Pinterest’s Impact on Social Media is Worth So Much More Than 1,000 Words

Last week, Mashable’s Sarah Kessler authored an article about Pinterest clones which focused on sites that have copied the look, feel, and/or overall functionality of social media’s most recent phenom. What I haven’t seen though, are posts that put forth some higher order thinking around the act of curating content and what that means for individuals and for social media in general.

Before going any further, let’s agree on a definition. Content curation does not include generating content, but amassing content from a variety of sources, and delivering it in an organized fashion. Anyone interested in finding relevant content pertaining to a specific category and funneling this information to an audience (public or private) in a mash-up style is a content curator.

Let’s face it. Pinterest is beautiful. The images that we are pinning make it so. However, content curation is not only about collecting beautiful, funny, interesting images. It is about collecting information for future use, reference, enjoyment, etc. Pinterest has put a pretty face onto a very important concept and one that we should examine deeper.

What if you (or a loved one) recently received an unexpected medical diagnosis? I bet first thing you would run to Google and start searching for answers, reading everything you could to understand all you could. But then later, how could you share with your family what you have learned? A piece of content from WebMD, a snippet from the Mayo Clinic, an article from the New England Journal of Medicine. “Wait? Where did I read that? I wanted to be sure to ask my Doctor about that one thing…” Some content I might want to keep private and share only with select loved ones, while there are other scenarios where I might be willing to share my learnings with the world.

Imagine a student doing research on a topic from World History WWII to present. Instead of providing a bibliography at the end of his paper, he would provide the mash-up of sources used including news articles, official websites, pictures, music, and audio/video broadcasts. The student would spend more time interacting with the content instead of searching for it, and the class presentation would engage his peers at higher levels than ever before.

There are no limits when it comes to the types of content that can be curated. When you think about it, any piece of online digital content that can be shared can be curated.

Will there come a day when we replace the role of researcher or analyst with professional curators? Maybe. The more we flood the Internet with content (useful and otherwise), the more we need curators and the more we need to become curators ourselves.

Hats off to Pinterest for using the concept of pictures (each being worth 1000 words) to show us the importance of collecting and for sparking a whole new wave of thinking about content and the way we consume, create and share it.

Valentine’s Day and Technology: The True Love Connection?

Image Courtesy of Babble.com

As Valentine’s Day peers its heart around the corner, guys and gals around the world frantically scour their hearts and their minds for the most romantic ideas about how to create the perfect Valentine’s Day moment. A fireside date filled with chocolate covered strawberries, a homemade lobster ravioli in a brandy cream sauce, and the crackle of wood and fire harmoniously illuminating your smiles and burning your passion. Reservations at a quaint French cafe, savoring the finest cheeses imported from Europe while sipping a $75 bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, and Hank Jones-like piano delicately filling your ears. Ordering roses from 1-800-FLOWERS.com and texting “I luv you” on your way home from work. Sending an e-Card with a dancing heart, saying things like, “In case you’re heart of hearing, I said I love you!” or “Your love keeps my heart pumping.”

Wait, what? 1-800-FLOWERS.com? Text message and e-Card? What’s romantic about that?

According to 2011 survey results from the eBillme Online Spending Index, 32% of consumers indicated that they planned to do their Valentine’s Day shopping online. And that was 2011.

On into 2012, online Valentine’s Day florists are continuing to encourage the love struck to keep their business blooming by advertising to a specific audience: the busy bee. AmericanFloralDistributors.com is offering FREE Valentine’s Day delivery via FedEx. 1-800-FLOWERS.com is also getting involved with Valentine’s Day specials starting at $19.99.

While great news for the e-Commerce industry, these projected spending percentages will undoubtedly result in purchases dictated by major corporations. The classic bouquet of roses and heart shaped box of chocolates will most likely end up on the doorstep this February 14th, continuing the Valentine’s Day cycle.

But what’s wrong with this?

A bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates is always a treat for the eyes, ears, nose, and most importantly, the heart. But when Valentine’s Day lovers expect this, and only this, is when the magic of the romantic holiday dies.

Valentine’s Day is supposed to bring out our most creative side and our most sensitive side. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see the romance in spending 3 – 5 minutes pressing a button to order $125 roses, while having someone else deliver these roses to your house.

