Community Guy – Jake McKee

Apple should reset all App Store reviews

For anyone who buys iPhone applications, you’ve likely noticed the incredible amount of junk in the iTunes store app reviews. Only recently did Apple require that you actually purchase and download the app before being able to post a review. MacWorld pointed this issue out:

With its decision to change the commenting system at the App Store to require customers to buy iPhone software before they review it, Apple did the right thing. In fact, I’m amazed it took the company this long to put such a policy in place.

From the day of the App Store’s launch, some of us pointed to unfettered software reviews as an area for abuse. It was sadly simple for a developer to create a sock puppet account and pimp its own product, just as it was simple for a rival to do the same to denigrate the competition.

That’s not the only problem. The App Store is overrun with inane comments from customers who are incensed that no free evaluation versions of apps are available, who feel that the developer is asking too much, or that their product duplicates functionality found elsewhere, without ever having tried the application in question. And a one-star review sinks an app’s average rating.

I had largely stopped paying attention to the reviews because I was tired of seeing a one star rating with a description that said the one star was due to the price or the lack of a free demo or something equally pointless. Even with Apple changing the future review process, there is still a real problem with the junk that now has infested the reviews.

MacWorld suggests something fairly bold to fix this:

I’d like to suggest that Apple take the only reasonable approach left to it: Take a mulligan. A do-over. Zap all comments from the App Store and start over at square one.

This might seem like a huge step, but it’s really not. Apple could easily query their purchase database to find those reviewers who have posted a review, yet not bought the corresponding application and then delete only those reviews.

Why not do this?

FFF: Conversation in the clouds

(Sorry the Friday Flickr Finds have been so delayed!)

Photo by swamibu

Blogger Pitches – Some Thanksgiving Fun

In the last two weeks, I’ve gotten blogger pitched by a number of interesting new (and somewhat new) services. Since it’s Thanksgiving day, you’re likely reading this blog post as a way to get away from the family fun. Therefore, it’s a good day to check out some of these new services.

Strands
The folks at Strands sent a cool T-shirt & sticker. They have some interesting functionality, but are entering a (somewhat) crowded market. It’s an impressive approach though, so definitely worth a try.

I Wear Your Shirt
I might just have to do …this as soon as I have t-shirts. Too fun not too. Basically this idea replaces the million dollar pixel concept with something vastly more interesting. Here’s the pitch:

The idea is simple, I am selling a part of my wardrobe (shirts) for the entire year of 2009. No exceptions. I plan on wearing a different shirt every single day. The days are selling for ‘face-value’ so January 1 is $1 and December 31 is $365.

Workstir.com
From the folks at ping.fm. Here’s the pitch:

Workstir connects consumers with reputable local service providers. As a consumer you just post a new, and let the offers come to you. As a service provider, just sign up and we’ll tell you when new jobs aere posted in your area. A win-win.

MeetMoi
A new twist on dating sites. Here’s the pitch:

We just introduced a new website with revolutionary software that allows us to locate users 24 hours a day, safely matching them with other singles nearby. This ability to update a user’s location in real-time as he goes about his day is nothing but ground breaking.

Tribesmart
“The Web’s smartest social shopping site”

TurnTo.com
“TurnTo is based on a simple idea: Even in the age of the web, friends are often the best source of advice. And when you ask a friend, you not only get advice you can trust (or at least, can calibrate), you reaffirm your relationship with the other person.”

1smallthing
Saving the Earth is hard. But not if you break it down into “1 small thing” per day. Fun new site from my friend Jeremy Harrington.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, Community Guy readers! This holiday is a fun day in the annals of celebratory fun. You stuff yourself on great food, hang out with your family, and make a point to talk about the things you’re thankful for in your life.

How cool is that?

2008 has been an incredible year for The Community Guy family, with so much to be thankful for. The ever so lovely Bridget (shown above) had her 2 year check up last week and the doctor called her “exceptional” and “vivacious”. That’s my girl!

My company, Ant’s Eye View, has had the opportunity to work with some amazing clients this year. I’ve lucked into some great client companies and client contacts and look forward to what the end of the year and 2009 hold.

From a business standpoint, 2008 has given me a long list of things to be thankful for. But big things, huge things are afoot for 2009. Ant’s Eye View will be evolving and growing in pretty exciting ways. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

I’d also like to take a minute to say Thank You to the Interweb. This year, I’ve asked and had answered scores of questions from my Twitter stream and community contacts. I’ve asked for and received a metric ton of business help from people like Andy and Sean and my uncle Brian. I’ve been reminded of the power of community through daily interactions with people around the world.

