Okay, so we have a company Visa card and as with all credit cards these days, online security is handled through a 3D Secure or Verified by Visa system - the online equivilent of 'Chip and Pin'.

Today, upon making a purchase we had to choose a password for Verified by Visa and we could not believe the trouble we had - it seems the people responsible for building the interface have no idea about security or a basic understanding of probability.More...

A great article appeared in this months' PC Pro magazine by independent journalist Paul Ockenden.   I broadly agree with 95% of it, and feel it might be of use to some of our clients, and potential clients, so I've uploaded a PDF copy here.

A few areas need a little clarification:

• The article discusses the two choices of "Big Agencies" and "Inexpensive Individuals" to develop sites.  As a small team, mtstudios falls between the two, and has more in common with the latter, especially in terms of pricing structure.  However we have separate staff covering the two disciplines of design and development - the importance of which is covered by the article.
  
• The article states that eCommerce solution can cost "tens of thousands of pounds".  Whilst true, it should be noted that mtstudios sell a system suitable for most eCommerce starting a £2,000 - so don't be put off!

Overall, have a read, but please don't think it replaces the value to be had in speaking to someone in person.  We'd be happy to have a chat with you, and never try a "hard sell", we genuinely enjoy assisting businesses in making the right decisons for their online presence.

HowToCreateAWebPresenceForSmallBusiness.pdf (52.67 kb)

It won't be the first time you've heard the question, "is the web killing the high street"? It's one of the questions everyone is asking in this time of financial difficulty and it's true that the web is not doing the high street any favours, but in my opinion the high street is as much to blame. More...