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March 31, 2008

Expanded Keyword List of Google Subscribed Links

Today, I decided to finally expand the query list (keywords) that would trigger Google 'subscribed links' to show up when you do a search. Did I lose you? Let me explain...

  • If you subscribe to the Search Engine Roundtable's Google Co-Op subscribed links
  • When you do a search at Google, when logged into Google, you may see special results in the search results.

For example, if you subscribe you and search for doubleclick, you will see the latest Search Engine Roundtable articles related to DoubleClick. It looks like this, within the search results, probably in the fourth organic result:

Google Subscribed Links

It, by default, shows the last three articles that match that keyword. How does it know which keyword to show up for? I tell it. It used to be just my categories, plus some added keywords based on the categories. But today, I decided to enhance that and use the over 1,500 tags from the site. Yes, I try my best to tag each piece of content with keywords that describe the content. I decided to pull from my tags database to add more keywords to the list.

I also decided 1,700+ were too many, so I made a rule that if the tag is used in three or more articles, then it should be part of the keyword list that triggers the Google Co-Op. If it is two articles or less, then it won't trigger a Google result.

So if you are looking for pages on robots, slurp or matt cutts, I likely have recent content that will interest you.

My Google Subscribed Links
My Google Subscribed Links
My Google Subscribed Links

If you haven't subscribed, you might want to now, because the content is fresher and richer then every. To subscribe to the Google Co-Op, click here, you can always unsubscribe easily at any time.

Daily Search Coverage & Link Finds: March 31, 2008

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Daily Search Coverage:

The video recap is live. Google is updating. Google's live chat session rocked! Google China bolds in red? Google goes dark. ContentAds beta is out. Yahoo Slurp is thirsty. Yahoo announces new support hours. Google indexing index.html pages as root? Is number ten better then eleven? Some fundamentals on link building for you. Fathom was bought by Geary.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

  1. Video Recap of Weekly Search Buzz :: March 30, 2008
  2. Google Search Index March '08 Update Underway?
  3. Google's First Live Chat Webmaster Help Session a Success
  4. Google China Highlighting Query Terms in Search Results in Red
  5. Google Goes Dark Saturday Night at 8 O'Clock
  6. Microsoft ContentAds Publisher Program Pilot Sign Up Form
  7. Yahoo Slurp, Yahoo Search Crawler, Suffering From ADHD?
  8. Yahoo! Search Marketing Announces New Customer Support Hours
  9. Is Google Seeing index.html the Same as the Root Domain?
  10. Is it Better to Be Ranked #10 or #11?
  11. The Fundamentals of Link Building

Search Engine Land Topics:

  1. Google Dance Is Back? Plus Google's First Live Chat Recap & Hyperactive Yahoo Slurp
  2. SEO Company, Fathom Online, Acquired By Geary Interactive

Daily Link Finds:

Daily Link Finds GraphicThis is the March 31st, issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for March 31st, 2008:

Google Schwag from Google Ad Manager Team

I received a surprise in the mail today, schwag from Google. Specifically the Google Ad Manager team. In the box was this card:

Google Schwag: Ad Manager Card Google Schwag: Ad Manager Card

No way did I expect Google to send me stuff for my How To Set Up Google Ad Manager On Your Site or Blog. Heck, I write about Google all day, every day, and I don't expect presents from them. It was really nice to get the schwag, even though I have two of the three items. Like people say, "it is the thought that counts," that line is so true.

What came in the box?

(1) Google Hot Cup:

Google Schwag : Google Hot Mug

(2) Google Black T-Shirt:

Google Schwag: Google T-Shirt

(3) Google Black Duffle (I didn't get one of these duffles yet):

Google Schwag - Google Duffle Bag

One day I should do an inventory of all my search related schwag. Only issue is that they are spread out between my office, home, car, other family members and who knows where.

Thank you the Ad Manager Team!

