Posterous Takes a Few Bold Shots at Google and Microsoft

Posterous wants your blog.

In recent weeks, Posterous, the blogging platform that bills itself as 'the dead simple place to post everything' has been making blog posts targeting yes, Google and Microsoft ... as well as Squarespace, LiveJournal, Movable Type, Ning, Active Rain, Xanga, Tumblr and others.

The Angel / VC - funded platform apparently wants you to switch from whatever you're currently using to blog to Posterous and they're willing the make some pretty bold statements to get you to do it.

The past two weeks saw a flurry of posts to the Posterous blog. This post targets Google's Blogger. The most recent post takes aim at Microsoft's Windows Live Spaces.

The titles of all the posts are enticing (at the very least) and while there's no doubt that Posterous is interesting, useful and has already captured the imagination of numerous prominent bloggers, it seems like there are some ego problems goin' on here .... and/or they're feeling a little pressure from their financiers.

There were numerous quotes, both on the blog and elsewhere like "Posterous launches new tools to switch from dying platforms".  That new tool, which continues to add more platforms, is here.

In reality, Posterous is pretty neat and reliable but calling WordPress or Blogger "dying platforms' is a reach.

Regretfully, comments are currently turned off here as I update the template in my spare time (or this could have been fun :) but., as always, this post will automatically tweet, go to Google Reader, Friendfeed, Google Buzz and numerous other places if you want to chime in.

Is it me ... or are these guys getting a little too aggressive?

Microsoft Drops Another Freebie - WebMatrix (Beta)

Microsoft has unleashed yet another public beta (and yet another new product name).

WebMatrix arrived late yesterday as part of Microsoft's Web Platform delivery system but also as a direct download via it's own new webpage.

WebMatrix is a suite of products for web development that combines a new easy-to-use interface with other products already available in the web platform including Visual Studio 2010 Express and SQL Server 2008 R2.

The program is a combination of existing blogging platforms, templates, WYSIWG web editing tools and  more than a few nifty scripts.  The WebMatrix front end makes it easier for non-coders.

Two caveats before heading for this Free checkout counter .....

1) It is still a Beta (IE: If you're nervous about this kind of stuff, don't do it ?)
2) On a system with fairly decent resources, it could take up to a half hour to install, as the ASP .Net 4 Framework and other necessary files are needed before use.

You can read (lots more) about Microsoft WebMatrix here before you decide if you want to try it.  The Microsoft Web Platform site (if you haven't used it previously) can be found here.

Important: If this is your first install of Web Platform 3.0, you should log on occasionally using the Web Platform Installer (IE: not Windows Update) for the latest performance enhancements, product additions and fixes, after installation and occasionally thereafter.

Mozilla Launches Firefox 4 Beta 1 (Officially)

Early Firefox 4 initial beta build have been available from Mozilla's FTP server for several weeks.

Today, Mozilla took it to the next level .... officially releasing Firefox 4 Beta 1 in a blog post and asking for user feedback.

Small emoticons can be used to send comments to Mozilla participating developers.

The latest Firefox sports WebGL support and embraces the Google / Adobe-promoted WebM video format for HD HTML5 video.

A partial list of the numerous changes in Firefox 4 can be found here.

You can download a copy here.

Hello Facebook - We're Google and You're Not

It's no secret that a majority of Google's income comes from their advertising platform(s).

Wall Street has come to expect a LOT from Google and the (slightly crazy) double digit increases that the company has delivered for it's shareholders.

In recent months, the search giant has made numerous acquisitions.  More importantly, they have made moves to protect their home turf: Highly relevant search results and ads that work.  Yahoo! and others might want to take notice that Google is ramping up their display advertising programs, potentially including them in products such as Gmail.

More specifically, the ongoing push of Android, first via direct sales (which didn't work) followed quickly thereafter by carrier marketed Android powered phones (to counter any ad platform threat from Apple).

Apparently, Google is going one step further in the 'Apple' world introducing a music download platform later this year.  (Apple acquired LaLa.com some months ago ... Google had promoted the service heavily in their search index and inside bets were on them).

Similarly, bets were on Google to acquire hyper start-up Friendfeed.  A network that grew exponentially and was started by a group of prominent ex-Googlers (not exclusive of the founder of Gmail and others).

