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RT @azaaza: Groupon Gets A Hefty $30 Million From Accel For Local Offers Service http://www.techcrunch.com/2009... congrats @andrewmason
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02Dec
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02Dec
Inspired by Poker Face by Lady GaGa, Neutra Face was composed by a bunch of bearded guys to pay homage to the Neutra typeface.
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02Dec
Acer has announced that it plans to be the first manufacturer to produce hardware running Google’s Chrome operating system.
Chrome is a Linux-based system which is centered on the existing Google-made browser. It’s aimed primarily at users who want a low-cost machine for internet use and a few basic applications. The system is really just a souped-up browser which contains hardware drivers and links to on-line applications. One of the main selling points is that the system allows ultra-fast start-ups, meaning it can be used in devices which allow you to start using a website almost as quickly as you can turn on a TV and watch a show.
Though there are tentative plans to offer Chrome on machines with solid-state drives, the recently-released source code is designed for use on machines with no storage, the idea being that all data is kept online through services such as Gmail and Google Docs.
According to Asian tech business newspaper Digitimes, Acer says it expects to be the first firm to release a Chrome-based netbook, probably some time in the second half of 2010. Acer had already been the first company to sell a computer running Android, Google’s operating system better known for its use in smartphones.
It looks likely that Acer won’t be alone in developing Chrome-based products. One person working for Dell has already used the source code to produce a customized version of the system for the firm’s Mini 10v netbook, complete with the relevant drivers. It’s pretty much proof-of-concept at the moment and, though Dell has made it available for download, the creator freely admits it is “highly experimental and completely unstable.” Still, it does show firms are interested in creating versions of Chrome customized for their machines, which makes it much more likely that consumers will be able to simply buy a computer, turn it on and use it without needing any technical knowledge.
If you really do want to try out Chrome, there is a version that’s already been created to run from a USB stick. It’s available as a compressed 300MB torrent which unzips to a
3GB1GB disk image file, so you’ll need a4GB2GB key to be on the safe side.Given that there’s no guarantee of driver compatibility with your hardware, and that it doesn’t really offer anything in practical terms that you can’t already get from simply using a browser, it’s really only of interest if you want to nose at some new technology just for the fun of it. (And there’s nothing wrong with that…)
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- Dell says good-bye to AMD
- Google Chrome to launch tomorrow. The end of Firefox is nigh?
- Google Chrome 2.0 Released
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02Dec
Looking to get a new Xbox 360 console in your home for the holidays? Then you’ll definitely want to check out this deal. Amazon.com currently has an xbox 360 elite holiday bundle, which includes LEGO Batman: The Videogame and PURE, for $299, shipping included.
And in addition to that, they’re giving away Beatles: Rock Band with the purchase of any Xbox 360 Elite consolesSorry, Beatles: Rock Band isn’t part of the offer anymore. Amazon is now giving away a $50 Amazon gift card if you buy the Rock Band game with the Xbox 360 Elite. Thanks for the heads up Matthew![Xbox 360 Elite Holiday Bundle + Pure + LEGO Batman: The Videogame - $299, Shipped]
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- Sweet Deal: Get an Xbox 360 Elite for $250
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- Xbox 360 Elite (Video)
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02Dec
I.M.P.S.: The Relentless is a short fan-made series created by fans of the Star Wars universe. The first installment of the series made its debut on the net in 2005, aiming to show “the best damn job in the galaxy”, that of serving on the Revenge-class Star Destroyer Relentless as it goes on patrols and missions. The series is divided into chapters, with only chapter 1 and 2 (just released!) being available right now.
I.M.P.S. The Relentless – Chapter 1: Davenport Gateway (2005)
I.M.P.S. The Relentless – Chapter 2: Norca System (11/2009)
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02DecScreencast: PHP on Microsoft IIS7 - http://ajaxian.com/archive...
