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Thoughts and things I care to shareCloser To Home
So it seems I’ve got a major problem at home. What started out looking like dry and dying grass turned out to be some kind of grub in the lawn. While that was bad enough, what happened next was worse – birds and raccoons digging up the lawn in search of a tasty midnight treat.
In the photos below, this damage all happened in about 5 days. I don’t know that they’re all through yet.
So, yes I have a lot of work cut out for me in the coming weeks. As I understand it, the best thing is to remove the dead areas, clean the soil with a targeted natural insecticide and then reseed, and after the grass grow get a mower and make it look beautiful, good thing I have a mower list by Top9Rated. So yeah lots of fun.
Windows 7 Slates (Tablets) Will Suck
I really hate saying that, but it’ll be true. Why? Because we’ll all compare them to the iPad.
The real problem will be two fold: Microsoft and Windows 7.
Yes, Win7 is a great improvement over Vista, is too big. Windows is too many things to too many people, used for too many purposes. It’s exactly what it needs to be though – a general purpose operating system. That is the very thing that makes it inappropriate for tablets, er excuse me, “slates”.
Secondly, Microsoft is interested in catching up, but they’re going to hamper the non-iPad tablet efforts in the market simply by being themselves. For the corporate customers, it’ll be another hardware choice that they get to support – !$@&! yay!
The reality is that a true tablet needs to do the basics quickly, easily, and reliably. That’s messaging, browsing, viewing, reading, and probably listening. Anything more than that is overburdening the system.
While we can debate whether the iPad does this well or not, the point I’m making is that Microsoft and their partners can’t compete in this market if Windows and/or Microsoft specifications are in the mix.
By the way, Microsoft has been down the tablet/slate road twice before. Windows Tablet PC was first and Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) was the other one, like the picture above of an Asus R2H Ultra Mobile PC from November 2006.
Photo credit: Josh Bancroft
Sharing Resources With You
A longtime staple of many social media professionals is to share what they read, what they find and the resources they use every day. I’m not different, and have been sharing this information for the better part of a decade.
Over the years, I’ve used Google Reader (still a staple), Tumblr, Posterous, Read It Later, InstaPaper, BlogLines, StumbleUpon, Del.icio.us, Digg, and many others that I’ve since forgotten (sorry!). In fact, earlier this year I wrote a similar post pointing out that I had More Resources To Share.
Since then the work involved to share to so many different sources, along with the changing landscape of browser experimentation (my fault for using Firefox and Chrome) with their different sharing plugins takes way too long. To add to the complexity, I’ve added several dozen feeds to my daily reading list, even after cleaning out many non-essential feeds.
I’ve made it simple. Finally. At least for me it is and I hope it is for you as well.
Google Reader is still my mainstay for sharing – everything that I think may be of interest to others is found here. By everything, I mean everything – social media, mobile technology, android stuff, apple stuff, microsoft stuff, and many other topics. If you’re connected to me via Google you’ll see it in your “People You Follow” portion of your own Google Reader. Otherwise, you can find it here: http://www.google.com/reader/shared/rickmahn
Posterous is the main place I’ll take time and post social media related items that I think are very relevant for anyone in the field. These articles and posts might be on business use, marketing, communications, tools, news and so on. You can find this fee at: http://rickmahn.posterous.com/
Finally, I do still bookmark some items at Del.icio.us. There’s really no rime or reason to those, but it may be useful, so here it is: http://delicious.com/rickmahn
Photo credit: ryancr
Doing It Wrong
Sometimes you have to write, even if it’s wrong. I’m not sure if this is right or wrong, but not sharing ideas, thoughts, mistakes, and successes with you surely is wrong. That’s what I’m hoping to change.
I’ve kept from posting for who knows what reasons. I know I can’t explain it well. So I’m not making promises about regular posting and I’m not suggesting any new directions with my blog here. I do know that I’ve been holding back and that’s the one thing I am going to change.
Will I still blog about corporate social media, or challenges therein? Sure, but I think, no I know, there are a number of topics that I want to chime in on, but haven’t felt like I should. I don’t know where or when any of those will pop up, but I do know that it begins now.
