The Impact of Social Media on the World

This is a video showcasing the powerful impact of social media on the world. This video, posted on Youtube, then onto Facebook, then onto a blog came to me via a repost of a repost and now has over 12,000 views! The powerful networks and influences on these networks are based on relationships online and offline. A perfect example of social web word of mouth! Thanks @kspidel

Flash is Never Coming to the iPhone

Usability Post just ran this article re-hashing the debate about why Flash hasn’t shown up on the iPhone after all this time.

It examines the reasoning, and I pretty much agree.  So although the flash player wont work on the iPhone, I am interested to hear that the Flash authoring environment is supposedly going to be able to output iPhone applications.  Could be a game-changer on the development side of things once CS5 debuts.

On Track at PIR

Here is a couple of videos on track in full HD for your enjoyment.

A lap at PIR with Clower

Wheelcam Video in HD

On Track April 2009 – Firebird International Raceway

I decided it was time to get my Dakar Yellow BMW M3 back on track. Here’s 2 videos from my sessions I am happy with. the First is from my rear-facing camera:

This was shot in the dark from the rear window:

here is a quick tour of my car at the track:

I bought a new set of racing tires Nitto NT-01’s and snagged a nice set of BMW Motorsport double spoke rims, lightly curbed – cheap on craigslist – perfect race wheels.

The event NASA-Arizona www.nasaaz.com has a really cool once yearly motorsports mecca type event! Some say it tops hot import nights. It combines a full track day with Modified Magazine’s annual Tuner Shootout… that runs into the night. Exotic cars are shown off, dance music completes the ambiance (in fact, a full-DJ competition ensued this year). People who have never gotten to drive on track get a taste of track driving with an instructor in a Hyperdrive on a side track. Drifting is on another side tarmac area. it’s a 3-ring circus of car stuff!!! A really fun crowd too.

And another video from my front camera:

So this is where things got interesting. Just after my first run in HPDE 3, I parked the car and headed to my download session. When i came back and realized I would need some gas – I started the car and headed to the Love’s down the street. When I let the clutch out to back out… it made a screech noise… and then again out the driveway. My imagination jumped to a clutch bearing or other horrid things. But after sitting at the gas station fora few minutes, the return trip was fine. SO I jumped into session 2.

Upon my return, i once again parked the car. No signs of trouble! Well when I went to move the car again… horrible screeching again. So Jeremy and I started poking around and he exclaimed “look at the serpentine belt!” it was shredded down to only about 1/4″ as we looked further, it appeared it was resting on just a forged post from the block.

We glanced around the paddock to see if there was another E36 nearby… the nearest being Gary Dalgarn’s. We weren’t acquainted at the time. He propped open the hood of his… and as suspected – his had an idler pulley… that was now missing from mine!!! How is this possible?!?!?! Good german engineering… kept the belt on track everywhere. Amazingly that sprocket just evaporated without any drama! didn’t take out the fan or anything else. Amazing.

Even more amazing when Gary says, “Oh we have one of those, oh and a belt” The next thing I knew, there was 4 BMW techs jumping in under the hood, right on the spot!!!! And to top it all off, Jeremy and I were treated to a burger and hot dogs lol Sara and KT showed up just in time to help do a run to get a new A/C belt too and the next thing I knew, the car was back in action. Thanks Gary…. Greg, Grant, Graham for getting your hands dirty on a weekend, and making my last run of the night!!!!!!! Visit them at www.ultimateautoworks.com.

Desert Lifestyle Publishing

I am building a new website for Desert Lifestyle Publishing. They produce rich, high-quality newsletters, magazine-style brochures and flyers and provide a whole host of solutions to help real estate professionals achieve maximum exposure and profits. A sample of their work.

Taking control of your inbox with BACN

So you are probably familiar with the concept of SPAM. A filter that intelligently files away known or suspected offending content. You probably also hit the “spam button” on your email app to delete and also report messages that snuck through anyway, for the benefit of other people.
But what about that mail you asked for, subscribed to, etc – but that doesn’t demand your immediate attention? We call this BACN. Bacon, a close relative to Spam is more flavorful, generally more edible… we want it, albeit not RIGHT NOW. It clogs up your InBox (sorta like too much bacon clogs arteries).

Making the distinction, and regularly filtering the BACN into a sidebox makes all the difference in the world. I do this using Gmail’s wonderful archive/filters feature. Every time I receive a repeat offender, I create a filter as pictured below.

The wonderful effect is that over time your InBox starts to function as just that – a place where primarily relevant need-to-address items come in to the front. You can check the BACN at your leisure. It’s also nice because your Mobile device doesn’t alert you to every server system message, facebook update, linked-in request, apple newsletter etc. you’ve filtered aside. It’s SO nice, I had to tell you about it.

Welcome NASA AZ Friends

It’s been a privilege to develop the new web presence for NASA AZ. I have been addicted to motorsports since 2001 when I did my first autocross in Pennsylvania. Since then it has grown and grown. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of the HPDE program with many of you and I’m excited about Time Trials next.

I hope you enjoy the new site and that you’ll choose me to help develop your company’s website, help you with video on the Web, or address your Web marketing needs.

Sincerely,
Matt

602.373.2019
matt@clowerpower.com

Sonoran Studios

I am proud to announce that I have partnered with Sonoran Studios to bring professional video production to the mix of my Web offerings.  Here is a sample of their work:

AKA Rally 2008 Teaser Trailer

The production for AKA Rally is in full force. Here is a sneak peak:
AKA Rally 2008 Teaser Trailer

Cirque Du Soleil

Went to see Ka, the Cirque Du Soleil Show at the MGM. Fantastic,
astounding… unbelievable. Ian would have loved it… "YOU WON'T"
LOL