I understand technology has made a drastic change in our social norms and our day-to-day activities. I also understand that technology has made it easier to purchase anything online, and have these items delivered to our doorstep with little to no work. It’s when this technological love trap defines what love should look like, and is considered appropriate Valentine’s Day behavior, is where I draw the line. Technology should be there to assist us with our romance, not become our romance.

So, I think everyone should think twice about pushing the “Submit” button this Valentine’s Day and for once, give a gift that really means something.

Ringing in the New Year with Tips for Creating a Lasting Web Presence

So, you’ve found a web design firm and you’re thinking about bringing your business to the world of the Internet. Or, maybe you’re doing some research about creating a business that is designed to operate through a website and you’re considering jumping in the Interwebs in 2012. No matter what the case, there are certain strategies your organization should consider before creating a valuable and lasting Internet presence.

Value Proposition.

Your company should define how a website will add value to the organization. You should ask yourself questions such as, Will having information displayed over the Internet benefit the organization? Does having a website further enhance the value of my already stable business? Could a website boost the value of my stable or struggling business? Will having a website make my product easier to access and cheaper to distribute?

Revenue Model.

It is important to define questions associated with how your organization will receive revenue and profit through the website. You should ask, Will I need to set up advertising on a pay-per-click basis? Should I construct an e-commerce system? Will the having a website cut customer service costs and increase product availability?

Market Opportunity.

When focusing efforts on creating a website, you should pay attention to the overall financial opportunities associated with your market. Scope out the intended market and see what opportunities exist. Ask questions such as, Where does a website fit into my marketing plan? How can the website take advantage of opportunities within my specified market?

Marketing Strategy.

Develop a plan or strategy to market the findability of your website, as well as the product or service offered. Having a website no one uses is pointless and results in unnecessary costs. Questions to ask include, Will users or visitors be able to find my website? How will my company market itself over the Internet? Will I use organic SEO strategies or paid marketing strategies? What offline strategies will my organization use?  Should we use social media?

Competitive Environment.

Once you have found your market opportunity, you must conduct some research and find out what your competitive environment looks like.   Ask yourself, Who is my direct and indirect competition? And also inquire into how you will distinguish yourself from your competition by use of your website.

Competitive Advantage.

After determining who your competition is, the next step is to decide how a website can influence and create an advantage over competition. Ask yourself if your website will offer superior, easier-to-use, and seemingly better technology than a competitor’s?  Does your website contribute to lowering the cost of your product? Will your website distribute more relevant information than your competition?

And there you have it. Some of the most important questions organizations and businesses should ask themselves when creating a web presence. Remember, although it seems like a creating a website is a simple way to increase awareness of a business, organization, or product, many pieces have to come together to awaken a website’s potential. Using these six categories is a great starting point for your business.

The Future of the Internet: Web 3.0 and The Semantic Web

For those of you who don’t know, we are currently interacting with the second version of the World Wide Web, more formally known as Web 2.0.  But what about Web 1.0?

Web 1.0, or the beginning of the Internet, offered websites with little or no user interaction. Remember the days of AOL or CompuServe.  Basically, when you viewed a website, you would get static information embedded on three or four webpages, such as a home, about, or contact page. There was no option to post a comment, tag a picture, or rate a seller, buyer, or a hotel room.

Anyway, this brings in Web 2.0, or the current state of the Internet. Web 2.0 builds on the information offered in Web 1.0, but allows users to share information with others (Facebook, Twitter), to submit information to systems that serve to predict wants and needs based on input or purchases (amazon.com, Pandora.com), to run software programs through the browser (Facebook Games), and thus promotes an overall user-centric, content driven web experience. For example, Facebook would not exist without users supplying content.

Web 3.0, or the Semantic Web, however, is based on the concept that the meaning of words (semantics) will be defined so that computer systems will “know” what we want when searching. With the Semantic Web, a user may to enter a complex sentence and search engines should know exactly what a searcher is talking about.

For example, if planning a night out, a user will be able to enter “I want to go to a restaurant for under $50 and then go to a jazz club near the restaurant until 2:00am. I also want information on taxis. What are my options?” The search engine will provide the user with information on cheaper restaurants, jazz clubs, directions to the clubs and restaurants, cab numbers, as well as organize the information.

It’s basically the adult version of iPhone 4S’ Siri.

