It has been a while since I shared some of the new features we have been working on for the iPhone Siddur. Again, you can see the full feature request list over here. We have not yet released a new version, we are hoping to fine tune this version to a solid 2.0 version. So here are some of the more visible things, besides for a lot of code cleaning and minor bug fixes.

(1) Gave the user the ability to specify their Candle Lighting (when Shabbat starts) times and Havdalah (when Shabbat ends) time. Go to settings and you'll see this:

Tap your finger on the time to change the "default" to anything you hold.

My congregation does 45 minutes after sundown:

(2) You can also change the font style in preferences. Note, only two fonts work with nekudot, so here they are:

(3) Finally, you can now see upcoming holidays on the Luach. How? Well, open the Luach:

Now, shake the iPhone or iPod Touch. Yea, give it a little shake and presto, it flips to this list view:

Can't see all the info? Just rotate it horizontally and you can view more.

Those are some, not all, of the new features coming to iPhone Siddur 2.0.

Posted at 2:19 PM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (4) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Google and Flash, revisited. Negative keyword tool need for Webmaster Tools? Search penalties scare me. Google shows ads under search results. Google updated Java API client. Google and Mozilla renew deal. Ask Kids launches. Search in Pictures shows a Yahoo Safari.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. How Google Handles Flash in 2008, Former Googler Bergy Chimes In
2. Negative Keyword Filter for Google Webmaster Tools?
3. Search Engine Penalties Are Scary, Says Most SEOs
4. Google Displays Ads at Bottom of Search Results
5. Google Updates Java Client Library for AdWords API

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google & Mozilla Extend Default Firefox Search Provider Deal
2. Ask Kids Relaunches With Cute Kids Features
3. Search In Pictures: Mandi Perkins at Yahoo, Google Dance & Yahoo Safari
4. Google Tests Displaying Ads Under Search Results

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 29th, 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 August 29th, 2008:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 28, 2008, Search Engine Land
• Google contra las herramientas que comprueban los rankings, adseok.com
• Google Tests Displaying Ads Under Search Results, Search Engine Land
• rare r2-d2 fridge for sale: one cool droid, technabob
• SES at San Jose Provides A Fascinating Insight Into SEO, Search Engine Optimization Journal
• Social Media Analysis Session at SES San Jose, The Analytics Guru

Posted at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

So now that you know what activities we did in Boston, I wanted to share the places we ate. Boston was selected as the destination not only cause it is a fun place and it is not too far, but also because they have kosher places to eat.

The majority of kosher places in Boston is about a 5 to 10 minute drive from Boston Commons, in Brookline. I had my car, so driving there was a breeze. In fact, driving anywhere in Boston took no time (everything feels like it is within 10 minutes, where as in NY everything is an hour).

Before we went to the hotel, we stopped off at Rami's Felafel, which is on Harvard St, like the rest of the places but a little further up. It was really good food. I got a burger in a pita bread, it was tasty. My wife got a shawarma and she loved it. The best thing about the place is that the people working their took pride in their food. So, I recommend it, if your nearby.

That night, we decided to try out Taam China. I called before hand and they said they had no room. But we decided to see anyway. They had room, and they sat us down and we ate. Maybe I am spoiled living in New York, but the food was not all that great. Again, maybe I am just use to better chinese food or maybe it was a bad night there. We did have the chocolate cake, which was really good - I think because the other food wasn't all that good.

After that, we went to Kupel's Bakery, which is a block over, to get food for breakfast. The people in the bakery were very very nice. The food was good also.

The next day, we ate at the kosher pizza store named Cafe Eilat. The pizza was okay, the people were also nice. It was a pizza store, and I would recommend it. I think the pizza store was diagonal to Kupel's, if you need assistance in finding it.

That night we went to the deli, named Rubin's Kosher Deli, it is suppose to be a New York Deli and it kind of looked like an old fashion NY deli. The food was pretty good, I got a chicken thing that night. The only issue was that it was packed. But the food and service was not bad. We actually decided to go back there for breakfast the following day, before leaving, because they had a breakfast menu. It was pretty empty when we got there, but the breakfast food was also very good. We packed up deli sandwiches on ice for the ride home and those were also good.

So that was our Boston Kosher dining experience. Hopefully this will help someone looking for places to eat while in Boston.

Posted at 9:18 AM | Permalink | Category: Food , Travels | Comments (1) (0)

So what else did we do on our trip to Boston? Well, I told you about the big CITGO sign, going to Cheers and walking up Bunker Hill Monument, but we did have time to do a few more things in our two day trip.

We jumped on Frog Pond Lily, to check out the Duck Boat Tours. The tour guides are interesting in a weird way. The guy we had, wore a rubber ducky around his waist, and had elmo arm floaters. There were others who were dressed a lot weirder, but they were all enjoyable to listen to. And yea, they made us quake.

Speaking of ducks, we stayed right by Boston Commons and here is a duck from the park:

We also ventured to the USS Constitution, which was closed on Monday, but we were able to go into the museum there and play with the canons:

I don't have pictures of the science museum, but we did go there. We saw an IMAX showing of Sea Monsters, I love IMAX. :)

I think is all or most of what we did in Boston. We do actually plan on coming back for these short, two day (Sunday/Monday) vacations. We would like to do some whale watching (I hear they are interesting to look at) and check out Sam Adams (we go way back) and a few more things we did not have time to do this trip.

Posted at 9:06 AM | Permalink | Category: Travels | Comments (3) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Google fixed the traffic estimator API. Slow that Google spider down. Burn your site or fix it? Internet Explorer 8 is in beta, while Yahoo promotes Firefox. Fox to speak at SEMNE. Google Suggest is tearing up the SEO industry. Google credits Google Apps premier users. Google tests one line video results.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google Fixes Traffic Estimator Service API Numbers
2. How To Tame GoogleBot
3. Cleaning Up A Penalizes Site Versus Burning It & Starting Again
4. Internet Explorer 8 Live & Yahoo Promotes Firefox
5. Vanessa Fox to Speak at the Upcoming SEMNE Event
6. Google Suggest to Change the Ways of Search Engine Optimization

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Gives Google Apps Users Credit & Adds Communication Policies
2. Google Testing Two Videos On One Web Search Result

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 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 August 28th, 2008:

• PPC News Roundup for 8/27/2008, PPC Hero
• links for 2008-08-27, www.e-strategyblog.com
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 27, 2008, Search Engine Land
• Cloak and Dagger: The Many Motives for Cloaking and their Consequences, Ward on the Web
• Google Blocking Scrapers, WebProNews
• Google New Algorithm, Anchor Text No More Important, Pogung177.com
• Google's Cost Per Query, beu blog
• How Google Suggest Changes SEO, SoloSEO Blog
• links for 2008-08-28, pamelaheywood.com
• Techmeme: Search , Techmeme

Posted at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Last year, I took my iPhone to Israel, but turned off all data services, while only using WiFi. I was bummed that a year ago, AT&T didn't support Israel for just the iPhone when traveling. Meaning, they didn't have a plan you can buy for when you travel to Israel, like they did for the BlackBerry.

A couple days ago, AT&T announced that they expanded the international data offerings for iPhone users to more countries. One of those countries includes Israel. Not only that, because of the manner the iPhone downloads stuff, they added more packages with higher download capacities.

You can see the new international packages at the AT&T site, they include:

• $24.99/month: 20MB Data Global Add-On gives you 20MB of usage within over 65 countries
• $59.99/month: 50MB Data Global Add-On gives you 50MB of usage within over 65 countries
• $119.99/month: 100 MB Data Global Add-On1 gives you 100MB of usage within over 65 countries
• $199.99/month: 200 MB Data Global Add-On1 gives you 200MB of usage within over 65 countries

The best part is, that you can only buy the plan for your stay, so before I leave, I activate it and then when I get home, I deactivate it and only pay for the time I was in Israel. I don't think this means I get voice, just a discounted data plan. I would probably opt for the highest plan:

200MB Data Global Add-On Overage rate is $.005/KB within the over 65 discounted countries. Rate outside these discounted countries is $.010/KB.2 Does not include data usage within the U.S. Qualified domestic plan required.

The AT&T Travel Guide wizard confirmed that the iPhone 3G is compatible with these new discounted roaming rates.

In any event, I seriously need to get planning SMX Israel. :)

Posted at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (1) (0)

Last night, I went back to one of my most favorite places to eat, Noah's Ark - with the family and a close friend. My brother-in-law was there and he was a bit peeved that he did not get what he won from Noah's Ark.

Several months ago, he told me he ate what is called the "Ginormous Burger." If you eat the whole burger, Noah's Ark promises to give you a T-Shirt and put you on their web site. Neither has happened!

I snapped a picture of the menu from the restaurant, to show you (at least) part of the claim:

So, today, I scanned their web site and found no mention of any winners or even the Ginormous Burger. So, I did a Google site search for "ginormous" and found nothing. Clearly something is wrong here. I doubt my brother-in-law lied to me about finishing that burger and even if he did, I am sure someone else was able to do it but yet, there is no mention of anyone stepping up to the challenge, on the Noah's Ark web site.

