Average Salary in European Union 2014

2 December, 2014 | Macroeconomics | 298 seen

A time ago I measured what is the minimum government set wage in European Union (EU). It turned out - the most minimum wage is received in Luxembourg while the least in Romania.

In today's article - average salary in EU for the year of 2014.

Update: Average Salary in European Union 2018

Average salary in European Union 2014

The average salary in European Union

There are two countries you might consider to move if you are looking for higher pay raise - Luxembourg and Denmark, those are only 2 countries where the average salary is higher than EUR 3000 per month (close to $4,000). 

By the way - Luxembourg leads the minimum wage table as well

Average Salary in European Union 2014

Web Design Update and Drupal Development for Translation & Localization Agency

30 November, 2014 | Drupal Development | 10 seen

Caucasus Translations is a professional translation and localization agency located in Tbilisi, Georgia. The agency has established itself as a leader in the translation and content localization business in the Caucasus and Central Asia, employing over 300 translators to provide cost-effective, accurate, and native translation solutions for companies in various industries across 40 countries.

The website of Caucasus Translations was originally built with Drupal 7 back in 2011, and as a Drupal developer, I managed to update the site and ensure its smooth operation.

The site is now available in 4 languages (English, Georgian, Russian, and Latvian) and can easily be extended to include more languages as needed.

Expert Drupal Development Services in Tbilisi, Georgia

Caucasus Translations offers a user-friendly experience with its website, allowing customers to request a free quote via a webform, and potential translators to submit their resumes in the same manner. The company prides itself on providing high-quality translation services, utilizing the expertise of native-speaking professionals who are experts in their respective fields, including technical, legal, medical, scientific, engineering, business, financial, marketing, internet, and other terminologies.

At Caucasus Translations, privacy and confidentiality are of utmost importance. The company adheres to strict confidentiality policies and is willing to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement whenever necessary. The team works closely with clients until satisfaction is achieved and is committed to providing quick and efficient service, even on holidays.

The company uses CAT Tools to improve the quality of its services and has a strong command of a wide range of European, Caucasian, and Asian languages. With a proven track record of satisfied clients, Caucasus Translations is a trusted choice for companies looking for reliable and professional translation services.

Get a free quote today and experience the excellence of Caucasus Translations. Visit the website at www.caucasustranslations.com.

Christmas Charity Winter Fair in Tbilisi Sheraton Hotel (2014)

29 November, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 3 seen

I recently attended the Winter Charity Fair organized by the International Women's Association Georgia for the third or fourth time. Based on my past experiences, I arrived early at the Sheraton Metekhi Hotel to purchase some goods from the US and participate in the Bottle Bank game at the UK stand.

The objective of the Winter Charity Fair organized by the International Women's Association Georgia (IWAG) is to raise funds for projects in Georgia that focus on women, children, the elderly, and those with special needs. This event has traditionally been held as Christmas approaches and marks the 15th Winter Fair in the history of IWAG.

China's stand

Danes or Swedes are preparing their stand (perhaps it was a joint Scandinavian event)

France's stand is getting prepared

Japan's stand

Handicrafts are being prepared for selling

Local Georgian craftsmen preparing their stands

Books for sale

Hotel Sheraton Metekhi Tbilisi

Danes are selling hot wine in front of entrance at hotel

Volunteers from Dog shelter

Volunteers from Dog shelter

Georgian handicrafts

Banner of IWA (International Women associations Georgia)

View to Tbilisi city from Hotel Sheraton Metekhi

Our catch at this Winter Fair 

Embassies and consulates from 21 countries, including Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States of America, are actively preparing their stands. The fair provides visitors with the opportunity to purchase souvenirs, decorations, crafts, and food items from a diverse range of countries.

Moreover, the event has received support from numerous sponsors who have contributed to the fair. The Winter Charity Fair is an excellent opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled day while contributing to a worthy cause.

Lenovo Laptops: A Comprehensive Review of the Top Models for Business and Personal Use

28 November, 2014 | Laptop Reviews | 13 seen

When it comes to laptops, Lenovo is one of the most reputable brands in the market, known for its high-quality and durable devices. Whether you are looking for a laptop for business or personal use, Lenovo has a wide range of models that cater to all needs.