Experts also say that browsers will act like a personal assistant for a user. Browsers will essentially learn as you surf, storing information about what you like and dislike. Once the browser learns more about you, the less specific your search engine requests will need to be.

How will search engines “know” what we want? (It’s about to get technical….try to keep up).

Currently, search engines look for what is know as metadata to interpret a search request from a user. Metadata consists of specific keywords, descriptions, and titles. This is why when searching for information on where to go for lunch, a user will likely enter something like “lunch restaurants Houston.”

For Web 3.0 to understand our complex sentencing, computer software agents will sort through websites using what is known as an ontology program, or a file that defines the relationships among a group of terms. This basically means understanding how certain words of a sentence are associated with each other.

An ontology program works kind of like a family tree. For example, if I talk to someone about my brother, he or she understands that my brother and I are products of the same parents. Similarly, an ontology program will be set up to identify the sentence structure of how specific words relate to one another. Certain words will relate to the subject of a sentence, and the browser or search engines will recognize these words and split them into specific classes and relationships. The browsers and search engines will then be able to place the words or a complex sentence together and will appear to be “all knowing.”

So, is the Semantic Web possible?

Well much of the initial technology already exists, however there are a few problems associated with Semantic Web development. Different software development challenges arise. For example, the vagueness of user requests such as subjective concepts and some logical inconsistencies of sentence structuring. Another major problem is security. Because browsers will learn daily, will they store credit card numbers? SSNs? Addresses? And who will have access to this information?

That said, there is tons of additional information available on semantic web and Web 3.0 possibilities. I encourage you to check it out! It’s interesting stuff.

Also, check out the video below.  It may blow your mind.

[VIDEO] Evolution Web 1.0, Web 2.0 to Web 3.0

Too Much Information?

Recently there have been numerous debates about privacy and free speech regulations on the Internet.  These debates have arisen because the growth of social media outlets has facilitated free speech in ways we never imagined.

In the past protests and opinions were spread exclusively by word of mouth and printed fliers – now movements spread online.  Facebook offers apps (like the Washington Post Social Reader) that allow friends to share what news articles they read online.  Due to apps like these people worry about the death of print, wondering if the era of good old fashioned news is over.  That may not be entirely the case.

Although print media has suffered blows in the past few years the sentiments are still the same.  People still want access to news articles and opinions without worrying about censorship.  The average American has the ability to publicly express their opinion in nearly a dozen ways on a daily basis.  The modes of voicing beliefs have changed over the years, but citizens still cling to the thought of free speech.

It used to be that people fought for free speech in order to protest wars or acts of racism, but free speech encompasses so much more now.  We could not have dreamed that we would want to share every single aspect of our daily lives online, but since that is now the norm we cannot think of any other way of living.

Spreading information is easier than ever now that all of our friends and coworkers are online.  Any information we want to share can be published with the click of a button, but all that information can be blocked just as simply.  With every new technological improvement we gain the ability to share more of our lives and opinions – but every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

The threat of over sharing now extends beyond awkward stories at office parties.  Just as quickly as relatives can post embarrassing baby photos, a radical across the world can launch a political movement.  While many movements can be seen as threats, just as many can be greatly beneficial to society.  News travels at incredible speeds, and social and political activists take advantage of that speed.  Nations struggle to keep up with the amount of information that is put online on a daily basis and censorship gets more challenging with each passing day.  The easier it is to spread information, the harder it becomes to stop it.

The force at which activists used to protest can now be magnified with online news reports and social media posts.  While the fear of censorship and the battle for free speech may never end, our ability to voice our opinions only grows.

Findability: The Ins and Outs

Oh where, oh where has findability gone?? Oh where, oh where could he be?? You are probably asking yourself, “What in the world is findability?” “Is that even a word?” and “Why do we want to know where he went?” Stay tuned.

Findability

In the field of web design and information architecture, findability is most definitely a word, and an important one at that. According to Peter Morville, a founding father of information architecture, the term and concept of findability is defined as “the ability of users to identify an appropriate website and navigate the pages of the site to discover and retrieve relevant informational resources.” Basically, the concept of findability is the fully developed puzzle when you piece together the many factors associated with web design that cater to and enhance a user’s overall web experience. These puzzle pieces include, but are not limited to, search engine optimization (SEO), information architecture, usability, and accessibility.

