Benjamin Koe http://eok.net Most recent posts at Benjamin Koe posterous.com Tue, 10 May 2011 22:23:33 -0700 Facebook fans fail as a measure (Singapore GE2011) http://eok.net/facebook-fans-fail-as-a-measure-singapore-ge2 http://eok.net/facebook-fans-fail-as-a-measure-singapore-ge2 I was intrigued by the data my friend Pat Law posted on the GoodStuph blog on the Singapore General Elections results. She proved that even if a party had the majority of Facebook Fans, it didn't equate to the actual wins. Logically it should work. What you support as a fan you should be voting for in reality. But I think the biggest distinction here is the barrier to entry. To be a Facebook fan is amazingly easy and mostly brainless. You click a button and it's done. Most people don't even think about it and many others support it even though it has little or nothing to do with their constituency. But for the actual vote, you only get one shot in five years. You only get to vote for the candidate(s) in your constituency. It's also a difficult choice compared to the frivolous click on Facebook.

So I tried to look at the data from a different point of view. Borrowing data from Pat's earlier post, I put side by side the actual Facebook Fans vs. Actual Votes.

Elections_results

Assuming that everyone who was a Facebook Fan also went to the polls, that's 173,754 Facebook Fans out of a total 350,916 Actual Votes. About 50%. This is even more surprising when you consider Pat's conclusions because a 50% sample size is often more than enough to indicate a fairly accurate trend. But in actuality Facebook Fans fail to be useful indicators. In fact, from the above data, the party with lower Facebook Fans to Actual Votes percentage won.

It seem clear that Facebook Fans, however buzz-worthy they are, have little to do with gaining results. I'm wondering if the same is true for product companies. Do more fans equate to greater adoption?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Wed, 20 Apr 2011 23:42:02 -0700 My oldest tweet http://eok.net/my-oldest-tweet http://eok.net/my-oldest-tweet
My_oldest_tweet

I can't seem to find my first tweet. I think it was somewhere in early 2007. The oldest I could find with help from Google is this above from the link: 

Not sure where my pre-April 2007 tweets have gone, maybe Twitter has purged them or they are stored in some super legacy database that is no longer publicly searchable. Oh well. I guess I'll never know what my first tweet was.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:30:27 -0700 The Ultimate Start-Up Space http://eok.net/the-ultimate-start-up-space http://eok.net/the-ultimate-start-up-space
Img_0269

Martell V.S.O.P is giving away S$20,000 in seed capital and one year's rent of a 1,400 sq ft shop space at 29 Boon Tat Street to anyone in Singapore who wants a shot at entrepreneurship. All it takes is a clever idea of what you'll do with the shop space and you stand a chance to win it.

Last year's winners, Cherilyn Tan and Jamie Koh, set up The Chupitos Bar at Clarke Quay with the seed capital and shop space. I hear they are still doing well continuing their lease after the free year.

What I like about this competition is that it's open to any business idea that can make good use of the shop space. Many of the other grants available in Singapore are focused on particular industries with a significant amount of them focusing on new technologies. This competition gives a fighting chance to non-technical entrepreneurs.

What is different this year is that there's an added component of "crowdfunding" where the public gets to vote by pledging funds for the idea they think is the best. The best scoring ideas get judged by a panel that includes top local entrepreneurs Jimmy Fong, CEO, EpiCentre as well as Low Cheong Kee, Managing Director, Home-Fix D.I.Y.

The competition runs from 31 March to 15 May 2011. To participate drop your ideas off at http://ultimatestartupspace.com.sg/

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:01:10 -0800 Statistics from @SGnews http://eok.net/statistics-from-sgnews http://eok.net/statistics-from-sgnews
Sgnews

I created the @SGnews account on Twitter in 2009 as an automated stream of Singapore news for myself. Today the account has 8,611 followers and over the last 30 days received 23,126 clicks on the links to the news stories. As expected, 79% of the clicks come from Singapore.

