Reviewadelic

Thetextpage.com a PR Stunt or the real deal?

2009-06-21T16:56:00.001+01:00

I’ve come across some dodgy websites in my time, which have been set up to create money with an untrue story behind it. Themilliondollarhomepage (selling pixels to advertisers), set up by Alex Tew, strings to mind as it’s story seemed credible with the poor student that doesn’t want to be in Uni debt but wants to study. Until I realised he was a middle class lad who had financial support at his finger tips and he immediately dropped out of university after making 1 million and a vast amount of press coverage due to his fake sob story.
Then 4 years later I come across a similar story about budding entrepreneur Spyros Pyrgiotis who is selling text to advertisers on his website thetextpage.com to raise his 17,000 university fees. At first I put Spyros in the same category as Alex and thought another lying student using a sob story to gain money but then I actually read his blogs and the article in The Independent newspaper and changed my mind.
Spyros comes from an island in Greece where unfortunately his working class parents cannot support him and as he’s been in the UK less than 3 years he cannot even get a loan or any financial support what so ever. Then I thought well get a job like the rest of us but realised he does work but will not earn enough by September 2009 when his MBA course starts. So already the story defers a lot as Alex, unlike Spyros, actually had a student loan but basically didn’t want to leave Uni and be in debt. Spyros’ tale is different as if he doesn’t raise the money he doesn’t go to University and his dreams are shattered so back to Greece he goes.
My conclusion is get onto thetextpage.com and support Spyros as he is genuine and a true grafter. He is selling text to advertisers for $2 (1.30) per character and you get to choose the colour of your choice and when the page gets refreshed the text changes position on the page. Cheap as chips and helping a good cause.

Are geeks better than buff men in bed?

2009-05-29T10:01:00.000+01:00

Who would have thought that those who work in the tech sector are less selfish in bed and more open to using sex toys, whilst the same research also found that those who work in the fitness industry or were regular gym-goers were more likely to be selfish and think of their needs above their partner’s. This was all discovered from a nationwide research of over 2000 people in relationships.
An anonymous study of 2,084 British men and women in relationships conducted by the UK’s leading independent PS3 videogame and console site has found a correlation between geeks and their openness to pleasing a partner in bed, with four in five agreeing that sex should be more about ‘the partner’, as opposed to people who worked in the sports and fitness industry where just 41% agreed. That is quite a shocking result.
The question “During sex, do you consider your partner’s sexual needs above your own?” prompted the following responses, with over half of fitness workers and business owners proving to be the most selfish in bed:
Men that answered ‘yes’ broken down by sector in which they work,
1. IT workers – 82%
2. Office workers – 74%
3. Unemployed – 69%%
4. Manual workers– 53%
5. Business owners – 49%
6. Sports and fitness workers – 41%
Mike Elsmore, head developer of PS3PriceCompare.co.uk said,
“This study was initially just a fun idea between myself and my friends, wondering whether due to the more ‘methodical’ nature of us tech-minded individuals, our sex lives were any different to say, business owners or fitness buffs.
“The response by the participants that made me giggle the most was that those of us more into gadgets and new technology were more likely to use sex toys with our partners, something that with hindsight may have been obvious before the box was ticked!”

Iran love Obama

2009-05-17T16:35:00.000+01:00

Believe it or not the world’s leading people search engine has found that Barack Obama is the most searched for individual around the world and the most searched for person in Iran. Go Obama!
The statistics from yasni are based on 50 million searches in Q1 2009 from across the globe and despite media speculation surrounding the relationship between the US and Iran, the diplomatic approach that the Obama administration has adopted has resulted in a growing interest in Obama.
The results from www.yasni.com reflect a huge increase in searches for Obama from Iran in the last 3 months. The overall Top 5 searches for yasni.com worldwide are as follows:
1. Barack Obama
2. Michael Jackson
3. Nelson Mandela
4. Mugabe
5. Kaka
Steffen Ruehl, CEO and Co-founder of yasni confirms,
“Barack Obama is going from strength to strength according to our results and demand for more information about him has been growing by the day; this really reflects the increased global media interest in Obama and his ability to seamlessly become a citizen of the world.
“It is interesting to see the correlation between people from all across the globe; there may be thousands of miles between us but we all share an interest in politics, pop music and football!”

