Longing for a bit of long tail

Finally I’ve worked out which week I’ve missed, and I remember why I missed it. For someone reason I just couldn’t grasp the long tail notion. After another read of the readings, and a big stalk on other student’s blogs, I began to get a bit more of an idea.

Retailers have jumped onto this phenomenon of selling as they make a profit through the retailing of unique goods in small volumes. Type long tail into Google and almost every search result will mention Amazon.com at some point. They have increased the profit of niche marketing and created a long tail marketing process. Another example can be seen when discussing the shelf price of clothing. If a company is paying large amounts for distribution costs, it makes sense for them to only sell high profit generic items. As opposed to a company operating under a long tail approach, they have an equal cost on shelf space, allowing the way for unique items to hit the shelves and cerate profit.

This is particularly prevalent in online shopping where items can be searched for. Take e-bay for example; its bidding function has the ability to place a hefty price on relatively cheap items. And keep customers coming back for a chance to a one-of-a-kind piece.

Okay, so I’m still a little bit unsure of how to actually get the long tail idea into words. If anyone has a bit of a clearer description, would love to read it!

Let’s talk about things... And the Internet of them

It has now come to the closing of the semester, and the final blog post, (well second last, I seem to have missed one along the way, whoops!). And the topic on the agenda is the internet of things. What is this you ask? To be honest I wasn’t too sure either!

After doing some research it turns out the Internet of things means that someone is always watching always knowing your every move. If you ever think you are alone, think again, chances are a RFID tag is nearby and is tabbing that sneaking mars bar you thought you would chow down before you got home from work.

Personally, I don’t feel as though this is invading my privacy. There are already such arrays of surveillance technologies present that another one will simply be added to the list. Who knows, It might even be beneficial to know that two shops up from where I’m standing is only an update away from seeing me walk away with a new pair of heels, and a smile on my dile at the latest bargain.

But this being said what I DO have a problem with is the secrecy to which his is happening. And the little public knowledge let alone consent that has been granted. Although RDIF appears user friendly, is this simply hiding the vindictive technologies that sit below the surface? And I love a bargain as much as the next shopper, but just how much information should be allowed to be stored about me and my shopping habits?

As you can see, I’m still a little bit on the fence with this one. What do you guys think about the internet of things?

I found love with PC. But am cheating on him with Mr Mac

I was caught red handed soaking up the joys of a Mac. I have always been loyal to my PC, but the limitless options of photo booth were just too tempting. So many distortion possibilities, as opposed to my PC’s limited webcam features of ‘black and white’ or ‘sepia’.

I am the first to rant and rave about how inconvenient Macs are. How the computer labs are negatively impacting my learning by making me struggle to use one with each class that I have in there. But is this argument really all that important?

After a simple Google search and abundance of PC VS Mac websites appear, follow this link to one of them!

http://www.macorpc.net/pc-images/mac-vs-pc-62/

With all these upgrades constantly being released, and so many brands and forms of technology to chose from, this can all become a little overwhelming. Anyone looking for a better understanding, have a look at this blog, http://gabbybrown.blogspot.com/2011/10/but-what-about-microsoft-hp-blackberry.html . She sums it up nicely in relatively simple language!

Interestingly enough, this war has expanded to Google, who is a PC supporter. With it’s soon to be released, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, will it have the potential to surpass Apple and it’s ever so sleek a popular iPhone and its many many upgrades.

One thing is for sure, I am one of the fence sitters, who is loyal to neither brand, I am who these companies are marketing too. But to tell you the truth, by the looks of my bank account, and my current budget, I won’t be purchasing either of them anytime soon.

Who’s got the power? SNS do!

Social networks are more than simply a ‘tool’ as Morozov refers to them as. They have the power to engage and connect people globally, and allow even the most timid of users, to have a voice and be part of revolutionising communities.

Thanks to SNS like Facebook and Twitter, I would say I am better educated on happenings that occur around the world. I see a status on Facebook, a tweet on Twitter and go on to do further research. If these SNS didn’t exist, it’s sad to say that a majority of the time I would be unaware of the severity of the events that are occurring.

While Morozov looks at SNS on a global scale and their impact, I found great relativity between this week’s reading and my group project. We assessed the importance of online identity management and how this impacts upon ones personal, business and private life. Social media bestows the power to send images, comments, and videos viral, in turn having the potential to effect future job prospects and creates issues with family and friends.

It is important to think of the consequences of using SNS. If they have the power to create ‘revolutions’ and create turmoil around the world (London riots, Arab uprising, Wall Street), imagine the impact they can have upon YOUR everyday life.

So next time you think about uploading the picture of your friend passed out with a VB in their hand think about this – do you want to be the reason behind their next job rejection?