Now, I can understand that the web design company might not be around to update the site. But at least give the man his T-Shirt.

Noah, I still love the food. :)

Update: They finally crowned him, a month after this blog post.

Posted at 9:18 AM | Permalink | Category: Food | Comments (7) (0)

The hotel we stayed at was just two-minutes from the famous Cheers bar. Yea, the one from the popular TV show that was on the air for 11 seasons. So, the first day we arrived, we decided to check the original Cheers Beacon Hill out.

Here is me at the stairs down to Cheers:

When we walked in, it looked nothing like the real cheers. But it was a bar, outfitted with tons of promotional stuff for the TV show. Three floors of bars and t-shirts, mugs, hats, etc.

I personally hate buying stuff at these places, cause I know I can buy the same thing, online, for half the price. But we bought things anyway. Hence, they knew my name from my credit card...

Posted at 2:49 PM | Permalink | Category: Travels | Comments (2) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Google AdWords quality score is messed up. Google changing up their HTML. Google Ad Manager is live to all. Google hides AdSense in cache. FeedBurner got issues. Google asks for popular thread help. adCenter releases new tools. Google Checkout spices up icons. FindLaw gets a PageRank penalty.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google AdWords Marking "Great" Quality Scores as "OK"?
2. Is Google Changing Their Search Results HTML To Mess with Scrapers?
3. Google Ad Manager Opens to All Publishers
4. Google AdSense Stops Displaying on Google Cache Results?
5. FeedBurner Subscriber Stats Having Major Issues
6. Google Solicits Webmaster Help for Popular Picks Thread
7. Microsoft adCenter Updates Keyword Research Tools

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Checkout Steps Up Promotion Through AdWords
2. FindLaw Hit By Long Arm Of The Google Law Over Paid Links

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 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 August 27th, 2008:

• Day Four: SES San Jose '08 Recap, Search Engine Land
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 21, 2008, Search Engine Land
• SES San Jose 2008 Wrap Up, Sheara Wilensky . com
• Link Building this Week (34.2008), Wiep.net
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 22, 2008, Search Engine Land
• Techmeme: Site Explorer Gets a Makeover (Yahoo! Search Blog), Techmeme
• Yahoo Interface Indents, Stepforth
• links for 2008-08-23 - Internet Marketing Blog, www.e-strategyblog.com
• Coverage of Advanced B2B Session at SES, WebMama
• Google Quality Score Update, Ophir Cohen
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 26, 2008, Search Engine Land
• Ses San Jose 2008 Rckblick, q48.de
• Andy Feit Connects at Search Engine Strategies, Mark Logic CEO Blog
• More on Local at SES San Jose, Kelsey Group Blogs
• Related Videos and YouTube - Greg Jarboe gave me very useful information, WebMetricsGuru
• Top SEO blogs: The Ultimate Rank, Moon Viper Web Services
• Weekly Search Buzz (25 Aug 08), ankitrawat.com

Posted at 2:19 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

While driving in Boston this week, I noticed a huge CTIGO gas station sign.

Why am I telling you about this sign?

(1) It is really really really big.

(2) It may be bigger than the Amoco sign that I saw in St. Louis a couple years back.

So when I spotted it, I made my wife take a picture, so I can simply blog about it.

The sign does not look as big as the Amoco sign but it may be. The Amoco sign in St. Louis was not all that high. This CITGO sign was mounted on top of a building, but the Amoco sign was just on top of a gas station. So it is hard to visualize which was bigger.

Posted at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Category: Just Funny , Motor Vehicle | Comments (2) (0)

The most surprising part of the trip, which is over 200 miles one way, probably a total of 500 miles driven the whole trip, was that I did not get one ticket.

I did not get a speeding ticket, I did not get a parking ticket, I did not get a ticket for J-walking.

Before leaving, I warned my wife, that I would be lucky if I did not get at least one speeding ticket. The roads were wide open, mostly straight, conducive to going very fast, without noticing.

I did see several cars pulled over by police cars. I was, fortunately, not one of them. I did use a radar detector the whole way there and back, so that might have helped. I wasn't going 100mph, but I was not always going the exact speed limit.

I was lucky.

Posted at 9:18 AM | Permalink | Category: Motor Vehicle , Travels | Comments (1) (0)

I am back from vacation and there are a few things I would like to share with you about that vacation. Let me start with one of the trips we took that I will really never forget.

My wife and I went to check out the USS Constitution. It was closed Monday, so we scoped out the museum there and stuff. After that, we decided to take the five minute walk up to the Bunker Hill Monument. When we got there, we walked inside to see a sign that says, "warning..." something about 294 stairs to the top. My wife and I looked at each other and said, sure, why not.

We start the climb, up these narrow steps... First 50 stairs down, then 100, then 150, then 200. It is at 200, where we both started feeling it. By 250, I felt like I was going to explode, I was breathing extremely heavy, legs were a bit wobbly, my head was hurting and I was dripping sweat. We keep going, because the people we passed at about 150, were starting to catch up to us and these stairs are incredibly narrow. Plus, we were about 10 years younger then they were...

We finally made it to the top, to not really see much but a nice view. I was hoping for a vending machine or oxygen tank, but got only the view. The breeze was good, and it cooled us off. We took several minutes to catch our breath. Notice, the picture above, that is me, at the top, a few minutes after catching my breath.

Then we decided to go back down. I went first, because it is a bit scary going down. I was literally dripping sweat on the way down. I looked like a basketball player at the foul line, at the end of a long grueling game. Im surprised my wife didn't slip from it.

Our legs, the whole way down, were shaking. Once we got to the bottom, which felt a lot longer then going up, it was a relief. But walking around the rest of the day, was incredibly weird. It felt that my legs would give way at any moment. Just from walking, and especially walking down any stairs on that day.

In any event, this is proof I climbed Bunker Hill and I survived.

Posted at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Category: Travels | Comments (1) (0)

I'll be taking a couple days off from blogging. Taking a very short vacation.

Everyone, have a great weekend.

Posted at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Category: Daily Grind | Comments (0) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

SES day three is over, well, day four is almost over now. Google News can be rejecting. Search Marketing Standard is sold. Google fixed the 404 widget. Google releases Java API update. Microsoft shuffles, while Yahoo loses. Yahoo Search goes iPhone. Yahoo tests new Site Explorer design.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. SES San Jose Roundtable Live Coverage Day Three Recap
2. A Rejection Letter from Google News
3. Search Marketing Standard Magazine Acquired by iNET Interactive
4. Google Fixes 404 Widget Scripting Errors
5. Google Releases Major Update to AdWords API Java Library

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Day Three: SES San Jose '08 Recap
2. Microsoft & Yahoo Shuffle Business Internally
3. Yahoo Search Launches iPhone Safari Version
4. Yahoo Beta Tests New Site Explorer Design

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 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 August 21st, 2008:

• Google Penalties : Manual vs Algorithmic, Search Engine Journal
• links for 2008-08-20, e-strategyblog
• PPC News Roundup for 8/20/2008, PPC Hero
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 20, 2008, Search Engine Land
• Day Three: SES San Jose '08 Recap, Search Engine Land
• Getting back into the SEO game, Michael Dammann's Blog
• links for 2008-08-21, e-strategyblog
• SEO Daily Reading - Issue 99, Raven SEO Tools
• SES San Jose and the Google Dance, Sheara Wilensky
• SES Sessions Quick Review, The ClickEquations Blog
• Yahoo Grouping Search Results, Sphinn

Posted at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

One of the biggest points of confusion in the iPhone Siddur was editing your location manually. Beforehand, we asked the user to provide their zip code and GMT offset, if they were based in the US. If not, they needed to provide their GMT offset and their longitude and latitude. Besides for this causing confusion over daylight savings time, no one really knew their longitude or latitude, let alone their altitude.

Hence, version 2.0 of the location discovery tool. To access this tool, you go to Zmanim, Click on the location at the top and it opens up this "edit" screen:

You flip the auto-location feature to the off position and type in the new location. You can be very specific, like a whole address, or just a city name, it will try to find the best match:

I am heading to Boston soon, so I plugged that in and clicked on "done".

It then uses your Internet connection, yes this is the only piece of the software that absolutely requires Internet, to get the data. It calls the Yahoo Maps API to get the longitude and latitude of your search. Then, we need to get your time zone and altitude, so we use the GeoNames WebService to get that data. In short, we make three quick API calls, to two different provides, to get this data into the application, for you.

Here are the results the APIs returned for Boston, MA:

Then I clicked on "Save" and it took me back to Zmanim with the times for that location, plus it put "Boston, MA" at the top:

At the same time, it updated the Settings section, to use this location. Clicking on "About" will show you the Zmanim data points:

Pretty cool?! Yes, the times are accurate.

Not done, it also changes the Minyanim data to be based off this location.

Of course, you an always change it back to any location easily.

That is version 2.0, location manager.

Comments and question also at Google Groups.

Posted at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (18) (0)

Why not, we just released a fairly comprehensive iPhone Tefilla Pack for the iPhone and/or iPod Touch. It basically has a collection of popular prayers (tefillas) and 'segulos' that Jews say. Yes, we have three version; Nusach Ashkenaz, Sefard, or Edut Mizrach. How much? Only $1.99.

