DJM: Blog customise layout: Can I edit the HTML of my blog's layout? - Blogger Help

Can I edit the HTML of my blog's layout? - Blogger Help

Smartsheet.com - INTRIGUING

Smartsheet.com - INTRIGUING

Brand-yourself.com wordpress personal branding and optimisation service

Brand-yourself.com a word press service with ability to brand and optimise yourself and set-up a load of linktos just the same way as we have been doing with RB but set-up to do a SAAS service aimed at students marketing themselves but itneresting in terms of word-press etc

Skype to Add Five-Way Video Calling

Skype adds new features including 5 way video conferencing

Google has made significant change to how search results are displayed

Google have updated the search results interface simpler easier and faster and also part of the separate but related initiative to further personalise search results.

If you want to test a search now important to do when not logged-in to iGoogle because the results will be biased towards your own patterns of search.

Thea rticle linked has diagrams and screen shots easy to see the differences;

http://mashable.com/2010/05/05/new-google-search/

BROWSER WARS - Microsoft's browser share dips below 60 percent | Beyond Binary - CNET News

Microsoft's browser share dips below 60 percent | Beyond Binary - CNET News

Microsoft are down and the wars continue Firefox now has 25% of the market and Google's Chrome next and gaining...but Microsoft still strong as detailed stats on this article. It is worth considering which browsers to support, as you target and develop your web content, not all features work the same on all platforms and hence testing on variety of browsers is a must so make sure your team take account of this requirement.

Microsoft is not the best browser but currently the most established but superior products such as Firefox Mozilla and Chrome are gaining ground, it is worth considering what your applications focus is before selecting the browser of choice for your own team. Google's Chrome for instance has an open market of very useful extensions as does Firefox, so its worth taking a look to decide what is best for your use. If you are looking to deploy in the market choose to test across at least three browsers and the simple truth is many corporates are still only using the older IE6 version of Microsoft Explorer, whereas smaller and more fleet of foot businesses and teams are often using more modern versions.

If you use web analytics, you can normally see and track the type and version of browsers being used to access your website automatically in standard reports, also consider products like Adobe Air Flash Quicktime and more.. as not everyone has them installed and maybe restricted from doing so in their business environment. If your site for instance uses flash, be certain that it doesn't fail but accommodates users who may not and/or be able due to corporate policies to install these optional tools.

�Twitter Directory >Search > Get More Twitter Followers > TweetFind

�Twitter Directory >Search > Get More Twitter Followers > TweetFind

�Twitter Directory >Search > Get More Twitter Followers > TweetFind

Finding people on twitter by category, its like the yellow pages for twitter but it also gets you on a high volume site with a clickthru to your website, acts as a high quality LINKTO site.

If you have a twitter account you can submit for free well worth getting yourself on here.

los make sure you a distinct clear moniker/avatar, pics of individuals are very small a brighter simpler logo stands out well.

�Twitter Directory >Search > Get More Twitter Followers > TweetFind

Twitter For Dummies | Books | Twitter Directory Search Get More Twitter Followers TweetFind

Twitter For Dummies | Books | Twitter Directory Search Get More Twitter Followers TweetFind

If you want a quick way into Twitter take a look at this...

Good Laughing at himself - Obama @ White House Correspondents' Association Dinner 1/2

Seeing OpenID a lot more now what does it mean? How can it Help?

Logging in and logging out, cookies and all that stuff, in the perfect world why waste time, can you get a secure provider to provide a secure by widely recognised standard that saves you time?

Quoting from the OpenID Foundation's Web Site

"OpenID eliminates the need for multiple usernames across different websites, simplifying your online experience.

You get to choose the OpenID Provider that best meets your needs and most importantly that you trust. At the same time, your OpenID can stay with you, no matter which Provider you move to. And best of all, the OpenID technology is not proprietary and is completely free."

Tip: worth getting aware of this and checking out providers on google type in openID, we will report back on what we find shortly once further reviews completed but be aware its like an online passport.

Coming Soon: Update on best providers for UK and Europe

LINKED IN - ways to use new features in Linked in

Apr 30, 2010 - (from Open Forum) this backs up principles we are advocating in the Professional and Business Networking approach we have been advocating.

