Michael's Ramblings

Technologist who thinks life is more then ones and zeros. Story telling, sharing, learning from one another and connecting - your work doesn't define you, it's your word that really counts.


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I should probably be writing this on Thursday. When's the Best Time to Blog & Share?

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via readwriteweb.com

As many of us blog for ourselves or for our organizations knowing the trends could prove valuable but that shouldn't mean let's all take a break during the week and bombard the medium only on one particular day.

I think a lead up would be in order, maybe save your best post for that day - and who's to say this data works for every niche? At FightCRC we have been told that many of our followers are mostly available and doing research in the evenings. Which is one of the reasons we do our monthly webinar series on Wednesday evenings. Polling has given us good responses on the time.

I still think the data provided at http://socialfresh.com/best-time-of-day-to-blog/ has great insights as an overall guide but I would recommend you include your own polls or conduct your own census to find out what times your followers are mostly engaged with your messaging. Otherwise you'll be asking "is anybody there?" - nobody likes talking to an empty room.

Be careful out there, and keep those lawn blades sharp!

Michael Sola finds solutions and can translate tech into english. He's a blogger, invited presenter and speaker, he knows how to listen - he also rarely has to show ID to walk into a pub. Follow him at http://twitter.com/michaelsola or http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsola : his views and comments are his own. He doesn't like talking about himself in the 3rd person, just ask him.


Michael Sola | 

11 Planning Grants Announced - sacred places and open spaces give us balance

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via campaign.r20.constantcontact.com

It was many many many years ago I, along with several of my teammates, had the good fortune of being invited to chat with this rather eccentric fellow by the name of Tom Stoner who was at the time exploring how to better market and expand his vision on the Interwebs. That vision: Open Spaces Sacred Places

We had such a good discussion about the various tools, the time it would take, the building of the virtual community . . . it was inspiring to be a small part of such a simple concept which Open Spaces Sacred Places was bringing to the world: providing places of peace and thoughtfulness to those of us who can get so caught up in the stress of everyday living.
http://www.openspacessacredplaces.org/

It's great to see the successes Open Spaces is having, their Facebook page is a tremendous resource, they are using Constant Contact to distribute eye catching informative newsletters, they have a voice and reach that extends far from their simple offices here in Annapolis.

I know those benches very well and miss having one as close as I did when working at CBF - if you haven't sat on a "pickle barrel" bench made at a Open Spaces Sacred Places location . . . well, you just haven't really sat.

Be careful out there, and keep those lawn blades sharp!

Michael Sola finds solutions and can translate tech into english. He's a blogger, invited presenter and speaker, he knows how to listen - he also rarely has to show ID to walk into a pub. Follow him at http://twitter.com/michaelsola or http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsola : his views and comments are his own. He doesn't like talking about himself in the 3rd person, just ask him.

Hang Outs and Google+

Omgeeee. Peter nailed the simplicity and effectiveness of using Hangouts. Can't wait to try. I luv all the cams he has in the workspace, no hiding!Peter G McDermott originally shared this post:How to Use Google+ Hangouts (A Beginners' Guide)
via plus.google.com

Using Hang Outs is driving a lot internal buzz but the number one question I keep getting is "Why" - meaning if we are already using GoToMeeting or Skype why do we need Hang Outs? And the best question . . . should we figure out how to use it internally first before trying with partners or outside folks? Training is going to be key but beyond that the tools need to full-fill a real need.

What are you using it for?

Applications, Tips | LinkedIn moving the needle - what I learned at Tech & Social Change #@socgoodtech

LinkedIn Applications enable you to enrich your profile, share and collaborate with your network, and get the key insights that help you be more effective. Applications are added to your homepage and profile enabling you to control who gets access to what information.

  • Portfolio Display

    by Behance

    Showcase your creative work in your LinkedIn Profile with the Creative Portfolio Display application. Free, easy to manage, and supports unlimited multimedia content.

via linkedin.com

This past week I had the chance to sit in on the NTeN Baltimore based Tech & Social Change meet up: http://www.meetup.com/Tech-Social-Change-Baltimore/ - the topic was about using LinkedIn for NonProfits. The group was quite diverse from novice to advanced but still the discussion as all NTeN groups are known for turned rather lively and very informative. I'm always impressed at the level of expertise and passion NTeN brings together and the Tech & Social Change Baltimore group that Kate Bladow has ramped up was no exception.

As I listened to the discussions along with presenter / speaker Colleen McKenna ( http://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenmckenna ) I find there is much more to explore on LinkedIn. Some of the functions are more in-depth then I realized and will have to start some discussions at my own work place in order to explore the value. I found many of the new features and concepts of how to use LinkedIn as an alternative marketing and engagement tool to be worth exploring.

As the point was driven several times, LinkedIn is just one of the many tools in our shed! It doesn't mean to abandon other social media tools, depending on what your professional or organizational strategies are will determine the usefulness of this tool.

