Clipmarks | Npd Clips

Eight for Eight... Scary

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:03:11 GMT

clipped by: bmeuppls
clipper's remarks: Anytime you click off a perfect 8 for 8 on any psychological disorder checklist, you better hope someone calls for an intervention and gets you into counseling quick...

Clip Source: ace.new.mu.nu

Obama is showing most if not all of the symptoms of someone afflicted with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. He is the living embodiment of Gilderoy Lockhart, the only character in the Harry Potter series that was closely based on a real person that Rowling knew.

For example:

• Obsession with grandiosity
• Fantasies of ultimate power, ultimate goodness, or ultimate whatever
• Expecting to be treated as special or unique without having the qualifications or deeds to merit the treatment
• Taking credit for things he hasn't done
• Selective or distorted recollection of the past
• Arrogance and elitism
• Inability to respond to criticism with anything but rage
• Shallow charisma

If you've ever been around an NPD (and I was raised by one), you eventually come to the conclusion that the NPD just plain doesn't live on the same planet as the rest of us.

Tags: politics, obama

Amazon expanding digital music sales without eating at iTunes

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:59:33 GMT

clipped by: axgrndr

Clip Source: www.appleinsider.com

NPD, one of the leading market research firms, said in a report Tuesday that just 10 percent of Amazon MP3 customers surveyed in February indicated that they had previously purchased music through iTunes.

Much of Amazon's early success in digital music sales has come by way of customers who have never tried Apple Inc.'s iTunes Store, a sign of broader growth potential within the music download business.

"The fact that Amazon's early growth does not appear to be at the expense of Apple iTunes is a healthy indication that the digital music customer pool can expand into new consumer groups who have not yet joined the iTunes community," remarked analyst Russ Crupnick.

Though having launched just six months ago, Amazon MP3 recently leapfrogged Wal-mart to become the number two purveyor of a-la-carte music tracks downloads in the US, behind iTunes.

Tags: new media

What is Normal?

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 04:59:58 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: What a horrible affliction!

Clip Source: www.pendulum.org

What is Normal?

I can't answer your question but I can help you diagnose them...this is from DSM-XV, not yet released but I am working on it...I am almost done categorizing the main disorder. Okay here it is:

Diagnostic criteria for NPD: Normal Person Disorder

A chronic feeling of normalness.

A tendency to bore others easily.

A nagging sense of constantly meeting one's goal.

Lack of difficulty getting organized.

Inability to be humorous.

Knowing how to count without forgetting what number you are up to.

An inability to be creative and intuitive, no seat of pants to fly by.

Highly stimulated by lectures, speeches, dead cockroaches and other normals.

An unbroken remote control.

A To-Do list which gets done.

A chronic interest in each or any of the following for more than a week:

Job
Relationship
Schedule
Patience
Passing Grades
Sex
Normals

A methodical nature.

Affectionately known as "Bump on a log" or "Nytol Substitute"

Tags: normal, person, disorder, npd

Microsoft to launch new web browser

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:41:22 GMT

clipped by: Newfman

Clip Source: www.ctv.ca

Microsoft Corp. gave early testers their first glimpse of its next-generation Web browser Wednesday, and said Internet Explorer 8 will adhere to the same standards as competitors' programs.

Microsoft's browsers, including the current Internet Explorer 7, gained notoriety among Web developers for handling Web page code differently than Mozilla Corp.'s Firefox, Apple Inc.'s Safari, the now-defunct Netscape Navigator and others.

Microsoft said the new version of the browser, when complete, will support industry-standard versions of the code that tells browsers what Web pages should look like, including CSS 2.1, by default.

"That's a big deal," said Chris Swenson, a software industry analyst for the NPD Group.

While most Web surfers might not feel a huge impact, Swenson said it will bring "a sigh of relief" for developers, who will spend a lot less time tweaking Web pages to work with different browsers.

Soda Growing as Breakfast Drink

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:33:46 GMT

clipped by: debbyski
clipper's remarks: Guilty as charged.

Clip Source: seattletimes.nwsource.com

CHICAGO — It's not unusual for Dee McKinsey to have three cans of Coke before she leaves the house each morning for her job as the regional director of boards and volunteerism at the American Cancer Society in Chicago.

"There is nothing better than the feel of Coke on the back of your throat in the morning," said McKinsey, a morning pop drinker since the 1970s, savoring the cold, stinging sensation that coffee drinkers just don't get.

But these days, more people are enjoying that chilled morning jolt as they increasingly turn to soft drinks instead of coffee.

