Oberpfaffelbachen to Launch a BMW Across Atlantic
Written by artboy on June 25, 2008 – 9:14 pm -A video about a fictional plan to launch a BMW in the U.S. is guerilla marketing at its best. Is this the future?
Official Rampenfest Web site: http://www.rampenfest.com/
Jeff Schultz on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/jeffschultzusa
Jeff Schultz’s Blog: http://jeffschultz.wordpress.com/
On CNN: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/
emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=773792755
Tags: BMW, cars, Germany, Jeff Schultz, Oberpfaffelbachen, Rampenfest, The Ramp Movie
Posted in Culture, Entertainment, Funny, Huh?, Internet & Technology, World | No Comments »
Setting Up Your eBay Business
Written by Zach on June 4, 2008 – 7:53 pm -Setting up your eBay business starts with registering for an eBay account. You have to complete a short form on their website to do this. Next, you need to register for a PayPal Premier account. This will allow you to process credit cards as well as payments between PayPal members. PayPal will charge you a fee for each payment that is sent to you (3.9%+.30 USD for low-volume, 2.9%+.30 USD for high-volume sellers).Now you have to list your first item. To do this you have to click on the Sell tab on the top right corner of eBay’s home page. You then have to type in what your item is. It gives you two options to either use the simplified SYI (sell your item) form or the longer SYI using more customized options. I strongly recommend using the full version of the SYI.
If it’s your first listing, you’ll also have to enter your credit card information to verify your identity (and to ensure that you’re able to pay your fees on your invoice)
It’s that simple.
Tags: business, buy, cash, e-commerce, ebay, house, internet, millionaire, money, New York Mini Mall, november, sell, sold, store, tech, technology
Posted in Careers, Internet & Technology | No Comments »
European Travel and the Declining Dollar
Written by tinabiba on March 12, 2008 – 9:37 pm -
In recent years, many Americans are reluctant to travel to Europe because of the U.S. dollar’s declining exchange rate. As of 3/04/2008, 1 euro was equivelant $1.52 U.S. If considering travel, this can drive up the cost of a European trip significantly, if you don’t do your research.
This is the second year in row I opted to travel to Europe on a cruise verses traveling independently. A cruise is an economical way to see Europe without worrying about the exchange rate. A 7-day cruise for 2 that visits 6 cities will cost less than if you traveled independently to the same destinations and paid for hotels, transportation and food in dollars converted to euros.
To begin the bargain hunt for a cruise, I suggest you choose a date, destinations and departure port ahead of time. Go directly to the cruise line sites like royalcaribbean.com and carnival.com to review costs and discounts from the operators. You will need to decide what type of cabin you desire as there are many choices. Some cabins will be offered at a discount or with perks like on-board credit for purchases. For example, Royal Caribbean offered a senior discount for promenade and ocean view cabins only. The cost of a promenade view with the senior discount (55 years or older) was the same cost as a interior room which generally goes for less. These discounts are often worth the cabin upgrade.
Once you have an idea of what your needs are, it is beneficial to call the cruise line and inquire for the least expensive cabins available. Then begin comparison shopping from there. Expedia.com and Travelocity.com actually offered the same cruise for less than the operators. Royal Caribbean will hold a reservation with a $250.00 deposit, which is fully refundable so you can game the system to find the best deal. Expedia will hold a cruise reservation for up to 7 days without a deposit. You must ask up front and keep in mind any penalties for canceling or changing a reservation. For instance, once you place a deposit with Expedia there is a $50.00 cancellation fee if you change your mind.
So, as the saying goes, what are you waiting for? Get out there and see the world.
Links: www.royalcarribean.com | www.carnival.com | www.expedia.com | www.travelocity.com
Photo Credit: Martin Meissner/AP Photo
Tags: Carnival, cruise, decline, dollar, Economy, euro, Europe, exchange rate, Expedia.com, food, hotels, Royal Caribbean, transportation, Travel, Travelocity.com
Posted in Culture, Economy, Entertainment, Internet & Technology, Travel | 1 Comment »
Is Google Running Out of Gas?
