Jeff Schwartz

Air "Bombs": Gnarly Weather

2014-06-27T03:39:00.000-06:00

Gnarly Sky Telegraphs Meteorological Air "Bombs."

Posted this on Tumblr. Hey, Google, Yahoo's easier.

Sharing here, too:

Gnarly Virga - Mammatus under T-Storm: Windy Downbursts

Gnarly sky under a T-storm.

Rain evaporating in dry air on the way down.

Dramatic, ragged cloud structures.

Potentially dangerous.

Violent wind "air bombs," gusty downbursts up to 60mph or more possible.

Another view:

"Inverted" view Virga - Mammatus Wind-Downburst Outbreak

Same pic using photoshop feature "inverted."

No rain.

But evaporating rain on the way down rocked my house, like an air bomb.

Airplane travel impacted into Denver International Airport, where a Severe Weather Warning was issued by the National Weather Service.

Air "bombs" - downbursts - are both gnarly and dangerous.

A sight to see.

And feel.

Blown away.

So, now: seeing is knowing.

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

Apple WWDC14: Safari DuckDuckGo

2014-06-02T22:03:00.000-06:00

Apple builds path to future with WWDC software refresh

Some Apple WWDC14 Keynote highlights included:

OS X Yosemite
Continuity
iOS 8
HealthKit
HomeKit
Swift

Executive Craig Federighi - (a.k.a. "Hairforce One") - also stressed privacy and security features several times.

Per Apple's website, Safari will include a DuckDuckGo option:

Safari: Source: Apple

"Safari now gives you more control over your privacy on the web. You can open one Safari window in Private Browsing mode — which doesn’t save your browsing history — while keeping others in regular browsing mode. So while you do your online banking privately in one window, your browsing history is still being saved while you surf in another. You can also now search the web using DuckDuckGo, a search engine that doesn’t track you."

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

Stanford's Crisis: Snapchat CEO

2014-05-30T17:28:00.000-06:00

Stanford Condemns Snapchat CEO’s Sexist Emails

Mike Isaac writing for re/code:

"Stanford University Provost and Professor John Etchemendy sent a scathing email to the school’s student body on Friday, widely condemning a series of recently unearthed sexist, raucous emails sent years ago by Evan Spiegel, an alumnus of the school who is now the founder of disappearing mobile messaging startup Snapchat."

University backpedaling hard.

Trying to put distance between itself and Snapchat CEO Spiegel:

“'Members of our community should learn now, not many years from now, how abhorrent those attitudes are, whether real or feigned,' Etchemendy wrote.”

Spiegel created his own reputation crisis.

His crisis is now Stanford's, too.

And Snapchat's.

Would you work for CEO Spiegel?

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

Snapchat Lied. Now This.

2014-05-30T00:23:00.000-06:00

Snapchat CEO ‘Mortified’ by Leaked Stanford Frat E-Mails

Sarah Frier writing for Bloomberg:

"Snapchat Inc. Chief Executive Officer Evan Spiegel apologized for e-mails he sent during his fraternity days that celebrated getting drunk and convincing sorority women to perform sexual acts."

Earlier this month, Snapchat settled with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Because "snaps" on its service do not disappear.

As advertised.

So, Snapchat lied and settled.

Now this.

Snapchat and its CEO are building quite a reputation.

More accurately, a reputation crisis.

To think Snapchat spurned a multibillion-dollar buyout offer from Facebook.

Perhaps Facebook got off lucky.

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

Apple's Intriguing Hints

2014-05-29T04:36:00.001-06:00

Apple Intriguing Hints Ahead of WWDC

Seen Apple's WWDC 2014 App?

You should.

Apple's events are teasingly, secretly, playfully intriguing:

"This is Our Little Secret"

"Shhhh, Can't Tell You Yet":

"This One is Sealed." And: "It's Confidential."

"You'll Find Out in a Few Days":

"No Comment Yet." And: "Our Lips Are Sealed on This One."

