Our class has been wrapping up the semester by discussing various types of social networking sites and how they can be utilized for promotion.
I am a member of some of these social networks, and have certainly seen some companies do a very good job of reaching and engaging their audiences. During our discussion today, however, it became clear that there are many many misuses and even abuses of social networks by intrusive advertisers and scam artists can become all users remember.
This is easy to understand being that users expect to be "safe" in online communities where the believe they are among friends. An article in the Los Angeles Times today discussed this problem and reported that phishing scams of all sorts have been increasing across several popular networking sites.
Most of the scam artists try to learn a member's login name and password by setting up fake log-in pages, and then try those names and passwords on email and financial sites in the hopes that the passwords are re-used.
With this malicious activity on the rise, it seems users will be even more cautious about receiving unsolicited communications or being aggressively targeted for product advertising. If companies want to be successful on social networks it is essential for them to gain the trust of their audiences and stay away from anything that even remotely resembles these abuses.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
NYTimes tests viewer patience with intrusive ads
Intrusive ads are a topic I touched on earlier in the semester with my post about pop-up surveys. So when I read this article about the New York Times trying out screen take-over ads before users even enter their site, I had to comment!
Although many sites use these screen take-over ads, or interstitials, they are always annoying, and in my opinion, unacceptable as "welcome" ads. The Times argues that they are just complying to the needs of their advertising customers by providing this often-requested placement. But I think a newspaper as important as the New York Times should be focusing on its readers, not its advertisers.
The Times, however, has promised that they will be monitoring the prevalence of these interstitials and how they affect reader experience to determine how often they can run these "welcome ads".
Hopefully the readers will speak up and news sties will learn that these intrusive ads just aren't appropriate for their readers.
Although many sites use these screen take-over ads, or interstitials, they are always annoying, and in my opinion, unacceptable as "welcome" ads. The Times argues that they are just complying to the needs of their advertising customers by providing this often-requested placement. But I think a newspaper as important as the New York Times should be focusing on its readers, not its advertisers.
The Times, however, has promised that they will be monitoring the prevalence of these interstitials and how they affect reader experience to determine how often they can run these "welcome ads".
Hopefully the readers will speak up and news sties will learn that these intrusive ads just aren't appropriate for their readers.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Economic downturn may not be all bad news for digital promotion grads
Despite the apparent economic downturn over the past few years, an article I found on Foliomag.com yesterday gave me hope that my career choice may indeed allow me to be gainfully employed come December.
The article noted that business to business publishers in general saw a 2% decrease in ad revenue, but those that have been working on their transformation from print to digital are still doing well.
While many companies have imposed hiring freezes, one company CEO quoted in the article said this freeze would not apply to its New Media Group.
This CEO said that he considered that group's actions "critical to our revenue growth plans for both the near and long-term future."
For soon to be CMC graduates like myself, news like this means that there might be a multitude of job openings in online media, even as print media suffers.
Even so, the article did conclude that online is not the complete solution. The point is it's critical for any business to know their audience and how to fulfill their roles online and in print.
The article noted that business to business publishers in general saw a 2% decrease in ad revenue, but those that have been working on their transformation from print to digital are still doing well.
While many companies have imposed hiring freezes, one company CEO quoted in the article said this freeze would not apply to its New Media Group.
This CEO said that he considered that group's actions "critical to our revenue growth plans for both the near and long-term future."
For soon to be CMC graduates like myself, news like this means that there might be a multitude of job openings in online media, even as print media suffers.
Even so, the article did conclude that online is not the complete solution. The point is it's critical for any business to know their audience and how to fulfill their roles online and in print.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Flickr adds video features, attempts to compete with YouTube
Flickr, the successful photo-sharing site owned by Yahoo, launched its video features for its pro account holders on Tuesday.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the new features, which came in response to the increasingly video oriented tech world, are Yahoo's most recent attempt to compete with YouTube, Snapfish and other media sharing sites that already offer video capability.
Currently only Flickr's pro members (who pay $24.95/year) will be able to post videos, although all users will be able to view them. The size limit for clips is 150MB or about 90 seconds, which is far below YouTube's 10 minute maximum, but Flickr hopes this will attract homemade clips that fit in with the site's sense of community.
In another attempt to facilitate the site's community identity, all pirated Hollywood clips will be banned and the site will remain ad-free for paid users. Subscribers will also be able to keep their clips private or make them public.
