Harvest for the world

After last year's courgette bonanza, I thought that you might like an update on the harvest situation in my small raised bed this year. I have to say that so far the courgette harvest is disappointing... only one small courgette, though I have hopes that others are on their way (there are a couple of flowers that I hope will turn into courgettes!). Things are definitely behind where they were this time last year.

I have, however harvested my broad beans. I picked loads of big, fat pods, and greedily ripped them open to reveal the soft, light green beans nestling in the furry interior... but I was disappointed. Many of the pods were completely empty! The picture above shows the sum total of my broad bean harvest. Yup, that's about twenty beans. If that.

Clearly, boasting about my green fingers on my business card was not a good idea:

So, was last year's bumper harvest just beginner's luck? Or are other people finding this year's weather has blighted their crops? Advice (or support) gratefully received!

By Kate Wooding
Published: 27 August 2010
3 Comments

Google Ranking Algorithm Update

Google has announced a fundamental change to its Ranking Algorithm, from now on, search results will display single brand dominance across its search results.   

Previously Google search results would only allow two results from the same domain name on the search results page, however last week they made the announcement that they have updated the ranking algorithm to make it easier for users to find a large number of results from a single site.     

The impact to the search results is significant, as users will no longer have the diversity of multiple domain results, i.e the image below indicates the keywords “espn football” and how the ESPN domain dominates every listing until the last two;

This is an interesting development considering only a short time ago Google representatives where talking about the need for search diversity,  this update goes against diversity and allows the larger and more powerful brands to dominate the search results.  

The new update will certainly go a long way in solving brand management issues as brands have the opportunity to dominate the search results on products, services or information, but what will be the overall impact on search engine optimisation remains a burning question.

By Julie Ferguson
Published: 23 August 2010
1 Comment

Google Testing Real Time Results in SERPs

Google is now testing real time results on the their search results pages; the discovery was made by SEO consultant Rob Ousbey.  Ousbey recorded the live real time results as he typed in the search queries live in the Google search box, as you can see in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty71OxyQKKc

Official word from Google confirmed that they are in fact testing real time results pages, however they are doing so  on limited accounts, it is not yet known if this will role out across all results.    Look out for more information on real time results and the impact for Search Engine Optimisation and Pay-Per-Click.

By Julie Ferguson
Published: 23 August 2010
1 Comment

Hi my name is Cali

Hi I'm Cali. I like snoozing, eating and chasing pigeons. My mum works in the business development department at tictoc. She told me that she was going to take me in to meet everyone at tictoc, but she still hasn't done it yet!

Mum said that everyone would give me lots of cuddles and treats - it sounds like so much fun! I also really want to meet the other dog Oscar - I want to chase his tail and jump on his back. I hope he wants to play with me too. Maybe I will be able to figure out where his treats are hidden and steal them!

Please can someone tell my mum to take me to the tictoc towers to see everyone. I really want to run up and down the stairs! I can't wait!

Love Cali...woof x

By Sarah Dixon
Published: 6 August 2010
6 Comments

Tales of the City Library

A couple of weeks ago I was at a conference about Social Media in Scotland, and there was a great case study presented by Liz McGettigan of City of Edinburgh Council. Liz runs the Council's Library department, and has embraced using social media such as Twitter and Facebook to keep libraries at the heart of their communities. Their Twitter account, @TalesOfOneCity keeps followers up to date with events happening in libraries all over the city, and their Facebook page does too.

It's so refreshing to see a public sector organisation embracing these new technologies. It's also great to see institutions that could be seen as 'old media' showing just how much they can use 'new media' to keep relevant. It was interesting to know that they were partly driven by the fact that they knew their website wasn't interactive enough, but that it would take a long time to get that right by going through the official channels. So they adapted channels that others are already using to give themselves the platform they needed. Obviously, it's best when your website and your social networking activity all give out a coherent message and integrate well, but I can understand why they took that route - they needed to make their social networking activity a success first, in order to make the argument for a redevelopment of the site!

I would love it if Glasgow City Council followed their lead! Know of any other Councils using social networking well?

By Kate Wooding
Published: 22 July 2010
0 Comments

A guide to selling online

By Sarah Dixon
Published: 26 May 2010
0 Comments

80s-tastic

So, a couple of weeks ago I was speaking at a Marketing Industry Network event in Leeds about Using Social Networks for Business... and one of the other speakers on the panel was Colin Gilchrist from Digital Face.

After we'd both presented, and answered questions, and spoken to all the lovely people who came along, we ended up in the bar with our fellow speaker Adam Gordon (as you do...) and at some point in the evening somebody asked me where I come from (it's the accent). So I got to talking about the good old days of growing up in Camden Town, and how the Market isn't like it used to be (sigh). Turns out that Colin used to have a stall in Camden Market, selling dresses he'd made from a job lot of men's tweed jackets...

And wouldn't you know it, here is a photo of me, circa 1988 (aged 15), in aforementioned jacket-dress, made by Colin's fair hand! I was at my cousin Karen's wedding, and just in case you were wondering it was kind of obligatory to have bad hair in the 80s.

And here's a wonderful photo of Colin himself from that era, much as he might have looked when he sold me that dress.

What a coincidence! Anyone want to divert attention from my 80s hair by sharing some reminiscences of their own?!

By Kate Wooding
Published: 21 May 2010
4 Comments

I like clocks

I am not Muzzy but I like clocks too... Finally, the laser beam gets out of DVD players to hit... clocks!

Famous for Optimus Keyboard Art. Lebedev Studio releases Reflectius and Segmentus – two brand new clock concepts for home/studio use.

