5 Free Twitter Tools For Totally Tantalizing Tweeting

At first, I didn’t get the purpose of Twitter. I kept hearing about its rising popularity and just couldn’t understand why “Shannon ate toast and jelly this morning” could be intriguing or newsworthy on any level. However, after months of being inundated with the “Do you Tweet?” question from friends, family and strangers alike, I finally succumbed to peer pressure and set up my Twitteraccount.

Being so skeptical at first, you can imagine my surprise when I discovered that Twitter, in fact, can be a powerful tool for promoting your business. So, now that I am a happy daily Twitter Tweeter, I have learned some tasty tidbits that I’d like to share.

(1) Posting Tweets to multiple social networks

One of the first things I learned when I became a freelance writer is: there is no such thing as too many social networks. The problem with keeping up with all these sites is that it can be exhausting and time-consuming. Fortunately, now we have Ping.fm to link all these sites so your tweet can get maximum exposure.

Getting set up on Ping.fm is simple. All you need is an email address and password and you are in business. Next, follow a few simple directions on choosing and setting up your social networks, and VOILA, your tweets will be transmitted to 39 top social networking sites. (Who knew there were that many?)

Mark O’Neill covers Ping.fm in-depth here.

(2) Scheduling An Automated Message to Twitter

Getting too busy to tweet? No problem. Spend an hour planning your tweets in advance and your followers will never know the difference.

There are actually a number of sites completely dedicated to setting up pre-scheduled tweets, but my recommendation is http://futuretweets.com. This site offers a totally free scheduling service, complete with the ability to pre-schedule automated messages to twitter, set up recurring tweets, and turn tweet text upside down and backwards (I got nuthin’).

(3) Tracking Tweets by Territory

Want to know where the tweets on your stream are coming from?

Well, Twittearth will display tweets and their locations in the form of cute little text balloons floating over a rotating 3D globe (think Google Earth). It’s actually quite mesmerizing, kind of like watching an aquarium.

(4) How does your Tweet rank?

It’s a harsh reality that Twitter is, in fact, a popularity contest. If you want to be noticed, you have to make sure your tweets are getting maximum exposure. This comes in the form of followers, shout outs and retweets. If you have this kind of exposure then it is actually possible for your Twitter page to show up on a search engine – which is a dream come true for those trying to promote their own business.

Twinfluence is a statistical site which analyzes your Twitter popularity by rank and percentile. There are a number of other graphs and charts based on other criterias as well. If you like stats, this is your gig.

James Rogers discusses Twinfluence as well as others tools for tweeting here.

(5) Automatically send your blog updates to Twitter

Did you just finish a blog that you think your readers will be excited about? Try Twitterfeed. Twitterfeed will link to your blog and send an update to Twitter every time your RSS feed gets updated.

Learn more about Twitterfeed here.

With the ever increasing popularity of Twitter, there are new tools created constantly. If you are going to be on Twitter, why not maximize its benefit with these totally free applications?

Oh and now you can follow MakeUseOf on Twitter too.

Find these tools interesting? What do you use Twitter for? Let me know in the comments.

For more Twitter ideas, check out these links:

7 Tools to Integrate Twitter with your WordPress Blog
Tools, Apps and Bots to Improve Your Twitter Experience
4 Tools for More Productive Twittering

Zoho Suite of Free Technology Tools

As a freelance technical trainer my priority is to look as professional as possible while saving as much money as I can in the process. With this in mind, I discovered an entire suite of free products that can help with education.

Zoho is an online service that allows you do almost anything online that you can do with the Microsoft Office Suite —from creating documents to managing your schedule to setting up presentations – plus collaboration, project-management, chatting, and a numerous other  tasks.

This suite of online web applications effectively increases your productivity and offers effortless communication with students or colleagues. The projects you create can be shared with the public, or anyone you authorize. You can make your project completely public, either via a URL on Zoho’s site or on your blog.

The biggest advantage of Zoho is that all these basic products are free. (Many of them have an affordable upgrade option offering more features.). Another benefit is that Zoho is looks professional and can even be customized with your logo and institution information.

Here are a few of the Zoho applications that I have found most beneficial for teaching:

Zoho Meeting

Zoho Meeting captures some of the important features of WebEx – desktop sharing.  It enables the students to have access to the teacher’s desktop so they are able to view presentations and follow direction during classes.

