Blog Traffic Report 2014 - 40,378 Unique Visitors - Growth; Location, Gender & Age

7 January, 2015 | Blogging | 10 seen

I have been doing monthly blog traffic reports starting from the first month I started this blog. Today I have decided to wrap up a blog traffic report for the whole year of 2014. It should show more accurate data about what was happening last year. 

In average my blog traffic stats have gone up from 1,433 unique visitors in January up to 13,074 unique's at the end of December. Though there were 3 months (February, March, and April) when traffic didn't overpass 1,000 unique visitors in a month.

• In total, my blog reached 40,378 unique visitors in 2014.
• In average it is - 3364.83 unique's a month or
• 110 unique visitors in a day

Blog Traffic 2014 (Data source: Google Analytics)

As you can see from the graph provided above, pretty serious growth has happened during those twelve months. Most impressive traffic growth happened at Q4.

Blog Traffic 2014 Weekly (Data source: Google Analytics)

Most visited was Nov 30 - Dec 6 week, when unique visitors totaled in 3,583  - should I mention, that on these dates Black Friday and Cyber Monday happened?

Blog Traffic 2014 daily (Data source: Google Analytics)

The huge spike at the start of the year happened on January 24, 2014, when someone posted a link to Reddit, it was enough to generate to my blog most traffic on that day. And I will remember that day as a day of most traffic received (1,140 unique visitors). 

Next biggest spikes happened at the end of November/ start of December (again thanks to Black Friday and Cyber Monday), reaching 794 (on November 28) and 877 (on December 1) respectively.

Blog Traffic report 2014 by Quarters

Blog Traffic 2014 report by quarters

As mentioned already at the start of this post, Q4 was the best in terms of unique visitors making more than 50% of unique visitors (26,746), leaving the second Q3 with 8,063, third Q2 with modest 3,445 and finally first quarter of last year with really modest 2,293 unique visitors.

The maths are simple - the year of 2014 was in the sign of steady growth.

I guess in overall results are neither good nor bad. Results are as they are.

10 most popular articles

In 2014 I wrote in total 428 articles, on average it is 1.17 articles per day. 

Here come 10 most popular articles

In total, these 10 most popular articles generated 40.45% of total unique page views. A pretty impressive number, right?

Mobile device users

In our days it's a hot topic -  while many claims they have more than 50% visitors browsing their sites using mobile devices - I can report more modest but still impressive results:

Mobile device users (Data Source: Google Analytics)

As you can see from the image above - Desktop users still are the king for my blog making in total 74.09%, followed by mobile devices (19.26%) and tablets (6.65%).

One thing I have noticed here - bounce rates from mobile and tablets are lower than from desktop, and pretty significant lower, the same applies for average time spent on the blog.

Interesting trends to observe and improve in 2015.

Demographics: Age and Gender

I implemented Google Analytics Display features at the end of August, and here is the report after counting around 35% of sessions:

Demographics: Age & Gender (Data source: Google Analytics)

As you can see from the charts above, main audience for my blog is - males (66%) in age between 25-34. Females come second making 33.4%. Not bad, I guess. 

Demographics: Location

Demographics: Location (Data source: Google Analytics)

• Around 1/3 (29.92%) of visitors to my blog come from the United States, followed by United Kingdom (8.55%) and India (7.75%).
• Canada is 4th with 4.84% and Georgia (the country where I'm currently living) comes 5th with 3.96%.
• 4 other European countries - Germany (2.17%), Spain (1.76%) and Russia (1.58%) are in my top 10 countries list.
• Australia ranks 9th with 1.62%.

Traffic sources

Traffic Sources 2014 (Data Source: Google Analytics)

I guess it is no surprise to see Google as the main traffic source in our days (though some reports show great results with Facebook or Pinterest as well).

• in 2014 Google Organic search sent 78.28% or all traffic to my blog. 
• Direct traffic (have no clue what it is) - made 10.12%
• Referrals from Reddit.com accounts for 2.75%
• Seems that Twitter (1.94%) got me better results than Facebook (1.03%)
• Bing sent 0.38% and Yahoo sent 0.36%

Good to know.

Goals for 2015

While it has been a fun ride in 2014, I must admit total result of 40,000 unique visitors is nothing much.

Just logically I have some goals to achieve in 2015. I will not be arrogant, and will set my goal pretty modest - to reach in total 150,000 unique visitors in 2015.

In average it would ask to have 12,500 unique visitors each month.

Since I ended December with more than 13,000 unique visitors - I believe it is a reasonable goal to reach 150,000 unique visitors in 2015.

Hotel Trialeti Palace in Bakuriani Review

6 January, 2015 | Hotel reviews | 17 seen

Welcome to another photo review article, this time I will photo-review Hotel Trialeti Palace hotel in Bakuriani.

For a prelude - this was my second stay at this hotel during Christmas time second year in a row. You might find interesting my post - White Christmas in Bakuriani.

Though, I didn't find a way to book this hotel on booking.com, as usual we used local groupon clone site - hotsale.ge or vovovo.ge (search in both for deals, use Google Translate if needed). So we bought coupons on of the groupon clone sites and get a nice discount, in total making to pay 50GEL per person per day.

This hotel offer included in price 3 meals per day (Swedish table), they claim they have sauna (they do have sauna, but second year in a row, it didn't worked), so do they have indoor pool (haven't used any of them - because, never works)

Simple bathroom at Hotel Trialeti Palace

Room with a balcony

View from Balcony

View from Balcony

Balcony at Hotel Trialeti Palace

A tiny TV at Trialeti Palace hotel

Unfortunately no English language channels here, just Georgian and Russian. 

