Alt Attribute & SEO Optimization

SEO Optimization images is becoming increasingly more important in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for websites. The ALT attribute is a critical step that is sometimes forgotten. This can be a lost chance of better rankings.

In Google's webmaster guidelines, they advise using alternative text for that images in your web site:

Images:. Make use of the alt attribute to supply descriptive text. In addition, we recommend utilizing a human-readable caption and descriptive text round the image.

Why would they ask us to do that? The answer is easy, really; search engines like google have a similar problem as blind users. They cannot see the images.

Many webmasters and inexperienced or unethical SEOs abuse using this attribute, trying to stuff it with keywords, hoping to achieve a particular keyword density, which isn't as relevant for rankings now since it once was.

On the contrary, high keyword density can, on some search engines like google, trigger spam filters, which may create a penalty for the site's ranking. Even without such a penalty, your site's rankings won't benefit from this tactic.
This process also puts persons who use screen readers at a greater disadvantage. Screen readers are software-based tools that really read aloud the items in what is shown on the screen. In browsing the web, the alt features of images are read aloud as well.

Imagine listening to a paragraph of text that is then repetitions of many keywords. The page will be not even close to accessible, and, to put it mildly, would be found quite annoying.
What exactly is an Alt attribute?

An ALT attribute should not be used like a description or a label to have an image, though many people utilize it in that fashion. Though it might seem natural to assume that alternate text is really a label or a description, it is not!

What used inside an image's alt attribute ought to be its text equivalent and convey the same information or serve exactly the same purpose that the image would.

The thing would be to supply the same functional information that the visual user would see. The alt attribute text should function as a "stand in" in the event that the image is unavailable. Ask yourself this question: Should you replace the image with the text, would most users get the same basic information, and wouldn't it create the same response?
Some examples:

 

Some SEO Optimization Tips

If a search button is a magnifying glass or binoculars its alt text should be 'search' or 'find' not 'magnifying glass' or 'binoculars'.

If an image is supposed to convey the literal items in the look, then a description is appropriate.

If it's meant to convey data, then that information is what's appropriate.

If it's designed to convey using a function, then your function itself is what should be used.

Some Alt Attribute Guidelines:

Always add alt attributes to images. Alt is mandatory for accessibility as well as for valid XHTML.

For images that play only a decorative role in the page, make use of an empty alt (i.e. alt="") or a CSS background image to ensure that reading browsers don't bother users by uttering such things as "spacer image".

Remember that it is the function of the image we're attempting to convey. For instance; any button images should not range from the word "button" within the alt text. They should emphasize the action performed through the button.

Alt text should be based on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text.

Attempt to flow alt text with the remainder of the text because that's the way it will be read with adaptive technologies like screen readers. Someone listening to your page should hardly remember that a graphic image can there be.
Please remember that utilizing an alt attribute for every image is needed to satisfy the minimum WAI requirements, which are used as the benchmark for accessibility laws in UK and the rest of Europe. They are also necessary to meet "Section 508" accessibility requirements in america.

It is useful to categorize non-text content into three levels:

Eye-Candy
Mood-Setting
Content and Function

I. Eye-Candy

Eye-Candy are things that serve no purpose other than to create a site visually appealing/attractive and (in many cases) satisfy the marketing departments. There isn't any content value (though there might be value to some sighted user).

Never alt-ify eye-candy unless there is something there that will boost the usability of the site for somebody using a non-visual user agent. Make use of a null alt attribute or background images in CSS for eye-candy.

II. Mood-Setting

This is actually the middle layer of graphics which might actually set the mood or set happens as it were. These graphics aren't direct content and could 't be considered essential, but they are important in they help frame what is going on.

Try to alt-ify the second group as is sensible and it is relevant. There might be instances when doing this might be annoying or detrimental with other users. Then try to avoid it.

For example; Alt text that's just like adjacent text is unnecessary, as well as an irritant to screen reader users. I suggest alt="" or background CSS images in such instances. But sometimes, it's vital that you understand this content in there for all users.

Usually it depends on context. Exactly the same image in a different context may need drastically different alt text. Obviously, content ought to always be fully available. The way you go in this example is a judgment call.

III. Content and Function

This is when the look may be the actual content. Always alt-ify content and functional images. Title and long description attributes may also be in order.
The reason many authors can't figure out why their alt text isn't working is they don't know why the images exist. You have to determined exactly what function a picture serves. Think about what it is about the image that's important to the page's intended audience.

Every graphic has a reason for standing on that page: because it either improves the theme/ mood/ atmosphere or it is advisable to what are the page is trying to explain. Knowing what the look is for makes alt text easier to write. And exercise writing them definitely helps.
A method to check the usefulness of alternative text would be to imagine reading the page on the phone to someone. An amount you say when encountering a particular image to create the page understandable towards the listener?

Besides the alt attribute you've got a couple more tools available for images.
First, in degree of descriptiveness title is within between alt and longdesc. It adds useful information and may add flavor. The title attribute is optionally rendered through the user agent. Remember they are invisible and never shown like a "tooltip" when focus is received via the keyboard. (A lot for device independence). So make use of the title attribute only for advisory information.
Second, the longdesc attribute points towards the URL of a full description of the image. When the information contained in a picture is essential to the concept of the page (i.e. some important content will be lost if the image was removed), an extended description than the "alt" attribute can reasonably display should be used. It may provide for rich, expressive documentation of the visual image.

