The New Yahoo! Front Page is here

I've been messing with the new Yahoo! test front page since last night.

No, I didn't have 'an invite' in this case.  Someone leaked the preview URL on two social networks.

I waited until now, close to the 'premier', but since it's obvious the embargo is long gone, if you're not yet seeing it at this point and want to take a peek, you can access it here.

On the surface, it looks like Yahoo! is trying to do what a lot of other companies have already realized.  Make it simple.

According to Yahoo!, I've been a 'user' since 2001.  I seriously doubt I would have found (or looked for?) that info had it not been for the new interface.

In addition, the new interface moves wholesale right into social networking territory:






Another "What am I doing?". Some please write a script to tell everyone I'm OK and having a great day ?! :)

Sure, another social network provides yet another vehicle to tel 'someone' about your next big thing, it'll be curious to see how many people actually embrace this front page tag line.

The good part I suppose is that I had one there and didn't even remember.  (Clear this!).

Access to other pages was also much simpler and revealed old e-mail addresses that I discontinued years ago.

I also liked the front page mouseovers.  While I'm obviously aware that it is a vehicle for Yahoo! to get right down to your preferences and deliver more pages (and ads), it's a very quick take on a variety of subjects directly from the front page.

Yahoo!'s geo-targeting (this is not unique to them) could use a little work.  Once you log in (assume they have your home town), it's not bad, especially on the news page, but the non-logged in (IP-sensing) page put me about 700 miles from here.

Watch those permissions.  Yes, Yahoo! is asking for your permission to share information with other web services.  It's still a little vague but enables cross-networking. 

It also seems like they've replicated MyBlogLog separately within the social platform with approx 20 services you can import to your new Yahoo! stream.  (Is MyBlogLog toast?).



That's three Googly services right there .. and who could leave out Twitter??

Sidenote: Google's Picasa (which is free) has been adding social features in recent months as well. The assumption would be to capture part of Flickr's market and / or to start bringing together some of Google's more recent Google social initiatives (IE: Friend Connect).

Are we confused yet?

Overall, I think it's safe to say that the Yahoo! new FP is an improvement.  The social features bring it inline with Live and Google with access to many other services and more.

The question is ... Will you use it?  Will people switch?

Most people don't embrace change easily. 

While this change really isn't that radical (on the surface), it'll be interesting to see the reaction of hard-core Yahoo! users over the next few weeks.

code edit 2 PM July 21, 2009
staff edit 2:36 PM July 21, 2009

Boston.Com does it again - Apollo 11

As the fight for your page views continues (see upcoming post) and the Internet sees incredibly rapid innovation and change, some long-time websites are seeking out niches.

Sometimes those niches are outside of their former 'mission'.  Other times, they fit.  Sometimes they work.

Regardless, if they get a buzz (especially a continuing buzz), they get visitors.

For some time, Boston.com has been delivering extraordinary photographs.  The buzz among bloggers and those participating in interative social networks has been nothing but positive.

Sometimes 'stills' can deliver a feeling as good as, if not better than video.

I spent a decent part of yesterday looking at websites and watching the recounts of Apollo 11 (as well as the miraculous return to earth of Apollo 13) on TV.

While I was just a (little) kid when Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the moon, the memories (and outright excitement) returned as I realized that this was, in fact, one of maybe 6 or 7 events in my life I would never forget.

It's important for all of us that call the Internet community home to realize that an incredible amount of the technology we all use today came from those early NASA missions and experiments.  

Growing up on Long Island, I remember all too well the excitement and pride in the employees eyes of the company that Leroy Grumman founded in a garage in Baldwin, NY.  (Grumman Aerospace, at one time Long Island's largest employer, later acquired by Northrup, was responsible for building the LEM and many other space projects as well as military jets).

But back up to Boston and their latest delivery to the Internet audience.

Take a look at this and try to imagine the excitement ....

..... well before anyone dreamed about PC's or the Internet.

Charlie

Google Docs - Over 1000 Templates (and climbing)

This past week, Google Docs opened the online template gallery to those wishing to contribute and share their own.

What I'm fairly certain that many may not realize is that there are already over 1000 templates in the Google Doc template gallery.

Many are outright impressive. With the 'global downturn', the large selection of resume templates might be an offering that a few job seekers may find interesting.

There are invoices, calendars, cover letters, project management schedules, and lots more.

You can access the collection (without a Google Doc acct) here.

Whether you currently have a free or paid Google Doc account, it's positively worth checking this collection now being highlighted also at the top of you Google Docs homepage (and, of course, searchable :).

As far as the upcoming Chrome OS .... unless it's unique to me, it appears that many of the Google Enterprise products are now, in fact, easier to reach (quickly) and appear to work faster with Chrome, although, as of this post, I didn't do any benchmarking.

Update: Sidenote for those who haven't yet needed it, Google Adwords is now compatible with Firefox 3.5.1.

Firefox moves to Version 3.5.1

The latest version of the Firefox browser was updated a short time ago to version 3.5.1.

This is a security and stability upgrade with a few important security issues now addressed.
It is recommended that you move to the new version.

If you don't see a pop-up reminder to auto-update, simply go to the top of your browser,
tap 'Help', then check for updates.  The update is available in most languages as of this post
and is being rolled-out now.

