Chris Anderson’s The Long Tail really got some Web ideas percolating in my brain. Example: The importance of user ratings to all sorts of mega-sites, from Netflix to Amazon. Netflix, though, could improve its reccommendations a bunch by having combo ratings for couples and families. As far as I can tell, although my wife and Read More …
Say at work, you don’t dare get caught checking out fun stuff on the Web. That boss is so strict, well, can’t even safely check out fark.com, ESPN, blogs or film reviews. Well, somebody could create a website just for you. Go to “fooltheboss.com” and you’re instantly redirected to “seriousbusiness.com” and the title displays “Statistical Marketing Analysis” and the big headline Read More …
Here’s a wild, catchy idea: Start a blog by dead people. Blog of the Living Dead. Not talking zombies, but people who lived in the past. They wrote like crazy … letters, journals, essays. Even old song lyrics. The idea would be to excerpt any writings that sound the most like blogs. Personal confessions. Like the Read More …
That name’s a bit grandiose, I know. But that’s my dream, my hope, my goal. Newspapers are supposed to be dying, heading for obsolescence instigated by the Web. Doesn’t have to be that way. And to make my case, I’ve been working for months on a parallel blog. Finally, it’s time for an unveiling. Take a look. The address is Read More …
Always open to taking new directions. So I’m looking for feedback and suggestions. For starters, here’s a poll. It’d be great if you’d spell out your wishes or opinions by leaving a comment, too. Which of the following would interest you? (Vote for as many as you like.) A page updated daily linking to hot new Read More …
As I mentioned before, it’d be great to revive Rocky and Bullwinkle in a series of novels. Loony spy adventures … deadpan humor … chapters with punny titles … somebody sign me up, please! But he’s a more up-to-date idea, blog these new adventures, featuring a new installment every day. Perhaps written as a diary by Rocky or Bullwinkle or Read More …
Let’s hope that ads eventually make all Internet sites free. But now you’ll find publications like magazines that charge dollars for reading current articles, or for accessing archives. How about some ecoonomy of scale? Charge way less, so you get more customers, producing as much revenue if not more. Here’s a way for Paypal, or someone other online paying Read More …
Go to yougraffiti.com (available!), pick from a wide selection of walls (even photos of real buildings), pick your can of spray paint, and leave your message or art for all the world to check out. Of course, have a voting/rating system so folks can find the best. Here’s a cartoon I once did related to graffiti. Read More …
Not saying Rush Limbaugh should hold court on your editorial pages. (Not knocking that, either.) Asking how the energy and give-and-take of the best radio talk could swiped and put in print. (1) Column of best bits of the Morning Zoos. (2) Host online chats, and slap some of the lively dialogue in print. (3) Do team writing, or Read More …
Clearly, newspapers are best when readers have lots of time. And newspapers know they need to have content for the five-minute reader. But how about being multi-tasking friendly? What kind of content could you enjoy while you’re watching TV? Eating dinner with the family? Driving? Out on a date? (Patience: Asking dumb questions sometimes leads Read More …
National or international event: It’s like getting a wrong number on purpose. You sign up with your phone company that you’re willing to place and accept a random call. You call on the event day (best to have it during some miserable month, like February) and get connected to someone somewhere who sees your picture while Read More …
If YouTube can sell to Google for $1.65 billion, how much would a site of short quality videos be worth? Imagine a conglomeration of the best bits from Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, Late Night With David Letterman, and all sorts of sitcoms and cartoons. Not whole shows, just quick clips. Be fun to Read More …
You know you need to be told what to do. So call 1-900-GRANDMA. Press 1 to be told to get a job. Press 2 for her rap on keeping your pants on. Press 3 to be scolded for using sauce that comes in a jar. You suggest the rest …
Disclaimers seem so formulaic, seems like you could build a form that generates disclaimers. It’d have a disclaimer, of course.
More networks are dispensing their shows online. (It’s a desperate attempt to build audience for lame shows, says Philadelphia Daily News.) Well, if shows are so lame, why not let the nation’s amateur online talents have a crack at improving them? Lots of people make YouTube videos. And lots of people do some funny PhotoShopping Read More …