Googled by Ken Auletta and Here Comes Eveverybody by Clay Shirky

This is far the best book I have read about Google and it's founders. Amazon lists the book as 25 Feb 2010, so it's quite new. Ken Auletta talks at length about the ideas - he comes across as humble and genuine.

Have you read it? Tell me what you think. I don't see Google as a company that chases the $100 billion. Or how Google is in the news for all the wrong reasons i.e. China, News aggregation, rows with Apple. I see it as two guys who had a project to download the whole internet twelve years ago and filled up a house with computers in the process. They were $25 million down before they had a clue how to make the first cent.

Auletta weaves interesting fact with the thoughts and behaviours of Sergey Brin and Larry Page. There was a freaky moment while reading the book where I thought that any web page is just an advertisement for something else - well is it? Go read it and find out for yourself.

I first heard of Clay Shirky from WWGD do? by Jarvis with the idea that people can organise themselves while using the internet to get off the internet (see Meetup and the witches). This book is a harder read, but is worth it, even to understand how Wikipedia was a failure at first (Publish then Filter solved that).

Key ideas like the Birthday Paradox, Power Law and the Long Tail now have meaning - ask the Mermaids from Coney Island, see Flickr.

Shirky claims we now have the tools to change the world - is he right? Read this book and find out. As history states, the medieval scribes were none too happy about the printing press. Shirky has many videos at ted.com - see one on groups here.

I am not a fan of Facebook, but group organisation was in action when an X-factor winner's song failed to reach number one in the music charts.

So how good are you at a Google Search? Here are 20 tips

Did you know that most people find information on websites without ever going via the front page of the site? Here's how it works, Google visits a website, takes a copy and indexes it. Then you go to Google, enter a search (or for those of you speaking your search on mobiles - well done) and see the results (of the copy that Google holds). If you want see to what copy Google has, click the cached link on each result.

Most popular is open search, here are the other 19 ways to search. I know I didn't write them - I do what I do best and link to the rest (and yes I know they are not my words - Google them and find out for yourself, so who said them first?).

Google have produced a Cheat Sheet, it's called the Google Help: Cheat Sheet click the thumbnail on the right or see the link.

How did I do this? Polaroids and Bookshelves

Have a read...the deeper version is coming up - but not tonight. Those of you who know the shops bookshelf from the What's in Kenilworth? site will not see one here. I want to make one, but feel it may look naff as we see loads of Web 2.0 ensembles wherever we go. Let me have a think and see what I come up with. It's no secret that if Google can redo their banner a million times, then I can too (and so can you).

Back to the image, on the left is a Polaroid of the five political parties I made a few moments ago. So how did I do it? If I can - anyone can. Here's how:

Go to any web page or Google images will be fine. Take a screen shot (I use the Snipping Tool in Vista). Open Google Picasa, select images, create a collage. Save as an image, make another collage, use a polaroid border this time. Rotate and save again. It's done.

Here at The Mike Downes Page you can get the deeper version. I can make a web video with the brilliant Cam Studio. But why do that when I get get one already made from YouTube, so click here. I am not a big fan on embedded videos. I always like to watch a larger screen. decide for yourself:



In this instance, the video is fine with a calming voice. Some are not. Still, my aim is to get as many people as possible to know how to do all of this - only if they want to.

I have taught children in primary schools for years. There is no faster moving area than technology. It is the children who can move the fastest - adults try to think too much and feel they will break stuff. They can't. I am lucky and I know it when it comes digital stuff - it makes sense to me. I know that for others it is not, that's why I want to help everyone, to give as much knowledge away for free as possible. I would like to hear from any bloggers in Kenilworth. Email me mike@themikedownespage.com or subscribe to these sites - let's work together and make it happen.

So who are the Election Candidates for Kenilworth?

I've been avoiding anything to do with the election at all. I noticed the BBC News website had a new ELECTION 2010 section and that made it even worse. There I was skipping TV channels last Thursday evening and thought I would give the debate five minutes. 

And like the rest of the country, I am saying in a typical Brucey way - Didn't he do well. I am now a big fan of Nick Clegg (I don't think I have ever seen him speak before that night). For the whole program (and still right now), I have no idea at all who to vote for.

