all posts tagged “friends”
If there is one prediction I have for 2009, it will be that our world will become more complex. We will all be confronted with new products, services, ideas and concepts that will confuse the majority of us. And this adds to what confused us in 2008 and years before.
We're convinced that the rise of all this complexity is creating new demand for new kinds of services. Individuals and organizations will find business models in helping people deal with the complexity. The biggest opportunity we see is for people who are good at explaining - at taking an idea and packaging it so a maximum number of people can understand and act on it. Below are some companies and individuals who we think will be making a real contribution in 2009.
Explainer Network Members - Video producers listed on the Common Craft Explainer Network page.
Claytorials - Claytorials is a new-ish project from the folks at Invoke Media. Their videos use colorful clay and stop motion animation to explain all kinds of products and services. Recent projects include videos for Tagga.com and More2Girls.com. See Claytorials.com for more.
Say It Visually - Say It Visually is a collaboration between Matt Dunn and Jordan Schaffel. One of the first videos I saw of theirs was the ambitious "US Financial Crisis for Kids". Since then, they've done custom videos for clients like VOIS and Survey Sampling International. See their portfolio for more.
Switch Web Video - Switch Web Video dove head first into the explanatory video world and it's great to see them grow. Andrew Angus runs the show at Switch and has big plans for his business. Check out their latest work for Neurogizers and Car Heaven on their Our Work page.
Video Producers:
Joshua Gunn - Josh runs Nutintuit Studios and creates explanatory videos "In a Nutshell". He used to live in Seattle and we met over a year ago when he was just getting started. Since then, he's moved to Boston been hired by clients like Brooks Running Shoes and Netgear. Josh also did a great explanation of the Robert Frost poem "The Road Not Taken. "
Michael Pick - I first met Michael through his explanatory video "DataPortability - Connect, Control, Share, Remix." He runs Smashcut.tv and is currently employed by Automattic, making sense of Wordpress in video form. We had the pleasure of spending an evening with Michael and his wife Takako in Sapporo, Japan about a year ago.
Xplane - Xplane has been in the explanation business for over 15 years. Dave Gray founded the company and has really made explanation a skill and science over the years. While the company has traditionally worked in the print world, they are making moves in the video world too.
Blogs and Podcasts:
Planet Money - One of the best explanations of 2008 was "The Giant Pool of Money" on This American Life. It taught millions (including us) about the source of the housing crisis. Now many of the same producers are hosting a podcast called Planet Money which has become a favorite of ours.
Explainist - Explainist is a blog that I discovered recently. It focuses on explanations of all type, written by Dave Coustan and Tom Harris, formerly of HowStuffWorks.com. Since they've been back in action, I've been a consistent reader.
Cliff Mass Weather Blog - As a burgeoning weather geek I was so happy to find Cliff Mass' blog. He's a weather expert and author based in here in Seattle. Some of the content is pretty technical, but he also takes the time to explain some of the basics of weather in an understandable way. Recently he posted an entry called Inversion 101.
Do you know companies, websites or individuals who are good explainers? Tell us about them.
Managing Online Forums - A New Book By Patrick O'Keefe
Posted by: leelefever on April 8, 2008- 5:00pm
Categories: book, commmunity, CommunityManagement, friends, recommendation
Patrick and I go way back in web terms, but met for the first time this year at SXSW. We've always connected around managing online communities - something we were both doing back in 2000 or so. That was when Patrick was teenager. Since that time he's grown his iFroggy Network of community sites and gone through just about everything you can imagine in terms of managing discussion boards.
Patrick recently put these experiences into a new book called Managing Online Forums - "everything you need to know to create and run successful community discussion boards."
I think the timing for this book is great. With so much emphasis on Social Media, a lot of people are jumping into the fray and discovering that managing people in a community setting isn't easy. I think Patrick's done a great job of getting to the real, practical issues and questions that arise and how to deal with them responsibly. You can find out more at ManagingOnlineForums.com.
Congrats on getting the book out Patrick! Nice work!
