The history of online gaming originates in 1970 when a number of computer researchers created the first interactive online game called “ADVENT.” The game was very basic and was in text form, with simple commands controlling the navigation. The game took place in an online “forest” and the user commands a character and chooses different commands to perform different actions. The significance of this game is that it helped create the concept of networked gaming. The basic principle behind network gaming is that it allows users to play simultaneously with each other rather than just against a computer. This game and others like it were ran through bulletin board systems where results of users were posted. Eventually, once programming capabilities had grown to the degree that the computer could handle the task of running the opposition MUD’s (Multi-User Dungeons) were created.
The first MUD was created in 1979, and was designed by two programmers from Essex University. These games began to display what we know as a true multiplayer game. The games were virtual online environments where players would control characters, and based on predetermined parameters the character would react to different situations. The breakthrough with this game and others like it is the players could interact with other players while playing the game simultaneously. Keep in mind these games aren’t what we would expect to see today, but this timeline will show a progression of breakthroughs in technology.
Next on the timeline are first person shooters. The first of this type was developed for the Macintosh system in 1989. The game was called “A-Maze-ing” and is considered to be the first three-dimensional first person shooter. These are the games that players of this era will relate to. In 1994 a company named ID software released a game called “Doom.” Set in a different world a soldier is left stranded to combat numerous aliens on a multitude of levels. With great graphics, the possibility of playing with up to four players simultaneously, and several sequels, Doom is one of the best selling online games of all-time. After the Doom craze was “Quake.” Now with the possibility of playing with 16 players simultaneously the Quake craze is still booming with the recent release of Quake III. The advantage to Quake is that no internet subscription is needed to play online, once the game is purchased, a simple click on the multiplayer icon and a player is “up and running.” The real time strategy games I had mentioned that were played on bulletin board systems also got a facelift around this time as well. Blizzard Entertainment had released three games all around the same time: “Diablo,” “Starcraft,” and “Warcraft” all very popular hits among the online world that involve strategy and real time playability while delivering 3-d graphics any solid gamer craves. The real bonus for a user in these games is a player’s user ranking. In each game there is a certain way to tabulate scores at the end of each game, and that score is made public. The players scores are kept for a virtual season and then reset, this allows new users a chance to compete with the old, and also keep the game competitive for longer periods of time.
With the type of games Blizzard has created has inspired programmers to go one step further with “Massive Multiplayer Games.” An example of such a game is “Everquest.” Similar to the real-time games like Starcraft, which are held in large worlds, these games take 3-d one step further with much smoother graphics and many more players. These games run most efficiently on high-end graphics cards with strong processors to stream through all the extensive programming. These massive multiplayer games require multiple servers to support the numerous users. Everquest for example is run from a series of computers that all sit in an office in San Diego, California. The game has over 30 servers which each run an independent version of the game. There are an average of 18,000 people registered on each server and at least 15,000 people online at all time across all the servers.
Gaming is still gender biased and is marketed as such. Most gamers are young males who have at least a little bit of tech savvy. Recently however, to break through these stereotypes programmers have created games that reach other target markets. “Dance Dance Revolution” fun for all ages and genders has been a huge hit and a marketer’s dream because of the health benefits from game play. A new guitar game has recently been released with the same principles; sales will tell if this game will have the same success.
Video games have been, and judging by current trends, will always be popular and part of a highly profitable market. Online games especially have an advantage because these games are played on the largest and cheapest advertising medium: the Internet. Many games have their own web sites and are affiliated with other companies to advertise other similar games that players would be interested in. These companies have used several business models to stay afloat among the years and the Advertising Model seems to be used more and more with the rising popularity of the Internet and increases in technology. Some companies have used television commercials to try to find new consumers, campaigns for “Quake” and “Fight Night” have been successful on t.v. and have actually brought gamers to buy each individual system to play these highly sought after games.
Why do these players spend so much time with these online games and are there any benefits? Everyone has their hobby and some argue that playing a video game is a waste of time, however these online games are a way for people to interact. They inspire competitive natures within players and for some, these games are a source of confidence. Some also argue these games can cause an addiction and even a decrease in intelligence; however it is still case by case whether or not these statements are true.