The 4×4 Meme

Tamar tagged in on a 4x4 meme. I like the idea. You answer four questions, with four answers and then tag four additional people. So here it goes:

4 Things I Have Done in the Past 4 Years
(1) I got married
(2) Bought a new house
(3) I helped launch Search Engine Land
(4) I hosted SphinnCon Israel

4 Jobs I've Had
(1) I run RustyBrick, duh...
(2) I worked for a company named MediVault, which is no longer around, they were a WebMD competitor of some sorts back in 1996
(3) In High School I worked at a local tax agency that also sold insurance
(4) I guess my jobs at Search Engine Roundtable, Search Engine Land and so on.

4 Websites I Visit Daily
(1) Google Reader (like several times an hour)
(2) RustyBudget
(3) My RustyBrick web based software for managing company
(4) Tons of search forums

4 Favorite Foods
(1) Huge chicken/turkey fan
(2) Love chocolate exploding cake
(3) On the dairy side, I do like a good baked ziti
(4) I put ketchup on almost everything, so it deserves a mention

Oops, just realized I can answer any of the following questions: 4 Jobs I’ve had, 4 Favorite Foods, 4 TV Shows I DVR, 4 Movies I could watch Over & Over, 4 Places I’ve been, 4 Places I’ve lived, 4 Places I want to go, 4 Music Artists I’m listening to now, 4 All Time Favorite Musicians, 4 Shows I have been to, 4 Cars I have owned, 4 Things I have done in the past 4 years, 4 websites I visit daily, 4 places I’d rather be right now, 4 People I think will respond, 4 Things I look forward to this year, or 4 Underrated conversational topics. Oh well.

Tagging 4 People to answer any of the above questions:
(1) Danny Sullivan
(2) Greg Sterling
(3) Patrick Gavin
(4) Judah Gutwein

I Thought I Work Hard: Greg Sterling Totally Makes Me Look Lazy

Greg SterlingI've praised Greg Sterling before, but he deserves way more praise, especially from me.

Greg is an outstanding writer and works way harder than I do. First, he posts his insights at Screenwerks and blogs a heck of a lot at Search Engine Land as the contributing editor. You can read his impressive bio at this page.

So why does Greg totally blow me away and make me look lazy? Well, all this time I just assumed he was based on the east coast, but then I remember over the weekend he was based on the west coast. Why is that significant?

I get up at 5:40am (EST). Greg is always with Danny and I in the AM morning search news rush at about 7am or so. But Greg is on the west coast, so that is 5am (PST). He is often up at 3am (PST) getting work done. That is 2.5 hours earlier then I get up. That is crazy devotion.

After he is done with the blogging he then does 'real work' all day. Real work for Greg are constant calls, meetings, and emails. I wonder what time he goes to sleep. :)

Greg, we at Search Engine Land could not do it without you! You deserve huge credit for the SEM industry!

Installing a Ceiling Fan

Yesterday, I installed a ceiling fan in my bedroom. I am preparing for the summer months. I am told a ceiling fan can save big bucks. I.e. I won't have to leave the A/C on all the time, cause the fan should be enough to cool us most of the time.

In any event, with the immense help of my brother, I installed a ceiling fan yesterday. I assembled the fans to the motor. Then came the hard part, the wiring. I removed the current fixture from the ceiling and straitened out the wires.

I then installed the mounting unit in place of the hold fixture. Next step was to place the fan in the fixture. My bedroom ceilings are pretty high, and my ladder wasn't incredibly tall, so it wasn't easy. But I managed to secure the fan on the fixture without falling off the ladder.

After that, we realized we missed a piece, so we had to do the process again.

Once I got it up, I had my brother do the electrical connections. He is really good at that. Then we closed up the loose ends, put the power back on and gave it a test.

First try it worked!

Need help installing your ceiling fan? Check out do it yourself for a walk through.

March 28, 2008

Quickly Open New Tab in Safari

Spotted via MacWorld, you can open a new tab in Safari 3.1 by simply double clicking in an open space in the Safari window. Let me demonstrate:

Safari New Tab

See the arrow in my picture of the open space near a tab? Double click and you got a new tab. So if you are out of a keyboard, then that is how to do it.

