Wednesday, January 26  

Web Design Library Announces Best Contributors to Web Design Industry 2004

Web Design Library Announces Best Contributors to Web Design Industry 2004

The Web Design Library recently announced their "Best Contributors to the Web Design Industry 2004" and my kit (The Web Design Business Kit - you can get 4 sample chapters free) was recognized as the best book of the industry which has appeared in 2004.

[insert Brendon dancing a jig here!]


Just 1 In 6 Can Tell the Difference Between Ads And Search Results

Only 1 in 6 users of Internet search engines can tell the difference between unbiased search results and paid advertisements, a new survey finds.

That doesn't surprise me. I think it's a deliberate tactic by the search engines to make the 2 as similar as possible - after all their business models depend on people clicking as many ads as possible (whilst at the same time presenting quality search results).

The differentiation between paid and natural results being displayed is very blurred. I think the major search engines will have to be careful that the quality of the searchers results aren't too compromised by the need for profit building.

Speaking of a blurred difference between natural and paid results....


MSN Search Now Powering Many MSN Search Queries

MSN beta is now powering a lot of the MSN search queries. They've just announced that they'll be making the complete switch over from using Yahoo! results on February 1, 2005.

(Do a search and see how closely the ads are in there with the 'natural' search results.)

Happy Australia Day!

It's Australia day here in Australia and we all get a day off to celebrate. The tradition before Australia Day is to announce the "Australian of the Year."

What usually happens in the committee chooses a high profile sports star for the award. Basically if you've ever been the Australian Cricket Team Captain you also win Australian of the Year.

But this year there was a bit of people power involved. You see, actress Nicole Kidman was one of the early nominees. And then announced as the hot favourite to win.

But then the backlash started. People have had enough of high profile sports/entertainment stars winning each year. And said so.

The committee took note and this year's Australian of the Year is Dr. Fiona Wood, a pioneering Plastic Surgery who has done incredible work with burns victims for years.

Good for her. And good for the award.

Cheers

Brendon