Happy 5th Birthday Facebook! Like a proud parent (even though I have no part in its growth or development) I can’t help but feel like my little social networking buddy is all grown up. I remember when I first logged on to Facebook in college – because only students at certain colleges were even allowed to be members – it was something I had only heard about and I truly had no idea how Facebook would become an important part of my life. That may seem ridiculous to say, but I’ve connected with people I haven’t seen since preschool. I use Facebook everyday to connect with KWWL viewers. And of course I use it to stalk ex-boyfriends.

Despite my position as a Facebook user, I really do feel like a parent, watching my child grow into an independent person. And with each new step I cringe and worry, just like a parent, that Facebook won’t be able to handle the change. It was like stepping into a scary new world when Facebook made the switch from being school-based and opened its membership to the world. It was another transition when applications were added. And when I logged in to find the latest layout change, it was like my rebellious teenager coming home with a new piercing (I don’t approve but I still love you).

And as my favorite social tool ages, so does its users. According to Buzz Watch, in January 2008, the largest age bracket at 42% was users 18-24. But in January 2009, the age ranges 18-24, 25-34 and 35-44 are nearly tied with about a quarter of users. 

And while I logged into Facebook today and saw that two of my friends are having a birthday. There was no mention of Facebook’s birthday. It seemed odd that the site that reminds me of every important birthday in my life, didn’t even take the time to share its own.

So I’m spreading the word. Happy birthday Facebook.

-jj

Posted under Web/Tech

In true political fashion, Iowa State Representatives want your ideas, but they want to solicit those ideas separately.

The House Democrats and Republicans have each launched a separate site to gather ideas on how to save the state money.

House Democrats Open Budget Iowa

House Republicans Budget Saving Ideas

You can explore the budget then give your two cents about how the state is spending money, or measures they can take to save it.

As is common with most online comments, I read through both sites and found some entertaining, others full of whining and a handful that are actually constructive. Hopefully lawmakers are taking the suggestions to heart and will find some nuggets of wisdom in there.

My suggestion to the respective parties: Instead of taking the time/money to design, host and maintain two separate sites, why not launch one together?

-jj

Posted under Politics

Every tech geek and Apple lover has seen it. The ’1984′ commercial when Apple introduced Macintosh to the world. And what better place to launch a revolutionary ad than the Super Bowl.

It positioned Apple as the “hammer” that would break the monotonous tech babble. And some claim it was the birth of the cinematic Super Bowl ad.

CNET’s Caroline McCarthy draws interesting parallels in her recent article claiming the current Apple campaign (the trendy Mac versus the stodgy but lovable PC), mirrors the original 1984 campaign. Basically, 25 years later, Apple has the same goal – to position itself as the antithesis to the worldwide tech standard.

Hamilton College professor Douglas Raybeck comments on the $900,000 ad that almost didn’t make the air.

“There was no computer shown. None of the marvelous graphics the Mac was capable of were in evidence, and what (was) displayed was very dark. The lighting was dark. The images were dark. And, of course, that was part of what they wanted to get across–that this dark, conforming, restricting environment can be broken through.”

There will always be the Super Bowl ads that stick with you. On Friday, one of our directors asked everyone what their favorite Super Bowl ad was. That prompted a quick trip down memory lane. I can remember several years that Pepsi and Coca-Cola battled it out for Super Bowl supremacy. My family always secretly cheered for Pepsi ads because it was our beverage of choice, but I was also drawn to the cultural relevance of Coca-Cola.

But perhaps some of the most memorable have been the Budweiser ads. Even my father, a man who had never actually had a beer in his life, chuckled as the frogs croaked out “Bud-wise-er.” In college, I sat fascinated as an MU professor explained how he conceptualized the frog ad and why he believed it was such a success.

And Budweiser seems to be cotinuing the winning streak. Based on Twitter feedback tonight, it appears the company’s ad seems to be the fan favorite. We’ll see what the buzz is after the game.

With the high price tags and visibility, it’s no surprise that Super Bowl ads are so culturally significant. And as someone who barely understands football, it is the ads and the halftime show that hold my interest.

What are your favorite commercials?

-jj

Posted under Apple