Turn any Surface at Home or in your Office into a Touch Screen Computer...and more! Exciting Technology News from Intel.

A research project from Intel can turn any surface into a touchscreen. Instead of propping up a tablet or putting a touchscreen computer in your kitchen, picture yourself tapping on the counter top to pull menus, look up recipes and add items to a shopping list.

According to researchers, this new system can turn any wall into a touch screen computer. There are no major renovations needed, Intel’s system uses two cameras and a small projector and the entire device is no bigger than a large cell phone. One camera identifies colors and shapes while the other measures depth. That gives this new form of computing a distinct advantage over traditional PC’s.

Not only can it use any surface as a touch screen, it can identify objects it sees. That means it can find recipes based on the food on a counter, identify objects without a lengthy search and create a virtual interface that is more tactile and user friendly. Soon we may be accessing recipes while we cut up raw chicken, looking at gardening tips on the side of a greenhouse or searching for that perfect song to sing along with while we shower. If Intel succeeds with this new device it will completely revolutionize how people interact with computers both at work and in their homes. It will also make computes more ubiquitous.

People will be able to access information about a city on the side of one of its buildings, learn about different plants and animals in a virtual class room and interact more naturally with the machines that surround them.

Keep your eyes open for touch screens on the side of buildings, in classrooms, or even in your office! Check out this new video from Intel on their latest invention!

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

World Cup 2010 - "Kenya Field of Dreams"

The world cup attracted viewers by the billions this year. People all over the world tuned in to cheer for their respective teams. But what about those without access to television? That was the problem facing people in many remote parts of Kenya. There, watching the world cup is often a luxury only available to the rich. That is changing thanks to the Kenya Field of Dreams project. This is a group of volunteers working with Google, UK Sports International Development and a Kenyan woman's development project called "Moving the Goal Posts" (MGP).

These organizations use inflatable television screens and projection televisions to rebroadcast world cup matches for the people who could not afford to see them. When the screening is over, the projector is packed up and the screen simply deflates and folds up. This mobile movie theater is more than just good entertainment. It is also providing an education to the women of the area. The MGP women are taught soccer as a way to help give them confidence and start them down the right path in life. Their involvement in the world cup broadcasts is building on this ideal.


While Google and UKsports provide funding and equipment, the women of Moving the Goal Posts help run the whole operation. These women set up the screens, put together a car mounted PA system, advertise the screening and learn how to use other video equipment. As the World Cup ended yesterday, these girls will still have jobs to do. The Kenya Field of dreams project is hoping to teach the girls along with others on how to produce their own videos. They have already broadcast advertisements and short films made by locals during commercial breaks throughout the World Cup games. More importantly, the field of dreams project will leave behind some film making equipment so locals can continue to produce videos. This means new opportunities for Kenyans and a brighter future for some of the poorest people in the world.

Congratulations to Spain for winning the 2010 World Cup!

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

"Lights for Life" - A New Invention is Providing Electric Light to People without Electricity in the Poorest Countries and Victims of Disasters

  
Worldwide, over 1.6 Billion People Live without Electricity

  

Introducing the World's Only Solar Light Bulb

The  Nokero N100

"Lights for Life"

  
A new invention is providing electric light to people without electricity. The Nokero N100 solar powered LED lightbulb may not be impressive to look at but it could soon be providing free clean energy all over the world. The idea is to provide electric lights to the poor and victims of disasters. With an estimated 1.6 billion people without access to electricity the new light could soon be used in every corner of the globe. These lights will replace things like kerosene lamps and other fossil fuels. That means less indoor air pollution.


The lights will also cut 550 pounds of CO2 emissions over the course of a year. That will help improve the health and living conditions of the poorest people on earth. These solar powered lights may also have another unintended benefit. Electric lights can extend the number of hours a person can work, thereby making them more productive. Increased productivity helps both the individual and troubled economies. A single bulb costs $15 and is designed to last between 5 and 10 years. Nokero says each bulb will pay for itself in a few months when replacing kerosene. The bulb will produce light for up to four hours and is weather proof so it can simply be hung outside to charge. Nokero offers five times the lights and 1/200th the energy consumption of fuel lights.

By providing light to those without, this new bulb could potentially help more than a billion people already struggling against poverty.

For more information about Nokero and their campaign "Lights for Life", 

log onto the Nokero website:

http://www.nokero.com/

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Non-Profit Marketing Solutions

The basics of marketing a nonprofit organization are nearly identical to any other marketing plan. But where ordinary companies draw from a wide array of funding sources, nonprofits have to rely on donors, members or visitors. That means any nonprofit looking to market itself, needs a sound strategy based on research, analysis, careful planning, budgeting and campaign review.

The first step is insuring that a companies marketing goals match the goals of the nonprofit. That may sound fairly basic but if the two are not squarely aligned, it can cost an organization both time and money.

The second step is a SWOT analysis. This is an in depth look at a companies strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This is a great way to understand where an organization fits in its field. It is also essential in order to plan for the future. Knowing strengths and weaknesses helps people understand what can be used and what must be improved. Recognizing opportunities can give companies an advantage. And identifying threats can help prevent mistakes and encourage cooperation. Once the SWOT analysis is complete, it is time for step three, identifying the target audience.

This will help you identify messages and strategies that resonate with your target audience. It also helps companies focus on the needs of specific groups in a target market. For instance, volunteers may need to be thanked and encouraged while the message for the general public focuses more on awareness. To identify a target audience, it is important to ask, who they are, why do they care about a cause, what do they look like, where do they live, etc. This helps organizations get a clearer picture of who they are working with. With the target audience identified and understood, step four is developing a marketing plan.

A well thought out and planned marketing campaign is the most important part of any nonprofits marketing strategy. Companies can not just conduct marketing blindly. Every press release, event and advertisements needs to stay on message and support the nonprofits goals. To do this companies can use advertising, direct marketing, donation promotion, fund raising, donation solicitation, public relations and the internet and new media.

After a nonprofit has chosen there marketing strategy it is time to review. Look at which type of marketing attracted the most attention or brought in the greatest number of donations. This will help refine future plans and make the marketing budget earn more and go further. More importantly it will further the goals of the organization and help establish it as a permanent part of any community.




                                      .

"Trash Ball" 

A Story of Faith and Hope, from the 

Streets to the Stadium 

(Kibuye, Rwanda)

(Video Produced for Saddleback Church, The Peace Plan and the Orphan Initiative Care nonprofit).

Video Production provided by: Mindshift Media

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

Written By: Brad Girtz, Mindshift Media Blogger

Where to Spend Your Advertising Budget?

 

HOW MUCH WAS SPENT ON ONLINE ADVERTISING IN 2006?

Roughly $12 - $16 BILLION

HOW MUCH WILL BE SPENT ON ONLINE ADVERTISING IN 2012? 

Roughly $51 BILLION

Advertising a company or product can be tough, especially with so many new online options. Finding the perfect advertising strategy takes time and often involves some trial and error. With no “right” way of doing things, companies often worry they are wasting their advertising budgets. So the question is, how do you spend those precious advertising dollars? Well, according to the chief marketing officer for Levi Strauss, Jaime Cohen Sculz, The best place to start is online.

When it comes to online advertising, the first step is testing all the options. Because most forms of online ads are cheap and easy to make, it is cost effective to try each one out and find which produces the best results. Online advertising also allows companies to easily review the effectiveness of their campaigns using tools like google analytics.

That means businesses can see the results of an advertising campaign in real time and focus resources on what works best. Sculz says viral video has been the most effective for his company because of its ability to spark the interest and curiosity of consumers. He also recommends using updates on websites and facebook, as well as ecommerce. These are great places to start an advertising campaign because they all have a low to no initial investment. That means small companies are able to compete with their larger counterparts. It can also mean a jump on the competition because large companies are just beginning to realize the potential of online advertising. There is no guarantee that any ad campaign will be %100 effective. That being said, the best bet for any business is to skip the traditional and dated world of advertising and move into the less expensive and more effective online realm.




Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

The Future of Tablet Computers

They started out as an oddity but tablet computers may soon be outselling everything else on the market. According to Forrester Research, tablet computers will be outselling net books by 2012 and desktops by 2013. The report goes on to predict that by 2015, tablets will account for 23% of all PC sales.

This prediction is backed up by the sales figures. more than 2 million ipads sold in the first two months. The boost in sales coincided with a decline in consumers purchasing netbooks. This shift in buyer behavior is the result of portability, innovation and compatibility. Netbooks lack any new innovation. They are slower smaller versions of a laptop and they lack a disk drive. PC computers have the power but with everyone clamoring for wireless capability and mobility, PC’s are too big and cumbersome. ultraportable devices like smart phones, playstation personals and the ipod score high on innovation. They can do everything a computer can do, unfortunately they cant do any of it very well. This leaves a huge gap in the market to be filled by tablet computers. They provide the speed and ease of use web surfers crave, all wrapped up in a sleek portable package. Combine that with the desire for a touch screen and tablets are poised to take the computing world by storm.





Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin - Mindshift Media, Creative Director
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

The All New iPhone 4 : Design & Features

The new iphone is out and answering many of its critics. Apple released the iphone monday at its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. This new phone is full of enough new tech to keep even the biggest of gadget lovers happy. This includes a second camera, improved display, a stainless steel case and a thinner design.

 The new phone is also able to run multiple applications and play high definition video, something previous iphones were criticized for lacking. All the new hardware means the iphone can now make video calls and run a video chat on skype or ichat.

New Features:

Sturdy Titanium and Glass Design

OLED Screen

3G Data Speed

True GPS

iChat Camera

Removable Battery

3.2 Megapixel Camera

Video-Capable

32 GB Capacity

                                                      

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Introducing Custom Email Signature Marketing - An Overlooked Marketing Option

Custom Email Signatures

Designed and Provided By: Mindshift Media & STVP

 Custom email signatures are an emerging trend for online businesses. While most people have seen these signatures very few people understand the effect they can have on a business. These small additions to emails may look inconspicuous but they can be a business goldmine if used correctly. An email signature such as this,

Gives an ordinary email credibility. The email signature is a badge or authority and professionalism. It tells readers the sender is credible and reputable. This helps stop emails from being labeled as spam and dismissed. Along with authority, email signatures provide crucial information to customers. Every email is like an electronic business card that gives people an easy way to locate the sender. That means no lost business because someone misplaced a business card.

Most importantly, custom email signatures are an amazing way to use an everyday email to advertise. When each email has a company’s logo and information on it, the results can be drastic. Not only do the companies business partners and customers view that logo, everyone who gets the email as a forward sees it too.

That means one simple business reply can potentially reach hundreds, even thousands of people. It is like a free banner add that is targeted at only potential customers. This makes a banner add incredibly valuable, especially when companies weight the costs.

Traditional advertising requires an ongoing investment of time and energy. Custom email signatures are a one time expense. They build credibility while they advertise and the more emails a company sends, the more effective the signature becomes. That makes custom email signatures the perfect choice for any businesses.

Contact Mindshift Media for a free consultation regarding a custom designed Email Signature for your company or corporation: info@mindshift-media.com

Custom Email Signatures Designed and Provided By:

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

Written By: Brad Girtz

Tribute to Our Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day

As Americans celebrate the unofficial start to summer, here's a short tribute to the true American heroes: the men and women of the armed services. Without these brave men and women, America would not be America. It's a reminder that the cost of our treasured freedom comes at a high price. Thankfully we have these heroes who defend our way of life.

 Since the deployment of our military into Iraq, 5,462 men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Operation Iraqi Freedom: 4,387

Operation Enduring Freedom: 1,075

 

God bless all the service members and God Bless the U.S.A.

Remembering Pat Tillman - Gone but Never Forgotten!

 

A Tribute to all the brave men and women who serve this great country and defend our way of life!

"Praise You in This Storm" - Casting Crowns

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

"One Laptop Per Child" - Changing the Lives of Children Around the World!

 "One Laptop Per Child" - (OLPC)

Children in the worlds poorest countries may soon have access to their own tablet computers. This is the dream of “One Laptop Per Child” (OLPC), a nonprofit organization that has been working on a portable computer for under $100. Until recently, the company could not produce laptops for that price, but after they teamed up with Marvell Technology Group, OLPC says they should be able to make a $99 tablet. This could mean access to information and technology for some of the poorest schools, countries and peoples across the globe. OLPC has already sold older versions of their affordable computers to places like Afghanistan and Uruguay. Unfortunately, those models still cost $200 and had too many moving parts.

By using solid-state memory coupled with a tablet design, OLPC hopes to provide durable, long lasting computers that will help educate and inform. The new tablets would have wi-fi, cameras, and play high def video. They will also support plug in peripherals like mice and keyboards. Besides fewer moving parts, tablets have another advantage. Standard laptops have a Latin based keyboard which makes it hard to use for none Latin based languages. A tablet will be able to plug in to any keyboard. The companies founder Nicholas Negroponte says he hopes to unveil the first tablets at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January.

For more information about "One Laptop Per Child" and the (OLPC) non-profit organization, log onto the website and see how you can become involved in helping children across the world gain access to a personal computer of their very own!

http://laptop.org/en/

View this video clip and see how these computers are changing the lives of children across the world! A special Thank You message from the children.