The Reflectius' display doesn't use standard 8 segment LCD layout in favour of the 45 degrees styled digits* achieved using laser beams and rotating micro mirrors.

The second one – Segmentus uses rotating segments instead.

*I've first ever spotted it on a russian post card postcode box and then developed alphanumeric font with matrix based on the concept of 45º segments.

By Tomek
Published: 10 May 2010
1 Comment

Flash Bokeh

Even the best ideas end up in the trash sometimes and there is nothing wrong with it – just shake the dust off and share. This time it's the colourful realtime bokeh effect programmed in Flash, inspired by this tutorial.

Click the image above to preview and/or grab the source (AS3, Flash CS4).

It may slow down your computer/browser a bit, due to expensive opacity and blending processing. The next challenge is to code something similar using HTML5's canvas and compare the speed – is anyone up for it?

By Tomek
Published: 29 April 2010
2 Comments

Gearing up for Glasgow's Twestival

Preparations are underway and we're in the final frantic week of getting everything ready for this year's Twestival.

'What's a Twestival?' I hear you ask? Well, like most other words that start with a tw these days, it's a festival which is organised and promoted through Twitter. Twestivals are happening all over the world on March 25th, and will be raising money for Concern Worldwide.They provide education for kids all over the world.

This year a small band of Glasgow volunteers has been working hard to find a venue, organise bands, rustle up some raffle prizes, sell tickets, and create as much anticipation on Twitter as possible! If you want to join the Tweegies (yes, you guessed it, that would be Glaswegian tweeters) to have a laugh and raise lots of money for charity, you should get yourself a ticket and come down to the Lansdowne Bar from 6.30 on Thursday.

If you're on Twitter, follow @Gtwestival for all the news! See you there!

By Kate Wooding
Published: 22 March 2010
0 Comments

Random, Random, Random

Like a lot of people we listen to music on Spotify and recently we've been subjected to the exact same advert approximately 15 times a day.

The advert in question is from the Scottish Government to promote safer driving on country roads, the advert begins by playing various short clips of music before a voiceover begins: "My tunes are always on shuffle..." It then goes on to compare the randomness of the "tunes" with what a driver might encounter on a country road such as a deer, tractor etc before going on to say  "it's totally random!" Unsurprisingly this has been more than a little wearing, despite highlighting a serious issue, the word "random" had become a byword for chronic irritation. Until today!

By "random" I stumbled on to this – a site with nothing but "random" photos with absolutely no information about them. A lot of the pictures are family snaps, many of them not very well taken, but as a whole, the site features an amazing selection of weird and wonderful photos from all over the world.

For best results click on the "random" button at the bottom of the page and don't blame me if you get slightly addicted.

P.S the advert came on twice while I was typing this!

By Chris Reilly
Published: 19 March 2010
2 Comments

That's showbiz...

Oscar here, the tictoc office dog.

A penpal from my holiday kennels forwarded me on this fantastic ad for Pedigree dogs biscuits.  He had auditioned but was pipped to the post by the smiling bulldog, that's showbiz!
Click here - Pedigree: Catch

Enjoy...Oscar out

By Oscar the Dog
Published: 4 March 2010
2 Comments

Sunrise over London

Woke up this morning and was stunned by the gorgeous sunrise so thought I'd take a quick snap with my phone and share it with you all! Below is the view taken last night - how many tourist attractions can you spot or can you guess where the pic was taken?? Answers on a postcard please (or via the comments facility below!!)

By David McGilvray
Published: 2 March 2010
5 Comments

I just haven't met you yet

Who's your secret crush...

Well one tictocer's isn't so secret, twilight's Edward Cullen, who we were lucky enough to have a 'visit' from this week much to the delight of Lucy!

To get the ball rolling, a certain tictocer in New Biz has a secret crush on Martin O'Neil and mine, well that would be telling!

Who's your secret crush, we promise not to tell anyone.

By Fiona Dorman
Published: 19 February 2010
7 Comments

Is it a bird...Is it a plane...

...No it's me with my new Superhero tote bag! 

With great power comes great responsibility...and never a truer word has been said as the modern day superheroine must shop responsibly.

On that note, I'm buying a lair next! - www.superherosupplies.com

By Fiona Dorman
Published: 9 February 2010
1 Comment

Scary seagull flocks to the Buz Dev window!

So here we are, myself, Kate and Sarah, on a Monday morning getting stuck into the new business week when a huge (and they do seem very large when flying straight at your window!) seagull decided to drop in to say hello!!

Quite a surreal moment up here in the 3rd floor office with a pretty teeny ledge!

By Melanie Russell
Published: 1 February 2010
1 Comment

tictocing our way up the charts

So, in case you hadn't noticed (you hadn't noticed?? I mean, don't you listen to the charts on a Sunday afternoon?!) tictoc has been making quite an appearance in the music charts lately.

First (and yes, this was last year) Busy Signal climbed the dancehall charts with the single Tic Toc from the album Loaded.

Then Emilio Rojas also had a hip hop hit (I might be using the term loosely) with his single Tic Toc.

And Ke$ha got to number 4 in the UK charts with the single TiK ToK from her debut album Animal.

I am telling you, we are down with the kids!

Anyone else know of songs with tictoc in the title or lyrics??

By Kate Wooding
Published: 21 January 2010
9 Comments

Stroke of genius or mad man gone too far?

Came across this delightful (?!) piece of craftsmanship on the internet a while ago and I'm still undecided whether this is genius or insane. So I thought I would post and let y'all decide. If you use 1 of the links below you can find out how to make your own or see what else the maniacs at the Steampunk workshop have been getting up to.

How to make your own Victorian PC

Steampunk Workshop

By Paul Daly
Published: 18 January 2010
1 Comment