I have to admit: While checking out “Links that redefine news” I got lost... Meaning lost in virtual space, the internet. Once I started, clicking here and there, reading this comment and checking that link, I lost track on what I was actually going to do.
I like Sholin's site and the motivation behind it. I absolutely agree with the statement that internet changed the news: The way we get them, how we consume them – and how we make them. There's a parallel to “We the media” by Dan Gillmor: The audience became the editor. We don't only consume news anymore, we make them. By blogging, setting up websites with all kinds of topics and with our comments to other peoples sites and comments.
The site I liked the most was actually Wikileaks: I got really captivated to it, even thought I am not really sure why. Probably, because the content is beyond daily business, mainstream news and boring blog posts. The topics draw attention and make you wonder – actually I assume one could get addicted to the site. Whenever a story gets big in the regular news (meaning TV and print), Wikileaks is the place to get more background infos.
Next to the extremely interesting Wikileaks-page there were several other news links on Sholin's site that did not meet my desire at all. The one I disliked most Marketplace:
I guess I would argue that there's no point behind this site except giving the person who maintains it something to do. I mean what's so great about knowing what drink special is offered in what place for what price? If you go out, you go to your favorite bar or you have your favorite drink wherever. If you have to start scheduling your night out according to drink specials... Well, I don't know about that.
Some thing should just not be spread out into the world. Just because internet gives us the option to create and distribute news does not mean that there's an interested audience to everything.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
The Cluetrain Manifesto
I read the 95 theses of the manifesto. Some seem all right, some actually came true, others seem weird and a few of the 95 don't make any sense anymore at all. Of the wide variety, two popped into my sight.
Thesis 22: Getting a sense of humor does not mean putting some jokes on the corporate web site. Rather, it requires big values, a little humility, straight talk and a genuine point of view.
I do agree with this thesis. The way I see it, a company trying to sell its products to a large community can not be or stay boring, common or dull anymore. Maybe 10 years ago it was sufficient, if you as a company even had a website. It was less a matter of content but one of presence.
Today it's different: If you don't have (great, addicting, funny, interesting) content, you don't get any presence. At least not in your customers mind and in its habits to surf the web.
I guess, the more humor in the way described in thesis 22 a company lives after or provides to (potential) customers, the more acknowledgement you get - at leas in your target group.
Thesis 74: We are immune to advertising. Just forget it.
I believe this thesis is just crap. I guess, nobody really wants to admit that advertising has any influence on our customer behavior. But let's face it: All these thousands of decisions we make every day when buying thins as groceries, a new laptop, a cup of coffee or anything else - it's based on information we get from advertising!
If it's the price that's been marked red on the shelf in aisle 7, the bright glowing Starbucks-sign just across your parking garage exit or the really cool song that plays during the TV ad of the newest MacBook... it DOES influence us.
Maybe even the opposite happens: Ever hated an advertising so much that you didn't buy a product just because of their awful ad? Even this is being influenced by advertising...
So we are not immune to advertising. We never were - we never will be. Even if not all of us like this fact.
Thesis 22: Getting a sense of humor does not mean putting some jokes on the corporate web site. Rather, it requires big values, a little humility, straight talk and a genuine point of view.
I do agree with this thesis. The way I see it, a company trying to sell its products to a large community can not be or stay boring, common or dull anymore. Maybe 10 years ago it was sufficient, if you as a company even had a website. It was less a matter of content but one of presence.
Today it's different: If you don't have (great, addicting, funny, interesting) content, you don't get any presence. At least not in your customers mind and in its habits to surf the web.
I guess, the more humor in the way described in thesis 22 a company lives after or provides to (potential) customers, the more acknowledgement you get - at leas in your target group.
Thesis 74: We are immune to advertising. Just forget it.
I believe this thesis is just crap. I guess, nobody really wants to admit that advertising has any influence on our customer behavior. But let's face it: All these thousands of decisions we make every day when buying thins as groceries, a new laptop, a cup of coffee or anything else - it's based on information we get from advertising!
