Ask MetaFilter posts by thinkpiece

Boston Calling

thinkpiece — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:57:01 -0800

Help me map the college tour of Boston! I am taking my high-school senior daughter to see Emerson, Boston University, and Northeastern at the end of this week, driving from NYC-- our only confirmed obligations are BU on Friday and Emerson on Saturday. We're open to adding schools to the list if time and logistics permit.

Can you help us navigate around the Big Dig, find an inexpensive place to stay to reach all the schools ...
All advice welcomed!

Help Me Liven Up Financial Information Design

thinkpiece — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 10:55:25 -0800

Help me find a well-designed financial services site that is not stuffy! I'm looking to resolve the marketing challenge of communicating executive compensation account information and updates via a dedicated site and also email and epostcards in an innovative, un-stuffy way for a very senior group! Any un-boring financial services bells&whistles that you recommend, much appreciated.

For example I once saw a site that looked like a bunch of notebook pages and you could click and turn the page, or stick it in a old-school manila type file folder ... I would like to adapt that kind of jazzy presentation ...

Apologies if this is too tedious!!

Corporate Do-Gooder!

thinkpiece — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 07:13:29 -0800

How can I help my fellow employees get the most out of their benefits program via efficient, lively, multi-platform communications? I'm in a terrific new Communications job in the very progressive HR department of a global business information company. My initial mandate is to improve Benefits communications which are currently complex, and myriad.

I have a wide-open opportunity to shape how a large employee population accesses healthcare and financial planning information -- and acts on it to get the most they can from their benefits program -- from a company that really wants to do the right thing.

I'm interested in any and all ideas, from program gripes or praise to content to delivery, that would keep your eyes from glazing over everytime you heard from HR about Benefits! Creativity, technology and simplicity (or at least, pitch-ability for budget allocation) will be extremely appreciated.

My high school junior insists on leaving home someday ...

thinkpiece — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 08:49:47 -0800

Best undergraduate options for the business of music/music managment majors? My musically talented daughter -- guitar, songwriting, performing, with an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music from Elvis on -- is a junior in high school. She has excellent grades in every subject (although she gets an occasional B in the maths) and is starting the college search. She has expressed an interest in a music business major (meaning, I've insisted she have a back-up plan to "I wanna be a rock star").

I don't think she's hardcore enough for a conservatory environment, from what I've gleaned. I need to narrow the options as we plan visits. She'd like a medium sized campus within striking distance of a city.
We've got Austin, Oberlin, Berklee, Goucher and Ithaca on the short list. We're from NYC, so that can't be on the list (sob).

Any other ideas greatly appreciated!

Writing Here To Avoid Writing

thinkpiece — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 10:34:29 -0800

How can I unblock and get to work? I took on a freelance writing job that came to me from a friend/colleague with whom I've worked very successfully in the past. He pitched me to his team, we had some meetings, I got a retainer and ... was offered a different full-time, demanding job which I could not turn down. I thought I could bang out Freelance Job during my weeks before starting Real Job and now I'm stuck ... I'm supposed to be the expert, so when I submitted a first draft and my friend told me it was 'the wrong direction' I was shocked into being blocked (I've never come up against such a wholesale No on a project).

I'm over deadline, clueless as to how to jump start a new plan of attack, not-so-motivated anymore, and also, legitimately busy at my new gig. My friend is no expert (I'm supposed to be) and he is very busy and isn't sure what direction I should take anyway -- just thinks the one I've submitted is wrong. Of course, it would suck to have to return the retainer. Help.

gmail Switcher's Remorse!

thinkpiece — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 12:02:34 -0800

Help me like gmail. I switched three months ago, got new biz cards printed, blasted my address book and have been doggedly trying to like it, but I don't! I miss Entourage! I miss files! I can't sort as well! I can't find things quickly enough! It's so slow to load. Has anyone else fallen out of love with gmail and then found a way to reconcile? Or must I admit defeat, switch back, and update everyone again? I feel fickle.

Travel Terror Gauge!

thinkpiece — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 03:51:13 -0800

I have a 16 year old daughter traveling from Newark Airport to London Gatwick on Sunday ... -- her first trip alone -- to stay with family friends in Brighton for two weeks. Given this morning's news, should I let her go? How freaked out am I?

NaughtyFilter: My new fella and I are going to

thinkpiece — Wed, 09 Feb 2005 16:47:10 -0800

NaughtyFilter: My new fella and I are going to Paris for a week, staying in Montmartre. We'll do the usual touristy things by day, but I would love to surprise him by coming up with a more 'adult' nighttime tour of the city of lights. Nothing too hardcore, just some good clean dirty hetero couples fun. For example, I've heard Moulin Rouge is kind of cheesy. Any hipper alternatives? Shops, bookstores, clubs, all suggestions welcomed.

OK, head management question ... Kids away, new

thinkpiece — Sun, 26 Dec 2004 15:03:43 -0800

OK, head management question ... Kids away, new man, gift bottle of Absinthe from Parisian friends. Is it the 'right' nectar for a romantic evening? We are, um, experienced drinkers dying to try it ... on the other hand, we want to create the right, you know, buzz. Will this do it? How do we cook it?

CoffeeFilter: The best automatic maker, straight

thinkpiece — Tue, 07 Dec 2004 05:42:06 -0800

CoffeeFilter: The best automatic maker, straight up -- no double-teaming, grinding or frothing -- please?