I was hoping for this feature for a while. I know saft plugin did it, but I didn't want to add saft to Safari.

Daily Search Coverage & Link Finds: March 28, 2008

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Daily Search Coverage:

YouTube does stats. adCenter shares their limits. Google bugs out on webmaster verification. AdSense says no to blending. Microsoft violates WebmasterWorld. Tips on Google's quality score. Google adds robots.txt generator. SEO strategy documents for sale. Standards, do we need them? Google maps adds to street views. Search in pictures is out.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

  1. Microsoft adCenter Keyword Limits
  2. YouTube Insights: Stats on my Most Popular YouTube Video
  3. Google Webmaster Tools Verification Temporary Bug
  4. Google AdSense Finally Says NO to Blending Your Ads
  5. Microsoft's Live Search Rep Violates WebmasterWorld's Terms of Service
  6. Have You Ever Recovered from a $10 Google AdWords Quality Score?
  7. Google Adds Robots.txt Generator to Webmaster Tools
  8. What Belongs in a Search Engine Optimization Strategies Document?
  9. Should We Have Search Marketing Standards?

Search Engine Land Topics:

  1. Google Adds 13 Metro Areas To Street Views, Plus New API Support
  2. Search In Pictures: Google Shooting Range, Yahoo Asia Schwag, Google Pizza

Daily Link Finds:

Daily Link Finds GraphicThis is the March 28th, issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for March 28th, 2008:

I Did Not Join Search Engine Journal

Kevin Heisler wrote at the Search Engine Watch News blog that I left Search Engine Land and joined Search Engine Journal based on a piece of scraper content. Scraper content is basically a robot that steals content from several sites and combines them to try to make them unique. In short, it put my name on content stolen from Search Engine Journal, so Kevin either thought it would be funny to say I now work at Search Engine Journal or he was fooled by a scraper site.

Either way, I am not working for Search Engine Journal, even though I have the utmost respect for Loren Baker, I am just not writing for him.

Even though Kevin added "corrections" to his post, I think it is still confusing people. I received and noticed tons of twitters this morning, not understanding the SEW blog post or the correction.

Again, I am still writing at Search Engine Roundtable and Search Engine Land. It is honestly a shame to see that post on SEW, a shame.

March 27, 2008

Daily Search Coverage & Link Finds: March 27, 2008

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Daily Search Coverage:

More insight into the META description and search snippet. Google updates sitelinks again. More details n tomorrow's webmaster central live chat is live. Yahoo's quality index is updated daily. Google releases AdWords API 12. Design with SEO in mind? SEO is a bad investment? YouTube launches stats. Earth Hour blacks out Google Israel.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

  1. The META Description & Google Search Engine Snippet
  2. March '08 Google Sitelinks Update
  3. How To Join The Google Webmaster Help Group Live Chat on Friday
  4. How Often Does the Yahoo Search Marketing Quality Index Update?
  5. Google Releases AdWords API Version 12
  6. How to Launch a New Website With (and Without) SEO in Mind
  7. Is Search Engine Optimization a Bad Investment?

Search Engine Land Topics:

  1. YouTube Insight: View Your YouTube Video Statistics
  2. Earth Hour: Google Shuts Out The Lights In Israel
  3. Details Posted On Google Webmaster Central's Live Chat Session

Daily Link Finds:

Daily Link Finds GraphicThis is the March 27th, issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for March 27th, 2008:

RB Developers Code Their Own Name Plate

Remember I told you I got a name plate for my birthday?

So we hung them up yesterday and our developers saw them. In any event, they thought it would be funny to make their own name plate. So they printed out "Client Specialists" on a piece of paper and stuck it to their door. Of course, they hung it up slanted.