Queen size bed at Trialati Palace hotel

Lobby at Hotel Trialeti Palace

Christmas tree at Lobby

Bar at Trialeti Palace hotel in Bakuriani

That said - I can only add this - Trialeti Palace hotel is a budget friendly and I can recommend it,though you should beware of something might not work as planned thing to happen.

About Hotel Trialeti Palace Bakuriani

Best winter and summer resort in Georgian mountains.

Hotel Trialeti Palace is the only one in bakuriani with its own, 1700 m. length skiing track. Elevator with special pay. The hotel has ski depot reservoir only for Trialeti Palace Guests. Hotel offers ski rent. Rooms 43 comfortable twin-bedded rooms, 8 suits. All equipped with private bathrooms, international phone and cable TV. The rooms at first and second floors have balconies.

Hiking in Tbilisi - Turtle lake (Kus Tba) - Vake Park

4 January, 2015 | Outdoor Activities | 57 seen

On a lovely and sunny Saturday morning, we decided to take hiking from Turtle's Lake down to Vake Park.

First thing first.

How to get to Turtle Lake?

Catch a Taxi, or call a taxi company. Personally, I prefer the taxi company with number 2 155 155.

Drive to Turtle lake should cost you around 5 GEL. If you prefer to catch a taxi on street - the price may go up to 10 Lari, but I wouldn't pay more than 8 Lari.

Update: Use taxi ride companies like Bolt

Actually, Turtle Lake or Kus Tba is one of the best attractions of Tbilisi (my subjective opinion) - so you can stay there all day along without any need to hike or trek somewhere else.

You can enjoy a lovely meal at coffee Intelligentsia there. Mostly I prefer to head to Turtle lake in hot summer days.

Ok, enough talking here is the pictures;

Turtle Lake

Sundial at Turtle lake

View to Tbilisi city

Pine forest and plenty of oxygen

Hiking trails in Tbilisi

Hiking trails in Tbilisi used by extreme riders

View to Stadium from trails

Parallel bars on trails

Vake park

Tennis courts at Vake park

Vake park

Memorial at Vake park

New Building

About Turtle lake

Turtle Lake is a direct English translation of Kus Tba, a small lake at the outskirts of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, so named due to the perceived abundance of turtles living in these places.

 Turtle Lake is located on the wooded northern slope of Mtatsminda Mount at elevation of 686.7 m above sea level and fed by a small river Varazis-Khevi, a tributary to the Mtkvari (Kura). The area of surface is 0.034 km², while the catchment area is 0.4 km². Maximal depth is 2.6 m.

The Turtle Lake area is designed as a recreational zone and is frequented by the Tbilisians on weekends. It is also a place where festivals and concerts are held. It could be reached either via a road or an aerial tramway leading from Tbilisi’s Vake Municipality, but it is now defunct.

West to the lake is the Open Air Museum of Ethnography, a large exhibition of Georgia’s folk architecture.

Blog Online Income Report - December 2014

3 January, 2015 | Blogging | 9 seen

Welcome to my twelve blog income report - covering month of December 2014. 

I'm making an income report each month covering earnings I have made solely in internet and in general with my blog.

Those reports keeps me track were I'm, were I was and were I'm heading to. I hope they can inspire some as well.

About online income in December 2014

• In total my blog and I earned $2,029.67, that's increase by 188.04% if compared to previous month.
• $2,029.67 makes average $65.47 in a day.

Money I earned in December equals to a minimum wage in Belgium ($2,026.00) or average wage in Spain ($2,018.00). I believe it would be hard to survive in Belgium with minimum wage but I know for sure, that it would be pretty easy to live and travel in Spain.

If compared to country were I'm currently living - Georgia. Money earned in December would equal to 4.5 average salaries in Georgia. Technically speaking - I could take a long rest now (till mid April)

Seriously speaking - December was a Christmas time, and as I believe my earnings were so high thanks to:

• Black Friday (End of November)
• Cyber Monday
• Gifts buying season

Let me explain:

Most of the money I made online I made using Amazon Affiliates. Those of you not familiar what Amazon is - it is a damned good place were to buy online many kind of goods, starting books and ending jewellery. Amazon has it's own affiliate program were associates (affiliates) can join and promote Amazon products,and receive commission for each shipped item. 

The rest of money I made online last month came from Google Adsense and Amazon CPM ADS - combined both of them accounts for about 0.5% from huge pie of $2,029.67.

I have been already many times told - Google Adsense makes pennies, but taking into account that every piece counts - really valuable pennies.

Amazon CPM ADS is something similar to Google Adsense, but instead of paying for clicks, they are paying for impressions. The more impressions you can serve, more you can earn.

You can read more about my first impressions of Amazon CPM ads in my Review.

Following words I said last month (In November report) when forecasted results for this month (December):

Taking into account that holiday season has just started, and I can see data for first 2 days of December (Which already are pretty impressive) I will forecast about $600 in month of December, though I believe it can crack $1000 this month.

Isn't it awesome - I not only cracked $1,000 milestone - I even cracked $2,000 milestone. This leads me to think of another blog post (reaching one year anniversary of blog back in October 2014 and settings goals for second year of bloging):

I have 2 simple goals - first to reach $500 per month, second to reach $1000 per month.