It should be used when alt and title are insufficient to embody the visual qualities of the image. As Clark [1] states, "A longdesc is a long description of the image...The aim is by using any period of description necessary to impart the details from the graphic.

It wouldn't be remiss to hope that a long description conjures an image - the look - in the mind's eye, an analogy that is true even for the totally blind."

Even though alt attribute is mandatory for web accessibility as well as for valid (X)HTML, not all images need alternative text, long descriptions, or titles.

Oftentimes, you are best just going with your gut instinct -- if it's not essential to incorporate it, and when you don't possess a strong urge to do it, don't include that longdesc.

However, if it's necessary for the whole page to operate, then you have to include the alt text (or title or longdesc).

What's necessary and what's not depends a lot on the function of the image and its context on the page.

The same image may need alt text (or title or longdesc) in a single spot, although not in another. If an image provides simply no content or functional information alt="" or background CSS images may be appropriate to make use of. However, if the image provides content or adds functional information an alt would be required and perhaps a long description would be so as. Oftentimes this type of thing is a judgement call.

Image Search Engine Optimization Tips

Listed below are key steps in optimizing images:

Select a logical file name that reinforces the keywords. You should use hyphens in the file name to isolate the keyword, but avoid to exceeding two hyphens. Avoid using underscores as a word separator, like for example "brilliant-diamonds.jpg";

Label the file extension. For example, if the image internet search engine sees a ".jpg" (JPEG) file extension, it's going to assume that the file is a photo, and if it sees a ".gif" (GIF) file extension, it's going to assume that it is a graphic;

Ensure that the written text nearby the image that is highly relevant to that image.
Again, do not lose a great opportunity to help your website together with your images in search engines. Use these steps to position better on all of the engines and drive more traffic for your site TODAY.

SEO Optimization Services

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Bench Craft Company on the art of ebay

There has been a lot of talk as to whether or not social media is the front runner in another inflated internet bubble waiting to burst, leaving users “virtually” friendless and clueless. Will everyone be out of the loop, with no one keeping track of daily deals, happenings or status updates? Warren Buffet confirmed this fear stating that although it’s not as big as the dot com bubble, social media is not long term by any means. However, industry trends and buyer behaviors are stating otherwise.

Facebook has proven beneficial to marketing efforts for B2C companies, but B2B marketing has struggled to find its footing on the platform. That’s where LinkedIn has emerged as the go-to medium for B2B marketers.

A recent study done by BtoB Magazine, showed that when asked “Which of the following social media methods does your company currently use for your B2B marketing (i.e. not personal use)” 72% of B2B marketers said LinkedIn. After reaching more than 100 million users, LinkedIn has solidified its niche as Facebook in a business suit, and B2B companies have taken notice.

The 2011 State of Inbound Marketing (an annual report done by HubSpot, an inbound marketing software company) found that 61% of B2B marketers who participated in the survey acquired a customer through LinkedIn. The targeted and measurable aspect of inbound marketing is what makes it so attractive to smart business owners who are tired of spending money on marketing with no proof that it’s working. Former Chief Marketing Officer of McDonald’s, M. Lawrence Light said, “It no longer makes economic sense to send an advertising message to the many, in hopes of persuading the few.”

Continued on the next page

Here is a roundup of important small business tips to start out your week on the right track. We’ve tried to collect some of the best resources to get you started but we’d love to hear from readers as well, so if you’ve got some tips or advice to add, please, as always, leave them in the comment section below. Enjoy!

Legal

Legal tips for your small business. From Jeffrey Fabian of Fabian LLC, serving small business and legal professionals, here are a collection of legal issues every small business must look out for. Consulting on legal matters with an attorney can be another important step, but remember that legal issues of all kinds come with the territory in small business, so be prepared. 365 Days of Startups

Ideas for maintaining your professional image. As a small business owner or entrepreneur, your online reputation is becoming more important every day. So what does a Google search say about you? If you don’t know yet, you should find out. Reputation has always been an important commodity in the business world. The Internet has made it more important than ever. Beware! Startup Professionals Musings

Customer Service

Tips for creating a more appealing product or service. You may think you’re giving your customers choices, but, in reality, you’re only handing them indecision. And perhaps an invitation to do nothing? Here’s an alternative. Give them a step-by-step on how to use your product. Tell them what to do and how to do it. And don’t worry if it doesn’t fit every customer’s needs. They’ll create the fit that’s right for them. Chris Brogan

Marketing

How to set yourself apart from competitors. Saying you’re better than your competitors just isn’t good enough (even if it’s true.) The question is what you can offer customers that is different from any one else in the market. Create a service no one else provides in exactly the same way, and you’ll have a marketing strategy that can work in the long run. Duct Tape Marketing

How to use “help marketing” to strengthen your business and brand. You can call this PR instead of marketing if you like, but no matter what you call it, it may be the best thing for your brand and business, if you do it right. Helping others including your customers is really what your business should be about anyway. So don’t be afraid to show your willingness to extend a helping hand. TechLunatic

Startup

How to seek help from business accelerators. Efforts to get new businesses up and running have increased in recent years and business accelerators in various forms are spreading across the country, according to this piece on the trend. Often these organizations offer “more help than funding” but can still be an important resource depending upon the nature of your startup. Bloomberg Businessweek