If it's the price that's been marked red on the shelf in aisle 7, the bright glowing Starbucks-sign just across your parking garage exit or the really cool song that plays during the TV ad of the newest MacBook... it DOES influence us.
Maybe even the opposite happens: Ever hated an advertising so much that you didn't buy a product just because of their awful ad? Even this is being influenced by advertising...
So we are not immune to advertising. We never were - we never will be. Even if not all of us like this fact.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
It's a header - homemade!
Not that it's the best one ever made, but - hey, it's homemade!
I kinda like it... : )
I kinda like it... : )
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Superbowl = super ads?
For some viewers, the game was the thing to watch last Sunday. For others, it was the TV ads.
I guess a bit of both drew me into a bar the past weekend.
And after the 4th quarter, not only the winner of Suberbowl XL II was determined – I also had decided which my favorite ad was.
The Bridgestone Firestone one with the frightend, fury forrest animals I liked best ("The Scream").
Haven't seen it? Do it now:
http://adage.com/brightcove/single.php?title=1398215789
Why I decided for this one? For one, I really loved the squirl, the owl, the bunny and all the other creatures. They are very well made and emotionally appealing. I mean – you just got to like them! Further, tI gave credit to the fact that this ad did not use any celebrity to sale a product.
To me, this ad had a clear, simple message that everyone understood – therefore I see this as a working and entertaining ad.
The spot I decline most were the four by Careerbuilder.com.
I thought, these were just not funny, not entertaining and not appealing at all. Especially the one where the girl sits at the computer when suddenly her heart pops out of her chest... (http://adage.com/brightcove/single.php?title=1397797729)
What is this all about? Following your heart is a good advise – but the implementation was just aweful... I'm not sure how succesfull the four ads were. To me, they seemed rather contra productive. Frankly: I defenitively have better websites to look for jobs than the careerbuilder one.
I guess a bit of both drew me into a bar the past weekend.
And after the 4th quarter, not only the winner of Suberbowl XL II was determined – I also had decided which my favorite ad was.
The Bridgestone Firestone one with the frightend, fury forrest animals I liked best ("The Scream").
Haven't seen it? Do it now:
http://adage.com/brightcove/single.php?title=1398215789
Why I decided for this one? For one, I really loved the squirl, the owl, the bunny and all the other creatures. They are very well made and emotionally appealing. I mean – you just got to like them! Further, tI gave credit to the fact that this ad did not use any celebrity to sale a product.
To me, this ad had a clear, simple message that everyone understood – therefore I see this as a working and entertaining ad.
The spot I decline most were the four by Careerbuilder.com.
I thought, these were just not funny, not entertaining and not appealing at all. Especially the one where the girl sits at the computer when suddenly her heart pops out of her chest... (http://adage.com/brightcove/single.php?title=1397797729)
What is this all about? Following your heart is a good advise – but the implementation was just aweful... I'm not sure how succesfull the four ads were. To me, they seemed rather contra productive. Frankly: I defenitively have better websites to look for jobs than the careerbuilder one.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Photoshop: the 2nd
Cropped a picture today after removing a few dust spots : )
Learned to work with layers, too!
Here's what the result looks like:
Frankly: I'm excited to learn more about how to handle the magic tools!
Learned to work with layers, too!
Here's what the result looks like:
Frankly: I'm excited to learn more about how to handle the magic tools!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Blog - linked!
Found some blogs dealing with the media - or better with advertising.
I don't have a personal favorite yet, but will keep track on all three of them. The reason I chose blogs about advertising is, because they are just fun to read. If you're just a bit interested in ads (TV or wherever), then all the critics, different views and opinions about a couple of paid messages is really entertaining - and every one in a while you learn something, too!
Check out the ad blogs:
Maybe you like one of them. Make sure to check them after Sunday when all the Supberbowl ads are criticized! : )
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