US holds onto key internet role July 1, 2005

 

No more brainstorming July 1, 2005

 

From the Guardian Unlimited website:

"David Brent would never approve. 'Brainstorming', the buzzword used by executives to generate ideas among their staff, has been deemed politically incorrect by civil servants because it is thought to be offensive to people with brain disorders.

Instead staff at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) in Belfast will use the term 'thought-showers' when they get together to think creatively."

No more brainstorming

 

Google Abets Click Fraud? July 1, 2005

 

From Media Buyer Planner.com:

"Google is the target yet again of a suit claiming it isn't doing enough about click fraud - the practice of producing fake clicks in order to boost the amount that advertisers must pay for their search campaigns."

Google Socked by Another Click Fraud Suit

 

Real-Life RSS Marketing July 1, 2005

 

From ClickZ News:

"RSS reader apps abound, in every shape, size, and aspect of system integration (or nonintegration) imaginable. A lot of 'em are branded. RSS is baked into Firefox, the number two (and rising) Web browser. It's integrated into Tiger, Apple's most recent OS release. This week, every iPod owner in the country (a hugely disproportionate number of people) was introduced to RSS via the podcasts just made available on iTunes. And if Microsoft ever gets Longhorn released, the company promises RSS will live under the hood."

Time to get serious about RSS?

Real-Life RSS Marketing

 

Swedes curb rampant downloading July 4, 2005

 

From the BBC News website:

"Sweden has outlawed the downloading of copyrighted movies, games and music in an attempt to curb rampant piracy.

About 10% of Swedes freely swap music, games and films on their computers, one of the highest rates in the world."

Swedes curb rampant downloading

 

Google maps shows the way forward July 4, 2005

 

From the BBC News website:

"Getting down and dirty with Google Maps is more fun for geeks than going clubbing - but what if the rules change, asks technology analyst Bill Thompson?"

Google maps shows the way forward

 

Resource Issues and Google's Growth July 4, 2005

 

From the Search Engine Roundtable:

"We were talking about all the cool things Google releases (and Yahoo and especially Ask Jeeves) but one thing we noticed was that Google every now and then takes away these things."

Resource Issues and Google's Growth?

 

EU software patents - the battle continues July 5, 2005

 

From TechWorld:

"MEPs will take the next crucial step in the four-year battle over software patents tomorrow with a decisive vote on the offending directive.

Intended to harmonise the patent regime across all 25 EU member states, the directive on computer-implemented inventions (CII), has proved extremely controversial, pitting the Parliament against the Council of Ministers."

EU software patents go to vote again

 

Collaboration to grow! July 5, 2005

 

From ComputerWorld:

"The growing demand within organizations for real-time and team-based collaboration technologies will drive the worldwide Web conferencing and team collaboration software market to US$681.7 million in 2005, a 16 percent increase over 2004, according to Gartner. By 2008, the market is expected to reach US$1.1 billion."

Collaboration software market to grow

 

Pay Per Click Definitions July 5, 2005

 

From Small Business Software:

"Pay-Per-Click marketing has become an online phenomenon, with marketers only paying for traffic they receive.

Navigating the complex web of Internet marketing, publishers and marketers are often confronted with terms that seem foreign. This simple guide will assist marketers in navigating the Pay-Per-Click marketing model."

Pay Per Click Definitions

 

Flair, Understanding and Wowing the Customer July 5, 2005

 

From the Duct Tape Marketing Channel:

"Perhaps you need what Traffic Synergy is offering. Maybe you just want to admire their site and how they make themselves attractive, plus connect with customers. Whatever your thoughts when you take a look around their site for yourself, you need to notice how simple and powerful it is to say out loud, what your commitment is to customers and then follow through with those words and expressed intentions."

Flair, Understanding and Wowing the Customer

 

Vote looms for EU 'software law' July 6, 2005

 

From the BBC News website:

"European lawmakers are preparing to vote on a directive which could protect companies' computerised inventions.

