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Posted 5:03 PM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
Content vs. Toys
Norbert Specker on aftershocks of the Toy War
Remember Etoy, the art group that originated in Zurich and spawned the toy war with Etoys, the site that declared bankruptcy on a couple days ago? Etoys (the toy store) sued Etoy (the art group, established earlier than Etoys) for infringing on its trademark and wanted the domain "etoy.com." Etoy fought back. And rightly so. In the so-called "Toy War," an army of supporters tried to support the case wherever they could. By their own accounts, the Toy Warriors succeeded in bringing the stock price down from $67 (when the conflict started) to $15 (in February 2000, still in the heady days of the Internet).I am not in a position to track the death of yet another Internet icon precisely to this war, but I do remember having posted the account of Etoys' enraging claim on various news lists. We will hear in the aftermath of the filing for bancruptcy how much these protests and boycotts influenced the fate of Etoys. Grappling for a content angle to this tale: content (art) is stronger than e-commerce (toys). Another view: to get right (Etoys got an injunction and Etoy was not allowed to "live" of Etoy.com anymore) and to be right do not necessarily coincide. But most clearly: Don't mess with the public.
Posted 4:55 PM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
New Media Influences
Rich Gordon on changes in traditional media
When the history of the early days of "new media" is written, it will have to address the ways new media has affected the design of traditional media. The design of TV news and sports shows has clearly changed — scrolling tickers along the bottom, right or left "rail" containing supplementary content — because of the influence of new media design. As newspapers have redesigned (in recent years, as part of their efforts to move to a narrower page), they have incorporated Web design influences. And here's another development in newspapers: ads on page one. Gannett papers seem to be adopting them routinely, and yesterday, the International Herald Tribune joined the trend. Obviously, economics are driving this change — but I wonder how much the path was smoothed (and opposition silenced) by the willingness of Web sites to post big ad banners prominently on their front pages, often above the name/logo of the publication? It's interesting to me that a reputable magazine (guidelines from the American Society of Magazine Editors) would never put an ad on its cover, but newspapers are willing to sell space on the front page.
Posted 12:18 PM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
Does the Internet Hurt Brands?
Katja Riefler on online advertising
Most online content sites depend on advertising. In Germany, the discussion is on whether anti-brand campaigning sites on the Web might really hurt brands. In the U.S., freedom of speech seems yet to be on the winning side. McSpotlight, for example, publishes much criticism and even documents unbothered by fast-food giant McDonald's. The Oberlandesgericht in Berlin, meanwhile, just ruled against Greenpeace. The environmentalist group had to immediately close its site "www.oil-of-elf.com," where it had published reports on the environmental damage that the French oil company had done in Russia. The court ruled that the domain name is too similar to the brand Elf and therefore has to be handed over to Elf.We can surely debate whether those companies should be granted some kind of protection, or if it's better that they take care of themselves. I'm interested to know whether there is a general shift in the attitude of Internet users toward something like the Nologo Movement that gets quite some attention here. Is there a new hostility against brands? And if so, how will it influence online advertising?
Posted 11:59 AM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
eBookMan Debuts: We're Not Quite There Yet
Steve Outing on new products
The Franklin eBookMan is available, and the reviews are starting to come in. The "e-reader" is a combination e-book reader, MP3 player, digital audio player/recorder, and personal organizer. At 6.5 ounces, it's smaller and lighter than competing units from RCA (which don't yet have audio or organizer capabilities). Reviewing the eBookMan for the Boston Globe, John Mello says the device has promise, but in this first iteration is not very user friendly. (Read his review.)
Posted 11:37 AM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
Should Reporters Use Napster?
Steve Outing on journalism ethics
San Francisco Chronicle media writer Dan Fost presents an interesting ethical dilemma in his column today. Should reporters be downloading music from Napster when they report on the Napster case? Isn't that the same as doing a story on shoplifting, and actually shoplifting? While that's an interesting question, I don't think the analogy sticks. 1) Napster is going through the court system, so the legal issues are not fully resolved yet. It's not yet a crime to use Napster. 2) Tens of millions of people have used Napster; it's silly for reporters to abstain from experiencing what it's like to use Napster and then write about it. This is a non-issue.
Posted 11:21 AM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
Dreams of the Digital Magazine
Steve Outing on e-readers
Here's a quote that caught my eye from the article "Waiting for the Printless Magazine? Don't Hold Your Breath," written for Inside.com by Tom Watson and Jason Chervokas: "We're closer today to discovering life on Mars than we are to achieving the dreams of many traditional magazine publishers — of dumping their existing properties into a shovelware digital format and magically improving the bottom line by eliminating certain costs." As they point out, it will take not only for e-reader device technology to advance significantly, but also publishers will need to recognize the need to create content specifically suited for the portable digital tablet medium.
