The screen preview shows the search keywords highlighted on the destination page

Pioneering the way yet again, Google, the head honcho of search engines, has recently implemented a handy new feature that allows users to view a screen preview of sites returned in search results.

Search users can left-click on the site description to view a screen preview of that page, which also highlights where the keywords used in the search are featured on the body page.

This feature cranks search optimisation up a notch as it empowers users and allows them to make even more informed choices about the websites they visit.  It also places further emphasis on the importance of using keywords effectively throughout your website.

Microsoft has implemented a similar initiative with their ‘new kid on the block’ search engine Bing: this however, merely provides the user with additional information in text format about what can be found on sites returned in the search.

Google’s initiative is more in tune with users’ needs and requirements, and is another key milestone in enabling users to navigate the vast amount of content on the web more effectively. Here are some screenshots of the major search engines to illustrate his new area of competition.

Read on…

Well, there we have it. The Apple iPad is officially no longer just a rumour. It’s a lovely new shiny device. There’s a lot right with it; go to the Apple website to see about that. However, there’s also a lot wrong with it. Three key things really disappoint me.

Firstly, in spite of the misleading name, this is not a ‘pad’. You cannot write on it. There is no handwriting recognition, no stylus. Surely one of the key functions of a tablet should be that you can write notes on it and do away with paper pads? A cleverly-designed operating system would help no end in managing pages and pages of scrawled notes by making them searchable, date-stamping them and adding other meta-data. OK, handwriting recognition is still a technology that has a long way to go but Apple didn’t even try to address this.

Read on…

Art by Kelly “Suuqin” Chan – Words by Geoff “NotWelshMan” Scaplehorn

Just in case you were wondering what our highly-trained staff do in their spare time… well, the answer is usually “not very much”. However, some of them have used their evenings in a vaguely productive manner by putting together a blog that we can only describe as: “Opinions may not reflect those of Content Formula”.

But we liked this cartoon. Consider this our very first guest post!