The proposed law, the Computer Implemented Inventions Directive, has been a bone of contention since 2001.

Opponents say it would lead to the patenting of software, which is already protected by copyright."

Vote looms for EU 'software law'

 

Risky SEO tactics July 6, 2005

 

From the Search Engine Roundtable:

"This tactic at best is questionable and for most purposes I would discredit any positive effect it would have on improving rankings. However there is an interesting thread at SEOchat discussing how bringing your site down for a short period of time might actually help increase your rankings slightly when it comes back."

I can't over-emphasise just how dangerous this sort of trick may be. My advice would be to ignore any "technique" that appears to be too good to be true, and get on with creating some solid content.

Bring Down Your Site to Raise Ranking?

 

Longer RSS Ads Catch More Clicks July 6, 2005

 

From MarketingVOX News:

"As Google, Feedster, Yahoo and Pheedo offer ad options in RSS, and companies like Verizon are testing the RSS waters, consumer use of the technology is growing, reports the New York Times."

Longer RSS Ads Catch More Clicks

 

Local Search Optimisation July 7, 2005

 

From ClickZ Experts:

"In the next few years, we'll see a significant rise in small business adoption of Web sites and Web site marketing solutions. These all require local Internet marketing. Understanding how to employ a local SEO strategy will become fundamental for Internet marketers servicing small businesses.

But don't get too comfortable with what you already know about local SEO. A new form of local SEO is being thrust into the mainstream. It requires different methods and tactics. In this two-part series, I'll address strategies underlying a new form of local SEO."

A New Form of Local Search Optimization, Part 1

 

European Search Engines July 7, 2005

 

From the Search Engine Roundtable:

"There is a wonderful thread at WebmasterWorld named Which are the leading search engines in Europe? I am not sure how statistically valid all of the responses are, but these are real people with real experience talking about which engines are the most popular in the European market."

Leading European Search Engines

 

Spyware and Adware Change Online User Behavior July 7, 2005

 

From ClickZ Stats:

"Consumers are beginning to learn the definitions of adware and spyware, and the differences between the two. Many have changed their online behavior to avoid potential intrusions.

Modified user behavior avoids Web sites and online activities identified as risky, including adult sites, computer program downloads, online games, music downloads, file sharing, computer game downloads, screensaver downloads, and online product purchases."

If you're selling software online, there are two items on that list that should jump out at you.

More than ever, it's critical to go out of your way to reassure the visitors to your website. They need to know they can trust you, they need to know what secure server means for them, and they need to know why using their credit card is safe.

A little reassurance can go a long way. A lot can go even further.

Spyware and Adware Change Online User Behavior

 

Software patent bill thrown out July 7, 2005

 

From the BBC News website:

"European politicians have thrown out a controversial bill that could have led to software being patented.

The European Parliament voted 648 to 14 to reject the Computer Implemented Inventions Directive."

As an Englishman who typically sneers with contempt at all things related to the European Parliament, this came as a huge relief. Common sense has prevailed. For once.

Software patent bill thrown out

 

Microsoft's Greenhouse July 8, 2005

 

From Microsoft Watch:

"Microsoft's Information Worker unit is looking how to grow its Office franchise via a number of potential new products taking root in its "Greenhouse" incubator.

The Greenhouse team builds prototypes of potential applications and technologies and then seeks wider, corporate backing and financing for these initiatives. Those that aren't seen as viable are dropped."

What's Microsoft Growing in the 'Greenhouse'?

 

Borland CEO steps down July 8, 2005

 

CNET's News.com are reporting that the CEO of Borland, Dale Fuller, has stepped down, effective immediately.

Borland CEO steps down

 

MSN using meta tag keywords? July 8, 2005

 

The Search Engine Roundtable are reporting that MSN may be sometimes showing META keywords in descriptions.

If this proves to be the case, you'll understand why we've been continuing to use the keywords meta tag for our clients over the past few years. Never assume that any SEO rule is written in stone.