While Flickr has a long way to go if they really intend to compete with YouTube's video market, these added video features will surely help them match-up against their photo-sharing counterparts.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the new features, which came in response to the increasingly video oriented tech world, are Yahoo's most recent attempt to compete with YouTube, Snapfish and other media sharing sites that already offer video capability.
Currently only Flickr's pro members (who pay $24.95/year) will be able to post videos, although all users will be able to view them. The size limit for clips is 150MB or about 90 seconds, which is far below YouTube's 10 minute maximum, but Flickr hopes this will attract homemade clips that fit in with the site's sense of community.
In another attempt to facilitate the site's community identity, all pirated Hollywood clips will be banned and the site will remain ad-free for paid users. Subscribers will also be able to keep their clips private or make them public.
While Flickr has a long way to go if they really intend to compete with YouTube's video market, these added video features will surely help them match-up against their photo-sharing counterparts.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Editors may need to rethink guidelines for social media
The majority of major news organizations follow guidelines set by the Associated Press Stylebook, or create their own formal stylebook for editors to follow. While these guidelines are generally accepted in print media and as basic standards for journalism, some readers and online participants are suggesting more relaxed rules for online social media formats.
The main topics that came under scrutiny were anonymous remarks and journalist participation in online discussions.
The Associated Press reported that according to the Online Journalism Credibility Study released Tuesday by the Associated Press Managing Editors group and the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri, 70 percent of editors surveyed said requiring commenters to disclose their identities would support good journalism, while only 45 percent of the public did.
The study also reported that 58 percent of editors said letting journalists join online conversations and give personal views would harm journalism, but only 36 percent of the public agreed.
Topics the editors and readers did agree on included the need to ensure accuracy, fairness of coverage, labeling of commentary and the desirability of depth (such as links to outside more detailed content).
The study was created to gauge what kinds of changes newspapers should be making as they continue to blend print with web operations, but unfortunately raised more questions than it answered.
What became clear was that readers are looking for something more personal and interactive online, and editors will surely have to develop new guidelines to handle that.
The main topics that came under scrutiny were anonymous remarks and journalist participation in online discussions.
The Associated Press reported that according to the Online Journalism Credibility Study released Tuesday by the Associated Press Managing Editors group and the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri, 70 percent of editors surveyed said requiring commenters to disclose their identities would support good journalism, while only 45 percent of the public did.
The study also reported that 58 percent of editors said letting journalists join online conversations and give personal views would harm journalism, but only 36 percent of the public agreed.
Topics the editors and readers did agree on included the need to ensure accuracy, fairness of coverage, labeling of commentary and the desirability of depth (such as links to outside more detailed content).
The study was created to gauge what kinds of changes newspapers should be making as they continue to blend print with web operations, but unfortunately raised more questions than it answered.
What became clear was that readers are looking for something more personal and interactive online, and editors will surely have to develop new guidelines to handle that.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Report reveals print and online ads suffered big in 2007
The impending doom of print newspaper ads seems to have been predicted for quite some time. So even though national print advertising revenue dropped an insulting 6.7% in 2007, which marked the most severe decline since the beginning of advertising, this figure probably doesn't shock many people.
What may be more worrisome is the Newspaper Association of America's numbers for online revenue which show its growth slowing significantly from the impressive 30% growth rates of 2005 and 2006 to only 18.8% in 2007.
Editor&Publisher.com, who originally reported this story did not seem upset about this growth stunt, but instead explained it saying, "As newspaper Web sites generate more advertising revenue, the growth rate naturally slows. "
I would argue that most of the online environment still has a lot to learn about the best ways to grab reader attention and capitalize on online advertising. Big newspaper sites may think they have it all figured out, but many of the "innovative advertising methods" I've come across lately are either intrusive or just annoying.
What may be more worrisome is the Newspaper Association of America's numbers for online revenue which show its growth slowing significantly from the impressive 30% growth rates of 2005 and 2006 to only 18.8% in 2007.
Editor&Publisher.com, who originally reported this story did not seem upset about this growth stunt, but instead explained it saying, "As newspaper Web sites generate more advertising revenue, the growth rate naturally slows. "
I would argue that most of the online environment still has a lot to learn about the best ways to grab reader attention and capitalize on online advertising. Big newspaper sites may think they have it all figured out, but many of the "innovative advertising methods" I've come across lately are either intrusive or just annoying.
