Google Docs Just Keeps Getting Better

Looking forward to the new improvements. Love having rulers, tab stops, spell check as you type, features in docs and collaboration on drawing!

Things that will get me to unfollow you on Google Buzz

Robert Scoble started a Buzz this morning listing the top 6 things that are a real buzzkill.
Things that will get me to unfollow you on Google Buzz:

1. If you bring your tweets into here I'm very likely to unfollow you. I read Twitter and have 17,000 people over there. Almost 100% of tweets brought in here are noise.

2. If you are a jerk. Or if you bring a jerk into my view.

3. If you haven't filled out your Google Profile yet. http://google.com/profiles -- I find that I'm going to slowly go through my list of people I'm following and see if they've filled out their profile. If they haven't, I'm far less likely to keep them around.

3B: if you don't have a photo of yourself as an avatar, I doubt I'll keep you around.

4. If you spam me with advertising.

5. If you consistently write about lame stuff that I'm not interested in. I'm 80% interested in talking tech, news, and geeky stuff. If you consistently write about other stuff that's cool, but it's noise to me.

6. If you are using a non-real name and I find out about it. I hate anonymity and I hate when people don't share their real identity. 4chan is great, but not in my Buzz.

Take Robert's advice. Create a Google Profile and don't spam Google Buzz with advertising or use it as another bullhorn, like Twitter. Use Twitter to push your short, self promoting messages and use Google Buzz to connect and discuss authentically.

Google Buzz has started off as a great place to have conversations and connect with like-minded people, I just hope it is able to stay that way.

Having a community of users that discourage spam, and call it out when it happens, might help to keep Google Buzz enjoyable and productive.

See the full thread on Buzz

Experiments in Social Search

I used a broad category word "photography" to see what my social circle has to say.

My connections are all coming from twitter and gmail with one really interesting exception: Dan Brickley - connected via Anders Conbere on flickr.
Seems like a good reason to use as many social networking sites as possible. With connected via another person,we experience more networking structural holes...maybe? I haven't read the book, but the concept has fascinated me.

Social search results take me to websites... great example of driving traffic from really long tail search words.

What are your experiments showing?

Creating a 2.0 Press Release

Tried and true principles need innovative applications. Would you agree that the goal is to keep elements of traditional marketing, the principles we know are universal and effective, and apply them in new forms. Pitch Engine is a great example of this but how many companies are in a position to utilize the service?

It is rare to find an organization that has digital assets organized in a manner to leverage for a 2.0 press release. Too much emphasis on Tweeting and not enough on creating content that is clear, compelling and news worthy.

in reference to: Local Search Website Optimizat... - Google Docs (view on Google Sidewiki)

Facebook Fan Page Created for Blue Sphere Labs

I've created a page for Blue Sphere Labs and now have to find a way to persuade you to be a fan!
Seriously, I would like to make it worth your time and to provide valuable content and resources. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Click on the nifty badge to see my page and become a fan.


Did you know I can help with practical applications like:

Getting the most out of Gmail?

Need help with

* Creating filters
* Creating contacts
* Importing contacts and mail
* Adding attachments
* Playing MP3 Files
* Selecting your Google Picture
* Syncing with Outlook


Need help getting started with Google Voice?

* How to use Google Voice with your own number
* Removing call presentation
* Customizing your voice mail greetings
* Creating Groups
* Display Google Voice number when returning calls
* Add a call widget to your website or blog

Using Google Wave for:

* collaborative meetings
* group event planning
* co-writing and brainstorming
* surveys

Do you need a quick easy way to publish information?

Google Sites can be used for

* Resume Sites
* Landing Pages
* Collaborative Sites/Wiki's
* Website for Non-Profits
* Business Plans
* Training

Find useful tips and how to's on our Facebook Fan Page





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Facebook Lessons

Great advice in the following links (but know your account can be disabled even if you follow all the rules...)

13 Reasons your Facebook account will be disabled

What I learned when Facebook disabled my account

Facebook disabled my account (Scobleizer)

I'm outside the gates

Facebook mat on 151 University
Originally uploaded by Robert Scoble

I've been kicked out of Facebook.

I went to login to my account one morning and instead of my familiar sweet wall of updates, I got the message that my account had been deactivated. No explanation. I followed the instructions for appealing but it has been over two weeks and no word from Facebook.

Everyone asks, "what did you do"? Honestly, nothing outside of really normal activity like commenting on friends photo's and posting occasional status updates and messaging friends. Ironically, I've helped dozens of friends set up their Facebook accounts and navigate through some of the privacy settings. I've had my Facebook account since early 2007 and over the last two and half years I've added about 200 and some friends...well, I did!

I wasn't doing anything cool like Scoble was when his account was disabled. I'm like hundreds of other Facebook users who used the platform the way is set up to use and then disabled without any explanation from Facebook. Honestly I don't miss it much. The challenge is that I teach social media marketing classes (since 2007) and contribute content to a social media online magazine. It is really a bit embarrassing to not have an account. Facebook has become so mainstream that even my mom has an account!

I'm annoyed but also appreciative for the great reminder about owning my content and database. I use dozens of social networking sites but I always put my best content on my own domains. Yes I use Google's tools but other than Blogger, they are used on my domain and stay in my control.