LinkedIn recently launched a number ofnew, Facebook-esque Share features. Now, in addition to Q&As, groups and personal messages, you can send images, article excerpts, blog posts and other content to your professional connections in much the same way that you would with your personal connections on other social networks.

But the way you'd use LinkedIn sharing for your small business is likely going to be a lot different from how you'd use your personal Facebook account. While most folks love to pass on relevant, interesting and valuable links, some content will be more appropriate than other content for sharing with your business contacts. Here are a few ways you can maximize the benefits of LinkedIn shares.

1. Stay Top-of-Mind

Posting once a day, and syndicating that post to your business' Twitter and Facebook accounts, can help you remain fresh in the minds of your connections and customers. As long as the content is relevant and valuable, it will be appreciated and re-shared. Just remember to not overshare; users will be quickly turned off if their timelines on every network are flooded with updates from you. Space out your LinkedIn shares to maximize their value for your network.

2. Finding New Talent

If you're expanding your team, LinkedIn is one of the largest and fastest-growing resources for finding the perfect candidate. Particularly in this economy, letting the world know that you're hiring is some of the most valuable information you can send out on the wire! Write a brand-appropriate blog post giving very specific details on the kind of person you're looking for. Give your post a simple, sharable headline that contains the company name and position available... and try to avoiduse of the term "ninja" if at all possible. When you're sharing this link, be absolutely sure to include a call to action for every connection to pass this information on to others. For more tips on using LinkedIn to find rockstar employees, check out this article.

3. Crowdsourcing Solutions and Getting Feedback

If you've got ideas you want to run by your peers or a nagging business problem that needs a solution, LinkedIn groups and Q&A are popular and effective ways to get feedback. But sharing allows you to cross-post your query across multiple networks and add supporting data such as a picture or Web site link. One of the best aspects of using LinkedIn for soliciting feedback is that the comments from your professional network will all be collected in a single thread in your LinkedIn profile.

4. Promoting Special Events You Host or Attend

Whether you're going to a charity dinner or hosting a meet-up for your clients, a string of well-timed LinkedIn shares can be great for raising community awareness, driving participation or soliciting volunteers or donations. This is another circumstance where it's completely acceptable to ask others to re-share the content across their own networks, particularly if it's a local event geared toward your own community.

Leading Local and Industry Thought

If you've got an article in an online publication or a blog post you're particularly proud of, LinkedIn sharing can be a great way to broadcast that content to your network – again, both on LinkedIn and elsewhere on the web. Be sure to include a personal comment on why you're sharing the link, and tailor the excerpt section to include something descriptive and appealing, such as a quotation. Shares on LinkedIn are also a great way to spread news items that are relevant to your peers, vendors and customers.

If you've got other tips and tricks for your fellow small-business owners on how best to maximize the value of LinkedIn's sharing features, please let us know about them in the comments!

iGoogle Gadget for Google Docs GREAT YOU Can Get it now...

iGoogle gives great access to Docs but this GADGET makes a little grid on your iGoogle Page so you can see most recently available docs without changing via iGoogle Menus or create a new document etc. 

It is easy to install, easy to use and makes working even more effective.

A Gadget is a small block of information that is customised to a particular need you can select to add to your iGoogle Page, this particular one is the tipping point to thinking, 'wow its so easy to use Google Docs and it means I can find my info when I am on any machine, anytime of day, any location, and easily share if I need to collaborate with my team, why generally use anything else? Plus don't forget both Docs Igoogle and this gadget are free...

Summary:

Easy access to your Google Docs from iGoogle Free Gadget here is the link and its easy to install

Hint: find your way faster to existing G-Docs, create new Docs

Benefits: speed and ease of use saving time and improving productivity

Google - SiteMap and Index Vital Videos to up Your Rankings

Videos are very powerful and in under 10 minutes without imposing you must read a lot, complex ideas and concepts can be creatively communicated, so how do you get them noticed in the search engine, particularly Google?


In the attached article Google tells you how, but in short your team need to have a video index just like you would a site-map, the tech team can do that bit but make sure they are aware of the need to get those videos noticed.

I love reading but not everyone does in this demanding info burdened world, there is no doubt that VIDEO IS VITAL and you are missing an important component if you dont use it. Be certain your competitors either are or will be planning to do so.

