Posts filed under 'Other'
By Taylor Pepe
The closest most of us will ever get to having a chauffeur: The Cab Driver.
Living in the city creates a whole array of necessities, one of which is quick transportation from point A to point B. Another is getting their in one piece. However, the latter part has always been a gamble, especially in Boston cabs.
Well, not anymore…
Check out SaferTaxi, a new website and app. now available from our friends across the pond which allows you to instantly gather and share some insight on the driver issuing you around the city in the hope that the fear of a negative review will inspire your driver to provide the highest level of professionalism. This should allow all cab users to have a more enjoyable experience.
So, say you’re in the North End impressing an attractive model you’ve just met at the bar with your flawless command of the Italian language when your phone goes off and your friends invite you to DJ a house party in Brighton. Once you’ve hailed your taxi, enter the license plate number or the driver’s registration ID into the app. Faster than a cabbie can navigate Comm. Ave. you’ll get a full rundown of your driver’s history including: ratings, reviews, and most importantly, safety records (should you receive a Lord of the Rings length response, you may want to opt for another driver).
Once you’ve safely arrived at your destination, you’ll be able to plug in your own ratings, feedback, and tales of how you and your driver sang a duet to the Righteous Brothers’ You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling.
Additionally, your account stores all of your reviews, so if you happen to lose your wallet you’ll be able to look up the cab you rode in, and begin to hunt it down.
Or look up who you had the best musical connection with.
November 10th, 2011
By Taylor Pepe
It’s fall and that means a few things: Most notably, Spandex.
Almost as recognizable as the changing leaves, the shift from Bruce Jenner-length short shorts to full-on spandex happens quickly. It’s a wonder of nature really. However, sometimes the run can be cold, and when that happens, it’s always beneficial to have a little extra body heat. Thankfully, someone has figured out what to do.
Presenting JoggingBuddy, a new-ish website which helps you find the jogging partner of your dreams, now available in Boston.
Despite its interesting layout, it’s worth noting one major point: this is not a dating website. The purpose here is to help you find a running partner. However, if your new found buddy happens to have amazing flow and looks great sporting running shoes, than best of luck to you.
How this works: once you’ve stretched out those hammies, log onto the JoggingBuddy.com. Once there you’ll create a profile, upload a picture (preferably the one of you out-sprinting the Boston Marathon champion), and enter the zip code of where you’ll be recreating the beach scene from Chariots of Fire (music optional, but encouraged).
Now that you’re profile is updated on the site, you can scroll through pages and pages of runners in the hopes of finding your ideal match. Once you’ve found that special someone, it’s as simple as connecting and scheduling a time to meet up for a jog (and potential cool down over a bottle of wine).
And one of the coolest features of this site is that it’s international, meaning you can connect with running buddies when you travel to your winter home in Spain.
Remember, a cool-down in most European countries involves some form of clubbing.
October 21st, 2011
By Taylor Pepe
Nowadays, we’re always connected. We connect to our friends, our families, and even work over a variety of channels. One of the most utilized means is by phone. It seems everyone these days has a cell phone, and a lot of companies are taking note. So today, we ask you, does your company use mobile communication to stay in touch? Take our quick survey and let us know!
October 20th, 2011
By Taylor Pepe
When people think athletic prowess, they think of you.
Your drive: unmatched. Your three-pointers: legendary. Your choke-slam: forceful. Your grace during competiton has been compared to an elephant emerging from a river. But, despite your Adonis-like athleticism, sometimes you need a little edge to truly stay on top of your game.
It’s a shame you dropped your phone while hang-gliding over the Rockies and lost all of your fellow athletes’ numbers. However, instead of going through the hassle of contacting each one of them, you can now get all of their sage advice in app form.
Check out Get in the Game, a new iPhone app that shows video demonstrations by your favorite athletes.
Say for your company’s winter outing, your boss has reserved the frog pond for you and your team to do a little ice skating. Never the one to turn down a competitive outing, you’ve come prepared. You’ve got your skates, hand warmers, and Johny Weir sparkly onesie. What you don’t have is a gold winning triple lutz yet.
Problem? Not so much. Here’s what you do: pull up the site, download the app and select Kristi Yamaguchi as your demo coach. Watch a few of her videos, and if you like the instruction you’re getting, download all of her coaching videos, which take you through proper warm-ups, stretching, skating technique, and most importantly how to stick that killer landing for only $4.99 (much cheaper than the HGH you were talking about).
And since every day is a “gold-medal” type of day, you’ll be happy to note that they have coaching experts for softball (Jenni Finch), tennis (Andy Roddick), football (Jerry Rice), and even wrestling (Hulk Hogan).
Your office looks forward to your bandana and matching boa.
October 13th, 2011
By Ben Haber
On Sunday the Boston Globe published an in-depth article about Whitey Bulger, Catherine Greig, and their life on the run. The second paragraph of this story names the person that tipped the FBI on Bulger and Greig’s whereabouts, which has received - and deserves - criticism. The Boston Globe defended these actions on Tuesday in an editorial, claiming that the name of the tipster was included because the editors were confident that Bulger and Greig already knew who the woman was, and therefore her identity was no longer a secret.
