Why Google Chrome Matters…
Sep 10, 2008 Technology
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Not because it’s faster, though apparently it is. Not because of the features, which have gotten both good and bad reviews. Not because of its design, whether you like it or not.
It matters because it has the potential to redefine what a browser is. It has already ignited so many comments on the idea of a browser as an OS.
John Siracusa from Arstechnica said it best:
[?]My enthusiasm at this point is not so much about the product as it is about the methodology. Google didn’t set out to merely improve upon existing web browsers. Instead, it attempted to rebuild the web browser from first principles.
Tags: google, google chrome, innovation, operating system, web browser
People Notice Change
Jun 4, 2008 Companies, Technology, personal branding
As you might know by now, Google recently changed their favicon (the small, square image that appears in the browser, next to the url).
It’s a small image, just 16×16. But the change did cause a bit of a stir online, with a lot of blogs running the story and a couple of forum threads being started. It’s even spurred questions about whether Google was going to undergo a rebranding process.
I’m not going to speculate about any of this, but what I do want to point out is this. Even such a small scale change caused such a stir. Why? Yes, part of the reason is because of the size of Google. But I think it’s also because Google’s brand had been associated with the old icon (the capital ‘G’). People were used to that. And when it changed, people noticed – some praised and supported it, others criticized it.
Once you’re associated with something – a word, an image, an icon, even an attribute – no matter how small that “something” is, people will notice when you change it. It’s up to you to ensure that the change is met well.
[?]Tags: association, attribute, brand, change, favicon, google, rebranding
Squidoo Lenses
May 24, 2008 Announcements
I’ve created my first few lenses on Squidoo. I’d love to get your opinions on them, so if you’ve got the time check them out and let me know what you think? Thanks.
Here are the 3 lenses:
5 Google Tools Businesses Should be Using
First Steps to Building Your Personal Brand
Google Analytics for Non-Geeks
[?]Tags: analytics, business, google, lens, personal branding, squidoo, tools
Friend Connect for Blogs?
May 15, 2008 Technology, blogging
You might have read about Google’s new Friend Connect service. There’s definitely been no shortage of news coverage about it.
I haven’t seen that much of it so far, other than the examples on the web site. I’m looking forward to watching the campfire videos over the next few days. But I have to say, I am very interested and intrigued by the service. So, I’ve signed up for the preview release.
Lots of bloggers, myself included, want our blogs to be about community. We want our blogs to be not just a place where we can be heard, but a place where people can connect, and have their say as well. We want it to be a conversation, a community.
As such, I’m sure there’s got to be a use for a service such as Friend Connect. In trying to build a community, an easy, one-click way to add social features has got to be useful.
That said, I don’t have any concrete ideas yet. I’ll definitely be thinking about it, especially as more demos and videos come out. But I thought I’d throw it out to you guys as well. Lots of you are smarter than I am.
So, what do you guys think of Friend Connect? Useful? Any ideas already on how you’re going to use it?
[?]Tags: blog, community, Conversation, Friend connect, google, social, web 2.0
‘Brain Drain’ Good for Google
Mar 30, 2008 Companies
Wired recently reported about the Google Brain Drain. Paul Glazowski picked up on the story, and wrote that the ‘Brain Drain’ is in fact a good thing, for the industry as well as for Google themselves.
I agree with Paul’s view on this, and I’m glad to see the article. It’s a good viewpoint.
Sometimes, having people leave can be a good change. Losing ‘resources’ (and people are resources) offers the chance for change, and can be a good thing.
[?]Tags: brain drain, google, resource, talent, wired
Google Choosing to Perform Poorly?
Feb 29, 2008 Technology
There have been recent reports about the click through rates on Google’s ads dropping. But Betsy Schiffman from Wired tells us that it might be by design.
I’m no business analyst, so I can’t tell you about the reliability of either analysis. But if it’s the latter, I have to say, it’s really good to see.
Great that a company is willing to risk short term losses for better quality in the long term.
[?]Tags: advertising, google, quality
Sui Generis Weekly #1
Nov 7, 2007 Uncategorized
Well, I announced last week that I would start a podcast soon, so here it is! You can subscribe from here. I’ll integrate the subscription into my blog as soon as possible, once I figure out the best way to do it.
Anyway, here’s the first episode of Sui Generis Weekly (yes I know it’s not the most creative name, but I couldn’t come up with anything else. If you’ve got ideas, all suggestions are welcome). It’s currently hosted on Podango because I’m having trouble uploading to Ourmedia (which is also why I didn’t manage to get it up last night as I wanted).
Covered in this podcast:
– PodCamp Boston
– Personal Branding Talk by Mitch Joel
– Google OpenSocial
– Android and the Open Handset Alliance
It’s not the best quality and I know my voice isn’t that good either, but I promise that over time, as I get more used to doing this, I’ll get better.
As mentioned in the podcast, all music was from Natalie Gelman, an awesome artist who’s definitely worth checking out.
[?]Tags: android, freedom, google, open handset alliance, opensocial, personal branding, podcamp, podcamp boston, sgw