Posted 1:01 AM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
Streaming Media Economics
Norbert Specker on broadband content
If you are wondering about streaming media and in particular about the economics involved, get yourself the free report (yes, free) from Jae Kim. The former media analyst with Paul Kagan Associates developed a very detailed white paper on what the cost and revenue structure of a streaming media venture looks like. The conclusion: "While broadband holds promise, narrowband delivers profits." Very much recommended. To get the report, send e-mail to jaekimny@hotmail.com and write "white paper" in the subject line.
Posted 4:01 PM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
News Rash
Andrew Nachison on online news values
The Wall Street Journal reports that Procter and Gamble plans to integrate promotional Web links into a series of TV news "reports" it will sponsor, available for free use in any local TV newscast. The reports, according to the Journal, will tell users to look at the TV station's Web site, where they'll find links for additional information. The catch is that the link for information on, say, diaper rash, will be a Pampers icon that goes to a P&G Web site.Two thoughts: First, this should not be cited as an example of how news values are disintegrating on the Web. The issue is sponsored content showing up in any news product — including, in this case, a TV newscast. Shame on any TV station that takes the P&G bait. This is about news values, not ONLINE news values. Second, who says P&G can't provide meaningful information on diaper rash? The Web enables companies to go directly to consumers, and that's a direct challenge to mass media. But who's to say that P&G can't establish itself as a trustworthy source for information about diaper rash and other health care matters related to the products it sells?
Posted 1:16 PM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
It's Easy to Lower Internet Price Tags
Katja Riefler on content sales precautions
Haven't you heard enough bad news about security bugs in online shopping? No? Here's another. According to Interactive Week, a great number of e-commerce sites are vulnerable to very simple electronic price-tag alteration. Just edit the order-page with a simple HTML editor, then hit the "submit" button. Many shopping cart applications will accept your order of a Rolex watch for US $1.99. Until now, mostly Internet retailers in the UK seem to have been victims; up to 40% of all UK e-commerce-sites might be endangered. The Daily Telegraph in London reported recently that sites such as concert ticket seller Aloud.com, domain name retailer CheapNames.co.uk, and Welsh Internet shop Wales Direct have all been victims of the price-changing scam. So if you think of charging for content, be sure to find a way to audit sales before the bits and bytes leave the company.
Posted 11:24 AM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
The Bright Side: Lots of Available Talent
Steve Outing on the content downturn
It's an anxious time to be in the media (new and old), knowing that layoffs could come at any time. IWantMedia.com is tracking media layoffs, and its long list does not paint a pretty picture. On the bright side, though, there is a lot of media talent available right now.
Posted 8:15 PM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
Did You Forget? Consumers Already Pay for Online Content
Vin Crosbie on paid content
In a Media Life Magazine article, Jeremy Schlosberg writes that entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, journalists, and others involved in the fledgling Web publishing industry forget that consumers already are paying for their online content. "Ordinary people who go online are already paying some $20 a month to be there," he writes. "As far as users are concerned, they have been paying for their content since the day they logged online. And it is not a monthly bill they are quite so used to paying yet. Why should they pay more for individual sites or services?"
Posted 4:31 PM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
Context Is Everything
Andrew Stroehlein on global information
As more and more information surrounds us, the frequency of amusing or even downright bizarre situations seems to increase. On a British Airways plane out of Heathrow on Saturday, we passengers were treated to a video recording of that morning's BBC World News. Of course, the big news in the UK at the moment is the rapid spread of foot-and-mouth disease, devastating to the UK's agricultural industry. Toward the end of the 15-minute coverage, the BBC showed how the rest of Europe was reacting to the outbreak, noting that France was even incinerating all remaining food items from all arriving British Airways flights. Within a minute or two, our cabin crew came through with brunch for us. Eggs, bacon and sausage: eat it quickly before it's condemned at your destination.
Posted 4:26 PM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
Dot-coms Not Only Ones Hurting
Steve Outing on newspaper layoffs
As Jim Romenesko reports today in his MediaNews weblog, the San Jose Mercury News is about to lay off a bunch of people. The reason: The dot-com bust and general tech-industry malaise has had a disastrous effect on advertising revenue for the newspaper of record for Silicon Valley. It's not just the Internet companies that are suffering.
Posted 4:11 PM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
The Newest E-reader
Steve Outing on e-book technology
A new "e-reader" device is scheduled to hit the market this fall. It's called the Hiebook, and manufacturer Korea ebook is targeting a third quarter 2001 debut. The device will have a 5.6-inch, 320 by 480 pixel backlit LCD touchscreen, and the company says the unit will be priced below comparable competing units (such as RCA's eBook reader, which costs US $299 for the black and white model). The Hiebook not only will read books (and periodicals), but also is an MP3 player, can record audio, play games, and store addresses, notes, dates, etc. (RCA's unit can't do all that yet. A competitor that can do much of what the Hiebook will do is Franklin's eBookMan.)