Consumption of soft drinks at breakfast eaten outside the home has nearly doubled in the past 15 years, while coffee consumption with breakfast outside the home has fallen nearly 25 percent, according to data compiled by New-York based consumer-research firm NPD Group.

A typical soft drink contains about 35 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce serving, while a similar size cup of coffee has an average of 75 milligrams.

"I find that first Diet Coke in the morning is so refreshing," he said in an e-mail, noting he has never worked for a soft-drink company. "I sometimes drink caffeine-free and still get the same feeling."

Tags: breakfast, of, champions

The Wii whips the competition

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:45:28 GMT

clipped by: ericskiff
clipper's remarks: From the moment I heard Shigeru Miyamoto describe the concept behind the Wii (then codenamed Revolution) I knew they'd have a hit on their hands if they got it right.

I got mine last Christmas, and they're still selling so fast Nintendo can't keep them on shelves - it's an amazing system, and they're redefining the whole market by creating a new class of "casual gamers". My parents, in-laws, and even my grandmother have played and love the Wii.

Clip Source: www.forbes.com

Nintendo's taking on the big boys with its new Wii consoles.

On Friday, the NPD Group, a research firm, released its November sales report for game consoles. At the top of the pack was Nintendo (other-otc: NTDOY.PK - news - people ), with 981,000 Wii consoles sold. Behind Nintendo, was the Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) XBox 360, with 770,000 consoles sold, and the Sony (nyse: SNE - news - people ) Playstation 3, with 460,000 units sold, less-than half of Nintendo's figure. (See: "Nintendo Back On Top Thanks To Wii." )

While Wii may not match the video graphics offered with the XBox or Playstation, it promises users a more unique and physically interactive experience.

Six Million Cannot Be Right

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:24:56 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken

Clip Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Udo Voigt, neo-Nazi, questions Auschwitz toll

The leader of a far-Right party in Germany was facing a parliamentary inquiry last night after he questioned the number of Jews who died at the hands of the Nazis.

Udo Voigt, the head of the neo-Nazi National Democratic Party (NPD), also demanded the return of land lost after the Second World War.

"Six million cannot be right. At most, 340,000 people could have died in Auschwitz," he said in an interview with Iranian journalists.

"The Jews always say: 'Even if one Jew died that is a crime.' But of course it makes a difference whether one has to pay for six million people or for 340,000."

Conservative estimates put the number of dead at the camp at more than a million people.

The comments will fuel a debate among German politicians about the funding of extremist parties with public money.

The German constitution stipulates that all parties are to be treated equally.

the federal government has tried to ban

NDP

which

holds seats in regional parliaments

Tags: nazism, extremism, judaism, holocaust, denial, free speech, germany, iran

Microsoft 'may need to rethink' Zune.

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 21:47:56 GMT

clipped by: BitDrifter

Clip Source: www.marketwatch.com

The mixed early reception for its Zune music player means Microsoft will have to make early tweaks if it is to stand any chance of rattling Apple's dominance of the digital music business, according to analysts.

That should mean announcements early in the New Year of new versions of the player and more wireless facilities, they said.

Initial sales in US stores put the Zune second to the iPod. The player accounted for 9 per cent of MP3 players sold in its first week, according to NPD, a market research group, compared to Apple's 63 per cent.

But there have been signs that early interest in the Zune has faded fast. On Amazon.com's listing of most popular electronic products, considered one measure of broader demand, Zune on Friday morning stood at number 62. That was well below rival MP3 players from SanDisk and Creative.

The launch has also been beset by problems with the machines – from limitations on sharing music with other Zune owners wirelessly, to the incompatibility with other online music systems.

"Somewhere around version three, they [always] get it right," said Mr McGuire at Gartner. "But I'm not sure they have that sort of time," given the speed of iPod product development. Analysts said Microsoft should use the Consumer Electronics Show, in early January, to announce new wireless capabilities for the Zune, and launch a whole new version of the player by the spring.

Tags: microsoft, business, zune, ipod, mp3, music, competition, technology

Apple rival 'tries to ban iPods'

Wed, 17 May 2006 01:23:06 GMT

clipped by: bookchick49

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Last Updated: Tuesday, 16 May 2006, 09:46 GMT 10:46 UK

Apple rival 'tries to ban iPods'

Creative has been struggling to keep up with market leader Apple

Digital music player maker Creative Technology has asked a US court to ban Apple from selling or marketing its iconic iPods in the US.

Creative claims that the navigational menu used for finding and playing music on the iPod, violates its patent for its own Zen MP3 player.

It applied for the patent in 2001 which was granted in August 2005.

Since then it has been threatening legal action. The complaint was lodged at the San Francisco district court.

