Thursday, June 30, 2011

Sorting my Google+ Circles

You don't friend people on Google+, you add them to a circle. If you want to follow somebody, you can; they don't have to follow you back.

Your posts either go to one or several of your circles, or they are public. This is very convenient. One example is a politics circle. There are a group of people with whom I would discuss politics because it is our business. I don't exactly want to post political stuff to everybody because I don't have time to argue every single post, especially when it's not even something I wrote.

There are other aspects of day to day life that I don't necessarily want blasted to everybody. Not that it's sensitive information; rather, some information is not actionable or interesting to certain circles.

Going back to yesterday's post, the ability to choose who sees what content is a feature of Orkut, Wave, Buzz, and now Google+; except G+ makes the choice mandatory to get started. More importantly, G+ makes the sorting process very easy.

Another thing I REALLY, REALLY like is that I can filter my information stream by Circle.That alone will save me countless hours of distractions. Can't wait to try the Hangout feature at work. I probably will use it with other groups first, who am I kidding?

I'll be sending out invites to people as soon as the invitation function is re-enabled. I'm starting with people with whom communication is necessary, and then working out to other acquaintances.

If you haven't already added me to a  Circle, pay me a visit: https://plus.google.com/115480964182902200631/posts
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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Google has been through G+ before

The main selling feature of Google+ is Circles, which controls what posts are seen by whom. Certainly, you have different audiences for different kinds of content. But, we've seen versions of Circles before.

Starting with Orkut



And there was Google Wave.



Then going to Google Buzz.



Compared to the latest iteration, Google+ Circles.



Ultimately, I don't think Google has invented anything new here. But, they may have made using groups drop dead easy; which may make all the difference. Currently, segmenting your posts is easy for somebody like me. However, it may not be easy enough for the average user.

Segmenting my posts to groups has not really been useful for me mainly because Google products have not had the same draw for other people in my life as other sites have.

For the handful of Orkut friends who still visit my profile, it's not worth breaking up posts for one or two people. My Google Buzz has a bigger group of friends; but, they are mainly people with whom public posts are fine. Not enough of my close circles are knowingly as into Google as I, so they don't check their Buzz streams. Even when I @ them privately, they don't reply.

Google's problem has not been the sharing; Google is great about sharing. The problem has been making the products appealing and easy to use. From what I see from the outside, not having an invite yet, Google has made G+ super-easy to use and visually appealing. I hope that this is enough to convince my circles of friends to give it a whirl. Otherwise, what's the point?

Monday, June 27, 2011

It's a good thing that, like George Bush, Rick Perry is from Texas

A recurring argument I hear against Rick Perry I hear is, "oh great, another president from Texas."
Setting aside Rick Perry's nationality, ;-) ...
the running propaganda is that George Bush, the two-term president, was an idiot. This served GW well. His opponents misunderestimated him.

The "another idiot from Texas" propaganda serves Perry well too. It means the opposition misunderestimates him. And when the debates come between the pontificating Obama and Perry who is quick on his feet, he'll owe a great debt to his opponents for setting the bar so low.

Beyond that, it implies that if an idiot had a much better economy than the president, then the president must REALLY be inept.  You can't have it both ways.

Why Rick Perry will be our next President

http://tinyurl.com/5vlmjla
Are you better off today than you were when Obama took office?
Texans say, "I'm OK."
Non-Texans say, "No."

Food Bank RGV Pound for Pound Challenge with Lebby Salinas

Brief conference call with Lebby Salinas about tips to succeed at the Pound for Pound Challenge.

Listen

Friday, June 24, 2011

I know what I need to do; but, I have trouble committing to do it.

This post is also a procrastination technique. Dammit!

Need to work on executive function.

Sad to Hear that Peter Falk is Dead

Sad to hear the Peter Falk has died at age 83. Younger people probably don't know who Peter Falk is. If you're that age, Google his name and you'll hear all about his TV character, Columbo. The character was a detective who always seemed out of his league up until the moment he solved a case. He had a unique interview style in which he'd ask questions and, just as he was about to leave, he'd stop and say, "oh, just one more question". This was usually the question that would lead to breaking the case later on.

