WordPress Wednesday: Make Filename Lowercase

Published on Feb 16, 2011   //  WordPress

Even though some servers and some web browsers are able to skirt the issue, the fact remains that URLs are actually case-sensitive. This means that there is a difference between a file being called picture.jpg and picture.JPG.

For whatever reason, you may have some files with a mix of upper and lower-case characters, making for some challenges when you upload and share these files online. Overcoming this concern is the appropriately named Make Filename Lowercase.

This WordPress plug-in, which was built for WordPress 3.0.1+, does exactly what its name implies: it will automatically convert the filenames of all uploaded files so that they are entirely in lowercase. This includes not only the extension (like jpg), but also the filename itself.

This sounds remarkably simple, but it could help to reduce many of the headaches associated with maintaining media files through your WordPress-powered site. For more information, including the download link, head over to kliky.com.

Business 101: Different for a Reason

Published on Feb 15, 2011   //  Business Topics

When it comes to running any kind of business, you have to work to a certain extent to separate yourself from the crowd. You have to convince the potential customer that he or she should buy from you rather than the guy across the street.

Following in this philosophy, many companies throw in differentiating features just for the sake of being different. This might attract some initial interest, but it is much more important to be different for a reason. You have to ask yourself why a potential customer would want that differentiating feature in the first place.

The LG Optimus Pad (also known as the G-Slate) is a prime example of this. There are many tablets coming out this year and the Optimus Pad is the first to offer a 3D display. That sounds great, but why would a customer want a 3D display on a tablet at all? What is the motivation aside from the novelty factor.

This is why, when it comes down to your marketing materials, it makes much more sense to focus on the benefits rather than on the features. You sell customers on the benefits. You sell them on how these features will actually be valuable to them.

Great Gadgets: HP TouchPad webOS Tablet

Published on Feb 14, 2011   //  Gadgets

Great Gadgets: HP TouchPad webOS Tablet

The tablet market has really started to heat up. Up until now, the Apple iPad has had a stronghold on the niche, but many new contenders will soon be flooding the market. And this goes beyond Google Android too.

One of the more notable alternatives is the HP TouchPad. It doesn’t run on Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android. Instead, it makes use of the webOS platform from Palm, which was acquired by HP last year. This is the same platform that powers the Palm Pre 2, Palm Pre 3, and Palm veer smartphones.

With the HP TouchPad, you get a 9.7-inch touchscreen display, offering a size and shape not unlike the Apple iPad. It weighs in at 1.5 pounds and will be available in a number of configurations for storage capacity and 3G connectivity. Standard features include a front-facing camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and micro-USB.

No pricing has been confirmed, but reports on the Internet are pointing toward a June 2011 release with prices starting at $699.

BlueFur Customer of the Week: K3 Dreams

Published on Feb 13, 2011   //  BlueFur Customer of the Week

People from all walks of life choose to call BlueFur their online homes. One such scenario are the fine folks behind K3 Dreams, a company that focuses on providing you with a good night’s sleep.

K3 Dreams features a range of Drap Sante SweetSleep Products. You can check out the several different sleep sets, for example, that are available. They come in a number of different colors and material combinations.

Similarly, you’ll find the several different blankets to be great for these cold Canadian winters. They also have sleeping bag liners, house coats, bagholders, and even a Miss Tidy Bathroom Utility should feel so inclined. You can contact them to place an order or to get more information.

Do you use BlueFur to host your websites? Let us know and we can feature you in a future blog post. Send an email message to blogfeature@bluefur.com with your name, website URL, and a brief description of what you’d like to see highlighted.

Showcase Saturday: Graphite Theme

Published on Feb 12, 2011   //  Showcase Saturday

Are you a creative professional looking for a suitable WordPress theme for your website or blog? It can be challenging to find just the right one, but Graphite might prove to be a good option to consider.

Made available for free from MediaLoot, the theme has been made to allow for portfolio-style custom post types. There are two alternative home image slider templates, giving you more flexibility with custom admin settings as well.

The professional appearance features your highlighted post at the top of page, allowing older posts to filter through in traditional blog format below. The single sidebar, along with the header links, allow for easy navigation for your site visitors.

Check out the live preview of Graphite and then you can download it for free.

In The Sphere: O Canada

Published on Feb 11, 2011   //  In the Sphere

What did the blogosphere have to share with us this week? Let’s take a look.

Rebecca Bollwitt has uncovered something quite interesting about the national anthem of Canada. There was a different version created in Vancouver that was never fully adopted. The melody is the same, but the lyrics are entirely different. Try singing it for yourself!

Catherine, who many of the web know better as Her Bad Mother, recently wrote a post on things that are awesome. From Disney on Ice to being a Bloggie finalist, she has quite a few things to be happy about these days. The bandit squirrels are pretty awesome too.

MoneyNing has a guest post from H&R Block’s Leigh Mutart. The Community Manager reminds us that the so-called “sandwich generation” is eligible for tax relief when it comes to supporting their parents. This can represent a significant savings when it comes time to file your personal income taxes!

Darren Barefoot knows a thing or two about marketing. That’s why he’s quite disappointed with the call to action put forth by Fido. You’re not exactly a valued, loyal customer when you’re put on hold and told to jump through a number of hoops like anyone else calling in to customer service.

Slashfilm is usually a pretty good blog when it comes to anything related to television and movies. However, one of the best posts in recent memory is this ultimate compilation of characters saying, “No!” It may sound silly, but the eleven and a half minute clip has to be seen to be believed.

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