Monday, March 24, 2008
HTML the clear winner in the e-newsletter format debate
For almost a decade, experts have been debating which format is best suited for sending out e-newsletters. Web-standards gurus, media professionals and the like have written countless articles and given lecture after lecture to discuss this topic. Originally, the debate focused on html vs pdf.
In the last few years, the general consensus is that html should be the standard. There are still some minor debates regarding the ability of all email programs to process and correctly display html newsletters, which has sparked some defenders of the boring text-only format.
As a CMC student, an experienced email user, and a newsletter coordinator, the choice seems very clear to me.
Below is a short list of the benefits of html newsletters:
In the last few years, the general consensus is that html should be the standard. There are still some minor debates regarding the ability of all email programs to process and correctly display html newsletters, which has sparked some defenders of the boring text-only format.
As a CMC student, an experienced email user, and a newsletter coordinator, the choice seems very clear to me.
Below is a short list of the benefits of html newsletters:
- Businesses can track reader click-through rates on the newsletter in general, as well as each individual story
- The colors and graphics entice users to read the email
- Allows for branding reinforcement through logos and images
- Graphical layouts encourage scanning and are less intimidating to readers
- Readers can be easily directed to take a specific action such as make a donation or redeem a coupon
- Story teasers entice readers to continue on to the company web site to find out more
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Pop-ups rear their ugly head
While surfing some popular media sites recently, I came across mediaweek.com, a site that reports the latest media news. But before I had a chance to dive deeper into one of their juicy stories, I was stopped in my tracks by a pop-up.
Although the abundance of pop-up ads have greatly diminished since the 1990s, I do occasionally still run across them. The standard pop-up barely causes me to pause because I know exactly how to get rid of it and continue my web surfing. This, however, was no ordinary pop-up.
This particular pop-up was an "invitation" from Nielsen//NetRatings to take a survey about the usability of the website (mediaweek.com). This was not your typical pop-up either. There was no convenient red "x" to close the window in the corner. In fact, the window was designed to look like part of the web site and you couldn't move it or get rid of it before answering yes or no to the "invitation".
This use of the pop-up angered me because it seemed to be a manipulation of the system. Not only did I become frustrated as I read over the ad to make sure I successfully clicked out of it without being subjected to any other annoying ads, but I also lost my interest in reading Mediaweek's stories.
While I understand the importance of gathering data about usability, this pop-up strategy is certainly not the way to go about it.
Although the abundance of pop-up ads have greatly diminished since the 1990s, I do occasionally still run across them. The standard pop-up barely causes me to pause because I know exactly how to get rid of it and continue my web surfing. This, however, was no ordinary pop-up.
This particular pop-up was an "invitation" from Nielsen//NetRatings to take a survey about the usability of the website (mediaweek.com). This was not your typical pop-up either. There was no convenient red "x" to close the window in the corner. In fact, the window was designed to look like part of the web site and you couldn't move it or get rid of it before answering yes or no to the "invitation".
This use of the pop-up angered me because it seemed to be a manipulation of the system. Not only did I become frustrated as I read over the ad to make sure I successfully clicked out of it without being subjected to any other annoying ads, but I also lost my interest in reading Mediaweek's stories.
While I understand the importance of gathering data about usability, this pop-up strategy is certainly not the way to go about it.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Myspace expands TV offerings
In an effort to surpass its major competitors, Facebook and YouTube, Myspace has been expanding and diversifying its TV content. Mediaweek reports that they announced their newest branded channel from TMZ on Wednesday.
TMZ, according to comScore, is one of the most heavily trafficked gossip sites, attracting nearly 11 million unique visitors last month. They will be providing Myspace with two to three exclusive clips per week, along with several nonexclusive clips.
The TMZ channel will join several other branded channels on Myspace including BBC, National Geographic and the New York Times. The TMZ channel will be competing with Myspace's current Celebrity channel which includes content from People magazine and Getty images.
This effort to broaden content offerings seems to be a trend among the social networking sites recently. Sites that began with a specific purpose and niche market, such as Facebook which was originally only a network of college students, are now diversifying in an effort to become the favorite "one stop shop" for viewers.
TMZ, according to comScore, is one of the most heavily trafficked gossip sites, attracting nearly 11 million unique visitors last month. They will be providing Myspace with two to three exclusive clips per week, along with several nonexclusive clips.