Staff wages may contain errors within small businesses

2009-05-01T12:54:00.000+01:00

Surprise, surprise; A survey carried out by GfK NOP for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, 11% of small employers said they still use manual tables to calculate the tax and NI on their staff wages, despite computerised tools being freely available.
Using the manual tables entails, every pay day, looking up figures in several tables and then combining the numbers using simple arithmetic. For a typical employee, this involves looking up numbers in at least 3 tables and carrying out 8 arithmetic steps. The tables, complete with instructions, can be downloaded from HMRC’s website or ordered by telephone from the HMRC Employer Orderline.
There are many computerised tools available to make calculation of tax and NI simpler. These include commercial payroll packages, web based services and free tools on HMRC’s website. I think this is lazy and ridiculous especially because it’s free. Businesses who don’t do this are not progressing and will lose staff because of it.
The Payroll Site is one web-based service designed to make payroll calculations simpler. Managing Director, Steven Tucker, said "I'm amazed that anyone has the patience to use the manual tables for anything other than a one-off check. I tried this when I first operated PAYE a decade or so ago and I found it time consuming and error prone – and I’m a maths graduate." He continues, “That’s why we first launched our website: to make life easier for small employers, so they can just click a couple of buttons, print their payslips and get on with running their business.”.

Men dominate White Vans

2009-04-19T10:52:00.000+01:00

Well there’s no surprise that 75% of van drivers are self-employed and are men, according to an in-depth analysis of 65,000 Swinton Commercial Vehicle Insurance customers. The analysis found that 96% of the van drivers were male with an average age of 37. That’s seems correct to me as whenever I peer into a white van there’s a middle aged men with a cap on behind the wheel.
The analysis was carried out in preparation for the start of Swinton Commercial’s new van insurance “Quote and Buy” scheme, which recently launched with a market-leading offer of 1/3 off all new policies.
Insurer Development Manager for Swinton, Steve Chelton, confirms: “As builders, painters, plasterers, and other tradesmen, commercial vehicle drivers play a vital role in our economy and we should celebrate the work they do every day – especially at this difficult time. And to help workers through these difficult market conditions we are offering motorists 1/3 off all new commercial vehicle policies.”

Happy 115th birthday

2009-04-11T10:16:00.000+01:00

Yes this is not a joke, Gertrude Baines is officially the oldest person in the world as recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records. Born in 1894 in Shellman, Georgia Ms Baines has celebrated her 115th birthday with a probably the Worlds biggest birthday cake. She even received a letter from the President of the United States Barack Obama, who she voted for "because he's for the coloured". She owes her long life to the lord, not smoking or drinking and not fooling around. Let’s hope I can stick to these rules and maybe I can live that long. Doubt it. Happy birthday Getrude.

Kids Get Ruder

2009-04-10T15:20:00.000+01:00

A study among teachers has confirmed that pupil’s behaviour has got worse over the past few years. Teachers are now used to being insulted and disrespected by school children while trying to teach. The survey was conducted by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), which found that three quarters of teachers confirmed that pupils use mobiles phone in class as well as ignoring their requests. I say it is the job of their parents to make sure they show respect to their elders. Teachers are there to help you learn, although I must admit you don’t quite see it that way when you’re at school. However, they is no need for pupils to be abusive, rude and disrespectful towards people who are there to effectively give you a good education foundation. Although I am way to young to have felt the effects of the cane I believe it should have never been taken away.

Gaga-tastic

2009-04-08T17:48:00.000+01:00

This young lady is truly taking over the music scene, I can’t escape either hearing Poker Face or seeing a picture of her in her knickers. When I first saw her music video- Let’s Dance I thought it was Christina Aguilera as she does sound similar and the blonde hair makes them seem alike. The only difference is Christina clearly has a stronger vocal ability while Gaga makes up for this with her funked up lyrics and music style. I also admire Gaga for her fashion sense, I know it is outrageous and shocking at times but who says everyone has to follow fashion? She is making a statement with her clothing and her music and good for her, may she rein the charts for a long time to come.

Not available in your country

2009-04-06T09:10:00.001+01:00

What the hell is going on with Youtube? I would use Youtube specifically to watch music videos and occasionally a hilariously stupid video someone had sent me. But now thanks to Google’s refusal to pay Performing Rights royalties I can only access about 20% of the music videos I want to see. It’s a real shame as Youtube was a place where you could go to find almost any video and now it’s plummeting into the Internet morgue due to this dispute. Please, please, please sort this out as if Youtube has no music videos, what is the point?

Goody-Bye

2009-04-05T07:07:00.003+01:00

Yes today was the day when Jade Goody can finally rest in peace after her public battle with cancer. More than 300 mourners attended the funeral held in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, and it was also screened outside the church for fans. A person with whom found fame on reality TV show Big Brother, had led her life through TV and the tabloids. I hope people can take away one thing from Jades determination and her sharing of her terminally disease. People need to be aware that cancer kills. It’s a factor that has changed the public view as well as Jades family forever and thanks to Jade has opened a lot of eyes to how important smear tests are. It did mine. RIP Jade Goody.

Amy Wino’s Comeback!!

2009-04-03T00:50:00.002+01:00

Yes the Wino is back and performing live at Shepherd’s Bush Empire on May 31, and I must say I’m excited. I loved her last album but didn’t really want to hear about all the drug and alcoholic binges that came with it. But I think Amy seems to like a bit of drama and lets face it great songs are written when going through tough times. I really hope her album exceeds expectations and helps her to grow stronger as an artist and be more responsible to her fans. I for one never wanted to pay for a ticket to see Amy as there was no guarantee that she will show or be soba. But please Amy turn up for your come back gig, as I’ve got my ticket.

Ghost Snaps Again!!

2009-04-02T18:23:00.000+01:00

I have noticed the recent surge of ghost photographs appearing on Yahoo news, it’s creepy. The reason why it’s so creepy is because it seems real, which is freaking me out a bit. Especially after seeing another photo of the Tantallon Ghost, which has been caught on two separate photograph’s over 30 years apart. The recent photograph of the ghost was voted the world’s most convincing ghost snap last month. This week Grace Lamb’s 32 year old photograph shows a female ghost in Tudor clothing in the same window haunting at the spooky Scottish Castle. Tantallon Castle is honestly a place where you won’t find me.

Skype on iphone - amazing!

2009-04-01T00:33:00.001+01:00

Today was the official launch of Skype on the iphone. Skype has over 400 million users worldwide, wow! I love iphones but with skype as the new addition, can iphones get any better? Skype is so cheap and is great for small businesses but is an all rounder for people who are constantly on the go and want instant connection to anyone around the world. Some applications aren’t available in this version yet such as conference calling and file transfers. But hey, who cares, now we can get skype in our pocket!

53% of British men regularly bake cakes at home, yeah right!

2009-03-30T23:43:00.001+01:00

Have you heard about the new cake baking revolution for under 25's? Me neither. I read this review which confirms 'Shaking off its ‘old lady’ image for good, Caking is now seen by more than a third (34 per cent) of the UK’s under 25s as a trendy, sexy activity'. It also goes as far as saying baking is the new knitting! Since when has knitting been cooler than baking, I mean everyone loves cakes right? but it does have a point, me and my boyfriend baked a cake at Christmas, ok it may have been part of his tradition at home but we tried it and it was fun, the cake wasn't amazing but we enjoyed making it.
They also refer to the credit crunch but the ingredients to make an amazing cake may actually cost more than buying one at mark and sparks! But hey nothings wrong with a little bake session is there....

Student selling text, can he do it?

2009-03-27T22:45:00.002Z

I’m sure I wrote down this idea but lost the notebook I wrote it in! I wish! Thetextpage.com, was created by student Spyros Pyrgiotis, 23, in order to make money to pay his, very expensive if I don’t say so myself, university fees of £17,000 for his MBA in London. The concept is so simple, selling a page full of characters to advertisers at a very cheap as chips price of $2 (£1.50) per character. I no what some of you internet heads are thinking, milliondollarhomepage right? Wrong, yes they are both offering advertising space and are both students but both ideas are different and unique. As Spyros says himself, ‘I'm now officially establishing pay per character advertising’. It has a different approach and a good foundation. Thetextpage.com is "the only website on the net that consists of 100% text." So anyone for some text?

Do me a flavour,shut up!