In this article, we will be looking at some of the top Lenovo laptops for both business and personal use, and what makes them stand out.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an Amazon link on this page and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

ThinkPad X1 Carbon

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is one of Lenovo's most popular laptops, and for good reason. This ultralight and ultra-portable laptop packs a punch, with its 10th Gen Intel Core processors and up to 16GB of RAM. It also has a long battery life, which makes it an excellent choice for people who are always on the go. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon also has a sleek design, making it a perfect choice for business users who need a professional-looking laptop.

IdeaPad Flex 5

If you're looking for a laptop that can handle both work and play, the IdeaPad Flex 5 is a great choice. This 2-in-1 device comes with a 14-inch touchscreen display that can be flipped around to be used as a tablet. It also comes with a powerful AMD Ryzen 5 processor and up to 16GB of RAM, making it perfect for multitasking. Additionally, the IdeaPad Flex 5 has a long battery life, which means you can use it for hours without needing to plug it in.

ThinkPad X1 Yoga

The ThinkPad X1 Yoga is another popular laptop from Lenovo, and for a good reason. This 2-in-1 laptop has a 14-inch touchscreen display that can be rotated 360 degrees, making it easy to use in tablet mode. It also has a powerful 10th Gen Intel Core processor and up to 16GB of RAM, making it an excellent choice for business users who need a laptop that can handle heavy workloads. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga is also very durable, thanks to its military-grade build.

IdeaPad 5

The IdeaPad 5 is a versatile laptop that can be used for both business and personal use. It comes with a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 processor and up to 16GB of RAM, making it perfect for multitasking. It also has a 15.6-inch Full HD display, which is perfect for streaming videos or working on large spreadsheets. Additionally, the IdeaPad 5 has a long battery life, which means you can use it for hours without needing to plug it in.

ThinkPad E14

The ThinkPad E14 is an excellent laptop for business users who are looking for a laptop that is both powerful and affordable. It comes with a 10th Gen Intel Core processor and up to 16GB of RAM, making it perfect for running business applications. Additionally, it has a sleek design, making it perfect for professionals who need a laptop that looks the part.

Yoga C740

The Yoga C740 is a great choice for people who are looking for a laptop that is both stylish and powerful. It comes with a 10th Gen Intel Core processor and up to 16GB of RAM, making it perfect for multitasking. It also has a Full HD touchscreen display that can be rotated 360 degrees, making it easy to use in tablet mode. Additionally, the Yoga C740 has a long battery life, which means you can use it for hours without needing to plug it in.

In conclusion, Lenovo offers a wide range of laptops that cater to all needs, whether you are looking for a laptop for business or personal use. With their durability, performance, and sleek design, Lenovo laptops are a great investment for years to come.

Georgian - Latvian Business Forum (2014)

27 November, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 15 seen

The Georgian-Latvian Business Forum was held in Tbilisi on November 27, 2014, and provided a unique opportunity for businesses to explore new avenues for growth and expansion. This event was organized by Invest in Georgia agency and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, two organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to fostering innovation and progress in the business world.

The Georgian-Latvian Business Forum brought together business leaders and stakeholders from various sectors, including technology, manufacturing, and trade. Attendees had the chance to engage in meaningful discussions on industry trends, business strategies, and investment opportunities, making it a valuable experience for all participants.

As a representative of Caucasus Translations, LTD, I had the privilege of participating in this forum and representing our company to potential partners and clients. The event offered an excellent platform for establishing new connections and exploring opportunities for collaboration, investment, and growth.

Georgian - Latvian Business Forum

Latvian Television Station (LTV7) at Tbilisi

Latvian President Andris Berzins and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili

President of Latvia Andris Berzins

Dana Reizniece-Ozola - Economic minister of Latvia

Ministers of Foreign affairs of Latvia (Edgars Rinkevics) and Georgia (Tamar Beruchashvili) 

President of Latvia Andris Berzins and Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili 

Latvian and Georgian business people

Author of this blog captured at the Georgian Latvian business forum

Bilateral meetings with entrepreneurs 

In the evening we got a buffet at Tbilisi Funicular restaurant on the occasion of the 96th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia and of the official visit of H.E President of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Andris Berzins

President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili

Last, but not least Georgian ensemble performed the National Anthem of Latvia in Latvian

Latvian Fashion Show at Tbilisi History Museum (2014)

26 November, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 3 seen

While I don't consider myself a high fashion aficionado, I did have the chance to attend the exquisite Latvian Fashion Show at the Tbilisi History Museum in Georgia.

