This summer's coming to a close, but that doesn't mean we're all tears at Stratus Interactive! It was a busy week, with website launches galore, and a new round of interns making their first appearance (we think they're going to like it here). But today's Friday, which means we're rounding up another week—a week rich with social commentary and innovative tech. Let's dive in:

Google Authorship

Google's slow takeover of the world continues as its Author Rank makes some serious strides. While Author Ranking has ben in effect since earlier this year, more and more writers, bloggers, and internet critics are tagging their posts, that way Google will rank them by author, not just article by article. But why? The higher your author rank, the higher your articles will appear in search results. And if you're a writer, that's enough incentive, by itself: http://www.copyblogger.com/is-author-rank-here/

Then and Now NYC

If your block could talk, what would it say? A near series by Mar A. Hermann is aimed at meshing old archival photographs with new digital pictures taken in the same spot to tell a story that most passerby's would never expect. There are some truly incredible shots in here, well worth the click.

Free Beer for Nothing

In today's world of hyper-productivity, at the advent of instant, sometimes we forget how much effort it can take to do nothing. Literally nothing. So, when asked to do nothing for three minutes for a free beer, how well would you be able to follow instructions? (Spoiler Alert: Texting Someone is not nothing!)

Free + Kiosk = ?

Are free samples the only reason you head to your local grocer these days? Than this new vending machine, dubbed Freeosk, is your kind of vender. By scanning your customer card, the service provides you with a free sample, and reports back if you liked it, and whether or not you purchased it at checkout. The benefit? We're not exactly sure how that old woman selling mini-hotdogs is tracking what you liked, and what you purchased after… what's that? She isn't tracking at all? Well, color us surprised…

I Have A Dream

On the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech, Google altered it's homepage logo (as they do quite often) to celebrate the late Dr. King's momentous speech. And in case you weren't there at the time, Mashable has a full recorded video after the jump: http://mashable.com/2013/08/28/google-doodle-i-have-a-dream/

CPR Lifesaver?

I've always been confident in my ability to act under pressure, especially if I were in a situation that required me to keep my cool, like a CPR emergency. Then, I found Life Saver, an interactive website that tests your responsiveness under pressure using scripted video scenarios. With different situations to test your skillet, you may be pleasantly surprised by how well you do (or feverishly searching for your next certification class).

Resourceful Writing

Writers block? Stuck thinking about what to post next? Check out Copyblogger's article, "Write Your Way to the Top." With writing tips to help spice up your blogs or landing pages, the article provides resources, books, and more to help jumpstart your writing process. And if nothing else, you'll be a stronger writer regardless. (We'd recommend subscribing to their blog for all kinds of helpful articles). 

 

That's all we have for this week. If you think we missed something, let us know in the comments! And check back next Friday for our latest Weekly Roundup.