Release notes (and full downloads) can be accessed from the Mozilla page here.

NASA Continues to Engage Social Networks

I think many of us remember when 'marsrover' appeared in the early months of Twitter.

A NASA employee was Tweeting as if the Rover had a voice and it was just outright fun to follow.

With the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavor and also on the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11, I took a moment to visit the NASA website earlier today.

I know there's a lot of you 'space fans' that read this blog and thought you might find this interesting, despite the fact that this social expansion has been in place for a while.

NASA currently has numerous (make that A LOT) of participants on Twitter and Facebook, in addition to some awesome video and pictures galleries on YouTube, Flickr, UStream, and a presence on MySpace.

In addition, NASA now offers Firefox add-ons, Google Gadgets, Yahoo Widgets and more.

I looked through some of the Flickr images (please note the copyright!) this morning and a few of the videos.

Although you probably can't through it all in one day, the complete list (which you need to expand to appreciate), can be found here.

As for me ... I'm off to grab a gadget. This stuff is too cool :)

Charlie

Google Reader - Glitch or not?

Google Reader is one of the first things I look at each day.
(You can subscribe to my list of current subscriptions anytime from the link in the right column).

As more and more people discover the new features unleashed yesterday in Google Reader, a few are beginning to appear in my 'left column'.  Initially I'm 'green lighting' all of them just to see what I've been missing (and trying to avoid information overload at the same time :).

So far, I really 'like' the new community features ....

As always, there are a LOT of smart people out there and discovering all of them would take up a greater part of anyone's lifetime, even with all the tools available.  This is new and should be interesting to watch.

I'm already growing a small list of new people to follow on Twitter, Facebook and Friendfeed while at the same time offloading many that no longer update or just don't talk about stuff that I'm interested in.

I've always liked the 'Like' feature that first appeared on Friendfeed then migrated to Facebook and now has been embraced by Google Reader, so I decided to 'like' a few posts this morning.

Then came the all-serious acid test.  The same test I threw at Facebook when they implemented 'likes' (and cracked a few 'friends' up in the process).

Here's your big chance to Like Yourself!

Either Google has complete respect for your ego .... or somehow this slipped through :)

Logging in just got easier

I always had a difficult time having to 'join' or log-in a blog or website just to make a comment.

Although I understand the logic, there have been many times, I've turned the page on a post on CNET (and numerous other sites).

While Disqus has made this a LOT easier, at least in many of the places I travel, the latest move to 'log-ins you may already have', is making it even easier.

The 'inspiration' for Alltop, Thomas Marban's PopUrls perhaps has the widest group I've seen yet (graphic above).  Friendfeed and many others are also implementing this easy way to log-in as well.

Keep in mind, that in some cases, your favorite blogger is paid by page views and the more comments, the more likely the piece will stay fresh and they're hard work rewarded (I don't know how they do it ...... but they do, and MANY are still very much around).

Perhaps the most significant example of what I call 'easy log-in' is the use of Facebook Connect by Digg.

Instead of having a network which includes a bunch of people you probably don't know, the recently implemented connection allows you to send an invite to your FB friends.  Result (at least for me and many, many others so far) .... an instant Digg network of people that you've been hanging with on Facebook and probably share your true interests.

Should you trust your password to others sites?

Despite steps taken by those offering the vehicle and / or the log-in, that decision is yours.  It's an open question how much 'real security' is in these pipes.

Reality dictates that if a hacker really wants you .... they're probably going to get you one way or another.

As opposed to a few short years ago, there's hardly anyone that's completely invisible on the web anymore.

I suppose it's a good time to remind those who haven't recently taken a look at their Facebook privacy settings.  Many changes have been made there and you now can be much more selective on what you share and what you don't.

.....and yes, I'm going to do it again. Wander over and check out Friendfeed (no I'm not on the payroll :).  While it's hard to make predictions in this crazy economic climate, it's my guess, you'll see Frieddfeed right along side Twitter and Facebook on blogs and websites in less than a year ... maybe two.

Update: August 3 - Since the piece was written both CNET and GigaOM have implemented Facebook  Connect comments.

Where to find what on Google

In 2004, Google began rolling out 'a few' blogs.

For the most part, these blogs are written by the individual product dev teams but occasionally are cross-linked to the Official Google Blog when a significant announcement is made.

There were a slew of so-called cheat sheets put out by individuals to find them in 2006 beginning in the SEO community and later in the tech news and other communities.

Enter 2009 - Google now has A LOT of blogs.  They're chock full of information to the extent that at least one of them probably interests you.

How do you find them?

You don't have to 'search' far ....

The Official Google Blog Directory can be found here.

Note: Beyond the myriad of blogs and updates you'll find in the directory, it is not all-inclusive. There are actually a few beta blogs and others that don't appear in the listing but there should be enough to capture your interest if you haven't been there before.

Great week all
Charlie

Touch First! Microsoft launches Surface Partner Program

It appears that with the announcements today coming from Microsoft about Office 2010 and the electronic and 'regular' media all over it, Microsoft subtly took the opportunity to launch the new  Microsoft Surface Partner Program just a few moments ago.

The new launch comes along with the Touch First Microsoft Surface Developer Challenge.

An official Surface SDK is now available and full details on the launch can now be found in the Microsoft Surface blog here.