The Future of SEO: It’s About Search, Not the Search Engine
Posted on 3 October 2007 | No responses
Until recently, search engine optimization consisted of concentrating on how a website ranks in all the big search engines. Now the game has changed and “traditional” SEO is a thing of the past, according to a recent article in SitePro News by Jim Hedger. It claims the old ways of SEO are being pushed aside as the popularity of searching on social media sites is becoming the new means of search.
People are no longer using the main search engines to locate the information they seek. They are turning to social media, social bookmarking sites, RSS feed-readers, specific vertical search tools, and multimedia. Both large and small corporations have created profiles on MySpace, groups on Facebook and lenses on Squidoo. Of course, traditional SEO techniques are used in these socials media sites to insure that people can find the information you want them to find about your company. Read more
The Recent Disappearance of Cows
Posted on 7 August 2007 | No responses
If you have been worried about the serious problem facing our dairy farmers today, then this site is for you. CowAbduction.com, explains how dairy farms everywhere are under attack from aliens who are highly interested in the abduction of our milk source. Complete with a video interview of the dairy farmers and mysterious photos of cows flying through the air, this website almost makes you believe, well you know.
This website is a subtle and smart attempt by the California Milk Processor Board to go viral with its milk marketing. Most likely to combat the ever increasing soy milk market. While many times viral sites have the lifespan of a few days and simply lose their “funny” appeal, I believe this site has some staying power. This site has the potential to be passed around from email inbox to inbox with its hilarious mixture of videos, photos, and cleaver FAQ responses.
Here is one example of their carfeully crafted, marketing answers:
Mark from Chicago, IL
Q: Why would aliens choose to abduct cows? Why couldn’t it have been me?
A: Mark, can you produce a deliciously frothy drink that helps maintain strong bones, helps reduce the risk of cavities, helps promote healthy hair, helps rebuild muscles after a workout, may help reduct the symptoms of PMS and if consumed at night, may improve your sleep, not to mention makes one heckuva compliment to fresh baked chocolate chip cookies? If so, you are in great danger.
**Originally published on LevelTen Design Blog.
Smart Promotions for The Simpsons Movie
Posted on 23 July 2007 | 2 responses
A show that can easily be called the longest running animated sitcom, has finally submitted itself to the big screen. This Friday, July 27th, The Simpsons will make its theater debut as The Simpsons Movie is released worldwide. People everywhere know and love this yellow family that has graced our televisions sets since December 17, 1989 and the hype for this movie isn’t running out.
The movie has been accompanied by several unique and inventive types of promotions. The 7-Eleven Kwik-E-Mart promotion was introduced in early July, shortly followed by the JetBlue Flight Log promotion. While it appeared that both promotions were film funded, 7-Eleven announced that they footed all the costs. No doubt that they benefited from the extra sales of the pink donuts and Squishees, but this was truly a creative and monumental promotion. The JetBlue promotion also had a great viral aspect to it, with Mr. Burns taking over the CEO’s blog. It was surely emailed around offices nationwide. So what was the next planned promotional attack for this highly anticipated movie? Why, appeal to the fashion industry of course.
The entire Simpsons clan is featured in the upcoming issue of Harper’s Bazaar, modeling the latest couture fashions in Paris with supermodel Linda Evangelista. It was interesting to see Marge in something besides her green dress and even letting her hair down in one spread. The drawings do a fabulous job of imitating current fashion trends and fashion designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs.
After this unique promotion, released only shortly before the movie’s debut, I am left wondering, what else do they have planned? Maybe a Krusty the Klown take over of the television airways? Or did Sideshow Bob already do that on a Simpsons episode?
Michael Moore’s Documentary Career Fades With Disappointing “Sicko” Release
Posted on 12 July 2007 | 2 responses
No doubt you have all heard the controversy surrounding documentary film maker Michael Moore over the past years and more recently with his new film “Sicko,” which attacks the American health care system. While I have heard many reports about his use of false facts, the article below was most interesting to me. Written by Roger Rapaport for The Independent, a British publication, the author takes a look at Moore’s past work, the possibility that Moore might stage his documentaries, and where exactly Moore can go after a disappointing “Sicko” turnout at the box office.
Excerpts from the article:
“Even some of Moore’s fans worry that he partially stages scenes, undercutting the value of his own work.”
“But amid the glad-handing, one awkward question is being whispered: could Michael Moore be running out of steam?”
