Archive for August, 2008
2Vouch: Online Social Recruiting
Sunday, August 31st, 2008
2Vouch is a new job site that has launched today enabling employers to find employees in what is billed as Australia’s first social recruiting web site.
2Vouch works through member referrals, automatically matching the job requirements to members and their extended networks. When a match is found, a member can choose to refer the job to people they know and recommend.
The idea of social job recommendations isn’t new, and we see it on services such as LinkedIn, but there is only so far a social referral marketplace can go when it’s built on good will. 2Vouch however knows that for serious job recruiting, money can work as a great incentive to grease the social recommendation wheels, and offers between $1400 and $2800 AUD ($1100-$2050) for each successful candidate employed. 2Vouch members can choose to donate some or all of the reward to charity, or take the payout themselves.
For employers, 2Vouch offers cost savings when advertising jobs, with no fee to advertise. Companies only pay when they hire someone, and the site offers a 110% money back guarantee.
2Vouch enters a buoyant Australian job market that has become dominated by a few large job players online, in particular seek.com.au. It’s a difficult space to break in to, but the model in radical enough that it would seem well placed to find an audience.
At this stage 2Vouch is targeting Australia, but may expand overseas should the concept work well.
Duncan Riley edits The Inquisitr, a daily dose of tech, pop and penguins, and is also a regular on FriendFeed.
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Is The US Becoming A Part Of The Internet Backwater?
Sunday, August 31st, 2008
For most of the life of the Internet the United States has played the biggest role in the development and managing of it. At one point all the data that flowed on the Internet went through the US and US companies. I don’t there are very many companies involved with the Internet infrastructure ever imagined a day would come where this wasn’t the case. That day however may very soon be upon us; if it already hasn’t started happening.
In the past week we have heard that Comcast is going to be introducing download caps which follows on the heels of Time Warner announcing trial runs of the same idea. Not that long ago universities in Canada were seriously considering moving the US based servers they were using for research for more localized options.
Their concerns revolved around the US Patriot Act and the immense powers for surveillance of activity within the US Internet infrastructure. It was also suggested that if this became more of a trend than just a couple of Canadian universities could the Patriot Act end up hurting business like Google.
Then today we have John Markoff from the New York Times writing a post about how Internet traffic is starting to bypass the US. It is his point that companies are more interested in their profit margins instead of creating technological advances regarding the Internet.
While companies like Comcast or Time Warner are trying to boost their bottom lines by any means possible without improving or advancing Internet connectivity the US is; quite rapidly in some cases, being surpassed by foreign countries. As John points out in his post:
Internet technologists say that the global data network that was once a competitive advantage for the United States is now increasingly outside the control of American companies. They decided not to invest in lower-cost optical fiber lines, which have rapidly become a commodity business.
He also ties in the fact that other countries are beginning to realize that the Internet is an integral part of their economic development. This means that they are wanting to start gaining control of how the Internet enters and leaves their countries.
Along with that there are growing concerns outside of the US about how it’s intelligence agencies believe that they need to have access to all the data that flows through the Internet. This doesn’t sit well with a lot of countries and as a result we are beginning to see a lot of the Internet traffic being routed around the US
Ms. Claffy said that the shift away from the United States was not limited to developing countries. The Japanese “are on a rampage to build out across India and China so they have alternative routes and so they don’t have to route through the U.S.”
Andrew M. Odlyzko, a professor at the University of Minnesota who tracks the growth of the global Internet, added, “We discovered the Internet, but we couldn’t keep it a secret.” While the United States carried 70 percent of the world’s Internet traffic a decade ago, he estimates that portion has fallen to about 25 percent.
This has to lead one to wonder what is going to happen to the US in the large global Internet scheme of things. When you consider that it is being run by companies who don’t appear to be interested in advancing the technology anymore and you have countries going around them for various reasons it doesn’t bode well for the country. More importantly where does this leave the US people as the Internet is obviously starting to leave them behind.
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Microsoft Tells Apple and Google to Wait Up; Hints at Skymarket
Sunday, August 31st, 2008
So Microsoft saw Apple and the iPhone 3G and adjoining App Store pass its stoop slapping fives with its oh-so-cool friends, and executives in the Windows Mobile division perhaps thought it best to come up something with their own. Then, just last week, Google unveiled plans to introduce something called Android Market to complement its mobile software platform when it arrives sometime in the next few months. Now Microsoft is letting slip its own message about third-party unity. The company’s buzzword: Skymarket.
