Twitter Homepage Embraces Real-Time Search

After noticing a few tweets asking what the heck had happened to the Twitter homepage, I jumped onto the site and logged off. What I found myself looking at was the above. This new homepage might not affect the users whatsoever, but it signals deep paradigm shift in how Twitter is positioning itself to non-users.

When I try to explain what Twitter is to people who don’t get it, I’ve begun with the analogy of RSS Feed Readers. Perhaps I should now be beginning with “Well, for starters it’s a search engine of what people are saying about things right now…” Because now for anyone not logged into Twitter, that’s effectively what it is – and the words of those of us logged in are the content.

I have to admit, it’s a much easier concept to try and explain – and there is now a userbase large enough for it to be a useful offering. As for how you convert a searcher into a user – here are Twitter’s own new words on the subject:

Sign up now to contribute what’s going on in your world and to filter your view of Twitter down to the people and topics that interest you most.

Despite seeing the growth of Twitter searching, it isn’t until now that I’ve truly realised what a huge collective resource we have become. A resource that I expect will begin to be tapped even more now, as Twitter clearly intend it to be.

Another Storm in a Twittercup: AT&T & 4Chan

So once again presumption and a lack of good information have ignited a pending revolution, only to have it doused by the eventual “full story” coming out a day or so later. Not unlike #amazonfail before it, the building frenzy around the quickly spread belief that AT&T was trying to censor the internet cooled quickly once the facts of the matter emerged.

Official announcements were released today by both AT&T and 4Chan explaining that the whole situation was a result of a DDOS attack upon the latter, which was causing issues for customers of the former. An extreme measure was taken, thereby shutting off access to areas of 4Chan for all AT&T members, not just those affected.

Well, the battle has been called off, but what about the war? Well, for just a moment the issues of Net Neutrality and Content-control have been brought to the fore again – the latter being particularly pertinent here in Australasia. Some in Australia are calling their recent ‘Net filtering trial a success, and here in New Zealand the government is budgeting $150,000 to expand our filtering system beyond a quiet test. Whether this recent storm in a Twitter-cup will bring any genuine attention to these situations is yet to be seen, however.

As for AT&T, they are now turning from one angry speculative userbase to another – iPhone users who are being denied the official Google Voice iPhone app.

Meanwhile, a note at the end of the statement 4Chan released today signals big news due later this week. With one foray into mainstream web consciousness this week, one can only wonder just what is coming next…

Just another day in an increasingly technology-reliant world.

EDITED 4:47pm 29th July 09 NZT following haszari’s comment.

Internet Wars – Episode 1: 4Chan vs AT&T

Holy %$&. Reports have been rolling in all morning that across the United States AT&T is blocking access to parts of 4Chan.

They clearly have no understanding of exactly what they’re dealing with. It’s not just a messageboard, or a website – it’s not just the porn, mischief, or trolling covered in the press. It’s home to a passionate, active & adept web-enabled community, who are capable of more than most people imagine.

Ironically, just last night I was reading an extraordinary short story by Bruce Sterling called Maneki Neko. At its centre is a network of individuals connected by smartphone-like devices who are capable of incredible interconnected acts of goodwill, as well as a near limitless combined power to wreak havoc on anyone who opposes “the net”.
I couldn’t help thinking how we have pretty much all the ingredients for this right now: iPhone + gift economy + groups like 4Chan.

The story left me wondering just what the group who were able to stack the Time 100 Poll, create LOLCats & Rickrolling, and tear apart the life of a dodgy computer repairman (among many, many other things) would be capable of as time goes on.

Like them or not, they set an example of the kind of crowdsourced action we’ll probably need for turning around our world in crisis.

For now, AT&T have made themselves a target, and we’ll soon see what retaliation is coming their way.

EDITED 4:50pm NZST

Help find Kevin Flynn & get your ARG on…

Following the awesome Comic-Con live event, now we might all get a chance to dive into the universe of Tron and its upcoming sequel. The sign-up button shown above helps to cement hopes that this ‘viral’ is going to evolve into a fully-fledged Alternate Reality Game.

There have already been a number of ARGish elements surrounding the first event. Alongside these have been more than one suggestion of 42 Entertainment’s involvement & comparisons to the start of their Dark Knight game.

I briefly described the path from received packages to Flynn’s Arcade in my last post, but not what proceeded from there…

Those at the arcade over the weekend who played ‘Space Paranoids’ found a code appear onscreen. These codes were given context once the “Flynn Lives” t-shirts provided were viewed under blacklight to point us to a new webpage at http://www.flynnlives.com/derez.

Each code entered unlocked a partial high-res image of a lightcycle and an audio clip. Once all five codes were finally entered, a high-res teaser trailer for the film was revealed – the link for which quickly spread across the net.

Which brings us up to today, when a sign-up form appeared. If you’re interested in playing a new ARG, or have never experienced one before, I suggest adding your email and seeing where it goes.

As always, there are no guarantees as to where this will all lead – but what have you got to lose?

Awesome Start to ‘Tron Legacy’ Viral Promotion

This past weekend has seen a most awesome viral promotion event take place in San Diego to promote the upcoming Tron Legacy at Comic-Con. Packages were sent out containing Flynn’s Arcade tokens and flash drives – the latter which contained an animated gif which pointed to the website http://www.flynnlives.com.

Alongside providing insights into the mythology surrounding the Tron Sequel, the site provided a countdown and a location – near the main Comic-Con convention centre. Those who assembled there and then were given blacklights and sent to scour the area to check “Flynn Lives” posters for hidden messages. These messages pointed to a new location – where the crowd awaited a grand opening.

