Does Digg Lack Diversity
January 22, 2007
I’m not talking about a diversity of opinions. You need only glance at the comments on a front page story to know that diggers have a wide variety of opinions no matter what the subject! Some of these opinions are funny and others are not so funny.
What I am talking about is a diversity in sources and content. Well, Digg does not actually host any content… No, I take that back. The content Digg hosts is the opinions of the members in regards to the links submitted. Digg is a book marking site and submitters provide a link, title and a few sentences to describe what is being linked to. I hesitate to say “article” being linked to as many things on Digg are not articles. There are videos, podcasts, images and other things being linked to on Digg. Some are more worthy of being linked to than others but, that is not the focus of this article.
When I talk about diversity in this context I am talking about the diversity of sources. Just how many different web sites are submitted to Digg? How many of those make it to the front page? Do some sites get more front page time than others? Because all web sites are not created equal there will be an imbalance in regards to what makes it to the front page.
Most of this has to do with quality. If you see two similar articles on a subject and they are both submitted about the same time, you are very likely to make a judgment call based on the source URL. For example, if you were to see a story about some celestial phenomenon and one is a link to news.yahoo.com and the other is spacescience.com you are more than likely going to digg the spacescience.com story and mark the news.yahoo.com story as a dupe. More than likely you will be correct, Yahoo news is just an aggregator of news stories and it is probably the same exact article.
What happens if you see a story about a rumored video game release? This is a bit more difficult. Because it is a rumor the odds are that the link is not to an official web site such as nintendo.com. In cases such as this you are more likely to digg the story if it comes from a web site you know. If you do not know any of the web sites involved than you have to actually read the story first. Yes, I know there is a big debate going on between the “Digg is a book marking site” and the “read before you Digg” crowds but I’m not covering that in this article. So, you go to the websites and look over the news. You then make a judgment call as to which is better in your eyes.
So far we do not have a diversity problem at all, Digg appears to be working as it should. Let’s throw a little wrench into things.
Let’s say that you encounter a story written about something that is currently very popular. It might be a new gadget released at a trade show.
1) Digg the story that is closest to the source.
2) Digg the story on the more popular web site.
Yes, I know that digging the story by the higher rated user is more likely to result in the story you digg getting on the front page but I did specify “all things being equal.”
This is where the diversity breaks down. When something new and popular comes out diggers do not want to see five stories about it on the front page at one time, well except for those Apple and Digg fans, they want all of Digg to be stories about their personal fetish!
This is the diversity breakdown. When sites such as engadget and arstechnica run stories on the same thing both will be submitted to Digg. No one really cares about the dupe filter when they submit the story unless it sends you to the story itself having been submitted by someone else. Where this becomes particularly troublesome problem is when a new entity is submitted to Digg and has to go against a current favorite. If they are lucky they will only be buried as a dupe. If they are unlucky they will be buried as spam and be banned from Digg. For the most part, when engadget is up against arstechnica the earlier story will win out. This works well enough but rather than bury a story as a dupe when it is only a dupe of the subject and not the content, I’d much rather see it marked as something else. There may be two articles on new coins being minted but one might focus on gold coins while the other is about silver coins, if the titles are similar enough one may get buried as a dupe even though they are not dupes.
Couple the popular site problem with the top digger controversy and you end up with a lack of diversity on Digg. I have no idea how to fix this and it may not even be a problem that the community feels is worth addressing. If a user can become a “top digger” in 30 days why can’t a web site become a “top dugg web site” by virtue of its own content? Actually, it can.
What I have seen is that once a web site gets a few home page stories at least one “top digger” will adopt it as a source and posts its new content as soon as it becomes available. Why does this happen? It’s actually very simple. Once a site becomes hot on Digg the odds of its stories being promoted increases. With increased odds of story promotion you also increase the odds of members submitting those stories so that their own rank on Digg will improve. This can have a negative affect as well if less than 100% of the content is good and users start submitting 100% of the content. There is nothing the site owner can do about this other than improve the quality of the content offered. Assuming the content creator can keep the content good this web site will now become a Digg staple.
Example of a Digg user who made it in 30 days:
Example of a web site that came out of no where.
Is Apple’s New iPhone Worth the Wait?
January 16, 2007
During the keynote speech Steve Jobs revealed the existence of Apple’s entry into the cell phone market with their iPhone product. A product that’s name is currently embroiled in a legal battle over its trademark status. The funny thing about this battle is all of the bloggers I see who feel that anything that begins with a small “i” somehow belongs to Apple. All of this is very comical as Apple was not the first to use the “i”
Another interesting development with Apple’s cell phone is that they signed an exclusivity agreement with Cingular for the American market. Let me say right off the bat that I work for AT&T. My wife has a phone through Cingular and I have one through Sprint. What’s that you say, why do I not use my company’s product? It’s quite simple. We travel a lot and when traveling it is good to know that at least one of our cell phones will work. If we were both on the same network we would not have any sort of backup plan other than driving around to find a pay phone and we all know how hard they are to find these days!
