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A new product is out in beta testing mode which could change the way we interact when browsing the internet.  As a person surfs the web, they find interesting content and want to share what they’ve found with a friend.  Using either e-mail or entering into a chat room, the web page could be forwarded via embedding a link in a message so that friends could find the page.  But once the web page is shared, any conversation about the content of the page has to be reserved for the next time people see each other.  Firefly hopes to change all that with their Flash overlay chat program which allows visitors viewing a web page to interact in real-time while navigating the same site.
 
The idea of Firefly is simple:  Allow users who are viewing the same content to chat about what they’re reading or viewing.

 
A web page administrator can embed Firefly into their site and visitors will see a simple tab which will tell them how many people are currently viewing the site and offer the chance to turn “On” Firefly.  By doing so, a thin Flash overlay appears over the web page and other viewers cursors can be seen as they move over the web page.  Simply by typing, a user creates a flash chat bubble that other viewers can see and respond to.  Cursors can be customize so that one viewer can be distinguished from another.  Instead of waiting for a comments log to be updated, users can respond to other users posts in real time.  In order to avoid clutter, the chat bubbles do fade over time.  For sites with large amounts of traffic, only the first 50 users will be able to interact.  The 51st Firefly user will enter a queue and as soon as a space becomes available, they are able to join in the chat.

As it stands now, Firefly has some great functionality.  For website creators, it gives their site a more communal feeling.  Much like having a remote technician “share” your computer with you to fix a problem, Firefly enabled websites offer shared web browsing with like-minded people.  You can share the website you are viewing using Firefly’s built in Twitter feed and invite friends to browse with you.  Cursors can be customized to reflect personal avatars for easier identification.  Running logs of Firefly conversations spanning more than a week’s time frame are available at the bottom of the page.  Groups of people can gather on a website and discuss the information presented in a conference like manner.  Website administrators are able to supervise the chat and warn or ban offensive users.  But the future potential of Firefly is what truly shines brightest.
 
Imagine website virtual tours enriched with the ability to discuss content on the fly.  Educators could use Firefly to lead classes through online content to discuss subject matter.  Instead of hard copy textbooks and lesson plans illustrated by chalkboard examples, teachers could gather students online at the Museum of Fine Arts website and tour the Egyptian wing.  The teacher’s cursor would hover over important images and highlight details of which students should take note.  Question and answer sessions would become more orderly.  Attentiveness and subject retention would improve for students.  Even if only used as a precursor to an actual museum tour, the ability to prepare students for the information in a more interactive fashion than pure lecture is invaluable.
 
For entrepreneurial sites, Firefly offers website owners the ability to take potential investors and customers through a more in-depth look at their product before making a trip out to meet in person.  If there is a particular question about a product, Firefly would allow participants to go directly to the image or video and hover over the item that required deeper analysis.  Whereas websites have typically been a static display allowing for one way communication from vendors to customers, Firefly could make the virtual storefront more of a two way conversation.
 
The public hears more and more about Web 2.0 technology.  As the internet evolves from a “look-only” technology to an interactive workspace, users can and will demand more from their web browsing experience.  Products like Firefly may seem like simplistic conversation tools, but sometimes the best ideas start off simple.  By allowing web page viewers to “buzz around”, Firefly may help raise the bar in baseline website functionality and light the way to a richer internet experience for everyone.

A recent eWeek editorial points to the need for small businesses to utilize search features on their websites. While the move can be a daunting one, recent SaaS developments have made it easier to meet customer’s search needs online. While many smaller businesses understand the need for utilizing SEO techniques, they are lacking when it comes to examining their site’s internal usability.

As eWeek analyst Jim Rapoza points out, “When it comes to how users find information and content on a site, a well-implemented search engine can pay real dividends in helping users find what they are looking for. But, strangely, many proprietors of Web sites seem to ignore their own search capabilities, doing little in the way of internal search optimization.” This can be a huge handicap for web-based businesses in particular, since a competitor is a simple click away.

The need for internal search is partially being driven by a melding of the brick-and-mortar and e-commerce experiences. Customers, whether online or in the store, expect to have directions to what they want to purchase. These can be in the form of signage above the aisles or in-store personnel at a store; they should be represented by clear taxonomy and search functions for e-commerce sites. For example, a site like Amazon provides listings of DVDs, CDs , books, and other categories. These large categories should be broken down by genre, like fiction and non-fiction, or classical and rock. A solid taxonomy can help customers who want to browse find their preferred styles.

For those who aren’t browsing, however, a search function can act as a greeter or customer service person, directing those in a hurry to the right aisle immediately. A user looking for a specific book by a specific author should not have to sift through complicated menus, such as “Non-fiction > History > U.S. > Revolutionary War > David McCullough > 1776″. Amazon is an excellent example of an effective site search. While the sidebar gives categories for browsing shoppers, the prominent search bar at the top leads directly to the item being sought. Typing in “1776″ gives the user David McCullough’s book as the top entry, and searching by the author gives it as the 4th entry.

In the past, businesses wanting effective search engines for internal websites would have to create an original application with data stored and hosted on expensive, powerful servers. Now, many companies such as Amazon and Google are renting out their search technology to smaller companies, allowing them to access the power of massive computing clouds. Google’s Site Search allows users to tap the accurate data processing and complex search functions that Google uses for its own search engine.

A recent Talkibie article explored the Google service in-depth, and the move has given many small businesses the chance to improve their website usability. Other search companies are sure to follow their lead, utilizing their own infrastructure to help websites serve the search needs of their customers. Soon, internal search will be a necessity for all online businesses. As eWeek put it, “If you have a hard time finding content that you know exists using your search engine, visitors will find it impossible. And if your visitors can’t find what they are looking for, then they have no reason to come back to your site.”

When a company buys the rights to be an official sponsor of the Olympic games, there are certain perks that come with the package.  High visibility of sponsor logos and products are expected.  What isn’t expected is for nonsponsor products to have their trademarking kept out of sight.  Yet, that is what happened at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  Armed with duct tape and an indefatigable staff of sponsor monitors, China’s brand protection police were busy making sure that the sponsorship rules were being followed to the letter.
 
The Wall Street Journal first reported the odd appearance of taped over signs, fixtures, and panels.  “In media centers, dormitories and arena bathrooms, pieces of tape cover logos of fire extinguishers, light switches, thermostats, bedroom night tables, soap dispensers and urinals,” stated the Journal.  While sponsors can appreciate the effort to ensure that their products get the brand recognition that was paid for, there are some folks, like Matsushita Electric Industrial spokesman Toshihiko Shibuya, who found the zealous nature “very bizarre”.  Shibuya told the Wall Street Journal “It’s surprising they’d go to that extent.”
 
China, however, is attempting to make the most of hosting the Olympics.  This is a grand opportunity for China to prove to the world that it takes business — legitimate business — seriously.  The concern is born from recent news headlines that have besmirched China’s honor, awarding the country the dubious title of the counterfeiting capital of the world.  “Piracy and counterfeiting levels in China remain unacceptably high,” US Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab told BPCouncil.  From counterfeit Nikes to fake diabetes kits, China has had an awful track record for enforcing international trademark laws and intellectual property rights.  The 2008 Olympics in Beijing came with lofty expectations of sponsorship rights and protections.  China is making the most of this high profile event to rebuild a sullied reputation.
 
In addition to the duct tape brigade, Olympic organizers also released announcements regarding branding policies.  From the Xinhuanet, Olympic organizers advised attendees wishing to view the equestrian events on branding policies.  “If spectators are wearing clothes or carrying accessories with large or obvious advertising messages on them, they can be required to remove them or cover them up,” Stephen Selby, director of Intellectual Property of Hong Kong government, announced at a press briefing.  He also warned against accepting branded items given away by companies outside the sporting venues.  Having large crowds all carrying logo’d items from a nonsponsor conveys an improper message, he worried.
 
Future Olympic host nations are already leaning forward to protect the integrity of the Olympic brand and sponsoring companies.  Canada has put legislation in place to protect the Olympic brand and sponsors from “ambush marketing” for when they host the 2010 Olympics.  London has also implemented legislation for it’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.  In addition, London set forth a very open FAQ webpage  that addresses specifically what is protected and how to stay withing regulations.  Russia has already launched an outdoor advertising campaign, featuring posters that warn against the problems of counterfeit products bearing the Olympic symbol. They even have a hotline established to take calls explaining Olympic brand protection and ascertaining whether the public is understanding the message properly in time for the 2014 games.  As for duct tape, there is nary a word.
 
Duct tape has many uses.  From its original design to hold together air ducts, to working as a stop-gap airplane canvas fix, “100 mile an hour tape” has seen it all.  Now, it can be used as a low tech way of enforcing brand protection.  While other countries may not go to the extremes that China has, it should be interesting to see how nonsponsors’ “ambush marketing” ploys are foiled by watchful International Olympic Committee compliance teams.  From here on out, Olympic coverage has a whole new meaning.