Now, December was second month in a row, when my blog earned more than $500 per month, so I guess it's time to adjust new goals and milestones for 2015.

Speaking of them:

Goals/Forecast for January 2015

Though it has been two great months in a row of passive online income - I'm looking on month of January pretty concerned - I mean holiday season is over - there should come a drop. I will stick with high forecast for myself, but modest for more pro affiliate marketers - January should reach $500.00 (it's 4 times less than I did in December)

I'm not willing to get in self-fooling traps - by forecasting - OK, now I will crack $5,000 milestone in January - simply because: I'm not attracting so much traffic yet and I still see a  potential drop of new purchases - simply of - holiday season is over.

Blog Traffic Report - December 2014

2 January, 2015 | Blogging | 10 seen

Welcome to monthly blog traffic report, today I will share some data how my blog performed on month of December 2014.

As it turns out this is already 15th blog traffic report. 

In short - December was a great month, traffic first time cracked 10,000 milestone and ended with 13,074 unique visitors.

Blog Traffic Report December 2014 (Source Google Analytics)

• 13,074 unique visitors is a 43.73% growth compared to previous month
• It's 3,978 unique visitors gain if compared to previous month
• 13,074 unique visitors in a month, is an average 421.74 unique visitors in a day, again it's up from 303.2 in previous month.

When I forecasted results for December month (in previous report covering November) this is what I told:

At this point I will forecast results for December - it would be great to crack 10,000 mark, but I will say - a drop could happen, so my goal is to reach at least 6,000 unique visitors in month of December.

Now - the great thing happened and I cracked a 10,000 unique visitors milestone.

December 2014 VS December 2013

My blog is about 15 month old, and I have been doing monthly traffic reports from first month starting. So it's easy to compare were I was a year ago.

Blog Traffic Report: December 2014 vs December 2013 (Data Source: Google Analytics)

A year ago I managed to attract to my blog really modest, not to say pathetic 74 unique visitors, following words I used then to describe my results:

In month of December my blog has attracted just 74 unique visitors, what is very bad result. It has been already 3 months since I started to blog, and 74 visitors in one month is very bad result. On other hand - I haven't done much promoting, just re-posting to my Twitter account.

Well - I haven't done any social (Twitter) promotion at all this December (Well all of my post are synced to my Twitter account) - but it's pretty impressive 17.567% growth in last 12 month. I'm happy - what else can I add to this.

Road to 100,000 unique visitors in a month

Starting last summer, I have been measuring my success (or failures)  to reach 100,000 unique visitors in a month. Since there is nothing much I can analyse (just actual traffic results) - at end of the December - I stand at 13% level of eventual 100,000 unique visitors. I doubt I will reach 100 K any time soon, but it's good to know were you stand right now.

What I have done in month of December

There is no magic or formula - it's just a blog writing and up keeping (maybe a little bit following global trends). In short I have been consecutive bloging each day, starting October 2013 (missing just 2 days in May 2014). Another formula I'm trying to stick with - to write a minimum 500 words article each day.

In days I have no good internet access I'm posting from my phone. I'm trying to stay focused to not to miss a single day of blog post each and every day. That simple.

Traffic sources

More than 80% of traffic in month of December to my blog came from Google search. Social traffic (Facebook, Twiiter) accounts for about 3.67% and referral traffic for some 2.3%.

In conclusion

Last month (December 2014) was a best month so far in terms of unique visitors. It was a first time I ever cracked 10,000 unique visitors milestone. 

Speaking of forecast for January - I will keep my forecast modest - 10,000 unique visitors or a little bit less (I'm afraid of traffic drop)

Jūlijs Straume: Caucasus on my mind; exhibition at Tbilisi State Museum of Folk and Applied Arts of Georgia

31 December, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 132 seen

Jūlijs Straume, was a renowned Latvian artist who left a lasting impact on the art world. Despite his passing, his legacy lives on through the active efforts of the Latvian Diaspora in Georgia, who continue to honor his works.

Jūlijs Straume (July 2, 1874 - November 1, 1970) was a Latvian textile artist, educator, and ethnographer, and an Honored Art Worker of the Latvian SSR. He studied in Jelgava and St. Petersburg and later refined his skills in Paris (1905-1907).

From 1907 to 1923, he lived in Georgia, where he collected and studied the folk decorative and applied arts of the Caucasus. During this time, he compiled a rich collection of folk weavings, or carpets, which he later published in the album "Caucasian Carpets" (Volume 1, 1913). Straume created sketches of carpets using typical Latvian applied arts folklore and ethnographic motifs, applying the principle of oriental composition.

After his time in Georgia, he returned to Latvia and continued to work as an artist and educator. Straume died on November 1, 1970, in Riga, Latvia.

Recently, I had the privilege of attending an exhibition at the State Museum of Folk and Applied Arts of Georgia, where I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the artistry and talent of Jūlijs Straume. It was a truly memorable experience and a testament to the enduring power and appeal of his works.

State Museum of Folk and Applied Arts of Georgia

Book published by Jūlijs Straume

Though Jūlijs Straume is known for his work of research on Caucasus carpet patterns, he just logical was a traveler also, and he documented many remote places in Georgia and Caucasus, a lot of photographies were found in this book.

Photographies by Jūlijs Straume (start of 20th century)

Jūlijs Straume Library

There is even a Library named after a famous Latvian

Carpet patterns

Here is a thing - Jūlijs did photograph carpet patterns, but back then there were no color photos, so he hand-colored his B&W photographies

Straume Library sign

Some technical information

Carpet

Carpet

Those of you familiar with Lithuanian Vytas will find some similarities, on the other hand, it might be Saint Michael...

