Kevin Lynch has managed to say in one paragraph what I've struggled to explain to people:
The two main ways I find information on the internet today is by searching and reading blogs--blogs are another view into the world's information and we're just starting to understand how we can best visualize the connections across blogs and track relevant information as it's happening, whether it's through DayPop, Technorati, blogdex, or maybe something along the lines of power curves. Blogs provide the serendipity that is largely missing from search, while also providing the consistency of a single, current stream of thinking from a variety of points of view.
He's not alone. A growing number of folks operate that way.
Read the rest of his post, too. It's good stuff.
Posted by jzawodn at February 16, 2003 07:33 PM
I also like the fact that blogs, like for example newspapers (on paper - especially the Sunday papers), add information about stuff I DIDN'T KNOW I was interested in, but like reading about. Searchengines and (too) tuned agent-based news-collectors will just show me what I know I like to read about -- blogs broaden horizons :-)
What's about something like a google-box implemented in the new blogs named "related searches/links by google" and which gives them the possiblity to places sponsored links, mini ads or making search requests that throw the user into their search engine?
And perhaps you will get a second box with their news feed, maybe by XML/RSS feed etc.
Both could be helpful for all participating sides,
for Google delivering more ads, for blogs having some more interesting/related content and last but not least for the user.
Google + Blogger = Go_Ogle, the Mother of All Online Dating Sites
Here's how I think it will happen:
First, Google will improve the searchability of the "blogosphere" by making it easy for bloggers to append a file containing information about themselves and their blogger friends. This information will be encoded in an RDF dialect called FOAF (Friend of a Friend).
Soon after, it will start to dawn on people that the FOAF file is effectively a static online profile, while the associated blog is akin to a living profile (in the 'living document' sense).
One tipping (i.e. inflection) point later, usage of Google by date seekers will grow to an such extent that our (grand)children will read about it in their history texts. Online dating is at 26M users and growing, after all.
Soon thereafter, Google will acquire the best RDF query toolmakers and launch Go_Ogle, the mother of all online dating sites.
Once Go_Ogle is in place, the possibilities are absolutely mind-googling :^)
More on this, including a pointer to foundational code for GPLed Go_Ogle, at www.opportunityservices.com.
Thoughts?
Enjoy,
Frank Ruscica
Founder
The Opportunity Services Group :: Have Fun to Get Ready
www.opportunityservices.com