Posted 12:20 PM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
A Hypertext About Hypertext
Rich Gordon on new narrative forms
I have the greatest respect for Mindy McAdams, a new media journalism pioneer who holds a Knight chair at the University of Florida. So I was excited to hear (last week in Tidbits) about a paper she co-wrote (in hypertext format) for the Journal of Electronic Publishing. I completely agree with her premise: "A new process for writing is needed if online narratives are ever to be compelling." I think her ideas for how to make hypertext effective are right on target. So why am I so frustrated when I try to read her piece?
- There isn't enough contrast between the type (black) and background (light blue).
- The navigation scheme is difficult to follow. There are several levels and sub-levels, and there aren't strong enough visual cues in the navigation area indicating where I am on the site. (This may be the Journal's doing rather than Mindy's.)
- A single browser window doesn't work for many kinds of hyperlinks. That's because the "clicked-on" page replaces the previous page, risking user disorientation. For some kinds of links, one way to battle this problem is to build "pop-up" new browser windows that lay on top of the original window. Another useful tool is some kind of consistent visual representation of where you are on the site. (Options include a persistent navigation scheme using HTML frames or something like TrellixWeb, which shows a site outline with every page and a pointer indicating where in the site outline you are.)
- Like most people, I find reading on a screen very difficult — but the article offers me no "printer-friendly" version. (I know my desire to print out the article runs exactly counter to the points Mindy is making, but with today's monitor technology I find that I just can't read lengthy articles online.)
I hope Mindy takes these comments as constructive feedback. The article should spark some important discussions about the importance of hypertext storytelling in online journalism.
Posted 4:28 PM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
Online Entertainment: Does It Suck?
Steve Outing on entertainment content
Wall Street Journal columnist Kara Swisher, reporting from the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado, has some interesting comments about the sorry state of the online entertainment industry. She writes: "Aside from some mildly popular sites, online entertainment has pretty much been a disaster, as company after company has failed to find the hit that will translate into a real business. Most major entertainment companies are abandoning the genre, while start-ups are closing faster than Sylvester Stallone's latest movie. ... The biggest problem with Web entertainment, however, is a simple one: It's not very entertaining." Ouch! But Swisher also hedges her negative comments: "Don't dismiss online entertainment just yet." Here's the full story.
Posted 2:14 PM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
Where's Convergence?
Amy Gahran on new media research
Some intriguing perspectives cropped up at the February 16 Wharton Technology and Media Conference at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia). Media Convergence — and the notable current dearth thereof — was a prominent topic of discussion."What's Holding Up the Show on Media Convergence?" discusses many perspectives on convergence from the conference. They're all intriguing — but here's my overall impression: We're not seeing much convergence yet because it's still too complicated. Most examples of media convergence that I've seen only increase the clutter in my information environment. I don't think convergence will catch on much until it becomes a simple, practical way to reduce information overload.
Posted 11:30 AM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
CQ's The Scoop: Weblogs Go Mainstream
Steve Outing on weblogs
Weblogs are definitely getting more mainstream. The latest edition to the weblog family is The Scoop, written by Derek Willis and published on Congressional Quarterly's Web site. The Scoop is a central element in CQ's newly redesigned corporate home page, and gives the site some fresh daily content. Willis debuted the weblog on March 1.
Posted 11:19 AM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
Best Photo Contest Marred by Politics
Steve Outing on online surveys
MSNBC.com's "Year in Pictures 2000" contest, in which the site's visitors vote on their favorite photo of last year, demonstrates the dangers in online surveys. As the New York Times reported on Friday, the contest has entered the heated realm of Mideast politics. A powerful photo of a Palestinian boy crouching next to his father (above) — just moments before the boy was killed by gunfire — was the clear leader in the contest. But then a widespread e-mail campaign by supporters of Israel urging a vote for any other photo changed the standings. MSNBC said it was besieged by votes for a puppy with maimed hind legs, a dog in desperate need of a fire hydrant, and a variety of cute and cuddly animal pictures. The dramatic photo of the boy has since dropped from the top spot. Here's the Times story.
Posted 11:02 AM US Eastern Time | perma-link to item below
From Pay-per-click to Pay-per-cut
Jade Walker on online writing marketplaces
Pay-per-click site Themestream has been both revered and reviled in the online writing community. Some felt its business model cheapened the worth of professional writers, and required contributors to spam people for money. Others thought the site was a good way to make some extra cash and possibly find markets for reprints.Last week, Themestream announced its decision to further cut its rates. Originally the site offered $.10/click on all article viewings. Last fall, that changed to $.02/click. As of March 1, only clicks from registered users will be counted. This means readers have to register and sign in for the "click" to be counted. Plus, article payments have been capped at $150. Before, it was $350.
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