There isn’t much detail as to what Skymarket will be. One can venture a guess, though. Something in the vein of those other two labels up in that first paragraph there. What we can confirm is that, according to job listings discovered by istartedsomething, Microsoft is seeking both a “senior product manager” and “product manager - commercial integration.” Both would be tasked with pushing “the launch of a v1 marketplace service for Windows Mobile.”
This is admittedly good news, as it’s better for progress to be made in the industry within as many major mobile platforms as possible. But as Long Zheng writes, the Windows Mobile world has for a long while been living a heavily scattered existence, and only now has Microsoft seemed pressed to coalesce its personal universe. A universe purported to claim 18,000 applications, much of which is presumably best described as anti-matter. Or dark matter. Or just no-good matter. Which says quite a bit. An adventurous biggie, it is not.
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New Facebook for iPhone Teaser Shows Why Touchscreens Kick Butt
Sunday, August 31st, 2008
As an iPhone owner, this pleases me. But more basically, as a owner of a touchscreen-enhanced device, this pleases me especially so. Truly custom tagging of photos, just as one would through an typical Web browser, is yet one more of those small, relatively insignificant options that prove just how useful something of the iPhone’s design can be.
There’s really no question that the iPhone is the software benchmark in the mobile market. The platform itself has something to do with Facebook’s ability to built this next iteration of the iPhone software. But the fact that the application’s engineers have design the upcoming edition this way - it’s safe to assume, as does Nick O’Neill of All Facebook, that this clues us in on what’s next to arrive in the App Store - shows just what one can do given the freedom of that pocket-sized canvas. There are occasionally rumblings about the lack of complete openness for third-party software development. Which is true. There isn’t. But if something such as this manages to pique the interest of the desired audience, well, objective achieved, no? If you can’t have everything, is a lot enough? Maybe so.
As numerous Android Challenge finalists and winners have similarly shown, a touchscreen is very much the necessary means to achieve all possible ends. There’s no getting around it. Yes, you can create outstanding mobile software which functions exclusively via a keypad. But media-rich applications which require user interaction to the detail shown in the video posted are clearly done best in a world of touch. You get less hassle on the user side, and there’s a good bit of comfort on the developer end as well.
Furthermore, seeing as how Android users and developers get the benefit of “open,” it may not be too much to think of touchscreen devices as the kill-switch for the buttoned, non-touch, plebeian masses. For the time being, the iPhone remains the stellar dream machine, giving software makers the ability to bring the unmatched intuitiveness of the hardware into the employ of their applications and services.
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It’s Time to Give the Best of Twitter Some Pulitzers.
Sunday, August 31st, 2008
Matt Richtel of The New York Times added to Valleywag’s presumed embarrassment today by letting readers of the world-renowned rag in on his secret. Evidently the salacious gossip artists at the other VW weren’t privy to a Twitter novel - or a Twitter thriller, a so-called “Twiller,” to be precise - under production by Richtel. I myself learned of its evolution near the start. How about you? No matter. The reason I touch on the subject is to expand on the commentary a bit.
The Twittersphere, after all, is full not only of these kilobit- or megabit-sized novels. Comedians wax to varying degrees of hilarity via the medium at all hours. 140-character-long jokes can be punchy, woeful, and plenty of things in between, it turns out. Just like your half-hour stand-up routine. Indeed, if you follow a real talent for an extended period of time, well, you begin to get exceedingly dependent on the feed I know I do. (Merlin Mann, I bid you much thanks. Shall your run of the funnies never end.)
People celebrate the art of the haiku, as well. Too many people, arguably. So I ask, is there a limit? Nevermind the faults and the failures behind the stage, many - if not all - of which seem to have disappeared completely. Does the service’s message structure determine what is and what is not possible? Does it maintain a sort of fun and casual gimmicky quality because you’re required to stay within set bounds? If the answer these questions is a resounding no, could there then be a moment when Twitter members are honored with awards for creativity? Awards you can handle, too. With your hands!
Twitter itself, as we know, has won ample praise. It received the SXSW Blog Award for being so beautifully basic. Well, I say it’s time to weed the membership for some serious recognition. Or at least begin to consider the possibility of a trophy. Or two. Or more. What say you? (Poll after the jump.)