The TMZ channel will join several other branded channels on Myspace including BBC, National Geographic and the New York Times. The TMZ channel will be competing with Myspace's current Celebrity channel which includes content from People magazine and Getty images.
This effort to broaden content offerings seems to be a trend among the social networking sites recently. Sites that began with a specific purpose and niche market, such as Facebook which was originally only a network of college students, are now diversifying in an effort to become the favorite "one stop shop" for viewers.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Hulu.com shakes up the world of web video
Hulu.com, the newest face in the world of online video, offers viewers a new realm of content. This joint venture from NBC and News Corp provides "premium content" from networks like Fox, USA, E! Entertainment and the like, all at no cost to viewers.
Launched just last year, the site continues to add content and increase its availability across the globe.
Along with full length TV shows from popular series like Heroes and The Office, Hulu also offers popular commercials (like those from the Super Bowl) and movie clips and trailers. Their video player is completely customizable, and you can easily share and embed your favorite clips and videos, as well as view them from other partner sites like MSN, MySpace and Yahoo.
On top of all this, Hulu's CEO, Jason Kilar, seems to know what viewers want and need from embeded advertising. Mediaweek.com reported that during a recent presentation, Kilar urged online advertisers to "deliver creative that is suited to the environment." He went on to say that producing original creative placements that are shorter in length was the best way to do this.
After poking around on Hulu.com myself, I've determined that this newcomer has a lot going for it. If they're able to keep the content free and updated it wont' be long before Hulu.com is as widely known as YouTube.
Launched just last year, the site continues to add content and increase its availability across the globe.
Along with full length TV shows from popular series like Heroes and The Office, Hulu also offers popular commercials (like those from the Super Bowl) and movie clips and trailers. Their video player is completely customizable, and you can easily share and embed your favorite clips and videos, as well as view them from other partner sites like MSN, MySpace and Yahoo.
On top of all this, Hulu's CEO, Jason Kilar, seems to know what viewers want and need from embeded advertising. Mediaweek.com reported that during a recent presentation, Kilar urged online advertisers to "deliver creative that is suited to the environment." He went on to say that producing original creative placements that are shorter in length was the best way to do this.
After poking around on Hulu.com myself, I've determined that this newcomer has a lot going for it. If they're able to keep the content free and updated it wont' be long before Hulu.com is as widely known as YouTube.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Local avalanche makes safety concerns a reality
While hiking the backcountry near Cameron Pass on Sunday, three Fort Collins' men encountered a life-threatening avalanche.
According to the Coloradoan, two of the men escaped unhurt, while the third remains in a coma at Medical Center of the Rockies.
Despite being experienced backcountry skiers equipped with the right gear, the group encountered the slide while trying to traverse a slope and reach a safer place to descend 'Hotdog Bowl', a well-known spot near Zimmerman Lake. Luke Mason, the only member of the group that wished to be identified, spoke out Tuesday about the horrific experience.
"I knew it was dangerous where we were, but going in the trees was very difficult because the snow was so deep," Mason told the Coloradoan.
The avalanche barely missed Mason and the second group member and hit the third dead on, engulfing him in 2 1/2 feet of snow. Mason and his surviving friend were able to locate their friend using their beacons and performed CPR until he regained a pulse and began breathing.
Bill Cotton, a seasoned rescuer who arrived to rescue the group, noted that this was the only rescue he'd encountered where the buried person survived. Cotton credited the man's rescue to his friends' knowledge and skill with their equipment.
The Colorado Avalanche Center is predicting more of these incidents throughout the season due to the way the snowpack is forming. So if you were considering heading into the backcountry without proper training, you may want to reconsider.
According to the Coloradoan, two of the men escaped unhurt, while the third remains in a coma at Medical Center of the Rockies.
Despite being experienced backcountry skiers equipped with the right gear, the group encountered the slide while trying to traverse a slope and reach a safer place to descend 'Hotdog Bowl', a well-known spot near Zimmerman Lake. Luke Mason, the only member of the group that wished to be identified, spoke out Tuesday about the horrific experience.
"I knew it was dangerous where we were, but going in the trees was very difficult because the snow was so deep," Mason told the Coloradoan.
The avalanche barely missed Mason and the second group member and hit the third dead on, engulfing him in 2 1/2 feet of snow. Mason and his surviving friend were able to locate their friend using their beacons and performed CPR until he regained a pulse and began breathing.
