The architecture that has supported the web since 1996 is being redesigned by Google Chrome’s new web protocol, SPDY (“SPeeDY). SPDY aims to revolutionize the web by creating a faster browsing experience. In fact, the Google Chromium blog says the SPDY protocol is 2x as fast as HTTP in its test labs. The load speed results of the top 25 websites were… Continue reading
While most people use Google maps to get directions or look up an address, few realize the many other options available using the Maps feature. One such application is Google Latitude, a more social feature which enables users to track location history and discover the world around them. On Wednesday, Google announced added features to the Latitude location application that will make the tool more powerful than ever. Now, users can… Continue reading
Kiva launched the first person-to-person microfinancing website in 2005 with the mission of alleviating poverty through lending. Since its inception, Kiva has made significant strides in actualizing their goal. As of October 2009, Kiva has distributed $100 million in loans from over 249,000 lenders in 185… Continue reading
Social cause is not just about writing a check and mailing it to your favorite charity every year. No, not for the newest wave of non-profits. This up-and-coming generation of charities is developing innovative financial structures, embracing the power new social technologies to engage audiences, taking big risks and changing the face of entrepreneurship and social cause in the process.
“At first, we had all of these naysayers.” says Matt Flannery, founder of Kiva — a microlending non-profit. “Experts said, ‘That’s an… Continue reading
In 1981, Alex Pacheco conducted an undercover investigation at the Institute of Behavioral Research in Silver Spring Maryland. There he photographed the “dire” conditions many of the animals were living in. After he gathered sufficient evidence, he turned the images over to the police who then raided the lab — leading to the arrest and conviction of researcher, Dr. Edward Taub.
It was during this event that the world first heard of the organization behind the controversy, PETA. Since then, PETA has graced the headlines on many occasions: “Nude PETA Women Shower at 7th and… Continue reading
More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of the natural world and the human impact on our planet. This discussion is growing politically, economically and culturally. The emergence of planetary cause, inclusive of animals and the environment, is being fueled online. While United Way and the Salvation Army may lead the way in total dollars, PETA, Greenpeace, and World Wildlife Fund are amassing significant digital influence with PETA claiming 2 million members and supporters, and all three closing in on 300,000 Facebook fans, or… Continue reading
Healthcare insurance, reform, H1N1, food contamination and countless stories that pull on our heartstrings are daily discussion topics in newsrooms, blogs and dining room tables across the nation. It should come as no surprise that many of the top 50 digital social-cause influencers are related to health.
Health is clearly on the American mind. Now the question… Continue reading
Charitable giving has been on the decline since the onset of the recession. Total US gifts and pledges decreased 5.7% on an inflation-adjusted basis to $308 billion in 2008 according to Giving USA Foundation. More than half of charities are experiencing a downturn in contributions so far this year compared to the same time in 2008, according to an informal poll by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In the face of these challenges, nearly three in ten of the leaders of the nation’s biggest charities and… Continue reading
Crowdsourcing, a trend sweeping social media right now, is not limited to coming up with new ideas or helping to write a book. In addition to creating buzz, non-profits use crowdsourcing to actually make a difference in the lives of others. Some of these organizations exist because of social media, while the others use it as a tool to further their work. No matter how it’s done, there’s no arguing that small and simple efforts are leading the way for… Continue reading
Established charities, such as the American Red Cross (#1), PETA (#2) and Greenpeace (#4), dominate the top 50 digital influencers in social cause, according to the The Digital Influence in Social Cause Report. The new report was released today by digital agency, Sparxoo, to explore how non-profits are utilizing the web to increase brand visibility, engage new audiences and spark social cause discussions. New entrants, such as Kiva… Continue reading
How is fashion infused with history and updated with green tech? Or, how can a watch save you from air pollution? We have scoured the web to find where tech and sustainability meet to make fun, interesting and sustainable gadgets. Gadgets, in and of themselves, are an eco-hazard with dangerous chemical compounds, but Sprint has thought about a solution to that too. Here are the innovative new gadgets that are leading the way to a more… Continue reading
As the audience and user-base of social media networks continues to expand in both number and age, industry sectors that previously had no presence online and now learning how to leverage these tools to extend their impact.
In particular, the non-profit sector is one of these sectors to watch. It seems as if social media was made for it. Established… Continue reading
Do you remember the days when renting a movie was a less of daily occurrence, and more of an event? The VCR had just debuted, and going to the movie rental store involved the whole family piling in the car and ended with a fight over what movie to rent or which candy to buy. Over the years, renting movies not only became much more typical, but less expensive and not as time consuming. To some this was a welcomed move, but left others feeling nostalgic for the early days of the… Continue reading
Web privacy is taking center stage as we transition more and more of our lives onto the web. Many people fall victim to breaches in privacy online. For years, people have been putting their trust in Google and… Continue reading
“Brands are dead!” says marketing guru, Faith Popcorn. Consumers are asking themselves, “Why would I buy a 50 oz Tide for $20 when I could buy a house brand for $3.99?” But she is not the only one declaring a fateful decline of brands. Brand values are down across the board, according to a new study by Interbrand. When budgets are tight, are consumers thinking about brands or… Continue reading
If you’re interested in furthering your brand or reputation – business or personal – through social media, Trust Agents is something you’ll want to read right away. No matter if you’re a brand new user, or have been on the Web for years, Brogan and Smith will help give you new insight into the latest trends and advancements in the realm of social media. They explain concepts simply, but well enough to give new users an… Continue reading
In the first part of our interview with Deirdre Zahl, Sparxoo’s Senior Designer, we outlined the basics of web design. We discussed the functionality of a web site, while touching upon the importance of aesthetic appeal. We also discussed the role of web designers in meeting the digital needs of customers and businesses.
In this second part of the interview, we will do a deep dive on splash pages, the future of advertising and the next frontier of… Continue reading
Google recently released a new labs feature called Google Related Links. The webmaster tool is designed to increase website page views by bringing relevancy to the related links section. The related links tool can be embedded into web pages to help readers browse similar content more easily.
Instead of relying on a search engine to find 10 different sites, what if… Continue reading
When is it appropriate to hire a graphic designer? When should you use Flash animation or HTML? We are joined by Sparxoo’s Senior Designer, Deirdre Zahl, to discuss the basics of web design and how entrepreneurs can utilize design for their brand.
If you haven’t watched Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, it might be worth your while. It’s a playful title, much like a biography of Bernie Madoff might be, The Smartest Investor in the Room. As I watched the film, I thought, if Enron’s leadership would have simply asked themselves, “What would I want if I were a stakeholder,” they might still be alive or not behind bars.
It’s a simple question that doesn’t get asked often enough. After you’ve done… Continue reading