Latvian Fashion Show

Hostess of the evening

Models at Latvian Fashion Show

Models at Latvian Fashion Show

Models at Latvian Fashion Show

Latvian Fashion Show

Latvian Fashion Show

Latvian Fashion Show

Poster for Latvian Fashion Show

About Latvian Fashion

If you appreciate originality and individuality alongside elegance and practicality, make use of the privilege and become familiar with the interesting costumes offered by various Latvian designers.

The fashion collections are rich and offer unique and original fashion masterpieces that will pleasantly surprise you with their prices.

The costumes confirm their designers’ creative maturity and daring, as well as the excellent taste, style and self-confidence of their owner. Latvian fashion designers offer reckless eccentricity that manifests itself in original patterns, fabric colors, composition and design, as well as Nordic restraint and moderation.

How To Create Drupal Views Distance Filter using Location module

25 November, 2014 | Drupal Development | 81 seen

Drupal is a popular content management system that allows users to create complex websites with a wide range of features and functions. One of the most useful features of Drupal is its ability to create views, which are customizable displays of content that can be filtered and sorted in a variety of ways.

One useful type of filter is the distance filter, which allows users to filter content based on their proximity to a particular location. In this article, we will explore how to create a Drupal views distance filter using the Location module.

Drupal Distance Block

As you can see in above screen - I have listed Nearby Tourism sights in right sidebar displaying thumbnail, title, distance and category.

If you are looking for similiar functionality, here is what you will need:

• Drupal
• Views module
• Location module
• Gmap  module (recommended)

Enable Location module to be able collect geo data, be sure you enable it for your content type as well. You might want to use Gmap module as well for displaying geo data on Google Maps.

Now once you have some content type with Location enabled, and you have entered a few nodes with location information, you can create a "Nearby locations" view:

Drupal views: Nearby Locations

As you can see this is pretty basic Drupal view - though to make it work, you will need to pay attention to Contextual Filters, Filter Criteria and Sort Criteria.

Contextual Filters

Content:Nid

• Provide default value: Content ID from URL

Under More tab:

• Check next to Exclude

Drupal Contextual Filters

Filter Criteria:

Add a new filter: Location: Distance/Proximity

• Origin: Node's Latitude / Longitude from views nid argument
• Node ID argument to use: Content Nid

Drupal views distance filter

Sort Criteria

Add a new criteria: Location / Proximity (asc)

• Change order of sort, so Location / Proximity filter is first of order

Now save your view and add a newly created block to your theme. 

Creating a Drupal views distance filter using the Location module is a useful way to allow users to filter content based on their proximity to a particular location. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily create a Drupal view with a location filter that meets the needs of your website or application.

Alternatively, consider hiring me as your Drupal website developer.

Best Selling Laptops / Notebooks Under $500

24 November, 2014 | Laptop Reviews | 10 seen

Finding a reliable and affordable laptop can be a daunting task, especially if you're on a budget. However, with technology evolving rapidly, laptops that once seemed unattainable for the average consumer are now available at prices that won't break the bank.

We've compiled a list of the best selling laptops/notebooks under $500 that will suit your needs.

Disclaimer: This article contains links to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. 

Acer Aspire 5

The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best laptops under $500 in the market. With a 15.6-inch full HD IPS display, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD, this laptop offers great performance and speed for daily use. It also comes with a backlit keyboard, which is a great feature for those who prefer typing in low-light environments.

Lenovo Ideapad 3

The Lenovo Ideapad 3 is a budget laptop that offers a lot of features for its price. It comes with a 15.6-inch HD display, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD, making it a great option for those who need more storage and performance. The Ideapad 3 also has a built-in webcam and a fast-charging feature, which is a nice bonus.

