Facebook Photo Tag

When I first got myself a Facebook account (mainly due to peer pressure) I discovered a whole-lotta amazing Web 2.0 applications - one of which was "Photo Tags".

I remembered thinking to myself, "This is an incredible application."

What it does is that it enables users to identify and connect with others through a mere photograph.

I'm pretty sure to some - it also serves as an effective way to scout for good looking people who happens to be a friend of a friend of yours, leading to...

"Hey bro! Remember me from kindergarten? I know I haven't spoken to you in 15 years but who is that friend of yours in the picture? Do you know her? Can introduce?"

Anyway, back to me - since I'm not really an avid user of facebook, I don't spend much time exploring every nook and cranny of each applications. So when I looked into 'Photos Added by Others' in the gallery for the first time in months, here's what I saw (some of which I don't even recall being involved in).

Trying super hard to pull off a Zoolander look but failing miserably with Dawn (Miss Msia World 07 Runner Up).

What I see: a plug on top of my head.

What I don't see: the person holding the plug.

"Lucky him. Or her."

Signature double thumbs up before my talk at the 1st NYEC 2008.

Noticed that mini Rakan Muda badge on my left pocket? I was politely compelled to put it on.

Chilling out with Aida the Turtle and sticking my tongue out shamelessly.

BTW, I was told by the student group in charge that the costume was hand made - leading to admiration and me physically molesting the turtle.

Only to later find out that Aida was not a fictional name for the turtle, but the name of the girl inside the costume.

But hey! She didn't complaint. (rolls eyes)

Wah. This pic is super old - and yes, you can tell by the colour and the length of my hair.

F4 was at their peak at that time.

Posted up by Gloria Ting. In contrary to Dawn, she went all the way by bagging home the MMW 04.

One of the Boogie Night Out moments with Tim and newly met friends.

For those who read comments in my blog - the one far right is Immi.

Malaysian Youth Entrepreneurs trying to combine intellectual super powers.

The hand position reminds me of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

Seeming like a usual Friday night at Liquid/Frangi.

We couldn't have looked more gay.

Mindvalley party - grinning like an 18-year old excited over Sangria.

OK. I don't know what Khai Lee was trying to do - but do try to read the comments at the bottom of this picture.

Time to squint those eyes.

And again, I'm lost for words.

The Future of Interactive Communication

Reflecting on my speech few months back regarding the changes technology has brought to the future of our interactive communication:

You know, those technological whiz kids hiding behind screen names like dark_knight2000 or puteriampang87? I think it’s high time someone identify and attribute faces and names to them. Real faces and real names - and I'm not talking about Facebook. 

Full post here.

Now, check out this random conversation I had over Windows Live Messenger yesterday.

***

19th March 2008, 2:35pm

Denise says:
=)

j o e l says:
hi. you are?

Denise says:
cute gal...

j o e l says:
ok.

Denise says:
;)

j o e l says:
have i met u b4?

Denise says:
do u know some1 call sze wai

j o e l says:
not too sure.

j o e l says:
from whre?

Denise says:
study in university of melbourne 1

Denise says:
..........

j o e l says:
erm

Denise says:
i dont meet u before..

j o e l says:
cant recall.

Denise says:
............

j o e l says:
ok.

Denise just sent you a nudge.

Denise says:
can i be ur frend?

Denise says:
=( its ok if u dont wan

Denise says:
sorry, r u angry because i suddenly ask u being my frend....but u look like some 1

***

20th March 2008, 6:01pm

Denise says:
=)

Denise says:
=(

Denise says:
is ok if u dowan be my fren......i understand...take care n byebye~

***

I don't mean to be rude by not replying, but being flabbergasted, I really had no idea how to respond. 

I don't think I'm quite cut out for the future of interactive communication. Maybe, that's the reason why my Dad doesn't hang out on Windows Live.

Meet the Professionals

My mum has always grinded me to be a professional since I was young. And that professionals are either: doctors, lawyers, engineers or accountants.

So when I first looked at the poster, I thought to myself 'Hey! They got that wrong. I'm no Professional'.

But if thats what they are calling me, I'm not going to complain.

