Microsoft's new ads simply rock. I love them! The best way they could have gotten back at Apple for those annoying "I am a Mac, I am a PC ads" was by playing down the cool side and playing up the functional and real side.
Windows has been the system of choice for numerous corporations and individuals for the past 20 so many years due to its functionality, power, and flexibility. And these ads reinforce how windows is connected to real people, not cool wannabees!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Google ad sense and the lemonade stand
So most of you must have noticed the new addition to the blog. The one on the top rightmost corner is called a lemonade stand (http://www.lemonade.com/). And the ads below that are the ubiquitous google adsense ads.
So why did I put these up? Don't worry, its not like I am going to quit my awesome job of being a graduate student based on the dollars that these ads are going to make me. The whole point of putting these on is to see how these adsense engines function. It is interesting to see how they function and how you can deal with them.
I really like the concept of google adsense. The ability to deliver targeted content to relevant users is an amazing innovation that has changed the way ads are delivered online. Google adsense is proven. THe lemonade stand on the other hand, I am a bit sceptical about. I like the concept of allowing users to recommend products to their friends and relations who are most likely to share the same demographical taste as the users. However, their prices are a bit high, so I think the whole stand serves more as an advertising platform for the company than a money making tool for the one who portrays it. If this is the case, then its a pretty smart business model, but will not be a sustainable one. We shall see....
But for now, go on ahead and enjoy the ads!
G
So why did I put these up? Don't worry, its not like I am going to quit my awesome job of being a graduate student based on the dollars that these ads are going to make me. The whole point of putting these on is to see how these adsense engines function. It is interesting to see how they function and how you can deal with them.
I really like the concept of google adsense. The ability to deliver targeted content to relevant users is an amazing innovation that has changed the way ads are delivered online. Google adsense is proven. THe lemonade stand on the other hand, I am a bit sceptical about. I like the concept of allowing users to recommend products to their friends and relations who are most likely to share the same demographical taste as the users. However, their prices are a bit high, so I think the whole stand serves more as an advertising platform for the company than a money making tool for the one who portrays it. If this is the case, then its a pretty smart business model, but will not be a sustainable one. We shall see....
But for now, go on ahead and enjoy the ads!
G
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Windows and flexibility
Did you know that windows live hotmail does not work with firefox 3 . It forces you to use the classic version! Apparently firefox claims that people over at hotmails side are aware and are working on the problem. I wonder what other microsoft products don't work on firefox.
The whole rating thing for music and photos in windows live does not work with any other third party software. i.e. rating for songs given using explorer options are not compatible with winamp, or itunes. Is windows trying to traverse the apple path of fierce self propagation and protectionism? As in, are they trying to force users to use windows media player? IF they are, then that will be bad for them, its too late for one, and Apple is better at it.
MS Windows should try to stick to its ability to offer flexibility and be done with it! The flexibility that windows offers is their major strong point, in fact it is their market edge.
Software companies are really trying to carve and forcefully retain their own consumer base nowadays. It leaves us users feeling powerless and extremly annoyed!
The whole rating thing for music and photos in windows live does not work with any other third party software. i.e. rating for songs given using explorer options are not compatible with winamp, or itunes. Is windows trying to traverse the apple path of fierce self propagation and protectionism? As in, are they trying to force users to use windows media player? IF they are, then that will be bad for them, its too late for one, and Apple is better at it.
MS Windows should try to stick to its ability to offer flexibility and be done with it! The flexibility that windows offers is their major strong point, in fact it is their market edge.
Software companies are really trying to carve and forcefully retain their own consumer base nowadays. It leaves us users feeling powerless and extremly annoyed!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
New email domains from yahoo
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2008/06/16/daily53.html
Yahoo launches two new user domains, @ymail.com and @rocketmail.com
They claim that this will finally help people get rid of awkard email ids like kinky88@....com and allow them to choose their own emails.
I am just trying to better understand what this is going to offer the consumer. If the main purpose is to allow you to choose the right name then wouldn't an aliasing function work better? I.e. a function that aliases your email to a different, a little bit better email address. I hope yahoo incorporates a sync function for syncing the old address with the new one, or atleast a forwarding function.
Its also interesting to see that yahoo used ymail which is similar in essense to gmail and rocketmail, which sounds kinda like hotmail. I personally think that rocketmail is so "yesterday". But thats me.
Yahoo launches two new user domains, @ymail.com and @rocketmail.com
They claim that this will finally help people get rid of awkard email ids like kinky88@....com and allow them to choose their own emails.
I am just trying to better understand what this is going to offer the consumer. If the main purpose is to allow you to choose the right name then wouldn't an aliasing function work better? I.e. a function that aliases your email to a different, a little bit better email address. I hope yahoo incorporates a sync function for syncing the old address with the new one, or atleast a forwarding function.
Its also interesting to see that yahoo used ymail which is similar in essense to gmail and rocketmail, which sounds kinda like hotmail. I personally think that rocketmail is so "yesterday". But thats me.
