The Globalization of Facebook
by: Scott Goodson
Fred Wilson points out in his blog that Facebook is not experiencing a decline but rather it has reached a plateau in the USA. Look a few feet outside the US border and we see a very different picture.
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February 28, 2008
February 24, 2008
The Future of Reputation: Gossip, Rumor, and Privacy on the Internet
by: danah boyd
When
I was last in DC, I had lunch with Daniel Solove and we were talking
about book publishing. He had been thinking of making his book
downloadable under Creative Commons and I was like DO IT DO IT! This is
the kind of book that is sooo relevant so many different audiences who
would never hear about it through traditional advertising. My thought
is that if it were available online, it could whet folks appetite
before buying it
(cuz printing it out is painful and reading it online is not wonderful
either and your Kindle doesn't support PDFs). Introducing...
Continue reading "The Future of Reputation: Gossip, Rumor, and Privacy on the Internet" »
February 16, 2008
Discover Magazine video of moi
by: danah boyd
Last fall, I did an interview for Discover Magazine about my research. I still think that I look strange in video, but I figured others might appreciate it.
February 9, 2008
a google horror story: what happens when you are disappeared
by: danah boyd
Earlier this week, an acquaintance of mine found himself trapped in a Kafka-esque nightmare, a nightmare that should make all of us stop and think. He wants to remain anonymous so let's call him Bob. Bob was an early adopter of all things Google. His account was linked to all sorts of Google services. Gmail was the most important thing to him - he'd been using it for four years and all of his email (a.k.a. "his life") was there. Bob also managed a large community in Orkut, used Google's calendaring service, and had accounts on many of of their different properties.
Earlier this week, an acquaintance of mine found himself trapped in a Kafka-esque nightmare, a nightmare that should make all of us stop and think. He wants to remain anonymous so let's call him Bob. Bob was an early adopter of all things Google. His account was linked to all sorts of Google services. Gmail was the most important thing to him - he'd been using it for four years and all of his email (a.k.a. "his life") was there. Bob also managed a large community in Orkut, used Google's calendaring service, and had accounts on many of of their different properties.
Continue reading "a google horror story: what happens when you are disappeared" »
January 11, 2008
Figureprints, Fabjectory and Toys
by: C. Sven Johnson
Here’s a quick note to call attention to something that might be of interest: Another avatar fabbing outfit has set up shop. Most of you are probably already aware of Fabjectory, the service that’s been “3D printing” Second Life avatars and objects for the last year or so. Well now there’s a service available for fabbing World of Warcraft game characters.
January 8, 2008
"Spamturitis" and Facebook's Signal to Noise Factor
by: David Armano
"Spamturitis" is the combination of too much spam combined with too many features. If you look at theabove (below) note from Marcus Brown—you can see he's had enough of Facebook.
"Spamturitis" is the combination of too much spam combined with too many features. If you look at the
Continue reading ""Spamturitis" and Facebook's Signal to Noise Factor" »
January 4, 2008
A few more social networking sites
by: Dick Stroud
Thanks to Chuck Nyren the list of 50-plus social networking sites has grown a little longer. See his comments to my recent post.
Thanks to Chuck Nyren the list of 50-plus social networking sites has grown a little longer. See his comments to my recent post.
January 3, 2008
New Year's top resolution: Managing your online reputation!
by: Christian Smagg
Well, 2008 has arrived, along with the New Year's resolutions and the ever-present pundit predictions. Now that we're on the other side of the New Year, I thought I would share my thoughts on what I feel should be one of the companies' top priorities - and probably their number 1 resolution for this year: Efficiently managing their online reputation.
Well, 2008 has arrived, along with the New Year's resolutions and the ever-present pundit predictions. Now that we're on the other side of the New Year, I thought I would share my thoughts on what I feel should be one of the companies' top priorities - and probably their number 1 resolution for this year: Efficiently managing their online reputation.