Taxes

How to prepare for tax compliance expenses in your small business. Ballooning tax regulations are a huge source of expense for small businesses, especially here in the U.S. It’s important for small business owners to consider the expenses related to tax compliance, since this is likely to be an ongoing burden for small business owners into the foreseeable future. WSJ

Last minute tips for last minute tax filers. If you’re doing your small business tax filings on your own, here are some last minute tips you may want to consider ranging from how to file an extension to how long to keep your tax records and more. If you want some last minute advice as the tax deadline closes in, why not take a few minutes and watch the video? BostoneHerald.com

Self-development

A new persription for stress and overwork: relax! Small business owners and entrepreneurs, like everyone else, experience burnout at times and can easily become overwhelmed with work. After all, when the final responsibility for everything falls upon you, there’s no one else to turn to. But experts now suggest that taking those breaks when necessary can be absolutely essential. Here’s more. The Globe And Mail

Tech

Tips for keeping your business technology up and running. Keeping your business technology alive and kicking is not just a luxury in today’s small business world. It is an absolute and vital necessity! So tips on keeping the critical tools you use to operate your business and serve your customers should always be a priority. Here are some tips you won’t want to forget. Jackrabbit.com Blog

From Small Business TrendsSmall Business News: Best Small Biz Tips Today

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Georgia Bulldogs outfielder Johnathan Taylor has partial paralysis

Georgia outfielder Johnathan Taylor, who broke his neck while colliding with a teammate in a March 6 game against Florida State, is paralyzed from the waist down but showing signs of improvement, his doctors said.

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Multiple Sources Confirm New Nintendo HD Console - <b>News</b> - www <b>...</b>

Game Informer has heard from multiple sources that Nintendo will unveil its new home console at this year's E3 – or maybe even sooner.

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Apple releases iOS 4.3.2 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch | iLounge <b>News</b>

iLounge news discussing the Apple releases iOS 4.3.2 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch. Find more Apple news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

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We’ve been hearing all kinds of Chatter that the next version of Final Cut Pro will debut in Vegas at NAB next week.  Thing is, we hear this every year and Apple hasn’t really done a NAB properly in awhile.  That’s OK, we’ll take that we can get.

Rumors are flying that Apple will be using the Vegas Supermeet to announce the next version of Final Cut Pro. Supposedly, Apple will be taking over the entire event for their announcement, cancelling all other sponsors, including AJA, Avid, Canon, BlackMagic, Autodesk and others, who were set to give presentations.

Philip Bloom just confirmed with me that Canon has canceled his appearance at the Supermeet. Canon was told last night that Apple has demanded ALL “lecturn” or stage time exclusively. Some sponsors who were not using presenters may continue to sponsor the Vegas event, but none of them will be presenting on the stage. I can’t imagine any news that would warrant this kind of “take-over” other than to announce and demonstrate the next full version of Final Cut Pro and possibly an entirely newly designed FCS4.

(UPDATE: Avid confirmed that Supermeet (Michael Horton) told them last night that their sponsorship had been cancelled. According to Avid, “Apple doesn’t want anyone to have stage time but them.”)

Who’s up for Vegas?

We heard the first concrete details about Apple’s all new Final Cut Pro coming during Spring this year, and recently some new information has come to light. Final Cut Studio expert Larry Jordan was one of the people at Apple’s meeting, demonstrating the upcoming upgrade to the professional film-making software.

Jordan can’t say much about the upgrade, due to an NDA with Apple, but he did say it is a “jaw-dropper.” Besides the “jaw-dropper” part, the thing we are taking most from his blog post is the fact that Apple allowed him to write it up. It appears that Apple already considers the software public knowledge. Afterall, Apple CEO Steve Jobs did tell a 9to5mac reader to buckle up for it.

Thanks to Charlie Sanchez

Related articles

• Next Final Cut Pro is a “jawdropper,” Apple considers it public knowledge, and will it drop at NAB? (9to5mac.com)
• Apple says last Xserve orders shipping in April, here’s what’s next for XSAN (9to5mac.com)
• Nasdaq to cut Apple’s weighting in rebalancing (9to5mac.com)
• Feeling the heat, HP and Dell execs lash out at Apple, pray iPad will fail (9to5mac.com)
• Certain MacBook Pro models ‘unavailable’ for reservation at many Apple Stores (9to5mac.com)
• Apple asks Toyota to remove the Scion theme from Cydia (9to5mac.com)
• New Final Cut Pro hits Spring ’11 and it’s the “biggest overhaul yet” (9to5mac.com)
• iOS 5 pushed to the fall: major revamp, cloud-based, WWDC preview? (9to5mac.com)

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak said in an interview this week that he would consider returning to an active role at the company he helped start if asked.



During an interview in England this week, Wozniak said, "I'd consider it, yeah," when asked whether he would play a more active role if asked, Reuters reports.



Wozniak, Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne founded Apple Computer in 1976. Wozniak left his full-time role with the company in 1987, but remains an employee and shareholder of Apple.



Since leaving Apple, Wozniak has been involved in a wide range of entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors. He currently serves as Chief Scientist for storage company Fusion-io.



Meanwhile, Jobs is currently taking an indefinite leave of absence to focus on his health, though he remains CEO of Apple and continues to be involved in strategic decisions.



