How to show all sites in Google Webmaster Tools

The new interface for Google Webmaster Tools is currently being rolled out. My main complaint was the loss of the ability to see all sites and get to any site with one click from a single view was removed. However, thanks to Susan Moskwa (a Googler), I now have a temporary hack that will let me see all sites:

Just add &grid.s=500 to the end of the URL:

https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/new/home?hl=en&grid.s=500

Groovy - I can see all the sites in one hit!

First Rate is now Google Analytics Certified...

First Rate is now the first NZ company to be Google Analytics Certified. Pretty neat stuff. And after our SEO, Jon, I think I was the 2nd person to sit the Analytics Exam, and the 2nd longest serving consultant employed at the Auckland & Sydney based company.

MS Excel function to convert URL into domain name

This function can be used to convert a URL such as http://www.funk.co.nz/ into just www.funk.co.nz

Here it is:

=LEFT(RIGHT(C5,(LEN(C5)-7)),(SEARCH("/",RIGHT(C5,(LEN(C5)-7)))-1))

Where cell C5 contains the URL, this formula should output just the domain name. If the URL is secure, you will need to increase the -7 to a -8 (http:// is 7 chars, whereas https:// is 8 chars).

Note: My blog software is converting the quotes so you will need to re-type the quote marks in the centre of the formula after pasting into Excel.

Enhanced Version that support https URLs:

=LEFT(RIGHT(A1,(LEN(A1)-if(isnumber(search("https", A1)), 8, 7))),(SEARCH("/",RIGHT(A1,(LEN(A1)-if(isnumber(search("https", A1)), 8, 7))))-1))

Mac keyboard shortcut for application launching...

I finally cracked an annoying UI problem having owned a Mac for a bit - How to launch an app the best using the keyboard only. Having been using Apple space to use Spotlight to launch programs without even needing to put them in the dock but found this to be slow at times as the database loads so now I have a better way:

Hit Control-F3 (I've set mine to just F3 in the Keyboard and Mouse control panel), then start typing the first three letters of the program name. For launching Firefox - which would normally be usurped by the 'Fi' in Finder, you would need to type 'Fir' and enter - pretty good and real fast too.

To get Google Earth I just use 'Goo', altho it comes us with just 'G' at this point since I haven't stuck too many programs in there yet. For iTunes - i etc.

How to get data on iphone 2g with Vodafone NZ

Ever since I've had my iPhone (original 1st generation one from USA), I've been able to get phone and sms txting working, but never GPRS data. After many fruitless calls to Vodafone helpdesk, and instore people, and even speaking with one technician who reckoned I could get data on it if I just switched to a more expensive plan.

Then I discovered a hack on a website called http://www.unlockit.co.nz/ and discovered that I too can get cellular data on my 1st gen iPhone 2G.

This is how to do it:

1. Open settings...
2. Touch General...
3. Touch Network...
4. Touch Cellular Data Network...
5. Fill out the following fields:

• APN: www.vodafone.net.nz
• Username: (i left mine blank!)
• Password: (i left mine blank!)

A voila! Internet is working via my on-account plan (Mega).

How are share prices set?

This description is taken from The Intelligent Investor in Australia... However I am not sure if it is accurate - what do you think? Make a comment below, or get in touch via my Contact Form if you have anything to add!

How are share prices set when the stock market opens each day?

Date: 9 Apr 99

How are share prices set when the market opens each day? The opening price of each share or security at the start of each day is really a call auction that matches overlapping orders at a single price (also used by the SEATS trading system to start trades in a new listing). Buy and sell orders are entered in time and price priority and so overlapping orders are matched and the weighted average price is calculated and assigned to all the shares as the opening price. Often at the opening of trade for a new listing buyers and sellers jockey for positions to either maximise the sell price or minimize the entry price. Some 'smart' cookies got it very wrong at the opening of trade for AMP with some very spurious results and some buyers got stuck with stock at well over the $30 mark, perhaps a case of being too quick off the mark.