Plus, Star Wars:

"Star Wars Past, Present and Future." And: "You'll Never Guess."

I don't know what's coming.

Can't recall Apple being so open about its secretiveness.

Like it.

Apple will stream WWDC's Keynote presentation "live" at 1 p.m. EST, June 2.

At that time, much more will be revealed.

Got a hunch.

This could be next-era good.

Update - Here's what I do know. Apple's stock is ripping:

$APPL above 8, 21, 50MAs. Very bullish.

Apple is up $21 this week. Some 3.46 percent.

Riding above key technical moving averages.

Ahead of WWDC, investors like what they see.

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

Why Do People Hate Math?

2014-05-29T01:21:00.000-06:00

Prof. Edward Frenkel, University of California, Berkeley:

"Imagine that you had to take an art class in which you were taught only how to paint a fence or a wall but were never shown the paintings of the great masters. Would that make you an art lover? Years later you will talk to your friends and say 'Oh my gosh! I hated art at school, I was so bad at it.' What you would really be saying is 'I was bad at painting the fence.' And likewise with mathematics people often say 'Oh, I was so bad at math, I hate math.' but what they are really saying is 'I was bad at painting the fence.'”

Picture math as an expression of beauty.

Tell your friends, your children, math is beautiful.

Then pause. Smile.

Let them take it from there.

Math is amazing.

Use it to paint the world.

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

Google Doodles Its Logo

2014-05-27T16:21:00.001-06:00

Can you spot the change in Google’s logo?

Stephanie M. Lee writing for The Tech Chronicles:

"The Mountain View search giant recently moved the second “g” one pixel to the right and the “l” one pixel down and one to the right, apparently to improve the logo’s readability (because it was so difficult to read before)."

Look closely:

Google's logo change.

Google's logo change did not hurt its image with investors:

Google Class A stock on a tear. $GOOGL

A week ago, Google's Class A stock scored a triple top breakout.

That's a bullish technical pattern.

As in, more Wall Street upside.

A point-and-figure view gives the stock a preliminary $665 target.

Picture, I mean, "pixel" that.

It was up $11 today, alone.

Google doodling its logo.

The business of branding.

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

San Francisco's Cool

2014-05-15T20:31:00.000-06:00

Bay Area Regains "Minor" Cool After Heatwave

A familiar sight returned to San Francisco. Fog:

Source: @NWSBayArea

Fog found its way over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Before bumping into warmer air.

Southern California, however, continued to bake and burn.

Multiple smoke plumes from San Diego Co. fires were visible on radar:

Smoke plumes visible on radar. Source: NWS/NOAA

Some 16,000 new evacuations orders were issued today.

Southern California is baking in early May heat.

And burning.

San Francisco enjoyed cool relief.

Its heat wave broken.

But cool remains elusive for thousands impacted by fires to the south.

SoCal's heat wave may not break until the weekend.

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

The Microsoft User "Experience"

2014-05-15T13:10:00.001-06:00

Do You Enjoy The Microsoft User Experience?

I don't.

Today, I turn on my computer to see this:

Fifteen "important" updates, 94.7MB's worth.

Really?

My reaction: something's terribly wrong.

But what? How bad is it? Was my computer already hurt?

It's just not a comforting "welcome-to-a-new-day" moment.

Part two of the experience is hardly warm and fuzzy, either.

You have to restart your computer.

Not knowing what, if any, impact, these "important" updates may have on other software.

Only after you restarting will you learn.

But, please, restart your computer. Trust us:

On this day, after restarting, I "experienced" trouble connecting to the internet.

Due to one of Microsoft's 15 important updates?

I don't know.

But it happened.

Nothing about the experience is enjoyable.

The text, process, multiple steps, time required, the operational uncertainty.

All uncomfortable, at best.

Why does Microsoft continue this experience?

Is this the best the U.S.-based business can do?

Does anyone enjoy it?

Do you?

It's almost as if we have to put up with Microsoft.

Because that's the way, "It's always been."