So who are the candidates for Kenilworth and Southam? A quick google search gives us the BBC and Coventry Evening Telegraph as two trusted sources (The Kenilworth Weekly News gives us a promise of 'Election candidates: The full list Your choice at the ballot box,' but when we click it gives a list for 2007. Oops - not really, sorry to say there is no relationship between a paper KWN and the website (I will be writing about that very soon and spilling as many digital beans as I can). 

This website is all about how we find digital stuff and if you cannot be found on Google then you do not exist. Sorry, but that's the way it is (see my other site The Mike Downes Page for all about the that). I've had personal email replies from two of the candidates (yes, I know you know who you are) and one of the top three - nothing. Shame really - I vote soon. So to the list then, we have (in alphabetical order) James Harrison, Nicholas Milton, John Moore, Nigel Rock and Jeremy Wright.

James Harrison - Green

Nicholas Milton - Labour

John Moore - UK Independence Party

Nigel Rock - Liberal Democrat

Jeremy Wright - Conservative

How to use this site (from What's in Kenilworth?)

If you know what you're looking for, type a word or two in the search box on the right. If you are just looking, click on word from the tag cloud (this is the A-Z contents of the site, but the more time a word is indexed, the larger the font becomes).

There is also a list of the most recent posts (also on the right). You can also scroll down to the site archive and see all the 130+ post in date order.  If something is missing (and I know it is because I will not stop until I answer What's in Kenilworth? completely.

I am pleased to say that Google are indexing these posts with Google Street View showing as limited augmented reality, for example, see the road outside the Sweet Shop.

Data from the sites tell me people are looking at pages here for just over 6 minutes and at nearly a thousand page views, the site is growing in readership quite well. Remember, most people will see pages from websites these days without ever going past the front page.  This site is written as a blog and every single word is Google searchable - try it for your self from search page on this page or any Google search box on a mobile, laptop or pc. I know Google's page rank sorts pages and sites, but look at the way this site is moving up the Google rankings - it is doing well without any SEO or clever web page techniques (and there are many).

My advice, get a message, say it and Google will find you - it's that simple and that's it. I will and can show you how. I am a teacher by trade, but have used the web since it started - I find it easy, but as I have said before, I know others do not and I will help you.

I would like to put a group together to meet in person to help everyone blog and web publish. If you want to know more email me at info@whatsinkenilworth.com My idea is to meet anywhere in Kenilworth that has free wifi - that's Costa, Pizza Pizzo, Starbucks and maybe The Virgins and Castle (when I check it out). BT have a great way for home users to share their wifi signal, see at www.btfon.com - see the photo on the right for a quick map.

It seems the UK is short on good bloggers. It is the new way of mass amateurisation. In other words, anyone can be anything they like aramed with a mobile phone, laptop and some web access. Take a look at my Google Profile and see what Pete Cashmore is all about - ever heard of him? I thought not. To be well known bloggers you must be known as a result of doing something on the web, not as a result of something else. For example, Stephen Fry is well known on Twitter etc, but he was a comedian/actor first. Martin Lewis from the www.moneysavingexpert.com is known because of his website. Martin is a financial journalist, so he may not count either. If you want to know more see the Forbes Web 25 or even the Top 100 Blogs in the world. Look at number 3, it's www.mashable.com run by Pete Cashmore. I do not use mashable, I prefer www.digg.com as Kevin Rose is blogs and videoblogs how he's done it all, see kevinrose.com

Also, remember any text that is blue is a link to something else, for example, the word 'augmented reality' above links to the Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality which describes what that subject is all about. Great, because the key words in this digital age are clickable, searchable and linkable - and if you are not any of those, Google will not find you. I think of the internet these days as Google because at at 63-90% of a market share (it depends where you get these percentages - just Google Market share for yourself).

I f I have not bored you already - head on over to The Mike Downes Page and see some of the books I've read and ideas I have. See you there.

Youth and Community Centre Outdoor Football Basketball Court Now Open at Weekends

The Outdoor Football/Basketball Court will now be open at weekends from 9am to 9pm as Mike Downes has agreed to open and close the court.

Anyone can play unsupervised and act responsibly. Any vandalism may result in further permanent closing.

Please email info@whatsinkenilworth.com or Andy Norman if you are interested in forming a team for a pick up Summer League.

