The Back Burner: Things we didn't post this week

Readers, meet “The Back Burner”, a new weekly column by our very own Doug Aamoth, wherein he rounds up the tips, scoops, technologies, announcements, and spam that we just didn’t have the time (or heart) to share with you, and tells you exactly why we sat on these, er, gems. Enjoy! – Matt

A big thank you to everybody for filling our tips at crunchgear dot com inbox with wonderful, unique, and newsworthy items. Here are five that we just couldn’t get to this week.

Subject: iPhone New Function

Hi
I have a set of iPhone cartoons that you can use for CrunchGear
It is at http://comictan.com/category/gadget/
Thanks

Reason we didn’t use it: Unfortunately, we didn’t have any iPhone stories this week featuring toast or beer goggle-type applications. We’ll hold on to this one, though!

Subject: Grab a widget and put it on your Facebook

Beyonce, Gwen Stefani, Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, NHL and more use Gydget — a new online platform where musicians, sports teams and businesses can create widgets, then distribute them to consumers from their own Web sites. In addition to providing the widget-making capability, Gydget.com provides an analytical tools to track widget distribution and click throughs. Gydget.com‘s widgets—otherwise known as gydgets—can be created once, then used across different social networks – unlike some widgets that are created specifically for particular websites.

Can I send you more information or arrange an interview with both Gydget or some of their customers?

Reason we didn’t use it: I don’t want to speak for the rest of the writers but I’m of the opinion that Beyonce and Gwen Stefani are, collectively, a couple of the worst things to happen to American music in quite some time. As such, I didn’t have the strength to read the rest of the e-mail. My apologies.

Subject: RE: Bicycle Playing Cards on Steroids

HUGE fan of the CrunchGear. THEORY11 recently teamed up with the US Playing Card Co. to release a brand NEW deck of playing cards called the “Bicycle Guardians”. Essentially, they’re the Bicycle brand playing cards we all grew up on and love… only on steroids. How cool could a deck of playing cards really be? Well… check ’em out: http://theory11.com/playingcards/guardians.php — Be sure to watch the video on the page (about 1min or so long).

Just thought I’d give you the heads up. Keep up the great work!

Reason we didn’t use it: Not sure, actually, because these cards actually look pretty cool. I think it might be because playing cards are what people like us use when the power goes out and we can’t use any of our gadgets. I’m torn. A gadget substitute on a gadget website? Can it be done? My head says no. My heart says probably.

Subject: Top UK Web Stylist Gives Chat-Box A Makeover

Hi Peeps,

Check out the improved and restyled

[THE REST OF THE E-MAIL WAS A BIG IMAGE FILE]

Reason we didn’t use it: Google Mail blocks images from unknown senders and we figured since you called us “Peeps” you could have been some sort of undercover cop, RIAA staff member, or aging hipster.

Subject: Link Partnership with GoMSG.com (2nd Request)

I previously contacted you regarding a link partnership, and would like to propose an exchange between GoMSG.com and http://www.crunchgear.com. 
Merchant Service Group provides an array of merchant account electronic processing options to retail, restaurant, mail order, telephone order, and e-commerce businesses. Our services include credit, debit and EBT card processing, check conversion and guarantee. Equipment sales and leasing available..  

Please consider adding our link to your site on your website http://crunchgear.com/2007/07/01/att-hangs-up-on-business-customers/

Reason we didn’t use it: Couple things here. First, your company provides merchant services to “retail, restaurant, mail order, telephone order, and e-commerce businesses.” We are in the wordsmith business and, as such, won’t ever require any of the aforementioned services. A quick, cursory glance at our website lasting more than three seconds would provide you with the same information.

Secondly, anyone who writes “2nd Request” in the subject of an e-mail that basically requests a favor is what I like to call “pushy.” If we were to honor your link exchange request, what kind of message does that send? It sends the message that we’re “pushovers.” There’s no telling what you’d be e-mailing us once we caved to your demands. “Do my dry cleaning and breastfeed my children (3rd Request).” None of us here can breastfeed, lady.

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