Wozniak, who has widely been acknowledged as the technical genius behind Apple's early success, believes that he has a lot to offer the company he helped start, which went on to become the world's second-largest company in terms of market value.



"There's just an awful lot I know about Apple products and competing products that has some relevance, some meaning. They're my own feelings, though," Wozniak said during the interview.



When asked his opinion on Apple today, Wozniak praised the company for its track record with recent products. "Unbelievable," he said, "The products, one after another, quality and hits."



Even so, Wozniak admitted that he'd prefer Apple's devices to be more open, so he can "get in there and add [his] own touches." Last December, Wozniak revealed that he had purchased a DIY kit for the iPhone 4 and "modded" the device into the as-yet-unreleased white version.



"My thinking is that Apple could be more open and not lose sales," said Wozniak, while adding, "I'm sure they're making the right decisions for the right reasons for Apple."



Wozniak has been committed to openness since the beginning. In December, Wozniak told reporters that he didn't design the original Apple I to make a lot of money and had given the designs away for free after his former employer HP showed no interest in the computer.

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Next, Odeo moved into an office and started hiring more employees – including a quiet, on-again, off-again Web designer named Jack Dorsey and an engineer named Blaine Cook. Evan Williams became Odeo's CEO.

By July 2005, Odeo had a product: a platform for podcasting.

But then, in the fall of 2005, "the shit hit the fan," says George Zachary, the Charles River Ventures partner who led the firm's investment in Odeo.

That was when Apple first announced iTunes – which included a podcasting platform built into every one of the 200 million iPods Apple would eventually sell. Around the same time, Odeo employees, from Glass and Williams on down, began to realize that they weren't listening to podcasts as much as they thought they would be.

Says Cook: "We built [Odeo], we tested it a lot, but we never used it."

Suddenly, says Zachary, "the company was going sideways."

By this point, Odeo had 14 people working full time – including now-CEO Evan Williams and a friend of his from Google, Christopher "Biz" Stone.

Williams decided Odeo's future was not in podcasting, and later that year, he told the company's employees to start coming up with ideas for a new direction Odeo could go.  The company started holding official "hackathons" where employees would spend a whole day working on projects. They broke off into groups.

Odeo cofounder Noah Glass gravitated toward Jack Dorsey, whom Glass says was "one of the stars of the company."  Jack had an idea for a completely different product that revolved around "status"--what people were doing at a given time.

"I got the impression he was unhappy with what he was working on –  a lot of cleanup work on Odeo."

"He started talking to me about this idea of status and how he was really interested in status," Glass says. "I was trying to figure out what it was he found compelling about it."

"There was a moment when I was sitting with Jack and I said, 'Oh, I do see how this could really come together to make something really compelling.' We were sitting on Mission St. in the car in the rain. We were going out and I was dropping him off and having this conversation. It all fit together for me."

One day in February 2006, Glass, Dorsey, and a German contract developer Florian Weber presented Jack's idea to the rest of the company.  It was a system where you could send a text to one number and it would be broadcasted out to all of your friends: Twttr.

Noah Glass says it was he who came up with the name "Twttr." "I spent a bunch of time thinking about it," he says.  Eventually, the name would become Twitter.

After that February presentation to the company, Evan Williams was skeptical of Twitter's potential, but he put Glass in charge of the project. From time to time, Biz Stone helped out Glass's Twitter team.

And it really was Glass's team, by the way. Not Jack Dorsey's.

Everyone agrees that original inkling for Twitter sprang from Jack Dorsey's mind. Dorsey even has drawings of something that looks like Twitter that he made years before he joined Odeo. And Jack was obviously central to the Twitter team.

But all of the early employees and Odeo investors we talked to also agree that no one at Odeo was more passionate about Twitter in the early days than Odeo's cofounder, Noah Glass.

"It was predominantly Noah who pushed for the project to be started," says Blaine Cook, who describes Glass as Twitter's "spiritual leader."

"He definitely had a vision for what it was," says Ray McClure.

"There were two people who were really excited [about Twitter,]" concurs Odeo investor George Zachary. "Jack and Noah Glass. Noah was fanatically excited about Twitter. Fanatically! Evan and Biz weren't at that level. Not remotely."

Zachary says Glass told him, "You know what's awesome about this thing? It makes you feel like you're right with that person. It's a whole emotional impact. You feel like you're connected with that person."

At one point the entire early Twitter service was running on Glass's laptop. "An IBM Thinkpad," Glass says, "Using a Verizon wireless card."

"It was right there on my desk. I could just pick it up and take it anywhere in the world. That was a really fun time."

Glass insists that he is not Twitter's sole founder or anything like it.  But he feels betrayed that his role has basically been expunged from Twitter history.  He says Florian Weber doesn't get enough credit, either.

"Some people have gotten credit, some people haven't. The reality is it was a group effort. I didn't create Twitter on my own. It came out of conversations."

"I do know that without me, Twitter wouldn't exist. In a huge way."

By March of 2006, Odeo had a working Twitter prototype. In July, TechCrunch covered Twttr for the first time. That same summer, Odeo employees obsessed with Twitter were racking up monthly SMS bills totalling hundreds of dollars. The company agreed to pay those bills for the employees. In August, a small earthquake shook San Francisco and word quickly spread through Twitter – an early 'ah-ha!' moment for users and company-watchers alike. By that fall, Twitter had thousands of users.