Learn New Media from the Ninjas
Posted by: leelefever on February 20, 2008- 4:00pm
Categories: business, friends, recommended, video
Kent Nichols is the co-creator or Ninja Master of Ask-a-Ninja, which I'm quite sure you know about. I recently discovered his Twitter feed and blog and since, I've learned a lot from his perspectives on disrupting Hollywood, the business of new media, and the web video industry.
His no-nonsense and opinionated style really makes it clear where he stands, and I often agree. Plus, he's full of smart advice for content producers. Recommended.
On a side note, the story of my connection with the Ninjas is rather strange. The other co-creator of Ask-A-Ninja is Douglas Sarine (on Twitter too). Douglas lived on my hall our freshman year of college at Appalachian State University - that was 1991. We were good friends, but lost touch after we graduated. As Ask-A-Ninja became popular, I saw Doug's name and couldn't believe it. Since then we've reconnected and hung out a few times. Hopefully we'll see those guys again soon. Keep up the great bloggin' Kent!
Wouldn't it be nice if every author actually lived in the world that they wrote about? It's one thing to be an observer, but yet another to be a resident. That's why it's my pleasure to point you to a new ebook by Darren Barefoot and Julie Szabo of Capulet Communications.
It's called "Getting to First Base: A Social Media Marketing Playbook". You can learn more (and purchase it) at SocialMediaReady.com. This video provides a quick overview too.
I've known Darren and Julie for years and there are few people whose words I would trust more regarding social media marketing. Why? Because it is their world. Through their work, their blogs, their goofy satire sites and sites like DearRockers, they've been there every day for years.
As part of the roll out, they created a Common Craft inspired video called "Blogger Outreach 101" with Sachi and I in starring roles - as horses (I think!). You'll just have to watch it and laugh...Darren reminds us that he think it's "just awful." We are flattered nonetheless.
[Disclosure] I provided a quote and some very small input as a part of the ebook's development.
Have you even had two friends that you knew separately who fell in love and eventually moved in together, got married and created a great couple? That's what I feel about the news that two of my favorite tech companies (and groups of people) are merging. Rain City Studios is acquiring Bryght (Press Release) and I'm so excited about the news. Drupal worlds are colliding.
I've been a member of the Bryght and Rain City fan clubs since 2005. Bryght hosts (and supports) this site, Rain City designed our travel site and more than anything, I've had the pleasure to travel with, party with and brainstorm with a lot of the folks at both companies. Congrats Robert, Kris, Boris and everyone involved!
I won't ask about kids at this early stage.
My most recent Tweet (a short update to the Twitter service) was this:
- Today's my twitterversary! 1 year of meaningless drivel flowing from my keyboard and phone. I still count it as time well-spent. about 4 hours ago from TwitBin
It's true. I've been using Twitter for one year as of today and I've been thinking about it. What does Twitter mean to me? Why have I adopted it?
First - a bit of explanation. Twitter provides a way for you (and your
friends) to share short updates about your daily life. It's free and you can use a mobile phone or the Internet to post these updates and follow the updates of people you choose.
So, my thoughts...
Twitter has become part of my online life. Whenever my browser is open, the left side of it displays the updates from my friends via TwitBin. I follow the updates of about 100 people, most of which I know. About 300 people follow my updates and I've posted close to 500 updates in a year.
The beauty of Twitter is how lightweight it is. It makes blogging feel heavy and cumbersome. Because you are limited to 140 characters, you can only say so much in an update. This takes away the anxiety and time it takes to blog. You can go from a thought to sharing it in seconds.
Speaking of blogging, Twitter has impacted my blog reading. I abandoned my RSS reader for a couple of months without too much thought. I think Twitter became my surrogate RSS reader - it gave me the connections and discoveries that I found with blog reading - without the fuss. I've recently cranked up Google Reader again.
Twitter has impacted my relationships. 140 characters at a time, I've gotten to know my online (and real-world) friends much better. Daily life is the only real life and Twitter shines a spotlight on it.
Twitter is new, but the concept is forever. Twitter opened up a layer of information that never really existed before online. It's a type of information that has meaning in the context of friends as it asks: what are you doing right now? Whether it's Twitter or some other service, this layer will persist from now on.
