Entries For: August 2007
08/29/2007
Gmail Behind the Scenes: The Final Cut
Ever wonder how a Gmail message travels from sender to receiver? Well wonder no more! This video pulls back the curtain and details the entire process, which apparently involves skydiving, juggling, stop-motion Legos, cgi robots, and a whole host of wacky video effects. For an ostensibly cutting-edge technology company, this seems like a needlessly complicated algorithm. The cost of delivering even a single email must be enormous. Watching this video, I’m not sure how Google manages to stay in business. I think their stock might be seriously overvalued. Call your broker and get out now.
This video is actually a collaborative effort created by people from around the world. Several weeks ago Google posted their own video showing how a Gmail message goes from Point A to Point B, and then invited everyone on the web to film their own ideas and post them on YouTube. Over 1100 videos were received and then whittled down into today’s final cut. You can visit YouTube to see all of the videos, including ones that didn’t make the cut. Also, this Google blog has a rad map that shows where each of the videos came from. Overall it’s a cute bit of promotion, but again it begs the question: how well can Google really be doing if they’re subcontracting their advertising out to John and Jane Q. Public? I predict a WorldCom style collapse within the next three weeks. When it happens, just remember that you heard it here first.
08/07/2007
ReeledIn Is Not A Porn Site
Judging by the search terms that bring you guys to the site (and seriously, some of you should be ASHAMED), it's clear that you need some help in understanding what ReeledIn, the Daily Reel's social networking side, is all about. So, let's be clear -- ReeledIn is NOT a porn site. If you ask me, that is.
08/03/2007
Ricoh, "Think as One"
Borg-like connotations of the title aside, this commercial is adorable. Not only that, but it sells the actual product, which seems a fairly low priority in many ads these days.
A cubicle dweller in a Japanese office is handed a report and asked to have it finished by the next morning. From the expression on his face, it's clear that he's already at the end of a long day. Sigh. Thankfully, inspiration strikes.
He makes a few sketches and notes on the report and sends it off in the fax machine. Now, because Ricoh's got a global network, with local support everywhere they sell, the Little Report That Could proceeds to jet from time zone to time zone, getting changes made in India, then France, then New York, all while our worker bee has a delightful evening with his friends. Then, in the morning, he pops over to the fax machine, picks up the (great-looking) completed report, and hands it to his boss.
All in one minute. One minute to tell you that if you use Richoh products, your offices will never close, because you'll have the world working for you 24-7. Plus your work will look fantastic and you'll have time for karaoke with your buds.
If I had anybody to fax, I'd be buying a Ricoh fax machine right now.