Until recently online games were thought of as only able to be played through a computer with an internet connection. Recent technological advances for example with the Playstation 3 have allowed users to play without a computer. Sony has fused wireless “Bluetooth” technology with these advanced 3-d systems to allow gamers to play a vast number of games through their system. The sky is the limit with what’s to come. The next thing to expect could be virtual reality; only time will tell when and where these new advances will come.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Online Food Ordering
Abby Laner
Original link to the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/05/fashion/05fast.html?ref=style
An article from the New York Times on August 5, 2007 discusses the restaurant industry’s growth in the online community. The article talks about how many restaurants are changing their telephone ordering and using online ordering methods instead. The article states that customers can “order online before pulling into a drive-through; they can text-message and order, and soon, they will be able to experience one-click ordering from their cell phones, for pickup or delivery.”
These particular restaurants have experienced a large growth in the number of sales from carry-out sales because of the new technology. Many Americans use Blackberrys and other hand-held devices to keep track of their daily routines and now the option of ordering by clicking through a cell phone seems to be appealing to many people around the country.
A manager from Domino’s Pizza said that the online ordering has grown immensely within the past several years. He predicts that pizza will soon be one of the top 10 items purchased online within the next 12 to 24 months.
I believe the option of online ordering is becoming even more popular among business men and women who are often too busy to leave the office and go to lunch. They can order food while at their desk and have the food dropped off to their office much easier than leaving or even calling in an order. Even the cash option has faded because many people simply enter their credit card numbers into the system and they are saved and used again for each purchase that is made.
The article also explains how the college community is adjusting to the new technology of online ordering. Www.campusfood.com offers a way for students to log in and enter their state and school name. From this screen, the system will direct the student to local restaurants who are currently accepting online orders. The order can be made and payment options and delivery times are shown for the student.
Many people prefer to use the online ordering system because of the convenience and also because it lowers the chance that the order will be messed up or inaccurate. By using the computer to type the exact order, no orders will go without a side of fries or onions on the side. This option makes it much easier for people of different backgrounds who may not speak very good English.
Not surprisingly, pizza is on the top of the list for online orders, but other different kinds of foods are also climbing the list. According to the article, Chipotle began its online ordering a year ago and the orders from the first half of this year are already up 100,000 from last year.
Overall, people are starting to use the online ordering more rapidly. It is giving consumers more power over their orders and is much more convenient than other ordering options.
Original link to the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/05/fashion/05fast.html?ref=style
An article from the New York Times on August 5, 2007 discusses the restaurant industry’s growth in the online community. The article talks about how many restaurants are changing their telephone ordering and using online ordering methods instead. The article states that customers can “order online before pulling into a drive-through; they can text-message and order, and soon, they will be able to experience one-click ordering from their cell phones, for pickup or delivery.”
These particular restaurants have experienced a large growth in the number of sales from carry-out sales because of the new technology. Many Americans use Blackberrys and other hand-held devices to keep track of their daily routines and now the option of ordering by clicking through a cell phone seems to be appealing to many people around the country.
A manager from Domino’s Pizza said that the online ordering has grown immensely within the past several years. He predicts that pizza will soon be one of the top 10 items purchased online within the next 12 to 24 months.
I believe the option of online ordering is becoming even more popular among business men and women who are often too busy to leave the office and go to lunch. They can order food while at their desk and have the food dropped off to their office much easier than leaving or even calling in an order. Even the cash option has faded because many people simply enter their credit card numbers into the system and they are saved and used again for each purchase that is made.
The article also explains how the college community is adjusting to the new technology of online ordering. Www.campusfood.com offers a way for students to log in and enter their state and school name. From this screen, the system will direct the student to local restaurants who are currently accepting online orders. The order can be made and payment options and delivery times are shown for the student.
Many people prefer to use the online ordering system because of the convenience and also because it lowers the chance that the order will be messed up or inaccurate. By using the computer to type the exact order, no orders will go without a side of fries or onions on the side. This option makes it much easier for people of different backgrounds who may not speak very good English.
Not surprisingly, pizza is on the top of the list for online orders, but other different kinds of foods are also climbing the list. According to the article, Chipotle began its online ordering a year ago and the orders from the first half of this year are already up 100,000 from last year.