Have a great holiday, fine feathered readers!

Ford Focus is the Windows Vista of the car world

Ford Focus is the Windows Vista of the car world
Originally uploaded by communityguy

I recently rented a Ford Focus on a business trip and was struck by two things:

1. The level a “starter” car brings these days. I remember fondly my days of driving my first car, a 1976 Dodge Dart. The only power was power steering. Today’s “entry cars” come jam packed with options.

2. The horrendous usability of the interior cabin. From the funky gauges (shown) or the console that had a radio and temp. controls that looked exactly alike, this car was over-engineered to the point of mass confusion. These design elements might have looked great on a computer screen, but at 65 mph, they’re just flat confusing.

Sounds like my experience with Vista, honestly. Robust, solid, and confusing for the sake of adding “new design”.

Google adds an amazingly cool feature

ReadWriteWeb points out a cool new Google feature: Google Search Wiki.

The feature will allow logged-in users to change the order of search results and mark up search results pages with notes. Only their own results will be changed – unless they click a link to view all Search Wiki notes on a search’s page. Very few details are out yet, nothing regarding vandalism, libel, history, messiness, collaboration or other wiki matters. Those are pretty important concerns given that this could become the biggest and most important wiki in the world.

UPDATE: Google seems to be trying to decide whether they like this feature or not. More from Micro Persuasion.

(Video walkthrough from Google below)

This is a great feature for those of us using Google searches as a quasi-bookmark. It’s also going to be interesting to see if this feature helps improve general search result quality. Kudos to Google, this is a great new feature!

Job Board Updates: 3 New Candidates & 4 New Job Opportunities

I’m ramping back up the Job Board updates. Sorry for the delay in getting these updates flowing… things have been crazy!

Community Job Openings:

• Community Engagement Manager (Annapolis, MD)
• Social Media Specialist (Chicago, IL)
• Community Evangelist (East Greenbush, NY)
• Virtual Assistant with MySpace Experience (Miami, FL)

To see all job openings: http://www.communityguy.com/jobboard/

Community Job Seekers

• Community manager/ social media professional seeks position in Southern California
• Seeking writer/blogger/community manager Opportunities (UK Based)
• Looking for Online Community Manager/Moderator Job (Gainesville,FL or Remote)

To see all candidates: http://www.communityguy.com/jobseekers/

BarCamp Non-Profit tomorrow

If you’re part of a non-profit in Dallas, be sure to swing by the BarCampNPdallas tomorrow! Here’s the skinny:

BarCampNPdallas is a gathering of folks in the non-profit (NP) world who are interested in learning and sharing, particularly on topics like using technology, social media, fundraising, public relations and building communities.

This BarCamp is focused on organizations and people who are dedicated to non-profits and will be held in an abbreviated evening session, on Tuesday November 25th, 2008 in Oak Cliff.

[UPDATED] Dr Pepper scores thanks to Axl Rose

UPDATE: Apparently Guns N’ Roses is pissed. Their lawyer has sent a three page letter to Dr Pepper to voice more than a little concern about the handling of the promotion.

According to Billboard.biz, Beverly Hills-based Alan Gutman has written to Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. president and CEO Larry Young, accusing the company of operating an online redemption scheme that was an “unmitigated disaster which defrauded customers.” Gutman is demanding that Dr Pepper makes good on its offer by extending the period for the offer; he also wants full-page apologies in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.

On one hand, I think this is a bit over the top, considering Dr Pepper already extended the (very expensive) promotion an extra day to make up for the issue. On the other hand, I like that GNR is sticking up for their fans in a pretty significant way. I think it sends a great message to companies that “you’d better take our fanbase as seriously as we do”. GNR clearly understands that their fanbase is their power, and anyone messing with the fans is messing with them.

—

Talk about showing some corporate personality!

Over the years, Guns N’ Roses has promised to release “Chinese Democracy” but they kept pushing it back, leading fans and naysayers of the band to question whether it would ever be released.

[..]

The hype of “Chinese Democracy” was so great that on March 26, 2008, Dr. Pepper proclaimed that if Guns N’ Roses releases their long-awaited album during the 2008 calendar year, everyone will receive a free can of Dr. Pepper, excluding ex-members Slash and Buckethead.

Yesterday, Dr Pepper came through with their promise, launching a Web site where anyone can plug in their details and grab a coupon for a free can.

Not only did Dr Pepper show some fantastic personality, having a bit of fun at the same time, they’re also collecting new user data hand over fist. (So well, in fact, it looks like site had some major downtime) See, successful programs don’t have to be difficult or impersonal!

Rapid Fire – Sunday, November 23