Independence Behind The Firewall
Have I mentioned recently that I do consulting and implementation work in social media strategy, community development and training? Probably not as much as I should, but I wanted to include that at the top in this post because I don’t bring it up often.
It’s also relevant to what many people are doing in their role to help their businesses understand how they can use social media. You see, sometimes you need to induce change and one of many ways is to think like an outsider.
Taking the perspective of someone new to the organization, but with a focus on your task at hand (social media). How would that new individual go about things? Will they simply accept “that’s how we’ve always done it”, or would they push to discover a new way?
What if you took that new perspective, one that an independent consultant might have? How would that change your organization? You have the ability to stat that today and begin to develop your own independent perspective while maintaining your current role.
I was in IT when I started thinking differently. For me it became an interest to see what else we could use all that corporate technology for in addition to simply running the company. There was a growing desire within to start sharing the ideas and exploring how the company could benefit.
Start making change – explore your independence behind the firewall.
Photo courtesy of orkboi
Behind The Firewall – Multifaceted
Much of what social media is can be viewed differently from different angles. There’s a marketing side, a public relations side, a technical side, a communications side, and a human side.
It’s these different aspects of social media that combine to confuse what “it” is for. It’s so easy for people working for an organization to mistake the varying degrees of social media for things that seem frivolous or unneeded. Instead, focusing on the one facet that appeals to them or their role in the organization without recognizing the opportunities of a fully integrated approach.
Taking a broader view of what social media can bring to an organization is a difficult proposition for many companies due to the differing needs of each department. Its those internal differences that sometimes conflict with each other and keep progress from happening. It takes some really special people with multiple talents to keep the idea moving forward.
These people are multifaceted, or better put, multi-disciplinarians. The people spreading the message in your organization need to be able to talk tech, marketing, and corp-speak to multiple groups. They’re the ones you need to identify, recruit (especially internally), train and empower. Give them the leeway and the lines of communication they’ll need, in essence set them up to succeed. Hamper them in any way and you’ll not have the results that you’re looking for.
I’ve seen numerous organizations that just can’t get around the idea of one spokesperson for the organization, or seeing security vulnerabilities and productivity losses at every turn. These organizations can’t seem to find consensus on who should “own” (you loose already if that’s the culture) the message, let alone even participate.
At the same time, I’ve seen organizations that “don’t get it” but still end up doing it right. These are the organizations that not only recognize that they don’t totally understand, but they’re also the type know the world has changed and that they have to embrace new ideas. Its these types of corporate cultures that end up getting it right for their customers and learning more about how they can best solve their needs.
So understanding the multiple facets of social media and how they can be applied inside a company is crucial. That’s what the job of a social media strategist, architect, analyst, or other similar role really is. There’s more to each of these roles of course, but the ability to identify the needs, opportunities and the tools & solutions required to meet them is the key set of knowledge and experience required.
Photo credit: biggertree
Follow Friday – May 28th, 2010 #FF
Another Friday, another chance to share some recommendations with you of the folks who really inspire me to do, create, and share. Rather than put a flood of twitter names in a handful of tweets where I can’t tell you why these folks are great, I’m putting them together here in a post with a bit more about each person and links to their Twitter and blogs (where available).
This week, I’ve listed 5 of the top Women Twitter users in Minnesota. They’ve got unlimited ideas, knowledge and passion for what they do. I invite you to follow them and see for yourself how great these gals are.
Erica Mayer (@ericamayer) – Photographer, proponent of great causes, and producer for WCCO TV in Minneapolis, Erica understands how social media can be used for a good cause. In the first 4 months of 2010, she’s raised 100% of her Charity Water campaign goal ($10,000) over two weeks before its end date.
Kay Loire Roseland (@KayLoire) – “Networker and marketer extraordinaire!” That’s how AgencyBabylon describes Kay. Search long and hard, but you won’t find a more outgoing and vivacious individual in social media. Founder and blogger at Shareology, Kay follows the social media happenings in the Twin Cities (and beyond.)
Leslie Carothers (@tkpleslie) – Think social media is the sole domain of marketers and PR folks? Think again, as this ecologically aware furniture industry expert & interior designer uses her social media skills to the her client’s story of their products. Leslie is also the CEO of The Kaleidoscope Partnership, and author of Furniture Today’s “Retail Ideas” blog.