A quick Web search will bring an event dubbed “the twitties.” The byline is “awards for the most interesting twists on 140 characters!” Visitors to the site submit favorite URLs for particular messages published and vote to nominate that which they believe to be the best. But that premise seems limiting to me. I’d like consistency to be honored. Serials. The best delivery of on-the-ground journalism, too. How about a head-to-head comedy competition? The categories can be many.
Yes, it is far fetched to think a Twitter user somewhere will rank as some sort of Hemingway 2.0. But if the players in the field today have shown anything worthwhile, it is sheer inventiveness. Twitter, against some major odds given the technical issues it has had to contend with, is now being used just as often by people broadcasting cocktail recipes as organizations campaigning for the next so-called leader of the free world. Peculiar, absolutely. But incredibly intriguing as well. And I tell you it’s time to take it to the next level. Agreed?
How does the Best of Twitter sound to you?
( surveys)
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Election 2008: A Dozen Sites Open for Political Debate
Sunday, August 31st, 2008
As has been made very clear by the media, the presidential candidates chosen to represent the two major parties of the United States for the election this November will be spending precious primetime airspace sparring over issues which pollsters of America deem most important to the nation’s people. Those who dislike watching the matches will of course stray to different stations. But millions of others will remain transfixed. And given the social componentry now available to Web users, a large swath of the population - democrats, republicans and independents alike - will undoubtedly continue to toss one-liners and Google-searched investigative research every which way in any and all Internet channels available.
In light of this reality, we figure it is only fitting that we bring to your attention several moderately well-known as well as some relatively obscure websites that focus on all vocal aspects of the political process, from sound bytes to speech in long form and the commentary which accompanies the rhetoric. Sure, you could visit RedState or HuffPost or CNN or Fox News. But there are some places less about the pomp and more about the circumstance worth a mention all the same.
CreateDebate is one example. If offers a quick voting mechanism as well as one for commentary. Many users publish quite detailed summaries of their views on particular topics, which makes for engaging reading and naturally sparks responses from more users as a result. Want to engage a forum that follows politicians’ one-liners with more extensive commentary to the affirmative or the negative (or perhaps neutral standing)? CreateDebate is well worth the cost of entry: free. We wrote about the website back in April, and gave it considerable praise then. It turns out the review was warranted.
Another service, whereIstand, offers a similarly polished experience as that of CreateDebate, albeit with a different format. Navigation might take some getting used to, but it’s reasonably well-featured to accommodate opinionmaking among the membership. Just to note, it’s football season in the collegiate and professional leagues, so there are quite a few opinions sitting among the frontrunners which focus on the game. But the floor is open to all, as they say, so express yourself if you wish - for whatever reason.
At first MyGuesstimate may not strike you as a world-class forum. And that’s because it isn’t. We first reviewed the joint exactly one week ago, and while it has grown a bit, it hasn’t flourished. Still, the structure of it allows for a good amount of discussion. Post questions with answers, and see where the community takes it. Comments are allow, too, so talk doesn’t end with the click of a button. Its simplicity and user networking aspects are what I enjoy most.
Disregard for a moment my initial bout of sarcasm when mentioning the pollster establishment. This next one, appropriately enough, is called Pollster.com. It essentially provides an interactive map displaying the 50 American states with a rough gauge on the consensus view on both major presidential candidates, Barack Obama (D) and John McCain (R). The utility of this service is limited, as you’ll see. But perhaps a weekly or bi-weekly visit couldn’t hurt. The latest poll results fall around the last few weeks of August, so the numbers are fairly current. If you’re one to take regional, state-by-state, or national polls into consideration when writing your ballot red, white, or blue, this is one place to bookmark.
Meanwhile, if you’re an all-around political junkie, RealClearPolitics covers the news, the numbers, and a fair amount of public discourse as well. Want a resource that scopes virtually every relevant and semi-relevant vantage in the quadrennial chess game currently underway? You can do far worse than RealClearPolitics.
I should say that I trawled the Web for quite some time before arriving at We Op-Ed. And I’m not sorry I did. Well-design and equally accommodating of both original thought and user commentary, with videos debates and a fairly active community holding it all together, We Op-Ed should be far more busy in the way of conversation than it is today. It is arguably one of the best destinations among those listed here. If the mainstream media isn’t doing it for you, We Op-Ed probably will.
