Tag Archives: 2009

Analytical review of 2010

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As done in mid 2009, I decided I should take a look into this past year – with relation to website vistor analytics. For someone like myself, seeing these datasets is very fascinating and raise some very important technical points – with regard to technology (such as browsers, software platforms etc.)

Take a look at the post from 2009 (Review of noelharrison[dot]net) if you would like to compare results. When reading this post, do note that the data collected by the statistics package is not 100% accurate. It is near impossible to give exact figures when it comes to tracking visitors.

From the beginning of January 2010 until the end of December 2010, noelharrison[dot]net has seen over 5950 new visitors and over 165000 page hits. The blog has used over 1,6GB of bandwidth.

From the statistics generated, it is clear that the more I write, the more visitors I get (this is obvious). The monthly unique hits have grown from early January at 384 to 731 in December 2010.

When looking into the day and time that people view the website the most, the following was discovered; People view the website most on a Sunday and a Monday between 11am and 1pm.

The following I found most interesting. I am able to track great amounts of geographical information. Certain packages are able to break it down to suburb level, however for this blog post, I will keep it nation based. As it normally is, the United States of America ranks in first place. The interesting second runner is the Russian Federation. South Africa is third and Great Britain is fourth. Other nations in order – after fourth are;

  • The Netherlands
  • Canada
  • France
  • Germany
  • Romania
  • Ukraine
  • Brazil
  • Latvia
  • Australia
  • Japan
  • Italy
  • Indonesia
  • South Korea
  • Czech Republic
  • Malaysia
  • India
  • Finland
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Poland
  • Austria

The next bit of interesting information is the content that viewers have found most interesting – based on the number of views. Ranking very high up is the first blog post on noelharrison[dot]net, Government Intervention; Destroyer of the Free Market and the Hot Top: Gaza / Israel.

Again, on a more technical note, 67.9% of all viewers on the site were Windows users and 18,8% are Macintosh users. I have looked at the hits to date this year, I am very proud to say that Macintosh is on top in 2011 (I do wonder how long this will be the case).

Browser wise, in 2010, 47,2% of viewers were using Internet Explorer, 17,1% were using Firefox and a small 14,5% were using Google Chrome. In 2011, I have seen that Google Chrome is sitting at 49,1%, Internet Explorer at 26,2% and Firefox at a dismal 6,9%.

I have found that posting on Facebook is a huge traffic driver to the site, along with Twitter and actually interacting with other blogs – ie. commenting.  Some of the top keywords used to find noelharrison[dot]net are:

  • Economy
  • Free Market
  • Intervention
  • Forces (economic)
  • Production (economic)
  • Interference
  • Government
  • Africa
  • Life

In conclusion, there has been dramatic growth of traffic on the site, which is exciting. The site has made it onto the first page of Google, in 2 or 3rd position over the singer – Noel Harrison. Silly, but it is a rather large challenge to compete.

Im looking forward to huge growth in 2011. Thank you for reading. Comments are always appreciated and generally (if need be) responded to.

Noel Harrison

2009 in photos

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Wow, so much for this whole last post thing. I could not help but post a few of my favorite pictures from 2009. Below are a few from my Facebook (basically the events I have been to and the photos I was tagged in). I have been lucky to not have those “oops, I should of not been on camera type” photos. So here I go;

14352_176774107810_547202810_3386687_6132457_n 13363_163159174227_783329227_2596472_105580_n

13363_163156909227_783329227_2596435_8185046_n 6448_119064242810_547202810_2792505_1562783_n

5374_113997158817_591328817_2162230_2879696_n 10723_157115293817_591328817_2597496_6903075_n

6728_259275375025_538980025_8294141_8033143_n 8730_151492443817_591328817_2550629_7952262_n

