I’ve decided to try out Ecto as a blogging tool having been a keen user of Windows Live Writer for some time now. Let’s see how it goes…

Google has closed down Google Answers.Matt Cutts says it’s the right decision.

Chris Riley has an interesting side by side comparison of the BBC’s top stories as they placed them, compared with the top stories as counted by the site’s “most popular” feature.

The Telegraph, which has been going through a rough time reorganising its news room to meet the challenges of the networked world, has been given shot in the arm by its scoop on Michael Grade’s defection to ITV. Jeff Jaris reports on a telephone conversation with Ed Roussel, head of online at the Telegraph.

Roussel said the Grade story was a model for how it should work on a new platform that can cut across all media and tools: The story went online at 9:50 p.m. and in no time, they put up audio and video and more content, forcing those competitors listed above to attribute the news to the Telegraph. Roussel said there is no more debate about putting stories online first.

Press Complaints Commission director TimToulmin has been lampooned after he suggested that bloggers should submit themselves to a voluntary code of practice. “Bollocks”, says Jeff Jarvis.

The BBC in Manchester is running seminars teaching people how to blog. The first one is on January 18th.