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Interest in embedding Google Maps (gmaps) into web pages and blogs is at an all time high. The Google Maps API is probably the most popular API the company has ever published. In spite of the API’s popularity, it’s basic use (as a means to define and display graphical map data) has been troubled by the difficulties of geocoding.

In a nutshell, geocoding is translating street address data into coordinates of latitude and longitude. This is necessary because the calls to the Google Maps API you have to make from your own web site have to call the map you want to display by the coordinates of the map’s desired centerpoint.

The javascript needed to call the map for a specific address might look like this: (more…)

Line-making and Line-tending in Light of Trustrank

The classification systems we use everyday and all over the world are based almost entirely on arbitrary and subjective differences we decide exist between things. That two people can disagree on whether Object A belongs in Category 1 or Category 2 begins to illuminate an important problem faced by the Google Spider, as it is today. If two persons, with all five senses in good working order, can disagree on fundamental classification, how can the Spider, which is blind, serve them both?

To remember Image Search in its beginnings, you’ll recall SERPS filled with very generic looking, you might even say idealized, images of things. That was when the Spider was young and wholly literal, operating on the basis of simple text recognition for a pre-programmed list of words. If it encountered a file named apple.jpg, it assumed “apple” — which is exactly what its programmers wanted it to do. Programmers, who were also responsible for the initial “seed set” of images, chose ideal representations of basic objects, like the perfect red apple, a tree set by itself on a grassy hill, a pen on a desk, etc. Most people would probably do as they did, if given the job of “teaching the meaning of things” to a fledgling intelligence — read more about Division Trust and Trustrank.

In a bid to impress webmasters, Australia-based Sexyads.com has launched SexyadsNews.com, a site that will perform double-duty, as both a news and information site for online daters and RSS feed engine for affiliates. “Sexyadsnews.com is for affiliates and for surfers…” said SEXYADS.com CEO Maureen Shaw “Sexyadsnews.com is an annex to our flagship site — SEXYADS.com. It’s a place our ‘pre-members’ can interact with each other and enjoy free samples of the premium content and dating services offered within the pay site members’ area.” — read the press release.

Sexyads is big on trust and honesty.

In part 3 of the Syndicated Affiliate I wrote: “Affiliates… you have the power to demand pretty much whatever you want from a sponsor program. Bloggers who get lots of other bloggers to agree on the same thing will move mountains. The desire to blog is bringing people to the Web from all walks of life. They are coming to express themselves, to participate, to have effect. And, most especially, they are coming to get paid. But because greed and dishonesty are uncool in the New Way of Things, affiliates are sending their traffic to sponsors they trust and like. Sponsors, you’d better pray they trust and like you…more

Part 2: RSS, Advice for Sponsor Programs