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Thoughts and things I care to sharelinks for 2008-01-20
- GigaOm has a post on what a California task force is looking into to promote better broadband adoption.
I sometimes scoff at the “left coast” as I call them, but sometimes they actually do some great work. This is one of those areas where California i
- According to this post from Ars Technica (via Slashdot), the new 1.1.3 firmware has unbricked a couple of phones in testing.
Personally I think the unresponsivness of Apple on the bricked iPhone issue is inexcusable. Alienating enthusiastic customers
I’m an SOB, and proud of it
For quite some time, I’ve found new bloggers and writes on the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers (SOB) list. Maintained by Liz Strauss over at Successful Blog, the SOB list represents bloggers who interact with readers and encourage the conversation wherever they happen to be.
So I’d like to thank Liz for the award, and will proudly display the SOB badge here in the sidebar. I’m actually tickled to be included!
Daily Journal – Can I make it a habit?
As I’ve mentioned a few times before, I’ve been struggling through my blogging the last few months. From a bout of “blogger’s block” that really chased me from my keyboard, to coming up with excuses of what keeps me from blogging, I’ve finally come to the realization that I need to write. Period.
The one thing that I want to do is be of value, and that is what’s been keeping me from really getting back “in the groove”. I keep second guessing my topics or the tone, or the wording, or… you name it.
To that end, I’ve begun a daily journal. A place that I can just ramble my thoughts out, not worrying about how it sounds, the structure, the cohesiveness of an idea. Just a place to get those ideas down.
In the past I’ve hated this idea, just ask my 8th grade literature teacher – she had us writing journals every day, and I’d just pick something like “pizza” or “zucchini” or some such thing that I could write a paragraph on and claim to have “participated”. Of course, I was a tech-geek even then, and if it didn’t have LED’s or buttons, it wasn’t interesting.
This is but one more technique that I’ve heard other blogger’s using. I’m all for new ideas and techniques, especially one’s that are time-tested and help in multiple areas.
I’m curious to your experiences though, and would really like to know how a journal has helped or hindered you. Does the additional free-form writing exercise that is personal and kept private helps you write, think or work better?
links for 2008-01-17
- Jeff Pulver gives some great tips on speaking at events and how to make the most of it.
- A really good post by blogging friend Herb Sawyer.
- I think Steve Jobs and Apple are finding out just how hard it is to keep popular products patched and secure. It’s easy to make claims when your the underdog, but much harder when your platform is under scrutiny.
- In addition to praising Gates contributions to the industry & society, he comments on Amazon’s Kindle. He’s right that it’ll fail, but wrong on the reason. People do read – and like to! The issue is that digital readers don’t meet the expectation of the p
Twitter’s Aflitter (again)
I really hate to pick on my favorite online service, but… I have to. Twitter started having issues today with all the traffic from “Mac (obsession) World” today. Supposedly over all the mcInterest in what mcRevelations of mystical mcGadgetry Steve mcJobs would reveal for the mcFollowers of the mcCult.
What get’s me curious is how Twitter handled the traffic from CES last week without nary a blip, and out of the blue, McWrld trips it up big time.
Perhaps I’m out of touch and there is more interest from McWrld and that drives higher volumes of traffic. I dunno.
At any rate, Twitter has proven it’s worth to hundreds of thousands of users, but they still have reliability issues when traffic ramps up. I’m on Twitter for the long haul, it’s a core component in my social networking toolkit, so I’m apt to be disappointed when traffic from a marginally relevant tech show drives it’s usability into the ground.
Ok, end of rant.
And yes, I feel mcBetter. 😀
links for 2008-01-15
- Check out PR Squared’s version 2.0 of the SMNR.
- Somewhat Frank lists the 2008 conference schedule – which are you attending?
- Blogger Chris Cree give some tips when upgrading WordPress.
- Blogger Chris Cree give some tips when upgrading WordPress.
links for 2008-01-14
- Some good points on the topic of data security, online storage, and startup companies.