MSN Using Meta Keywords for Description Sometimes

 

The Return of Design July 8, 2005

 

I recently came across this interesting and useful resource regarding website design and related areas.

Well worth a look.

Also at next week's Shareware Industry Conference, in Denver Colorado, I'll be speaking on the Design Web Sites to Sell panel. If you're planning on attending, be sure to try to make it to this session, even though it's in the dreaded Day 3 after lunch slot!

The Return of Design

 

Population Explosion! July 8, 2005

 

Long time readers of this blog will already know that I'm a bit of a stats junkie.

So imagine the look of rapturous joy on my face when I found that the ClickZ Network had updated their Geographic statistics!

"There are multiple sources for the Internet-using population of any given country. Because of differences in methodology, measurements for the same location can vary widely depending on the source. ClickZ Stats checks the accuracy of counts by comparing them to regional growth patterns and other projections to provide the most accurate and up-to-date statistics on the world Internet-using population available online."

Maybe I need to get out more.

Population Explosion!

 

Microsoft plans moving up a gear July 11, 2005

 

From Microsoft Watch:

Beta 1 of Longhorn is still on track for this summer:

Microsoft Reconfirms Longhorn Targets

Also IE7 Beta details:

Longhorn, IE 7 Beta Invites Going Out

 

Freshness and more Google speculation July 11, 2005

 

From the Search Engine Roundtable:

"The thread follows by discussing this effect as "Freshrank" in that search engines are looking for updates on pages. Now the information mentioned in the patent may not be in effect current effect, but it may in some fashion. One of the members details that Google wants to see updates in content, even if its just minor ones."

Plus:

"Someone also details a rumor that Google is planning to do another major update this summer and planning to leave things alone for awhile. If there is any truth in that, no ones know for sure. But you know how rumors spread."

I'm just doing my bit in helping spread the rumours.

Freshness of Pages in Google Revisited

 

The cost of PageRank - wasted time and effort July 11, 2005

 

It's rare to come across an article on PageRank that gets it right, least of all one that oozes common sense. But Mike Grehan, writing on ClickZ Experts, has hit the nail squarely on the head:

"What price PageRank? The price is actually based more on your own wasted time and effort if you honestly believe that little green meter on the Google toolbar counts for anything more than novelty value."

Read, digest, accept and move on.

What Price PageRank?

 

Where have the entries gone? July 19, 2005

 

I just got back from the Shareware Industry Conference, and as usual am brimming with new ideas, fresh enthusiasm, and the warm glow of meeting so many great people.

I also have over 250 emails that need replying to.

We should have our photos up online later today, and I'll post a quick note when we do so.

In the meantime, the blog will resume tomorrow when I've caught up.

 

SIC 2005 pictures July 19, 2005

 

As promised, here are our SIC 2005 pictures!

SIC 2005.

 

Google pinch another Microsoft Executive July 20, 2005

 

From Microsoft Watch:

"On Tuesday, Google announced plans to open a product research-and-development center in China, and said it was appointing former Microsoft vice president Kai-Fu Lee to head the operation.

On Wednesday, Microsoft announced it was filing a lawsuit against Lee and Google, claiming breach of both employee confidentiality and non-compete agreement."

Google Pinches Another Microsoft Exec

 

Underscore or dash? July 20, 2005

 

An interesting discussion on the Cre8asite forum:

"For years I have been using my_widget.html thinking it was best for the search engines. But seems like a while back I read that they prefer a - instead of a _ ? Anybody know? ....... and WHY?"

Do Search Engines like my-widget or my_widget.html best?

 

Keyword Intelligence July 20, 2005

 

Keyword Intelligence allows you to collect market intelligence, build and refine your keyword list, manage your keyword list and access the company's local market data.

I've been poring through their website, but I still don't understand what makes this any better than WordTracker?

With prices starting from $89.95/month, I must be missing something.

Keyword Intelligence

 

Google AdWords keyword status changes July 20, 2005

 

At last week's Shareware Industry Conference, I gave a one hour presentation on Google AdWords, that seemed to go down quite well.