EXCELLENT !! Atmosphere: Core Content and the Cloud

Facebook Ploughs ahead with improving tools and open integration..

Facebook have just made major announcements (see Mashable and young CEO Mark Zuckerberg founder and CEO Facebook) about how they will enrich the applications and integration but they are moving away from their current interface set via Facebook Connect. They are linking with major players even Microsoft to combat the likes of Google and their cloud computing...it just got even more interesting.

They are looking to make it easier not harder, so that in itself presents even more opportunities, can the community keep up with the functionality well that is another thing.

Feel no fear the future looks bright and the recent description on BBC Radio 4 of Facebook as an operating system for networked and more human applications...seems an informed prediction. join the party early as the saying goes or miss out.

Facebook at 40 - thats 40% of Social Media...

No Surprises Facebook taking over having reached the critical 40% mark the others apart from you tube looked doomed, but then we said that about Apple once I seem to recall and IBM several times before but really 40% and a live user based of 400 Million users... impressive see the detail on the title link care of mashable.

The Free Keyword Tool from WordStream - Free Keywords for SEO, AdWords, & Blogging

The Free Keyword Tool from WordStream - Free Keywords for SEO, AdWords, & Blogging

Boost Search engine ratings for your video content You Tube

How can you use the power of short punchy videos to best effect to boost the SEO search engine optimisation of your custom channel, the detail is from "mashable" but the relevance to domain experts consultants etc is high.

DEFINE: You Tube Channel: customised string of your selected videos that can be automated as feeds to facebook and other sites even your own blog but be careful you don't publish something you shouldn't?


THINK ABOUT: What would be a more refreshing way to make snippets of your expertise available

ACTION NOW: Sign-Up for You Tube making your subject come alive...do some research and see what the competition are doing.

COMING SOON:

Share and categorise Bookmarks...

One of the leaders but slightly irritating as you have to register with Yahoo and can only login with that ID DOH?

Right Info at your fingertips so you can add value - Power of iGoogle

iGOOGLE (Search Interface Customised for Feeds and Gadgets)
MUST HAVE FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS INFO AT THEIR FINGERTIPS!!!
The powerful use of iGoogle doesnt seem to really get communicated day-to-day and it gets overlooked, but we are all over-whelmed with information and this simple device to have a custom home page is MIGHTY in its reach. The combination with Google's Chrome Browser is superb but IE struggles more with moving in and out of the cloud based applications it connects too such as Documents Google DOCS and more.

• One criticsm is that the menu navigation to tools is not as elegant or configurable as it might be but hey its free they structure feedback and no doubt will improve still further.
•  its the power to customise that is key
• no need to keep signing in and out and personalised content to suit you
• igoogle its so good it made me change my browse technology now how is that?
• it integrates with RSS Feeds and Links and Gadgets to make life easier and provide content you choose that automatically headlines on your page without time consuming searches
• you choose as and when to interact
• used effectively its a MUST HAVE tool for anyone who needs knowledge at their fingertips
• and actually who doesn't
• easy to set-up and customise minimal it knowledge required its a fab opportunity for free so grab it and try it out..

So try it with your existing your current browser IE Mozilla or whatever and it will get you going iGOOGLE - then if it proves as useful as I find it you may even want to consider Chrome,


How Come it is Free? No Such thing as a Free Lunch ?
Google's  business model is all about getting critical mass by being so good and free that anyone who wants to buy or advertise is online to their search engine.  Google  via AdWords earns solid revenue and via AdSense they reward good content providers. ITS REALLY A WIN WIN WIN!

Good for Google, Good for Advertisers, Good for End Users and Buyers: what a great idea.
It is a very neat business model, so of course to do this effectively you pay with detailed disclosure of your search logs (protected by privacy)  but its better than cash...and makes it easier for you to earn your fees by having the right information at your finger tips.

iGoogle: A Mini Product Tour

Makes life easier - Google Docs shared collaboration

What is Google Apps? - Free Better Anytime Anywhere Applications Demos

Share and Suggest Best Channels Customise Buttons LinkedIn Facebook and More

Share your content and - encourage others to engage with you, on the social networking platform that suits your contact; (Try the links, its all just a click or two...)

This is just a demo, but we will see later today, this in action for ARBELOS as the new version of their holding page gets launched. The interface to networking sites and shares can be customised so you can prompt and suggest your favourites Russell Banham on Linked In , Facebook etc.

