This is a review of the eBay Developers Blog.

One of the things that set blogs apart from news listings is the ability to interact with the readers, and their ability to interact back. Even a corporate blog should have the capability for readers to post comments to posts. Not only does this give the reader a sense of working with company, but it is free customer information. This is a lesson which the eBay Developers Program blog failed to receive. Customers of eBay who visit the blog will find that there is no way to comment, making the blog nothing more than a news feed.

Stepping aside from that, examination of the visual qualities of the blog leaves one quite unimpressed. Visuals are limited to text, text, a screen shot or two, text, a clip art image, and text. While many blogs get away with just text, the text is typographically pleasing, not the browsers default by any measure. Examination of the site also fails to readily explain what exactly the site is trying to do.

Over all, the blog is of poor quality, especially given the resources eBay could have put behind the blog. There are many things specifically which merit review, so here is a breakdown of how the site rates in different fields.

Availability, 8 out of 10 –

Typing the blog into a Google search yields the page as the very first link, which is very good. A search for “eBay blog” will yield the blog several pages in, but this is due mainly to interference with their blog service for customers.

Posting Frequency, 6 out of 10 –

The eBay Developers Program blog posts in high numbers but there may be long pauses in between posts, leaving readers with a empty newsreader some days.

Relevance, 4 out of 10 –

It is very difficult to identify exactly whom the blog is trying to reach. The posts remain focused on technical developments of the eBay system, but because of the many voices behind the site, it is hard to figure out why the readers should care. Reading the blog makes it seem more for corporate propaganda than a blog where the company can give news to customers and get feedback in return.

Accuracy, 9 out of 10 –

It is difficult to verify, but so far the blog has remained technically accurate. A point is lost in the inability to verify everything, or comment for further information.

User Interaction, 0 out of 10 –

For the users and readers of the blog, there is no way to directly interact with the blogs writers. The posts lack any comment system, not even a digg button. And aside from author names, the blog offers no means to contact the authors aside from googling their names and hoping a result appears.

Overall, the eBay Developers Program Blog received 27 out of 50, or a whopping 54%. Given this failing grade, one would hope their act gets together and with the times.

Originally posted 2009-02-10 05:57:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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This is a review of the Yahoo Search Blog.

Yahoo! is a major website providing search services. One would think that the Yahoo! search blog would be full of jargon and technical terms that only a select few would have been able to understand. Surprisingly, the blog was full of easy to read updates that describe to users how their experience is changing. The instructions provided were easy to follow and the blog features plenty of visuals and posts that cover events, updates and other information. The blog is over all a good site that can use a little polish here and there.

Availability, 8 out of 10 –

The blog is easy to find. A search for Yahoo Blog or other similar terms will turn up the blog in the first page of hits. A little bit of SEO will definitely put the blog to the top of the list.

Posting Frequency, 5 out of 10 – The posts may be consistent on a every other day sort of pace, but they have been know to have posts spaced out by a month at least. Consistency of posting leaves a bit to be desired, but there is plenty for the reader to read. Yahoo would do well to add posts on their history or other Yahoo! topics to help with the larger gaps in posting.

Relevance, 9 out of 10 –

This is an easy set of points, because all of the posts are relevant to the users of Yahoo. Writing style is very easy to read and is conversational. Graphics and writing organization are well done. Overall the blog is very well done technically and is an ease for people to use. A little polish is all that is needed.

Accuracy, 9 out of 10 –

The posts are about the Yahoo! site and services that are provided. There’s not much for the technical person, but the blog does seem honest and not a propaganda or sales blog. A few posts geared towards the reader who is technically geared will help get that last point.

User Interaction, 7 out of 10 –

There is plenty to enable the user to contact blog writers and Yahoo! individuals. There are links where users can promote the blog to digg and del.icio.us directories. That said, they do not seem to reply to comments, hence the point deduction. All it would take is someone who watches the posted comments to give meaningful replies. The blog does frequently provide information on Yahoo! meetings, where users can go and provide input up close, so all is not that bad.

Over all, the Yahoo! Search Blog earned itself a 76%.

That is a pretty good score all things considering. The blog is quite easy to read and provides a good deal of information about Yahoo!, its search engine and its services. There are points in which the blog can be improved. It wouldn’t be much work to hire one or two people to keep track of the blog and reply to users. Even if there is nothing new added to Yahoo!, they can still provide posts talking about the company.

Originally posted 2009-02-03 05:35:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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