E L S U A ~ A KM Blog Thinking Outside The Inbox by Luis Suarez

IBM Syndicated XML Feeds

Over the weekend I received an e-mail from someone who wanted to know if IBM had jumped into the Web Syndication bandwagon and started implementing RSS Newsfeeds in the different ibm.com external web sites. And after having replied to that e-mail I thought I would also share over here a couple of lines on the subject.

Yes, indeed, IBM has embraced Web Syndication for some time now and throughout the different ibm.com web sites you will find quite a few that are RSS enabled. Since I know it would be a bit too difficult to go through each of them to start subscribing to the ones that may interest you the most, I just thought you folks should be aware of this particular URL: IBM Syndicated XML Feeds, where you will find a comprehensive and extensive index of the different feeds currently available.

You will notice there that there are different categories, describing briefly each of the different feeds but also including the RSS feed so that if you are interested in adding them to your favourite feeds you would be able to do so right away. Thus go and have a look and see which ones you would think would be worth while subscribing to.

Technorati Tags : IBM+RSS, IBM+Feeds, IBM+Syndication

Best RSS Search Engines and Directories to Submit to: The RSSTop55 Premium Is Out !

Exactly about a week ago I was weblogging about how after I was done with the migration of content from one weblog to another it was about time to drive some more weblog traffic to take place and right there I shared a couple of other weblog posts but also one of the best online resources I have found so far to help you promote your weblog and increase its readership by others. That was the weblog post created by Robin Good on  RSSTop55 – Best Blog Directory And RSS Submission.

Well, while I have been catching up with some of my RSS Newsfeeds I have just bumped into the following weblog post, also by Robin: Best RSS Search Engines And Directories To Submit to: The RSSTop55 Premium Is Out! Ok, I know what is the first thing you are going to say about it. It costs money. Yes, indeed ! But where else are you going to find such a vast amount of information and resources on how to promote your weblog? Where else are you going to find that job done for you within minutes ? I guess that it will be slightly difficult to go by without having to check out Robin’s guide.

I must say that I haven’t bought it yet, since I am quite content with the readership of my weblog at the moment, but if I would ever want to get busier with some heavy promoting then I will surely have a look and buy a copy of his work. Just going through the recent comments you can see that this comprehensive guide is a must-have for those folks who would want to continue spreading the message about their own weblog.

Either way, even though I may not have bought it yet, I bet it is a safe bet to acquire a copy and start learning a few tricks on how to promote your weblog, so if you are ever looking for a good reference you could use and for some little money, then Robin’s Best RSS Search Engines And Directories To Submit to: The RSSTop55 Premium Is Out! is one of the best options out there !

Thanks very much, Robin !, for putting together such a comprehensive approach towards weblog promotion out on the Internet. Great piece of work !

Technorati Tags : Metablogging, Blog+Traffic

Podcast : IBM and the Future of Banking

As I have already mentioned on the previous weblog post, I am sure as well that you already have seen it, and probably have listened to it as well, the latest IBM Podcast available from the IBM Investors web site . But just in case you may not have had a chance to take a look, there is, indeed, a new episode from the IBM and The Future of … Podcasting series. And this time around the subject of the Podcast is IBM and The Future of Banking. I was actually very curious to listen to it, more than anything else to find out if it would change my opinion about banks in general, so I did it. I listened to it. And, no, it didn’t change my opinion.

To start with, I am surprised to find out how many people do not feel comfortable, nor like, interacting with banks. Who does, right ? Apparently lots of people seem to have a reluctance to engage with them and according to the podcast this seems to be due to the fact that in general people feel banks’ customer service could improve a great deal. That is probably why at this point in time most of people’s banking experience has been through the Internet or whatever other IT device / gadget and will continue to do so, I would think. Having to wait on endless queues for hours and hours for some relatively simple paperwork can certainly put people off. So everyone is wondering when would they enter the 21st century.

With all that said, though, there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel. During the podcast it was mentioned that one of the key success factors from banks that they would continue to work on is that one of data driven personalisation, which will help change the customer interaction with their banks and eventually increase their customer satisfaction levels. Indeed, I certainly agree with that and I do seriously hope that banks do start getting the message that sometimes the customer comes first before even their own needs.

Either way, I certainly enjoy the podcast, once again, you can certainly see that these folks are natural at these things and every time it gets better and better. So if you haven’t listened to it I would suggest you spend a few minutes listening to it and see if it would change your opinion about your banking experience. It didn’t change mine but it may certainly change yours. Who knows.

Technorati Tags : IBM, IBM+Podcast, IBM+Banking, IBM+Investors