Here is what is included:

• Perek Shira (פרק שירה)
• Shir HaShirim (שיר השירים)
• Nishmas (נשמת כל חי)
• Iggeres HaRamban (אגרת הרמב"ן)
• Tefilas HaShlah (תפילת השל"ה)
• Parshas HaMann (פרשת המן)
• Parshas HaKetores (פרשת הקטורת)
• Tefila for Parnasa (תפילת על הפרנסה)
• Segula for Finding Lost Object (סגולה למציאת אבידה)
• Birkas HaMazon (ברכת המזון)
• Birkas Me'ayn Shalosh (ברכה מעין שלוש)
• Borei Nefashos (בורא נפשות)
• Tefilas Haderech (תפילת הדרך)

Here are two pictures:

More information at http://www.rustybrick.com/iphone-tefilla.php and feel free to sign up for notification.

Posted at 4:13 PM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (1) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

SES day two is over. Web Position Gold is releasing a new update soon. AdWords hiding low volume keywords. Google does 404 widget. Domains length plays into SEO. Search Marketing Standard has been acquired. India loves Google.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. SES San Jose Roundtable Live Coverage Day Two Recap
2. WebPosition Gold To Release Fix For Ranking Report Issues Soon
3. Google AdWords Hides Low Volume Keywords
4. Google Enhances "404 Not Found" Experience, Creates Broken Page Experience Instead
5. Domain Quality, Length, and Memorability Matter

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Day Two: SES San Jose '08 Recap
2. iNET Interactive Acquires Search Marketing Standard
3. comScore: Google Has 81% Share In India

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 20th, 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 August 20th, 2008:

• En serio que sabes de lo que ests hablando?, adseok.com
• How to Get Included in Google News, Shimon Sandler
• links for 2008-08-19, E Strategy Blog
• Puppy's Picks - SES Coverage 08/18/08, Search Engine Guide
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 19, 2008, Search Engine Land
• SEO forums and blog Recommended, Mr.Cubo
• Google se burla de una oferta de intercambio de enlaces, SEO Femenino
• Igniting Viral Campaigns - SES SJC 2008, Daver's Blog
• SES San Jose 2008: Top Stories from Day 2, Search Engine Watch Blog

Posted at 1:48 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I know they have VNC, SSH, etc, and those are all incredibly useful, but they just released Remote Desktop Lite for the iPhone. I use a PC for very limited tasks, so Remote Desktop for those purposes are great. In fact, I blogged about switching from Parallels back to Remote Desktop, due to speed.

But now I can do the same thing, just smaller, on my iPhone. Here are screen captures of the program and me using my PC on my iPhone:

The Start Screen for the Program:

My PC's desktop, I zoomed out by pinching:

Zooming in on IE on my PC:

Typing with the keyboard on my PC:

This phone can really do everything, it is just amazing.

Posted at 9:17 AM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (10) (0)

So, as you know, Verizon FiOS installed TV and phone in my home today, to compliment the Internet I had with them. When the tech came to install, the first thing he said was that I ordered the Multi-Room DVR, but I have all HD TVs. He said, the HD boxes do not work with the Multi-Room DVR and gave me a face, like - its stupid that they don't, but they don't, so don't ask me why.

At that point, I said, fine, install for me a single, normal HD DVR and give me a normal HD box for the other TV.

The sales rep knew this, but sold me the wrong one. I was convinced that it would be an HD option, heck - who has non-HD TVs anymore (kidding).

So after careful research today, the DVR page (which I linked to above), has this disclaimer in small, gray font (kind of like fake-non-hidden links):

Multi-room features are supported on the Multi-Room DVRs and Standard Definition Model 2500 Set Top Boxes

So, you order one Multi-Room DVR and then you need the Standard def boxes to go with it. The HD boxes will not work with the Multi-Room DVR. Confusing? Yes.

I think it will just be a matter of time until Verizon gets their hands on an HD box that works with the Multi-Room DVR feature, until then, I am where I was with Cable.

Hopefully this helps out someone else, who is looking into this option.

Posted at 3:31 PM | Permalink | Category: Computers , Homey | Comments (6) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

SES is well underway. Yahoo does indenting. Yahoo launches Buzz to all. Is the Olympics killing your earnings? Google Maps phone verification is buggy. Google gets sued, once again. Google leads in satisfaction study. Google sorting web results by date? Google launches a 404 widget.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. SES San Jose Roundtable Live Coverage Day One Recap
2. Yahoo Begins to Indent Search Results
3. Yahoo Starts Buzzing the Whole Web
4. Did the Olympics Reduce Your Google AdSense Earnings?
5. Google Maps Business Phone Verification Bug Continues
6. GraphOn Sues Google for Patent Infringement

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Yahoo Buzz Opens All Publishers & Web Sites
2. Day One: SES San Jose '08 Recap
3. Survey Says: Google Leads In Consumer Satisfaction
4. Yahoo Grouping Results & Google Tests Sort By Date Or Relevance
5. Google Launches Enhanced 404 Widget

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 19th, 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 August 19th, 2008:

• At SES San Jose / Silicon Valley 2008 Day 1 , David Dalka
• Google Mocks Link Exchange Offer, Sphinn
• Search Engine Strategies San Jose - Day 0.5, Metamend
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 18, 2008, Search Engine Land
• SES San Jose Blog Coverage, Joe Duck
• TaT:..., Internetmarketing-news.de
• 9 Simple Video Search Engine Optimization Techniques, By: Gregory Markel, ankitrawat.com
• AdSense: Google testuje czarne ramki boksów bez wiedzy klientów - Webhosting.pl, webhosting.pl
• Day One :: SES San Jose '08 Recap, Search Engine Land
• Google Pays Back in Kind for a Link Exchange Offer!, PageTraffic SEO Blog
• Man asks for link exchange with Google - Google Blogoscoped Forum, Google Blogoscoped
• SES San Jose 2008: Top Stories from Day 1 of Conference, Search Engine Watch Blog
• Wan't To Exchange Links With Google ?, ankitrawat.com
• Yahoo Grouping Results , Search Engine Land

Posted at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

So Verizon installed today, all went pretty smoothly. So after the install, I had to call Cable Vision and Vonage to make sure my services would be disconnected.

I called Vonage, and after a really long time I got someone on the phone. That person took all my information down and then had to get a manager to process the disconnect.

When that person came on, they told me I would be charged a cancellation fee. It came out to just under $100. After arguing a bit, I said, fine - charge me.

So how can you save 50% on your Vonage? Easy. She offered me the same plan and service for $14.95, as opposed to the $29.95 I was paying.

So call Vonage, ask for disconnect, and then tell them, you scheduled Verizon or your cable company to install the triple play or whatever. They will argue with you and then give you a better price.

So call now and save $15 a month, this way I feel that my $100 disconnect wasn't completely wasted.

When I called CableVision, they didn't give me an issue or charge me a fee. They asked why? I told them, "I wanted to be fair and give the other guys a shot." The rep laughed and said okay.

Posted at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Category: Homey | Comments (1) (0)

While I sit here waiting for Verizon to install triple play, I was thinking, when did blogging become respectable?

I mean, in the past, maybe when I first started, I was a bit embarrassed to say, I blog. I use to say, I write in a very specific niche, on a specific topic. But now, I proudly say, I blog about a niche topic.

I can't remember when I stopped saying, "I write," and began saying, "I blog." But it did happen at some point.

Blogging use to be consider child's play, a diary, a game. But now, blogs can be just as authoritative, or more, than an industry news site. That message has really been learned and understood over the course of the years and I am happy to have been part of that.

Of course, this blog, is just fun and games. :)

Posted at 9:39 AM | Permalink | Category: Blogging | Comments (3) (0)

We have tested and submitted version 1.8 of the iPhone Siddur. I have updated the version history to reflect the changes, but let me demonstrate them here, with pictures. First, let me explain that many of the features came via the discussion groups and emails we received, so keep sending them and we will add them to the list and try to knock them off as often as possible.

iPhone Siddur 1.8, what is new?

(1) Major updates to the Siddur for Edut Mizrach (Sephardic) version. We not only fixed a ton of mistakes, we also added a lot of Brachot. I am sure there are still issues, so keep them coming. We do hope to add Nusach Ari/Chabad, but we have no ETA for that yet.

(2) Altitude always worked with the Zmanim, if you had a GPS mode, but we never showed you the actual elevation, now we do, if you click on "About these times."

Note, I tested this a lot, and often it comes up with zero. I think it is a limitation on the GPS device. It does work, but not all the time.

(3) Rotating the phone to landscape mode, no longer looses your place. So if you are at this point:

And now you want to rotate it, it will keep you at the same point:

(3) We added two more times to the Zmanim, the most popular version of Magen Avrohom. If you want more, for now, go to a web version. We may add more, but later on.

