Is The Semantic Web Emerging Media?

Here’s an idea I came across in my daily grind… is the Semantic Web considered emerging media?

No, the Semantic Web is not here yet. Yes, the Semantic Web is still an idea, and when it arrives, it may not even be called that.

The web will still be text and photos and videos and whatnot, but if everything is being served dynamically in a customizable experience, is it then considered emerging media? Or is it simply an environment for new and unique personalized web experiences?

Tim Berners-Lee is smarter than I will ever pretend to be. I read the statements below three times before I feel like I have a grip on them. His ideas and the ideas the digital world has in terms of a personalized web experience definitely keep me thinking, which is really what it’s all about.

I have a dream for the Web [in which computers] become capable of analyzing all the data on the Web – the content, links, and transactions between people and computers. A ‘Semantic Web’, which should make this possible, has yet to emerge, but when it does, the day-to-day mechanisms of trade, bureaucracy and our daily lives will be handled by machines talking to machines. The ‘intelligent agents’ people have touted for ages will finally materialize.
– Tim Berners-Lee

People keep asking what Web 3.0 is. I think maybe when you've got an overlay of scalable vector graphics - everything rippling and folding and looking misty - on Web 2.0 and access to a semantic Web integrated across a huge space of data, you'll have access to an unbelievable data resource.
– Tim Berners-Lee

Does anyone have any ideas?

Participatory Media, Open Source, and Android

Wired’s July issue has a fantastic piece regarding the “gPhone” and the Android OS, which really got me thinking about the endless possibilities of an open source platform. The article is titled “Google's Open Source Android Phone Will Free the Wireless Web.”

Google has always been a company about software, not hardware. So when Andy Rubin, the mind behind Google owned Android says there won’t be a gPhone, there will be hundreds, I didn’t bat an eye. But will other key web players follow suit?

The Internet is evolving into participatory media, more and more with each day. There are constantly conversations going on about the Semantic Web, Web 2.0, 3.0 and so forth, yet few companies have come out with a tangible plan to make this future an actuality. Not to say that the change will happen overnight, but I genuinely feel we are getting closer and closer to the technical reality of a personalized web space. And to me, an open source platform is the key to allowing for constant innovation and collaboration. To quote from the piece, “Google wants developers to write programs that draw swaths of users, which in turn attract more developers.” Call me a traditionalist, but I want to believe we are all in this evolution together, and that the Web becomes better and better when smart minds get into a room and talk it out, (or punch it out when necessary).

Even if Apple’s Kleiner- Perkins fund for iPhone app developers allows a some engineering nerds the chance to make a dynamic map software system on my phone, can it really compete with the pssibility of a truly open source platform?

Digicrest Has Gone Mobile Thanks To Mofuse

Because my thousands of readers have been hounding me for mobile access to my blog, I’ve gone and done everyone a favor.

The geniuses at Mofuse have built a fantastically simple system for getting your blog up and running for readers on the go. Within two minutes I was reading my own blog on my iPhone with full clarity. Currently powering over 7,000 mobile blogs, Mofuse offers some great analytics in terms of tracking readers, giving you extra insight as to who is following your blog on the run. The dashboard offers a variety of design options, including opportunities to include logos, as well as customized colors and fonts. They also promote your blog within their own community of bloggers and readers.

Overall, a great platform for mobilizing the blog world. On the bus to work every morning I notice more and more riders taking in their morning media on their phones. Sure, there will always be folks holding their copy of the morning paper, but as media consumption becomes more and more personalized, mobile phones will continue to grow as many users media outlet of choice. The daily blog intake is no different, and companies like Mofuse are making it easier and easier for readers to stay on top of their favorite editorial pieces.

Some links for your mobile device bookmarks:

http://ryandigicrest.mofuse.mobi/

http://ryandigicrest.mofuse.mobi/iphone/ (iPhone specific)

"The Mac in the Gray Flannel Suit"

I'm not making a public outcry to my leadership.
I'm not publicly stating my personal computer preference.
I'm not re-enforcing my opinion that life with a Mac is more productive, more useful, or more enjoyable.
I'm not even saying that since the majority of my company usees the iPhone, it makes sense for us to run Macs in the office to link emails and calendars.
I'm not saying that Mac's ability to run Windows and ship Windows compatible Office documents makes this hypothetical transition seamless.
To be honest, I'm not really saying anything.
I'm just posting a link to a Business Week article.
That's all I'm doing.

Football Meets BT

In my usual scan of what I call, “The Genius Zone” aka Oldest Living Digital Marketer* Tells All, I came across an interesting perspective on the world of BT and data targeting from a company called Linkstorm.

