What’s the Opposite of Tarjey?

When we lived in Evanston, there was this Target just a few blocks away. Stuff on the floor, expired milk in the aisle, very un-Target-like. We got into the habit of asking people about whether or not a particular Target was “good.” We came back up here for a wedding and asked the clerk at …

Tuesday Music – Seven Standouts from SXSW 2006

Here’s my second set of favorites from the 2006 SXSW BitTorrent, 7 this time. A little background on the process: I’ve got all the songs in an iTunes smart playlist – anything with the album of ‘SXSW 2006 Showcasing Artist’, playcount less than 1, and shuffle is on. Today’s a pretty serious heads down work …

You Have a Higher Tolerance for Ambiguity in Your Thinking Styles

I suspect anyone who spends more than 5 minutes with me could conclude that, including this neuropolitics.org survey. Here’s their entire first impression of me: “Your responses are consistent with the following attributes: You have a higher propensity for large-group social bonding. You have a probable elevation in your dopaminergic activation system. Your right prefrontal …

Weblog, Podcast, Videoblog Workshop – March 25, 2006 at Acadia Cafe

If you’re interested in starting a weblog, podcast, or videoblog and don’t know where to start, come by the Acadia Cafe (1931 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403) on March 25th between 2-6pm. I’ll be there, with (hopefully) many other local bloggers, podcasters, and videobloggers to show you the ropes. Everyone leaves with more knowledge …

Real Estate Agents and Dodo Birds

Steven and Stephen, the dynamic duo behind Freaknomics have a bit on Real Estate Agents being added to the Endangered Species list in the New York Times. Nothing new to anyone with a little understanding of the real estate market and how the internet has dissolved both travel agents and stock brokers. The more conversations …

Two Tips for Cingular to Improve Customer Service

I caught Matt Ritchel’s Suddenly, an Industry Is All Ears bit in NYT on how Cingular is trying to improve their customer service. On page two of the article, Ritchel identifies two small, yet high impact changes Cingular could make to dramatically improve their customer service experience: “There is also a timer that tells the …

Citywide WiFi Needed in the Twin Cities, As Is Symmetrical DSL

I grabbed lunch with Leif Utne earlier this week. As you might expect, it was a pretty intense conversation on podcasting, technology, politics, and the overlap. First order of business, I’m down with Minneapolis going with a private company to run citywide WiFi network for the two reasons cited in the Strib article: Startup CostsThe …