Tackling Technology

Don't Spread Internet Germs

As the flu season begins in the 'real world', do your part to not spread internet 'germs' in the online world

How many of these posts have you seen on your Facebook wall? Did you know that all of these are either false or misguided readings of the facts? How many have you shared yourself? I will confess that in reading through dozens of posts of my Facebook wall or in a crowded newsfeed on my Twitter account that I have hit 'like', 'share' or 'retweet' on something that was probably too shocking, too unbelievable or too easy to be true. Tale as old as time  None of this is new, people have shared gossip and rumors face-to-face, by telephone, over radio call-in shows, via regular mail, via email, via graffiti and who knows, probably by telegraph, carrier pigeon and message in a bottle. Before Facebook posts there was chain mail, and after that …

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Tech Connects Us in the Midst of the Storm

While we prepared, rode through and assessed the damage, technology informed us, entertained us and connected us to friends and family.

The oft-repeated advice in news reports, conversations with family and on-line in the lead up to the storm was to charge your cell phones. The new twist this year was the addition of instructions on how to use Twitter via text messaging (SMS). The Wall Street Journal included it in a list of storm-related apps and advice. Twitter shared its own list of who to follow for emergency updates (as did Patch in Northern Virginia). For complete Hurricane Sandy coverage from Patch, click on the news tab above and then click on the Hurricane Sandy section.  The American Red Cross encourages us to post that we are Safe and Well in areas that may be cut off from reliable information in situations when disasters lead to mass displacements of people. …

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Tackling Technology

Using Twitter Hashtags to Follow Events

When an event has everyone's attention, join the conversation using Twitter hashtags.

Twitter is changing the way we interact during special events. By searching a topic via hashtag (the symbol # and a keyword following) you can get on-the-ground updates, news, insights and trivia from those on the social network. Following the space jump This Sunday my family was transfixed by the space jump by Felix Baumgartner. In the midst of a relaxing Sunday afternoon my husband was reminded via Twitter that the rescheduled event was on. He jumped onto the YouTube stream. Walking by the home office I noticed the video image and jumped on my own computer to watch. I was never able to get onto the YouTube stream (over three million people were watching at that point), but the various data such as altitude, speed, temperature all were …

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Tackling Technology

Job Hunting in the Social Media Age

In the age of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn some tips on finding, connecting and getting a new job.

The growth of social media has changed how we shape our careers, and can present problems if you're not careful. If you think of social media as a method of connecting online with people far and wide that is archived for posterity, it should help you understand how that can enhance your career options and how negative information can work against you. This doesn't mean that you can't be yourself. Just remember that the Internet is not your personal diary and sometimes your inner monologue might need a filter. Remember the "social" in social media. People want to work with sociable people who are able to communicate clearly, seem likeable, have interesting things to say and who don't offend their sensibilities. If you are taking to these …

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Tackling Technology

Twitter Tempest: Jonathan Franzen Versus the 'Twitterverse'

Award-winning author called it the “ultimate irresponsible medium”

Jonathan Franzen hates Twitter. Last week, the famed author of "The Corrections" and "Freedom", spoke at Tulane University and said that the social networking tool is "unspeakably irratating."  “Twitter stands for everything I oppose... It’s hard to cite facts or create an argument in 140 characters," Franzen said. "It’s like if Kafka had decided to make a video semaphoring 'The Metamorphosis.' Or it’s like writing a novel without the letter ‘P’… It’s the ultimate irresponsible medium. People I care about are readers—particularly serious readers and writers—these are my people. And we do not like to yak about ourselves.” Since the speech, literary circles have been buzzing. Is Franzen Right?  When the topic of Twitter comes up, I often …

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Pinterest Rockets Into the Top Social Networks

To pin or not to pin: Pinterest is compared to an online corkboard.

Pinterest is the new kid on the block in photo sharing social networking.  According to comScore, Pinterest reported 11 million visits each week in December 2011, and 11.7 million users by January 2012.  It initially launched in December 2010. Pinterest’s mission is to “connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting.” A good description is virtual scrapbooking. To start, go to www.pinterest.com and register for an account. It takes a few days to hear back that your request has turned into an invite. You link your Facebook or Twitter accounts to your Pinterest account to ease connection between your major social networks. Then you can use the regular or mobile Pinterest Websites or iPhone app to manage your pins. A…

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Tech Trends

Is Google+ for You?

New Year, New Social Network

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and now Google+. Let’s be honest. Initially it is fun to find people you’ve lost contact with during the crush of daily life. One of you sends a request. The other accepts. You share “since we last spoke” and they reciprocate. Good memories. Good times. Then what? There is something powerful about social networks and the connectedness they provide. Google+ launched June 28, 2011 and six months later had an estimated user base of 62 million, according to Google+ Users Estimated at 62 Million. Google has assembled the pieces needed to be the major force in content marketing in 2012. It is poised to be a significant competitor to Facebook. Real life happens wherever you are. Google+ is available as a website and …

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Susan Larson

8:25 pm on Wednesday, January 11, 2012

I believe I know this Bob, and you've made me laugh again! Thanks for commenting.   more ›