Microsoft’s new Silverlight is getting some high-profile buzz, despite the fact that it’s from Microsoft. Apparently, there’s still some talent in the old girl. I’m thrilled that MS is embracing all the web’s users with Silverlight, not just the ones who haven’t jumped the IE ship yet. I’m also looking forward to this lighting a fire under Adobe’s Flash. While I’m not all that jazzed about using a new plug-in without critical mass market share, this’ll still be fun to watch.

(And yes, Mark beat me to the punch on this by two whole weeks.)

Via TechCrunch here and here.

Blogging about a little app he created to demonstrate the Twitter API, developer Brent Simmons had this to say:

Folks who aren’t developers sometimes think that apps like Twitterrific are 90% under-the-hood plumbing and a 10% sprinkling of user interface. The truth is more likely the opposite: 10% plumbing, 90% user interface.

And it struck me that his comment could have just as easily been made about the medium ideapark works in. Ninety percent user interface (design, function, message, strategy) and ten percent plumbing.

Via Darling Furball.

AOL is showing their new “AOL 3.0″ homepage. It’s a nearly perfect clone of Yahoo’s homepage. Sad. Really sad.

Via TechCrunch, as is the image.

At Saturday’s Minnebar, we caught up with David Heinemeier Hansson of 37Signals. David is the creator of the web-application framework Ruby on Rails. Leonardo da Vinci once stated “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” This is what David has developed with the Rails framework. David talked about his passion for developing aesthetically pleasing code that inspires web developers to do great work. Although most marketers wouldn’t need to know (nor necessarily need to care) about Ruby on Rails, for us it is an instrumental tool to ensure our clients’ marketing message and metrics are achieved on the web.

David’s technology foundation – although not visible to the customers – is the major strand of the DNA for the 37Signals brand. It comes across in their no nonsense approach. It shows in their passion for delivery solutions that customers need, not what they want.

David’s company develops phenomenal products that we use daily at ideapark to foster collaboration and creativity. From left-to-right: Chris Henslin (ideapark) David Heinemeier Hansson (37signals) Brian Brown (ideapark)

Btw, this meeting in the Twin Cities was the largest BarCamp outside of India. (What is BarCamp?) Even though it’s the un-conference, great job to the organizers. Noted blogger, Graeme Thickens, gives a great overview. Photo credit to Graeme with yours truly captured looking back from the throngs of attendees.

We also strive to deliver what our customers need, not necessarily what they want. David, thanks for making the trip up.

UPDATE: Leslie Brooks Suzukamo’s article in the Pioneer Press

These new animated BP ads are awesome. Fresh, engaging, different. Plus, they crack my kid up every time they come on.

• Lighthouse (my favorite)
• Fuels
• Babies (outtakes, even)

Too bad the site they send you to is so mundane. After the visual feast of the ads themselves, the site seems like an afterthought.

Turns out Google also bought Performics when they gobbled-up DoubleClick. I’ve been aware of Performics from way back as an affiliate marketer, but didn’t know they’re also “one of the largest search marketing firms in the business”. Sets up an interesting situation where Google, the biggest and most popular search engine, is also now in the business of helping firms navigate the ever-changing seas of SEO/M and gain higher rank on…itself.

Since Google “[has] no plans to dispose of it at this time” it should be very interesting to see what becomes of Performics.

Damn those evil product development people at Lego and Lucasfilm. Damn them. Don’t they have enough of my money already!?!

Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon

At long last, alternatives to streaming media on the web. Microsoft unveiled Silverlight and associated screens shots at NAB. Check out the new streaming media from Move Networks, Inc. that www.abc.com is using to broadcast shows like Ugly Betty, Lost and Desperate Housewives. The claim:

“Okay, quite possibly the sharpest video you’ve ever seen on the web.”

With a claim like that, we had to test it for ourselves. So we tested it out – over WiFi on the 52 inch HD system in the back of the office. We were blown away. Buffering issues? None. Pixelated? After the first 10 seconds or so, it was eliminated. Yes, we were running it in full screen mode as well.

Speaking of recent acquisitions, for those of you following the TellMe voice recognition technology acquisition (also by the folks in Redmond), a new release came out today. I’ve been following TellMe for some time. If you’ve ever used 1-800-555-1212, you’re using TellMe and I’ve found it to be quite useful. I’m usually in a noisy airport when I access the *free* service and it’s performed remarkably well. Microsot may have missed out on DoubleClick, but they got this one right. Also, look for aQuantive to be in play by the big players in the market.

… I’m still chuckling at the Greatest. Website. Ever. VVVVV

Zayna’s Pizza in Milwaukee, WI. Wait for it…it’s worth it.

There’s nothing more refreshing than authentic, home-grown HTML at the end of a long day.

Found on Digg.

Author Miranda July has created a website for her new book, No One Belongs Here More Than You, using nothing more than a dry erase marker, her refrigerator, gas stove, and a digital camera. It’s simple yet effective and a lot of fun. Kottke says:

The No One Belongs Here More Than You site is a lesson for web designers: the point is not to make sites that follow all the rules but to make sites that will best accomplish the primary objectives of the site.

Sounds good to me.