Examples of the use of RSS are this feed of search engine optimisation steps, or this RSS feed on case studies for the Company Rescue industry, or this feed of chess products from a US retailer. A frequent sight on many sites, what does this symbol do for search engine optimising and for the weight of the site? It’s a method of syndicating the site’s content through to many other sites where a reference or link can be obtained from the adopting site. It’s a construction of a feed in XML (many automated tools exist to construct the feed) which lists the items you want to syndicate, whether it’s products, a list of services, case studies, etc. If done properly, the RSS feed has an amazing leveraging effect on optimising for search engines. Syndicating sites show the link for each item placed in the feed. These links are particularly valuable because they are generally deep links into the domain and since the list will have some level of comprehensiveness, the links also are comprehensive - one seperate link for every page represented by one item in the multi item RSS feed.
Fortunately, the techie nature of setting up this XML feed is a hurdle that most sites don’t understand and don’t know how to construct - hence its effectiveness for those that overcome the hurdles.
The Kasparov Expert chess computer is the strongest engine Saitek have with software that can beat everyone but it’s namesake on it’s strongest setting. Of course, lower settings will be required by us mere mortals. The machine has a range of settings (64 of them) that will train and stretch every player with a library of database openings that exceeds 6000. But the range of settings, even the engine strength (2000 elo) is, of course, true of many chess computers. What’s so special about the Expert?
The build quality is the single distinguishing factor separating this chess machine from it’s rivals. The computer has a build quality of a Volkswagon, Honda and Toyota combined (assuming you like those manufacturers). The machine is a peg style model and the bottom of each peg hole has a sensor that is activated when the piece is lifted and inserted into another hole. The computer then takes it’s move - clearly indicating on the LCD readout the move required. The sensor system is activated again. The pieces are slightly dissapointing in that they are plastic - we wish Saitek had made metal pieces - but that apart, they are very clear in visual identification, with the knights actually very well crafted. If a peg style chess computer is preferred, this is the best of the three main manufacturers: Saitek, Novag and Excalibur.
If a company has problems that suggest it may not survive - what’s the course of action? An insolvency procedure is often the first thought, but having a business angel can be an optimal solution that has the added effect of providing an experienced resource on the board along with his or her cash as equity injection. This kind of solution is provided by a growingly attractive type of company - Company Rescue Experts, such as the leaders in the industry segment - Beer & Young in London. With a panel of entrepeneurs that impresses the most troubled of businesses - company directors are delighted to find one of like mind - someone that believes their business has a lucrative future and a business they want to invest in.
Company rescue of this kind is not automatically successful. The directors will have to be ready to discuss the problems that got the company into the problematic state it’s in. In particular the ‘angel’ will consider how company/financial restructure and management changes will aid the company. Besides the urgent company finance the business angel is bringing to the table - they’ll be asking the most difficult question of all - is the company viable? The management changes that a positive response to this question generally necessitates may be difficult for the directors to take - but the profitability of the company is at stake. Using these attitudes, a high percentage of clients find that their company returns to profitability and now has added experience in the company.
An agonising search for Madeleine has every decent person in the UK and many other countries (including family loving Portugal) waiting for good news. It’s brought us all to the point where we have to ask what kind of world we live in - a world that produces people that sink to the depravity of taking a defenceless young girl away from her parents. How can people actually become so awful? Are we to blame? Or who is?
The media, the internet and the so-called free speech it permits are partially to blame. Watching prurient content whether sexual or violent gradually causes people to develop desires that are base. Just as showing Freddies Flakes on commercials sells more Freddies Flakes - does not the same rule apply to a diet of sex and violence freely available through the conventional media or the newer, less regulated media of the internet?
We hope for success in the search McCanns. It’s a gnawing pain in our stomach too.