I haven’t really got much to post at the moment. As I have mentioned previously, I intend to up the quality of content on this site from basic commentary to essay-length posts. This post is a sneak-peak of a couple of technology reviews I will be doing in the coming weeks.

The sites I will be reviewing are WasabiTV.com.au and Tiinker.com. Both “Web 2.0″ type start-ups created here in Australia. I won’t go on  in detail at the moment but do check them out for yourself.

Stay tuned for the full-reviews in the coming weeks. They are great sites!

Marketing has changed dramatically from what it once was. One current example is social networking. Sites like MySpace and Facebook drive word-of-mouth like never before. The ‘buzz‘ epidemic is here, even for a little while.

What I find particularly fascinating is the Cory Delaney (Worthington) story. Cory is the 16-year-old who posted an invitation to his house party on MySpace. As a result, 500 people showed up; reeked havoc; and vandalised the neighbourhood. Since the event, Cory has become the guy you love to hate. He’s in the headlines day-in day-out and people are really ripping him to shreds. Funny thing is, he is still in the headlines. People love to read about him even though they call him a menace and arrogant.

It seems to be that the cake is on our own face. Cory has been a real entrepreneur about the whole thing. He’s created enough appeal to attract media attention and he’s capitalising on this. Whether it is the money he makes from media interviews or the job offers he has received as a party promoter. People, even only some, love him.

Be Seen Web Design defines buzz marketing as ‘a low or no cost method of marketing associated with people telling other people telling other people about a company’s products or services’. In this instance Cory is the product. He is and the media are creating enough of a spectacle that people are no-stop talking about it. This can be told by the fact that the news has reached overseas.

I think this is a great example of the buzz marketing we hear so much about nowadays. Sure, it’s a bit of an unorthodox variation but it’s buzz nonetheless. Lets see where it takes him.

Here is something fun, slap some sense into Cory. Look at the extremes people are going to with this.

I remember reading, some time ago about the $3000 car. The notion behind it was to make four-wheels accessible to India’s fast-growing middle class. Some may ask how producing a vehicle at such a price can be sustainable. Well, profit-margins are thin but by shifting sheer numbers - numbers that are adequately supported by Indian’s population, it is quite a sustainable move; well according to the media reports by these car producers.

The way I see it is India has a demand for this car but I don’t know if they have the infrastructure to support it. How do people currently get around in India? Scooters and motorcycles are very popular due to their fuel efficiency and maneuverability in traffic. I would think they are pretty easy to park and store, also. So how will the country cope with a car that is set to ‘revolutionise the market of 1.1 billion people‘? To me, it seems like a situation of buying the vase first and table later.

Where are these cars meant to be parked? How will the roads cope in terms of both congestion and wear? How will the current refueling stations cope? How will the ports cope with bringing in fuel? Are there adequate service centres? I really could go on…

If the nation has, for so long counted on two-wheels as a primary mode of transport how do they all of a sudden cater for four? This is not to mention the already burgeoning environmental aspects.

[Side Note] It’s interesting what people have to say in the comments of the article, ‘$A2800: World’s Cheapest Car’ over at News.com.au. Concerns of how safe the Tata Nano is seems to be the general consensus. Doesn’t seem to be much thought into the safety of a moped though. Additionally, people seem to be critical of the cars chances in making it to Australian roads. Well that’s ok, as I don’t believe there are intentions. It’s built with a purpose and meeting Australia standards is not one of them.

I like this comment; it sums it all up:

“You nitwits are missing the entire point of the car. It is not meant for Aussies or any other western market. It is meant for third world markets where entire families manage to ride a 2 wheel scooter together. For them it is a step up. Safety wise also, it is far better than the scooter though very poor compared to a standard western auto. THINK, RELATE and stop being so ethnocentric. I can’t but shake my head at those who feel that third world populations should be denied products because they pollute. Why don’t you lot sell your cars and trash your air conditioning before you pass judgment?” - Thanks Andy of the USA…

I believe copy protection on audio CDs is pointless. Here is my rationale:

I don’t think for a moment that music should just be given away, not at all. But I also don’t believe that consumers should be restricted in their behaviours because of the bad guys. I feel that by not allowing people to upload the albums they pay money for to their MP3 device of choice, encourages illegal behaviour.

