Zestful One

Hotmail’s new look–15 years and going strong

Posted by IcedNyior on October 4, 2011  |  1 Comment

If you’re like me, Hotmail was the first real email address you had. It was the coolest thing to see your nickname and getting really excited if and when someone emailed you. Hotmail launched in 1995 and was one of the first free email service.

Over the years, unfortunately, Hotmail started to lose its luster, especially with a whole lot of new free email providers cropping up like mushroom. Hotmail with its clunky design and lack of features (2MB space only!) got left behind.

From left : (i) The small crowd of techies & bloggers
(ii) Unsubscribing from a newsletter with a dropdown menu within Hotmail.

Fast forward to 2011 and Hotmail is still (surprisingly) the largest free email service in the planet with 360 MILLION unique users per month who receive 9 billion and send 300 million emails Every Day! And in celebration of its 15th year, Hotmail is ready to unveil new features! These new features offer improvements in the vital areas of spam filtering (which is a big issue for Hotmail users), performance, storage and mobile compatibility.

“We’ve all used Hotmail at one point in time and we loved it for its features and simplicity. Things are a bit more complicated today. People want more than just an email address. Users want huge storage space, seamless integration with instant messaging and contact management as well as easy access across all mobile devices.

With our latest Hotmail release, we are bringing all this and more to our users. Hotmail has come along way since its humble beginnings. It is now more feature rich, more integrated and more secure than ever before. It’s the perfect time to fall in love again with Hotmail, “ said Barrie Ooi, Head of Windows Live, Asia Pacific.

From left : (i) Attached photos will be automatically presented in a album format
(ii) Hotmail is coming to Mobile. In fact I think the Android one is launching later today!

Last night, I was invited as part of a select group of bloggers who were given a sneak preview of the new features launching today (press release was embargoed till 6am this morning) by Microsoft. Barrie, quoted above walked us through some of the exciting things coming to Hotmail in the next few weeks.

The new features include:

• Smart Newsletter Filtering which allows users to highlight and delete newsletters with a single click or unsubscribe completely.
• Categories and advanced folder management that allow users to choose to categorize their messages in the inbox as opposed to having to file them in separate folders.
• Scheduled cleanup allows you to automatically get red of emails of a certain age sweeping away old newsletter and out-of-date offers. You can also now keep only the last message from the sender.
• Flags done right that position your priority messages right at the top of your inbox. No more having to mark messages as unread or email them back to yourself to keep them at the top of your mind.
• Instant Actions are buttons that appear when your mouse hovers over a message allowing you to delete, flag, sweep, etc messages with one click. Users can also customize their UI by adding and removing buttons based on the tasks they use the most.

One of my favourite new feature is the Sweep function. The sweep function lets you select a bunch of emails then proceed to setup rules or filters on how these emails should be have (get deleted, move to a folder, etc). This will be really convenient for people who have tons of email.

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Hotmail has always been (unfortunately) associated with spam and they know it. In fact, they found out that 35% of your inbox is made up of spam. That’s more than 1/4 ! Thus, they have implemented a SmartScreen filter (made up of humans reporting spam and a computer algorithm) and managed to cut down the spam to ONLY 3% currently. In fact you can see the sharp dip in the left image below.

Another interesting fact is that Hotmail servers has the storage capacity of 140 Petabyte! 140 petabyte =1400 terrabyte = 1400000 gigabyte! Not only that, they are continuously increasing 10% every month (or was it week? I forgot.) That’s how Hotmail can give you virtually unlimited storage. Best part is, you can send attachments of up to 100MB – compared to the usual 10MB!

After a scrumptious dinner at Apartment, KLCC and an interesting demo and discussion with Barrie, we were given instructions not to announce anything until the press conference with media today. We were also given some Windows Live goodies. I also won a set of Windows Live plushies! Don’t they look cute?

So what do you think? I think Hotmail’s new features looks very useful and this puts them back in the running with the other big email giants like Gmail and Yahoo! Mail. Was Hotmail your first email too?

