Dave-Sifry Archives - Successful Blog

Technorati 2007 — The Keyword Is Simple!

May 23, 2007 by Liz Leave a Comment

Simple Is Elegant

Today Technorati has unveiled a new site redesign that changes how it works from the deep backend to the beautiful, easy-on-the-eyes home page. The changes have been in the works since January 2007 and are made to reflect the new living web and people, like us, who live and work here. David Sifry explained it this way.

Whereas folks using Technorati a couple of years ago were predominantly coming to us to search the blogosphere to surface the conversations that were most interesting to them, today they are increasingly coming to our site to get the 360 degree context of the Live Web – blogs of course, but also user-generated video, photos, podcasts, music, games and more. They want all the good stuff out there, all in real-time, and we’re using the power of 80 million bloggers to help organize it and make it fun to browse; using the wisdom of crowds as a mirror on ourselves.

Finally, the Keyword Is Simple!

You won’t hear me complaining about more bells and whistles this time. Finally, with a long hard look, the team has backed off what doesn’t work and put their stock in a new keyword — simple.

Here are some of the changes you’ll find when you go there.

Simpler interface. Everything is easier on the eyes and easier on the brain. Lots less visual noise.
Simpler context. Preview information is useful and cut back to speed up load times.
Simpler search. No more search silos, i.e. keyword search, tag search and blog directory search. One search gets you everything across the Live Web — blogs, posts, photos, videos, podcasts, events, and more.
New simple streamlined blogsearch. A new blog-only search homepage at search.technorati.com (an easy shortcut is s.technorati.com)

Technorati has been listening. You can see it everywhere. I won’t ruin all of the cool stuff. But don’t miss the tickertape. It’s just fun — the web alive, on the move.

Sure, I bet you’ll find a few kinks to work out. If you do, feel free to leave word here. I’ll pass your issues along all at once for everyone’s benefit in getting problems fixed.

Sometimes we forget that Technorati is a small business, not some Google-sized corporation. It’s 45 people who are grateful when we remember to say, “thank you.”

Thank you, Dave, Janice, and Liz. Thank you to the entire team for listening and for a fabulous job! Good luck in catching all of those pesky bugs.
Liz

WTF? T-rati Monster Diggs Up a New Feature!!

February 1, 2007 by Liz 15 Comments

I Know What You’re Thinking

Maybe you caught it. Last night at about 9:40pm CST — that’s Chicago time — if you went to visit Technorati, you would have seen a white screen with words that said something like this

Doh! The Technorati monster has escaped again! We’ve gone to find him. We’ll be back in no time. (I’m remembering as best as I can.)

Shortly thereafter, when service returned, a smiling Dave Sifry announced on his own blog and on the official Technorati WTF page a new Technorati feature by saying,

I hope you’ll come to love as much as I do. It’s called WTF (no, not that: It’s “Where’s the Fire.”)

Where’s the Fire?

Where’s the Fire is about what is HOT! in the blogosphere. Here’s when you write a WTF blurb.

When you write post that sizzles or read one that fries you, write a WTF blurb about it.
When you think it’s time that folks knew about how YOUR passion for blogging makes you a hot ticket, write a WTF blurb then too.
When you’re the first to find out that America’s sweetheart has doused her latest film in gasoline, write a WTF blurb about it.

Okay so, you can write about news and fast breaking information If you think folks are interested in that kind of stuff.

Here’s how you use the WTF blurbs.

When you have a burning question about what your next post will be, search the WTF blurbs.
When find a blurb about a story boiling with debate or buzzing with electricity, vote it up!
When you find a blurb that turns you on to something so cool it’s hot, vote it up!

You know the drill.

There’s a new toy in the Technorati neighborhood. The T-rati-Rex must have Dugg it up when he ran away last night.

No worries. Janice says her team is still our team — this new feature didn’t shake their system.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

To Dave Sifry, Janice Myint and Technorati

January 9, 2007 by Liz 16 Comments

Dear Dave, Janice, and all the Technorati Team,

I’m sorry I rained on your parade yesterday. That wasn’t very nice of me. Usually I’m more careful of such things.

My head was still attached to my heart. The problem was I was only thinking of the people on this side of the equation. I could have let you celebrate your glory for a day. How arrogant of me to charge right in there to find fault. I really am sorry.

But how did you respond?

With winning colors!

Every comment that I forwarded was attended to as far as I can tell — fast, effectively, and without a word of “hey look us.”

And then this morning, an IM from Janice with the biggest surprise of all.
Major corrections to my link count.

Sometimes it’s even harder to move when everyone’s watching.

Thank you, Dave, Janice, and everyone who heard me.

Thank you, for letting me know I bet on the right team.

Liz's Signature

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Congratulations on the Tag Page at Technorati! Is it Our Turn Now?

SOB Business Cafe 08-04-2006

August 4, 2006 by Liz Leave a Comment

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the title shots to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

Darren Rowse offers an interview with Dave Sifry on Blogging Popularity.

Mike Sansone considers whether blogging can be called a conversation . .. really.

Christine Kane lays out 7 great reasons why you should forget about email until after noon.

Scot Herrick has a fabulous read on creativity and innovation as a strategy in today’s Cubicle Nation.

Ann Michael has Google’s number laid out in keywords.

Related ala carte selections include

Minic Rivera has some Blogging Times News for Artists.

Please know that I include this last because everyone should see Susan Reynold’s wonderful art. Do click on it to see it full size. The image is amazing.

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like.
No tips required. Comments appreciated.

Have a great weekend!

–ME “Liz” Strauss