Many major US stores are looking to cut costs for high energy bills by tapping into the unused real estate above their properties.  Attempting to cash in on government tax incentives, retail chains like Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and Kohl’s are installing solar panels to harness the sun’s energy for heating and power needs.  While the cost per kilowatt are still not as competitive as other fossil fuel based sources, businesses are taking steps to be ready for an economy where fuel shortages could change things significantly.
 
“It’s very clear that green energy is now front and center in the minds of the business sector,” Daniel M. Kammen, an energy expert at the University of California, Berkeley told the New York Times.  With fuel oil hitting $4.00 a gallon this past summer, businesses with an eye for managing operation costs are seeing that there are some advantages to capitalizing on unused overhead, i.e. rooftop acreage.
 
Kohl’s recently announced  that its Oregon stores would begin installing solar panels this month.  “Kohl’s strives to be an environmentally responsible retailer,” said Ken Bonning, executive vice president of logistics for Kohl’s. “The addition of Oregon to our solar program demonstrates our continued desire to use cleaner energy and reduce our carbon footprint.”  Estimating that 25% of the stores energy needs would be supplied by the new solar grid, Kohl’s is pressing forward with a plan to install solar power systems at stores in California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.

 
Initially seen as inefficient and impractical, solar panel technology has made some significant advances.  Back in 1979, when President Carter first announced his alternative energy strategy, solar panels were mainly collectors that used the heat of the sun to heat water for use in buildings.  However, the idea of using that water to turn turbines and create electricity, while possible was very costly.  While fossil fuel burning power plants could generate a kilowatt of power for about 5 or 6 cents, solar power plants were only been able to generate a kilowatt as cheaply as $1.  Photovoltaics, or the process of converting the sun’s light into electricity, has made significant progress in bringing the price of solar electricity down.  Using photovoltaics, Nellis Air Force Base has managed to create solar electric power for the base at a cost of 2.2 cents per kilowatt.
 
Europe and Japan are leading the charge in solar power implementation.  Germany has so many store roof projects going on that the results are visible from satellite photos.  Japan initiated subsidy programs for homeowners to install photovoltaic systems.  According to a U.S. Department of Energy report, the result was an increase in Japanese solar generated power from 31.2 megawatts in 1994 to 318 megawatts in 1999.
 
American retailers seem to be profiting from the experience of other nations solar programs and the latest developments in photovoltaic science.  By studying Germany and Japan’s implementation procedures, American stores are able to weigh the pros and cons of which type of panels to install at which types of stores.  Regional weather patterns can make one solar collection method a better choice than another.  With a little persistence, and some government backing, retailers may quickly become the new energy experts.

One of the hottest trends in mobile technology is location-based services. Smart phones can tell your friends and your application where you are. Applications like social networking tools, restaurant review sites, and blogging tools are all clamoring to use your location as a selling point. However, many people are wary of these broadcasts; while you might be fine with your best friend tracking you on a map, it might be a different story if your boss or parents were doing the same.

Yahoo! has found an answer to this problem which helps not only users but also the applications with location-based services. Fire Eagle is a free service which can help users choose what level of location information their applications can access. For example, you may want Wikinear, an application which shows you points of interest in your vicinity, to see your exact location. On the other hand, you may want Facebook’s mobile app to see only your city or ZIP code.

Yahoo! emphasizes the security in using Fire Eagle as a filter between various application and your location. “Fire Eagle allows you to share your locations with other sites and services safely through a secure server - you are always in control.” By assuring users that they are always able to pick and choose the level of service, Fire Eagle has the potential to attract a large following.

Fire Eagle has a good chance of being adopted and developed for a wide variety of mobile applications. In addition to being free for users, it’s also open to developers. That way, companies who launch applications that could benefit from location-based services can adapt the platform for their offerings. As Fire Eagle’s website explains, “By doing the heavy lifting for you and connecting you to a community of geo-developers, Fire Eagle makes it easier to build location-aware services.”

Depending on the detail of the application at hand, you may even be able to specify which online friends can see your location and which can’t. That way, if you’re meeting up with a group at an outdoor concert or festival, or just going for a jog, friends in the area can join you spontaneously. This type of functionality is likely to be a breakout success story in coming years, as mobile technology reaches an even broader audience.

Yahoo!’s Fire Eagle is available to any users and developers. The service currently exists on 50 applications, which are profiled on their website. As location-based services expand in number and features, look for more platforms like Fire Eagle in the future.

As internet usage and computers are now a natural, integrated part of our lives, we take if for granted the myriad of clicks and sites we visit to perform even simple tasks. Rather than using normal language commands, we interact with websites, email clients, social networks, and even mapping applications the same way. We copy and paste, send links, and type specialized commands or truncated keywords to do almost everything.

Mozilla wants to connect our online lives with our natural language usage with a new platform called Ubiquity. A Mozilla Labs release, Ubiquity is already attracting a lot of attention from users. Mozilla explains the experiment this way:

The overall goals of Ubiquity are to explore how best to:

• Empower users to control the web browser with language-based instructions. (With search, users type what they want to find. With Ubiquity, they type what they want to do.)
• Enable on-demand, user-generated mashups with existing open Web APIs. (In other words, allowing everyone–not just Web developers–to remix the Web so it fits their needs, no matter what page they are on, or what they are doing.)
• Use Trust networks and social constructs to balance security with ease of extensibility.
• Extend the browser functionality easily.

The concept of adapting mashup technology to everyday tasks is a fascinating idea. It could eliminate the need for links, copying and pasting, and even sending text emails. The example Mozilla gives is of sending an email to a friend to invite them to a new restaurant. You could include the address, reviews, a menu, and even a map within the body of an email, without having to simply link to them.

Ubiquity is being tested as an add-on to Firefox 3 browser, Mozilla’s most successful project. It is fully open source and free, so any developers can access the original code and customize it for various usages. Ubiquity 0.1 allows users to insert maps anywhere, translate on-page, search many content and portal sites, add items to Digg and update twitter, get weather reports, and many more. Users will be able to type commands in a bar similar to the address bar on a search engine, but instead of typing keywords you can type commands. The platform also lets users “teach” it new commands through a subscription service. A tutorial is available to teach new users how Ubiquity will function.

With Mozilla as a leader, other applications will start to follow this trend towards creating natural, language-based interfaces. We may even see voice commands become integrated into our internet browsers, letting our speech fulfill the same function as our fingers and keyboards do now. As with all Mozilla Labs projects, Ubiquity is free and ready to be tweaked and customized for any user. As one user raves about Ubiquity on Mozilla’s blog, “Nice work, I hope there’s enough developer interest in this to bring this to the top of the popular plug-ins!”

There are still roughly 200 days to St. Patrick’s Day, but Anheuser-Busch is focusing on a different kind of “green” beer: the environmental kind.  In an press release from July, Anheuser-Bush declared “More than five billion 12-oz. servings of beer – or about one in seven beers brewed by Anheuser-Busch in the United States – are expected to be brewed using renewable fuel by the end of 2009*, thanks to environmental efforts at the company’s 12 U.S. breweries.”  (The asterisk refers readers to the calculation method used by the international brewing company to arrive at its one in seven beer ratio.)  Is it all hype or could the mega-brewer from Missouri actually mean to turn a new, more environmentally conscious, leaf?
 
The energy goals will implement two methods that are currently in limited use at other Anheuser-Busch sites:  BERS and biogas.  This is not the unfortunate result of a keg party featuring home-made chili.  BERS stands for bio-energy recovery system.  The biogas portion is the natural gas that is produced from a local landfill’s decomposing mass.  The Anheuser-Busch project harnesses the stored energy in wastebeer to fuel a biogas powered burner.  Anheuser-Busch predicts that 70% of its Houston plant’s energy needs will be filled using this type of system.  Other Anheuser-Busch plants across the nation will be following suit; utilizing wastebeer and alternative fuel sources such as wind, solar, and biomass.
 
“We have a long history of protecting and preserving the environment, and these projects will move us closer to our goal of running our U.S. operations on 15 percent renewable fuel by 2010,” said Doug Muhleman, group vice president, Brewing Operations and Technology, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “It’s part of our pledge to be better environmental stewards of the world we share.”
 
This dovetails nicely with the environmental policies of InBev, the Belgian based company which recently merged with Anheuser-Busch.  In a 2007 Environmental Impact study, InBev analyzed the effectiveness of its current strategies.  The highlights of this report were:

• In 2006, 97% of total waste and byproducts are reused or recycled.
• Water use per hectoliter has fallen by 3.8% since 2005, and is down 8.9% over the last three years.
• Since 2005, the amount of energy required to produce a hectoliter of product has been reduced by 16.7%, with reductions of 21.9% over the last three years.
   