@Wholah Badges

Posted by IcedNyior on September 21, 2011  |  No Comments

Guess your friends, get rewarded – http://bit.ly/getwholah

Create your own Twitter Character!

Posted by IcedNyior on July 21, 2011  |  2 Comments

This is a pretty cool “customized” infographic for you Twitter users out there. Quite fun and interesting project from the people over at Visual.ly

Get your own here – http://visual.ly/twitter

One of my gripes about the infographic is that I don’t seem to have a unique URL to show people my character. So what I did was I screenshot the whole thing so that I can share it here.

Whoops my bad, you can get a short unique URL to show people. And also, I’ve noticed that it seems to track back only to a certain time, meaning the topics are what you’ve talked about in the past few days or past 1 week, I’m not sure. This is because my character this week is different from the one I did above. Also it’ll be quite cute if I can actually use the character created as my display picture automatically.

But still quite cute and good work from Visual.ly & @shanesnow

Media Statement on Social Media Campaign by Tourism Malaysia

Posted by IcedNyior on June 15, 2011  |  4 Comments

So Tourism Malaysia has released a media statement in regards to the 1.8Mil spent  for their Social Media Campaign (particularly Facebook). Original source in a Facebook Note and the content is reproduced in its entirety below.

MEDIA STATEMENT

The digital platform is a very powerful persuasion media tool for marketing in today’s IT era.  National Tourism organizations and major multinational corporations are all focusing on digital campaigns eg. Australia Tourism Organization.

Tourism Malaysia is now embarking on digital marketing, promotions, advertising and branding through social media aimed at creating and developing six (6) tourism event campaigns as follows:

• Citrawarna 1Malaysia
• 1Malaysia Malaysia Mega Sale/Malaysia Year End Sale
• Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia
• 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism contest
• 1Malaysia Green and Clean Campaign
• Fabulous Food 1Malaysia

The RM1.8million budget is used for:

 

1.           Technical

1.1         Dedicated hardware deployment

1.2         Software licensing

1.3         Front end applications

1.4         Application Server engine

 

2.           Development of six (6) campaigns which requires:

2.1         Flash games engine

2.2         Flash programming & coding

2.3         Creative Development and Design

2.4         Campaigns Ideas and Concept

2.5         Front-end Flash Design

2.6         Testing and Debugging

 

3.           Campaign Promotions

3.1         Digital advertising campaigns on Google and Facebook

3.2         Contest, Page Wall and Tourism Fanpage Content Management

3.3         Collection and management of Database

 

The success of digital campaigns require a team of qualified professionals as well as technical experts as this is not just about setting up Facebook pages.  Our digital promotion, marketing and branding effort is entirely different from the political Facebook Fanpage that costs nothing to establish.

The setup of Facebook Fanpage is free and not a cent is spent. DAP has completely twisted the truth and said the allocation was for the creation of the Facebook pages.

The success of a digital campaign is reflected in the number of fans joining the Fanpage. We have been very successful in the first campaign i.e the Citrawarna 2011 which has todate,  recorded  24, 736 fans, thereby providing Tourism Malaysia with 24, 736 potential tourists; all these gotten within four (4) weeks only.

This is just the beginning of our entire intensive digital campaign; the fan-base is still rising and looks set to achieve its KPI of minimum 120,000 fans by end of December 2011.

In comparison with the Penang Tourism Facebook which DAP said is for free (which is the truth) as this is because they did not execute any campaigns in the Fanpage.

Tourism is the fifth economic industry bringing to the country RM56billion last year and Malaysia is ranked 9th position of the most travelled to destination in the world by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTWO).

Thus, all our marketing and promotional efforts must be professionally done and this include our digital campaigns as they are not merely about information but about persuasion, marketing and branding unlike the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia’s Facebook Fanpage which is meant to inform thus it is free.

We, in Tourism Malaysia will not allow ourselves to be sabotaged by leaders who choose to twist the truths and destroy Tourism Malaysia’s efforts in digital marketing promotions and branding.