RB Client Specialists

Cute guys. ;-)

March 26, 2008

Daily Search Coverage & Link Finds: March 26, 2008

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Daily Search Coverage:

Google has finally launched real video search ads. adCenter tests a new editor called ACE. Google's site search box in search results increases traffic. Brian and Suman join AdSensePro. I looked at Yahoo Video results also. Google executives earn a dollar. We got some local Facebook SEO tips. Your AdWords display URL better match. Prove that SEO ROI. Broad match is less powerful than exact match. Yahoo won't let you take your own data.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

  1. adCenter Editor Beta (ACE)
  2. Google's New Search Box Within Search Results Increases Traffic
  3. Google Adds Two More AdSensePro Reps: Brian & Suman
  4. More Video Search Ads Being Noticed: Yahoo Partner Results
  5. Google AdSense's Advanced Reports Having Major Uptime Issues
  6. New Google AdWords Video Ads
  7. How to do Local SEO from Facebook
  8. Reminder: Google AdWords Display URL Policy Coming April 1st
  9. Is There a Way to Prove ROI from Search Engine Optimization?
  10. Does Exact Match in Google AdWords Override Broad Match?
  11. Can You Take Your Yahoo Search Marketing Data with You?

Search Engine Land Topics:

  1. Google AdWords Video Ads Now Live & In the Wild
  2. Google Founders Take $1 Salaries Again; Tell Investors To Say No On Anti-Censorship Proposal

Daily Link Finds:

Daily Link Finds GraphicThis is the March 26th, issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for March 26th, 2008:

Great Mouse, Awesome Price: MX Revolutions

MX Revolutions MouseI use the MX Revolutions mouse from Logitech. I have had tons of mice, including Apple's Might Mouse, then I switched to the VX revolutions and now I have the full size MX revolutions.

The MX rocks! It does so many things and makes me seconds faster hundreds of times throughout the day, saving me invaluable time.

Anyway, I spotted a deal on Deal News for this mouse. It is $69.99 with a $30 mail in rebate and then add on some shipping. A seriously solid deal for a device that will save your hours per month.

Kick Me If I Stop Playing Basketball

I have been traveling a lot in the past month. First Santa Clara for SMX, then back to San Jose the week after and then last week was SES NY, yes almost elite status...

But because of the traveling, I had to take a break from playing basketball for a month. Last night was my first night back in the gym. Man was I out of shape.

I did manage to somehow stay on my feet for two and a half hours of basketball. We only had 10 people, so no sitting, just playing, even if you lose - not that I lost.

After the first hour of pain, the pain started going away. Then I got other pains.

Reminder, keep playing regularly! Tonight, I play again.

March 25, 2008

Bill Gates Basically Says Windows Vista Sucks

Honestly, I think Vista is one of the main reasons many people are moving from PCs to Apple Macs. Heck, do you think we will see Bill Gates using one soon?

From Gizmodo: Did Bill Gates Just Say Windows Sucks? Watch the video:

Too crazy!

Daily Search Coverage & Link Finds: March 25, 2008

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Daily Search Coverage:

I put up screen shots of Google's demographic bidding. Live Search is updating. Webmaster tools dislikes .rs domains. Google does live chat on Friday. Your clients not being responsive? You deindexed? Gmail 502 errors spread. Google mobile interface found. Google search box grows. I wrote a how to tutorial on Google Ad Manager.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

  1. Screen Shots of Google AdWords Demographic Bidding
  2. Microsoft Live Search March '08 Update
  3. Google Webmaster Tools Can't Verify Serbia's .rs TLDs
  4. Google Webmaster Central Team to Offer Live Chat on Friday, March 28th
  5. SEO Clients Not Being Responsive?
  6. I'm Deindexed... Now What?
  7. Google Gmail 502 Errors: "We're Working On it"
  8. ZDNet Editor Discovers Google Mobile Interface Through Robots.txt
  9. Need Help Using Google's New Ad Manager?

Search Engine Land Topics:

  1. Google's Search Box Grows As Needed: Yahoo & Live Search Don't
  2. Google Webmaster Central To Host Live Chat Event on Friday

Daily Link Finds:

Daily Link Finds GraphicThis is the March 25th, issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for March 25th, 2008:

Selling Me Something: Please Talk Fast

Here is a rant...

