This is Part V in our “Does the world really need a new CMA program?” series in which we blog about the creation of our latest web application, Cloud CMA.

Full Spectrum Real Estate

Having just got back from NARDiego Dan and I are super pumped up! There is something special/exciting/nerve racking/terrifying about showing your product for the first time to people outside your company. We gave about 20 private demos to MLS executives and industry colleagues and the response was fantastic!

What I want to talk about today is what I like to call the “Full Spectrum” reports Cloud CMA generates. In a nutshell reports from Cloud CMA augment MLS data with information we gather from top real estate and data providers across the web (or from “the Cloud”, if you will). Currently we access about 11 APIs. What’s an API? According to Wikipedia: “An application programming interface (API) is an interface that a software program implements in order to allow other software to interact with it, much in the same way that software might implement a user interface in order to allow humans to use it.” APIs we use include: a Walk Score from Front Seat, Maps and area photos from Google, demographics, interest rates and recent home sales from Zillow, and school info from Education.com.

Real Estate's Top Sites!

We think of Cloud CMA as a platform. A platform that can access any database. The trick is then to create compelling reports with this information. In the case of Cloud CMA we blend MLS data will relevant data we get from these APIs. We then create what we like to call “Big, Bold, and Beautiful” reports. We believe that today’s consumers expects their real estate professional to provide more than MLS data but also from other real estate websites they have been searching and exploring.

Big, Bold and Beautiful Reports!

Another wonderful benefit about using the data from these great sites is that the information is dynamic. Most agents will email a pdf of the Cloud CMA report they print and present. Cloud CMA pdfs include lots of “hotlinks” so reports come to life when their clients wish to further explore the information provided.

Finally, Cloud CMA reports aren’t just a pretty face, they have a purpose, too! The layout, page order, content and design are all about taking clients to the next step, whether it’s making it an offer, or signing that listing agreement.

Next up, “Putting it all together” or “In which we send your existing real estate software back to the stone age.” ; )

LONDON (AdAge.com) — Some 300 attendees gathered at the Saatchi Gallery last week for Ad Age sibling Creativity’s technology conference, Creativity and Technology, were treated to musings on bleeding-edge digital communication from Europe’s top talent in advertising, technology and design. Speakers ranged from agency creatives and technologists to writers such as Adam Greenfield, author of “Everyware” and head of design direction at Nokia.

(read more)

11/23/09 – Turkey Head – This is not your ordinary bald turkey head. He is keeping his head warm by wearing an Indian headdress. You can add many feathers to the piece if you like, but this guy has one single lone feather. This is the newest addition to the Thanksgiving Crafts page this year.

Mark Wallace recently made the Miami stop on his Mark Wallace US Meetup Tour. Held at MAPS Studios, Mark put a wide variety of PocketWizard and related gear through its paces.

Mark posted this on his blog after leaving town, and put together the following clip of highlights from his time in Miami.

Looks like a good and educational time was had by all!

Hello there, how are you?

Today I was browsing the Internet, acquiring some knowledge if you prefer to call it like that, and I came across a posting that had the right path of creativity, therefore, I decided to re-invent it, edit it, and change it for your delightful entertainment.  Hopefully all of us girls can identify.. By all means, if you want to add another point, be my guest, this list can only keep getting better, that way we will find PRINCE CHARMING…

My Boyfriend Application and Test

First, a little about me. I’m a 26-year-old, very  good looking and intelligent Latina, with a full time Job and  attending University. I’m tired of wasting my time, so I have formulated some mandatory criteria in part A, and part B is based on points.

Part A

1) You must be born male. I’ll need to see a birth certificate proving so.

2) You must own something to wear to a formal reception. And at least a couple formal shoes.
3) You must not own or ever wear Birkenstocks, crocs footwear or wrangler jeans. Or wear your jeans so low, that  I can see the end of your briefs.
4) All your parts need to be in good working order, further testing will need to be conducted of course.
5) I can’t accept a regular drug user. Despite CA culture, I am including weed.
6) You must own at least four collared dress shirts. You need to look presentable standing next to me.
7) Your height must be proportional to your weight using the standard AMA guidelines. (fyi, I do prefer them taller than me, so you have to be at least 6 feet) .
You must have a couple photos which were  taken in the last 2 months.
9) English must be your first language. However you need to have a pretty good understanding of Spanish and Latin culture, or at least a desire to learn.

If you meet all of the requirements above then you may continue, if not, then you are now dismissed but thank you for applying to be my boyfriend.