(4) Greatly improved the Minyan database, thanks to working hand in hand with GoDaven.com. So check this out:

(A) Ranks minyanim nearest to your location:

(B) Cleaned up the detail view, added functionality and added a lot more data. So, it looks nicer, loads faster, no web access is needed to view the data. The address hyperlinks to the iPhone Maps application, so you can get directions. Email and URL, if available, work respectively with a tap of the finger.

Scrolling down, you see the times of the various prayer services. Yes, I know it says "zman" but it is hard to dynamically replace those words with a real time, because the words are used differently by different shuls and locations.

Scrolling down, more times (it only shows you times that are available, to not waste scroll time). It also has the Nusach, the long/lat (clickable) and the source of the data, which is hyperlinked to Safari.

(5) Added more settings options:

"Smart Siddur" is default on, but only really works in Ashkenaz now. We will add it to other Nusachs for version 2.0. "Hebrew Systems" is a switch for those who installed a hebrew keyword on their phones, which reverses some of the texts.

Added an elevation override, more overrides, including the "Limit to Miles" for the Minyan database:

Other changes include:

• Added Torah portions added to all Nusachs
• Remember last location when you close Siddur (might have some bugs)
• Changed hebrew date format in Luach
• Add kidduah livana
• And more minor things

Released this now and will continue to fix up things and hopefully release another version as soon as the end of the week. Obviously pending how quickly Apple approves this version.

Posted at 3:03 PM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (2) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

I posted my video recap. Google does a link exchange. AdSense forcing users to switch to Google Account. Google confirms font tests. Are you AdWords dependent? Google changes SEO friendly FAQ. Google tests blog links as Sitelinks.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Video Recap of Weekly Search Buzz :: August 17, 2008
2. Google Mocks Link Exchange Offer
3. Google AdSense Forcing Publishers To Update Login Account Now
4. Google Confirms New AdSense Font Tests, Again!
5. How Dependent Are You on Google AdWords?
6. Google Redefines Search Engine Friendly Content

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Testing Showing Blog Results Instead Of Sitelinks?

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 18th, 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 August 18th, 2008:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 15, 2008, Search Engine Land
• links for 2008-08-16, e-strategyblog.com
• Product Search OneBox Results on the Move, ComparisonEngines.com
• AdSense para feeds, ojobuscador.com
• Google Patches Up the Blogger Crawling Issues Along With Pending Sitemaps Concerns!, PageTraffic SEO Blog
• Google Speaks About Ranking Software Blockade, Search Newz
• Google Still Playing With AdSense Ad Fonts, ankitrawat.com
• Google, please may I have a link from your homepage?, Bloggle
• Pilgrim's Picks for August 18 - Leaving on a Jet Plane Edition, Marketing Pilgrim
• US-Blogs 15. August 2008, Alexander Bauer
• Weekly Search Buzz (17 Aug 08), ankitrawat.com

Posted at 2:45 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I have been getting a lot of emails, asking if I am at SES San Jose. I am not there.

I am sitting this one out.

No specific reason, just need to take a break.

I will see you at SMX East and PubCon Vegas and maybe SES Chicago.

Posted at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Category: Travels | Comments (3) (0)

Saturday morning, I woke up, not feeling too well. Just felt very weak.

I brushed it off, went to Synagogue and came back home at about 11ish. I rested for about an hour, and then we walked about half a mile to a friend for lunch. I continued to feel weak and tired, but I hung in there throughout the four-plus hour meal. It was a very enjoyable meal, I might add, food was good, convo was good, etc. I just wasn't my lively self, and if you know me, then you can imagine how dead I acted (cause I am never too lively).

In any event, when I got home, after 5pm or so. I crashed. I woke up at about 7ish, thanks to my alarm clock wife and decided to not go back to synagogue. I decided to rest through out the night.

The next day, I was feeling better, but I wanted to make sure, so I only went to work for about 30 minutes and then stayed home the rest of the day. I rested a lot yesterday.

Today, I feel so much better. I have no idea what it was. My wife feels it is exhaustion. I get this like every other month or so. I just get sick for about 24 hours and then after sleeping it off, I feel better. I typically get sick over the weekends, with this. I rarely feel this way during the normal business week. Think that is just a coincidence or there is something more to it?

Posted at 1:32 PM | Permalink | Category: Homey | Comments (2) (0)

My Mac has been crashing a ton. I think I figured out what is was. Ever since I began working on the Hebrew files, my Mac would freeze up, completely. I would have to do a hard reboot (I hate doing those).

This morning my Mac froze up, and when it came back on, all my Safari (browser) preferences, were gone. I had a lot of preferences in there, to have Safari work fast with me. :)

In any event, I decided to use Time Machine to restore my safari preferences, which is under /Library/Preferences and then Safari.plist.

I fired up Time Machine, went back a day in time and clicked in Safari.plist and then clicked restore. It asked me, are you sure you want to replace it, and I said yes.

All my preferences were back in a matter of seconds!

This was the first time I really used Time Machine to restore anything, since setting it up in January 2008. I did restore off using SuperDuper in the past.

Posted at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs | Comments (0) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Google expands AdSense for Feeds program. Ranking software being attacked by search engines and SEOs. AdSense is testing black borders. What are the pros of Google Shopping. Will the SEO bubble pop? T-Mobile is the carrier for the Google phone. Search in Pictures is out.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google Opens AdSense For Feeds
2. Ranking Software & Google's Opinion
3. Google AdSense Testing Black Borders Without Consent
4. Webmasters Question Effectiveness of Google Base and Shopping SERPs
5. How Will the SEO Bubble Pop?

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. T-Mobile To Be First Carrier Of Google Mobile Phone, Android
2. AdSense For Feeds Is Now Available To All Google Publishers
3. Search In Pictures: Ask Rafting, Yahoo's DJ, & Jerry Yang Looking Pretty

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 15th, 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 August 15th, 2008:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 14, 2008, Search Engine Land
• Google закри FAN, oggin.net
• AdSense For Feeds Is Now Available To All Google Publishers, Search Engine Land
• Adsense For Feeds Now Available to All, searchfriendlywebdesign.com
• Don't Fall For The "Most Dependable" Award, Sphinn
• Google shutters Feedburner Ad Network, sfnblog
• How Will the SEO Bubble Pop? (Search Engine Roundtable), AdamDicker.com
• Nofollowed Links Not Completely Unloved, WebProNews
• Techmeme: Google Launches AdSense for Feeds (Ionut Alex Chitu/Google Operating System), Techmeme

Posted at 2:27 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I rarely look outside my office window. The office window it to my back, and since I am always blogging, I rarely turn around to look outside. But today, I noticed something, and I looked. It is an old, crusty, dead bird. Here is a picture:

Must have been from a couple days ago, at least. The head seems to be detached.

I have a history of spotting dead birds. I suspect they just love flying into these windows. Here are my older posts:

• Birds Fly Into My Office Window, September 6, 2006
• Dead Bird After Window Accident, August 14, 2007
• Bird on Crack Cocaine Dies on Friday, December 7th 2007, December 7, 2007

Posted at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Category: Just Weird | Comments (4) (0)

Just in case you missed it, version 1.5 of the Siddur for the iPhone is now live. All those fancy features you wanted, is now up.

So, if you have not got yourself a copy, go get it now! Who cares if you can't read Hebrew, okay - well, that might be an issue. But if you can read Hebrew and you do pray during the week, oh, and you are Jewish and observant, then... maybe, oh wait, you need an iPhone also... then... maybe, you might want to pay the 10 bucks for this.

Are we done? Far from it.

Our active feature list is over here. We make changes as we go.

The Smart Siddur for Ashkenaz text is done and being tested. We even added an "easter egg," or in Jewish terms, a "Mazah Ball" to the program. I won't tell you what it is, and it will only come up every 28 years or so.

Posted at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (2) (0)

I got an email from an avid reader of my personal blog. I won't say more about this person, outside of, this person is a nice guy, enjoy chatting with this individual and I take no offense to the email because I know it was meant with best intentions. In fact, it actually gave me something to write about, outside of iPhone or Siddur stuff I have been blogging about.

What was this person's issue with this blog recently? You guessed it, I am blogging way too much about the iPhone Siddur. Basically, this person is saying, we heard enough about it. Enough is Enough! Enough Already!

I hear you. I do.

Yes, there is a "but." But this is my blog, I write about what is on my mind. I started this blog so that I won't be held back from blogging things that I am afraid will be irrelevant to my professional blogs. I write here, what is on my mind, on any subject.

When it comes to the iPhone Siddur, I am writing about it so much because I honestly love talking about it. Heck, my wife is sick of me showing her the features, she is sick of it. So I have this blog as an avenue to share it with others. I love using the Siddur, I love showing it to people, I just love it.

In any event, that is why I am blogging about it here so much.

So I know, some of you may be sick of hearing it, but it is just a phase. Hang in there. I know enough is enough. But for me, is it enough already? I don't think so.

Posted at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Category: Rambling | Comments (18) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Please don't fall prey to scams. Should you 404 or 301? Google fixed the sitemaps bug. Do penalties scare you? Google Reader shares friends. PageRank and link building, what a pair. Live Search Maps does ads. India sues Google and others. YouTube won't be streaming video.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Don't Fall For The "Most Dependable" Award
2. 404 or 301 Your Old Pages? Which is Best For SEO?
3. Google Fixes Sitemap Pending Issue & Blogger Crawling Issues
4. Do Search Penalty Discussions Worry You?
5. Google Reader Really, Really Wants You To Share With Your Friends
6. How Do We Determine Authority for Link Building?

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Live Search Maps Offer Local Ads
2. India Sues Google, Yahoo & Microsoft For Allowing Sex Selection Search Ads
3. YouTube Changes Their Minds On Streaming Video: They Won't Do It
4. Google Reader Improves Friends Sharing Feature

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 14th, 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 August 14th, 2008:

• FeedBurner cierra FAN, su red de publicidad, despuesdegoogle
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 13, 2008, Search Engine Land
• Don't Fall For The "Most Dependable" Award, Sphinn
• Feedburner Ad Network vs. Pheedo, Purple Squirrl
• La Home non si posizion-ma la pagina interna, RankWarrior
• Live Search Maps Offer Local Ads, Search Engine Land
• Lo que buscan los dominicanos..?, Ahora que soy diferente
• What's The UK's Most Popular Browser? Google, Altogether Digital

Posted at 2:37 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

We promised to keep developing the iPhone Siddur despite the slow post dates to the iTunes App Store. So let me show off the new "Smart Siddur" feature for the iPhone.

The Smart Siddur basically will show you the texts or prayers you need to see for that day, and skip the rest. So if it is Rosh Chodesh (new month), you will see those prayers. If it is Monday or Thursday, we will show you the torah reading prayers plus the actual parsha (torah text). Let me take you through it step by step.

(1) Smart Siddur by default is set to on, in the settings:

(2) If you open up Shemona Esri, you will see it automatically knows it is the summer months and shows me the summer portion:

This is done throughout the whole siddur.

(3) Also, we put in the actual torah reading selection for the weekday. Here is a picture, as if it was tomorrow (Thursday):

(4) As a side note, we also added Parsha info to the Luach:

Now what? Well, we test it. There are tons of locations that require testing and tons of scenarios. So we made a trick to change the date and test it that way. Once we are okay with it (I am sure there will be mistakes) we will lock it down to the real date, test it again and then release it to Apple.

So, version info time... 1.0 is on the Apple Store, 1.5 was submitted already and it should be approved soon (I hope by tomorrow). We will likely release a bug fix release, call it 1.6, before releasing the Smart Siddur version. Let's call Smart Siddur, version 2.0.

I am personally excited to use this tomorrow.

Posted at 5:35 PM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (11) (0)

I told you it was coming and now it is here!

To buy it in iTunes, go to http://www.rustybrick.com/iphone/tehilim/get or search for "Tehilim" in the iPhone App Store.

The first release has the following features:

• By Chapter/Perek, By Day of Month, By Day of Week
• English and Hebrew Texts
• Easy to make up for previous days portion
• No need to flip through pages, you get what you need
• No Internet Access needed

What's Coming?

• By Occassion
• Extra Prayers

How much is it? Only $0.99

Posted at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (4) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Google fixed webmaster tools. Google is shutting down FeedBurner ads. Bolding goes missing on some Google search results. Can your AdWords bill impact your free rankings. Google share jumps over 70 percent. Google SEO tips. Did your destination URL stop working? Search Blogs, the tag. Yahoo improves Inquisitor.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google Webmaster Tools Fixes 404 Reporting Error
2. Google Shuts Down FeedBurner's Ad Network (FAN)
3. Google Not Bolding Keywords in Search Results in Some Cases?
4. Does Google Really Separate Paid from Organic? The AdWords Bill Test
5. Google Search Share Exceeds 70%, According to Hitwise
6. Why Does My Homepage Not Rank for a Keyword, but an Inner Page Does?
7. Why Did My Google AdWords Destination URL Stop Working

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. What Are Search Blogs Talking About?
2. Yahoo Gives Inquisitor, Mac Browser Plugin, First Upgrade

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 13th, 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 August 13th, 2008:

• Arama Motoaru Ranking Etkenleri, 6patlar.net
• Google, Yahoo disclosed terms of ad pact, ankitrawat.com
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 12, 2008, Search Engine Land
• Word Visualization on Search Marketing Blogs, Online Marketing Blog
• FeedBurner Ad Network sacked by Google - WebProNews Blog, WebProNews
• Google Analytics redesigned?, Google Blogoscoped Forum
• Google Shuts Door On FeedBurner RSS Ad Network, Will Push Its Own (GOOG), www.alleyinsider.com
• Google Shuts Feedburner Ad Net; Publishers Offered AdSense For Feeds Instead: Report| paidContent.org, paidContent.org
• Google shutters Feedburner Ad Network in favor of AdSense, thenextweb.org
• How Google Changes Its Ranks From Day To Day, WebProNews
• Pilgrim's Picks for August 13, Marketing Pilgrim
• SiteClinic Part II und eine glckliche Gewinnerin, seoFM
• Techmeme: Google Shuts Down FeedBurner's Ad Network (FAN) (Barry Schwartz/Search Engine Roundtable), Techmeme
• Techmeme: Streamlined Login to Google Analytics (Google Analytics Blog), Techmeme
• The Top 100 Advertising, Marketing, Media , London Calling
• The Top 100 Advertising, Marketing, Media & PR Blogs, SPOTLIGHT IDEAS
• גוגל מענישה אתר וחוזרת בה?, news.k.co.il

Posted at 4:02 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Scroll down to the bottom, if you do not want to read this, I have a request for you at the end.

As many of you know, we have been busy building out a version 1.5 for Apple's approval. Version 1.5 had added features, including an added version of text, Minyainim database, Jewish Calendar and more.

So when we submitted version 1.5 to Apple, we had to update our meta description in the iTunes store to reflect that version. The problem is, Apple showed that description on the version 1.0 download. The problem is, Apple doesn't have a way to say, show this description for version 1.5 and this description for 1.0. So, what I did was put a note in the description that certain features are coming soon in the next version. Here is a screen capture:

Not only that, we have placed a version info page on the RB site, showing feature by feature, with date submitted, approved and published to Apple. The way people can find this page is by either going into the Siddur in their iPhone and clicking on the "More" tab. Or they can click from the iTunes Store on the Support button, as shown here:

When uploading a new version to iTunes Connect, Apple does not give you a way to submit a new description for just that app. At least, not currently. Maybe they will soon. So when we submitted the new app description, we did so based on the version we just uploaded to Apple, stating that some features are FREE in the next version. So almost a week later, it still sits in review:

So, that leaves some consumers angry. They say, I paid for all the features and I only got X. Not fair!!! I don't blame them for being upset. All I can do is do what I have done before, be as detailed as possible about what the versions have and do not have.

Here is one of the first bad reviews we got. Not that he didn't like the product, but more like he thought I was lying to him.

What can I do? If he emailed me or called me or read the description fully, or even clicked on the support link, he would have learned right away that version 1.5 is being reviewed by Apple and should be available any day. But he did not, and we got a bad review.

Can you help me? Yes. :) If you like, go to the iTunes Store and rate the Siddur app for us. :) You do not need to buy it, which is another limitation. Why? Because people are reviewing the price and not the product, saying it is too expensive, it should be free and then giving us a bad rating. I won't argue with that, but it shows you can review the app without buying it. If that is the case, feel free to go to rustybrick.com/iphone/siddur/get, it will open up iTunes, to the Siddur and you can create your own five star review for us. If you want. :)

Posted at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

Update: Steve, the CEO of Hottrix called me. He is confused by all of this. Like I said, I am sure this was just an oversight. Things happen. It just gave me something to blog about.

I get tons of spam in my YouTube inbox. I never look at it, really, virtually never. But today, I decided to scan through it. What do I find? I a letter from the people at Hottrix about my iPhone Popcorn video that I blogged about a year ago. Here is the letter:

We would really appreciate it if you could remove any comments or references on how to get our video for free. Also, on your website as well (I think you only had one link posting it for free and our lawyer will take care of removing the download from his site.) It is copywritten material we created and should only be for sale on our website. We do not mind performance videos, just not the "freebie" comments. Heck, you should sign up as an affiliate and link to it from your site and make some money, it looks like you have a good following. Typically we just flag these videos, but you do have a lot of viewers so I really don't want to do that to you.

Thanks in advance.
The sleepless crew at Hottrix.

Then I got this the same day:

Sorry, I just noticed someone else in our office already flagged your video. Others in our copyright watch are asked to flag copyright violations.

Two things:

(1) If you want to threaten me with a lawsuit, do not send me a message via YouTube.
(2) I have never said it was free, in fact, your CEO gave me at least one video for free (not the one above) so I would blog about how I got it. Which I did, at The Truth Behind my iPhone Popcorn. I guess someone in the comments talked about freebies, but I am not going through the 1,247 comments on my video to weed them out.

Is it that you are upset that my video outranks your promotional video for iphone popcorn? Is it because you are upset my video has 1,365,034 views and yours only has 741,179? What is it?