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02Dec
Do you remember the doubt on Luke Skywalker’s face when he first held the cool metal of an inert light saber? Looking up at Obi-Wan, he believed it when he said, “I can’t go with you to Alderaan.”
Last summer, we felt just like young Skywalker as we waded waist-deep into the bog of online writing. There was much to learn, forces at work looking to sway us to the dark side, and at times, it was hard to believe in ourselves or our path.
What a difference one year makes. Our business is taking off, we have great clients who appreciate our personal attention to their projects, and we’re actually living the dream of doing what we want to do for a living — writing.
But the path to online success wasn’t easy. We’ve run fast and fallen flat on our faces, then got right back up to battle again.
Would you like to unleash The Force in your content? Here are 10 ways you can become a direct response copywriting Jedi.
1. Be a deliberate Padawan learner
Jedi are recognized for their innate ability to harness the power of The Force.
Unearth the exceptional inside you and nurture it constantly. Find your Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, listen to the wisdom these established Jedi masters have to share. They were once where you are now, and understand the dangers and temptations lurking ahead. Be willing to listen, and they can help guide you toward the proper path.
2. Beware the dark side
Fear, anger, aggression, envy, pettiness, and insecurity — they are all natural feelings.
It’s easy to look at the empire building done by your competitors and wonder why you’re not having the same kind of success. Often, we are unable to see the work behind the successes, so it’s easy to believe that someone else got something undeservedly.
But you weren’t there on their journey. You don’t know the long hours, hard work, or embarrassing failures that have been poured into their current successes.
Nothing happens overnight. You will succeed in due time. Shortcuts might lead to a black helmet. Patience and dedication to learning are necessary elements in any good Jedi. You may be a phenomenal writer, or innately good at social media, but you must do your time like everyone else. Anakin fell to the dark side because he believed he was above his teaching.
3. These aren’t the droids you’re looking for
With a wave of his hand, Obi-Wan Kenobi was able to get a hover car full of fugitives past a trio of heavily armed storm troopers.
Writing persuasive copy can pull your reader into your point of view and create a mutually beneficial situation. It’s not enough to convince your prospect, you must also make sure they feel good about their decision if you want them to happily return for more.
4. Do or do not. There is no try
If you want to be an awesome writer, write awesome stuff.
Don’t try to be great. Be great.
That doesn’t mean fake it till you make it, but rather learn what you need to do and then do it to the best of your ability. Always seek to better yourself. Perfecting your craft will ensure that you are not simply trying to be a Jedi master, but are actually growing into one.
5. Use the force
Who needs a computer to hit the target? Trust your well-honed instincts.
As you progress on your path to Jedi master, your instincts will continually sharpen from the experiences and knowledge you accumulate. You’ll know the right things to do, the clients to avoid, and what to do when you make mistakes. A significant slice of success is due to how sharp you can keep the edge of your instinct. Make sure you know when to trust that inner voice.
6. Show empathy
Find out where your prospect is from, what he/she does, and what’s important to them. Just because you’re writing for an online audience doesn’t mean you can’t utilize the web equivalent of good eye contact.
This doesn’t mean being a phony; people can usually smell a Lando Calrissian a mile away. Find a way to relate to people that is genuine. Most well-rounded writers should have varied enough interests and experience to connect with others authentically.
7. I know there’s still good in you, I can sense it
Luke believed there was good in his father all the way until the end. Who knows if it would have been buried without the young Jedi’s belief.
Project the traits you desire for your prospects and watch how well they respond.
8. Don’t be a Sith
A Jedi is always looking out for others; the Sith only look out for themselves.
Develop content that puts others first and you will always come out a winner. We’ve all had experience with shady operators who use content scrapers, pass off others’ work as their own, and look to sell you on half-baked info products with no substance. Not only are these actions bad business, but word will get out about what kind of person you are. Whatever success you have will likely be short-lived.
9. Beware the clones
A Jedi can part a sea of storm troopers with a light saber in one hand and a wave of the other.
