Interesting that Microsoft Live Writer, when it takes an error, may post to a different blog than you expect. Extreme care need when using it!
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TECH SOFTWARE: Warning on Micorsoft Live Writer in blog updating
Thursday, August 23, 2007
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SOFTWARE | 
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Posted by reinkefj
TECHNOLOGY: Free education in an unlikely place
Thursday, August 23, 2007My meme for job search is like this:
** Doctrine — why are we turkeys — thinking about thinking — how do I value things — how will I measure success or failure.
** Methodology — the process of job search — what do I have to do — what should I want to do. — effectiveness & efficiency.
** Strategy — the big picture — what am I peddling? (UVE USP) what can I sell at what price? what is my roi? Where are my customers? What are my expectations?
** Tactics — machine gun mass mailing, shotgun all in a some subset, rifle shots at key targets, pistol shots up close and personal.
** Technology — internet, computers, manual methods, mail, fax, web, phones
Under “doctrine”, I see EDUCATION as so much cheaper than EXPERIENCE. So one of my values is to seek education whenever I can get it. Free education is even better. I like to say, “You don’t have to pay tuition for every lesson. You can learn from mistakes. And, you don’t even have to make every mistake yourself!”
So here is a strategy to get some free education. Join the Telegraph’s free “Business Club”. They have some videos and stuff that is educational.
http://www.telegraphbusinessclub.co.uk/default.asp?p_id=masterclass#
*** begin quote ***
Ten minutes is all it takes! Now you can learn from the experts – the easy way.
Business Club has worked with Experts Online to film interviews with business specialists talking about topics we judge to be of key importance to ambitious entrepreneurs and the top management staff of small and medium sized enterprises.
But we know you are busy running your business. So we have edited all the content to ensure that each MasterClass covers the key points you need to know – but does not last more than ten minutes.
*** end quote ***
Ignore that it’s from the UK. (Americans are too US centric anyway.) Ignore that it’s usually by some one peddling something. BUT do distill the lesson from it.
For example, here’s one there:
*** begin quote ***
How SMEs can compete
in the technology race
Alexandra Bottomley
Head of Marketing Operations, BT
Frank Shaw
Foresight Director, Centre for Future Studies
Seventy six percent of SMEs are sleepwalking into major business problems because they fail to invest in technology, according to research by the Centre for Future Studies. This Masterclass examines the report’s contents and explores how BT can help businesses compete more effectively.
*** end quote ***
And here’s what I took away.
* Many small players are at technology disadvantage that magnifies over time.
* People select the cheapest solution aot the best value.
* tendency to overinvest in current technology.
* Key: What do you want to achieve? How can technology help reach that goal?
* People want service and support they can trust to answer a phone call.
* “I make it my job to communicate with my Customers at least once per month”.
* The telephone is part of a technology plan.
* “A small business can use technology is incredible effective ways a relatively low cost.”
* Future-proof
* “Do you know what it is that your children will be able to do in 15 years time, that technology can’t”
* “What skills do we need to be teaching our children today to prepare for the future?”
* “What skills <that you are selling today> will be gone?
* How does one gain competitive advantage in a global world.
I think these things are great. YMMV!
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Posted by reinkefj
TECH SOFTWARE: Yahoo! Music Jukebox
Wednesday, August 22, 2007Can you beleive this response?
***Begin Quote***
From: Yahoo! Music Jukebox [mailto:migration-support@cc.yahoo-inc.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 7:53 PM
To: Reinke’s Catch All Email
Subject: Re: Musicmatch Migration issue (KMM102549845V28118L0KM)
Hello ,
Thank you for writing to Yahoo! Music Jukebox.
To correct this issue, please uninstall then reinstall Yahoo! Music
Jukebox.
First, uninstall the Yahoo! Music Jukebox:
1. Make sure to exit the Yahoo! Music Jukebox. If you don’t, the uninstall will fail.
2. At the bottom left of your Windows screen, click the “Start” button.
3. Depending on your Windows version, select “Settings” and then ‘Control Panel’, or just look for ‘Control Panel’ in the menu shown when you click ‘Start.’
4. Open ‘Control Panel.’
5. Double-click or select “Add/Remove Programs.”
6. In the list of applications, select “Yahoo! Music Jukebox” and click the “Remove” button.
7. Click the “Next” button, then “Finished.”
If you see an error that the uninstall process failed, you will need to install the Yahoo! Music Jukebox following the instructions below and then uninstall the application by performing the above steps again.
Once the Yahoo! Music Jukebox is successfully uninstalled, you will need to reinstall. Note that uninstalling and reinstalling the Yahoo!
Music Jukebox is free, and does not affect your Yahoo! Music Unlimited account. You will simply need to sign in using your Yahoo! ID at the completion of the install process; you will be prompted to add in the music files already on your computer, and your subscription music (if any) will be automatically populated.
1. Close all running applications except for Internet Explorer.
2. Please then visit your respective URL:
U.S. Version:
http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/music/ymj/us/ymjsetup.exe
Canadian Version:
http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/music/ymj/ca/ymjsetup.exe
2. “Save” the program (please do not “Run” it) and download it to the desktop.