More carpet patterns

The Georgian State Museum of Folk and Applied Art houses collections of XIX-XX c.c. craft works from Georgia and other Caucasian nations. The museum features displays of gold and silver items, adornments, belts, weapons, household objects, and collections of Caucasian rugs and carpets, silk, leather, heavy cloth, felt objects, Khevsiretian clothes, embroidery samples, tapestry, local musical instruments, and folk craft objects. The museum also stores works by Jūlijs Straume, including a rich collection of drawings based on the Caucasian ethnographic material, such as ornament patterns and sketches.

White Christmas in Bakuriani (2014)

30 December, 2014 | Living in Georgia | 11 seen

For the second year in a row, we decided to celebrate Christmas in Bakuriani, a remote mountain resort city in Georgia. 

While some may choose Bakuriani as a skiing destination, we opted for a white Christmas location. Originally, we planned to take a minibus, but we were persuaded by a taxi driver to travel with him for 70 GEL (after bargaining down from 100 GEL).

Below are some snapshots I took of Bakuriani with my Sony camera.

Bakuriani sign - for me it looks like it have kept from Soviet times, but I might be wrong.

Didveli skiing map - though they have skiing maps around the city, I didn't find much skiers at the Christmas time here, rumour has it - they will come latter.

Playground in Bakuriani - locals get fun at public playground,

Handmade goodies at Bakuriani - honey, jam and other goodies in honey or jam (average price 10 GEL)

Up at Didveli 

Hill's Hut - one and only restaurant up in the mountain

Christmas tree at Hill's Hut

Ski run at Bakuriani

Ski lifts at Bakuriani (Didveli) - ticket price per person 4GEL 

View to mountains at Bakuriani

What can I add to this - while Bakuriani, probably is popular skiing resort for some in Georgia. I can tell you just once - the city lacks infrastructure. 

About Bakuriani

Bakuriani  is a skiing resort in the Borjomi district of Georgia. It is located on the northern slope of the Trialeti Range, at an elevation of 1,700 meters (5,576 feet) above sea level. The region around Bakuriani is covered by coniferous forests (mainly made up of spruce). The resort lies 30 km (19 mi) from Borjomi and is located within the so-called Bakuriani Depression/caldera. The resort is connected with Borjomi by an electrified narrow-gauge railway.

The present-day area of the town was built up by the lava flows from the Mukheri volcano. The highest mountain of the resort used for skiing is called Mount Kohta at around 2,200 meters (7,216 feet) above sea level.

The climate of Bakuriani is transitional from humid maritime to relatively humid continental. The winters are cold and experience significant snowfall while the summers are long and warm. Average annual temperature of the town is 4.3 degrees Celsius. The average temperature in January is -7.3 degrees Celsius while the average August temperature is 15 degrees Celsius. The annual precipitation is 734 mm (28.9 in). The depth of snow from December to March is 64 cm (25.2 in).

Bakuriani is also home to the Botanical Garden of the Georgian Academy of Sciences. It was the home town of luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, who died during event training on the first day of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. He lived in Bakuriani for much his life, and the street he lived on was named in his honor after his death. Georgia's flag-bearing athlete at the opening ceremony, alpine skier Iason Abramashvili, also resides there; he has decided to compete to honor Kumaritashvili's memory.

The 37 km Borjomi-Bakuriani railway "Kukushka" uses 912 mm track gauge. A few km south of Bakuriani lies the trajectory of the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline.

Best Laptop Deals 2023: Top 6 Models to Consider

29 December, 2014 | Laptop Reviews | 3 seen

Laptops are essential tools for many people, whether for work, school, or entertainment. With 2023 just starting, many laptop manufacturers are offering great deals on their latest models. This article will showcase the top laptop deals for 2023, with a focus on value for money. We've selected these laptops based on a variety of criteria, including price, features, and customer reviews.

Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly option or a high-end machine, you're sure to find something that suits your needs in this guide.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon. This means that if you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 is a popular laptop model that has been updated for 2023 with some impressive features. It features a 13.4-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1200, which is bright and vibrant. The laptop is slim and lightweight, making it easy to carry around. The Dell XPS 13 is powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, making it a powerful and efficient machine. It also features 8GB of RAM and a 256GB solid-state drive, providing plenty of storage space for your files and applications. The laptop's battery life is also impressive, lasting up to 14 hours on a single charge. The Dell XPS 13 also has a backlit keyboard and a large touchpad, making it easy to type and navigate. Overall, the Dell XPS 13 is a top pick for those looking for a slim and powerful laptop with a great display.

HP Spectre x360

The HP Spectre x360 is a 2-in-1 laptop that offers a lot of versatility and power. It has a sleek and modern design, with a 13.3-inch Full HD touch display that is bright and vibrant. The laptop is powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, which makes it fast and efficient. It also comes with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB solid-state drive, providing plenty of space for your files and applications. The HP Spectre x360 also has a long battery life, lasting up to 12 hours on a single charge. The laptop can be used in four different modes - laptop, tablet, stand, and tent - making it a great choice for those who need a versatile device for work or play. The keyboard is backlit and comfortable to type on, and the laptop also has a built-in fingerprint reader for added security. The HP Spectre x360 is a top pick for those looking for a powerful 2-in-1 laptop with great features and design.