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others" - Mohandas Ghandi

"Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present" - Albert Camus

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

Choosing the Right Social Website for Your Business

For modern businesses communication is key. The ability to reach customers, business partners and employees is crucial in todays marketplace. It is no longer enough to post a few advertisements, the future of communication is social websites. Sites like Facebook, Del.icio.us and Wiki all have different uses but they are all a part of a good online presence. By picking the right social sites, businesses can do everything from growing their brand to boosting sales. That makes the selection of social sites very important. The first step in choosing which sites to become a part of is identifying each sites purpose. With so many sites to choose from, that may sound impossible but there are a few tricks. Most social sites fall into one of six categories, social media, social bookmarking, professional networking, niche social media, general social media and job sites.

The first of these is social media. These sites include Youtube, Reddit, Digg and WikiHow. They allow you to post videos, articles and tutorials that can be viewed and commented on by anyone. This gives companies the ability to speak directly with their target audience and gain feedback. Businesses who take advantage of these sites can use them for free advertising and marketing as well as driving more traffic to their sites. Once a business has established itself using social media sites it can take the next step to social bookmarking.

This means joining sites like Delicious, Furl and Tubearoo. Each of these sites allows users to bookmark websites they like. Then they can view what other users have bookmarked. This connects businesses to a vast network of users. The end result is that social bookmarkers create thousands of links back to a companies website. This boosts site traffic and helps build a companies brand and name recognition.


The next step for businesses is joining professional networking sites. Places like Facebook, Linkedin and Tribe are a great place to start. These are all perfect for advertising and building a loyal following. For instance, Facebook allows companies to create a page with company news, pictures and promotions. More importantly, each site gives businesses access to consumers and potential employees. In essence, professional networking sites allow companies to find who they want, when they want.

While professional networking sites provide access to vast numbers of people, companies can also target their consumers using niche social media sites like pixel Groovy, Tweako and Small Business Brief. All of these sites provide a place for business professionals and enthusiasts to network, share information and form new contacts. These sites bring everyone interested in a business together in one place. While companies are busy with professional networking, they should also be reaching out to a broader consumer market using general social media sites.


These sites include Wikipedia, 43 Things, Twitter and Yahoo Answers. Each of these sites allows companies to share information about their companies to consumers and other professionals. This can be an article about a business on Wikipedia, a list of company goals on 43 things or status updates on Twitter. These sites provide potential customers with information about a company and its products. It also gives the business a sense of openness and legitimacy.

Finally, there are job sites like CareerBuilder.com, Monster and Yahoo Hot Jobs. The benefits of using these sites are obvious. Maintaining a presence on these sites will insure companies can land the most talented employees.

While all this may sound a bit complicated, social websites are fast becoming a permanent part of the successful business. By taking advantage of these websites early, companies can grow their brand, their business and their bottom line. These sites reach more people than any television station or newspaper and they are just waiting to work for you.


Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

YouTube for Business: Online Video Marketing for Any Business

YouTube is more than just a place to watch funny videos. With millions of daily viewers and a global reach, the Internet giant is a perfect platform to advance any business. It can be used in three basic ways, internal communication, external communication and external feedback.

The first of these is internal communication, or communication inside a company. Businesses can use YouTube to upload and enhance presentations and meetings. This allows a company to reach all of its employees at once. Using one well-designed YouTube video can save countless meetings and allows people to refer back to the video if they have any questions. The ability to deliver a clear and concise message extends well beyond internal communication.

YouTube is a spectacularly effective way for companies to take their message directly to consumers. YouTube videos can showcase and explain products to customers, highlight services, build credibility and even give instruction. A great example of this is Apple. They produce videos for all of their products. This builds consumer trust and allows Apple to show off its latest gadgets. More importantly, these videos create a buzz around products. That helps sales and improves the bottom line. The videos also open new channels of communication.

When a business uploads a video, potential customers are able to comment. Those comments are external feedback. This give companies access to important consumer ideas and opinions. It also removes communication barriers and allows businesses to react faster to the changing demands of consumers.





In the modern world of business, communication is key. The company that can deliver its message most effectively has a distinct advantage over the competition. That makes YouTube a vital part of every successful companies communication and marketing strategy.


Apple Utilizing YouTube to Explain the iPod Touch
 

River Forest Financial YouTube/Website Video Campaign
Produced By: Mindshift Media
 

Zeekee Interactive Experiences Tremendous Success with YouTube  & Multimedia Campaign
Produced By: Mindshift Media & STVP
 
Mindshift Media provides our clients with many tools needed to succeed in today's global marketplace. Our unique and comprehensive approach to advertising enables us to accommodate a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, non-profit’s and individual’s.We successfully service a variety of clients every day, and we're ready to earn your business too. We enjoy working with results-oriented businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs. Mindshift Media provides various Social Networking Marketing plans to successfully promote your business on YouTube. Contact us today and see how Mindshift Media can assist your company in creating a Global presence on YouTube and other Social Networking websites.
 
 
 
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

First Impression Counts! The Halo Effect - Website Design

Big businesses spends millions of dollars each year on website design. Every detail from font, to picture placement is carefully scrutinized. That may sound a bit excessive, after all, who really cares if a picture is 1 inch or 1.3 inches from the edge of the page? Those tiny details may sound silly, but it turns out they could be the key to a good webpage. That is because web users form first impressions of a website in as little as 50 milliseconds. That is faster than a hummingbird can flap its wings.

In other words, before a person even knows what a page is about, they have already formed an initial impression that will color how they view the rest of the page. This is called the halo effect. To stop this from ruining a web page, businesses need to look for certain traits that appeal to web users. The most important of these are load time, professionalism and visual appeal.

Load time is simple, it is the amount of time it takes a page to load. If a website has too many graphics or images, it will load slower. This can be annoying and makes a bad first impression. Using smaller or faster loading files, graphics and images makes for a better page. It also makes a page look more professional.

If a website is stuffed with too many pictures or graphics, it can look cluttered. Most of the better websites are very organized and subscribe to a “less is more” style. Instead of  flooding a sight with visual clutter, use a well designed logo, a good company name and one or two professional motion graphics. Then add a navigation bar and its done. This makes a site look professional and reputable. It also gives a site great visual appeal.

When something is pleasant to look at it is visually appealing. When a website looks good, it makes a better first impression. By simply making a good looking site, businesses can draw people in.


With good load time, a professional site and visual appeal, any website can improve business without the million dollar investment. 








Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

The Children of Rwanda and the World...Did you Know?

The Children of the World...Did You Know? 

In the world today there are 143 million children who have lost one or both parents.  That is almost one half of the population of the United States.

Every 14 seconds an Aids death leaves another child orphaned.

Every year 12 million children become orphans.

87.6 million Orphans live in Asia.

43.4 million Orphans live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

12.4 million Orphans live in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In Ukraine and Russia 10%-15% of children who age out of an orphanage commit suicide before age 18.

One million children in Rwanda are orphaned, without anyone to care for them when they fall down, are hungry, sick, or need protection from the pouring rain. They have no hope for a home and a family. The church in Rwanda, through the PEACE plan has invited a partnership that will change the lives of children for the good.

 

Five Things YOU can Do!

1. Pray               

2. Give               

3. Go                  

4. Get Educated

5. Listen                

(For more information, log onto www.orphansandthechurch.com)

The Children of Rwanda… Did You Know? 

Number of Orphans and Vulnerable Children: In Rwanda, over 800,000 children have lost at least oneparent; 210,000 children have been orphaned due to HI/AIDS. Orphans and Gender: In Rwanda, 45% of all girls have lost at least one parent. Child-Headed Households: Over 100,000 children are the head of their households in Rwanda, one of the greatest populations of child-headed households in the world.

Orphan Interventions: Orphans are cared for in the community primarily through orphanages or the assimilation of a child into the community. Rwanda does not have an adoption agency to facilitate the adoption of children internationally. Only six Rwandan children were adopted to the U.S. in the last five years.

Orphans on the Streets: There are 4,000 children living on the streets in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

 

GO: Orphan Care PEACE Trips: You can GO!    The Rwanda Orphan Care Initiative is a unique, church-initiated plan for orphans and vulnerable children which uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Join the almost 1000 Following the principles of PEACE, your unique abilities and S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality and experiences) will be used on a Global Orphan Care PEACE trip to Rwanda.   other people who have traveled to Rwanda on a PEACE trip, but be among the first to go on a specific trip designed around orphan care. VOLUNTEER WITH THE ORPHAN CARE CONNECTION (Ministry) GIVE:  10% of Rwanda’s population are orphans — over 1 million children.   • Sponsor an orphan directly through a local peace church that will provide a FAMILY instead of an orphanage! Your one-time gift or monthly sponsorship will go through a purpose driven church as a part of the PEACE Plan. You can find out more information, by logging onto: www.orphansandthechurch.com • Support the adoption of an orphan by a Rwandan family who is eager to adopt but needs financial assistance.   • Support local church orphan ministries – that provide life-skill training for orphans – that provide drop-in centers for street children – that provide other interventions for orphans and vulnerable children.              GROW:     For more information on how you can become involved with a mission trip or The Orphan Care Connection, log onto their website:  www.OrphansandTheChurch.com Content, Literature and Facts By: Saddleback Church and Orphan Care Connection Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media Video Production Provided By: Mindshift Media (www.Mindshift-Media.com)