An attempt to mitigate this problem and add context to web content is what is called the “semantic web.”  However, this idea has faced many problems and has never become standardized.

Metaweb has essentially created a solution to the problem of adding context by flipping the problem on its head. Rather than each content producer having to add semantic context to their content, Metaweb has created a huge database of already categorized content that producers can refer to in their websites.

One example Metaweb gives is the University of California, Berkeley. This university is also referred to as CAL, UCB, UC Berkeley and many others. Yet, all of these synonyms refer to the same “entity” – which is a lot like a noun — a person, place or thing.  Metaweb has cataloged this particular entity in its database, therefore when a person using their software refers to CAL or UC Berkeley it will point to the cataloged reference of University of California, Berkeley.

This “mapping” from plain text to “entities” provides many benefits including being able to better define relationships among web content, easier content updating and far better search features.

By acquiring this company, Google is making a statement that they support this technology and hopefully we will see it being integrated into their current product line. This could be a huge plus for not only web developers and content producers but also offer web users vastly more accurate search results.

A special thanks to all of our in kind donors: Southern Wine and Spirits , Publix, 71 Proof, In Tents Events, Target, Turkey Hill Farm,  Market Square Liquors, and New Leaf Market.

Check out our latest video to learn more about the “Sweeter Side” event.

At Onyx Group we believe that good design results in positive change. With each “Sweeter Side” event we, as individuals and a community, can work together to design a positive future. Check back in with us at  www.onyxcreates.com for information on our future “Sweeter Side” events.

Here are some useful strategies to help satisfy and motivate the new generation of employees:

Real-time Feedback: The traditional performance management process has become ineffective. Gen Y needs real-time feedback, positive and negative, in order to make necessary adjustments required for successful performance.

Communication: Gen Y is comprised of extreme communicators and is accustomed to using a variety of media to communicate. Taking advantage of social media tools can help centralize communication among the members of the organization and reinforce key messaging from management to staff.

Mentoring: By establishing a mentoring program, organizations present Gen Y with the opportunity to develop their career path within the organization and learn from experienced employees. In addition this allows for reverse mentoring to occur, as Gen Y can teach members of older generations how to use technology to increase overall efficiency.

Time/Place Flexibility: Shifting focus from hours-worked to results-achieved and allowing flexibility in location can allow employees to work at the time/place that best maximizes their productivity.

For additional management tips read the full  Developing a New Paradigm for Managing Gen Y article.

We have already raised over $3300 cash donations and over $1000 with in-kind donations. This is going to be a great event to network and to give back to a cause that is in definite need. There will be vast array of Pastries and Wine for tastings.

A few items from our menu:

• Vanilla Bean Goat Cheesecake with Citrus Tuile and Blackberry and Basil Compote
• Rosemary Pinenut Tart with Vanilla Bean Crème Anglaise
• Earl Gray, Lavender + Vanilla Chocolate Truffles
• Chocolate Brownie Cookie
• Rosemary Foccacia with Grapes
• And a  variety of cheeses, crackers, fruit and wine!

Event Details:

Design is about optimism.

Designers are always looking for ways to improve how we live. From large-scale engineering feats such as new high-rise building techniques to the smallest microchip – good design has improved our quality of life remarkably.

Design is about learning from the past and looking forward. The Gulf Oil Spill has touched the hearts of everyone I know – but especially my friends and family who live in North Florida and across the Southeast. Fisherman, sailors, outdoorsmen, birdwatchers and even crunchy granola kayakers share the same sorrow. This is our common ground. It is also a chance to look forward in a positive way.

The oil spill is yet another reminder that good design is needed. It is another reminder that America’s roots as a world leader began with innovative minds that have spearheaded new technologies for centuries. We can still be that leader. It is another reminder that we, as Americans, need to look forward and design a better way of life – not just for future generations – but for ourselves. We are designers and we can design a diverse portfolio of new and old energy technologies that will bring us to a sustainable energy age.

I am optimistic that we can achieve this. And the Gulf Oil Spill is a reminder to us that we should not compromise on good design.

At Onyx Group we are hosting a fundraiser to benefit Apalachicola Riverkeeper (www.apalachicolariverkeeper.org), a non-profit organization with a mission of finding solutions to preserve and protect our local waters. The event is called “The Sweeter Side” – because we believe that good design results in positive change. We, as individuals, a community and a nation have a lot of work ahead of us – but we will get there because deep down, we are all designers.

Event Details:

http://onyxcreates.com/the-sweeter-side ]]> http://onyxcreates.com/2010/05/the-sweeter-side/feed/ 0 http://onyxcreates.com/2010/05/facebook-crowned-top-ad-publisher/ http://onyxcreates.com/2010/05/facebook-crowned-top-ad-publisher/#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 16:05:35 +0000 nick http://onyxcreates.com/?p=1976 With the vast array of possible places to spend your advertising budget online, Facebook has topped many other ad publishers to take the crown as top ad publisher. In the first quarter, Facebook beat Yahoo by over 40 billion ads, nothing to laugh about.  With over 400 million users, it’s no wonder why Facebook is seeing such high numbers. Learn more on Facebook’s rise to the fame as top ad publisher.

www.inc.com

www.facebook.com

1. Focus on the eyes – It’s that simple. The eyes are the most important part of the photo – so make sure they are tack sharp. Manual focus will help you get the results you need.

2. Framing – Do not center frame everything. Diving into some photography ‘rules’ – you want to practice the “Rule of Thirds.” Imagine the picture with a tic-tac-toe board over the frame – you want the focus to be on a “line” or “corner” in  1/3 or 2/3 of the frame. This example will help you imagine the lines.

3. Separate the subject – While on-location portraits are also about the environment the main focus is on the subject. Separating the subject from the background will get your great results. This is achieved by using a longer lens; 50mm or ideally 80mm+ achieves great results. In conjunction with a long lens, a shallow depth of field is achieved with the use of open F –stops i.e. ƒ1.8, ƒ2.0, ƒ2.8. Here are examples showing the difference.

4. Click & Process – Once you have your settings dialed in, focused on the eyes and properly frame – release the shutter. After the picture is taken, that isn’t the end though. Upload to your computer, open your photo-editing software and being processing the image. A few basic things to enhance the image – contrast, sharpening, saturation, color temperature. See below images for before and after.

I hope this has given you a little insight on getting better on-location portraits. Small increments make the big differences, but there is a lot to keep on your mind when you’re ready to release that shutter. Happy clicking!

We believe that business and creativity must be balanced in order to achieve marketing success. Regardless of the buzz around a certain approach the major question should always be, will this be profitable? So, have you been wondering if social media really is worth your time?

According to the 2010 Social Media Marketing Industry Report the answer is a resounding YES! The study’s findings show that social media use can be both profitable and effective as a marketing strategy.

Social media was identified as being instrumental in closing business deals. In fact 74% of small business owners who were early adopters say it’s helped them close business.

Additionally, social media use increases overall web exposure. Respondents reported higher traffic to their sites and 73% of respondents reported a significant rise in search engine rankings.

Finally, the study show that social media is increasingly cost effective. Almost half (48%) of respondents said social media reduced their overall marketing expenses this is and increase form the 35% who reported savings on last year’s survey.

It’s take your child to work day! Meet our youngest “employee,” Nadia’s niece, Juliana.

Every year, “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day” helps children across the nation discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life. This national public education program connects what children learn at school with the actual working world and encourages them to dream about the future.

This year, Nadia’s son couldn’t come into the office (he was out sick too many days last week), so she borrowed her niece for the day instead.

We’re happy to have Nadia’s niece helping out around the office today.  She got to go on an exciting trip downtown to celebrate Earth Day and the launch of a project that Onyx collaborated on, A Bag’s Life.  Her new friend, Chris Doolin a local lobbyist, was nice enough to give her a first class tour of the Capitol.  She even learned where the secret snack room for the lobbyists is.  But most importantly she observed a live legislative session.  Talk about a real world education!

After her big day at the Capitol, she got to eat lunch looking over Florida State University’s stadium at the University Center.  They were out of chocolate muffins but she had a good lunch, nonetheless.  She even got to walk on the football field.

After she got into the office, she worked on her science research about how to boil water.  We think this could help some of our office mate’s cooking skills.  So thanks for the tips, Juliana!

To wrap up the day, she spent some time in the conference room learning about blogs and even helped write this one!  Take Juliana’s advice to heart “Onyx is very cool and I learned new words.”



Small-business owners have been operating in survival mode for at least a year – most of us have been there a little longer.  This means that all employees have been busier than ever.  It’s easy to miss important changes that affect us little folks when everyone is busy trying to manage their ever growing workload.  Here are some up and coming changes that might affect you:

• IRS Increasing Staff for Small-Business Owners.  Let’s start with the disappointing news.  For the past 5 years, the IRS has been decreasing time spent on auditing the big boys (corporations with assets greater than $250M) and increasing their time auditing the little guys (businesses with less than $10M in assets).  So be sure that you are dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s and are working with a tax professional that you trust.  For more details please see this article from Forbes.

• IRS Cracking Down On Internships.  Do you have unpaid interns?  If so, you might want to double check to make sure that you comply with the six federal criteria.  This is a hot new priority of the IRS, and remember, they are investing more in auditing small-businesses so be sure that you are in compliance.  Here is the full length article from The New York Times.

• No Credit Card Reform for Small Businesses.  Since we started off on the wrong foot, let’s keep going.  I promise, there is good news to come.   Even though, on February 22, consumers got some relief from credit card companies, such as no longer being able to raise rates on existing balances, small business cards were exempt from this.  The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility + Disclosure (CARD) Act did little to help the fast emerging market of business credit cards.  So be sure to spend wisely and use your credit cards sparingly.  For more information visit this article we found in BusinessWeek.

• A New Tax Credit for Health Insurance Premiums.  We wouldn’t touch the debate on the health care reform with a 10 foot pole.  But it’s here, so let’s focus on how it might have an immediate effect on your business.  There is a new tax credit for 2010 to help offset insurance premiums.  Keep your eye out for a mailer from the IRS that defines the terms, and remember the first note above and be sure to follow the guidelines!  If you have fewer than 10 employees with an average salary of $25,000 you may qualify for a credit of $24,500.  The tax credit works on a sliding scale and we are keeping a lookout for more details.  Here is a more thorough article about this from CNN.

Now, I know everyone remembers the difference between a credit and a deduction from Accounting 101, right?  Well, if not a deduction counts against your adjusted gross income and thus reduces your taxable income.  But a tax credit is a dollar for dollar reduction in the taxes you owe.

• Tax Benefits for Companies who Hire and Retain Unemployed Workers.  If you hire unemployed workers after February 13, 2010 and before January 1, 2011 and retain them for at least one year you can qualify for a tax credit of at least $1,000.  You will also receive a 6.2% payroll tax incentive which will basically offset the employer’s share of social-security wages.  Please visit the IRS’s website for more details.

These are just a few of the changes for small-businesses that have caught our eye over the past couple of months.  Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for more changes that could affect you!