HP Chromebook 14

The HP Chromebook 14 is a great budget laptop for those who don't require heavy processing power. It comes with a 14-inch HD display, 4GB of RAM, and a 32GB eMMC. The HP Chromebook 14 runs on Chrome OS, which means it is designed to run apps from the cloud, making it a great option for those who use Google apps.

ASUS VivoBook 15

The ASUS VivoBook 15 is a sleek and lightweight laptop that offers great performance for its price. It comes with a 15.6-inch full HD display, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. It also has a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint sensor, which is a great feature for security.

Dell Inspiron 14 3000

The Dell Inspiron 14 3000 is a great budget laptop for everyday use. It comes with a 14-inch HD display, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD, making it a great option for those who need a laptop for basic tasks. The Inspiron 14 3000 also has a built-in webcam and a long battery life, making it a great option for those who are always on the go.

Conclusion

When it comes to buying a laptop on a budget, there are many options to choose from. The above-listed laptops offer great features and performance for their price range, making them the best-selling laptops/notebooks under $500. Consider your needs and requirements before making a final decision, and you're sure to find a laptop that suits your needs and budget.

Hotel Hesperia Sant Just in Barcelona Review

23 November, 2014 | Hotel reviews | 38 seen

We stayed at this hotel about a month ago, during our one week Catalonia trip, in which we actually drive even to Andorra, so this hotel was our last hotel in Spain before departing back to Georgia.

To book this hotel we chose hotwire.com (they offer secret deals - you kinda buy a cat in a sack - but you don't need to worry about a bad product, you could get - there are major hotel brands, that are not willing to tell others - they are selling it low). After booking a hotel on hotwire - we got this one, located somewhere close of driving in to Barcelona from Andorra, and next to the road heading to Barcelona El Prat Airport.

We got this hotel for 2 nights for price of EUR 113.50. 

Result - see it yourself:

Hesperia Sant Just Barcelona

Hesperia Sant Just

Bathroom at Hesperia Sant Just

Bedroom at Hesperia Sant Just

Bedroom at Hesperia Sant Just

Mini Lounge at your room at Hesperia Sant Just

Flat Screen TV at Hesperia Sant Just

About Hesperia Sant Just hotel

Drupal App - How to Make a Native Android App Using DrupalGap

22 November, 2014 | Drupal Development | 40 seen

It has been a while since I decided to build my first Android app powered by Drupal.

Actually, I haven't built any other kind of app yet. But I have investigated a few options though.

My findings to the day are DrupalGap.org

I'm still investigating this tool, so for reference, I will list information from drupalgap.org. In the coming days/weeks and months, I will do my best to complete my first App built on the surface of Drupal. I'm planning to make a simple travel app, with geolocations and other useful tools, that a travel app could use.

I'm not sure where my path will lead me - but I'm confident I to make this journey using drupalgap.org

What is DrupalGap?

An Open Source Mobile Application Development Kit for Drupal websites.

DrupalGap has two parts...

The Drupal Module opens up communication possibilities between a mobile app and the website. The Mobile Application Development Kit is used by developers to create custom mobile applications.

How does the module work?

The DrupalGap module uses the Services and Views Datasource modules to help mobile apps communicate with a Drupal website using JSON.

How does the mobile app dev kit work?

The DrupalGap mobile application development kit uses jQueryMobile to build the user interface and PhoneGap to compile the App for installation on mobile devices.

How does PhoneGap work?

PhoneGap takes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and compiles it into a mobile application for iOS and Android mobile devices (and many others).

PhoneGap provides access, via JavaScript, to mobile device features such as the Camera, GPS, File System, Contacts, Compass, Accelerometer, etc.

This means, if we know the basics of web development (html, css, javascript), then we can build mobile applications. This also means, our single set of code (HTML+CSS+JavaScript) can be used across multiple mobile platforms.

1. Set up a Drupal 7 Website

To build a mobile application, we first need a Drupal 7 website. For starters, we'll want our Drupal 7 website to be available online. This means, we should be able to visit the website online by using our mobile device's web browser.

Chances are if you are reading this, you already have a Drupal website online (or several). If that is the case, go ahead and jump to step #2. If you are new to Drupal, don't worry, there are plenty of great resources on getting a Drupal 7 website up and running.