Perhaps you’re interested in a quick view of the top candidates’ political leanings. Their voting records, their statements. All that fun stuff. If you need to keep informed to keep your online conversations teeming with data, ProCon.org is a kind of one-stop shop. You won’t find everything, of course. But you’ll likely find enough fodder to trigger posts on forums elsewhere.
Analysts of the election underway have made it very clear that youth involvement is the highest it’s been in years. That is especially true for those of voting age, but even citizens that will be below the 18-year threshold come November have places to dish their positions. Youth Noise is one interesting venue. It covers multiple topics outside of politics, but has also reserved a spot for those watching the race.
For those in the academic world, there are also sites like Debate Central and iDebate to serve as information centers for student debaters. As the fall semester commences in the next couple of weeks in many parts of the country, these destinations will likely be visited with great frequency. Get better prepared to play warring parties in front of your classmates.
ForandAgainst.com takes us back to original debate site premise given to this collection, but its topics are hugely diverse. That is to its benefit, but not for politicos. Miscellany reigns supreme. You can of course present political discourse if you like, but it’s open to question whether such material will rise to the fore. Science and philosophy share a spot at the top of the ladder, it seems.
Now, in the event that none of the sites presented here make the grade, or don’t offer a enough of a fly-on-the-wall take on odd political jibber-jabber, there is a wildcard that may well grab your eye. A Twitter-Google Maps mashup, developed by a Mr. Michael Geary, involves Twitter, Twittervision, and the ever industrious Google Maps API. Of course, watching it go can get tiresome. The blogging can get very redundant very fast. Nonetheless, the choice to be an observer with a bird’s-eye view is entirely yours.
Finally, how about a look at the Google Books upload of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858. A total 423 pages, front to back. Something to inspire? Stir that nostalgia? Maybe rehash some of the matters at hand back in the day?
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Facebook Needs to Get More Atypical With its Ad Play
Sunday, August 31st, 2008
I touched briefly yesterday on the topic of advertisements and marketing in social networks - business-to-business advertisements in particular - and what I consider to be the likely outcome of the Facebook versus LinkedIn race for more growth in the professional aspect. Facebook, it seems to me, is in a better position to influence the sector more broadly, particularly as more online networkers of young adult age make their way into the workforce.
Interestingly enough, Facebook watchdog Nick O’Neill, of the website All Facebook, postulated another scenario, similarly ad-specific, in which he considers the network’s search feature as a potential monetary opportunity. In short, he envisions sponsored results would help pad the pockets of Zuckerberg and company, presumably because the process has worked in favor of most any large Web service that arranges its own pages in such a fashion. (Google, Yahoo, Microsoft Live, Ask, etc.)
Now, they would surely make money. It’s really all a matter of chance. Heavy traffic makes interaction with Facebook search results, sponsored or not, inevitable. Facebook might show a little less in the way of phenomena insofar as search trends go. It’ll never be a Google, no. But it’ll be something. The question to ask is, can that something be of the caliber that warrants a serious push for implementation? I hesitate to say yes. At this point I feel better saying no.
It’s just that I imagine Facebook users don’t expect the experience that a traditional search engine delivers. Sure, the network has displayed considerable ambition to become something of a social operating system for Web users all over the globe. So you can say, why not make search look a bit more like [insert big-name search engine here]? And frankly, Facebook’s deal with Microsoft to implement Live Search into the network shows that Facebook is doing something that I don’t think it necessarily should.
Yet, search isn’t everything. At least not in the traditional sense. It is a proven moneymaker, absolutely. But there must be a way to give Facebook users a more unique way to find who or what they’re looking for within the network. Advertisements are a given. Still, how and where those advertisements are displayed is what will drive Facebook from a break-even or slightly profitable enterprise into a name that carries weight behind its $5-15 billion valuation. The last few years have shown this. The plain old ads-atop-search-results design won’t make that happen. What do you think?
(Image credit: All Facebook)
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Android Challenge Pt. I: Balancing the Expected with the Experimental
Saturday, August 30th, 2008
This week the first round of the Android Challenge drew to a close. And if it hasn’t already done so, Google will be distributing over half of the $10 million cash prize pool promised among Challenge I and Challenge II finalists/winners. Judges of Challenge I settled on 50 finalists, all of whom were granted $50,000 applications. Additionally, 10 were given $100,000 awards each, while another 10 received $275,000 each. Challenge II takes place subsequent the release of the first handset(s) arriving with Android software.