Falk was an accomplished actor; but, his most memorable role was that of Detective Columbo. If you enjoy watching Monk, you'll enjoy watching Columbo whenever you can catch it.

I am always sad to hear when people develop Alzheimer's, which Falk had. It's ironic that one of his character's traits was that he was always losing his lighter.

I am grateful for the entertainment Peter Falk has provided over the years. May he rest in peace.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Google Buzz is perfect for Events Announcements

I've been experimenting with a couple of Google accounts, MissionTexas.net and RGV Life. The first is a local blog for my home town; the second is a regional blog about current events happening in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. The experiment involves posting upcoming events using Google Buzz and Blogger.

Here is a link to Google Maps with the Buzz layer activated. You can click on any of the word bubbles on the map to see the content.

Some Background

Blogger allows you to add the location of your blog post from your desktop; however, it is a crude location, allowing you only to select the city. From the mobile Blogger app, you can select the venue; but, only if you are nearby. So, blogging about a location or an event at that location has the practical limitation of requiring you to be at the place that is the subject of your blog post.

Google Maps on Android allows you to select the exact location that is the subject of your Google Buzz post, it can be anywhere in the world so long as there is an entry on Maps. You select the location, tap on the drop-down menue, and then choose the Buzz about this place option. You can post text and an image to that location. Your post will appear on your Buzz stream and will also be viewable to all future people browsing that place's Buzz stream.

As far as long-tail marketing, having a "narrative" about your location is great. If your venue hosts a lot of events, it is also a good opportunity to market the event and to provide a history of past events. Blog posts with location information included pass that location information into Google Buzz nicely.

What I have done

This is a bit thick if you're not familiar with RSS and other feeds. Basically, I am feeding my RGV Life Blog into Google Buzz. From there, the stream goes into Feedburner, which has a feature that tweets each post with a link to the RGV Life Twitter account.

I have a separate MissionTexas blog that is set up the same way through Buzz and Feedburner, sharing the RGV Life twitter account (no need for a separate twitter account).

The Process

Given the blogging limitations, I tend to use Google Maps to select the location where an event is going to take place. I'll pre-download an image that I'll use for the event, typically a flyer or poster image. At that location, I'll add the title of the post and the image. There are three important components here, an image, location information, and a title. I need to have the title in case the Buzz RSS feeds to Twitter before the next step.

Once that is posted from the mobile, I can edit the entry from the desktop and add more details and a link back to the source of the event information.

When Feedburner tweets the Buzz post, it will contain the title, a link to the Buzz post, and any hashtags I've added to the stream. This shows up on the map with all the necessary information without having to type everything on my mobile screen.

Why all the trouble

Google Buzz is one of those services that is extremely handy if it is used and populated with information. However, it's not much use without that information. Given this chicken and egg problem, I've decided to build content to make the value of Buzz apparent, locally. Just like in the early days of blogging, there is a small audience that has started using the location-based posts and responds with comments. The snowball effect is beginning.

Once more people become aware of the value of Google Buzz and begin to use it more and more, my content will be all over the place, bringing traffic to my channels. Yes, I feed Adsense into the Buzz stream, so it doesn't matter if readers visit the original blog or the Buzz stream. I'm more about the value than the channel.

How does this relate to events?

You are driving around, you want to see what is going on in town. You check Google Maps to see what's happening in the neighborhood. Tap a few bubbles, read a few entries. Or, check the Buzz stream for your favorite venue, see what's happening. The location has the content about events, not ten different websites. Google Maps with location-based Buzz frees you from having to visit different websites to find out what's going on. If 3 different bloggers wrote about the club, you can see all three posts.

Perhaps you are disappointed with the show tonight and want to check something else out. You can use your browser to see the Buzz nearby.