InBev was able to achieve these kind of numbers by finding innovative ways to re-use existing fuel sources that payed into its normal production requirements.  A first ever in the industry initiative is going to use the rice husks normally discarded from the brewing process to become fuel sources for its brewery in South America.  In addition, InBev was able to significantly reduce its NOx and SOx emissions over the past couple of years by about 1 million and 5 million tons respectively.
 
The brewing industry has other players interested in finding ways to convert waste product into viable energy sources.  As covered in a previous Talkibie article, Coors Brewing Co. will be the sole provider of ethanol for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.  The ethanol is produced from Coors stores of wastebeer that could either be turned into ethyl alcohol base or thrown away.  Instead, Coors is converting this wastebeer into fuel for Flex-fuel vehicles that the Democratic Convention will use to transport delegates, media, and candidates to and from the convention center.
 
The way to stay ahead in business is to maximize profits and mitigate loss.  In Anheuser-Busch’s case, the environmental factor cannot be ignored.  Businesses that can find a way to turn garbage into cost effective measures to operate will win in the end.  The Anheuser-Busch plan of implementing BERS and biogas is sure to be a win-win situation for everyone.  Their new partner, InBev, also brings a strong commitment to environmental measures along with additional ideas to minimize costs by maximizing the use of company owned resources.  In addition, the public relations spin can only help create an even stronger brand image for Anheuser-Busch.  That’s something everyone can drink to.

There is no denying that YouTube is by far one of the most popular sites on the web.  Millions of viewers around the world flock to YouTube to view entertaining video clips.  The best part is the ability to not only “Broadcast Yourself”, as YouTube’s slogan advises, but to share content with others.  You tell a friend, who tells their friends, who puts the word out via a bulletin board, and suddenly traffic is pouring into YouTube’s website to view a particular video.  Google has decided that it needs to cash in on this “viral” video viewing and is now setting its sights on buzz targeted advertising.
 
Late this past Spring, YouTube announced that it had found an algorithm which would allow the video site to predict when a certain video was about to go viral.  “The algorithm looks at several factors, such as acceleration of views, favorites, and ratings activity, and then allows advertisers to target their ads specifically to these videos on YouTube,” states the YouTube press release.  If the algorithm is able to perform correctly, advertisers should be more receptive to paying higher premiums for guaranteed blitz video coverage.
 
“Every advertiser hopes that their campaign will to be the next big viral hit online, and they come to YouTube to reach the millions of video viewers who are on the site everyday,” said Shiva Rajaraman, YouTube Product Manager. “Buzz targeting lets them do both at the same time.”
 
This begs the question, what does the poor person who actually produced the video get out of the deal?  Answer:  this does not apply to you.  YouTube is only applying the buzz targeting algorithm to select content partners.  That means that no hard working schmo that happens to hit amateur video gold will be cheated out of thousands of advertising dollars by YouTube or Google.  An example of content partners would be groups like TV Guide Broadband, Expert Village, Next New Networks, and Mondo Media.  Should any of their video content get picked up by the algorithm, sponsors who have paid to be in the queue for ad placement with viral videos will get product and brand recognition out to a massive amount of people.
 
Google is chomping at the bit to turn the massive earnings potential in YouTube viewership into actual numbers.  CNet  found that in Google’s earnings report, the search engine giant admitted that it hadn’t “figured out the perfect solution of how to make money.”  That’s certainly an interesting thing to say after spending $1.65 billion to acquire a company.  Still, it appears that buzz targeting may be a good start to monetizing YouTube, if not the perfect solution.
 
YouTube has tried other forms of advertising but none of them have met with significant success.  Overlays and tag ons, along with sidebar and banner placement ads have only netted modest returns.  Should the buzz targeting algorithm deliver on YouTube’s promises, Google may not have to search so hard for additional monetization plans.

TV advertisements, on average, last about 30 seconds. Some of them manage to brilliantly explain the product and entertain audiences as well. Others, however, are less successful with the short-and-sweet format. So what do you do when a product is too complex or too revolutionary to be marketed on television?

Proctor & Gamble’s answer was to turn to bloggers. One of the largest consumer product companies on the planet is testing a new marketing strategy. Though they reportedly spent $236.8 million last year on media exposure, a new Crest toothpaste will not be making the rounds during commercial breaks. Instead, P&G has reached out to bloggers and mothers who spend time online to test and review the product.

The toothpaste is called Crest Weekly Clean, and it contains silica-based crystals like its sister product, Pro-Health. The high amount of crystals supposedly leaves users with the clean feeling that comes from visiting a dentist. As the name suggests, it’s meant to be used just once a week as a supplement to daily brushing, not as a replacement. P&G felt that this message would not come across accurately in traditional advertisements. As spokesperson Allison Yang told AdAge.com, Weekly Clean “is not necessarily intuitive,” meaning that users might be confused by short, 30-second spots. In fact, the top website in Google’s search results for Crest Weekly Clean is a collection of blog posts, articles, and discussion boards about the product.

To market Crest Weekly Clean, P&G tapped into an online community of moms it created called Vocalpoint. In exchange for survey responses and marketing data, P&G gives out free samples and coupons to users of the site. As their website boasts:

As a member, you’ll get:

• To tell big companies what you think.
• Early access to products and samples before your friends.
• Free membership. Always voluntary.

The company is counting on web buzz to bring the product to the public. They distributed samples not only to Vocalpoint members, but also to bloggers who might write it up on their websites. AdAge reports that it may have worked: “P&G began sending the product to bloggers earlier this month, some of whom also have Twittered their interest in Weekly Clean.”

Word-of-mouth marketing has always been a golden ideal for advertisers and consumer product companies, but it’s difficult to foment buzz. The web provides an ideal environment for spreading the word, with individual fans of the product doing the legwork. Not only do companies get to sit back and watch consumers at work, but they also get to save millions of dollars that would otherwise be misspent on TV advertising. Ads reach unknown demographics of customers, but sites like Vocalpoint zero in on moms, who generally do the household shopping for products like toothpaste and toiletries.

With the easy access to consumers and the money-saving possibilities, my guess is that we’ll see more large companies like P&G give internet marketing a try. Targeted audiences, free publicity, and no buy-in make the web an attractive place to build buzz for new products.

Microsoft has received a lot of press coverage for their Windows Vista operating system, and unfortunately for them, almost none of it was positive. Vista may go down as the biggest software flop in history. Both businesses and individual consumers have rejected the system, and many who did upgrade have since switched back to their old software.

Talkibie has covered the problems that users have had with Vista, but most point to annoying alerts, difficult navigation, power usage, and incompatibility has major reasons they will not switch. Microsoft, however, seems to think the problem is one of misunderstanding. With a little rebranding, the company thinks they can show the average consumer that Vista has gotten an undeserved bad reputation.

A series of ads have been launched that highlight a project known as the Mojave Experiment. The videos show everyday people discussing their impressions of Vista and taking a survey to show what they know about the operating system. One man admits, “I’ve heard nothing but bad things about Vista.” The interviews serve to answer Microsoft’s underlying question: “What do people think of Windows Vista when they don’t know it’s Windows Vista?”

Using the codename “Windows Mojave,” Microsoft representatives allowed the participants to demo what they thought was the next big release from the software giant. The response is quite different from the initial interviews about Vista, and Microsoft urges consumers to “See for yourself. Decide for yourself.”

Microsoft’s Mojave Experiment website gives a few details about the study and how it was conducted. They polled 140 participants, and 94% of them rated the codenamed Mojave higher than they rated Vista. The hardware used to demo Vista is revealed as a “HP Pavilion DV 2000 with 2 GB RAM”, and 84% of the respondents were currently using Windows XP. None of the participants rated Mojave lower than they rated Vista.

These results show that word-of-mouth buzz about a product has a profound effect on how it is perceived by consumers. People who had never tried Vista vehemently stated that they wouldn’t touch the program, but when shown how it worked under a different name, they professed to like it a lot. The clever commercials for the Mojave Experiment may reverse some of the negative feelings that people have about Vista. It may convince some users to see for themselves how it would function for them.

On the other hand, the bad publicity surrounding Vista’s release has hugely impacted public perceptions of Microsoft, and many businesses who would normally upgrade are waiting for the next OS release. Will the Mojave Experiment change their minds? Perhaps for some. After all, Vista has been updated since its initial launch, and service packs have fixed some of the flaws that frustrated early users. For others, though, Vista’s perceived problems will not be overcome by a marketing campaign, no matter how scientific the study behind it was.

As the saying goes, “One bad apple can spoil the whole bushel.” Will Vista be that apple for Microsoft (no pun intended), or will Mojave save the day?

Proof positive that if it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing:  social networking is now available for your pets!  A great number of sites are available where owners can create web pages dedicated to their cats, dogs, or other animal companions.  These pet social networking sites, or “pet-working” sites, serve as a gathering place for like-minded folks who are fans of the domesticated species that occupy our homes and hearts.  The services are free since they are ad sponsored, like Facebook or MySpace, but advertisers have a bonus: they know their target audience is guaranteed on every page.  Pet-working seems to fill a niche-market that has everyone begging for more.

Heavily covered in an Associated Press article, pet-working sites are springing up all over the web.  Among the more prominent are Doggyspace, Catster, Dogster, and Youpet.  Some people take to writing entries in first person as if it were truly their pet at the keyboard.  Others simply post about their pet and share amusing stories as a pet owner.  It seems that there is no end to the number of people who want to share their pet with the world.  Pet-working sites have yet to register on a ComScore report for popularity, but membership numbers alone indicate that this market segment is ripe for manufacturers of pet products or items that pet owners buy more frequently than most consumers.
 
Pet-working sites like Catster, offer pet owners a chance to share stories and best practices.  Unlike generic social networking sites like MySpace or Friendster, pet-working sites are one stop shopping for those who are looking to meet other people who have a known common interest.  Grooming tips and tricks, dealing with medical conditions, and sharing information unique to specific breeds are all available to pet owners with the click of a mouse.  (Don’t tell the cat!)  There is even space to post videos of your pet performing amazing or goofy acts, as many members aren’t afraid to perform in front of a camera.  Overall, the area is a friendly environment for people to meet and talk without divulging too much about themselves, personally.
 
Nothing is free and pet-working sites are no exception.  However, most pet-working sites are funded by manufacturers like Purina, Arm & Hammer, and Eureka.  These companies are tapping into a social networking market bonanza.  While other advertisements on human social networking sites are hit or miss, pet-working sites are virtual control groups for marketing teams.  Test advertisements for known interest groups can be run before major media blitzes in more expensive venues like television and radio are released.  The average return on dollars spent for pet-working sites is sure to be higher than for spots in Facebook or MySpace and lack all the complexities of keyword searches or privacy infringement of spyware.
 
Pet-working isn’t really a new concept.  People have used their animals as a way to meet other people for a long time.  Pet-working is the electronic version of taking your puppy for a walk in the park.  Anyone who is interested in animals will stop and chat with you for a while as they pet and admire your dog.  For cat owners, the equivalent is, perhaps, noticing the stray hair on an outfit or recognizing the bit of catnip on a person’s sweater and sharing stories.  With the internet, those folks who may have been shy about putting their personal information out on the web in MySpace are able to live vicariously, and virtually, through their pet’s social networking site.  For advertisers, that’s the cat’s meow.

It’s happened to us all: you’ve clicked on a video link, only to see the familiar message. “This video has been removed at the request of the copyright owner.” YouTube and similar video hosting sites, while they don’t police all content, regularly remove videos once a copyright complaint has been filed. It’s up to content owners and third parties to ask that the videos be taken down.

But what happens when they let it slide? While most copyright holders do not take lightly to violations of their materials on the internet, some are embracing the free video trend. RCA records, representing AvrilLavigne , has made her videos YouTube hits by allowing them to stay on the site. The video for her hit song “Girlfriend” has more than 98 million views. A recent BusinessWeek article profiles Kadokawa Holdings, a Japanese animation studio which has also allowed YouTube users to do some of their marketing work for them.

Chairman and CEO Tsuguhiko Kadokawa has actively promoted the work of fans of his company’s productions on YouTube. Two of their most popular shows, Haruhi Suzumiya and Lucky Star, are particularly popular with pirates. While some are maliciously spreading protected material, most violators are simply fans who create mashups or music videos of the characters on the shows. Here’s an example, which uses video from Haruhi Suzumiya set to music.

Companies with copyrighted materials used in this way are well within their rights to ask YouTube to remove the videos, but this creates a problem with the fans. While these videos do violate copyrights, they also bring new viewers and free publicity to the material. Having them removed from YouTube could upset dedicated fans. Kadokawa recognizes these issues and has turned the tables in his favor, allowing clips from his shows and mashups to remain on YouTube. He’s even looking into placing ads on fan videos for DVD sales, downloads, and other merchandise.

“I think a lot of people are watching to see whether we will succeed. If we can do something they haven’t been able to do up to this point, they may follow suit,” Kadokawa told BusinessWeek. A team at his company scours YouTube for videos related to Haruhi Suzumiya and Lucky Star. The company does ask that videos copied from DVDs be removed fom the site, but it also approaches fans who have made the best videos. BusinessWeek reports, “It’s sending e-mails to YouTube users, asking for permission to place Kadokawa’s marque and an ad alongside their videos, and encouraging them to join the four-month-old Kadokawa Anime channel on YouTube (2,186 have joined).”

Not only could the strategy help maintain a loyal fan base, but it could also contribute to the spread of the shows popularity abroad. While it’s best known in Japan, YouTube viewers from all over the world have joined theKadokawa channel, and viewership is going international. Anime is gaining ground all over the world, particularly after the success of films like Spirited Away, by Japan’s most celebrated anime director Hayao Miyazaki.

Kadokawa has set a standard that other copyright holders may follow, learning to embrace the world of shared content. By targeting true pirates and allowing fan-created videos to roam free, the company may in fact win the battle against the internet free-for-all.

The US Army has been displaying a Virtual Army Experience, (VAE), at Six Flags amusement parks and airshow venues across the nation in the hopes of exposing the public to what soldiers experience when fighting insurgents in theatre. Utilizing a complex set-up of computers, LAN based scenarios, motion simulators, videos, and presenters, the VAE is a massive display of technological power. While impressive in design and structure, some critics are concerned with the format and message that is being conveyed to the public. Is the VAE truly effective at communicating what a typical convey soldier experiences or is it merely a recruiting tool that glamorizes war?

As the VAE website explains, “This 10,000 square-foot interactive exhibit brings the Army’s exceptionally popular computer game, America’s Army: Special Forces (Overmatch), to a life-size networked world to provide visitors with a virtual test drive of Soldiering.” Sizable lines are cordoned off in a Disneyland-esque fashion that keeps the queue moving. Once inside, waiting participants can join in a LAN version of America’s Army while they wait for their group to get called up for the main event: a simulated mission.

Missions are comprised of three parts: a pre-briefing, the mission and a debrief. The group is given a basic understanding of what their objective is: protect friendly aid workers from known genocidal extremists. Then each group is told to take their positions in a Humvee simulator. Each position has air-powered weapons that simulate the recoil, or “kick”, of an actual weapon. Three simulator screens give an almost 180 degree view of a Middle Eastern scenario with streets, buildings, civilians, and enemy personnel. As the scenario is played, the Humvee rocks with each simulated blast and participants are jostled as they try to accomplish their mission. When the simulation finishes, the group is told to dismount and enter the debriefing area where live presenters go over the performance of the crew and answer questions.

All told, it is probably the most comprehensive technological road show every put on by any branch of the US Armed Forces.

But critics are concerned about the message that is conveyed by the VAE. By presenting war as a game or even in a game-like scenario, detractors state that it makes light of a very serious situation. This year’s VAE display at the Cleveland Air Show was waived off after Veterans for Peace protested the display.* “The group Veterans for Peace says the simulators desensitize children to killing,” reported the Mansfield News Journal. Those who oppose the VAE say that by adopting a familiar and attractive platform like computer games and simulators, the VAE is skewing children’s views on war. But was the issue that the VAE allows children aged 13 to participate and would that change if attendance requirements were set to age 18? Attempts to reach the Veterans for Peace for comment were unsuccessful.

“I don’t think it does make light of it,” says retired Colonel James Allard of the US Army public relations department. “For a few minutes, people get a very realistic simulation of what it’s like to be on a mission.” In Col. Allard’s opinion, the VAE is one of the best ways the US Army has of sharing the experience of soldiering. Regarding the issue of reaching the public and exposing them to the types of things that occur during an actual attack mission, “I can tell you that it’s [the VAE] quite effective in conveying that message.”

The US Army has actually done a fairly good job of harnessing technology to communicate and educate. On the one hand, they have provided a mobile system capable of displaying scenarios that incorporate the major pieces of hardware that soldiers use to complete their job. On the other hand, they’ve had to use that same technology to “dumb down” the experience so that it is “user friendly”. For example, simulators require 60 degree temperatures that a Humvee crew would never see in Iraq, computer simulations make target identification overly simplistic, and the scenarios lack the carnage that occurs when bombs, bullets, and projectiles are exchanged. Still, in order to demonstrate how a soldier must make split second reactions based on briefings received prior to mounting up, and then share the ramifications of such decisions after the fact, VAE does offer the public a basic understanding of the complexities of war. “Sharing in this manner…those sort of things build respect,” comments Col. Allard.

The VAE is a unique use of military technology. While not an official recruiting tool, the Wall Street Journal found that “Those who want to try the game are asked for their age, address, phone number and email, and the information is entered into a database.” Clearly the Army isn’t passing up an opportunity to gather information.

