Say Tchao to the Mice
By shaun | January 16, 2012
g-speak overview 1828121108 from john underkoffler on Vimeo.
The idea of computers continually reshaping the way we live is not new news. We have been experiencing this metamorphose in all industry and our daily lives for decades. With machines and software we have brought about unimaginable conveniences, power and beauty to our daily routines.
One fascinating digital evolutionary step you should be thrilled by is the displacement of the keyboard, and its little rodent partner. Just a decade ago, most people did not believe it would be possible, but easier to surf their digital content via voice and gesture. The digital revolution will continue to accelerate in all directions. As for human computer interaction (HCI), I see the the way humans control computers being something similar to Oblong’s “g-speak platform.”
“The g‑speak SOE (spatial operating environment) is Oblong’s radically new platform. The SOE made its public debut in the film Minority Report, whose bellwether interface one of Oblong’s founders designed. But its full history extends backward to three decades of research at the MIT Media Lab. The g‑speak SOE implements the biggest advance in human-machine interface in twenty-five years. It also introduces:
1. a new model for multi-process cooperation
2. a real-world geometry engine for gestural input and multi-display output
3. an athletic new network layer for data translation, encapsulation, and transport
… and a host of other crucial innovations.
It’s the platform for what’s next.”
-Oblong Industries
Just as Steve Jobs brought a GUI to the personal computer – these new HCI options will uncover another sunny view of the digital horizon. A new perspective that will lead to new insights and higher capacities to learn. Which will in-turn reinforce the actuality of humanity’s boundless potential. When brilliant minds mix with savvy software ideas – we shape our future, rather then letting it shape us.
Yesterday you were drawing with your mouse and typing in the terminal. Today you are shaping digital art with your hands and browsing databases with your body. So what are you capable of tomorrow?
Topics: Life, Marketing & Tech | 2 Comments »
Clementine Bikes – Carbon Speed Machines
By josh | January 16, 2012
We just launched a nice temp site for our friends over at Clementine Bikes. Check back soon for a fully functional site with pictures and detail of the 3 bikes they will be offering.
But in the meantime, take a look at the fully responsive temp site. Adjust your browser size or view it from your computer, tablet or smart phone to see how it changes.
Topics: Misc. | 1 Comment »
Tracking Keyword Rankings With Advanced Web Ranking
By Simpson Chris | January 13, 2012
Since we last reviewed Advanced Web Ranking’s SEO software, they’ve done a complete overhaul of the user interface. It’s new, shiny, and works great. So, we thought we’d take another look at it, this time using a common task to highlight the improvements they’ve made.
Here’s our example problem: for some of our clients, we have a large set of keywords, and there are times when we need to drill into a specific subset and analyze ranking changes or generate a report quickly on just that subset of keywords.
Step One: Think Through How To Group Your Keywords
In this example we’re dealing with a real estate website, so some potential groups could be:
- Luxury Real Estate / High-End Real Estate
- Real Estate Agents / Realtors
- Neighborhoods (Mt Pleasant vs Mount Pleasant)
- Water / Oceanfront Property
Step Two: Build Your Categories
Go to your project settings, and select keywords.
One great new feature about creating a category is that you can select the keywords manually, rather than creating a custom rule (old screen shot below).
*Note that the new version still allows you to build categories this way.
I go to the categories link and select new category.
This triggers checkboxes next to all our keywords. We can then filter our list using the search box on the right. In the screenshot below, I’ve typed in “downtown” and it’s filtered all my keywords. I can then use the “select all” checkbox and then hit “save.”
I name my group downtown and we’re all done grouping.
Step Three: Filter Your Reports
Now we can use these keyword groups to filter our reports. In the example below, I’ve gone to my “rankings” tab and am looking at the overview report. In my keywords panel, I’ve selected “all keywords” dropdown and then chosen my “downtown” group. This filters everything on the right, allowing me to analyze those keywords on their own.
This is a huge time-saver compared to the previous system. If you don’t want to create groups, you can still use the filter box on the ranking report screen, but we’ve found this a little easier if you have a lot of groups.
Step Five: Generate My Custom Report
Lets say you want to create a “mini-report” for your client using one of these keyword groups. Maybe you’ve had been working to build links to improve rankings for this specific subgroup and have seen success and want to show off.
With the old interface, you had to go through a 7-step process to create a new report, apply that keyword group filter to it, then export and send to the client.
With the new interface, you can send a report using the new “quick report” feature. Since I’m already looking at the data I want to turn into a report, I just click on the link at the top and follow the steps to generate my report. I can create a PDF or email it immediately to the client. Awesome.
Kudos to the Advanced Web Ranking team for really thinking through the interface design and workflow for this latest release. They’ve got a great application and they’re showing they will keep supporting and improving it to help SEOs around the world do a better job.
Topics: Misc. | No Comments »
yellowBird 360
By mike | January 10, 2012
In addition to possibly having the coolest domain name ever – www.yellowbirdsdonthavewingsbuttheyflytomakeyouexperiencea3dreality.com, check out this reel from yellowBird. Using their camera, you can shoot 360 degree interactive video. Pretty awesome.
Topics: Marketing & Tech | No Comments »
Off the wall
By katie | January 6, 2012
We not only were lucky enough to create liquor labels for Maverick’s house spirit line but we also got to design posters promoting said liquors. We printed them on stretched canvas to make them last longer as ‘art’ in Maverick’s restaurants. These were muy fun to make and are so appreciative of our client who let us use huge type, big color, & great copy. Here’s a shot of a couple of them (there are 7 in total) hanging up at Old Village Post House.
Topics: Our Work | 1 Comment »
White Turtles On The Beach
By robert | January 4, 2012
For those out there who missed this year’s “Happy Holidays from Blue Ion” message due to over-zealous spam filtering or first-day-back-from-vacation email deleting, here’s a link from us to you. Many thanks to Brennan for capturing the magic that morn.
Topics: Misc., Our Work, Team | Comments Off
Spotted.
By katie | January 2, 2012
A la the Ferris Bueller Cubs game, we just spied some of our colleagues on national television during the workday. Next time at least wear fake mustaches, guys.
Topics: Misc. | 1 Comment »
Seasons Greetings
By nicola | December 25, 2011
Happy Christmas! A great British tradition is the Christmas Day message from the Queen. So I thought I’d share here. Presenting, the 2011 Christmas broadcast from Her Majesty the Queen. Enjoy.
Topics: Life | Comments Off
Diamonds are John’s Island’s best friend.
By katie | December 21, 2011
Rubies! Diamonds! Emeralds! We got the opportunity to work with all those and more when we did the site for Kiawah Fine Jewelry. KFJ is a great store at Freshfields selling top name brands of gems and watches and they’ve got their own private collection of jewelry designs as well. This is a project that included the gamut of our capabilities – strategy, branding, logo design, site design, facebook, twitter, seo optimization, adwords, and print design (posters and print ads).
Topics: Our Work | Comments Off
The Snowman
By nicola | December 16, 2011
Holiday greetings! If you’re like me, there’s one song that immediately gets you in the Christmas spirit. For me it’s Aled Jones’ ‘Walking in the Air’. It’s from the 1980′s classic British animated Christmas movie, The Snowman. Such a lovely story. Enjoy.
Topics: Life | Comments Off