• Download Drupal
• Install Drupal

2. Enable the DrupalGap Module

For our mobile application to be able to communicate with our Drupal website, the DrupalGap module needs to be enabled. Please refer to the DrupalGap Module Documentation for more information.

3. Set up a Mobile Application Development Environment

Since DrupalGap utilizes the power of PhoneGap, we need to set up a PhoneGap mobile application development environment for DrupalGap, before building and testing our mobile application.

4. Done!

We're now ready to run our mobile application!

If you haven't already, we'd recommend completing the "Hello World" for DrupalGap next. Otherwise, feel free to head back to the Getting Started Guide for various topics on developing mobile applications with DrupalGap.

Hire me for your upcoming Drupal website or native app project!

Top DLSR cameras under $1,000

21 November, 2014 | Digital Photography School | 9 seen

A DSLR camera is an excellent option for photography enthusiasts, whether you're a professional photographer or just starting with your photography journey. DSLR cameras offer a range of features that can enhance your photography skills, including a range of manual controls, interchangeable lenses, and large image sensors that produce high-quality images.

In this article, we'll take a look at some of the top DSLR cameras under $1,000, which can provide you with excellent value for money.

A quick note: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on the Amazon site, I might earn an affiliate income from that.

Canon EOS Rebel T7i

The Canon EOS Rebel T7i is a highly versatile camera that comes packed with features, including a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, 45-point autofocus system, and 6 fps burst shooting. The camera also comes with a vari-angle touchscreen, which allows you to capture shots from different angles. The Canon EOS Rebel T7i also includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity for easy file sharing.

Nikon D5600

The Nikon D5600 is another excellent option for photographers looking for a budget-friendly DSLR camera. It features a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, 39-point autofocus system, and 5 fps burst shooting. The Nikon D5600 also includes a vari-angle touchscreen, which provides an intuitive interface for capturing shots. The camera also includes built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity, making it easy to share your photos with friends and family.

Pentax K-70

The Pentax K-70 is a weather-sealed DSLR camera that offers excellent value for money. It comes with a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, 11-point autofocus system, and 6 fps burst shooting. The camera also includes a vari-angle LCD screen, which allows you to capture shots from different angles. The Pentax K-70 also features built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to transfer your photos and videos to your smartphone or tablet with ease.

Canon EOS Rebel T6i

 The Canon EOS Rebel T6i is another great option for photographers on a budget. It features a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, 19-point autofocus system, and 5 fps burst shooting. The camera also includes a vari-angle touchscreen, which makes it easy to capture shots from different angles. The Canon EOS Rebel T6i also includes Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, allowing you to transfer your photos and videos to your mobile device with ease.

Sony Alpha a68

The Sony Alpha a68 is a versatile DSLR camera that comes packed with features. It features a 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor, 79-point autofocus system, and 8 fps burst shooting. The camera also includes a tilting LCD screen, which allows you to capture shots from different angles. The Sony Alpha a68 also includes built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to transfer your photos and videos to your mobile device with ease.

In conclusion, there are a variety of DSLR cameras available under $1,000, each with their unique features and benefits. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, investing in a good DSLR camera can help you take your photography skills to the next level. Be sure to consider your individual needs, preferences, and budget when selecting a camera. With any of these top DSLR cameras, you're sure to get excellent value for your money.

Start-up Challenge Georgia November 16-21, 2014

20 November, 2014 | Doing Business | 12 seen

I had an honour to participate in event called Start-up challenge Georgia, which was held in Sheraton Metekhi in Tbilisi, Georgia.

I had a chance to listen to speakers like James Chung,  Spike Morelli, Marco Rubin and Warren Haber. Most interesting from what I hear I found on presentation of James Chung, his case study of investing venture capital in AgaMatrix company was pretty interesting. 

