Guillermo Del Toro Leaves 'The Hobbit'
Guillermo Del Toro Leaves 'The Hobbit': "
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In statements released to The OneRing on Sunday both Del Toro and Peter Jackson explained what happened. Here is Del Toro in his own words: “In light of ongoing delays in the setting of a start date for filming 'The Hobbit,' I am faced with the hardest decision of my life. After nearly two years of living, breathing and designing a world as rich as Tolkien’s Middle Earth, I must, with great regret, take leave from helming these wonderful pictures. I remain grateful to Peter, Fran and Philippa Boyens, New Line and Warner Brothers and to all my crew in New Zealand. I’ve been privileged to work in one of the greatest countries on earth with some of the best people ever in our craft and my life will be forever changed. The blessings have been plenty, but the mounting pressures of conflicting schedules have overwhelmed the time slot originally allocated for the project. Both as a co-writer and as a director, I wlsh the production nothing but the very best of luck and I will be first in line to see the finished product. I remain an ally to it and its makers, present and future, and fully support a smooth transition to a new director.'
Peter Jackson weighed in, “We feel very sad to see Guillermo leave the Hobbit, but he has kept us fully in the loop and we understand how the protracted development time on these two films, due to reasons beyond anyone’s control – has compromised his commitment to other long term projects. The bottom line is that Guillermo just didn’t feel he could commit six years to living in New Zealand, exclusively making these films, when his original commitment was for three years. Guillermo is one of the most remarkable creative spirits I’ve ever encountered and it has been a complete joy working with him. Guillermo’s strong vision is engrained into the scripts and designs of these two films, which are extremely fortunate to be blessed with his creative DNA.'
“Guillermo is co-writing the Hobbit screenplays with Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh and myself, and happily our writing partnership will continue for several more months, until the scripts are fine tuned and polished. New Line and Warner Bros will sit down with us this week, to ensure a smooth and uneventful transition, as we secure a new director for the Hobbit. We do not anticipate any delay or disruption to ongoing pre-production work.'
There you have it. Stunning news this weekend and another huge blow to 'The Hobbit' films. Will Jackson step in for Del Toro? Which of Del Toro's MANY projects now moves into position for him? Let the conjecture begin.
Are you worried about the future of 'The Hobbit'? Who should step in and direct?
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Wayward Sons Webcomic Coming in June
Webcomic makes its worldwide, premiers June 1, 2010 FREE at http://www.WaywardSons.net/
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Crackdown 2: Videos - Crackdown 2 The Pacific Archives Episode 2 Evil Se...
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"Clone Wars" Season 2 Gets October DVD Date
"Clone Wars" Season 2 Gets October DVD Date: "
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Warner Home Video and LucasFilm will release Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season Two to DVD and Blu-ray on October 26, the companies announced...[read more]
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James McAvoy Playing Professor X in X-Men: First Class!
James McAvoy Playing Professor X in X-Men: First Class!: "The first role in 'X-Men: First Class' has been cast!"
M.I.A. - Born Free
Thank Goodness that in the slews of Britney's, and Lil' whoever's there is someone that still thinks outside the box and puts together something compelling - visual and audio.
M.I.A reminds me of Nena Cherry from my youth - but is definitely something of their own.
Check this vid for "Born Free" but be warned - my not be everyone's cup of tea.
Halo: Reach Launches 09.14.2010!
Halo: Reach Launches 09.14.2010!: "You picked a hell of a day to join up."
Set your watches Halo brothers & sisters - we now know when our lives must again stop.
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Set your watches Halo brothers & sisters - we now know when our lives must again stop.
Please "Like" Us - In upper left Corner
Daily Outfit: Suger Cravings
So today I felt like colour, and colour it became. Inspiration came from Alice Deco and my cravings for colour. And I got to use my Ranka Lee-dress.
New Gears of War 3 Leaked Screenshots Swarm the Net
New Gears of War 3 Leaked Screenshots Swarm the Net: "We got a nice debut trailer for the final chapter in the Gears of War trilogy back in April and first batch of info and some images in the following weeks. As we patiently await Microsoft’s E3 2010 conference on June 14, where the first gameplay demonstration will most likely be given, a horde (no [...]