ADDTHIS.com (see link) It can be merged into your design with colours as well but the cool thing is you get a connection and response direct in a more interesting environment than just a bland enquiry form, we will have both but the aim is to make this more human and more like a direct connection to the  RUSSELL BANHAM BRAND...hohoho

just an example

Abu Dhabi rents fall by 'at least 5%' - Cityscape Intelligence

Abu Dhabi rents fall by 'at least 5%' - Cityscape Intelligence

Share Good Content and Add Value - How to make it Easy?

Share with your Network on Linked In Facebook Google and Many More, here is how and why

Now we all hate the glib 'Add Value' Statement because it gets so over-used but the truth is how do you develop the perception of value, yes it needs to look slick and professional but its really about salient and pertinent content in bite-size chunks that we can all cope with.

Now when you find something valuable what is the best way to share it across your network without driving everyone mad with cumbersome emails?  HERES HOW:  its a free device which opens up the possibility of sharing valuable information and adding your own personal spin on it relevant to your colleagues and network.

ADDTHIS.com is a service that enables you to integrate a wide range of sharing opportunities quickly, simply and effectively and for free?

• Make sure you take time to add your twist, short and sharp, then your network can choose whether to take the bite onboard or not .
• This is such an easy tip for adding value to your content, becuase not only is what its about good but you have made it easy for word-of-mouth to spread your message and we all know thats always the best and most effective way.
• Make sure your shares are worthwhile and not too frequent and that only those who want them get them so we dont overload the colleagues we are seeking to engage with.

10 Practical tips on using Linked In for businesses

10 Practical tips on using Linked In for businesses: Smart Insights hit it on the nail with a short summary of the basics of getting going with LinkedIn just to give you a feel it really isnt trivial 65 million users in 200 countries more business focused than Facebook currently, BUT with 400 million users on Facebook, think about being on both...take a look, have a think and take action. Profiles, recommendations groups membership think about how you can create referral links into to your website and make sure you can be found easily on the web by colleagues clients customers and important third parties that may significantly influence your market...

How to apply SEO to YouTube videos

How to apply SEO to YouTube videos Direct News report on how this key element is overlooked on so many business websites. So folks make sure you take seriously using feeds (news) or otherwise using rss atom etc, its the surest way to make sure your target audience finds you not just for videos but all content.

Integrating networks within outlook - www.xobni.com/

Outlook contacts and extension to deal with more addresses to trace online contacts; its getting complicated collating contacts now email, mobile,facebook, twitter, and this tool starts to extend the capability and functionality within outlook. We are currently taking a look but worth a browse.

Facebook for Business Networks - Are You Sure?

Dont miss the opportunity of what seem like 'kids tools' the largest growing networking platform in the world.. http://www.facebook.com/

Initially it seems like this is trivial and just cheaper than your kids wasting time on the phone, but think again, it is the single largest networking hub in the world, its free and if you want to leverage the reach of your toolkit website and whatever you might just want to think again...Business Professionals all around the world, anytime anywhere and enabled as applets (small applications) on all the major phone and pda applications including Blackberry and the Iphones, dont discount it just start to think about it.

Facebook is an electronic sign-post and tells everyone who you are, what you do and that you know where to post your details to achieve maximum reach. If you dont do it someone else will be.

Reachout and get the tools onboard much quicker as a platform than boring long emails trying to open up a contact or connect with someone you met at last weeks conference,

Little tip: Make sure you register your profile as fully as you can with all the right key words links to your website and maybe just add your facebook url to your contact details on all your old way emails...

FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS: Think smart, its free to get started and in further posts we will tell you just how to do it

NewsOnFeeds.com - List of News Aggregators

NewsOnFeeds.com - List of News Aggregators

RSS Really Simple Syndication News Feeds Explained

RSS Feeds or Really Simple Syndication just scares people away because it sounds so geeky and techie but this little video really gives anyone a sense of just why its a good idea and very useful for most people. There's more to follow for those who want to think about how you can employ RSS to beef-up your content and leverage connections in contact across your social, professional and business networks.

So Play the video and give the guy a great rating I think he deserves it! We will post some more whe its at stuff on RSS if you are interested shortly;