ASUS ZenBook 14

The ASUS ZenBook 14 is a compact and powerful laptop that is perfect for those who need to be productive on the go. It features a 14-inch Full HD display with ultra-narrow bezels, giving you a larger viewing area in a smaller footprint. The laptop is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, which provides fast and efficient performance. It also comes with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB solid-state drive, providing plenty of space for your files and applications. The ASUS ZenBook 14 also has a long battery life, lasting up to 12 hours on a single charge. The laptop is slim and lightweight, making it easy to carry around with you wherever you go. It has a durable build quality, with a brushed metal finish that looks stylish and modern. The keyboard is backlit and comfortable to type on, and the laptop also has a built-in fingerprint reader for added security. The ASUS ZenBook 14 is a great choice for those who need a powerful and portable laptop that can keep up with their busy lifestyle.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a high-end business laptop that's designed for professionals who need power and performance on the go. The laptop features a sleek and slim design that's both lightweight and durable, making it easy to carry around. It comes with a 14-inch Full HD display that delivers sharp and clear visuals. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, providing speedy and efficient performance. It also comes with a fast and reliable 512GB solid-state drive that offers plenty of storage space for your files and applications. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon has a long battery life, lasting up to 18.5 hours on a single charge, making it ideal for all-day use. The laptop also has a comfortable and responsive keyboard that's perfect for typing on for long periods of time. Additionally, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon comes with built-in security features, such as a fingerprint reader and a webcam privacy shutter, to keep your data and personal information safe. Overall, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a high-quality laptop that offers great performance and features for business professionals who need a reliable and portable device.

Acer Predator Helios 300

The Acer Predator Helios 300 is a powerful gaming laptop designed for gamers who demand high performance and immersive gaming experiences. The laptop is powered by a 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor and features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card, providing lightning-fast processing speeds and delivering vivid, high-quality graphics. The 15.6-inch Full HD display has a 144Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for fast-paced gaming. The laptop also comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD for fast storage and boot times.

The Acer Predator Helios 300 has a sleek and modern design, with a black aluminum chassis and blue LED lighting accents. The laptop is equipped with a comfortable backlit keyboard that has a dedicated numeric keypad, making it easy to use for gaming or work. The keyboard also features a Turbo button that boosts the performance of the laptop for intense gaming sessions.

The Predator Helios 300 has a range of connectivity options, including HDMI, USB 3.2 Type-C, and USB 3.2 Type-A ports, as well as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. The laptop also features a dual-fan cooling system that helps to keep the system cool during demanding gaming sessions.

Overall, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is an excellent choice for gamers who want a high-performance gaming laptop that's both powerful and stylish. Its powerful hardware, modern design, and comfortable keyboard make it a great option for anyone who needs a laptop that can handle intensive gaming or demanding workloads.

MacBook Air M2

The MacBook Air M2 is a laptop that is built to deliver high performance and power efficiency. It is equipped with the latest Apple M2 chip, which is designed to offer faster processing speed, improved battery life, and superior graphics performance. The laptop has a 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology that adjusts the display’s white balance to the ambient light for a more natural viewing experience. The MacBook Air M2 also features a Touch ID fingerprint sensor that allows for easy and secure login to the laptop.

The MacBook Air M2 has 8-core CPU and 7-core GPU with 8GB unified memory, providing smooth and fast performance for everyday tasks, such as browsing the web, editing documents, or streaming videos. The laptop comes with 256GB or 512GB SSD storage, providing ample storage space for files, documents, and media. The laptop’s battery life is rated up to 18 hours, allowing users to work, play, and stream for an extended period without needing to recharge.

The laptop has two Thunderbolt 4 ports that support up to 40Gb/s data transfer, allowing users to connect to external devices such as displays and storage drives. It also has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, providing seamless wireless connectivity for web browsing, file transfer, and online communication.

The MacBook Air M2 has a sleek and lightweight design, weighing just 2.8 pounds, making it easy to carry around. The laptop is available in three colors: Gold, Silver, and Space Gray, giving users options to choose from to match their style.

Overall, the MacBook Air M2 is a powerful, sleek, and portable laptop that is designed to deliver top-notch performance and power efficiency.

FAQs:

Are these laptops good for everyday use?

Yes, all of the laptops featured in this guide are suitable for everyday use, whether for work or personal use.

Are these deals available in all countries?

The availability of these deals may vary depending on your location and the retailer. However, most of these laptops are sold globally and can be found on major online retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Newegg.

Can I upgrade the RAM or storage on these laptops?

In most cases, yes. However, it's always best to check the specifications and consult with the manufacturer or a professional before attempting to upgrade any hardware.

How long do these laptops last?

The lifespan of a laptop can vary depending on usage, care, and maintenance. However, all of the laptops featured in this guide are built to last and come with manufacturer warranties to ensure quality and longevity.

Summary:

In summary, there are many great laptop deals available for 2023, ranging from ultraportable options to high-end gaming machines. The Dell XPS 13, HP Spectre x360, ASUS ZenBook 14, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, Acer Predator Helios 300, and MacBook Air M2 are all excellent choices that offer value for money. Whether you're a student, a business professional, or a casual user, there's a laptop on this list that will meet your needs and budget. Be sure to check out these deals while they last and take advantage of the discounts to upgrade your tech game.

Best Tablets for Students, Creatives, and Professionals in 2023

29 December, 2014 | Laptop Reviews | 10 seen

With the rise of mobile computing and remote work, tablets have become essential devices for professionals and casual users alike. Tablets are portable, versatile, and can perform many of the functions of a laptop, while remaining more compact and convenient to carry around. However, with so many tablets on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your needs.