It’s the silly season so it’s time to have a little fun. Oh, and it’s the season of sharing and love. Thus, I shall share with you all, something… I shall share my RSS subscription list. Isn’t that a kind gift?

Well, I don’t know about you but I love reading things like this. Peoples favourite books, music, RSS subscriptions (of course), restaurants, sock colour (?), etc.

Just to get started. I use Google Reader for all my RSS viewing. To be quite honest, I have never used any other similar tools so wouldn’t know if there are better viewers out there but use Reader simply because it’s a Google product (I love Google of course) and it ties in with all my iGoogle widgets. Now for the fun stuff:

At Ease - This is a Radiohead fan site. Probably the best of its kind on the web - in my opinion. Importantly, with a World Tour on the cards I have to keep up to date with the latest Radiohead news.

Ben Metcalfe - I forget how I found out about Ben Metcalfe. I don’t know much about him or his work either. I think he’s done some work with MySpace so thought he’d be an interesting chap to follow. He hasn’t added much new content of late - probably working hard at MySpace as presumed - so I will be patient with this one.

Branding Strategy Insider - Well, as a marketing major it sort of goes without saying why I am subscribed to this feed. Always interesting stuff on branding to be found here.

Carbon Planet - I love - or should that be <3 - Carbon Planet. Their purpose in society; their website; they blog; their people; they building - all mighty fine! David Sag, Carbon Planet’s CEO is always very interestingly read and covers the pressing issues. Very Australian focused but very relevant, globally.

College Startup - Always full of helpful stories for a budding blogger like myself. It has a nice for-students feel about it too, surprisingly.

EJ - Entrepreneurs-Journey by Yaro Starak is without doubt, one of the best Internet Business blogs/sites on the entire WWW. I must admit, his site has gotten a little commercial of late with stacks of ‘product reviews’ overtaking informative articles but they are starting to get interesting too as my knowledge and interest in the topic expand.

Gearfire - I have no idea what this blog is about from face value. I will keep you posted I guess. It must be on my list for a reason.

Official Google Blog - Australia - I don’t think I have to say much about this one. I think it would be foolish not to keep up with Google’s Australian focused news.

ifoApple Store - This is a news and information blog about Apple’s retail stores. Very much a narrow, underservied niche and I am sure one that could use just the one site - this one. It’s nice to be able to follow the development of cool Apple concept stores across the globe.

Internet Outsider - Another site I don’t know much about. I will have to keep an eye on it and see how it fares.

Naomi Simson - I have been following Naomi for a few years via BRW magazine in which she has featured a few times. Naomi runs Red Balloon Day, a highly successful gift/adventure/experience booking business. She’s very much a motivater and leader. I love this blog - she’s one experienced woman.

Official Google Blog - This is the worldwide Google blog and it’s more active than it’s Australian offspring. I read it for the aforementioned reasons.

Pajago - Well, as if I wouldn’t have my own blog on my RSS list. I do this primary to see how my posts look in Reader. Just to ensure they don’t go funky and all.

ProBlogger & ProBlogger Jobs - Only added these this morning. Can’t really say a lot yet.

Radiohead News - This is an auxiliary to At Ease - just incase one or the other crashes…

Ok, I am going to call this post 1 of 2. This post has turned out longer than I expected.

Stay tuned for part 2 which will be posted tomorrow during the week.

PJG

I just received an email from w.a.s.t.e - Radiohead’s merchandise arm.

Hello,

Just to let you know…

Your “In Rainbows” discbox has now left w.a.s.t.e. in the UK

You can expect delivery of your discbox in the following estimated times.

UK 1-8 days

Europe 1-14 days

Rest of World 5-18 days

Wherever possible (especially to customers in the USA), we’ve sent these by road and sea.

December is a busy time of year for postal services globally, so please be patient.

We thank you for your custom and hope you enjoy your discbox when you receive it.

Best wishes.

us @ w.a.s.t.e.

So bloody excited!!!

BusinessGreen is a website of news, advice, reviews and blogs to help UK companies reduce their carbon footprint. As much as this is a UK site it is still absolutely applicable to the rest of the world.