Regardless of what the Globe’s editors believe to be true, it is irresponsible to print a person’s name who could be in serious danger. It is one thing for Bulger and Greig to “probably” know who turned them in – but for the entire world to know – with many people that likely still feel a connection to Bulger – it puts this women’s life in serious risk.
I should also be clear that in no way am I against freedom of the press. But when it comes to risking the safety and security of an innocent person in order to provide details that are unnecessary and not vital to information being shared, details can be held back. I know that I would be perfectly fine not knowing this woman’s name, and I believe the rest of the world would agree with that statement.
October 12th, 2011
By Ben Haber
This is a guest post by Alvina Lopez, a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about accredited online colleges. She welcomes comments via email at alvina.lopez@gmail.com.
It’s a self-evident truth that every website has written content in one form or another. Unfortunately, the universal nature of written web content means that the quality of that content varies from site to site. For every website covering one particular subject, there exists dozens of imitators whose content ranges from illegible to near-literary. How do we wind up with such a wide array of written content? It depends on the webmasters and bloggers and how they approach the writing on their sites. Some people just can’t write well, and those who don’t recognize it choose to generate their own written content at their own peril. If you spend the majority of your time in another arena related to your website and/or business (marketing, web development, design, etc.), you’re likely to be better off hiring a professional to tackle the writing featured on your site. Not quite convinced? Here are some more points to consider.
Outsource Detailed Work to People More Qualified
To expand on the point above, hiring freelancers optimizes the workload for everyone involved. Freelancers are hired to write attractive and engaging content, leaving you (the webmaster, the CEO, the salesperson, etc.) free to do what you do best. There’s no shame in outsourcing work to people more qualified—in fact, it’s better business. Your content might not be “in-house,” but it will likely convey information more effectively than if you tried your hand at the task, and that’s all that really matters. With the writing task in someone else’s capable hands, you’re free to invest yourself in your business uninhibited.
Better Writing Attracts Better Business
Freelance writers will (hopefully) generate content that appropriately addresses your target audience, and that’s good for your business. If you’re an inexperienced writer, you run the risk of writing generalizations or mixed messages that could read as sloppy and poorly planned writing. If your business runs primarily through the web, then presenting great content is of critical importance—it’s the most immediate way that you communicate with your customers. It goes without saying that stronger writing increases likelihood that you’ll connect with your readers.
And bear in mind that even though you hire someone else to do your writing, you have the final word on what content is and isn’t acceptable. Through constructive edits and meaningful criticism, you can shape the overall theme of your freelancer’s writing so as to fit the ethos of your website or business.
A Temporary Hire
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of a freelancer is their limited involvement with your enterprise, particularly if you’re looking to have content written only for your website. There’s no need to burden your payroll with another full hire; simply draft a basic contract with a freelance writer outlining the services required within a specific timeline. If you like a freelancer’s content, don’t balk at their hourly fees: a sizeable one-time sum is a small price to pay for the potentially huge clientele you’ll attract with quality writing that engages your readers. Think of hiring a freelance writer as a long-term investment for your enterprise, one that is likely to yield returns long after you’ve concluded your contract.
October 7th, 2011
By Taylor Pepe
Today’s post will be slightly different than those in previous weeks. After hearing of the death of Steve Jobs, I couldn’t imagine writing about ridiculous applications that appear on devices he was responsible for bringing to life without discussing the man behind the products. Mr. Jobs is responsible for so many good things, but one question has been on my mind since I heard of his passing: what will his legacy be? Years from now, when children study this day and age, the same way we studied the Renaissance, will Steve Jobs’ name be synonymous with the great innovators of history?
Da Vinci, Edison, Tesla, Jobs. It looks funny adding Steve Jobs’ name to that list, but, look at the technologies he helped create: iPods, MacBooks, personal computers, iPhones, and iPads. There was a time once when we couldn’t bring all of our music with us. There was a time when we couldn’t browse the internet while sitting in the bathroom, and there was a time when we couldn’t carry computers around in our pockets and then make phone calls from them. Even if you weren’t an Apple fan or thought Steve Jobs was any good, you still have to admit that he was the greatest technology user of this generation.
Steve Jobs, like so many people, tried and failed. When he left Apple to run NeXT, the ultra high-end computer company, he didn’t succeed. He returned to Apple with a new vision, and we all know the story from there. I believe this is where he begins to distinguish himself as one of the great innovators of all time. One common trait amongst all of them is their ability to bounce-back after not succeeding. Think of how many devices Da Vinci thought of and attempted to put into motion, but failed at. It happened multiple times. Did he dwell on it? No. Instead he continued to press forward the same way Mr. Jobs did.
