I am always looking for ways to make Tool-Rank a better, simpler, cooler place to write and read about power tool reviews. The way the Internet is becoming more and more media oriented, it only makes since that I move in that direction as well.

So I am happy to add an option that allows users to add their own video tool reviews to Tool-Rank. All you have to do is upload your video to YouTube, and add it to your review. The next time you go to add a review you will see a text field, where you can enter the 11 digit Youtube video ID. The video ID is found in the URL of every YouTube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJNvKjQHv8I

This addition was very simple to add, and might make it easier to explain certin aspects that might have otherwise been difficult. I will probably take advantage of this new feature myself. 

Add your video tool reviews today

P.S. You can add videos to your old reviews by simply editing your review and adding the 11 digit video ID.

I just want to say a few things about Tool-Rank and why I started the site, and also go over a few plans/ideas I have for the future.

I am a full time finish carpenter, and run Tool-Rank in all my after work time. The reason I started Tool-Rank is simple. I was/am tired of seeing tool companies taking tools in the wrong direction. It started with one particular saw that was  great when it came out new, but started to show its weakness as new innovative features started to appear in its competition. I had expectations of the next version being amazing; incorporating the newer features with the old things that made it great. Thanks to them Tool-Rank was born. The next version of the saw had added some new features to make it better, but removed all of the old features that made it great in the first place. 5 points to who ever figures out what saw I am taking about.

This is why we need your honest reviews. If there is something about a particular tool that you love, or more importantly something that you absolutely hate, you need to let the tool world know.

How do you feel about the In Depth Reviews? Most of the tool blogs on the Internet today are backed by an online tool store. This gives them access to unlimited tools which allows them to do comparison reviews. This is something I cannot do. I do not have access to these tools, and I cannot afford to buy them. I will continue to do honest reviews on tools I am given, or own, but keep in mind that I cannot review everything. You can find lots of power tool reviews across the Internet that should help you where I cannot. I put together a feed using Yahoo Pipes, that takes all the reviews from the top blogs and combines them together in one super power tool review feed.

So what do I have planned for Tool-Rank? Upgrades upgrades and more upgrades. Tool-Rank is running on an open source content management system using a verity of components that make everything come together. These all need to be upgraded from time to time which is not a big deal, but I do need to upgrade the CMS to a newer much different version, and this will take some work. The upgrade will not take place until after the new year.

There is some good that will come with the next version. A points system is being developed that I am hoping can be integrated with the reviews system. With the points system in place, users would be awarded points for adding reviews, blog posts, comments,  links, etc. Then the points can be redeemed to get free stuff.

I look forward to seeing Tool-Rank grow and become a leader in tool reviews and information. A place where even manufacturers come to get ideas.

I have added a comment system to all tool reviews. Now you will be able to ask questions, or add comments about a tool or review. This is replacing the old comment system that was used to link tool reviews with the forums. This should be a better system having both on the same page.

So be sure to check back on your reviews every once in a while to see if there are any comments.

It was suggested that I add a blog aggregator to the front page, so a spent a good amount of time trying to find something that would work well and still look good.

After a long search, and trying out a few that looked good, I found something that worked well and looked OK . I then spent a good amount of last night styling it to make it look better, and get everything to line up correctly.

I have added it to the right sidebar, and have used it to replace the blog links. When you hover over a link, an overlay will open up displaying an intro of the blog entry. The 4 listed blogs are displayed in a slider to help save space. To open the slider, click on one of the names.

As a test run I have added the ability for users to submit their own blogs. You will notice user PutnamEco has added the very first user blog.This is a feature I would like to keep, as long as it doesn't get abused. For right now they will remain on the front page, but they might end up getting moved later on. Try to keep your blogs tool related.

If you have ever wanted to have your own tool blog, now is the time to get started.

Don't know what a blog is? Here is Wikipedia's definition .

A blog (a contraction of the term "Web log") is a Web site, 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 reverse-chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

 

 Happy blogging

There was a bug in the entry form that was preventing Internet Explorer users from selecting a state. I believe this error has been fixed. Please let me know if it was not.

Sorry for the inconvenience. 

You still have the rest of this month to enter. Good Luck

 UPDATE: Everything is working again.

 

The site email seems to be down right now. Therefore you might not be able to receive your confirmation email after you have registered. If you have registered and have not received your conformation email please contact me via the contact form, and I will add you manually.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

I just want to update everyone and let you know that we have a few new tool reviews coming soon. These will be different then the normal reviews found in the reviews sections. These will be full indepth reviews including pictures from box opening, all the way to tool usage.

You can expect to see the Bosch PS40-2 Impactor and Ps20 Drill from the Giveaway contest. You will also get 2 reviews  for Final Cut products. One using their 10" saw blade, and another with their 12" abrasive disks.

We at Tool-Rank look forward to bringing you real world reviews, by using the products in the field. Therefore these reviews will take longer then a simple test run. We want to know, just as you, if the tools actually do what they say they can do.

If you haven't noticed yet, today is the 29th day of February. That means that today is a leap day, and that we are in a leap year. Cool huh.

If you are a math/science whiz, you can read more about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leap_year

Today is also special because it is the first post of the new tool blog. You can look forward to reading about the latest and greatest tools here.

Enjoy