By this point, engineer Blaine Cook says it began to feel like there were "two companies" at Odeo – the one "Noah and Florian and Jack and Biz were working on" (Twitter) and Odeo. Twitter, says Ray McClure, "was definitely the thing you wanted to be working on."

Next, Odeo moved into an office and started hiring more employees – including a quiet, on-again, off-again Web designer named Jack Dorsey and an engineer named Blaine Cook. Evan Williams became Odeo's CEO.

By July 2005, Odeo had a product: a platform for podcasting.

But then, in the fall of 2005, "the shit hit the fan," says George Zachary, the Charles River Ventures partner who led the firm's investment in Odeo.

That was when Apple first announced iTunes – which included a podcasting platform built into every one of the 200 million iPods Apple would eventually sell. Around the same time, Odeo employees, from Glass and Williams on down, began to realize that they weren't listening to podcasts as much as they thought they would be.

Says Cook: "We built [Odeo], we tested it a lot, but we never used it."

Suddenly, says Zachary, "the company was going sideways."

By this point, Odeo had 14 people working full time – including now-CEO Evan Williams and a friend of his from Google, Christopher "Biz" Stone.

Williams decided Odeo's future was not in podcasting, and later that year, he told the company's employees to start coming up with ideas for a new direction Odeo could go.  The company started holding official "hackathons" where employees would spend a whole day working on projects. They broke off into groups.

Odeo cofounder Noah Glass gravitated toward Jack Dorsey, whom Glass says was "one of the stars of the company."  Jack had an idea for a completely different product that revolved around "status"--what people were doing at a given time.

"I got the impression he was unhappy with what he was working on –  a lot of cleanup work on Odeo."

"He started talking to me about this idea of status and how he was really interested in status," Glass says. "I was trying to figure out what it was he found compelling about it."

"There was a moment when I was sitting with Jack and I said, 'Oh, I do see how this could really come together to make something really compelling.' We were sitting on Mission St. in the car in the rain. We were going out and I was dropping him off and having this conversation. It all fit together for me."

One day in February 2006, Glass, Dorsey, and a German contract developer Florian Weber presented Jack's idea to the rest of the company.  It was a system where you could send a text to one number and it would be broadcasted out to all of your friends: Twttr.

Noah Glass says it was he who came up with the name "Twttr." "I spent a bunch of time thinking about it," he says.  Eventually, the name would become Twitter.

After that February presentation to the company, Evan Williams was skeptical of Twitter's potential, but he put Glass in charge of the project. From time to time, Biz Stone helped out Glass's Twitter team.

And it really was Glass's team, by the way. Not Jack Dorsey's.

Everyone agrees that original inkling for Twitter sprang from Jack Dorsey's mind. Dorsey even has drawings of something that looks like Twitter that he made years before he joined Odeo. And Jack was obviously central to the Twitter team.

But all of the early employees and Odeo investors we talked to also agree that no one at Odeo was more passionate about Twitter in the early days than Odeo's cofounder, Noah Glass.

"It was predominantly Noah who pushed for the project to be started," says Blaine Cook, who describes Glass as Twitter's "spiritual leader."

"He definitely had a vision for what it was," says Ray McClure.

"There were two people who were really excited [about Twitter,]" concurs Odeo investor George Zachary. "Jack and Noah Glass. Noah was fanatically excited about Twitter. Fanatically! Evan and Biz weren't at that level. Not remotely."

Zachary says Glass told him, "You know what's awesome about this thing? It makes you feel like you're right with that person. It's a whole emotional impact. You feel like you're connected with that person."

At one point the entire early Twitter service was running on Glass's laptop. "An IBM Thinkpad," Glass says, "Using a Verizon wireless card."

"It was right there on my desk. I could just pick it up and take it anywhere in the world. That was a really fun time."

Glass insists that he is not Twitter's sole founder or anything like it.  But he feels betrayed that his role has basically been expunged from Twitter history.  He says Florian Weber doesn't get enough credit, either.

"Some people have gotten credit, some people haven't. The reality is it was a group effort. I didn't create Twitter on my own. It came out of conversations."

"I do know that without me, Twitter wouldn't exist. In a huge way."

By March of 2006, Odeo had a working Twitter prototype. In July, TechCrunch covered Twttr for the first time. That same summer, Odeo employees obsessed with Twitter were racking up monthly SMS bills totalling hundreds of dollars. The company agreed to pay those bills for the employees. In August, a small earthquake shook San Francisco and word quickly spread through Twitter – an early 'ah-ha!' moment for users and company-watchers alike. By that fall, Twitter had thousands of users.

By this point, engineer Blaine Cook says it began to feel like there were "two companies" at Odeo – the one "Noah and Florian and Jack and Biz were working on" (Twitter) and Odeo. Twitter, says Ray McClure, "was definitely the thing you wanted to be working on."

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Wii 2 to be revealed at E3 – report <b>News</b> - Wii - Page 1 <b>...</b>

Read our Wii news of Wii 2 to be revealed at E3 – report.

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Apple releases iOS 4.3.2 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch | iLounge <b>News</b>

iLounge news discussing the Apple releases iOS 4.3.2 for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch. Find more Apple news from leading independent iPod, iPhone, and iPad site.

Roofing Companies Vancouver - 5 Inquiries to Ponder

Roofing Vancouver - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Repair or Replace?