In this article, we'll take a look at some of the top tablets available today and help you find the perfect one for your lifestyle.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on a link to a product on Amazon.com and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. The commission I earn is at no extra cost to you

Apple iPad Pro

The Apple iPad Pro is one of the most popular tablets on the market, and for good reason. It offers a large, high-quality display, powerful performance, and a range of features that make it perfect for both personal and professional use. Some of the key features of the iPad Pro include:

• Large, high-resolution display: The iPad Pro features a large 12.9-inch display with a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels, making it perfect for streaming video, browsing the web, or working on documents.
• Powerful performance: The iPad Pro is equipped with Apple's A12Z Bionic chip, which delivers fast and responsive performance for even the most demanding tasks.
• Apple Pencil support: The iPad Pro supports Apple's Pencil, a stylus that allows you to take notes, draw, and sketch with precision and accuracy.
• Face ID: The iPad Pro uses Face ID technology to securely unlock the device and authorize purchases and downloads.

While the iPad Pro is one of the most expensive tablets on the market, its powerful performance and range of features make it an excellent choice for professionals or anyone who needs a powerful tablet for work or play.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is another popular tablet that offers a range of features and capabilities. Some of the key features of the Tab S7+ include:

• Large, high-resolution display: The Tab S7+ features a large 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2800 x 1752 pixels, making it perfect for streaming video and working on documents.
• Powerful performance: The Tab S7+ is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, which delivers fast and responsive performance for even the most demanding tasks.
• S Pen support: The Tab S7+ comes with an S Pen stylus that allows you to take notes, draw, and sketch with precision and accuracy.
• 5G support: The Tab S7+ supports 5G connectivity, making it perfect for remote work and streaming video on the go.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is a powerful and versatile tablet that offers a range of features and capabilities.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a tablet that's designed with productivity in mind. Some of the key features of the Surface Pro 7 include:

• High-quality display: The Surface Pro 7 features a 12.3-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels, making it perfect for working on documents or streaming video.
• Powerful performance: The Surface Pro 7 is equipped with a 10th Gen Intel Core processor, which delivers fast and responsive performance for even the most demanding tasks.
• Type Cover support: The Surface Pro 7 supports Microsoft's Type Cover, a keyboard cover that allows you to turn the tablet into a laptop-like device.
• Surface Pen support: The Surface Pro 7 supports Microsoft's Surface Pen, a stylus that allows you to take notes, draw, and sketch with precision and accuracy.

Overall, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a powerful and versatile tablet that's perfect for anyone who needs a device for work and productivity.

Amazon Fire HD 10

The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a budget-friendly tablet that's perfect for casual users who don't need the advanced features of more expensive devices. Some of the key features of the Fire HD 10 include:

• Large, high-resolution display: The Fire HD 10 features a large 10.1-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, making it perfect for streaming video and browsing the web.
• Alexa support: The Fire HD 10 features Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant, which allows you to control your tablet with your voice and access a range of features and services.
• Long battery life: The Fire HD 10 offers up to 12 hours of battery life, making it perfect for use on long flights or road trips.
• Low price point: The Fire HD 10 is one of the most affordable tablets on the market, making it perfect for anyone on a budget.

While the Fire HD 10 doesn't offer the advanced features of more expensive tablets, its low price point and range of features make it a great choice for casual users.

Lenovo Tab P11 Pro

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro is a versatile and powerful tablet that's perfect for both personal and professional use. Some of the key features of the Tab P11 Pro include:

• Large, high-resolution display: The Tab P11 Pro features a large 11.5-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, making it perfect for streaming video and working on documents.
• Powerful performance: The Tab P11 Pro is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor, which delivers fast and responsive performance for even the most demanding tasks.
• Dual rear cameras: The Tab P11 Pro features two rear-facing cameras, a 13MP main camera and a 5MP ultra-wide camera, making it perfect for taking photos and videos.
• Fingerprint sensor: The Tab P11 Pro features a fingerprint sensor for secure login and authentication.

Overall, the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro is a versatile and powerful tablet that's perfect for anyone who needs a device for work and play.

iPad Air

The iPad Air is a mid-range tablet that offers a range of features and capabilities. Some of the key features of the iPad Air include:

• Large, high-resolution display: The iPad Air features a large 10.9-inch display with a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels, making it perfect for streaming video and working on documents.
• Powerful performance: The iPad Air is equipped with Apple's A14 Bionic chip, which delivers fast and responsive performance for even the most demanding tasks.
• Apple Pencil support: The iPad Air supports Apple's Pencil, a stylus that allows you to take notes, draw, and sketch with precision and accuracy.
• Touch ID: The iPad Air uses Touch ID technology to securely unlock the device and authorize purchases and downloads.

Overall, the iPad Air is a versatile and powerful tablet that offers a range of features and capabilities at a mid-range price point.

FAQs

Which tablet is best for reading books?

The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a great choice for reading books, thanks to its large, high-resolution display and long battery life.

Can I use a tablet for gaming?

Yes, many tablets are capable of running a range of popular games. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ and the Apple iPad Pro are both great choices for gaming.

What's the best tablet for video conferencing?

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a great choice for video conferencing, thanks to its powerful performance and support for accessories like the Type Cover and Surface Pen.

Which tablet is the most affordable?