Each student can view the teacher’s desktop, chat, add participants, email, and view meeting details. Sessions can also be recorded and downloaded by users. If you want to display something remotely, Zoho Meeting can help you accomplish this task.

Zoho Discussion

With Zoho Discussion you can create public or private support forums where students can share comments around a particular discussion topic (much like the discussion area in Blackboard).

Zoho provides easy set up and is filled with useful features. Similar to any forum, Zoho Discussion lets users create threads based on a particular topic. Users can create a profile, follow other users, bookmark particular threads and send private messages to the teachers and other students.

Zoho Challenge

This is application allows an instructor to create online tests. The teacher can easily add students, check on performance and verify who has passed and who has not. The student can schedule their test far in advance, view clearly accessible test results, and view graphs displaying the overall results of tests.

Zoho Wiki

Zoho Wiki provides easy to use WYSIWYG editing. The Wiki is the perfect way to create a virtual classroom so students can stay connected.

The instructor can post assignments and study materials; keep up online schedules with assignment deadlines; host pictures, slide shows, photo galleries and video clips; share articles, videos, useful links, blogs and so much more.

Zoho Chat

With Zoho Chat the user has the ability to connect with others in real time. Nearly every Zoho application has the chat function or it can be used as a standalone.  The user can send files, record chat history, customize themes, and anything else you would find in an IM application.

Zoho Show

Zoho Show is a program, similar to MS PowerPoint, for creating presentations. It is simple and user-friendly. The user can upload PowerPoint files up to 10MB from your PC or the web and export Zoho presentation into PowerPoint; share the presentation remotely through Zoho Meeting; embed into other webpages; and imbed YouTube videos into their presentation. There are multiple ways to share presentations.

For information on all Zoho programs:

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoho_Office_Suite#Zoho_Wiki

To access the programs:

Zoho http://www.zoho.com/

Spyware & Spam

Spyware is defined by Wiktionary.com as “programs that surreptitiously monitor and report the actions of a computer user.” Generally people who install these programs are completely unaware they are installing malicious software (malware). For example, many “free” toolbars, games and screensavers contain spyware. When these programs are installed they begin to record and report the actions of the computer user back to the spyware creator, generally with the purpose of advertising. Many times this leads to an overload of SPAM, unsolicited commercial email advertisements that can inundate a computer user’s inbox.

Although we do have some legislation in America that limits the use of these types of malware, there are a number of reasons this does not resolve the issue. Many times the people creating and implementing these programs are located in other countries and therefore are not required to follow our American laws. Other times the government just doesn’t have the time or manpower to prosecute the people who create these malicious programs.

These laws all focus on prosecuting people after users systems have already been infected with malware. However, prevention is the biggest solution to the SPAM/Spyware problem. Some of these preventative measures include:

Do not install “free” programs without thoroughly investigating them first. This includes toolbars for desktops/browsers; free games, puzzles, or other interactive entertainment; free screensavers or animated characters for desktop; free pop-up blocker programs; files downloaded from file-sharing services. There are a few websites specifically set up to inform you whether or not the free product you are about to install contains spyware. A couple of good ones are: http://cexx.org and http://doxdesk.com/parasite/.

Follow the “No Contact” rule for spam messages. When you get spam, don’t respond in ANY way. Don’t “unsubscribe” or get angry and write back asking to speak with a supervisor. Don’t respond to sneaky SPAM messages, like political surveys or dating service questionnaires. If you respond to a spam email, even if it is to “unsubscribe”, all you are telling the spammers is that there is a live person there reading their emails and you are likely to get more.

Use a disposable email address. Create a free Yahoo or Google email address just for the purpose of spam. Rule of thumb is that your primary email address should only be for people that you know and have actually talked to in person or over the phone. If you are buying something off the internet, or registering to become a member of a site, you should always use your disposable email address. The reason it is called a “disposable address” is because you should be able to discard it at any point, once it has become inundated with spam.

Unfortunately the issue Spyware and spam are both very difficult to completely resolve. However, there are ways to curb the problem with a little education and common sense. For more information on fighting malware, go to http://www.malwarehelp.org/.