Privately held Facebook made that (very expensive) talent buy literally overnight, and got Friendfeed along with it to the dismay of many Friendfeed loyalists.  Friendfeed co-founder and ex-Googler Bret Taylor was recently named CTO at Facebook and head of platform development.

So while Google is betting heavily on other services such as the Chrome OS to enter even more markets, it's not only possible but now probable that Facebook could and probably will make a dent in Google's targeted  marketing platforms and it's highly likely they aren't going to sit by and watch.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt was asked about the rumored Google Me project (a Facebook competitor) at the Guardian's technology conference last Thursday.  He didn't say no.  He said "That would be a product announcement, and I won't say".

Make no mistake about it.  Marketing genius and innovation at Apple.  Microsoft with more than a few surprises last year and Windows 7 sales at a high clip. Facebook with more users than the entire population of the United States.

This 'war' is heating up ... again ..... and is going to start getting real interesting in the Fall and particularly as we enter the next holiday shopping season.  A wholesale change in the web advertising landscape is distinctly possible and deals by all of these companies with content providers is likely.

Flickr Previewing New Photo Page

Launched slowly to a select audience about one week ago, Flickr has a new photo page layout and they're rolling it out the right way.

Preview first.  Then you can opt in to stay if you wish and/or and provide feedback.

They probably would have gotten more press but just turning it on, but, no doubt after seeing reactions to changes in Facebook and more recently Google News, the majority might have been negative.

People by nature are resistant to change and Flickr still is one of the largest repositories of photos on the Internet.

Apparently the gang at parent company Yahoo! weren't taking chances as Facebook (in a much different way) is catching up quickly with photo hosting and Google's Picasa client software continues to improve somewhat dramatically ...... Not to mention the fact that Google recently purchased Picnik, the start-up used by Flickr for online editing.

After logging in, you'll probably be greeting with this banner:

What's new? 

1) The default photo size is now bigger.

2) They've (finally) increased the overall page size.

3) An new 'actions' menu consolidates things.

4) More privacy options (Did we see this coming? :)

....and a variety of other changes and new features.

Most users can now opt in to the 'new' Flickr here.

Update:  According to this post by Josh Lowensohn at CNET, the opt-in period will last one month at which point all users will see the 'new' Flickr.

Google Celebrates The Fourth With Goldberg Animation

Those hitting the Google Main Page this morning, at least here in the US, are being treated to yet another animation. This one, celebrating the Fourth of July .... and the birthday of inventor and cartoonist Rube Goldberg.

The last time Google put a 'working' Doodle on the front page, it captured an entire generation (and trended on Twitter worldwide for days).  For those that didn't see it, it was Pac-Man (and can still be played here!)

Goldberg was best known for his approach to unique gizmos that automated 'things' through a serious of unexpected steps.  His style was so radical and thought-provoking that his name literally became part of the American vernacular.  "Wow, that's a real Rube Goldberg set-up" , etc.

In this Google Doodle, tapping the arrow sets of a 'Goldberg-like' chain reaction that results in .... well you try it :)

Write Your Blog Post Now. There Are No Readers .... Huh?

Over the past two years, the proliferation of new blogs, websites and even entire platforms has continued to grow exponentially on the web.

It's outright mind-boggling.

Blogs that used to see a few hundred comments now just see a sprinkle.  For many readers, the growth of the web has meant 'switching channels' and/or looking for new ones.

It's getting harder to keep your site 'sticky' and keep that return visitor number up.

For some sites, it's meant a decline in RSS subscribers and / or page views.  For those that make a serious business out of it, they're hanging in there through a combination of SEO, PPC and Social Network Marketing.  Some are even using not-so-fair tricks (like employing small armies of DIGGers or Facebook LIKEers).

One big factor in the lack of 'readers' is that here in the US it's summer.  While those still fighting the economy might be working one (or two?) jobs, others are taking time off to simply enjoy the weather.

Also just here in the US, it's a holiday weekend.


Add to all of that the massive downsizing of 'traditional' media ....and weekends typically becoming 'slow news days' despite the fact that the news goes on.

Readers are not only not reading but writers aren't writing.

Welcome to Prime Time.

Looking to get noticed?  Have a product you want to test in the marketplace?  A big (to you) announcement?

