sitemaps make googlebot aware you have

"The Sitemap Protocol is a dialect of XML for summarizing Sitemap information that is relevant to web crawlers. For each URL, you can include crawl "hints" like the last modified date and approximate change frequency."

There are many SEO techniques you can play with but this one has some important advantages:

• it's easy to implement
• shows results in a very short time
• it's recommended and offered by Google so you won't get blacklisted

The reason you would want to use a Sitemap is that I'm sure you know your website better that Googlebot does. So why not sharing the knowledge and let it know what you think is important and what is not. I used to underestimate the power of sitemaps until I saw this (Googlebot activity spike) a week after creating the Sitemap for my website:



The first time I tried to use sitemaps I got lost in the protocol specifications that Google provides, the fact that Google Sitemap Generator is not as user-friendly as I expected and in the multitude of options you have for submitting your sitemap. Well, it seems that the whole process is simpler that I thought. Here are the only steps you have to follow:

1. Create or generate the sitemap
2. Make sure it is valid
3. Submit it
4. Update it

1. How to create a sitemap?
The following image shows a Sitemap in XML format. The Sitemap in the example contains two URLs, each of which is identified using the XML tag. In this example, a different set of optional parameters has been provided for each URL.


Due the fact that XML files are just text files you can create them by hand or, if you have a more then a dozen URLs, you can generate them using PHP. So, go write a simple "sitemap.xml" file. Even a small sitemap will help. Repeat the ... block for each link you want to include and don't forget to close the tag at the end of the file.

2. If it's not valid it has no value
The next step is validating your file. And this is a must because XML parsers are less error tolerant than HTML parsers. So if your file has errors it will not be processed. There are plenty of ways to validate your file but the most easy I found is using validome.org. Just upload it to your website and point the validator to it.


3. Let Google know you have a sitemap (or more)
Google has a service called Google Webmaster tools which we will use to upload our sitemap. After you log in (you will need a Google account for that) just go to the Sitemaps section and click "Add a sitemap". Hopefully, if everything is ok you will see something like this after a while:


4. Keep your sitemaps up to date
Your Sitemap is more valuable if it's up to date. That is it points to working URLs and parameters reflect the state of the links. So, don't forget to update them from time to time. This is it, good luck!

16 hidden windows vista goodies

1. The snipping tool - take freeform screenshots
The snipping tool is used to grab screenshots and save them to common image formats. Open the start menu and just start typing “snipping”. You should see the tool pop up in the search results by the time you get to “snip”. You can choose from four types of snipping areas: Free form snip, Rectangular snip, Window snip, and Full screen snip.

2. Enable/disable startup programs
There are multiple places where an application can register itself for execution on startup, and this makes it hard to retain control over which programs are granted such status. Solution : From the start menu search bar, type System Configuration, and click on the link that comes up. The Startup tab enumerates all the applications that are set to run as startup, regardless of whether they are set in the registry, the user profile, or simply the startup folder. Application are still listed after you disable them.

3. Open an elevated command prompt - FAST
To launch an elevated command prompt, simply press the Win key; type cmd; press Ctrl+Shift+Enter; and then hit Alt+C to confirm the elevation prompt. Type "color 4f" in the command prompt to differentiate this from other non-elevated windows.

4. Use Windows XP drivers
If you have trouble finding a Vista driver try to use Windows XP version. There is a good chance it will work. At least to make your device usable.

5. Recover overwritten documents
If you accidentally overwrite a document, you can use Vista's implementation of Volume Shadow Copy to roll back changes—just click on the file and select "Previous Versions" on the Windows Explorer toolbar.

6. Bring back Start > Run...
If you want to restore it permanently to your Start menu, here's what you do:

• Right-click on the Start menu and choose Properties;
• Select the Start Menu tab and click on the Customize... button;
• Ensure the "Run command" option is checked.

Now the Start / Run command will be restored to its full glory.

7. Open command prompt here...
Right-click on any folder on your Windows Vista machine while holding down the shift key. You'll see an extra context-sensitive menu item there: Open Command Prompt here. Just click on this menu and a command window will open with the current working directory set to the folder's actual location.

