Ideas for Business

I thought novelists were more serious than this. But when faced with a bunch of rotten tomatoes getting thrown at him, Brad Meltzer, author of The Book of Lies, turns it into gazpacho instead.

I love gazpacho and I love this video, too. Brad’s grandma is awesome. Little kids trying to say big words is always funny. And so are armpit farts.

By the way, the book is out TODAY. See the trailer or read Brad’s blog. His book even has a soundtrack. Brad is also on Facebook and MySpace. Even if the book stinks – yes I’ve asked his publicist for a review copy – his use of social media and viral video is top notch.

Book authors and publicists, I hope you’re taking notes.

Well, Labor Day is behind us and school has started. That means things are on full force between now and Christmas. Fall hits, we set our clocks back, send the kids to school, and wait for Thanksgiving. Right?

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m not waiting. I’m planning. And if you’re smart, you’ll start planning too.

Why? Because it’s just a short hop from here to Christmas. And Halloween will be on you before you know it.

Sell costumes and party supplies? You should be blogging about it and setting up your pay per click campaign now. Sell turkeys and yams? Start planning because online people shop early and research before they buy. I’m not just talking about turkeys either. They research everything and they start their research online. Already, people are thinking about what they’re going to get their Uncle Bob for Christmas. Already. And by Thanksgiving many of them will already have made up their minds. It’s time to start planning.

There’s already a ton of buzz on this but it’s potentially a big change for the web as John Battelle called it, “This Is Web OS, Make No Mistake“. Google’s release plans (in comic book form) for their new web browser were first posted by Phillip Lenssen with follow up by Google Blog and many others including Google’s Matt Cutts.

Outside of a better browser that is to run faster and more securely, the search engine marketing side of this story is that Microsoft’s new browser MISE 8 is to have functionality capable of blocking text ads, such as Google ads.

According to a story on Google Chrome and implications related to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer by AP:

“Google is worried that Microsoft could abuse its power by manipulating Internet Explorer’s default settings in a way that might diminish traffic to Google’s search engine, which serves as the hub of the largest online ad network.”

“In 2006, Google contacted the Justice Department to raise alarms about changes to Internet Explorer that Google believed made it more difficult to install search toolbars made by Microsoft’s rivals. Although regulators decided not to intervene, Microsoft subsequently modified the way Explorer handled the selection of search toolbars.”

Who can blame Google for attempting to protect their revenue stream? If the web gets a better browser or at least an alternative, the better. Downloads of Google Chrome become available Tuesday.

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Shelfari, the social networking site for book lovers, recently announced that Amazon is acquiring their site. This is not surprising as Amazon has a long history of working with Shelfari and invested $1 million in the site in February 2007.

Funny thing is that Amazon already has a social networking site, LibraryThing. Last month Amazon bought AbeBooks, a vendor of rare and used books from independent publishers. AbeBooks purchased a 40% stake in LibraryThing back in May 2006, so now Amazon owns part of LibraryThing, too.

Will Amazon merge LibraryThing and Shelfari? That waits to be seen since LibraryThing has openly criticized Shelfari and links to 51 posts of bloggers and journalists peeved at what Shelfari did to them – spamming, astroturfing, and putting out annoying press releases.

Will LibraryThing make an “honest woman” out of Shelfari? Possibly, still people are very loyal to their social networking sites and combining the two will upset users no matter what. Maybe that’s why Shelfari is asking users to chime in on how Amazon and Shelfari can make their site experience better. They've invited users to send them their questions, comments and suggestions to questions@shelfari.com. Great idea.

However, while I have a profile on Shelfari, I don’t use it much. I’ve found the bloggers I know use GoodReads more, and I like their features better. That''s where I'll stay for now unless Amazon (not Shelfari) can persuade me to make the switch.

Late-adapter me has finally signed up with Skype and only because 1) I had to use it for a new project with the Bloghology folks and 2) I received a free Skype headset in my goodie bag at The Big Tent last week. However, there’s an alternative, Tabrio – and you don’t need any special headsets or phone equipment to use it.

Use Your Own Stuff
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Why join the Tabrio revolution?

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