2009-03-20T18:15:00.002Z

Is it me or is Walkers getting a bit annoying with this new flavours thing? Fish and Chips, Builders Breakfast and Chocolate Chilli are among the flavours submitted by the good old British public. 6 have been shortlisted and produced and now we have to put up with seeing the ridiculous flavours everywhere. I see the Walkers advert ‘Do us a flavour’ on yahoo a lot and am now just bored. I must admit I have tried the Fish and Chips crisps and the result…disgusting. Walkers do me a flavour and announce the winner so I can enjoy my normal cheese and onion Walkers in peace.

One-Month Mobile Broadband for Money Saving Public

2009-03-18T16:50:00.000Z

20% of all mobile broadband sales in six months time will be One-month mobile broadband deals due to cash-strapped consumers increasingly look for ways to cut costs and commitments, according to Top 10 Broadband.
Top 10 Broadband has seen the popularity of short and no contract home broadband packages soar in recent months and it can see a similar pattern emerging in the mobile broadband market where sales have grown four-fold since the start of the year to account for 5% of total mobile broadband sales.
This change is being driven in part by Britons’ wariness of committing to a contract that could be up to 24-months long, such caution is likely to play more and more of a part in consumers’ financial decision making as the downturn worsens.
Currently O2 is the only major mobile broadband supplier offering such hybrid deals but Top 10 Broadband predicts that others will soon follow suit.
Jessica McArdle, marketing manager at Top 10 Broadband confirms, “One-month mobile broadband deals are soaring in popularity during the current recession as wary users are shunning long-term broadband contracts in favour of ‘light’ commitments. Last year, mobile broadband changed the UK broadband industry forever; now with new one-month deals, mobile broadband is continuing to cause game-changing shockwaves. Many fixed-line only broadband providers must be quivering in their cabled boots.”

Youtube on Freezer mode

2009-03-15T23:08:00.001Z

I have recently noticed the increase of videos on youtube which appear to be frozen. What is going on? Youtube are saying that they are freezing views in order to combat spammers and people who are boosting views on their videos, but why freeze views as low as 150? I have seen quite a few videos frozen at 201, 204 and 205, which was where my video was frozen for 7 days!
It ain't funny no more youtube, sort it out before you become an even bigger disaster than you are becoming! The truth is better than some stupid lie about filtering spammers and boosters, come on we are the technology age not grannys in a nursing home on a PC from the eighties!

Save money on Mothers Day Gifts

2009-03-11T12:48:00.000Z

Good news for credit crunchers you can now spend more on your mum with the new printable vouchers from pricecuts.co.uk
Just log on to www.pricecuts.co.uk and you can print out vouchers entitling you to such offers as mothers eat free at HA HA and 2 for 1 meals at ASK.
It’s a must for anyone watching his or her pennies this mother’s day. You can even get a 2 for 1 offer at Gourmet Burger Kitchen until March 26th. Brilliant.
As well as monitoring over 1000 online retail outlets including retail giants Marks and Spencer, John Lewis and Currys www.pricecuts.co.uk also brings users the best offers in form of printable vouchers for use offline.
There is now no excuse why you can’t get a mothers day present for the one you love.

California Buys More Essays Than Any Country

2009-03-06T20:47:00.000Z

The table which ranks Californian’s as the top buyers, released by EssayBay’s parent company, Academic Answers, show that Californians also visit the site more than almost every country on Earth.
Overall, 6 of the top 15 territories using the site are US states. The statistics aren’t surprising to EssayBay’s press officer, Karl Brown. “The United States as a whole is easily the single biggest contributor to EssayBay`,” says Karl. “California’s also got a reputation for excellence in sport, meaning people on the teams spend a lot of time training their bodies and maybe not as much training their minds. With something like Essay Bay they can get that little extra support at a decent cost, giving them more practice time on the field.”
Does this mean college students are cheating? Not according to Karl. “If they can’t understand something on their course, they might not have the time to ask their tutor without skipping practice, which loses them their scholarship – so they use EssayBay to get a paper from a qualified researcher who explains everything for them in an easy-to-understand format.
“The student then goes away and reads it, researches it, and writes their own paper and finds they’ve got another string to their bow – they’ve trained their mind, and can still tear it up on the field.”