MySpace Drag & Drop Editor: SnapLayout.com

I heard from Justine Ezarik about the new SnapLayout.com site. She actually did a short video with MC Hammer about how great it is. Watch the video below to find out what SnapLayout.com is all about.

Summary: SnapLayout allows you to make your MySpace page look better in an easier way than before. I guess you could say it’s a snap! (I know, not very funny.) It features a drag and drop editor and a header slideshow that can add a nice touch.

Sorry, I don’t have any inside screenshots. I don’t have a MySpace account. Just trust MC Hammer and Justine Ezarik and try it for yourself. Check out their MySpace pages:

• MC Hammer
• Justine Ezarik

TechCrunch also talks about SnapLayout and includes a screenshot and more details about it.

Blogging Tips From Easton Ellsworth

I recently won a prize at David Airey’s prize giveaway. Although winning an actual physical item can be fun, this prize is more valuable because my blog will benefit from it. When my blog benefits, I benefit. And, hopefully all of you will benefit as well.

I received some very useful tips from Easton Ellsworth, and so far I have tried a few of them out. One suggestion was moving content in the sidebar up by removing the large e-mail subscription box. I placed the e-mail subscription form between the menu and RSS feed link above. Thank you for the suggestion, Easton. I actually like how it looks after seeing the change for a day! Maybe I will start to see more e-mail subscribers because it is higher on the page?

Another suggestion was regarding the large search box at the top right corner. I could utilize that space for advertisements, but I’m not sure where to put the search box. Maybe at the top of the sidebar? Below the image ad? I have previously considered replacing it with ad space, but I want to allow visitors to find the search box. Anyone have suggestions?

Because I don’t make a lot from Google Adsense, I would like to eventually replace it. Not necessarily the Google Ads below the menu in the header. I am trying out WidgetBucks, which replaced a 300×250 Google Image Ad. If it doesn’t work out, I can always try something else. Down the road, I eventually want to deal with advertisers directly, rather than going through a middleman who will take a percentage.

After talking with Easton on the phone, I am satisfied with how it went. I will be trying several of his tips which you, the readers, may start noticing in the coming weeks. Please let me know what you like, don’t like or any suggestions you may have. I know that I can’t keep everyone happy, but I do value your opinions!

100 Blog Search Results About Google Acquiring Jaiku

This was just about the only thing discussed around the Internet today and on Twitter, since early this morning. I’m actually tired of hearing about it, but thought I would check out a few blogs that have written about this acquisition. I did a Google Blog Search for “Google acquires Jaiku” and it listed 100 results! There is probably more than that depending on what keywords are searched for. So, it’s obvious that this is a hot topic, at least for today.

Jaiku is a social networking and micro-blogging service. It is similar to Twitter, but appears to have more features. I would love to be able to compare the two, but without having seen inside Jaiku, it’s just not possible. I’ve already registered to receive an invite, but I don’t know how long that will take. Anyone have one they are willing to share?

Read more official news about it at the Jaikido Blog and Google Blog. I’m curious what Google will do with it. Everyone may have their own thoughts regarding Google’s decision to acquire Jaiku instead of Twitter. Here are a few blogs talking about the acquisition:

1. Ross Mayfield
2. SMS Text News
3. Stefan Hayden
4. Musings on Life, Spirit & Technology

For now, until we hear more from Google, we will have to wait to find out what Google’s plans are for Jaiku.

New Releases: Awn 0.2 & Vixta.org

Awn 0.2

It has been quite a while since I’ve written any Linux related topics. This one should be good – at least I’m excited about it. The image above is a partial screenshot of an image on Flickr, displaying a last.fm player applet. Take a look at the full image if you’re curious.

Awn 0.2 has just been released. This version has some really nice features, which includes icon effects and has an awesome 3D look. There is even a manager for it that allows you to change options, applets and themes.

Check out the video of the icon effects in action.

Vixta.org

Linux that looks like Vista. I’m sure some people have their own opinions on this one. I think it’s great. So many people like how Vista looks, but can’t stand the problems with it. Vixta.org could be a solution.

It looks almost like Vista, except for the start button. There may be more features that aren’t exactly like Vista, but it’s close enough. I have not yet tried it out, but I may in the near future.

The image above is a screenshot of a full image on Vixta.org’s site. Check out the other screenshots and more.

Free Simple & Clean WordPress Themes

There are some really good WordPress themes at Free WordPress Layouts. They are simple and clean. Listed below are a few that I like.

1. Starry Night
   
   This first one has a very nice looking header. Check out the preview and download this theme.
2. Simplism
   
   Simplism, like its name, is simple looking. The blog posts have enough space away from the sidebar for easy reading. I think the only thing I would do differently with it though, is decrease the size of “Posted by …” below the post title. Check out the preview and download this theme.
3. Nature’s Gift
   
   Nature’s Gift is the name of this one and is my favorite one of them all. I love how the post dates are off to the side. I’m not sure why the dates need to be underneath the post title as well, except to show the year. The year could have been added to the date along the side. Still a very nice theme! Check out the preview and download this theme.
4. Business Lite
   
   Not sure that I like the colors (not a fan of black), but I do like how the post titles and dates go out to the left side. Check out the preview and download this theme.