Tried & tested time-wasting secrets
I’ve got to hand it to blogging friend Steven Hodson. When he picks a meme, he picks an entertaining one. Especially when I’ve been lamenting the amount of time I’ve wasted NOT blogging for various reasons! 😀
While Steven talks about entertainment and a little goofing off, I’ve found most of my lost time is from other areas. So – how do I waste time? Good question – here are my answers!
- Work Yep, it seems that I like to use work as my biggest excuse for wasting good blogging time. One more example of why I need to find a good GTD or time organization system.
- Twitter I hate to admit it, but my favorite social media tool is also one of my worst enemies. I’m getting better at not watching Twitter closely, but it’s hard. Does anyone have a Twitter Patch (low dose)?
- Perfectionist Unfortunately, I’m a big one for wanting something to be just right. If I had $.05 for every post I started and tossed out simple because I couldn’t make it come together… well, I could finance my coffee addiction anyway.
- Blogger’s Block At least I’ve been using that as an excuse the last few weeks. I did have a nasty bout of that back in October, but seem to have lots of ideas lately. Just not enough time. 😉 Seriously, when writers block settles in, it’s not only difficult, but discouraging.
- Social Media Ah, yes, our favorite topic these days. It takes *a lot* effort to keep up. Is it worth it? That depends, I’ve gotten some value from my efforts, met dozens of great people, found literally hundreds of great blogs, and had a lot of fun.
- Family Time This is a good excuse to have. My family likes to spend time together, whether outside, or inside, we talk a lot and spend a lot of our home-time interacting. Especially since Christmas… I’m getting Wii elbow from bowling! 🙂
Alright, who should I tag? Well, my brother-in-law Dave Huston for starters, Twitter pal and fellow LifeCamper Thomas Knoll, Connie Bensen (another Twitter friend who probably has some good tips to get organized), Todd Jordan (another good Twitter bud), and, finally, an associate from a former employer Jerry Loss.
Photo credit: sugu
links for 2008-01-12
- We used to learn this at home, now they teach it in school in the UK. Maybe we should too.
- Hmm, could this signal a change in perception of the RIAA by the labels?
Social Media Breakfast – Minneapolis/St. Paul?
I’m thinking of putting together the first Social Media Breakfast (SMB) in Minneapolis & St. Paul. Who’s interested? This would be a gathering to brainstorm solutions for our concerns and projects on restaurant social media.
Well, I’m interested in making this happen, but I’d like to know how many would be able to make it. Here are some thoughts and questions – in no order at all.
- Do people prefer a downtown location or a suburban location?
- Early morning (7ish) or mid morning (8-10ish)?
- Is WiFi required?
- Depending on location, can folks from surrounding areas of the Metro or out-state MN able to make it?
- Any preference on local MN restaurant, national chain, or traditional meeting space?
- Suggestions for discussion topics welcome – what do you want to talk about, or learn about?
- Interested in a speaker? Suggestions?
- Ideas or suggestions on sponsors? This is not necessary of course, but may be useful to some organizations looking for social media talent and resources.
- Weekday or weekend?
Well, those are my “random thoughts” on the topic. I’m going to scout some locations to host us, but would like to know the rough interest so I have an idea of size.
UPDATE: If you are interested, simply leave a comment, or if you prefer, email me at rickmahn@gmail.com. 😉
UPDATE II: Guess I should mention that his is an offshoot of Bryan Person’s Social Media Breakfast – Boston series. It’s official website is at www.socialmediabreakfast.com.
😢
“We are not enemies but friends.”
Live your life.
Completely.
Without fear.
Live it with Love, compassion, empathy, tolerance and joy.
Treat every person with the kindness, respect and dignity they deserve by the very virtue of being a human being.
Out riding this rainy, wet spring. Got 1,000 miles on the clock with more to come this season. #IMRG #IndianMotorcycle
Watching early seasons of #GoldRush. Fun seeing @GoldrushRick in season 3! Hope his new season is off to a good start!
Oh yes I did! https://www.instagram.com/p/BsRDO9ogSO0/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=1kha5yzhjq3ot