The site contains news, in-depth essays, a regularly updated blog, audio/video, a user forum and links to many useful resources.

If you have an interest for the environment which, as you can tell by this blog, I do, I recommend checking this great site out. I hope soon the forum will become more active as I’d certainly like to contribute my thoughts on all things ‘green’.

Most people that know me know my views towards tax cuts. When the Government offers tax cuts I think of two things: unnecessary and inflation.

Here is an interesting view I found over at Jesaurai:

Modern governments don’t pool money for the good of all they just run the business of politics.

Imagine this:

You live in Australia, and you have $100 to spare, you say to your government; which is a democratically elected representative of you, who’s purpose is to lead, maintain and increase the communities wellbeing.

“Take my $100 dollars and pool it with other peoples money and please use it to try and fix some of the problems I and my friends, family and fellow citizens have. Here’s a list of the things that are important to me, some of them are very important as they threaten my survival, and that of my kin.

We don’t have any water, the dams are at 30%, the farmers say they can’t plant, and it never seems to rain. Can you do something?

The climates changing, not sure if this will be good or bad, but everyone that seems to know about these things says its bad and its our fault. Can you do something to slow it, or stop it?

The train to work never runs on time, and is over crowded, and often derails itself, it is a horrible experience everyday for an hour as it was, now its beyond a joke.

Our jobs keep going overseas, and I’m tired of re-training, is it possible to just get some security?

There are beggars on my street, more than ever before, can we give them homes (not just rooms) and food, and self worth.

There are loony people on he train stations, are they sick? or just on ice? I don’t know but they are scary and they threaten people. Can we help them?

I want to work less. Not more !”

The Government takes you $100 and gives $20 to a fund for universities, and other education, $30 for a fund for government employee’s superannuation, $1 for enviromental stuff.

Then the government puts out his hand and says you can have this back ($49). I don’t need this! Whoops sorry I need $15 back I need to buy us a gun, those bloody neighbours keep misbehaving. And you get $34 back… but.

This is essentially what the Australian government did tonight in its pre election budget, and no-one seems to find fault with it.

Its not about them and their budget surplus, its about us, we want them to spend the money to help us, not just give it back.

Subscript: figures are indicative only. And they are giving a subsidy for solar panel of $8000 which is really good.

This is slightly old news but it is the first I have heard about it. Accounting software firm, 2Clix that attempted to sue ISP discussion forum Whirlpool has gone into administration.

As they say, ‘what goes around, comes around’.

According to ITWire “after receiving a barrage of criticism on Whirlpool in posts from disaffected users, 2Clix, also known as Platinum One business solutions, lodged a $150,000 lawsuit against Simon Wright, founder of Whirlpool, in September. The lawsuit was subsequently withdrawn after an outcry from many quarters including online watchdog Electronic Frontiers Australia”.

Apparently wages have gone unpaid and 2Clix have appointed accounting firm (ironic) Worrells to manage the administration.

It’s interesting –well I think so– how I came to write this blog. I was talking to some random person via MSN who said they went to the drive-in and saw Saw 4 last night. I said how I am not a fan of the genre and he asked what sort of movies I am interested in. I told him that I am a fan of mostly “Art House” stuff and mentioned a few films I have seen and enjoyed: Friends with Money, An Inconvenient Truth, Jindabyne. I then decided to see what Wikipedia had to say about these films and the following excerpt is from the entry on An Inconvenient Truth:

“In September 2006, Gore traveled to Sydney, Australia to promote the film. Australian Prime Minister, John Howard said he would not meet with Gore or agree to Kyoto because of the movie: “I don’t take policy advice from films.” Former Opposition Leader Kim Beazley joined Gore for a viewing and other MPs attended a special screening at Parliament House earlier in the week”.

So, little Johnny doesn’t take policy advice from films? So does he maybe think this film is the first to mention the content? Or is he afraid that Gore is making the facts on Climate Change more accessible to the masses, so is dismissing it?

I think it’s interesting how Howard positions himself relative to anyone slightly to his left. He makes them out to be completely irrelevant. What would be do if Gore was President of the USA? Would be still upkeep an alliance of similar strength to what it is today? So many questions to pose, too hypothetical to answer.

PJGO