Here is what this event is all about:

Startup Challenge Georgia

Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency is inviting all eligible applicants to participate in the Startup Challenge Georgia on November 16-21, 2014 in Tbilisi, Georgia. A weeklong training is open to entrepreneurs who have an early-stage technology startup or have an idea and thinking of productizing it.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria

• Must have a developed concept or product in a user-testing stage or already available on the market
• Product should be IT/web, mobile, energy, agriculture, or health

VALUE

• Participants will receive intense training from leading US and Georgian entrepreneurs and investors.
• Get one-one-one mentorship
• Pitch Coaching Workshop
• Get exposure through media
• Get exposure through GITA channels (website, Facebook, etc)
• Participate in the startup showcase
• Pitch in front of VIPs in your community and US investors

JUDGING CRITERIA:

• Scalable Product
• Product or service addresses a real problem on the market
• Already demonstrated some traction with customers

About Gita

Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency is the native resolution of the Government, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development under state control and its sub-entity of public law. Agency is assigned to coordinate and mediate an important role in the country in terms of innovation and technology development. The Agency shall ensure the achievement of the tasks facing the country and contribute to innovation and technological development based on economic welfare

Innovation and creativity is a necessary precondition for the sustainable growth and development of the country. That's why Innovation and Technology Agency was established on February 19, 2014 in Georgia. Since 2000 the global economy grow by 3.2% annually, the main key to this growth is innovation. Innovation is a key source of competitiveness, economic growth and social transformation.

According to a World Bank report, published in June 2013, "Innovation in Georgia" Georgian companies which are actively using innovations in their work are developing faster and are creating 30% more jobs than not - innovative companies.

Innovation is particularly important for the state. Since it is a tool for creating new jobs, growing revenues and for presentation newer and wider investment opportunities. Minister of Innovation and Technology Agency focuses on the formation of services, tools, programs and infrastructure projects.

The Agency participates in the private and public sector knowledge, innovation and commercialization of research results and promote innovative entrepreneurship. One of the important directions of the formation of information society projects and programs necessary for the management and coordination of the implementation of the uniform policy.

The Agency contributes to the introduction and use of information and communication technologies and innovations in various fields in order to improve their efficiency. Particularly in the financial and business - in order to increase their competitiveness in the sector and the introduction of innovative technologies by entrepreneurs and start-up business financing incentives for innovative projects.

The Agency is actively involved in technology parks, innovation centers, innovation labs, accelerator and business - incubators for the creation and development.

The Agency is also open to international relations. Targeted programs and projects planned through innovation and technology, including information and communication technologies in the field of cooperation with international organizations and donors.

http://gita.gov.ge/eng.html

My Barcelona Travel Guide - La Rambla, La Boqueria Market, Park Guell and even La Sagrada Familia

19 November, 2014 | Travel guides | 32 seen

This happened at the last days of October 2014, when after a week long travels around Catalonia we finally returned back to our starting point - Barcelona.

And so we decided to visit some local attractions. We all probably are familiar that one of the must have attractions in Barcelona is La Sagrada Familia cathedral, though we find this famous attraction, we refused to stay on a very long queue to get there in.

Another attraction we decided to visit was something  Park Guell (again, though we find it  - there was no parking place to park our car, and a person guarding parking lot - ordered us to drive away - we did, and didn't returned. 

We had a chance to visit a market called La Boqueria, and most pictures you will find in this article, has been made there. In short  - that's our Barcelona experience.

Bicycles on streets of Barcelona

Souvenir shops

La Boqueria Market in Barcelona

At La Boqueria Market in Barcelona

Fresh juices at La Boqueria Market in Barcelona

Olives at La Boqueria Market in Barcelona

La Boqueria Market in Barcelona

La Boqueria Market in Barcelona

La Boqueria Market in Barcelona

Kakis at La Boqueria Market in Barcelona

Eggs at the market

Cheese stand

Some street art in Barcelona

El Gran caffe in Barcelona

Queue at Palau Guell museum in Barcelona

Old-timers getting fun near La Sagrada Familia

Queue to La Sagrada Familia

Author of this blog captured near La Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia from distance

A very long queue wanting to enter La Sagrada Familia

About Park Güell

The Park Güell is a public park system composed of gardens and architectonic elements located on Carmelo Hill, in Barcelona (Spain). Carmelo Hill belongs to the mountain range of Sierra de Collserola — the Parque del Carmelo is located on the northern face. Park Güell is located in La Salut, a neighborhood in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. With urbanization in mind, Eusebi Güell assigned the design of the park to Antoni Gaudí, a renowned architect and the face of Catalonian modernism. The park was built between 1900 and 1914 and was officially opened as a public park in 1926. In 1984, UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site under “Works of Antoni Gaudí”.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_G%C3%BCell 

About La Boqueria

The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, often simply referred to as La Boqueria, is a large public market in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain and one of the city's foremost tourist landmarks, with an entrance from La Rambla, not far from the Liceu, Barcelona's opera house. The market has a very diverse selection of goods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Boqueria

About Sagrada Familia

The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família  is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926).