Through the court it is seeking an injunction and increased damages for what it says is a "wilful infringement of the Zen patent".

Creative said it had also filed a complaint to the US International Trade Commission, asking it to investigate whether Apple had breached import laws by selling iPods and the iPod Nano.

It claimed it had met with Apple CEO Steve Jobs and other representatives in 2001 to discuss ways the two companies to work together but had rejected Apple's proposals.

Nobody from Apple would comment on the legal action.

Creative has struggled against the market dominance of the iPod and earlier this month plunged into the red.

It blamed its $114m (£62m) losses for the three months to March on the plunge in MP3 player prices and its need to get rid of stock.

But it pledged to return to profit in the second half of 2006, saying it was renewing its focus on high-margin products, such as computer sound cards.

Apple launched the iPod in 2001 and now has 72% of the US portable MP3 player market while Creative has less than 10%, according to research group NPD.

Tags: technology, apple, ipod, legal, digital music players, creative technology, digital music

Music Video Games Account for 32% of Industry Growth in '08

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:07:49 GMT

clipped by: tedroberson
clipper's remarks: It seems that everyone dreams of the fame and fortune of being a rock star. Even as a young boy and adult I use to take guitar and even trumpet lessons looking to embrace those dreams of being on the road, carefree and playing to thousands of fans.

As I got into video games I acted out the dreams of being a hero in games like metroid,starfox,legend of zelda just to name a few. Then all of a sudden comes guitar hero and rock band. These games have become so popular you would think that it was the beatles first trip to the United States playing on the Ed Sullivan show.

Every major department store that you go into these days you will see a video game display with 3 or 4 kids playing with a virtual guitar throwing down on the many different standard rock songs that these games have to offer. Who knew that being a rock star in your own living room would become so popular.

Clip Source: www.gamedaily.com

We all know that Guitar Hero and Rock Band are huge, and now other game companies are joining the music act, such as Disney with Ultimate Band, Nintendo with Wii Music, and Konami with Rock Revolution.

Just how important is this growing sector of the industry? According to UBS analyst Ben Schachter, music games have been a "key driver" this year, with "sales of music-themed games responsible for 19% of overall industry software dollars in July (15% YTD) and 44% of y/y industry dollar growth during the month (32% of growth YTD)."

Total dollar sales in the U.S. games industry hit $9.47 billion through July, according to the latest NPD data. That's 35 percent ahead of 2007 at this point, and Guitar Hero and Rock Band have no doubt

Tags: music video games, guitar hero, rock band

Next-gen console mania, PS2 still rules

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 15:24:40 GMT

clipped by: silentsignals

Clip Source: arstechnica.com

This month all (geek) eyes are on the videogame industry. With two next-generation systems launching in a matter of days and dozens of high-quality games scheduled for release across the board, it's going to be a big month for console manufacturers and game developers. While heated debates rage over just who will take the next-gen crown—Microsoft, Nintendo, or Sony—there's a war already waging between systems that are sold today. In June we took a close look at estimated console sales numbers and found that the PlayStation 2 was still dominating. How do things look today, on the even of next-gen mania?

According to data from the NPD Group, Sony stills rules at retail with the PS2, which year-to-date as has sold 2.6 million units in the US alone. A huge gaming library coupled with low-cost hardware and the success of PS2-only games like Guitar Hero have kept Sony's current-generation sales numbers incredibly strong. Now over six years old, the aging console with seemingly ancient graphical capabilities (hey, six years is a long time) is selling better than the shiny new stuff. Consider Microsoft's Xbox 360. The console has now been out for almost a year, and yet it is still struggling to beat grandpa PS2 at retail, selling 2.28 million units through October of this year. That's a difference of over 300,000 units, or more than a single month's average Xbox 360 sales.

Tags: playstation, video games, ps2, ps3, xbox, xbox 360, gears of war, nintendo, wii, guitar hero

Top 25 Survey Websites

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 17:32:27 GMT

clipped by: juju_intune

Clip Source: www.surveyclub.com

1. NPD Research		US only

2. Zoom Panel		US only

3. Send Earnings		US Only

4. Quality Health Survey		US only

5. i-Say		US & Canada



6. Top Brand Surveys		US only

7. Lightspeed Research		US & Canada

8. Opinion Outpost		US & Canada

9. Survey Spot		US & Canada

10. The Net Panel		US only



11. Your Health Survey		US & Canada

12. Your Two Cents		US & Canada

13. Global Survey Group		US only

14. Opinion Surveys		US only

15. Greenfield		US & Canada



16. ECN Research		US only

17. Datatelligence US		US

18. It's Your Opinion		US only

19. Survey Savvy		US & Canada

20. Opinions Direct		US Only



21. NOP World		US & Canada

22. Jewelry Consumer Opinion		US & Canada

23. Global Test Market		US & Canada

24. ACOP		US & Canada

25. e-Poll		US Only

Tags: top, 25, survey, websites

Nintendo Spanks the Competition in Feb.

