PRODUCTIVITY: Understanding what social networking is

Saturday, October 27, 2007

http://www.commoncraft.com/transcript-social-networking-plain-english

Transcript: Social Networking in Plain English

***Begin Quote***

Networks get things done. Whether it’s sending a letter or lighting your home. Networks make it happen.

***and***

This solves a real world problem because your network has hidden opportunities. Social networking sites make these connections between people visible.

Like a map for a highway, they can show you the people network that can help you get to your next destination, whether it’s a job, a new partner, or a great place to live. Your network is suddenly more useful.

***End Quote***

One think that basic explanations do is force one to examine one’s thinking. The memes that we are operating under.

In this case, using a social networking website is NOT imho networking. It may facilitate networking, but it ain’t getting out an establishing that “weak bond” of mutual cooperation.

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JOBSEARCH: How do you invest in yourself?

Saturday, October 27, 2007

http://www.nofluffjuststuff.com/blog/ted_neward/2007/10/a_conversation_on_architecture.html

***Begin Quote***

Do many/most developers at F500 companies not go to events like local JUGs or conferences like NFJS?

Unfortunately, far too many developers don’t treat their careers as a work-in-progress, but believe that once they’ve landed the job, they’re on a track to moderate financial success for life. In fact, lots of developers fit the demographic of “male, 18-30, and single”, which is the absolute worst demographic for future planning. Lots of these guys think that “Hey, I’m smart, the money will always flow in, right? Java/.NET/C++/COBOL will always be the tool of choice, right? What, me worry?”

Unfortunately, it’s my experience that it doesn’t get better with age. Developers in the age range of 31 and up have seen one (or two) generations of languages/platforms go by, and have had to re-tool themselves, and are still pissed about it. The ones who realize that no matter how much they learn, there’s still a lot more to take on, those are the ones going to JUGs and NFJS and TechEd and JavaOne and whatever else comes their way. Those are the same ones who see training classes as opportunities for advancement, not opportunities to play 8 hours of uninterrupted Solitaire. And, unfortunately, those developers are the exception, not the rule, it seems.

Which means, if you take the time to invest in yourself, you will never be in the bottom of the candidate pool for your next job. Period.

***End Quote***

Well said. Many moons ago, Frau Reinke, the CFO of our partnership, “decided” that I should have a budget for training and toys. Now bear in mind that she has no use for this “technology stuff”, is a tight with “wasting” money as I have ever seen, (She’ll spend it like water; just never “waste” a drop), so I had a budget. And, I HAD to spend it. I was figuring a $100. What do I know? She allocated 1% of my annual gross to training and 1% to “technology toys”. Wow!

So, I got a lesson in investing in your self.

How do you invest in yourself?

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text


TECHNOLOGY: The web warns

Saturday, October 27, 2007

http://www.lewrockwell.com/north/north579.html

 

What To Learn From Maytag
by Gary North

***Begin Quote***

They did not perceive that the Web would allow bad news to circulate by word of mouse.

***End Quote***

Cute phrase that absolutely captures the meme. The web acts like Paul Revere. Ignore that at your own peril.

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LINKEDIN: anything more than an activity trap?

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Vincent Wright
Staffing Manager, Quoin, Inc.

*** begin quote ***

What Would A Multi-Billion Dollar Linkedin Look Like?

I dare you to repeat that title three times, fast! ?

What would a multi-billion dollar Linkedin look like?
What would a multi-billion dollar Linkedin look like?
What would a multi-billion dollar Linkedin look like?

All kidding aside: In looking at the profile of Linkedin CEO, Dan Nye, there is an ultra-compact but highly powerful one sentence statement describing his current mission: “Leading LinkedIn to become a multi-billion dollar company and the most customer driven company in the world.” ( http://www.linkedin.com/in/danielnye )

SO???…

“a multi-billion dollar company”?

Does it borrow from Facebook? MySpace? Google? Yahoo? eBay? Amazon? Neither?

What do you think a multi-billion dollar Linkedin would look like?

*** end quote ***

It might be able to tell me the last time a person was “active” and it might let me keep some notes about my contacts (i.e., like how I know them — my memory isn’t so good — what was the question?). And, I’ll go way out on a limb here, it might allow me to measure “days outstanding” (i.e., how long since I last interacted with you) and sort by who I need to “freshen up” with.

Now back to reality. Jury is still out -imho- if LinkedIn, Facebook, or even MySpace is anything more than an activity trap!

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POLITICAL: Restore the Republic!

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Great Ron Paul video

*** begin quote ***

*** end quote ***

Restore the Republic!

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LIBERTY: Think she’ll be a victim?

Saturday, October 27, 2007

FROM A FRIEND’S (DOTCOMERADEN’S) FACEBOOK

***Begin Quote***

Home on the range

***End Quote***

Now assuming you are a bad guy, would you rather run up against this sovereign individual or that silly girl making vending machine costumes?

Who’s having fun?

Who’s in control of their own destiny?

Who’s intentions will be mistaken?

Note the Cooper’s stance. Not like in the movies.