Continue reading "New Year's top resolution: Managing your online reputation!" »
December 30, 2007
A Few 2008 Predictions (Not Exhaustive) and Happy New Year to You All!
by: Idris Mootee
I guess this is the time to make some predictions. This is by no means exhaustive and some are more important than others. Here they are but not particular order of importance other than just some random thoughts at this time of the year in front of my fireplace. If you have some good ones to add, pls send them this way.
I guess this is the time to make some predictions. This is by no means exhaustive and some are more important than others. Here they are but not particular order of importance other than just some random thoughts at this time of the year in front of my fireplace. If you have some good ones to add, pls send them this way.
Continue reading "A Few 2008 Predictions (Not Exhaustive) and Happy New Year to You All!" »
December 29, 2007
Pew on teen social media practices (with interesting bits on class)
by: danah boyd
While I was off struggling with Leopard and pants, Pew put out another great report: Teens and Social Media. This report fleshes out what I noticed earlier - teens are much more protective of the content they post online than adults are. Yet, this report is sooo much more than that.
While I was off struggling with Leopard and pants, Pew put out another great report: Teens and Social Media. This report fleshes out what I noticed earlier - teens are much more protective of the content they post online than adults are. Yet, this report is sooo much more than that.
Continue reading "Pew on teen social media practices (with interesting bits on class)" »
December 27, 2007
Flashy Micro-sites Are So 2007. Look for Distributed Content Experiences in 2008.
by: David Armano
Update:
I'm having a real-time Twitter conversation with Adweek's Brian Morrissey who, as an avid runner is not a fan of the site and offers this opinion:
"the content is one-size-fits-all lame, the redirect to forums sucks out loud and it's still nike talking at me."
December 26, 2007
The Reputation Chameleon
by: C. Sven Johnson
For those of you who recall my earlier entry discussing the Philips Design probe discussion (reLink), consider this a follow-on post.
For those of you who recall my earlier entry discussing the Philips Design probe discussion (reLink), consider this a follow-on post.
December 19, 2007
Matt Cutts and Blogging for Traffic
by: Roger Dooley
Got a brand new website you want to promote? Wondering how to get traffic and improve Google rankings? Google’s webmaster Svengali Matt Cutts clued us in at the recent Pubcon in Las Vegas: start a blog. (You were expecting, maybe, “buy a bunch of links?”
) Matt pointed out that Wordpress was mostly pre-optimized for search
engines - the latest versions reduce duplicate content issues, page
structure, titles, etc., fit Google’s recommendations, and keyword URLs
are easy to generate. We’ve been blog advocates for years, but Matt’s
blunt recommendations was still a bit of a surprise. Let’s look at why
adding a blog to a new (or even old) site can be a good idea.
Got a brand new website you want to promote? Wondering how to get traffic and improve Google rankings? Google’s webmaster Svengali Matt Cutts clued us in at the recent Pubcon in Las Vegas: start a blog. (You were expecting, maybe, “buy a bunch of links?”
) Matt pointed out that Wordpress was mostly pre-optimized for search
engines - the latest versions reduce duplicate content issues, page
structure, titles, etc., fit Google’s recommendations, and keyword URLs
are easy to generate. We’ve been blog advocates for years, but Matt’s
blunt recommendations was still a bit of a surprise. Let’s look at why
adding a blog to a new (or even old) site can be a good idea.December 17, 2007
adults' views on privacy (new PEW report)
by: danah boyd
PEW has a new report out on adults and privacy: Digital Footprints. It's a solid report on the state of adults' perception of privacy wrt the internet. Of course, what humors me is that adults are saying one thing and doing another.
PEW has a new report out on adults and privacy: Digital Footprints. It's a solid report on the state of adults' perception of privacy wrt the internet. Of course, what humors me is that adults are saying one thing and doing another.
Continue reading "adults' views on privacy (new PEW report)" »
December 16, 2007
SteelCase Talks Design Virtually
by: C. Sven Johnson
About a week ago I was lucky enough to get myself logged into Second Life to attend a question & answer session with representatives from Steelcase, the office furniture manufacturer. Unfortunately there won’t be an audio posted online, so I thought I’d post a couple of things I wrote down at the conclusion of the meeting and share them here; mostly for the benefit of any Industrial Designers that might surf through. But don’t quote me, eh? I went in assuming an audio file would be made available.
