I managed to get in some culture time this weekend during my visit to the big smoke.
Decode at the V&A looks at three current themes within digital design: Network charts or reworks the traces we leave behind as we live our daily lives. Interactivity exhibits responses to our physical presence and shows how we can manipulate its behaviour. Whilst Code exhibits showed how computer code has become a new art form with some constantly evolving and changing before your eyes.
I particularly enjoyed making silly faces on the Videogrid, The Weave Mirror and the Body Paint wall.
Mi ...
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Following the December launch of the new Haulfryn Group website, Matt and Darren were asked to present the new website to the Directors and Managers during their yearly get together at Finlake.
Under the glare of the spotlights, Darren outlined the key objectives for the new website and how pulse8 achieved each of those objectives. The audience were also given a brief overview of some of the exciting developments planned for the site in the very near future.
Matt then took to the stage for a quick run through some website analysis. Due to the comprehensive figures available to pulse8 a ...
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Last Friday I attended a talk given by Patrick Morris, a BBC wildlife producer and filmmaker in Topsham. Organised by Hospiscare to help raise funds, Matthew's Hall was packed for what was an interesting look into his work. Most recently Patrick has produced two episodes for the 'Life' series, focusing on Birds and Primates. We were treated to a couple of hours of stunning images and film clips as well as a fascinating look into the two years the project took to complete. Not forgetting the essential glass of wine. There was even a draw for six signed books, as usual my ticket was not picked ...
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Please be aware that due to the recent snowfall we are unable to reach our offices so as a result phone support will be available on a very limited basis.
Emails will be monitored and will be the best way to contact any member of the team throughout the day.
Thanks for your understanding.
pulse8. ...
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Over the past 3 months we've been working hard to give you faster downloads and have improved access to sites such as Microsoft Windows Updates as well as Video Streaming Sites which are normally throttled back by many rival providers. This means that you will now be able to download updates and stream videos like never before (provided of course that you don't live out in the sticks).
Be Careful what you wish for:
Due to these increases in speed some of you may choose to upgrade your broadband packages, especially if you stream video via popular applications li ...
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VAT change – 1st Jan 2010 – back to 17.5%
Calling all e-commerce websites! We've bookmarked a slot in our busy schedule to make the VAT change on our customer websites.
We have put aside the 31st December to make the relevant changes for those customers who require the VAT update to be done on that date.
We'll try our best to service all requests on that day but will work on a first-come first-served basis so please get in touch asap to book your slot. ...
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Movember is here, sorry, I meant November.
I have decided to put down my razor for one month (not that I ever use one) and help raise awareness and funds for men's health - specifically prostate cancer by sporting a moustache.
What many people don't appreciate is that one man dies every hour of prostate cancer in the UK, more than 35,000 men will be diagnosed this year and that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Facts like these along with my grandfather, who has prostate cancer, have convinced me I should get involved.
Why not check out the progress of my top ...
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Apologies to those customers affected by the disruption to some of our web and email serivces this morning.
We experienced a Denial Of Service (DOS) attack on our main firewall which sent an overwhelming number of requests through the firewall, causing slow response rates for web and email services.
The source of the attack has now been identified and dealt with accordingly.
DOS attacks can be particuarly difficult to deal with as there is no easy way to stop a request from hitting the firewall and even though we can block requests from specified IP addresses, the firewall still h ...
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Well, the time finally arrived when Simon, Matt and myself had to don our Lycra and get a little physical.
The first ever Plymouth M.A.D (Marjon Adventure Day) took place this Sunday, and after two very large bowls of porridge, I felt ready for the challenge ahead. Unfortunately, we had no idea of what was expected of us, as the race organisers were keeping those cards close to their chest until the briefing just before the start.
The race began with a short orienteering course on the University campus to get warmed up and then on to our bikes to begin the long journey around Plymouth using ...
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Apologies to those customers affected by the migration across to the new Direct Debit platform on Tuesday.