Apparently Google didn't like my sharing so much information.

Within hours of my arriving back in the UK, I checked my AdWords account, and saw that Google had made changes to their system.

So much for reusing the session next year!

In an attempt to simplify their keyword status system, they will soon be moving over to a Quality Score system.

The old/existing keyword statuses are normal, in trial, on hold and disabled.

This will be replaced with active and inactive.

This makes sense, as the old method was unnecessarily confusing.

However Google have also announced that accounts will no longer be slowed, which I find somewhat puzzling.

The basic idea is that everything Google does is based on relevance, and the AdWords system is, in this sense, no different.

As I pointed out in my presentation, my so-called AdWords Spiral Theory explains how the AdWords system rewards the successful, accurate and relevant accounts, and penalises the generalised, poorly set up and less relevant.

So why take away the account slowing function? Could it be to encourage experimentation?

Google are playing a fine balancing game, juggling the needs of their users and advertisers in the same hand.

And while I'm not sure what the implications of these changes will be in the long run, it'll be interesting to see what happens next.

In the meantime, while the terminology has changed, the overall principle of the system hasn't been altered. But there's one snippet of information that made me sit upright:

"You can move an inactive keyword to an active state and show ads by (1) improving its Quality Score through optimisation, or (2) increasing its maximum CPC to the minimum bid recommended by the system."

The beauty of the AdWords system right now is that brute force (aka cash) isn't enough. You need relevance, skill and finesse. Let's hope it stays that way.

Watch this space.

What are the AdWords keyword status changes?

 

Qualified Google Advertising Professional July 20, 2005

 

I'm very pleased (actually delighted) to be able to report that I am now a Qualified Google Advertising Professional.

This is Google's official recognition that I am a "Qualified and tested AdWords professional". Meaning that I've taken and passed their Google Advertising Professional Exam, and have met their other requirements.

I'd like to be able to say that it was really easy, but it wasn't. Far from it!

Watch this space for details of our forthcoming Google AdWords package.

Dave Collins, SharewarePromotions - Qualified Google Advertising Professional Status.

 

A New Form of Local Search Optimization, Part 2 July 21, 2005

 

From ClickZ Experts:

"Maybe bringing small businesses online isn't as difficult as we thought. True, starting a Web site design conversation with a small business is like opening Pandora's box. But it's much easier and more effective to talk to businesses about structured, distributed business data.

Millions of local businesses are already in local search indexes. All we have to do is show, clean, enrich, and distribute them.

It's a new form of local SEO. And it's coming soon to a business near you."

A New Form of Local Search Optimization, Part 2

 

Microsoft to sue Google July 21, 2005

 

The BBC News website are reporting on the two mighty titans, both of whom appear to be sharpening their swords.

Microsoft sues Google over search

 

Google still in lead, but is the gap narrowing? July 21, 2005

 

Marketing VOX are reporting on the Search Engine state of play in Q2:

"Google fielded 5.65 billion, or 37.6 percent, of U.S. queries, placing it at the top of the heap for the second quarter, reports the E-Commerce Times, citing comScore figures. Yahoo was second, with 4.65 billion queries and 30.4 percent market share."

These figures look a little odd to me, and frankly I'm surprised that the gap between the two is so small.

This isn't something that I see reflected in our client's web logs at all.

Google Still in Lead, Achieves Search Record in Q2

 

More AdWords answers July 21, 2005

 

The Inside AdWords blog has some clarification on the issues of the new keyword states.

Again, there's something in there that concerns me:

"Question no. 1: Are you changing how you rank ads?

Though you'll see new keyword states in your account, we want to assure you that the 'auction' will remain the same. We'll continue to rank your ads based on your maximum CPC and the Quality Score."

Is the emphasis moving over to the maximum CPC? I for one sincerely hope not.

Answers to your keyword state questions

 

Goodbye Longhorn. Hello Windows Vista. July 22, 2005

 

It's official. Longhorn has now been renamed to Windows Vista.

