Help Build the Best Blog Search Engine for Web Designers... Bits O' BlogSearch
December 12th, 2007 in Mirificam Press News
by: Matthew Griffin
After happening upon Rollyo.com last week, I was inspired to build a blog search engine for web designers. Rollyo is short for "roll your own" search engine. It's a simpler Yahoo powered version of Google's Custom Search. I knew as embarked on this mission that I wasn't the first to attempt it. But the wheel can always be made rounder without being reinvented.
First, I started compiling a list of my favorite web design blogs to be included in the search. As I began entering them on Rollyo I discovered a catch. Rollyo allows a maximum of twenty-five sites per search roll. I was about to switch over to Google custom search and write an article about how I hate Rollyo.com when it hit me—this could be a distinguishing mark on my search engine. With only twenty-five slots to fill, I'll be much more careful about which blogs I include. That translates to better quality search results. If you want to search the blogosphere, go to Technorati. But it you want quality content, go to "Bits O' BlogSearch" (kind of catchy).
In the next few days, I'm going to add a page to Bits O' NewMedia with a Bits O' BlogSearch search box and a list of links to all the blogs it searches. I've filled twenty-two of the twenty-five spots and left three open for suggestion. Let me know what you think. Should your blog be on the list? Tell me why. If you think I messed up and one of the blogs I have on the list should come off, let me know that too (Use my if you don't want to let the whole world know what blogs you hate).
Here's the search box and a list of blogs currently on the search roll:
www.stylegrind.com
www.31three.com
blog.webreakstuff.com
www.simpleandloveable.com
www.vandelaydesign.com
www.devlounge.net
www.readwriteweb.com
www.webworkerdaily.com
www.456bereastreet.com
www.designfloat.com
www.courtneytuttle.com
www.uxmag.com
www.thinkvitamin.com
www.smashingmagazine.com
www.digital-web.com
www.alistapart.com
www.randaclay.com
www.bloggingtips.com
www.superbloggingtips.com
www.cssjuice.com
www.zeldman.com
(Don't be afraid to tell me this one should come off)
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Comments
Posted By: Tay on 12/12/07
Wow, this definitely sounds like an interesting idea and I look forward to seeing it progress further! Thanks for including my blog - I am really honored to be part of such a list! I think you have made some great selections.
Posted By: on 12/13/07
Absolutely, Tay. I enjoy your blog very much and I don't think the list would be complete without it.
Posted By: Peter Dorsi on 12/13/07
Just saw some traffic from your site and was honored to be included in the list!
Posted By: on 12/13/07
I am a long time fan, Peter. No problem.
Posted By: Randa Clay on 12/14/07
Thanks for including my site! I love your blog design, by the way - very nice.
Posted By: on 12/14/07
Thanks, Randa Clay. Keep up the good work.
Posted By: Dustin Brewer on 12/16/07
Great idea, I like the initial concept and would love to see it built upon. I can't wait to see it develop and progress. I can see this idea really taking off.