The OpenMicroBlogging standard, initiated by Evan and the folks at Laconi.ca, has edged in to the tech blog scene over the weekend. This follows a post by Jesse Stay showing Twitter’s apparant aim of incorporating the open standard.
The claim comes from Alex at Twitter changing the bug status to Accepted, but warns it will be some time before any work begins, almost in a “don’t get your hopes up” message.
Karim at Feedego asks why we even need the OpenMicroBlogging standard in the first place:
The question now: is there any concept that we used to use for blogging and that can’t be used for microblogging? Do we really need a Yet Another Standard?
I can understand Karim’s points, and can empathise to a degree. But I am a supporter of OpenMicroBlogging, and more open protocols and standards in general. Firstly, there is difference in blogging and microblogging - primarily that microblogging is short-form messaging, accessible through XMPP and other services based on short-form messages. Blog posts are, generally, paragraphs and are not quick one-liners.
The difference could be equated to SMS vs. Email. Why was SMS created, when we could just email mobile-to-mobile? Simple: the intent of SMS messages are short-form alerts, small in data size. MicroBlogging is SMS to Blogging’s email.
The importance of an open standard for microblogging is a matter of data portability, ownership, and freedom. Twitter is (not completely) a walled garden, you send tweets to other Twitter users, not Identi.ca users. It is like only being able to send an SMS to someone on the same phone network as you.
I have recently almost abandoned Twitter in favour of Identi.ca (my account here), and have high hopes for its continued development, which has been considerably faster than any improvements to the Twitter experience IMO.
Acer have been running an advert for their Aspire One netbook on UK television of late, in prime time slots to boot. Though these ads do little for Acer’s reputation, showing a fundamental and complete lack of understanding of the market in this country.
For those unfamiliar with the UK retail market specifically, there is a more cynical view taken to advertising from consumers. We want to know the facts, the benefits, and the cost. A little humor (or a lot, sometimes) can go a long way - but with one condition. It has to be British humor.
The Acer advert includes a very Americanised sketch featuring two women with half of Debenhams on their faces (not concealing much elsewhere, either). One brags about her new Aspire One, and the equally cheesy waitor pipes in with his approvement. The overriding sense of the ad is cheesy - and the British viewing public generally only like cheese when it is ironic and self-deprecating humor.
This isn’t the first time a company has tried to enter the UK market without first adapting its techniques to a differing culture. Apple’s iPhone originally cost £200, plus the rolling monthly costs of a contract. As a nation we are used to getting the handset free, and thus the uptake of the iPhone was limited to those that kept tabs on US tech until the recent change in price structure.
I embed the advert below, though I apologise for the quality (and sound - turn it up!), as it was the only copy I could source. I would probably be interested in an Aspire One, but this advert has actually given me a negative feeling about it, without me even seeing one before. I’m sure their aim was to give you a positive feeling about the product, without even seeing one before, but I am afraid Acer fail here hands down.
I’ve just come across DesignBump, a digg-like site for the sharing and promoting of links related to design and creativity. It seems the site was recently put up for auction, but the deal fell through and the owners reconsidered. A design refresh is imminent, which includes lowering the amount of ads shown.
The site is similar to the slightly more popular Design Float .
Opera is often branded as the most standards compliant browser on the market, and now hopefully we will see the same beauty aesthetically. I’ve high hopes for a great interface to a browser I hold a special place for in my somewhat fickle heart.
I have begun working on a product (as yet untitled) to help groups share links and resources with colleagues, team members, and others working together.
I would agree I could never claim this to be an original idea clasped from the ether. However, the approach I’m hoping to take may differ:
A specific area, for specific groups, to share resources on specific projects.
“River” of resources updated in real-time.
Automatic import of RSS feeds, Admin “alerts”, Evernote items, Google Reader shared items, more
Simple, light, and to the point.
An actual business model in mind
Oh SO much more secret stuff..!
The product will probably differ greatly from the attached screenshot, but I like to put a name to a face whenever possible!
You could possibly say I hope it to be the Yammer or Laconica of delicious (or maybe friendfeed). An installable, configurable, customisable version. My plans at this time are to feature a hosted version, and a downloadable version.