Of course, this is assuming Buzz becomes popular and people realize its potential for benefiting their publication, the venue, and the patron. So, I've been demonstrating how it's done; and we are starting to see an increase in local conversations. The snowball is starting to roll.

What I would like to see

I think there is great value for the Press to post stories with location data on a Buzz stream. If the have a restaurant review, whether it be text, audio, or video, they can post that story directly on the venue's location. If there is a bank robbery or some other story, they can post the story at the location where it happened and link back to their website. Obviously, they shouldn't post the whole story, just a teaser. The point is that these stories don't just disappear into the archives. They continue to provide value to anybody in the neighborhood. In a sense, they add to the lore of a neighborhood.

UPDATE:
Soon after writing this post, Google launched Google+, which has many of the same features, but is not as widely viewable until it comes out of Field Testing. Some of the same ideas apply; but, there are differences for the moment, like no Maps interface or location history. Hopefully that will be rolled out when Pages are available.
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Discuss on Buzz

Using a Google Profile as a Home Page and Blog

Google Profile Business CardImage by davidciani via FlickrJannik Lindquist recently Buzzed about how he is using a Google Profile as a homepage for a neighborhood association. This is an easy and simple way to throw up a web presence in minutes.

It is a simple process.

  • You buy a domain
  • You forward the domain to your Google Profile
By filling out your profile with all the relevant information about your organization, business, or whatever, you achieve the same results as a basic website. While you could use Wordpress, Blogger, or any number of blogging platforms for publishing updates to your audience, it would serve the same purpose if you simply use Google Buzz. 

Advantages:
  • Free hosting for a simple information page. 
  • Google Buzz
    • Public posts
    • Private group posts
    • Easy commenting
    • Social component
  • Integrated photos, calendar, email, documents, video, and other Google products. 
I thought it was a good idea. I decided to buy shainemata.me and implement the idea with my own profile. 

This idea is good for personal profiles and small organizations. 

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Discuss on Buzz

Monday, June 20, 2011

Returning to the Masonic Lodge

I joined my local Masonic Lodge back around 1999. I was still young and going to the local community college. My history professor took our class on a field trip to Camargo, Mier, and what was once Nuevo Camargo across the border in México.

As a youth, I remember seeing the square and compass displayed on various statues and signs in Reynosa, another city across the border. While having lunch on our field trip, I asked the professor about the symbol. That's when I first learned about Freemasons.

As luck would have it, my professor was a Mason too. When I asked him how one becomes one, he said, "it's very simple; to be one, you ask one." When we got home, I researched the history of Freemasons; I was fascinated by their history and the numerous famous members.

Soon after, I contacted my local lodge and went through the process of becoming a Mason. It took some work; but I eventually went through the degrees and became a Master Mason. Being young and poor, one of my fellow members sponsored me to become a Scottish Rite Mason and also a Shriner. At the annual Buccaneer Days parade in Corpus Christi, there was some astonishment to see a young Shriner.

I stopped going to lodge when I got a night job. I lost touch with the fraternity and haven't been back in many years. I have come across some of my fellow lodge members over the years in the course of my work here and there. Recently, I got an invitation to return to the lodge. I think I will.

To add to the pleasure of returning to the lodge, it coincides with the 100 year anniversary of our local lodge. I would not want to miss commemorating such an anniversary for a lodge that has a great deal of historical significance to our city.

I'll be talking to my Masonic brothers in the coming days to work out the details of my return. It's one of those things that I've missed doing all these years. Now that I'm older, I have a greater appreciation for the rich history and contributions Freemasons have made to society.

It should be fun.


Sunday, June 19, 2011

My glasses fell apart, so I stapled them

I could not find the little screw that holds the lens in place. I used a staple to hold my glasses together while I figure out how to fix them.


Thursday, June 16, 2011

Speed test on T-Mobile 3G after HSPA+ rolled out

Test preformed in Mission, Texas.

Obviously, 3G won't get the full benefit of HSPA+; but the backhaul upgrade should allow 3G to max out more frequently as 4G users spend less time choking up the channel. At least in theory.

