Category Archives: Tip

Look at the Plus Side: My Take on the Benefits of Google Plus

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I recently purchased a Ford Fiesta that has the SYNC system. I’m not a big fan of earbuds which has relegated my iPod to a lonely drawer. But when I saw the USB port in the Fiesta, I was excited to bring my 60Gig iPod out of retirement.

Driving down the road with new wheels listening to my playlists was like reuniting with old friends fully aware that although it’s been ten years, our relationships picked right back up without any lag.

I have about ten playlists depending upon my mood. I took time to create them, put songs in there for a reason. What’s my point?

Playlists are intentional.

That’s what Google Plus is to me. It’s the iPod of the social networks. Everyone in my circles is there because I want them there. I put them in my playlist (circle) with intent. Continue reading →

Gas Cubby – A Fuel And Maintenance App

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After purchasing my first new car, a 2013 Ford Fiesta (a post about their SYNC system may come at a later date), I thought I should find an app to keep track of the milage.

I did a search in the app store and after looking at the screenshots, I decided for buy the Gas Cubby app.  It’s $2.99 in the iPhone App Store.

I have friends who use Gas Buddy, but I didn’t really want something to help me find gas stations. Rather, I wanted an easy way to figure out my gas mileage, a major factor in choosing the Fiesta.

This app is just that. It’s very simple to quickly input your odometer reading, gas price, and number of gallons.  You can choose to enter the fuel grade, gas station brand, location, tire pressure, and more.

In addition, you can use this app to keep track of your maintenance, remind you for service times, and keep track of how much the vehicle has cost you to fuel and/or maintain.

The Fiesta is said to get 29 mpg on the streets and 39 on the highway.  As the screenshot shows you, overall it’s getting an average of 36 mpg.  That’s pretty awesome.

Twitter: A Nuclear Testing Site | A Commentary on the Pseudo-Social State of Twitter

Nuclear weapons test in Nevada in 1957 A 37-kiloton balloon shot fired at the Nevada Test Site in 1957. Credit: US Government

In Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, our hero finds himself in a strangely quiet neighborhood.

It looks like people are in the houses watching TV and the kids are playing outside. Upon further investigation they’re only posed mannequins.

For the sake of argument, let’s run with Scott Stratten’s analogy that “automating tweets is like sending a mannequin to a networking event.”  That premise accepted, it is my belief that Twitter is in danger of becoming a nuclear test site.

Why? It’s simple. There’s a whole lot of tweets, but not a whole lot of conversation.

I’ve noticed in the past six months or so that while scrolling through the home feed, it’s difficult to find tweets that are candidates for response or retweet.

I’ve already talked about ways to be retweetable and if you’ve ever seen my feed I am no stranger to telling people to stop tweeting from Facebook.

Although one of the main reasons I don’t retweet Facebook links is that not everyone on Twitter is on Facebook, the problem is bigger.  I think people are using cross-posting as a way to make social easy. Continue reading →

Twitter Revival: Bringing Back the Conversation

479954_386342111456308_1119701265_nIs it just me? Or do you all notice an overall lack of engagement on Twitter lately?

Personally, I blame the “Retweet” button, but most of you already know that if you’ve followed me.

(Most people don’t notice they’ve been retweeted that way, and/or, don’t thank you. Also, you fill up your timeline with other people’s brand/logo/face.)

So I tweeted out some of my thoughts this morning.

If we intend to have a revival of sorts on Twitter to bring it back to a conversational medium then it’s up to me and you.

Draw a circle on the ground and stand in it.

Audit your behavior.  What are you doing (or not doing) to promote ideas, discussion, and friendship?

Try new ideas, maybe different software, to engage more.

What are your thoughts?  Can it be done or is Twitter relegated to a broadcast medium forever?

Feel Free to Browse: My Favorite Browers

Broswer Wars

Browser Wars : How did it evolve?

“The Internet “browser… is the piece of software that puts a message on your computer screen informing you that the Internet is currently busy and you should try again later.” ~ Dave Barry

A situation arose last week that prompted me to consider the browsers I use and why.

Now, I’m more of a Social-Media-Geek and less of an IT-Geek, so that is my single disclaimer.

  1. Google Chrome
    • Yep. It’s my top choice.  It didn’t use to be but I like the speed, easy-to-use apps (extensions), and it’s simplicity.
    • It gives you the ability to sync when you are signed into Google.  This allows you to save your bookmarks, settings, and suchlike to keep your experience the same no matter the computer you are using.
    • My most used app is TweetDeck.
  2. Mozilla Firefox
    • Once I found Firefox I was in love.  I like the themes. It used to be my first love and, though I am happy with it in general, it started crashing a lot. That’s when I fully committed to Chrome.
  3. Apple’s Safari
    • I used to hate Safari but Apple has made a lot of improvements. I like the screenshots of “most visited.”

I use all of these browsers on a daily basis for different reasons.  Are you using any of these?

More to Explore

Friends Don’t Let Friends “Retweet” #FF Shoutouts

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Dear Twittersphere:

Yes, I do feel like my calling is to be a superhero. I presume people don’t know what they’re doing and feel compelled to educate.  That’s the end my disclaimer.

The Problem:

A few years ago, Twitter took what was an organic movement, the retweet (RT), and made a button.

Buttons don’t always make things easy, much to the dismay of Staples “That Was Easy” Marketing Plan.

Pressing a button does not constitute engagement.

I don’t know how to say this any other way.  Why would you expect people to respond to you if you behave this way?

I often see the question in a tweet: why aren’t people responding to me?

Now, until recently, you didn’t even “know” that someone pressed the Retweet Button unless you used a third party application like TweetDeck (now owned by Twitter) so it was even more pointless than it is now.

But I digress. Continue reading →

Have it on my desk by morning, in quadruplicate

guru logoWhen I worked for a trucking company in 1991, I had to type freight bills on a typewriter on NCR paper (younger folks may have to Google those terms).  The bills were four to seven sheets thick because everybody and their mom got a copy.

I’ve noticed a trend lately that has me concerned with the growing popularity of Social Media: Triplicate or Quadruplicate postings.

This is the elephant in the room.  In my world, often the friends we want to support the most, although enthusiastic, are some of the greater offenders in this area.

We hint, tweet out great articles, with no avail.  Passive aggressive tweeting, although cathartic, results in no behavioral change.

Let me apologize now if you are offended by any of the following.  However, I feel compelled to speak my mind on this subject.

I’m going to have to make a choice. There is no way I am going to follow you on Twitter, be your friend on Facebook, like your Page, connect with you on LinkedIN and follow your Company, put you in my G+ circle and +1 your Company page if all of your posts are identical.

You may think I am overreacting.  However, I think I raise valid points. Continue reading →

What’s My Agenda Anyway?

guru logoWhy did I start this account and give myself more work?

Do I want to start a social media firm?  Um. No.

But I am passionate about social media and the need, especially, for businesses to get on board.

For ten years after I taught junior high and high school math, I tutored algebra, all because of word-of-mouth.  I was a great tutor because of my ability to tailor my teaching method to a person’s learning style and needs.  I retired for my sanity (yes, I have a full-time “regular” job) but then started doing the same thing with social media.

I have a few friends that I’ve helped setup their social media accounts and a few ministries that I help along as well.  So why add to my already-heavy workload?

I realize that I’d never want to be their social media person.

I don’t want to be them.  I want them to realize that they have the capability and potential to be their own brand’s evangelist. That’s partly why I chose the name:  You, too can be a guru.  Anyone can do this and I’d rather tutor people, get them going, and let them ride their own social media bike.