Seth Godin, do you know him? You probably do, but if you don't, here's a little background, I would like to share with you:

Godin graduated from Tufts University in 1982 with a degree in computer science and philosophy. Godin earned his MBA in marketing from Stanford Business School. From 1983 to 1986, he worked as a brand manager at Spinnaker Software. For a time Godin commuted every week from California and Boston both to do his new job and to complete his MBA.

Currently, Seth Godin writes the most popular marketing blog in the world. Check it out here, http://sethgodin.typepad.com. He is the author of the bestselling marketing books of the last decade. He speaks to large groups on marketing, new media and what’s next; and he is the founder of Squidoo.com, a fast-growing recommendation website. In other words a marketing genius extraordinaire.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth_Godin

The other day, as I was browsing around his blog and website, I found an extremely interesting post (well actually I found them all to be interesting, but I’m only talking about one right now), “Things to ask before you redo your website” (http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/09/things-to-ask-before-you-redo-your-website.html).

Here are a couple of questions that I find to be EXTREMELY important:

• What is the goal of the site?
• Who are we trying to reach? Is it everyone? Our customers? A certain kind of prospect?
• Are we trying to close sales?
• Do we need people to spread the word using various social media tools?
• Who needs to update this site? How often?
• Does showing up in the search engines matter? If so,for what terms? At what cost? Will we be willing to compromise any of the things above in order to achieve this goal?
• Will the site need to be universally accessible? Do issues of disability or language or browser come into it?

Remember to ask this as you are not only redesigning your website, but also ask them as you are creating your first website. Be sure to write down the answers where you can easily access them so that you never lose sight of the purpose of your website. Also, keep in mind that a website is an ever changing, living aspect of your company. It needs attention and updating, you should never leave your website alone for over a month.

*Double-Wave-Geek-Hop*


Didi Vargas

CES, which stands for Consumer Electronics Show, is produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (or CEA). Its president, Gary Shapiro, has been an active leader in the HDTV business, earning the highest award for 'most influential in advancing HDTV' in 2003. CES is the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow. It has had more than 40 years of success, and it has allowed the industry to grow into a thriving and ever-changing sea of innovations.

CES mainly deals with Emerging Technology. This refers to upcoming, new concepts and ideas, which will keep us, the consumers, entertained and connected in our everyday lives. Products range from eco-friendly bikes to super fast computers and their peripherals to digital cameras and e-readers. There is something for everyone. Stay in the loop on your favorite electronics by checking out the best of CES at the beginning of every year.

There were many new and impressive technologies presented at this year's CES, ranging from 7mm thin TVs, to high megapixel ultra slim cameras. Some were designed to make your life easier, some to make it more interesting, and a few to help out the environment. I would like to talk about 4 specifically, that have caught my eye, as an artist, designer and environmental lover.

The O.R.B

It is both a ring and a headset, or what they like to call a “digiset”. You wear the ring on your finger (they have sizes for both men and women, ranging from S to XL), and as you feel it vibrate you look down at its "E-ink" display to see what it is announcing; either a phone call, a text message or a scheduled meeting. Now, for the fun part: you take the ring of, twist it, and it instantly becomes a Bluetooth headset that allows you to take your call on the fly. This is how they describe it:

"To use the ring as a headset, you simply remove it from the finger and open at a hinged joint. The ring (now headset) is placed over the upper ear between ear and side of head. The receiver end of the headset rests just above the jawbone and utilizes dual speaker 'voice annihilation' DSP technology. The transmit exciter transducer rests just behind the outer ear."

"But, what happens if you can't answer the phone at that precise moment? Well, the O.R.B has a button on it to ignore the call! It's as simple as that! Hybra Advance Technology, Inc. says that the ring can also be used as a "time device/alarm clock". The charging base can double as a speaker system for your alarm clock. It is even waterproof!

This is what they have to say on when the O.R.B will be available:

"The base model O.R.B. is scheduled to launch in January 2010 carrying a suggested retail price of USD$129, while the Deluxe edition is due in April 2010 with a price of USD$175. The Limited edition designer models are also due in April 2010 with their price based on the value of the gemstones incorporated into the device.