The Amazon Fire HD 10 is one of the most affordable tablets on the market, making it a great choice for anyone on a budget.

What's the best tablet for artists and designers?

The Apple iPad Pro is the best tablet for artists and designers, thanks to its high-resolution display, support for the Apple Pencil, and powerful performance.

Can I use a tablet as a laptop replacement?

Yes, many tablets can be used as a laptop replacement, especially those with detachable keyboards like the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+.

Summary

In conclusion, there are many great tablets on the market today, each with its own set of features and capabilities. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+, Microsoft Surface Pro 7, Apple iPad Pro, Amazon Fire HD 10, Lenovo Tab P11 Pro, and iPad Air are all excellent choices for anyone looking for a new tablet. When making your decision, consider factors like display size and resolution, performance, battery life, and any specific features or accessories you may need. With the right tablet, you can stay connected, productive, and entertained no matter where you are.

Minimum Wages in Baltic States 2015

28 December, 2014 | Macroeconomics | 10 seen

The Baltic States, which include Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, have been recognized as one of the fastest-growing regions in the European Union. The region has experienced significant economic development, attracting foreign investment, and becoming a hub for technology, finance, and other sectors. One crucial aspect of this growth is the regulation of minimum wages.

In 2015, the minimum wages in the Baltic States were as follows:

It is important to note that the minimum wage in each country is subject to change depending on the economic situation, political decisions, and other factors. The Baltic States have been actively working towards increasing the minimum wage, in order to support low-income workers and boost economic growth.

In conclusion, the minimum wages in the Baltic States have been increasing steadily in recent years, reflecting the region's economic growth and development. While the minimum wage may not be sufficient to support a comfortable standard of living, it serves as an important benchmark for ensuring fair compensation for workers. The governments of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have set ambitious targets for further increasing the minimum wage in the coming years, which bodes well for the future of the region.

Exploring the Future of Transportation: The Dallas-Houston High-Speed Rail

28 December, 2014 | Railway / Bus / Ferry | 13 seen

Back in 2013, we embarked on an epic journey across the United States that began at JFK Airport in New York City and ended in Houston, Texas. Although we had initially planned to reach the West Coast, we eventually decided to cut our trip short due to two reasons: we were travelling on a budget using Megabus, and we were exhausted after a month on the road.

While Megabus was an affordable option for us, there were no other economical choices to reach the West Coast. This led us to reflect on the transportation options in the United States. It became clear that unlike in Europe, high-speed trains were not a popular mode of transportation in the United States. Instead, many Americans preferred air travel, even for short distances like Dallas to Houston.

However, after seven years, a time and cost-effective alternative may soon become available. Plans are underway to build a high-speed rail network connecting Dallas and Houston, which would be the first of its kind in the United States. This 240-mile project is expected to take only 90 minutes, with an estimated completion date of 2021, pending federal approval and funding.

During a public meeting in Dallas, potential locations for the line's endpoints were unveiled. The downtown station would make it easier for the project to tie into existing public transit at both end points. Dallas City Council members lobbied for Union Station to serve as the North Texas terminus. This station serves two Dallas Area Rapid Transit light-rail lines, an Amtrak line and the TRE passenger train that connects Dallas and Fort Worth.

The company planning the high-speed rail project, Texas Central Railway, plans to build the entire project with private funds and has already begun soliciting investors. Although the company has not disclosed the project's cost, it is estimated to be approximately $10 billion. The company also has the power to use eminent domain for the project, with two routes selected for closer consideration that largely follow existing rail lines or utility rights of way, which would minimize the need for land purchases or seizure.

With a projected growth in population, officials estimate that the drive from Dallas to Houston, which currently takes about four hours, could take six hours by 2035. They estimate the average speed on I-45 between the two cities will drop from 60 mph to 40 mph over that time. The high-speed rail network is expected to become the biggest game-changer in transportation since the establishment of the federal highway system.

In conclusion, the Dallas-Houston high-speed rail project will bring a significant shift in transportation and travel between these two major cities in Texas. It is a fascinating development that will change the way people travel, and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds in the coming years.

5 Essential Tips for Optimizing Your Website for Mobile SEO

27 December, 2014 | Blogging | 5 seen

With the rise of mobile devices and the increasing number of mobile searches, optimizing your website for mobile SEO has become more important than ever. In fact, Google has even announced that mobile-first indexing will become the default for all new websites starting from March 2021.

This means that your website's mobile version will be the primary version Google will index and use for ranking purposes.

So, what can you do to ensure that your website is optimized for mobile SEO? Here are some tips:

In conclusion, optimizing your website for mobile SEO is no longer optional. With the increasing number of mobile users and Google's mobile-first indexing, it's essential to ensure that your website is mobile-friendly, fast-loading, and optimized for local and voice search. By following the tips outlined above, you can improve your website's mobile SEO and provide a better user experience for your mobile visitors. 

