Checking out Google’s Website Optimizer, a few things caught my eye. First of all, the help section is VERY helpful. Not only does it address possible questions about how to, why to, and when to… but it makes use of conversational mediums to receive feedback. For example, be considered for a free demo of Google AdWords
I thought that this "multi-variate" testing layout which AdWords is based on is very similar to how television researchers discover which elements of their shows appeal to their target audience. For example, the creators of Sesame Street spent a lot of time optimizing the television show for viewing by young children. They discovered, through testing combinations of elements within and without their show, that children responded positively to the puppet characters interacting with humans on the show.
"Results showed that test watchers were entranced when the ad-like segments aired, especially those with the jovial puppets, but were remarkably less interested in the street scenes. Psychologists warned CTW against a mixture of fantasy and reality elements, but producers soon decided to mix the elements."-wikipedia on Sesame Street
Sesame Street is an innovator of television watching, by providing a new path of education-entertainment mashed segments. Much like the eCommerce websites of today which are taking the world by storm. With more and more people converting to online shopping as opposed to in-person shopping, greater focus must be presented on the layout and substance of eCommerce sites. Google AdWords takes this concept to a wonderful level by providing a simple and affordable tool designed to optimize websites.
Check out FutureNow’s post by Anthony Garcia on "64 Tips to getting started with Google Website Optimizer"
All social networking sites, of different types naturally. I, personally, don’t have any need for this many different social networks. My uses of SNsites are primarily: business, music, and college. I assign one site to each of my uses. The reason I do this is because I feel that a site which focuses on a particular niche is much better at informing me of what I want to know in that niche. It is never good in any situation for one to spread themselves over many networks, in effect thinning their usability.
I wonder, How many people are willing to switch their networks? It is similar to getting a haircut, generally once you find someone who takes good care of your hair you stick with them. My 4 SNsites take good care of my social networking needs and I will stick with them. There are those sites however which have taken a seat on the back burner to make way for the mainstreamers MySpace and Facebook. These back burner sites, LiveJournal- Xanga-, were beginners in the social networking realm but were put away because of a younger generation of users’ grapple of new media. What is it about MySpace and Facebook that were so revolutionary? EASY! Their platform integrated ways to display and SHARE information. 