Google Buzz and the New Facebook Layout

You know, I like how companies like Google, Facebook, Twitter continuously try to find more efficient ways for me to stay connected with my friends.  Google updated my Gmail today with the new Google Buzz and last night Facebook surprised me by changing its layout as well. 

First of all, it's too much.

Facebook: have tons of people been complaining about how the old layout really sucked?  If they didn't...then why are you just rearranging things on the same page every so often?  Why don't you just build the entire page widget-based so that we build our own page layouts?  Thank you very much.

Google Buzz: You know, I had to add my friends to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc....all these other social platforms that want to jump on the social network bandwagon.  Thanks Google for getting on board - now I need to do that all over again; plus, I have enough emails to read during the day and enough news feeds on my Google Reader that I'm already going insane trying to keep up with all these things. 

One day, these companies are going to go through some awesome merger so that everything can be consolidated in one place :) If only someone had billions of dollars to buy all these companies.

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Everyone has a Function

I spent a total of one hour taking the GO train for a meeting today and spent the trip on the way out watching something that was quite fascinating. 

On the GO train, there was a fellow in charge of Customer Service and his job was to make sure that customers got on and off the train in precisely 40 seconds that would allow him to lower the ramp, step outside while holding the speakerphone, warn passengers to stay clear of the doors, announce that the doors are closing, fold up the ramp, board the train himself and hang up the speakerphone. 

I'm not sure if I got all the steps right or if 40 seconds is an impressive record, I just think that its impressive that a customer service guy working on the GO train takes their job so seriously.  Today the guy in charge of customer service had to train a new guy - and the new guy makes the story even better; he was asking questions about whether it's faster to lower the ramp with his right hand or left, and other super detailed things that would speed up his job.  Keener in every category.

Taught me a lesson, anyone and everyone has a function in this world and they can all do some things, or at least one thing really well.  Very awesome.

Facebook Ads

We're testing out one week of facebook ads.  Short time I know but at least we will get an initial response on whether people are clicking on the ads at all.

I wonder how it'll turn out. When we used Google Adwords the average cost per click was $0.35, which isn't bad.  Now we are testing with cost per thousands impressions on Facebook, since we are aiming more at raising awareness and brand recognition.

Stay tuned for the results :)

lining up at the bank

Live blogging straight from the RBC branch on granville and 70th. This is priceless. I wish I could take a picture of the lineup with all these angry/impatient people. I've been waiting here for 10 mins now and only ONE person has moved. One person just left the lineup (smart decision).

I wonder how long it's going to take with 6 people in front of me. All I'm trying to do is deposit a check to someone's account and here I am wasting 30 minutes of my life waiting in line that I will never get back. Thanks RBC. Great customer service. Really makes me want to bank with you.

Oh, the service desk lady just gave a stuffed toy zebra to the little girl waiting with her dad, how nice. I think she should give the others cash back for waiting in line :)