Luke Judge

Videos become interactive using hotspot technology from LinkTo, and now Ooyala customers can use LinkTo services from within their existing workflows.

LinkTo.tv is an online tool created by how To TV, an instructional video company. The service is targeted at businesses such as online retailers and e-commerce companies, that want to sell online. Customers can highlight an object in a video and then link it to an online shopping cart, or else link to forms so that viewers can learn more about an item.

“Ooyala serves over 500 customers, including 250 global media and enterprise customers. We think this is an exciting opportunity for these brands to take their existing video assets and create more engaging and actionable activities through our LinkTo technology,” says Russell Goldsmith, co-founder of how To TV.

Ooyala customers can add LinkTo hotspots to their work for £4.99 ($7.60) per video, using the LinkTo plug-in. LinkTo will soon add a monthly subscription model that allows a set amount of usage every month. The details for that service aren’t yet final.

“LinkTo.tv provides a great service, one we think will increase viewer engagement and grow revenue for our publishers,” says Alex Holub, senior product manager at Ooyala.

Animals Collectables global media, goldsmith co, online retailers, online shopping, online tool, subscription model

Selling unique merchandise has been a tradition in the Chan family for nearly 100 years. ?My folks started City of Hankow Tassel Company in 1915 in San Francisco?s Chinatown,? Chan said. ?The shop specialized in antiques, collectibles, knick-knacks…

Selling unique merchandise has been a tradition in the Chan family for nearly 100 years. ?My folks started City of Hankow Tassel Company in 1915 in San Francisco?s Chinatown,? Chan said. ?The shop specialized in antiques, collectibles, knick-knacks, and other interesting items. My father always encouraged me to open a lampshade business. He retired in 1982, and I opened this shop in the following year.?

Chan, with her daughter Debra, is Alameda?s foremost purveyor of lampshades. Additionally, the Chans deal with everything to do with lamps including repair, re-wiring and refurbishing.

?When we first opened we had nothing on the walls, only two tables and the showcase,? Chan said. ?Now it?s just filled all the way up to the ceiling.?

That?s no exaggeration. Today the front showcase window displays Chan?s collection of ceramic cows, started after September 11, 2001. inside, every available shelf and display case is packed with unique lamps of every size, shape and color. you also see some distinctive antiques and collectables.

There are elegant crystal chandeliers, marble stand lamps, table lamps, and desk lamps, all displayed from floor to ceiling. There are so many lamps, they overflow into the adjacent room. Some are new, while others are authentic antiques beautifully refurbished to meet today?s safety standards.

Business has been brisk at Carole L. Chan, Inc. these days.

?After the holidays, people are motivated to clean the house and redecorate for a fresh start to the year,? Chan said. ?It?s common in this historic community for someone to inherit a beautiful old lamp. they come in to update it. we re-wire it, make sure it?s working correctly, and of course add a beautiful new shade.?

According to Chan, ?The shade makes the lamp, just like clothes make the person.?

Carole L Chan, Inc. offers lampshades in a broad variety of sizes and shapes for almost every style of lamp. Smaller shades start around $17-$18, while some larger shades can range up to $200-$300. Fancier styles can run even higher. However, the right lampshade offers enduring style, and a high quality shade from Carole L. Chan will last for many years.

Chan enjoys working with customers to help them select just the right shade for their special lamps.

?Sometimes we go through 20 different styles or more,? Chan said. ?When I see them smile, that?s it.?

The shop is located at 1900 Encinal Ave.; it?s open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 865-6374.

Animals Collectables 100 years, september 11 2001

Matt Ogram/Argonaut
Thomas Tran, freshman, looks through the records sold at Paradise Ridge CDs and Tapes, located on Third Street. Those purchasing vinyl should inspect jackets for water damage and other wear and tear

Buying vinyl can be simple. Other times it can be a living hell. There is a lot more to buying vinyl than one would think. Unlike picking up a new CD or downloading an mp3, vinyl has deep roots set in specific shops. These shops vary from organized to a total mess it is all aboutupkeep.
There are a few shops in Moscow where wax junkies can pick up precious gems. Over the past two years, Hastings vinyl selection has grown from afew vinyl records to an entire section devoted to them. Those looking for classic records can go to the top floor of the Antique Mall. Aside from old Kiss records, shoppers can find vinyl from contemporary artistslike Death Cab for Cutie or hip-hop artist Nas.
Navigating through stacks of vinyl can be difficult if the shopper is specific in what they are looking for. However, once that special vinyl is found, the buyer will need to check a few things to make sure the record is worth the purchase price.

The vinyl jacket

This is the cover of the record, which is often made of cardboard. The first thing to look for is damage to the jacket water damage, in particular. Water can cause jackets to stick to each other and can ruin overall condition. If you are a collector, check for writing on the jacket. During its heyday, the record was not worth much, but if the shopper was looking for Nirvanas first 7 single Love Buzz, or a first-pressing Frank Zappa record, both hold intense value and they would not want value, degraded because Sally Sue tried to keep her records organized.

This is the bread and butter, and the thing that shoppers should pay most attention to. Vinyl can be damaged from a myriad of things such as heat, humidity and improper storage methods. Before buying a vinyl, take the record out of the jacket to check for scratches or other signs of damage. A record with a giant gouge down the middle will not play, and could damage a turntables needle if played.

Determining the condition

After inspecting the vinyl, comparing it to other vinyl conditions is a good idea. These conditions range from poor to very good, and in theory, perfect is an unopened record. Although the vinyl might be in perfect condition, the jacket and liner note could be in shambles, lowering the overall value of the record. Do not get duped into paying full price for a record if parts of it are damaged. Haggle over price until you and the owner or clerk finda fair price, based on the vinyls condition.

There is no good price for vinyl. Some record prices are outrageous to music lovers. And some may find a record worthless it depends on the collector. Some records are hard to come by, which means they will be higher priced. It is best to shop around before making the decision to purchase a rare vinyl.

Referencing a vinyl price guide can be useful when trying to determine a fair price, but remember these are average prices collected from all over the world. The small shops in town may not be asking as much as corporate store would, and vice versa.

Before making a final purchase there are things to investigate. Check to see if the store offers a return or buy-back policy for records. On rare occasion, the vinyl may have been pressed incorrectly, which means it will not play correctly. The shop may give a refund or issue store credit in this case.

Be sure to check with the clerk to see if new vinyl releases are coming out. That rare and expensive record might have a re-release coming out which would offset a sometimes ridiculous price tag. It is never bad to ask questions when it comes to spending money. Remember, the crate digger on good terms with a shop benefits when the clerk holds aside new releases or other vinyl for an active customer.

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Animals Collectables death cab for cutie, kiss records, vinyl selection

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[A photograph for media use is available at clarkson.edu/news/photos/lapcircle2009.jpg