Other sources:

http://spam.abuse.net/

http://jrm.phys.ksu.edu/security.html

In Defense of Technology in Education

Technology is growing and advancing at lightning speed. In just the last ten years there has been a boom in hardware and software. We have been introduced to social networking, Web 2.0, multimedia content, high-speed wireless connections, 3D virtual immersion systems, portable media players, smartphones, tablet pc’s, and GPS trackers. These are just a few developments of the new millennium, and they are affecting the global workforce as well as education.

In learning institutions, not investing in technology would be like not investing in books or pencils so children can read or write. Technology skills are essential in the labor force. With a constantly increasing technology-dependent social order, there is a whole new set of abilities  students must gain knowledge of. Not just reading, writing and arithmetic like in previous generations, but also higher order skills such as problem-solving, conceptual development and critical thinking. (Ringstaff & Kelley)

Research has shown that the knowledge of word processors, spreadsheets, databases, website development programs and the internet helps prepare students for the workforce. (McNabb, Freeman & Burchett) However, technical skills are not limited to data input and design but also an increase in student motivation, self esteem, autonomy and accountability for their own learning. Some reviews have shown that with the use of technology students not only tend to get involved in their projects and go beyond what is required of them, they also utilize technology during their off-time, such as breaks and after school. (Ringstaff & Kelley)

A generation ago, basic skills were enough to accomplish a low-level job. Today this is not the case. Even a factory worker may have need of access to email. A telephone installer might need a speech portal to access his calendar. (Mardesich) Employers are looking for workers with problem-solving skills, who can take initiative and see the big picture. Society as a whole is aware of the up-and-coming “digital generation”. It is a common joke that “my 12 year old knows more about computers than me.” The workforce is keenly aware of this new age band of tech savvy potential employees and is preparing themselves for their arrival.  They will be expecting people who know about research, collaboration and brainstorming learned from such technologies as search engines, blogs, discussion boards and social networks.

Today’s employers want employees who can think on their feet, solve problems creatively, use technology to complete their work and work well in teams. With a whole new generation of digital natives, these are the skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly technology-dependent cultural climate.

Works Cited:

Ringstaff, C. & Kelley, L., (2002). The Learning Return on Our Educational Technology Investment. WestEd RTEC. https://www.msu.edu/~corleywi/documents/Positive_impact_tech/ The%20learning%20return%20on%20our%20educational%20technology%20investment.pdf

Chertavian, G (2008). School Reform in the New Millennium: Preparing All Children for 21st Century Success.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. http://www.doe.mass.edu/boe/docs/1108/item1.pdf

Cradler J.,McNabb, M., Freeman,M.& Burchett, R. (2002) How Does Technology Influence Student Learning?. ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education.) https://k20portal.ou.edu/k12/leaders/Document%20Library/1/Article.StudentLearning.pdf

Mardesich, J., (2009) Next Generation Workers. Directory M. http://articles.directorym.com/Next_Generation_Workers-a939226.html

Exploring the Great Debate: Mac vs. PC

It would be hard to live in North America and not be aware of the ongoing debate over Mac & PC – and which is the superior product. Generally in the past, businesses have gravitated toward PC’s. Individualists and artists have leaned toward Apple, and Mac has been the forerunner in Education.

However, there have been some shifts these last few years which have heated up the Mac/PC dispute. Probably due to the vast success of the iPod, Mac’s have become the fashionable computer to buy in the general population. Conversely, for financial reasons, the educational system preference has begun to shift from Mac’s to PC’s.

As research for this article, I logged into my Facebook account and posted the question: Mac vs. PC – Which do you prefer and why? Within an hour I had 27 responses. Ask someone which machine they prefer, and you are likely to get an earful. Bring this same question to a corporate or educational environment where money is involved and the dispute is likely to get even more heated.

So what is being debated here? There are several issues at hand:

Cost – Mac’s are notoriously more expensive. You may have seen the Microsoft commercial that features a woman in search of a laptop for under $1000. After visiting the Apple store and checking the prices she emerges saying “I guess I’m not cool enough for a Mac.”

What is Apple’s response to the question of why their computers cost more? “We only make quality product”. Good answer! You have to admire the integrity of a company more concerned with customer satisfaction than market share. However this does eliminate a large chunk of their potential business. PC’s and their parts are much less expensive, which allows consumers to buy and upgrade their Windows machines cost-effectively and use them for years.