We attempted to put in place a (perceived!) convenient method for everybody to input their new payment details but it quickly became apparent that this method was not convenient for our customers and as a result we shortly withdrew the payment request screen.
Over the next two weeks we will be personally contacting those customers that have been unable to successfully set up their new Direct Debit arrangement to take details over the phone and answer any questions or concerns you may h ...
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You may have recently received an email from an ex-director of pulse8, which could quite easily be somewhat misleading.
To help clarify that situation we thought we'd put together a few questions and answers.
1. What's happened to pulse8?
Well, technically two of the original directors, Matt and Darren have bought the old company and everything that goes with it. Business as usual.
2. Is my website and email safe?
Yes! It's business as usual. All contracts are secured with pulse8 and your website and email will continue to function as usual.
3. Have you mo ...
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In case you haven't heard, pulse8 has moved offices! Following a recent restructure we are now settled in to our new premises on the Kingston House Estate, Staverton (near Totnes).
The new office is a converted barn with some great original features like stone columns and exposed beams, as well as a separate meeting room ready for formal and informal meetings. We also have ample parking which is not affected by the tide!
We are very excited about our new home and are looking forward to entertaining our clients, both old and new. So if you want to talk to pulse8 about website design, br ...
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At least we would like to think so. And to prove how good we look in a pair of cycling shorts, Matthew, Brady and myself (Ed) have entered into the first ever Plymouth Marjons Adventure Day to be held around Plymouth on the 4th October.
Plymouth Marjon Adventure Day (M.A.D.) is the first Plymouth urban adventure challenge where teams or individuals race in a multi-sport test of navigation, endurance and skills on a course that is only revealed hours before the event begins.
The event encompasses cycling, orienteering, running, abseiling, wall climbing and rowing and should certainly put ...
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Electronista have published a very interesting, if not very scientific, head to head review of the four main web browsers, Internet Explorer (IE), Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome.
Click here to read the test
Interestingly, Safari and Chrome seem to lead the way in both speed and compliance to the major web standards. Unfortunately, bringing up the rear with it's brand new browser offering was Microsoft with Internet Explorer 8, which managed to be the slowest on all tests and comprehensively fail the compliance tests.
The article highlights that there are differences in the way brows ...
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Well, what a weekend!
Matt, Adrian & I set off Friday evening after a hard days work [of course :)] and arrived in Henley around 9:30pm, finally got camped by 11pm because of a huge queue of traffic! After setting up the awning, we promptly headed into town to for a few well deserved beers...
On Saturday, the sun was shining and the pimms was a flowing, apparently there was some kind of rowing competition going on but all I could see was what seemed like the entire worlds supply of beautiful ladies in very pretty dresses! Heaven! We met quite a few really friendly folks from ...
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Well isn't Mrs Edwin a lucky lady!
For her birthday I thought it might be a good idea to help her overcome a fear of heights by giving her a glider trial flight over Dartmoor at the Dartmoor Gliding Society just north of Tavistock. A small but very friendly club located on picturesque moorland in beautiful South Devon within sight of the very well known Brentor Church.
So after really no fuss or stressing at all, Faye went up for her first glider flight. Complete with parachute and safety checks, it wasn't long before she's soaring over Brentor. Not a long first flight as the thermals w ...
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Monday of this week saw O’Connors Campers rent their 1000th van, it seems fitting a couple who were celebrating their first wedding anniversary were the customers in question.
The team then set about celebrating their success with champagne and cream teas!! Well done all and here is to the next 1000!
O’Connors Campers hire vintage VW campervans from their base in Okehampton, for more information the website can be viewed here.
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Congratulations to our client Sharpham for winning multiple awards for their wine at the International Wine Challenge 2009 in London.
The Sharpham Sparkling, Sharpham Barrel Fermented and Sharpham Rosé have also picked up Decanter 2009 awards.
You can find out more about Sharpham and buy their wine and cheese at www.sharpham.com . They are also holding an open weekend at the end of June for those who would like to join in the fun. ...