A quick look on Dictionary.com reveals the following definition:

"A distant view or prospect, especially one seen through an opening".

Such delicious irony!

 

Google earnings jump - guess why? July 22, 2005

 

From the BBC News website:

"The US giant, which is valued at about $86bn (£49bn), saw its quarterly profit more than quadruple, propelled by a rise in online search advertising."

Online advertising drives Google

Who would have thought it?

The lesson here, however, is easily overlooked, but is an important one for those engaged in software marketing.

We all know that Google had a great idea. The initial idea was to make the web quickly, accurately and comprehensively searchable.

What sets them apart from everyone else is that they made it profitable.

And as too many software companies with great products already know, this is easier said than done.

Google AdWords made Google profitable, and the icing on the cake is that it also made the search engine itself even more useful in the process. Pure Googenius!

 

MSN "popularity" July 22, 2005

 

The new MSN Search is quite an interesting concept. There's little doubt about it.

At last week's Shareware Industry Conference, I was on a panel discussing the finer points of search engine optimisation (or search engine optimization if your prefer).

I asked how many people had used the new MSN, and well over half the attendees put their hands up. When I asked how many used it on a daily basis, there were only four or five hands remaining.

Will MSN give Google a run for their money? Maybe, maybe not. Only time will tell.

Do your sites make some huge traffic from msn?

 

Google AdWords site targeting July 22, 2005

 

Yet more changes from the world of Google AdWords:

"Site-targetted campaigns are a new enhancement to Google AdWords. Site targetting lets advertisers choose individual sites in the Google content network where they would like their ads to appear. If you want to place your ad on a single international website, you can. If you want to target dozens of sites about basketball or orchids, you can do that too. Site targeting lets you hand-pick your audience, big or small."

I do a lot of work with Google AdWords nowadays, and I'm finding the recent changes more than a little interesting.

First of all there appear to be a steady trickle of changes coming through the system right now.

The recently introduced Google Advertising Professional scheme cleverly allows those with experience and know-how to be recognised, labelled and identified by Google. Like me!

This is not only good for these professionals, but further reinforces the credibility of the AdWords scheme itself.

Cunning.

And the recently announced keyword state changes appear to be mainly (but not exclusively) about terminology and simplification. But it does appear that the sword has been given a little more power than the pen (or keyboard). This is a little worrying.

And yesterday they announced changes to site targeting opportunities, and further flexibility for the My Client Center functionality.

I suspect that interesting times lie ahead, but still hope that Google will continue to lean more towards skill than budget. It's all about relevance after all.

 

Permutator revisited July 22, 2005

 

David Hamel of Boxer Software recently donated a copy of his Permutator software to me.

I'd used it in the past, but when I recently upgraded to a new system, no longer had my registered copy. Yup, I'm one of those users.

The software is fantastically useful:

"Imagine a tool that would quickly create keyword phrases containing all possible combinations of your input keyword lists. Hundreds--even thousands--of keyword phrases. Phrases that haven't been bid on by your competitors. Phrases that are still available for the minimum bid price. Phrases that will bring targeted traffic to your website.

We've written just such a tool. It's called The Permutator."

And it works very well indeed.

A simple example.

Using his software, for the sake of simplicity, I used two groups of three keywords each. Note that five groups are possible.

Group 1:

shareware
software
demoware

Group 2:

marketing
promotions
promotional services

I then chose "double quoted phrases", and the following list was generated:

"demoware marketing"
"demoware promotional services"
"demoware promotions"
"shareware marketing"
"shareware promotional services"
"shareware promotions"
"software marketing"
"software promotional services"
"software promotions"

See how it works? Now imagine working with many different options, and you start to see how much time it can save you. Add in the little extras such as including maximum bid info, an ad editor, ROI creator etc. and you start to get the idea.

Take a look at the Permutator website for further information, and I highly recommend you purchase a copy. It costs less than $50, and is a great timesaver.

Oh and for the record, Boxer Software are not our clients. You see what a generous software donation can do for you?