There's no opinion as an expert opinion. Most contractors will provide you with a totally free estimate. Get a summary of a couple trusted contractors and contact them well ahead of time of when you want to obtain your roof fixed to help you compare costs and opinions.

2. Beauty versus Practicality?

Discuss this with your spouse or partner. (The kids could care less...at least the young ones.) The fact is, nobody wants an ugly roof just like nobody wants to be viewed with bed hair. If you've got a good quality roof and you simply need to do the repair, it's worth it to pay for the price of the initial shingle instead of doing patchwork. A roof replacement doesn't happen very often (hopefully!) and thus make a decision that suits you and your loved ones well or it'll stand out just like a sore thumb everyday you go home.

3. Should I replace the rooftop in order to sell the house for additional?

Consider this cautiously before making a decision. With respect to the roofing material you choose, a brand new roof lasts anywhere from twenty, fifty, to one-hundred years! This means you need to look into the year of the roof that's currently too deep first. Are you at year 18 of a 20-year warranted roof or year 30 of the 50-year warranted roof? Obviously, the standard is what makes the roof last longer, but if you're not planning to remain in your current home for the rest of your lifetime, the larger expense might not be worth neglect the. Although a new roof can improve the value of your value, the increase may not be enough to pay for your investment and that's definitely going to hurt your wallet.

4. Is it advisable for me to repair the roof myself?

Sure it is. Before you need to do, consult an expert first. You can do it yourself, but you shouldn't be a complete ‘lone ranger.' With respect to the extent of your repair, you might or might not convince you. In either case, it helps to obtain a professional eye on the problem first and maybe even a free quote to help you do the math later and see if it's truly worth your time, sweat, and money to become mister or miss fix-it.

5. Just when was a good time to find the roof replaced?

Weather can cause delays from days to weeks. Most people prepare yourself to have their roof replaced in the summertime once they have a friend will be home throughout the day for any solid fourteen days. Once you have this period in mind, make a call to some trusted contractor months in advance to obtain a quote. Some companies get booked up fast and odds are, they're probably the most reputable. Planning ahead of the summer also provides you with time for you to discuss with many compare costs...especially if you want to possess the roof made by a specified date.

 

The Top Roofing Company In Vancouver!

It is possible to leak in your home's roof? Have you lost shingles or tiles inside a storm? Have overhanging branches caused damage? Is the roof a lot more than Two decades old and showing wear and tear? Are your gutters overwhelmed and draining poorly?

When the response to any of these questions is "Yes" it's time to call the top roofing contractor Vancouver - Crown Roofing & Drainage.

For over a century Crown Roofing has been the roofer of choice among our Vancouver neighbors. We offer complete roofing services, from emergency repairs and roof restoration, to accomplish roof replacement. All while using finest quality materials, installed with precision and the highest level of customer service.

YOUR Vancouver ROOF DESERVES NO LESS!

The roof of the Vancouver house is the first line of defence against wind, rain, snow, ice and other weather elements. Make sure it's up to the job. Among Vancouver Roofing companies, only Crown Roofing has got the depth of expertise and successful history to ensure your roofing system is going to be properly designed and installed.

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.

One reason Crown Roofing has been the most successful roofing contractor in Vancouver is our commitment to our neighbors. We treat your home as though it were our very own and we were creating a roof to protect our very own family. That's what neighbors do, and you can count on Crown Roofing being here to support you and back our work. In the end, we've been repairing and replacing roofs in Vancouver since 1902!

Obtain a FREE INSPECTION AND EVALUATION OF YOUR Vancouver ROOF.

Visit the Roofers Vancouver for a FREE inspection and evaluation of your roof. Give you the best roof for your Vancouver home, at the best value. We build roofs to last!

 

Tacoma Roofing company: Make your Home Beautiful

Very few people understand the worth of a good roof, your knowledgeable Tacoma Roofing contractor does. From first hand experience, they will be able to tell you why you require a strong, secure, and leak-free roof on your home.

Your local Tacoma Roofing contractor is knowledgeable how important an economic investment your property is for you, especially since it is a long term one. Your house might have been damaged slowly over the years and also you need to take steps to reduce this damage. For a number of people, keeping their house beautiful is another few pride. There are those too who'd prefer to turn their house into a cost effective and efficient living place. Your roof is a valuable part of your property and plays a role in each of the aspects mentioned above. Because of this, you need to employ the expertise of qualified a Tacoma Roofing company.

Kinds of Roofs installed by a Tacoma Roofing company

Among the more prevalent kinds of roofs are asphalt shingles, steel or metal sheeting, fiberglass, slate and terra cotta tiles.

Each kind of roof invites distinct problems, however they can be easily taken care of by a trusted Tacoma Roofing contractor. It's vital that you nip roof problems in the bud before they become too costly or dangerous. You can schedule an appointment using the Tacoma Roofing company to consider a look at your homes roof to determine if you will find any issues or potential issues with it. If there are, they might be in a position to tell you how to deal with them.

A Tacoma Roofing contractor Helps you to Build Strong Homes

The exteriors associated with a house, primarily the roof and gutters, face the onslaught of bitter and varying climate conditions, every single day. Painting, repairing, and cleaning gutters might be necessary. In some instances you might want to replace them completely. Usually, when your gutters show signs and symptoms of trouble, your roof must also be inspected for problems. Whatever issues there might be, an experienced Tacoma Roofing company can examine them in detail and suggest the remedy.