I am sure it was an oversight, so I won't continue giving you a hard time, Hottrix. I am sure you just had one of your people, go through YouTube and send this letter, via copy and paste, to every mention of videos related to your product.

This legal email has been sitting in my YouTube inbox for over a month. Good going.

Posted at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (2) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Gmail goes black last night. Google Analytics might be redesigning. Blogger crawling issues continue. Google Maps listings are impacted by videos. IMNY charity party comes to San Jose. Give Danny tips.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Gmail Outage Impacting Thousands/Millions Of Users
2. New Design & Features Coming to Google Analytics?
3. Google Bloggers Having Sitemap File & Continued Crawling Issues?
4. Adding Videos To Google Maps Removes Image From Listing?
5. Google AdWords Account Hacked: False Ads & False Charges
6. Next Week: Attend the IM Charity Party in San Jose
7. "Search Meets Real Life" - Give Danny Advice on What to Speak about at Gnomedex

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google's Email, Gmail, Having Major Issues

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 12th, 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 August 12th, 2008:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 11, 2008, Search Engine Land
• Techmeme: Systemwide GMail Outage (Michael Arrington/TechCrunch), Techmeme
• Gmail Outage, needapedia2
• Google AdWords Account Hacked: False Ads , Sphinn
• Google Analytics getting a makeover?, Bloggle
• New Design & Features Coming to Google Analytics?, Sphinn

Posted at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I might be going to Boston in the near future, depending on a few things.

In any event, if I am able to get away... I want to take my wife to Boston, for a quick vacation.

Here is what I know about:

• Duck Tour Boats
• Boston Common
• Boston Museum of Fine Art
• The Freedom Trail

If you know Boston, what would you recommend?

Posted at 1:16 PM | Permalink | Category: Travels | Comments (7) (0)

Check out this grungy car! How cool!

On the way to work this morning, I snapped a picture of it.

Posted at 9:44 AM | Permalink | Category: Motor Vehicle | Comments (4) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Google expands Western Union payments. Google supports video ad creation in AdWords API. Google's universal search might be confusing. Long title tags lead to top rankings. Google provides personalized results details. Google My Maps has a bug. Google and Yahoo disclose deal. Bloglines adds ads. SES San Jose 2008 schedule is live.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google AdSense Adds Western Union Option To Five Countries
2. Google AdWords Sandbox Finally Supports Video Ad Creation
3. Google Places Product Results In 4th Position : Confuses Searchers
4. Long Title Tags Improve Google Search Rankings?
5. Google Provides More Information about Personalized Results
6. Google Maps Users Cannot View Maps Created by Others
7. Google and Yahoo Share Details About Ad Deal
8. SES San Jose '08 Roundtable Coverage Schedule

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. IAC Monetizes Bloglines With Display Ads

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 11th, 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 August 11th, 2008:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 8, 2008, Search Engine Land
• A Linkbuilding Method So Effective I Can't Believe It's Not Blackhat, SEOmoz
• Enlaces II, SEO Femenino
• Era of Information Trapping?, Rmspencer's Weblog
• Google Bonds With Western Union In New Countries, WebProNews
• Optamasized Weekly Insider 8-4-08 to 8-08-08, eVisibility
• Top 10 Search Engine Optimization Websites (AUG, 2008), Ronakorn
• Weekly Search Buzz (10 Aug 08), ankitrawat.com

Posted at 3:23 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

About 30 minutes before Shabbos started this Friday, I heard a knock on the door. I answered the door to see a young guy and woman in Verizon FiOS shirts. They asked me if I want to switch to FiOS. I said yes.

Remember when I had the dilemma of FiOS vs Optimum when moving to my new house? Then, the only FiOS service available was Internet. TV was not available and Verizon told me that they were not able to switch my phone number. So my decision was to go with super Internet speeds of FiOS Internet, also went with Optimum for TV and Vonage for phone.

So when Verizon came to my door, my first question, after knowing that they know can do TV was.... Can you switch my phone number? They plugged it into the system and said yes. So I said, switch me over. I have no patience for sales calls but door-to-door salesmen, heck - I was sold. In fact, I was planning on calling Verizon to do the switch anyway. Them coming to my door and signing me up, well - possibly saved me time and cost.

Any downsides to the switch? I may miss the Game Channel, which I rarely watch anyway - but I do enjoy when I do watch. With Vonage, my phone was not listed and I was also able to take my phone with me, not that I ever did that. Also, Vonage sent me voicemails via email (not that the voicemails are for me) and maybe Verizon does that also. I did have a FiOS outage in the past, which caused my Internet to go out for about 24 hours. I do have backups. I hear CableVision (Optimum) has better support. But also, with Verizon, I will have a real landline, not a VOIP line, so when the power goes out, I should have phone (yes, I do have a cell phone anyway).

One cool feature Verizon FiOS TV has is the media manager. A DVR that is basically a network DVR. One DVR for all your TVs. So I ordered that. Now, if I am watching something downstairs and my wife kicks me out, I can pause it, and watch it upstairs.

My Internet should be untouched, which is nice. I rather not mess with that, if possible.

In any event, I made the switch and I am excited for the install date.

Posted at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers , Homey , Shopping | Comments (5) (0)

Update: This is now available at the iTunes Store, more details can be found over here.

We just submitted the iPhone Tehilim (aka Psalms or תהילים) (Wikipedia definition) application to the iTunes store. Note, Apple needs to approve it. So if you want notification of when it is available, make sure to go to the iPhone Tehilim or Psalms page and give us your email address. Everyone will ask, how much? We are charging $0.99, so enjoy!

Here are some screen captures:

By Chapter

English & Hebrew

You can pick defaults, i.e. default view (by chapter, by day of month or by day of week) and select language (english, hebrew or both english and hebrew).

Now, I have something to do while waiting for the elevator in the morning and when I need it. ;-)

Posted at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , iPhone | Comments (3) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Google added more publishers to Ad Review Center. Google does cookie tracking double time. Live Search improves webmaster tools. AdWords does maintenance this weekend. AdWords API to drop version 11. We got the Olympics logo recaps. Yahoo enabled opt-out of ads. Search in pictures is out. My video recap is out. Enjoy the Olympics!

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Did More Google AdSense Publishers Get the Ad Review Center?
2. Advertisers Are Happy But Scared Over New Google / DoubleClick Cookie Tracking
3. Live Search Greatly Improves Webmaster Tools But Webmasters Don't Give a Hoot
4. Google AdWords API Version 11 To Be Discontinued August 26th
5. What Exactly Happens During Google AdSense Maintenance?
6. The Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics & The Search Engine Industry
7. Video Recap of Weekly Search Buzz :: August 8, 2008

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Olympics Logos From Google, Yahoo & Ask.com
2. Yahoo To Enable Opt Out Feature For Customized Ads
3. Search In Pictures: Yahoo Indoor Golf, Los Lonely Boys Perform & Google Banner Vandalism

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 8th, 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 August 8th, 2008:

• Actualizacin de algoritmo en Yahoo, enric-ramos.com
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 7, 2008, Search Engine Land
• Keep your eyes off the search engine rankings, hamletbatista.com
• Google Stopped Crawling my Blog, Google Groups
• Google unterbindet Datacenter-Suchen, Andreas Roth
• Link Building this Week (32.2008), Wiep.net
• SEOs magen Links aus Blogs, Felix Wunderwald Blog
• Sphinn - Majority of SEOs Wants to Buy Nofollow Links, Sphinn
• Yahoo Search Results Total Crap Now, SEO 2.0

Posted at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I wanted to illustrate the changes we have posted to the Apple Store, as of yesterday, for version 1.5 of the iPhone Siddur. Note, we already started working on the next version. Adding some features, fixing bugs and fixing texts in the Sefardic Edut Mizrach, where I messed up big time (I am sorry!). I am documenting a list of changes at the version history page also, but a picture is always helpful.

(1) We added a starter screen, since it takes a sec or two to open, why not look at something pretty:

(2) We added a lot more text to the Siddur. Including adding Edut Mizrach (with mistakes, sorry), and a bunch of brachos and other prayers. Note, version 1.5 will have mistakes in Edut Mizrach and will have mistakes in the brachos for Edut Mizrach. Besides for fixing many (not all, yet) of those mistakes in the version after 1.5, we have added a few more brachos.

Here is a favorite, one of the hardest blessings to say. Bedtime Shema. Now it is easy, just pull out your iPhone and do it in bed. No light required cause we are backlit.

(3) Zmanim looks the same, but it has a few more features. You can override your location by zip code or long/lat. Also, you can easily change the date. In the version after 1.5, we added an "elevation" setting, just in case you do not have the GPS model. Elevation can make the times off by over 5 minutes, so this is important.

(4) We have the minyain database in version 1.5. But I am excited to announced that GoDaven.com has agreed to work with us to provide us with structured data. So version 1.5 has a lot of data, but once we plug into the source data, the database will be expanded from 2,000+ minyainim to over 3,000. In addition, we might be able to say, "I am looking for a minyain, within X feet, that starts within X minutes." This is coming, but right now, in version 1.5, you do get local minyanim (just not all the extra flare).

