Happy Friday! On today’s Friday Fishwrap we reveal to you the results of last Sunday’s “Is It Real?” and then share with you a fun, geeky video we found on the www…ready to get started?
Last Sunday, we presented Hamsterster - a social networking site, along the lines of Dogster and Catster, where Hamster owner could create profiles for their furry rodents and share them with fellow Hamster-owners (”Have you seen Mr. Cuddlewinks profile - I just uploaded new pics of him in his plastic ball!”). Then we asked you to vote, if it’s indeed real. Here are the results:
29% thought it was real
29% thought it wasn’t
43% weren’t sure (and voted “maybe”)
The real answer - Hamsterster is INDEED REAL!!! And check out these fun pictures pulled from the site (of Patchy, Twinkle Toes and Mr. Bothari, respectively):
I am not sure I should be disturbed by Hamsterster, or just accept it. Anyway, now on to our video:
This Friday Fishwrap clip was forwarded to me by Jerimiah Owyang, and I thought would make a perfect - albeit geeky - video inclusion in today’s posting. Please enjoy, “How to Behave on a Forum”
Deep in a bunker somewhere up in the Great White North, an evil firm specializing in robotic technology has secretly created life-like robotic drones, and have unleashed them quietly into the world.
Nick-named “Palin-drones” these robotic menaces have been created with one objective in mind: to act as mirror-opposites of themselves. That is, they begin by assuming a normal political position, and establish firm firm convictions and opinions. Then, within the course of a small period of time (say, a presidential political election cycle), the Palin-drones quickly change their opinions and come out sharply against themselves.
Palin-drones have been known to even vote against bills they co-authored. Equipped with dual-core processors (with each processor maintaining a separate identity and political position), these drones have already fooled nearly half of the US population.
Luckily, skeptics and anyone with half a brain are able to pick out a Palin-drone from a real person. Still, to date, two top-of-the line models still exist with an objective of undermining US society.
The Maverick08
This is a drone with a curmudgeonly attitude. He often is angry and spiteful, and only smirks - not smiles. Some of his recorded reversals:
The Maverick08 insisted that everyone, even “terrible killers,” “the worst kind of scum of humanity,” and detainees at Guantanamo Bay, “deserve to have some adjudication of their cases,” even if that means “releasing some of them.” He even indicated that Gitmo should be closed. He now believes the opposite.
He was against waterboarding and torture until February of this year - now he’s for it.
When his political opponent indicated that he wanted to go to Pakistan to fight terrorist, the Maverick08 criticized him for it - now he’s for it (wanting to follow them to the “gates of hell”)
He wanted to kick Russia out of the G8, and then he didn’t, and then he did again.
The Maverick08 is both for and against a “rogue state rollback”
This drone once said about the war in Iraq: “We will win this conflict. We will win it easily.”Four years later he said that he knew all along that it was “probably going to be long and hard and tough.”
The Maverick08 flip-flopped on a number of positions related to Social Security
He was against making Martin Luther King a national holiday, now he’s for it.
He was for equal rights for gays (including gay marriage) and women, but now he’s come out against it.
He was for a woman’s right to choose before he was against it.
The second model, called the HockeyMILF-o-tron, was just recently unleashed on the public, and already has recorded a stunning set of reversals in position, including:
Fans of “Is It Real?” might have noticed a recent trend where most of our “Is It Real?” features are indeed real. That is not only a testament to the wide-breadth of companies on our Web 2.0 world, it also speaks to the strangeness of it all. In fact, a recent set of Google searches has revealed a number of the satirical companies that we created actually do exist!
To that end, today we are featuring a few of those companies. No polls this week - but be sure to tune in next Sunday for a brand new version of “Is It Real?“…
Introduced on June 12, Triangle Hero was a parody of Guitar Hero, but with a less-sexy instrument. Designed to teach players how to patiently wait through 138 bars of rest in symphonic pieces before playing your triangle controller, we thought it was a smarmy commentary on those crazy instrument games. Well we weren’t the only ones…
The Cartoon Network started featuring this commercial for a suspiciously similar game…
Created as a rip on Twitter, Toot (and Toot 2.0 - now available for the iPhone 3G!) is a faux company designed to provide your health updates to subscribed friends through a micro-blogging service. Now you can Toot all day long, and no one will be the wiser!
Did you know there’s a real Toot company? We didn’t either…here’s a description of their services:
Toot! is software for making rich résumés and portfolios.
A rich résumé includes examples of your work. It exchanges the dry chronology of dates, companies, job titles and duties for an enriched résumé with actual pieces of your work that prove you know your stuff. Those pieces can be presentations, reports, plans, lesson plans, budgets, schematics, art, music, dance — anything you can render in digital form.
A portfolio is a trove of your work, collected over time with reflections about each piece. With Toot!, you can keep an on-going record of your life, including artifacts from all its aspects — work, education, hobbies, family, vacations, etc. When it comes time to create a résumé for a specific opening, you can select those pieces from your portfolio that best exemplify your qualifications for the position.
With Web 2.0 parody, Apple’s “i” series (iPod, iTouch, iPhone, etc.) is an easy target. yooRyoo imagined a time (hah!) when Steve jobs would create a clock where he could control - and enhance - the time-tracking experience.
However, there really is an iClock application. Here’s a review:
iClock’s simple, intuitive interface never lets me down. With a quick glance at the pull-down menu, I can see what time it is where I am….where I’m going…and where I’ve been. With another click, I can check the weather at my next destination. Its so much more than a digital timepiece for the Mac.
In a clever twist to combat the popularity of the gPhone, yooRyoo introduced on July 22nd, our “open-source” version of a Google-created phone, called the gPhone. Ultimately, the gPhone is designed to do one thing really well - make phone calls! In addition, we added a feature called “I’m feeling lucky” which randomly calls people - it’s like the Web 2.0 version of drunk-dialing.
Since we debuted this clever satire piece, many people have started calling Google’s upcoming Android phone the “gPhone” (yes, Google is really creating a smart phone). We’ll take credit for where credit is due. Here are a few gPhone links:
It’s clear that since we launched yooRyoo in mid-June, we’ve already had an impact on how technology is evolving. Stay tuned for more “OMG - It IS real!!” features in the future. Have a great rest of the weekend.
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).
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!
Today, in our regular “Is It Real?” posting, we’ll present to you a Web 2.0 company/service, and then we’ll ask you - the readers - to vote if it is real or not. But first, let’s ask an important question that might be plaguing readers of our site - why should you vote?
The answer is simple - Web 2.0 is great because it provides openess and true democratization to the web. However, because of this, it’s also very scary! Some things on Web 2.0 just shouldn’t exist. And you, as a savvy Web 2.0 consumer, must be sure where to spend your precious time on the web. Because, Google is watching you and ready to serve up ads based on the kind of sites you frequent! Big Brother is Watching!!!
So, with that, let’s get into this week’s Is It Real? -
Estilook - a social networking site designed to allow community members to have “fun” while judging other people’s design and fashion!! This Portugal-based Web 2.0 company allows you to:
Share your style by uploading your pictures and looks
Have fun knowing and voting in outfits of people from different companies
Keep track of trends and news to aggregate even more style while dressing up
Here is a rough (online) translation of their company mission (translated from Portuguese):
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.
Professionals and not lovers of fashion are welcome to the site. Estilook Is a place where common people can learn to dress in accordance with proper style, can make uploads of these looks, to think on different appearances, to be aware of trends, events in the area and much more.
Simply put - this is Web 2.0 fashion police community! What more could one ask for?
So, readers, I ask of you: Is Estilook Real? Take a second to vote below:
Is Estilook as real web 2.0 social networking community that allows users to judge each others fashion?
Yes - anonymously ripping on other people's fashion sounds like a fun activity (60%, 3 Votes)
No - people that would belong to a site like this are fashionistas, and don't take any criticism (20%, 1 Votes)
Yo (the mythical state between yes and no) - it could be real, but if it were, I wouldn't be part of the site since I only wear jeans and t-shirts. (20%, 1 Votes)
Happy Friday - it’s time for the Friday Fishwrap. Before our video, here are the results of last Sunday’s “Is It Real?” poll. We asked if the FaceBook group “I Tend to Fart in Public” is real…I mean, I know there are crazy FaceBook groups, but can this one actually exist?
67% of you thought it was indeed real (I worry about you people)
33% thought it was fake (like none of you have ever farted in public…)
The answer? “I Tend to Fart in Public” is indeed real! For those of you with FaceBook profiles, here’s the link (yes, it’s a private group - I wonder why). Tune in this Sunday for our next installment of “Is It Real?”
Until then, we leave you this Friday with a great, viral clip that features a well-known WWII figure struggling with his Twitter posts - enjoy!
Canaanite 2.0, aka “McCainonites,” are a modern version of the biblical Canaanites, who were smitten by the Israelis back when toilet paper was a novel idea. Canaanite 2.0 is a VC-funded technology, led by an unnamed elderly Angel-investor that happens to be running for a major political office. These “McCainonites” believe in the strength of old people, national defense, and smiting “non-believers” - and they do this via an AJAX-enabled interface offering news updates exclusively through AltaVista.
While in days of old Israelis destroyed the Canaanites, it seems that the “modern-day” (ha!) McCainonites are being undone by their own actions and poorly written code.