 

Images above AdSense ads increase CTR July 25, 2005

 

From the Search Engine Roundtable:

"Late May I wrote an entry named DigitalPoint Forums Helps Member Increase CTR 4X. This method is now being scrutinized at a WebmasterWorld thread. What exactly does the thread mean by "Images above ads to increase ctr"? A picture can explain it..."

Image Ads Above AdSense Ads Increase CTR

 

MSN Virtual Earth Beta July 25, 2005

 

Microsoft have announced their Virtual Earth beta.

When I first saw it, I wondered if I was looking at a new version of Google Maps. One that doesn't work very well.

A coincidence I'm sure.

MSN Virtual Earth BETA

 

Yahoo Buys Konfabulator July 25, 2005

 

I first came across Konfabulator some time ago, and immediately thought that it was a great idea, but lacking a solid way to use it.

Hopefully Yahoo will now put it to good use.

Yahoo Buys Up Konfabulator

 

AOL & Ask Show Growth In Searches But Big Players Still Big July 25, 2005

 

The ClickZ Network are running some new stats:

"New quarterly statistics out from Nielsen//NetRatings show that AOL and Ask Jeeves had double-digit growth in the number of searches they handled, though the total number of searches handled by the major players left these other services far behind."

Stats fans eat your heart out.

AOL & Ask Show Growth In Searches But Big Players Still Big

 

More PageRank wisdom July 25, 2005

 

From ClickZ Experts:

"It appears to me some folks in this industry are so emotionally attached to that little green gauge on the Google toolbar, the mere thought of dismissing it as having nothing more than novelty value (which I do) is deemed almost sacrilegious.

Ladies and gentlemen, get a grip on yourselves! Don't be afraid. Let go of your little, green security blanket. It'll be all right. Trust me -- I'm a search engine marketer.

There is life and search marketing without the PR meter. Honest. Truth be told, that's the way it's always been."

Such refreshing accuracy brings a huge smile to my face.

Read, digest, appreciate and smile.

What Price PageRank? Part 2

 

Google AdWords - changes in the pipeline July 25, 2005

 

WebmasterWorld's "The Google World" forum is running an interesting thread on the forthcoming AdWords changes:

"Information based off of info provided by Google. However, it's still my interpretation of what they intend, and some details could be inaccurate/changed by the live date.

Minimum bid changes

Keywords will have minimum bids associated with them.

These minimums are based off of the Quality Score as previously stated.

Minimum bids will be different for each account and each keyword within that account.

Minimum bids will be dynamic. They will change at most once per day.

Minimum bids can change due to changes in search volume, changes in CTR for that keyword, etc. This can make it so that you can have a keyword below the minimum bid inactive, but if the minimum bid drops, your keyword will suddenly become active.

Slowing of accounts will be gone."

I don't necessarily agree with everything here, but it's informed, interesting and plausible educated guesswork at its best.

Google AdWords

 

Aglaia Survey Report July 26, 2005

 

ShareUp are sharing the results of their survey for shareware authors; carried out between June 20th and July 23rd 2005.

With questions on registration services, marketing methods, AD budgets, affiliate programs and more, the results make quite interesting reading.

However (and it's a very big however), there is no mention whatsoever of (i) how many people took part or (ii) where they came from.

Unfortunately, this renders the data to be all but useless. Interesting, but don't draw any conclusions from what you see.

Aglaia Survey Report

 

Shareware Junction blog July 26, 2005

 

Mike Stevenson of Shareware Junction has been around for more years than I can remember now, and recently announced that he had started "another Shareware blog".

Actually it's far from "just another" blog, and contains well written snippets of news and views that really are worth reading.

Yesterday's post was on GetAFile's abandonment of shareware authors:

GetAFile closes doors abandoning shareware authors

And with entries such as Someone Said Your Mother's Ugly, how can you resist?

Let's hope that one doesn't pull in any unwanted search engine traffic.

 

GetAFile gone July 26, 2005

 

As already mentioned, GetAFile is no more.