3. From the desktop, run the installer file that you downloaded and follow the onscreen instructions.
4. Please Note: Download time can take anywhere from 1 to 25 minutes and
18 MB of free space is required to install the Yahoo! Music Jukebox.
5. After installing, click the icon on your desktop to start the Yahoo!
Music Jukebox. Sign in using your Yahoo! ID.
For more information about troubleshooting with the Yahoo! Music Jukebox, go to:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/music/jukebox/troubleshoot/index.html
Thank you again for writing Yahoo! Music.
Regards,
Yahoo! Customer Care
57994239
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail – better than ever!
Original Message Follows:
————————-
Mail-Id: 1187621904-6907
“Name:” : reinkefj
“Yahoo! ID:” : reinkefj
“Email Address:” :
“Current Operating System:” : Windows XP “Subject:” : Musicmatch Migration issue “WMP Version:” : Not set by user “If yes, check here:” : Not set by user “Additional Information” : Don't know what WMP version, Script error; workaround doesn't work. Argh!
While Viewing: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/music/jukebox/troubleshoot/troubleshoot03.html
Form Name: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/music/general.html
Yahoo ID: reinkefj : Yahoo id from cookie “https://amt.yahoo.com/amt/dosearch?.token=5y.Tu0qEPLfejWEUKFW_NSx14saef
_rBHh3JD_Or”
Other ID:
Browser: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1.6)
Gecko/20070725 Firefox/2.0.0.6
REMOTE_ADDR: 68.87.100.77
REMOTE_HOST: 68.87.100.77
Date Originated: Monday August 20, 2007 – 07:58:24
——-
***End Quote***
Yuck!
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TECH SERVICE: PLAXO30BETA sucks but is it useful?
Wednesday, August 22, 2007Plaxo is entering the social networking space. Your Plaxo Pulse Network only allows “family”, “friends”, and “business network”. How lame is that? I have many different labels that I would like to use. For example, Jaspers, MCers, Prespters, MP64ers, Linkedin-ites, EUNers, LNJ, LPU … … ad nauseum. Why restrict me to your three choices? Argh!
Jury still out but not looking good!
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Posted by reinkefj
TECH HARDWARE: Vista and Tripplite “perfect together”?
Tuesday, August 21, 2007http://www.tripplite.com/vista
***Begin Quote***
Any Windows Vista user connecting their computer to any of the following UPS systems MUST download this patch BEFORE they connect their Tripp Lite UPS System to the computer.
***End Quote***
Anyone not just slightly concerned that Vista needs special help connecting a UPS?
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Posted by reinkefj
TECHNOLOGY: made it into Risks
Tuesday, August 21, 2007http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/24.80.html#subj14
I made it into Risks again. (Boy is PGN getting easy in his old age!)
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Posted by reinkefj
TECH SERVICE: GRANDCENTRAL aka GOOGLE screws its users! Hence NOT RECOMMENDED
Tuesday, August 21, 2007http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/146118898/
***Begin Quote***
Troy Schneider received such a notice, advising him that in 8 days his Grand Central number would be canceled and that he would be required to immediately start using a new number allocated to him. Judi Sohn received the same message: with no prior warning she had 8 days left on her existing phone number then it would cease to operate. Sohn was fortunate to some extent: Google has offered to pay for the reprinting of her business cards, but that would appear to be a one off, and a token gesture at that.
***End Quote***
Glad I only dipped my toe in that pot!
Of course, a curse upon their house and never use it.
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Posted by reinkefj
TECH SERVICE: LEGACY site enables on to be spammed
Saturday, August 18, 2007LEGACY is a site that does obituaries.
In “doing” Jasper Jottings, I collect Jasper obits to share with my fellow alums. I leave a little message in the “remembrance book” for a variety of reasons.
Sometimes it’s the only thing there. That really saddens me. Sometimes fellow Jaspers reach out to me. Sometimes … … if I get forgetful, it reminds me “been here. done it.”
I always leave my email in case the family wants to connect with a specific Jasper and so that it doesn’t appear as a “strange” self-serving entry. Over the time, I’ve been doing it I have had some interactions with the deceased family members. Some times it’s just to listen; some times they needed information. I try and help.
But today, I got my first piece of SPAM from that activity on Legacy.
I know it’s from there because it came on their email address to a special email address only used for that purpose. (You know how I like to have different email address for different purposes. This is why! I can pin it down easily.)
Just goes to show how low a spammer will go!
I hope the Intelligent Designer has a special ring in Hell for those low lifes.
fwiw!
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Posted by reinkefj
TECH SOFTWARE: a collection of portable apps
Wednesday, August 15, 2007PortableApps.com Suite
your computer, without the computer™
***Begin Quote***
PortableApps.com Suite™ is a collection of portable apps including a web browser, email client, office suite, calendar/scheduler, instant messaging client, antivirus, sudoku game, backup utility and integrated menu, all preconfigured to work portably. Just drop it on your portable device and you’re ready to go.
