06.30.05
What a process
Running around to all these interviews is quite informative and tiring at the same time. I enjoy seeing how other companies operate, and you get a little insight as to the levels of experience and exactly just how much people know about the SEM industry. I still have not really made up my mind as to which company I will join, but will need to make my decision soon.
Been playing with my Linked-in account again today….it really is a great tool to connect with people in a similar industry. I would especially recommend it to anyone that runs their own shop as you find business contacts and useful ventures through this nifty tool. If you’re already using it you know what I’m talking about, why not request contact with me?! And if you’re not using it, check it out.
Other great little tools I have been looking at today include amongst others:
- Google Maps API:
A great XML-based integration that now enable developers to build their own location based services into their websites. You can find a location, a business or general directions. Unfortunately it only currently caters to the US market tho! -
Microsoft Fiddler:
Been having a bit of trouble with two of our sites loading times, so in my research for answers I came across this little gem. It seems interesting enough if you can wade through all the code. I can just not get myself to read past the first four paragraphs…but its on my to do list
- GoogSpy:
Spy on your competition! The tool works by scraping the search results of over half a million phrases each day and then storing them in the its database. SEMs use the tool by entering the domain name of a competitor and viewing a list of the search terms that they rank well for. The tool also displays the top 25 competitors for the company that you search on. Entering a search term will bring up a list of companies that are purchasing Adwords, along with the text of their ads. Have fun….!
I think the most interesting news that I have read of late was about Google’s most recent acquisition. Google recently purchased its second online social networking service, Dodgeball, the first of course being Orkut. What makes Dodgeball different is the fact that it promotes offline meeting via cell phone messaging. You can actually list people that you’re interested in, and will be notified by sms when they are within 10 blocks of your location – with their location noted as well. Fantastic for friends wanting to hook up on a night out, but did they stop to consider the ‘dodgies’ out there? Hooraah for new heights of stalking someone…“Dodgeball†delighting stalkers everywhere 
Back to my detective work…and conspiracy theories. lol