Twitter's growth and adoption is related to it's low barrier to entry. I have a number of friends who may have never started a blog, but jumped right in to Twitter. Why? Because there isn't much a learning curve. Everyone knows what they are doing right now and Twitter makes it easy to share.
Twitter isn't for everyone. There is a lot of noise and crap. But, if you can find people you know and have a way to integrate the updates into your life, you may be addicted.
Twitter enables a new kind of news that's nearly real-time and uniquely on-the-ground. I was fascinated watching Nate Ritter use Twitter to track the events around the San Diego fires. Mainstream media can't do what Nate was doing.
So, I'm a fan and I plan to use Twitter as long as my friends do.
We adopted Twitter at the very end of a year-long trip and some of my favorite Twitter memories are from sharing updates as we approached home after a year away.
The very first update (that also highlights my persistent typos and misspellings):
- Just about to watch Momento in an apartment in Barcelona.11:32 AM November 21, 2006 from web
After Spain we arrived in the US and drove across the US to Seattle...
- Feelin the love from the family in North Carolina. 05:53 AM November 29, 2006 from txt
- Turning right onto "Preacher Smith Rd. " in Rome Georgia... 08:35 AM December 02, 2006
- Has officially entered wile e. coyote country. Beep beep. Flagstaf 162 miles. 10:39 AM December 05, 2006
- Just passed Talent, Oregon. The local cops drive cars that say "Talent Police" according to Sachi's eyewitness acount. 11:06 AM December 11, 2006 from txt
- Seeing the Seattle skyline for the first time in a year. We cannot sit still. Smiles and deep breathes all around. I wonder what awaits us now. 06:19 PM December 11, 2006
- We are arriving on our street serenaded by Nirvana - Smells like Teen Spirit. Welcome to Seattle. 06:36 PM December 11, 2006 from txt
- 2007 - you are my bitch. 11:56 PM December 31, 2006 from txt
Perhaps you'd like to follow me on Twitter?
Your Neighborhood Needs Instant Journalists
Posted by: leelefever on November 13, 2007- 4:00pm
Categories: cooltools, friends, journalism, seattle, video
Even though the Web makes us all feel like citizens of the world, what matters is often local. Our neighborhoods and neighbors have a huge impact. There is a brand-new platform, created by Instivate, a company run by one of our long-time friends and neighbors, that aims to give every neighborhood a site for sharing local news. It's called Instant Journalist.
Here's the scenario: You sign up for Instant Journalist - it has a monthly fee that's linked to the size of the site. Right off the shelf, the site is ready for you and your neighbors to start sharing stories, photos and videos, complete with map integration.
Instant Journalist also has a bunch of cool features that make the site easy to customize. Here's my favorite:
You can right-click on almost any text on the site and change the copy. If you don't like the tab that says "Your Neighborhood", you can change it in two clicks - no geekiness required.
You can see a demo of Instant Journalist here or a screencast on the posting process here. It's new, so if you have feedback or thoughts the folks at Instivate would love to hear it. Congrats to Scott and Instivate for getting it out the door.
I just got an email from Patrick O'Keefe, a friend that I've known through the web for years. His story got my blood boiling and I want to share it.
Updated:Â Patrick will not have to give up his site (for now). Â
Patrick owns a Mariano Rivera fan site at MarianoRivera.com. Here's the banner - notice the "unofficial" part. Rivera is a relief pitcher for for the NY Yankees.
Just recently he was contacted by SFX Baseball, who represents Rivera. Without any other contact, they have accused him of cybersquatting and creating the site to...
trick people into coming to this website instead a website operating with Mr. Rivera's approval.
Further...
they "demand" that I immediately cease and desist my use of the domain name and give it to them. They want written confirmation saying that I will do it by 5:00 PM on August 10 or they'll... well... do what they need to do without any further notice to me.
Now, I am not a lawyer, but I imagine that Patrick may end up having to give up the domain - but it's not about that. This article has more info on the personal name/domain name issue.