I do everything extremely quickly. I eat fast, I blog fast, I work fast, I talk fast, and so on.

So when I get someone trying to sell me something, I want them to talk fast or not talk at all. I'll give you two examples from today...

(1) Renew a Free Magazine Subscription: Someone calls and says they want to know if I would like to renew my magazine subscription to some place. I said, "depends, how long will it take." They said a minute, so I said, okay. I look at the time on the phone and he begins asking me questions. I continue working, half listening and responding. Then I look at the phone and it is at almost 2 minutes of talk time. I say, "I am sorry, but your minute is over. Thank you." I then hang up.

Does that make me evil? If I don't get the subscription, I don't care. I was upfront and told them a minute. Oh well.

(2) A recruiting company calls because I have been posting job opening for PHP positions. Yes, we are hiring! So, I said, "we use a recruiter already, here are my terms and conditions, send me your contract if you can match them." Two weeks later she calls me back and asks me for the job description. But she is talking so slowing and keeps dragging out the call. I am quickly loosing patience. I told her I would email it to her, but I got to go. She keeps dragging out the call, saying things she could say in a few seconds, in like minutes. Anyway, we hang up. She emails me, with the contract. The contract has terms we did not agree to. I email her back saying these aren't the terms and I add what the terms were. She then calls, one of my guys answer and I tell him to tell her to email me. She asks my guy to have me call her back. I told my guy to tell her to email me and I won't call her back. I don't think she will email me, seems like she will only do phone. Ughhh.

Yea, I know, I am crazy, but I rather not have a 4 minute phone call when it could be 30 seconds. Knowing that the call will take a while, when it doesn't have to, kinda irks me.

Let me add that I do have many long phone conversations throughout the week. Some of my calls are over two hours long. But there is a dragged out conversation and a conversation that gets to the point. Two hours of getting to the point is fine with me, 2 minutes of dragging out your words is not.

Rant over.

Goodbye Airlines Bill of Rights

Via the AP, Appeals Court Rejects Airline Law.

The New York law set out to protect airline passengers was thrown out today by a federal appeals court. The law requires airlines to provide food, water, clean toilets and fresh air to passengers in a plane delayed on the ground for more than three hours.

Why was it rejected? Simply because it was conflicting with a federal law governing the price, route or service of an air carrier.

The court did like the law but said that it had to be done at the federal level, not the state level. The court said:

If New York's view regarding the scope of its regulatory authority carried the day, another state could be free to enact a law prohibiting the service of soda on flights departing from its airports, while another could require allergen-free food options on its outbound flights, unraveling the centralized federal framework for air travel.

I still think each airline has their own terms of service. Many airlines have their own "bill of rights." Here is Contiental's as a PDF document.

Mac & Virus Software: Not Needed Says Security Expert

mac & virusesShould Mac Users Run Antivirus Software? by security expert, Rich Mogull at Tidbits.com basically says, if you got a Mac, no need for virus software at this point.

I'll blockquote his conclusion:

In short, at this point in time, I don't recommend desktop antivirus for the average Mac user. You only need to deploy it if you engage in risky behavior, need to protect friends on Windows, or comply with corporate policies. It's quite probable this will change in time, so it makes sense to take some reasonable precautions today and stay aware of the world around you. Better yet, let's continue to pressure Apple for stronger security so we can completely avoid resource leaching desktop antivirus in the long term.

Are Apple machines immune? No way! The deal is, there are hundreds of thousands of viruses designed for Windows operating systems, but "less than 200 are known to target the Mac," said Rich Mogull. So, yes, it is possible you get hit by one of the 200, but at this point, it is not very likely.

Just be a savvy Internet user and hopefully you can avoid viruses.

Oh, if you run Windows on your Mac, yes, you need anti-virus software for the Windows portion.

