Feedly Beautifully Delivers Content

I've tried Netvibes, iGoogle, Google Reader and numerous other RSS aggregators. For one reason or another, each failed to become part of my daily consumption of news and information.

Enter Feedly. The dashboard of all dashboards! Feedly is an extension for Firefox, incorporating my various email accounts, social networks, RSS feeds and bookmarks. Besides pulling everything into one place, one of the most attractive assets is Feedly's design and layout. All of my content can be formatted into customizable layouts, in which I can filter and search. I'm able to clip and send full articles or parts of articles, sharing them via my integrated email and social network accounts.

And personalization! An intelligent engine learns my reading habits, offering me relevant news based on my reading patterns and preferences. And articles that I've read within Feedly are refelected as 'read' in my Google Reader.

The Cool Hunter Now Offers Consultancy Services?

I'm a reader of The Cool Hunter, an online art/music/fashion/design destination written by and for trend setters that are in-the-know. One of their latest spin-offs is The Cool Hunter Platinum, a self-proclaimed 'world trends consultancy,' targeting ad agencies and premium brands.

Something interesting about their authenticity is that they brag: "We don’t talk marketing-speak. In fact, we loathe it and its often meaningless jargon superfluous."

While this interesting new direction is fine and good (uh, maybe even considering giving them a ring), I really hope that new affiliations don't influence their otherwise non-biased listings.

Adobe's Wild Imagination Grows

Curious with Adobe's simple yet intriguing new rich media web banner, my attention was piqued with a welcoming slider bar within their new ad. Sliding the bar within the interactive ad was very rewarding, as new creatures, wildlife and organic growth emerge from behind the controls. Bravo, Adobe!

I posted a short demo here of my own interaction with the ad late last week. (sorry, play controls are all the way at bottom of screen)

Holiday Shopping Guide 2007, Vol 1

UncommonGoods: While the products are consistently fresh and original, their website is lacking in design and usability. They're a trusted, long-time quirky goods reseller. Be sure to sign up for their print catalog -- it's nice to browse through printed materials every now and then.

Elsewares: Taking a page out of Urban Outfitter's playbook, Elsewares is another success story in peddling original, quirky stuff on the web. Popular among urban-dwelling twenty-somethings, like the above UncommonGoods, this is the place for independent artist designed jewelry, clothes and products for your apartment (err, dorm?).

Branch: Recycled and earth-friendly products are perfect for an eco-minded gift recipient. One fact I especially warmed up to is that their founder Paul Donald is a former creative from Wired magazine.

GelaSkins and Mophie: Looking for great iPod accessories? These guys have got the hottest way to wrap, protect and accessorize the most precious of mp3 collections.

NY Transit Museum Store: For those passionate about trains, or more specifically NY's mass transit, this is the place. While the subway map emblazoned apparel and bags are a bit tacky, the old subway grab holds and original subway art make for tasteful, original gift ideas.

Sure, we've all faced challenging clients. They often put us on the spot in the middle of a creative pitch, and ask if we use "that software that makes logos," or share design comps they'd like you to consider... you know, the ones their high-school grade level nephew assembled.

Ever wonder if there was a comprehensive list of responses you could reference in cases like this? Go over to Eric Karjaluoto's ideasonideas blog — he's got just what you're looking for! Bravo.

Thx for the link Jeffrey Zeldman