Orkut gets a new face

Google isn't sleeping at all.They are brushing up all the old but popular things.Few days back, a friend of mine was asking about the new look.Actually, Orkut has planned to unveil the design to all next week.But when I logged in, I was the lucky one to get some glimpse of the new features.I couldn't describe it as well as the screen captures will ,so here are they:{click to enlarge}

Orkut Dashboard

Scrapbook

Scrapbook  while uploading pictures

And the best feature

So what's the major change?

Actually nothing.They are just tweaking some small but effective features.They have also changed the coding work but that doesn't make any difference

Just enjoy the new, Web 2.0 look while socializing.And don't forget to read my profile...

Milestone: Webtalks in Technorati Top 1000

Thank you all my readers for giving webtalks the honour to be in Technorati Top 1000.We are currently ranked 977, with an authority of 1,570 .So that means , if you need to accompany me, we have to get some 1,500 cool links.To be frank, I wasn't that surprised to be at this position because our site offers templates.I had planned we'll reach there by this month, so here we are.To get in Technorati top 100. we'll require an authority of around 4000 which I estimate we'll get in November/Decemeber 2007 . 

So are we a A-Lister ?

There is no valid definition when a blog is an A- Lister.But I think Webtalks isn't quite there as it is in its developing stage.I don't know about A-Lister but we'll definitely be at respectable position by the end of 2007.

Next Milestones ?

Well you may be surprised to know that still we aren't in Alexa top 100,000 .So that's my next aim.Simultaneously Feedcount is also heading towards the 100 mark.

And ofcourse...

This screen shot is of the period when Technorati got a harmful bot and as a result, all blogs were showing the same 1* rank.

Don't be worried, we aren't that major blog to reach there

Make your weblog mobile

Do you have a mobile version of your blog?No. This was the most voted answer in a poll a conducted by me for all bloggers. Let us suppose you have got a mobile with Internet connectivity{might be with GPRS}. You want to browse through your favorite blogs. A default mobile browser {like Opera for Nokia} removes all the style elements from the weblog to make it easily viewable in mobiles.I was not too pleased with the kind of page is displayed of my blog without CSS.I was looking for a service that lets me customize my mobile blog page.Then, someone from the Feedm8 team shot me an email about their service.

Customization

Feedm8 lets you create a mobile page hosted on their domain to with easy customization.It displays my {summarized} blog feed instead of the complete page which displays only desired information.You can also change the text , link color...

Monetization

You can earn money from RSS in two ways

1.Feedvertise or monetize via Post Level Ads provided by Text Link Ads.This is only for wordpress self hosted blogs.So others loose

2.Get a enormous Feed count on Feedburner and participate in the Feedburner Ad network.

As you can see both of them aren't quite as of now so only way of RSS monetization is Feedm8 Publisher Network.It supports Blogger{formerly beta},Wordpress ,TypePad, Myspace.

It lets you display ads on the mobile version of  your blog.An easy way! Though I haven't started earnings  yet, because I haven't promoted it yet.

Moreover it has also got an affiliate program with a decent paying scale, try it out here

So If you are mobile surfer, point towards feedm8.com/webtalks and enjoy your time.Even if aren't surfing it with mobile... you'll get a mobile interface , can anyone tell me which model is it?

Wrap Adsense in Blogger Blog posts

Recently, Blogger team have added an widget for displaying Adsense after each post.The implementation is simple

Log into your Blogger account at http://www.blogger.com .

Visit your blog's Template tab and click on the Page Elements link.

Click Edit in the Blog Posts section.
 

Check the box next to Show Ads Between Posts. You can then select how often you'd like your ads to appear, such as once after every post or once after every other post.

Customize the ads and click on Save Changes when you're done.

