Blog Archive: December 2013
The End of an Exciting Year 2013
| Blogging | 12 seen
As the end of the year approaches, it's a time for reflection and looking back at what has been achieved. In 2013, I embarked on a personal challenge to blog every single day for 365 days straight, and I am proud to say that I have accomplished this goal.
One aspect of my blogging journey that stands out, in particular, is the role that Facebook advertising played in the growth of my Facebook page. I started the year with a modest number of 1287 fans, and I am now looking ahead to the future with the goal of increasing that number to at least 6000 by the end of 2014.
While the number may seem small, I view it as a modest start, and I am eager to see what the future holds. The world of social media and online advertising is constantly evolving, and I am excited to see how my Facebook page will grow and change over the next year.
As I look back on my 2013 blogging, I am grateful for the journey and all that I have learned. Whether you are a blogger, a business owner, or simply someone looking to make a positive impact on the world, I hope that my story inspires you to set your own goals and work toward them with determination and passion.
Get Insights into Your Site Visitors' Engagement with the Click Heat Map for Drupal
| Drupal Development | 10 seen
Have you ever wondered where your website visitors are clicking on your pages? Knowing this information can help you make important design decisions, such as where to place ads for maximum impact. That's where the Click Heat Map for Drupal comes in!
To get started, you'll need to download both the ClickHeat module and library. Simply extract the module to the sites/all/modules directory and the library to the sites/all/libraries directory.
Next, follow the simple installation instructions:
And that's it! With the Click Heat Map for Drupal, you'll have a better…
Discovering Tbilisi by Bike - A Timeless Journey Amidst New Year's Celebrations
| Living in Georgia | 7 seen
An updated take on an article originally published in December 2013, with a note that unfortunately, most of the pictures from the original piece have been lost. However, new photos have been added to showcase the beauty of Tbilisi.
Experience the charm of Tbilisi on a leisurely bike ride, with perfect weather conditions of sunny and warm.
With only a couple of days left until the New Year's festivities, the picturesque scenes captured on this journey will transport you to a timeless world, seemingly untouched by the approaching celebrations.
Experimenting with Facebook Scheduling Posts for Increased Traffic (2014)
| Blogging | 4 seen
As a webmaster, it's important to constantly explore new ways to drive traffic to your website. While search engine optimization (SEO) is a key component in boosting your website's visibility, there are other ways to drive traffic and engagement as well. One such way is through social media, particularly Facebook.
There has been a lot of speculation about the relationship between Facebook and SEO, with some people believing that there is a direct impact, while others think it's more indirect. However, the truth is that there is a connection between the two, albeit a subtle one.
The likes, shares, and comments that you receive on your Facebook posts can contribute to your website's visibility, especially if the content is high quality and relevant. Additionally, if someone shares a post from your Facebook page on their own profile, it can further increase your website's exposure to new audiences.
So, in an effort to explore the relationship between Facebook and SEO further, I decided to conduct an experiment. My goal was to see if posting links to my Facebook fan page would help drive traffic to my website. I would like to share with you…
Bakuriani: Your Next Winter Sports Destination in Georgia
| Living in Georgia | 11 seen
Bakuriani is a popular winter resort located in the heart of the Georgian mountains. Known for its scenic beauty, serene environment, and world-class skiing facilities, Bakuriani has become a popular tourist destination for winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world.
Despite its popularity, Bakuriani remains relatively unknown to the wider world.
However, the resort once applied to host the 2014 Winter Olympics and is considered by many to be an ideal location for the games.
Bakuriani is situated at an altitude of over 1,800 meters and is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks. The resort boasts of some of the best ski slopes in the region, with a variety of runs for skiers of all levels of experience. From challenging black runs to gentler slopes for beginners, Bakuriani has something for everyone.
The resort is also known for its well-maintained ski infrastructure, with state-of-the-art ski lifts, snowmaking facilities, and ski rental services. Moreover, Bakuriani has a well-equipped medical center to handle any skiing-related injuries, ensuring the safety of all visitors.
In addition to skiing, Bakuriani offers a wide range of…
Can Facebook Boosted Posts Drive Profitable Traffic through Google AdSense?
| Blogging | 1 seen
Lately, I've been pondering over the question of whether it's possible to monetize traffic driven from Facebook Boosted Posts.
I recently conducted an experiment where I used the Facebook Boosted Posts feature for the first time and was impressed with the results. The traffic generated was so promising that I decided to test the potential for monetization through Google AdSense.