Bill Cotton, a seasoned rescuer who arrived to rescue the group, noted that this was the only rescue he'd encountered where the buried person survived. Cotton credited the man's rescue to his friends' knowledge and skill with their equipment.
The Colorado Avalanche Center is predicting more of these incidents throughout the season due to the way the snowpack is forming. So if you were considering heading into the backcountry without proper training, you may want to reconsider.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Films for every fancy
There are so many great snowboard films out this season, I decided to use this entry to highlight some of the best in a few different categories.
If you favor street riding:
If you favor street riding:
- We're People Too - this film by MDPeople features riders like Austin Smith, Nima Jalali, Jon Kooley and Brian Fox on heavy street rails, ledges and wall rides
- Optimistic - this movie is all about fresh powder, crazy antics and seasoned veterans showing their talents. Featuring riders like Mark Frank Montoya, Danny Davis and Nicolas Muller, Absinthe Films really delivered this time.
If you like to see the ladies shred:
- La la Land - this flick is all about the ladies. Laura Hadar, Leane Pelosi, Anne Flore-Marxer, Hana Beaman and Tara Dakides, along with many others, shred the park, street and powder in this project by Runway Films.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Old Town offers festive fun
Christmas shopping is always a somewhat chaotic experience.
The masses of people, checkout lines and the pressure to find "the perfect gift" at a price you can afford tend to diminish the cheer and festivity of the holiday season.
Malls, outlet centers and superstores like Target and Walmart may be appealing for their large selection and sometimes lower prices, but to me they always epitomize the chaos of the season.
That's why I prefer to shop in Old Town.
During the day the area is bustling with patrons, but the spread out pedestrian mall and ability to wander the decorated streets and "window shop" offers a bit more ambiance than the average shopping center.
The tree-lined streets are also quite a sight to behold at night when the lights sparkle amongst their bare branches.
Aside from the quaint gift shops and relaxed holiday atmosphere there are several festive activities being offered by the Downtown Business Association that shouldn't be overlooked:
- Old Town Skating Rink: Open weeknights and weekends, the rink is great affordable holiday entertainment. Skating costs $2 and skate rentals are only $1.
- Horse and Carriage Rides: Starting this weekend horse drawn carriages will roam the downtown streets available to hire for romantic after dinner rides or scenic tours Wednesdays thru Sundays and the Tuesday of New Years Eve.
- Santa Claus & his workshop: Wednesdays thru Sundays from now until the 24th Santa and his helpers can be found in his hut in Old Town Square. Special events like storytime and skating with Santa will be offered throughout the week and a professional photographer will always be on hand to take pictures.
The masses of people, checkout lines and the pressure to find "the perfect gift" at a price you can afford tend to diminish the cheer and festivity of the holiday season.
Malls, outlet centers and superstores like Target and Walmart may be appealing for their large selection and sometimes lower prices, but to me they always epitomize the chaos of the season.
That's why I prefer to shop in Old Town.
During the day the area is bustling with patrons, but the spread out pedestrian mall and ability to wander the decorated streets and "window shop" offers a bit more ambiance than the average shopping center.
The tree-lined streets are also quite a sight to behold at night when the lights sparkle amongst their bare branches.
Aside from the quaint gift shops and relaxed holiday atmosphere there are several festive activities being offered by the Downtown Business Association that shouldn't be overlooked:
- Old Town Skating Rink: Open weeknights and weekends, the rink is great affordable holiday entertainment. Skating costs $2 and skate rentals are only $1.
- Horse and Carriage Rides: Starting this weekend horse drawn carriages will roam the downtown streets available to hire for romantic after dinner rides or scenic tours Wednesdays thru Sundays and the Tuesday of New Years Eve.
- Santa Claus & his workshop: Wednesdays thru Sundays from now until the 24th Santa and his helpers can be found in his hut in Old Town Square. Special events like storytime and skating with Santa will be offered throughout the week and a professional photographer will always be on hand to take pictures.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Tools, skill essential for backcountry safety
This season I plan to venture into the backcountry to experience a different type of snowboarding that the resorts can't quite offer. But before I do I know I will need to learn a lot about how to navigate possibly unstable snow.
If you're like me and also thinking of exploring this season, taking an avalanche course is the best way to educate yourself. But to give you an idea of where to start, I've compiled some basic information.