Read Rapaport’s article in its entirety here.
iPhone Disappoints with Recent Announcements
Posted on 14 June 2007 | No responses
The countdown until the much anticipated Apple iPhone’s arrival in stores June 29th, has officially begun. With a recent surge in online and television advertising, the hype is being quickly built. Consumers have been waiting for months to get their hands on this everything-in-one type phone. It seems like iPhone is the next generation in mobile everything, but will the first release be full of bugs?
Several announcements from Apple, such as Tuesday’s announcement that Apple would be releasing a software development kit for the iPhone, have already disappointed industry insiders. This announcement, although expected, was especially disappointing because developers will only be able to write Web applications for the iPhone using the devices on Apple’s Safari browser. Industry leaders believe that by limiting the development to Safari, which currently holds a 5% market share, innovation will be stifled. Since Web applications are believed to be the future of software, it is especially disappointing that the iPhone won’t be opened to third-party software. Read the full article on Wired.com.
Another caveat is that all future iPhone users must have an iTunes account in order for the phone to work “as promisedâ€. In a recent article on paidContent.org, writer Staci Kramer stated that, “In update emails Tuesday, Apple and AT&T warned prospective users the expensive phone they lust for won’t meet expectations without an iTunes account.” While most people who have their hearts set on getting an iPhone are probably already iPod and iTunes users, the small group of non-Apple product users, will be in for a surprise. AT&T has also been slow to confirm whether or not their standard 30-day return policy will apply to the iPhone as well as whom, Apple or AT&T, will be handling the iTunes customer support issues. AT&T customers will also have to agree to a 2 year contract with the iPhone, something that was not previously standard procedure.
While there is still a little over two weeks for AT&T to get its act together, it will be interesting to see if there is a mad rush on June 29th or if consumers will be waiting a few weeks for all of the issues to be worked out. I’m still waiting for Sprint to announce they will be carrying it, yes? I won’t hold my breath.
Will Google Change Its Background Color to Save Energy?
Posted on 29 May 2007 | 3 responses
With energy conservation at the forefront of most recent debates, the idea or rather the theory has been brought to the table that a predominately black computer screen uses less energy than a predominately white screen. This theory was originally introduced by the Energy Analysis Department at the University of California Berkeley and has more recently been brought to our attention by Blackle.
Blackle is just a search page, but instead of having a white background like Google, it uses a black background with grayish font. Although it may be slightly more difficult to read, Blackle claims that “a black version of the Google search engine would save a fair bit of energy due to the popularity.” A blog entry titled Black Google Would Save 750 Megawatt-hours a Year, goes more in-depth into these claims.
But I can’t help but wonder how energy use will influence web design in the future. Will designers opt for a more energy friendly predominately black page? Or will readability and the love of creative and colorful design win out? My guess is that just like energy efficient cars, it will take a while before function wins out over good design.
How to Fight Boredom at Work…
Posted on 28 May 2007 | 2 responses
Or just be entertained for a brief while… (click on photo)
Everything You Need to Know About Life
Posted on 3 May 2007 | No responses
One cigarette takes away 5 minutes of a person’s life and every mile a person walks is estimated to add 20 minutes to their life. So will an avid walker and occasional smoker live a long life? I have no idea, but check out this video:
P.S. Yes, I count in the 1 out of every 4 people who have appeared on TV, but that’s another story…
Community Responses to Virginia Tech Shootings
Posted on 17 April 2007 | No responses
The horrific events that occurred yesterday on the Virginia Tech campus will no doubt be remembered for many years to come as the worst shooting in modern US history. Currently, students and alumni are using social networking sites such as Facebook to share their condolences with the Virginia Tech community.
A search for “Virginia Tech” on Facebook, returns more than 500 groups with tens of thousands of students, dedicated to offering support for the university and those individuals lost in the shootings. I think it is wonderful to see a networking tool used in such a positive way to bring people together during this time of crisis.
Students nationwide have also replaced their profile pictures with ribbons of support for Virginia Tech, such as this one:
My condolences go out to the entire Virginia Tech community and the families dealing with this horrible tragedy.
What’s Your VisualDNA?
Posted on 13 April 2007 | 1 response
There are so many sites out there that give you a glimpse into your personality just from answering a few survey questions. This one at Imagini which they call your “VisualDNA”, is not only interesting, but accurate as well. It also incorporates a social networking aspect, where you can meet and connect with your similar personalities. How very Web 2.0 of them.
Here’s my “VisualDNA”: