Sarah Doherty

Always thinking. Always dreaming.

  1. Three Cheers for Brock!

    I should have posted this sometime last week when the blessed event did occurr, but tonight will have to suffice. I have had my eye on Flickr for some time now, but did not want to put out the money for it (apartment, car and boyfriend costs have gotten the better of me).

    I had invited my friend Brock, to come over and enjoy some warm cookies with Ryan and I, when he popped the question! Brock had signed up early to Flickr and as a thank you present Flickr rewarded him with two free pro accounts. I got one, and the other one went to Jym.

    I promised Brock I would start taking more pictures and uploading them and I really do intend to. There is a nice little plugin for iPhoto which allows uploading. I need a few more hours to tinker around and I think I will be good to go. I am really hoping to post a lot of pictures this summer so all my readers (what — all five of them now?) can get a better idea of my ‘adventures’.

    Seriously, thanks Brock. And for all those that haven’t, check out Flickr – it kicks some ass.

  2. Fairway To Heaven

    What a great way to market yourself in the afterlife. Art Caskets, is a company that sells special interest caskets. Kicked the bucket and cremation isn’t your style? Why not plaster your favorite activity on your casket for all to see. Depicted here is the golf theme, but there are plenty more to choose from. Categories range from military to special interest, to religioui and lifestyle.

    I learned about this site in my Digital Print Processes class today. My professor was extremely enthusiastic about it, as it does push the means of printing in an entirely new direction. However, I don’t think this is the way I would like to go.

    The class got a good chuckle over my inquiry as to how long the print will last on the casket. If I’m paying for a golf scene of the last supper, I want to know if its going to disintegrate in a few months or if a few years down the line I can check on Great Aunt Suzy’s resting place.

    Extra money on something ridiculous? I think so. But its sure would allow for some interesting conversations at the funeral home, and the possibility to market yourself- even after death.

  3. An Innovator

    Bar none, Google is an innovator. Their mission is plain and simple

    . . . To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.

    We’ve seen this time and time again with Froogle, Google Maps and Google News (to name a few).

    Today, Google released My Search History (Beta) which lets users easily view and manage their search history from any computer.

    This is perfect for me. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I know I searched for something but don’t remember what it was. Now there’s a solution.

    I know I will definitely use this service. Will you?

  4. Adobe’s Depleted Bank Account

    Unless you’ve been living under a rock all day, you’ve heard the news. No, not about the pope. But rather, that Adobe Systems has announced a definitive agreeement to acquire Macromedia in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $3.4 billion.

    It seems like everyone is up in arms about this. Between web sites, and my friends ever running mouths people have come to assume that this will allow Adobe to stop innovating, and create bloated products. I disagree.

    Sure, Adobe has just sucked up their major competitor. But the worst competitor is themselves. By acquiring Macromedia, Adobe will be able to truly integrate all of the products. College students won’t have to worry about buying two software packages, but rather one. Adobe has always had an incredibly good sense of integration. Ever used InDesign before? The way it flawlessly edits photos in Photoshop and exports final products to GoLive for web consumption is a dream. Version Cue, Adobe’s file manager allows multiple people to work on the same project via a server without any hiccups.

    Each company’s product line has its pros and cons. The deed has been done, so stop the sulking and imagine the possibilities.

  5. How do I change?

    If I feel depressed I will sing.
    If I feel sad I will laugh.
    If I feel ill I will double my labour.
    If I feel fear I will plunge ahead.
    If I feel inferior I will wear new garments.
    If I feel uncertain I will raise my voice.
    If I feel poverty I will think of wealth to come.
    If I feel incompetent I will think of past success.
    If I feel insignificant I will remember my goals.
    Today I will be the master of my emotions.
    - Og Mandino, The Greatest Salesman in the World

  6. Gorgeous Rochester

    I love beautiful weather. Opening my blinds this morning and the sun just pours through. Its a refreshing feeling, and I know that with each passing day summer will soon be here.

    Summer in Rochester last year was fun. Piña coladas, late night Wendy’s /Taco Bell runs, roller blading all around campus and just plain hanging out. I want this summer to be the same.

  7. Apple Student Blog

    The Apple Student Blog is cool. Students from all over the world posting how they use technology and what is hip to them. I’ve really been surprised at how many people think this is some marketing ploy done by Apple. Its not. Sure it’s hosted on Apple’s site. And sure students talk mainly about Apple technology. But I find it quite refreshing to hear different people’s perspectives on the same things that I use day after day. Add it to your blog reel. I’m sure it’ll become addicting.

  8. AIM Buddy Icon

    In this day and age who doesn’t use some form of AOL Instant Messenger? Personally I float between two different clients, Adium and iChat. One of the neatest features of AOL Instant Messenger is buddy icons. Buddy icons are a truly awesome form of viral marketing. 50 X 50 pixels is a small amount of space, but companies seem to load lots of information into these colorful squares. Logos, product designs, artist images are all great ways to get the word across. Buddy icons force companies to simplify their image and messaging, so there is no confusion in the product/service being pitched. The best part about buddy icons is that if one person has the image, everyone sees it. Free, and viral. Perfect.

  9. At the Core

    Apple is a bleeding edge company right down to its very core. Unless you have been stuck in a grave over the last 5 years, the iPod has become one of the most popular pieces of technology.

    But what were people saying when it first came out? Let’s take this guy for instance:

    “All that hype for an MP3 player? Break-thru digital device? The Reality Distortion Field is starting to warp Steve’s mind if he thinks for one second that this thing is gonna take off.” – iPod critic, Nov. 2001

    Well, that proved wrong. The iPod is now the most popular digital music device, and is even being called the follower of the Sony Walkman.

    Bleeding edge can be good. It just takes the right genius to know when to use it.

  10. What to Wear?

    Pull ten people aside that all work at different companies and the style of dress will change. Some companies have dress codes mandating that their employees wear ties, collared shoots, dress shoes, and even non-white socks!

    So once you land that perfect dream job, you’ll have to go out shopping for a plethora of clothes that can only be worn from those 9 – 5 time periods. Is working in clothes like that comfortable?

    I’m for the “comfy” dress code. When we come into work isn’t our mind the most important thing? Sure there are days when putting on a nice crisp shirt and sliding into those new Steve Maddens works like a charm, but for the day to day stuff I say jeans is where its at.

    What do you think?

  11. Sir Spam A Lot

    If I could strangle every single company that has spammed me with junk e-mail I would. But if you think about it from their perspective, all they are doing is there job. Buy a database, blast poor innocent college kids (and other target audiences) with your useless crap. Sound good, right?

    Of course.

    E-marketing finds itself into everything I do on my computer. From browsing the web and finding pop-up windows, or product/service advertisements it’s all there. Open up my e-mail program (Apple’s Mail.app no less) and there is a pile of junk mail already parsed through the trash filter.

    I could opt out. But I’m lazy. Unsubscribe to all those junk mail newsletters? No way!

    As for the web there is a small solution. Download Firefox and install Adblock. Thank you dear lord, at least one of my experiences cannot end in a headache.

    If only could now write a plug-in to kill spam as effectively as Adblock does to my web woes. I’ll keep on dreaming . . .

  12. Viral Marketing: Defined

    What is viral marketing? Well, according to Wikipedia viral marketing and viral advertising refer to marketing techniques that seek to exploit pre-existing social networks to produce exponential increases in brand awareness.

    The term “viral advertising” refers to the idea that people will pass on and share cool and entertaining content; this is often sponsored by a brand, which is looking to build awareness of a product or service. These viral commercials often take the form of funny video clips, or interactive Flash games, images, and even text.

    Viral marketing has become very popular because of its ease of use. There are many companies that use this method to sell and advertise their products. Want to know more? This article kicks ass.

  13. What Is Marketing?

    Everyone seems to confuse marketing, pr, advertising, sales (etcetera) so I thought I would set it straight with a cool quote I found on the glorious interweb.

    “If the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying “Circus Coming to the Fairground Saturday,” that’s advertising. If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and walk it into town, that’s promotion. If the elephant walks through the mayor’s flower bed, that’s publicity. And if you get the mayor to laugh about it, that’s public relations. If the town’s citizens go the circus, you show them the many entertainment booths, explain how much fun they’ll have spending money at the booths, answer their questions and ultimately, they spend a lot at the circus, that’s sales.”
    - Unknown

  14. Leading or Bleeding?

    It will always be the question that people will ponder. Everyone always wants to be on the forefront of technology, but when is far too far?

    As we graduate and go out into the “real world” clients will come to us and they will want the latest technology and special effects to be used, despite if it is a “good idea” or not. Is it worth it?

    Bleeding edge isn’t for everyone. Consider the percentages. Who will be viewing the final product? Will everyone have a strong grasp of this technology? What is that “bleeding edge” technology fails?

    Staying a bit behind the game isn’t always a bad thing. It may very well keep you just up to speed.

  15. Females < Computers

    “Disclaimer (females): Being politically incorrect, I use “he/him” not “they” or “he/she/him/her” — not just because I happen to be politically incorrect, but because I have, seen almost no females with any more than “work-a-day” computer skills. If you are a female and can prove me wrong, (1) Please do so, (2) Thank you for existing, and (3) Please see to it that your genes are reproduced as much as possible.” – Unknown

  16. After the Co-op

    I hate going back to classes after co-op. This is my second time at it (first was Fall Quarter 20041, after Summer 20034 co-op). Unfortunately, it isn’t getting any easier. Somehow everything seems so trivial after working in the industry. Homework seems irrelevant.

    My mom has always warned me to stop wishing my life away. Back in high school I wish to go to college, and here I am again- at that same crossroads in my life. I’m done with college. I’ve gotten a taste of the real world and it tastes so sweet.