I do not understand why Apple would choose to go this route as it is obvious, to anyone who looks at the numbers, that the iPod did not “explode” onto the market until it became possible to use it with non-Macs. The Apple was out in the marketplace and competing with other MP3 players before it became the dominating player. By allowing Windows users access to iTunes, and the iPod in general, allowed it to gain market dominance. If Apple had never opened it up in this way it would just be another MP3 player. Hey, this same thing worked for AOL! AOL was once a Mac-only application… Wait a minute, maybe they should have stayed that way?
Most cell phone users (about 90%+) want a cell phone that… ready for this? They want a cell phone that works as a phone. That is all they want. They do not want it to do anything other than be a phone. I know this is shocking to some techies out there but it is true and yes, I am part of that 90%.
The vast majority of cell phone users also go for the free phone offered in the contract. Very few people are willing to spend the extra money. The Apple iPhone? It is projected to sell for about $599, not including the service contract.
So, what does the iPhone do that makes it worth $599? Let’s break it down:
1) It looks sexy.
2) It’s a phone!
3) It’s an iPod!
4) It can cruise the web!
Just about every product Apple makes has a high level of what we in the industry call “drool factor”. This is the factor that makes people want to buy something because it looks like something they want to be associated with.
“Hey man, what’s that cool thing you got there?”
“Yo dawg, it’s that crazy new Apple iWidget!”
“Yeah? What’s it do?”
“Do? It’s an Apple iWidget!”
“Yeah, but… what is it?”
“Heck if I know, but it sure does look cool doesn’t it?”
Drool factor will get the item off the store shelves and into peoples pockets but we have a problem here. In the past Apple has always announced a new product just as it goes on sale. This has the effect of getting people to buy it because it is cool and not even thinking about the product, the fact that Apple products are great also helps. Because of the way the FCC works Apple wanted to announce the product before the FCC reviews it. Otherwise we would have read about it from the FCC first and not Apple. If Apple is one thing it is a marketing juggernaut! It simply would not do for a government agency to be the one to talk about an Apple product first. Now we have a dilemma. The product is not due to ship until June 2007. That is a lot of months of thinking. Will anyone still want it by then?
The Apple iPhone is a cell phone, it says so right in the name. The entire screen is a touchpad and it will morph into whatever you need at the time. This is a great move forward in the user interface for cell phones. I do not see anything about a stylus being included but it appears to have some sort of “smart” technology that will recognize key mistakes.
“I’m keep trying to type ‘rockbox’ and it changes to ‘iTunes’. what’s up with that?”
The Phone also the ability to ‘know’ when it is next to your ear and it turns off the display. Hmm… How does it know your ear from your eye?
“Every time I put this thing up to my face to get a better look the screen turns off!”
Turning off the display is a good thing since most states now have laws against using your cell phone while driving. One of the key giveaways (at night) has been that glowing light next to your ear that most cell phones give off.
The iPhone also has a built-in digital camera… Wait a minute… didn’t many business ban cell phones with digital cameras in them from the workplace?
The Apple iPhone is also… an iPod!!! From what I have been reading there will be a 4GB model and an 8GB model. Does this mean it will be similar to the Nano except with video and a much better screen? The screen is said to be 320×480 pixels with a built-in system to know when you are holding it in regular or widescreen modes. But, what if you are hanging at an odd angle or lying in bed? Will there be some sort of “lock view settings” button to keep it from changing viewing modes?
The iPhone also has the ability to use “some” methods of broadband access to cruise the web. I don’t know about you but… other than reading email how much of the web can you cruise at 320×480? I have a hard enough time cruising the web at 1024×768! I can’t imagine cruising the web in a meaningful way at that resolution.
Let’s check some pricing for comparison:
1) It looks sexy - You can’t put a price tag on this one.
2) It’s a phone - Free with a service contract.
3) It’s an iPod - iPod Nano 4GB/8GB $199/$249. Full size iPods are much cheaper per MB but these match the size of the storage space in the iPhone better.
4) It can cruise the web - you can get the Cingular 8125 Pocket PC phone with a slightly smaller screen for about $149.
So, for a lot less money you can buy several items that do the same thing. Oh yes, I almost forgot the most important thing about the iPhone. Like its sibling the iPod, its battery is NOT user replaceable.
Do you really want to get off of that 5 hour flight to find the battery in your iPhone is now dead because you needed entertainment in flight?
I hate to say it but I think the new Apple iPhone will be a dud. It costs too much and cheaper alternatives that do the job “good enough” are already on the market. The only innovative thing about the iPhone is the user interface. The market for this product probably can not afford it (teens and college kids) and those who can afford it (business) will not want it.
