Best of Everyman Links #6

Meta Searching for Best Biscuits and Gravy

Interesting Duct Tape article on Foursquare’s new search capabilities. What struck me from an information architect perspective is how Foursquare is searching data unique to Foursquare’s user context. “Foursquare also searches through the tips notes that users leave. So, if you want to find the ‘best biscuits and gravy’ at a great breakfast place you simply add that to your search and Foursquare will go to work.” You can also filter searching by your history or only places with specials, two other unique Foursquare data types.

#metadata, #search, #discovery

Social Media for Work and Pleasure

From Harvard Business Review, an interesting comparison of approaching social media for personal satisfaction as opposed to doing it because it’s part of the job. A few items in the personal satisfaction area are: 1) We’re invited. 2) There are specific things we want to do with others 3) We get something back 4) We control who sees our information 5) Well-tuned applications for specific tasks.  Then there’s doing it for work:  1) Often requires instruction 2) Not generally seeking out other people’s input 3) Little value is returned from sharing 4) No personal control over content 5) Unattractive site 6) It’s not fun.  The takeaway: Make sure the social media in your workplace has the same characteristics as social media in your personal life.

#community, #socialmedia, #business, #esn

Hey, Boo

I saw the documentary “Hey, Boo: Harper Lee and ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’” in various Netflix Instant View categories for quite some time but never clicked on it. I wanted to watch To Kill a Mockingbird again, but it wasn’t available, so I finally watched the documentary and couldn’t stop watching it. Illuminating and inspiring. Put it in your Instant Queue. When you, too, finally watch it you’ll be glad you did.

#video, #documentaries, #movies

Making the Business Case for Enterprise Social Networks

Slideshare from Charlene Li of Altimeter Reporting titled “Making the Business Case for Enterprise Social Networks.” Lists differences between public and Enterprise social networks. Addresses the importance of metrics with examples like “Track relationships, not conversations.” Describes several ways ESNs add business value and how to increase that value. Lots of good stuff.

#socialnetworks, #enterprise, #esn

World Order

I’m probably arriving late to the party as usual, but World Order is now my favorite pop music video group.  Video: World Order in New York.

#video, #music, #youtube

Creative Pricing

Some good things in Pricing Strategy for Creatives by A List Apart. “Price by the service, not the hour” was a primary theme. As a freelancer, I support both pricing models depending on the client and the project. The author gives three good reasons for going with pricing by the service over the hour, with my favorite being “Billing by the hour does not allow you any creativity in billing.”

#marketing, #career, #business

Fill My TV Screen, STTNG

Here is one of those great Amazon reviews which would qualify as a featured article on any website.  The author responds to people complaining why the new Star Trek:TNG Blue-Ray doesn’t fill their TV screen. “This is in reply to all the ‘It’s not fair, it doesn’t fill my TV… why do I have these black borders at the sides?’ People: The ratio on the Blu-ray discs is the same as it ever was for Star Trek: The Next Generation. Same as it was shot in, same as it was broadcast in, same as it was presented on VHS and the same as it was presented on DVD…” Review also includes technical information on screen dimensions and HDTV resolution comparisons.

#hdtv, #sttng, #video

Just One Customer

Seth Godin on “Who is your customer?” Several examples of different types of customers. Zappos would be the classic customer service company who serves those who buy its shoes, while Nike’s focus customer would be famous athletes who market its products. The company with the most interesting customer model would be Apple. “Apple had just one customer. He passed away last year.”

#business

Another Day of Glass

Corning releases another “Day of Glass” video.  Lots of inspiring images of future technologies using glass with a focus on education.

#glass, #future, #video

Virtual Reality Contact Lenses

DARPA is working on Virtual Reality contact lenses.  The potential applications are mind blowing.

#future, #video, #augmentedreality, #humanextensions