Written by artboy on March 5, 2008 – 5:06 pm -
Yi-Wyn Yen reports on Fortune.com that Google’s stock is on its steepest decline ever, a sign that investors who once believed in the search giant’s story of perpetual growth have started to lose faith.
According to Yen, there’s certainly some immediate cause for concern. Google’s revenue growth is rapidly decelerating — more rapidly than would be accounted for by its sheer size. Last year’s annual growth rate of 56.5% has now dropped to 28.27%, according to Thomson Financial. And its stock price, the best measure of investors’ perception of future growth, is taking a beating of historic proportions. Google’s shares slid from a 52-week high of $747 last November to $475 on Thursday’s close, lopping more than $85 billion off its market cap in the space of three months.
Analysts say it’s not yet time to freak out. Betting against Google, they say, is a bit like betting against Tiger Woods.
My favorite quote of the article is, “Contextual advertising isn’t the right thing for most of the Internet,” says AdBrite’s Fanlo. “It’s like selling Superbowl ads. They don’t sell me cleats, jerseys or helmets. They sell me cars, beer, and erectile dysfunction medication because they know I’m an old, fat guy.”
Source: techland.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2008/02/29/is-google-running-out-of-gas/
Tags: analysts, contexual advertising, decline, Google, growth, historic, internet, investors, market cap, rates, search, stock, technology
Posted in Economy, Internet & Technology | No Comments »
Skype Saves the Day!
Written by Zach on March 2, 2008 – 7:43 pm -
So today I wake up to see that I have a Canadian buyer with an unpaid purchase. It’s one of the worst problems for someone who doesn’t have an international calling plan. So I begin the traditional unpaid item process, requesting a phone number, and then calling them. But I don’t want to spend a huge amount of money calling to collect ten dollars. I thought for a little while. The closest bid was seven dollars. Should I do a second-chance offer? Relist? That’s when I looked at Skype. All I had to do was download it, sign up put my PayPal account on file, and call Canada. I talked to him, he promised to pay, and I collected my money. I think it’s one of those indispensable seller tools.
Links: http://www.skype.com http://www.paypal.com
Photo Caption: Logo courtesy of Skype.com
Tags: call, cheap, ebay, international, money, paypal, phone, save, skype, unlimited
Posted in Internet & Technology | No Comments »
Hey Apple, Make Stuff Better for the Northeast User.
Written by artboy on March 2, 2008 – 12:14 pm -
I have been a long time user of Mac products. I am an Art Director by trade and have been brought into my career on Macs beginning with the classic. I learned and honed my craft on Macs.
I personally own 2 desktops, 2 iPods, a 17″ MacBook and an 8G iPhone. Through the years I have consistently upgraded to most new product releases and although was put off with the rapid drop in price of the iPhone (I bought the first weekend), I was impressed with Apple’s response and action.
Now to my comments.
1) Over time I have been increasingly annoyed with earbuds. I am not alone here, right? They have obviously been designed by folks on the west coast because when the weather turns cold in the Northeast (and I mean it gets friggin’ cold here in NYC), those damn things don’t spend 20 solid seconds in my ears — I ripped my last set in half after nearly tripping on them.
After countless expletives while running for subways, I finally understood why. When it is cold out the wires stiffen and with each turn of the head or jump of the body they just pop on out time and time again. In response, I no longer even open the earbuds when I purchase a product. They remain forever sealed in their little plastic tombs never to be enjoyed (until I upgrade and finally sell the old product used on eBay!). I bought a pair of V-Moda headphones and they are brilliant. They have a “soft cord” technology that is just delicious. I also own a pair of Bose and pair of Nike for running. I can even jog with any of them and they stay put, for the most part.
Now I understand earbuds are bottom of the line as far as accessories go, but do you think Apple really wants to be associated with releasing product that goes unopened and is treated as a throwaway accessory? Apple designers ought to take into consideration its worldwide cold-weather customers and redesign that cord! Come on now, save our stress-level ’cause life isn’t laid back and easygoing here. Surf’s not up in the Hudson if you get what I’m saying.