In January 2014, I planned to use Facebook Boosted Posts multiple times, each time spending $5, with the goal of driving at least 500 visitors to the website. I added Google AdSense ad units on the landing pages, hoping to see if the ads could earn me a profit.
The plan was to use Facebook Boosted Posts twice or maybe even three times a month and see if Google AdSense could pay off some of the expenses.
It is important to note that this experiment may not be in line with Google AdSense terms of service.
Facebook Boosted Posts - A Cost-Effective Way to Drive Traffic to Your Website
| Blogging | 4 seen
In today's world, social media plays a crucial role in promoting a business, increasing its visibility, and reaching a wider audience. One of the most popular and widely used social media platforms is Facebook, with over 2.8 billion active users. It is a great platform for business owners and marketers to showcase their products, services, and ideas to a massive audience.
However, with so many users and pages, it can be difficult to get your content noticed and attract visitors to your site. That's where Facebook Boosted Posts come in.
Facebook Boosted Posts are a paid advertising option that allows you to promote your posts to a wider audience than your page's followers. By using Boosted Posts, you can reach a large number of people who are interested in your products or services and drive traffic to your site. The best part about Boosted Posts is that it's incredibly affordable, starting from just $5.
With just a small investment, you can get a significant amount of exposure for your content and reach your target audience.
So, how does it work?To boost a post on Facebook, you need to create a post on your page and select the…
Exploring Tbilisi on Two Wheels: A Journey Through the City's Streets with a Mountain Bike (2013)
| Living in Georgia | 17 seen
I recently went on my first mountain biking excursion of the year on December 23rd.
Although it wasn't a true mountain biking experience, I rode my bike along the streets of Tbilisi, crossing over the Mtkvari river on the Queen Tamar Mephe bridge and back.
Here are some candid photos from my ride that showcase the city's streets and scenery.
Apartment blocks in Tbilisi
New skyscrapers been built in Tbilisi
Traffic jam in Tbilisi
Tbilisi, December 23rd
Does it look like a Christmas?
My newly acquired mountain bike
I bought this bike at Kidobani market
Mtkvari river in Tbilisi
USD Value Increases Against GEL in 2013: Is It Worth the Panic?
| Living in Georgia | 12 seen
If you're keeping an eye on the exchange rates, you might have noticed that the US dollar has been steadily gaining strength and by December 2013, it reached its peak. The exchange rate for 1 Georgian Lari on December 23, 2013 was set to 1.7168 according to the National Bank of Georgia, and in Tbilisi's money exchange points, the value went even higher to 1.7300 (SELL) and 1.7200 (BUY).
I've created a handy chart that shows the exchange rates for GEL from January 1, 2013 to December 23, 2013, so you can see the changes for yourself.
Now, some people might think that these fluctuations are artificially made, but who knows for sure, right? I'm just a regular person, not a millionaire, so I don't really feel the effects of these changes on a daily basis.
If you're curious, though, on January 1, $1000 was worth 1656.2 GEL, but on December 23, $1000 was worth 1716.8 GEL, which means there was a difference of 60.6 GEL compared to the start of the year. That's an increase of the value of the US dollar against the GEL by 3.5% in 2013. Is it worth panicking over? I don't think so, but maybe just a little bit. My personal forecast is that by spring, the…
The Best Ways to Enjoy the Sun in Tbilisi: From Parks to Pools
| Living in Georgia | 38 seen
Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, is known for its beautiful landscapes and diverse climate. One of the most notable aspects of the city's climate is the abundance of sunlight it receives throughout the year. In this article, we will explore the sun in Tbilisi, including its impact on the city's culture and lifestyle, as well as some tips on how to enjoy the sun during your stay in the city.
Tbilisi is located in the Eastern European Time Zone and experiences a humid subtropical climate. The city enjoys a high amount of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of around 2,200 hours of sunshine annually. The summer months, from May to September, are the sunniest with an average of 10-12 hours of daylight. During these months, the sun rises around 6:00 AM and sets around 9:00 PM, providing ample opportunity for outdoor activities.
The abundance of sunshine in Tbilisi has a significant impact on the city's culture and lifestyle. Locals love to spend time outdoors, whether it's in parks, on terraces, or in cafes with open-air seating. Many cafes, restaurants, and bars in the city have outdoor seating areas where you can enjoy the sunshine…
Do-Follow Links and Google SEO: How Backlinks Impact Search Rankings
| Blogging | 3 seen
When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), one of the most important factors that can impact a website's ranking is the presence of do-follow links. A do-follow link is a hyperlink that allows search engine crawlers to follow the link to the destination website, which can help boost the site's ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). In this article, we will explore the role of do-follow links in Google SEO.
First, it is important to understand how search engines like Google determine the ranking of web pages. One of the key factors that search engines consider is the number and quality of inbound links to a particular page. Inbound links, also known as backlinks, are links from other websites that point to the target website. If a website has many high-quality backlinks, it is seen as a trustworthy and authoritative source of information, which can help improve its ranking in search results.
Do-follow links are an important factor in this equation because they allow search engine crawlers to follow the link to the target website, which can help to improve its visibility and ranking in search…
Inside Transnistria: Unrecognized State Between Moldova and Ukraine
| Macroeconomics | 4 seen
Transnistria is a breakaway region located in Eastern Europe, sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine. The region has been unrecognized by the international community since it declared independence in 1990, following the fall of the Soviet Union.
Transnistria has a complex history and cultural identity, with a significant population of ethnic Russians and Ukrainians. The region's language and culture are heavily influenced by Russian traditions, and the people of Transnistria generally identify more with Russia than with Moldova.
The conflict between Moldova and Transnistria began in 1992 when Moldova declared independence from the Soviet Union. Transnistria, which had a large population of ethnic Russians and Ukrainians, declared independence in response, leading to a brief but bloody conflict that ended in a ceasefire in July 1992. Since then, Transnistria has remained a de facto independent state, despite being unrecognized by the international community.
Transnistria's economy is heavily dependent on trade with Russia, which provides the region with energy and other resources. The region has a large metallurgical industry, as well as agriculture and…
Why Many Political Leaders Skipped the 2014 Sochi Olympics
| Macroeconomics | 8 seen
The Olympic Games are a global event that brings together the world's top athletes in a spirit of international cooperation and friendly competition. However, the Sochi Olympic Games in 2014 were marred by controversy and political tension, as many political leaders chose not to attend the event.
The Sochi Olympics were hosted by Russia, and tensions between Russia and other countries were high at the time due to political and social issues. In the lead-up to the games, there were concerns about security and human rights violations, particularly in relation to Russia's treatment of LGBT people.
As a result, many political leaders from around the world chose to boycott the Sochi Olympics. The leaders of the United States, Germany, and France were among those who did not attend the opening ceremony, while the leaders of the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia attended but did not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In addition to the political tensions, there were also logistical issues that may have contributed to the low attendance of political leaders. Sochi is a relatively remote location, and some leaders may have been deterred by the long…
Europe's Energy Security at Risk: The Role of Ukraine in the Gas Supply Chain
| Emerging Markets | 7 seen
Ukraine has long been at the center of a geopolitical tug-of-war between Russia and the West, and the country's energy sector has been a key battleground in this ongoing conflict. The latest chapter in this story revolves around Ukraine's gas supply, which has become a major point of contention between the country and its neighbors.
Ukraine is heavily reliant on gas imports, with more than half of its natural gas coming from Russia. This dependence has been a source of tension between the two countries for many years, with Russia often using gas prices as a political tool to pressure Ukraine.
In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, a move that triggered a crisis in Ukraine and led to Western sanctions against Russia. As part of this conflict, Russia also cut off gas supplies to Ukraine, leading to energy shortages and price hikes. In response, Ukraine began to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on Russia.
The latest gas dispute between Ukraine and Russia began in late 2021, when Russia refused to renew a gas transit agreement with Ukraine. The previous agreement, which was signed in 2019, allowed Russian gas to be transported to Europe via…
How to Add a Facebook Share Button to Drupal Views
| Drupal Development | 6 seen
Adding a Facebook share button to your Drupal website can help improve your website's user experience. By making it easier for visitors to share your content, you can encourage more engagement and interaction with your website, which can lead to increased customer loyalty and better overall website performance.
A time ago, I created a tutorial showing how you can add a Facebook-like button to your Drupal-powered site. That tutorial was pretty easy because we used a module. Today I'm willing to show, how to add a Facebook share button to the Drupal views page.
Go to the Facebook developer center - https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/share-button/
Generate your share button:
We will use HTML5.
Now you must add JavaScript SDK to your theme, you can load JavaScript with the theme .info file
Once JavaScript is added to your theme - go to your views, add a new field - path, exclude it from your display, and move it under the custom text field (custom text I use for views overrides)
Now open your custom text field and add HTML5 code from the Facebook page, change URL to [path]…