My Mother Can Now Understand Social Bookmarking

Last year my friend Stephanie wrote a very well received description of RSS that my mother could understand. She called it, "How to explain RSS the Oprah way" and it's a very worthwhile read. For example, instead of defining RSS as "really simple syndication" or any other geek definition, she defines it as, "Ready for Some Stories”.

Today another similar explanation comes, this time it's about Social Bookmarking. And it's a video from CommonCraft. It's a well prepared and produced video using paper snippits to illustrate how bookmarking on Del.icio.us works. I have embedded the video below (RSS you have to click through). They sure do use a lot of paper!

Josh from Webware thinks, "This may be viral marketing, but it's very well executed and a joy to watch. I'd hire these guys for my start up video." Digital Inspiration and Download Squad have additional thoughts.

I have marketed myself for 10+ years now as the guy who can translate anything tech into non-tech. It's something that has helped me move up in the ranks of my employers because most times, it's the non-tech talk that gets you ahead. When you want money for a new project or expenditure, being able to explain what it is without going tech can help sway the needed votes in your favor. I have taught these skills to developers over the years and I believe that tech schools and universities need to do more of this. Get the developer ready for the real world where they might have to "sell something in."