CEO David Sidman explains how their DHTML banners lets consumers find what they want as opposed to using past behavior to make a prediction that may in fact be off based:

So, to use a football analogy, behavioral targeting will get you into the red zone — but no farther. We don't do our own ad placement. However, if a customer already using BT has the data to know you are a certain profile, we can take that data and further customize the way menus are structured. If you know from their browsing that a customer, let's say, is a bargain hunter, then you can organize your different offers by price range.

It’s always nice to hear a different perspective in the world of targeting, which is constantly being furthered by the evolution of BT as well as other targeting services, such as ISP based targeting.

Obama vs. McCain - The Battle of Web Identities

Awhile ago I referenced a great article comparing the websites of Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama. As the 2008 presidential election gets closer and closer, and we’ve now whittled it down to the pair of Obama and John McCain, I figured it was a good time to once again look at the digital identities of the two remaining candidates, and see if we can’t make some inferences about the character of their brand.

First, www.BarackObama.com ... the Democrat’s site represents a loose, young, hip brand. The typeface is smooth, the layout is user friendly, and the overall feel is very Web 2.0 (click here for an interesting design perspective on 2.0). The blue of the background is very soft, and all the action items on the page stand out in red. The navigation bar is simple yet defining. The use of scrolling headlines and animation in the center of the page gives this brand a refreshing feel. The video player on the lower, right hand side shows a supportive role for emerging media, and an acceptance in the modern- media consumption patterns of consumers.
Brand Identity: Aggressive brand marketer. Not writing off tried and true communicative strategies, but interested in experimenting with different forms of media and willing to take chances. Senator Obama’s play is in building the brand of Change, and I think his site reflects that identity.

Second, www.JohnMcCain.com ... In representing the GOP, Senator McCain’s website is flat and simple. The font is traditional and bold, and the navigation links are uniform with universally accepted keywords. In general, the page is very basic, for lack of a better word. And I don’t mean for that to have a negative connotation at all; the site has all the necessary elements to spark action from visitors and convey a message.
Brand Identity: This site is reflective of a conservative, CPG brand. Playing traditional design towards an audience that appreciates what works.

In running a political campaign, and using the digital space to speak to an audience, I think it’s necessary to be consistent with your offline messages. I would venture to guess that the American public is consuming as much political media online as they are through their television, newspapers, and radios. The web provides an easy environment to read up on candidates positioning and plans, and their respective websites need to convey their ideals through design.

What Did I Miss About The New iPhone?

Am I the only one who is disappointed in the 3G iPhone? Yes, the network is faster. Yes, the headphone jack is now flush and can accommodate more than just iPhone sanctioned ear pieces. My GPS worked fine before…what did I miss? Rumors are always rumors, but here are the software/hardware updates I heard people talking about that didn’t make the cut:

iChat application
Video chat capabilities
A solution to the MMS nightmare that is ViewMyMessage.com
The ability to view Flash web pages
A flash for the camera

Look, I love my iPhone and I will probably buy the new model at some point. But I am a bit disappointed in the hype and lack of delivery in my opinion.

Side story, I dropped my iPhone in a jacuzzi this past weekend and it is now functioning at probably 98% of its full capacity. Pretty good for almost a full second of submersion in very very hot water.

I’m hoping someone is going to come slap me across the face and show me all the cool features I’ve totally missed. Otherwise me and my current water logged iPhone are going to be friends for awhile longer.

Avoding A Hostile Takeover For Dummies

With both the Microhoo continuing drama, as well as the possible EA Sports- Take Two Interactive takeover/merger, I figured I’d take a few minutes out of my day to both re-explain to myself, and inform others of the modern day deal breakers for massive mergers. At this point, with communications companies constantly evolving their scope of business and acquiring anything and everything in sight, I figured we could all use a good refresher in the tactics used to avoid your old fashioned hostile takeover.

Investopedia, a Forbes company, has a fantastic business dictionary that allows for burgeoning gents like myself to get to the bottom of the active mergers and acquisitions market.

Poison Pill
Suicide Pill
Jonestown Defense
People Pill
Scorched Earth Policy
Put Your Tail Between Your Legs And Run Pill

Hot Sneaker Picks of The Day

The endless search for the right sneaker takes you far and wide, so hopefully I can provide some direction to the lost and directionless...

Paul Rodriguez Zoom Air Elite

Vans Authentic LX Blue White Monkeys Adidas Superstar 1 Expression Goofy