Monday, January 19, 2009

Watch Out For The Gypsies

Started the day early and really was getting things done. Putting out the usual Monday fires and gaining on my Promethean Rock. So thought a few minutes over at Twitter was earned.

But I wasn't there for more than two twits, when I checked my replies and was tagged by Harry (The Gypsy) David - bastard. Typical gypsy style - a meme - an electronic chain letter... worse than being rickrolled. So I have to list seven things you may not know about me - lol the hard part about this one is picking ones that will not need too much reputation management afterwards.

So here goes:

1. I have a signed picture of my brother and I with Robert Kennedy - a prized possession. My mother worked for him before he was shot and we met him a few times when we were over here from school in Australia.

2. I just erased one that can only be told in person - so ask me about that one next time you see me! (cheating a little so okay I have two kids 16 and 13)

3. I love cooking shows - but have never turned on the gas for my stove in my apartment. Silly really watching the Food Network and those reality cooking shows but never using any of the knowledge gained apart from looking for the items on menus when I am out.

4. I have played in two bands when I was younger that went on to get record deals after I left - does it mean I was that bad - I say because I just did not have the commitment to starve for my art.

5. I really want to be a playwright - but again the starving thing has always stopped me from pursuing too long.

6. I used to be one of the best porn film title writers around - sorta glad I got that Masters degree in Journalism! I had originally come to the US to work for Sports Illustrated - loved sports reporting but again you got all the good stories after hours at the bars and it was hard stretching the salary. So I moonlighted doing anything and everything.

7. I co-founded a newspaper in 1985 that is still being published today. We started it on an Apple 2 and the first laser printer - both of which I bartered from Alphagraphics in return for advertising in the paper. Loads of fun beta testing Aldus Pagemaker and selling advertising for half cash and half barter - food, drinks, clothing and even free office space.

So okay that is my things you now know. And I am suppose to tag seven other people - let's see who I can get to actually complete this.

1. Lauren (the future Mrs Kid Rock) Vaccarello
2. Todd (Stuntdubl) Mailicoat
3. Avi (Fire Boy) Wilenski
4. Chris (The Senator) Winfield
5. Pat (FeedtheBot) Sexton
6. Lisa (The Lisa) Barone
7. Rhea (Don't Mess With Red) Drysdale

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Who Is The Biggest Social Media Whore?

Granted I do not follow every user on Twitter, nor am I really active on Facebook and the sundry other social apps - but I am very curious as to who people see as the biggest social media whore.

Now remember we are using the term whore in only the kindest connotation - lawyers told me to say that wouldn't want one of these skanks suing me!

So I will start the ball rolling and nominate Guy Kawasaki - or just "The Guy" - because over the past 18 months he has submerged himself in the social waters and has been reborn as the omnipresent social being.

I need a Reality Check after an hour or two on Twitter because I feel like I am praying to the wrong god (ok figured he deserved a book plug after the nomination).

So give me you votes and feel free to insert links - after all it is the biggest social media whore.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Is New Mahalo Answers Widget Massive Link Builder?

Mahalo means thanks or gratitude in Hawaiian and I guess that's what founder Jason Calacanis is saying to all the people who install their new Answers widget.

Not only that it also takes anyone who uses this widget on their site over to Mahalo. Nice one guys - link building and traffic hijacking all in one friendly format.

Jason, in case you are new to widgets, the good ones may have a link in them, but they usually function totally on the site that embeds them. With a little more work it could have been a decent addition to a website. Jason, how about tweaking it and allowing the entire thing to stay on the user's site. Offer a little customization so it fits into the site's look and feel.

As is, it is pretty heavy handed. Jason announced the launch on Twitter. And a few minutes later was sipping port.

Come on mate, this one is just shameless.

Thursday, January 1, 2009