(5) Here is the Jewish Calendar, Luach. The next version will have the date as a Hebrew character and not a number. Plus, this version (1.5) will have a rotating bug. The next version, after 1.5, will fix that bug.

(6) In version 1.5, you can now control the overall "settings" of the application. To do so, click on the "settings" icon on the iPhone's home screen and then select "Siddur" from the list:

You can set the default Nusach, if you are in Israel, font size (with a slider), turn on/off auto-discover location:

When you change auto-location off, you can enter in the zip code, latitude, longitude, GMT offset and give it a name. We forgot to include "Elevation" or altitude, and that can make a huge difference. That will be included in the version after 1.5, it is already coded in, we just need to submit it to Apple.

Also, I did email the Shmash.org kosher database team to see if they want to work something out. So who knows, maybe a kosher database will be added soon, as well.

So that is a recap of the features in 1.5 and some of the features and bug fixes coming in version 1.6 and beyond.

Posted at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (4) (0)

Right now, it is 8:08 am (EST), on the 8th of August (8), in 2008.

Picture from my Computer's clock and calendar:

Posted at 8:08 AM | Permalink | Category: Just Weird | Comments (3) (0)

Not to complain, but just to point something out... My app went live officially last night, on August 6th. But the application was actually approved on the 4th. So when the contracts were approved on the 6th, the application was marked as "Released" on August 4th.

Since it was officially posted to the iTunes App Store on the 6th, if you were watching "new releases," in the store in via the unofficial RSS feed, then you would not have know the iPhone Siddur went live. Why? Because my app was on page 7 or so when it was posted to the iTunes Store, not at the top of page 1. Why? Because it was officially approved on the 4th but not legally approved until the 6th.

We submitted the next release of the iPhone Siddur today. So when it is approved, it should make it to the top of the list. The new features can be found in the version history page, it will be worth the wait.

Posted at 4:17 PM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , iPhone | Comments (1) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Google fixes keyword tool. Google stopped indexing Blogger? SEOs still love blog links. Check those click through rates. Performics goes to Publicis. Google can't index Flex. Google doubles up their cookies.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google Fixes Search Volume Bug in AdWords Keyword Tool
2. Did Google Stop Crawling Blogger Blogs on Personalized Domains?
3. SEOs Like Links From Blog
4. A Deep Analysis of Google SERP Click Through Rates
5. Performics Dropped by Google, Acquired by Publicis
6. Does Google Index Flex Content?

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google To Add AdSense Features With DoubleClick Cookies Technology

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 7th, 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 August 7th, 2008:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 6, 2008, Search Engine Land
• The Google Dilemma, BlackwoodProductions.com
• Calls Continue for Google to Implement Ombuds, The Ombuds Blog
• Google Follows Through with Threats: Blocks WebPosition Gold, Maine SEO
• Major Updates In Google SERP's For August, ankitrawat.com
• Majority of SEOs Wants to Buy Nofollow Links, Sphinn
• WebPosition Ranking Software Being Blocked by Google?, Sphinn
• WebPosition Ranking Software Blocked By Google, ankitrawat.com

Posted at 3:26 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I have a new morning schedule, which means I may be waking up 12 minutes later. So I thought I would share with you, like you care, how that is going for me.

See the picture above, that is me, kinda, in the morning. It is not a picture of me, just some random guy on Flickr. But I am in bed, for the first part of the morning, working.

Today, for example, I got up at 5:25am, before my alarm clock went off. I then went through emails, then through RSS feeds and set up the morning writing budget for Search Engine Land. I did more emails, more feeds, some discussion forums and more work. Then I did the morning bathroom stuff and then came back to the computer to do some more work. I left the house about 6:15am and prayed and then go to work at about 7am.

I honestly like getting to work knowing that I went through email and the feeds. So when I get to work, I check email again, go through the 20 new feed items and then move into my Roundtable research.

So, technically, I am not waking up later, but I feel like I am getting more work done earlier, plus going to my local synagogue in the morning, which saves me driving time.

Posted at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Category: Daily Grind | Comments (4) (0)

Yipee! The iPhone Siddur is now live on the Apple iTunes App Store. To get it, via the iTunes App Store go here.

This release has:

- Siddur for Ashkenaz and Sefard for weekday
- Zmanim based on location, with a location override

The text needs to be cleaned up for Sefard.

The next version release, which will be very soon (like tonight or tomorrow), will have:

- Siddur text for Sefarad Mizrachi
- Minyanim database, finds nearest shul to your location
- Luach for Jewish Calendar
- Cleaned up Ashkenaz and Sefard siddur text
- And more.

Then version three will have bug fixes and a Jewish Calendar, Luach. We are also going to try to add automatic prayers, so you will only see the prayers you need to see based on the date.

Hope you like it, we are charging $9.99 - but the next few updates will all be free.

We have so much we want to still add and we will keep pushing out updates. Any feedback, for now, go to The Google Group.

Posted at 8:24 PM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (9) (0)



I just received an email from an Apple "iTunes Finance" representative in response to the ETA of contract approval. He said:

We are in the process of setting you up as a vendor in our financial systems globally (SAP) to accept the sales postings to your account. Due to volume, we can only setup about 2,500 per week in five regions. The normal turnaround time for this process is about 21 days, but we are trying to get this down to 10-14 days.

Unfortunately, it takes time to establish your retail presence in more than 70 countries, but I can assure you this is a one time wait. After your contract(s) are activated, the process becomes more automated.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

So does that mean, Apple is setting me up right now? "We are in the process of setting you up as a vendor." Or in general, your in the queue, and it takes "about 21 days." If it is 21 days, then that would be as long as August 14th (a week from tomorrow). That is, if that is not business days.

As you can see, the wait is killing me.

So from the wording in the email, you think sooner or later?



Posted at 4:06 PM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , iPhone | Comments (6) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Google blocks Web Position. Google's keyword tool bugs out. Yahoo is as relevant as Google? SEOs split on buying no followed links. AdWords will be down on the 9th. Do you do client meetings? Google launches Insights for Search. Yahoo and Google show off Olympic searches. Google launches music search in China. Google sells Performics.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. WebPosition Ranking Software Being Blocked by Google?
2. Google AdWords Keyword Tool Suffers Temporary Outage
3. Is Yahoo Search More Relevant Now? SEOs Claim "More Like Google"
4. SEOs Split On Buying Links Have The NoFollow Attribute
5. Google AdWords Schedules Downtime on August 9th
6. How Many of You Meet with SEO Clients?
7. Google Launches Insights for Search

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Yahoo Search Launches Olympics Shortcuts
2. Google Adds Olympics One Box Results
3. Google Insights For Search Launches
4. Google China Launches Music Search
5. Google Sells Off Performics To Publicis Groupe

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 6th, 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 August 6th, 2008:

• Google Adds Olympics One Box Results, Search Engine Land
• Google Censorship - How it all works ?, DiggPoint.com
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 5, 2008, Search Engine Land
• Yahoo! Wetterbericht August 2008, at-web.de
• Aftellen tot Google's Gmail 7GB, Fok.nl
• Case Sensitive SERP's, at Google ?, ankitrawat.com
• Client Versus Personal Work: Which Do You Prefer?, Matthew Keegan
• Google ha bloqueado el software de webposition, SEOFemenino.com
• Google Redirects IP Based Data Center Searches To Google.com, ankitrawat.com
• Los mejores SEOs no aceptan clientes?, Pablogeo.com
• Plurk - okAnd mikroblogg i Sverige, Webmastern.se
• PPC News Roundup for 8/6/2008, PPC Hero
• Sphinn - Are The Best SEOs Not Taking on Client Work?, Sphinn
• The Possible Google Penalties Assoc..., StumbleUpon

Posted at 3:02 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

I have a tab open in my browser, I refresh it like a hundred times a day. The tab is the page that shows the status of the iPhone Application we submitted, the iPhone Siddur, Zmanim, Minyain app and soon to have "Luach" (Jewish calendar).

As you can see, we submitted it on July 25th. On August 1st, it was rejected for a feature being missing. We then resubmitted it, with a batch of new features. The application was then approved on the 4th, but it is still pending the legal team to approve my contracts.

Now the contracts are all digitally signed documents, with EFT for banking. It is mostly automated. But it seems like an Apple legal rep needs to manually review each before the account is allowed to sell apps on the Apple Store.

So now, we wait for Apple to give us legal approval. I keep refreshing the page, over and over again. Why? Cause we want to push this version out so we can release the next version, which is awesome!