Now: give yourself two points for each of the following criteria you meet

Part B

1) You have (or are working on) a degree.
2) You own a car and have a valid driver’s license. Suspended for DUIs: minus 10 points.

3) If your car is better and newer than mine add 5 points
4) You’ve never worn Ed Hardy, Affliction or any other Christian Audigier affiliated brand.

5) If 80% of your shoes can be described as sneakers take minus 5 points.
6) You follow at least one professional sport.
7) You have skills in bed. Not because you think you do, because your past experiences have told you.
You are not a born again Christian, Jehovah’s Witness or any other kind of religious fanatic.
9) You have been to at least three countries outside of the US.
10) You don’t need to call a handy man if something breaks around the house.
11) You know how to cook a meal for two. (Eggs, instant noodles, sandwiches, lean cuisine do not count as a meal)

12) You actually do shores around the house, like doing dishes after I cooked, help cleaning the kitchen, bringing flowers, wine etc..
13) You like stepping out of your bubble and trying new things like different cuisine, bungee jumping, salsa dancing.
14) You can make it through a romantic comedy without complaining (don’t worry we don’t have to tell your friends).
15) You have a great sense of humor. Are people laughing with you, or at you?
16) You can plan a good date without any help or advice from me. “I don’t know, what do you want to do” isn’t an answer.
17) You work out and enjoy being physically active. I hit the gym regularly, you should too.
18) You have a job that requires more than a high school diploma.
19) You read books, or at least you read the newspaper, so we can talk about worldwide subjects.  

20) You are an educated individual. You challenge my intellectual abilities.
21) You have a 5 year goal.
22) You aren’t afraid of being yourself, even if you have a dorky, nerdy side. (that’s kinda hot).
23) You’re competitive, and I don’t mean you like to battle it out on Wii with your buddies on the weekends.
24) You know how to dance.

25) You are spontaneous and creative.

26) You are secure about yourself and us. Meaning I’m not looking for a jealous, immature, insecure chauvinistic pig. People are going to check us out. Just enjoy the ride, at the end of the night I’m going home with you.

27) Last but not least, you can acknowledge when you screw up, and say sorry;  flowers and a romantic dinner might help you get some points back.

If you have a score of 40+ then please contact me immediately. If you scored between 20-35 pts, you can contact me, but I don’t have a lot of hope for our future relationship. If you did not score high enough, then please do not contact me, but if at some time in the future you are able to improve yourself and meet the minimum requirements, then you may re-apply.

You MUST respond with your age (this is a creeper free zone, 25-36 year olds only please) and your picture.

I thank you in advance for your application, however, only successful candidates will receive a response.

fyi.. I’m not trying to be rude or insult anyone..

This blog is just for fun, and to make you laugh!

With Love

xoxoxoxo Ment@l Fashion Addict

“CORSO NATALIZIO DI TECNICA MODERNA DEI LUSTRI SU PORCELLANA” di Cinzia Defendi – NEGOZIO Milano – Annunci Gratis Milano.

Love great title sequences (sometimes more than the movies they are for) and we love the blog The Art of The Title Sequence. An incredible amount of inspiration on the site which features title sequences from modern films such as Coraline to classic favourites such as Saul Bass’ Vertigo titles. All videos are also available in a iphone friendly quicktime movie format. Which makes us love this site even more!

Hi Friends,

This is my contribution for this weeks Sunday Stills – Horses! and Ofcourse for the MacroMonday as well!  Finally I added a small glossy effect to fit in the 4Tp  category!

Software used: Photoshop CS2 (Features used: Layers, Fill Layer & Elliptical Marque tool )

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open up an image in photoshop!!!

Set white as the foreground color. You can easily do this by pressing D to reset the foreground and background to the default colors then pressing X to switch the foreground and background color.

2. Goto  Layer > New Fill Layer> Gradient Fill. Click OK.

A Gradient Fill window will appear.

3. In the window, change the Gradient to Foreground to Transparent, style to radial, and scale to 150%.Check the Align with Layer. Change the angle accordingly to make the gradient effect bigger/smaller.

4. Activate the Elliptical Marquee tool and create a selection with a bulge.

You may need to zoom out (Ctrl+-) to get enough room to draw the selection.

5. With the Elliptical Marquee tool still activated, move the selection so that it covers about half of the top image.                  Select the layer mask of the top Gradient Fill layer and press delete.

6. Adjust the Opacity and Fill on your layer pallette to get the desired results.

7. Your Glossy photo is ready!

How do I accessorize?

Accessories add polish to any space. They are tools that tie everything together once the room has been completed. There are a few rules of thumb when accessorizing.
1. Find things you love.
2. Dedicate thirty percent of your budget to accessorizing
3. To get a professional look, make it appear that these are things that have been added to your room over time.
4. Play with scale.

