Dont worry. By the time you spend 6 months abroad, you will want to come back to Nigeria as fast as you can. One thing people fail to realise is that if you cant make it in Nigeria, its even more difficult to make it abroad. Take it from me, been there, done that

Before you travel out, take stock of what you have. If you think you will get a rosy job with a student visa, then you gotta be dreaming. Even with work permit, its not very easy. Abroad may not be like what you see in those 50 cent rap videos or in those Will Smith movies.

Far from it, they do those things in the studios. They rent the bling chains and return them kia kia after the show. Abroad is as hard as naija especially if you are alone and have a "desperate visa" that limits you from working. So take stock of what skills you have and how you will survive because travelling abroad may turn out to be the real suicide you are talking about.

Familiarise yourself with all the open source code repositories on the web. You can start with:

http://www.hotscripts.com/

http://www.dynamicdrive.com/

These 2 sites are every programmer's dream. Talk of codes in php, c++, java. They have already made applications like social networking site scripts etc. All free and open source.

Like I have been saying, I believe in open source and re-use of already made codes. I believe in "no string attached" sharing of web resources and technologies. In that way, everyone will be able to join the computer revolution.

I support open source because it broke Microsoft's (and other "hidden source code" companies) monopoly of the internet, and applications software market. Today anyone can become a programming guru just by studying already made codes. Anyone can set up a website and tweak or redesign it anyway they want.

My heroes are the open source radicals who first rebelled in creating Linux operating system. They revolutionised the world. Like the previous person said,

jacob05:

"Why breaking through the wall when the door is already opened ?"

Open source is the way to go.
Never re-invent the wheel.
Use what is already there - then improve on it.

Its probably the lazy man's method but wait, every one using an open source cms is doing that. Joomla, Drupal, Wordpress etc - even SMF

Now you get it

Check out these two sites. They have loads of scripts including banner rotation:

http://www.hotscripts.com/

http://www.dynamicdrive.com/

My blog deals exactly with your problem. Contact me through the address on my signature. I'll be happy to assist you for FREE.

Post the address first

For those who still think blogging is a waste of time, people are actually raking in millions doing just that. I mean people who take it seriously. Am aware lots of Nigerians are on the blogosphere but only a handful are getting serious dosh.

I came up with this list of the world's top bloggers. The good thing is that some have only one or two people running them. Yet they are valued in millions.There are too many of them to list out here so I have mentioned the ones I know. The estimates here are old and may have been exceeded considerably - its only a guide.

MacRumors: This blog talks about about Apple Inc and its products. People even visit it more than the Apple website for information. They get around $12 million from adverts per annum.

PerezHilton: Hollywood celeb gossip blog operated by one man (he probably got more people on board now). Gets around 1.3 million visitors a month. No profit figures but its pretty high based on the page view of over 150 million.

Huffington Post:  They blog about political news and current affairs. Started by Arianna Huffington. Gets around 5 million unique visitors per month and makes around $7.5 million yearly.

TechCrunch: Gets over 3 million unique visitors per month. They are probably the top tech blog on the internet and a destination for most gadget geeks. Its estimated to worth around $6 million.

Steve Pavlina of stevepavlina.com. Self development blog. Estimated Blog Value: $5,475,000. Estimated Annual Revenues: $365,000 (this one is run by one man)

Mashable: Blogs about social networks and latest internet startups. Worth around $10 million. The site claims five million page views. Gets around 700,000 uniques a month.  Revenue of $2 million. (started by one man but he's got more hands helping out now)

Boing Boing: Blogs about uniques stuff from all over the net. Worth around $8 million. Gets around 700,000 unique visits a month. Makes around $1.6 million. (I think there are 3 major people behind this one)

GigaOm: worth around $8 million. This is another top tech site. Gets around 300,000 visitors monthly. Revenue total is at around $1,200,000.

Do you still think blogging is not for you? Its time we join seriously in the blogosphere. We need our own perez hilton. Afterall we do have a florishing movie and music industry. We need our own Techcrunch, GigaOm and Mashable (am aware of startupsnigeria). We already have Odilinet and others doing very well. Also kudos to Seun and other pioneers who are doing quite well. My signature contains my own latest contribution to the cause.

