Archive for September, 2008

So it is time again for “I heard this on Marketplace.”  Friday’s marketplace had a commentary from Stephen Baker who was trying to get his blog to rank better in Google.  You should listen to this piece because of the language he uses to describe his experience with an Optimizer.  Check it out and feel free to discuss.

Listen to the commentary 

Marketplace: Soon we’ll all answer to the ‘Numerati’

I have been watching the reaction to the recent advertising for Microsoft. One person who’s reaction I was genuinely interested in was that of M.G. Siegler who’s review you can read at Venture Beat.  I always enjoy reading M.G’s commentary, even though he is a total fanboy for Apple, he had some nice things to say about the ad. 

Even though I work at the ‘SOFT’, I have never really seen my self as a "fanboy".  Whether it is my preference of LAMP stack for a most web applications I want to build or my interest in, as Jay Cuthrell put it on twitter last night, "being a part of the multicore generation that places emphasis on the images per device vs. the box per OS mindset."; I believe that each machine is simply a tool. 

I don’t think these ads will change the opinion of any Mac fanboys.  The reality is that any fanboy blogger is going to say these ads are ripping off Apple.  On the other hand hopefully these ads will allow us to have a voice in the marketplace again.  Microsoft has been to quiet for too long.  

I enjoyed the new ads and it will be interesting to see how they are received by the non-fanboy techie marketplace.    How they are received maybe directly linked to what happens next. 

So tonight twitter updated there interface tonight.  According to a post from Ev and team they made the following changes:

• Moving the tabs
• Ajaxified the features for speed
• Action icons: When you need them
• Cleaned up the page
• New design customizer
• Removed Archive tab

I like the new design, but it really doesn’t make a difference for me.  I am using twhirl and don’t expect to change any time soon.   What I really want though is some of the features to translate into a better mobile experience.   Today on my WinMob phone I can’t see my replies, direct messages scare me, because I am sure I will send them over the public airwaves and to be honest it just doesn’t feel all that consistent with the other experience.   I could use an app on my phone, but my phone is slow enough as is.  Working out of the browser is just convenient.   I want all my desktop features rolled up into the mobile experience.

I have to give twitter a lot of credit, I never thought they would stabilize this quickly and the up time has been great.   The fail whale is few and far between.   Twitter is becoming an essential resource for me and I am  ready for more than just a new coat of paint.

What do you think of the new design?

Twitter

If you have not seen this;  You need to.  I personally got a big kick out of it.  If you work in the search industry there are lots little elements that won’t disappoint. If you don’t work in the search industry well too bad I am posting it anyway.  Have a laugh at our expense.