the company. Out of the values and goals that the company has, the image is what the public notices. Although sometimes the public image may be negative, or positive; most of the time, it is neutral in nature, and the buyer still has to decide if the image is good or bad for himself.

A logo can help establish the basis of this image. Think of Disney, for example. Disney has many movies that are very realistic, and don’t involve any magic at all. However, their logo clip is a castle with a pixie enchanting it. This is what Disney wants you to think of when you think of Disney. And that is why although an image is determined by the public, it has a lot to do with the decisions of the company. One major decision is how the company markets itself.

miLogos has an image as well. A simple case study could be taken across Poudre High School, across Fort Collins, etc., to find what its image is. However, right now miLogos has not been exposed to a large population, and therefore still has a fair amount of room to create marketing slants and concepts to help shape this image. So, for the rest of this post, when I refer to miLogos’ image, I am referring to my goals for what it should be, not necessarily what it is.

As I said before, the logo and the way that a company markets itself helps mold this image. The logo that miLogos had this past year held one main concept behind miLogos; the logo had an edge of creativity, and was colorful. If you needed creative designs, miLogos was a great place to go. However, this didn’t fit the whole concept behind what miLogos’ image really is.
miLogos’ image is one of professionalism, creativity, cost-effectiveness, and ultimately creating something that the client can feel proud to call their own. miLogos is a professional company; when it comes to business, we do not just fool around. If something is promised to a client, it will get done, will be of superior quality, and will be done on time. miLogos wants the designs to be reflective of the client, not of miLogos; something that the client feels fits their needs, as well as something they can accept as their own. miLogos also wants to have the lowest price in town, without compromising the quality or any other elements of the company’s relationship with its clients.

The miLogos website is always changing, always being updated. This is to create this sense of creativity, and not being outdated. miLogos Website 4.0 is going to be an office desk, and then certain pages are zoomed in on different parts of the desk. This is to create a sense of professionalism, and show that miLogos values the workplace. The new logo goes hand-in-hand with the goal of creating something that the client can feel proud to call their own.

If you would like advice or guidance in establishing an image for your company, please email me at mbeall@milogos.com. If you have any questions, or would like to receive any of our services, please visit www.milogos.com or email me your question as well.

Don’t forget that on January 20, 2009, miLogos will release its new logo and miLogos Website 4.0. Don’t miss it!

miLogos in 2009

For those of you who are interested, here is an update on miLogos, as well as some of its goals for next year.

Two-thousand eight turned out to be a milestone for miLogos. The first year, and a whole list of things were accomplished. The miLogos team, trademarked as the miTeam, grew tremendously. A friend of mine, Josh Carrol joined the team as Sales Executive in June, as well as Krystal Kappeler joining at about the same time to be the Senior Graphic Artist. The Sales Executive position turned out to be a stressful and very difficult position for a new business, and Josh resigned later this past year. James Rogers was added to the team as a Design Consultant and an Editor. Ryan Barney was added in the beginning of December as an Intern to help in the Arts Department. Rachel Brinks was added to the team just a couple days ago as a photographer, and there are more to come in the days to come.

Our first client came before the registration process with the city had even been completed. Several other clients came to miLogos to use our services, and miLogos was able to get out its name to the city of Fort Collins. That being said, there is always room for growth, and that is why I see a lot ahead of us in 2009.

First of all, miLogos is going to extend its community service by doing the Romeo and Juliet poster for the Poudre High School production, as well as marketing the show. Krystal Kappeler is working on the art that will be featured in the poster, and Rachel will most likely be doing the photography that will be featured in the poster. I am really looking forward to this production, as well as designing the poster. It will be fun marketing to both a Hispanic population as well as the white population.

Another huge undertaking of miLogos is Spiritual Design, a new product that really is still in the brainstorming stage. This product is going to feature simple services like Bulletin Design, Logo Design, and Worship Backgrounds at a discounted cost to non-profit organizations. This will be a great opportunity for miLogos to reach out to a different market, and will hopefully help expand miLogos' capabilities. That being said, in order for this to work properly, there will need to be a couple more additions to the miTeam.

On top of these two huge projects, miLogos is also going to have a new logo design, and a new streamline design to go along with it. At 12:01am, January 20, 2009, miLogos will unveil its new logo design. The website (www.miLogos.com) will be drastically changed to accommodate the new design, the new look. miLogos is a graphic design company, and needs to show its diversity. So although it is important to keep the same image for a company, the actual logo may need to change due to different markets that we are reaching out to, and different missions that the company chooses to take on. This is why I feel it is important that we adopt this new logo on January 20, but at the same time, I am not going to throw away the old logo design. Ryan Barney is largely responsible for this design, and I commend him for his creativity. Without me even telling him the mission of miLogos, he was able to encompass that mission in his logo design. I look forward to this event.

If you would like to be part of the miTeam, would like to know more information about miLogos, or would like to comment or make a suggestion, feel free to reply to this post or email mbeall@milogos.com.

Happy New Year!