March 24, 2008

Daily Search Coverage & Link Finds: March 24, 2008

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Daily Search Coverage:

New way to win by watching my video recap. More AdWords phishing attempts this weekend. Easter logos are archived. Google launches demographic bidding. SEOs feel penalties are from links. Search conferences are worth the money, to some. How do you find directories? Is Mahalo spam? Google News wants your comments. Court upholds trademark infringement search ad case.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

  1. Video Recap of Weekly Search Buzz :: March 23, 2008
  2. Alert: More Google AdWords Phishing Attempts
  3. Easter Logos from Search Engine Industry
  4. Google Launches Demographics Targeting to All Advertisers
  5. Many SEOs Feel The Minus X Penalties Are Back Link Related
  6. Are Search Conferences Worth the Money?
  7. Use "Directory" + [Local Area] to Find Local Directories
  8. Mahalo is Spam According to Google's Quality Guidelines

Search Engine Land Topics:

  1. Google News Makes Commenting More Visible
  2. Google AdWords Officially Launches Demographic Bidding? Maybe Not
  3. Court: Use Of Trademark In AdWords Copy Is An Infringement

Daily Link Finds:

Daily Link Finds GraphicThis is the March 24th, issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for March 24th, 2008:

Laptops: A Distraction or Tool at Meetings?

I got a kick out of Jeremy's The "No Laptop" Meeting Rule.

He said he has seen some Yahoo meetings where they have a "no laptop" rule set in place. Like Jeremy, I am torn.

Why No Laptops:

  • You stop listening to the meeting to work on something else, I have done this myself.
  • It may give the appearance that you are not listening, when you are
  • You just sometimes need a break

Why Yes Laptops:

  • They can be helpful when using it as a tool to add to the meeting
  • I hate paper, I prefer to note take on laptop
  • We are all grown up, trust us to do our work
  • Sometimes emergencies come up

It really depends on the nature of the meeting. When I interview people, I try not to bring in my phone or laptop at the interview. When I am at a prospect, I obviously need my laptop to demo stuff. When I am at a meeting, I honestly don't need to hear everything that is going on at all times, so its good to have the laptop to multi-task. I guess it just depends on your job, responsibilities, what the meeting is about and so on.

But to implement it as a rule across a company, I am not too sure about that.

Dark Sensing Outdoor Light: RAB Lighting - WPTS70

RAB Lighting  - WPTS70Yesterday, my brother helped me install a new external light fixture over my garage. Besides for freezing our hands off (man it was cold in the morning), we successfully put it up in place of the old light fixture.

I purchased a RAB fixture that is designed to only turn on when it gets dark outside. The fixture is supposedly very power efficient, as well as very illuminate. It is made for the out doors and good in wet areas.

In the past, I used this cheap fixture that held two normal bulbs. The bulbs frequently blew out, I think cause of being exposed to moisture and the bad, cold weather.

I left them on for a good 25 hours or so every Friday night through Saturday night. Why? Cause I am not allowed to turn on or off lights during the Sabbath. Also, having a motion detector is an issue as well, because when I walk up to the house, my walking will trigger the light to go on (this is a common issue in Jewish law for the Sabbath, it gets more complicated and I won't go into it). The best solution, I could come up with, is a light that goes on at night, by itself. That was this light.

So as a test, I checked it out last night. If you are looking for a light like this, let me warn you that it gives off a very yellow light. Much like street lamps. So if you want a more 'white' light, then this isn't for you. But if you don't care, this seems like a great solution. It lights up a huge area, here is a diagram:

RAB Lighting  - WPTS70

I have the 70 watt version and I think I mounted it either 10 feet or maybe 12 feet high, not sure right now. So it does a good job lighting up the drive way. During the rest of the week, I will keep the light off (I have an override switch), but Friday night through Saturday night, it will stay on - but it will turn off automatically during day light hours (unlike my previous light).

For the front door lights, I purchased attachments for standard bulbs, that detect the night and turn off the lights X hours after it gets dark. I found them for really cheap on ThingFling.com a week or two ago. I get them today, I wonder if they turn back on when it gets dark again...

