Share your feed - You'll feel good about it!

When I first started this blog last August, people in the SEO space, and in the tech space in general, were getting their information from essentially two places. Their own customized Google Reader feeds and Twitter.

I was using the combination as well. It integrated nicely into my 'toolbox', and Twitter was not only a chat mechanism, but a great networking and discovery vehicle as well.

I noted it here as I made some changes earlier this year. This past week I've had a rather huge increase in subscribers, so I'm going to explain it again, for those of you that are new to this place and also to credit a few people (long overdue) that help keep the audience growing.

When I first came across Louis Gray, his blog had recently emerged from obscurity. He had been mentioned by some long-time bloggers as 'someone to watch', and watch they did, as Louis' blog rapidly became the defacto standard as the 'breaking source' for early adopters (Those people that quickly embrace a new web services, use them, and usually blog about the results).

Louis was sharing his Google Reader feeds. It occurred to me at the time, that by sharing feeds, not just to aggregators like Readburner, RSSMeMe, LinkBurner, LinkRiver and others, but right here (in the right column) , I could not only deliver my own personal picks from around the web quickly and easily, but I could concentrate my own efforts on writing about stories that weren't being mentioned, and get a little more creative with opinion, as well as deliver information and news that I felt you might find interesting.
There were others in the tech sector sharing feeds as well. Not nearly as many as I would have liked, but they were there.

The switch was successful. The numbers grew.

There are two kinds of numbers, and that's what this piece is about.

I call them one-day wonders. The days where one piece goes viral for one or two days. In retrospect, those articles were completely original, not news, not necessarily opinion, but unique. Two of them made the 'headline' area of TechMeMe. The headline area of TechMeMe delivers hits. Many other posts that followed made the TechMeMe's discussion area. While the discussion links deliver a MUCH lower return, it certainly doesn't hurt brand recognition.

The 'one-day wonders' are nice (and exciting!) but subscribers are where things get sticky. I've come to the conclusion that for new or smaller blogs, there are two ways to get people to subscribe to your feed as a daily reader, and another nice 'bump' this week confirmed it.

One is obvious. If people discover you, and they like what you're about, they're going to subscribe to your feed. The other vehicle, that is positively sticky and keeps them coming back, is when someone mentions your blog on their blog, or 'shares' you, as Louis (first) did for me in the first of his series highlighting '5 blogs you may not be reading'. Others followed. Almost every one came as a complete surprise and vindication of what I was trying to create here. Facts, fun, the new adopter scene, and no nonsense (and absolutely no sensational) reporting.

This past week several blogs highlighted their own lists of shared reads. I was somewhat humbled once again to be included on many of them.

I let a few days go by on purpose before writing this. In the 'blog world' (if you're lucky), people seem to have about a two-day memory.

So here's the round up of bloggers and their feeds, some established, some new, all interesting a thought provoking. The best part about these lists is that they are very diverse ... from long time established bloggers, to bloggers just starting out.

Louis, once again, led the way with this post. It was his 'Top-40'. In the days that followed, Sarah Perez published her Top-45. Others followed as well.

Want fresh content? Be sure and check out these lists.

I'm not going to name them all in this piece, but my sincere thanks to every single one of you that has visited or shared these feeds. No doubt, you are on one of the two lists.

Update 1 1:24 AM ET

Update 2  Yuvi,  'The Statbot' has a mind-boggling analysis of shared feeds here.

Dell 'looks good' with Studio Hybrid early launch

While rumors circulated this week about Dell being the latest company preparing to take on Apple's iPod, the company surprised almost everyone late yesterday unleashing it's new 'Studio Hybrid' computer line as available now on the Dell website (and expected in retailers by next month).



The Hybrid appears to be looking right at Apple.  One of the most stylish Windows-based computers yet, the tiny and ultra-energy-efficient desktop can be personalized with 6 interchangeable color sleeves or an optional classic bamboo cover.



Starting at just under $500 and customizable from there, the Dell Hybrid sports an Intel Dual Core processor and Intel's new GM45 chipset.



Potentially one of the 'greenest' computers yet, the packaging is made from 95% recyclable materials (and even comes with a recycling kit).  It uses 70% less power than previous Dell desktops, meeting the latest Energy Star 4.0 Standard.



Various configurations are available from 1 to 4 GB of RAM, 160 to 320GB drives, and 1.8 to 2.6 Ghz processors.  All units come with Microsoft Vista SP1, DVI and HDMI ports, a DVD/RW drive, Intel X3100 accelerator graphics, 5.1 ch sound, 8 in 1 card readers, and 1 year of Dell off-site back-up.



Options appear targeted at the home theater crowd with available Blu-Ray Disc, the classic Bamboo cover, a variety of widescreen monitor options, a hybrid video recorder, HDTV receiver, Dell on-board wireless-N networking, and 3 different versions of Microsoft Windows Vista.  A remote control, wireless keyboard and mouse are also available.



Clearly a 'style' and 'green' play, there are some laptops and desktops that are currently near the Hybrid in price with similar specs, although most don't sport the integral HDMI or Blu-Ray Disc ... yet.



You can check it out now at the Dell.com Hybrid Studio page here.

Seesmic upgrades - Adds Blocking, more

Seesmic in pushing out an upgrade today which includes blocking (if you don't want someone in your timeline), a new sidebar, and an option whether or not to have a video in your timeline.

The video (Hope this works on Blogger ??!!) is here :




More details have just been posted to the Seesmic blog here.

Update: It worked ! :)

Brief: Adobe launches Lightroom 2

An upgraded Photo Management package was announced by Adobe earlier this morning.

Lightroom 2 is now available for most versions of Windows and OS X.

The package is somewhat resource intensive so be sure and check the system requirements before downloading.

More information in Adobe Lightroom 2 can be found here.

Yahoo wins .... Huh?

Yesterday, as Cuil made it's way through the online (and offline) media, it seemed the first thing everyone did was search their own name.

The practice, affectionately known as an 'ego search' revealed all kinds of interesting (some actually fun) results.

Late last night, I ran a little test for ego searches on Google, Yahoo, and Live.com.

The same 40 names that I had tried on Cuil the day before.  A few well-known web names and an assortment of relatively obscure people.  A good mix.

Who won?   Yahoo!.   Hands down.

So everybody....

Stop what you're doing right now...

and start optimizing for Yahoo!.  :)....

Google's next big challenge is ... Google.

While the world debates the long-anticipated launch of Cuil today, it's time to take a look at what Google's next challenge really is.

It's NOT Cuil.  It's not Microsoft.

It's in the mirror.

By any historical reference, Google has become a huge company in a very short period of time.

In the past few months, they've literally been firing on all cylinders.

They've entered radio, TV and print advertising.

Media buyers are completely at a loss (They don't tell 'the boss' that ... but they are).  Do they trust the (relatively new) Google Ad Planner product as it begins to migrate across ALL advertising sectors?

It's actually one of the best times in history for media buyers because the choice is extensive.  They just need to work through this 'new curve', and in the current economy, they need to do it quickly.

The unique culture at the company will be a difficult to maintain at this level and is a large part of their 'employee happiness and retention' program.


In the meantime, some of Google's strongest 'allies', including a few (not all) of the 'original' SEO crowd, are starting to take measured shots at the company.

It's just the beginning.

Microsoft's been dealing with this ever since their environment turned 'corporate'.  A LOT of tech advisors, consultants, and administrators literally trash Microsoft on a regular basis.  Some simply won't use anything they make. (A pretty difficult prospect at best in the enterprise right now).

Recent stats from a variety of companies have Google with 65-75% of search. 

When you reach the pinnacle, people are going to take shots at you.

Google has literally changed the landscape (and NUMEROUS industries), as Microsoft (and IBM before them) did.

It's not a coincidence that Google is growing it's NY staff (close to Madison Avenue and Wall Street) while others are scaling back,

Google's biggest challenge going forward is PR. 

How will they handle it?

That chapter will be written later this year and well into next year.  It could very well be one of the most difficult obstacles the company has ever faced.

Eric Schmidt has his hands full and nobody's really talking about it yet .... so I thought I would :)

Food for thought.
Enjoy the week all
Charlie

How Cuill is this? Cuill is Now Cuil and it's here - Competition for Google?

It was back in October than my fascination with a start-up, then known as Cuill (with two l's) was planning to take on Google, or so it seemed.  Some outright laughed.  Others looked at who was behind it.



"Hey, this could be real?"



Many speculated that Cuill would be purchased even before it launched as their bot became more and more visible, indexing what appeared to be a huge volume of blogs and websites.



A few months ago, ex-Googler Louis Monier began to break the 'quiet' that had surrounded the start-up, addressing an SMX audience, as many of us read the live blogging and chatted later that evening.



As has been the case lately, my first clue that Cuill (ugh ... Cuil :) was about to launch came the other night on Friendfeed, as another ex-Googler and Friendfeed co-founder Paul Buchheit pointed to a Maksonland post.



A few hours ago, after almost a year in the 'dark', Cuill launched live, apparently losing an 'l' along the way,  and now known as Cuil.  Billing itself as the biggest search engine on the web, I seriously doubt too many people are going to argue with this roster of engineering and marketing 'pilots'.







The buzz on TechMeMe is already well underway (updated AM link).



Louis Gray has even provided a one click Cuil article search on Friendfeed where the discussion thread (along with mixed reviews) is growing.



Will Cuil be cool?



Way too early to tell, but fascinating to watch.



Update 3:  Google Trends as of 10:45 ET has Cuil (and all of the various mis-spellings) in positions 2,4,6,13,18,24,33,47 :

edited (updated links) 1 PM ET

Update: NASAimages.org now allowing embedding.

Just a brief update to the piece yesterday on the new NASA website, putting the Internet archives' photos (and videos) in one place at NASAimages.org.

Apparently, NASA has confirmed that most of the photos (and some video) are 'OK for use' as there is now a tab to 'embed' any of them in your own website of blog...

This site is about to get a lot of action.

As for me, I could spend a whole day playing with this and also PicLens.

Have a GREAT weekend all and Thanks!
Charlie

NASA and Internet Archive partner images - NASAimages.org

The photos appeared in my Friendfeed stream a short time ago and the were absolutely amazing ... so, a little quick research to find out what was going on.

A few accounts had already been posted to the web about the latest NASA photos.  Theweren't entirely accurate.  I decided to write this not only to make clear what was actually happening, but to bring it to my   readers as well. 

It is going to be a great show. ....and maybe a little bit of 'history redefined by partnering'.

The Internet Archive (aka Wayback Machine) has partnered with NASA to bring to the extraordinary collection of web-based space images over the years to one place on the Internet.  www.nasaimages.org.

The site is live now and it is definately worth checking out.

To go where no man (or woman) has gone before ? ....

The joint press release is below. 

David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington July 24, 2008
202-358-1730
david.steitz@nasa.gov

Paul Hickman
Internet Archive
415-462-1509, 415-561-6767
paul@archive.org

RELEASE: 08-173

NASA AND INTERNET ARCHIVE LAUNCH CENTRALIZED RESOURCE FOR IMAGES

WASHINGTON -- NASA and Internet Archive, a non-profit digital library based in San Francisco, made available the most comprehensive compilation ever of NASA's vast collection of photographs, historic film and video Thursday. Located at www.nasaimages.org, the Internet site combines for the first time 21 major NASA imagery collections into a single, searchable online resource. A link to the Web site will appear on the www.nasa.gov

The Web site launch is the first step in a five-year partnership that will add millions of images and thousands of hours of video and audio content, with enhanced search and viewing capabilities, and new user features on a continuing basis. Over time, integration of www.nasaimages.org with www.nasa.gov will become more seamless and comprehensive.

"This partnership with Internet Archive enables NASA to provide the American public with access to its vast collection of imagery from one searchable source, unlocking a new treasure trove of discoveries for students, historians, enthusiasts and researchers," said NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale. "This new resource also will enable the agency to digitize and preserve historical content now not available on the Internet for future generations."

Through a competitive process, NASA selected Internet Archive to manage the NASA Images Web site under a non-exclusive Space Act agreement, signed in July 2007. The five-year project is at no cost to the taxpayer and the images are free to the public.

"NASA's media is an incredibly important and valuable national asset. It is a tremendous honor for the Internet Archive to be NASA's partner in this project," says Brewster Kahle, founder of Internet Archive. "We are excited to mark this first step in a long-term collaboration to create a rich and growing public resource."


The content of the Web site covers all the diverse activities of America's space program, including imagery from the Apollo moon missions, Hubble Space Telescope views of the universe and experimental aircraft past and present. Keyword searching is available with easy-to-use resources for teachers and students.

Internet Archive is developing the NASA Images project using software donated by Luna Imaging Inc. of Los Angeles and with the generous support of the Kahle-Austin Foundation of San Francisco.

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

For more information about Internet Archive, visit:

http://www.archive.org