Meg Gerritsen Canada (@dotmeg) – A true 21st century librarian who understands the power of social media and uses tools like Twitter for engagement with patrons of the Hennepin County Central Library in downtown Minneapolis, MN. Meg is also co-founder of UnSummit.org, an “unconference” style conference which focuses on crowd sourcing the speakers, content and of course the attendees.
Lisa Foote (@footenotes) – As co-founder of MixMobi, Lisa’s passion around the mobile space allows her to take the lead on demonstrating new media ideas on the go. Her focus on Mobile + Social + Realtime is unique in my Minnesota friends – she truly understands where things are going in the future.
So there you go, some of the best in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis & St. Paul. I highly recommend following them all.
Until next week then!
Happiness with Headway
I’m so tickled with myself after getting something done yesterday that I can’t help but post about it. I finally was able to split out my Happiness series of posts from the main blog feed, populating them on their own page here on the blog.
Longtime readers will remember I started posting almost-daily on things that occurred to me at the time. Mostly these were a sentence or two on something that made my day, or made me smile, or something along those lines. I’ve not done many this year (or late last year) because of workload and such. I also started refraining from posting these nuggets because I didn’t want to dilute the message I am trying to share on the blog.
So moving these posts to their own page was what I wanted to do. What really made this possible, since I’m not a PHP/WordPress coding guru, was using the Headway Theme. This great skinnable theme framework let me slice and dice the post feed in multiple ways. One of them being I can exclude a category from the main feed, and put it on another page. I know, I know, there’s many ways to do this, but this was within my reach and more importantly… it worked! Thanks to the folks over at Headway Themes and their support staff for helping answer a couple of questions. Now I can publish those Happiness posts right to the main blog feed and not worry if their going to the right place.
Awesome.
Photo credit: h.koppdelaney’s
Another step down the path
As in all endeavors, there are many steps involved in accomplishing our goals. In transitioning from corporate social strategist to independent consultant I had a number of directions I was hoping to go. It’s finally time to launch one of those directions – I am now offering training courses through Social Media Breakfast.
While I’m working on additional courses, I now have the initial training session that SMBMSP is offering: Social Media 101 – Where to Start. 
While a large number of the Social Media Breakfast – Minneapolis/St. Paul members are beyond this level, we have a host of new members in the last several months from multiple disciplines. I think this course will be a good place for these folks to start, and subsequent training sessions will provide more in depth information as they grow and develop in the social media environment.
It’s been an interesting path to follow these last few weeks as I’ve been getting started on multiple initiatives – many taking more time than I had anticipated! Watch for more new things coming in the next few weeks.
Photo credit: erikaemergency
Incredible Droid
It’s pretty easy for me to gush wildly about Android phones as I’m a bit of a mobile technology geek. From my first mobile device the Apple Newton 130 to Microsoft Palm sized PC based competitors to the Palm Pilot, to my current favorite of Android based devices I’ve mostly kept on top of the current state of the art.
Of course I couldn’t always afford the latest and greatest, so like any geek worth their statistical prowess I’d read & re-read any materials I could find on my favorite mobile devices. Nowadays, that fascination and passion has turned to social media (sorry folks, you’re stuck with me), but mobile is one of the key technologies in our mobile lives and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t check out new things.
So when an opportunity to check out a new Smartphone or other piece of mobile tackle comes along, I’m all over it. Such is the case with Verizon’s Droid Incredible (by HTC).
The Incredible is an Android based Smartphone with host of great features. I’ll knock out some of the top items a techy geek like me thinks are important. It’s got a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 3.7” 480×800 AMOLED display, 8 megapixel camera with flash, and 1xEVDO rev. A 3G from Verizon. Things I’m taking for granted are here too: Wi-Fi b/g, Bluetooth 2.1, GPS, Android 2.1 (Eclair), microSD (up to 32GB), push mail (Gmail/Exchange), and Micro USB connection/charger.
