Today one of my clients asked whether it's possible to instruct Googlebot to ignore a portion of a web page when crawling and indexing his web site. This client shows product pricing on their web site, but would prefer that Google not index the prices so that they do not appear in search results. I was not aware of a directive that Googlebot would follow to ignore anything other than entire web sites, pages or folders, so I researched the topic and here's what I learned. [More]
Feb 26, 2008 • by Jason Sherrill
Today I signed into one of my AT&T accounts and was presented with their risk-based authentication (RBA) setup page. The challenge question choices they presented reminded me how important it is to follow a few simple rules when choosing challenge questions for your users to choose. [More]
Feb 21, 2008 • by Jason Sherrill
One of the easiest methods to quickly collect customer feedback is via online surveys, posted either on your website or distributed via email. Since few website content management systems (CMSs) offer survey tools and third-party products can be expensive and cumbersome to install, not many small and mid-size banks and credit unions use online surveys.
Using a new feature in Google spreadsheets, anyone can easily create, distribute and analyze online surveys. Best of all, it's free! Let me show you how to get started.
First, let me share an important disclaimer: Spreadsheets are not databases. Spreadsheets are not databases. (Twice for emphasis)
The process is simple:
Go to www.google.com/docs and sign up for your free account
Create a new, empty spreadsheet
Click on the Share tab and input a name when prompted
Click the "to fill out a form" radio button in the Invite People: se... [More]
Feb 11, 2008 • by Jason Sherrill
Last week I got a new computer (IBM ThinkPad T60p), which means I retired my old ThinkPad T41. Today is the first time that I've tried to logon to my Chase online account to pay my credit card bill, which is due today. I've never had a problem logging on, but today the Chase online banking site has recognized that my computer fingerprint has changed. The hair-pulling experience I'm in the middle of right now has reminded me that it's a fine line we as software developers walk between creating tough-to-crack security while continuing to make sure our software is user friendly. [More]
Jan 11, 2008 • by Jason Sherrill
Your home page is the most valuable real estate on your website, but also the hardest page to choose content for and layout. A good home page will drive visitors into your site, while a poor home page will drive visitors away. But how can you tell exactly how visitors are using your home page? [More]
Dec 1, 2007 • by Jason Sherrill
