2005 March 01

Please stop calling an RSS feed an XML feed. XML refers to the document type, while RSS is a subset of XML. RSS is XML, but XML is not RSS. The orange “XML” buttons that you see everywhere on the Web make sense, so long as you understand the relationship between RSS and XML. However, most people don't – and they wind up calling their RSS feed an XML feed. Why? Because I don't think anybody has bothered to explain it yet. Again, it's not an XML feed if you're talking about RSS. Yes, it's an XML document, but it's an RSS feed. Now you know.
And knowing is half the battle.

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The Search Engine Strategies conference is giong well. That said, the venue's Wi-Fi network stinks – which is why we're at Starbucks. Jeremy tells us that it was the same story last year (at least, as far as lousy network connectivity is concerned). We've done a handful of interviews already, and will be posting for y'all to hear soon – some vendors, some attendees, some industry notables. I was surprised to run into Dave McClure here. I suppose Search Engine Strategies is something that many people want and/or need. This kind of conference attracts more corporate types, which… are being largely misled. I'm seeing far too many “email marketing” signage around the floor, and virtually none on syndication. No surprise.
My search engine strategy? Publish.
I think Search Engine Strategies needs to be three separate conferences, not three separate tracks in one conference. The value would be much higher for me with a smaller group of people. As it stands, I'm getting “lost” in the hallways – unsure of who's who or why they're there. You could be a n00b to Search Engine Strategies, a marketer who was ordered to attend the conference, or a complete and utter Search Engine Strategies junkie. I'd much rather mingle with the experts and passionate people, personally. They're almost impossible to find at these 500+ events. At one time, I thought 1,000 attendees was a perfect number, but I'm starting to believe (and see) that less is more.
I'd consider coming to another Search Engine Strategies if it was closer to my neck of the woods, with the hope that it would be set on a single-track and geared towards those of us who have some kind of idea what's going on out there. I realize that sponsors sometimes want to hear that they can reach BILLIONS of people in one swoop, but I'd argue that the right HUNDREDS should be in their sights. Even if Jupitermedia isn't listening, at least I'm telling the rest of the world what I want.

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