This is the 6,000th article in Tnooz – not bad going, we think, for a reasonably small editorial team that has only been on the scene for just over two and a half years.
We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved and what we do every single day, whether it’s the news-gathering from two of the best travel tech journos around (Dennis Schaal and Linda Fox) to the wonderful contributions of our often noisy (that’s a compliment!) yet incredibly smart and experienced Nodes.
Anyway, for fear of being accused of navel-gazing…………
Rather than produce the usual type of article to mark such an occasion, such as a list of the most popular articles within the 6,000 so far, etc, etc, thought we would share instead a recent email exchange with someone trying to get their service into Tnooz.
A thoroughly pleasant chap was highlighting a new mobile application for people to share their thoughts about things that they encounter as they go about their daily lives.
Not particularly travel-related (although it was pitched that way), but the idea is that users wander around with their iPhone and can see what others are saying in real-time about, well, anything – politics, food, state of the transport system, etc.
We suggested:
“Just sounds like Twitter, right?”.
The reply:
“In a lot of ways, yes. However the focus is geographic.”
We wrote back:
“Only useful if lots if people are using it though, surely? And why would I want to use yet another social network when I can use short-form messaging on Twitter or FB, based on location. And FB tells me who is nearby, right?”
Our pitcher was not giving up just yet.
“Yep, totally agree, there are so many apps out there but I like the simplicity of this one. I like the interface. I like the way its extremely ‘right now’, ‘right here’. Its spread very quickly and the CEO knows people will class any location based social app as ‘just another’ but this one works. For me anyway and for the award givers and tech press. Rare to see the techs getting behind something so quickly. Chance to be conversation starters can’t be missed as long as we try it before we post to see if it’s a go-er.”
We replied:
“Hahahaaa. That’s funny. ‘Rare to see the techs getting behind something so quickly’. Other than Quora, Color, et al, of course
?”
The slightly disconsolate response:
“Very good point! Well made. I’m a sucker for tech but I’m realistic. Try the app, I’ll stand by your view. If you think there’s no USP for travel tech I’ll accept that.”
This is the kind of head-to-head we have with people every single day. Now there’s a reasonably good chance that we may well feature this service on TLabs in the weeks or months to come – it’s actually quite good and has SOME potential.
But the point here is that we try as best as we can to get behind the puff, not just regurgitate every press release that comes our way.
We think this is why, 6,000 articles in, we’re still going strong (and growing).
Thanks as always, readers, for your tremendous support.
NB: Hot air (get it?) image via Shutterstock.
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About Kevin May
Congrats Kevin! Always a great read from you and the Tnooz team!
congatulations on having created the thought leader in travel tech, not only in the english speaking world but with a truly global perspective.
the few glitches pale when looking at otherwise 6000 well written pieces.
Congratulations Kevin, an amazing achievement. Tnooz is firmly positioned as part of my essential daily reading to stay on top of the latest happenings in the travel technology space. Here’s to the next 6,000 articles.
Congrats! We read and share your articles with pleasure every day!
Team @ Olery
Congratulations, Kevin & team. I love the sharp focus, and look forward to many more years of Tnooz!
Nick Davies would be proud of yer
Congrats. (nothing in this comment constitutes an intention nor expectation to curry favour. etc etc)
Hah slow news day? Is that a lot? Sounds a lot. Take a short holiday. Did you enjoy it? Keep up good work with your online organ etc etc. Well done etc etc. What’s next?
Appreciate the thoughtful writing that happens here. It gives those of us who like to comment, a place to hang out!
Congratulations guys. Keep it up.
You guys are doing a wonderful job, and have been a daily resource of most recent news and thoughts of the travel industry for us!
We find that many trends and directions of where our industry is going often get reflect on your portal, well ahead of anyone else.
You guys are dynamic, fun, interesting, with a great sense of humor, and terrific perception of the current and most importantly -future direction of the travel industry.
On the other hand, a possible missed opportunity. If you included more puff, you could build your street cred by changing your names to Kevin “Puff Daddy” May and Dennis “Puffy” Schaal.
Just think, with just a minor course adjustment, the new editorial direction could easily become, “Tnooz the travel industry’s authoritative source for celebrity gossip and unconfirmed innuendo.” Global visitor stats will skyrocket, forcing you to reduce the number of articles published in order to spend more time on the activities you truly love, like hauling big sacks of advertising money down to the bank
Congrats Tnooz team – big milestone! I enjoy this site immensely.
Congratulations Kevin on a must-read publication!
Congrats, Kevin, Dennis and Linda –
6,000 is indeed impressive! Your articles are discussed and debated every day in the office. Keep up the great work!
LOL @RobertKCole — perhaps Tnooz needs to launch a gossip site to commemorate its 10,000th article.
Then again, they’ve proved a small and focused team can do amazing things that would be otherwise unimaginable.
Congratulations to all!!
@brian – who is Robert Cole?
Thanks everyone for the kind words.
We want to get better. Much better.
Congrats and really pleased for you!! Love Tnooz and best source for travel/tech updates. #patonback
Hi Kev and team
Congrats on 6,000 articles! I’ve enjoyed watching the site grow and Tnooz is well and truly has its finger on the pulse of the online travel industry!
Cheers,
Ian
I get a lot out of TNOOZ and really enjoy your website. Keep up the great work.
Hi Guys,
New to Tnooz, (sorry, slow to catch on).
Came accross some info which may be old hat to some but i am sure many will find interesting. Wondered what your thoughts were.
Its something which should interest many of the people who read it.It is something that we all really do need to be careful of.
Exchanging links with other sites who offer link exchange. Are they what they seem or have they simply scraped the info on their pages from another site?If you exchange with them and their site is categorised by Google before your genuine site, it could be your genuine site that is taken down!!
Worth a read
http://www.netamatixblog.com/2012/05/website-content-theft.html
@mark – interestingly, you seem to post exactly the same comment as above on other forums and blogs.
what’s worse? asking for link exchanges or spamming comment threads?
Really awesome and excellent posts you have here. Congratulations Tnooz team!
Great article. Thanks for your insights
Colleen Moo King, TSTLLC, Travel Syndication Technology
As a newbie to tnooz I learn from folks that have put in work like yourselves…thanks!
Hello guys!
I just recently found out about your portal. It is awesome. Congrats for the 6.000 articles, keep on going!
I work for a company that produces travel agency and tour operator software and I have found tnooz to be a relevant and interesing source of information.
Keep up the good work.
Just found tnooz recently and I am quite impressed and entertained with the articles!