Spinning a Stronger Web

My friend just forwarded me this excellent documentary about Web 3.0 that I highly recommend checking out.

Web 3.0 from Kate Ray on Vimeo.

I don't know about you, but those relationship-graphs make me think ..."I can't believe someone sat down at a desk and put all that together." That, and also more academic, intelligent reflections, such as:

How making sense of all the information on the web is a daunting task (although, I just learned that there are more stars and planetary objects in our galaxy than there are grains of sand in all of the world- think about it). As you can see in the video, there's some conflict between how we approach creating a Semantic Web. Should we:

A) Organize our data so it can be interpreted my machines, or
B) Keep data the way it is, and augment it with hints to help machines interpret it.

I like the humanistic approach of the idea B; it somehow implies a more dynamic system that caters to the way we already encode and use information. Certainly, simplifying the web to fit users needs is extremely valuable, so it will be interesting to see the interfaces and platforms that emerge.

Checking out Google's Wonderwheel gives you an applied idea of how we can visualize these categorizations and semantic links. I personally am not a fan of the way this information is presented, as it seems rather rudimentary. Needless to say, I haven't switched over my Google search just yet. But, with a cooler interface- perhaps a little black and silver- I think it could be an excellent way to streamline the web.

~ Kathryn

Helping Haiti

Like the many of us not living under rocks, I've been closely following the Haitian Earthquake online and in the news. Now more than ever, it has really struck me how beneficial it is to have such a global community- that we can be close, and help one another, even if we were physically far apart. Today, ideas, messages, and this week especially- money- can be transferred with a click or text. How wonderful it is that now those of us with money to spare can do something immediately to help others suffering from such a devastating natural disaster.

The Red Cross effort- Text HAITI to 90999- has been all over the internet and TV, from Tegan and Sara's Twitter to an uncommonly serious ending to Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update. With that simple message, $10 can be sent to Red Cross.

Consumer Affairs reports that:

"So far, the American Red Cross has received $37 million in donations, breaking records for pledges to the Red Cross made within the same time period after a disaster. More than half of the donations have been through online contributions on the Red Cross and other Web sites, with strong support from corporations and record-setting activity in mobile giving."

We've come a long way from even the 2004 Tsunami, which seemed to raise money mostly through Telethons. Now, social networking tools, blogs, forums, and news sources are harnessing the power of the Internet to enable others to save lives, or at least, begin to repair them. And, that's something to feel good about.

~ Kathryn

When ad placements go wrong...

Perhaps the "Aflac duck" keyword group wasn't such a good idea...


see more Epic Fails

~ Kathryn

Why Twitter?

This video exemplifies exactly how I feel about Twitter right now.

Space!

Just a quick follow up to a post from a few weeks back. Fortunately, the space shuttle launch was delayed from launching a few weeks ago, due to the discovery of a fuel leak. I say "fortunately", because I would rather not witness astronaut-con carne.

Anyways, NASA TV should be an excellent place to hit-up over the next 2 weeks, as the astronauts go about their business installing billions of dollars worth of equipment to the space station (ooh, solar arrays- shiny!)

Already up is the launch from a few hours ago. So, take a look!

Edgy E4

Here's another example, this time of a website applying consumer interactivity and (successfully) targeting the Groundswell social technographics.

During my travels visiting English relatives, I have become all too familiar with all 4 of my Grandad's television channels. Two were usually devoted to news, cricket (like watching paint dry!), or a vast array of melodramatic soap operas, such as Hollyoaks or Eastenders. However, I found E4 to be the best bet for entertainment and have continued to follow many of their shows. It's definitley a bit edgy (are there any censorship regulations in England?!) and I consider it to be the "alternative" station. I was definitley a big fan of the ever-sensationalist Big Brother a few years back- something about the Geordie commentator made it that much more entertaining. But, to business!

The E4 website is an excellent example of a website that is trying to promote User-Generated Content. Indeed, viewers can create a profile of themselves, and are encouraged to upload pictures of themselves with cast members, comment/create blogs, download special MSN Messenger skins that allow for bonus access to show-related materials, create videos, and communicate with one another using comments. Moreover, they try to promote involvement with their shows, by allowing for people to recommend music to be included in the show, which often is! Lastly, they are involved in many social networking sites, such as Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter. Just check out any of the TV show sections for a better look. Definitley a company that's ahead of the curve.

I imagine that this is proving to be a very cost-effective way to promote brand advocates of E4, and catalyze interest in their TV offerings.

Product Bollywood

Just found a great, new example of a Viral Video at work.



I think that one thing that could definitley be improved upon from this is a direct linkage to the T-mobile site from the youtube site. Although it is aptly titled "The T-Mobile Dance" and there is spotty product placement and I don't think the linkage is very clear.

Interesting to see a company start to capitalize on the success of "freezing" videos, such as those done by Improv Everywhere (see video below), which have popped up online within the past year or so. It will also be interesting to see if this business application will drive interest in the product, or simply interest in how it was all orchestrated!