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Red Lanterns on Fringe
Red Lanterns on Fringe: "Geoff Johns talks about the alternate comics they produced for last night's episode of Fringe."
Ahead of ‘Lost’ Finale, Fans Shut Off Virtual Hints
Ahead of ‘Lost’ Finale, Fans Shut Off Virtual Hints: "For the finale, ABC is taking steps to keep online chatter from ruining the suspense across the time zones.
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Convention and cosplaygroup
This summer there is two big convention aimed for anime/manga/cosplay in Sweden. Now I just have to chose which I'll be attending. Because as it looks now I can only afford one.
- Cheap.
- In July, when it looks as I can.
- Said to be more like a small convention, cosy.
- More expensive.
- In August, the days before I begin school. Could be a trouble.
- Made by cosplayers for cosplayers. Lots of cosplay.
- In the middle of Stockholm. The big city.
Oh, the more I think about it, the more confused I get. I really want to go to Meuw, as it is aimed for cosplayers and it looks really fun. But at the same time NärCon has always been one of the conventions that I wanted to go to. I guess I talk with my cosplaygroup and ask what they think.
Yeah, I don't think I have told you. But me and my friends started our own cosplaygroup: Pinku no Shoulasu. Or just pink shoelaces. Not that anything changed as we still do all our own cosplays of the character we like, but now we got ourself a name. And I have appointed myself as Master of Pattern. I guess we will all have our titles as time goes by.
Now I have to make patterns for my group and sew a dress for my mum, so for now. Bye!
Why Do Fanboys Turn Into Bigots When It Comes to CBM's?
Why Do Fanboys Turn Into Bigots When It Comes to CBM's?: "Last Tuesday, I posted a fan cast for Sgt. Fury & the Howling Commandos. In that cast I suggested that one of them, Isadore, be cast as a woman. Of course, like suggesting anything different within the comic book community, the response was pretty negative."
Television: The Men Who Made ABC’s ‘Lost’ Last
Television: The Men Who Made ABC’s ‘Lost’ Last: "Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, show runners for “Lost,” talk about how they kept the series going for six seasons and what it meant.
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NYC Death Tour - New York Post
NYC Death Tour - New York Post: "
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 | Dead Apple Tours offers tourists a unique ride around town in a hearse to sites where famous people have died. video.nypost.com The Post Got It Covered Red Carpet: www.youtube.com Post Movie Reviews: www.youtube.com News: www.youtube.com Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: www.facebook.com | Views: 113  1 ratings |
| Time: 01:44 | More in People & Blogs |
Review: Charissa-KIDS @ ebay.com
I ordered two wigs from Charissa-KIDS this time and was happily surprised.
First out is the blue wig I ordered so I could style it to Ame-Warashi. It was originally styled for Vocaloid's Miku Hatsune.
The wig is one short base wig and the ponytails are sewn on two big clips that safety sit attach. The base wig also had a long bang so that you could cut it in your own length, as I did for Ame-Warashi.
The colour looks more like in the store's photo as mine are taken with lighting. The quality of the wig was so fine. It is made of Japanese kanekalon fibres and is really thick, many fibres. The clips most have a least at much fibres as the base wig as they were very thick and heavy, even thou you don't feel it when you wear the wig.
The other wig I purchased was a wig styled as Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura and Tsubasa RC.
This wig is my way of celebrate myself for 4 year as cosplayer.
But to the wig. It is made of heat resistant fibre and can sustain temperatures up 180-200 degrees Celsius. It is also comfortable to wear and the styling of the wig holds if you turn the wig outside in. The fibres are also fine and easy to cut, as this wig also came with an extra long bang.
Overall: I am really happy with the seller, even thou they didn't say that they had shipped it, ending with me thinking that I wouldn't make the cosplay until the convention. But the shipping was fast and cheap.
The wigs came with hairnet, which I love and are so much more comfortable than nylon knee socks. I also got a wig comb since I purchase two wigs. The wigs were also the most comfortable wigs I have ever worn as they are bigger than the others I have.
If you have any questions feel free to ask. :D
First out is the blue wig I ordered so I could style it to Ame-Warashi. It was originally styled for Vocaloid's Miku Hatsune.
