More on the subject of Ajax and metrics from Google blogger Matt Cutts…

John Battelle has produced his list of 14(?) predictions for 2007. A particularly interesting one is number 9:

Speaking of the content business, it will face a major test as two forces converge to undermine the pageview model: Ajax, on the one hand, and ad blockers on the other. Both will be addressed with alarm and alacrity by industry efforts. By the end of the year, new metrics will emerge to help publishers and marketers understand audience engagement.

There will be plenty more predictions to come, but Battelle’s list is quite thought-provoking and eclectic.

Maxthon is a new browser out in beta which promises to vastly increase productivity by packaging up most of the things you need when browsing – like feeds, web clipping, blogging tools, tagging tools … the list goes on. Nathaniel Jacobson, the company’s ceo, has done a quick tour of the product on Robert Scoble’s podcast show. Worth a look…

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.

The camera phone hailed by Reiter’s Camera Phone Report as a force for policing the police.