» Smart Phones, Web Design, Google or whatever
Archive for September, 2011
Google Retiring the Old Adsense Interface
Sep 26th
I got an email today about Google retiring the old Adsense interface, which they’ve been developing for a while now. But, to be fair, maybe the old interface isn’t better, maybe I am just resisting the change.
At first, the new interface was unwelcome, because I’d just gotten used to using the old one. Then, I started noticing the new interface did some things better, and unfortunately it seemed to crash months ago or simply not perform certain functions I wanted. In the end, I stayed with the old interface because I decided the new one was still a work in progress and I didn’t want to spend the necessary time to get to know the new interface. Looking at the new Adsense interface tonight, I noticed that the Overview page presented at login in much more informative than the old interface. The new interface, originally launched in November 2010, seems to have had some new features added, and will most likely have ironed out the issues that turned me off of the new design months ago.
To switch from the old to the new interface, click the red link, pictured below in the red box.
OLD ADSENSE INTERFACE
NEW ADSENSE INTERFACE
The email had some useful information in the form of links that I will certainly be checking out, and if you use Adsense you might want to check these links out also:
Adsense New Interface – Video Tutorials
Adsense New Interface – Help Center
I must admit I think the new interface looks better. It also will make it simpler for Adsense to do more with the addition AJAX functionality. Unless you only use Adsense to see what your current earnings are, you will probably need to find some of the current features you use in the new Adsense interface.
Google +1 Button Coming Soon to Adsense
Sep 23rd
That Google +1 button is sprouting everywhere, and now the +1 button is slated to appear in Adsense ads. Below is an example from the Adsense Insider blog.
Now your “social friends” can see what ads you like … I don’t know if that’s good or not, but its good for Google whose ads will start appearing outside of their environment. According to an email announcement to Google Adsense publishers, you can opt out of the +1 button displaying on your site’s ads if you are a publisher.
The email also said:
Soon, your users will be able to endorse specific ads and make the ads more likely to appear to their social connections. We believe that these recommendations could help your readers notice ads on your site more, leading to higher returns for you over time.
Well, voting on Google Adsense ads is something I never expected, not even after Adsense started appearing in Yotube videos!
Cool Website Design – Smart USA (the Eco Friendly Car)
Sep 22nd
I saw a commercial for the Smart (the unbig, uncar) tonight and hit their website for a nice surprise. Its not the best website ever, but its home page is super-interesting. If you don’t like it you can visit the Smart’s eco-friendly high mpg full website.
I don’t often write about websites, but this one is just pretty cool. I think for its intended audience – the group of car buyers that would want an eco-friendly, small, inexpensive automobile that for as little as $12,490 – the website is probably right up their alley. However, at 41mpg you may be more impressed with its 85% recyclability (just toss it in with the aluminum cans when done?)
I’m not writing about the technical marvel of the site or excellent usability here, but simply entertaining design, take a look.
Smart USA Cool Car Website
Gmail, Gmail Mobile Go Persian (Farsi)
Sep 22nd
Google has released its Gmail and Gmail mobile in Persian today. Or as Google put it:
At Google, we want to make our products universally accessible and useful, and that means providing them for as many people as possible in the language they speak. The Gmail and Google Localization teams have worked together to bring Gmail to people around the world in 53 languages. Today that number grows to 54, because we’re proud to announce that through working with the Persian Initiative Team, we are able to release Persian (Farsi – فارسی), as the newest language available in Gmail. If you or someone you know speaks Persian, they can change the language in Gmail by selecting it on the Gmail settings page, under the language dropdown.
- Gmail+Gmail mobile in Persian/Farsi
Click To Enlarge
Mobile Multi Sig, Mobile Sig, and Vacation Auto-Respond
Sep 21st
Gmail announced some new stuff for Gmail for mobile today.
Specifically Google’s Dominic Leung, Mobile Software Engineer announced the addition of these Gmail for mobile features…
- Multiple sign-in support
- Mobile-specific signature
- Vacation Auto-Responder
Multiple Sign-In Support
So, first the addition of multiple sign-in support. You’ve been able to do that on the desktop for a while now (more info & warnings), but now you can also sign in to multiple accounts in the same browser using Gmail for mobile. There was no mention on the post about warnings like the issues the desktop version has offline versions
Mobile-Specific Signature
There are some good reasons to let people you email know you are sending/replying to email on your mobile, for example why your reply is so short, or has typos. Now if Gmail can do something about that “Sent from my BlackBerry” fun that Blackberry (and other mobile users) have to put up with, that would be great. But I digress.
Vacation Auto-Responder
Imagine you’ve prepared everything for a week’s vacation, tidied up your workload at the office, packed all of your vacation gear and you are off toward that relaxing destination in [wherever]. As you drive off, you realize that you forgot to set your vacation autoresponder in your Gmail back at the office. Do you turn around and go back to the office (“Phew! I’m, glad to see you’re not gone yet, we have these last minute details on this important project before you go on vacation.”)? No need, just login to Gmail for mobile and you can now set your vacation auto-response from wherever you can get access – no office visit required!
Crysis 2 Semper Fi or Die Video Walkthrough (Pt 1)
Sep 16th
Part one of Crysis 2 Semper Fi or Die, mission #10 gameplay & walkthrough video. This video has annotations at some key points. Also, see more Crysis 2 game tips and hints.
Crysis 2 Semper Fi or Die Video Part 1
Later some step-by-step down here, for now watch the video check out the notes on the video.
ESET Smart Security 5 Cool Video
Sep 13th
Hey, check out this cool new movie … oh, that’s no movie its an Advertisement for an ESET Smart Security 5, which includes ESET Nod32 Antivirus.
Do You Have ESET Smart Security 5 Yet?
Contrary to what many people think, McAfee and Norton do not provide the best antivirus (AV) protection for your computer.
Also, if you don’t have the bucks for an Antivirus and you are looking for a temporary alternative (because you DO want to have paid AV, right?) look into Microsoft Security Essentials.
OTHER AV VIDEOS
Compare the competition (ok, this really isn’t the way to compare, right? still its good for a laugh):
McAfee Ad on YouTube
Norton Ad on YouTube
Got better YouTube links for Norton or McAfee?
Walk Score Maps Bring New Use to Google and Bing Maps
Sep 9th
Walk Score brings a new, powerful service to website owners who can benefit from letting web visitors see what is nearby. Nearby what? Well anything that has an address. 
These maps can be used for many purposes including real estate agents showing what is nearby properties listed on their websites, churches, schools and businesses showing what is nearby, and many other things. The use of Walk Score by website owners is limited by imagination so long as things near a specific address provide useful information to the web audience.
Walk Score information overlays Google and Bing maps, showing nearby banks, restaurants, and more, Visit the Walk Score rankings page for some interesting maps.
For example, Clage Solutions is a business near my house that recently opened its doors. A map to their location and what’s nearby could look like this (depending upon chosen options/features):
Some Great Walk Score Features
On the Walk Score site you can find Walk Scores for entire cities. If I knew years back what I know now I may have chosen a different city to live in, since Goose Creek is one of the 3 least walkable cities of South Carolina’s largest 28 cities.
Walk Score can display nearby amenities, commute drive times, maps are switchable between different map views (try it above under the Bigger map link, click Street View…), can display information for residential, commercial or travel.
Visit the WalkScore website for even more information about their useful maps.