In case your gutters tend to clog all too often, or you will find leaks along the walls of your house, it may imply that there's debris piled-up on the roof. Loose branches, piles of leaves, and other light objects which are swept onto your roof during a storm can all contribute towards damaging your roof, and these damages could be lasting. A knowledgeable Tacoma Roofer will tell you that birds, mice, along with other types of rodents often build nest within the debris that collects on the top. While these nests may look rather innocent, they are great at collecting moisture, which can lead to loose shingles, mold, and indoor leaks in your home. Additionally, it may also cause vermin infestation. Following a storm, your Tacoma Roofing company will claim that you inspect your homes roof for any signs and symptoms of debris or damage.

Reverse Damages with the Help of a Tacoma Roofing contractor

However top quality the roof might be, it will eventually wear down with time. You will find shingles that are referred to as "25 year" or "30 year" shingles, but those numbers are just associated with warranty produced by the manufacturers. They hardly ever last that long. Realistically speaking, "25 year" shingles won't last more than a few years. Within an area that's prone to storms, shingles or even the entire roof may need to be replaced every 10 years. Having a Tacoma Roofing company, the cost will be less than what you think.

If there you lose any shingles, or there is some harm to them, a Tacoma Roofing company will be able to help you. Damaged shingles can lead to indoor leaks, as the substrate of the roof becomes exposed to the elements. Shingles that are loose or broken can slip off and pose a possible hazard to people standing below. Missing shingles create a gap which allows rain, wind, ice, and debris to build up underneath the adjoining shingles, which results in a "domino effect" that affects other shingles and they become loose or broken. A comprehensive investigation is going to be made by your local Tacoma Roofing contractor, if you give them a call up with your suspicions of loose or missing shingles.

Your Tacoma Roofer will be in a situation to tell you what are the best option is perfect for your homes roof. If your roof is not in a good condition, it is advised you have it replaced completely. The Tacoma Roofing company can take you through the various roofing possibilities for you which will suit your requirements and your budget.

Tacoma Roofing contractor: Enhancing your Home's Efficiency

Your homes roof shelters you against storms, sleet, and hail. By giving adequate ventilation, your homes roof protects your home from overheating, by holding within the heat, it keeps your house warm. That's why you ought to prepare your roof from indoors as well as outdoors for just about any kind of weather emergency. A Qualified Tacoma Roofing contractor can offer assist in this situation.

To begin with, inspect your roof thoroughly for any and all sorts of type of damage, prior to the beginning of the new season. The gutters ought to be clear, debris shouldn't be piled on or trapped under shingles, there should be no homes of squirrels or birds within the eaves or attic, and the roof ought to be structurally sound. For that last part, you will need the help of the local Tacoma Roofing company. It may be quite dangerous to climb to the roof of your property. This is when the contractor from Tacoma Roofing company is available in. He will check out the strength and security of the roof and shingles, and do a general inspection from the entire roof structure, to make certain that it's in proper working order. They will be able to point to problems that you have to keep close track of and problems you might not have spotted.

You will need all of the help you could possibly get in the Tacoma Roofing contractor. You are able to help your homes roof by installing a gutter guard or leaf cover to assist prevent debris from forming in your gutters. The additional weight of debris prevents the gutters from draining and can even tear them down. Check the fasteners in your gutters and when they are loose, tighten them. Take steps to change worn screws and brackets. For those who have a chimney in your home, inspect the bricks and mortar signs and symptoms of wear. A trusted mason can be recommended because of your Tacoma Roofing company, if you will find any repairs to become done.

Tacoma Roofing company: Someone You Can Rely on
When you know or suspect that there's a problem, your Tacoma Roofing contractor should be contacted. They can use their knowledge and expertise to get your home back in ace condition by simply focusing on the rooftop. Your roof deserves attention. So give them a call today, to enable them to get down to working on your roof.

 

What is Distinction between Commercial Roofing Companies From Residential Roofing Companies

If you are considering hiring a roofing company to re roof your house or building then you can be wondering what are the differences are between residential roofing companies and commercial roofing companies. To begin with, the one huge difference is usually that times an industrial roofing company might have signed a contract with and become obligated to some roofing union in able to focus on union commercial jobs.

If this is the case then their labor costs will prohibit them from working on non union residential jobs. Beyond that, if your commercial roofing company has not signed a contract with a union they might be outfitted just for commercial jobs which of course means their workers and equipment might not be in line with smaller residential jobs.

Residential roofing contractors in general often run smaller companies and therefore, are more capable of bid competitively on residential jobs, which tend to be smaller than comercial jobs. Actually, often times residential roofing contractors will run one man operations, in which the contractor that you simply speak with could be the one that actually does the job about the building.

Also, liability insurance for commercial roofing is more epensive and a larger bond is needed for any commercial roofing work which will make it not economical for any commercial roofer to complete residential roofing jobs.

Still one more factor is that commercial jobs can operate on tighter time frame for just about any quantity of reasons, requiring an industrial contractor to train on a larger crew or crews which again makes smaller jobs not as profitable for them.

