As you start making progress on your New Year's Resolutions and 2010, I thought I'd share these two videos to put last year in perspective and chronicle some of its happenings.
One of the new technologies to generate a buzz last year was Google Wave. Even if you don't understand what it can do, you can appreciate how it's used here.
Finally, JibJab brings a little humor its retrospective.
Best Wishes and Good Luck in 2010.
Have you ever had a question that you just didn't know who to ask? There's a new website designed to help you.
Aardvark is a new kind of tool that lets you tap into the knowledge and experience of friends and friends-of-friends. Think of it as a crowd-sourced (or human powered) knowledge engine. However, instead of just storing the answers, it tries to figure-out who to ask your question to in your network of contacts.
Send Aardvark a question (from the web, email, Twitter, IM, or iPhone) and you’ll get a quick, helpful response.
I was a little skeptical; however, when I tried it, I got good answers very quickly. Finally, a business use for social networks (other than marketing).
I recommend that you give it a try.
Other Resources.
Have you ever had a question that you just didn't know who to ask? There's a new website designed to help you.
Aardvark is a new kind of tool that lets you tap into the knowledge and experience of friends and friends-of-friends. Think of it as a crowd-sourced (or human powered) knowledge engine. However, instead of just storing the answers, it tries to figure-out who to ask your question to in your network of contacts.
Send Aardvark a question (from the web, email, Twitter, IM, or iPhone) and you’ll get a quick, helpful response.
I was a little skeptical; however, when I tried it, I got good answers very quickly. Finally, a business use for social networks (other than marketing).
I recommend that you give it a try.
Other Resources.
Here is a list of shopping tools that can save you money and time.
These are sites I've used myself and was happy about using. Please let me know if you have additions or suggestions.
The suggestions fall into several main categories: Deals, Price Comparison, and Phone Apps.
Deals:
Woot: Interesting New Deals Each Day
Ben's Bargains: Coupons, Bargains, Freebies
Slick Deals: Community-Driven Discounts, Reviews & Comparisons
RetailMeNot: Coupon and Promo Codes for Just About Everything
Price Comparison:
Bountii
http://www.dealtime.com/
Phone Apps:
Red Laser: Scans Bar Codes, Then Finds Best Prices
Honorable Mentions: Other Resources Worth Checking
Here is a list of shopping tools that can save you money and time.
These are sites I've used myself and was happy about using. Please let me know if you have additions or suggestions.
The suggestions fall into several main categories: Deals, Price Comparison, and Phone Apps.
Deals:
Woot: Interesting New Deals Each Day Ben's Bargains: Coupons, Bargains, Freebies Slick Deals: Community-Driven Discounts, Reviews & Comparisons RetailMeNot: Coupon and Promo Codes for Just About Everything
Price Comparison:
Bountii http://www.dealtime.com/
Phone Apps:
Red Laser: Scans Bar Codes, Then Finds Best Prices
Honorable Mentions: Other Resources Worth Checking
This is a compelling book. The title refers to a change in the environment, so startling that we have no choice but to re-group and re-think the future.
When it happens, everything changes and the old trusted rules of the road to go out the window.
The book hype says: The Web 3.0 world of “pandemic economics” is a new economy that will
function outside the traditional laws of commerce, free from today's
impediments to business growth, and in a world where every person is
connected to each other. Jump Point will help you to challenge old assumptions, re-think your business
models, and take advantage of this fast-moving, unfettered, and
fiercely competitive environment.
When Does It Happen?
The economic history of the world is punctuated by Jump Points. The tricky part has been identifying them at the right time.
Very often, we mistake the arrival of a stunning new invention for the Jump Point. It is easy to get mesmerized by a new innovation, and to think the world has changed the day a new technology leaves the lab. But that is rarely, if ever, the case. That is not the Jump Point.
Instead, technology revolution is a fitful process. New technologies take time to be absorbed, diffused and adopted. We are a curious species; it is human nature to tinker, and experiment, test, and play. And most inventions improve with application, adoption, and time. Therefore, most Jump Points occur well after the enthusiasm settles and the parade has passed.
Real Jump Points most often arrive after we grow complacent about that invention, when the technology becomes routine and unremarkable, after the novelty has worn off and the technology has gone mainstream. It is then that rapid change finally happens. Interesting.
This is a compelling book. The title refers to a change in the environment, so startling that we have no choice but to re-group and re-think the future.
When it happens, everything changes and the old trusted rules of the road to go out the window.
The book hype says: The Web 3.0 world of “pandemic economics” is a new economy that will
function outside the traditional laws of commerce, free from today's
impediments to business growth, and in a world where every person is
connected to each other. Jump Point will help you to challenge old assumptions, re-think your business
models, and take advantage of this fast-moving, unfettered, and
fiercely competitive environment.
When Does It Happen?
The economic history of the world is punctuated by Jump Points. The tricky part has been identifying them at the right time.
Very often, we mistake the arrival of a stunning new invention for the Jump Point. It is easy to get mesmerized by a new innovation, and to think the world has changed the day a new technology leaves the lab. But that is rarely, if ever, the case. That is not the Jump Point.
Instead, technology revolution is a fitful process. New technologies take time to be absorbed, diffused and adopted. We are a curious species; it is human nature to tinker, and experiment, test, and play. And most inventions improve with application, adoption, and time. Therefore, most Jump Points occur well after the enthusiasm settles and the parade has passed.
Real Jump Points most often arrive after we grow complacent about that invention, when the technology becomes routine and unremarkable, after the novelty has worn off and the technology has gone mainstream. It is then that rapid change finally happens. Interesting.
Microsoft released Windows 7 last week.
Being an early adopter, I found this exciting, challenging, and frustrating all in the same week.
Speaking of Windows 7, I saw an interesting ad where Microsoft was promoting the launch in Japan through a cross-promotion with Burger King. Here's the ad.
Who knew that the best way to promote a new operating system and your expected user experience was with seven congealing meat patties and the smell of onions?
Maybe Apple took out that ad?
This is almost as funny as their Songsmith ads.
Microsoft released Windows 7 last week.
Being an early adopter, I found this exciting, challenging, and frustrating all in the same week.
Speaking of Windows 7, I saw an interesting ad where Microsoft was promoting the launch in Japan through a cross-promotion with Burger King. Here's the ad.
Who knew that the best way to promote a new operating system and your expected user experience was with seven congealing meat patties and the smell of onions?
Maybe Apple took out that ad?
This is almost as funny as their Songsmith ads.
Here's something that I use many times, every day, and still think is a terrific piece of software.
Besides completely automating password entry and form-filling, RoboForm it allows you to:
This tool will save you time and help keep you safe on an increasingly dangerous web. Here is a screenshot of the toolbar it installs in your browser.
There is no need to remember passwords anymore … and even better, it keeps track of web addresses too (like bank and credit-card sites or any site you need to enter your member credentials). Type a few letters into the RoboForm search bar, click the website it suggests, then it takes you to the appropriate address and fills in the log-in credentials, automatically. It's fast, safe, and easy.
Lots of Ways to Use It.
RoboForm has a version that runs from a USB stick (so you can take it with you anywhere and use it without installing anything on someone else's computer). There are also versions for various smart-phones, including the iPhone. In addition, it links to their tremendous file synchronization tool, which is also worth taking a look at.
RoboForm was named PC Magazine Editor's Choice, and CNET Download.com's Software of the Year.
I've used this software for many years, and watched it get better and smarter. The author never tried to charge an upgrade fee, and continues to add new features and more intelligent algorithms to fill-out web forms as they continue to evolve.
All-in-all, this is a high-quality utility worth having on your computer. Hope that helps.