What the public gets out of the VAE depends greatly on what they bring to it. Parents need to take an active role in deciding if their child is too emotionally young to handle the information being presented. They should also take some time after the military debriefing to have a chat session of their own with their child and explain issues that are important to their values and beliefs. The VAE becomes a springboard for discussion and “I certainly couldn’t ask for a better use of my tax dollars” says Col. Allard.

Those in the New England area who wish to investigate the Virtual Army Experience for themselves are advised to attend the 2008 Great State of Maine Airshow scheduled September 5th, 6th, and 7th at Naval Air Station Brunswick. Due to mobile technology, the US Army is bringing audiences a highly interactive method of communicating its unique experience at this venue.

“It’s a great way to get a taste of what we are asking our young people to do,” advises Col. Allard.

 * CORRECTION 27AUG08:  The VAE will be present at this year’s Cleveland National Air Show.  Please visit the 2008 Cleveland National Air Show site for more information.

Say neocortex and most kids will tell you that’s a character from Crash Bandicoot.  But the more practical application of this term refers to the grey matter that surrounds a mammalian brain and is responsible for such functions as language and motor skills, sensory perception, conscious reasoning, and spatial relationships.  Now, a company called Numenta, hopes to tap into the theory behind how the neocortex performs those functions in human thinking and apply them to artificial intelligence.  If successful, the process promises to be able to resolve complex issues at the speed of a super computer.
 
The think tank behind Numenta is headed by three people who are well known in the field of artificial intelligence and technology.  Jeff Hawkins is the Founder.  Hawkins is the lauded pioneer of pattern recognition software that powered his inventions like the Palm Pilot and the Handspring Treo.  Donna Dubinsky, a long time business associate of Hawkins, serves as CEO and co-founder of Numenta.  Finally, rounding out the team, is Dileep George.  George is co-founder and Principle Architect, and is helping to translate Hawkins’ theories into mathematical proof-of-concept.
 
Using Hawkins’ understanding of neocortex functionality, Numenta hopes to create a model of computer programming which can duplicate a human being’s higher reasoning skills.  By doing so, Numenta would be able to offer a multitude of businesses solutions to complicated management issues in a variety of fields.  As BusinessWeek reports, the first test site for Numenta’s product is the ESDA data center.  Data centers take up enormous amounts of energy to their basic functions.  Archiving and retrieving massive amounts of information time and again could be done more efficiently with computer programs that monitor, predict, associate, and direct storage management programs.  “The better companies can analyze their data, the more efficiently they can run energy-hogging data centers,” the BusinessWeek article explains.  While no results have been officially announced, massive data centers like Microsoft and Google should be very interested in Numenta’s progress.
 
While Numenta’s long term goal has yet to be reached, the company has had some limited success with its theories.  In October of 2007, Numenta held a contest called Numenta Challenge: GAME.  The idea was to create a program where players had to perform a task and the result would be judged against the NuPIC Pictures example application.  NuPIC is Numenta’s pattern recognition software which can recognize a hand drawn image against a database of image descriptions and correlate the appropriate image to text association.  The result of the Numenta Challenge yielded some entertaining, and amazing, results.
 
Numenta’s latest efforts to achieve successful replication of neocortex functionality in computers holds a great deal of promise.  Biometric fields could use “deep reasoning” software to analyze a multitude of complex symptoms to arrive at a diagnosis more quickly and more accurately than a human counterpart ever could.  Depending on the level of information available to the program and its ability to associate similar characteristics based off past cases, the results might even be capable of predictive functionality.  But for now, the corporate world must eye Numenta’s baby steps with optimism and nurture its first steps toward a more mature artificial intelligence design.

Ever wonder what happens to all the energy generated in public spaces like gyms, train stations, or parks? Right now, with few exceptions, nothing happens to it, but that may change. Every movement we make generates small amounts of energy that could be converted into electricity and stored. Pounding the pavement, running on a treadmill, or pedaling a bicycle could produce the electricity we use to run an iPod or watch a television. This idea, called energy harvesting, is starting to attract attention at gyms and in public spaces around the world.

In what’s being billed as a green technology, human-powered devices are springing up in many forms. A recent CNN article profiles Italian inventor Lucien Gambarota, who has designed equipment for California Fitness, a gym in Hong Kong run on energy harvesting technology. “One of the oldest types of energy used by people is muscular energy — so this is nothing new.” Gambarota created “exercycles ,” similar to a stationary bike but with one clever difference: it’s connected to a generator for storing the energy created by pedaling it.

The introduction of energy harvesting equipment in a heavily-used gym could generate enough electricity to run the lights, power TVs, or keep the music playing on the gym’s stereo system. In addition to California Fitness, a human-powered gym is slated to open in Portland Oregon this month. The Green Microgym expects to generate up to 750 watts per hour. Founder Adam Boesel told the L.A. Times, “We are creating a neighborhood gym that is as comfortable and effective as any other. At the same time, our members are doing their part to help the Earth.”

Gyms aren’t the only facilities looking to turn muscle energy into electricity. A “sustainable dance club” in the Netherlands is set to open in September. The floor itself will employ electricity capture-and-storage technology. Wheels underneath the dance floor will move slightly as dancers impact it, which will cause coils and magnets embedded in the floor to create electric charges. Another method of this technology has been used elsewhere; “piezoelectricity” utilizes crystals embedded in the floor to generate charges. Both of these technologies could be used in high-traffic public places, such as subway and train stations or airports. They may even jump to individual homes, where people will cycle to power their TVs and overhead lights.

While the amount of electricity generated by human power is small compared to other renewable methods, the idea is intriguing. All the small movements we do throughout the day could be captured and turned into a positive, free, and clean source of power. The idea of energy harnessing is attracting attention all around the globe, and while the impact of this renewable energy source may be small, it certainly is compelling.

It’s no secret that China is the next big market on the world stage. Following the success of the Olympic Games and the high profiles achieved by major sponsors, many international companies are looking to Asia to expand their reach among China’s 1.6 billion consumers. Google has long played second fiddle to China’s top search engine, Baidu.com, partially because of a controversial music download policy. Baidu provides music searches leading to free, unlicensed downloads, and Google has been hesitant to follow the tricky legal path that its rival has.

Google has now made a move to compete with Baidu, offering searches for free, licensed music downloads for Chinese users. After intense negotiations with music companies, Google will partner with Top100.cn to provide music searches, listening samples, and legitimate free downloads. The service, called Music Onebox, will not only keep Google out of legal trouble, but will also be the first music search service the company will launch anywhere in the world.

As the Wall Street Journal recently reported, “Industry analysts have estimated that as many as 90% of Internet users in China - which now has the world’s largest population of Internet users - download unlicensed music online everyday via search-engine services that provide links to unlicensed music downloads.” Google’s partnership with Top100.cn will offer music from international record labels such as Vivendi SA’s universal Music, EMI, and many other Chinese record labels. The website will be supported by advertising, and revenue will be split between the participating record companies, Top100.cn, and Google.

In addition to providing free downloads for users, Google’s service will create an opportunity for music marketers to collect data about those who use the site. The Wall Street Journal explains, “The search would also provide information about artists and albums from Top100.cn’s database for free. Watermarking technology would be used to track downloads for meaningful statistics for use in selling advertising.” For example, if users are downloading Led Zeppelin songs in record numbers following Jimmy Page’s performance at the closing ceremony of the Olympics, advertisements for other 70s rock band’s albums might be served to those users.

Music Onebox will only be available in China for now, and no plans have been announced to spread it beyond the growing nation. The service may give Google the edge it needs to compete with Baidu, but it will also provide an above-the-table way for music downloads to be rolled out in China. In a market notorious for piracy, offering legal downloads in exchange for advertising revenue could be the solution to the poor performance of record labels. If the system works in China, it could work anywhere.

A recent announcement has Xbox fans buzzing about user-generated content. At the Gamefest 2008 conference in late July, Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business Group CTO Chris Satchell revealed the launch of “Xbox LIVE Community Games,” a program through which independent developers will be able to develop and market their games for the console.

Satchell said in a press release, “Not only are we democratizing game development with Xbox LIVE Community Games later this year, but we’re creating an opportunity for aspiring developers to start their careers on the world stage. It is really a win for both developers and consumers because this will no doubt act as an incentive for game creators to continue to develop the best, most innovative games for Xbox 360.”

Microsoft has taken steps in the user-generated content arena before by unrolling a toolset for Xbox game developers. The XNA Game Studio toolset was meant to be affordable and intuitive, giving anyone the opportunity develop unique and creative Xbox games. The 2006 launch has been a success according to Boyd Multerer, general manager of XNA. In a press release Multerer revealed, “To date, we’ve had more than 1 million downloads of XNA Game Studio and adoption in more than 700 universities. For some perspective, the incredible creative community we’ve unleashed worldwide is more than 25 times the number of professional developers in the industry.”

