Re the audblog, don't be such a tease Snark. Pony-up for the free trial and let's hear one.
SNARKREBUTTAL: As soon as I catch up on my sleep, recharge my cell phone, and clear up this bad case of cotton mouth.
Posted by
Michael Davey on Friday, February 28, 2003 @ 9:02 PM
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Have you heard the news? I just got off the phone with Noah Glass, founder of listenlab (no relation), a San Francisco outfit that just yesterday released audblog, an "audio blogging" tool that "enables audio posting to your current blog site with any phone at any time from any where" as an mp3 file, with a file size of 1k/sec. Says the audblog FAQ page (which also includes links to example sites so you can hear audblog in action):
How does it work?
Actually, it is simpler than publishing a text post. You call the number, record a post, then your blog is updated with an audblog icon and a link to your recorded audio. Super simple.
Perhaps there's a Wordlab application of this technology. For instance, I could phone in an audio post to Wordlab every few days during one of my many protracted screaming fits, or share the moment when I take out the trash, get in arguments with my neighbor's dog, or gargle with butter. Finally, I'll really be able to toot my own horn and, more importantly, you'll be able to hear it!
Quote of the Day:It's all about democracy baby, the one with the most expensive car wins. Sister Rye regarding the numerous slogan requests for school president, treasurer, student council, etc. these days on the WordBoard.
Well, they have the right idea anyway. Unfortunately, with a name like WebDesign Lab, they have to be suspect. I mean, c'mon, "Lab"? How cheesy is that?
Oh, and I have my own alternative pick for Rock Band of the Day (RBOTD), a name that screams gravitas, baby:
Pyroclastic Northampton Ureter
You know, they're that troupe of hip young scowling miscreants with the famous, enigmatic "PNU" logo, who regularly grace the covers of Contessa, Tarmac, and Oracle Dude - The Larry Ellison Lifestyle Magazine. Now you are hip, you have been let in on the secret. You too are brand PNU!
Posted by
Jay on Thursday, February 27, 2003 @ 4:00 PM
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Blair Poodle Project:WebDesign Lab is going out on a limb here with a poke at George W. and Tony B. While we admire the UK firm's bravado, the images expressed on these pages are not necessarily those of the Wordlab network.
Rock Band name of the day:Surely Jonestown - Now, for all we know this band name is available for the plucking. If you want it, let us know so we can tell everyone else to back off Shirley!
Tagline of the day: Wordlab - Let Us Drink the Coffee...visit the free think-tank WordBoard today and have it made by tomorrow...or the next day...sort of.
G-Spots: Mediawatch-uk is calling for an immediate ban on a (now) controversial Gucci ad in this February's edition of Vogue magazine. Gucci was too pleased to comment.
UPGRADE UPDATE: Ok, I've uploaded all the new pages. After a quick check, everything seems to be working, except the Wordboard, which I'm working on now. Hang in there....
Posted by
Jay on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 @ 11:54 PM
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SITE UPGRADE ALERT: Heads up, everyone. Pretty soon tonight I will begin uploading all new pages to Wordlab, for a brand new look. I've killed-off the obnoxious frames, for one thing, and gave the whole site a much-needed makeover, toning down that dated '80s look. The new Wordlab will be leaner, cleaner, meaner, and more deadly than ever.
So, you might notice some strange behavior on the site, especially the Wordboard. If so, don't panic. Get up, stretch, pour yourself a stiff drink, go make love, take a bath, play a game, watch a dumb TV show, write a poem, or roll up into a fetal position, then come back in a half-hour or so and try again. I'll post another message here after I am all done.
Please tell us what we like, so we can consume it: Building on the "I know what I like, and I like a lot of it" language on the packaging of the Hungry Man All-Month Breakfast dissected in yesterday's Snark Hunting post, here are a few more assertive pronouncements of preference:
"I know What I Like and I Like FRITOS® brand Corn Chips."A Proud Tagline Since 1993. Frito has decided that the best way to entice you to eat their corn chips is to hypnotize you into it:
When you need a snack to fill up those empty spaces, nothing satisfies like a hearty helping of FRITOS® brand Corn Chips. Crunch into FRITOS® Corn Chips and savor their delicious corn flavor [note: not corn, but "corn flavor"] and bold texture, chip after chip. It's the taste you've been craving. So grab your bag of FRITOS® Corn Chips and treat yourself right. After all, you know what you like.