Adaptability – Although Mac has grown tenfold over the last couple of years, they still only claim approximately 10% of the market share (www.tuaw.com), so technology manufacturers naturally gravitate toward the PC platform. As a result, PC is compatible with more applications that offer better tools for business. These programs are recognized internationally, which makes for higher productivity in business. Mac computers are often not used in business because of their inability to communicate efficiently with PC’s.

Security – Mac’s don’t get anywhere near the number of severe security problems that PC’s have. They’re virtually free of spyware, adware and viruses. This has always been one of Apple’s biggest selling points. However, some suggest that this will change as Mac’s popularity grows. People aren’t writing virus codes for Mac’s simply because there are more PC users. An interesting article How Straight Talk Became a Casualty of Mac vs. PC Wars (www.adage.com) uses the metaphor “Macs are no safer from viruses than Native Americans were safe from smallpox before the Europeans came.”

Sex Appeal – Mac computers, known for their visual appeal and smart design, win hands-down in this area.

Options – Apple doesn’t offer the choices one could get with a PC, such as ultra lightweight laptops, netbooks or tablet PC’s. This lack of selection could potentially drive a Mac user to a Windows machine.

So does the Mac/PC debate still exist? Clearly the answer to this question is a resounding “YES”. It’s not often you see a commercial for Mac or PC that doesn’t include reasons it is superior to its competitor.

However, according to the September 2009 issue of Macworld, the war is over and both Mac and PC have won. They both have their niche in the marketplace and have each gained improvements as a result of each other. It’s not necessarily a question of “What’s better?” as much as “What do you need from your computer?”

Video Introduction

Here is my first assignment from Grad School EDTECH 541. An introduction based in Powerpoint.

Click Here

Text Etiquette

Guess what? It’s not just about cell phone etiquette anymore. If you are observant at all, you have probably noticed the boom in text messaging in the last year. When I received a text from my 65 year old mom a few months ago, I knew we had a trend on our hands.

The problem is, like the early days of the cell phone, people can be rude and, dare I say it, offensive in their use of text messaging. And, like the early days of the cell phone, I see a huge need to inform the public that there is a polite way to do it.

1. First and foremost: Texting while spending time or having a face-to-face conversation with someone is RUDE. It’s just as bad as picking up the cell phone during lunch. It tells the person you are with that they are less important than the person you are texting.
2. Texting while driving is dangerous. Don’t do it. Period.
3. Texting is lighthearted and informal. Don’t have a serious conversation over text message. It has been reported that 11 percent of Americans say breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend via text message is okay. Trust me… there is a right way to break up with someone, and it doesn’t involve a text message. If word gets out, you may never be able to get a date again.
4. Be ready to accept the fact that you may not get a reply. Your friends aren’t waiting around with baited breath for you to message them. They love you, but not that much.
5. Keep your texts short. Rule of thumb, anything over 160 characters should be an email. Remember, texting is supposed to make our lives easier.
6. Do not use texting as a way to dodge having an actual conversation with someone. If you are afraid to talk to them in person, do not text them.
7. Ask your recipient if they want text messages. Believe it or not there are some people who think of text messages as a nuisance. Further, the texts you send them can actually cost them money, and may be unwanted.
8. Don’t use texting shorthand ( ‘l8r’, ’2moro’, ‘u r’, ‘@’) unless you are sure your recipient will understand it. Many phones now have “predictive text” that will spell out the entire word for you. Use it as much as possible.
9. Do not ask a question that requires a lengthy response or a game of “text tennis”. These conversations should be phone calls.
10. Do not send texts while under the influence. Just like 3:00am drunk-dialing, you will regret it in the morning.

The Effect of the Internet on Businesses

The pros and cons of the Internet and how it has affected businesses on a local and global level.

The Internet Revolution

The Internet Revolution

Ten years ago there were some people who thought the Internet was a fad. Those days are definitely over. People who resisted the rise of technology have long been left in the dust in order to make way for the rise of a more advanced populace. These are the people who understood the power of the Internet and how it could take their businesses to a whole new level.

From Local to Global

Global Business

The mom and pop shop down the street is now getting customers from all over the world. This is one way the Internet effects businesses. When a company sets up a website and markets it properly, suddenly it is opening up a massive consumer base and the possibilities are endless. With the click of a button, they are able to network around the world.

