Did everyone see Google yesterday? In honor of Les Paul’s birthday, they created a little guitar that you can actually play. And, due to popular demand, they’re keeping it there for another day. So. Freaking. Cool!
If you haven’t had a chance, head over there and cut yourself a little song. It’ll even teach you how to play certain songs. It’s a good loss of productive time.
This week’s Gin and Topics is a mish-mash of things. There are a couple of videos I thought were hilarious, along with protecting yourself on Facebook, being happy, and integrating gaming into your marketing programs.
5. Bike Lanes. It’s cycling season, which means drivers hate cyclists and cyclists hate drivers. In this video, Casey Neisat gets a ticket for not riding in the bike lane. When he tries to explain to the officer that it’s more dangerous riding in the bike lane, he loses the battle. So, in order to win the war, he makes this video. It’s hilarious…and a good watch. Especially if you’re one of those drivers who gets mad at us for being in the road (where we belong). Thanks to Becky Johns for sending it to me!
4. Facebook “Face-Recognition” Feature Draws Privacy Scrutiny. Oh Facebook. How we love and hate you. They’ve released a feature where they use face-recognition software to suggest people’s names to tag in pictures without their permission. As is usual, you can opt out of the feature (click here to learn more – scroll down past the bank of photos where it tells you how to disable), but everyone has it as a default on their accounts. So take care of yourself and your privacy!
3. How-To: Start Marketing on SCVNGR. Word on the street (or maybe just in our bubble) is that gaming is the new social media. Want to incorporate gaming into your marketing program? How about create a scavenger hunt for your trade show, conference, or event? Mashable offers some tips on getting started through SCVNGR. The good news? A lot of their tools are free for small businesses and non-profits.
2. Starting a Business Will Make You Happy. I heard on the radio the other day that 56 percent of Americans are significantly depressed about the economy and 31 percent are allowing that to affect their marriages. Not so, if you’re an entrepreneur, says Rieva Lesonsky. She covers a study that shows that, while business owners will work well into their 70s now, they’re much happier with the economy than those who work for The Man.
1. Don’t Talk. The Alamo Drafthouse theater in Austin has a rule: Don’t text during movies. They have several warnings that if you do text, you will be kicked out. And that’s what happened to a patron who was upset she didn’t get her money back. So she called and left them a message. And they put it on YouTube. I don’t know which is better: The Valley Girl combined with ghetto talk or the “Magnited States of America.” Holy. Cow.
Have a great weekend everyone!