Apple iPhone – Highlights
Multimedia like never before: music, audiobooks, videos, TV shows, and movies
Futuristic touchscreen auto-rotates from portrait to landscape based on how its held
Full HTML web experience with GPS and location based services
2.0 megapixel camera/camcorder
Bluetooth wireless technology and WiFi wireless technology
Full email and messaging experience
Impossibly thin
Complete synchronization with your Mac or PC
Apple iPhone – Advanced Features
Digital Camera - 2.0 Megapixel Camera (1600 x 1200 Pixel Resolution Max), Digital Zoom, iPhoto-like Support
Streaming Multimedia Support - Yes, iTunes and iTV Software Lets You Experience Dazzling Video, Widescreen Format
iTunes Player - iTunes Software Pre-loaded, PC or Mac Sync, Playlists, iBook, Podcasts and Video Support
GPS Services Support - Yes
Bluetooth Wireless Technology - Yes
Two-handed Gaming Experience - Yes
Video Capture / Camcorder - Yes, Long Video Clip Capture, Video Clip Playback
QWERTY Keyboard - Yes, Built Into Touchscreen
Voice-driven Menus - Yes
PC Synchronization - Yes, Synchronize With Your PC or Mac
Apple iPhone – Messaging Features
Multimedia Messaging - Yes, Send or Recieve Picture Messages
HTML Web Browsing - Safari Web Browser, Supports Google Maps w/ GPS and LBS, Portrait or Landscape Orientation, HTML
Text Messaging (SMS) - Yes, Supports Multi-session, Touchscreen QWERTY Keyboard
Email Client - Yes, POP and IMAP Support, Supports Real-time Push Email (Like BlackBerry), YahooMail Support
Instant Messenger Built-in - Yes
Apple iPhone – Personalization and Fun Features
Polyphonic Ringtones - Yes, Downloadable
Custom Ringtones - Yes
Pre-loaded Ringtones - Yes
MP3 Ringtones - Yes, Downloadable
Ringer Profiles - Yes
Picture Caller ID - Yes
Games - Yes, Downloadable
Customizable Graphics - Yes, Downloadable
Customizable Themes - Yes
Apple iPhone – Core Features
Color Main Display - Massive 320 x 480 Pixels (3.5″ Diagonal), 16 Million Colors, Auto-rotates to Landscape or Portrait
Color - Black
Style - Candybar Touchscreen
Warranty - Manufacturer Warranty By Apple
Touch Screen - Yes, Built To Ignore Unintended Touches
Speakerphone - Yes
Voice-activated Dialing - Yes
To-Do List - Yes
Voice Memo - Yes
Standard 2.5mm Headset Jack - 3.5mm Headset Jack
Alarm - Yes
Calculator - Yes
Calendar - Yes
Vibrate - Yes
Phonebook Capacity - Limit of Available Memory
Multiple Numbers Per Name - Yes, Plus Web and Email Address, Instant Messenger Handles and More
Conference Calling - Yes, Easy to Add Users To Call
Apple iPhone – Battery Life
Battery Type - Li Ion
Talk Time - Up to 300 Minutes
Apple iPhone – Technical Specifications
Application Platform - Java
Platform / Operating System - Apple OS X
Data Download Speed - EDGE (Up to 144 Kbps) and 802.11b, g and n WiFi (Up to 54 Mbps)
Network Compatibility - GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900
Compatible Carrier - Cingular
Ringtone Types Supported - MIDI, iTunes
Internationally Compatible - Yes
Predictive Text Entry - Yes
Built-In Memory - 4GB or 8GB
Dimensions - 4.5 in x 2.4 in x 0.5 in
Weight - 4.8 oz
WiFi 802.11 Compatible - Yes, 802.11b/gn Support
Apple iPhone – Compatibility Features
Device Supports Voice Plans - Yes
Device Supports Data Plans - Yes
Apple chooses Cingular as exclusive U.S. carrier for its revolutionary iPhone
January 10, 2007
Apple and Cingular announced that Cingular will be Apple’s exclusive U.S. carrier partner for Apple’s revolutionary iPhone unveiled today.
As part of this multi-year partnership, Apple and Cingular are working together to provide innovative new features to mobile phone users, such as iPhone’s pioneering and unique Visual Voice Mail, a first on any mobile phone in the world.
“Apple chose Cingular because they are the best and most popular carrier in the U.S.,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We are thrilled to be offering our revolutionary new iPhone exclusively with Cingular, and look forward to working together with them to create some wonderful new features for our customers.”
“By partnering with Apple, we are continuing our commitment to raising the bar for customers,” said Stan Sigman, Cingular’s president and CEO. “We think the iPhone is one of the most innovative devices ever created, and we look forward to letting our customers be the first in the world to experience the future of mobile phones.”
iPhone’s unique Visual Voice Mail was co-developed by Apple and Cingular. Visual Voice Mail makes voicemail as fast and convenient as email by allowing users to go directly to any of their voice messages without listening to any of the prior messages.
iPhone will be available in the U.S. beginning in June 2007 in a 4GB model for $499 and an 8GB model for $599, and will work in combination with Apple’s iTunes running on either a PC or Mac.
iPhone will be sold in the U.S. through Apple’s retail and online stores (www.apple.com), and through Cingular’s retail and online stores (www.cingular.com).
