SEO advice: url canonicalization | Matt Cutts

SEO advice: url canonicalization: "Q: What is a canonical url? Do you have to use such a weird word, anyway?
A: Sorry that it’s a strange word; that’s what we call it around Google. Canonicalization is the process of picking the best url when there are several choices, and it usually refers to home pages. For example, most people would consider these the same urls:

* www.example.com
* example.com/
* www.example.com/index.html
* example.com/home.asp"

People don’t trust company blogs. What you should do about it.

People don’t trust company blogs. What you should do about it.: "This result comes from a survey we did in Q2 of 2008. Have a look at the data yourself. Not only do blogs rank below newspapers and portals, they rank below wikis, direct mail, company email, and message board posts. Only 16% of online consumers who read corporate blogs say they trust them."

I thought this article was worth reading because it draws attention to the level of suspicion held for corporations. For me, it underpins just why businesses shouldn't blog unless they're willing to be genuinely engaged in a conversation and not booming out marketing speak.

Micro Persuasion: Social Networking Demographics: Boomers Jump In, Gen Y Plateaus

Micro Persuasion: Social Networking Demographics: Boomers Jump In, Gen Y Plateaus

Rubel calls attention to an Accenture study which shows the social technology adoption rate is plateauing for GenY. Is this a sign they're losing interest or that they're already connected enough?

My blurb

Updated - see below

------------------------------------------------------

I've been asked to do a blurb for a course I'm running. Here's what I've come up with with the help of my Twitter friends @tessag, @rhysatwork, @ausi1, @danhaeveer and @rebeccamezzino. Any chance of a bit of collaborative help?

Peter Fletcher idle chatterer, tireless discusser and absolute twit. He has a finger in every social media pie and enjoys setting wacky challenges. His last hot shower was May 10, 2008 and in February 2009 he did 14 181 pushups. Peter blogs incessantly, tweets like there's no tomorrow and loves Facebook.

In the mid-eighties he was one of the youngest real estate agents in the state starting a business in Victoria Park and later going on to serve as a director on the board of The Professionals in WA and a member of REIWA council. He holds an MBA from Edith Cowan University, a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours from Curtin University. His research interests include

-----------------------------------------------------
Update March 20, 2009

After some wonderful help from my Twitter friends here's the finished (well for the time being anyway) product.

In true social media style, Peter has a thirst for information and a passion for sharing. Using a hands-on approach Peter has developed an intimate knowledge of the ways social software is shaping business strategy both at a local and global level. Peter knows the experience of owning a business. He has owned a successful real estate business and served as a director on the board of The Professionals in WA and as a member of the council of REIWA. He holds an MBA from Edith Cowan University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Internet Studies and a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours from Curtin University. Peter currently teaches Internet studies and business information systems at Curtin University.

All the world wide web's a stage | Pearson

Pearson discusses performance and identity formation on social networking sites.

The Future of Reputation

The Future of Reputation

Professionally produced and written e-book about reputation on the Internet.