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News, insight and tips from the social web.
The Hoop blog covers the evolving digital landscape, social media, mobile communications, content marketing and also includes 5 top finds and Fish on Friday. Feel free to make comments.
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5 top finds - number 30! »
It's the 30th 5 top finds in the series, and we're celebrating with the new EU directive on cookies, Google's descent in the popularity rankings, pure internet gold(fish), the save Herne Hill velodrome campaign and web addiction is bad for you shock.
1. (Un-edible) cookies (with an illogical direction)
If you've not heard the EU directive (and now UK law) that's made the majority of websites in Europe illegal, don't worry. You've got until May 2012 to comply with what is quite possibly one of the most ridiculous laws ever. As of May last year, all European websites have to...
"gain consent for the use of cookies or similar technologies to comply with the law."
Or face a fine of up to half a million pounds. Wonderful!
To explain what a cookie is and why the law is entirely flawed (you can't track that a user has requested your website to not use cookies without using cookies), we thoroughly recommend watching the entertaining video above.
2. Google face a bit of an uproar with Search+
If you've not been following the repercussions of Google's announcement about integrating content from (only) Google+ into search results, it's worth reading through some of the responses.
Ex-TechCrunch boss Michael Arrington writes of how Search+ is reminiscent of Microsoft bundling Internet Explorer with Windows (which led to antritrust lawsuits) in the 90s; Harvard advertising law specialist Ben Edelman writes about the (il)legal implications of Google's initiative and "search engine guru" Danny Sullivan explains what's wrong with Search+. All well worth a read.
3. Goldfish, but not as you think they are
We like fish (if you hadn't noticed) here at Hoop – so when we saw the video above we knew it'd somehow end up on the Hoop blog. Truly amazing stuff from Japanese artist Riusuke Fukahori.
4. Save Herne Hill velodrome
As well as liking fish, you may have noticed us Hoopsters are pretty keen on bikes. When we spotted this post on the Brooks blog, about 91 year old (1948 Olympic medallist) Tommy Godwin returning to Herne Hill velodrome and riding the race-winning bike again we then discovered an audio interview with Tommy on the Guardian travel section. Both are well worth reading!
5. Addicted to the internet
Ever struggled stealing yourself from reading updates on Facebook or staying on top of the latest tweets? According to preliminary research from Chinese scientists; there may be such a thing as 'web addiction'. The sample size is tiny (only 17 addicts sampled) but this research could potentially pave the way for treatment for those of us who just can't get off Facebook.
Categories: 5 top finds
Tags: Bikes, facebook, Fish on Fridays, Google, Google+, SEO, Social search, User Experience
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Fish on Friday says ho ho ho dear. »
Merry Christmas to all our Fish on Friday followers. The nets are being drawn in for 2011 but before we go for good, check out our call to action. The entire haul of fish funnies will be appearing on Hoop's tumblr in 2012!
This one's a bit grotto but hey Christmas is a time of forgiveness.
Categories: Fish on Fridays
Tags: Fish on Fridays
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Fish on Friday revisits the top deck. »
As London waves an extended goodbye to the bendy bus and says hello to more double-deckers, we couldn't resist replaying this and recoining an old phrase...
Categories: Fish on Fridays
Tags: Fish on Fridays
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Fish on Friday with chips. »
We enjoy fish n chips (Slaughtered Lamb today as it happens) like many in the UK. This week saw the announcement of the contenders for Fish n Chip shop of the year.
To maintain these traditions (and the fish stocks) we have to cure our national obsession with cod.
Categories: Fish on Fridays
Tags: Fish on Fridays
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Fish on Friday pays tribute to Jobs. »
We were big fans of Steve Jobs, head honcho over at Apple, who sadly passed away this week.
It'll take a while but with professional help we'll get over it.
Categories: Fish on Fridays
Tags: Fish on Fridays, Steve Jobs
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Fish on Friday admits problem. »
Fish stocks across the world are in a terribly unhealthy state. Campaigns we back include: Hugh's Fish Fight (anti-discards), Fish2Fork (sustainable fish restaurant guide) and End of the Line (marine conservation).
And of course some species are more unhealthy than others.
Categories: Fish on Fridays
Tags: Environment, Fish on Fridays