About a week ago I was lucky enough to get myself logged into Second Life to attend a question & answer session with representatives from Steelcase, the office furniture manufacturer. Unfortunately there won’t be an audio posted online, so I thought I’d post a couple of things I wrote down at the conclusion of the meeting and share them here; mostly for the benefit of any Industrial Designers that might surf through. But don’t quote me, eh? I went in assuming an audio file would be made available.
December 15, 2007
Philips Design Talks: Electric Tattoos
by: C. Sven Johnson
A few weeks back I wondered if Philips was going to get more involved in the Second Life community (reLink). Well, it just so happens I caught word that they’re conducting a discussion group later today inside the virtual world to discuss, interestingly enough, “SKIN: Tattoos” (Link).
A few weeks back I wondered if Philips was going to get more involved in the Second Life community (reLink). Well, it just so happens I caught word that they’re conducting a discussion group later today inside the virtual world to discuss, interestingly enough, “SKIN: Tattoos” (Link).
valuing inefficiencies and unreliability
by: danah boyd
Two deeply embedded values in the world of technology development are efficiency and reliability. Companies pride themselves in maximizing efficiency and reliability and, for the most part, consumers agree. We like when our search engines produce results quickly and reliably. Yet, when it comes to social technologies, I suspect that efficiency and reliability are not the ideal metrics.
Two deeply embedded values in the world of technology development are efficiency and reliability. Companies pride themselves in maximizing efficiency and reliability and, for the most part, consumers agree. We like when our search engines produce results quickly and reliably. Yet, when it comes to social technologies, I suspect that efficiency and reliability are not the ideal metrics.
Continue reading "valuing inefficiencies and unreliability" »
December 3, 2007
Six Apart Sells LiveJournal. Baroo??
by: danah boyd
In 2005, I penned an article in Salon ("Turmoil in blogland") to address my concerns over Six Apart's acquisition of LiveJournal.
When Six Apart bought LiveJournal, it did not simply purchase a tool -- it bought a culture. LJ challenges a lot of assumptions about blogging, and its users have different needs. They typically value communication and identity development over publishing and reaching mass audiences.
December 2, 2007
Boyd's Law of Social Network Sites
by: danah boyd
::giggle:: While I was off the grid, Cory Doctorow created a law of social network sites and named it after me:
Must see video: "We Think" vs."The Cult of the Amateur"
by: Alain Thys
Have you ever wondered what would happen if We Think's Charles Leadbeater would meet Silicon Valley's self-proclaimed anti-christ Andrew Keen who's written The Cult of the Amateur ?
Have you ever wondered what would happen if We Think's Charles Leadbeater would meet Silicon Valley's self-proclaimed anti-christ Andrew Keen who's written The Cult of the Amateur ?
Continue reading "Must see video: "We Think" vs."The Cult of the Amateur"" »
December 1, 2007
Papervision3D: Geometry in a Flash
by: C. Sven Johnson
I caught word of Papervision3D via a post on the design:related social network. I’m impressed. If you watched the video, you probably are too. But more importantly, with recent reviews of Kinset’s virtual Brookstone space (Link 1, Link 2), I can’t help but think that a Flash- or Shockwave-based solution might not be a better approach for targeted e-commerce.
I caught word of Papervision3D via a post on the design:related social network. I’m impressed. If you watched the video, you probably are too. But more importantly, with recent reviews of Kinset’s virtual Brookstone space (Link 1, Link 2), I can’t help but think that a Flash- or Shockwave-based solution might not be a better approach for targeted e-commerce.
November 26, 2007
Second Slice: Serious Games Embed Ambitious Marketing
by: Eliane Alhadeff (via Business & Games)
A new Canadian online digital magazine, Second Slice, focuses on issues of marketing in virtual worlds (click here to download)
According to its publisher and VP at One Up Marketing, Mario Parisé. Second Slice is “an attempt to give marketers who are active in virtual worlds a stronger and more unified voice. It all got started when the more mainstream business press decided to go on a Second Life bashing spree, ridiculing marketers and businesses going in-world.”
