LagrangePoint - Brad Howarth

Story in development - Life in the cloud

I'm currently researching a new feature on cloud computing, and am looking for any examples out there of Australian companies making use of the various services that are out there. I'm not looking for developers of services, but actual users. The goal is to interview the IT managers to get a feel for how and why they are using the service, and the benefit that they're deriving. If you know of anyone worth speaking to, please let me know ASAP via email. I am signing this one off on Friday the 25th ...

Last call for hosting stories ...

I'll be closing off content for my web hosting feature tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday, March11). If you've got any stories to offer up - good, bad or otherwise - please contact me by email before then. Web hosts remain the bane of many site operators - we want to know what makes yours good - and what made your previous one not so good ...

Story in development - Marketing through the Web

Am working on a feature article that seeks to demonstrate how companies can cheaply and effectively build up their market awareness using the internet. Obviously there are quite a few ways of doing this, and I'm now looking for a few examples of where a company has successfully used the web (and not much else) to make a name for itself. I've got a few ideas in mind, but any suggestions would be appreciated. The only restriction is that the article needs companies that have used tools other than blogs to get to where they are today ...

Help needed ....

Am working on half a dozen stories for a bunch of publications, and am busily hunting leads and ideas on the topics listed below ... Anyone with a good suggestion, please drop me a note via e-mail - cheers:

- Black hat search marketing - seeking anyone with information on black hat search optimisation - the bad, the ugly, and the downright naughty.

- Big green businesses - am looking for any examples of businesses of decent scale that have done something exceptional for the environment in Australia.

- Alternative energy - this feature is trying to paint a picture of the alternative energy market in Australia - it's current status and future potential.

- Australian broadband for SMEs - focusing on what SMEs should look for in a service provider, as well as illuminating the complex state of Australia's broadband infrastructure.

- Funky TVs - am looking for examples of the latest in television technology to spruce up your abode.

Work in progress - Instant messenger

Am currently engaged in a research project looking into instant messenger usage in corporate Australia. If anyone out there has a perspective on corporate adoption of IM, please post a note below, or send me an e-mail.

Upcoming story - High stakes marketing

A just about to leap into a new assignment (can't say who for yet though) looking into companies that have taken high stakes bets on product and marketing stragies, and either lost their shirt or cleaned up handsomely. Although I'm trying to find local case studies, some good foreign examples might include New Coke (an absolute disaster) or the Apple iPod (a slow burn that has given the company a new lease on life). If anyone has any thoughts on worthy inclusion (good or bad) please let me know.