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

I Almost Choked to Death. Alone

2014-05-06T17:50:00.000-06:00

What to do if you're by yourself and choking

RIGHT NOW

My throat still hurts.
I'm still scared.
And I don't know whether or not to tell my family.
But I came within seconds of choking to death last night.
Alone. That's the lede. I can't bury it.
I used the word "bury" on purpose.
Lede is journalism jargon for, "The bottom line."

If you want the first-aid, bottom line, choking tips from experts, scroll down.

WHAT HAPPENED

I made spaghetti. Thought: "Add cucumber. Make it more healthy."
Diced a cucumber.
Added diced cukes to the noodles.
Sat down to eat.
And type on my computer in between chomps.
Did that slurp-the-spaghetti-noodle thing.
You know, suck-slurp in a mouthful of noodles.

CHOKING

Suddenly I couldn't breathe.
Unknowingly, a slice of cucumber hiding in the noodles slurped into the back of my mouth like a cork on a bottle.
A shock wave of total fear overcame me.

PAST EXPERIENCE

When I was a teen, a dried apricot once flew into the back of my throat, as I walked down some stairs.
The apricot blocked my air path completely.
Somehow, in seconds of desperate clawing, I got my whole hand into my mouth and ripped the apricot out.
My parents were there, then, watching.
It's taken me many decades to eat a dried apricot, again.
Only this year in fact.

THIS TIME

So, last night, I knew instantly I was in serious trouble.
Something was lodged in my throat.
This time, I was alone.
No help around.

In the next six seconds, all this happened:

I tried to hold still, choking, though.
Walked three steps to the kitchen sink, choking.
Debated dialing 9-1-1, choking.
Started to blackout, choking.
I mean, I saw stars, and blackness.
Experienced more fear than I've ever known.
Felt regret at being unable to say goodbye to my Wingman, and tell him I love him.
Realized I was about 4 seconds from being found on the kitchen floor...days later? By whom?
Decided I had one chance to use my fingers to rip out whatever blocked my windpipe.
Or die.
Before I could dial 9-1-1.
I gave one, huge push-cough-attempt as I frantically used my fingers to rip away at the food in my throat.
My stomach pressed against the ledge of the kitchen counter.

I LIVED

A large piece of cucumber flew out:

Choked on this. About 2-inches across.

It's gross to look at, now.
This cucumber piece was hiding in the noodles I slurp-sucked in.
My hands are large.
They provide scale.
That's about 2-inches across of "healthy."

AFTERMATH

Spent the next hour shaken by a mixture of adrenaline, fear, relief, shame, guilt.
Should've been more careful. Done this instead of that, etc.
Sipped some warm soup.
Because my throat hurt.
And I wanted to see if I could still swallow.
I've not eaten since.
And, when I do, it will be only soup for a while.
I probably came within a few seconds of dying.
Like 3-to-4 seconds, not 10 or 20.
Alone.
In fear.
There was no white light.
There were stars you see like when you're light-headed.
And blackness.
My vision going out.

Here is what Dr. Oz says you should do if you're choking, and alone:

Dr. Oz tips for "you're choking, now what?"

Here is what the Mayo Clinic says:

Choking First Aid. Source: Mayo Clinic

HERE IS WHAT I'M THINKING RIGHT NOW

If choking, and you have enough air in your lungs, do an immediate, violent cough.
The hardest push-out cough you can do.
If that doesn't work, try the Heimlich maneuver selfie above. Fast!
Have a 9-1-1 one-button option on speed dial.
But you probably will not have time to press it.
You likely face a choice: try to save yourself or die trying.

BOTTOM LINE

Watch the tips above, now.
Practice them. As a family.
Because when it really happens, you only have seconds.

If you ever, ever see someone jump up, holding their throat, it's the real deal.

Call 9-1-1 and know how to dislodge whatever's stuck in their craw.

I saved someone's life at work once like this.

Last night, someone saved mine.

I'm not sure it was me.

Perhaps my past experience?

