Medialoper

We're Not Who You Think We Are

Archives for June 2006

That’s What I Like: Google

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So, I’ve been doing this goofy thing at my other place. Given my readership, I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who notices it, but that’s how these things go. I make yourself happy and that’s all that matters. In the process of this goofy thing, I’ve had to do a little bit of online research. Not much, nothing heavy — like today, I had to verify the correct title of a Jazz Butcher song.

I could have dragged myself across the room, shoved my feet into shoes, found the garage keys, and pulled the correct disk from the now-banished rack o’CDs — which would have required shuffling through a lot of music because I wasn’t even sure what era the song was recorded (there are multiple Jazz Butcher eras, you know). Or I could type “Jazz Butcher Lot 49” into my handy little search bar at the top of Firefox (love this feature, too!).

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The Daily Loper – June 22, 2006

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Today’s links of interest:

Technology Is Not A Replacement For Parenting

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I am in a bit of a mood today, and reading that “experts” don’t think MySpace is doing enough to protect kids from online predators really pushed one of my buttons. Does Target do enough to protect kids from predators? Does Disneyland? Does your local grocery store?

You know who should be doing more to protect kids from online predators? Their parents. Depending on technology to keep your kids safe can only go so far. MySpace is attempting to institute age restrictions, but let’s be honest, there is no truer statement that this:

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Regaining Advertising Dollars…One Job Search At A Time

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“As online advertisers migrate to the Web…”, as opposed, I suppose, to email, the need for newspapers to keep classified advertising revenue in-house is critical. Enter CareerBuilder, which has put itself up for sale. Sort of.

Through a series of mergers and acquisitions and sales, the news companies that own CareerBuilder have had their pie divided unequally, so they’re working out the kinks. But now other newspaper companies want in, too. And it’s good for CareerBuilder, already a name brand.

Though everyone I know automatically gravitates toward Monster.com. Not that I know any gainfully employed individuals who are looking for greener pastures. This is just me repeating what I hear around the wine bottle. The numbers certainly support the notion that CareerBuilder has the eyeballs — increasing the number of newspapers associated with the service can only help.

While the CareerBuilder news was interesting, what I found most fascinating was the nugget buried in the middle of the story: that newspaper companies are looking to partner with Yahoo! to leverage both job searches and news searches. I personally think that’s a strategy that will compliment an investment in CareerBuilder. I’m not one for exclusivity.

The Daily Loper – June 21, 2006

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Today’s links of interest:

Algunos Pensamientos al Azar Mientras Que Mira la Tarde Rebroadcast de Galavision del fósforo de la Copa del Mundo Entre Paraguay y Trinidad & Tobago

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Mi español de la High School secundaria aspira. No puedo reconocer una palabra que están diciendo, a excepción de “pelota del buena.” ¡Y, al parecer, tiene de convertido riguer para todos los anunciadores de Galavision para hacer el GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLL entero! cosa, no justo de Andres Cantor. ¿Y por qué no? ¿Es la mejor llamada de todos los deportes, así que quién no desearía hacerla? Sin embargo, el ayer por la noche allí era éste: ¡”GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLL! ¡GOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL!! GOOOOOOOOOOL — offsides.” Ooops. ¡Sin embargo, otra palabra que reconozco!

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It’s Not A Pirate’s Life For Them

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On Monday, the Los Angeles Times ran a story that made every classicist’s blood run cold: Disney is revamping — again — the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This time, forget about exorcising lusty pirates. Now it’s all about making the ride, sigh, more like the movie. Yeah, wrapped up in politically correct phrases about updating the ride is the key message: more Johnny Depp. It’s a bit like back-handed convergence.

You know, I can almost support this kind of modernization. I mean, regular park visitors deserve a little surprise, even though regular park visitors thrive on the familiarity of the rides. But just like misguided attempt to rewrite pirate history — yeah, sure, the pirates invaded the town and chased the wenches because they were hungry — this smacks of corporate decision-making instead of end-user love and care. The storyline has changed and the pirates’ booty has more, sigh, bling.

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The Daily Loper – June 20, 2006

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Today’s links of interest:

More RIAA Madness: Part 2, The All-Seeing Ear

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Yesterday, you may recall, I discussed the RIAA sending cease-and-desist letters to the people who upload videos of themselves lipsynching to popular songs.

But that’s just the beginning: we’ve learned who they are targeting next, and in a Medialoper Multiverse Exclusive, are revealing it to you today.

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Nickling and Diming New Media

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I’ve been thinking about something these past weeks, and two stories from yesterday really brought it all together for me: this new media stuff is going to get damn expensive. You have $9.99 here, $4.95 there, a monthly subscription, service fees, you name it — it all adds up.

I am pretty enthusiastic about CBS streaming local news to cell phones. I like the idea of accessing my local news during times of trouble — what could be more convenient during an earthquake or, heck, a playoff game? But to pay $4.95 a month for the privilege (plus my regular cell charges) strikes me as, well, so not worth it.

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