The downside of this is that suddenly business becomes much more competitive. It can take time and money to ensure the company is at the top of the list when someone does a Google search on a product. Yet with a little elbow grease and know-how, the Internet can be a phenomenal resource.

Working Remotely

Work from Anywhere

How many times have you heard someone brag about the fact that he went to work in his bunny slippers? Before the Internet, this did not happen. There are a number of careers now that require only a computer, WiFi and an Internet connection for the worker to be up and running. More than anything, the bunny-slippers phenomenon effects businesses that are sole proprietors. However, there are virtual headhunters that broker out these telecommuters and succeed in big business for themselves.

Educated Consumers

Educated Consumers

Now a potential buyer isn’t at the mercy of a salesperson. Many big name retailers give bonuses to their sales people for selling certain items each month. A customer may not necessarily get the product that fits his or her needs. Now, if someone is looking for a computer, new car or kitchen appliance, there are many websites that offer free customer service and expert reviews on products.

Virtual Retailers

Virtual Business

There are many business that now operate solely from the Internet. Take Amazon, for example. A consumer can type into the Amazon search engine just about anything he wants, and within seconds it is right at his fingertips. Further, when he buys the item and has it shipped to him, he can track it every step of the way. If something is being shipped FedEx, a tracking number is all a customer needs to find out what city his package is in, whether it’s in the truck or at the hub, and what time it will arrive at his door.

Endless Possibilities

The Sky is the Limit

Overall, the Internet has had a positive effect on business. It has opened up doors for people and businesses across the globe and has made people worldwide understand that now the sky’s the limit.

5 “Must Have” Apps for the Self-Employed

Being self-employed comes with its own list of challenges, ranging from managing different projects & keeping in contact with clients to self-promotion & billing. As a freelance writer, I too understand that sometimes just getting organized feels like a full-time job. There are many, many web applications promising a lot and delivering a little – and the ones that do deliver often cost a pretty penny. So what’s a freelancer to do? Never fear, I found five free applications to make your job easier.

Don’t feel like spending $499 on the entire MS Office suite? Why not try Zoho (www.zoho.com), a complete suite of free software programs designed to help you be more productive in your business. With everything from word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software to invoicing and web conferencing, Zoho can be a huge resource for the freelancer.

If you, like me, get a little tired of browsing through numerous sites just to find the perfect photo, look no further. Just type in a few keywords and Cyclops (http://cyclo.ps/) will search 9 sites for the perfect image.

Does it seem like every client has a different instant messenger? With Meebo (www.meebo.com), members can keep in touch with colleagues on any IM network (AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, Google Talk and Gmail, MySpace IM, Facebook, etc.) all from one window.

Make sure your client is never out of the loop. Projectstat.us (www.projectstat.us) is a very simple program that will give your customers the information they need, such as where you are in a project and when it will be complete. They can log in anytime to see your status, allowing you more time to work on their assignment and less time answering their questions.

Curdbee (www.curdbee.com) is a simple online billing system that will invoice your client and enable them to pay you through Paypal or Google Checkout.

Juggling all the facets of self-employment can sometimes be difficult. It’s good to know there are programs out there to make our jobs easier, without breaking the bank.

Palm Spring Escrow

What comes to mind when you think of Palm Springs? Do you think of laid-back relaxation? Sunshine, swimming pools and palm trees? Shopping and dining? Palm Springs is all these things and many more. Once home to many American legends including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Sonny Bono and Kirk Douglas, Palm Springs has international appeal.

Palm Springs is known for its eclectic architectural style and beautiful landscape. It’s obvious why the population continues to grow. Locally owned and operated, CV escrow can address the unique requirements of buyers and sellers. Whether it’s a first time home-buyer, someone relocating to the Palm Springs area, or a couple downsizing in their golden years, customer satisfaction is of utmost importance. Our position is simple – you come first.

Julie Ekstrem was born and raised in Southern California, and has been working in escrow since 1976.  Having worked in the Palm Desert for ____ years, she is the expert on local real estate transactions. Whether you have questions about the escrow process, want some extra reassurance, or need immediate information about your escrow, she can help. She is here to answer questions and her customers are educated on the escrow process. Well-versed in sale, commercial, Indian lease land, loan, REO and short sale transactions, her focus is creating and maintaining enduring relationships with her clients. This involves superior customer service and integrity.

For more information please visit her blog at http://coachellavalleyescrow.com/julie-ekstrom.