The wig is one short base wig and the ponytails are sewn on two big clips that safety sit attach. The base wig also had a long bang so that you could cut it in your own length, as I did for Ame-Warashi.
The colour looks more like in the store's photo as mine are taken with lighting. The quality of the wig was so fine. It is made of Japanese kanekalon fibres and is really thick, many fibres. The clips most have a least at much fibres as the base wig as they were very thick and heavy, even thou you don't feel it when you wear the wig.
The other wig I purchased was a wig styled as Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura and Tsubasa RC.
This wig is my way of celebrate myself for 4 year as cosplayer.
But to the wig. It is made of heat resistant fibre and can sustain temperatures up 180-200 degrees Celsius. It is also comfortable to wear and the styling of the wig holds if you turn the wig outside in. The fibres are also fine and easy to cut, as this wig also came with an extra long bang.
Overall: I am really happy with the seller, even thou they didn't say that they had shipped it, ending with me thinking that I wouldn't make the cosplay until the convention. But the shipping was fast and cheap.
The wigs came with hairnet, which I love and are so much more comfortable than nylon knee socks. I also got a wig comb since I purchase two wigs. The wigs were also the most comfortable wigs I have ever worn as they are bigger than the others I have.
If you have any questions feel free to ask. :D
Even More From Chris Hemsworth on Thor!
Even More From Chris Hemsworth on Thor!: "In this video interview from About.com, Chris Hemsworth shares more on the task of playing Thor, the costume, living up to the hype, and being set. Check it Out!"
Shrek Forever After: Featurette - Shrek
Shrek Forever After: Featurette - Shrek: "Featurette for Shrek Forever After which takes a behind the scenes look at Shrek (Mike Myers)."
Shrek Forever After: Featurette - Shrek http://ping.fm/v22Qg
The Last Airbender - Behind the Scenes Video http://ping.fm/5QYgv
Shia LaBeouf Admits What Fans Knew, Transformers 2 Sucked http://ping.fm/95fvn
KodachiCon 10
So this weekend I went to KodachiCon in lovely Lund. Old towns are always nice, to bad I didn't get to see much of it as I had to much fun at the convention. That is also the reason I forgot to update the blog and twitter since I forgot it.
But what happened then. Me and CarpeDentum got ourself in the hands of some of my friends and we arrived just in time for the introduction to end. We checked what was going on and checked the times that we had to hold.
At some time it was piñata-time. This years piñata was Miku Hatsune. It was really fun to watch and I'm glad I was not one of them who jumped at the floor when she broke. She was full of candy and chocolate was I told. I took the time to play some video games in the other corner.
Of cause there was merchandise. Here is our own maid, Luchida from Mermaid Melody? and Lavi from D.Gray-Man. :D
DcastEye in your very own person. I got to cosplay Ame-Warashi and the wig did not get destroyed when I was styling it. Unfortunately this is the best photo I have at my cosplay so far, but I still like the fact that I almost didn't smile in this photo. It's damn hard for me not to smile a whole convention. Photo by CarpeDentum using my camera.
This was our sleepingspace. I was so tired when I went to sleep that I didn't even feel the hard floor, and got up early cause it was so warm and light in the room at the morning. Even thou that I slept really good.
Whenever we had the time over we played Benrangel, Fotleken or the Foot Game in English. More of it is in the video. :D
This is some of the film I shoot at the convention. I've got much more, but this is some of the best things.
This is the skit that me and my friends took part of. It was decided the night before the con that I was going be in it and I'm happy that I could be in it. It was so much fun, and I admit that I can be an attention whore.
I am already planing the cosplay for next KodachiKun this fall and hope that I will be able to be there. :D
But what happened then. Me and CarpeDentum got ourself in the hands of some of my friends and we arrived just in time for the introduction to end. We checked what was going on and checked the times that we had to hold.
At some time it was piñata-time. This years piñata was Miku Hatsune. It was really fun to watch and I'm glad I was not one of them who jumped at the floor when she broke. She was full of candy and chocolate was I told. I took the time to play some video games in the other corner.
Of cause there was merchandise. Here is our own maid, Luchida from Mermaid Melody? and Lavi from D.Gray-Man. :D
DcastEye in your very own person. I got to cosplay Ame-Warashi and the wig did not get destroyed when I was styling it. Unfortunately this is the best photo I have at my cosplay so far, but I still like the fact that I almost didn't smile in this photo. It's damn hard for me not to smile a whole convention. Photo by CarpeDentum using my camera.
This was our sleepingspace. I was so tired when I went to sleep that I didn't even feel the hard floor, and got up early cause it was so warm and light in the room at the morning. Even thou that I slept really good.
Whenever we had the time over we played Benrangel, Fotleken or the Foot Game in English. More of it is in the video. :DThis is some of the film I shoot at the convention. I've got much more, but this is some of the best things.
This is the skit that me and my friends took part of. It was decided the night before the con that I was going be in it and I'm happy that I could be in it. It was so much fun, and I admit that I can be an attention whore.
I am already planing the cosplay for next KodachiKun this fall and hope that I will be able to be there. :D
Suspicious Car Prompts Clearing of Union Square http://ping.fm/KrHU1
BLOG: Top 5 Martial Arts Fights of Animation
BLOG: Top 5 Martial Arts Fights of Animation: "
Hit with emotional content! Below, we've selected our picks for the Top 5 Animated Martial Arts Fights. Our main standard for judgment was that these fights had...[read more]
Gears of War 3 Details Emerge
Gears of War 3 Details Emerge: "Gears of War 3 (X360)
New weapons, modes, and multiplayer features are revealed.
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New weapons, modes, and multiplayer features are revealed.
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The Goon is 'probably' Fincher's next project http://ping.fm/wScDM
Entourage Producers Developing New Series for the Ladies http://ping.fm/cEFqi
New Namor Series Starts in August http://ping.fm/Qapmb
2010 NBA Playoffs: Boston Celtics treating Game 6 versus Cleveland Cavaliers as if it's Game 7 http://ping.fm/npdSe
LT didn't have sex with me, teen hooker told friend: source http://ping.fm/sOPsJ
Killer in China Attacks Knew Victims http://ping.fm/oMN2S
F.B.I. Searches Near Boston in Times Sq. Bomb Investigation http://ping.fm/Wu6Rt
Son of 'Different Strokes' star commits suicide 11 years after mom ODed http://ping.fm/c5OMw
F.B.I. Conducts Raids in Times Square Bomb Case and Takes 2 People Into Custody http://ping.fm/8Olfd
ActionFigComix: Welcome Subscribers - respond to this w/ a follow on my site & the favor will be returned on any of your current projects lets exchng links http://ping.fm/0GRS5
Ed Johnson Presents Welcomes Subscribers
To all comers - respond to this with a follow and the favor will be returned on any an all of your current projects!
If you'd like we could exchange links or showcase something in particular
For further contact info
Ed Johnson
347-276-6982
theedj1@gmail.com
Thanks in advance
If you'd like we could exchange links or showcase something in particular
For further contact info
Ed Johnson
347-276-6982
theedj1@gmail.com
Thanks in advance
Inside ILM's FX at Skywalker Ranch
Inside ILM's FX at Skywalker Ranch
Subscribe http://edjohnsonpresents.blogspot.com
http://starwarscc.blogspot.com
Subscribe http://edjohnsonpresents.blogspot.com
http://starwarscc.blogspot.com
5 Pop Culture Classics Created Out of Laziness http://ping.fm/WFp67
Priscilla Milan Penthouse Babe of the Day http://ping.fm/amCPW
Today's big issue: Virginity auction http://ping.fm/iZB0i
Official Trailer for JJ Abrams Super 8 http://ping.fm/OJ7av
Spartacus Prequel to Start Shooting this Summer http://ping.fm/Ksk2E
Xbox 360 | Breaking in the digital horses of Red Dead Redemption
Xbox 360 | Breaking in the digital horses of Red Dead Redemption: "
'Xbox 360 | Breaking in the digital horses of Red Dead Redemption' was posted by Staff on Mon, 10 May 2010 18:37:08 -0700
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Rockstar San Diego’s art department director Josh Bass talks about the creation of your main mode of transportation in the upcoming Western-themed game.
