Read on about the technology overload that I have been going through and how I am trying to streamline my processes.

For someone who works with computers you would think that technology would be second nature. The truth is I know the web, when it comes to cell phones, printers, operating systems, computers, smart phones, blue tooth, etc I am probably only a few steps above the layman.

The first thing that has changed my life is a new Blackberry Curve which resulted from an upgrade in my phone plan. Some people call it the Crackberry because of its addictive nature, and after a few days I can see why. It really is amazing to have the internet at your finger tips. I feel like I am back in 1993 when my father bought a dial up modem. I can also see what the big deal about “mobile” is and why so many startups are trying to get it right.

Here are two interesting things I discovered for my blackberry. Hopefully this list will continue to grow.

Nimbuzz – Picture Skype for cell phones. In addition to a plethora of features, this little guy allows me to sign on AOL IM without having to pay for text messages (currently I don’t have unlimited).

Google Sync – Sync your blackberry calendar with Google Calendar. Speaking of Google Calendar, I used to be skeptical, but the “Quick Add” feature alone shaves hours of my time.

Other productivity tools I decided to invest in include Harvest. This is by far one of the best time trackers, budget estimators, client phone book, invoice generating applications I have seen in a while. It is super intuitive and comes with great downloads for your vista gadgets and your cell phone. No more spreadsheets to track client work.

To speed up the way I use the internet I downloaded Flock Browser. Coolest thing about flock, besides the fact that it sounds like another four letter word, is that it really gets web 2.0. I am able to keep all of my email, bookmarking, social, rss, media content all open at once with an easy way to share any content. In fact, this post is being written using flock without having me actually have to go log into my wordpress admin to log in and make changes.

I decided to download Skype again. The first time I downloaded it a year back I did not really need it. I have to admit Skype is awesome. The voice is crystal clear, and video chat is pretty fun. I also don’t have to waste my cell phone minutes since you can call land lines at a very cheap rate.

Now lets talk about some things that drive me nuts about technology.

My girlfriend and I recently purchased an old iBook for $350. After three months the thing starts to freeze upon startup. I spend hours reading forums trying to figure out different boot options and try all of them. I soon learned that the issue was a common issue with my model and Apple used to have a trade back program because it was so rampant. Well lucky for me the program expired and we are out some serious dough.

Another thing I noticed about Apple people is how they handle their technology failing. In the past I had issues with Vista and when I visit their forums people were angry and irritated using four letter words that rhyme with Flock. Apple people react something like this.

That is to bad that the logic board is fried and I have to buy a brand new computer. Oh well I was due to clean out my hard drive anyway.

For my birthday my folks sent me over a printer/fax/scanner. I am pretty psyched, but the damn thing didn’t come with a USB cable. So I go buy one and its the wrong USB. I take care of that and the CD that came with it can’t download the drivers for Vista. Typical BS in the world of technology, where standardization is not embraced by everyone you get some angry people.

Tags: web, online, online tools, blog, technology, blackberry, flock

In addition, I noticed a phenomenon on Google search that I will call Google’s Intent Assumption, that can significantly alter the way people run their PPC campaigns. Most people who do PPC have probably noticed this phenomenon, but I am convinced that there are many people who haven’t.

Google alters paid search results based on queries that were entered earlier. I am not going to claim I know all of the details of how it works, but the opportunities can be significant if someone out there can crack the code. ‘

I took screen shots to illustrate my point and will outline how I think people can leverage this knowledge in the future.

Lets say I am someone who searches for “photography” because it is something I am passionate about. The results might look something like this.

CLICK TO ENLARGE – Please notice the search results, they are more or less what you would expect them to be.

Now lets say I wanted to search for “wedding” because I plan on getting married soon.

CLICK TO ENLARGE – Notice how many results come up for “wedding photography” and “wedding photographer.”

Although, my intent was not to find a wedding photographer Google assumed that that is what I was looking for based on my previous query and hence why I call it Google’s Intent Assumption.

This can be a very powerful thing if leveraged correctly. We know that most people start their searches in broad terms and narrow down as they decide the specific thing that they want. What if you were able to create ads specifically targeted at the different stages so your ad copy reflects these different stages. By doing this you will be in the consideration set from the start and the user will be more likely to think favorably about your product or service than the guy who only bids on the converting keyword.

Do you think that it is possible while conducting keyword research to plan a way to target a searcher throughout his search experience and lead him to the sale?

I went to visit Ad Tech San Francisco wednesday and saw some trends which I thought might be worth sharing. First off I want to say I only spent about 2.5 hours there, but thats all I could handle. It felt like a circus in there. Also, I want to mention that I did not go to any workshops or keynote speakers, because I did “have” a full time job, and because I am too poor to afford the tix.

When I first walked in I noticed a booth giving out beer, I helped myself to one to loosen up. I then noticed a booth with cute girls giving out free messages. Although, I was tempted I knew my girlfriend would rip off my nuts, kill me, plant the nuts so two new Alex’s would grow and kill those too. I decided it was time for business and tried to navigate the maze that is AdTech.

Here are the three trends I noticed.

1. TONs of Affiliate Programs – Besides Commission Junction there must have been 5 other affiliate companies promoting themselves. I hope this means that the space of affiliate marketing is still growing. Not too much innovation from any of them, but a lot of them kept hyping up CPA programs. When I asked what products can I sign up with them I kept getting the same thing. What I care about are the micro niches not the usual:

• Finance
• Dating
• Ring Tones

2. Video Ads – I guess no one has cracked the shell on this one. How to monetize video. Pre roll, post roll, pop up, click in video, video overlay, you name it there was a way to advertise on video. Don’t these people get it? All of these ads are intrusive. The way to go is to create vector images around objects actors interact with and insert the brand most relevant to that viewer. For example I am watching a video where I guy takes a swig from a can.

• 13 to 20 male – he sees the guy taking a swig of Coca Cola
• 21 – 44 male – sees a guy taking a swig of Budweiser
• 45 and over male – sees a guy taking a swig of Prune Juice

3. Lead Qualification – the new buzz phrase. Buying leads has been around for a while, but I am seeing a conversions of many different technologies and ideas to improve qualities of leads. For example LeadQual utilizes the phone to qualify leads on the fly and sell them to their clients in real time based on the client criteria.

One trend that I did not see from anyone I asked is more demographic data. I get it your BS gets x impressions, you can target by keyword blah blah. What I want to know is who are your users. What gender, income level, etc. Maybe it is because of my traditional advertising background, but I do not think behavioral marketing and split testing is the holy grail. We need to incorporate both to maximize potential revenue.