Happy Friday, everyone. You made it through a shortened work-week. Typically, on Friday Fishwrap we not only feature a cool, web 2.0 video, we also share with you the results of our “Is It Real?” survey. Since last Sunday, we had a very special “OMG – it IS real!!“ edition, there are no poll results to share. So, straight to the video…

Today’s video is called “Evolution of the Cell Phone” which I found on the great site 5min. Enjoy and have a safe weekend. And don’t forget to tune in this Sunday for a new “Is It Real?“…

A new study by George Picken & Calvin McCracken released today entitled “Attempting to measure ROI on Web 2.0 Companies – Why Sisyphus Had it Easier” revealed an alarming statistic: 67% of all Web 2.0 statistics are made up on the fly, based on only anecdotal evidence.

George Picken reciting statistics that he just made up

“It’s really amazing” stated Picken, “Not only are the statistics completely unreal, nearly 95% of the time these false statistics are made by people with a peripheral knowledge of  Web 2.0!”

“What’s more surprising are the demographics,” added McCracken, “80% of these false statistics are made up by men aged 25-40. The second largest group are transgendered people aged 90+ at an incredible 17.3%...or so I’ve heard.”

Calvin McCracken, known recluse
and his wife, posturing

Based on a rough survey they did at various local coffee shops around town, Picken & McCracken’s study went on to reveal more surprising data:

• 53% of Web 2.0 companies are created with no plan to make money, and from that group only 24% of them actually survive the first year
• 12% of Web 2.0 services are geared to Mac users exclusively, which matches the commonly believed 8% market penetration of Macs within the home computer user segment
• The three fastest growing Web 2.0 services are:

microblogging (at 33% over the previous year),

social network applications (with a steady average 15% growth rate for the past 6 years)

mashups (with a sharp spike of 42.2%, this year over previous)

Picken & McCracken’s study is expected to cause ripples into the blogosphere (83.4% of all news is transmitted throughout the web through blogs, the study has found).

“Now that it’s published online, it’s gotta be true,” said Picken.

“Yeah, once it’s on the internet it’s part of the collective reality,” added McCracken, “It happens 93.47% of the time.”

Much confusion was generated on the internet this weekend when Google searches for “Governor Palin” resulted in websites related to former Monty Python regular performer Michael Palin. One reporter under that false impression interviewed Michael Palin, as excerpted below:

Reporter: How does it feel to be chosen as the running mate for the Republican ticket for the presidency?

Michael Palin: I think you must be confusing me with a different ‘Palin’

Reporter: Your name is ‘Palin” correct?

Michael Palin: Why yes, but -

Reporter: And you have been selected as the Vice Presidential running mate for Senator McCain?

Michael Palin: I’m sorry, but that is not the case

Reporter: Well, that’s just a technicality, isn’t it? I mean if Google thinks you have been selected as the Republican Vice Presidential runningmate, then it must be true, right?

Michael Palin: No, it is not, it is absolutely false!

Reporter: Look, you’re a ‘Palin’ and Senator McCain selected a ‘Palin’ as a runningmate, right?

Michael Palin: Right, but -

Reporter: Well then, that’s established. So, how does it feel to be selected as the Vice Presidential candidate of a man one heartstroke away from leaving you with the presidency?

Michael Palin: I was NOT selected as a US Vice Presidential candidate! In fact, I’m British, I mean, can’t you tell by my accent! I can’t even be selected as a running mate! And just because it comes up in Google, doesn’t mean it’s automatically true!

========================

Late Tuesday night, it was finally established that Michael Palin was not a the governor of a medium-sized state for less than two years, but arguably more experienced than Governor Sarah Palin, the most inexperienced person on a major-party ticket in modern history. This has effectively made the McCain bid for president dead-on-arrival:

(with apologies to Monty Python):

==============================

The Dead Presidential Candidate Sketch

 A Republican voter enters the Republican National Convention.

Republican voter: ‘Ello, I wish to register a complaint.

(The RNC Chairman does not respond.)

Republican voter: ‘Ello, Miss?

RNC Chairman: What do you mean “miss”?