Today, tourists’ behavior had changed to consuming information from social media and online channels.  Therefore, any organizations, including neighbouring National Tourism Organisations (NTO’s) have been quick to realize the potential of social media such as Facebook in their marketing strategies.  To cite a few, the Philippines Tourism Department has set aside 100 million pesos or RM7million in their 2011 budget, for their Facebook venture (source: newmedia.com.ph).

The Australia Tourism Board has allocated AUD150million over the next three years for their social media initiative (source: socialmedianews.com.au.

Nationmultimedia.com also reported that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is boosting its online promotional activities in its efforts to maintain Thailand’s position as a leading tourist destination. The agency is to increase its budget for promotions via online channels to 40% (from 30% in 2010) of its total marketing budget. (source: nationmultimedia.com).

The beauty of digital platform is that information distributed is the most-up-to-date and very dynamic.  It allows us to be more flexible and to promote the nearest events.  Now, it is possible for even local tourism operators to feed tourism information in the social media world.

The Fanpage sets as its KPI and aims to achieve the following targets:

1. An average of 20,000 fans per campaign
2. Minimum 120,000 fans by the end of December 2011
3. To increase traffic and encourage domestic and international tourism
4. To act as a promotional tool to disseminate information for Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Tourism and Government.
5. Tourism Malaysia and the Ministry of Tourism will be able to communicate directly with at least 120,000 fans (Malaysians and foreigners) by the end of the year through the Fanpage and Database compiled from the applications.

Thank you.

My Comments : Took them sometime but their response was quite prompt by ministry standards. I have a feeling that this statement will not be enough for most people though.

What’s In My Makeup Bag

Posted by IcedNyior on June 12, 2011  |  No Comments

I like these meme things where you get to see the contents of people’s bags – handbags or makeup bags. It shares a glimpse of that person’s life. I’m not sure what my makeup bag says about mine, but here goes.

When taking pics for this post, I realized that I bring more than one makeup “bag”. In fact, I have three different items. Due to it’s size, I cant put it all in one pouch as my pouch is rather small. As below, I have (from left), a makeup pouch, a Stila Special Issue Love Your Look No 2. Palette & a lipstick pouch.

The Stila Special Issue Love Your Look No 2. Palette (below) is actually a pretty old palette I think. I got it for really cheap during a sale (can’t remember how much). It consists of 3 eyeshadows in Lame (top left), Oasis (top right) and Coin (bottom right) & a cheek color in Tint (bottom left).

In the lipstick pouch I have a Nivea Fruity Shine in Pomegranate. I think I bought this from Singapore because I’m pretty sure you can’t get the Pomegranate one here. Not so sure why. I also have an elf (eyeslipsface) lipstick from their Studio line in Barely Bitten. I also have a short eyeliner pencil with a missing cap.

Sometimes, if I’m too lazy to carry my whole arsenal of makeup out, I just take the lipstick pouch. The lipstick can double up as a cheek colour (as long as you apply it with clean fingers).

The makeup pouch was given to me by April. She bought it during one of her trips to Bangkok. I like it as it’s made of plasticy material and is waterproof. Top left is Body Shop’s Pressed Face Powder (No 04), then from left is SilkyGirl Double Intense Mascara, elf mineral eyeliner, Daiso eyeliner coat – because that elf eyeliner smudges like crazy, Clinique Vitamin C Lip Smoothie in Berry Boost, Mehtolatum Lipice lip balm in Mandarin Orange (minty! I like), NYX Rouge Cream Blush in CB 05 Glow, Guardian Dental Floss in Mint (I like its cute size), Panadol, Eyedrops, Menthol inhaler and Ventolin Evohaler.

So yea, that’s about it. Sounds like a lot now that I list it out. haha. As you can see, a lot of my makeup are drugstore brands, with the exception of one or two. I personally like brands like NYX and ELF which are cheap but good quality, the only problem is that it’s a bit difficult to get over here in Malaysia. I also have mild asthma and the tendency to get sick so I bring around some meds just in case.

