Friday, August 29, 2008

First Adsense Check

I finally received my first Adsense check from Google. My adsense click hit the $100 mark so it means Google has to pay me.

I know a lot of bloggers use Adsense in their blogs, but I am also aware that the rate of clicks is not that high. Like I said before, use Adsense in a niche blog not in general ones like this. Adsense click rate is high if readers came from search engine.

Below you will see my check as an evidence. Had to blur out sensitive info.



So, how long did it take me to get $100? You want straight honest answer? Nine (9) months. Like having a baby. :P

What about you? Have you gotten your Adsense check already? Still waiting?

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Team USA Gets the Gold!


After a disappointing stint in the 2004 Olympics, where TEAM USA finished with Bronze Medal, the 2008 Team USA got its revenge finishing top once again.

Tagged as "The Redeem Team", Team USA was expected to get the elusive GOLD this year. Composed of superstars like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade, USA was the heavy favorite even before the Olympics began.

The presence of Kobe Bryant was obviously one the biggest factors in achieving the gold. In my opinion, his late heroics during the final quarter of the last game sealed the win for the USA.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Is Google PageRank Necessary?

Most bloggers are so obsessed with Google PageRank and they end up b*tching about it when they found out their blog rank is a big fat zero.

What is a Google PageRank?

A Page Rank (3) is a rank given by Google. The higher the number, the higher the rank -- which is always better. A site gets higher ranking if it establishes a good number of backlinks -- or sites that link out to the blog. Therefore, it makes the blog appear an authority of its niche.

Do You Need it To Earn Money Online?

In a way, YES. If you are planning on writing PAID Reviews, you might be in for a surprise. Some advertisers require you to have at least a PR 2. If you have at least a PR3, you can write for advertisers that offer $20 per post! If you don't have a PR yet, you may still be able to find advertiser who do not require ranking. However, do not expect a huge payment (at least $5).

How Do You Get a Ranking?

Google likes site that have original content. Google also likes sites that have several backlinks. Therefore, in order to get a good ranking, write quality contents and establish backlinks early on.

When Does Google Give PageRank?

Google crawls and updates PageRank every 3 months. If Google doesn't delay, it will update again sometime next month. Being a new site, I do not expect my blog to get a ranking yet.

What about you, do you have a PageRank already?

Friday, August 15, 2008

Happy Birthday To Me


Just a quick post to tell you that today marks my 32nd birthday. My age is finally not in the calendar!

It's hard to believe, as I still remember what my childhood years felt like. It seems like only yesterday.

Common question for people who reach the early 30's: Am I already old?

It is followed by: What have I done in my life? Do I contribute to society? Am I successful?

These are the questions that are hard to answer. Because they bother us. When I reach that point, I just ask myself: Did I do my best?

If my answer is YES, I am fine with that.

So HAPPY Birthday to me!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Vacationing in Macau


I'm having a GREAT time here in Macau with my girlfriend and her family. The view above is Macau from the famous Macau Tower.

People describe Macau as China's little Italy. Macau is an island surrounded by China Sea. The city is also rich in history. However, people living here do not speak much English, reason why business transaction can be frustrating at times.

Other than that, Macau is a busy and a good vacation place -- there are different awesome landmarks and tourist spots. But I think one of the selling points of Macau is the casino. Left and right, casinos are within reach: Grand Lisboa, The Venetian, to name a few.

I'd love to go back to Macau, but I don't have much money to begin with! :P

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Does AutoCool Cool Your Car Down?

The honest answer is a big NO.

In the commercial, they showed that if you park your car under the sun, chances are when you get inside it, it feels you are sitting in a 100 degrees oven. The commercial even shows an egg getting cooked on the dashboard.

With AutoCool, you won’t have to worry about the heat anymore. Just slide it on one of your windows and voila the fan will spin letting cool breeze in and hot air out. For a small amount of approximately $20, you have a portable car aircon.

I’m going straight to the point here: The item doesn’t live to the expectation.

1. The fan spins only when it is under direct sunlight.

2. The fan spins not hard enough. It won’t even move a paper.

3. The case is fragile. Mishandling will break it apart.

The item is a good “thesis” idea for a college student. And the end product is a combination of pile of select plastic junk encasing an electrical wiring attached to a small fan with the hope that it would cool something as big as a car.

It wouldn’t. I used it in my car parked it under the sun. I checked it after couple of hours, I couldn’t feel any difference. I can cook a bacon inside my car. I’m almost positive that AutoCool will melt if left under the sun unattended.

So my suggestion to keep your car cool is to block the sun by putting shades in your windshield. Leaving the front windows a little bit open will somehow let the hot air out.

Keep your $20. Buy something to eat or watch a movie instead.