facebook like enabled clothes hangers in retail. smart. great way to connect what is happening digitally to people and products in your physical store. and a pretty simple execution too.
Google maps mashups
I came across this mashup site when researching an idea that we have. Google maps has spawned some really great uses of mapping technology through their API. Check some out.
FIXING A FLASH/ CHROME BUG
Although Google denies this having two versions of the Flash player enabled causes issues with video playback.
Turning off the external Flash player will help resolve some issues I’ve experienced. Here’s how to do it.
1. Open Chrome and type About:plugins in the address bar
2. Look in the list of files
3. Expand the list using the [+] Details at the top
4. Click disable on the version in the location /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/
HACKING AT AN AGENCY SITE
It’s a familiar agency story. Redesigning your own website can be a complex, long and difficult project.
When we launched our new site late last year we did so with the knowledge that it would not be perfect. After all we had taken on an ambitious project to rebuild our site in 30 days. We pitched it as a beta and an opportunity to work differently.
Here are a few things we learned from the project.
1. Prepare key stakeholders for living with the beta at the start of the project. Once you are close to or have launched it’s too late.
2. Don’t break up the team. They will get assigned to client work and it will be difficult to get them all back together.
3. Proximity works. Put the entire team together for the duration of the project. Decisions will be made faster, people will collaborate more, and the work will be better.
4. Stick to your process. It’s easy when you are doing it for yourself to let things slip but this will cost you in the end.
5. Empower the team to make decisions in the room. When you have such aggressive timelines you can’t afford to make decisions by committee.
THAT’S A LONG BLUE LINE
my upcoming drive to LA planned. 2700 miles. 6 days. 9 states.
now i just need a tool to help plan for healthy food along the route.
HAS NETFLIX BECOME TOO BIG?
I’ve loved the Netflix streaming service for many years and I’ve felt an affinity for the company. But recent issues have left me wondering if Netflix is forgetting it’s roots as a small and nimble company and is fast just becoming old and slow.
This morning subscribers to Netflix got what was termed an explanation & apology email for the price increase debacle. If you haven’t read it yet you can read it here on the Netflix blog.
In the email Netflix also announced that they are separating their DVD business from the streaming one and are creating a new service called Qwikster. They cite that they now realize the streaming business is different in many ways from the DVD business.
For some time, Netflix has been the best streaming option and they have enjoyed an almost total dominance in the space. Credit to them, they got there early and they innovated, both technically and in terms of license deal.
But theirs is a product based on having access to content we want, when we want it. And that promise is at risk. Networks and content providers are beginning to pull away. Starz recently announced the end of their relationship with Netflix and with them goes access to original TV content as well as pictures from Sony and Disney. HBO has pretty much refused all attempts to strike a deal and three months back Showtime announced that their top shows would not appear on the streaming service.
Networks and cable channels are investing in their own services. HBO GO is a great example of such a service I happily pay $10 a month to access. HULU, of course being courted by Apple, is another great option (and a lot of content is free).
With their recent press from the price hikes and now what some are calling a botched apology, customers are not happy and this will prompt some of us to look for alternative services.
I’m hoping that Netflix remembers it’s roots, goes back to thinking more like a startup and fixes these recent blunders.
But in the meantime here are a few alternative services to look into:
WHERE ARE THE GOOGLE+ APIs?
i’ve been wondering how google+ has been doing since it’s launch and here is one chart that suggests not all that well if you look at posting activity.
google announced yesterday the release of the first APIs for google+ but they really don’t do a lot. basically they let you read a users public timeline.
a service like this needs open APIs to realize its true value and spread quickly. i’m surprised it’s taking google so long to get them released.
goodbye messages from great friends at mckinney. it’s a work of art. i’ll miss those folks
(created using openhatch.co)
