This may or may not be an exclusive–I can’t find anyone else that sees the same thing I am seeing, but I’m sure they are out there. I am seeing a new design for Yahoo! web searches, and it combines Bloglines’ bevel with Google’s blue. Let’s take a look, and remember this is probably just a test.
Here’s a typical search engine results page (SERP in search engine circles):
Here’s a stock ticker search, still shows a graph, but the page is easier on the eyes:
The preference page has not changed, but is still nearly identical to Google’s. Now let’s try and list the differences in SERPS:
1) No tabs, just a pull down
2) No numbers next to results (“Yea, it’s the #8 result”)
3) No related searches
4) Meta data hidden behind “Expand” drop down (via JavaScript). Cache, “More results from this site” and Directory Category are all stored here, but it’s not known what is there until you click to expand.
Obviously this is not a completed work. I like the UI changes, but I would like pretty much everything on that list back. But hey–it’s fun to see these things in progress.
But he’s a common man. Why is there anything wrong with saying you are rich (if you are)? It’s not a bad thing. Just don’t say you know what it’s like to be a paycheck away from the street.
And for those that watch these things more closely than me, have there been any recent Republican haircut scandals? I remember Clinton’s. There has got to be one for the GOP. Zahira Zahir would know.
For quite some time I have wanted to spiff up the design hhere. While nothing is finalized, what I have so far is pretty similar to what’s here, but with space for stuff like links. It has a nice colorful background too–something the current design really needs.
I really like the various styles of Dooce and the previous design of Jason Zada (the current one is nice too, but it hasn’t influenced the stuff I am working on now).
It will be up as soon as I find the time to create the CSS/XHTML. For some reason I hate taking a site from PSD to HTML, so it could be a while.
I am hot on the tail of a story and need some help tracking down a key fact. Is is US law for fast food type restaurants to make available nutritional information? I can’t find anything definite on the topic, so it may just be a de facto CYA move in the fast food industry. Logically though, it seems like something the feds would demand. If you know the answer and can back it up (FDA link?), you will be credited in the story if you wish.
In my line of work you see a lot of referrer logs. I check them out for MacMerc, MobileTracker and CarbWire at least daily. Sometimes that means a new link from a site I have never heard of. I have inadvertantly become biased against certain sites and types of domains. Here’s what I mean:
1) Are there quite a few referrals from this site? If there is just one that might mean the author just clicked his link. From my view, lame site (I know that’s totally wrong to think, but it’s instinct now). If there are a lot and I haven’t heard of the site I will usually look for an RSS feed to keep track of it.
2) What publishing system does the site use? I tend to look down on Blog*Spot powered sites because there is no cost to entry. Sort of like an anonymous comment. But there are some really great sites on Blog*Spot so this is a bad habit. I look down on Radio users too, not for cost of entry (it costs), but because I never know who it is thanks to having a huge ID number instead of username in the URL. If you’re smart enough to use Radio, you’re smart enough not to. At least in my book.
So there you have it. I am a domain-ist. The funny part is that this space has such a ridiculous subdomain name. Part of the plan I guess. I go for content, not a flashy name.
PS: Reading the search engine referrals is always fun. I can never get tired of referral logs.
I heard this on the radio this morning–there couldn’t have been a worse story for McDonalds PR: McDonald’s CEO Dies of Heart Attack. Those salads might get a little more popular.
Anyone out there know how to make a nice Drupal theme? I have .PSD mockups and a pretty complete XHTML/CSS page of the design. No graphics need to be made, I just need it to rock Drupal hard. XTemplate would be preferred. I’m not positive that I’ll use Drupal for this project, but knowing that I can get the theme made at a reasonable price (shouldn’t take long) will go a long way in getting there. Drop a comment if you’re interested or want more info.
I had high hopes that with Gmail, spam could be a problem of the past. I have really good luck with Spam Sieve, but to use it means I must download my spam first. Sucking down a few hundred messages can take more time than I’d like. However, I can safely say that it does a lot better than Gmail. I can only hope the spam filtering in Gmail will be tweaked a whole lot in the coming weeks. Here’s a look at the top of my inbox.
For the last month Spam Sieve has been about 99.5% accurate, making spam only annoying for the time it takes to download.
Update: I’m happy to report that it’s getting better. Not perfect, but improving. Only a dozen or so spams got through this afternoon. Spam Sieve caught 83 in the same time (both get the same messages for the most part).
I have been hyper-busy lately as it is the end of the semester. But I have a few things to say:
- Go see Kill Bill Volume 2 tonight. It’s amazing. It has a lot more dialog than Volume 1, but still had action. In other news, the DVD of Volume 1 sold over 2 million copies its first day.
- Matt is right. People freak out way to easily. I was invited to use Gmail, not forced. I am pretty sure that if I never signed up I wouldn’t be punished. If you don’t like all the ads (and lack of features) on other webmail services, give Gmail a spin. If you disagree with the privacy policy, don’t. Not that complex.
- MySpace started a games section. There is also a TV show in the works. Good bye Friendster.
- The low-carb Quiznos sandwiches are great. I was impressed.
- Whoever said that I hurt Pepsi sales was wrong. Also on the subject, at least in my location there are now new caps designed to obfuscate peeking on both Pepsi and Mountain Dew. Can anyone else confirm this?
Today starts the sale of Kill Bill Volume 1 on DVD. I picked it up at BestBuy along with Reservoir Dogs for $20. The list price for the Kill Bill DVD is $29.99. Kill Bill Volume 2 comes out Friday, but this lucky writer gets to see it tomorrow thanks to a Miramax early preview. Since it felt like the pause button was pressed for the last 6 months, I’m very excited to finish this story.
I think Volume 2 will be a success because the movie seemed to pick up steam in its absence. I know a lot of people who didn’t see the first in the theater, but plan to see the second (catch the first on DVD of course). A $100 million or so. Not huge, but profitable.
Anyone else excited?