Overall, people are starting to use the online ordering more rapidly. It is giving consumers more power over their orders and is much more convenient than other ordering options.
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Keep visiting/posting to the blog and include a link to it on as many other sites as possible. Great job so far, keep it up!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Jessica Bell
Internet Marketing
Kevin Trainor
August 7, 2007
Senate Asks FTC to Oversee Internet Safety
Internet has become a major part of Americans everyday life. We can shop, bank, book travel, watch movies, listen to music and so much more. However, along with all the perks of being an internet user there comes risks. Personal identity and financial risks are at the top of the list. Above these risks with the internet is the even scarier risk being the safety of children. Children are using the internet at an extremely young age for both leisure and academics. With such young children having knowledge of how to access the web, they are still too young to grasp the complete concept of how the web can be dangerous to them or realizing what they may be getting themselves into. Due to this fact Senate has asked the FTC to invest more efforts in promoting internet safety. According to the article I found, “Senate Asks FTC to Oversee Internet Safety” it sounds as though the Senate wants to generally make the public more aware of the dangers that come with the internet, but more importantly put emphasis on making children more aware of how to be safe. They are instructing The Federal Trade Commission to provide tutorials for school aged children focusing on the effects of ‘cyberbullying’ and child pornography. They are doing this because children have high potential to delve into unknown areas of the internet and stumble across predators without even being aware they have put themselves in jeopardy. A child being susceptible to dangers like this is a problem that is always going to be there with internet usage. Senate wants to try to lessen the impact by increasing their knowledge. I felt this article was relevant to our class discussions because of the safety issues surrounding social networking. The article barely touches on the usage of Facebook and MySpace but I feel these are two sites that can potentially pose a major threat to youngsters. They are two of the most visited sites by young people. At this point both social networks have been opened to the general public and virtually anyone can open an account on these sites. It seems like this should be a major issue focused on when trying to keep children safe. It would be very easy for someone to create an account on these websites and portray themselves as someone other then who they are. Kids should be explained the dangers of posting too much personal information and pictures on these sites. These sites are a great way for adults and for younger individuals to stay in touch with friends in a way they would normally not be able to. However, when it comes to the safety of minors they can pose a large threat. I think it is great that Senate has put safety of minors on the internet as a priority but they should certainly focus some efforts directly on social networking.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20070806/tc_zd/212927;_ylt=Ag3OP02QzFLqtMQUSkY9yTv6VbIF
Internet Marketing
Kevin Trainor
August 7, 2007
Senate Asks FTC to Oversee Internet Safety
Internet has become a major part of Americans everyday life. We can shop, bank, book travel, watch movies, listen to music and so much more. However, along with all the perks of being an internet user there comes risks. Personal identity and financial risks are at the top of the list. Above these risks with the internet is the even scarier risk being the safety of children. Children are using the internet at an extremely young age for both leisure and academics. With such young children having knowledge of how to access the web, they are still too young to grasp the complete concept of how the web can be dangerous to them or realizing what they may be getting themselves into. Due to this fact Senate has asked the FTC to invest more efforts in promoting internet safety. According to the article I found, “Senate Asks FTC to Oversee Internet Safety” it sounds as though the Senate wants to generally make the public more aware of the dangers that come with the internet, but more importantly put emphasis on making children more aware of how to be safe. They are instructing The Federal Trade Commission to provide tutorials for school aged children focusing on the effects of ‘cyberbullying’ and child pornography. They are doing this because children have high potential to delve into unknown areas of the internet and stumble across predators without even being aware they have put themselves in jeopardy. A child being susceptible to dangers like this is a problem that is always going to be there with internet usage. Senate wants to try to lessen the impact by increasing their knowledge. I felt this article was relevant to our class discussions because of the safety issues surrounding social networking. The article barely touches on the usage of Facebook and MySpace but I feel these are two sites that can potentially pose a major threat to youngsters. They are two of the most visited sites by young people. At this point both social networks have been opened to the general public and virtually anyone can open an account on these sites. It seems like this should be a major issue focused on when trying to keep children safe. It would be very easy for someone to create an account on these websites and portray themselves as someone other then who they are. Kids should be explained the dangers of posting too much personal information and pictures on these sites. These sites are a great way for adults and for younger individuals to stay in touch with friends in a way they would normally not be able to. However, when it comes to the safety of minors they can pose a large threat. I think it is great that Senate has put safety of minors on the internet as a priority but they should certainly focus some efforts directly on social networking.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20070806/tc_zd/212927;_ylt=Ag3OP02QzFLqtMQUSkY9yTv6VbIF