Fear (or shame) of dying like that?

Something guided me to the kitchen sink vs. taking time to dial 9-1-1.

It was either/or...not both.

I'm alive to blog about it.

I don't know why.

Update - Mayo Clinic tips say dial 9-1-1, first:

"To perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) on yourself:

First, if you're alone and choking and you have a landline phone, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

"Place a fist slightly above your navel.

"Grasp your fist with the other hand and bend over a hard surface — a countertop or chair will do.

Shove your fist inward and upward."

I have one more thought.

Unlock your door, if possible, before passing out.

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

Chipotle Needs Beano

2014-05-06T04:30:00.000-06:00

What's Wrong With Chipotle?

James Covert writing for The New York Post:

"Proxy advisory firm ISS ... blasted lavish pay packages for the Mexican-food chain’s two CEOs, who together earned $58 million last year, capping a a three-year run in which they’ve pocketed a combined $300 million."

Two CEOs.

$58 million in a year.

On top of that, Chipotle is raising your prices.

Per CNBC:

"Getting a steak burrito bowl? That'll be 8.3 percent more in New York City. While you're at it, be prepared to fork over 11.1 percent more for guacamole."

So, the bosses get more.

And get to charge you more.

What do investors think?

That "blue box"? Pain. Investors waiting to break even.

Unless you sold Chipotle in February, you're in pain.

Its stock is broken technically.

Bearish below its 50MA on a daily chart.

Any "long" investor in that "blue box" holds Chipotle stock at a loss.

CEO pay, aside.

Price hikes, aside.

I'm talking business.

And reputation management.

Chipotle's chart is broken.

$110 off its high.

Chipotle, a Colorado business, needs Beano.

Eat that.

But want to invest?

Consult your advisor.

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

#AmazonCart - Ultimate Innovation

2014-05-06T02:54:00.001-06:00

Twitter, Amazon team to boost 'now commerce'

Teaming up: Amazon and Twitter.

Benny Evangelista writing for The Chronicle:

"The two tech giants said ... Amazon members can automatically save items to their online shopping carts by replying to any tweet containing an Amazon product link and writing the hashtag #AmazonCart."

And if you use that hashtag?

The ultimate word-of-mouth. Why?

Because the world can see:

"...on its website, Amazon also notes that 'most content is public on Twitter,' so any replies with #AmazonCart 'will be visible to whomever you replied, to those viewing the conversation, and on your own Timeline (unless your Twitter account is set to private).'"

So, using the #AmazonCart hashtag is public.

And, intended or not, becomes a public endorsement.

Not bad, if you're a celebrity.

Perhaps one paid to tweet your purchases?

Me? If buying something, I want to do so quickly.

Two clicks, maximum.

Privately.

Because an order of Omaha Steaks for clients is not viral.

Same with California wine or Oregon fruit for family.

Or Legal Sea Foods crab cakes for myself.

Investors? They reacted "meh" to the Amazon-Twitter partnership:

Amazon daily chart bearish technically below 50, 200MAs

Twitter?

Twitter stock remains below its IPO low

One thought.

Amazon, behind Jeff Bezos, has sweet CIA business.

In short, people in the know, trust Amazon to be in the know.

Secure, too.

What happens when one can buy stocks with a hashtag?

Who needs TD Ameritrade, Fidelity, E-Trade?

Ten shares of Apple, please, hashtag #AmazonCart.

Just musing aloud.

Wall Street. Listening?

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

How is Google Fiber Doing?

2014-05-01T17:41:00.000-06:00

Cities Meet Google Fiber Deadline, but ‘Loose Ends’ Remain

Thirty-four cities meet a key Google Fiber deadline.

That according to Alistair Barr writing for The WSJ.D:

Credit: Google and The WSJ.D

Barr says Fiber is complicated:

"Among other things, Google needs to buy or lease land for its Fiber huts, which are larger than 1,000 square feet, and finalize those license agreements with several cities. It’s seeking to streamline permitting processes for thousands of permit applications. And it needs video-franchise agreements with the city or state, giving it permission to build a local network."

