Google recently announced on their Webmaster Central blog that they no longer use the keywords meta tag. Big news? Not necessarily. In fact, Google had apparently not been using keywords for quite some time and had only recently made the public statement about it. That being said, I do find it interesting because this again stresses the importance of keyword-rich page content.

Keep in mind that other search engines still use the keywords meta tag in the HTML code, so this by no means indicates that you should stop using keywords. Instead, use this as a reminder of how important it is to review your page content along with your image ALT values, page titles, heading text, etc. to be sure you are maximizing your efforts to get the best return.

This also raises the question…if Google has dropped the use of this meta tag (for now), will others follow? Bing hasn’t really indicated either way, but they do make it clear that the keywords meta tag is not “the panacea it once was”.

Does the internet need to be corralled in order to remain unbounded as it is today?  You may have read that question twice to understand it, but when you boil it down that’s the basic underlying question of net neutrality.  Today, the technology exists to block certain kinds of network traffic, whether that be a particular geographic area or perhaps an application.  I understand the need to be able to monitor network traffic and adapt accordingly.  That I like.  I also understand that when taken to the nth degree, it would be entirely possible for a ISP or telecom to block or reroute whatever they choose.  Some argue that choice may be exercised by restricting or impeding a competitor.  Or worse, you and me.  That I don’t like.   When corporations are allowed to act with impunity, the track record shows that consumers lose out.

Two days ago, six senators got their collective panties in a bunch when FCC Chairman Genachowski announced his new plan to put regulations in place.  Before I could link to a story about it, they had already changed their minds.   I encourage you to read the press release from Chairman Genochowski and start to form your own opinion, keeping in mind that details are scarce and this will evolve over time.

I love it when a band can just pick up some guitars and truly jam. One band that is starting to get a lot of recognition and is on tour with Silversun Pickups this fall is ‘Cage The Elephant’. If you haven’t checked them out, start with this video. It’s a great example of their raw talent, just jammin’ (and drinkin’) on top of their tour van/bus.

Schematic Flash Website

Okay, enough about Schematic as a company. I’m always inspired when I see something new to me. Maybe I don’t get out much, but I’m on the web most of my waking hours and I found the Schematic website to be something very interesting and inspiring with the use of Flash. Their company sells the interface and coolness, so their website works well for them. Take a look.

I like it for several reasons, but primarily because it is clean, easy to navigate and it shows you some of the possibilities when we think outside the box.

A funny thing occurred to me as I was busy push-mowing my lawn over the weekend. I put in so much time and effort to make the front of the house look great because it’s what people can see.  I might pull weeds by hand one day or maybe run the sprinkler or even pay to have it aerated. I want to be happy with my lawn…sure.  Who doesn’t?  But, I also want people to drive by my house and think to themselves, “there’s a nice looking place”.

The interesting thing about all of this is my approach to the back yard – just get it mowed.  I spend less time on the back yard and I rarely look forward to working back there. It’s just “part of the job”. So, I pick up the pace a bit and the back yard definitely gets mowed, but it’s no manicure like the front yard gets.

I know this may sound like a silly example, but it relates to many web projects I see.  There is simply SO much going on with a website, but ultimately the stakeholders are most concerned with what people see when they drive by your site.  Or, maybe it’s your developers who are quick to make light of the requirements, specs, development and/or testing because nobody “sees it”.  The truth is, every bit of your site is important and should not be taken lightly.

Particularly in this economy, we face challenges with client budget issues often.  The story is usually the same – “we need a great website but we don’t really have any money”.  Or, “can’t you just make me a site that looks like that one?”  It’s tough.  How do we balance getting the customer what they need but without cutting too many corners and treating parts of their site like my back yard?  It’s a tough job, that’s for sure.