Pek Pongpaet

Slides from my presentation on how to create websites that encourage user participation.

The presentation covers examples of various well known websites that utilize various tactics to facilitate user engagement.

If I had to sum it up, it would be:

• Make it quick and easy to participate. Think 1 click AJAX star ratings, 1 click thumbs up, thumbs down, 1 click favorite etc.
• Make it about the user. Appeal to their ego. This includes user reputation/rating/recognition/ranking
• Take advantage of social norms such as reciprocity, public commitments, social pressure, and herd mentality
• Give a reason for the user to return to the site

Popularity: 3% [?]

It’s a general misconception that most plane crashes end in 100% fatality. However according to government data, over 95% of passengers involved in a plane crash survive. With those kinds of odds, I feel a lot better. Here’s how to increase your odds even more. Follow the 5 row rule. Ed Galea, a professor in England researched and analyzed seating charts and interviewed survivors, including crew and pilot and found that survivors usually move an average of five rows before they can get off a burning aircraft.

The people who are most likely to survive a plane crash are people who are sitting right next to the exit row or one row away.

Beyond a five-row cutoff from the exit, your chances of survival are greatly reduced.

For more information on how to increase your odds of survival, go to the source article on Time Magazine.

Popularity: 3% [?]

The Wachowski brothers (can I even call them brothers anymore?) are at it again. This time it’s a ninja movie – freaking ninjas – that’s badass. Famous Korean popstar Rain plays the lead character. I don’t know too much about it but here’s a 5 minute clip of him training for the role along with some stunt people and martial artists. The fight choreography looks top notch.

Popularity: 1% [?]