Republican voter: I’m sorry, I have a cold. I wish to make a complaint!

RNC Chairman: We’re closin’ for Gustav.

Republican voter: Never mind that, my lad. I wish to complain about this presidential candidate what I voted not a year ago from this very state.

RNC Chairman: Oh yes, the, uh, the McCain Watwaseetinkin…What’s,uh…What’s wrong with him?

Republican voter: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with him, my lad. ‘E’s dead, that’s what’s wrong with him!

RNC Chairman: No, no, ‘e’s uh,…he’s resting.

Republican voter: Look, matey, I know a dead presidential candidate when I see one, and I’m looking at one right now.

RNC Chairman: No no he’s not dead, he’s, he’s restin’! Remarkable candidate, the McCain Watwaseetinkin, idn’it, ay? Beautiful history!

Republican voter: His history don’t enter into it. He’s stone dead.

RNC Chairman: Nononono, no, no! ‘E’s resting!

Republican voter: All right then, if he’s restin’, I’ll wake him up! (shouting at the television) ‘Ello, Mister Polly Presidential candidate! I’ve got a lovely fresh new wife for you if you show…

(RNC Chairman hits the television)

RNC Chairman: There, he moved!

Republican voter: No, he didn’t, that was you hitting the television!

RNC Chairman: I never!!

Republican voter: Yes, you did!

RNC Chairman: I never, never did anything…

Republican voter: (yelling and hitting the television repeatedly) ‘ELLO MCCAIN!!!!! Testing! Testing! Testing! Testing! This is your nine o’clock alarm call!

(Takes presidential candidate out of the television and thumps its head on the counter. Throws him up in the air and watches him plummet to the floor.)

Republican voter: Now that’s what I call a dead presidential candidate.

RNC Chairman: No, no…..No, ‘e’s stunned!

Republican voter: STUNNED?!?

RNC Chairman: Yeah! You stunned him, just as he was wakin’ up! McCain Watwaseetinkin stun easily, major.

Republican voter: Um…now look…now look, mate, I’ve definitely ‘ad enough of this. That presidential candidate is definitely deceased, and when I voted for him in the primaries not a year ago, you assured me that his total lack of movement was due to him bein’ tired and shagged out following a prolonged campaign.

RNC Chairman: Well, he’s…he’s, ah…probably pining for the rice paddies.

Republican voter: PININ’ for the RICE PADDIES?!?!?!? What kind of talk is that?, look, why did he fall flat on his back the moment I got home?

RNC Chairman: The McCain Watwaseetinkin prefers keepin’ on his back! Remarkable conservative, id’nit, squire? Lovely history!

Republican voter: Look, I took the liberty of examining that presidential candidate when I got it home, and I discovered the only reason that he had been sitting on his stool in the
first place was that he had been NAILED there.

(pause)

RNC Chairman: Well, o’course he was nailed there! If I hadn’t nailed that conservative down, he would have nuzzled up to those voters, bent ‘em apart with his promises, and VOOM! Feeweeweewee!

Republican voter: “VOOM”?!? Mate, this conservative wouldn’t “voom” if you put four million volts through it! ‘E’s bleedin’ demised!

RNC Chairman: No no! ‘E’s pining!

Republican voter: ‘E’s not pinin’! ‘E’s passed on! This presidential candidate is no more! He has ceased to be! ‘E’s expired and gone to meet ‘is maker! ‘E’s a stiff! Bereft of life, ‘e rests in peace! If you hadn’t nailed ‘im to the stool ‘e’d be pushing up the daisies! ‘Is metabolic processes are now ‘istory! ‘E’s off the twig! ‘E’s kicked the bucket, ‘e’s shuffled off ‘is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin’ choir invisibile!! THIS IS AN EX-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE!!

(pause)

RNC Chairman: Well, I’d better replace it, then. (he takes a quick peek behind the counter) Sorry squire, I’ve had a look ’round the back of the shop, and uh, we’re right out of presidential candidates.

Republican voter: I see. I see, I get the picture.

RNC Chairman: I got an Alaskan guv’nor.