Although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in November 2010 Pope Benedict XVI consecrated and proclaimed it a minor basilica, as distinct from a cathedral which must be the seat of a bishop.

Construction of Sagrada Família had commenced in 1882 and Gaudí became involved in 1883, taking over the project and transforming it with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms.

Gaudí devoted his last years to the project, and at the time of his death at age 73 in 1926 less than a quarter of the project was complete. Sagrada Família's construction progressed slowly, as it relied on private donations and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, only to resume intermittent progress in the 1950s.

Construction passed the midpoint in 2010 with some of the project's greatest challenges remaining and an anticipated completion date of 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_Fam%C3%ADlia

TBSC consulting - upgrade from Joomla to Drupal

16 November, 2014 | Drupal Development | 12 seen

TBSC consulting approached me for help - to help them out to secure their existing site, which was built on Joomla.

As a true Drupaller I offered them - can we switch CMS from Joomla to Drupal? And they agreed. Here is what we got:

TBSC Consulting Front Page

This site is built with help of some standard Drupal modules, and is availiable in two languages (English and Georgian)

TBSC Georgian

Although work on this site didn't request a lot of creativity - we were doing just migration of site, technical things were pretty harsh - main problem was to extract content and users from existing Joomla site, and then import it to Drupal site. But before that - here is a scenario which led me to suggest Drupal over Joomla:

So I got another Joomla site request to perform a Joomla major Upgrade from 1.5 to 2.5. 

I thought, hell, why not - let's fix this site, by not converting it to Drupal (As I usually do), but let's stay on Joomla.

Site works, there has been no hackers yet. So I started to do Joomla upgrade. At first I made a minor upgrade, to update Joomla database to latest stable. I was reading a lot Joomla developer forums and blogs, what are they suggestions. In order to perform major upgrade for Joomla, you have to install some mystic upgrade extension... Ok, i did, I followed to all the best practices from Joomla community for upgrading Joomla site... And then.. It sucks.

There is no native way to upgrade multilingual support in Joomla. I spent 2 days figuring out, how the hell get that site back working with multilingual, and no progress. 

Joomla is using some really fishing plugin for i18n, called joomfish... Name says everything - it's some fishy plugin...

So screw you Joomla - I set up a new Drupal site, added a Joomla migration module, to import all Joomla articles to site, recreated menus, re-themed theme in less than 6 hours in Drupal.

Some might say - that's because I'm working with Drupal on my everyday basis, that's right. But for me it seems strange - it's easier to perform Joomla to Drupal convert, than perform Joomla - Joomla upgrade.

I have written a longer article of how to perform Joomla to Drupal, where (if you are interested) you will find more about technical stuff.

About TBSC Consulting

TBSC Consulting is a boutique management consulting firm located in Tbilisi, Georgia.

TBSC helps organizations make better strategic and tactical decisions by performing detailed analysis needed to support those decisions. Hence our tagline: Better Decisions Through Analysis. The steady increase in the scope of our services, clients and projects demonstrates the high value of our advisory services to local and international clients.

Over the past ten years, TBSC has helped nearly 100 organizations to make better decisions including the largest Georgian banks, highly diversified Georgian companies, foreign investors, international financial institutions, the Government of Georgia, diplomatic missions, donors and non-governmental organizations. TBSC’s President and Founder has advised senior managers, boards of directors and supervisory boards in North America and Western, Central and Southeast Europe for more than 25 years. Local staff represent the cream of graduates from Georgian and Western universities and have significant experience of working with Georgian and international clients. Through a strategic alliance with Larive Group, TBSC successfully bridges the link between local and international companies in Western and Eastern Europe and Asia. This way, TBSC not only assists western companies in expanding into the Georgian market, but also helps Georgian companies expand into other markets, find foreign partners and benefit from modern technologies and know-how transfer.