6369_130569533224_503978224_2423865_2663794_n

A Year in Review: 2009

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A Year in Review: 2009
This is my last planned post before the new year. 2009 has been a year of great challenges and amazing successes. So as I did last year, I want to do a review of the website and the coverage it has had.
This year (up to now) has seen another 4812 new faces, which generated 18287 website hits and this lead to the viewership of over 41500 page views. This is an exciting growth for my small yet largely opinionated blog. Yet again, I do claim that this is my personal website and I write about things I enjoy and I do not claim that the content is unbiased. (Just wanted to throw my small disclaimer in).
I have seen a great increase in my website readership this year, with a few of my articles being published on news sites – mainly my Hot Topic: Israel and my Capitalism in a cup write up. My Hot Topic: Israel post became the top read item on this other news site by easily more than four fold and it generated and encouraged much positive debate between accusers from both sides of the spectrum. This is by far one of the most favorable achievements – I am controversial – and this I attribute the success of this website to.
Ok, so now more on a personal note, this was my last year of high school which I am now complete. I get my final results on the 30th of December, and this will be a huge deciding factor on the fate of my planned studying in 2010. I am studying part time through the University of South Africa (UNISA) and will be working full time during the day at a wonderful company – Umoya Network Solutions. The environment at this company is one which encourages productivity – but on a more important note – encourages the personal growth of individuals within the business. The development team I am working with are all under 23 and this is enjoyable for me too as they are on top of the latest technology and are still in that stage in which they are passionate about their work (dont get me wrong – you  do get older people who are). It is refreshing.
In part this change has been a sad one for me – as it has required me to close down the business I have nurtured and grown over the last five years (which too has brought me much experience and joy). It is the closing of a path.
From a social point of view, this year has been life changing. I hope to keep in contact with a few of the people from my high school career and in the last 6 months of this year I have made some very close friend. My closest being the girl I went to the Matric Dance with (Otherwise known as a Prom for my American readers). We have become really good friends during this time and I hope that we will keep in contact over the years – I too wish her all the success in the world with her choice in studying down the path of Law in the greatest wine town in the world (not the bias coming up here) – Stellenbosch. Talking of wine, I have taken a great liking to wine (much against the general grain for an 18 year old) – but quite frankly, I dont care.
I have too learnt that people are not as they seem (makes me think to Shakespeare’s Othello act in which Iago makes the comment that men should be as they seem). This in reality is not so – I have seen this first hand and it has caused great pain in my life – but from it, I have obtained many new experiences and am now am much more cautious about whom I talk to and spend my time with. Our time is limited – and I am not willing to waste time on those who do not invest in my life – as I like to think I did or would do in theirs.
I have also started talking to a guy I met. He is from Italy, but is living in America. He has taught me many important things about life and for this I am grateful. I hope to get to know him better as the days and years go on and I wish him all the success in the world as he pursues his path in life. You are special to me – for me it was so refreshing to get to know him a little better – he shared much about his family. You know, I have never know a family that is so close – It amazed me and touched me. One day when I have a family – I will demand this of them, but in all seriousness it is wonderful. It because they are Italian I say :)
Then my local friend – best friend Jonathan. This year, and I am sure he will agree has been one of great interest and amusement. We are the best of friends and I see that this will continue as is. Ill make sure of it.
So now looking forward, 2010 is approaching – “The big year” for South Africa. The world cup is here and it is going to be interesting. I say no more on this at this point in time, but I do hope that it is a huge success and that it brings much positive publicity to South Africa. As far as this website goes, I hope to expand it – into a wider array of topics, and I intend on doing this by widening my interests, but also by pulling in guest writers to assist in making this website as interesting as possible to you – the readers.
I look forward to creating new articles which will encourage and stimulate discussion and I look forward to sharing my interests with you in the New Year.
God bless you all in the New Year!
Noel HarrisoThis is my last planned post before the new year. 2009 has been a year of great challenges and amazing successes. So as I did last year, I want to do a review of the website and the coverage it has had.

This is my last planned post before the new year. 2009 has been a year of great challenges and amazing successes. So as I did last year, I want to do a review of the website and the coverage it has had.

This year (up to now) has seen another 4812 new faces, which generated 18287 website hits and this lead to the viewership of over 41500 page views. This is an exciting growth for my small yet largely opinionated blog. Yet again, I do claim that this is my personal website and I write about things I enjoy and I do not claim that the content is unbiased. (Just wanted to throw my small disclaimer in).

I have seen a great increase in my website readership this year, with a few of my articles being published on news sites – mainly my Hot Topic: Israel and my Capitalism in a cup write up. My Hot Topic: Israel post became the top read item on this other news site by easily more than four fold and it generated and encouraged much positive debate between accusers from both sides of the spectrum. This is by far one of the most favorable achievements – I am controversial – and this I attribute the success of this website to.