e-marketing class summary 2
This article posted on Newstandard explains how marketers are using invasive means of getting consumers personal information and yet Congress has done nothing to protect the general population over the age of thirteen from the invasion of online privacy. Marketers such as AOL, Microsoft, Google as well as other advertising firms are a “broad-scale invasion of the privacy of Americans” claims Jeff Chester director of CDD. According to this article these companies use the one–to-one marketing tactic which requires knowing where the online consumer lives and what they are interested in. The companies gather this information by using “cookies” a small text file of information that certain web sites attach itself to a user’s hard drive while the consumer is online. Although most internet users are unaware of how their personal information is being used internet companies such as Google, Myspace, The Facebook, and AOL posts a privacy policy warning their consumers that their information may be tracked, collected and stored. If the consumers read the companies privacy and do not agree with the terms of use it could limit the services that are available to them. The article continues to state that there are privacy advocates fighting for “opt-in” standards meaning that there will be no data collected about the web users unless they agree in advance.
This article can help online companies and marketers to better understand how some online browsers feel about information being gathered about them for marketing purposes. Marketers can take this information and find ways to build trust from there consumers. They can do this by putting in opt-in standards like The Facebook and Myspace that make sure that the online user agrees to the terms of use and is aware that information may be gathered about them before they are able to use the website. Online companies can also state more specifically what kind of information is going to be gathered about them in the privacy contract.
More importantly this information is relevant to the consumers and online browsers because not everyone might know that information is being gathered about them and cookies are tracking where you browse on the internet. This article can also help consumers be more aware of what kind of information they are giving away when they go on the internet. Online browsers should make sure they read the terms of use and privacy policy’s thoroughly before logging onto the site or agreeing to the terms of use.
http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/3916
This article can help online companies and marketers to better understand how some online browsers feel about information being gathered about them for marketing purposes. Marketers can take this information and find ways to build trust from there consumers. They can do this by putting in opt-in standards like The Facebook and Myspace that make sure that the online user agrees to the terms of use and is aware that information may be gathered about them before they are able to use the website. Online companies can also state more specifically what kind of information is going to be gathered about them in the privacy contract.
More importantly this information is relevant to the consumers and online browsers because not everyone might know that information is being gathered about them and cookies are tracking where you browse on the internet. This article can also help consumers be more aware of what kind of information they are giving away when they go on the internet. Online browsers should make sure they read the terms of use and privacy policy’s thoroughly before logging onto the site or agreeing to the terms of use.
http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/3916
Ads to be added to up-and-coming widgets
Michael Ronshausen
Max Levchin, the co-founder of Paypal, is currently undertaking a voyage into the world of marketing via widgets. Widgets are the high-tech shorthand for the mini-applications planted on the personal pages of online social networks such as Facebook and Myspace. Levchin’s widget company, Slide Inc., is the number one widget-maker to date. Upon looking at a Myspace pager these widgets can be noticed by such names as “slideshows,” “funpix,” or “skinflix.” Success of the widgets are known to be the ease of use to make the application add excitement and uniqueness to one’s personal page. Now, Levchin believes marketing within these widgets could be a profitable venture. Here’s the catch, instead of making the advertisements a nuisance to users, they will only deploy the advertisements if they are user-initiated.
I feel that this this marketing strategy could become a useful tool for marketers as a shift from television, radio and newspapers are turned to the internet. I, for one, know that many people ages 18 - 25 view individual’s personal webpages that include these widgets almost daily. Not to mention that it was reported that at least 221 million people were exposed to widgets from the beginning of the year until May. I can remember many times I would view someone’s Myspace page and view their pictures through these very same applications discussed. When understanding the recent success of Myspace and Facebook, which has recently tripled they’re customers, this type of advertising could easily be a new way for marketers to target directly to the type of consumers companies are trying to reach
The main problem that marketers will face, is that Levchin will make these advertisements available only if they are user-initiated. Although many people view advertisements as annoying, its surprising how many people are already a walking advertisement for companies already. Slide Inc.’s senior advertising director, Sonya Chawla say’s "We are really good at getting people to take things and include them on their social networking pages, "We think we can persuade our users to become brand ambassadors." And isn’t that statement true? What better way to ad your own personal flavor to your webpage, by showing a clip of a movie currently out in theaters rather than simply just adding it as one of your favorite movies.