Steve Jobs was able to make technology simple for everyone. At what other time in history could 4- to 100 –year-olds simply use the same technology? With the invention and popularity of the iPod, millions could pass on music to each other effortlessly. iPads now make sharing information easier than ever while iPhones make us walking encyclopedias. At no other time in history has a movement like this happened. All of this was possible because of Mr. Jobs’ unrelenting approach to making things easy for users.
So will he be added to the lists of greats? There’s no board that decides these things, and really it comes down to what people think in their minds. Having lived in the time he was inventing, it’s difficult to imagine him as having a long term effect, but years from now, when people are taking his inventions for granted, someone will stop and think, “Wow, people didn’t always have iPads”. When my generation are adults, and we’re listening to classic rap at dinner parties (yes, Biggie Smalls will be a staple at dinner parties in 45 years, if he isn’t already), I believe Steve Jobs will be considered one of the greats. In my mind, he’s already there.
October 6th, 2011
By Jason Fidler
Steve Jobs is dead. There is already very little left to be said about the man since his passing yesterday evening. Those who say he changed the world with his company are not embellishing. It is an understatement. Not only has Apple forever revolutionized the way in which humans interact with technology, it did so with a pervasive zeal that affected all aspects of our society. Each and every cultural segment is mourning his loss this morning. Business? Inevitably. Technology? Of course. Politics? You know it. Music. Check. Sports? Yup. Celebrity and lifestyle? Thankfully yes.
There is a good chance you were awoken this morning by the alarm on your smartphone, and immediately checked your email. You drove to work with your iPod, or Spotify-enabled iPhone/Android plugged into the stereo, listening to a few of the thousands of songs readily available. You walked into your office, sat down and turned on your PC or Mac, which you are probably looking at right now. You will perform your daily tasks engaging with technologies designed to make your life easier. And you will converse with others, who in these important ways had the same exact morning.
Due to Jobs’ obsession with ease-of-use, the fabric of our lives are now permanently weaved with the threads of technology. For better or for worse, there is no going back. To reiterate, to say Steve Jobs changed the world is an understatement.
October 6th, 2011
By Taylor Pepe
P-Diddy is jealous of your parties.
You always have the finest drinks available. Your guest list makes any Oscar after-party look like a c-list affair. Your theme ideas are always well received.
However, the main reason people come to your party is your killer playlist. (Who knew you could follow up Kenny Loggins with Sisqo?) But despite your never-ending list of crowd-pleasing grooves, there are always those people who will interrupt your Grammy-award winning rendition of “You’ve lost that lovin’ feeling” to say “I’ve got a better song, put this on next.” Well, that ends now.
Check out djtxt, a new way to outsource your party music selections via Grooveshark.
So if this weekend you’re planning on throwing your annual Oktoberfest bash, and after you’ve trucked in your lederhosen, pretzels, and light-up leather jacket, you suddenly find your in-house DJ is off to Europe, and you’re too busy setting-up to make your usual playlist, don’t sweat: djtxt has your back.
Go to djtxt’s website and drag the symbol into your bookmark toolbar and launch Grooveshark when your party begins. From that point on, friends will be able to text the artist and song title (e.g.”David Hasselhoff I’ve been lookin’ for freedom”) to djtxt, which will then add that song to a newly formed playlist. It will even let you keep the playlist after the party.
And if for some reason your party-goers really get into David Hasselhoff’s entire catalog, you can always text “skip” to the same number.
But really, is there ever too much Hoff?
September 29th, 2011
By Taylor Pepe
Professional photographers are generally employed, professionally trained, and for the most part take compelling photos that are worth 1,000 words or more.
College kids with digital cameras and macs, not so much.
We all know those “photographers,” usually a former roommate, or a kid on your floor from school who was given a digital camera by their aunt for their birthday in high school. They’re the kids who took one good photo of a tree, and suddenly they think they’re Anne Geddes.
You know their photos are bad. They don’t. If only there was a third party that could stop them from taking that picture of a leaf and uploading it to Facebook, clogging up your newsfeed. That may soon be a real possibility. Much to the chagrin of liberal arts majors and sorority girls everywhere, Andrew Kupresanin is developing a camera which offers a real opinion of your photos.
The opinionated camera, Nadia, judges the quality of your work when you snap a photo. Sadly this product is still in the developmental stage, but we can only hope this becomes the norm quickly.
So, say you’re at your mountain retreat in the Alps when you’re suddenly struck by the poetic balance of the sky and the mountains. Or you’re in the park and you see Kate Gosling and the children being pleasant to people for once. Either way, the picture needs to be perfect.
If you pointed the Nadia camera at the scene, it wouldn’t show you the image in the view finder, but rather its supposedly superior opinion of your photo, displayed as a percentage out of 100, to help you get the perfect photo. It’s like having Simon Cowell and Judge Judy in your pocket at all times.
So, if your photo of the mountains and the sky was a little too much sky and not enough mountain, it would give you a 35%, or a 95% if you majestically captured the Gosling family (even Kate) not looking miserable.
Finally, someone can tell your roommate their photos of rocks in the Common are awful, without fear of their stuff being touched.
September 22nd, 2011
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