Now, XNA will not just be a tool for dabblers and university students. Any developers can use the toolset to bring their games to life, and those who meet high standards will be sold on the Xbox LIVE marketplace. Independently developed games in the marketplace will have “successfully passed a rigorous peer-review system” and pricing will be suggested in three brackets, from 200 to 800 Microsoft Points ($2.50 to $10). Additionally, as Wired is reporting, community games will be available free of charge for timed trial periods. This will enable cautious shoppers to test out user-generated content before paying the fees.

As for revenue sharing, Microsoft has set up a system by which community developers who launch successful games will profit from their hard work. The press release promises aspiring developers “will receive up to 70 percent of the total revenue generated by their game,” and a follow-up FAQ on the XNA Creators Club website gives specifics. Microsoft will split any profits generated by community games with developers and take a percentage as a fee for marketing and promoting the product.

To kick things off, the second annual “Dream-Build-Play” contest has been announced. Games built on XNA will be judged for quality and creativity, and winners will received prizes valued at over $70,000. One winner will be invited to sign a contract withXbox LIVE Arcade publishing for a chance to live the dream of becoming a game developer. Last year’s top winners will be sold on theXbox LIVE marketplace. Interested developers can visit Dream-Build-Play’s website for official rules and details.

Xbox’s foray into user-generated content is a great opportunity for both developers, the company, and gamers. The community games are bound to break some creative barriers, and the fact that Microsoft will split revenue with successful developers is a step in the right direction. So many technology companies have asked users to participate in their success, and it’s nice to see that Microsoft is willing to make the deal a profitable one for all involved.

Mobile web technology is seeing a resurgence since its original unveiling during the dot com era.  As iPhones, Blackberrys, and other devices become more commonplace, consumer demand for mobile applications increases.  Corporations who explored .mobi versions of home websites a few years ago are finding that the time is right to revisit the potential of reaching customers on the go.
 
There were a few factors that kept businesses from successfully developing mobile web presences into lucrative ventures back in 2000.  First was the lack of supporting hardware.  Cell phones were nothing more than slightly smaller bricks with monochrome displays no larger than an oversized postage stamp.  Fast forward a couple years, and the end user technology was there but the programming costs were still too steep for businesses to consider risking against an unknown return.  Finally, there was no supporting service plan for transmission of large packets of secure data through national phone service carriers.  It’s 2008 and the roadblocks are finally being removed.
 
The growth over the past few years in mobile technology has generated more than a few .mobi sites.  But there hasn’t been a lot of fanfare from companies regarding their smartphone friendly web presence.  That’s where MobileMammoth stomps in.  As their website explains, “In the fall of 2006, as the mobile web was finally gaining some real traction, we decided it was time to truly make MobileMammoth a destination for mobile users to discover new and useful mobile websites and services.”  Not only are new .mobi sites presented, they are also held up for review and recommendation.  And while there are many .mobi sites out there, MobileMammoth has listed only 29 as “the absolute best mobile websites” by categories like business, sports, entertainment, weather and the like. 
 
Reports are coming in that clearly indicate the time is right for mobile web.  According to The Wall Street Journal, “Forrester Research reports that the number of inquiries it received from businesses and service providers wanting to talk about the mobile Web jumped 40% last year.”  Companies like E-Trade Financial, Fidelity Investments, eBay, and Gamespot all have mobile versions of their website and/or service.  These companies have the enviable position of front runners in the race to dominate mobile web business.
 
A whole new industry is being created, as well.  Companies like GoLive!Mobile are springing up to assist any level of corporation with creating a successful mobile web presence.  “What do users see when they access your company’s website using their mobile phone’s browser? Most likely, they see a complete mess. But have no fear - we can help!” proclaims GoLive!Mobile’s website.  By providing services that encompass:

• WAP Site Hosting
• Mobile Website Design
• Traffic Management to Your WAP Site
• WAP Billing & Premium SMS Integration

GoLive!Mobile is helping other companies broaden their electronic presence and tap into the earning potential of the mobile web.
 
An idea ahead of its time can be mistaken for a flop.  The mobile web concept was explored a little too soon.  The desired level of service and customer usability just wasn’t there at the turn of the century.  Now that PDAs and smartphones are able to deliver color presentation on a sizable screen, companies finally have a reason to re-invest in a .mobi version of their web presence.  The companies who learned from past mistakes are certain to become major players in the mobile web game.

With gas prices increasing and the constant threat of global warming taking over, people are looking for new ways to be more fuel efficient with their automobiles.  Enter the do-it-yourself electric car.  Instead of buying gasoline for fuel, the owner of this car can go home at night, plug his vehicle into an electrical outlet, and have it ready for use the next day.
 
Two Georgia men are trying out this concept separately.  Larry Horsley, the owner of a ‘95 Chevy S-10 says the conversion from gas to electric cost him about $12,000 according to an article on CNN.com.  David Kennington of the Atlanta area also thinks the conversion of his Honda Civic del Sol is worth it.  Not only does the conversion save gas money, but it also helps decrease the pollution of the environment.  Americans have been hoping for big-car manufacturers to deliver mainstream electric vehicles (EVs) like the Chevy Volt , but such cars have not come to fruition.  The American public is seemingly sold on the benefits of EVs.
 
Just imagine what electric cars can do.  They can help people save gas money while lowering gas prices.  Moreover, the maintenance for the car should cost less because it will not need regular oil changes.  These cars can also lower gas emissions to help the environment and reduce the global warming effect.  They might also solve the oil crisis of recent years.  If electric cars almost seem too good to be true, it’s because there are some serious downsides.
 
Detractors say that electric cars are not “the answer” for a few reasons.  Until these electric cars become more mainstream, people will have to deal with these do-it-yourself kits which cost a significant amount in time and money.  Horsley estimates that the total time to install his kit was three months, most of which he estimated was spent waiting on parts.  Another issue with electric cars is that they cannot be driven for long trips.  Kennington gets about 20 miles per charge, so he only drives it on short trips a couple times a week according to CNN.com.  Finally, battery packs tend to be very heavy and cause additional wear and tear on tires and breaks.
 
“I hope at some point that I will be able to drive it on a more regular basis and that it will be more useful,” says Kennington on CNN.com. “Do I expect it to someday to be my only car? No.”
 
Even though an electric car cannot be driven as far as anyone pleases per trip, people still show a significant interest in them.
 
Bob Batson who formed a company called Electric Vehicles of America in Wolfeboro, N.H., sells vehicle parts for those looking to convert from gasoline to electric. Electric Vehicles of America’s homepage has snapshots of every vehicle under the sun that can be powered with their conversion kits.  From boats to airport tugs, go-carts to farm tractors, truck to automobiles, Mr. Batson’s company can convert the powerplant from internal combustion to electric.  All it takes is time, money, and the desire to seek an alternative.
 
The do-it-yourself group may turn the electric car into a mainstream item.  Nothing will cause a business to change its approach faster than competition that is cutting into their profits.  Should do-it-yourself kits become easier to install and electric cars have a lower total cost of ownership, major car manufacturers may find competition with a new industry:  chassis-only manufacturers.  These do-it-yourself electric cars put the future of automobiles in the hands of the consumer.

Rumors are always swirling about Apple’s next moves, and with the back-to-school season upon us, industry watchers are curious exactly what the Cupertino company has up its sleeve. With CFO Peter Oppenheimer promising to “deliver an entirely new level of value to the customer,” journalists and bloggers are making predictions about the next big thing we’ll see from Apple.

Most sources agree that Apple’s notebook line is due for a revamp. While they have been tweaked over the years, the MacBook Pro is essentially a repackaged version of the PowerBook Titanium, which was released on 2001. As BusinessWeek pointed out in a recent article, “The main elements—a 15-inch-wide screen and the silver-toned metallic outer casing—have evolved only slightly over the course of seven years.”

AppleInsider concurs with this assessment, and their revelations and predictions focus on the design features rather than the guts of the notebook line. One article points to CEO Steve Jobs’ comments about making Apple greener, saying, “13-inch consumer MacBooks will undergo the most significant metamorphosis, shedding their plastic enclosures for ones constructed from more eco-friendly materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel.” Calling the customary white plastic covers “tawdry”, AppleInsider believes that earth friendly materials will give Apple an aesthetic edge over rival notebooks.

AppleInsider also points out potential chip changes with Intel’s new Montevina line. “Both the MacBook and MacBook Pro are to receive ‘Montevina’-based processors from the chipmaker’s upcoming Centrino 2 platform, which require a new ‘Socket B’ logic-board. The second-gen mobile Penryn chips will boast a 1066MHz front-side bus and clock between 2.26GHz and 2.8GHz.”

