Thursday, March 23, 2006

Virus makes people fat?

While trying to keep in touch with my Australian roots by reading the Sydney Morning Herald, I came across a very interesting article that claims there is a possibility that our modern lethargic lifestyle may not be completely to blame for the growing obesity problem in most western nations:

Virus blamed for obesity epidemic

Maybe I’m a little cuddly because I’m unknowingly sick, not because I eat American sized portions and watch too much TV

Friday, March 17, 2006

Some players should not be on the same team

Life at NewsGator is hectic at the moment. Next week I'll blog about some of the great things that have been released, and are soon to be released.

In the meantime, a friend of mine sent me this picture to lighten up my day:



Arkansas Razorback players Clarke Moore, Brett Goode and Casey Dick need to stop hanging out on the sidelines


According to him this was actually on TV... The commentators paused and didn't say a word.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Rupert Murdoch Gets "IT"

An insightful article from colleague John Carmichael:




Rupert Murdoch Gets "IT": "

Can't teach an old dog new tricks huh?' Well there's an 'Old Dog' out there teaching an industry 'New Tricks.'



As is often the case, Rupert Murdoch gets it!' In a presentation he recently made to the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers, he stated,
'Adapt to new technology or die!'



This was not directed at individuals in the room other than a Warning of the impending relegation to the modern day 'Buggy Whip Factory' for the 4th estate, their industry!' Specifically the printed daily news.' Come on kids... you remember a Newspaper! It even outlasted:




  • Vinyl Records


  • Ticker Tape


  • Reel to Reel


  • 8 Tracks


  • Don Johnson's Aftershave!


  • William Shatner's Musical Career!


  • Jessica and Nick!



Sorry, I digress!



What's important to realize now is that Rupert is on the right track once again.' In our instant gratification society we want our information YESTERDAY!' Not tomorrow morning.' It's not uncommon to hear conversations that start like:



'Hey did you catch this story in the paper this morning about.... something international'



'Yeah I caught it on CNN last night after my son heads up'd me about the story he read on a Blog on his cell phone! The Internet had a great story first hand from someone who was there and actually uploaded digital pictures of it.'



The newspaper is outdated 6 hours after an event!' Editors will argue that a newspaper performs the service of researching and being more deliberate in ascertaining the facts of the story, thus delivering a higher quality product to the consumer!



BS!' It is not the Newspaper that does this.' It is the staff, the reporters, the photographers, the columnists!' The 'Newspaper' is the wrapper!' These entities can still perform the same quality service of in-depth research and reporting, just get over the idea that the delivery has to be via ink and paper!' And the day is coming, if not upon us, where this delivery is certainly secondary to all other forms of media delivery.



Mr Murdoch goes on to state, 'A new generation of media consumers has risen demanding content delivered when they want it, how they want it, and very much as they want it.'



Hmm... Sounds like our old Tag Line... 'Content, When you want it, where you want it, how you want it!



More from Rupert,



'There is only one way. That is by using our skills to create and distribute dynamic, exciting content,' he said.



'But -- and this is a very big but -- newspapers will have to adapt as their readers demand news and sport on a variety of platforms: websites, iPods, mobile phones or laptops.



What is not expressed in this article is the known answer in certain circles.' The circles I travel in!





Rss_reflective
News Organizations need to learn 3 letters!' RSS!' This is how content can be distributed to literally Billions of people in minutes on the device of their choosing!' Web, Desktop, Laptop, Mobile Device, Television, you name it!' News and other information can be delivered and custom selected by the consumer!



It is not just publishing!' Is is providing users and customers with the right tools to easily access this information.' Companies like Newsgator are leading the way allowing a very easy to deploy customizable RSS reader and aggregator for media companies to provide to their customers.



Some in the 'Newspaper' world are already proceeding down this path!' SFGate is an excellent example!' As well as the Denver Post. And others are not far behind!' Well known names in this space, will 'not go gentle into that good night!'

"



(Via Carmichael's Position.)

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

5280 - What a blast

Last week was Denver Restaurant week, affectionately known as 5280 Week.

Denver has been named the "Mile High" city for many years, mainly due to the fact that it situated a mile above sea-level. For those of you who use the metric system: there are 5280 feet in a mile, so it is a number close to the heart of the city.

Denver Restaurant Week is:

"a seven-day celebration of the culinary scene in Denver. For the entire week of
Feb. 25 - March 3, participating restaurants will offer a multi-course dinner
for the fixed price of $52.80 for two, or $26.40 for one

Oh geez was it good! On Friday, Abby, myself and another couple went to Randolphs to test out the delights of the 5280 menu. The food was amazing, the waiters knowledgeable, the wine list was excellent, and to top it all off they had a pianist playing a baby grand piano for ambiance.

I had:
  • Smoked Trout Pate - Poblano Marmalade & Crostini
  • Certified Angus Beef Sirloin - Chili Rubbed & Served with Broccoli Fennel Compote, Saffron Mashed Potatoes & Savory Raspberry Sauce
  • Chocolate Pot de Creme

All the other selections made at our table were equally as tasty, and if their regular a la carte menu is as good, I would recommend Randolphs in a heartbeat.