Personally I’m on my 2nd Android phone (the Nexus One), and have had the opportunity to use many others (Droid, Droid Eris, Hero, Cliq, MyTouch 3G, G1) so I felt pretty comfortable with the device. The phone is a “candy bar” style, meaning it’s basically a slab, and doesn’t have any flip-out or slide-out parts – and that’s a darn good thing in my book. Less stuff to break.
The large screen dominating the face of the phone is fantastic brightly lit and crystal clear, with flush touch-sensitive buttons for Back, Settings, Home, and Search built into the lower edge. An “optical joystick” is a nice alternative to the standard Android trackball, works well, and is intuitive in function.
Performance of this phone is excellent, matched only by the Nexus One, and probably by other phones based on the 1GHz Snapdragon processor. This alone makes Android exceptionally snappy and fun to use. Video streams play without stutters, and audio quality is flawless – either from the included 8GB microSD card, or streamed over a variety of wireless options.
Since this is an HTC device, sold by Verizon, it carries the signature HTC Sense UI. This enhanced interface that rides on top of Android, provides a bit more consumer-centric interface than the default one designed by Google. It also brings a uniformity of usability when you compare your Incredible to your friends Droid, Eris, or Hero and other HTC phones on other networks.
I didn’t use the camera too much, but it worked as expected and I thought the quality of the pictures was perhaps a bit better than on my Nexus One. This is probably due to the 8MP camera in the Incredible, and the ability to upload directly to Picasa was flawless. Below is a sample picture I took out the window.
That brings up another aspect of Android that folks like me take for granted. All Android phones, the Incredible included, are closely tied to Google online services. That’s not to say that you can’t use other services, and tools, but the integration of Gmail, Contacts, Calendar, Talk, Voice, and Picasa is impressive. This is what you’d expect from well planned online integration – something that each of these online services were not originally designed for but have developed into over time. The HTC Sense UI doesn’t break this as much as enhance it.
Here’s a few pics to show how the Incredible stacks up with a few Android phones I had lying around. (From left to right: T-Mobile G1, T-Mobile/Motorola Cliq XT, Google Nexus One, Verizon/HTC DROID Incredible)
Stacked up to show thickness.
(From top to bottom: T-Mobile G1, T-Mobile/Motorola Cliq XT, Google Nexus One, Verizon/HTC DROID Incredible)
There are a couple of personal opinions I want to share, One about the phone and one about Verizon & Skype.
- First, the case on this particular phone is as creaky as an old guy’s knee (I should know, I’m developing one). It’s probably because this is a promotional unit that’s seen several different people over the past couple weeks for review purposes – exactly why I have this one. But if the case gets this loose and “creaky” in few weeks use, what will it be like in year? Like I said, it could simply be this unit.
- Second, the relationship of Skype and Verizon – and my point is directed more at Skype than the big V. I really want to thank Skype for signing up with Verizon to only allow the Skype Android Client to be offered to Verizon customers only – what a bunch of bullshit. There are millions of Skype customers on Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T and pre-paid networks too – thanks for leaving us out in the cold.
To conclude, the Verizon Droid Incredible is a great phone, it’s Highly recommended for Verizon offers. It’s a sister to the much-vaunted and desired Google Nexus One, and is available and supported through Verizon. You can order the phone now, but don’t expect it to ship until May 14th – though I’ll tell you it’ll be worth the wait.
@MAC_Arms Pay taxes when you make your money, pay taxes when you spend your money, pay taxes when you successfully invest your money, pay taxes when you save enough taxed money to afford a house, pay taxes to live in your house, pay taxes when you sell the house that you paid taxes on to
Yup, taxes are criminal and we need serious reforms. I've always said that if you want to see a tax revolt, make withholdings illegal and have Americans write a tax check every payday. They'll revolt for sure. You don't miss what you never had.
I think it’s safe to say that @GovEvers should stop blocking audits in Wisconsin and open the books…
“Only AMERICAN citizens should vote.”
Sen. @berniemoreno says voter ID and proof of citizenship are simply common sense.
“We’re talking about a very low threshold — identify who you are and prove you’re a U.S. citizen when you register to vote. I think we’re getting closer to
Wrong. Democrats are solely responsible for hours-long airport lines.
They voted to defund TSA three times and won’t even entertain a conversation about reopening it. Why?
They’re using it as leverage to stop enforcing immigration laws.