Although Slide Inc. is the number one widget-maker, they have yet to show a profit. After companies such as AT&T and Viacom’s Paramount Pictures have they’re way, making an impact in exposure of their products, Slide Inc. might just make their way to crossing that line.
Article can be found at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20147281/wid/11915829/
Max Levchin, the co-founder of Paypal, is currently undertaking a voyage into the world of marketing via widgets. Widgets are the high-tech shorthand for the mini-applications planted on the personal pages of online social networks such as Facebook and Myspace. Levchin’s widget company, Slide Inc., is the number one widget-maker to date. Upon looking at a Myspace pager these widgets can be noticed by such names as “slideshows,” “funpix,” or “skinflix.” Success of the widgets are known to be the ease of use to make the application add excitement and uniqueness to one’s personal page. Now, Levchin believes marketing within these widgets could be a profitable venture. Here’s the catch, instead of making the advertisements a nuisance to users, they will only deploy the advertisements if they are user-initiated.
I feel that this this marketing strategy could become a useful tool for marketers as a shift from television, radio and newspapers are turned to the internet. I, for one, know that many people ages 18 - 25 view individual’s personal webpages that include these widgets almost daily. Not to mention that it was reported that at least 221 million people were exposed to widgets from the beginning of the year until May. I can remember many times I would view someone’s Myspace page and view their pictures through these very same applications discussed. When understanding the recent success of Myspace and Facebook, which has recently tripled they’re customers, this type of advertising could easily be a new way for marketers to target directly to the type of consumers companies are trying to reach
The main problem that marketers will face, is that Levchin will make these advertisements available only if they are user-initiated. Although many people view advertisements as annoying, its surprising how many people are already a walking advertisement for companies already. Slide Inc.’s senior advertising director, Sonya Chawla say’s "We are really good at getting people to take things and include them on their social networking pages, "We think we can persuade our users to become brand ambassadors." And isn’t that statement true? What better way to ad your own personal flavor to your webpage, by showing a clip of a movie currently out in theaters rather than simply just adding it as one of your favorite movies.
Although Slide Inc. is the number one widget-maker, they have yet to show a profit. After companies such as AT&T and Viacom’s Paramount Pictures have they’re way, making an impact in exposure of their products, Slide Inc. might just make their way to crossing that line.
Article can be found at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20147281/wid/11915829/
"We Know What You Ought To Be Watching This Summer"
The Wall Street Journal article, “We Know What You Ought To Be Watching This Summer,” explains new software that lets e-marketers follow up with consumers based on the attributes of the products they purchase. The software was developed by ChoiceStream Inc., a Cambridge, MA firm.
Previously, marketers like Blockbuster Inc. relied on the obvious, recommending a second horror flick to a customer who previously rented a horror flick, the article notes. But with ChoiceStream the company digs deeper, looking at such features as the complexity of a movie’s plot and whether the movie relied more on plot or characters.
The software then combines what it finds with older data to come up with a recommendation for the customer. The article points out that retailers know improved recommendations keep customers online longer.
ChoiceStream’s CEO believes marketers will appreciate a relationship tool that’s modeled after mom-and-pop stores, where operators get to know customers on a personal basis. The CEO calls it “the most important way of building loyalty.”
The article goes on to explain how the ChoiceStream software found that a Blockbuster customer, who is an adjunct professor of marketing, liked “edgy, urban movies.” Combining this finding with knowledge about his previous purchases of a musical and a documentary, the software came up with a recommendation for a movie called “Rize.”
The article mentions two other companies offering second generation software that makes recommendations. It notes that eBay is working on a way to help buyers find the things they “had no idea” they were looking for, which analysts feel will help the online auction company increase revenue. EBay uses a product offered by a company called Stumble Upon, that looks at customer browsing history.
