Popular Blog Topics »

Most of our blog traffic comes from Google and other Search Engines but, oddly enough, the “Search” function on our blog gets quite a workout. So, I decided to post some of the most popular searches and maybe you will see something that grabs your attention.

For example, topics related to good passwords are always popular. Autocad is another hot topic for the blog. We also get tons of traffic from readers looking to secure a wireless network. Also, the series of posts I did on the TJ Maxx database hack and resulting loss of their customers credit card information has been wildly popular (my wife, who had her information stolen as a result of this event, still has not heard from TJ Maxx).

Identity theft and what to do if you think you may be a victim is another popular topic. I compiled a 4 part series of posts that tackled that issue.

One last example, a post we did on professional web design received a lot of traffic and even resulted in a few new web design clients .

Thanks to all our readers and “happy searching” .

South Carolina License Plates Feature Web Site »

After 10 years of the “Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places” slogan, South Carolina is changing up their license plate design.

I know, I know. License plates are not exactly “technology news”. But I am mentioning North Carolina’s neighbor to the, er, south because their new license plate is going to feature South Carolina’s tourism website: TRAVEL2SC.COM. So, this post IS somewhat related to web design .

Both the new plate and the web site look very nice. I think they did a very nice job. But I am a little disappointed that South Carolina chose a web design firm from Arkansas. I find it hard to believe that they could not find a South Carolina web design company to create the new web site to represent South Carolina tourism.

I am sure that they sent out RFPs and did everything by the book, but I would have thought that a SC company would have almost done that site at cost just to have the feather in their cap.

WordPress Comments Issue »

If you have tried to comment on the blog recently, first and foremost I must say, “Thank You for taking the time.” No, really. I comment on other blogs quite often and it does take a certain amount of effort, so we really appreciate it when our readers comment on our blog.

However, if you have tried to comment on the blog recently you are probably aware that your comment did not make it through. We have some sort of glitch with our WordPress comment files and have to sort it out.

Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later but the super-duper, high-tech, professional web design side of Crystal Coast Technologies, Inc. has 18 new web sites in the hopper and the CAD side has several architectural renderings and house plans going on right now. So, we are slammed, which is a very good thing for the business but a bad thing for the “glitch fixing” department .

Anyway, if you want to give us any feedback, you can always shoot us an email: info@crystalcoasttech.com

North Carolina Sales Tax Holiday »

For the sixth year in a row, North Carolina is offering a Sales Tax Holiday. This is designed to help parents and students with purchasing their back-to-school supplies.

This year, the tax free holiday is from Friday August 3 through Sunday August 5. Here is a list of items that back-to-shoolers can purchase without having to pay sales tax:

• Clothing and footwear $100 or less
• Sports equipment $50 or less – including life preservers and vests.
• Computers $3,500 or less
• Computer equipment $250 or less – including PDAs and printers but NOT phones
• Miscellaneous school supplies $100 or less – binders, pencils, reference books

For the official North Carolina Tax Free Holiday list of items, check out the NC Department of Revenue website and get ready to stock up.

New Homes and Office Space in Swansboro NC »

We are delighted to announce that we are working with Ward Shore Realty on a new real estate project in Swansboro, NC to be called Ward’s Farm. This project will fill several of our area’s greatest needs.

This is not going to be simply a residential neighborhood. No, Ward’s Farm is going to be developed with historic Swansboro in mind. The architecture will be styled after the buildings that stood here more than one hundred years ago. The streets will be lined with trees and the houses will have the inviting front porches of that period to foster a feeling of community.

At the entrance to the development, there will be property set aside for office and retail space available for lease. And, in keeping with the historic theme, even these buildings will reflect Swansboro architecture of the late 1800s.

We are very excited about this project and working with the developers on their goals. Swansboro has a real need for office space and the commercial offering of Ward’s Farm will certainly fill that need. In addition, the historically themed architecture will certainly make a beautiful contribution to the area’s nostalgia.

Stay tuned for progress reports and if you are interested in leasing office space or retail space, make sure to contact Ward Shore Realty for all the details.