Those of us living vicariously through those there rapidly refreshed our Twitter searches, and the photos and videos began to roll in. Flynn’s Arcade had been recreated in downtown San Diego, complete with Flynn’s game from the first film “Space Paranoids”. On top of this, a secret door eventually opened – and those present could feast their eyes on one of the stunning new Lightcycles:

(video via Dave Cobb)

Naturally a long queue extended out the door, and the crowds were moved into and then out of the arcade until late. The games were free, cast and crew of the film were present (apparently along with staff of 42 Entertainment), and the mood was euphoric.

All in all, a wonderfully successful viral event – awesome nostalgic fun for casual fans, and providing an entry point for what we hope will be a great deal of extra depth for those looking for it…

A big thanks to all those who posted updates, photos & videos!

Getting to O.K.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a relentless optimist.

No matter what situation I am in – no matter how insurmountable the task may seem, my mantra is *almost* always:

“Everything is going to be O.K.”

I have been encouraged in this belief by it being proved right time and time again. Once I had got onto this line of thinking, in every case I could think of it really had turned out O.K. in the end.

But of course while we live nothing really ever ‘ends’ – the chapters just keep on coming. Eventually we find ourselves with another set of complications, another set of insurmountable tasks and a situation in which we feel like there will be no end to the problems.

“Everything is going to be O.K.”

The trick, however, is getting to O.K.

It’s all very well to be optimistic, but it doesn’t actually change the situation. It doesn’t take away all the things we are dreading having to face, deal with and resolve. It doesn’t take away the complications which haven’t even hit us yet.

In fact, a friend suggested that in this regard pessimism is in fact a much easier option. That it’s easier to assume the worst is on its way and then do your best to avoid it happening – instead of imagining some rosy future and trying to somehow get there.

I can see their point, and it makes me want to clarify I think that being an optimist doesn’t mean being an optimist about everything. For me it’s bigger picture – I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, or that more terrible things aren’t potentially on the way.

What I’m saying is that if you’re so focused on what you don’t want to happen, you might get out of the mess you’re in, but where are you left? Being out of a bad situation doesn’t necessarily mean you’re set up to enter into a good one.

However, if you hold firm in the knowledge that everything is going to be O.K., you can start picturing just what “O.K.” looks like. You can begin to work out what steps might be required to get from here to there. You’ve turned a reactive response into a proactive one.

So, when you finally get out of the difficult situation you’re in, you’re at least a step closer to where you would really like to be.

You can get to O.K.

And then perhaps you can relax for a moment or two until you face your next set of challenges…

Permission to Play

Last Friday I took part in an impromptu bit of fun which arose out a discussion in the Wellington Twitter community. Thanks to a tweet by @mikeforbes and the efforts of @spanishmanners, we christened our inaugural #formalfriday.

With casual clothes the norm in so many many of our workplaces these days, the concept of a Casual Friday is increasingly irrelevant. Going to work wearing formal wear, however, has become both novel and fun. Especially when followed by drinks and dinner afterward to see what the others decided to wear.

As ‘adults’, most of us are simply too shy to appear silly in front of our peers. To dress up, to slide down banisters, or to randomly break into song. I for one (I’m sad to say) tend not to step out of line unless perhaps others are doing the same.

In an organized group, I’ll run around in circles, dance in the street, or even wear a suit to work. For some reason, however, I seem to need permission to play. If I feel like I’m not alone in it, if I feel that it’s a condoned activity, then I’m in.

It’s a start, I guess. At least I’m playing at all. I figure the best way forward is to simply ensure there are more group activities awaiting me in the coming weeks, months and years. In time, maybe I’ll find myself playing without even thinking about it.

So what’s next? Firstly I intend to organize some Cryptozoo runs here in Wellington. If you’d like to get involved, just let me know.

Secondly there’s a little something a bunch of us devised today – a multi-day group gaming, reading, watching and playing binge we’re calling #schoolholidays…

Giant Sea Life Moves Into Wellington…

Residents and film crews are interested, but unperturbed:

Apparently this is the preperation for filming a television ad this coming Monday/Tuesday night (29/30th June 2009), which will include low-flying helicopters and spotlights.

[EDIT: As I understand it, Wednesday 1st & Thursday 2nd of July are the "rain days" - so with the weather we've bee having, I expect this filming will now be happening then.]

If you live in the area DO NOT BE ALARMED!

Giant Sea Life will not actually be attacking, it’s all just for the benefit of television audiences everywhere.

I’d be intrigued to pop down again to see the actual filming…

How Wellington PWNed the Multiverse…

I recently gave a talk for Wellington’s 5th Pecha Kucha Night at the (soon to be demolished) Overseas Terminal building…

I quickly realised that my chances of *explaining* what Alternate Reality Games, or even just what ‘The Lost Ring‘ was all about in 6 minutes & 40 seconds was futile. As a result, I just went for a scrapbook approach – here are a series of extraordinary experiences which came out of this game.

This means of course that if you’re not familiar with these forms of entertainment & collaboration you may be at a bit of a loss – but I hope you find it entertaining all the same…

If you’re interested in finding out more, I’d be happy to fill you in on the details over a beer, coffee or the interwebs.

An Introduction to Twitter

Seeing as there are no doubt hundreds of guides out there to help people start using Twitter, I had absolutely no desire or intention of adding my own drop to the ocean.

However, when preparing a talk for the Department of Conservation web team, I was unable to find any that I really liked. As a result, I sighed deeply and wrote my own. I had intended on it going no further, but was shortly thereafter asked if I could send it through to my wife who was assisting her workmates with starting on Twitter.

Following further discussions with friends who were in similar positions with workmates and family, I’ve figured I might as well make it available for all:

Online version

Downloadable .pdf

So there it is. You’re welcome to use it as you wish, or ignore it comepletely. If you have any feedback or suggestions for changes, they would be most welcome.

I’m certainly no expert.