Makeuseof
Encyclopedia
MakeUseOf is a British-based technology & internet apps blog
founded by Aibek Esengulov and Kaly Mochoev. The website's primary focus is software, web applications, and useful technology
tips, but they have also recently started covering news and gadgets as well. MakeUseOf was launched in July 2006 and now employs 19 members of staff from various parts of the world.
The site publishes, on average, 10 posts a day from Monday to Friday, with a reduced schedule at weekends. Topics range from Windows to Linux
to Mac OS X
and many posts contain tips and hacks on how to improve your computing experience. The main blog is backed up by the Directory, as well as its newest feature, MakeUseOf Answers, a Yahoo Answers-type of page for unanswered technology questions.
With 7 million monthly pageviews, over 420,000 subscribers (as of August 2011) and 9,500 articles later, MakeUseOf is rapidly gaining a strong subscriber base and a positive reputation in the area of web apps and software recommendations, with staff being quoted in publications such as the Washington Post.
MakeUseOf also puts a lot of work into developing a presence on social networks. As of August 2011, it has over 24,500 Twitter
followers and over 136,500 fans on Facebook
. They have also released free smartphone applications for the iPhone
and the Android Operating System (available on Android Market
), as well as publishing free PDF manuals on various tech subjects.
's "Naked Conversations" "which kept emphasizing the growing importance of blogs and how search engine friendly they were".
In August 2007, Mark O'Neill joined MakeUseOf as the Managing Editor and began hiring other writers. In June 2009, staff writer Jackson Chung was promoted to Assistant Managing Editor. In August 2010, after three years, the site stopped accepting contributor work and moved to a permanent dedicated writing staff. Up until recently, the site never allowed people to guest post, but it does now.
MakeUseOf quickly set up a temporary website to inform its readers what was happening and began the legal process to recover the MakeUseOf.com domain. After several days, they were successful and the domain returned to their control. The cracker who stole the domain subsequently managed to evade detection.
named MakeUseOf one of the "Top 100 Undiscovered Websites" in 2007. MakeUseOf has also been named one of the "Top 100 Classic Websites" by PC Magazine on two separate years (2008 and 2010).
In 2008, Fast Company
named MakeUseOf as "one of the top ten websites you never heard of".
MakeUseOf has also been recommended on DL.TV, Palm Breeze Cafe, Diggnation and KNLS Radio's "Eye On The Web".
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
founded by Aibek Esengulov and Kaly Mochoev. The website's primary focus is software, web applications, and useful technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
tips, but they have also recently started covering news and gadgets as well. MakeUseOf was launched in July 2006 and now employs 19 members of staff from various parts of the world.
The site publishes, on average, 10 posts a day from Monday to Friday, with a reduced schedule at weekends. Topics range from Windows to Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
to Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
and many posts contain tips and hacks on how to improve your computing experience. The main blog is backed up by the Directory, as well as its newest feature, MakeUseOf Answers, a Yahoo Answers-type of page for unanswered technology questions.
With 7 million monthly pageviews, over 420,000 subscribers (as of August 2011) and 9,500 articles later, MakeUseOf is rapidly gaining a strong subscriber base and a positive reputation in the area of web apps and software recommendations, with staff being quoted in publications such as the Washington Post.
MakeUseOf also puts a lot of work into developing a presence on social networks. As of August 2011, it has over 24,500 Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
followers and over 136,500 fans on Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
. They have also released free smartphone applications for the iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
and the Android Operating System (available on Android Market
Android Market
Android Market is an online software store developed by Google for Android OS devices. Its gateway is an application program called "Market", preinstalled on most Android devices, allows users to browse and download mobile apps published by third-party developers...
), as well as publishing free PDF manuals on various tech subjects.
Background
Aibek Esengulov has stated in a couple of online interviews that the idea for MakeUseOf came about because "the biggest problem with the web was the lack of sources where users, like myself, could learn about other useful websites". He says he read Robert ScobleRobert Scoble
Robert Scoble is an American blogger, technical evangelist, and author. Scoble is best known for his blog, Scobleizer, which came to prominence during his tenure as a technology evangelist at Microsoft. He is married to Maryam Ghaemmaghami Scoble. He has three children; one from a previous...
's "Naked Conversations" "which kept emphasizing the growing importance of blogs and how search engine friendly they were".
In August 2007, Mark O'Neill joined MakeUseOf as the Managing Editor and began hiring other writers. In June 2009, staff writer Jackson Chung was promoted to Assistant Managing Editor. In August 2010, after three years, the site stopped accepting contributor work and moved to a permanent dedicated writing staff. Up until recently, the site never allowed people to guest post, but it does now.
Editorial staff
| Staff Member | Position |
|---|---|
| Aibek Esengulov | Editor In Chief / Co-Founder |
| Kaly Mochoev | Directory Editor / Co-Founder |
| Mark O'Neill | Managing Editor |
| Jackson Chung | Associate Editor |
| James Bruce | Technical Editor |
| Justin Pot | Manuals Editor |
| Ryan Dube | SEO Search engine optimization Search engine optimization is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in search engines via the "natural" or un-paid search results... Editor |
| Saikat Basu | Newsletter Editor |
| Tina Sieber | Answers Editor |
Cracked site
In 2008, the MakeUseOf domain was stolen from its owners by a thief and blackmailer, who to this day has never been caught. He gained access to the domain by hacking into Aibek Esengulov's webmail account and using details that he found to impersonate Aibek Esengulov to GoDaddy. He then quickly transferred the domain to his control and demanded $2000 for its return.MakeUseOf quickly set up a temporary website to inform its readers what was happening and began the legal process to recover the MakeUseOf.com domain. After several days, they were successful and the domain returned to their control. The cracker who stole the domain subsequently managed to evade detection.
Awards and media recommendations
PC MagazinePC Magazine
PC Magazine is a computer magazine published by Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. A print edition was published from 1982 to January 2009...
named MakeUseOf one of the "Top 100 Undiscovered Websites" in 2007. MakeUseOf has also been named one of the "Top 100 Classic Websites" by PC Magazine on two separate years (2008 and 2010).
In 2008, Fast Company
Fast Company (magazine)
Fast Company is a full-color business magazine that releases 10 issues per year and reports on topics including innovation, digital media, technology, change management, leadership, design, and social responsibility...
named MakeUseOf as "one of the top ten websites you never heard of".
MakeUseOf has also been recommended on DL.TV, Palm Breeze Cafe, Diggnation and KNLS Radio's "Eye On The Web".