The world of former outlaw John Marston in Rockstar's upcoming Red Dead Redemption is a large one, covering diverse landscapes such as open deserts, dusty savannahs, sweeping hills, bustling towns, remote settlements, and much more. With the game set at the turn of the 20th century, automobiles are but unique curiosities, meaning the trusty horse will be your main method of traversing the game world. And according to Rockstar San Diego, as much thought went into creating the game's various steeds as it did into its human protagonists. We chatted to art department director Josh Bass about the importance of horses to Red Dead Redemption, the adventures of motion capturing, as well as what technology had to be created to make these animals look and act as realistically as possible.
GameSpot AU: Obviously the horse is your main mode of transport in the game. But how important are they to the overall gameplay experience?
Josh Bass: No portrayal of the American West is complete without horses and the people that rode them--it’s integral to the whole experience, but something we were nervous about when we began work on the game as it has never been done that well before. In addition to being the primary mode of transport, horses also remain one of the most iconic wild animals of the Western plains. It became crucial to depict their appearance and movement as close to perfect as we could possibly manage.
Getting the horses to the level of realism we needed required a combination of research, heavily detailed motion capture, Rockstar’s own RAGE engine, Natural Motion’s Euphoria technology, and some highly advanced facial animation technology that we had previously only used on human characters. We think the horses of Red Dead Redemption are the most realistic, believable and beautiful horses ever seen in a video game, as well as being a lot of fun to ride.
GS AU: How did you decide which specific type of horse breed to include?
JB: We tried to include a range of horses that captured the spirit of the West, and that would also be recognizably different if you stumbled across them in the wild. In terms of modelling the horses in-game, our research team decided that the ideal horse to base our horses on was the Mustang, a feral horse that was historically connected to the old West. The anatomy of the Mustang also gave us a good template to work from. We needed the horse’s dimensions and scale to appear realistic and visually appropriate to the rest of the game.
Next, we had to create a variety of horse breeds, with different coats and structure. We selected the Buckskin, Palomino, and Pinto, but also more iconic breeds like Friesian and Appaloosa. To diversify each horse, very specific markings were also chosen--along with coat color, mane and tail-- to create variety. We even concentrated on structure: crafting everything from diseased, malnourished horses with low stamina, to beautiful and muscular black stallions with greater endurance.
Even the most minor details like each separate element of the horse’s tack including the bridle, saddle, harness, and stirrups were researched and implemented. Look closely at the horses in the game, and you will notice that wild horses don’t have horseshoes, while the domesticated horses do. If you decide to lasso a wild horse and tame it, you will break and mount it bareback using only a bridle made from the player’s lasso.
There are also donkeys, of course, for moments when you feel appropriately humble.
GS AU: How about animation? Did you actually mo-cap a real horse?
JB: Yes we did, and it turned out to be an adventure of its own. The horse we used was a long-time Hollywood ’stunt horse’ named Blanco. His owner was a proper old-time cowboy, and we were assured that Blanco had seen far more studio time than any of the staff on the shoot. It showed in the end results--Blanco turned out to be the consummate professional and skilfully performed every move necessary in order to get the shots and moves we needed. Blanco didn’t have to ride a treadmill, but we did have to glue positioning markers all over him in order to capture the movements correctly, which was definitely an unusual sight.
At first, we had to spend some time trying to determine where we needed to place the markers in order to capture the best data. Once we resolved that issue, we went straight into shooting, pausing after each take to replace the markers that had fallen off the horse during the take. After every take we literally had to pick up a dozen markers off the floor and glue them back on, trying to figure out where they’d fallen from before we could continue.
Once we’d mo-capped the horse, work began on modelling the barrel and hindquarters of the horses, as this was the anatomical area we knew would be viewed most by players, given the third-person camera. We then shifted our focus to the specific types of movement: the various types of motion, or gaits, that horses use. Research came from live, image, and film studies, as well as a state-of-the-art motion capture recording, breaking movement down to five common states that translate best into in-game motion: idle, walk, trot, canter/lope, and gallop.
As the primary mode of transport in the game and one of the most significant animals in every aspect of Western iconography, the horses needed to move realistically in all contexts: domestic settings (such as bearing riders or pulling stagecoaches), as well as out in the wild, traversing more rugged terrain like rocks, mountains or climbing steep slopes.