Mountainzone.com stresses the importance of understanding the fundamentals. Avalanche conditions form as a result of the interaction of terrain, weather, and snowpack. All of the information needed to predict snow stability can be obtained from these three.
Storms are the source of most of the world's avalanches. The combination of new snowfall and wind creates the unstable layering that result in slab avalanches because the rate at which stress is added to the snowpack exceeds the rate at which these new layers can gain strength.
Also, a prolonged period of cold and clear weather can substantially weaken the snowpack and create a hair trigger situation.
Of course, there is a lot of other knowledge that is essential to backcountry safety. Testing your knowledge and skills in controlled practice sessions is important, but also requires some essential tools:
• Avalanche Beacon - A portable transceiver that reflects a signal from an aboveground transceiver, making known the exact location of the device in case the carrier is buried in an avalanche.
• Snow Shovel- A small, portable shovel with a detachable handle that can be easily carried in a pack while in the backcountry.
• Probe - long skinny pole used to measure horizons in snow layering and locate avalanche victims
• Survival Blanket - waterproof, lightweight blanket that retains a maximum amount of body height to keep you warm
All of this equipment can be purchased at backcountry.com and discount sites like steep and cheap.
If you're like me and also thinking of exploring this season, taking an avalanche course is the best way to educate yourself. But to give you an idea of where to start, I've compiled some basic information.
Mountainzone.com stresses the importance of understanding the fundamentals. Avalanche conditions form as a result of the interaction of terrain, weather, and snowpack. All of the information needed to predict snow stability can be obtained from these three.
Storms are the source of most of the world's avalanches. The combination of new snowfall and wind creates the unstable layering that result in slab avalanches because the rate at which stress is added to the snowpack exceeds the rate at which these new layers can gain strength.
Also, a prolonged period of cold and clear weather can substantially weaken the snowpack and create a hair trigger situation.
Of course, there is a lot of other knowledge that is essential to backcountry safety. Testing your knowledge and skills in controlled practice sessions is important, but also requires some essential tools:
• Avalanche Beacon - A portable transceiver that reflects a signal from an aboveground transceiver, making known the exact location of the device in case the carrier is buried in an avalanche.
• Snow Shovel- A small, portable shovel with a detachable handle that can be easily carried in a pack while in the backcountry.
• Probe - long skinny pole used to measure horizons in snow layering and locate avalanche victims
• Survival Blanket - waterproof, lightweight blanket that retains a maximum amount of body height to keep you warm
All of this equipment can be purchased at backcountry.com and discount sites like steep and cheap.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Optimistic?
Last night I attended an event that left me feeling pumped and inspired.
At 8 p.m. CSU hosted Sphere of Influence, Absinthe Film company and pro rider Mark Frank Montoya and his crew to show their new film, Optimistic?. The film not only showcased the impressive talent of the pro riders, but also focused on raising awareness of global warming.
The group's Sphere of Influence tour is making its way across the country, stopping only at small art house theaters where the atmosphere is very personal and admission is only $5. Absinthe Films has partnered with the Energy Action Coalition and stopglobalwarming.org among other environmentally conscious groups, and the tour uses only environmentally safe products.
After Mark Frank Montoya and Nicolas Mueller signed posters and handed out information on global warming the film kicked off with one of MFM's crew presenting an original rhyme about the state of our environment.
By the time the film was over I was not only pumped for the season and inspired to ride better than I ever have before, but also to get involved with protecting the environment.
Even if you miss the event, I challenge you to take the initiative and find out what you could be doing to reduce your negative impact on our world.
At 8 p.m. CSU hosted Sphere of Influence, Absinthe Film company and pro rider Mark Frank Montoya and his crew to show their new film, Optimistic?. The film not only showcased the impressive talent of the pro riders, but also focused on raising awareness of global warming.
The group's Sphere of Influence tour is making its way across the country, stopping only at small art house theaters where the atmosphere is very personal and admission is only $5. Absinthe Films has partnered with the Energy Action Coalition and stopglobalwarming.org among other environmentally conscious groups, and the tour uses only environmentally safe products.
After Mark Frank Montoya and Nicolas Mueller signed posters and handed out information on global warming the film kicked off with one of MFM's crew presenting an original rhyme about the state of our environment.