The above screenshot is taken from SGnews' Bit.ly account.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:24:00 -0800 Typography Deconstruction Letterpress Poster http://eok.net/typography-deconstruction-letterpress-poster http://eok.net/typography-deconstruction-letterpress-poster
Media_httpwwwtypograp_aqafx
via typographydeconstructed.com

Totally awesome poster that should sit in every design house.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:23:12 -0800 Apple's Red Friday deals are better in Malaysia http://eok.net/apples-red-friday-deals-are-better-in-malaysi http://eok.net/apples-red-friday-deals-are-better-in-malaysi If you're in Singapore and looking to get an Apple product from today's one-day only sale on selected items, I'd suggest if you have friends or relatives in Malaysia, to try there instead. They have the exact same sale, only cheaper!

For example, the 13" MacBook Air on the Singapore store is now S$1,808 (was S$1948). Not a bad discount. But in Malaysia, it's RM3,968. That's S$1,671 for a 13" MacBook Air!

Happy shopping!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:17:20 -0800 Free and instant way to share your screen http://eok.net/free-and-instant-way-to-share-your-screen http://eok.net/free-and-instant-way-to-share-your-screen
Joinme

This nifty little app called join.me worked amazingly for my morning's conference call. It's so simple. No signup, no login, no passwords for all joining the conference. Just download a simple app and run. All you need to do to join the conference is visit the given URL such as: https://join.me/214-457-843. Those joining get to see your screen in their browser. Amazingly simple. Love it. And it's free!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Wed, 08 Dec 2010 22:02:38 -0800 YOG didn't make the Buzzworthy Events for 2010 list from Google http://eok.net/yog-didnt-make-the-buzzworthy-events-for-2010 http://eok.net/yog-didnt-make-the-buzzworthy-events-for-2010
Google's Top 10 Searches in Singapore for 2010 has a section on Buzzworthy Events. Making the list we have everything from big events from the World Cup to small local ones like SITEX but it clearly misses out the Youth Olympic Games. I thought YOG was a big thing for Singapore. But it looks like the reality is that too few people in Singapore cared enough to search for info on YOG.

Buzzworthy 2010 events

  1. World Cup 2010
  2. Commonwealth Games 2010
  3. Deepavali 2010
  4. Communic Asia 2010
  5. Vancouver 2010
  6. Chingay 2010
  7. Singapore Marathon 2010
  8. Asian Games 2010
  9. Earth Hour 2010
  10. SITEX 2010

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Sun, 10 Oct 2010 20:57:00 -0700 Exploring the social media with three (Singapore) telcos on Twitter http://eok.net/exploring-the-social-media-with-three-singapo http://eok.net/exploring-the-social-media-with-three-singapo
via vimeo.com

Totally awesome work from my R&D guys at JamiQ. This video explores the relationships of conversations on Twitter around the local telcos in Singapore: SingTel, StarHub, M1.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:32:00 -0700 Singapore Sports Council tries social media contest for new cheer http://eok.net/singapore-sports-council-tries-social-media-c http://eok.net/singapore-sports-council-tries-social-media-c
via singaporesports.sg

I just found out that there's a contest going on about a new Singapore cheer (following the JJ Lin one) called Go! Go! Singapore by the band Juz-B.

What SSC wants is for the public to create a music video for the cheer (Listen to MP3) and upload it to YouTube before 16 October 2010. I'm actually curious to see what entries they'll get.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:14:45 -0700 Gatorade’s Social Media Command Center http://eok.net/gatorades-social-media-command-center http://eok.net/gatorades-social-media-command-center
via mashable.com

Brands need to think a lot more like Gatorade dedicating resources and staff to manage the brand's conversations online. The real-time web changes everything.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Tue, 27 Jul 2010 02:02:10 -0700 The State of The Internet http://eok.net/the-state-of-the-internet http://eok.net/the-state-of-the-internet
via vimeo.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:08:10 -0700 Reality distortion field remains strong with Steve Jobs after antennagate http://eok.net/reality-distortion-field-remains-strong-with-1 http://eok.net/reality-distortion-field-remains-strong-with-1
via youtube.com

This is brilliant!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:32:29 -0700 What the F**k is Social Media NOW? http://eok.net/what-the-fk-is-social-media-now-3 http://eok.net/what-the-fk-is-social-media-now-3
via slideshare.net

The new updated version.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:49:52 -0700 Internship available at JamiQ http://eok.net/internship-available-at-jamiq http://eok.net/internship-available-at-jamiq
Jamiq_logo_libero

My company JamiQ creates software that helps organizations monitor the social media.