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We now have our very own flickr photostream where we will be uploading pulse8 related images for your entertainment and amusement. We will be uploading photographs from any events we run, like the Karting Challenge this May, or any activities the gang get up to in their spare time.
Bookmark the following link and you can stay up to date with the photographic happenings at pulse8. You never know, the odd comedy gem may appear from time to time!! And if you are already a Flickr user, why not add us as a friend.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pulse8design/ ...
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The evening of Wednesday the 13th of May saw the latest round of the p8 Karting Challenge take place at Raceworld near Exeter, Devon. As ever the event was hotly contested by the 9 teams competing and racing was fast and furious but remained clean (mostly) for the whole evening.
After 2 hours of racing the top honours finally fell to RL Services, congratulations to them, followed by pulse8 (1) in second and the Jet Rangers in third. The fastest lap of the night belonged to Matt Salter of pulse8 and no doubt we will be reminded of that fact on a regular basis.
The evening long event took the ...
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Congratulations to the Ten Tors team from Bramdean School, Exeter for finishing this years Ten Tors in fine style. They crossed the line together at 11.10am on Sunday after completing the gruelling 35 mile course.
The picture shows the whole team proudly displaying their medals. Well done to one and all.
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Good luck to the Bramdean School Ten Tors 2009 team. This weekend, sponsored by pulse8, they will be taking on the challenge of the Ten Tors 35 miles course. Hopefully the weather will hold off this year and they will have a great event.
The team's progress can be followed by clicking here - and then selecting 'Team Status' and entering Bramdean in the box.
We will be twittering updates this weekend as and when we find out information so keep an eye on our twitter page.
Good luck
The pulse8 team
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I've just returned from a couple of days away attending the 2009 English Tourism Awards at the National Rail Museum in York. Having already been awarded the Gold Award for South West Tourism website of the year, pulse8 were proud to be chosen to represent the South West at these National awards in this incredibly competitive category.
When first informed of the venue I was intrigued to see how it could be possible to host such an evening in the middle of a train museum, and it was literally in the middle of a train museum. Surrounded by the ...
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Despite the ever dependable English weather, we have just spent an enjoyable weekend in a 44 year old VW Camper Van. Thanks to our friends and clients at O'Connors Campers, myself, my fiancee Helen and Alfie the office hound took Barbarossa (a 21 window Splitscreen samba) away for the weekend. With a top speed of 55 miles an hour (down hill), no power steering and drum brakes, it does not take long before you slip into a slower pace of life.
21 window 'splitties' are extremely rare and despite his age he started first time, every time and received quite a reaction wherever he went. Fully equi ...
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pulse8 are pleased to be able to sponsor Bramdean School in their bid to conquer the 2009 Ten Tors challenge.
Starting on May the 9th the team of six energetic youngsters are aiming to complete the gruelling 35 mile course and have been preparing for the ordeal for some time.
Good luck to the team and we wish them well, if you are on Dartmoor during the event look out for the stylish fleeces designed by pulse8 and give them a cheer! ...
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Twitter has been all over the news of late and we have been playing with it here in the office to see how it can benefit us and our clients. If you are already on twitter you can follow us here.
Basically, it's a mini blog of up to 140 characters only and can include images and web links. It is possible to post 'tweets' from your web browser, any number of computer based applications, mobile phones and smart phones like Blackberry and iPhone.
With little effort it is possible to build up a large following which is when Twitter can become a powerful marketing tool for both individuals and com ...
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With nearly 300 of the UK's finest ales to choose from, Brady, Simon and Stephen of pulse8, supported by wobbly friends had more than enough choice to put them under the influence and make them nearly miss the last train home to Plymouth.
The Malting's Festival in Newton Abbot is now established as one of the premier ale festivals in the UK and is the second year for Brady and Simon. Personal favourites included 'The Albatross', 'Beheaded' and 'Darkness', all of equally damaging potency.
Already looking forward to next years event to make it a hat trick! ...
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