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Windows 7 – who gives a $#%&!?

This has to be one of the most anticipated yet underwhelming launches in Microsoft's history. Apparently, we were supposed to be so excited about the launch that we would host a party in honour of it! Come on, MS. Really. Generally speaking, I like your stuff. But am I going to throw a party in honour of it? Not unless you're paying for the booze.

Windows 7 – who gives a $#%&!?

This has to be one of the most anticipated yet underwhelming launches in Microsoft's history. Apparently, we were supposed to be so excited about the launch that we would host a party in honour of it! Come on, MS. Really. Generally speaking, I like your stuff. But am I going to throw a party in honour of it? Not unless you're paying for the booze.

Carl Sagan lives… in a duet with Stephen Hawking?

This funny (and strangely catchy) mashup of television footage from Carl Sagan's Cosmos and Stephen Hawking's Universe series (with the aid of some masterfully applied Auto-Tune singing technology) was created as a musical tribute to honour the two great men of science. It also begs the question, 'Why can't science be cool?' (Or so uncool that it becomes cool... like Sagan's skivvy.)

The power of time off – Stefan Sagmeister at TEDGlobal 09

Stefan Sagmeister is New York-based designer with a fresh take on work and inspiration. Every seven years he closes his Manhattan studio for 12 months so he and his team can recharge their creative batteries.

How to attract Gen Y employees… SING!

The latest Gen Y viral video trend is something called "LipDub" -- where large groups of youngsters choreograph elaborate one-take videos in which they take turns lip-syncing a few lines each of a popular song. It might sound quite trivial to you and very YouTube, but the ones that are done well are actually quite infectious. And boy do they go viral. Here are two popular recent examples, one of which has a commercial purpose.

Online events startup takes top honours in 2009 RMIT Business Plan Competition

Online events startup ourevent.info has taken out top honours at RMIT University's prestigious 2009 Business Plan Competition.

Who really benefits from the Rudd Government’s new Commercialisation Australia program?

The news yesterday that the Federal Government has unveiled details of its $196 million Commercialisation Australia (CA) initiative has been welcomed by many entrepreneurs and innovation consultants. These same intended beneficiaries might also be forgiven for wondering whether it is an improvement on the $1 billion Commercial Ready Scheme it is designed to replace.

Who really benefits from the Rudd Government's new Commercialisation Australia program?

The news yesterday that the Federal Government has unveiled details of its $196 million Commercialisation Australia (CA) initiative has been welcomed by many entrepreneurs and innovation consultants. These same intended beneficiaries might also be forgiven for wondering whether it is an improvement on the $1 billion Commercial Ready Scheme it is designed to replace.

Opportunities in the US for high growth Australian firms

The US remains the largest developed market in the world and a big influence on other global markets. It remains important for any company with global ambitions. The current economic environment does not do a lot to encourage Australian firms to focus on the US. However, innovative new models and technology have dramatically changed the cost of entering and developing the US market. Australian firms can now do much of the early market development work without having to hire a US-based team.

Drowning in high-fives, star ratings used online could soon go under

Online star rating systems are a great idea in principle, but unfortunately, they don't work. And no, not because of all the know-nothing trolls out there who saturate these ratings channels with their narcissistic critiques. The problem is that, when it comes to rating products online, the crowd is too nice.

Who holds the power? Lessons from hybrid car innovation for clean technologies

Companies wanting to create a profitable market position in the competitive clean technology landscape must understand their competitors’ patents and how these will impact...

Anthill reader seeks Advisory Board members. Anyone?

I'm talking about an Anthill dating agency, for entrepreneurs and the satellite stakeholders that keep the wheels turnin' (partnering ideas, money and skills). The idea to post the concept was prompted by an enquiry published as a LinkedIn Group Discussion earlier today (Anthill Online LinkedIn Group).

8 steps to buy out the boss

If you ain't the Big Cheese, it's likely you think (at least occasionally) that you could run the company better. So get a team together and make it happen! Here are eights steps to buying out your boss and seizing the reins.

Verizon attempts to dowse iPhone sizzle with iDon’t ad

US telco Verizon seems to have settled on the open warfare tactic on behalf of Motorola's yet-to-be-released Droid handset. This ad, dubbed "iDon't", runs through all the things the iPhone doesn't do (that Droid does... or will).

Verizon attempts to dowse iPhone sizzle with iDon't ad

US telco Verizon seems to have settled on the open warfare tactic on behalf of Motorola's yet-to-be-released Droid handset. This ad, dubbed "iDon't", runs through all the things the iPhone doesn't do (that Droid does... or will).

You know those Idol auditions where people make fools of themselves on national television?...

We laugh at the people in Australian Idol auditions who are completely oblivious to that fact that they can't sing. But hang on... These people pop-up in business all the time. You might even have had an 'Idol moment' yourself when you were younger.

I survived the GFC by ignoring it

When I started my business I knew it had to grow from a foundation of personal contact and referrals. To do this people said I had to network. This scared the crap out of me.

The Monthly Schwag (The segment formerly known as Cool for Comment)

At Anthill, we often find ourselves at the receiving end of unsolicited marketing gifts, from keyrings to… well… Beatles CDs. Last month, we decided to film our reactions and opinions about some of the best (and worst), and called it, ‘cool for comment’. The response was so positive (James got ambushed in a pub by a guy called Steve and Lachy's Auntie Jean thought it was 'swell') that we've decided to do it again, under the new and improved, more apt segment heading, 'the monthly schwag.'

Tweet me, don’t sheet me: Anthill’s Twitter feed has more followers than the UK’s...

According to Kawasaki, Twitter is moving away from just the personal, “we chatter,” and becoming heavily used by brands. But not as you might expect, or indeed, as the Twitter founders could ever have conceived.

Tweet me, don't sheet me: Anthill's Twitter feed has more followers than the UK's...

According to Kawasaki, Twitter is moving away from just the personal, “we chatter,” and becoming heavily used by brands. But not as you might expect, or indeed, as the Twitter founders could ever have conceived.
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OPINIONS & ADVICE