Archive for December, 2007

Social Network Profiling - The Weight Loss Chapter

27
Dec
07

Wow… I can actually weight how much turkey I ate!
When addressing Social Networks, most users consider the most “generic” ones such as MySpace, Facebook or Hi5. Although with different functionalities and approaches, the main focus of these Social Networks is the building of a friend database with multimedia elements – photos, videos, etc… But, besides these, there are Social Networks that actually serve a purpose besides satisfying some areas of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – they are directed towards a common trait or goal that members of that particular website share and go one step ahead of “generic”. In the various examples I could mention, I decided that one that would be interesting is a Weight Loss SNW. Continue reading ‘Social Network Profiling - The Weight Loss Chapter’

Radiohead will broadcast a commercial free, taped performance of In Rainbows in its entirety on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day on the Current TV network and website simultaneously. And later on available in the site’s archives. Don’t know current.tv? Read our previous post about it.

By olivier PEYRE, Comments

Air France Makes In-Flight Calling Possible, via Gizmodo. Please, please, please, open the data network (SMS + Email), not the voice one. Imagine being stuck for 7 hours besides one of those guys who always have their freaking ugly Bluetooth headset on. The $2.50 per minute will probably limit their will to talk in details about how great their new Hummer is, but I don’t want to take the risk.

By olivier PEYRE, Comments

How the Queen became very well connected, The Guardian’s Observer

By olivier PEYRE, Comments

Probably The Last Post of the Year but Probably the Most Useful

21
Dec
07

Been too busy at work lately to even consider hitting the sidewalk in search of some well-deserved christmas gifts for your loved ones? You’ve been so active on Facebook that you didn’t bother ordering everything on amazon to avoid the holidays craze in the brick-and-mortar stores (wow, that expression sounds so pre-1st-internet-bubble)?

I hear you, I’m in the exact same position. I could blame the American Santa Claus for my Godson but I’m not sure that the excuse will work for anyone else on my list.

OK, no time to waste, here is a quick list of last minute gift ideas:

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Borders developed a really awesome tool to help you in your selection. A very playful microsite that I highly encourage you to browse, even just out of curiosity, especially if you look for ideas to develop a new diagnostic for your site. You’ll be offered a selection of books, DVDs and CDs according to the recipient’s tastes and habits. Thanks Paul for the tip.

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Thirty years on this planet and I still don’t understand why women are so crazy about expensive jewels when they could save the money and do something else like travel or buy cupcakes everyday. But hey, if you want to spend you hard-earned pesos on rocks, head to Gordon’s Gift Finder, answer few questions like “Is she a party animal?” or “Is she Mac or PC?” and you’ll be presented with a selection of shiny things that will make her feel special and you relieved.

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You probably know Etsy for their crochet blankets and über-personalized cushions that make great wedding gifts, handmade by independent artists all over the world, but were you aware that they offer a directory of their local stores from Hoboken to Aberdeen, Lisbon to Lyon? Check it out, if you’re into kawai arts and crafts.

Don’t order the items listed below online, I doubt that Santa will be delivered on time. But I’m sure you can find them somewhere in your city. Don’t blame me, you had to think about it before!

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USB Mix Tape: Mixing yesterday’s packaging with today’s technology, make someone you love a mix tape.

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Emoticon Magnet Set: Because their fridge can be in a bad mood too.

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QuikPod Pro Handheld Tripod: Help them improve those Facebook pictures by losing the double chin.

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Domo’s USB key: For the cute geek in your life.

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Eye-Fi SD Card: It is almost 2008 for God’s sake, who needs cables and computers to upload pictures on flickr and facebook?

Too late already, the gift opening is in less than one hour? I see two options:
1/ You’re screwed.
2/ You buy something online that doesn’t need to be wrapped. A card would be nice though:

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Your friend is a photo enthusiast and you buy him a one year subscription to the best photo site on the planet: flickr

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For the serious music fan, a subscription to eMusic, the #2 online music store behind iTunes but #1 in my heart, with the best selection of indie but not obscure bands and labels for a monthly flat fee, for up to 30% of the price of your regular price, and with no DRM. They have Arcade Fire, Jens Lekman, Spoon, The National, Of Montréal, Pink Floyd, Johnnie Cash, Cat Power…

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And if on top of being late, you’re also cheap, well, you still have the Facebook’s Free Gift option. But beware of retaliation next year.

More ideas on Coolhunting and NotCot. Good luck and Happy Holidays, we’ll be back on January 3rd. Hopefully chocolate truffles and champagne will have disappeared from our body by then and we’ll have taken the resolution to spend less time on Facebook. One can dream.

Say It With Links Under the Xmas Tree

21
Dec
07

The links, just the plain bare links, because you’re not the only one who wants to leave the office earlier today!!!

- The guys at Fullsix Portugal have a big big heart. Check out their awesome Christmas card.

- What’s the link between frozen peas and cancer?

- Broadcast your Facebook status as RSS to use in your tumbler or anywhere else.

- Dove works with screenwriter Judith Thompson on a play called “Body and Soul” which questions the perception of beauty and aging in our society.

- What would happen if Burger King took the Whopper off their menu? An amazing piece of viral advertising.

- Garnier pretends not to support anymore the fake TV show they were sponsoring. I can’t tell if it’s funny or lame. But at least they’re trying!

- P&G gets personal to fight age-old problem of aging with Reflect.com

- Too much information? Ignore it says the New York Times

- Study: 59% Of Teens Create Content Online.

Don’t Know What to Get Me for Christmas? An invite to FFFFOUND!’s private beta will do, thanks.

By olivier PEYRE, Comments

Google’s Rule: Don’t Waste Time Debating

20
Dec
07

Trying stuff is cheaper than deciding whether to try it. (Compare the cost of paying and feeding someone to do a few weeks of [Perl or PHP] hacking to the full cost of the meetings that went into a big company decision.)

Don’t overplan something. Just do it half-assed to start with, then throw more people at it to fix it if it works. Worked for every successful Google project from AdWords to Google Maps.

Shamelessly quoting Jason Kottke who was himself shamelessly quoting a post in LinuxWorld.

If you ask me, you can apply this rule to many many fields. Like design. Or anything marketing. Or dating.

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I read everywhere about Facebook’s hyper targeted revolutionary advertising scheme. Yeah, sure.

By olivier PEYRE, Comments

Facebook Love: Friends Lists Are Here, But Pointless

19
Dec
07

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You’ve been waiting for this for what feels forever. And Facebook just released it and screwed it up. You can create multiple lists of friends, to separate co-workers from one-night stands, but so far you can only use these groups as mailing lists. I know, you were expecting some kind of multi-level Privacy Settings according to the different groups, so that your boss and clients won’t see those gruesome pictures of you misbehaving at the Office Xmas Party. Me too. Let’s keep whining until then.




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