Investors watch closely:

"The complicated process has sparked concern on Wall Street that Google may spend too much on Fiber and generate small returns on the investment."

GOOGL Class A shares bounce after fall to $511

Google's stock has drifted lower since an unusual stock split in April.

Proof that Google Fiber is not a good investment?

The market will weigh in over time.

Google's got time ... and capital.

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

Google's Fountain of Youth?

2014-04-20T10:50:00.002-06:00

Geneticist Cynthia Kenyon is heading to Google

Kenyon will join Calico - Google's mysterious health venture.

Stephanie M. Lee writing in The Chronicle:

"Google has revealed little about Calico since the search giant formed the independent company in September, except that it wants to slow aging and fight age-related diseases. As Google CEO Larry Page once put it, Calico is truly a 'moon shot.'"

Cynthia Kenyon, Ph.D. Credit: UCSF

Kenyon is a pioneer in the genetics of aging.

Her role at Google's Calico? Not detailed.

Her background may provide some clues, quoting:

"'Age is the single largest risk factor for an enormous number of diseases,' she explained to The Chronicle in 2005. 'So if you can essentially postpone aging, then you can have beneficial effects on a whole wide range of disease.'"

Calico is collecting scientific heavyweights.

Its CEO is Arthur Levinson - the board chair of Genentech and Apple.

Sounds like a health "Skunk Works."

Fountain of Youth-like stuff.

One more thing from reporter Lee about Kenyon:

"So deep is her dedication that she avoids bread and sugar - except dark chocolate - because studies show they speed up aging."

Twitter: @schwartznow
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Heartbleed Suspect Nabbed

2014-04-16T21:38:00.001-06:00

Heartbleed Bug Hacker Charged by RCMP

Suspected Heartbleed hacker, Stephen Arthuro Solis-Reyes, 19, arrested.

Press release from The Royal Canadian Mounted Police:

“The RCMP treated this breach of security as a high priority case and mobilized the necessary resources to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. Investigators from National Division, along with our counterparts in 'O' Division have been working tirelessly over the last four days analyzing data, following leads, conducting interviews, obtaining and executing legal authorizations and liaising with our partners,” said Assistant Commissioner Gilles Michaud."

According to The Washington Post:

"Earlier this week, the Canada Revenue Agency said an attacker using Heartbleed stole 900 Social Security numbers. It was the first known case of a hacker taking advantage of the security flaw for malicious purposes."

Okay, I've been changing passwords left and right.

But now a 19-year-old is in custody.

Jailed by The Royal Gendarmerie of Canada:

Credit: Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Wikipedia

Mounted Police.

Helped by "O" Division.

Not a double-O, as in a "Bond" movie.

Single-O. Still cool enough.

And a teen.

In Canada.

Knew it all along.

This means the Heartbleed scare is over.

That my privacy is assured.

Right?

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

How to See the Lunar Eclipse

2014-04-14T19:33:00.001-06:00

A Lunar Eclipse Viewing Guide

Source: NASA

No binoculars or telescope needed.

Just clear skies.

Enjoy!

Twitter: @schwartznow
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The Heartbleed Hit

2014-04-09T21:31:00.002-06:00

The Heartbleed Hit List: The Passwords You Need to Change Right Now

In this order:

Read that article.
Opened Tumblr.
Saw the "fine print'.

Read the fine print.

Changing password.

Make that passwords.

Plural.

Across many platforms:

Warning from Tumblr - Yahoo.

Because doing so will protect my privacy.

Right?

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

Starbucks is Sticky

2014-04-08T17:06:00.000-06:00

I've noticed a trend.

Starbucks always trends in Denver on Twitter:

Starbucks trending in Denver.

#UConn I get. NCAA champs.

#TheHobbit - it's promoted. So, that makes sense.

But Starbucks is "sticky," too.

Anyone know why?

A strategy, perhaps?