Overstock.com considers customers’ tastes, then sends them emails. A customer who prefers sleek styling in jewelry would not get an email about “ornate or chunky jewelry.” CEO Patrick Byrne also mentions, as noted above, the benefits in getting to know the customer on a personal basis. He compares it to a Nordstrom salesperson being able to recommend shoes to a customers she’d sold dresses.
The article points out older software grouped customers according to similar products purchased, with a system known as “collaborative filtering,” but that the system requires huge amounts of data and fails for new products.
It adds that basing recommendations purely on past purchases doesn’t work for products purchased as a gift, something Amazon.com discovered from customers who complained. But Netflix’s customers still appreciate being grouped with other customers according to the way they review movies. Pandora.com uses an approach similar to ChoiceStream’s. It looks for musical attributes among 400 it tracks, including the singer’s type of voice. Another music provider, eMusic.com uses ChoiceStream.
Attorney Linus Kafka is not a big fan of the new software. Because he values privacy he calls the software “creepy” and tries to sabotage it by ordering silly things, which to me seems like an expensive way to prove a point.
I enjoyed the article and hope you do, also. I can appreciate the possibilities of more sophisticated ways of getting to know consumers.
I thought mentioning Nordstrom in the article was interesting. Even though the company is legendary for providing personalized service, I came across an article in the early 1990s with the headline, “When Great Service Isn’t Enough.” The clothing retailer went into a slump after losing track of what its customers wanted. I believe it continued to stock formal wear after women started dressing more casual for work. Nordstrom has since recovered, and has a successful Internet presence.
link to article
Previously, marketers like Blockbuster Inc. relied on the obvious, recommending a second horror flick to a customer who previously rented a horror flick, the article notes. But with ChoiceStream the company digs deeper, looking at such features as the complexity of a movie’s plot and whether the movie relied more on plot or characters.
The software then combines what it finds with older data to come up with a recommendation for the customer. The article points out that retailers know improved recommendations keep customers online longer.
ChoiceStream’s CEO believes marketers will appreciate a relationship tool that’s modeled after mom-and-pop stores, where operators get to know customers on a personal basis. The CEO calls it “the most important way of building loyalty.”
The article goes on to explain how the ChoiceStream software found that a Blockbuster customer, who is an adjunct professor of marketing, liked “edgy, urban movies.” Combining this finding with knowledge about his previous purchases of a musical and a documentary, the software came up with a recommendation for a movie called “Rize.”
The article mentions two other companies offering second generation software that makes recommendations. It notes that eBay is working on a way to help buyers find the things they “had no idea” they were looking for, which analysts feel will help the online auction company increase revenue. EBay uses a product offered by a company called Stumble Upon, that looks at customer browsing history.
Overstock.com considers customers’ tastes, then sends them emails. A customer who prefers sleek styling in jewelry would not get an email about “ornate or chunky jewelry.” CEO Patrick Byrne also mentions, as noted above, the benefits in getting to know the customer on a personal basis. He compares it to a Nordstrom salesperson being able to recommend shoes to a customers she’d sold dresses.
The article points out older software grouped customers according to similar products purchased, with a system known as “collaborative filtering,” but that the system requires huge amounts of data and fails for new products.
It adds that basing recommendations purely on past purchases doesn’t work for products purchased as a gift, something Amazon.com discovered from customers who complained. But Netflix’s customers still appreciate being grouped with other customers according to the way they review movies. Pandora.com uses an approach similar to ChoiceStream’s. It looks for musical attributes among 400 it tracks, including the singer’s type of voice. Another music provider, eMusic.com uses ChoiceStream.
Attorney Linus Kafka is not a big fan of the new software. Because he values privacy he calls the software “creepy” and tries to sabotage it by ordering silly things, which to me seems like an expensive way to prove a point.
I enjoyed the article and hope you do, also. I can appreciate the possibilities of more sophisticated ways of getting to know consumers.