If you know just a little about marketing your blog or website, your opportunity is now.  Right now.
Not only are aggregators hungry for content but (in case you haven't noticed? :), there's a relatively new game in town.

Yes, it's mobile.  The now huge shift means that book or newspaper that many used to take on vacation may very well be at home BUT they may tune in on their smartphone or iPad?

There aren't a lot of summer holidays.  Seize the opportunity.  There's a good chance you'll get a pleasant surprise.

Sidenote: The of the announcement of the Zemanta Assistant for Blogger this past week seemed pretty cool.

It is.

This what what came up while I was writing this piece:

Want To Know More About Google? There's A Sitemap for That

Every so often, it occurs to me that 'basics' of search and Google are missed not only by newcomers but also by the press ... and even a few 'experts'.

It also still boggles my mind (I guess I'm jaded?) when I run into someone that has no idea what SEO is, or if they do, they've never visited Webmaster Central.

The bigger picture.

Google has come a long way, especially in the last few years .... and in lots of different ways.  Too many ways to even think of listing in this post.

While the title of this brief piece might have SEO - saavy people thinking that I'm referring to XML sitemaps (something that every website should have), I'm not.

Google has a good 'old-fashioned' sitemap and the discovery there can be fascinating.

It's not all-encompassing but leads down a variety of roads and is updated on a regular basis.

Want to know how many (and what kind of) Twitter accounts Google has?  It's there.

Looking for a list of Google Blogs or have a specific question about something?

How about an RSS feed of press releases ?

Sitemaps go all the way way back to the days of HTML 1.  While they play a role in SEO, I'd doubt Google's too worried about that.

In classic Google 'simple style', the Google Main Sitemap can be found here.

A warning for marketers, the press, and many others .....

..... Visiting this page may take you on a journey that could last all day :)

Simplicity is bliss.

Have Fun,
Charlie

Google Buys Modern Day OAG - Sets Sights on Travel

I'm sure many of you remember the days when Compuserve was owned by H&R Block and one of the many online services offered (very early in the game) was reserving an airline ticket.  The provider of that information was OAG (or Official Airline Guide).

It was a time that just being able to do it and know it was a 'done deal' was exciting for many of us.

OAG is still very much around. Their primary clients are Travel Professionals, Aviation and Cargo.  Compuserve is also 'still around' and was acquired in 1998 by AOL.

We live in a time where real-time information is everything.  Mapping and GPS information companies have been acquired and deals have been cut with satellite companies to provide information directly to Internet and  many other companies.

This bring us to the announcement today on the Official Google Blog - "Taking off with ITA".

Yes, Google has acquired a significant real-time information provider ... in the airline space....  known as ITA Software. Coincidentally (I'm sure) an information provider to Microsoft's competing search engine Bing and Bing Travel.

In addition to Bing, ITA lists many prominent clients including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Bing, Continental Airlines, Hotwire, Kayak, Orbitz, Southwest Airlines, TripAdvisor, United Airlines, US Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways and (lots of) others.

The tentative price tag is $700 million which appears on the surface to be a bargain in a highly competitive (and often search and web visited) industry.

Google mapped the deal here as well as promising to honor existing agreements and commenting that "the deal  will not alter existing market shares".

As someone who spent 5 1/2 years doing in-house SEO for a small (but potent :) Internet based travel provider, I found the following statement interesting:

"The acquisition will benefit passengers, airlines and online travel agencies by making it easier for users to comparison shop for flights and airfares and by driving more potential customers to airlines' and online travel agencies' websites. Google won't be setting airfare prices and has no plans to sell airline tickets to consumers."

As Google continues to integrate their various services, I can imagine not only shortcuts to airlines and flights in the main Google search index, but possibly recent photos of destinations from Picasa, imagery in Google Earth (and the thousands of photos and videos there from Google-owned services such as YouTube and Panoramio).

Those that follow the search space and / or content-licensing arena can only begin to imagine to monetization possibilities here.

Yahoo!'s CEO Carol Bartz recently commented that Google "needed to diversify".

While I have felt they have been all along, if there was ever any doubt by anyone, they just did ... and in a big way.

You can read the Press Release from ITA here (PDF) or the Google Press Release here.