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:48:44 GMT

clipped by: rccgd
clipper's remarks: It's official! I'm getting a Wii. (As soon as I get hold of one.) Also, if I'm reading this correctly, the original Playstation and Playstation 2 both surpass the new, improved PS3. Wow!

I'll leave it at that though. No sense in further stating the obvious and getting everybody all excited now

Clip Source: www.4colorrebellion.com

Nintendo Spanks the Competition in Feb.

NPD sales data for February has been released, and to put it simply, Nintendo gave the competition a good old-fashioned spanking. Not only did Wii sell nearly three times more than Sony’s PS3, putting to rest once and for all rumors of purposely witheld supply, DS topped them all with nearly half a million units. Full sales figures and official press release after the break.

DS - 485,000
Wii - 335,000
PS2 - 295,000
360 - 228,000
PSP - 176,000
GBA - 136,000
PS3 - 127,000
GCN - 24,000
Xbox - 480

The strength of Wii and Nintendo DS was also apparent in monthly software
sales where three of the top four best-selling games for the month (Wii
Play(TM) and The Legend of Zelda(R): Twilight Princess for Wii, and Diddy
Kong(R) Racing DS for Nintendo DS) play exclusively on Nintendo systems. In
addition, so far this year 10 of the top 20 best-selling games are exclusive
for Nintendo hardware.

Tags: nintendo, wii, competition, consoles, gaming, ps3, xbox 360

THE TOP 100 PC GAMES OF THE 21ST CENTURY (11)

Sun, 17 Sep 2006 12:00:49 GMT

clipped by: zj_yao

Clip Source: www.next-gen.biz

Here are some notes on how this list works.

Stats, ordering and research: thanks to game publishers, retail analysis sources and NPD data.
Games are ranked by units sold; then by revenue generated. This tends to favor games released earlier, rather than later, and games which have spent a long time at a lower price point have also done well, but we wanted to reward longevity and popularity across all audiences, not just hardcore.
In the event of a tie, games are then ranked by 'most recently released' and then by Gameranking average review scores. Special thanks to Gamerankings, just for being an exceptionally well produced resource.
Games are ranked according to the highest selling SKU only. Otherwise the list would be full of sports iterations and big brand spin-offs and sequels. In the case of a single intellectual property being used in multiple genres of game, however, each genre’s top SKU will be represented – we want to reward taking risks with IP.
Compendiums of disparate older PC games and shoveled shareware are not included in the list either, as we feel their success does not reflect any interesting or useful market data.
21st century precursors or sequels are included under the 'franchise sales' but do not affect overall placing.
This list is for the U.S market only.
This list only features games released since January 2000 for Windows PCs.
Other Franchise Hits qualify if they use the same IP or character in broadly the same genre, and if they managed respectable sales of (roughly speaking) above 100,000 units./li>
Franchise sales include sales of top selling sequels and predecessors.
Revenues from subcriptions are not taken into account.

Tags: games

Mr. Trump has selling power when it comes to men

Thu, 18 May 2006 02:03:29 GMT

clipped by: dfiskey
clipper's remarks: I'm surprised that he ranks as high as he does.. the other people on the list make more sense to me.

Clip Source: www.nypost.com

May 17, 2006 -- DONALD Trump may rank No. 4 on a new list of the world’s most effective pitchmen when it comes to selling to men - but buyer beware. While men’s fashion bible DNR gushes over Trump as “a one-man branding bonanza,” it turns out his shilling skills are a double-edged sword. “Of the men who remember a Donald Trump ad, just as many thought he endorsed American Express as Visa - the company that actually hired him,” said Marshall Cohen of the NPD Group, a consumer-info researcher. George Foreman tops the list, followed by Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong. Coming in after Trump are former fatty and Jenny Craig mouthpiece Kirstie Alley and exjailbird and domestic diva Martha Stewart. But while Stewart is remembered in her spots, she’s also perceived as doing way too many, DNR says. The other gal to rate is Catherine Zeta-Jones, who in 10th place “apparently spends more time filming T-Mobile commercials than feature films.” Just above her is rapper-pornographer-dope smoker Snoop Dogg, who’s a smash hit with his Chrysler spots with Lee Iacocca.

Tags: trump, sales