Ok, so now more on a personal note, this was my last year of high school which I am now complete. I get my final results on the 30th of December, and this will be a huge deciding factor on the fate of my planned studying in 2010. I am studying part time through the University of South Africa (UNISA) and will be working full time during the day at a wonderful company – Umoya Network Solutions. The environment at this company is one which encourages productivity – but on a more important note – encourages the personal growth of individuals within the business. The development team I am working with are all under 23 and this is enjoyable for me too as they are on top of the latest technology and are still in that stage in which they are passionate about their work (dont get me wrong – you  do get older people who are). It is refreshing.

In part this change has been a sad one for me – as it has required me to close down the business I have nurtured and grown over the last five years (which too has brought me much experience and joy). It is the closing of a path.

From a social point of view, this year has been life changing. I hope to keep in contact with a few of the people from my high school career and in the last 6 months of this year I have made some very close friend. My closest being the girl I went to the Matric Dance with (Otherwise known as a Prom for my American readers). We have become really good friends during this time and I hope that we will keep in contact over the years – I too wish her all the success in the world with her choice in studying down the path of Law in the greatest wine town in the world (not the bias coming up here) – Stellenbosch. Talking of wine, I have taken a great liking to wine (much against the general grain for an 18 year old) – but quite frankly, I dont care.

I have too learnt that people are not as they seem (makes me think to Shakespeare’s Othello act in which Iago makes the comment that men should be as they seem). This in reality is not so – I have seen this first hand and it has caused great pain in my life – but from it, I have obtained many new experiences and am now am much more cautious about whom I talk to and spend my time with. Our time is limited – and I am not willing to waste time on those who do not invest in my life – as I like to think I did or would do in theirs.

I have also started talking to a guy I met. He is from Italy, but is living in America. He has taught me many important things about life and for this I am grateful. I hope to get to know him better as the days and years go on and I wish him all the success in the world as he pursues his path in life. You are special to me – for me it was so refreshing to get to know him a little better – he shared much about his family. You know, I have never know a family that is so close – It amazed me and touched me. One day when I have a family – I will demand this of them, but in all seriousness it is wonderful. It because they are Italian I say :)

Then my local friend – best friend Jonathan. This year, and I am sure he will agree has been one of great interest and amusement. We are the best of friends and I see that this will continue as is. Ill make sure of it.

So now looking forward, 2010 is approaching – “The big year” for South Africa. The world cup is here and it is going to be interesting. I say no more on this at this point in time, but I do hope that it is a huge success and that it brings much positive publicity to South Africa. As far as this website goes, I hope to expand it – into a wider array of topics, and I intend on doing this by widening my interests, but also by pulling in guest writers to assist in making this website as interesting as possible to you – the readers.

I look forward to creating new articles which will encourage and stimulate discussion and I look forward to sharing my interests with you in the New Year.

God bless you all in the New Year!

signature2

Noel Harrison

P.S. – I have attached two pictures from the Waterfront yesterday, not that you really care. But take a look :)

photo2 photo1

Official Response: Rasool Snyman

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The following is the official response to the Hot Topic: Gaza / Israel comment by Rasool Snyman, which aired on both noelharrison.net and sweetbru.com on the 10th of January 2009;

Direct URL Links:

  1. http://sweetbru.com/2009/01/hot-topic-gaza-israel-noel-harrison/
  2. http://www.noelharrison.net/archives/93

Rassool – Thanks for your comment. I had done plenty research into the topic as I saw that comment coming up about me checking the facts, and here is the thing, nothing in this post can be disputed. Everything is backed up factually, go check your sources (which are backed up in multiple places, so even you will find it easy to see that what I have said), go read the Koran, go do your research and then come back to the debating table, I feel that you are actually the one who is in “not know” category and until you can back your statements made, you remain in that category in the eyes of me and by the other comments, it seems in the eye of the general readers of this blog.

You know, I feel that the stated aim of Hamas is enough for Israel to take such actions, their goal: See Israel Destroyed? How would you react to this, put yourself in the position of Israel and think, if you had a group wanting to kill you, and not hiding the fact they want to kill you, what would you do.

I recommend that you look past what you hear in the media, I recommend that you look past the common beliefs and I recommend that you look past the popular opinion and actually do hours and hours of hard research and then, and only then are you ready to come back to the debating table, don’t come here with your insults, until you know the facts, do not come here and make accusations. More so, you must of never heard the saying “No pain, no gain”, that I feel covers the war for peace comment.

Now to be honest with you, I posted this post on my personal blog, and subsequently was asked to post it here, so I admit that I am siding with Israel, although I do not share their belief, I have looked at the clearly stated facts, and have made my decision as to whom to support, and my choice is Israel. I look forward to your read up response.