Learn more about TBSC Consulting: www.tbsc.ge

Autumn in Tsinandali - Alexander Chavchavadze House Museum

15 November, 2014 | Tourism objects | 33 seen

This was a great Saturday - our friend took us on a Kakheti drive  - we went to Telavi (they have a great market there), Tsinandali (here is a house museum of Alexander Chavchavadze) and then we went to Royal Batoni near Ilia;s lake close to Kvareli. I decided to capture something from all of it - and in this post you will find pictures I captured at Alexander Chavchavadze house museum.

First time I was here around 3 years ago, also in month of November. Respecting traditions - then (first time) I didn't visited museum itself - just park, today we decided - why should we visit museum (what there might be so cool?), so just park, and some buildings we managed to get in :)

Autumn in Tsinandali

Bamboo trees at Tsinandali

Labyrinth and tree of Wishes at Tsinandali

Alexander Chavchavadze park

Restaurant

Trees at Tsinandali museum park

Trees at Tsinandali museum park

Entrance in Winery

Entrance in Winery

Hall

Wine Cellar

View to park

Those lovely colors

Stained Glass at entrance of Restaurant

Spring Water at Tsinandali

Ruins of Orthodox church at Tsinandali

Ruins of Orthodox church at Tsinandali

Oak tree at Tsinandali

Alexander Chavchavadze house museum

About Tsinandali park

The Tsinandali garden occupies 18 hectares of land.

Aleksandre Chavchavadze was the first landowner to bring European landscape designers into Georgia. The park has a unique and interesting layout, with a mixture of natural and decorated gardens. Some historians have likened Tsinandali Park to London's Richmond and Kew Gardens. The park is richly inhabited by European, Asian and American exotic plants. In 1887 famous landscape designer Arnold Ragel was invited from St Petersburg to renovate the park. Renovations are under way now, too, which aim to show visitor's the park's full glory.

About Alexandre Chavchavadze

Aleksandre Chavchavadze (1786-1846) - writer, military leader, diplomat, public figure and inventor - was one of the most important figures of his time. He gained respect in Georgia as well as throughout the Russian Empire. Aleksandre was the god-son of Catherine II of Russia, and he spent his childhood in Russian noble circles. There, he was exposed to every innovation brought from Europe or discovered in Russia. Chavchavadze was a military leader (lieutenant-general) who participated in every important military expedition. In 1813-1815 he fought against Napoleon's Army (as an aide to Barclay de Tolly)

http://www.tsinandali.com/index_en.html

More about Tsinandali

Alexander Chavchavadze inherited this village, lying in the Alazani River vally, from his father, Prince Garsevan. He refurbished the estate, constructed a new Italianate palace and built a decorative garden in 1835. It was the place where Chavchavadze frequently entertained foreign guests with music, wit, and – most especially – the fine vintages made at his estate winery (marani). Familiar with European ways, Chavchavadze built Georgia’s oldest and largest winery where he combined European and centuries-long Georgian winemaking traditions.

The highly regarded dry white Tsinandali is still produced there.

The village and the Chavchavadze estate were further famed by a surprising raid by the troops of Imam Shamil, a Muslim leader of the northeast Caucasian opposition to the Russian expansion, on July 2, 1854. The attack was commanded by Ghazi-Muhammad, Shamil’s son. Avenging the Chavchavadze family for their contribution to the Russian success in the Caucasian War, the mountaineers pillaged the estate and kidnapped the wife, children and relatives of Alexander’s son, Prince David Chavchavadze.

This event sent waves of shock not only into Russia, but the West as well. On March 22, 1855, after complicated negotiations, the hostages were exchanged for Shamil’s captive son Jamal al-Din and 40,000 silver rubles as part of a deal involving a general exchange of prisoners.

After David Chavchavadze’s death, due to the failure to pay the debt to the Russian Public Bank, the estate passed to the property of the Imperial family. The Tsinandali garden was renovated in 1887 and passed to the state n 1917. In 1947, the estate was organized into a museum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsinandali