SEO and Tech Daily

Google's Social Search and Discovery

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:18:00 +0000

Over the past year, 'discovery' (or the 'art of finding people and articles of interest on the web) has gotten both easier and more difficult.

Easier in the sense than there are now many more tools to sort through the so-called 'noise'.

Harder in the sense that the entire free world has descended on social media sites and services, and the lines are quickly blurring as to how much we can take in each day and from where (or whom).

Once relegated to social 'voting' sites such as Digg, discovery has matured, with people sharing information on services such as Twitter, Friendfeed, Facebook and others.

A couple of weeks ago, Google announced 'Google Social Search', a new feature built in to Google that allows you to see who you're connected to across the web and numerous platforms.

While the somewhat subtle feature received some launch press, I didn't read anything about anyone taking it for a serious spin OR what the future implications and/or uses may be.

Google has been moving social in a measured way, connecting services such as GMail, Google Reader, Blogger and many other internal services. However, the Google social infrastructure has been some fragmented and Google's actual social initiative, Google Friend Connect, has been slow to take off. (This, aside from Orkut, Google's original social experiment, which still retains strength in South America and other areas).

While logged in this morning I decided to wander over to Google Social Search. As an 'early adopter', I already had a pretty extensive network there prior to even looking at it.

What I found the most interesting was the stream of 'how' I was connected to people across the web. Even more interesting was how the people I enjoy reading the most are connected to others .... and looking at why.

In minutes, I had come across LOTS of interesting and informative blogs and people I hadn't been tuned in to before. It was eye-opening (and that's an understatement).

While Facebook, Twitter, and other services easily allow you to see who others are following, this latest product from Google had already scanned all types of social networks and services and even provided a window into who was reproducing some of my own content that was much more in-depth than Google Alerts.

While some rail Google for the amount of information they are harvesting every second, what most people don't realize is there are factually opt-out privacy measures for almost all of them.

If you don't, and choose to be 'visible', this new vehicle could prove to be a valuable addition to your networking toolkit and easily help you tune in to what you have time to read on the Internet each day.

The original launch video is below. It provides a good overview of what you can do with Google Social Search. I'm sure there are more than a few of you that either missed this one or would want to check it out.

Great weekend all
Charlie

Update 1 - Feb 7, 2010 7:30 PM ET: Google Social Search was actually introduced as an experiment in October of 2009 and subsequently was re-introduced on January 27th 2010 .... and made available to everyone at that time (in beta) via Google.com

Twitter Wants You to Change Your Password!

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:25:00 +0000

In a post a short time ago, Twitter urged users to change their passwords.

Like many other high-profile websites in recent weeks, it seems the popular social networking site is seeing their share of server attacks, the most recent of which is coming from the Torrent world.

One of the results has been an usual climb in the number of followers for "a couple of accounts over the last five days".

"It appears that for a number of years, a person has been creating torrent sites that require a login and password as well as creating forums set up for torrent site usage and then selling these purportedly well-crafted sites and forums to other people innocently looking to start a download site of their very own. However, these sites came with a little extra — security exploits and backdoors throughout the system."

The complete post from Del Harvey, Twitter's Director of Trust and Safety can be found here.

Bottom line. Twitter users ... change your password.

Google News - What are those Stars?

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:53:00 +0000

Google News users awoke this morning to a slight change in the page layout.

Small stars have been placed to the left of story headlines.

You will need to be logged in to your Google account for this new functionality to work or clicking on a star will take you directly to the log-in page.

Essentially, 'starring' a story block in Google News lets Google know that you're interested in this story, and when there are significant updates, the story headlines will be in bold .... and they will also be placed in a new 'starred' folder for later viewing.

The result is automatic and immediate :

Google (as always) wants your feedback. There's a link for your thoughts in the new blog post on this feature from Google News here.

Microsoft deadlines approaching - Are you ready? (Updated)

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:27:00 +0000

By most accounts, millions of tech-saavy people as well as curiosity seekers downloaded the Windows 7 Release Candidate, and, there's a good chance that millions are still using it.

I suppose it was generous of Microsoft in a way to give this pre-release version away but at the same time, the Beta then RC testers were the people (unpaid) that helped the company debug Windows 7 or bring up other issues in forums and on their own blogs.

Technically (or officially?), at this time, there is no upgrade pricing for RC users. Whether it should have been a 'gift' or have a price, that, to me, seems like a mistake.

Here's the current timeline for Windows 7 RC users:

While Microsoft's earnings this past week showed that lots of copies are being sold, the question becomes how many and to whom .... and .... Is the rest of the world ready for the end-of-support for both Windows XP AND Vista?

Windows XP support and Vista support are both set to expire on July 13, 2010.

Despite the fact that Microsoft has extended XP support several times, there are still millions of enterprise XP boxes out there. Probably more.

Is it enough time?

Is it fair to end Vista support at the same time? Something seems terribly wrong with this approach as Vista was supposed to be what Windows 7 IS and appeared on the scene much later than Windows XP.

Reality. Windows 7 is simply the best operating system that Microsoft has ever put out there. I've been using it since day 1 of the Beta release and, well, it just works .... and offers numerous improvements in many environments.

My advice to Microsoft.

Make it friendly and easy.

There are probably millions of individuals (and more significantly enterprise users) that would LOVE to upgrade. Whether it's 'people resources', time, or waiting out an economic recovery, there are A LOT of companies that aren't going to make the latest deadlines set by Microsoft.

It could be a fantastic boom for hardware manufacturers as well but it's simply too soon.

In any event, now you know the FACTS as we know them today. There is some fine print that will allow some to escape these cutoffs, but for the most part, unless Microsoft makes a change (which I'm betting they will), your support ends in July and/or your RC goes dark on June 1.

Are YOU ready?

Update: Feb 1, 2010:
Clarification from Microsoft.

After numerous e-mails (and the comment below) we were able to verify the following:

Current Microsoft OS end-of-support dates -
Windows XP2 - July 13, 2010 - Customers need to upgrade to Windows XP3 or switch to Windows 7.
Vista RTM - April 13, 2010 - Customers need to upgrade to Vista Service Pack 2 or switch to Windows 7.
The MSL (Microsoft Support Lifecycle) ends July 13, 2010 for Windows 2000 Professional SP4 and Windows 2000 Server.

Google's Chrome Browser updates to New Level 5

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:09:00 +0000

It wasn't that long ago that Google threw a shock wave through the tech world by announcing their own web browser, competing directly with Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla's Firefox, Apple's Safari and others, including the recently upgraded Opera.

Google Chrome debuted as a lightweight (meaning small program size with a very low drain on system resources.... rendering it quick) piece of software that many embraced right out of the box.

The biggest complaint at the time came from Apple users who didn't get their own version (since rectified).

Chrome essentially comes in three flavors. For the general audience, a 'stable' channel. For the braver bunch, a 'beta' channel, and for developers, yes, a 'developer' channel.

Late today, after numerous upgrades and numerous feature additions over a VERY short timeline, several of us noticed something significant in the numbering sequence.

The developer channel, late today, moved above 5.0.

Typically major upgrades are marked by a new number 'at the front'. The Chrome Releases blog notes the following changes among those in this update:

Although these changes don't appear mind-boggling, there was plenty of room left in the '4' series?

Is something up? We'll see. It was only 5 days ago that Google announced bookmarks, sync, more extensions and customizations now available to users of the stable version.

In keeping with our new 'message' of making these posts not just for techies anymore ... If you've completely missed the Chrome mini-explosion, you can check it out here, or check out the Chrome YouTube channel here.

An Experiment in (Free) Blog Syndication

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:26:00 +0000

Unless you enjoy talking to yourself, I think it's a pretty safe bet that bloggers want someone to read what they write ?? ....

Over the past year, my advice has generally been a mix of SEO, PPC and active participation in social media (in particular - Twitter, Facebook and YouTube).

The larger technology blogs ... TechCrunch, ReadWriteWeb, GigaOM, CNET and Mashable have all made huge strides in 'crossing-over' and syndicating their content to newspapers and other online (and offline) media.

What about the medium and smaller blogs?

For the most part, the days of Newsburst and seeing your stuff on Reuters and Fox are over .... and the position / return wasn't that great anyway. It was more about knowledge and credibility.

Enter 2009.

A few months ago, a young guy approached me about using content from this blog for his start-up experiment.

Sam Apple runs an active and growing online publication called The Faster Times.

At first read, my reaction was ... "I really don't belong with this group?". Beyond that, Sam wasn't offering ANYTHING in return.

Sam was not only persistent .... he's just a great salesman. Honest and to the point.

Worked for me.

Isn't it easier to ask than scrape ????

Apparently he now only won me over but Jeff Jarvis (CNET), Fred Wilson (A VC), Craig Newmark (Craigslist) and a host of well known personalities both from the web and entertainment world. Simply a fascinating mix and done over a very short timeline.

In all honestly, for me, it was yet another experiment in online marketing.
Would I see more uniques visitors (here?). More comments, e-mails, etc??

The answer (after green lighting 5 or 6 pieces to the 'other publication' over the past few months) is a resounding YES.

While we all know that every social network, bookmarking site, etc is another marketing channel, direct syndication to smaller, growing publications as an adjunct to aggregators and other distribution platforms .... very simply may be the next step. While there has been blogging co-ops for many years, this is a different approach.

So, for now, Kudos to Sam and the MANY writers at the Faster Times, young and old, well-known and not-so-well-known.

You may be on to something.

updated Jan 27 2010 10 PM ET

Important update re Firefox 3.6 Release (and yesterday's post)

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:06:00 +0000

Firefox users are NOT currently being automatically updated (or prompted to update) from Version 3.5.7 or 3.6 Release Candidate 2 .... despite the fact that RC2 users will see 'Firefox 3.6' in the 'about' tab:

To get the final version (at least as of today, Fri Jan 22), you need to go to the Firefox home page and download the update.

At that point, at least in Windows 7, it's a simple matter of running the .exe file and overwriting your existing version.

I currently have Firefox, IE8 (patched), Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari running on various boxes and hope to have a brand-new comparison next week (with some surprises).

As far as our mention of Seesmic's new Twitter interface yesterday, it's not at all what we expected. Watch for a walk-through and review this weekend.

Windows XP and Windows 7 users can try to new program out here.

Have a great weekend all ... and always, thanks for dropping by ...
Charlie

Firefox, Seesmic to drop new products today

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:34:00 +0000

Both Mozilla and Seesmic are dropping new products later today.

Seesmic Look will be introduced in New York City at 9 AM at a mini-conference to be located at the Times Center. The launch will be "live everywhere in video" as well.

The new product designed 'to help Twitter go mainstream' and touted as 'very close to watching TV' not only sounds interesting, but may be monetized already as apparently a variety of partners, media and brands are already onboard according to an e-mail sent a few days ago.

Numerous speakers are on hand for the launch of Seesmic Look and you can watch the conference at the Seesmic website here.

Also confirmed for release later today is the long-anticipated final version of Firefox 3.6 Final. Currently in Release Candidate 2, this latest version of Firefox will mostly likely become an automatic upgrade for users using the current stable version 3.5.7.

Mozilla's Firefox website will no doubt have the details in a few hours here.

Update: Jan 21, 2010 - 9 PM ET: Details on the new Firefox Version 3.6 can now be found here.

Java SE quietly moves to Version 6 Update 18

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:51:00 +0000

Users visiting Java.com are still being greeted with a download link that reads "Version 6 Update 17".

In reality, those that have automatic updates turned on have been receiving a new version over the past two days that not only contains significant performance improvements but also fixes for LOTS of other issues .... as well as providing support for Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Desktop Edition, SLES 11,Windows 7 support and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.3.

The update is not a security update. Those running version 17 are up-to-date on security issues.

Generally, SE Version 6 supports Solaris SPARC, Solaris x86, Sun Java Desktop System, Red Hat Linux, SUSE Linux, Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows 2000.

Users of Firefox 3.6 must be running at least Java SE Version 6 Update 10.

If all of this sounds a bit confusing, you can find this latest version on Java here.

Most Windows users will probably want to uninstall their current version (from the Control Panel) before installing this version. (This avoids the ongoing problem of having two versions of Java on the same computer).

Release notes for Java SE Version 6 Update 18 can be found here.

updated Jan 17,2010 10 AM ET

UPDATED: That Map? - There May Be A New Price For That

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:25:00 +0000

Verizon is holding a webcast tomorrow morning which, according to reports, may be to announce new pricing that 'could' result in many paying more for their wireless service.

The question becomes:

Is Verizon concerned about maxing out their network as they continue to roll-out smartphones?

The new pricing plan that was posted earlier to BGR seems to unfairly target voice and text users using advanced devices that don't quite make it to the so-called smartphone category. If the story turns out to be the actual plan tomorrow, existing users will be grandfathered, but those who make changes and/or start new contracts could see new data fees that didn't previously apply to them.

It seems to us that those who have remained loyal to the carrier but don't choose to upgrade are being forced to unfairly subsidize those who begin to use the network to access the Internet on a frequent basis (and help pay for any needed expansion).

UPDATE: (Jan 15 9:30 AM ET) Despite headlines this morning of Verizon lowering prices, it appears that the original post to BGR is accurate. While some rates will go down (unlimited voice/text plans), smartphones and web-enabled phones will see the new data charge, all pricing is being streamlined while existing plans are being 'grandfathered'.

UPDATE 2 (Jan 15 10 AM) Verizon will be not only simplifying it pricing plans on Monday but also (confirmed) will be dropping the amount of phones offered from 80 to approx 50 according to a company spokesman. "All of these changes are intended to reduce the load on our customer service staff while continuing to provide the kind of service that people have become accustomed to from Verizon Wireless".

The Verizon Press Release has now been posted online here.

It's not a new TV series - Google vs. China - It's very real

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:12:00 +0000

In what only can be characterized as another HUGE chapter in online and corporate transparency, a post earlier today on the Official Google Blog pitted the search giant against the Government of China (while potentially forfeiting, for now, one of the fastest growing markets in the world).

The announcement which has been covered by numerous publications at this point was simply unprecedented to the general public.

Google (as well as numerous other corporations) were attacked by Chinese hackers apparently seeking information on Chinese dissidents over the past months. Google outlined much of this activity in their post.

The company's response? No more censorship of search results in China (as often requested by the Chinese Government), willingness to talk, as well as willingness to shutdown Google.cn altogether should it become necessary.

Google just last week reaffirmed it's commitment to 'open' with the hiring of Chris Messina.

With the company's continued growth (as well as challenging both Apple and Microsoft in a much bigger way), there's also no doubt that Google is keenly aware it doesn't want to cross the line of the company's mantra ... "Do no evil".

Millions already trust Google's various online services, and it is that trust that must be preserved as one of the ingredients looking forward to cloud computing and the upcoming release of the Google OS ..... not to mention the mobile operating system that is gaining steam by the day, Android.

While some may perceive 'trust' and 'open' differently, one thing is certain.

While global cyber-warfare is nothing new, Google just took awareness to a whole new level.

Reactions from governments, companies, and most-importantly, the citizens of the world over the next few days should be fascinating to watch.

Links updated 1/12/10 11:40 PM

Getting Real about Smartphones and Media Delivery

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:38:00 +0000

I've been reading a lot more 'Daily Patricia' (Patricia Handschiegel) lately and while I share her excitement and tend to agree with many of her predictions in this post, I'm betting her timelime is off a bit.

The same can be said for all the excitement surrounding Google's Nexus One and the ongoing 'smartphone wars' (although the various carriers' advertising has been a boon to regional TV stations that had been lowering ad rates all of last year).

Those of you that know me .... know that I'm far from a snob and maintain friendships at all ends of the economic spectrum. I enjoy this interaction with many of you immensely.

There are two obstacles to all of this techie excitement and the so-called 'next chapter', and both seem pretty obvious.

One: Contracts.

Whether it's your cell company or TV satellite provider, most users won't be willing (or able?) to pay earlier termination fees. It's no coincidence that Verizon recently doubled theirs.

Two: The economy.

While it's probably safe to say that smartphones have already, or are definitely in the process of going mainstream ..... many simply can't yet afford the tab of unlimited web access. While it's smart for these companies to position, it's unlikely that the upgrade curve will be dramatic ... for a while.

The worldwide economy has a long way to go before smart cellphones or Internet-delivered-everything is in everyone's hands.

3G, 4G and Broadband in the US still have a long way to go as well.

Very simply, while many have abndoned their old credit habits, others remain unemployed.

The worldwide economy has a long way to go as well and should be simmering on the front burners of our governments' priorities. Hopefully a short-term solution to the still huge unemployment problem in the US can be addressed soon.

When perceived value enters the picture for these devices and wholesale changes and/or much lower prices, the Internet connected world will be on it's way.

That may be a good thing as with any luck, some standards will emerge and everyone can get on the same platform.

edited Jan 11 1:30 PM

Update 2 : Firefox unleashes 3.6 Release Candidate

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:47:00 +0000

As Google's Chrome continues to take center stage as the 'next challenger' in the browser wars (and potentially part of the engine for the upcoming Google OS), Mozilla subtly moved again on Friday and pushed Firefox version 3.6 to 'Release Candidate 1'.

At this hour, there appear to be a few glitches in the various Firefox intro pages .... as Mozilla apparently is preparing to update the pages to formally announce the RC as well as make it more readily available.

The RC is posted to the Mozilla FTP server (and accessible at this time) and can be found here.

Update 2: Jan 11, 2010 5 AM ET: The full announcement (as well as pretty some significant improvements) can now be found on the Mozilla blog here.

Update 3: Jan 11 12 PM ET: Firefox users that have been testing Version 3.6 Beta 5 will be autodownloading the Release Candidate today and be prompted to update automatically. You can
check your progress by tapping 'Help' then 'Check for Updates' above the address bar.

Update 4: Jan 11 11 PM ET: The 'official' multi-language, multiple platform download page for Firefox Release Candidate 1 is now online here.

Update 5 - Jan 17 8 PM ET: Firefox RC2 has just been released and is delivering automatic updates to those running Firefox Beta 3.6 and Firefox RC2

Firefox quietly updates to new version

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:52:00 +0000

Mozilla quietly rolled out an update to the stable (non-beta) version of Firefox earlier this evening.

This latest version addresses a common stability issue and fixes a problem with how updates are presented to users.

The new official release is version 3.5.7. If you use the browser, you should be prompted to upgrade or you can hit 'help' at the top of the address bar, then 'Check for Upgrades'.

(The older Firefox 3.0.16 has also been upgraded to 3.0.17)

Firefox recently delayed their upgrade schedule but did release a second 3.6 Beta and continues to update nightly builds of beta version 3.6b6 (still code-named Namoroka) at their FTP site.

Mac OS X, Windows and Linux Versions of Firefox 3.5.7 are now available for download here. There is a large selection of localized language versions, in addition to several new beta language versions (which may still exhibit some translation errors).

Firefox maintains the No. 2 spot in the current field of web browsers behind Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

Google's Chrome Browser has been seeing fast adoption and recently passed Apple's Safari to take the No. 3 user spot.

Some testers have also noted an improvement in recent weeks in Google's new Public DNS, particularly when used with Chrome and / or when directed to Google owned websites.

Chrome-based direct desktop icons to Gmail, Google Docs and Google Calendar are also now part of the latest selection of free software at Google Pack.

CBS is missing a simple mark

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:38:00 +0000

The ongoing consolidation of computers, music, newspapers and television apparently has more than a few executives confused.

I suppose it's easy.

With 'real-time' (being driven mostly by Twitter) becoming hotter every day and 3 services now dominating the so-called Web 2.0 landscape - Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

While the original formula is still (for now) the best to 'grab eyeballs' on the Internet (SEO + PPC + Social Media engagement), the multi-media mix continues to have a huge effect on what people do.

A look at Google Trends or Twitscoop (both at right) on any evening in prime-time and it becomes more than obvious that TV still very much drives search.

So what's with the title?

It's been some time since CBS bought CNET Networks.

For a LONG time, CNET has owned the web address NEWS.COM.

The URL is still a redirect to the CNET Technology News homepage.

This isn't rocket science.

If YOU were CBS and had a large NEWS organization, wouldn't you LOVE to own NEWS.COM?

You might even be tempted to pay big money for it??

Maybe it's in their playbook but what's taking so long?

While Google News, Alltop, PopUrls and other headline aggregators are stealing the thunder of pageviews .... and everyone's busy Twittering for the 'first read' on breaking stories, CBS is losing a lot of action here.

Technology pundits everywhere hit TechMeMe several times a day. I doubt the same can be said the any of the CNET sites.

How many people would you guess just type in News.com?

I'm guessing the number is high.

Maybe it's me ... or the holidays .. but shouldn't News.com land at CBSNews.com ?... or even a brand-new 'centralized Internet News Site' powered by CBS?

Just another thought as we enter this decade of hyper-change ...

Watch the Enterprise - It IS the next chapter

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:07:00 +0000

The world wide financial mess has created an opportunity.

Walk into any Fortune 100 company and you'll find hundreds (if not thousands) of underpowered PC's, embedded workstations and servers, most of them still powered by Microsoft Operating Systems.

Many, believe it or not, are still running Windows 2000. The upgrade path was delayed numerous times for financial reasons.

Pent-up demand to upgrade hardware is not only here, but it's becoming a necessity.

Most embedded systems (and there are lots of them) can't be changed dramatically via software.

Cloud computing is still a tough sell and probably will be for some uses ... for some time.

While Windows 7 may help some companies save a few bucks in the IT department (it's much better at fixing things itself and networking), workstations still need an upgrade to keep pace with the next chapter of the interconnected company.

The opportunity is in the operating system of these devices and in today's world, the formula becomes fairly simple.

The company that delivers a package that works well, covers the bases, and delivers what is needed will win.

Will it be Mac OS X? Windows 7? .. a magical new front-end for Linux? ... or ... something we haven't even read about yet?

We never really know do we.

Happy New Year all

Charlie

edited for content Jan 3, 2009 10:30 pm et

Tracking Santa .. with Google Earth (and more)

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:20:00 +0000

The announcement was made on the Google PR Blog a short time ago ... and then cross-posted to the Official Google Blog.

Google has taken a long-time Internet tradition and enhanced it ... just in time for Christmas.

NORAD has been tracking Santa on the Internet for over a decade. For many, it has become an online tradition. Links to the Official Santa Government Website have been increasing exponentially each year.

Google has just made Santa a little cooler (if that's possible?!), adding a plug in for Google Earth, Santa on your cellphone, and more.

Have some fun with the kids over the next day or two (or become one again yourself?).

Details and links are here (with a little Google Video below).

From our family to yours .... Happy Holidays to all!

Charlie

Firefox moves to version 3.5.6

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:35:00 +0000

A short time ago, Mozilla's Firefox browser moved to version 3.5.6 adding more security and stability updates.

If you use Firefox and haven't been automatically updated, simply tap the 'Help' tab at the top and click 'Check for Updates'.

The latest version has already been posted in over 70 languages and for the Mac OS X, Windows and Linux platforms.

In other Firefox news, Mozilla continues work on Firefox 3.6 (code named Namoroka) with (test) nightly builds, some of which have been pretty impressive, and currently at Beta 6 Preview. (Note: Mozilla has also been busy with a 3.7 Alpha version in their nightly builds .....)

Yesterday, in a stunning development in the never-ending web browser wars, ZDNet and others reported that Google's Chrome Browser had ousted Apple's Safari for the No. 3 position behind Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Firefox. Google recently added extensions and other updates to the developer level version of it's relatively new browser offering ... and, of course, you can always give Chrome for the holidays ... :)

Google's Blogger adds Amazon (Updated)

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:03:00 +0000

Blogger in Draft has been rolling out features relatively quietly over the past few months including easy embedding of videos, inline translation, and more.

Many bloggers use the build-in interface to display Google's Adsense ads on their pages (and in their RSS feeds).

Apparently, Google has cut a deal with Amazon, as the Blogger log-in page now offers Amazon as an alternate and / or additional way to monetize a Blogger-hosted blog. Just enter your Amazon Associates ID and you're set to go.

Amazon introduced one of the very first affiliate programs on the Internet. Now there are thousands of affiliate programs and networks, not only from individual companies but from 'networks' such as those from Federated Media, Commission Junction, the PepperJam Network and others.

With hundreds of thousands of Blogger-powered blogs now online, this 'shortcut' of sorts, directly to Amazon (IE: Without needing to know code or JavaScript) could be a substantial hit for the online retailer in the coming months.

Whether or not there is some sort of revenue sharing between Google and Amazon was not clear as of this post.

What is clear is that Google continues to grow Blogger as an alternative to WordPress and other popular blogging platforms.

Update 1 - Dec 16, 2009 10 PM ET: A Press Release was issued today at 6 PM ET by Google and Amazon (via BusinessWire) and a new joint Google / Amazon Associates page has now been launched as well.

Ahearn 1 - Murdoch 0. The Future of Journalism

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 13:14:00 +0000

It was about a year and a half ago that I humbly declared that News Corp and Rupert Murdoch were doing all the right things on the 'Net, going to the extent of calling Murdoch a genius.

At the time, it may very well have been true but statements made throughout this year have changed the tide.

Murdoch has talked about outright blocking Google. He's also talked a lot, along with a few others on micropayments, or paying for content on demand per article.

Some publications have been doing this for some time alongside News Corp's Wall Street Journal. Long Island's Newsday and others have fielded the possibility.

Micropayments won't work. They won't and can't generate the revenue needed to sustain the expenses (and payrolls) of news organizations.

For some reason, everyone's blaming Google. While Google is increasing it's market share in search and trying a host of news delivery systems, there are numerous other ways to read the news on the Internet, whether it's local (the biggest challenge), regional or international ... and it's been that way since before Google was 'born'.

Enter Reuters' Chris Ahearn. Like a true visionary, Ahearn is just excited and according to a brief speech at the FTC's Workshop on how the Internet has effected journalism, Ahearn declared the complete opposite of his competitors "I believe and support the value of the link economy".

While ad agencies are having a tough time deciding where and which media are best for clients despite tools such Google's Ad Planner, it's all part of the transition.

While citizen journalism may be difficult to filter, CNN has an assigned desk (for Twitter) ... and just this week Google embraced real-time from a variety of sources.

(Google's move may have been premature. Not only did it remove some valuable landscape from the much coveted SERPs (Search Engine Relative Positions) but is also going to be VERY difficult to filter for relevant results).

Murdoch declared last week that 'the traditional ad model is dead'. Assuming that may be true, what about a non-traditional ad model?

Embracing syndication (as Reuters did several years ago). Embracing re-distribution ... maybe even promoting it, and, embracing the aggregators instead of blaming declining circulation on them.

Ahearn's speech, as posted yesterday to Reuters.com can be found here.

See what you think.

Good weekend all.
Charlie

Happy Chanukah (and I couldn't resist ?!)

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:15:00 +0000

Just a brief post to my friends around the world for a blessed and Happy Chanukah ...

(Address for the 8 gifts will follow :)

Be Healthy, Happy and Enjoy!

Here's a little (dated but still great) message from Adam Sandler.

I couldn't resist.

VEVO goes live in the US. Will it be a hit?

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:35:00 +0000

It was set to go live (on the Internet) after a huge launch party in New York City last night featuring Bono, Mariah Carey, Lada Gaga and numerous other big name recording artists speaking and performing.

In reality, most visiting the 'next generation music video site' either couldn't reach it, or were redirected to the company blog.

This morning, most that I spoke with briefly here in the US could now access VEVO here .... and it has now been officially indexed by Google as well:

Makes sense. VEVO is using Google's YouTube technology to deliver music and music videos from a long list of participating labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI Music, Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, CBS Interactive Music Group, Big Machine Records, Concord Music Group, Lyric Street Records, ABKCO, Caroline Distribution, Fontana Distribution, INgrooves, IODA, RED and The Orchard, and more.

Videos are also being cross-posted to YouTube, with channels for each artist and the new VEVO logo appearing embedded in the videos.

No surprise that among the honored guests at the launch part was Google's CEO Eric Schmidt.

Hulu revenge? Maybe.

It's been an interesting month for music on the web. Google announced their 'music search' which works extremely well and often delivers results from Lala .... which, it was revealed last week, is being acquired by Apple.

All of this may be a defining turn for an industry that has been badly hurt by illegal downloads and counterfeit media.

The VEVO launch library (first noticed on YouTube late last night) is very limited. This could be the key to keeping the buzz alive for VEVO. A local client for slower speed connections might not be a bad idea either.

Regardless, another 'publishing industry' just took a big turn.

Will it be a hit?

We'll see.

FedEx welcomes Google Real Time Search. Tiger Woods .. Not so much.

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:20:00 +0000

This is 2009. A year that very simply is redefining the Internet, both for regular and casual users. A year where the word 'journalist' is changing at hyperspeed, and a year, where a 'ping' can now be heard around the world, in nanoseconds.

Google has made no secret of their need to embrace the latest trend in search. Numerous Google executives had noted the rise in popularity and importance of real-time search over the past few months.

Real-time search was already being delivered to the Internet by Twitter, Friendfeed, and most recently Friendfeed's new parent company, yes Facebook.

As I write this, Google Real-Time Search is already LIVE here in the US. A visit to Google Trends, and then to the new Hot Topics column and you might see something like this screen shot taken a short time ago:

Clicking on any of the hot topics displays a 'classic' Google search page with a brand new embedded and scrolling real-time display with current, up to the minute results from a variety of sources including Twitter, Friendfeed, Identi.ca, Jaiku, and Facebook ..... while integrating associated news headlines within those results.

Needless to say, there are huge implications for all of the included services as well ...

I would guess that there are a few people at Google watching right now to see if their own news today from the GooglePlex tops 'Hot Topics', and then, of course, to watch the results stream in ....

..... in real-time.

Other views:
Google's Matt Cutts live blogged the presentation on his personal blog this morning here. The Official Google Blog announcement can be found here. Kara Swisher's report for WSJ's AllThingsDigital is here and Danny Sullivan wraps things up for Search Engine Land here.

Update: An interesting take on Googling Facebook from ReadWriteWeb's Marshall Kirkpatrick has been posted here.

Google - Search in other languages ... easily!

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:50:00 +0000

The World Wide Web just got a little 'worldlier' with an announcement from Google a short time ago.

While still somewhat (and admittedly) experimental and needing some fine tuning, Google is rolling out a global translate service for their main search index over the next 24 hours.

Pretty cool stuff.

Example: If you're in Spain, and you don't speak Spanish, Google will now automatically translate your query (at your request) so that you can not only see the 'English' version results (for us Americans) but the Spanish returns for your query, which typically would be different.

If all of this works, it could be one of the most significant announcements Google has made in some time. "Search in 51 languages and display up to 5 at a time".

While it's still possible to access www.google.it or www.google.fr , or any number of the localized country versions of Google from here in the US, I seriously doubt many do ... and for that matter ... there's a good chance those results are different as well.

We've been using Google Translate here on SEO and Tech Daily since it's introduction (for turn-key insertion in blogs). It's simply a given that it broadens your audience.

Now Google is introducing that technology directly to the Google search page.

A more in-depth explanation of the feature can be found on the Official Google Blog here.

Although a rather subtle start, there are global communications implications to this change and I, for one, am anxious to see how it all works.

Caio ... :)

Charlie

Update 2 - Dec 3 8:47 PM ET

Your Facebook is about to change ... again.

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie Anzman) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:18:00 +0000

Facebook has been making lots of changes and not everyone is happy.

Over the next few weeks, they're doing it again. This time you should be ready.

Late last night, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg blogged about the upcoming changes. The news traveled like lightning across the Internet. I even re-tweeted it .... because it's significant.

In these much different (and much faster) times, in less than 10 minutes, Zuckerberg's post was No. 1 on the Technology aggregator TechMeMe and as of this writing, it still is.

If you talk to the average Facebook user (I'm not sure exactly what that is but you should be able to find one ...). Ask them if they've read the 'Terms of Service'.

Let me make this easy.

Unless they're a journalist, they didn't.

The users I've spoken with like Facebook and/or it use it for a variety of reasons from staying in touch with family to promoting a product or idea, and yes, some just get on and play Farmville... It's an all encompassing platform.

Many have just figured out that to get the latest posts in their 'News Feed' they need to switch the view at the top. The Friendfeed-like feed (most popular to the top) is now the default.

At least for now.

With Bret Taylor now heading the platform team, I expect that some of that is about to change but people don't like change ....... even though it may be a change for the better.

It's no secret that schools, employers and others may visit your Facebook page. There have been a LOT of articles aimed at those who need to, or should be, concerned about that.

How many times have you let in a 'Friend' that you don't know. The permissions are now out the window. That person can now see you, and, there are actually companies hired to see what you're saying.

Regardless of where you have your permissions set, Facebook is about to change all that. There were no specifics but my guess is a 'block' feature, maybe even 'delete' is among the group of changes being rolled out soon.

According to Zuckerberg, there are now 350 MILLION Facebook users worldwide. Pretty incredible.

If you're a college professor, aspiring student, lawyer .... ugh .... brain surgeon, maybe you should think about checking out your permissions .... and your 'friends'?

.... and do it again in a few weeks.

You'll be glad you did.