Upload speed has varied greatly, between 300 kbps to 2000 kbps. Download speed has gone up to 6000 kbps, averaging around 4000 kbps.


Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Woohoo! I got Google Music Beta!

I received an email while I was at work informing me that I could access Google Music. I'm so excited. Off the bat, I can tell you that you get some free music so you can put it through its paces. You get to choose the genres. 

First, let me start off by describing what Google Music is not. It's not Pandora or Slacker. The music that you hear on Google Music is your own music. If you've ripped all your CDs and downloaded a bunch of music purchases, that's what you'll put into Google Music. You do have the ability to purchase music; but, you don't have to repurchase. You are storing your existing music to the web. 

Why Google Music?

Two words: syncing hassle. 

As in, Google Music eliminates the hassle of syncing your music on your devices. Once you upload all your music to Google Music, you can stream your music to your Android phone (for now) or work computer. This means that you can use any computer to log in and listen to the music you already own. 

Your music syncs.
Your favorites sync.
Your playlists sync. 

How it works

Once you receive your notification, you log in and choose your preferences. If you have an Android device, reboot so that it knows you are cool now. Then, you can download the app onto your computer. After you install the small app, it asks you where you keep your music. Tell it where to mooch, and it'll go to work uploading your entire library to Google servers. 

Most of us have asynchronous Internet connections; i.e., it takes longer to upload than to download. Therefore, it may take a while for your music library to upload to Google. However, as titles get added to the Google Cloud, the titles get synced to your Android device. Obviously, downloading all the music would make your mobile plan cry for mommy; instead, the music gets streamed to your device as you need it. 

If you have a phone and a tablet, or two phones, with Android, they'll get all your music too. You can log into your Music account from work and listen to your tunes from the browser without having to install software and annoy your IT department. Your experience is roughly identical no matter where you access your music. 

Google has mastered syncing your email, contacts, calendar, and many other important parts of your life. Syncing your music was the next logical step. If your computer crashes, no need to worry about losing all your music or having to copy back from your burned discs. 

If you already own a big music library, it may even eliminate the need to subscribe to a music service. You simply buy more music and add it to your Google Music library for access anywhere. 
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Experimenting with another syncing service. Let's see if I don't bringthe whole Internet crashing down again.

Experimenting with another syncing service. Let's see if I don't bring the whole Internet crashing down again.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Android multiple account confusion

Tonight, I was using my Android device to place public announcements at different locations through Google Maps and Buzz. One of the features of Android is the ability to switch between/amongst Google accounts. There was an error in posting. I logged in as RGV Life, but it posted as SMCRGV.

After noticing the error the first time, I changed the account to another and then back. A second post still displayed as SMCRGV.

Which account I use isn't critical, they are PSAs of sorts; but I can see this being a problem for somebody some day. You may consider test posts before posting meaningful content if you use multiple accounts on your Android device.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

I survived a 6 mile bike ride

At the risk of sounding like a weenie, I survived a 6 mile bike ride. It has been over one year since my last bike ride. Naturally, some muscles have atrophied and lost their endurance.

'Twas only 6 miles to go pick up a client check. 98 degree weather. I made it without serious burning or heart pounding.

Even with the certain soreness tomorrow, things seem positive for resuming my bike rides. Typically, I used to ride 10 to 20 miles through trails. Would be interesting to ride longer distances; but I only have so much time to dedicate.

Will need new handle grips, gloves, and water bottle cage. Bike could use a chain cleaning. It was filthy from storage. Maybe a new seat.


Google Buzz: land of pioneers

Google Buzz has been capturing a great deal of my imagination lately. When I look at all the ways in which it integrates with other services, it seems like open territory waiting to be explored.

The down side is that I have somewhat forsaken the other social networks. For example, Google Latitude allows you to check in to places. This works for now as I want to cultivate friendships on Buzz.

In Buzz, I find that there indeed is a community; but, it's very different from the A-list social media crowd. It's kind of like what social media was back in the days. People share, discuss, and chat; but it tends to be a tighter group.