Check out these two sites:

http://www.hotscripts.com/

http://www.dynamicdrive.com/

Speculations is that the plane may have hit a bird. Birds are very dangerous for aircraft when they accidentally fly into the engine. It has been responsible for quite a few aviation accidents.

Kudos to the pilot who maintained a level head through out. I can only imagine the horror those passengers felt when they realised they were one breath away from becoming the world's latest aviation accident statistics.

Have you ever wondered how to create and manage a blog? Do you want tips on how to optimise your blog so as to earn money from it? My blog www.bloggingfornaira.com is an online diary of my experience writing blogs. Specifically created to encourage more Nigerians to become bloggers and earn money while doing so. The site just started but I but I already have several articles lined up to share.

My blog is all about one thing. "How to earn naira/dollars from blogging". I am not a blogging millionaire yet but I can tell you I get enough to pay my house rent. I run 4 blog sites (including www.bloggingfornaira.com which just started). All are built on wordpress (the stand alone version). So all my tips are for wordpress users (and intending wordpress users). I want to share what I have done and how I did it. If it works for me then it will work for you too.

Also, I intend offering a limited free consultancy for my most serious subscribers. So if you have ever hesitated because you did not have the technical skills to run a blog, go on and do it now.

Have you ever wondered how to create and manage a blog? Do you want tips on how to optimise your blog so as to earn money from it? My blog www.bloggingfornaira.com is an online diary of my experience writing blogs. Specifically created to encourage more Nigerians to become bloggers and earn money while doing so. The site just started but I already have several articles lined up to share.

My blog is all about one thing. "How to earn naira/dollars from blogging". I am not a blogging millionaire yet but I can tell you I get enough to pay my house rent. I run 4 blog sites (including www.bloggingfornaira.com which just started). All are built on wordpress (the stand alone version). So all my tips are for wordpress users (and intending wordpress users). I want to share what I have done and how I did it. If it works for me then it will work for you too.

Also, I intend offering a limited free consultancy for my most serious subscribers. So if you have ever hesitated because you did not have the technical skills to run a blog, go on and do it now.

Google Analytics is awesome and gives in depth analysis of a websites performance, traffic etc. The reports come both graphically and in text (numbers). Some data given include:

         - who and who visits your website and from where (country by country breakdown).
         - are you getting more visits or has the hits gone down (this can be shown in weeks, months or years)
         - Which browsers do your visitors use.
         - How much time visitors spend on your website and which articles they spend such time on
         - what sites refer visitors to you
         - which search engines have visited your site
         - Bounce rate - the number of time people leave your site immediately they come (those guys who stay 1 second max before leaving your site)

There are just too many things to list. Only trying it out will convince you. Every website owner needs Google analytics if you really want to monitor and improve on performance.  Its easy to install also. You only need to copy and paste some codes into your website.

What a stupid topic. I suggest we put Europe and America to task for introducing computer technology to Africa. Think about it, it has given us more of bad name. Nonsense! Some people sit and come up with the dullest topics. I delved into the topic thinking this dude had something to say.

Signor Zax:

Does that mean that people like Rod Stewardt, Sting, Bryan Adams, Kelly Clarkson, etc are all agents of the Devil?

My brother these people you mentioned are soft rock musicians, the babies of rock. When we talk of satanic rock, you should be mentioning:

- Marylyn manson (his name is derived from a real life serial killer)
- Metallica
- Guns n Roses
- Iron Maiden
- Black Sabath (ozzy Osbourne's band)
- Slayer
- Van Halen
- Motley Crew
- Judas Priest
- Deep Purple
etc etc

Now you know what we are talking about. Just by the names you can tell.

If rock music is satanic, then rap is demonic!

At the rate I get unsolicited scam mails (mostly from naija judging by the names), its a tough battle we got in our hands. Every young person grows up with the false doctrine that the foreigners robbed our forefathers and we got to steal back from them. They believe its a sign of weakness to do 9 to 5.