(pause)

Republican voter: Pray, does she know any foreign policy?

RNC Chairman: Nnnnot really.

Republican voter: WELL SHE’S HARDLY A BLOODY REPLACEMENT, IS SHE?!!???!!?

RNC Chairman: N-no, I guess not. (gets ashamed, looks at his feet)

Republican voter: Well.

(pause)

RNC Chairman: (quietly) D’you…. d’you want to come back to my place?

Republican voter: (looks around) Yeah, all right, sure.

In a second surprise announcement today, the McCain campaign released plans for a new micro-blogging service company led by the new presumptive Vice-Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. Mrs. Palin described the software as follows: “This is a Web-services-ready multi-device hybridized dating web-app that leverages the basic human need to connect.”

When asked for clarification from the press, she stated, “As I said, this software-as-a-service is a social-networking-aware multi-device hybridized photo web-app that leverages the potential for exponential growth.”

The McCain campaign attempted to explain: “It’s a filtered revolutionary Web 2.0 photo infrastructure that leverages the third screen. Where else can you find a Web 2.0 p2p long invite-only beta calendaring framework that leverages ubiquitous broadband?”

Confused reporters than turned to McCain for a deeper clarification. “I still don’t use a computer,” he replied, “but I do know that her software is an incentivized p2p social-networking-aware IM Firefox extension that leverages the destabilization of the music industry.”

Then in complete non-sequitors, simple sound-bytes rang out from Fox News:

• “Sarah Palin created the very first multi-device web-services-ready open source voice infrastructure that leverages the long tail”
• “This inexperienced female governer from Alaska is delivering to the American population the only social-networking-aware long invite-only beta revolutionary email cellphone app that leverages network effects.”
• “Tagging-enabled hybridized Web 2.0 search Firefox extension that leverages existing metadata helps to create Sarah Palin’s inventive remixable filtered disruptive calendaring desktop app that leverages the third screen.”

When asked for a response, Obama’s campaign simply stated: “So what – we created the very first web-services-ready Ruby on Rails multi-device social network framework that leverages the long tail…something no one else can lay claim to.”

Happy Friday before a three day weekend! As always, on Friday, we at yooRyoo share the results of last Sunday’s “Is It Real?” poll and then share a funny, relevant video making fun of Web 2.0. Today – as an added bonus for this extended weekend - we’ll also share some additional technology links that we find to be pretty funny.

First, let’s reveal the answer to “Is It Real?” – last Sunday, we highlighted a company called Estilook – a Portugeuse fashion site that allows people worldwide to judge other people’s fashion sense. A brief company description:

Estilook is an innovative social community directed toward people who have proper style. Our mission is to provide a democratic space where people of some countries, cultures can show and share its styles, interacting with other users of similar interests.

We asked you to vote, and vote you did – all week long. But now the polls are closed and here are the results:

• 60% of you thought it was real
• 20% said no
• 20% said they didn’t know

This just goes to show – once again – that you readers are great at separating the real companies from the fake ones. Estilook is indeed real – check out their website at: www.estilook.com

Enjoy the start of this long weekend with a funny British skit from YouTube called “FaceBook in Reality”…

Added bonus – extra-special content!!!!

As I mentioned, we found that MSN posted a few links in their Technology section this week.  While these postings had nothing to do with us, I am sure the MSN editors secretly visit our site and were inspired by yooRyoo.

They’re worth a look (even though the interface leaves something to be desired…what can you expect from Microsoft).

• Web 2.0′s Most Ridiculous Sites
• The Web’s 10 Weirdest Social Networks

Incidentally, these links were forwarded to us by our good friend, and loyal reader, Jim Merrion (thanks for sending our way, Jim!). Feel free to submit your ideas at any time through our Submission button.

Come back this Sunday for a brand new posting of “Is It Real?” - and have a great weekend!

The latest Internet Photo Hoax has suddenly surfaced this morning, and is already causing a viral movement throughout Flickr, YouTube, SmugMug and other online media-sharing devices.