BusinessWeek’s article by Arik Hesseldahl about the rumored notebook updates explores the new technology that we may see incorporated into Apple’s product line. Talkibie has covered rumors of a touchscreen notebook in the past, and the BW article also gives Apple fans reason to celebrate. “Expect a multitouch display similar to that found on the iPhone and the iPod touch. Apple has a solid set of patents on the new technology and has boned up on multitouch tech through the iPod line.” This technology is ripe for incorporation into other products, and the iPhone and iPod lines have given consumers a level of familiarity and comfort with the interface.

Perhaps the most promising prediction of all comes from BusinessWeek as well. Hesseldahl writes, “So I’m thinking a small MacBook with a multitouch screen that measures about 9 or 10 in. will be among the ’several wonderful new products’ Jobs referred to in the earnings press release issued July 21.” Mini-notebooks have not been as successful as many companies have hoped in the past. However, with more and more consumers adjusting to internet use and document creation on smart phones, a mini-notebook with a full keyboard could do well. The market is all about mobility, and BusinessWeek’s optimism for a little brother to to a touchscreen notebook would be a good move for Apple.

Back-to-school season coincides with Apple’s fiscal fourth quarter, and their sales tend to be strong during this time of year. A newly minted notebook line could push them even further into the spotlight, and we may see Apple breaking new ground in technology, design, and revenues.

When you mention technology and how it can impact a campaign, the usual story that gets talked about is the Kennedy Nixon debate.  This was the first televised presidential debate in the history of America and those who watched the debate declared Kennedy the winner while those who listened on radio sided with Nixon.  By understanding the advantages of a given technology, political candidates can change the rules of debating, politicking, and now — fundraising.
 
Much like the Kennedy Nixon debate, the Democrats have taken the lead in effectively using technology to generate funds for local to presidential races.  The premier site, ActBlue , offers one stop shopping for Democratic candidates and like minded independent groups to solicit support from donors regardless of location.  “In four years, ActBlue has sent more than $60 million to some 3200 candidates and committees from more than 420,000 donors, with a median contribution of only fifty dollars, doing as much to ensure a sustainable Democratic future as any other player in the field,” declares ActBlue’s website.  With multiple ways to search the list of candidates, supporters are sure to find who they’re looking for, links to candidates’ web sites, and easy methods to donate.  ActBlue even takes PayPal.  The days of going door to door, looking for donations to support campaign efforts are soon to be a thing of the past.
 
Harnessing the web to get support from ones compatriots is also paying off.  The Wall Street Journal recently covered the saga of Sean Tevis, a would-be politician running for a Kansas state legislature seat.  After extremely unproductive door to door tactics, Mr. Tevis posted a web-comic venting his frustration with the process and appealing for funds from what could be called a “shared-interest constituency”.  Mind you, these were not the people actually in his district, but anyone out there who could identify with his comic “Running for Office: It’s Like a Flamewar With a Forum Troll, but With an Eventual Winner “.  The end result:  over $95,000 in campaign donations.
 
“I felt a connection,” Scott Lange told the Wall Street Journal. “We had something in common. It doesn’t matter where he is.”  Lange isn’t in Mr. Tevis’ district.  He’s not even in Mr. Tevis’ state.  Mr. Lange is a law student in Atlanta.  That’s the power of campaigning on the internet.
 
The other side of the aisle is starting to catch on but the GOP has a lot of work ahead of them.  The Republican version for party-wide donations is Slatecard.  Much like ActBlue, Slatecard works on behalf of candidates to gather funds and point supporters to candidate websites.  Two large differences include the inability to work with PayPal and the lack of support for candidates who are running in local elections.  The site’s FAQ points to later development which will include both these areas.  Slatecard’s homepage has some impressive figures, advertising funds by candidate and slatecard, running from $2,000 - $64,000.
 
As the 2008 Presidential elections heat up, expect more focus to be placed on fundraising.  Sen. Barak Obama recently announced passing the 2 million donor mark.  You can bet it wasn’t done door to door but site to site.  With more and more people connecting to the internet, using social networking, and sharing information via cellphone, the reach of fundraising directors gets a little closer to constituents’ wallets every day.  Economists may have invented the term “voting with your dollars” but this generation of politicians are putting a whole new spin on it.

Many companies have enacted policies regarding employees’ web use, but with every banned site comes an added challenge: how do you enforce these policies? Comprehensive and costly software packages are the answer for large organizations, but even these often fall short of expectations. They cannot necessarily be scaled or customized for different types of users. Smaller businesses often lack the means to enforce web browsing policies at all.

As with many other forms of software, web filtering services are making their way to the cloud. A Silicon Valley-based start up called Zscaler is tapping into the power of web-based software to provide monitoring services for top companies like The Weather Channel and NetApp. However, the appeal of products like Zscaler extends far beyond companies with large, diverse staffs. IDC analyst Brian Burke said in a Zscaler press release, “SaaS is ideal for large corporations with dozens of Internet gateways, where deploying traditional point products is very expensive. It is a good fit for small businesses, which do not have enough IT staff.”

The idea is to provide more value which is easy for any business to manage. Zscaler’s website enumerates a four-tiered approach:

• Enforce business policy and mitigate risk
• Protect end-users from Web-based threats and malware
• Empower organizations with the right access to the right users
• Twice the functionality at half the price

The unique platform works by utilizing a number of interconnected servers to monitor incoming and outbound HTTP traffic from any given client’s employees. Data is collected and scrubbed from both sides, ensuring the safety of any interactions as well as the maintenance of company policy. As Zscaler’s website explains, “Web traffic leaving the customer’s firewall is automatically redirected to one of Zscaler data centers, where user policy is enforced. Web pages returning from the Internet are inspected to ensure that only clean traffic is returned to the user.” The “clean traffic” refers to malware and spybots, both of which are a source of major headaches for IT departments.

In addition, Zscaler can be set up on a per user basis, and they offer a free trial version so clients can check it out before buying. While marketing staff may need access to YouTube, the accounting team probably does not. Salespeople might keep track of contacts on social networks, but customer service representatives could be cut off from their Facebook access. The rules could also be applied across the board, such as a universal block on World of Warcraft. Additionally, since the software is hosted and managed on cloud computers, crafty IT techs would not be able to circumvent or alter the rules for themselves or friends.

A recent profile of Zscaler in the New York Times points out one of the most innovative features of the web-based software: “If Zscaler does not recognize a Web site, it can analyze pages on the fly with technology called “dynamic content classification.” So an employee does not necessarily have to be at YouTube for his employer to know he is viewing Web video when he should be cranking out that spreadsheet.” By adding smart controls to the SaaS service, employers can ensure that mirror sites are also off-limits.

By moving this type of software to the web, it gives the average employer much more control in trying to curb employee web surfing behavior. A program hosted on outside servers, while subject to outages and unexpected changes, prevents employees from circumventing company policy. Some have questioned the privacy issues involved with SaaS filtering services. Even the New York Times article wryly remarks, “it’s [the cloud’s] going to watch your every move online and tattle to your boss.”

That being said, anyone who expects web surfing privacy on a work computer is unrealistic. Our on-the-clock time belongs to our employers, and Zscaler simply found a convenient, inexpensive, dynamic, and frankly a little scary way to ensure we’re on task.

A new current.com video is making the rounds on the web, and it reveals shocking statistics about our water usage in developed countries. Europeans use an average of 200 liters of water each day, while those in the U.S. use double that amount, 400 liters! However, people in the developing world average just 10 liters a day, and many of them do not have access to a consistent and clean water source.

Current correspondent Paulina Tervo challenged herself to cut down her usage to the level of most developing countries, living for an entire week on 10 liters per day. The video details her experience and highlights some of the problems faced by those without access to clean, sanitary water.

Aid organizations and entrepreneurs alike are answering the call for clean water around the globe. Most famously, perhaps, is the inventor of the Segway, Dean Kamen. His company, DEKA Research, has been working on a portable water purification system called the Slingshot. This easy-to-use, efficient technology could bring clean water to people living anywhere on the planet.

The Slingshot has been years in the making, and it was inspired by DEKA’s work on dialysis machines, which require purified water. Back in 2006, Kamen told CNN Money, “Eighty percent of all the diseases you could name would be wiped out if you just gave people clean water…Not required are engineers, pipelines, epidemiologists, or microbiologists. You don’t need any -ologists. You don’t need any building permits, bribery, or bureaucracies.”

The high-tech machine, approximately the size of a dishwasher, can take in any form of water, even highly contaminated water. Even raw sewage can be poured into the Slingshot, vaporized, and come out as pure, fresh water. Kamen said, “The water purifier makes 1,000 liters of clean water a day, and we don’t care what goes into it.” DEKA has tested the Slingshot in locations around the globe with great success. The system is powered by a generator which can use any local fuel, such as firewood or even animal dung. Locals will be trained how to use and maintain the technology.

The next step for rolling out the Slingshot will be the cost. Prototypes of the remarkable machine reportedly cost as much as $100,000 to build, but obviously this is not practical for global use just yet. The goal is to produce the water purification technology at a cost of $1000 to $2000 each.