As far as I can tell, there was no warning given. They just pulled the plug.

But before you get too mad at DR, their announcement in the SWREG system had the following to say:

"Please be aware that Getafile was operated at a technical level by CloudNine Software and SWREG acted as partners when SWREG was owned by Atlantic Coast.

In March SWREG ceased to have any association with Getafile and definitely no control."

As someone who used GetAFile, I still think the whole thing has a fairly unpleasant smell to it.

I assumed that SWREG still owned GetAFile, and if this wasn't the case, why wasn't I informed? I can no longer point any fingers at anyone other than the present owners of SWREG.

This sort of thing does them no good at all.

 

Everything you wanted to know about Windows Vista July 26, 2005

 

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows has an excellent FAQ on Windows Vista.

Questions include:

What is Windows Vista?

What's with the name?

I heard that Windows Vista was based on Windows Server 2003, not XP. Does that mean that Windows Vista is more stable/less consumer-friendly than XP?

Can I get Windows Vista Beta 1?

Will there be a server version of Windows Vista?

Why isn't WinFS going to be included in Windows Vista?

Will Windows Vista be a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system?

Windows Vista FAQ

ActiveWin also have some fairly amusing photos:

ActiveWin.com: Windows Vista Announcement Images

"Brings Clarity To Your World"? Is that the best they can do?

 

Stirrings in the engines? July 26, 2005

 

The Search Engine Roundtable are reporting an MSN Search Update:

MSN Search Update

MArketingVOX news are also reporting that Yahoo's latest updates has been the cause of both cheers and jeers:

Yahoo Search Tweaks Have Knickers in Twist

 

Windows Genuine Advantage goes live July 27, 2005

 

From Microsoft:

"Microsoft Corp. today announced the transition of the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) pilot to a version 1.0 launch with worldwide availability.

WGA is part of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to protecting its customers from software counterfeiting and to helping support partners through education, engineering, and enforcement of policies and laws."

As someone who has seen the direct results of software piracy (all too often), I'm all for anything that might work.

But "protecting its customers"? Come on! Using this argument belittles the issue.

Windows Genuine Advantage 1.0 Goes Live

 

Windows Vista beta July 27, 2005

 

ZDNet are reporting that the a test version of the new Windows operating system may be released to developers on Wednesday morning. Now in other words...

Windows Vista beta due

 

Wincing to the point of pain July 27, 2005

 

From ClickZNews:

"Crispin Porter & Bogusky is behind yet another poultry-based viral effort for Burger King. The fast food chain is launching and promoting its own teen-targeted metal group, through both TV spots and a Web site.

The band is Coq Roq. The gimmick: chicken masks and poultry-themed songs with names like "Bob Your Head" and "Cross the Road.""

Does that make anyone else cringe?

First of all it's creepy. There's definitely something a little disturbing about the idea of chickens singing about fries. I don't want to dwell on that idea.

But what really makes me wince is the idea that this will catch on. Anyone who wants to listen to that particular genre of music isn't going to be receptive to the idea of corporate-sponsored, food-oriented lyrics.

What were they thinking?

Speaking the language of your customers is a good idea. But doing a half-arsed job is like trying to speak a foreign language with little more than a phrase book.

BK Launches Chicken Band

 

Internet Explorer 7 betas July 28, 2005

 

From Microsoft Watch:

"Microsoft made available to beta testers on Wednesday two slightly different test versions of Internet Explorer (IE) 7.0, the next version of the company's Web browser.

Microsoft included IE 7.0 bits in the Beta 1 build of Windows Vista that the company began distributing, via download, to beta testers on Wednesday. It also released a separate beta of IE 7.0 that currently will run on Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 2 machines only."

Personally I'm itching to get my hands on a copy, but BETA 1 means that there's a long way to go.

My guess? We won't have yet seen it this time next year.

Microsoft Delivers Pair of Internet Explorer Betas

 

Lots of Windows Vista news July 28, 2005

 

The Vista wires are positively buzzing with excitement, anticipation and speculation.