Most social media big names have shied away from Buzz because they don't enjoy the same numbers of followers there. They will tell you all day about cultivating community and reaching out to your audience; that is, only if everybody jumps on the bandwagon with them. Otherwise, it's a failure.

In the case of Google Buzz, it's actually a good thing that the big names stay away. It forces you to discover people you may not have ever known simply being one of the fans.

I've written how prepaid phones are bringing in more and more Google users, who are accidentally discovering Buzz through Google Maps. Android users don't need an app to participate in Buzz; it's built in to Maps. Somebody also pointed out to me that many people have Facebook blocked at work, so Google Buzz gives them a way to socialize. Gmail does not typically get blocked.

Whatever brings users to Google Buzz, the end result is that it is sticky in its ability to retain users. In my experience, Buzz also seems to have greater diversity in terms of user nationalities. I am fascinated that some of my Buzz friends live in so many different countries than my Twitter and Facebook friends.

Overall, I don't think Buzz will end up stealing users away from other networks. It has a different vibe and utility. Google Buzz will be in addition to rather than instead of. For now, it's full of pioneers.

Here is what will make Google THE mobile marketing king

Android available through prepaid carriers brings all that is good and holy about mobile marketing to the masses.

It's not only Boost; there is Cricket, Virgin Mobile, and even prepaid versions of AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

None of these services lock you in with a contract. Data doesn't cost extra.

Your business should really look into mobile marketing, which is mainly local.


The thrill is gone?

The blogging spirit seems to have died out a bit in me. I'm not sure if it's that I am busier, that micro blogging has diverted some creative mojo, or if I am simply less interested in sharing.

Perhaps it is a combination of all of the above.

Do you blog as much as you have in the past?

What motivates you?

How do you get inspiration for blog posts?

Is blogging business or personal?


Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Location Data Passes Through from Blogger to Google Buzz

A while back I tested the blog location feature on Blogger to see if the info would pass through to Google Buzz. It didn't. When the Blogger app for Android came out, the info wouldn't post either.

Today, I put up a post with no location and then went back to add it. By the time I checked Google Buzz, location info was showing, which is good. I even made some more edits to fix formatting problems on Google Buzz. It was surprising how quickly the edits updated the Google Buzz post.

Maps and Blogger for Android allow you to select specific locations to Buzz about; the Blogger editor only allows you to choose the city.

This probably doesn't matter to most people. I like location data to pass through because it allows me to attach blog posts to locations using the Android App, or at the very least a city using the web editor. This is very useful for local event announcements. People who browse Google Maps with the Buzz layer turned on can see what's coming up in town.

Buzzes with physical location are great for public events. For one, it allows people to see exactly where the event is taking place. Secondly, it adds hype for those who decided not to attend.

Can you imagine if news stories attached location data to news articles? You could walk around town and view the history of the areas that surround you, with a link back to the publication that wrote it.  Your blog can also have a quasi-physical component by attaching posts to a location, almost like a point of distribution.

There are so many potential uses for Buzzes with location if people get on board and start building the content.

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Sunday, June 05, 2011

Evernote adds Note Links for a Wiki-Like Experience

My favorite desktop, web, and mobile app of all time, Evernote has slipped in a feature that allows you to copy the link to another note so you can embed it on the one you want. The result of this feature is that it creates a wiki-like experience within Evernote. I've tested the links on all three clients successfully.

Evernote already gives you a great search function. In addition, you can organize information with tags, notebooks, and stacks. These are great with the exception that they don't organize information in a linear manner and require you to be a stickler for organizing the information or remember key words to be able to find the information again. Furthermore, creating a notebook for every single little project can result in a huge, unwieldy list of notebooks and stacks.

The update that allows you to link to specific posts means that you can create a main project page with links to supporting notes, in a wiki-like fashion. Prior to the update, you could not link related notes other than to merge them into one. Merging notes is a bit of a destructive process in that it creates a third note and deletes the previous two. The note meta data dies with the deleted notes.