You cant imagine the ridicule we face everyday from other African countries (including Zimbabweans that cant even run a democratic govt). They view us with suspicion. They believe every Nigerian is there to defraud the system. Its embarassing sometimes. And then our home videos (which they all love very much ironically) is not helping matters. The only thing they show is juju, 419 and other shameful ills of society in naija. Granted they protray the affluent side of us with those big houses (which has given us some respect) but that bad "scammy image" is always there. God help us all.

LASIEFAIRE:

@ Builder
What do you have to say about the British concerning Tony Blair - who backed every so called stupid decision made by Bush. Even Brown - in his short term- has become nothing more than a puppet to Bush.

Good one !

My brother the truth is that we are always almost responsible for any of those accusations. You need to meet some of our boys out here. Many are invloved in either credit card fraud, passport runs or drugs. I sometimes visit a pub near where I live on weekends. Come and see our boys spending money like water. Sometimes I wonder if this is the same pounds that I literarilly slave to get mine. Many times I have been approached to offer my bank account for them to use in their runs - they will tell you they want to deposit money into your account and give you a percentage. Others want you to cash a cheque. New comers are very vulnerable here. What with someone telling you to offer your bank account so he can deposit £20,000 and give you £1000 in 2 weeks. Really tempting until the police come after you and you find you are alone. The guy will be untraceable because they always have plenty fake IDs. Most dont even have papers.

Sorry o if am wrong but where am I getting this impression that your sisters are one of those extremists who dont give time to unwind and do the mistakes that make us human. You know, the type that is always fasting and praying, never goes to parties and never had a boyfriend. Some people become so spiritual that they forget they are living a physical life. Why is catholicism a requirement for prospective suitors - abi dem still they give conditions?? Then again, they must be Igbos !!! Damn it. Are they ready or not?

How can you compare Bejamin (dollars) to Elizabeth (pounds). (just joking  ).  Anyway, the secret to abroad, be it USA or UK is to have the right papers - those that permit you to work and live freely. I believe life can be hard in both places if you live illegally.

I have lived almost 4 years in UK - life is hard but my friends in USA complain the same way too. UK is a smaller country and obviously has lesser opportunities. Also the tax system here is killing. We literarily pay tax for the air we breath here.  Everything is tax tax. I have not been to USA but I have a feeling its easier there. I will therefore vote USA.

Feels like the world has ended. Damn! After all the prayers and great expectatons. Its the same feeling you get when you fail WAEC or JAMB. Totally devasted. Its takes some weeks to get over it.

I had the experience once but I refused to give up and appealed my case - simply because the reasons given where not justified. These people sometimes want to test your resolve and psychology. I won in the end.

The usual infatuation associated with "chasing" wanes after sometime. That is when you realise if you really love a person. True love endures after infatuation. One or two of my newly married friends have called me up after a few months to complain that too much is being required from them in terms of commitment, affection etc. No man like to loose the freedom associated with being "free". Same goes to ladies. Lets stop crucifying the men.

Gallas simply overdramatised his passion. Abi na only am the thing pain?

My heart goes out to Eduardo and I wish him speedy recovery. It was really a horrific injury. I saw the close up and I had goose pimple all over me. Just hope its not going to affect his career. Get well quick dudu.

Someone should caution and advice William Gallas on how to behave as a captain. What the heck was he thinking fuming and ranting like a baby. He should grow up.

Adebayo whats up? Are you still having grudge against Bendtner? There was this glaring opportunity that would have made a difference had he but passed the ball to Bendtner.

I hold no blame for Clichy. He got the ball. It was wrong decision by the ref. He was confused all evening and even failed to award a penalty when Adebayour was clearly pulled back in the Birmingham 18 by his shirt. Anyway, refs are humans too.

I generally believe the Eduardo injury affected the boy's morale. It was a chilling development and certainly required a heart of oak (like players posses) to carry on.

Hold on boys, we are almost there.

I love Oprah but she should do what every woman does - Get a dude and go on to have a child. Someone has to share that billion dollar with ya!

any sort of classical music makes me wanna cry. I avoid it.

good publicity for an up and coming mag

That page needs a lot of work. Its not beffiting to the queen at all. And what song is that playing there? I thought Genny had a an album of her own.

Genny any day.

Genny all the way even though Halle is bigger. Both are stunners.