Crudely titled “Man on top of mountain with mountain goats,” this photo clearly illustrates the danger of letting amateurs use Photoshop:

This photo of a “seemingly normal” Colorado resident summiting a “14er” (a mountain that is over 14,000 feet) is eerily similar to the much-circulated – and decidedly fake -  “Tourist on top of World trade Center as jetliner is about to crash” photo:

Photoshopping Photos is unethical

The caption featured under the Coloradan’s photo reads: “So out of or group of five, I was the only person to make it to the top of Quandary, a “14er” near Breckenridge.”

Other people in his hiking party have already disagreed online, through various blogs and wikis.

For example, another anonymous poster (suspected of being his brother, Rod) wrote: “There’s no way he made it. All of us turned back, either because of illness, injuries and the impending storm. He says the storm headed south and missed the summit. I don’t believe it.”

Another blogger, JoMaz (John Martinez) also disagreed with the veracity of the photo: “C’mon, he has a mountain goat just behind him. Mountain goats are shy creatures that are not known to get that close to humans. Are you trying to tell me he got within five feet of one. Nonsense.”

The hiker in the photo, Wang Zen, posted this response on Valleywag, and other citizen journalism sites: “Look, I’m one of 50 people summiting that day. There were goats at the top, and that made it that much more magical. All their comments are sour grapes because they wimped out. I mean, it’s not like I had a shark jumping out of the water at me, or that fake guy on top of the world trade center with the jetliner about to hit the building. I mean, why PhotoShop a goat just behind me? That would be ridiculous!

Investigators are looking into evidence of doctoring, such as the use of the “cloning” tool and the “blend” tool. Investigator John Jingleheimersmidt, who investigated the fake Reuters photographs by Adnan Hajj remarked, “I don’t know, looks real to me.”

Meanwhile, the purported people behind the Bigfoot scandal and the Montauk Monster hullaballo have allegedly contacted WangZen to discuss an upcoming project.

UPDATE – 11:46am MST:

Breaking news from the AP indicates that Wangzen is a noted photo-manipulator. Investigators have seized his computer, and confiscated the following photo as proof of his shenanigans:

“It’s clearly a hoax. You’ll note the arrow signs on either side of his head that almost mock viewers of these photos, like he’s stating we have nothing between our ears,” says Detective Phil Collins (no relation) of Denver. “Moreover, the purported magazine – “Rocky Mountain Cyclist” – doesn’t even exist!”

Det. Collins added: “And that unzipped shirt is terribly offensive. This Wangzen guy is clearly a menace to society and should be promtply arrested!”

At the time of this writing, Wangzen is still at large, thought to have fled the state heading eastward. Who knows what future Photoshopping he will do.

Happy Friday!! It’s that time of the week where we learn whether our last Sunday’s “Is It Real?” is actually a real company, and watch a few funny videos in yooRyoo’s weekly wrap-up called The Friday Fishwrap!

Last Sunday, we featured one of our most highly-contested “Is It Real?” companies to date – a social networking site centered around David Hasselhoff - Hoffspace. A brief description was provided (by the Hoff himself):

“While two people from two entirely different countries and backgrounds may seem to have nothing in common, the only thing they might have in common is me… So I decided to start a network where people from across the world might come together and get a conversation started over me.”

It was hard to tell if it was real or not, and all week long, the voting went back and forth from yes to no. During that week, Hoffspace was declared a violation of international internet domain, and then Chuck Norris rose to defend it. What a week – and here are the final vote results are:

• 46% of you voted yes (and must be big fans of David Hasselhoff)
• 38% of you voted no (and swore to poke their eyes out if it were true)
• 16% of you voted maybe (and seemed to be confused by the whole matter

The real answer: Hoffspace is indeed true (yep, get those sharp sticks ready, those of you who voted no). You can find out more at David Hasselhoff’s own website: www.davidhasselhoff.com. In fact, we should all go out and create your very own Hoffspace profile, and upload videos of how much we love (or hate – in a blinding, hating way) this idea?!?