What Do You Get For Someone Who Has Everything?

My Name PlateA name plate. My birthday was recently and my wife and my brother's wife (remember, I am a twin) had to think of something to get us.

I pretty much have everything I would want, I am a lucky guy and blessed. So what did they get us? Name plates:

First thought was... "Cool, I have a name plate for my door." But then I thought, "hmm... I feel weird hanging it up on my door." I was never in to titles, i.e. CEO, etc. Labeling myself makes me feel weird. Plus the factor that we have five doors in our office, two will have name tags, one is the company tag and the rest are unlabeled now? Will this help confusion when people come into my office? Where is the utility? I guess there is some.

All in all, it was a very thoughtful gift. I will hang it up and maybe I will add a no soliciting sign to my personal office door as well.

March 21, 2008

Daily Search Coverage & Link Finds: March 21, 2008

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Daily Search Coverage:

Google drops AdWords API version 10. Google Analytics benchmarking is live. Google hates abusive links. Yahoo does radio ads. Google tests search suggestions. One-fourth of Internet users can't search. We got an update on Yahoo Search Marketing. Search them SEO forums with Twing. Search in pictures is out.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

  1. Google Shuts Down Support For AdWords API Version 10
  2. Google Analytics Benchmarking Now Live
  3. Why Does Google Hate Link Manipulation?
  4. Will Yahoo's Radio Commercials Help Take Market Share From Google?
  5. Google Testing Google Suggestions on Main Google.com Search Page?
  6. One-Fourth of All Internet Users Cannot Perform a Simple Google Search
  7. An Update on Yahoo Search Marketing
  8. Search SEO Forums and More with Twing

Search Engine Land Topics:

  1. Google Analytics Benchmarking Data Now Live
  2. Google Suggest Becoming A Default Feature?
  3. Search In Pictures: Snoop Dogg, St. Patrick's Day & Danny Exposed

Daily Link Finds:

Daily Link Finds GraphicThis is the March 21st, issue of a daily post that will contain links to commentary of the posts over at the Search Engine Roundtable. All links I find throughout the day that ad some commentary to the posts written over at the Search Engine Roundtable, will be in the Daily Link Finds. The purpose is two fold: (1) To help people find discussion around our articles and (2) To thank people for linking to us. How do I find these links? Only one way, via a Google Blog Search link command, so make sure that (1) you are in Google Blog Search and (2) link to us.

Daily Link Finds for March 21st, 2008:

Happy Purim!

Cartoon Barry with BeerToday is the holiday of Purim. I wrote about Purim last year also, but figured I give you an update now...

That is a picture of cartoon me, with a beer. Typically, it is customary to get drunk on purim. I am not a big drinker or even a drinker at all. I am at work anyway, so no real Purim celebration for me. I do have a few gifts (shalach manot) here from friends, etc.

My wife is coming by later so we can have a quick meal for the day.

Then I have a 1pm meeting with a new programmer we are interviewing (yes we are hiring).

I also put up a special theme at the Search Engine Roundtable:

Purim Theme at Search Engine Roundtable

Happy Purim everyone!

326 Miles Away to the Blue Carpet

blue carpetI just checked my year-to-date miles and I noticed I am 326 miles away from warning elite status with Continental Airlines. I have been devoted to flying only Continental this year, to ensure I gain some status with them - as opposed to just flying the cheapest airline and spreading out my miles.

The main advantage, for me at least, with elite status is being able to secure an overhead compartment before they are all gone. Typically, when they board elite status members, about half the plane qualifies. So by the time I get on the flight, there are often not enough spaces above my seat for my bag. Sometimes I can move things around to get my bag up there but...

(1) I hate doing that, it makes me feel sneaky
(2) If there is no room, they got to put it under

I typically only fly with just a carry on, so when I time things, I plan on not waiting for baggage.

Anyway, next flight, I am pretty much guaranteed elite status. So now I can be like the other half of the passengers, at least from my next flight throughout 2009.