Noel Harrison

###

Hot Topic: Gaza/Israel

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Before we go into the actual discussion of this particular unrest, I feel that it is important to get a fuller understanding of the situation that had been developing in Israel and Gaza before Israel began firing rockets and attacking Gaza in full force.

General Background:

Gaza is a heavily populated area of land holding approximately 1.5 million people in the size of about two times the size of Washington. The United Nations organization has estimated that the area’s unemployment rate is sitting close to 50%. Many sanctions have been placed on them which has caused much damage to the economy and to their economic growth.

The main usage of the ground is for the cultivation of citrus. Other main crops are olives and wheat. This is exported. Their main language is Arabic but they also speak English and Hebrew.

The Gaza was occupied by the Israeli troops from 1967 until 1993 when the forces removed and limited power was handed over to the Palestinians. Hamas a political faction in the area took control by force in 2007 pushing out the government of President Mahmoud Abbas who was a part of the opposition group of Hamas. The United States has declared Hamas as a terrorist group.

Geographical Positioning:

Hamas Control of the Gaza Strip:

By the June of 2007, the Gaza Strip was “completely overrun by Hamas” which now basically controls the Gaza Strip and has declared itself the legitimate government of the Palestinian National Authority. The Palastinian President however did not agree with this and immediately declared a state of emergency and disolved the unity government and reformed but this time without the participation of Hamas. The government of Abbas won large international support.

According to Amnesty International, Hamas closed down newspapers and harassed journalists. Christians had also been threatened and assaulted. The owner of a Chrisitian book shop was abducted and murdered and on the 15th of February 2008, the Chrisitian Youth Organisation’s library was bombed.

Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza continued to attack Israel across the border with Quassam rockets and according to Israel, between the Hamas take over of the Gaza Strip and the end of the January of 2008, 697 rockets and 822 mortar bombs were fired at Israeli towns and cities. Israel’s response to this was to declare the Gaza Strip a “hostile entity”. By doing this, it made it “ok” for Israel to cut the fuel and electricity supplies to the Gaza Strip. This lead to power shortages in the Gaza Strip. Hamas has used many public buildings such as schools and hospitals as staging grounds for attacks and retaliations.

Now that we have a better understanding of the canvas of the current unrest in the Gaza Strip / Israel, I am going to enter into the current situation and give my opinion on the matter;

  1. At this point in time, I do not feel that peace is the answer. I believe that sometimes in order to reach peace, (which by no terms the Gaza Strip was before Israel attacked) one needs to go to war. In order to achieve great peace, we very often need great sacrafice. The common saying is no pain, no gain.
  2. Hamas has been sending rockets into South Israel. Even though only a few of these missiles have hit a target and even though very few Israelis have died in such a manner, the rockets cause fear to those living in Israel.
  3. These attacks are one of Israels strategies to ensure that Hamas fails in the governing of the Palestinian people who chose Hamas to elect them in the beginning. Also another thing, if the people elected them into power, surely these people are backing Hamas and then directly are backing the attacks on Israel, so when we speak of the innocent being killed, in fact how innocent are they? The people deserve the government that they choose, so should that government lead them into war, the people should accept the consequences that come with that government.
  4. If you were being bombed and attacked by a neighbour for 8 days, what would you do? I think the answer is reasonably clear. You are going to retaliate, you are going to fight, and you are not going to fight lightly.
  5. Hamas is Muslim, In the holy Koran, the killing of the infidel is supported. This means that the Muslim religion supports the killing of anyone who is not Muslim. Israel is a predominately Jewish country, so how should they take that? I think that for that reason, one could say the attacks by Israel are purley defensive.
  6. Hamas has refused to accept a the ceasefire, and have openly stated that one of their requirement is to see Israel destroyed. Hamas does not want peace!
  7. Between the 19th of June and the 4th of November, Israel and the Gaza Strip were meant to be at peace, however, Hamas still insisted on firing 65 rockets into Israel, Israel had done nothing in retaliation, until now! (Thank you DarkAl for some of these facts from answers.yahoo.com)

All in all, I feel that the attacks on the Gaza Strip is the right thing to do. I think it shows terrorists (Hamas) that they can not do as they please, and I think that it is a pity that so much of the world are giving them sympathy and worse so pointing fingers and becoming angry with Israel. Go Israel! Go until the terror stops!

Noel Harrison