Copyright (c) 2005 Synergy Designs! Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.synergydesigns.org/ Top Stories en-us 20070328 5 http://www.synergydesigns.org/news.php?nPath=&nID=333 20070328 The latest news on cybercrime and ID theft is grim. Several recent reports suggest that criminal financial activity is growing faster than ever. The perpetrators are rarely caught but the damage they do accounts for billions of dollars a year. http://www.synergydesigns.org/news.php?nPath=&nID=332 20070222 With the increasing uptake of social media sites such as Digg, Technorati, Slashdot, YouTube and MySpace, together with community bookmarking sites like Del.icio.us, Reddit and Ma. http://www.synergydesigns.org/news.php?nPath=&nID=331 20070212 Google algorithm updates always bring the fears of webmasters to a boiling point. In the aftermath of an algorithm update, some people come out swinging, making claims that Google is trying to put them out of business. Others look at their Google rankings and pat themselves on the back for having survived another "algo" update. http://www.synergydesigns.org/news.php?nPath=&nID=330 20070110 Motivate and Persuade Your Audience More money is wasted on advertising than any other business function. Small and mid-sized businesses in particular throw money at advertising in a vain attempt to establish themselves in the marketplace. However, there is hope that the democratizing nature of the Web environment can even the playing field and allow smaller companies to deliver their marketing messages effectively. http://www.synergydesigns.org/news.php?nPath=&nID=329 20070103 Welcome to the first edition of 2007. This is going to be a fast paced and exciting year for those of us who work the web for a living. We will see tremendous change and innovation, much of which is already in full swing. http://www.synergydesigns.org/news.php?nPath=&nID=328 20061228 While 2006 was a great year for webmasters it was a time of great change and challenge in the search engine sector. The most notable trend from 2006 was the continued advancement of Google against natural rivals Yahoo, MSN and Ask, as well as its persistent movement towards other, less obvious advertising venues. Next week we will look back at the ghosts of 2006 but as the New Year approaches, thoughts turn towards the spirits of things to come. http://www.synergydesigns.org/news.php?nPath=&nID=327 20061117 I am going to step way out on a limb. I suspect, and am willing to propose; this short period is a major transition point in the history of search. I'm marking it in my archive, if only because a niece or nephew of mine might study economics and ask about it one day. http://www.synergydesigns.org/news.php?nPath=&nID=326 20061104 According to Matt Cutts, there are over 100 factors that affect search engine ranking. For those of you who don't know, Matt is a Google guy guru, he is employed by Google but writes an independent blog and shares information related to Google and search engine optimization. Unfortunately, of those 100 items that account for search engine ranking, there are only a few that webmasters can actually control. http://www.synergydesigns.org/news.php?nPath=&nID=325 20061023 Dig into any self-labeled "SEO forum" and you'll probably find some neatly organized categories along the lines of "Google," "Yahoo," and "MSN". Checking the amount of activity in each will reveal the inclusion of Yahoo, and especially MSN, seems to be a mere "courtesy" on the part of the forum founders. Microsoft has been trying to change this for some time now, and the newly branded "Windows Live" is their latest attempt to do so. http://www.synergydesigns.org/news.php?nPath=&nID=324 20061015 Podcasting has leveled the playing field for people around the world. With just a few tools, you can quickly and easily set up your own talk show on the topic of your choice. All you need is a computer, a microphone, and a passion to share your knowledge with others.