Linking notes also somewhat eliminates the need to create notebooks for every project. You can simply create a broad notebook category and use it for all your projects notes. You can create a notebook or tag for your index pages that contain links to all your notes. Therefore, you can search for your project indexes and then link to related notes from there.

I tested links after moving a note from one notebook to another and changing title and content. The links seem to work after the alterations. After linking a private note to a public note, Evernote allowed me to paste the link after notifying me that public users would not be able to view the private note. Changing the title of a note does not change the title of the link.

It would be good practice to cross-link notes, if you have time to do that. It just makes it easier to navigate between notes.

This is one of the more exciting additions to Evernote since the option to create notebook stacks. My brain salivates at the possibilities.


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Activate the Buzz layer on Google Maps to see what's going on in town



I read a lot of comments around the Internet about the impending doom of Google Buzz because "nobody uses it". Not only do plenty of people use Google Buzz, it is a vital component to some of Google's other services. If you turn on the Buzz layer on Google Maps, on either the browser version or the mobile version, you will see a lot of Buzz bubbles displayed on the map, depending on where you live.

Much of the pooh poohing of Google Buzz has come from social media geeks who don't see any of their regular friends on Google Buzz. Therefore, they assume that if the other geeks aren't there, Google Buzz is a bust. Thus, they haven't invested time in exploring all the options and possibilities of Google Buzz.

One of the problems with Google Buzz is that it requires users to use it so it can provide value; this is especially true of the location-based features, which very much requires user data. Unfortunately for Buzz, many locations do not have pre-populated Buzzes.

I believe that outside of social media geeks, "regular people" are starting use Google Buzz layer on Google Maps. Many of them are curious what the layer does. Within my own community, there are an increasing number of non-geeks who are popping up in the layer. Some have connected their Twitter accounts, some are posting directly to Buzz.

What is really exciting is that they are starting to post reviews of the businesses they frequent. Check-ins aren't as popular, yet. Many of the Buzz posts I'm starting to see come from Maps. Most are from younger people who are commenting on movies they watched, people they are hanging with, status updates, etc. In other words, they are purposely killing time with Google Buzz.

Why Buzz is starting to take off

Google Buzz is starting to take off under the noses of social media "gurus" because of the crazy popularity of Android phones. Not only do the major carriers have Android phones, now some of the prepaid services like Cricket, Boost, and Virgin have Android products too. Many of the customers who are in the target market don't know, and probably don't care, what Foursquare and Gowalla are. If they don't know, they can't download the app. Thus, they are exploring the features that are already built into their phones.

Many of the new users discovering the Buzz layer may not know that they can use Buzz from their Gmail account. In fact, they may not know that it's an option. As a "Wall", Google Buzz may not see that much adoption.

What this can do for Business

Outside of keeping an eye on what people are saying about your establishment, the Buzz layer is a great visual way to reach out to customers. Even if you don't know how to claim your Google Places location and set up Adwords, you can post specials, photos, messages, and communicate with public with Google Buzz. You can even communicate directly with past customers by sending them an @.

Think of it like this:

  • Customer checks in or comments at your location.

  • Thank the customer for their patronage, follow them on Buzz. Offer coupon via email.

  • Add customer email to a list in your contacts, which Google calls Groups.

  • Send out Buzzes on occasion to your customer Group, public or private with comments on or off.

  • Create a VIP Group of customers who get the "special offers". Market to them too.

Google has made building your customer list super easy through a product, Maps, which you would never imagine is a social medium. Best of all, Buzz goes directly to email in-boxes...on their phones.


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Urban hiking with the boy

My son and I left home this morning to wander around town. I brought a Camelbak to keep us hydrated and we take breaks in the shade. I haven't taken him on hikes until now.

We have been taking photos of stuff. You can turn on the Buzz layer on Google Maps to see my posts through town as MissionTexas.net.


Saturday, June 04, 2011

Parallel Kingdom is a quick escape

Since I got my first Android phone, I've been playing Parallel Kingdom. It's somewhat of a MMORPG with territories superimposed on Google Maps.

