Pemaquid Communications

Cuil is a new search engine that launched today and that claims to have a search index that’s larger than Google’s (120 million pages for Cuil vs. 40 million for Google). It also sports a magazine-style interface, w/its results laid out as blocks of text in a two or three-column layout.

It segments the results in navigable categories laid out across the top of the page as well as an Ajax-y category box in the right-hand column.

I kicked the tires on Google’s new competitor this morning and Cuil has a ways to go if it wants to supplant the King of Search. To succeed, you have to be relevant, and in that regard, Cuil has a little work ahead.

For example, a search for Pemaquid Communications returned this Web site (what else?) as the first result on Google, but was listed 7th (or 6th? it’s hard to tell w/t/layout) on Cuil. Granted, they’re brand new, whereas Google has had 10 years to perfect their search algorithm.

Search results for Pemaquid Communications:
Cuil
Google

Google also pulls in more results than Cuil, at least for now (1.4 billion vs. 1.3 billion for “car” being just one example).

More importantly, as someone who deals in Web site usability, one interesting thing to watch is whether Cuil’s layout will be a limiting factor in its success. I say this for two reasons:

First, the blocks of text are harder to compare than are Google’s simple, compact line item listings (Then again, maybe the categorization features will help bring more relevant results to the top of the search).

Second, it may be difficult to build in advertiser results that will generate enough click-throughs. They could put them in the third column, I suppose, or – purely a guess – add them as a category in the results navigation bar (but I’m guessing people might not bother to click over to that tab).

Time will tell. In the meantime, it’s good for Google to have a little healthy competition.

Wordpress 2.6 hit the streets Tuesday.

Download it

One important rule we try to follow @ Pemaquid is to always have 3-4 Sharpies and tall stacks of blank paper when meeting w/a Client to review design comps.

It’s the easiest way to sketch out your design thoughts visually. It’s faster than using a whiteboard, and it’s much easier to sketch out ajax or design interactions with Clients – especially those who aren’t particularly Web-savvy – than it is to try to explain it to them verbally.

The other day I had a problem – a big problem. My Photoshop locked up and wouldn’t run. It’s an old copy that runs on the Windows side of my Mac through Parallels.

Why am I running my Photoshop on Windows?? That’s a long story in and of itself and for another day.

I tried reinstalling. No luck. I figured maybe it was finally time to invest in CS3.

Before I pulled the trigger our Creative Services Coordinator, Sarah Hines, and I tried one last thing, something we occassionally do when we run into a programming conundrum: we Googled the arcane error message.

After sampling three suggested solutions Photoshop was back up and running. Amazing! On the other hand, I shouldn’t be too surprised.

The moral of the story? If you’re hamstrung by a problem, whether it’s a design issue or even a home repair issue, you might do well to at least give Google a shot.

Ah, yes! The moment you’ve all been waiting for – iPhone 3G is hitting the streets Friday. For me, it’s about time to get one. The other day it finally happened – a potential customer said to me: “My Web site doesn’t look quite right on my iPhone”.

Time to experience the ins and outs first hand.

Mobile and location-based computing is becoming ever more popular, and with Apple’s App Store throwing open its doors this morning I’m sure we’ll see an explosion of creativity as third-party developers rush to build cool applications for iPhone users.

On the other hand, those of us in Portland, Maine have to remember not to get too worked up about 3G – because we won’t have it. AT&T’s 3G network doesn’t extend into our neck of the woods (AT&T coverage map). The new iPhone also supposedly drinks battery juice more quickly.

Still, at half the price of the original iPhone ($199 vs. $399), and with all the possibilities for mobile application development, it’s time to dive into the pool.

More than 8 million people downloaded Firefox 3 in a 24-hour period, setting a world record, and more than 28 million download have taken place since the browser was released June 17.

BBC News »