Needing to import a massive amount of bulk data into a mysql database for a client, I went in search of a tool to help me convert the client’s CSV files into mysql.

After much searching I found the perfect tool! CSV2SQL by info-pack.com allowed me to automatically convert the CSV data files into SQL queries that I could import into phpMyAdmin. The program ran on my Windows PC, took a file name for the input file and a filename for the export file, it then converted the CSV to SQL automatically.

I was then able to log in to phpMyAdmin, select the Import tab and import the SQL straight into the database.After converting the data with such ease, I decided to poke my nose around their site to see what else they have on offer, they have a range of handy tools for webmasters to help organise and develop their websites. I really found the Color Picker handy to grab the HEX codes for colors displayed on web pages I needed to match.

Hope you will find the site interesting, if you know more such webmaster tools and resources, post your comments plz.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Web hosting is vital for those individuals and businesses who want to run a website without setting up and maintaining their own server. A web hosting service will lease you space on their server, and provide you with Internet connectivity and data storage. There are several main web hosting companies, which offer different levels of service from basic small scale hosting for individuals, to comprehensive sites with database and SSL support for large companies and online e-commerce businesses.

Choosing the right web hosting company to suit your needs is vital and at WebHostingRating.com you will find an independently run directory that lists all the top web hosting companies, and up to date information on the various services they provide. Web Hosting Rating also provides reviews on each service, as submitted by actual users, which can help give you a realistic idea how the service actually runs and whether it would be beneficial to you.

Web Hosting Rating lists full details on the various web hosting services, including pricing information,
domain and email features (POP3 emails, unlimited spam protection etc), available databases (MySQL) and eCommerce, scripting, site building and security features. It also lists any details of current incentives and offers, such as the 30-day money back guarantee with Globat.com packages.

This site also offers free control panel tutorials, including detailed guides on how to use ‘Plesk’, a market leading control panel used by both individual and professional web designers. There are also other useful web hosting tutorials and articles on a wide range of relevant issues, such as Linux hosting, colocation hosting, eCommerce, scripting and security.

So that you can see the current market leaders at a glance, this site has an independent web hosting awards section, with winners in various fields such as best blog hosting and best eCommerce hosting. The awards are based on factors like customer satisfaction, service costs, percentage uptime and technical support. Each winner is featured in detail, including information on all their web hosting services and company contact details.

Popularity: 29% [?]

I got my domain name renewal email yesterday, it prompted me to shop around for a better deal on my domain and hosting. Looking around, there is a massive difference between domain name providers and hosting providers, so I found I could save myself quite a significant amount, especially on the hosting.

While looking around for the best deal on Google, I found CouponMeUp.com which provides a range of coupon and discount codes for most of the major domain name providers and a heap of web hosts, so not only could I shop around for a better deal, but I could get a coupon discount on top of the better deal. CouponMeUp.com has thousands of coupons for all sorts of stuff like clothes and electronics too, this could save me thousands over time.

So I am now set to save quite a large percentage on my hosting and domain name registration costs! I just saved $11 for my 5 domain renewals.

Get yourself over to CouponMeUp.com before you shop online, grab a coupon code and save heaps on your next online purchase.

Popularity: 23% [?]

As we discussed in the previous post, a file extension is the suffix added to the end of a file name, which allows the computer operating system to recognize the format the file has been saved in, and which program is needed to open it. File extensions can also help users to quickly see what format the file is saved in, without having to open it first. But many computer newbies always have problem understanding file extensions.

File extensions are optional and some operating systems either hide the extensions (such as Windows XP), or in the case of systems like Mac OS do not use them at all, and instead utilize a file type code (which can only be viewed and changed with specialized software) to store format information.

A common problem with Windows operating systems is a filename extension error. This usually means that the system cannot recognize the filename suffix for some reason, and there are several websites that offer free system scans so that you can identify and resolve any file extension errors. Another reason for a filename error could be that you do not have the correct program loaded onto your system to open and run that particular file (e.g. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open .PDF format files).

There are hundreds of different file extensions in use, and the list is growing all the time. There are several online resources that provide detailed information on the various types of filename extensions, and which formats they represent. For example the file extension JAR relates to a Java application file that has been compressed using the .ZIP program so that it can be stored and archived. The file extension SMC relates to a format that has been produced by the games company Nintendo, in order to format Super Nintendo console Rom images (SNES ROM). These SMC files can be used in conjunction with a Nintendo emulator in order to play Nintendo games on a PC system.

Popularity: 34% [?]

The Apple iPhone was undoubtedly one of the highest profiled launches of any single mobile phone in the world, but it was also one of the most controversial. This was because Apple chose to work intimately with phone network operators on the iPhone model, instead of producing a SIM-free smart-phone like some the other phone manufacturers. This meant that the iPhone was restricted to one single network, severely limiting who could buy the phone and how and where they could use it. In addition to this a minimum two year contract restriction was also placed on the iPhone, further limiting its appeal to the customer.

