Posts by: Joff

Content Management Systems – 10 Days Without Website Control

Does the CMS spell the end for web designers/developers/content editors? I don’t think so but this article might make you think otherwise

Not all clients that are savvy with how t’internet works and letting them loose with a CMS is a dangerous thing. Image formats, editing, fonts, layout guidelines – all this can go to pot once Dave in accounts starts playing with the website because he once went on a course to “do web pages”.

Sometimes you get lucky and the client understands how information needs to be stored in the DB and you can get away without using a CMS. By arming them with an FTP client and myPhpAdmin they can make minor changes to existing pages without incurring your extortionate hourly rates.

A CMS does have it’s place but it should be in the hands of the web designer, not the client. The CMS should only be operated by users with sufficient experience with web best practices – this doesn’t have to be an external company, in house training should suffice.

Anyone for a CMS?

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Brisk RS 01 WRC: Prodrive Developed Skoda Fabia Coupe With A 500Hp 2.0TFSI

Based on a first generation Fabia, the RS 01 WRC gets a coupe-style body that actually doesn’t look half-bad and a tuned 2.0TFSI engine, producing 500Hp @ 7.800 rpm and 600Nm @ 3.700 rpm.
All we need is this engine to find it’s way into the road cars to really put Skoda on the map for hot hatches!

Sceptics would say that Audi/VW would never allow this as it would affect sales of their cars, but in reality, people that buy Audi and VW would never consider lowering their standards to buying a car with a Skoda badge. This just leaves Skoda enthusiasts and Skoda converts – exactly the market Skoda would want to sell to.

The 500bhp engine’s never going to be seen in a road car, so keep it at it’s standard (and still healthy) output of 170bhp. This leaves enough room for tuners to play with the engine, which makes it more attractive to buyers plus it gets Skoda UK out of paying for warranty claims.
Price the car up to compete with the VXR / ST / Renaultsport and you’re going to make a lot of happy Skoda customers. Ok so the Octavia vRS already exists with this engine at this price level, but what’s the danger in selling the Fabia vRS at this price too? If customers want a larger sensible car, they’ll get the Octavia, if they want to sacrifice comfort for a pocket rocket then they’ll get the Fabia. Either way, Skoda get the sale.

Go on Skoda – you know it makes sense!!

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Edworthys / 247PPD *HELP – CONNED*

Do we need any more proof that the guys behind Edworthys and 247 Performance Parts Direct are potentially a bunch of fraudsters!!?  Buyers beware – always use your credit card to cover you in the event of any problems with mail order suppliers.

A source I’ve spoken to have confirmed they under sell products at cheaper than cost price and then fail to honour the orders – damaging parts manufacturers business, damaging reputable retailers and also damaging the aftermarket industry as a whole!

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Gumball 3000 drivers arrested in hit-and-run death

Nick Morley and Matthew McConville have been arrested in Macedonia after an alleged hit and run incident which left one man dead and his wife fighting for her life. Rumour has it that the two crashed their Porsche 911 into a VW Golf (non Gumball participant) and then fled the scene in another competitors BMW.
Looks like this will be the end not only of the Gumball but other similar rallies taking place across the world.

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