2) I have owned the iPhone from the beginning of its release. Although I know many detractors, I just love it. As a phone it’s okay, but as someone that uses all of the technology and features, nothing beats it. One thing that has come to light over the winter months has been with its most ingenious feature — the touch screen. Have you ever tried to answer a call by digging it out of a winter coat, engaging the iphone and sliding it on in 15 degree weather with the wind howling all while in gloves to protect those digits? Well, I have and it ain’t pretty.
For obvious reasons, iPhone does not respond to hands in gloves so I have to take them off to even answer the phone, that is if I can get to the call in time at all. It is also near impossible to balance that phone between my shoulder and ear while rushing to get those gloves back on after answering. Brrrrr! I know, you may suggest answering with the earbud headphones, but please reread comment 1 above. As it goes, we don’t always have them with us anyway.
So, my suggestion is to add a button on the side of the phone body (like the earphones have on the cord to control the phone) with the sole functions of; a) an alternate way of answering a call or, b) for changing a track. All of this accomplished with a little push of that magic button thereby bypassing the touchscreen, gloves or not, cold or not. As it is, there are already some controls on the side for volume and silence, so it could be a natural design element that we back east would be tickled about Apple understanding. Think about how many fingers they’d save!
3) Make the ringer louder! I hope this can be done in a software upgrade but it is near impossible to hear that phone on a crowded NYC street. One other fact is that everyone in NY uses the same “old phone” ringer (it is the absolute loudest provided) so when I can even hear it ring, I’m not sure it’s my phone — but I do reach for it anyway. I can see every iPhone owner reaching for theirs as well and then look around to see who the winner is when the ringing stops. Come on, doesn’t Apple understand why those rings on most mobile phones are so obnoxious? It is to be heard, heard I say! Hear me!
Those are my suggestions and I hope next winter brings us all more Apple joy. I did forward my suggestions to Apple and just know they are huddled reading it as we speak, probably in an emergency meeting with the C-level, and deciding how to make stuff better. Thanks for listening and cheers.
Love,
Northeast User
Link: www.apple.com | www.apple.com/feedback/
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Apple.com
Tags: Apple, cell, computer, G4, G5, internet, iPhone, iPod, laptop, Mac, MacBook, mobile, products, technology, touch screen
Posted in Funny, Internet & Technology, Opinions | 1 Comment »
I Became a Millionaire on eBay!
Written by Zach on March 1, 2008 – 9:06 pm -
Well, not yet but I’m workin’ on it, ok? Now that I have your attention, let me begin. It all started with a printer that was sitting around the house and has spiraled to me now selling upwards of twenty items a month. What do I do when I run out of stuff lying around the house? Stay tuned.
This is a short description for my upcoming business lessons on what to do, what not to do and on how to start up an eBay business and keep it going. Yup, I’m here to tell you a little about what I’ve learned so far. Now, we’re not limited to just e-commerce here, post anything you think is important about the Internet and technology, or just ask questions. I’ll do my best to answer them or try to give some personal insight.
Oh yeah (shameless plug), in the meantime check out my eBay store at www.newyorkminimall.com.
Links: www.newyorkminimall.com
Photo Credit: eBay logo is a registered trademark of eBay Inc.
Tags: business, buy, cash, e-commerce, ebay, house, internet, millionaire, money, New York Mini Mall, november, sell, sold, store, tech, technology
Posted in Careers, Internet & Technology | 1 Comment »
Report the Issues That Matter to You
Written by admin on November 16, 2007 – 12:40 pm -
Couch Reporter is a free-to-use local news reporting and social networking destination for users to become “broadcast reporters” on issues of interest (local & global) and create a “town hall” flavor for sharing ideas and solutions geo-targeted by user-generated profiles, assignments, channels, reports (video & print), reviews, comments, recommendations and social-centric content.
Tags: comments, couch, global, Local, news, recommendations, reporter, social, town hall
Posted in All, Books, Careers, Culture, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Funny, Health & Fitness, Home & Garden, Huh?, Internet & Technology, Local, Military, Mixed Martial Arts: The FNA on MMA, Movies, Music, Opinions, Parenting, Politics, Religion, Sports, Travel, World | 2 Comments »