IACT.

I've always had a good impression of this education institution. One of the reasons is because I've known quite a few outstanding indivuals who were graduates from there.

Secondly, would be the name itself. During my first encounter with the brand of the institution, I somehow read it as I ACT - and it sounds like a very strong action statement. I'm just personally against organizations/people who keeps talking without any action taken (also known as NATO: No Action Talk Only).

Anyway, back to the industry. The youth industry is considerably one of the most lucrative ones -alongside the female targeted industry.

Why, you ask?

High disposable income with low commitments (Boys: Unless you've got a girlfriend - still, you'll be disposing it).

Check out http://www.asiaparttime.com/ and look at the number of part time jobs available for youths daily.

A regular 20 year old youth with side income from weekend odd jobs such as sales promoter, roadshow crew and store assistant can cash in anything from RM500 - RM2000 per month.

As for the girls who involve themselves into 'higher' end jobs such as cigarette/alcohol sales promoters and car show models - I've known a few who rakes in a 5 figure pay cheque monthly.

For those who don't work, they're supplemented by allowance money from parents.

Of course some may argue that these are just short term gains - but as the saying goes 'easy come, easy go' still has some truth beneath it all.

Relating back on the relationship of Advertising and Youths.

Getting a message across to youths is never an easy task.

Here's why:

1. They are not homogeneous. (For those who don't know the meaning, go wiki it. And NO, its got no relations to being homophobic.)

2. They are age sensitive. (Age groups: 18-21 years and 22-25 years have extreme differences. I'm sure many would agree hands down to that.)

3. They are critical. (I'd like to see them as choosy instead)

4. By the time you think you understand them, they've moved on to something else. (Yes, BN. Now you know. For those aspiring MPs - surf on to http://www.youthsays.com/ to check out the voices of our future leaders)

5. They don't pick up print media. Even if they do, they hardly read.

6. They rarely watch TV. Even if they do, they channel-hop during advertisements.

Bearing all the above in mind - I'll be giving more of my two cents at the Open Day, 2 weeks from now, hopefully revealing some industry magic. =)

As for now, I'll just drop one glaring tip for youth advertisers: you can never get it wrong with the all-time less-likely-to-fail relevant youth campaign revolving around the element of MUSIC.

Media War: Newspapers VS The Internet

VS

Recently, The Star declared a somewhat direct attack on local Internet content which extended from the front page of the papers to a full page write up inside.

View the press article here.

With regards to the 2930 surveyed, there were 2 main summary points which caught my attention immediately:

1. Only 42% of Malaysian surf the Internet, of which only 6% surf on a daily basis

2. 53% of Malaysians watch TV daily

I belong to the 6% daily net surfers, and the 47% who do not watch the TV daily. Now I thought my habits are pretty usual, but I find ironic that I belong to the minority of the results. How do you fare? =)

I find it unnecessary that the papers (especially Malaysia's No.1 local English paper) had to take actions in justifying its position as the principal choice of media for Malaysians being a source of news and information.

Clearly, it has to be part and parcel of receiving much heat from the local Internet content - blasting and exposing local political figures in manners beyond their control.

Right now, the war waging in line with the General Elections: Barison Nasional VS The Opposition (Barisan Rakyat) has led to an inclusion of the apparent war between the media types:

Newspapers and Television Channels (mostly government controlled) VS The Internet (mainly referring to Bloggers - yes, that could be you.)

From the papers, a quote from the article: "IIUM's Prof Datuk Dr Syed Arabi Idid said the poll results were highly revealing of the Malaysians’ distrust of the Internet, and agreed that the newspaper and television were still the main information staple of the public."

Meanwhile from the Internet, read also a post from a net citizen to Datuk Wong Chun Wai, Group Chief Editor of The Star on political statements made in the papers.

Many opposition supporters have also encouraged others to boycott the main stream media until election is over.

My question is: what's your take?

P.S: for more Internet news, do check out the following sites and make your own decision on your preferred trusted source of staple information.

Malaysia Today

Malaysia Kini

Malaysia Votes

theCICAK.com

As for the papers, just head to your nearest newstand.