8. DPI scaling via DWM (for laptops and Tablet PC)
A screen resolution of 1400x1050 on a 12" diagonal display is about 144dpi, 50% higher resolution than the 96dpi which Windows assumes by default! So, if you're tired of squinting, set your DPI properly instead of scaling down your resolution. You should find that applications work more reliably on Vista when the DPI is set greater than 96. Steps:

• Right-click the Windows desktop.
• Click Properties.
• Click the Settings tab on the Display Properties dialog.
• Click the Advanced button on the Settings tab.
• Select a dpi setting in the Display frame.
• Restart your system to allow the changes to take effect.

9. Enlarge the caret (text insertion point) for Tablet PC
Consider making the caret (text insertion point) easier to see in bright / daylight conditions, by increasing its thickness slightly. You can increase the caret width with this straightforward registry key:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop] "CaretWidth"=dword:00000003

10. Take ownership of a file or directory (if you can't access or delete it)
You may find sometimes that you cannot access/move/delete some folders even if you are administrator because their ACLs were set for accounts with SIDs that applied to an old partition. To take them back use:

• takeown /f [folder] /r /d y
• icacls [folder] /grant administrators:F /t

11. Run QuickLaunch items faster
You can simply use Win+1, Win+2, Win+3 and so on to launch each application from the QuickLaunch menu.

12. Run a command prompt during setup
Simply press Shift+F10 during setup, and you'll be presented with a command prompt. This also works after Windows Vista has rebooted for the first time on an upgrade, although be very careful what you do here - there's almost no good reasons to be interacting with the system at this point in time. (works also in Win200 and WinXP)

13. Zoom in Explorer
If you're looking at a folder with lots of photos, maybe a small thumbnail view works well; for a folder with lots of documents, maybe a larger thumbnail view works better. Now you can use the Views button on the toolbar to modify this - click the button to toggle between views or use the down arrow to get access to the slider - but it's quicker to use a shortcut. Simply hold down the Ctrl key and use your mouse scrollwheel to resize the icons from small to extra large. This also works on the desktop itself. If the desktop has focus, simply do Ctrl+mousewheel and you can go from the regular 48x48 icons to full 256x256 photographic-quality renditions.

14. The oldest component in Windows
It seems that edlin is the oldest program included in Windows. It was the only text editor provided with MS-DOS before version 5.0 of that system. However, Edlin is still available in Microsoft Windows including Windows Vista. If you want to try it here's the edlin command help.

15. Slow down Vista animation using the shift key
This only works if you have the aero interface turned on. You can slow down windows animations by pressing the shift key. This is the the animation you see when minimizing, maximizing or closing windows. To do this:

• Open registry editor
• Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM
• Create a new DWORD value AnimationsShiftKey and set it to 1

16. Use Notepad to create a log file
Notepad can be used to make log files. Open it and type .LOG on the first line, then save the file as whatever you want. Now every time you open the file the current date and time will be appended to it's contents.

Get certified on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008 – today!

The Windows Server 2008 certifications are part of the new generation of Microsoft certifications, which emphasize primary skill sets and job roles, providing a more relevant, flexible, and cost-effective way to validate core technical, professional, and architectural skills.

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrators (MCSAs) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSEs) in Windows Server 2003 can quickly and easily transfer their skills to achieve Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) accreditation on Windows Server 2008. The MCTS credential enables professionals to target specific technologies and distinguish themselves by demonstrating in-depth knowledge and expertise in those technologies.

A Great Way to Master Active Directory... Watch These Videos!


Have you seen the Active Directory Training videos by Train Signal? I highly recommend this course, as you will learn much more than you will from books (which never seem to have enough detail!). Their learn by doing approach is excellent because it shows you the "ins and outs" of Active Directory instead of reading pages and pages of theory.

-Daniel Petri, Petri IT Knowledge Base

Click Here to Watch Active Directory Videos!