A new Canadian online digital magazine, Second Slice, focuses on issues of marketing in virtual worlds (click here to download)
According to its publisher and VP at One Up Marketing, Mario Parisé. Second Slice is “an attempt to give marketers who are active in virtual worlds a stronger and more unified voice. It all got started when the more mainstream business press decided to go on a Second Life bashing spree, ridiculing marketers and businesses going in-world.”
Continue reading "Second Slice: Serious Games Embed Ambitious Marketing" »
Cyber Monday Impulse Buying
by: Roger Dooley
Cyber Monday is one of those recent inventions that seems a bit suspect. Is the Monday after Thanksgiving really the biggest ecommerce sales day? It looks like Cyber Monday will have to work hard to beat Black Friday, when reports indicate that shoppers spent over $500 million online. Just in time for the online sales blitz, Web marketing expert Gord Hotchkiss has written a thoughtful post on Web impulse buying.
Cyber Monday is one of those recent inventions that seems a bit suspect. Is the Monday after Thanksgiving really the biggest ecommerce sales day? It looks like Cyber Monday will have to work hard to beat Black Friday, when reports indicate that shoppers spent over $500 million online. Just in time for the online sales blitz, Web marketing expert Gord Hotchkiss has written a thoughtful post on Web impulse buying.
November 25, 2007
Unleashing the Power of Remote Collaboration & Virtual Team Management
by: Christian Smagg
When thinking about factors that distinguish top performing companies, the root of their success often can be traced to the human equation. But how many companies are able to tap more than a fraction of their workforce potential? How many are able to take advantage of latent talents, ideas and contributive strengths waiting to be switched on? How many are able to unleash the power of remote collaboration & virtual team management? The companies that find the means to use a larger fraction of their human resources will undoubtedly supersede their competitors. That is their edge in the global economy.
Continue reading "Unleashing the Power of Remote Collaboration & Virtual Team Management" »
November 21, 2007
Serious Games Pioneering How We Will Learn & Work In The Future
by: Eliane Alhadeff (via Business & Games)
For most people, video games mean entertainment, like TV or the movies. But their true meaning may be much bigger, impacting every aspect of our world, from education to business, society and culture.
IBM explores how video games may impact every aspect of our world, from education to business, society and culture.
Continue reading "Serious Games Pioneering How We Will Learn & Work In The Future" »
November 9, 2007
Social Networks Used as Back-doors by Scammers for Online Fraud
by: Yann Gourvennec
In a Wall Street Journal article entitled Web Scammer Targets Senior U.S. Executives is an amazing account of a Mr Stewart’s chase for the uncovering of a Romanian scammer, complete with Mr Stewart’s extraordinary biography (a guy who 15 years ago was mopping the floor is in McDonald’s restaurants and had barely a dime and couldn’t even buy a computer, and has now become a world leading expert in computer security).
Continue reading "Social Networks Used as Back-doors by Scammers for Online Fraud" »
November 2, 2007
Marketing - Is Its Job to "Serve" or to "Create"?
by: Idris Mootee
The idea of "customer orientation" comes up almost all the time during my meetings with clients. It is generally define as an organization culture in which all executives and employees are committed to the continuous creation of customer value of delivering on their needs.
Continue reading "Marketing - Is Its Job to "Serve" or to "Create"?" »
Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship
by: danah boyd
For over a year now, Nicole Ellison and I have been working on putting together a special issue of JCMC on "Social Network Sites." Not all of the pieces are live yet, so I'm going to wait until they are before highlighting them and encouraging you to go there. (But! If you want to get a taste, their abstracts are all up on the site as temporary holders.)
Continue reading "Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship" »
October 31, 2007
Trend: Neuroscience Infiltrates Society
by: Roger Dooley
As we understand more about the workings of the brain, neuroscience is starting to impact diverse areas of society. Over time, it will probably touch many more. This has been acknowledged by the Neurotechnology Industry Organization in their Top 10 Neuroscience Trends of 2007.