So, now I’m curious: What’s in your makeup bag?

Day 10 : Fav Place to eat–Daidomon

Posted by IcedNyior on June 10, 2011  |  No Comments

Im not so sure why I’ve never written about this place in my food blog – Zestful Eats. I’ve actually been here quite a number of times.

Daidomon is this Japanese BBQ place in Great Eastern Mall Ampang. Its all-you-can-eat so you can order unlimited raw fish/beef/chicken/veg to grill on a hot plate. they also have a buffet with precooked dishes for you to eat. I believe it was RM38+? For a more special menu, they have a RM88++ buffet which has Wagyu Beef.

I’ll try and write a review the next time I go ok? Where’s your favourite place to eat?

Day 9 : Last Item I bought

Posted by IcedNyior on June 9, 2011  |  1 Comment

Last item I bought was this Silkygirl Double Intense Waterproof Mascara. Mascara finish so need to look for new one and this was on offer (it was RM19, not RM24.88 as stated on box. Don’t know why.

Its good practice to occasionally chuck out old makeup – especially the liquid ones, or the ones you use on your eyes. Based on my previous experiences, mascara will have a funky, chemical-ish smell after some time. So yea, I don’t believe in spending a lot of money for something you’ll chuck after sometime. Plus, the small bottle of makeup remover is going straight to my travel toiletries bag.

But yea, review will be up soon on my beauty blog (need to test it out more first). Wait, you do know I have a semi-updated beauty blog right? Please visit Shoestring Beauty :)

* This is part of the 30 Things in 30 Days Challenge *

Day 8 : Song that Matches my mood Now

Posted by IcedNyior on June 8, 2011  |  No Comments

Ok as today is Wordless Wednesday and I’m freezing cold and non stop sneezing, here’s “a Song that Matches my mood”

* This is part of the 30 Things in 30 Days Challenge *

Day 7 : Dream Wedding

Posted by IcedNyior on June 7, 2011  |  No Comments

I know many little girls dream of their wedding. Planning where, who, what to the most minuscule of details. I was never that type of girl. Unlike some of my friends, I did not have a perfect picture of a wedding in my mind, ready to just insert the face of the perfect person and then live happy ever after.

But I’ve been to my share of weddings – friends, relatives and strangers. And taking the best points from each and observing the pros and cons, I have a rough idea of what I want – though of course it really depends on: (1) if I *DO* eventually get married (2) where and most importantly (3) with whom.

I would like a wedding in a church. A big church where everyone will be invited to come. Then (as my mom is Chinese), back to the home for some tea ceremony where we would have to serve tea to my maternal uncles and aunties with them bestowing blessings and (hopefully big) ang paos.

Then at night, we would have dinner in a garden-type of setting. I’ve been to a number of garden weddings and there’s just something about a garden wedding that is romantic. Proper food – none of that fine dining stuff – and good wine. Of course the whiskey or two. And music, live music if possible, with piano playing love songs and instrumentals.

What can I say, perhaps I am actually a romantic in the deepest recesses of my heart.

* This is part of the 30 Things in 30 Days Challenge *

Day 6 : Pets

Posted by IcedNyior on June 6, 2011  |  No Comments

I can never keep pets for long. Either they fall sick or I get too busy and find it difficult to maintain. Come to think of it So I decided not to have any more pets, unless it’s a family pet – where everyone in the family.

I’ve always had a soft spot for dogs. I grew up with them in the old houses I’ve stayed in – corner lots with huge compounds. When we moved to KL, we stayed in an apartment and dogs were out of the question. Not to mention there are particular rules/regulations in keeping dogs here in Selangor.

But if money and time permits, I would love to have a Husky. Aren’t they cute? Yes its true puppies are so cute but once they grow up, they learn to be loyal and loving to you and vice versa. I do miss having dogs but there’s no one to take care of em now. Maybe one day..

* This is part of the 30 Things in 30 Days Challenge *