On this game you can plant flags to claim territory, hunt, battle creatures, earn gold, craft potions, trade goods, build cities and kingdoms, visit distant lands, and many more things. All from the palm of your hand.

The game was tough at first. As a noob, killing creatures is as dangerous for you as it is for the creatures. Many of them are stronger than you. Chopping trees for wood also has the peril of invoking the wrath of trolls.

As you progress in skill, it becomes easier to hunt and gather wood, necessary supplies for building many things.

A big part of the fun of Parallel Kingdom is playing it with others. You can hunt as a team, run cities and kingdoms together, and even do battle. Since there are other players, there is a good chance you'll not get along with some, which would be a constant thorn in your side.

Overall, Parallel Kingdom offers a little escape from the drama of your real life to the drama of a make believe world. It's fun.

Parallel Kingdom is available for iPhone and Android.


Thursday, June 02, 2011

Social Media really is just a part of your Marketing mix

One thing I have consistently said about social media is that it doesn't perform miracles on its own. Almost every successful use of social media includes other forms of marketing too.

One example is the Foodbank RGV. Great social media use; but it includes a website, television interviews, radio interviews, billboards, special events, newspaper stories, and other traditional marketing methods. Social media ties them all together.
If all you can afford is social media, do it. However, start branching out into other forms of marketing as soon as you grow your budget.


Wednesday, June 01, 2011

2011 Texas Legislature Highlights

Google +1 isn't an option for mobile

Mashable and other websites have enabled Google +1. The feature only shows on the full website; mobile versions don't have a +1 option.

Even this blog has +1 enabled on the normal template; but it is not on the mobile template.

As people increasingly use mobile devices to consume content and participate online, it's important to give mobile users some consideration.

Of course, it's somewhat of a moot point because Google search results with +1 recommendations don't work on the mobile version anyway.

Some sites allow you to switch to the full version of the site, thus allowing some way to +1. Some sites will kick you back to the mobile version no matter what.

Suffice it to say, there are some kinks that need straightening out with +1.

Maybe other mobile browsers will work.

Why paying for stuff with your phone is no big deal

I like Google and their constant tinkering with the way we manage our data and commerce. Technologically, being able to touch your phone to a terminal to make a payment is pretty cool. But this doesn't really solve much for me.

In my wallet now, I have:
license
health insurance card
prescription drug card
fedex office payment card
AmEx Serve card
2 walmart debit cards
cash

After phone payments become standard, I still have to carry a wallet and the items contained.

Certainly, Google Wallet will be a handy additional payment option; but it doesn't really do much in eliminating the need to carry a wallet, especially for the George Costanzas of the world.

In fact, what would help me more is to carry less electronic stuff. I'm seriously considering the Indiana Jones satchel option to carry my gadgets; eliminating a debit card in my wallet hardly makes a dent.

One brave soul deleted his blogs

Steve Rubel wrote about how he completely removed his old blogs and switched to Tumblr. I have had a similar desire to do that if I could find a way to import my old Wordpress posts to Blogger. I haven't worked up the courage to just completely delete the other blogs and move here, to Blogger.

Having an Android phone, my online experience is heavily tilted towards Google. My photos are hosted on Picasa, it's a cinch to post Youtube videos to the blog, Google Buzz serves as my social stream, and there are a bunch of other benefits.

However, going by Steve's blog post, the only thing missing is the interaction. Tumblr tends to be a bit more interactive. But, most of the interaction I get is not on my blogs; it is on Twitter, Facebook, and even Google Buzz. In that sense, it doesn't really matter all that much where I host my blog.

No doubt Google +1 promises to make a big difference in how people find information; but, it probably won't make a big difference when it comes to fragmenting search results. The nature of search is supposed to yield fragmented results; you are searching by topic, not person or website.

In any case, I suspect Google probably won't have a +1 plugin or option for Blogger for a while.

Yes, you kind of had to read Steve's post to make sense of mine.