In no particular order, here are some of my notes taken during the meetup:

  • Inmaps - a visual tool that provides a visual of your connections via your network in LinkedIn http://blog.linkedin.com/2011/01/24/linkedin-inmaps/ helps get a sense of where your contacts are in the cloud.
  • INfinity is another tool, picture is important in seeing the visual of your contacts. This is also via the LinkedIn Labs http://infinity.linkedinlabs.com/
  • Have you checked out the LinkedIn Labs?
  • Cardmunch, I can't wait to try this! This app transcribes / scans via smart phone camera - business cards and connects back to your LinkedIn, who evidently bought them - and it's free. http://www.cardmunch.com/
  • Better brand and find you: With 120 characters available in your Name and initial description use this space with key descriptive words that would be searched by potential contacts, recruiters, etc. Don't limit yourself.
  • Company accounts do NOT have access to the same apps as individuals, at least not yet. Concept is to build out your organization leadership which in turn drives contacts to your organization.
  • Alumni is newer option to find contacts and build out LinkedIn connections based on where you went to college. Schools are starting to really come on board with this service. Here is a post that details some of the benefits: http://doteduguru.com/id706-linkedin-alumni-group-tutorial.html
  • Turn off notifications to limit what updates are seen by public - this is a great tip if you are making modifications or simple changes of info to your profile. It is especially useful if you DON'T want your current work place to see updates happening and potentially get the wrong idea . . . . this change is done by clicking on your name, selecting SETTINGS and click on Turn On/Off Activity Broadcasts under Privacy Controls
  • Do you like getting "Recommendations" Don't except all of them - many organizations see them as not valid references and more of a PR ploy. "I like you and you like me" concept. So be careful what you share. Keep professional.
  • While I'm guilty of this you may want to reconsider posting ALL your Tweets via Twitter. Instead use #ln to post tweets on LinkedIn - this step by step setup can be found at http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/10440/linkedin-how-to-share-twitter-tweets-in-...
  • And the last tip I really can't wait to do involves your business card. On the back of you cards place a QR code that links back to your LinkedIn Profile URL - almost any URL shortner program can create these for you including Bit.ly and Goo.gl and you want to make more of a statement with your QR a little more hip look is an option with a "design" aspect - learn more at: http://mashable.com/2011/04/18/qr-code-design-tips/

Be careful out there, and keep those lawn blades sharp!

Michael Sola finds solutions and can translate tech into english. He's a blogger, invited presenter and speaker, he knows how to listen - he also rarely has to show ID to walk into a pub. Follow him at http://twitter.com/michaelsola or http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsola : his views and comments are his own. He doesn't like talking about himself in the 3rd person, just ask him.

When your password gets hacked . . . don't be lazy and don't be using 123456, that's mine!

Goodaccounts_gonebad

I remember about 6 maybe 7 years ago - I had this extremely bright, gifted . . . she could be reading, talented Network Administrator / Developer who made the recommendation of using complex passwords for the organization and wrote this 4 page in-depth expose as to why and examples of how to come up with a complex password.  At first I giggled but the more I dived in I realized how big this was and all that was riding on something as simple as a password.

This was an organization that had never had complicated passwords and I'm sure a few of them were actually using the word "password" as their password.  Needless to say the change did not go over well, increased calls to the help desk were recieved, lock outs happened, there were some exceptions of course that had to be made but in the end she was right.  The need for complex passwords IS critical to prevent good accounts from going bad.

Because so much of what we did internally has moved via the external portals a complex password that didn't enforce  non repeating words, min 8 characters, caps, lower case, alpha numeric - all of it was going to be necessary if we wanted to secure our data and level of access.  This discussion was almost 7 years ago . . . . so I am always surprised when I see today so much of the social networking services that DON'T require something more complex.

The graphic I posted from e-Strategy After Hours David Erickson who publishes the e-Strategy Internet Marketing Blog and e-Strategy After Hours captures the inconsistent mess that we as consumers . . . or the "product" depending on you point of view - have to live with if we aren't creative and careful.  

Some of us, and I'm one of them, try to use the same password for many of the accounts we access, especially the ones I don't deem to be "identity theft" worthy.  But a lot of these services if hacked could become a source of embarrassment and if others are like me, if one password gets cracked for one service others like dominos are just ripe to fall.

I have seen password management tools and was recently recommended that I start using one - I'm talking about web browser applications that make remembering unique complex passwords easier but keep in mind - you are putting an awful lot out there sitting in a bunch of one and zeros as opposed to that gray matter you call your brain.

My gray matter isn't what it use to be, and as I don't trust the browser to remember the password I may turn to tools like:
  • LastPass
  • Xmark
  • Mitto Password
. . . just to name a few, either way I'm gonna have to stop using 123456 as my Facebook password, dang it!

Michael Sola finds solutions and can translate tech into english. He's a blogger, invited presenter and speaker, he listens - he also rarely has to show ID to walk into a pub. Follow him at http://twitter.com/michaelsola or http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsola : his views and comments are his own. He doesn't like talking about himself in the 3rd person, just ask him. 
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