I thought mentioning Nordstrom in the article was interesting. Even though the company is legendary for providing personalized service, I came across an article in the early 1990s with the headline, “When Great Service Isn’t Enough.” The clothing retailer went into a slump after losing track of what its customers wanted. I believe it continued to stock formal wear after women started dressing more casual for work. Nordstrom has since recovered, and has a successful Internet presence.
link to article
Facebook VS ConnectU
This article is from BBC news published on
Mark Zuckerberg creator of Facebook has been accused of stealing ConnectU networking site idea while studying at Harvard. Founders of ConnectU (Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narenda) claim in collage Zuckerberg promised to finish writing computer code for the networking site. Instead he brushed then off and created Facebook.
ConnectU is created to connect networks online. Users create their own profiles, post pictures, write blogs and messages. Facebook has 31 million users against ConnectU 70,000 users. Searching through ConnectU site, I found that it was not user friendly and I found only 14 students from
Facebook has asked the
What I think of this suit is that two rival networking sites and friends are at end meets. With different interest and behavior, they separated their different ways, only because one is successful now are the three other friends believe in their right of the site.
Online Profile
Kristen Perdue
Internet Marketing
August 7, 2007
Article Link: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-6200935.html
Job hunters hire experts to clean up online image
New companies are emerging that can help job hunters clean up their online profile. According to the article, “Various surveys have shown that employers are using online searches to check out potential candidates, especially as some of the early Internet surfers become bosses themselves.” Information can be found on Google searches, blog entries, or even Facebook.com. While the number of employers using search engines or social networking sites in the hiring process is low, these numbers are still significant enough to not be overlooked. If there are even a few employers out in the business world not hiring people based on internet findings, then it is important to cleanup your profile.
In the application process, sometimes the Internet can work to your advantage, and other times to your disadvantage. The goal is to have your online profile work in a positive way for you. The first step recommended in the cleanup process is to Google your name and see if it pulls up any undesirable blog entries. If so, then you need to cleanup your profile. In order to do this, new technology is emerging to help. Companies like ReputationDefender.com will search your name beyond Google and give reports on their findings. Then if necessary, the company will do a cleanup ensuring links will not appear during an online search. Another company, DefendMyName.com, services both individuals and employers. The founder Rob Russo stated, “Online searching has taken on an essential role in the corporate world when people are scouting new employees. It is becoming an actual part of the hiring process along with a criminal background check.” This is why it is essential that you have a professional online profile.
As far as relating this article to class, it does address the topic of new Internet technology. Even more importantly, it addresses an issue that is crucial to everyone sitting in our classroom. I was unaware that employers were able to check things like Facebook.com during the hiring process, and I am sure others are as well. Almost everyone in our class is getting ready to graduate and step out into the business world. We all need to know that whatever we post on the Internet can be found by anyone who looks hard enough. What might have been okay for friends to see in college may not be acceptable to future employers. We put so much time in preparing for our interviews, but may overlook an issue like our online profile. This article is a reminder that we must not ignore things we post on the internet.
I also think this article relates to marketing yourself. When you market yourself it is the same as advertising or selling yourself to your employer. Having appropriate pictures and information on sites like Facebook.com is an excellent way to market yourself. You can use the Internet to your advantage. For example, if an employer was to look at your profile and see pictures of you overseas they might come to the conclusion you are a well-rounded individual. It is always important to be one step ahead of your competition, and having a good online profile could be that something extra you need.
Internet Marketing
August 7, 2007
Article Link: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-6200935.html
Job hunters hire experts to clean up online image
New companies are emerging that can help job hunters clean up their online profile. According to the article, “Various surveys have shown that employers are using online searches to check out potential candidates, especially as some of the early Internet surfers become bosses themselves.” Information can be found on Google searches, blog entries, or even Facebook.com. While the number of employers using search engines or social networking sites in the hiring process is low, these numbers are still significant enough to not be overlooked. If there are even a few employers out in the business world not hiring people based on internet findings, then it is important to cleanup your profile.
In the application process, sometimes the Internet can work to your advantage, and other times to your disadvantage. The goal is to have your online profile work in a positive way for you. The first step recommended in the cleanup process is to Google your name and see if it pulls up any undesirable blog entries. If so, then you need to cleanup your profile. In order to do this, new technology is emerging to help. Companies like ReputationDefender.com will search your name beyond Google and give reports on their findings. Then if necessary, the company will do a cleanup ensuring links will not appear during an online search. Another company, DefendMyName.com, services both individuals and employers. The founder Rob Russo stated, “Online searching has taken on an essential role in the corporate world when people are scouting new employees. It is becoming an actual part of the hiring process along with a criminal background check.” This is why it is essential that you have a professional online profile.
