RAMchuks!

I work with TOTAL NERDS. And I mean that in the best possible way. What else could explain this: RAMchuks!

Words

Here's a cool video. Watch it and see how quickly you "get it." (Although I probably just biased your viewing by saying that.) Then watch it again.
http://vimeo.com/13768695

All you ever wanted to know about texting

Here is a great infographic showing all you ever wanted to know about texting:
http://www.mobilemarketingwatch.com/awesome-infographic-the-rise-and-ubiquity-of-sms-in-the-us-and-worldwide-8664/

As someone who sends about 0.1 texts per day, this is a glimpse into a world that I know virtually nothing about. I mean, why send a text when I can send e-mail just as easily? Ask a young person that and see what they say. It's very amusing.

Interesting bits from the infographic: Apparently girls text more than boys! Who knew? I also love the graphic where the young guy asks the old guy whey there are lumped together in the same age group (35+). In the texting world, 35 is OLD!

Skate Paris!

If I ever get to Paris, I'm doing this:
"Skating the Roads of Paris," NY Times
http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/skating-the-roads-of-paris/

Here is the Rollers & Coquillages (Paris skating group) website:
http://www.rollers-coquillages.org/

And a video!
"Rollers et Coquillages, Teaser"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td-VYrNjg6A&feature=player_embedded#!

(Confession: I'm presenting this as a blog post but really this is an easy way for me to look back and find this information later, should I ever go to Paris!)

Send in the Dogs!

We need more dogs! I happen to work in a place where people can bring their dogs to work. I think it is very cool. I love having the dogs around.

"Manager's best friend - Dogs improve office productivity"
http://www.economist.com/node/16789216?story_id=16789216

"...those who had had a dog to slobber and pounce on them ranked their team-mates more highly on measures of trust, team cohesion and intimacy than those who had not."

"Google Me"

What does Google have up its sleeve? I have no idea, I'm on the outside looking in on this project so I have no special insight here. But I keep my eyes open. With that in mind, here is a great post from a great site:
http://smarterware.org/6561/what-to-expect-from-google-me#more-6561

Click through the slide presentation on this site and see if your perspective of "the web" changes. Read the whole thing. It's that good. There is too much good content there for me to quote, or I'd just end up quoting the whole thing. Here is a link to just the slide presentation:
http://www.slideshare.net/padday/the-real-life-social-network-v2?from=embed

Here is the blog of the author of that slide deck:
http://www.thinkoutsidein.com/blog/

And here is the data behind the presentation:
"The data behind The Real Life Social Network"
http://www.thinkoutsidein.com/blog/2010/07/data-behind-real-life-social-network/


While we're on the topic of how "the web" is changing, check out this article from Wired:
"The Web Is Dead. Long Live the Internet"
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/08/ff_webrip/all/1

There's no point in worrying about any of this. We just have to be aware of it, and be open to using new tools and new technology as they become available. As the previously-mentioned slide show says, there is nothing new about social networking. We just do it in different ways.

Think about your cell phone. There was a time when we used phones for ... talking. Now it seems preposterous to young people to have a phone that only allows you to talk. Look at the reviews of new "smart phones." They talk about the display, apps, camera, etc. The "phone's" ability to make high quality calls is barely mentioned, sometimes not mentioned at all! Think about it. If you have a so-called "smart phone" how do YOU use it?

Isle of Man Videos

Here is an interesting slow motion video from the 2010 Isle of Man TT. Those guys are really pushing their bikes hard!
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=51c_1280826305


Also worth watching again (and again and again): The classic on-board video of Joey Dunlop, on his Honda V4, from the film "V-Four Victory." This dates back to 1983 or so. On YouTube in three parts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8qWhVfNM8Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd7cfH5CPjU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS9586eAoek