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Aggregation over RSS makes it easy for people to collaborate in ad hoc ways. So what’s the role of groups (forums, online networks, bulletin boards)? Do they even have one?

Simon Berry of Ruralnet raises this question when he asks, “Are tags the new groups?” A provocative question. (Hat-tip Megan)

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Here’s how to hack together a setup to load an RSpec backtrace into jEdit. In other words, you’ll be able to click the relevant failed behaviour or error to go straight the relevant file and line.

Today I gave a couple of workshops at NCVO that introduced some key Web 2 applications and tools.

New version of the Streetmap Firefox extension: now with Firefox 2 flavour!

Learn how to promote products and services efficiently and effectively with flyers, newsletters, emails and websites: join us at an October copywriting training session in Nottingham.
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Your aim is a brilliant website that surprises and delights visitors. How do you get there? And how will you know when you’ve arrived?
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What’s the French or Spanish equivalent of “Think like a Saxon”?
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(Part three of ‘Effective copywriting: the basics‘.)

Copywriting is writing that does a job. You have a job, too, and the chances are that writing is just one of the tasks that competes for your time. Effective copywriting, then, is also an efficient process: doing as best as possible in the time available. Strangely enough, that involves thinking like a Saxon.

Not that Saxon. Read the rest of this entry »

New eyetracking research from the Neilsen Norman Group shows how users often read web content in an F-shaped pattern.

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I would recommend this book to anyone who is new to writing for the web and wants a very simple and direct introduction. I think it’s out of print now, but if you can find a copy it’s worth a few bob. Unfortunately, it looks a bit Baby’s first book of online content. I half expected it to come complete with pop-ups of Jakob Neilsen. An offputting thought about a decent primer.

»» Find ‘Writing for your website’ on Amazon »»