 

Difference Between Commercial Roofing and Residential Roofing

Did you know that the roof of the building includes a huge impact on the entire structure itself? Damage caused to roofs because of natural or other disasters causes a considerable lack of property everywhere. The type of materials used to construct the rooftop which should be sturdy and long-lasting, the manner in which the roof continues to be installed and even its timely maintenance are extremely crucial. There are two kinds of roofs that are used on all of the buildings that we see around us: commercial and residential. Even though it may seem that commercial roofing is performed just for businesses or offices and residential roofing is done for apartments and houses, in reality the differences tend to be more complex than that.

Residential roofing is usually completed just by one hired contractor but commercial roofing typically takes an entire team to complete the task. The reason being a commercial roof is commonly larger in terms of square feet than a residential roof.
Commercial roofs are necessary carefully keeping the nature and purpose of your building in your mind. For instance, when there is a restaurant in the building then external components like ventilation systems, smoke stacks and pipes will be required. Residential roofs tend not to have such components apart from a chimney or two at the most.
Commercial roofs is commonly flat in design to support further changes at a later period, whereas most residential roofs have peaks and other architectural features like roof gardens.
Commercial roofing is much more expensive than residential roofing due to the special tools, materials and safety equipment which are needed onsite. Usually the patching or maintenance work is done in segments unlike for any residential roof in which the repair or replacement work could be completed in a short while. This is one more reason why the gear employed for residential roofs is often smaller and less costly as well.
Commercial roof installations take a extended period to complete compared to residential roof installations and are usually constructed in large sections. During this phase however, it is important to ensure that there are no leakages, cracks or any other visible wear and tear signs as it can cause considerable damage to the entire building.
It is important to install the best roof for any building depending on its purpose. Ensure that you hire a construction company that uses first class materials and has the right equipment to do the job or neglect the risk turning out to be considered a huge loss later.

 

Commercial Roofing Contractors: How to Find a Qualified Commercial Roofing Company

If your business is seeking to have work done on its roof, it is important to use commercial roofing contractors that have a keen knowledge of any special needs that the business may have. As an example, a roofing job is often disruptive for that operation of business as always. Because of this, it might be necessary for the company to become temporarily turn off, or for the roofing to take place after business hours have ended. A roofing contractor that understands these needs can function together with a business to make certain these kinds of issues are minimized.

The first thing that a company should do when it is trying to find commercial roofing contractors is to discover who other businesses in the area will work through. Obviously, this information will not be helpful if it may come as an indicator from competitors, but you will find circumstances by which it's not too hard to locate these details from suppliers or retailers. Since roofing isn't an industry-specific service, this post is readily available.

It is a good idea for any business to get touching a minimum of three commercial roofing contractors to make bids on the price. In this manner, the business can often get a better price. It's also vital that you ensure that each one of the roofing contractors is licensed and bonded. These details can be found by getting touching their state contractor's board. This also makes it possible to determine whether there have been any claims filed against the company previously.

When looking at bids, it is just as important to check out what services are being offered and which products is going to be used as it is to look at the total cost. The prices can vary quite drastically, but as tempting as possible to go for the lowest bid, this is not always your best option. In many cases, more costs now will mean fewer costs in the long run due to an undesirable roofing job. To help investigate the quality of the job, it's a good idea to check on with the Better Business Bureau to be able to see if the business has been accredited, and if it has not, to at least see what its rating is.

 

Picking out a Commercial Roofing Contractor

When you're searching for a roofer for the commercial roofing project you have to find a contractor who understands the special needs of the commercial roofing project. For example it can be harder to work on a business during business hours so either the business has to be turn off for that repair or replacement or even the job has to be done after conventional business hours. Is the roofer you are thinking about to do the job ready to work around your schedule constrictions that might involve working weekends or evenings?

When you start your research for any roofing contractor not only do you need to answer those questions however, you also want to find someone which will perform a top quality job with no lot of time delays. Going about finding someone can seem like an obstacle by itself but there are some ways to make the search easier.

Ask people around you for referrals and then try to find at least three contractors to give you written bids on your job. Before you go any more you need to ensure that the contractors you are considering are fully licensed and bonded. An easy search using the state contractor's board will verify in case your roofer is licensed and if there are any past judgments or claims against their license.

When you select 3 or 4 roofers to place bids, you should get ready for that bids to become widely varied. Roofers may have brand preferences which will vary and could element in more or less compared to next guy for any labor estimate. The greater detailed a written bid is the more helpful it will likely be to focus on where the cost will be incurred. Don't, however, pick a roofer based solely about the bid price. Any low ball bids might be tempting to consider, but when they're low because of poor quality workman ship it may not be worth it in the end.

As they say, you generally get what you purchase, if you can afford a mid-priced bid it's always a good idea to increase within your budget instead of down. Additionally you ought to decide your roofer depending on how professional these were and just how comfortable you anticipate you'll be dealing with them.

Finally your cost will be different based on which kind of roofing material you select along with the cost to haul your old roof towards the landfill. Should you be looking for places to chop corners in your roof, instead of cutting labor set you back might want to ask about metallic roof option. Metal roofs could be cost effective and energy efficient making them overall money savers for that long term, as well as on commercial buildings they can be really low maintenance. Plus since they can be placed along with a current roof, you don't need to possess the old one removed and hauled away, that make a large impact on your cost.

Choosing a comerical roofing company in your local area, doesn't have to become a difficult task. For more information, visit http://www.vancouverroofers.net