Too Big to Fail - A Review of Xerox ColorCube Print Advertising

With a plethora of Xerox ColorCube reviews available, Death Of The Copier tracked down a review of Xerox's print advertisement for ColorCube.

I was struck when I opened my June edition of Wired - the first page ad was for BMW, followed by Visa then Breitling and four pages in, Xerox.

I felt then, that it didn't matter if the ink melts in your car, Xerox has a consistent, appealing message.

Apparently, I am not the only one who sees this.


Images attract and invoke response which is the critical first step in the selling process.

From the article:

"... Xerox Corp., ... serves up an ad that stops readers via the strength of the primary colors dominating it. There's nothing gratuitous about the blocks of red, blue, yellow and black—which look like they belong in a child's playroom—because they are the product, which Xerox calls its ColorCube..."

Agreed - "Color Sells" and K.I.S.S

But words matters as well. In this case, 35 words, what the advertising people call "copy" -

“The new Xerox ColorCube multifunction printer uses unique cartridge-free Solid Ink technology, which is nontoxic, mess-free and reduces waste by 90%. Better yet, you can save up to 62% on color prints. The ultimate win-win.”

35 words - very simple, easy to understand, non-threatening(no FUD) - the ad is engaging and interesting and takes about as much time to digest as a Tweet.

Here is the article:

Compelling and relevant

Story posted: July 20, 2009 - 6:01 am EDT

Typewriters Still Used at NYPD - To the Tune of a New, 3 Year, $1 Million Dollar Contract

In article in CIO, it is reported by the Post, that even after a major technology overhaul at the NYPD, officers "still use typewriters to fill out property and evidence vouchers, which are printed on carbon-paper forms..."

- that's right, CARBON-PAPER FORMS.

And we worry about taking somebody's DeskJet 500 away?


The NYPD has updated and connected all of their 76 precincts by a videoconferencing system that ties into a command center and all offices have real time access to major databases.

The moral of the story is that even though you have the biggest budget and a most deserving technology project, some things just can not be changed.

I wonder what the commission was for what has to be that Last Typewriter Salesperson in The World.

Enjoy the article here.

Toxin Detection As Close As An Inkjet Printer - Introducing Bioactive paper

"...researchers demonstrated the concept on the detection of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors such as paraoxon and aflatoxin B1 on paper using a "lateral flow" sensing approach similar to that used in a home pregnancy test strip.

The process involves formulating an ink like the one found in computer printer cartridges but with special additives to make the ink biocompatible..."

OK - HUH?



I found this article over the weekend and because we here at DeathOfTheCopier care about all things printer and nano-technology related I had to delve in.

The article goes on, "...An ink comprised of biocompatible silica nanoparticles is first deposited on paper, followed by a second ink containing the enzyme, and the resulting bio-ink forms a thin film of enzyme that is entrapped in the silica on paper. When the enzyme is exposed to a toxin, reporter molecules in the ink change colour in a manner that is dependent on the concentration of the toxin in the sample..."

Essentially it's this - certain elements can be placed in ink and utilized in ink jet cartridges. The ink is then applied to paper.

The special components in the ink will react in a certain way when exposed to particular substances/toxins. The ink will change color depending on the amount of toxin.

Just like a pregnancy test.

But this application will be used to assist in detecting toxins, pathogens and viruses, without the need for sophisticated instrumentation.

"...Portable bio-sensing papers are expected to be extremely useful in monitoring environmental and food-based toxins, as well as in remote settings in less industrialized countries where simple bioassays are essential for the first stages of detecting disease..."

Hang on to those DJ500's.