PIECE OF THE DAY: 22

This gorgeous picture of cupcakes is a tribute to my birthday.  Sad it is over because now I have to get back to reality and finish up my final projects and  exams of my college career.

PIECE OF THE DAY: its all about nature...naturally

It is the same in architecture as in all other arts: its principles are founded on simple nature, and nature's process clearly indicates its rules.

Laugier, Essay on Architecture

This picture is of Thomas Balsley Associates' Capitol Plaza in New York, NY.  This public space intrigues me because of the discussions that we have been having in my Poetry of Architecture seminar.  The study is focused on nature and architecture, and in this case its the integration of nature into the architecture of a public space.  

Public spaces is one of my obsessions.  The design of a public space is crucial for its functionality.  A space an be pretty but not function as a place for the public to be in.  There are many plazas in New York that lay barren because they physically deter the public because of poor design.

Recently there was one dead plaza that was redesigned and is now a prominent hot spot in NYC.  Yes I'm talking about the 5th Avenue Apple Store.  Originally a dead sunken plaza, it is now a top tourist destination and a eye catcher indeed. [BCJ]

CASE 4: sooo avantGUILD?

I am about to share one of my greatest resources for information and contacts.  I discovered it sophomore year of college, and have yet to tell anyone this secret.  It's called mediabistro.com.

Now don't tell me you've heard of it because that will ruin my glory.  Mediabistro.com is a network of people, ideas, skills, and education.  Its dedicated to anyone in a content or creative industry.  That means editors, freelancers, writers, creatives, graphic designers (need I go on?), and others, who all work in a variety of industries.  The site provides a place to network, share ideas, post jobs, find jobs, present projects, news, develop skills and show your work.

Seems like a great place, right?  But I bet you think there are strings attached.  Well you're wrong!  Its FREE [my favorite word].

All those aspects of the site are free at registration.  Its a great source for industry exclusive jobs and freelance work.  There are numerous online courses to help one expand their repertoire.  The have also added this new aspect, which expands the site's networking capabilities, called AvantGuild.  

A user can join other media professionals in what they call  their "new version of the 14th-century guild system." When looking through the benefits of the higher level membership, I saw where mediabistro.com gets there other revenue.  The advanced membership comes with many discounts at affiliates such as Barnes and Noble.com, Hertz, and Avis. (Just to name a few.)

CASE 3: can't stop the deviance

The pure play business that I am going to analyze is called deviantArt, a massive online art community.  DeviantART would be considered a merchant model, more specifically similar to a bit merchant like iTunes.  However, deviantART can also be categorized as a community model, because of its interaction and networking between the members.  The website functions as a place for artists of all skills to upload and share their creations digitally.  The art can be downloaded, requested for a print, bought, collected my members, commented on, and sent to your mobile.  However, many of these extra feature are part of the premium membership.  This is how the site gets its revenue, which was not happening when the company first started as an open community.  This also then puts the business under the subscription model, because of the vast expansion of features after one pays to be a member.

The types of 

work vary tremendously, from traditional to digital media, flash and sketches.  Members can also upload unfinished work, which opens the site to collaboration.  One category under digital art is photomanipulation, which with time I’m sure one could find many examples of jamming. 

DeviantART can track their success by the number of deviants (members) and the number of deviations (uploaded art) per deviant.  Success is also measured directly when a deviation is downloaded or printed.  There are counters that express that under each deviation page.  They can also measure the growth of their network by looking at the comment and chat action. 

PIECE OF THE DAY: I wanna take ya...

To Bermuda, BAHAMA!! Yes this is a picture of the sunset while on a cruise in the Bahamas, taken by my roommate Dan.  It is one of the stunning scenes that I saw during my Spring Break from school.  This is the most appropriate photograph for this installment, because I just can not get the experience out of my mind.  I with I was back on that boat cruising to different islands.  If you are interested in knowing more about cruising (and I mean specifically my cruise), go to the Norwegian Cruise Line website.

PIECE OF THE DAY: And the crown goes to...

Well not me....but one of my good friends (not even mad about it).  The piece of today is inspired by my weekend.  Here at Ithaca College we have an annual pageant that showcases senior guys competing for the title of MR ITHACA.  This year they let us ladies join in on the fun!!  Here is a shot of all the contestants (me being one of them).  What a crazy bunch!!

It was so much fun! You're jealous!

[photo from ITHACAN online]

CASE 2: Facebook settlement

Facebook has just settled the 3 year long settlement between the company’s founder Mark Zukerberg and his three former class mates, Divya Narendra and twin Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.  AP did some stealthy investigation to find out the DL of this case, which was completely closed to the public.  Facebook really did not want to get this word out.  Many large portions of the hearing were redacted from the transcript, but were cleverly recovered by the Associated Press.

            October 2007, Microsoft Corp. invested $240 million for 1.6 percent stake in Facebook and a broader advertising partnership.  According to Microsoft’s investment, Facebook’s stock was worth $35.90 per share.  This caused Zukerberg’s former classmates to oppose the primary settlement offered to them.  They demanded the share price established with Microsoft’s investment.  Facebook explained that the software company bought preferred premium stock to help their reach in Facebook and increase advertising efforts. 

            U.S. District Judge James Ware decided to enforce the primary settlement despite ConnectU’s resistance.  Facebook agreed to pay ConnectU $20 million in cash and 1,253,326 shares of common stock.  Connect U received from $31 million and $65 million, depending on whether the Microsoft or Facebook’s personal stock value evaluation. 

            The $65 million settlement amount was leaked by Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges, before Ware signed off on it.  The firm was fired by ConnectU.

This issue clearly started as a copyright case.  The former classmates were trying to claim  that Zukerberg stole the idea and profited from it.  Judging by their acceptance of the settlement they're finally convinced that Facebook is not worth ALL THAT.

[Article from AP]