Is it good for the Seattle firm's business reputation?

Whatever the case, Starbucks "trending" is a trend.

Caffeinated social media at a Mile High.

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

Apple WWDC 2014

2014-04-06T17:29:00.000-06:00

Apple Worldwide Developers Conference Kicks Off June 2 at Moscone West in San Francisco

One more day to apply for a ticket:

“The opportunity to buy tickets to this year’s conference will be offered by random selection. Register now through April 7 at 10:00 a.m. PDT for your chance to attend.”

Apple's WWDC 2014 will sell out.

Is there a more popular and influential technology event in the world?

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

Anadarko's Business Clarity Reward

2014-04-03T16:08:00.000-06:00

Anadarko Reaches $5.15B Settlement in Tronox Case

“'This settlement agreement with the litigation trust and the U.S. government eliminates the uncertainty this dispute has created, and the proceeds will fund the remediation and cleanup of the legacy environmental liabilities and tort claims,' Anadarko chairman and CEO Al Walker said."

That's a CEO speaking legal-speak.

Except for three, key words: "...eliminates the uncertainty."

Wall Street, investors do not like uncertainty.

They like clarity.

How much so?

Anadarko stock pops 14.5%

With legal certainty added, Anadarko's stock soared some 14.5 percent.

It hit a record high.

Investors rewarded the business clarity.

Clarity garners stakeholder credibility.

Credibility is all about your reputation.

What uncertainty can your firm "clear up"?

How will it be communicated?

Potential rewards await.

Twitter: @schwartznow
Digital Hubs: Here or Here.

Gmail's April 1 Anniversary

2014-04-01T21:44:00.000-06:00

How Gmail Happened: The Inside Story of Its Launch 10 Years Ago Today

Harry McCracken writing for TIME:

“If you wanted to pick a single date to mark the beginning of the modern era of the web, you could do a lot worse than choosing Thursday, April 1, 2004, the day Gmail launched.”

It was not an April Fool’s joke.

Here’s Google’s original news release.

Gmail’s "creator", Paul Buchheit, is not quoted.

His color in the TIME article is classic Silicon Valley.

Balancing innovation, creating a team, addressing privacy, advertising, incorporating search, launching.

A tech “how-to.”

Gmail is now a decade old.

Out of Beta.

But a work in progress.

Still addressing privacy.

Did you get one of the original Gmail invites?

Do you still use it?

Twitter: @schwartznow
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Opening Day: The Ultimate Startup

2014-03-31T17:25:00.000-06:00

Walt Whitman:

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game."

Opening Day 2014 arrived.

Finally.

It's a new season.

Baseball's back.

Let the new stats flow like the time-honored arguments over who's best.

Hank Aaron?

Autographed: Hank Aaron

Mickey Mantle?

Autographed: Mickey Mantle

Perhaps Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Stan Musial or Cy Young?

The point is, another season is here:

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."

- Rogers Hornsby

It's officially spring ... for the "boys of summer."

Baseball is the ultimate startup.

It iterates history.

Always makes "next."

New memories.

New debates.

So, who is the best ever?

Tell you what, let's continue that conversation during the seventh-inning stretch.

Right now, time for a hot dog, with mustard.

The game's on.

"Baseball was, is and always will be to me the best game in the world.”

- Babe Ruth

Twitter: @schwartznow
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Earth's Great Nor'easter

2014-03-26T12:15:00.000-06:00

LIVE: Spring Blizzard Cuts Power to Thousands in New England

The Great Red Spot is signature Jupiter.

Jupiter’s giant storm could hold two to three earth-sized planets.

On earth?

We’ve got something, too:

Nor’easter. Source: @jencarfagno, The Weather Channel

A giant Nor’easter.

Could be the largest storm on earth, as I type this.

Watch this amazing timelapse.

A closer look:

Intense wind field. Nor’easter. 26 March 2014

Blizzard conditions and power outages reported.

Waves exceeded 10 feet.

Wind gusted up to 80 miles an hour, too.