What gets me (and Patrick) is the automatic accusation of unethical behavior. The lawyers came to him having ruled, judge and jury, that he is a thief or criminal. Maybe the sports and music lawyers should get together - strongarming is sooo 1980.
Patrick and his site are completely legit, as he says:
It's not like we're selling forged autographs, trying to trick people into something or passing ourselves as official. This is a good fan site. We've been in operation since April 4, 2004 - that's 3 years and nearly 5 months. We are the largest (and perhaps only) Mariano Rivera fan site on the internet.
Again, this isn't about the legal case - it's about being cool - you know, like The Fonz. I get so frustrated when I hear about lawyers reacting this way. Haven't we moved on yet?
To blindly throw around offensive boilerplate letters and try to throw us up against the wall like a typical cybersquatter is completely, completely inappropriate. I don't know why they couldn't have approached us respectfully and asked nicely? Maybe thanked us for what we've done and offered to work with us or something.
He is a fan with nothing but good intentions to support an athlete - and they treat him like a criminal? Patrick's site is about the best, most wholesome and legit site Mr. Rivera has on the web right now.
I wish Patrick the best in fighting this. More than anything, I want to bring light to tactics that I sincerely loath. I have no love for people that work this way. Patrick deserves better. Pass it on.
More on this story here.
Would a Wiki By Any Other Name Smell As Sweet?
Posted by: leelefever on July 24, 2007- 5:00pm
Categories: friends, language, statistics, Technology in Plain English, wiki
Did you know that in a recent survey by Harris Interactive that only 16% of the online public know what a wiki is? For some, this will seem surprising. Others will say "what's a wiki?"
I had coffee today with my friend Kevin Flaherty of Wet Paint, the Seattle-based wiki company. He told me that they were perplexed that "wiki" was deemed one the 10 most annoying words on the web, so they ask Harris Interactive to do the survey comparing "wiki" to the terms social network, blog and online forum. Here's what they found (full results here):
16% of the US online population is familiar with what a wiki is. Even if you just look at the online trendsetters (18-34 year olds), only 27% of those online users are familiar with wikis.
Blogs, which have universal awareness among nearly anyone reading this post, are only familiar to 35% of online users. And familiarity with social networks as a category still ranks below that of online forums at 28% and 35% respectfully.
For context, consider that 76% of the same population know of search engines and 97% of toilet paper.
What does this mean? It means that we're making assumptions about what people understand about our online world. There is more misunderstanding than understanding and more confusion than solution.
What really gets me about this is that wikis, RSS, social networks and blogs are all accessible and potentially useful for the general public - but they're not being adopted as quickly as we'd imagine. The culprit, from my perspective, is the language we use to describe and promote them. It's too easy to forget that we're in the minority.
My advice to promote more awareness is to stop talking like a brochure and tell a story. Don't talk about what your product is or does - tell people why they should give a damn. Use real world examples and show how a problem gets solved. Look at every word you use and consider the simpler options.
You might not earn the respect of programmers, but you might just turn your Mom onto something that will save her time - and we all need more time.
In the last couple of weeks two people I know have made the jump into the independent world and I think we'll all be better off for it. Both are focused on the social side of the web and bring with them a ton of real world experience.
Jake "Community Guy" McKee, someone I've known for years and consider a great friend created Ants Eye View. Here's how Jake describes his services:
At Ant’s Eye View we concentrate on providing as many services as possible within a very small niche, namely online and offline social connection between company and consumer.
I have no doubt that Jake will do well. And, man that is a cool logo.
Joshua Porter at Bokardo has become one of my favorite bloggers - he consistenly has pertinent, informed and smart things to say about social design. Josh recently created Borkardo Design, where he'll put his smarts to work. Here's how Josh described his services in a recent post.
I’m going to offer the exact services that I write about here at Bokardo: Interface design and strategy for social web applications. For those of you who have read Bokardo for a long time, nothing that I offer will be a surprise. I’m simply putting into practice what I’ve been preaching…so to speak.
Welcome to the independent world Josh and Jake. I'm sure you'll do wonderfully and I hope we can find ways to work together.
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