JamiQ is offering a 10-week structured internship program. We are seeking two (2) social media-savvy, measurement-oriented interns who enjoy working and learning in a startup environment. Positions are available from 26 July 2010 onwards.

You will construct regular analysis of a brand's reputation on the Internet. Depending on your aptitude and interest, you may be involved in other aspects of the startup. You will learn about the business of public relations, advertising, marketing, social media, and data processing technologies.

Interns will dedicate half of their internship time in the design, pitch and the full implementation of one research or marketing project. You may also additionally participate in existing research projects with leading universities in Singapore.

JamiQ is a social media monitoring company based in Singapore led by a team of entrepreneurs, public relation consultants, media buying professionals and developers. For even more information, see other job postings and research.

In addition, you get:
  • Above Average or Performance-Based Internship Pay
  • Design Your Own Research or Marketing Project
  • Central Business District Office Location
  • Startup Environment
  • Two (2) Positions Available from 26 July
  • Work with Awesome People
To apply, send in your resume to jobs@jamiq.com as soon as possible. For more information, please call Kelvin Quee at +65 9177 3635.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:37:03 -0700 What are people saying about CommunicAsia 2010? http://eok.net/what-are-people-saying-about-communicasia-201 http://eok.net/what-are-people-saying-about-communicasia-201
Media_httpblogjamiqco_bkbqg
via blog.jamiq.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Tue, 11 May 2010 06:53:20 -0700 How to keep ants away from your house http://eok.net/how-to-keep-ants-away-from-your-house http://eok.net/how-to-keep-ants-away-from-your-house
I just read this in a forum. I want to see this with my own eyes!

Cut up a cucumber into slices, then put the slices where you see them entering your home. Maybe they don't like the smell?
via forums.gardenweb.com

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:20:40 -0700 Motorola tries out viral videos for DROID http://eok.net/motorola-tries-out-viral-videos-for-droid http://eok.net/motorola-tries-out-viral-videos-for-droid
via youtube.com

Interesting campaign with amateur videos of their mobile phone DRIOD doing some really fancy things with secret unlock codes. The DROID (known as Milestone to us on GSM networks) is already doing well for itself as a good value, well-built device.

The videos are quite entertaining, but you can tell it's an obvious attempt at a viral. But since this is Motorola's biggest and latest bet on mobiles, I guess they are firing all their marketing guns.

Motorola already had some decent early publicity when Google Navigation for Andriod 2.0 was all the hype on this device.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:06:05 -0700 Dr Pepper's Chatroulette Cheerleader http://eok.net/dr-peppers-chatroulette-cheerleader-0 http://eok.net/dr-peppers-chatroulette-cheerleader-0
via youtube.com

This is one awesome April Fool's by Dr Pepper. Makes for a great video too.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:09:00 -0700 I want to be a window farmer http://eok.net/i-want-to-be-a-window-farmer http://eok.net/i-want-to-be-a-window-farmer
via youtube.com

My dad is currently into Permaculture and talking to him about it has made my interested enough to explore some form of subsistence farming, especially now that I have got my own home. But like most other folks living in cities who call tiny stacked concrete boxes home, we need a farming solution that does not involve a garden or a backyard.

So while researching on the best ways to get some form of micro-farm going at home, I stumbled across The Windowfarms Project. What started out as an experiment in NYC is growing into a global movement with some very real results.

This is the perfect fit for me and it also keeps the vegetables out of reach of our Shih Tzu. I'd like to give this a try sometime soon. Watch the video, and maybe you'd be keen to give it a go yourself.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1508611/ben_cartoon2.png http://posterous.com/users/k5lsw27h3H Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe Benjamin Koe