Monday, June 16, 2008
An excellent report by the RAND corporation on "US competitiveness in Science and Technology"
Executive summary:
The RAND report analyzes demographical data relating to the US technical occupations and academia acquired over years. The main intent of the report is to enlighten the reader of the current state of US competitiveness in the field of science and technology. This includes, academia, IT industry, engineering industry, and other science related fields. The report claims that US has not lost its edge in technological competitiveness, although other major players like India and China have emerged in the past. It also asserts that the ability of the US to attract and retain foreign talent in these fields have greatly supported its success. It indicates that in order for US to remain competitive in these fields, it must continue to foster top quality science and technology education at home, as well as augment its ability to attract and retain foreign talent.
Executive summary:
The RAND report analyzes demographical data relating to the US technical occupations and academia acquired over years. The main intent of the report is to enlighten the reader of the current state of US competitiveness in the field of science and technology. This includes, academia, IT industry, engineering industry, and other science related fields. The report claims that US has not lost its edge in technological competitiveness, although other major players like India and China have emerged in the past. It also asserts that the ability of the US to attract and retain foreign talent in these fields have greatly supported its success. It indicates that in order for US to remain competitive in these fields, it must continue to foster top quality science and technology education at home, as well as augment its ability to attract and retain foreign talent.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Change is: Delta
Had the opportunity to travel Delta this weekend on my way to NY. The company simply defines change. A company that was declared bankrupt not too long ago, is re-emerging, and with a bang! A new face for delta, with a fresh, young, dynamic attitude.
Everything has changed, the way the aircrafts are scheduled and turned around, in flight service, destinations served, and even the in flight safety video. Thats what I really liked by the way, the in-flight safety video, it was great, something different than the million others you see every time. Refreshing and very very very American. The highlight is clearly the flight attendant doing the presentation waving her finger in front of the camera while saying "smoking, is not allowed..."
The voice used is fresh and young, it has the feel of meaning business, but at the same time its very friendly.
here's the official link to the video: http://blog.delta.com/2008/02/20/world-premiere-deltas-new-in-flight-safety-video/
The other thing thats awesome about delta right now is there online booking system and best price guarantee. Basically, delta will guarantee the best price on any of their tickets when you buy them online from delta.com, this means customers don't have to go surfing about the internet in search of deals. Underlying of course is a simple pricing policy and a transparent marketing philosophy. They are not the first ones in the world to use this kind of a system. Air France was one of the leaders, but Delta is one of the first airline in the US to use this system. Direct from the retailer always works best!
Delta is flying forward, and in a very American way, with energy, entrepreneurism, gusto, and ofcourse a customer friendly attitude.
Everything has changed, the way the aircrafts are scheduled and turned around, in flight service, destinations served, and even the in flight safety video. Thats what I really liked by the way, the in-flight safety video, it was great, something different than the million others you see every time. Refreshing and very very very American. The highlight is clearly the flight attendant doing the presentation waving her finger in front of the camera while saying "smoking, is not allowed..."
The voice used is fresh and young, it has the feel of meaning business, but at the same time its very friendly.
here's the official link to the video: http://blog.delta.com/2008/02/20/world-premiere-deltas-new-in-flight-safety-video/
The other thing thats awesome about delta right now is there online booking system and best price guarantee. Basically, delta will guarantee the best price on any of their tickets when you buy them online from delta.com, this means customers don't have to go surfing about the internet in search of deals. Underlying of course is a simple pricing policy and a transparent marketing philosophy. They are not the first ones in the world to use this kind of a system. Air France was one of the leaders, but Delta is one of the first airline in the US to use this system. Direct from the retailer always works best!
Delta is flying forward, and in a very American way, with energy, entrepreneurism, gusto, and ofcourse a customer friendly attitude.
Monday, May 05, 2008
अब हीन्दी में ब्लॉग कीजीये
This thing is really easy, its so easy to convert roman to Hindi! Great, here goes:
कैदे हयाते बंदोगम असल में दोनों एक हैं
मौत सें पहले आदमी गम से नजात पाएं क्यों
-मीर्ज़ा असदुल्ला खान गालीब
For those not gifted with Devnagari, this is a sher by Gaalib, its literal translation is (for I am not fit for a poetic translation)
prison of life and the life sentence are in reality one
before death why should man be exempt from woe?
कैदे हयाते बंदोगम असल में दोनों एक हैं
मौत सें पहले आदमी गम से नजात पाएं क्यों
-मीर्ज़ा असदुल्ला खान गालीब
For those not gifted with Devnagari, this is a sher by Gaalib, its literal translation is (for I am not fit for a poetic translation)
prison of life and the life sentence are in reality one
before death why should man be exempt from woe?
The philosophy of "Harry Potter"
To the well organized mind, death is just the next big adventure.
- Albus Dumbledore, in J. K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"
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