Further evidence of my musing, “Is spring broken?”

Storm had @jimcantore written all over it.

Even other meteorologists called his name:

Source: @gdimeweather

Meteorologist Cantore answered the bell.

He’s in there, trust me. Scraping snow off the pole:

Source: @gdimeweather

Here’s his “live” encounter.

Can you imagine if this Nor’easter made landfall?

Its main “punch” remained out to sea.

So, unless George Clooney and the Andrea Gail make a comeback, this is not “The Perfect Storm.”

It’s vast, however.

Easily visible from space.

Probably from Jupiter, with binoculars or a small telescope.

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is hundreds of years old.

Earth’s Nor’easter will likely “tire” in days.

The result: it’s news, but more weather and science news.

Some amazing science in-progress.

Impossible to pass up.

The visuals, alone.

One day, perhaps, an astronaut’s “live” coverage of The Great Red spot?

Until then, enjoying a Nor’easter.

From the safety of satellite technology.

Twitter: @schwartznow
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"Click" New Media Journalism

2014-03-24T21:30:00.000-06:00

Risks Abound as Reporters Play in Traffic

David Carr writing in The New York Times:

"If I were being paid by the click for this column, I might have begun it this way: Will an oppressive emphasis on 'click bait' mean that the news ends up imprisoned by transgendered models posing in disgraceful listicles accompanied by kidnapped nude kittens?"

His column centers on the business of journalism in a new media world:

"Now that metrics are part of the news agenda, all of the sticks are in the air. Just because something is popular does not make it worthy, but ignoring audience engagement is a sure route to irrelevance."

@carr2n concludes his opinion piece with a cat picture.

Why not?

But my cat pic is better than his.

#BreakingNews #Developing #JustIn #Exclusive:

Meet my neighbor: Holy Gotham City, Batman! - the Caped Crusader uncovered:

Look at the shadow: Bat-Cat. #NewJournalism

Look at the shadow. Bat-cat.

New-media journalism "click."

Some reporters and firms struggle balancing engagement and journalism.

Others thrive.

My tip: all things in moderation, strategically.

Follow your plan.

Your have one, right?

Twitter: @schwartznow
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Digital Advertising's 'Crisis'

2014-03-24T00:49:00.001-06:00

A 'Crisis' in Online Ads: One-Third of Traffic Is Bogus

Suzanne Vranica with Mike Shields writing in The Wall Street Journal:

"About 36% of all Web traffic is considered fake, the product of computers hijacked by viruses and programmed to visit sites, according to estimates cited recently by the Interactive Advertising Bureau trade group."

Bots, click fraud, fake traffic.

It's widespread, says The WSJ.

With a catch: your company must be online.

There's no choice, right?:

"Spending on digital advertising—which includes social media and mobile devices—is expected to rise nearly 17% to $50 billion in the U.S. this year. That would be about 28% of total U.S. ad spending. Just five years ago, digital accounted for 16%."

So, ditching the digital marketplace is a hard sell.

After all, it's growing by double digits.

But what do you tell your CEO when asked:

"Can you prove to me our ad dollars are not wasted due to fraud?"

Monitor and audit all you want.

Right now, however, assume some of your online ad budget is squandered.

Misspent monies.

Inform your CEO.

And demand recompense. Restitution.

Insist on proof that consumers signed up for services, products or deals advertised.

Without the evidence, here's a current best practice:

"Few marketers say they plan to cut back on digital advertising. Instead advertisers are getting more aggressive in monitoring what they are getting and in demanding reimbursement if fraud is uncovered."

I would also tie your media buyer's compensation to "make goods." Free ad space.

Digital advertising is becoming a bigger slice of the marketing pie.

But your firm's bottom line is involved.

And is your CEO's reputation.

Your best strategy is planning and reporting online advertising tactics and results with credibility.

Credibility demands honesty.

And, honestly, there is fraud online.

Digital domination may be in the cards.

Ignoring fake traffic need not be.