Even loyal fans of Apple were disappointed with the restrictions placed on what had been such an eagerly awaited product, and the backlash was that hundreds of iPhone owners found ways to bypass the product’s factory settings, in effect ‘hacking’ into the phone to unlock the network restrictions. Apple retaliated against this hacking by implementing a software update that would interfere with any non-standard applications, and effectively neutralise unlocked iPhones so that they could no longer be used. This update however was not completely effective and this process to unlock iphone is still popular among iPhone users, with whole websites currently dedicated to the task.

There are many different sorts of websites that offer tutorials on how to unlock any iPhone, one of which is unlock-the-iphone.com. This site has information on how to unlock even the latest iPhone versions, including the new 3G model. You have to purchase the instruction package, currently at a cost of $24.99, but this includes all future updates and downloads, and caters for both PC and Mac users. The instructions cover how to unlock 3g iphone 2.0 and still enable GPS, RSS, SMS/MSS and instant messaging, which can be a problem with some other unlocking techniques currently in circulation. Once you have successfully followed the instructions, you will be able to use your iPhone with any service provider, with no loss of features or functions on the handset.

Unlike other iPhone unlocking sites, unlock-the-iphone.com does provide 24/7 support for its customers, as even with detailed instructions unlocking phones is not always a straightforward task. This site also offers a 100% full money back guarantee if customers are dissatisfied with the service or product provided.

Popularity: 34% [?]

Many Internet service providers are now offering free laptops with subscriptions to their broadband services, to encourage customers to sign up to long term contracts. For example AOL are currently offering a HP Compaq Notebook with its ‘Talk Pay As You Go’ home phone package. To qualify for the free laptop you must sign up to the package for a minimum of 2 years at £19.99 per month, and you may be subject to a credit check before you are accepted. The package includes AOL Broadband Wireless with 40GB usage allowance and 8MB download speeds, which is adequate for average Internet users, and also AOL home phone connection, which is similar to, and in some cases cheaper than BT prices. You also get access to AOL’s 24-hour online support, which provides general customer service and technical support.

The free laptop is a mid-range model, with the Windows Vista Home operating system, 1GB memory, 80GB hard drive, and a DVD writer. The laptop includes a wireless card, wireless router and also wireless security so it is ready to connect to the Internet as soon as it arrives. There is also an option to upgrade the laptop, and you may want to consider increasing the RAM at the very least, to speed up the overall performance.

The AOL free laptop offer does have a 7 day cooling off period, if you find that your are unhappy with the service and wish to cancel your subscription, and also to receive your laptop you will have to pay a standard £14.99 delivery charge.

To find out more about free laptop deals with broadband packages you can go to Broadband-expert.co.uk. This site lists all the deals currently available on the UK market, so that you can easily compare both the available laptop models, and the broadband connection details to find the offer that best suits your requirements. For example although all the deals have a free laptop with broadband connection, some require you to sign up to other services as well, such as the home phone package with AOL. Also if you are a heavy Internet user you may find it is cheaper to buy a mobile broadband package separately, and purchase a low price laptop yourself. For example the Three offer is £30 a month with the broadband connection and the free laptop, which is £720 over a two-year contract. You can get separate mobile broadband packages for just £15 a month, £360 over two years, and as you can get great laptop deals for around £200-300 online and in stores, you could save yourself some money this way.

Popularity: 23% [?]

MP3MusicRingtones.mobi is one of the many online websites you can download mobile phone extras from, including MP3 ringtones, wallpapers, screensavers and also the popular ‘iPuppy’, (a downloadable game for the iPhone/iPod).

There is a good range of mobile ringtones available from this site, and you can choose from new chart releases, individual artists (including back catalogues), themes tunes and music genres such as rap, hip hop and dance. There is also a small selection of sounds, such as an old style phone bell ring, a gong and a car alarm. You can also choose between monophonic or polyphonic ringtones.

Ringtones start at just $0.99 each and you can set up an account to be added to your current mobile phone bill for $9.99 a month, which will give you 10 ringtone choices. You can also sign up for a monthly newsletter which will inform you by email of all the new and latest ringtones available to download.

MP3MusicRingtones.mobi provides a handset support page, to ensure that you are selecting the ringtones and wallpapers that are compatible with your individual handset, and also provides an email and telephone support service if you have any questions regarding the services.

This site is also committed to protecting the privacy of its customers and will not pass on any information collected for the purposes of setting up accounts to third parties. MP3MusicRingtones.mobi utilizes encryption and other security measures to ensure all the information received is protected. This site does contain links to other websites and customers are advised that MP3MusicRingtones.mobi cannot be responsible for the privacy and security of customers whilst accessing these other sites.

Popularity: 25% [?]