For every hard and fast fact, rule and guide to follow, then there's the innovation of a site like Wonderwall that does not compromise ease of use, but plays outside the bounds of expected usability rules and guidelines. To mix it up a bit - read this great article on 15 Helpful Website Usability Facts & Guidelines and then let your mouse wonder on the Wonderwall.
The Pew Internet Project has release its latest report on the future of the internet based upon a survey of internet leaders, activists and analysts.
For additional information and comparison:
Four former Google employees are taking on the search engine giant. With the launch of Cuil, we have the next search engine to step into the arena with Goliath. Will Cuil survive? Only time will tell.
Cuil asserts to be more comprehensive than Google with more relevant search results, which are displayed with more text and images.
That is a lofty goal to try to live up to. However, if Cuil can minimize the noise you receive in search and provide more relevant results, maybe it can make a name for itself.
Of course, it might be more interesting to see what effect Cuil will have on Yahoo and Microsoft in the search arena than Google. You gotta make your way up the rankings before you get a title fight.
Read the NY Times article: Former Employees of Google Prepare Rival Search Engine
Do you know anyone like Amanda Mooney? With the popularity of Twitter, and other microblogging services and social networks, it appears there may be millions. But how do you decide which service(s) to use or find the time to monitor and maintain them all? For me it comes down to two basic questions:
Basically, the microblogging service or social network has to allow for quick and easy use. This includes being able to utilize text messaging, mobile and internet (which most, if not all provide). Mobile web is becoming more important to me as I find that I interact on these services a majority of the time using my phone.
At this time, I am only using Facebook, Twitter (I know it is down a lot) and BrightKite on a consistent basis. These three services meet my above criteria - a vast majority of my family, friends and colleagues are there. Plus, all three are easy to use (at least the way I use them) with the ability to access and update either on the web, mobile web or text.
Yeah, I have accounts with a number of the other services (Pownce, Friendfeed, Plurk) but they do not meet my above criteria to warrant consistent use. At least not at this time...
How do you determine which service is right for you?
Read the Newsweek article: Microblogging: Twitter and Other Blogging Tools
In a ranking by Scarborough Research, Sacramento, CA ranks as No. 3 for the highest concentration of digitally savvy consumers. Not sure Sactown would jump to the forefront of people's minds when thinking of digitally savvy towns. Most would probably say San Francisco (ranked No. 10 actually). However, the No. 1 and 2 spots go to Austin, TX and Las Vegas, NV, respectively.
Other findings of the Scarborough report about the digitally savvy:
View the Scarborough report: Understanding the Digital Savvy Consumer
Read the Advertising Age article: Where the Digitally Savvy Things Are