Clean, fresh, and accessible water is something most of us take for granted, and technology solutions like the Slingshot will provide this luxury to the developing world. Reports like the one above can bring a level of exposure to environmental problems around the world, and those with good ideas like Kamen will have the information they need to take on major problems like clean water.

The first four nights of the 2008 Summer Olympics have been the most watched except for Atlanta in 1996 according to a recent Wall Street Journal article. NBC says it is also on track to beat the viewing total of the 1996 Olympics. Of course it helps that American swimmer Michael Phelps swam his way to eight Olympic gold medals in the first week of competition. A once-in-a-generation athlete such as Phelps certainly draws interest to the games. But now with the swimming competition over, the focus shifts to other events such as track and field.
 
With that, the track and field events will not be airing live like swimming events did. Track and Field events will take place at night in Beijing as it will be morning in the United States with a 12-hour time difference. This means they will not air live and people following the Olympics will already have the chance to know the results of the competitions and may not feel the need to watch. How to attract viewers to non-live events is the dilemma that NBC is facing.
 
Many experts thought Olympic followers would choose competing media sources such as mobile updates and the Internet over watching NBC’s coverage of the Olympics but the excitement and the live viewing of the games has won the interest of many viewers. The ratings were high because the the sporting events so far have been popular and there have been well-known athletes competing. In other sports such as track and field, however, there are not many well-known American athletes that are going to dominate like Phelps did. NBC says athletes with less stardom should not decrease the viewership of the games. The Olympic games themselves are generating the interest.
 
“We’re at a time and place in this country where people are searching for something to share, to come together around,” says Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics, in the Wall Street Journal. “This Olympics has become that platform.”
 
Zenkel makes a great point that people can connect with other Olympic viewers thanks to NBC’s choice to offer coverage beyond television broadcasts.  A recent Talkibie article explored NBC’s pursuit of streaming video for the Olympic games. For those who can gather in front of the television and share Olympic moments with friends, life is golden.  However, people stuck on the train or at an airport terminal can still watch streaming video coverage of the Olympics via their mobile phone or Wi-Fi laptop and share the experience with fellow travellers.
 
NBC is on pace to beat the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games record of 209 million viewers. Over 157 million viewers have watched the games so far according to the Wall Street Journal. The live events scheduled for United States prime time broadcast in week two include beach volleyball, preliminary diving competitions, the men’s marathon, and a BMX bicycle race. The rarity of being able to view these contests should keep people interested. Unlike regular American sports such as the big four, (basketball, baseball, football, and hockey), there are many Olympic sports people do not have the opportunity to watch day after day. Combine that with the extensive streaming online video coverage for the Olympics and NBC could get a perfect score from the ratings judges.

The cost of doing business starts with research and creating a brand identity.  Over years, businesses carefully plan and build a sense of what their product is and what qualities it conveys.  Millions are spent on celebrity endorsements that personify the brand image.  But what is a business to do when it receives unsolicited praise from a source that seems to clash with its brand?
 
There are quite a few groups who have found themselves stammering to find an appropriate response to unsavory sponsorship.  The Wall Street Journal recently examined Darden Restaurants, Inc. handling of adult entertainment star, Kendra Wilkinson’s passionate adoration of The Olive Garden.  Presidential nominee, Sen. Barak Obama, is happy to dance with Ellen but tends to stay mum about the support he receives from Phil Spector.  Paris Hilton wouldn’t seem to represent the image that Hilton Hotels group would want.  And while radio hosts, Opie & Anthony are known for controversial topics, one of their fans wearing an O&A t-shirt was caught as a subject of 20/20’s investigative series “To Catch a Pedophile”.
 
The natural reaction is to distance the company from the perceived threat.  Protecting a brand image would seem to be as important as protecting the company reputation.  However, that needn’t be the case.
 
Most public relations firms advise a neutral stance.  While not publicly thanking Ms. Wilkinson, WPP Group’s Grey advertising firm that handles public relations for The Olive Garden isn’t disavowing her endorsement, either.  As Ms. Wilkinson told the Wall Street Journal, “I don’t speak about it to get paid for it.  I speak about it because I love it. I understand they’re a family restaurant, but I think it can’t hurt them to have a little spice.”  If you believe the adage that there’s no such thing as bad publicity, The Olive Garden’s lack of response seems to make sense.
 
What truly makes a difference in whether a company can survive “guilt by association” is how strong their brand image is.  Megaliths like Pepsi withstood the Michael Jackson scandals.  Sen. Hilary Clinton will probably still win re-election in New York despite an endorsement from O.J. Simpson during her presidential nominee run.  The only way to survive is to build a brand image correctly, from inception, and to continue to nurture that image throughout the company life cycle.
 
“Brands aren’t logos.  They’re promises,” espouses Levick Strategic Communications, a specialist in global high stakes communication.  When The Olive Garden says “When You’re Here, You’re Family”, you can bet that that brand promise has been built into every aspect of the restaurant, from food to service.  Because of the ingrained nature of that brand image, the passing questionable endorsement can and will be weathered.  Businesses spend money protecting their image either in pre-planning or damage control.  Promising to build your brand image is the better way.

According to the Wall Street Journal this weekend, Russia’s attack on Georgia earlier this month could have a significant impact on an unexpected third party—American defense contractors. And a significant impact at that. Quoted in the Journal, an analyst from JSA Research in Newport, RI, called the Russian invasion “a bell-ringer for defense stocks.”

To understand how this could be, one must first consider how the Defense Department plans and prepares for war. Generally speaking, Pentagon officials plan and prepare to fight the “next war” by predicting who our next opponent may be, anticipating what types of weapons technology might be best to defeat them, and arming ourselves appropriately. Prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Pentagon officials largely assumed our future enemies would be traditional nation-states, complete with traditional militaries comprised of armies, navies, and air forces. Accordingly, since technology is almost always the deciding factor in traditional warfare, we armed ourselves with the latest and greatest weapons. The cost, of course, was staggering—and continues to be.

But does an armory well-stocked with the latest, most technologically advanced weapons, always make for the best prepared fighting force? The answer might seem obvious, but after the terrorist attacks of September 11, the waters become a bit murky. After all, what good is a hanger stocked with F-22s and a port filled with Zumwalt class destroyers when a squad-sized force of men armed with box cutters can bring an entire nation to its knees? Indeed, say those in defense circles who feel that too much emphasis is placed on mammoth, multi-decade, extraordinary defense programs like the Air Force’s F-22 Raptor, the Army’s Future Combat Systems, and the Navy’s DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer.

According to this camp, which includes Defense Secretary Robert Gates, more emphasis should be placed on the sort of things that help us counter the current threat—lightly armed, highly mobile irregular forces like the ones opposing the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan. Secretary Gates and his ideological allies in defense circles seemed to have had the stronger hand, until tension between Russia and Georgia erupted into a shooting war—a traditional one at that—earlier this month. Suddenly, Pentagon officials were reminded that traditional militaries and traditional methods of war fighting were not extinct.

Quoted in the Journal, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Representative John Murtha (D-PA) said “We’ve spent so many resources and so much attention on Iraq that we’ve lost sight of future threats down the road. The current conflict between Russia and Georgia is a perfect example.” In other words, potential threats from traditional nation-states are still with us; to counter those threats, we must have the technology the traditional military demands to meet—and defeat—the threat. Hence, the recent boom in defense-related stocks, as investors gamble that the Pentagon will be more likely to procure more costly weaponry to counter the resurrected potential threat from traditional nation-states—Russia or China, for example.

Thus, we see the opposite ends of the spectrum. On one side is a lean-and-mean military poised to counter the current threat; on the other is a juggernaut capable of crushing even the largest and most technically advanced militaries. According to the Journal, Secretary Gates seems to be charting a course that combines elements of both: “developing capabilities to carry out unconventional warfare missions while fielding forces capable of handily defeating adversaries like Russia’s or China’s militaries.” But how can Secretary Gates run such a fine line? Moreover, how could those in the defense industry work together to arm the United States in the most appropriate way?

One thing that would certainly help in both instances is the ability to measure, pro-actively and up front, the effects each potential procurement would have on the health of American defense. Certainly the data is out there for the Pentagon to do this, as is the technology for meshing together seemingly disparate bits of data in order to form a more accurate picture of a program’s impact—or potential impact—on defense as a whole. Defense officials and defense contractors could work together to establish a set of metrics they could use when designing and implementing defense procurement programs. Once those procurements have been approved, they could use similar measurements to refine and perfect those programs based on real-time performance data. By collaborating together in this manner, defense contractors could learn from each other and produce better, more effective weapons systems. After all, a rising tide raises all ships.

A better, faster, more versatile military is possible through constant measurement and refinement. And a more cost effective one at that—which is music to the ears of the American taxpayer.

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