A list of faulty code found in McCainonite include:
Replacing (in many news posts) the word “Iraq” when they clearly mean Afghanistan”
Mistaking “Somalia” for “Sudan” in at least one news feed
On their sports section, swapping out the “Green Bay Packers” tag for the “Pittsburgh Steelers”
Often referring to Vladimir Putin of Russia — particularly following trips to Germany — as “President Putin of Germany”
Interchanging the words “Sunnis” and “Shiiteheads” in all Iraq-centered updates
Accidentally mistaking a dog for a cat
Once trying to open a baby instead of an umbrella on a rainy day
<sarcasm>No, old age and outdated code really has nothing to do with it </sarcasm>
In response, two major news sites - Yo’Bama and Jo’Bama didn’t have to do anything - they just changed minor CSS items, and stood aside to watch the fiasco, and try not to make flubs about the US having 57 states.
Happy August 1st, everyone! It’s Friday, and that means it’s time for the Friday Fishwrap, where we not only share an end-of-the-week video with you, we also reveal the answer to this week’s “Is It Real?“…
If you recall, last Sunday we featured a company called Ribbit:
Ribbit is an open platform for telephony innovation giving their developers unprecedented access to their technology through the Ribbit API and allowing them to innovate at will. Their business is built more like a software company than a phone company, counting on their developers to create the next generation communications solutions the world has been waiting for.
Then, we asked you to vote on how real this company is. Here are the poll results:
66.7% of you said it was real
22% said that it wasn’t real
11% just weren’t sure
The answer: Ribbit is indeed real! Savvy readers could have discovered this by reading our comments - one of which came directly from a developer at Ribbit:
Well, as someone who has been on the team at Ribbit for most of this year, and have watched both their developer community and awesome innovations like Ribbit for Salesforce (letting you phone in CRM updates) and the AIR iPhone http://www.merhl.com/?p=29gain popularity, I guess I can tell you without fear of croaking: yup. Ribbit’s real.
Thanks for those comments, Ellen Petry Leanse. I think it’s cool that Ribbit is available on the new iPhone!
Thanks for voting, and tune in this Sunday to vote for next week’s “Is It Real?” Until then, enjoy this Friday Fishwrap’s video: “The Machine is Us/ing Us”…
This new technology allows same-sex couples to enter a parallel universe where all expressions of love are approved of as long as they are between consenting adults, i.e. the Internet.
“Let’s face it, anyone can do just about anything online,” said Bruce, Homo Inc.’s CIO, “we are just trying to make some money off that concept.”
With a flashy interface, and downloadable “widgets”, gaiMarrij 2.0 confers all the rights of straight marriage - property inheritance, conferring health benefits to partners and miserable late-night fights over who left the toilet seat up - to gay and lesbian couples throughout the world.
Co-founder and lead developer Steve added: “gaiMarrij 2.0 creates an online social environment where our lifestyle is not just allowed, it is fully accepted as self-evidently right and correct. It’s kinda like Second Life, but a lot less scarier. And with fewer Furries.”
Details of the world premiere of this new software application were leaked to TMZ, Access Hollywood and Entertainment Tonight that outlined plans for many major stars to logon and create their own avatars, with a grand finale of the highly-coveted Brad and Angelina Jolie Union streamed in real-time, and finally consumating their - at times - unholy partnership.
When reached for confirmation, Brad announced, “I don’t remember saying anything about getting married to Angelina…are you sure that’s not some sort of internet hoax or satire?”
Is It Real? is a Sunday feature on yooRyoo where we introduce a new Web 2.0 company and ask you to decide whether or not the company is indeed real, or if it is something we made up. We’ll give you the company name, a description of the services and any additional detail that we think might be helpful for you to decide.
Your role is to review the company, and without the help of Google or any other online source, determine if it is real. Vote with the poll below - polls will be open until Friday, in which we’ll reveal the answer in that Friday’s Fishwrap.
So, without further ado, here is this week’s company: Ribbit - an Open Platform for Telephony Innovation…
Ribbit’s team is comprised of traditional telephony experts, “Voice 2.0″ experts as well as various web development, social media and infrastructure experts.
Ribbit is an open platform for telephony innovation giving their developers unprecedented access to their technology through the Ribbit API and allowing them to innovate at will. Their business is built more like a software company than a phone company, counting on their developers to create the next generation communications solutions the world has been waiting for.
Their first product is called “Amphibian” which allows users to manage mobile voicemal like email through widgits in iGoogle and Facebook, and “Experience Caller ID 2.0 - dip into the social web and know not just who is calling but what the caller has been doing.”
So, Is It Real? fans….Is Ribbit real? Vote below, and let us know your thoughts. Answer revealed this Friday!
Is the company Ribbit real?
Yes - Ribbit is so useful, as has such a solid business model...it must be real! (67%, 6 Votes)
No Way - there is no way Ribbit is real. If it was, I'd just croak! (22%, 2 Votes)
Maybe - I could see the appeal of Ribbit, but I am not sure. (11%, 1 Votes)
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