conGuu 1.12.0 released

posted on Friday 21st May, 2010 by neil

We wanted to release a couple of additional versions of conGuu before our big 2.0.0 launch due in July 2010. To this end we have released V1.12.0

This version has some additional features and some bug fixes thrown in for good measure:

• New e-commerce shopping cart module installed - Our new shopping cart module brings the power of e-commerce to ConGuu, which supports the use of industry standard SSL certificates and secure https:// transactions to transmit sensitive information from server to server via high strength encryption methods, making it virtually impossible for anyone to intercept. The cart also supports digital products with a secure obfuscation URL link method to keep your digital products from being exploited.
• Image cache naming method has changed. Before cached images used by the web server were stored with md5 encrypted names. Now they are stored with regular names to improve search engine visibility. Additionally a bug was fixed with the cached images, so now the image file updates automatically when a new image with the same name is uploaded. Previously, images uploaded with the same name as an existing image would not update.
• Image names now support blank spaces, plus symbols (+) and various other uncommon characters used for file names.
• New versioning system - ConGuu has been promoted to live within an SVN development repository and we now have to ability to roll out seamless updates with zero downtime through improved versioning methods on the server.
• XML feed compatibility enhanced through numerous minor tweaks to the formatting.

If you'd like to test drive a demo of our Content Management System, conGuu, head over to www.conguu.com and click the demo button.

Cycle 2 Work Scheme

posted on Thursday 15th April, 2010 by neil

Bluebit have embraced Southampton City Councils drive to get more people cycling to work and we have signed up to one of the many cycle2work schemes that are currently being run that incentivise businesses to invest in two wheeled transportation for their staff.

It was a no brainer really and as 75% of our staff (three of us) live within 2 miles of the office we decided it was a good idea.

The scheme is open to all our employees and not only aims to keep our workforce healthy, it also has an added benefit of saving some money for the employee and employer. Neil Brooks, Managing Director of Bluebit Ltd explains:

We have opened the scheme up to all our employees offering them a chance to purchase their own bike at a reduced rate over a period of 12 months with no interest payments. Whilst one of our staff members live further afield in Bournemouth, Hampshire, we are aiming to encourage all our employees to partake. The idea is simple: a healthier team makes for a happier and more productive team.

For more information on cycle2work schemes why not visit Hargroves Cycles in Southampton, Hampshire or give them a ring on 023 80 864 832 or google cycle2work.

Wordpress hosting on its way

posted on Friday 19th March, 2010 by neil

In the coming few weeks, we will be launching our Wordpress hosting service. This service will be squarely aimed at users who simply want Wordpress installed and working. Space and bandwidth figures to be confirmed, but the user will also get FTP access to the entire installation as well as POP/IMAP accounts for email.

What is Wordpress? Well its mainly a blogging tool but it can be converted into a feature rich CMS on a modest budget.

To steep or not to steep, that is the question.

posted on Sunday 28th February, 2010 by neil

Many of us appreciate a good brew, and here at Bluebit we are all partial to a cuppa or two. One question however reverberated around the walls of our offices recently after I made a cup of tea for a client and the developers in the office:

"How long should you leave a cuppa for to brew?"

Of course there is no proper answer to this and there are also loads of other questions that then get fired off like: "Do you put the milk in first?", or "teabag or tea leaves?" which then defines whether you're using a teapot or otherwise.

If you're like me, you'll appreciate a brew thats not "forced" in other words the bag is not man handled against the side of the mug, giving up its flavour under duress. But how long to stand a teabag in a mug? Too long and you get a scum on the top and the cuppa gets cold and stewed. Too short and your cuppa tastes like hot water with milk (and sugar if you have it).

How do you like your tea? I'd be interested to hear and would welcome your feedback. Why not email howsyourtea (at) bluebit (dot) co (dot) uk your tips and suggestions. I'll be glad to share our findings.

conGuu CMS 1.11.0 launched and version 2.0.0 on its way

posted on Wednesday 17th February, 2010 by neil

conGuu CMS 1.11.0 is now live and we're rolling out the backups module to all our clients gradually. The backup module automatically backs up your entire account every night for up to 7 days, meaning you can roll back your site up to a week in the past.

In addition you can also make your own manual backups as well at any time you please allowing you to work on your website and have the knowledge that you can restore immediately in case you make a mistake and delete an important article.

Version 2.0.0 of conGuu is coming along nicely and we will be offering some of our clients the chance to trial this out in the next couple of months.

The original interface will still be accessible however as many of our users will prefer to use the existing form based editing style and in fact we will also build in a switch allowing each user to choose between the interface they prefer to use, whether that be the V1 interface or the V2 interface. Now how cool is that?!!?!