If you know anyone at Apple, please see if they can expedite it for me. Please? :)

Posted at 9:36 AM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , iPhone | Comments (5) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Google News tests layout. Google stops data center checking. Are you really that good at SEO. Page is on Street Views. Google Reader bugs out. Redirects can kill you. Search Camp Philly is out. Kimber leaves Google. Hyder leaves Yahoo. Google guy proposes on Google Maps. Google sued for AdSense. Yahoo Search is, indeed, updating.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Google News Tests One Column Of News Look
2. Google Redirects IP Specific Data Center Searches To Google.com
3. Are The Best SEOs Not Taking on Client Work?
4. Larry Page of Google's Private Home Shown on Google Street Views
5. The Possible Google Penalties Associated With Bad 301 Redirects
6. Google Reader Bug Impacts Tags and Subscriptions
7. Save the Date: SearchCamp Philly on September 6th and 7th

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google Loses Richard Kimber To Friendster & Yahoo Loses Adam Hyder To Jobvite
2. Googler Asks, "Marry Me" Via Google Maps
3. Google Sued For Patent Infringement Over AdSense
4. Yahoo Search August 2008 Index Update

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 5th,, 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 August 5th, 2008:

• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 4, 2008, Search Engine Land
• Yahoo Search August 2008 Index Update, Search Engine Land
• Google Maps Adds Printable Street Views & Avoid Tolls, Yahoo! Buzz
• Googler Asks, "Marry Me" Via Google Maps, Search Engine Land
• Privacy “επίθεση” στον Larry Page!, internetakias.gr
• Technische Probleme, viel Frust und zu wenig Bier, seoFM
• What are the Most Important Search Engine Optimization Practices?, Yahoo! Buzz

Posted at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

We added some more features to the iPhone Siddur. The new feature is a way to find the closest minyan (prayer group) to your current location.

Here is how it works. We uploaded a database of minyainim (shuls and locations of Jewish prayer groups). Then using the iPhone or iPod Touch's localization feature, we find the Minyain that is nearest to you.

Here is a picture of the closest minyainim to my current location, that are found in our database:

Clicking on a result will bring up more information:

If a phone number is available, it will hyperlink the number so you can initiate a call:

Notice also the "View Map" button at the bottom left. Clicking it, will open up the native Google Maps program, plotting the points for this minyan, so you can use Google Maps directions to get there:

The "More Info" button will link you to the GoDaven web site, for this result, it takes you over here. GoDaven will likely have more information on the result, in case you need it.

Also, for those Sefardic / Edut Mizrach Jews, we finished adding the text for your prayers. Here is a preview of the available "Nusachs."

Note, everything mentioned here will be a free release to all those who purchase the iPhone Siddur. Note, we are currently waiting for contract approval, although the application itself was approved. Was we get legal approval, then the application will go live. We will then release a new version that must be approved by Apple again, and when it is live, you will automatically be notified of the update.

Posted at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (11) (0)

I woke up this morning and look at my phone and I see the 3G icon at the top left of my iPhone. I rub my eyes and look again, and it is still there. I never ever had 3G in this area, ever. Here is a picture:

So I leave my home and drive to my next stop and yes, I still have 3G showing up. Email, web browsing, etc seems faster. By this time, it is late enough to text my brother to see if he sees the 3G icon. So I do so.

At first, I thought this had to do with the iPhone 2.0.1 update that I installed last night, but when I asked my brother - he said he didn't upgrade his phone yet. And yes, he saw the 3G network also.

So now, from my home to my office and probably beyond, I have 3G. That means, I can surf and download faster, but more importantly I can be on the phone and still use the Internet!

Here is a Google Maps view of where I am, technically, I was in the building so the GPS did not work. Also, I am at the lower left corner of this map, not even in the circle (but the 3G does work in this whole map area):

I then brought up the AT&T 3G coverage map and it still shows my area as EDGE only, not 3G. Here is a picture:

As a point of reference, the Route 87 in the middle of the AT&T map (going from left to right) coordinates with the two roads (one is green) at the bottom of my Google Maps screen shot. I.e. the roads between Tallman and Monsey is Route 87.

So as you can imagine, I am a very happy camper to have 3G enabled in my area only a few weeks after getting my iPhone. So happy.

Posted at 7:32 AM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (6) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

My video is live. Google's too many redirects issue. Google Ad Review Center goes missing. Google Maps adds features. Cre8asite celebrates 6 years. We analyzed Google. Yahoo released first monkey into the wild. Yahoo is updating. Google talks quality. Yahoo Maps adds features. Yahoo Shortcuts gets nasty. Live Search promoting with cash back again.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Video Recap of Weekly Search Buzz :: August 3, 2008
2. Major Yahoo Search Ranking Changes in Early August
3. Google Sitemaps "Too Many Redirects" Warning
4. AdSense Ad Review Center Goes Missing For Some Google Publishers
5. Google Maps Adds Printable Street Views & Avoid Tolls
6. Cre8asite Forums Celebrates its 6th Birthday
7. Webmasters Report August 2008 Google SERP Changes
8. Yahoo Introduces First SearchMonkey Applications
9. Google's Ben Gomes Talks About Search Quality

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Yahoo Maps Now With Better Search Integration & New Features
2. Yahoo Shortcuts Causes Associated Press Article To Show Inappropriate Content
3. Live Search Promoting Again, This Time With "Cashback Back-to-School Deals"

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 4th,, 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 August 4th, 2008:

• Google Analytics And YPN Problem Roundup, Kingnomar
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, August 1, 2008, Search Engine Land
• More Proof Google Loves DigitalPoint.com, SEOco.co.uk
• Live search nou, SEOpedia.ro
• Siddur/Zmanim iPhone Application - Useful Widgets, SEOish
• Weekly Search Buzz (03 Aug 08), ankitrawat.com

Posted at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

The iPhone Siddur / Zmanim application is now officially approved by Apple. We got an email last night from Apple saying:

The status for the following application has changed to Ready for Sale.

But when I checked the iPhone App Store, it was no where to be found. So I logged into iTunes Connect and noticed that Apple said we are now "pending contract." Here is a screen capture:

But I submitted the contracts on day one, over a week ago, on July 25th. They were all marked as a checkbox and green. Here is a screen capture:

Everything looks good from that side. So I called Apple, they said I need to email the legal team. So I did that this AM.

There is an Apple support thread that has many others complaining that they are in the same status we are in. Pending Contract... One said that they spoke to Apple who said:

I contacted Apple, and yes, it is normal for the state to stay at "in process" for some time.

I am paraphrasing here: because part 2 of the contract setup and the App review are done manually, they can take several days/weeks depending on the volume of items in their queue.

Please bear in mind that I am answering this to the best of my knowledge as an external person and that I have no authority whatsoever on the subject. I'm just reporting what I was told.

So I hope it is not too much longer until it is pushed out to the Apple store. In fact, I hope to finish up the Sefarad Mizrachi text for prayers and we are also almost done adding a "Minyainim" database, which finds the closest Minyain (or shul).

Posted at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (5) (0)

Daily Search Coverage:

Yahoo's publisher reports still broken? AdWords's WebmasterWorld representative is taking a break. Google Analytics has many bugs. Google tests inline related links. Diamonds and SEO. High Rankings turns five. Google AdWords drops average position reporting. Yahoo Maps updates. Search in pictures is out.

Search Engine Roundtable Topics:

1. Did Yahoo Fix the Publisher Reports?
2. AdWordsAdvisor Is Taking A Two Month Leave From Google
3. Google Analytics Has Several Bugs You Should Know About
4. Google Tests "Related" Links Under Individual Search Listings
5. High Rankings Forum Turns Five Years Old
6. High Search Rankings = Easy Money

Search Engine Land Topics:

1. Google AdWords Dropping Average Position From Content Network?
2. Search In Pictures: Yahoo Basketball, Google Cube & Yahoo's Variety Show
3. Yahoo Maps Now With Better Search Integration & New Features

Daily Link Finds:

This is the August 1st,, 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 August 1st, 2008:

• A Little too Expensive for This Kind of Error, Foster Web Marketing
• SearchCap: The Day In Search, July 31, 2008, Search Engine Land
• An Engaging Collection Of Links - This Month In SEO - 7/08, TheVanBlog
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Posted at 4:52 PM | Permalink | Category: Daily Link Finds , Daily Search Coverage | Comments (0) (0) | Speak

The iPhone Siddur is coming out incredibly well. The iPhone Zmanim is all native to the application, so it does not need to call the Internet to get accurate times. In fact, currently, none of the features require Internet. This is a key feature because we did not want to compete with the iPhone web based applications that run in Safari.

The Zmanim does utilize GPS or location services but it is not required. We made a zip code and time zone offset, with a data changer, if you need to change that. I.e. your flying to a different location and you want to know the zmanim there before you get there. Otherwise, it defaults to your current location and date.

Okay, first the bad news. Last night Apple said we had to remove the "Mizrach" tab because it was a "feature-limited version." So we got rid of it and resubmitted within the hour. I am not sure if Apple will review the application right away or if it will take an extra week. So I am sorry.

But there is good news to this. The previous version we uploaded was very limited. The zmamin were not 100% complete, the siddur text as not so clean, the zmanim date picker and changers were not available and the explanations were missing. The new version (binary) we resubmitted to Apple last night contains all these additions. Keep in mind, the Ashkenaz version looks awesome, but the Sfrard is not 100% cleaned up yet and Mizrachi Sfrard has yet to be added (we are working on that now).

In any event, we have added some more screen captures and details to the official iPhone Siddur page. Make sure to check it out and sign up there if you want notification of the release. We hope it is released soon and we have a lot of interest already (a lot, I am not kidding).

Posted at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Category: iPhone | Comments (2) (0)