IE7 Now Available for Windows XP

The beta version has been out for a while, but the final version of IE7 is now officially available. The new version is aimed at being more CSS-friendly - including the support of transparent PNGs. Even though not all the bugs have been fixed, I look forward to fewer cross-browser issues when creating web sites, and will continue to use Firefox as my preferred browser.

For those of you operating on Windows, you can download the new IE7 here.
Posted on October 19th, 2006 in Rhaya Shilts by Rhaya | Permalink

Good Branding Advice With Bad Aesthetic Appeal…

I found this site today by a guy named Dave Young, a "Wizard of Ads Partner", whatever that means, he seems to know his branding pretty well, but unfortunately he has missed the importance of aesthitics on his site. While I know that the design/logo/tag etc. are not the "Brand" those elements certainly help outsiders become connected to a brand, make first contact, if you will. If you can't attract a consumer to your brand, how are consumers going to gain enough of a knowledge to make a decision of whether they are going to be walking billboards for your brand?

More and more today, design is what gets people in the door, so to speak. When your design is poor it begins to give the impression that you aren't willing to make your product/service the best it can be. In the case of a branding expert, I would most certainly pick someone who seems to understand the value of making great design a part of their brand statement, or at least I would certainly check them out before one who doesn't showcase great design.

What it really comes down to, is will that brand add significance to my life enough to make me proud that I am associated with it?

Which leads me to my next thought, great design does not always package a great product. Sometimes all a product will have is great design to its favor, and while it will certainly get some people to buy into it, they will quickly learn that its quality is only skin deep. Which is why it is imperative that you back up your promises and your great design with a great product/service. You will have far greater results if the two correlate than if one or the other are inconsistent with your message.
Posted on October 19th, 2006 in Stay Connected by Stefan | Permalink

Instruments You Won’t Find At Just Any Music Store…

If you are a musician looking for that unique sound or just want people to say "what the hell is he playing" then check out Odd Music to find that instrument that will certainly get a reaction. Some of these look pretty odd, but sound pretty great. You can listen to examples of some of the instruments found at Odd Music.
Posted on October 19th, 2006 in Stefan Bean by Stefan | Permalink

Customize Your M&M’s …. FREE!

M&M's are giving you the chance to customize a message on your M&M's for free! You'll get to pick 2 different colors of everyones favorite candy and a personalized message. Then, for only $11.95, you will get a 7oz bag with your message, or you can choose from many other packaging options for and additional charge.
Posted on October 19th, 2006 in Stefan Bean by Stefan | Permalink

Cleveland is Cranky? Baltimore is Bitter? Cincinnati is Incensed? Philly is Furious? … The Answer Revealed (Finally)

We have received a lot of visits to our website recently due to our previous post on this topic. We are proud to be able to bring you the answer you have all be waiting for. The billboards around Indianapolis that have had us all stumped have finally revealed their hidden meaning. Citizens Gas is boasting that Indianapolis has lower gas rates than the cities named, leaving Cincinnati Incensed, Philly Furious, Cleveland Cranky and Baltimore Bitter.
Posted on October 17th, 2006 in Mandy Freshour by Mandy | Permalink

Google Goes Solar

Cutting costs and helping the environment are the primary motives behind Google's decision to use solar power at the "Googleplex" in Mountain View, California.
Posted on October 17th, 2006 in Rhaya Shilts by Rhaya | Permalink


Campaign for Real Beauty…

Doves new marketing campaign is relly making waves of change in the arena of improving women's self-esteem. Check out their video where a model goes from plain to remarkable all through the magic of makeup and photoshop. Via How.
Posted on October 17th, 2006 in Stefan Bean by Stefan | Permalink

Still Going…

While I am not a Chicago Bears fan by any stretch of the imagination, one thing is for sure, last nights game was pretty exciting. Much like the Colts this season, I don't know that the Bears deserved that win, but Arizona certainly didn't deserve to win if they gave up a 20 point lead to then lose by one, at home. And so, the Bears survive another week and so does a small side business started by one, Coudal Partners, to help fans chronical the Bears win streak, SixteenStraight.com. Wish I'd thought of that.

GO COLTS!
Posted on October 17th, 2006 in Stefan Bean by Stefan | Permalink


Bringing the Outdoors In

Green Fortune is encouraging public spaces to go green with their new living Plantwall.
Posted on October 16th, 2006 in Rhaya Shilts by Rhaya | Permalink

Rocco DeLuca and The Burden

Local Independent Radio Station, 92.3 WTTS, is hosting another one of their free Emerging Artist Shows this Thursday, October 19, 2006 at the Rathskeller in Indianapolis. Rocco DeLuca and The Burden have been one of their bands to watch this year and prove to be a refreshing addition to our new music library.

Doors open at 6:00pm with live music beginning at 7:00pm.
Posted on October 16th, 2006 in Stefan Bean by Stefan | Permalink