Over the last couple of days I’ve casually observed what has achieved placement on the Android Challenge leaderboard. Many - if not most - applications are devoted very much to location-aware activities. Some are interesting gaming developments. But of course what drew my interest most from titles of the winners and almost-winners displayed are those that will cater social services to users.
Sure, the social apps are but a segment of what will be available come the launch of Android and the Android Market. The finalist labeled PedNav and GWalk, to name two examples, are likely to be useful for city residents or visitors aiming to get the most efficient use of pedestrian infrastructure. Not to mention that City Slikkers could very well be a gamer’s delight if enough first adopters make an effort to partake in the virtual-plus-reality play. We all recognize the popularity bestowed on games within Apple’s own big-selling storefront. Nonetheless, I imagine that the social options will be among those that rank among the most popular for opening day and the weeks that follow.
Maverick, for instance, is a local client that allows for the communication of text, location and media (audio, photos, and “scribbles”) through Google Talk. It also allows Blogger users to publish content to the Web and for Gmail users to get notifications about messages in their inboxes. Granted, it sounds very Googley, and it is, but to deliver something so multifunctional, if done right, will I think be very appealing. PebbleBox, alternatively, is central to one’s location. Learn about events, restaurants, and hotels in a given area, and, if you wish, write geo-tagged blogs to share with fellow users. A rough parallel to Loopt on the iPhone, you might say, but a bit more general-purpose perhaps. Just to note, both Maverick and Pebblebox were awarded $100,000 prizes.
Dropping down into the broader pool of finalists, there is Marvin, which according to creator Laurent Pontier will allow users to post “geo-localized rich messages” to one’s friends and/or the wider network. Marvin taps the powers of the Android OpenGL API, Google Maps, and Google StreetView to give the user a virtual 3D representation of the so-called social graph, from Google Earth-like outer space view to one at road level. Visually, it must impress. Whether it’s truly utilitarian, we’ll see.
LifeAware is one more location-sharing service that automates your interaction with those you know (and maybe those you would like to). There are many similar services already put into play over the past couple of years that exhibit virtually the same capability, but this pick may nonetheless be something proves popular. An application called SocialMonster also draws from your phonebook to keep you and the people in your life in sync.
Again, it is hard to escape the location-smart dimension of many of Google’s picks, which of course falls well into line with some of the items we’ve seen arrive in the iTunes App Store marketplace. And that seems the right direction to take the Android Challenge - at least the first round of it. With more phones equipped with GPS devices or with software capable of gathering rough coordinates from cellular towers in a given area, where you are will determine what you want to do. Which is sensible. Planning outings with friends will not be so tedious.
No mass phone call campaigns or SMS relays. The act of getting together or simply staying in touch will be much less cumbersome. And wonderfully enough, Google has made it a point to incentivize independent developers and small developer teams. Much as the iPhone App Store shows on its own adjoining software platform, the finalists in this event seem to take a very experimental approach. Some of course are quite ordinary. But some stretch one’s curiosity muscle a good amount. Which is unquestionably necessary if progress is to be made. If Google ensures the openness of Android, all the better. The experience may not always be as polished as that of the iPhone. But as with anything in the business, it is the software that makes the star. Android’s star power will be seen in short order.
As for Round 2, there’s still $4.75 million to be distributed. If T-Mobile releases its Android-based device in the fall, as many now assume, the Challenge will continue on schedule. Google offers a rough estimate of “second half of 2008.”
(Image credit: iMobile.tw)
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Get Ready for Some COLLEGE Football!
Saturday, August 30th, 2008
Some say what happens on an NCAA football field beats NFL play in excitement and intensity. Heisman versus Lombardi? What’s your take? Well, whatever your position on the matter, the season of college tail, toss and tackle is now here in force, and so it is only customary that we prep you for the months of memorable footage to come. Everything from video to news and commentary to stat trackers and social apps. So grab your beer, nachos, burritos, salsa and crispy tacos and huddle ‘round.
As you well know, there’s really no set process for consuming sports content. If you’re not watching games on the big screen, you can read line by line what went on between schools. Converse with your friends on Twitter. Watch what others are saying on Twitter Search. Or the reverse order, if you wish.