Yesterday we dissected Swanson's new Hungry-Man tagline – "It's Good to be Full" – and here's Fritos to the rescue "when you need a snack to fill up those empty spaces."
Michelangelo: Ah, I know that, we all know that, what about a bit of artistic license?
Pope: Well one Messiah is what I want!
Michelangelo: I'll tell you what you want, mate! You want a bloody photographer! That's you want. Not a bloody creative artist to crease you up...
Pope: I'll tell you what I want! I want a last supper with one Christ, twelve disciples, no kangaroos, no trampoline acts, by Thursday lunch, or you don't get paid!
Michelangelo: Bloody fascist!
Pope: Look! I'm the bloody pope, I am! May not know much about art, but I know what I like!
"I know what I like - tall, beefy Nordic men." [on Craigslist - Seattle] Simple, direct, and ever-so specific.
Food by the Pound: I posted a cautionary tale on Snark Hunting today about the branding of Swanson's Hungry-Man All Day Breakfast and XXL frozen meals. As we're all focused on impending war and potential biological and chemical terror attacks, it behooves us to keep in perspective the weapons of mass destruction lurking in our supermarkets. WARNING: This information may be especially hazardous to vegans, or those with weak stomachs.
Posted by
Jay on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 @ 10:23 PM
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Laura Ashley meets Perry Ellis: Following months of research, special events planner Laura Allis takes advantage of the WordBoard community and backs into her new and unique name. Check out the Unique name... thread and scroll down some for a savvy discussion on marketing start-ups between Wordboard residents Chris and A Brand New U. Oh, there's also a nice Wordlab testimonial from Laura herself:
You don't realize how you made me feel this morning...I feel as though a huge boulder has been lifted off my shoulders...You don't realize how many sleepless nights I've had over this whole naming experience. Worse than when I named my kids!!!
Posted by
Michael Davey on Monday, February 24, 2003 @ 10:38 AM
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Fountain of Youth: If this doesn't move you, you may already be dead; from a 14 year old Singaporean adding to the Anti War Slogans thread on the WordBoard:
I'm from Singapore and i'm 14. You may think i'm too young to protest but i can do my part none the less, i was never given the chance to show how care. Only 6 people in Singapore got off their butt and went down to the streets to show show their feelings for "anti-war". They never got to do so as the police/cops came down and dragged them off the streets for questioning. Someone asked me where i came from. I told him, "I'm from Singapore" and he said "Oh, you're from the country that did nothing for peace". It's an offence to demonstrate in Singapore without the permission from police. I can't believe this rule.. I'm gonna do my part anyways.. i Dun know wat i'll do but I will definately do it.
Posted by
Michael Davey on Saturday, February 22, 2003 @ 12:35 AM
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Market Tang: Longtime WordBoard resident Chris gives some quality advice for Schweleita (and the rest of us), who asked for ideas on targeting customers for her new Concierge Business. Here's a detail from Chris' marketing brainpan:
In terms of targeting your different customers, the key piece of advice I would offer is that you need to think about what your customers are buying rather than what you are selling. Ask what it is that trips their trigger and makes them hire you (and I mean literally ask them as you win business). Then use what you learn to tweak your proposition. And if the answers are different for different types of people, than that is where market segmentation begins...
...One Last thought: if you have competitors, find out why your customers selected YOU rather than anyone else. Finding out what makes you different, and what it is about the service that your customers really value, is the key to growing your business and getting really effective messages...
You can read all Chris' in-between thoughts and even an additional final thought on the Concierge thread itself. Don't be afraid to add your own input. No one's paying Chris (or anyone else here for that matter) for advice, why shouldn't they not pay you too?