Finding things you love should be easy. Venture into thrift stores, resale shops as well as high-end home stores for an eclectic assortment of options. Pull things that relate to the room, but if something doesn’t quite fit, and you love it, pick it up anyways! The beauty of this phase is that you can make almost anything work. Mixing materials can add a sense of interest, and different colors can play off each other finishing the feel of the space.

When budgeting, dedicate thirty percent of your project budget to accessories. To some, this may seem like a high number, but many people under-budget. They don’t see accessories as something that can add dramatic dimension to a space, just as extra clutter that’s not necessary. To achieve a premier look, accessorize!

Making your accessories appear they have been added over the course of time can be tricky, but the results are worth it. By combining unexpected items, you are able to create this illusion. Don’t be afraid of mixing things even if they may not appear to go with the other. They have one thing in common: they are things you love! (see item number one!)

Scale is such a huge issue in designing space, not only with furniture, but also with accessories. If everything in the room is roughly the same size, then it creates an unprofessional look. By choosing a variety of sizes and scales, you create a higher interest level.

When accessorizing, it’s important to love what you are putting in your room and the space you are creating. Enjoy playing with different shapes, colors and scales to create a masterpiece. And also don’t forget that less can sometimes be more. The more interesting your accessories, the less you need of them.

We’re currently in the middle of a series called “The End” at Kingsview, and the focus is on what the Bible has to say about the end of the earth, and our transition into the next dimension of eternity.

During the series, we’ve been singing a worship song called “Revelation Song”, which is based out of Revelation chapters 4 and 5.

In this revelation, John is in the throne room of heaven. He is told that he is being shown what is going to be taking place there for eternity. From this throne come peals of thunder and flashes of lightning. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircles the throne, and before it, was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. The 24 elders present lay their crowns down before the throne and fall down in worship the One sitting on the throne. Along with the elders, there are angels, numbered in the “ten thousands times ten thousands”, along with every creature in the new heaven and earth, all singing a song of worship.

It is out of this worship we read about in Revelation 4 and 5, that this song was written. Allow me to share with you, Jesus Culture’s version of the “Revelation Song.”

Found this on the Herman Miller Discover blog this morning.

For the fourth consecutive year, Herman Miller employees are volunteering their time to make hundreds of Christmas stockings for the Holland Rescue Mission. And they’re using leftover fabrics and materials from the design department’s cutting room floor. What a great idea, and a great group of folks!

Fijn tekenwerk en ze hebben nog een punt ook!

Via Buzzingbees

Really loving this  recent campaign by  Forsman & Bodenfors in  Sweden, launched in October 2009!  Their creative challenge was to engage people during the opening of a new store in Malmo!

What inspires me about this campaign is not that they used Facebook, and not that they gave away prizes ( we all know consumers love freebies ) but the creative method in which they engaged the facebook audience! It certainly created a ripple effect that they wanted to achieve.

Welcome to a new breed of digital campaigns!

If you’ve not been to Nashville, you may not know about our version of The Parthenon.  A full-sized replica of the ancient Greek structure stands in the middle of Centennial Park near Vanderbilt University.   It’s such an accustomed sight that I hardly notice it anymore, but Friday I had the opportunity to revisit the architectural gem.  On the bottom floor of the building is a fine arts gallery that has changing exhibits.  I was thrilled to see several collage and mixed-media pieces among the oil paintings.

The main level, though, is where the jaw-dropping piece of art resides.  I is a 41 foot, 10 inch statue of the Greek Goddess Athena by Nashville uber-sculptor Alan Le Quire.  I’ve seen Athena before, but each time I’m bowled over – at first by her massiveness, but ultimately by the uncanny grace and detail of LeQuire’s work.  You can see an amazing slide show of the making of Athena at http://www.alanlequire.com/athena.shtml and visit LeQuire’s  gallery at  http://www.lequiregallery.com/home.html 

We visited Athena in her temple to see a production of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex.   Three actors in traditional masks performed the tragic tale, and in place of the Greek chorus between scenes, each actor gave a brief recitation on the art of Greek tragic  drama. 

Their voices echoed eerily in the cavernous room where we sat in chairs at Athena’s feet.  The masks magically transformed the actor and despite the stiffness of the ancient drama convention, the modern audience had no problem suspending disbelief in order to travel back in time.  Theater has come a long way since Sophecles’ day, but it doesn’t get anymore dramatic that Oedipus at the golden-sandaled feet of Athena.