This can be a good opportunity for the non-geeks to increase their Adsense earnings.But as you know, I have already published a tutorial about placing Adsense Between Blogger Posts much before.I'll show you a comparison between the both of the features

• The widget will place your ad only after post is over but with my tutorial you can place Adsense Ad units between post title and post body of any blogger blog
• The widget permits only Adsense for content.With my hack, you can place referrals,search boxes also.Moreover, you can also place any third party Advertisement which gives you a JavaScript code

If you can do simple HTML editing, you can use my hack instead of this feature as it is a much better option.Moreover, I have also given you a hack to display ads only in post pages or in simple words, display Adsense Ad units in posts only on pages with one post and not on homepage or vice versa.

There's no doubt, my hack will give better results, but if you are a non-geek, I will recommend this widget.

Thank you...

But Why?

This is the 100th post of our weblog, Webtalks.Webtalks began its journey on Feburary 27, 2007 and in just about 7 months, I'm writing the hundredth post of this weblog.Webtalks isn't in any of the major blog network.Moreover, My starting budget was 0$.So I didn't advertise ,the blog took a lot of time to get a decent rank and a distinct name in the blogosphere.Still, there is a long way to go.I still remember the day, when somebody offered me 20$ for buying my blog and I almost said yes until my sister advised me to be a bit patient and I'll earn triple of that amount in a month.Remember,your hardwork pays and I was quite sure that my hardwork is not worth 20$.

But the real motivators were you, all readers reading this blog via RSS, all visitors reading this post on blog, all 2600 blogs which considered linking to me , Search Engine bots like Googlebot who puts my content on their indexes and gives me some visitors, Google's technology which gave away a PR of 3, and rest of my online friends who guided me.

Well that seems something like a vote of thanks.If you are a new blogger, you'll find it interesting that I earned only about 5 $ in my first month, but now I earn about 30$  to 40$ {not good enough though} .It was the patience that led me forward.To be honest, Adsense gives only 20 % of my total earnings.Sites like Text Link Ads have fascinated me with their affiliate program.From this month onwards, I'll give you monthly income report at the starting of a new month so that you can plan from my experience.And don't forget,  something is hidden in this post

HP 7

iPhones- the most wanted amongst techies

These days iPhones are popular amongst techies.Even I want one, but as it is, it has not been launched in India yet.Moreover,the price tag with it make me sweat as blog income is only around 80$/month .How about winning a one in a simple blog contest?I have come across two of them, which gives you are free iPhone if you win

• First one is being organized by AskReaMoar.All you need to do is link to his blog homepage, contest page, and any article authored by him which you like the most.Deadline for entering is August 31 .I didn't visited his blog before so I went over to the top posts and read over is Harry Potter and the Root password post, and enjoyed, as I too am a crazy potter fan.

What will make me win?
Be creative, socialize your post as much as possible and count your luck{though I think cow is dominating with his milk}

As far as creativity is concerned, she already has given 3 examples pics.I have recently learned some Web 2.0 effects.So I had my brush up in photoshop and the result is displayed below

And a cool Web 2.0 image from my side

• Second, organizer is Mr. Gary Lee. All you need to link to his homepage, with keyword "Internet Marketing",a link to BunkersParadise.com with keyword "Golf Equipment" and the last link to Pinkdeals.com , using keyword "Online Coupon Code".Its good to see that he has his own promotion banner{no more photoshop job for me}

• Third, Buzzpatrol is offering another one.Though there are many ways to enter the contest, I'll just give a linkback with the keyword "Entertainment News"

There are many other competitions too being held, but why to give each and every a free linkback?

Why Updating Blog on Sunday makes sense

Sunday,a holiday..Almost all regular probloggers hate updating their blogs on Sunday.They prefer taking a break.But at the same time we, part time bloggers are free from their regular jobs.Over the last few days, I have observed that my traffic dips on Sundays.Reason being, even I used to take a break.

To maintain,my traffic I planned to post on Sunday .And the result, I get the regular traffic.

This traffic I was sure, would go to a major blog if it would have been updated.Not only this, most teenagers and the ones who are taking higher education are most of time online on Sundays which sometimes also gave a boost to my traffic from search engines like technorati.who ranks according to freshness.

You may write a whole post just before the week end and then post on sunday with which you'll enjoy both the things.

Adding to this, when I post on sunday, and any reader of mine opens his account on monday, he'll first of all read my feed.Also, Google almost crawls my site daily.If I post on sunday , and Google Crawler{who doesn't take a break} indexes it, by monday, I'll hit the top shacks on Google before any major website does and then I'll enjoy targeted traffic.

So, today's Sunday, hope you'll read this on Monday and then post next Sunday.

Your blogger profile is now socialized

 

Blogger team has added a  new feature, this time in user's profile pages. They have added  universal search of the interests, hobbies, etc. similar to orkut's universal search.This way bloggers can find bloggers blogging with similar interests.Furthermore, the rankings in the result page would be in order of most freshly updated blogs instead of popular blogs which is somewhat like Technorati search which will sort out so called "lazy bloggers".So go ahead, share your interests... you may start from my profile

Integrate Live Writer with New Blogger{Beta}

Recently, as many of you must be knowing, I've started publishing via Windows Live Writer on my Blogger.It saves me a lot of time, as I am using a slow Internet connection.somebody advised me to use Live Writer, so I downloaded it.Since its downloading there has been many glitches until its finally installed.I was looking for help on web but didn't get how to sort it out.So I am writing this post to provide a quick and easy guide how to make Live Writer work with New Blogger {Blogger beta}

1. Download the latest version
2. Install it
3. Done !

It wasn't although these two steps involved some glitches, I'll point out some solutions of common errors

• Windows Live Writer requires the latest .Net Framework {above 1.1}.You can download ver. 2 from here[Size 22.5 MB]
• Windows Live writer requires latest Windows Installer.Can be downloaded from here

These all steps will finally run your installation but after some time, you'll get stuck up some where it asks you the Remote posting URL, and when entered , it says you are unauthorized

This can be passed by :

• First you get this page.Fill in your blogspot blog URL, you blogger username {with email} and then your blogger password

 

• Click on Edit Proxy Settings,Fill up the the information as shown .Leave proxy address field blank

Click on Apply button.Then proceed

This will lead you to a page,from where it starts downloading your blog layout & content.Hopefully,There will not be any errors there onwards

If it still asks for a feed-id, your feed id is you blog ID only and can be found when you write a post in blogger, you get a line in URL box such

www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2098914940539760194

Where my blog ID is 2098914940539760194 which also acts as my feed id and looks something like this

http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2098914940539760194/posts/full

Get tri-coloured

Why not?

when Google...

Orkut...

Yahoo...

so why not Webtalks...

Happy Independence Day to all Indians reading my blog

Contest: Win a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Well here is a contest for you all.I had planned to hold it after the July/August Pagerank update but it seems like Googlers are having a sleep.Now what you can win is a free copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.It was released last month, but if you are a potter fan and could only read in a library or by borrowing, here is a cool offer.Even if you don't know who Harry Potter is, you can keep this book as an example of outstanding imaginative power of Human Being.Also, it is the fastest selling book ever in history, have your one

I  had preordered two books , so I can give away one to any Indian if he wins.If you are of other nation, we'll use a local dealer or Amazon

HOW TO ENTER?

I can understand that some of my readers can't review my blog {this system is popular these days} so I have got something for them also.

OPTION 1- Subscribe to our Rss feed {or by email} .Where you'll get something in the post footer which will only be visible in your reader/inbox. Tell me what it is by mailing me at khare(dot)ashwini(at)gmail.com as soon as you find it.

OPTION 2-You can put a line,mentioning about this by contest linking to this post in any of the blog post  of yours published after 15 August.For eg

Today's Special:Win a copy of Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows

The entries by this method will get a free link back in a thank you post

As soon as I published this post, I got a reply from a reader that I'm a lier and not going to give away any such book or so to prove myself right, Here's myself holding the copy.{Taken via Webcam}

 

When your server is down...

Recently, My ISP's server crashed.That was the reason I couldn't update this blog.Connecting to even twitter was impossible.As I am a blog addict (and many of you are), I was frustrated.So I thought instead of complaining after every 5 minutes, lets utilize the time as I have already ensure that the new server would be installed soon.Below are few things I did offline

Take a Break
You've blogging daily for a week or even a month or maybe even a year.Taking a break from blogging and enjoying the environment will keep your mind fresh.This will automatically result in fantastic post ideas coming in your brain

Be neat
My room's a mess.It was stinking very badly until I spent a whole day in it.Now I'm feeling good, comfortable and enjoying my time in my room.

Upgrade your system
Offline for 5 days meant I have installed some cool software.I've also upgraded to Vista.I have upgraded my Live Writer and I'm publishing through it for the first time.I'm getting more productive as Live Writer is saving a lot of time and I can now publish at least a post daily even with a dial-up

Get Creative
I've learned some cool Web 2.0 effects on Photoshop and have created some standard size logos.You can view one of them below.Also Now I'm giving Webtalks a new look as the current theme looks crappy in 800 x 600 resolution.A sneak peak can be found here.Don't worry I'll give the current as well as the new template for download once I'm done

 

Read
The more you read, the more your vocabulary gets better.I've recently read Harry Potter and the Deathly hallows literally for the hundredth time, but this time reading each and every word by enjoying it!and don't forget you too can win a copy of HP and Deathly Hallows in the upcoming competition.

Plan
Now that you have enough time, spend some planning a strategy for its promotion etc.I have thought that I will advertise on many other blogs.More information coming soon 

These tips are particularly for Indians and I think, I don't need to tell you why.

Advertising Made Easy

Welcome to the Advertising section of our blog. You may choose any any option to get your service endorsed. There is no limitation on the advertising term. We don’t accept Adult Ads. Payments by PayPal only.

There is a reason why you should go ahead advertising on this blog

• Webtalks receives 150 – 200 unique visitors in a day [to view Statcounter stats click here].Webtalks was created in Feburary 2007 and since then traffic inflation per month is 20 %.

• Webtalks also offers blogger templates. These templates are downloaded ~ 100 times a day. Technorati reports that we get ~10 new oneway backlinks everyday and an authority of ~300 per month. Webtalks has a Technorati authority of 1500 so far and is currently in its top 100 blogs out of 90 million. Much more details in Advertising option 5

• Webtalks has a PR of 3

• Traffic Webtalks receives is much targeted, most from Google. Most Visitors are from USA, UK, India ,Argentina, Canda {according to alexa}.

• Webtalks offers full RSS feed and the feed count is
So atleast 50 people would have your post in their inboxes/readers

• According to Text Link Ads blog juice calculator, We have a rating of 4.5/10 much ahead of its competitors

• Webtalks has received blog of the day award

• Webtalks is featured in Top Indian Blog lists hosted by Digital Inspiration

OPTION 1 Web Banner.
A rotating banner on top of each page of size 468 x 60. animation permitted. Should be a GIF, JPEG, or a PNG format image. Prices 20 $/month. Minimum term – 2 months.Special- 50 $ for three months

OPTION 2 Google Adwords
Follow this link to advertise on this blog via Google Adwords.Sign up if you don’t have an account yet. Text/Image/Animation/Flash/Video/Referral 2.0 permitted.

OPTION 3 Sponsored Post
Review me advertisers can follow this link and Sponsored reviews advertisers can follow this link. Or buzz me up if you don’t have any account of the above .Price 40 $/ post via Sponsored Post and Review Me. 30 $ via Direct Email.

OPTION 4 Text Link Ads
If you want a static link , you follow this link. Remember, you need to sign up first! Price 15 $/month. Min. term 2 months.Apply here

OPTION 5 -300 Technorati Authority^New!
Do you want an authority of 300 per month at a nominal cost? Here it is.
Min. Price 35 $/month. Bidding started from today. Remember if an advertiser offers me much more cash than the previous advertiser in his term, I will not cancel the bid of the previous advertiser in mid term to protect advertisers. Bidding opens on 1st of each month
Min. term 1 month

Important –
Buy buying ad spots, you give me sole right to approve/ reject the ad.I have the right to delete any advertisers ad if I found it harmful to the security of blog or for its visitors.Please give your site's complete details while applying added with your contact email

Buy an Ad | Give us your feedback

Haloscan- The new blogger onsite comment form

I've been wondering around on the web to look for an service that provides script for commenting on new blogger blogs.Reason: to comment, you have to click on an external link,first sign in {if you aren't} then retype then fill in CAPTCHA {if enabled}.This is a very time consuming and irritating process.On the other hand, Wordpress blogs have on site comment forms which invites more and more readers to comment, easily.

I came across a few sites, but their scripts weren't successful.Then finally I came across Haloscan.com that provides

• Onsite comment forms for new blogger
  


• Installation wizard for different blogging platforms {including both versions of blogger} so no play of code here


• Integrated support for smileys{blogger doesn't support them} and an image uploading option [even wordpress doesn't provide free image hosting for comments]


• Track back Included


• Recent Comments widget


• Getting email address of the commenter!

I have just signed up but not installed it as my previous comments wouldn't be visible anymore{if I remove commenting link}.Haloscan.com is still in beta testing phase and their are many fluctuations in its Data Centers and its users are a bit annoyed with it

What I recommend is that you go with Haloscan.com if your blog is new or doesn't have much comments.

Haloscan.com | Thanks Peter

Want a fake Google Pagerank

Recently I came across a new term Fake Google PR. When I read about it, I thought it as a joke but when it worked, I was shocked. Crackers have done it again! Didn’t spare Google Pagerank. With fake Pagerank you can get a PR the toolbar displays on your site of your choice. This is good enough to fool an advertiser. You can find the steps how do it below{thanks to black hat seo){But I don’t recommend doing so}

1. Buy a domain{don’t experiment on established one}.

2. 301 Redirect the domain either in you .htaccess, PHP header (anything server side) to a page with the desired page rank. It’s better to redirect to something relevant. For example, if you are doing a mortgage site, redirect to a mortgage site.
for php the code is:
<?php
header(”HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently”);
header(”location:http://www.seoblackhat.com”);
exit;
?>

3. Link to the page with the redirect from another of your sites that gets regularly spidered by Google. Since you use the Alexa Toolbar, you should have several sites that are spidered daily by google.

4. Wait for google update. Google Updates happen about every three months.

5.Now you use cloaking software that says:
<?php
if(ip is in list) (list of google IPs){
header(”HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently”);
header(”location:http://www.seoblackhat.com”);
exit;}
else
{
header(’Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1′);
//Show your site
};
?>



But still I don’t recommend it as your site will not actually be indexed by Google as long as you are redirecting the Googlebots to your competitors site, so it’s really only good for link selling / trading.
If you don’t want to experiment, Seo dark team {why do they keep such names?}
Have already done so with their site having a PR of 10,9,8,7,6 {for different pages ofcourse}

If you are an advertiser buying links please go through a quick check Google Pagerank check across its different Datacenters or you may try Pagerank Detection Tool

Add framez' to your digtal photographs

Digital frames is an online electric store which has specializing in LCD {Liquid Crystal Display} digital photo frames.Adding a wonderful 7",8",9" or a 10" digital frame will surely add new life to your digital photos.Their working is simple

All frames are compatible with JPEG, MP4, DivX, AVI, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, MP3, WMA, WAV formats. Besides your pictures, you can also view movie clips that have been taken with your camera, even play music in the background.

The standard, Five-in-one Card Reader supports CF/XD/MS/SD/MMC cards. In addition, there is also a USB 2.0 connection for maximum compatibility

With the built-in stereo speakers, you don't need any extra cables to plug an external speaker. However all products have 1/8'' headphone out for more private use.

The infrared remote control (included with the price) offers an easy access to the settings and preferences of your photos.

Movie clips, beautiful songs playing in background will surely make you enjoy sharing your memories.Digital Photo frames has a wide variety of LCD frames in 7,8,9 & 10 sizes

You can also read their customer testimonial page to see how the things have gone so far for existing customers.They accept payments from Visa,Mastercard,Paypal,Visa Electron.Make sure you read their terms and conditions before buying!

*Sponsored Post*