What's in Kenilworth? and Mike Downes will be contacting local schools and clubs to advertise the court so we can all use it - as you know it's the only one of its kind in Kenilworth.

Joe Richards Fruit and Veg is coming to Talisman Square

 

Joe Richards Fruiterer and Greengrocer is soon to occupy the corner of Warwick Road at Talisman Square.  Joe Richards already has seven shops (five in Coventry). The photo on the left is the Daventry Road, Cheylsmore shop where the current head office is based. It will take about six weeks to refit the shop with opening expected to be at the start of June incorporating Joe Richards offices on the first floor of the building.

The Sonali Indian Take Away Kenilworth

Sonali Indian Take Away
33 Warwick Road
Kenilworth, CV8 1HN
tel 01926 857 733 or 01926 856300

Here is an example of a business possibly having a niche market. . The Sonali in Kenilworth does not have a website, however it does have an online ordering facilty.

I found this awkward as I could not browse the whole menu in one go, but had to navigate 20 sub menus (there is a search box though). Have you used it? I am told that many online orders come from the University of Warwick.

Compare this with the full menu at whatsinkenilworth.com, click herefor the direct link.

For Sale in De Montford Road, Kenilworth

I needed to photograph Castle Hill, couldn't get parked as an event was on. Circled Clinton Lane ended up looping down Woodcote and into De Montford.

It was then I stopped and jumped out. This is what Kenilworth used to be all about and sometimes, even now - it is.

It was then I had a Back to the Future moment (where Marty McFly is back thirty years and keeps citing modern inventions and met with odd looks).

I met the lady, 'Can I photograph your jars...for a webpage...so Google can find you?' Blank stare. 'Google...the internet?' Very blank stare. 'Do you go on the internet?' Smile and shake of the head, 'Oh, No.'
 
This experience made my day. After a quick chat, I learned most of the fruit was wild and the produce from the local market. It took three weeks for the jams to be ready and the shallots a lot less. 

It's at this point I will stop writing as I realise (and you too) I know absolutely nothing about making jams or anything else that goes into a jar...like er food.
 
What I do know is - get yourself down to De Montford Road and buy some - no buy the lot. Prices are from 20p to just over £2 (if you look close enough, you can see the top corner of the honesty box on the table. I'm back tomorrow with my kids for the Apricot Jam and if you get there before us - hands off it's ours.

465 Photographs and Pizza Pizzo

Today was spent photographing all the walk in businesses and shop fronts I could find in Kenilworth.  Out of the 465 photos in my Nikon there were not many duplicates.

While they are being processed and Geotagged, I wish to carry on the theme of seeing what Google indexes and how fast. This was posted on the Kenilworth site about six hours ago and is already features in the search results.

Pizza Pizzo Spring Menu Online NowPizzo Delipizzeria - Gourmet Pizzas to your door‎, 25 Warwick Road, CV8 1HN tel 01926 855 544‎ email mail@pizzopizza.co.uk and web www.pizzopizza.co.uk

Pizzo Pizza is the latest concept in the home dining market place. Order a Pizzo Pizza and you will always come back. All of our toppings come from our well stocked deli, and our dough is organic!  See the full menu here For the What's in Kenilworth? Web Album click here

New Today - About this site

I have called this site The Mike Downes Page as you can see, I am interested to see if a similar blog at the University of Warwick with similar content will perform better or worst in Google search results. I have been told that as Google likes Universities and if you have a University blog, then Google loves you and rewards with high search results. Let’s see what happens.

As I know, I am not the only Mike Downes out there – I am the University of Warwick educated teacher, not the Canadian jazz musician or the auto electrician from Grimsby. We will see what what develops – I have read far too many books about Google over the last few months. More on that in my next post.

What's in Kenilworth?

New project for me called What's in Kenilworth? It seems a really easy question, but between The Official Kenilworth Website, the local newspaper and all the web searches I have done - I cannot answer the question. I thought the release of Kenilworth in Google Street View would help, but that is very out of date already.

Good news is some of my geo tagged images can be seen and linked within street view, click here to see Warwick Road. I have definite plans to help the small businesses of Kenilworth, especially the ones that have no website and do not appear on Google Street View i.e. Cake Kingdom, Kenilworth Sweet Shop - there are many.

See What's in Kenilworth? at www.whatsinkenilworth.com by Mike Downes