Considering hiring me to optimize your website for SEO

Istanbul - Konya - New High Speed Train in Turkey

23 December, 2014 | Railway / Bus / Ferry | 6 seen

<p>I have travelled by train in Turkey just once back in 2011 from Ankara to Izmir. That route went some 15-17 hours... It's damned boring thing. Well I'm glad I took that ride of course, but I'm more glad to learn that Turkey is investing much in it's train infrastructure. And I'm sure I will use Istanbul - Konya high speed line in future.</p><p>Recently (on December 17, 2014) a new high speed line Istanbul - Konya has been launched and here is the real gain:</p><p><strong>The Istanbul-Konya journey time on the high speed line is four hours 15 minutes, compared to 13 hours on the old trains</strong></p><p>President (Turkish) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan inaugurated a high speed train link from Istanbul to the Central Anatolian city of Konya on Dec. 17, which cuts journey times by nearly nine hours.</p><p>Erdoğan himself opened the line at a ceremony in Konya, 460 kilometers southeast of Istanbul, and declared that <strong>all travel on it would be free for the first week</strong>.</p><p>The president said the line was the latest step in his multi-billion dollar drive to modernize Turkey.</p><blockquote><p>"For decades, we only sat back and watched developments taking place in the West. We could see high speed trains only on TV and see planes only when we lay down on the ground and looked up to the sky,"</p></blockquote><p>Erdoğan said in a televised speech.</p><blockquote><p>"But thanks to us, Turkey has gone through a great transformation in 12 years. We have cleared the way for our people,"</p></blockquote><p>he added.</p><p>Religiously conservative Konya, which has a population of over one million, is a key economic hub in central Turkey and a stronghold of support for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).</p><p>The Istanbul-Konya journey time on the high speed line is four hours 15 minutes, compared to 13 hours on the old trains. Two departures are planned a day, with tickets starting at 42.5 Turkish Liras ($18).</p><p>Erdoğan is pressing ahead with plans to build a high speed train network across Turkey, which has so far lagged behind Europe in railways with most journeys made by road or plane. In July he inaugurated the first high speed train line between Istanbul and Ankara, which cut journey times in half to just 3.5 hours.</p><p>There is already a high speed line between Ankara and Konya.</p><p><strong>Used resources:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-unveils-new-high-speed-train-to… by:&nbsp;AA Photo</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p>

Nginx redirect domain name to another domain

21 December, 2014 | Servers | 18 seen

Redirecting website visitors to a different domain name using Nginx is simple.

Add the following code to your server config: 

Restart Nginx

Food Blogger: Gingerbread Dough Recipe

21 December, 2014 | Food blogger | 5 seen

<p>In this article I'm going to show how one (perhaps you) can prepare a gingerbread dough at home.&nbsp;</p><h2>Ingredients:</h2><p><strong>You will need:</strong> <em>butter, flour, eggs, salt&amp;sugar, malt, spices</em></p><p>It all starts with butter</p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/butter.jpg&quot; alt="Butter" title="Butter" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>Butter&nbsp;</em></p><p>Since I'm <a href="http://www.reinisfischer.com/living-georgia">living in Georgia</a> - most of the ingredients used in this recipe are local Georgian</p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/fluor_0.jpg&quot; alt="Fluor" title="Fluor" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>Flour</em></p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/eggs.jpg&quot; alt="Eggs" title="Eggs" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>Eggs</em></p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/suggar.jpg&quot; alt="Suggar" title="Suggar" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>Sugar</em></p><p>It's better if you have a brown sugar. We didn't find any brown sugar so we used a regular white sugar.</p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/malt.jpg&quot; alt="Malt" title="Malt" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>Malt</em></p><p>We bought this Malt about a year ago at <a title="Carrefour Tbilisi" href="http://www.reinisfischer.com/shopping-georgia-tbilisi-mall">local Carrefour store</a>, as we knew -<strong> this day will come</strong></p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/species.jpg&quot; alt="Spices" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>Spices</em></p><p>Cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, nutmeg</p><h2>Tools:</h2><p><strong>You will need:</strong> <em>coffee mills, a grater</em></p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/straume.jpg&quot; alt="vintage coffee mill - Straume" title="vintage coffee mill - Straume" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>a&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.538em;">vintage coffee mill - Straume</span></em></p><p>"Straume" coffee mills - used to be a Soviet flagship - in has to be in every household</p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/grater.jpg&quot; alt="grater" title="grater" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>grater</em></p><p>You will need a grater to grate a peel (oranges/mandarins)</p><h2>Preperation</h2><p>Basically it all comes down to melt a butter, brown a sugar, add a flour, stir well, ad some spices and malt and of course the kneading of dough.</p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/suggarbutter.jpg&quot; alt="Melt a butter, brown a suggar" title="Melt a butter, brown a suggar" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>Melt a butter, brown a sugar</em></p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/addamalt.jpg&quot; alt="add a malt" title="add a malt" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>Add a malt</em></p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/addafluor.jpg&quot; alt="Add a fluor" title="Add a fluor" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>Add a flour</em></p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/stir.jpg&quot; alt="Don't forget to stir well" title="Don't forget to stir well" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>Don't forget to stir well</em></p><p>Finally - &nbsp;when you feel consistence of dough is ready you should knead it</p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/gingerbreadman.jpg&quot; alt="Gingerbread man" title="Gingerbread man" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>Gingerbread man</em></p><p><img src="http://www.reinisfischer.com/sites/default/files/foil.jpg&quot; alt="Foil" title="Foil" width="640" height="640"></p><p><em>Put your gingerbread dough in a foil and store it in your fridge for couple of days.</em></p><p><em>Huh - that was a long photo post, right - the funny thing, to write about food is super complicated, if honest I learned a lot of new words in English. to knead a dough, for example.</em></p><h2>So here comes the short version:</h2><ul><li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Pour into a pot a malt and sugar, bring up to the boil. Add half of flour, add spices, stir with wooded spoon until the dough separates from pot.</span></li><li><span style="line-height: 1.538em;">Add scrambled egg and rest of the flour.</span></li></ul>