On Feedster 2.0, and Blog Search

Feedster, a blog ‘tracker’ and search engine, has today released version 2.0 of their product. The update features a new (colourful) UI, a new widget offering and an enhanced ’semantic’ search algorithm.

The news was greeted with borderline-ridicule from Techcrunch’s Michael Arrington, who pretty much declares Feedster dead in the water. Om Malik is a bit more reserved, but agrees that Feedster’s use is now defunct.

I would tend to agree with them, on principle. I almost felt a cluster headache appear when I saw the new UI – there’s colourful, and too colourful. The new Feedster is the later. Aside of it’s ‘vibrant’ appearance, the interface is inherently confusing, with menus any which place, and text in random areas, and even browser buttons. Yes, we are sifting back to Web 1.0 ‘Get This Browser’ buttons.

The new algorithm inside Feedster, to me, is irrelevant. It’s a problem that is already solved. I can track all the buzz I care for through Technorati, Sphere and Google Blogsearch. I used to occasionally use Serph, for it’s beautiful UI, but unfortunately the results seem spam filled as of late.

From Feedster’s announcement on their blog:

The best part about the channels is that you can now take them with you. In fact, every channel AND search on our site are completely portable with the new Feedster widget…

For me, Rule Uno here is make sure you’re product is useful, before you try and impress me with a widget. I am not 5 years old. Nasa duvet covers no longer take my breath away.

I’d love to hear your thoughts too, do you have a use for Feedster with the others around?

Matt Harwood is an Independent Online Media Consultant from Bedfordshire, UK. His background covers Interactive Marketing, and Design.