Matt Dickman, host of a self produced series called MarketingProfs has created a video which explains what the term AjAX means. Not only does he give you the definition of the term, but he explains how it works using an easy to understand real-world example. I thought it this may be helpful to anyone out their who still doesn’t understand the concept of AjAX.
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5400 FPS Camera Video
I thought this was pretty cool. Watch a kernel of popcorn explode into a puffy piece of popcorn via a high speed color camera (5,400 fps)
This color high speed video(zoomed in from original 1K x 1K resolution sequence) shows a close up of popcorn popping on a hot plate. Recorded by the Schmitz family using the Photron SA1 slow motion video camera.
So that’s what happens to a kernel of popcorn! What did you think of the video?
Web 2.0 Music Video
A YouTube music video giving users a brief introduction into web 2.0. The video starts off showing bits and pieces of internet history which have led us to our current usage of the net. I thought the song that went along with the video was so-so but it sounds like one of those songs that would grow on you if you listened to it a few times.
YouTube Now Apart Of Google Earth
Google has finally integrated YouTube videos into Google Earth. YouTube videos that are geo-tagged will now show up in their proper locations within GoogleEarth to show where that video was filmed.
Our new browseable layer of geotagged videos works a lot like our Google Book Search layer, only it shows you the locations referenced in specific videos instead of books. Let’s say you’re jetting off to Paris. Before you go, you can watch the sunset filmed from the top floor of the Eiffel Tower, among other clips of popular spots in the City of Lights.
You can access this new data layer in the ‘Featured Content‘ folder which normally appears on the left-side panel of Google Earth. After clicking on the YouTube button, all sorts of icons will appear, highlighting videos filmed at that specific location. You can either view the video from within Google Earth or on the YouTube site.
Going to add this to my list of productivity killers.
Why Reddit And Digg Are Crap
Gamma4Xray has put together a video which provides visuals explaining how we think web 2.0 works vs how web 2.0 actually works in regards to sites such as Reddit and Digg. The video does include some nice theatrical music to go along with the graphics and at the very end, Gamma asks the question, How Can We Make Web 2.0 Give Us What We Want? I was surprised that an answer to that question wasn’t given as it’s an easy answer. The answer is RSS. At any rate, watch the video and let me know what you think.
Pownce Update Provides New Features
Kevin Rose startup, Pownce, has completed the roll out of a new update which contains a couple of new features such as on site image and video previews, other profile links and more user customization options.
Users can now view images and videos that are within links, on site. You’ll no longer need to actually click the link in order to preview what it is. As it stands, you can now embed video into your Pownce messages as long as it is from one of these services, YouTube, Google Video, Metacafe, Revver and Vimeo. On site image previews are currently only capable of being viewed from Zooomr but Pownce plans on adding Photobucket and Flickr support in a future update.
Pownce has added a feature that I think many users are going to appreciate. Powncers will now be able to display links to their other online profiles. The list of sites to choose from which you have an account with is tiny compared to that of OnXiAm, but the list does contain quite a few popular services which should suffice for now.
Also released in this update, is an area on your Pownce user page that displays the next 5 Upcoming Events. In the top right-hand corner of your Pownce user page, you will now see a list containing the next 5 events that you created, or that you have been invited to.
Last but not least, Pownce has included a few more user customization options. These are described below:
you can now open links in a new window by default! you can also set your default note view to something other than ‘notes & replies’, and you can select whom you’re note. tired of seeing all replies displayed inline? no worries, you can set it to just ‘notes’. and finally, you can specify whom notes should go to by default (such as your ‘best friends’ or ‘coworkers’ set).
If you use Pownce, be sure to check out the new features and let me know what you think. If you want, you can add me as a friend as well http://pownce.com/Jeffro2pt0/ I don’t use Pownce that much as I get my social kicks from Twitter. On a side note, Pownce tells me that I have 11 more invites to give away. If you were late getting on the bandwagon, but still want to go along for the ride, be sure to let me know in the comments if you want to be invited into the service.
Use NetVibes From Your Desktop
Revmarkmak has posted a YouTube video which contains instructions on how to make Netvibes your start page and then, use NetVibes from your desktop. I’m not sure if this will work on anything other than Windows, but the end result is awesome. If you don’t want to know how to make Netvibes your browsers default home page, skip to 5:45 in the video to check out how to put Netvibes onto the desktop.
I’m pretty sure that this is not restricted to Netvibes. You can probably do the same thing with IGoogle, Pageflakes or any other start page service. Think about it. You can free up hard drive space and make your browsing experience richer by using these start page services along with their associated modules. For instance, instead of using a stand alone Twitter client, add the Twitter module to your start page.
At this point, I’m still a virgin when it comes to start pages. I don’t use any of them because I use FeedDemon as my feed reader, and FireFox extensions which cover just about everything else. I may create one just for the sake of having a familiar environment when I can’t access my desktop PC or my Notebook. At any rate, thanks for the tips Revmarkmark.
Slikstr Is Hiring – Whats Slikstr?
Slikstr.com has an opening available in their NYC office for a Creative Outreach Director. What that person is in charge of doing is beyond me, but it sounds important. Instead of posting a job opening on Monster.com, Slikstr has published a YouTube video asking whomever wants to apply to send them a video response which would be their resume. Here ya go.
So what the heck is Slikstr?
Slikstr is the worlds first user created company. They are creating the next generation of Web 2.0 technologies by directly reaching out to their users and basing much of their decision making on “the wisdom of crowds”. They recently closed a first round of private equity funding and they are developing their website for beta testing later this year. The company is headquartered in New York City and is privately held.
Sounds to me like this could be one heck an online Web 2.0 reality show. Here is a YouTube video response from someone who is REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, hoping to get the job.
While watching the first video, did you feel as if it was shot sometime during the 80s? It seemed like a pretty cheesy looking job opening advertisement. For the woman who wants the job, do you think she’ll get it? If she does, will you be watching her generated video content?
Oceans Eleven Text Animation
I thought this was very well done. A video clip of text animation coinciding with the directions on how to rob the bank.
And if that weren’t enough, heres another one featuring Obadiah Parker’s covering Outkast’s “Hey Ya!”, Brian Shaler
Web 2.0 Startup Movie Comparisons
Ali J from everybodygoto.com has published a humorous blog post which compares a few different web 2.0 startups to Hollywood movies. Some of the comparisons include:
- The YouTube Project – Blair Witch Project
- The MySpace – The Matrix
- The Facebook – The Graduate
- Flickr – One Hour Photo
- The Digg – The Godfather
What movies can you think of that would compare well with a web 2.0 company?
Thoughts and Insanity From Jeff 