The O.R.B was named CES' 2010 winner of Best Innovation award in the wireless handset category. It is one of a kind technology that can revolutionize the wireless handset industry. I can’t wait to see what new ideas the O.R.B has spun!

"The greatest manufacturers in consumer electronics—technology leaders including Sony, Nikon, HP, and Logitech—have won the top CES awards year after year," said Richard Donat, AbsolutelyNew's CEO. "We're delighted to see the ORB in such good company, and to be recognized for adding significant value to Hybra’s innovation."

Source: www.hybratech.com

Eneloop Bike

Developed by Sanyo, the Eneloop Electric Assist Bike won the CES’ 2010 Top Green award for sustainability and eco-design. Even thought it has been around in Japan for at least 15 years, and in US stores since the middle of last year, the marketing it had during the 2010 CES was undeniable crucial to its success in the US. So, what is it?

Eneloop Bike has a battery which recharges either plugged in to an outlet or as you are breaking. It is said that a single charge (3.5 hours) allows you to travel as far as 46 miles. Since it is an assist bike, it will assist in your pedaling but will not do it for you. If you speed up, the assist will speed up, and if you slow down, the assist will slow down. It is very smart.

It is not considered a motor vehicle, and for that reason you do not need a license to maneuver it, unlike a motorcycle. It is said to cost around $2,300.

Is it too expensive when considering the positive impact it will have in our environment? Think of all the gas/diesel fumes we would be saving? Of all the obesity that could be cured? In my opinion everyone should have one of these and use it as much as possible, so that eventually cars will be outdated by bikes! (One can dream, right?)

Source: http://us.sanyo.com/eneloopbike

WiDi

I'm guessing it is pronounced very similar to WiFi? This is Intel's new Wireless Display (WiDi) and it won the CES' 2010 People's Voice Award. Basically it's a built-in easy way to connect with your displays, such as projectors and flat panel TVs, wirelessly. Amazing, right!? Intel has said that laptop models that will be available with the WiDi built-in system are: Dell, Sony and Toshiba.

So how does it work? You will have to plug in and adaptor to the display you are trying to connect to. Netgear is the only one with this adaptor, Push2TV. Then all you need to do is go to your computer browse for the device, and you’re all set! WiDi is a Best Buy exclusive, so head on to their store or website and look for bundles which include the adaptor! They are so thoughtful!

Using standard 802.11n wireless technologies for transmission of data, Intel describes the product as "a solution that requires a laptop PC based on select 2010 Intel Core processors, Intel HD Graphics, and Intel Centrino wireless with Intel MyWiFi Technology enabled. The laptop needs to have Intel Wireless Display software installed and also an adapter featuring Intel Wireless Display is required to receive the signals from the PC that display them on the TV. This adapter is connected to the TV via either HDMI or standard AV cables."

Source: http://www.intel.com/consumer/products/technology/wirelessdisplay.htm

Home Energy Management System

For the 'Green' minded people, concerned with the disastrous 'Climate Change' situation, CES helped introduced one of the best products. Even though it is still a prototype, it’s future is looking as bright as ever! Whirlpool, Best Buy, Lennox and OpenPeak have come up with a way to monitor all your home appliances! Now you’re interested right? Because even though it is extremely eco-friendly, it is also extremely useful!

Some of the appliances that you can monitor include: Your washer and dryer, your fridge and TV. This way, you can always know how much energy each item uses, individually and collectively. But it is not only useful, it’s fun! Yes! This Home Energy Management System also streams Pandora, and logs on to Facebook! So as you are listening to your favorite songs you can manage your home’s overall energy consumption, control appliances, and even make sure your kids are happily entertained watching their cartoons on TV. But it doesn't stop there; the ability to download apps will make this gadget the most useful one in your home.

Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10429943-54.html

Isn't it FUN when new gadgets come out that seem to be right out of someone's dream? I'm very excited to see all of these successfully intergrate with our society!!

Didi Vargas