Nur Ahmad Furlong

Category: Uncategorized

Feeling a major bout of Hellkom rage right now
I’m sure everyone is fully aware by now of just how bad Telkom’s service really is. I’ve avoided having to rely on them for a long time, but recently moved to an area where my MTN 3G just gets no signal, so had to go through the schlep of applying for a landline etc etc etc.
3 months later, and I have a landline which can’t get adsl, unless someone cancells their contract in my area or Telkom decides we deserve another port a year or 2 in the future. This even after I specifically asked only to process an application if I could be assured that the line would receive adsl access.
You’ve heard of road rage, right now I feel like slapping that sales guy who processed my order and assured me that I would have adsl.
The worst part, even though we have efforts like broadband.co.za and hellkom.co.za there seems to be very little anyone can do to force Telkom to up their game.
February 17, 2009
Back to work with a blast after my break
I can’t really say I was on holiday as I was working in spurts throughout the last month, but I was definitely on a go slow. I cut myself off from all social networking as far as I could, even stopped drinking coffee completely for the first 15 days of Ramadhan and spent some time reflecting on deeper matters.
The last month has not been without incident, not having worked much and also fighting with clients over payment has seen me experience a few challenges, but things are looking good, loads of new projects popping up as well as starting WordPress training again at Friends of Design this evening.
As with many bloggers I’ve gone through one of those no posting periods as well so I have some major catching up to do. I’ve been toying with the idea of a major nomad-one re-design as well, which I believe is badly needed, but need to tackle some new business development for www.the-colab.com first.
Last year this time I was experiencing a major drought but Praise the Lord things are looking positive, the pipeline is looking healthy and some great partnerships are forming.
We also need to get cracking on planning WordPress Meetup number 4 (WPCPT#4). I’ll probably be in Botswana for the first 2 weeks of November consulting for a client up there but need to get a WPCPT#4 planning team together. I also need to get wpteacher.com moving, now that I have some more course notes. Time, however, has been working against me and so has procrastination.
My Linkedin has experienced a blast of activity of the last 2 weeks, I put out request for recommendations and received quite a few which I’ve placed on my Testimonials page. I’ve also linked up with a ton of very well connected business people.
So without further ado, lets get back into action for the year ahead!
October 10, 2008
nomad-one closed for Ramadhan
Today is the 2nd day of Ramadhan, the Holy month of Fasting for Muslims around the world. During this month we abstain from food and drink, sexual relations with our spouses. We are also encouraged to avoid all things which have no spiritual benefit and to focus on good deeds, spiritual development and prayer.
During the month of Ramadhan I will not be blogging on any of my sites and will focus on writing a little for www.ramadan.co.za, a project initiated by Ismail Dhorat in order to share our Ramadhan experiences, advice and generally convey the spirit of this holy month.
nomad-one.com will be back in action in October God Willing
Should you wish to learn more about Islam please visit some of the links provided in my blogroll in the footer of this site, or contact me to ask a question.
Peace be upon you all
September 2, 2008
What do you think a Logo design should cost?
I Found the following article very apt with regard to the current perceptions by many business people regarding the benefits of a good logo and what they are prepared to “invest” in it.
Jacob of Just Creative Design wrote Why logo design does not cost $5.00 in which he mentions:
Many people don’t understand either the value a well designed logo can add to their Brand Image or the effort it takes to design a logo which will add that value.
Misconceptions part of the problem
It’s extremely frustrating dealing with clients who don’t appreciate the time, effort and consideration required to develop a logo which does justice to what they are trying to sell. Many people think the designer should go off on their own with a company name and re-appear with a brilliant perfectly suited design.
Briefing a designer is very much about setting constraints, boundaries for the creative process not to cross, which will make for a more targeted and relevant solution.
I have also found people do not want to engage with the design process and expect to see a final perfect design which solves all their problems with actually spending he time to convey to the designer what their business is all about.
My perspective on Logo Design
Logo design or any design for that matter has got nothing to do with guess work. It’s also got little to do with dreaming up great ideas out of nothing. It takes alot of thinking, researching, exploring, questioning and experience to bring together all the elements needed to realise a great looking and functioning logo.
So what do you think a Logo design Should Cost?
What have you paid or have you heard of others paying?
Post your comments below
June 9, 2008
Spread the word about United for Africa by printing these flyers
As many of you may know, UnitedForAfrica.co.za set up by Quirk & Ushahidi is actively involved in tracking and reporting on the progress made in assisting victims of Xenophobia in South Africa.
I was asked by Tim Shier for some assistance in designing a flyer to get the message out there and call for people to act and report on incidents. Please download the flyer, print it out and spread the word about the unitedforafrica.co.za project.
Want to do something? Print it, cut it into flyers and hand it out (particularly at shelters etc), next sms 38871 with your ‘name’ and ‘area’ and make a R10 donation.
– Funds raised go directly to TAC for responsible distribution
June 3, 2008
Checkout the new WordPress Meetup site
Heads up. Today is WPCPT3 at the Bandwidth Barn from 4pm – 7pm. We’ve just launched our new theme designed by yours(that’s me) truly and coded by Paul Weingartz who did a fantabulous job. Check us out at www.wordpress.org.za
May 28, 2008