Tune in this upcoming Sunday for a new edition of “Is It Real?” and until then, enjoy these great videos of Stephen Colbert insulting various towns named Canton in the US:

In today’s Is It Real?, we present another Web 2.0 technology/service, give a brief description of what it’s about, and then challenge you to decide (without the help of the web at all) if it is real. We reveal the real answer the following Friday (as part of our Friday Fishwrap feature). Now that we understand the rules, let’s get started:

————————>

Today, we feature one of the most advanced, unique concepts I have seen in the last few months: a social networking application called “HoffSpace” – centered around David Hasselhoff. Here is an excerpt from David’s very own introduction:

“In my travels round the world I have always been surprised that no matter where I go people recognize and know me, from Europe, Australia and India to the Philippines and the Zulu Nation in South Africa…while two people from two entirely different countries and backgrounds may seem to have nothing in common, the only thing they might have in common is me… So I decided to start a network where people from across the world might come together and get a conversation started over me.”

Hence, he has launched HoffSpace – videos and photos of the adventures of his very own life (THAT NO ONE ELSE GETS TO SEE) and also from the lives of other members. He’ll also feature “Hoff TV” where (as he describes it): “I go live often.” There are chat features, the ability to create home pages with personal interests, music features, video and photo uploads…virtually everything one needs to create an online social community…all based around David Hasselhoff.

The byline of Hoffspace: “One man or woman CAN make a difference...”

So, readers of yooRyoo, I challenge you to vote below: is Hoffspace real? We’ll tally your votes all week long, and let you know the real answer on Friday.

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Happy Sunday, yooRyoo followers. As you know, every Sunday we like to bring you a feature called “Is It Real?” – where we present a web 2.0 company or technology, give you a brief overview of the product, and then ask you to decide if it’s real or not. We reveal the answer to you on Friday, so you have a whole week to vote!

Here’s the catch: you can’t use the web in any way to determine if the company is real or not. You just have to guess, based on what’s presented of you. So, without any more ado, here is this Sunday’s “Is It Real?“…

As you know Facebook allows members to gather together under formal “groups” – thus, proclaiming your likeness with other denizens of this social network. To that end, Facebook users have created a group called “I Tend to Fart in Public” with the following description:

This is a group for sharing horror stories about farting in a socially unacceptable setting. it’s happened to all of us and we could all use a safe place to talk about it.

There are currently 23 members of this group, but once the word gets out, they expect an explosive rise in new members…

Is "I Tend to Fart in Public" a real Facebook group?

• Maybe - because when I fart in public, I let out silent ones...so no one knows it's me (67%, 2 Votes)
• Yes - since I tend to fart in public all the time, this must be a real group (33%, 1 Votes)
• No - I can't imagine ever farting in public...I always do it in the privacy of my office, home or car. (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 3

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In a crazy move (on a triple-word play, no less), Hasbro games announced today the release of one of their newest online, Facebook game application – Crapulous!

Crapulous is an ASCII-based application available through the Facebook application interface, allowing users to clumsily play against a “computer-generated AI” player through command-line scripts.

“Loosely fashioned after such engaging games as Zork and that one the Matthew Broderick kid played in ‘Wargames,’ we’re convinced Crapulous will be as popular as ICQ,” commented Hasbro spokesperson, Crash Bandicoot.

Although early beta-tests revealed difficulty installing the command-line window interface on most computers, Crapulous has already gained a significant early install base, revealed Mr. Bandicoot. “We’re definitely excited by the usability testing on Windows NT machines, but only those with more than 256kb of RAM,” he added.

Nonplussed, the creators of Scrabulous have already released their replacement game, WordScraper, and have already tracked more than 8 billion installs.

Hasbro has already tentatively announced a complete roadmap of ASCII-based games for Facebook, through the remainder of 2008, including:

• BattleCrap – face off against another player, in this exciting, turn-by-turn script-based battle game
• CrappyLand – where kids and adults move simple emoticons through a flat, 2-dimensional land of fun
• Hungry Hungry Crappos – exciting turn-based action, where you compete to “eat” more “&” symbols than your computer based foes
• Oper-crap-tion – your skill at kernel commands is put to the test…fail, and you might hear the dulcit sound of an 8-bit alarm tone from your speakers