That said, if you’re yearning for video coverage, ESPN has some clips at its College Football website. For live gameplay, there is ESPN 360. Unfortunately, not all broadband users in the US can enjoy what ESPN 360 has to offer. Verizon and AT&T subscribers may do so because those companies have paid ESPN for exclusive use of the interactive service. Still, those who gain entry will likely enjoy the convenience. If multiple games are occurring at once, viewers can cycle through them on demand, in Wimbledon- or NBCOlympics-like style.
Moving past video, want some news? Again, ESPN is has quite a bit. Same with FoxSports and NCAA Football. Sites like Yahoo Sports’s Rivals.com, Scout’s CollegeFootballNews, the Elite Football Network, and Gameday Network, offer thorough coverage as well. At first glance they may all seem very much alike, but one will grow on you more than others soon enough. Options are options. Take your pick. Are you also fond of polls? College Football Poll is heavy on the stuff. The navigational aspects could take some getting used to, but it’s certainly not starving for material. Among the bunch, I must say I found Elite Football Network and ESPN appeal particularly strongly. The first is a decent resource of background information, while the latter is just overstuffed with content. In a good way, of course.
In the social networking realm, there are many options for college sports fans. For instance, Facebook and Myspace both offer among their third-party sourced applications general statistics for the season now underway in applications like NCAA College Football (Facebook), College Football Game Center (Facebook), Pickoff (Facebook), and College Football Picks (MySpace).
Clearly Facebook users have more choice in software and services that canvas the league, but both networks’ databases also happen to show lots of individual school picks. If you’re taking classes or listed as an alumnus, or simply prefer one name over all others, these can be nice additions to your favorite installations. The options are far too many to count, but do a quick search for “NCAA” or “football” on either network and you might find your team.
If all of the above still doesn’t satisfy, perhaps some fantasy action will suit your taste. We assembled a litany of some 30+ links, comprising college, professional, and youth designations to get you to your desired roster. That one is definitely worth a look.
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Goodbye, Summer! 15 Resources for a Great Labor Day Weekend.
Saturday, August 30th, 2008
Labor Day is one of those holidays no one seems to really know much about, but we celebrate and enjoy it nonetheless. In the United States we celebrate it at a different time of the year than other countries, and we have transformed it into an unofficial end of summer. So with a winter that people predict may end up being a nasty one, why not go all out this year? Throw a party, make some decorations, learn about the history of the holiday and more using these 15 resources.
Mashable hopes you have a great Labor Day weekend!
Food
AllRecipes.com - Lots of fun recipes and how-to videos on things like campfire favorites, making homemade ice cream, cutting watermelons and more.
CookEatShare.com - A large selection from lite variety of artichoke dishes to pulled pork BBQ sandwiches - they have it all covered.
FamilyCorner.com - Typically known more for their decorating tips, FamilyCorner offers up a nice selection of recipes perfect to cap off your summer this weekend.
FoodNetwork.com - Watch videos from Sandra Lee with some of her favorite late summer recipes, tons of grilling suggestions, easy picnic recipes and of course some mixed drink ideas thrown in for good measure.
iVillage.com - Offers up several menu suggestions from vegetarian to gourmet and everything in between.
RecipeZaar.com - Has numerous picnic and to-go recipes from the site itself to those submitted by members. A little something here no matter what your taste may be.
History
DOL.gov - The United States Department of Labor gives you a historical overview of the holiday from its founder up through the passing of the law that made it into the official holiday we all know today.
Forbes.com - The well-known business publication talks about the history of a day set aside to celebrate the people who do all of the work.
History.com - Of course History.com has a history of the holiday. Learn what it’s really about, take polls, watch videos and much more.
Infoplease.com - Since the day is all about labor, why not take a look back at the history of labor? Wonder what the minimum wage rate has been over the years? Infoplease has the answer.
USA.gov - Information from the United States government about the history of the holiday, information for traveling, history of labor unions and more.
Decorations & Entertaining
Apples4TheTeacher.com - Built for teachers to use with students, they can learn about Labor Day, enjoy printable activities, coloring pages and more.
Labor-Day-Weekend.com - Ideas for menus, games, party favors, information on the holiday and a whole lot more.
MakingFriends.com - Print out paper dolls for people in different professions as well as paper hats so kids can act out their dream jobs.
MarthaStewart.com - Martha focuses on decorating ideas geared towards the end of summer, but seeing as Americans consider this the unofficial end of the season, it only makes sense.
[Image credit: Justin Grandfield (attribution)]
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