By the time the film was over I was not only pumped for the season and inspired to ride better than I ever have before, but also to get involved with protecting the environment.
Even if you miss the event, I challenge you to take the initiative and find out what you could be doing to reduce your negative impact on our world.
Monday, November 12, 2007
This season I'm doin the 'splits'
After seasons and seasons of resort riding I've decided to get serious about backcountry boarding this season. While doing some research (aka google searching) on the best backcountry spots in Colorado and what tools you need to be safe and do it right, I came across a great invention: the split board.
As Backcountry magazine puts it, "Today's split boards bridge the schism between Polynesian surfers and Scandinavian skiers by combining the natural ease of skinning up a mountain with the fluid rush of surfing down the crystalline waves."
Their description may be a little dramatic, but the split board really is the best of two worlds. Basically it is a snowboard with a split down the middle fit with movable bindings that allow the rider to separate the pieces and ski or lock them together and snowboard.
The first models of split boards were released by Viole for the 1995-1996 season. Since then many modifications have been made to improve the binding system, and companies like Burton and Never Summer have joined Viole in the production of the boards.
The improved binding system on today's models help the split board's riding performance fall only steps behind traditional snowboards. High performance combined with the convenience of being able to leave your snow shoes at home and not having to carry your board on your back make split boards the tool of choice for backcountry enthusiasts.
As Backcountry magazine puts it, "Today's split boards bridge the schism between Polynesian surfers and Scandinavian skiers by combining the natural ease of skinning up a mountain with the fluid rush of surfing down the crystalline waves."
Their description may be a little dramatic, but the split board really is the best of two worlds. Basically it is a snowboard with a split down the middle fit with movable bindings that allow the rider to separate the pieces and ski or lock them together and snowboard.
The first models of split boards were released by Viole for the 1995-1996 season. Since then many modifications have been made to improve the binding system, and companies like Burton and Never Summer have joined Viole in the production of the boards.
The improved binding system on today's models help the split board's riding performance fall only steps behind traditional snowboards. High performance combined with the convenience of being able to leave your snow shoes at home and not having to carry your board on your back make split boards the tool of choice for backcountry enthusiasts.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Icer Air beats the heat in San Francisco
This past weekend an unlikely city hosted the season's first big-air ski and snowboard competition.
33,000 fans packed into San Francisco's AT&T Park (the baseball stadium) to watch as some of the greatest pros stomp amazing tricks on the only big-air stadium jump in the U.S. The 110 foot jump was covered with over 200 tons of snow to make sure it withstood the unseasonably warm temperatures.
Among the competitors were several Olympic and X Games champions, as well as some local talent. Pro Jon Olsson won the ski title with a double kangaroo flip, and Travis Rice took the snowboard title for the second year in a row with a double cork 1080.
The event was a huge success, impressing both sports and traditional media. Transworld Snowboarding loved how many pros showed up and stuck crazy new tricks, like Chas Guldemond's 1260. CNN, on the other hand, praised the event's coordinators and sponsors for a well-organized, entertaining show.
33,000 fans packed into San Francisco's AT&T Park (the baseball stadium) to watch as some of the greatest pros stomp amazing tricks on the only big-air stadium jump in the U.S. The 110 foot jump was covered with over 200 tons of snow to make sure it withstood the unseasonably warm temperatures.
Among the competitors were several Olympic and X Games champions, as well as some local talent. Pro Jon Olsson won the ski title with a double kangaroo flip, and Travis Rice took the snowboard title for the second year in a row with a double cork 1080.
The event was a huge success, impressing both sports and traditional media. Transworld Snowboarding loved how many pros showed up and stuck crazy new tricks, like Chas Guldemond's 1260. CNN, on the other hand, praised the event's coordinators and sponsors for a well-organized, entertaining show.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Fort Collins lights up downtown
Now that Halloween has passed it's inevitable that the entire consumer world will begin gearing up for the next important holiday: Christmas!
Poor Thanksgiving may get a few turkey-related knick-knacks on the shelves in its honor, but we all know the overplayed music, countless shows and thick toy catalogs won't be celebrating the Pilgrims.
If you haven't noticed any local holiday cheer yet, you will tomorrow when the Downtown Business Association hosts the annual "Lighting of Downtown". At 7 p.m. Council Member Kelly Ohlson will flip the switch to the thousands of lights that line Oak Street Plaza and all of College Avenue between Laporte Avenue and Olive Street.
