DISQUS

it's a big phishing scam - although other than sending out more bogus links, I'm not sure what else it does

avoid any links in odd sounding DMs

I have wimped out of reading all comments, so apologies if already stated, but why have two areas? Eventually distinctions would be blurred as people used the most popular to get noticed, whether relevant or not.

I suggest looking at the clients which should allow you to filter out replies from messages on a per user basis (not on a universal basis as at the moment). You can follow those replies from only those you want to follow, but still see what you call 'platform' tweets from everyone.

[this does imply @messages are of lower value than broadcast ones, but in general that is true]

If you see a message that is interesting, you tag it in your client and it starts showing that users replies, and those sent to them (for a period of time).

This would not involve any changes to twitter itself, only the way you read it.

Does that make sense and address your issue?

did you see the TechCrunch article on this?

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/21/google-it-...

not sure I want to make searching that "interactive"

sounds good - although I'm cheating and getting an expert friend to help me

funnily enough, someone showed me this last night for the first time. My score was a tad lower than yours - unless you doctored the image :)

I've also decided to do something about it and will make loads of changes to my site, hopefully starting this week.

Blogging used to be easy when we didn't care, but then it wasn't as 'serious'

just literally found another:

http://twitturly.com/about/

off the top of my head, how about:

tweetdeck - to group those you follow into manageable groups

tweetlater - autorespond to followers and delay posting

the washing up wasn't THAT bad :)

glad I had a dishwasher though

thank you for such kind words and great company

looking forward to getting together for more wine & food and hopefully this time I'll sit still long enough to have a proper chat :)

Funny! I thought that too at first. I think it works.

excellent post, as always, and very useful. I also happen to agree pretty much 100% (although I'd suggest saying Search Engine Optimisation rather than SEO in point 6)

why is it that the best consultants also manage to somehow combine their work with dispensing great free advice as well? I guess this is the demonstration, proof in the pudding and all that.

thank you

I've been waiting to hear this story since I heard of the event - let's face it, both of you off twitter, blogging and skype for more than a few hours means something drastic HAD to be wrong!

Now I understand, or rather, I sympathise.

I could write a similar post for my TV/broadband suppliers in the UK, but I think that applies everywhere in the world

I'm a believer that there is something to 'Scream Therapy'

With you on all counts there.

Best of luck with the new set-up. I'm sure that if there is a workable model for monetising wine blogs out there you will be the first to find it and you deserve the success!

Good luck my friends!

actually, on that point I meant to say that decanter.com has been running a poll on their site as to whether readers think they focus too much on Bordeaux, and the majority say "yes, you need to look at other areas more" so ... who knows!

drat! I thought we were going to get another set of Gabriella's spa photos!

:)

by far my favourite was Son Son by Macaco, but I did like the non-bongo-playing Bongo Bong song; need to try again with the wine pairings next time

oh, and in case anyone is confused by the task, here are the original instructions:

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to

:)

he he he - nice post and response, now I need to listen to all these songs

great idea and good luck! I look forward to reading the results

Unfortunately I have not tried it, and I suspect many others out there who have heard of this, like me, have not yet felt inclined to do so, so maybe we can comment on why not too?

I'll be honest and say I never felt I was the target. I'm not sure I'd say it was for "women" (such plans are doomed anyway), but I'm guessing that the marketing plan's consumer segmentation would have been "anyone who does not already drink port".

My big problem with this would be that I decided long ago that there are only so many alcohol units I can, or should, consume. I love wine, and so why waste those units on spirits, beers and high alcohol beverages when I don't need to? There will always be an occasion where these are appropriate (like an occasional G&T, refreshing pint or rich after dinner port), but what is the occasion for pink port? It is too alcoholic (even if it was integrated) for a refreshing summer drink - it'll put me to sleep in no time. In any case, there are plenty of non fortified wines that meet that need better. Is it supposed to replace other ports as an after-dinner drink? I don't think so.

This is a neat idea looking for customers, not a solution to an existing demand.

I'd be happy to be proven wrong

Bill - that sounds like a great wine. Any wine that can deliver 120% is OK with me

:)

I think these are very valid points. I have been thinking much the same as Marco in his second point. I almost always skip over the tasting element of tasting notes, looking for the general information on the winery and its business instead. The tasting is irrelevant if I cannot find the wine in this market.

I REALLY like the idea of Domaine547 where she puts together packs for bloggers and based on bloggers reviews. I think that has real potential for the future. If there could be some way to get hold of the wines reviewed around the world and order a selection based on that, I'd buy it in a snap.

Of course shipping laws and costs currently make this almost impossible, but yet ...

However, I am a blogger and not the target of the question. I am sure others out there have their own thoughts.

Interesting point regarding Kosher wine. Our winery produced a Kosher RIoja in 2006 which was chosen this week by Jancis Robinson as her wine of the week.

http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/20080413

I think the demand for a new range of quality Kosher wines exists whether that is from Spain or any other well known viticultural region, but the requirements do ensure that this will almost always be a slightly more expensive option than non-Kosher.

Is this a trick? If there are 6 that sing, what is the 7th on your list doing? Playing bass guitar in the background?

:)

I too wish an updated version would come out for some obvious reasons that you will probably be aware of, but which I shall not repeat here :)

I think John Radford is not only a great expert on Spain but also a great entertainer, speaker and writer. It is a shame that the format for these books rather limits his style, but as a reference book it is very valuable.