She’s the progeny of the American Pioneer women!

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POLITICAL: What Hillary Would Do As President?

Saturday, October 27, 2007

What Hillary Would Do As President?
AND How Much More It Will Cost You
By Dick Morris Reports <dickmorrisreports@dickmorris.com>

 

*** begin quote ***

TAXES

Hillary makes no secret of her intention to roll back Bush’s tax cuts on the ‘wealthy.’ But her definition of ‘rich’ is sufficiently inclusive so as to encompass everyone with a family or household income over $200,000 a year. Clearly she would include the following in the tax cuts she will repeal (or allow to sunset):

o She’d raise the top bracket of the federal income tax, restoring it to 39.6% from its current 35% level.

o She’d increase the capital gains tax, restoring it to 20% – or maybe even go higher. My bet is that she will increase it to 30% or even eliminate special treatment for capital gains altogether, taxing gains as ordinary income (at 40%).

o Hillary will almost certainly roll back much- if not all- of the estate tax reductions of recent years, lowering dramatically the size of estates subject to the levy.

o She’d restore the tax on dividends to 30% from its current 15%.

But her agenda will doubtless go further. She will be much more radical in raising taxes than Bush was in cutting them.

SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES

One of her most important steps will probably be to raise Social Security (FICA) taxes. She won’t raise the rate since that would impact her liberal base. Instead, she’ll raise the threshold of income that subject to taxation, now limited to the first $97, 500 of income.

At a recent candidate forum in Iowa, Hillary played it cute. First, she told the audience that she had nothing ‘on the table’ about Social Security taxes. Then, after the meeting, she privately told Todd Bowman, a schoolteacher who was in the audience, that she would consider imposing FICA taxes on all those who earn more than $200,000. She told Bowman that she would probably keep the current threshold at $100,000, skip the next hundred thousand of income, and then tax all income over $200,000 for Social Security.

So, look forward to some big changes there.

(Of course, she will not remove the cap on benefits, just on taxes).

*** end quote ***

Remember history students, it was the smoot hawley tariff that caused the Great Depression and FDR had to get American into WW2 to get us out of it.

That’s the consistent model: Gooferment creates the problem and then rushes in to “save” us from it.

Personally, I think ONLY Ron Paul beats her.

If it even looks like she’s winning, look for a Stock Market crash that will make all prior look like bumps. And, if she is elected and follows the tax plan that Dick Morris is predicting (which isn’t farfetched for a socialist like Hillary!), then you’ll see a real Depression.

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RANT: VISTAPRINT tells you after taking your web order that you have to call with problems

Saturday, October 27, 2007

FROM AN EMAIL ABOUT AN ORDER

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Dear Valued VistaPrint Customer:

In order to respond to you as quickly as possible, we are sending this automated response to your recent e-mail. At this time VistaPrint only offers customer service by toll-free telephone. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

We invite you to call us toll-free at 1-800-721-6216. Knowledgeable representatives are available to assist you Monday – Friday, from 8 AM to 12 Midnight PM EST.

You can also find answers to many commonly asked questions by visiting our online Help Section at http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/customer_care/help/default.aspx

Thank you for your interest in VistaPrint. We appreciate your business and your patience. We look forward to being of service to you.

Sincerely,
Customer Care
VistaPrint

*** end quote ***

Personally, I think calling any enterprise is a hassle. And, a waste of my time!

NOT RECOMMENDED: VistaPrint

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INTERESTING: LV casinos lead in spying on us

Saturday, October 27, 2007

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/21/AR2007102101522_pf.html

From Casinos to Counterterrorism
Las Vegas Surveillance, U.S. Security Efforts Involve Similar Tactics
By Ellen Nakashima
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, October 22, 2007; A01

***Begin Quote***

LAS VEGAS — This city, famous for being America’s playground, has also become its security lab. Like nowhere else in the United States, Las Vegas has embraced the twin trends of data mining and high-tech surveillance, with arguably more cameras per square foot than any airport or sports arena in the country. Even the city’s cabs and monorail have cameras. As the U.S. government ramps up its efforts to forestall terrorist attacks, some privacy advocates view the city as a harbinger of things to come.

***End Quote***

Seems like the gooferment could learn a lot from the casinos. Maybe the casinos should be in charge of the gooferment. At least tyranny would be pleasant?

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PRODUCTIVITY: Have you “sung” your song?

Saturday, October 27, 2007

FROM A NOTE I WROTE

***Begin Quote***

I think that sadly all too many people go to their grave and take their DIKW — data, information, knowledge, and wisdom — with them. Like the man, who dies, leaving his family without life insurance, is said to “abscond”. So to, those, who leave, taking their thoughts to the grave, have stolen from all of us. It our duty to humanity to point the way. Probably our mistakes are more insightful. Those tell people what didn’t work for us. Remember Edison’s “now I know 10,000 ways how NOT to make a light bulb”. Powerful advice.

***End Quote***

Steven Covey says the word ‘universe” means one song. I hope everyone “sings” their song on the inet where it will be captured hopefully forever.

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