CultureFeast » web 2.0

SomethingStore.com is Something Special

Daniel Dessinger — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:18:55 +0000

By Daniel Dessinger

May 20, 2008

We hear "Web 2.0" all the time, and primarily what the experts are saying about Web 2.0 is accurate. According to Wikipedia, Web 2.0 is describing the trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to enhance creativity, information sharing and collaboration among users (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0). I want to touch on the creativity aspect of a cool new service I just found that's so very "Web 2.0".

I came across this really cool yet different idea on several social networking sites that I participate in on a day to day basis. Somethingstore.com is a fun, new website that operates quite simply: they send you something which is selected randomly from their inventory for $10.00 (free shipping) and you will find out what that special something is when you receive it in the mail. Their website says that this "something" could be a cool gadget or a table game. It could be a set of kitchen knives or a magazine. The fun of this idea is you don't know what you bought until it arrives packaged on your front door. Yes, it's $10.00 but the point isn't about cost. It's about getting a group of people interested in a new idea, on the web, and then spreading the word in the ever-so-social Web 2.0 way.

Granted, the idea of purchasing something online isn't new and isn't necessarily "Web 2.0." However, the creativity and the social networking piece to this (spreading the word via social mediums) is why this website and it's business model match the Web 2.0 standard. You spend $10.00 on a random and unknown gift for yourself, you then blog about it and talk about it over social networking sites and then your friends do the same and start the process all over again. It's brilliant and fun.

So, check it out. Go buy something at the somethingstore.com. You never know why you may get! Once your gift arrives, make sure you let us know what you got in the comments below!

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Graduating from MySpace to Twitter

Daniel Dessinger — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:12:51 +0000

By Daniel Dessinger

May 20, 2008

I admit that once upon a time, my Myspace account owned me. Back when our only others options were Facebook, Xanga, or Livejournal, Myspace was the place to be. I decorated my profile, posted the million pictures, blogged the contents of my lunch, and yeah, I posted the infamous surveys.

  Luckily, the social media realm seems to have grown up and has taken on a life of its own. Thanks to my good friend A.D.D, I have since healed from the shame of Myspace and moved on to other time consuming means of socializing… namely, Twitter!

  I joined Twitter earlier this year but I didn't start really exploring its features until just recently. It took me a little while to get passed the initial concept. I mean, who wants to read about what someone is doing 24/7? It seemed a little childish. 3 months later (after committing to the idea of giving it a real, honest chance) I have to say, I am hooked!

So what exactly is Twitter anyway? Twitter is where instant messenger, blogs, and crack join forces to play online! It’s a habitat perfect for meeting new people & sharing information in real-time. You are allowed 160 characters at a time to say your piece, a 50×50 space to display your mug, and you see only the conversations of those you "follow". No photo folders, no redundant "about me", no music players, and most certainly… no surveys!

The thrill of filling out surveys, comments, and dealing with countless spammers may have since passed me but I still have a few friends who haven't jumped the gun and joined the bandwagon. There seems to be a great divide among Myspace users and Twitter users. The psychologist in me can’t help but wonder why. Perhaps the inability to share more personal information is what keeps most at bay. Unlike Myspace, it’s not as easy as a simple comment here and there to maintain healthy activity.

Twittering requires an equal amount of give and take but worth the time. The opportunity to meet new people and learn something new is only a chance away. Sign up, put the surveys down, and join us.

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The Perfect Pick-Up Line 2.0

Daniel Dessinger — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 21:40:30 +0000

By Daniel Dessinger

March 15, 2007

I’m sitting at Panera Bread with Nathan Holman, wondering how to best help him find the right woman. Well, maybe I’m not so concerned about the right woman as he is. I just wanted to see if I could play a part in it. So I brainstormed (yes, this is what I do with my spare minutes), and came up with a killer idea.

Pick-Up lines are so last decade. It’s time for the pick-up line to step into the 21st Century. So here’s the plan:

Step 1: Pick out the woman in a cafe (take your time: find one suitable to your tastes)

Step 2: Make sure she’s not wearing a ring (that’s always a mood killer)

Step 3: Get your camera phone ready for a picture

Step 4: Plan your route to the restroom strategically for at least two strafing runs

Step 5: Take her picture

Step 6: Return to your laptop

Step 7: Write a blog about the most beautiful woman sitting in your cafe, how you asked her out on a date, she said yes, and they both lived happily ever after (the details here can be your own)

Step 8: Add the picture you took

Step 9: Post the blog with her photo

Step 10: Pick up your laptop

Step 11: Carry it over to her table

Step 12: Set it down gently in front of her

Step 13: Calmly take your seat across the table

Step 14: Smoothly swivel your laptop to face her

Step 15: Say to her, “Hi, I’m ____. I was wondering if you could make this come true”

Step 16: Get her number

See how easy that was?!?!?!? You stud, you. Rinse and repeat.

******Emergency Step 17***********

If she happens to look horrified that you took her picture without her consent and she makes a move to call the police to grab a random blunt object from her purse, grab your computer and run like hell!

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