The horses needed to feel graceful, but also fluidly transition from small, slower steps to larger and more aggressive movements. In Red Dead Redemption you can chase down a feral horse and attempt to break it by mounting the horse bareback and holding on to the mane. Such large, aggressive movements had to display strength, anger, and fear. These are wild animals and had to come across that way in game.
GS AU: Now of course horses in the game are meant to be ridden’what work did you do on animating how horses interact with humans?
JB: A huge part of creating a believable Western experience meant creating a natural interplay between horse and rider: player movement needed to relate and react to standard horse gaits, as well as aggressive movements like rearing and bucking.
Capturing the horse and rider together was critical to the success of the shoot. We hired an actor who was also a professional stuntman and an expert horse rider for the session. He had never ridden our stunt horse Blanco before, but they formed a bond quickly. The owner gave the actor a few pointers and commands that Blanco would respond to and we went to work.
The shoot wasn’t without its issues. We were shooting in a sound stage and had to come up with our own set of gestures that we used to communicate with each other on set. Unbeknownst to us, one of the gestures we were using was also the same command that made Blanco rear, turning our accommodating stunt horse into a horse at their most intimidating, and also a nightmare if the rider happened to be mounted at the time. Several times, we accidentally commanded Blanco to rear while recording scenes that required something completely different. It made for some great and spontaneous shots, but our stuntman wasn’t too happy, as he had no idea when it was coming. He would be in the middle of a performance and suddenly Blanco would rear into the air, while the stunt man was doing everything he could just to hold on. Luckily for us, the footage was amazing. If our actor wasn’t so experienced on a horse, we probably would have captured footage of him flying off and earning a serious injury. Instead, we ended up simulating any of his ejection and impact scenes using the close integration of Natural Motion’s Euphoria physics system and our own proprietary RAGE physics engine.
GS AU: We’ve spotted some pretty good detail in horses in Redemption, even down to realistic looking muscles. What was the process behind making these horses look real?
JB: We went to great lengths to craft animations for all human characters so that interactions like mounting and dismounting horses looked as fluid and natural as possible. We also animated the various permutations of using weapons on horseback. It all helps to integrate Marston and the horses into the world seamlessly. We made sure to create believable idle animation too--you will notice that Marston even tends to his horse, gently calming it with a pat on the neck or hindquarters.
The final piece of the puzzle involved taking the overall physique and detail of the animal to a level never seen in a game, and that required some lateral thinking. We came up with the idea of using the same facial technology we used to show animated ’normal maps’ (a way of realistically lighting bumps and dents on the faces of our human characters) to properly showcase the muscles of the horses in motion--specifically the hindquarters, muzzle, shoulders and ribcage.
The results can be seen in the way the animal’s hindquarters contract and release as they gallop, or flex to take the weight of both the horse and its rider when they rear up on their hind legs. Recreating a horse’s skeletal and muscular systems was challenging and has taken us years to complete, but the end results are stunning, and made the efforts well worth it.
GS AU: Josh Bass, thanks for your time.
Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
'Xbox 360 | Breaking in the digital horses of Red Dead Redemption' was posted by Staff on Mon, 10 May 2010 18:37:08 -0700
Facebook Faceoff: “Like” vs. “Become a Fan”
Facebook Faceoff: “Like” vs. “Become a Fan”: "
Which do you prefer: Facebook Like or Facebook Fan?customer surveys
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Not everyone “likes” Facebook’s small but important wording change, though. Now that we’ve had a month to digest the changes that the social network has implemented with Facebook Pages, we wanted to ask you: which wording do you prefer?
The debate between “like” and “fan” is the subject of this week’s Web Faceoff, our weekly poll series pitting two web apps against each other. Do you like the change, or are you loyal to the fan page until the end of time?
Cast your vote in the poll below. You have until 12:00 PM PT on Friday to cast your ballot. Don’t forget to leave your reasoning in the comments!
Which do you prefer: Facebook Like or Facebook Fan?customer surveys
Tags: facebook, Facebook Fan, facebook page, fan, like, poll, Web Faceooff
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