The UK-based Register are giving a succinct overview, and sticking with the facts. There are also a couple of screenshots that don't give too much away:

Vista - searching for something fresh

The Newsfactor Network is reporting that Vista Software, a small company based in La Jolla, Calif., are non too happy with the new name:

Threat of Lawsuits Looms over Windows Vista

And the ever-popular Paul Thurrott has an excellent review of the beta, with plenty of screenshots to satisfy even the most curious of developers:

Windows Vista Beta 1 Review (Part 1)

 

GetAFile GiveAChance July 28, 2005

 

After the recent GetAFile mess, it appears that GetAFile is temporarily up and running at the following URL:

http://www2.getafile.com

You won't be able to access the control panel, but developers do at least have the chance to grab copies of their files.

Sharon Housley's Software Marketing Resource Blog has an interesting write up:

GetAFile Who is In Charge

Sharon has done a great job of sifting through the rumours to strip out the facts, but she seems to think that the blame may lie with Steve Lee. Maybe.

Personally I still think that DR are the most at blame here. They took over SWREG, and many (or most) SWREG users assumed that GetAFile was a part of the SWREG system. We even had the GetAFile fees taken directly from our accounts.

All it took was pointing out the facts from the outset.

That being said, DR and Steve do appear to be doing everything possible to alleviate the situation as best they can.

The moral of the story? Backup and monitor.

No company should be in the position of not having backups of their critical files. There's no excuse for that.

And monitoring any service or system that you rely on, including your webhost, mail server, e-commerce provider and others is critical.

Services like bello network monitoring make the process fast, simple and painless.

Cover all possibilities and sleep well at night.

 

Ask Jeeves to Launch PPC Engine July 28, 2005

 

From the Search Engine Roundtable:

"Remember about a week ago we posted an entry named Would Ask Dare Drop Google AdWords in 2007? Well, possibly they will do it within two weeks and not wait for 2007."

Rumours: Ask Jeeves to Launch PPC Engine

 

Visual Basic 2005 Starter Kits July 29, 2005

 

From MSDN:

"The Shareware Starter Kit is a sample application that implements the common features in shareware applications. The Shareware Starter Kit includes sample components that show integrated e-commerce using PayPal, secure product activation, product registration, error reporting, and more using Web services.

Code Your Way to the PDC

Write some code with Beta 2 of Visual Studio 2005 and the Shareware Starter Kit and just maybe you'll win a $1000 airfare voucher, hotel accommodations and tickets to attend PDC05."

Shareware Starter Kit

 

A fireside chat on content targeting July 29, 2005

 

More from the ever-interesting Inside AdWords:

"You've sent in a lot of questions about content targeting, so we sat down with Bismarck L., a member of the product team, and grilled him (politely). Thought you all might find our discussion enlightening."

Questions include:

What value can Google content targeting add for advertisers? Our speciality is search, isn't it?

So how does content targeting work?

So what are the latest content targeting innovations?

Software marketing has become such a fascinating area with Google AdWords!

A fireside chat on content targeting

 

Top RSS aggregators July 29, 2005

 

From ZDNet, a look at the top RSS aggregators:

"FeedBurner lists My Yahoo! and Bloglines among the most popular RSS readers requesting FeedBurner feeds."

Top RSS aggregators: My Yahoo! - 59.02%, Bloglines - 10.42%

 

More Windows Vista Information July 29, 2005

 

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows has even more information and screenshots from the forthcoming Windows Vista.

Fascinating. And it'll affect all of us.

Windows Vista Activity Centre

 

Google Files Patent for Contextual RSS Ads July 29, 2005

 

From the Search Engine Roundtable:

"I find it a bit funny that Google would file a patent for this, but I find most patents funny. MSGraph, an SEW Member known for posting patent applications, started a thread named Google's Advertisements in RSS Patent App where he quotes an abstract from the patent application."

Google Files Patent for Contextual RSS Ads