By becoming a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) on Windows Server 2008 you can help your organization take advantage of advanced server technology with the power to increase the flexibility of your server infrastructure, save time, and reduce costs. Transition certifications are available today for Windows Server 2003 certified professionals, while full certification paths will be available soon after the Windows Server 2008 product release.
Upgrading Your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist - Exam 70-648

Professionals with an MCSA on Windows Server 2003 must pass one exam to become an MCTS on Windows Server 2008. If you are an MCSA and pass Exam 70-648, you will earn two distinct MCTS certifications:

* MCTS: Windows Server 2008 – Active Directory Configuration
* MCTS: Windows Server 2008 – Network Infrastructure Configuration

The MCTS certifications earned with Exam 70-648 are credit toward the following Professional Series certifications:

* MCITP: Server Administrator
* MCITP: Enterprise Administrator

Link to the exam info page:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-648.mspx
Exam 70-648 Classroom training

In order to achieve the skills and knowledge required to pass the 70-648 exam, the student should complete the following instructor-led courses:

1. Course 6415A: Updating your Network Infrastructure Technology Skills to Windows Server 2008 (three days)

2. Course 6416A: Updating your Active Directory Technology Skills to Windows Server 2008 (three days)

During the second half of 2008, Microsoft will release a one, 5-day course, that will replace the above courses:

1. Course 6416B: Updating your Network Infrastructure and Active Directory Technology Skills to Windows Server 2008 (five days)

Exam 70-648 topics covered

Exam 70-648 is an upgrade exam that is a composite of two stand-alone exams: 70-640 and 70-642. Exam 70-648 will validate skills related to the core technology features and functionality of Windows Server 2008, from the existing knowledge base of an MCSA on Windows Server 2003.

70-640: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring

* Configuring Server Roles (30 percent)
* Maintaining the Active Directory Environment (32 percent)
* Configuring the Active Directory Infrastructure (38 percent)

70-642: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring

* Configuring Network Access (49 percent)
* Deploying Servers (51 percent)

Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist - Exam 70-649

Professionals with an MCSE on Windows Server 2003 must pass one exam to become an MCTS on Windows Server 2008. If you are an MCSE and pass Exam 70-649, you will earn three distinct MCTS certifications:

* MCTS: Windows Server 2008 – Active Directory Configuration
* MCTS: Windows Server 2008 – Network Infrastructure Configuration
* MCTS: Windows Server 2008 – Application Platform Configuration

The MCTS certifications earned with Exam 70-649 are credit toward the following Professional Series certifications:

* MCITP: Server Administrator
* MCITP: Enterprise Administrator

Link to the exam info page:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-649.mspx
Exam 70-649 Classroom training

In order to achieve the skills and knowledge required to pass the 70-649 exam, the student should complete the following instructor-led courses:

1. Course 6415A: Updating your Network Infrastructure Technology Skills to Windows Server 2008 (three days)

2. Course 6416A: Updating your Active Directory Technology Skills to Windows Server 2008 (three days)

3. Course 6417A: Updating Your Application Platform Technology Skills to Windows Server 2008 (three days)

During the second half of 2008, Microsoft will release 2 new courses that will replace the above courses:

1. Course 6416B: Updating your Network Infrastructure and Active Directory Technology Skills to Windows Server 2008 (five days)

2. Course 6417B: Updating Your Application Platform Technology Skills to Windows Server 2008 (three days)

Exam 70-649 topics covered

Exam 70-649 is an upgrade exam that is a composite of three stand-alone exams: 70-640, 70-642, and 70-643. Exam 70-649 will validate skills related to the core technology features and functionality of Windows Server 2008, from the existing knowledge base of an MCSE on Windows Server 2003.

70-640: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring

* Configuring Server Roles (30 percent)
* Maintaining the Active Directory Environment (32 percent)
* Configuring the Active Directory Infrastructure (38 percent)

70-642: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring

* Configuring Network Access (49 percent)
* Deploying Servers (51 percent)

70-643: Windows Server 2008 Applications, Configuring

* Configuring Terminal Services (32 percent)
* Configuring a Web Services Infrastructure (30 percent)
* Configuring Security for Web Services (38 percent