Posted by
Michael Davey on Friday, February 21, 2003 @ 4:55 PM
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Can you say Google Blogger? Google Inc. has agreed to buy Pyra Labs, the parent of Blogger. Terms of the deal were not yet announced. more...
Posted by
Michael Davey on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 @ 9:36 AM
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The human race will sing this way as long as there's a human to race. And the human race is a pretty old place. Woody Guthrie; 1912-1967.
Posted by
Michael Davey on Sunday, February 16, 2003 @ 1:42 PM
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Demonstration Station: The Anti War Slogans have been coming in fast and sometimes furious on the WordBoard, as this weekend's demonstrations for peace take place around the World. Take a slogan or two as needed or add something for others. Peace is good food.
Posted by
Michael Davey on Saturday, February 15, 2003 @ 6:20 PM
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Spavin: A dumb doodle-head who only eats once every three months.
Telemarket Tear: The US House voted Wednesday to approve a national "do-not-call" list intended to help consumers block unwanted telemarketing calls. Consumers could enroll in the free service via the Internet or a toll-free number and Telemarketers would have to check the list every three months to find out who does not want to be called. Those who call listed people could be fined up to $11,000 for each violation. more...
Posted by
Michael Davey on Friday, February 14, 2003 @ 8:17 AM
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Reserve not yet met: The business opportunity of a lifetime is for sale right now on eBay. Buy the 7.5 acre private Scottish island of Clett, chop it up into 325,000 little packages and begin the business opportunity of your lifetime. Be sure to tell 'em WordLab sent you.
Posted by
Michael Davey on Thursday, February 13, 2003 @ 12:57 AM
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13.7 Billion Years Young: A treasure trove of new microwave data is rocking the cosmological world today. Among other things, the universe will expand forever.
Posted by
Michael Davey on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 @ 7:54 AM
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Dude, yer gettin' busted! 22 yr. old Benjamin Curtis, Dell's poster-child slacker who helped drive up computer sales, spawned T-shirts, caps, backpacks and fan-sites, was arraigned Monday on a misdemeanor drug possession charge. Bummer.
Posted by
Michael Davey on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 @ 11:15 AM
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Reality Check: Regarding Friday's blog about Buck Wolf's article on new baby names, I received an email from one Lilly M. who informs us that she also named her daughter Reality; just last month. Welcome to the show, Reality.
Posted by
Michael Davey on Monday, February 10, 2003 @ 10:13 AM
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Lil' Moriarty: New baby names are getting more interesting. And while the top-10 list has evolved beyond the typical Bob and Jane fare, it is the bottom-10 list of names that's really Special. You can read more on the new baby names, but be sure to scroll to the bottom for the list of unusual names. Wordlab has its own Baby names category as well, currently exhibiting 464 alternative names for the wee one.
Posted by
Michael Davey on Friday, February 07, 2003 @ 7:03 AM
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Note the cool Fine Print: The content found on WordLab
is free to the world. Although we cannot guarantee that any of this
content is not already in use by someone, somewhere, on this planet
who may have seen it on this Web site or created it independently of
our Web site, we have made a reasonable effort to give you what we believe
to be original names and slogans and generally good stuff. Use what
you will of our content since it is here for the taking. However, if
you decide to use one of our names for a commercial activity, and since
we have no assurance that the name may not already be in use by someone
else as a trademark, domain name or otherwise, we strongly suggest that
you take appropriate legal precautions, such as seeing a lawyer. In
short, any necessary due diligence is up to you, but we at least make
no claims on your potential future dream name. We merely ask that if
you do decide to use any of our content, that you please send us an
email ["word at wordlab dot com"] about it for use in our
internal records and eplosive marketing campaigns. Thank you, and enjoy.
You know, they're that troupe of hip young scowling miscreants with the famous, enigmatic "PNU" logo, who regularly grace the covers of Contessa, Tarmac, and Oracle Dude - The Larry Ellison Lifestyle Magazine. Now you are hip, you have been let in on the secret. You too are brand PNU!
