War of the Worlds: Evernote vs. Earthlings

The role of invading aliens will be played by Evernote

In September 2012, T. J. Luoma, a writer for TUAW (a/k/a The Unofficial Apple Weblog) posted a pungent, well-reasoned article about Evernote's absorption of the highly esteemed Mac application,  Skitch.  You can read Skitch 2.0 is like Skitch 1.0 without all those pesky "features" for yourself.  Go ahead, you'll be glad you did.  The story of Skitch's dismantling demonstrates all too vividly what happens when the vision of creators, users, and opportunistic buyers clash.  "Creative disruption" can be a good thing.  Mutilation, not so much.

Today, I re-encountered Luoma's article.  It still resonates.  This time, I'm pausing long enough to respond and add a history update -- what broadcaster Paul Harvey called "the rest of the story".

Full Speed Ahead - It's a Whole New Year!

Right now, you're either welcoming the new year with a fresh heart and clear head, you're feeling a bit fuzzy around the edges after a night of festivities, or during the first few wobbly days you'll need a gentle reminder that it is a new year.  We can help...

Counting Colours...

Here's your big chance!  You have an opportunity to influence the marketing of one of our most talented and unusual colleagues and longtime friends, a/k/a KCTenor, The Mystery Client.

Get Javanated Friday - Free Screensavers for Bizfolk

(To save, right-click or control-click, open to a new window, click again to enlarge.

Review image, then add to your picture management application. All images are watermarked.)

It's Friday -- Get Javanated!


Friday:  ramp-up to the weekend, exit ramp from the week past, day to assess what's done and ruminate over the untidy leftovers, tinker-&-tweak day for entrepreneurs and bizfolk.  One part reflection to two parts reassessment, plus a dash of recovery.  Add ice, shake, strain, and shoot.

Images = 1000 Words?

"Four Roses" Whiskey for a  Perfect Manhattan - artwork by John Falter -

the original 1942 magazine spreads also contained compelling text.

(Click to enlarge image - it rocks.)

Commercial Artwork Speaks


With the advent of the Industrial Age and the inventions of chromolithography and offset printing, many artists we value highly now first developed their distinctive styles as commercial artists, supporting themselves by designing advertising posters, packet labels, greeting cards, magazine and book illustrations, even toys and board games:  Parrish, Erte', Cheret, Lautrec, Mucha, Baxter, Gow, Shepard, Potter, Cappiello, Falter.


Admit it:  isn't it difficult to imagine anyone collecting the advertising artwork on today's gelatine boxes, cookie packets, or Yahoo banners?


Let's get extreme -- when your target audience encounters images representing you and your products/services, are they enlightened ("Okay, now I get it."), intrigued ("Interesting, I want to know more about this."), aroused (Wow, this is amazing!), or are they so underwhelmed they'd flatline an EEG?