Search Engine Optimization

One way to achieve findability of a website is to increase its search engine ranking through a method called search engine optimization, or SEO. SEO is the process of tweaking a website in multiple ways with the goal in mind of increasing search engine ranking. These ways include both technical and non-technical methods such as supplying a website with fresh and reliable content, keyword placement, emphasizing heading tags or meta tags, and an inbound links strategy.

Information Architecture

Information Architecture, as it relates to web design, involves designing and organizing a website’s structure, navigation, and content so visitors can easily interact with and locate desired information. Basically, like an architect would combine strategies to design a seemingly complex and beautiful structure while simultaneously catering to ease of human access to rooms and offices throughout the inside of the structure, a coder/designer should use the same concepts to create a beautifully laid out, easily navigable website so visitors have no problem finding the information they need.

Usability

Usability, when referring to the human-computer interaction sense, is basically how well an application or website is designed as it relates to its particular use. Is the website usable to a visitor? Usability can encompass such aspects of webdesign including credible content, or if content relates to a specific webpage. Does the ‘Members’ section of a website give access to member log-in or the ability to create an account? Usability is also related to providing visitors technology that actually works. Does the JavaScript serve its function? Do the links embedded in the text lead a user to where it’s supposed to? Basically, usability can be thought of as a measurement of how efficient and effective the website communicates information to a visitor.

Accessibility

Just as it sounds, the accessibility piece of the findability puzzle defines how accessible a website is to its audience. This includes broad aspects involved with findability such as online and offline promotion, as well as giving access to certain technological platforms and commonly used technologies, like smartphones or developing with either Flash or Java. Accessibility is also associated with providing those with disabilities the same viewing opportunities as those without, which is clearly defined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Wait….so at the beginning of the blog, why did we want to know, “Oh where, oh where has findability gone??” Well, for many years, the important concept of findability has been “tragically misunderstood and overlooked entirely” by developers, information architects, copywriters, and organizations alike. This blog is meant to serve as the unofficial resurrection of findability and meant to assist in promoting the awareness factor of the truly awesome findability concept.

Happy finding!

Toddlers and Apps

According to an article by the New York Times, children under the age of eight spend over three hours a day using various forms of media.  Ten years ago parents could not have fathomed their children would be so reliant on technology, but today that reliance is almost taken for granted.

When DVD players started to become standard issue in minivans parents freaked out.  Why would someone need to watch a movie in the car?  Then they saw the magic of Finding Nemo on that ten hour drive to Florida.  When the iPad came out it was for gadget-ridden adults who could afford another toy; now children in Kindergarten are using them to learn to read.

As a society we are no longer shocked that teenagers and college students are addicted to media, but should we be shocked that children who can’t even tie their shoes pick out toys from the app store?  Parents and teachers are getting accustomed to using the educational resources offered by technology, but these resources have to be introduced in the proper way.

Media and technology can be incredible educational tools, but they can also be easily misused.  When a college student asks their parent for an iPad so they can read their textbooks electronically, that is probably not the whole story.  While e-readers have steadily grown in popularity, tools like the iPad offer far more than the required technology for reading a book.  Parents have to realize that their children may be duping them into buying gadgets.  Sure, little Susie may be reading her Chemistry book on her iPad, but she could also be catching up on Words With Friends, or reaching a new level on Angry Birds.  College students are experts at taking useful, educational tools and manipulating them into hours of procrastination.

On the other hand…

Many apps help young children get ahead in basic skills such as reading and writing by disguising themselves as games.  Letting a three year old use an iPad or computer screen to identify letters and numbers is an interactive way to reinforce what they are learning.  Not all parents make good teachers, and new media can help bridge the gap between school and home.  Sitting a child in front of a computer may not be all bad.  Games targeting things such as reading, memorization and counting enhance a child’s educational prowess.

Children may always be slaves to television, but now they can also be enslaved to the almighty iPad or a computer game.  The trick is to find ways to use new media to further a child’s education, not hinder it.  The next generations will be media junkies no matter what we do, let’s help them use this power for good, not evil.

Spotted Online

Checking in on foursquare and Facebook is no longer good enough for social media fanatics.  We now have to keep friends and family updated on what we are listening to wherever we are.