Do everything you can to stand apart and make your name synonymous with individual character and quality work. This means not only ensuring that your work sets the standard by which your competitors are compared, but also hiring only the most qualified freelancers when heading to battle.
Just because you can hire cheap labor doesn’t mean you should. Your good name is on the line, don’t exchange short-term benefits for long-term goals.
10. Be direct
A Jedi is never mealy mouthed. They say precisely what they mean and mean every word they say.
Be straight with your clients. Tell them what you can do for them and be honest when there’s something you can’t. Your clients deserve your honesty and will appreciate you more for looking past your immediate interests to help them.
If you want to be a direct response marketing Jedi and gather quality clients for the dollars you deserve, you need to train hard, constantly sharpen your skill set, and follow the rules just long enough to know when and where to break them.
Got a favorite tip for Jedi mastery as a freelancer? Let us know about it in the comments.
For much more advice about how to avoid the “Dark Side” of direct marketing, subscribe to the Copyblogger email newsletter, Internet Marketing for Smart People. It starts with a 20-lesson e-course on how to marketing online while staying on the light side of the force. Click here to get started.
About the Authors: David Wright has been told he looks like Chewbacca, while Sean Platt spent his formative years running around his back yard in a tattered Boba Fett Halloween costume. Together, they are independent publishers who also write direct response copy.
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02Dec
[UPDATE: Our goal was reached and exceeded in just 48 hours! The site is no longer accepting donations, but you can visit Acumen's site and donate without getting a book.]
There used to be one hundred people who mattered.
That's true in a lot of industries, but particularly in books.
One hundred people who could make a book a hit. These were key buyers at bookstores, reviewers and editors at newspapers, the person who booked time at Oprah or the Today Show.
So publishers courted these people. If the one hundred loved it, the book launched as a hit. Of course the 100 all get free copies. Lots of free copies.
Today, of course, those one hundred people matter a lot less. And who matters more? You.
You, because you have a network. You blog. You tweet. You talk things up at meetings or recommend things to friends.
And there are a lot more than a hundred of you.
One solution is to give everyone a free copy. Publishers and authors could do this and try to make money doing something else. Another solution is to let the best of this group, the most committed, the most interested... let them stand up and identify themselves.
So, that's what we're experimenting with on Linchpin. For a select group of motivated readers, I want to send you a copy of Linchpin (at my expense) three weeks before anyone else can buy one. My US publisher is not sending free review copies to magazines (the few that are left), newspaper editors, TV shows, any of the usual media suspects. Instead, we're allowing people like you to raise their hands and, if they like the book, asking them to tell the world about it in January.
How to choose? I can't afford to buy a book for everyone, so I needed to come up with a filter. Here it is: The first 3,000 people who make a donation to the Acumen Fund (at least $30) get one at my expense. The money you pay goes directly to Acumen, you get the fun of making a donation and get a tax deduction before the end of the year, and I figure out which of my readers most want a copy of my book.
If you're excited about getting a first look, I hope you'll [link removed]. And thanks for your support, every day. It means a lot to me.
Please hurry, since once they're gone, I probably won't be able to offer any more.
[UPDATE: After 9 hours we've sold half of the reserved books and raised more than $70,000 for Acumen. Thanks guys. UPDATE 2: After 49 hours, we raised over $108,000. Wow.]
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02Dec
Using just a few household items and some basic science, here’s a simple way to create a cool perpetual spinner.
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02DecIf you like to use rich formatting when you compose Gmail's messages, but the default text style is too boring, you can change it. Go to Gmail Labs, enable "Default Text Styling" and change the style from the settings page. You can select a different font face (including Comic Sans), change the color, size and style.
"If you live and breathe code, now you can set your default text style to a monospace font. If your life is purple, your email can be, too. But remember: whatever you see is what your recipients will see, so be nice to them and try not to clog the intertubes with ginormous bold italicized red script," suggests Google.
The new text styling is only used when you type some text, so the signature will use Gmail's original settings.