The ceremony will begin at Oak Street Plaza and is free to all. After the lights are on, live music will begin while hot cider and cookies will be offered to everyone. The new lights will create a great ambiance for the First Friday Gallery Walk that will begin shortly after the ceremony.
While the extreme consumerism of the Christmas holiday may irritate me, holiday lights are one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. Come downtown tomorrow night and let the lights amaze you, the cider warm you and the Gallery Walk inspire you.
Poor Thanksgiving may get a few turkey-related knick-knacks on the shelves in its honor, but we all know the overplayed music, countless shows and thick toy catalogs won't be celebrating the Pilgrims.
If you haven't noticed any local holiday cheer yet, you will tomorrow when the Downtown Business Association hosts the annual "Lighting of Downtown". At 7 p.m. Council Member Kelly Ohlson will flip the switch to the thousands of lights that line Oak Street Plaza and all of College Avenue between Laporte Avenue and Olive Street.
The ceremony will begin at Oak Street Plaza and is free to all. After the lights are on, live music will begin while hot cider and cookies will be offered to everyone. The new lights will create a great ambiance for the First Friday Gallery Walk that will begin shortly after the ceremony.
While the extreme consumerism of the Christmas holiday may irritate me, holiday lights are one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. Come downtown tomorrow night and let the lights amaze you, the cider warm you and the Gallery Walk inspire you.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Many sites offer up-to-date ski and snowboard news
This winter you don't have to rely on TV news to get your weather and snow conditions before heading out to the slopes. Several sites are dedicated to keeping up to date information on conditions and events at resorts across the country and even around the world. Below I've compiled a list of those I consider to be the most helpful:
- On the Snow - this site offers stats on mountains all across the US, Canada, Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. It also has a constantly updating list of where the freshest snow can be found.
- Real Conditions - this site keeps tabs on resorts all over the world including mountains in the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, New Zealand and Japan.
- Transworld - this magazine is one of the best the snowboarding industry has. The website offers tons of sweet videos, resort guides and a rundown of all the upcoming events among its multitude of features.
- Colorado Ski - this site focuses on all the resorts in Colorado and lets you know about conditions, upcoming events, details about passes and all other local snowboarding news.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Alternative viewing for the World Series
With the World Series now underway and the games at Coors field completely sold out, restaurants, theaters and groups all over town are hosting viewing parties to house the masses of Rockies fans.
For all of you that weren't lucky enough to score tickets, here is a run down of some of your viewing options.
- Game #3 – Saturday, October 26th (Home)
- Game#4 – Sunday, October 27th (Home)
- Game#5- Monday, October 28th (Home) if necessary
- Game#6 – Wednesday, October 31 if necessary
- Game#7 - Thursday, November 1st if necessary
For all of you that weren't lucky enough to score tickets, here is a run down of some of your viewing options.
- The Stonehouse Grille
Throughout the World Series they will be hosting ROCKTOBER parties with drink and food specials. They will have 10 HD Plasma/LCD TVs along with a 100” HD projection. They boast that it is "quite possibly the largest Old Town viewing of the 2007 World Series!" - Lyric Cinema Cafe
This small, homey theater located on mountain avenue in Old Town will be showing all of the games on their 12' by 6' screen. The cinema sells beer, wine and an assortment of snacks and other beverages that can be brought into the theater. The theaters also feature old reclining movie seats and various comfortable couches and chairs in place of formal stadium seating. Lyric cinema urges Rockies fans to come ready to "get tastefully excited about the home team." - The Downtown Business Association
The 3rd game of the World Series will be aired in Old Town Square, free of charge! Pre-game coverage will begin airing at 5 p.m. and the game begins at 6 p.m. The association encourages fans to wear “Rockies” colors and experience the stadium feeling from Old Town Square with bleachers, hotdogs, and the game on a 12 foot screen.
Whether you decide to stay home and watch from the comfort of your living room or come out to one of these or other viewing events, be sure to support the Rockies this weekend. The schedule for the remaining games is as follows:
- Game #2 – Thursday, October 25th- Game #3 – Saturday, October 26th (Home)
- Game#4 – Sunday, October 27th (Home)
- Game#5- Monday, October 28th (Home) if necessary
- Game#6 – Wednesday, October 31 if necessary
- Game#7 - Thursday, November 1st if necessary
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