Social Telecommuting With Jelly

To Jelly or not to Jelly? That is the question. With a recent survey stating that “17 million Americans work from home or from a remote location,” many telecommuters are contemplating this fruitful question.

To “Jelly” is to participate in a casual work environment in which every worker shares a common trait: He or she works from home. It is a work-focused event made up not only of freelancers, writers, and entrepreneurs, but also larger corporate employees who are looking for an escape from the office. A Jelly is usually held in a coffee shop or in someone’s home.

The Jelly concept and name spawned in 2006 when two New York roommates, while enjoying jellybeans, realized that they treasured working from home but yearned for the creativity and sociability of a traditional workspace. Soon thereafter, the New Yorkers coordinated a weekly home-based work session with their friends. Jelly was born.

Unlike coworking, which is an expensive, country club-like membership-driven business model where people pay monthly dues (up to $425 per month) to gather in an office-like workspace, Jelly allows professionals to collaborate free of cost.

A life in a Jelly-day
A typical Jelly is held on the same day, or days, of each month, similar to the idea of a work-centric “Margarita Monday.” Work-at-homebodies agree on the time and the place, and provide the working essentials, such as wireless Internet, desks, chairs, couches, or, in the case of a coffee shop meeting, a virtual group chatroom so coffee patrons are not disturbed.

According to Wired, Jelly events are generally quiet in nature, with meetings and brainstorming sessions held in living rooms and private phone calls made in bedrooms.

Where can I find a Jelly?
Occurring in numerous cities and countries worldwide, Jellies are likely happening closeby. A wiki is set up on the “Work at Jelly” Website. From there, current and prospective Jelly-goers can synchronize schedules and suggest destinations.

Jelly brings back local and global community
The main goal of a Jelly is to help telecommuters feel less disconnected from the world, which can happen when working from home. In a 2009 NPR Talk of the Nation episode, Amit Gupta, co-founder of Jelly, said that Jellies make work “a little bit more tolerable…when you’re sitting at home, especially. It’s easy to feel isolated not only from humanity, but also from your professional community.”

Jellies also stream “Jelly Talks,” live teleconferences broadcast to Jelly meet-ups, in which business leaders from around the world share thoughts and advice. Streamers can ask questions and socialize with the speaker afterwards. Past speakers include former chief Apple evangelist Guy Kawasaki and Google’s Rajat Mukherjee.

So, should your workplace encourage Jelly?

Obviously, in organizations where telecommuting is rare, it is a complicated question. But if you already encourage telecommuting, you should embrace Jelly as a great way to boost employee morale, productivity, and innovation.

Mob Mentality

Mobs are not always a bad thing… especially when they get you sweet deals at local businesses.

Scoutmob, Inc. is a new company that has popped up in cities across the nation.  Started in Atlanta, GA just over a year ago, Scoutmob is an app (or email) that provides customers with discounts on food and services in their area.  Started with the intention of helping out local businesses, Scoutmob capitalizes on customers’ desire to save money while exploring new places in their city.  In an economy where everyone is watching what they spend, this little app goes a long way.

As soon as you download Scoutmob on your smart phone you begin receiving  discounts in your neighborhood.  From the authentic French bistro down the street to the trendy new pizza place, Scoutmob has it all.  By giving customers access to discounts on food and services businesses gain exponentially more foot traffic than with traditional advertising.  New technology means new ways of acquiring business, and companies are aware of the need to keep up.  However, the basic concept of couponing remains the same: the discount pulls you in, but the product makes you stay.  There are plenty of local restaurants that people are hesitant to try, but give them a deal and they will venture into the unknown much more willingly.

With locations from Seattle to Atlanta, Boston to Los Angeles, Scoutmob has created the perfect couponing system for the non-coupon-clipping crowd.  People will buy an app for almost anything these days, and a free app is exponentially better.  The mob effect is three-tiered:

1. it’s free to download;
2. you start saving instantly;
3. and you learn about local businesses.

Every day people grow bored with their standard lunch and dinner options, now there is an app that not only suggests new options but helps you save money at the same time!

As with everything else, couponing must evolve to keep up with the times, and Scoutmob has more than contributed to that financially responsible cause.  No matter what the economy, people will always want to find new, fun places to go – and Scoutmob makes it easy with one teeny tiny app.

Bored with your go-to restaurant?  Craving a good deal?  There’s an app for that.