This weekend we launched v2 of fastQuotes. The new version of fastQuotes was developed in the fantastic PHP framework CodeIgniter.

Have a look and if you haven’t already signed up your South African business then fill you details in on the signup form.

A few months ago we launched FastQuotes, as new South African services that allows business or individuals to request quotes from services providers throughout the country.

If you haven’t seen it yet then check it out - I’ve been using it with my other businesses and it’s a great service.

The current Film and Publications Act regulates films and publications other than the news media by censorship and classification measures which determine the age groups precluded from viewing certain films and which publications should be prohibited or how they should be displayed in stores. A clause in that Act exempted the media from its provisions thus enabling the print and broadcast news media to operate freely and without interference or pre-publication censorship. That exemption is to be removed in the amending legislation.

“If this proposal is accepted by parliament, the effect will be that the print and broadcast media will be subjected to the dictates of the Film and Publications board. The practical effects will be that the media will be subjected to pre-publication censorship, probably forced to expunge large amounts of their news coverage from their pages or broadcasts and submit to procedures which will prevent papers from being distributed on a daily or weekly basis and result in broadcasters having to delay news broadcasts. The fact that the Bill makes provision for exemption matters little, as to impose this duty on the media amounts to seeking licence to publish,” say the the National Editors’ Forum, the Freedom of Expression Institute and the Media Institute of Southern Africa.

All submissions opposing the Bill need to be submitted by October 6.

• Read the Bill.
• Email submissions to Matabela Mankge at mmankge@parliament.gov.za

Background information

• Professor Anton Harber, director of the Journalism and Media Studies Programme at Wits University and former editor of the Mail & Guardian, tackles the subject in his blog.
• The International Press Institute’s open letter to President Thabo Mbeki.
• Sanef statement.

Inline Studio has been drinking a lot of coffee recently!

We started working with Miko Coffee South Africa a few months back when we got a call on Thursday afternoon asking if we could put together a new website by Saturday morning. The website turned out pretty well for such a quick job and we have had some nice feedback from Miko internationally.

Part of the site also deals with Puro Coffee with is South Africa’s only Fairtrade Coffee. We’re hoping to expand this area of the site in the near future.

Have a look and see what you think…

Spotted a post on Cherryflava of an iPhone being blended.

Facinating to watch but also an excellent example of viral marketing. The website Will It Blend? is run by Blendtec, the manufactuer of The Total Blender that is used in the series.

I have to say it worked on me. I don’t exactly want to run out and buy a blender but if my blender burnt out tomorrow I’d be tempted to buy a Blendtec (assuming availility on South Africa).

Oh and guess what, I’ve now written about them on my blog, linked to their website and here’s the video…

http://www.deletedimages.com

Common Craft explain Social Networking in plain english.

Nice poster design by Liam Johnstone for Siren Sounds 2007.

I was discussing my favourite bands with a friend recently. Over a period of about a week I added and subtracted from a list that may or may not be my top ten.

What I mean is this is a snap shot the beginning of July. It will be different next week and probably the week after next.

Being inspired by a post over at 456 Berea Street I decided to post them here.

• Beatles
• Ben Folds (Five)
• Nivana
• Pixies
• Jonathan Richman (70s & 80s)
• Talking Heads
• The Pink Floyd
• Tom Waits
• Brian Wilson
• Chumbawamba

When I get around to it I might well try:

• My top ten favourite music albums
• My top ten favourite music singles
• My top ten favourite novels

Feel free to join in…

Inline Studio has been busy with a few interesting jobs over the past month. Here’s just a few of them.

StaySA

I’ve been working recently with StaySA to upgrade some of their websites. They have a number of websites listing various South African Accomodation options.

Most of the work currently is in the background but I’m hoping to get a chance to redesign soon.

They currently have 5 websites:

StaySA: South African Accomodation
StayKZN: KZN Accomodation
StayWestCape: Western Cape Accommodation
StayEasternCape: Eastern Cape Accommodation
Bed & Breakfast Directory

There is another related site in development.

FamCare

FamCare Aesthetic Clinic were undergoing a name change and needed both printed materials and a new website. The website, launched this week, is a pure CSS design. I’m particularly happy with the background images - it was pretty tough getting 2 background images to work together but it works on everything apart from IE6. Anyway, I’m sure you all using Firefox right?

Amatola Water Intranet

Amatola Water needed a new intranet for their office staff to list documents, procedures, etc and to include a discussion forum - and they needed it within a month! One of our biggest projects to date and one of the most demanding schedules as well but we pulled it of with a week to spare.