Around the Nine #3

Picking bits of tinsel out of my clothes and scratching at two-day-old stubble, I am happy to present this week’s edition of Around the Nine. For the uninitiated, Around the Nine is a weekly feature on Ekonoline showcasing some of the great work produced by 9rules members in the last week. It’s a great way to keep up with what’s happening around the network and highlight some of the best authors on the web today.

Let’s get down to it, shall we?

• Lorelle on Wordpress: WordPress.com, Please Stop Using Snap Preview

  Lorelle discovers a new “feature” on Wordpress.com blogs and uses the occasion to discuss accessibility and usability. “Do you really need this bell and whistle on your blog? It’s a nice gimmick, but if you have given people enough information about the link you are offering, isn’t that enough?”

• Maryland Media: The Greatest Design Tool is Customer Service

  Martin explains “the design of business”. “People rarely remember individual promotions or commercials – but they never forget a bad waiter, rude call center or impolite flight attendant.”

• Binary Moon: In Game Ads Don’t Work?

  Ben examines the response to in-game advertising and its effectiveness. He provides examples of a few different advertising models, including “Advergames” and “Cheapies”.

• Bleacher Report: Just Saying, Is All…Un-Predictions for 2007

  Ryan, in a fit of genius, makes his sporting predictions for 2007. Definitely meant to be taken with a healthy dose of sarcasm. My favourite? “In 2007, no athletes will be busted for using performance-enhancing substances. The year ahead will be notable neither for the habitual repetition of the word “perjury” on SportsCenter nor the unprecedented volume of air time allocated to ESPN legal expert Roger Cossack.”

• Finkbuilt: Hacking Laser Tag

  Steve shows off what may be the coolest laser tag gun ever created.

• Heat Eat Review: Best and Worst Frozen Meals of 2006

  Abi counts down the best and worst frozen meals of the past year, including macaroni and cheese dinners, rice meals, and Asian frozen meals.

• Cognitive Daily: What are babies looking for when they look to their mothers?

  Greta posts a guest post by one of her student writers from fall 2006, examining whether a baby looks to its mother simply for comfort, or if there is some sort of information exchange.

• Open Switch: Happy Day in the Gray Home

  Ben adds another sheep to his flock. That’s right, he’s going to be a daddy again!

Many thanks to the 9rules members listed here, as well the members I missed this week, for all of the great work they do within the network. See you guys next week!