***End Quote***
Interesting. Your USB fob is all you need for any strange machine. Great idea. Even my personal machine is strange!
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Posted by reinkefj
LINKEDIN: Facebook IS completely different than LinkedIn
Monday, August 6, 2007From a posting on Execunet (http://www.execunet.com) that was tuned up and reposted at the “LinkedIn Discussion Index” blog honchoed by Vincent Wright. Vincent created the genre of LinkedIn spin off groups that allowed an interesting segmentation of the LinkedIn community. Here’s my posting about the differences in different social networking site.
*** begin quote ***
Facebook IS completely different than LinkedIn
I was much amused by all the Facebook versus LinkedIn discussion recently. As I was with the “religious” quality vs quality qauziness (sic craziness). All courtesy of Vincent’s various creations. Of course, as a big fat old turkey, I have lots of DIKW and a few opinions. I wrote this on a pay site for the networking group there and, as a lazy turkey too, I will repurpose it for my blog. But first I’ll drop it here as my inaugural post. I don’t want to reignite religious wars, but I am trying to make the point that just as there are different tools like a hammer, screw driver, and wrench, that start out with different design goals, humans can use their tools in unexpected ways. I personally have used a hammer to keep a reference book open to a certain page, poke a hole clear with a screw driver, and used a wrench to bang a nail. The hammer was holding the book open that said “put nail here”. (Don’t ask it was a bad day!) But seriously, it all starts with the user’s individual goal, then proceeds thru any number of tools, and finally to the results. If the proverbial nail goes in the right spot, who’s to say that the user was wrong.
So with that caveat, let’s dive into the mind of a big fat old turkey thinking about Facebook, as compared to LinkedIn. Bear in mind, that Facebook here is really a specific instance of other social networking sites such as Friendster, MySpace, and all the what I call “near social networking sites”. You know those sites, where they too are bolting on, after the fact, some aspect of social networking.
Here goes. Jumping into a conversation about Facebook as compared to LinkedIn:
I think you have to approach “networking” on Facebook completely differently than LinkedIn. More social! And much more passively. More timeless. And unstructured.
For example, I’m using it to collect as many “alma mater” networking contacts as I can. By that I mean fellow graduates of “my” school, people from past employers, current fellow employees, industry colleagues, and work / home regional granfalloon type contacts. You then proceed to “infiltrate” the target companies where your target position is likely to exists.
Since Facebook aims at a younger demographic, old far … fogeys like me, need to swim gently, being helpful and very non judgmental.
(Posting one sexuality in their profile was the biggest thing I had to “overlook”. Talk about digital dirt! Who knew that all the “hot chicks” from my stogy Catholic College were gay? Or is that defense mechanism. But some of the pictures are borderline NSFW! Can you believe any of the nonsense posted there? Recommend sunglasses and a large supply of NaCl!)
OK, I’m swimming in that “pool”, and remember I have no specific “networking agenda” in mind. I have helped about a dozen people with job leads and resume help. (Seek first to help, then be helped.) And, for example, in the process have acquired one networking contact at a very low level, who is giving me organization announcements for a company in my geography where I’d have a trivial commute. (I could go home for lunch.) Will any thing come of it? Who knows. I have about 100+ new “friends” and bunch of new “fellow alums”. Does it matter? Too soon to tell.
Remember I measure things in decades. My lesson from the Universe on that was a trivial good deed done to an IBM sales engineer 15 years prior snagged me a great job with him as my boss when I needed it. It taught me the value of timeless chronologies. Not everything you plant gives you veggies in 15 minutes. Americans with the “now” mentality have to learn everything comes to fruition in its own time.
Bottom line, that contact had never heard of LinkedIn, and really doesn’t “do the networking thing”.
So you have to become a chameleon. Data, Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom is where you can find it. Here’s some of my whiz-dumb about Facebook, its difference from LinkedIn, and the need to be “flexible” in each social networking instance.
Do I think that I have the pearls of wisdom about LinkedIn, Facebook, or anything else? Sure I do. Even the big fat old turkey has a big fat ego.
I appreciate a new venue to pontificate from, and that VW is an all “right” fellow. Even though he has too much time on his hands to be creating all these genre busting concepts. Due to him, I personally have had to go to the new paradigm store several times for a meme clean out and reload. Maybe he’s a Microsoft Executive in disguise. You know spend lots of time – money – attention to upgrade a perfectly good operating system, just so you can have a new ribbon and lots of old problems. Yup, Vincent, is one of those good kind of trouble makers. The kind that make you think and act differently.
Now if he could just transform me into one of those kids on Facebook, then he’d be impressive. (I wonder if Frau Reinke, my wife, would approve?)
You are, all, of course, welcome to peruse my various and sundry DIKW entries at my various sites. Or, not as you see fit. I don’t have as many as VW has domain names, but then I’m just a poor turkey. Not one of them there domain en-tray-pren-you-ers.
fwiw ymmv faiwwypfi,
fjohn
the big fat old turkey hisself
*** end quote ***
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Posted by reinkefj
Reinke Faces Life 
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