    But getting back to the subject of co-operative educations, we are truly lucky at RIT to have that experience. I can’t imagine graduating college and having no real job experience except for that dinky summer job that paid me a measly $7 an hour. Oh come on, we’ve all had them.

    I’ll suck it up this quarter. And for four more after this. But after that, cap and gown (and California) here I come.

  17. Living Will

    As my lovely boyfriend so eloquently put it:

    Since I am too lazy to actually go make a living will on paper, I hope one on the Internet will suffice if I become a human cucumber.

    I hereby declare that if I am considered in a vegetative state and/or coma for a period of over two (2) years, there has been no significant improvement and doctors consider my condition irreversible or irrecoverable with little to no hope of change, pull the plug/feeding tube/etc.

    There, that’s done. Don’t wanna have my pasty, lifeless face plastered on every TV and newspaper. And I certainly don’t want to inconvenience any lawmakers and have them make a law especially for me.

    Well, same goes for me.

  18. Marketing Principles

    Peter Drucker once said, “Marketing and innovation are the two chief functions of business. You get paid for creating a customer, which is marketing. And you get paid for creating a new dimension of performance, which is innovation. Everything else is a cost center.”

    And you know what? He is absolutely right. How do companies get ahead in this day and age? Either by coming out with some really cool product that everyone has to have or marketing the hell out of their current line. Or a combination of both.

    I want to be an innovator. I want to help create and push products to their max. But at the same time I don’t want to be one of those people that has succumbed to the typical American lifestyle, forgetting what truly makes us human.

    I want to innovate and market something good. Give me a product, and watch me run.

  19. Ideo.com

    Off the drawing board. Literally. This company does it all. I first learned about Ideo back when I was in California driving with a coworker. He was telling me about this cool company that you could submit ideas to. TiVo? Yup, that was them. Like most other things in life it’s not free, but it’s very cool. And gosh, darn, if I actually could think of something awesome that could generate money they’d be my first stop to start the development.

    So have a look at ideo.com.

  20. Crazy Ideas

    I wish I were one of those people that always had amazingly cool marketing strategies and ideas. Stuff that would blow my colleagues away. You know that feeling when you go into work knowing you have the answer? I want that. What can I do to generate revenue and sales for my company? How can I push their products? Have a cool idea? Drop me a line.

  21. eMarketing Firms

    Business to Business or Business to Consumer? Those are the words that everyone is asking as they decide what type of eMarketing strategy will help their business gain recognition and churn in more money.

    I can’t imagine working at an eMarketing firm. Opt-in email lists, pay-per-click search engines are not my thing. But who am I to be talking? I have eMarketing on my web site with Google Ad Sense. I guess the idea of generating some extra dollars, and seeming “official” tempted me.

    I wonder how many other companies are going with e-marketing not because they need it, but because they feel it’s the way to go. So businesses beware- look at the options, and validate if they are worth the time and money before you “opt-in”.

  22. California Cops

    Co-worker picks me up to go to work one morning. Hop onto 880S and then cross over to 280N. We’re doing about 90 or so in the HOV (errr…. carpool) lane. Co-worker slams on the breaks as the cop pulls right in front of us. Eventually the cop crosses over a couple of lanes and then parks on the bank of the curb right before he turns on his lights right behind us. Hmmm? We were going about 60 and not doing anything wrong. The cop gets out of his car and comes over to our window and is like ….

    “So this is a kind of interesting situation. You are actually going to slow for the HOV lane. So you can either speed up or merge over.”

    After the cop left me and co-worker were just cracking up. Co-worker, out of all people who would get pulled over all the time for speed tickets, now got in trouble for driving too slow.

    It seems you can never please…

  23. Printing Presses

    I’ve always been one of those people to immediately wonder why I need to take a specific class, and how it will be relevant to me once I graduate from college and go off into the “real world”. Take Digital Print Processes for example.

    “This course provides students with an opportunity to learn the principles and applications of digital printing. It presents the technical aspects of the major digital print engines and compares digital printing to conventional printing processes. The strategic use of digital printing is emphasized from a digital workflow standpoint. Variable date personalization and on-demand printing are studied from both technical and marketing perspectives.”    

     A bit difficult (since I have not taken M&P I or II) this class has proven most worthwhile. I am thoroughly enjoying learning about how printers work, and which ones are good for different tasks. More than anything, it has taught me to truly appreciate press operators, as they have far more experience about printing systems than I ever think I could cram into my head in a lifetime.

  24. The Limo

    “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” – Oprah Winfrey

  25. Life is Like Music

    “Life is like music, it must be composed by ear, feeling and instinct, not by rule. Nevertheless one had better know the rules, for they sometimes guide in doubtful cases, though not often.” – Unknown

  26. Popular Music

    “I think popular music in this country is one of the few things in the twentieth century that has made giant strides in the reverse.” – Bing Crosby