This week’s version of Link Drop has a healthy does of me at the beginning. When I read about other bloggers and their exploits, sometimes I think it’s cool to see, other times perhaps not. So if you’re in the perhaps not camp, please scroll quickly to link #4. Overall I came across a bit of everything, there’s lot’s of publishing stuff, both online and print. I think I keep coming back to that topic because it’s how people are broadcasting messages today, something we should all be in the business of. I also found it interesting how Armstrong integrated his message into a number of different outlets that again I think we can all learn from. Did I miss anything worth reading?

Video Notes from the Field
Being asked to pass along a quick thought about digital & design to potential students headed to that field, I choose to mention how digital is different than print. “Digital isn’t a one-time shot, but a constant upgrade”. For me to be included with a lot of people that I try to learn from myself on the post was quite cool to see.

The Aggregator That Newspapers Like
Some days I find it harder to explain what Daylife is then others, especially when I start mentioning Select. This article did a pretty good job explaining things on a high level and about some of the history behind the news service I work with.

Three New Foodists
I like food, I like to write—what better reason then that to start contributing to this food blog when the urge hits?

NYC Grid
I wish I had come up with this idea first. Marking off blocks on NYC and documenting what’s around the street. Photos and google map included.

visualizing MLB hit locations on a Google Map
Really interesting post that started off with looking at data from a no hitter baseball game that morphs into something else.

MaxFunCon: Merlin Mann on Doing Creative Work; The Sound of Young America
A great podcast that I listened to a couple times. Everything he says is true and I’ve told myself with various words for a while now. After listening to the twenty eight minute podcast you might try some creative work that you’ve been stalling on.

Gawker Media revenues up 45% in first half
A positive sign that online publishing is moving forward and might be worth getting in the game sooner than later.

This American Life’s Ira Glass Points Toward the “Wide-Open” Future of Journalism
I kind of wish this article went a bit further instead of enlisting a couple traditional pull quotes and reaction from someone that heard the talk. Maybe traditional journalism still has a way to go.

A New Page
I haven’t had time to read this yet but seemed very appropriate considering how people are starting to read more and more on screen.

Interview: NPR’s Dick Meyer Discusses NPR.org Redesign, Visual Vocabulary
I pulled a various articles about the NPR.org redesign, interesting to read a couple people’s take from the inside.

NPR Moves to Rewire Its Approach to the Web
Article number deux on the the NPR.org redesign.

Making Books, 21st-Century Style: An Interview with Rick Smolan
I couldn’t help but wish there was an online version of the book they were talking about. What does that say about me?

Total Insanity: Commerce Restaurant to go Cashless
Interesting idea, not sure why they wouldn’t keep both options of cash or plastic available. The comments in reaction are fascinating.

5 live sketching tips every designer should know
Makes sense to keep up on this kind of thing.

STAGES: Art for the Lance Armstrong Foundation
This looks very cool and is on view in NYC.

Bike Porn 3 – Trek’s “Stages” Bikes
A cross section of the bikes Armstrong rode in the tour.

NEWS///LANCE ARMSTRONG SURGES BACK TO ACTION IN THE TOUR DE FRANCE ON A MARC NEWSON TREK TTX ART BIKE
Sorry for the allcaps—that was how it was in the post. The bike in view feels like a cross between a tank and some carbon fiber weaponry.

Amazon Acquisitions infographic
A timely info graphic on all things Amazon.

Sheetseat
I really like the concept of this flat piece of material morphing into something else usable with some cut lines.

Lessons from a failed meeting with a Social Media Guru
This is quite the post, I have my guesses who it’s about but I have no way to verify. Either way there seems to have been a communication break down.

Flynn Lives
I wanted to post this because the bike and digital outlines looked cool.

James Perse surfboards
Same for these surfboards. These are works of art. I’d put them on my wall if I had the space, and cash…

Things go better with persistent branding
This diagram is kind of telling. Actions (or non actions) speak quite loudly.

Top ten problems in file prep for print
This is for the print people out there that can’t figure out why their printer hates them.

topsecret usb
I’d like to put all my top secret digital files on this. Too bad twitter didn’t do the same thing.

Where Goldman Sachs screwed up (understanding the anti-$GS populist rage)
Another article that I haven’t had time to read just yet, but am going to over the weekend.

iPhone Apps Design Mistakes: Over-Blown Visuals
Interesting starting point for those thinking of designing apps.

Unofficial Rules of the App Store
The potential for this site is quite important. If people regularily contribute it could give a good indication of what mistakes not to make. It could also be said that Apple should keep things open, but that’s a different debate altogether.

Chris Anderson’s Free adds much to The Long Tail, but falls short
Another review on the book Free.

9 kinds of coffee (infographic)
I’ve never seen a diagram comparing all the different types of coffee goodness in relation to each other before.

World’s Top Ten Identity Firms
While this list probably still holds true I couldn’t help but wonder if they all seem a bit “old”.

Poll Results: The Best Music Of 2009 (So Far)
I’m not a big fan of this list but it gives a good idea of what NPR thinks is worth listening to this year.

Yale Grad Designs Nooka Pop-Up Shop in NYC
Interesting background story on the Nooka pop up shop that I didn’t know about while visiting.

Barcelona at UBPA at Expo 2010
Tons of great architectural photos.

How Twitter Actually Hurts Street Vendors
This reminds me a bit about flash mobs, but with mobile food.