As far as relating this article to class, it does address the topic of new Internet technology. Even more importantly, it addresses an issue that is crucial to everyone sitting in our classroom. I was unaware that employers were able to check things like Facebook.com during the hiring process, and I am sure others are as well. Almost everyone in our class is getting ready to graduate and step out into the business world. We all need to know that whatever we post on the Internet can be found by anyone who looks hard enough. What might have been okay for friends to see in college may not be acceptable to future employers. We put so much time in preparing for our interviews, but may overlook an issue like our online profile. This article is a reminder that we must not ignore things we post on the internet.
I also think this article relates to marketing yourself. When you market yourself it is the same as advertising or selling yourself to your employer. Having appropriate pictures and information on sites like Facebook.com is an excellent way to market yourself. You can use the Internet to your advantage. For example, if an employer was to look at your profile and see pictures of you overseas they might come to the conclusion you are a well-rounded individual. It is always important to be one step ahead of your competition, and having a good online profile could be that something extra you need.
To Complain or Not to Complain
We have learned in emarketingclass that the internet has been a big facilitator in the change in power from sellers to buyers. We are no longer a supply and demand nation. Focus on entrepreneurship leads to much competition in the market place with everything from athletic apparel to roller bearings. As a result, marketing staff is required to find what people need. However, what people need sometimes goes beyond simply purchasing the product or service. Maintaining customer satisfaction with the brand or product is necessary to compete. The internet has made it increasingly easy for both consumers to get their voices heard and for companies to become aware of customer complaints. The World Wide Web has made for the death of distance, so when comments are posted, they can be immediately corrected.
Tamara E. Holmes writes about a woman whose flight was delayed four hours. Says Elaine Walker, “We passed the departure time and there were no announcements made,”. She was madder that the airline staff kept the passengers in the dark rather than simply acknowledging the delay. The story was not about bad airline service, though. Ms. Walker decided to write a formal complaint online to the airline. In turn, the airline responded by apologizing and giving her vouchers for her next flight.
Many unsatisfied customers simply leave angry and never directly express their concern to the company. Not only does the article emphasize the shift in power to the consumers, it informs readers how to voice their concerns properly by doing so online. Also mentioned from spokeswoman Sheila Adkins of the Better Business Bureau, “When a consumer files a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, we ask them first to submit it in writing on our Website”. After contacting the company in question, they have the option of working with the unsatisfied customer to right the wrong. The BBB does not have the authority to force the company to make amends. However, many companies are very interested in upholding their brand image and they do not want to be marred by a complaint as such.
There are also a variety of sites dedicated to voicing complaints about companies. This is very important for marketers to monitor. Not only must the company monitor its own website for complaints, they must also keep track of how the brand is portrayed elsewhere. From the class exercise, we learned that blogs, reviews, ad anti-product websites are many popular ways for consumers to voice opinions. E-marketers must also be aware of other means available such as complaint driven websites. How then might a company stay on top of brand image? The internet can be a very useful tool in managing customer relationships or it could be your brand’s demise. New sites pop up every day, and the effective marketer knows both how to find problems that may arise and how to fix them on the double.
Holmes leaves readers with a number of options to choose from. Knowing that companies want to amend any issues regarding satisfaction, the most obvious choice would be to write directly to the company. They get the message directly and most times immediately. Most companies would prefer this method because it ensures to an extent some privacy regarding the complaint. This method would apply to most people who simply just want to be heard. The perks of getting a “free lunch” are often an added bonus. However, some “terrorists” do not want to be reasoned with, and they may create a hate page dedicated to your product. Not every consumer can be reasoned with, however these sites must still be monitored so that expressed problems can be fixed. A firm might not be able to win everyone over, but it can definitely fix problems so they do not occur again.
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=11&hid=104&sid=53c87dca-02b4-487d-8fb7-f62e25cf1e5c%40sessionmgr107
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