As we understand more about the workings of the brain, neuroscience is starting to impact diverse areas of society. Over time, it will probably touch many more. This has been acknowledged by the Neurotechnology Industry Organization in their Top 10 Neuroscience Trends of 2007.
Continue reading "Trend: Neuroscience Infiltrates Society" »
October 20, 2007
Virtual Earth Building Momentum
by: C. Sven Johnson (via: Business & Games)
Shortly after all the buzz surrounding rumors concerning Google Earth, I posted a Twitter telling people to watch for news on the Microsoft Virtual Earth front. Sure enough, things started popping up on my screen. And now add what I consider the most interesting news courtesy of C|Net, “Microsoft Virtual Earth offers 3D building capability”.
October 19, 2007
Sony's Virtual World Brand-Friendly
by: Ilya Vedrashko (via Business & Games)
A couple of announcements indicating that Sony's upcoming PlayStationHome (site, wiki) virtual world will have plenty of ad inventory:
October 12, 2007
Video: Toyota in World of Warcraft
by: Ilya Vedrashko (via Business & Games)
This ad for Toyota Tacoma set in the World of Warcraft has been airing for a few days and has hit the front page of Digg and just about any WoW forum. The spot is a riff off one of the most famous WoW player moments, Leeroy Jenkins (wiki). The ad is not unlike the famous Coke spot made to look like it was set in the world of Grand Theft Auto.
September 27, 2007
A Collection of Virtual World News Items
by: C. Sven Johnson via Business & Games
Well, there’s been so much buzz about the possibility Google is creating a multi-user virtual world it’s kind of hard to miss. What’s equally hard for me to miss is the apparent surprise being registered by so many people. Hello? Are Google and Microsoft investing time and money in creating 3D representations of the Earth so that we can simply be impressed? so that we can download their applications and wander around them in social isolation like some modern version of The Omega Man… minus vampires? C’mon, already.
Continue reading "A Collection of Virtual World News Items" »
September 26, 2007
FakeSpace: Serious Games As Doors Into Virtual Worlds
by: Eliane Alhadeff via Business and Games
Mechdyne Corporation is the world’s largest company dedicated to consulting and development of immersive, networked and collaborative visualization systems.
Mechdyne’s subsidiary Fakespace Systems Inc. applies the skills acquired over 18 years of innovation and market-building experience to offer the industry’s broadest range of large-scale and immersive displays and interaction technologies.
Continue reading "FakeSpace: Serious Games As Doors Into Virtual Worlds" »
September 23, 2007
Taking Care of Your Best Community Members
by: Roger Dooley
Online community builders love to toss around gross numbers - twenty thousand members, two million posts, and so on. Amid all the statistics, it’s important to recognize that all community members aren’t created equal - some are a lot more prolific.
Continue reading "Taking Care of Your Best Community Members " »
September 21, 2007
Social Networking Site for Avatars Launches
by: Ilya Vedrashko
This is too meta. Koinup, a social networking site for avatars from across all virtual worlds, just sent a press release about its launch: "In Koinup you can create your profile and publish pics, videos (machinima) and stories you created in virtual worlds as Second Life, World of Warcraft, IMVU and also games as The Sims 2 and many others.
Continue reading "Social Networking Site for Avatars Launches " »
September 20, 2007
Serious Games Exploring A Virtual Library Before It Is Built
by: Eliane Alhadeff (via Business & Games)
Santa Clara University's new library building won't be completed until the autumn of 2008. But people on the campus can experience what it might be like inside the building, and offer advice to its designers, by exploring a three-dimensional model of the library in Second Life.
Continue reading "Serious Games Exploring A Virtual Library Before It Is Built" »
September 11, 2007
Why Users Create Content
by: Roger Dooley
A key aspect of Web 2.0 is letting users create or enhance a site’s content. This sounds great, but in practice can be hard to achieve. The Web is littered with dead forums, unreviewed products, spammed-out wikis, and other failed attempts to build user-created sites.