Tuesday, November 30, 2010

LinkedIn Rolls Out A Share Button For Your Page

The professional networking site, LinkedIn, just announced a new share button for its users. As seen in the image above, users can choose between a horizontal or vertical design.

According to the LinkedIn blog, the company would like to "offer readers an effective way to share relevant professional content – news, thought pieces, white papers, or presentations on slideshare – with their business network on LinkedIn." The question I have is WHY? Why would I chose to allot an already crowded space for use of a LinkedIn share button? Is LinkedIn really a spot to read interesting shares?

Maybe its just me and the site I manage, but I don't think of LinkedIn as one of the top place for news. Truth be told, I'd start with Google Reader, Twitter, Facebook, or Digg, before I go to LinkedIn. This isn't to say I would avoid sharing on LinkedIn, but if we're talking about a choice between a LinkedIn or Twitter button, I would go with Twitter any day.

What would be more valuable to me? you ask. I think the option to share on LinkedIn is good, but prefer to add that functionality along side a group of other popular web sites. Take the Wibiya toolbar on my page for an example. By clicking on the "Share" button, I get Facebook, Twitter, My____(Space), Digg, Google Buzz, and email. This solution allows readers to share content wherever they want, but allows bloggers to reserve the really valuable spot for sites that bring in more traffic, like Twitter or Facebook.

I applaud LinkedIn for trying to stay relevant, I'm sure there are plenty of sites that will find this button useful, but to me it's not the place for streaming news and hot links. Am I misinformed?

What are your thoughts on LinkedIn? Do you think this button will get much use on your page? Why or why not? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Can You Walk In A Straight Line?

According to a report on NPR, humans have a tendency to walk in circles. For years, researchers have sought to understand why this happens, but nothing fully explains the cause. Some speculate that one side of the body is stronger, or more dominant, than the other. So, tell me, can you walk in a straight line?

Check out the following video and let me know what you think in the comment section below. Enjoy!


If you cannot see the video player, click here.

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Show Notes: Room 3026 Live - Episode 151




On today's episode of Room 3026 Live, we discussed the latest news in technology ranging from watching TV on the XBox 360 to The Walking Dead.

To hear to the entire show, CLICK HERE!
    Announcements
    The following announcements were mentioned on today's show.

    Fight Cancer Throughout Movember
    Support men's health and cancer awareness by donating to Movember, Team RDU, and Damond Nollan.

    Feed Watch
    The following feeds were mentioned on today's show.
    Rate Today's Episode
    In an effort to provide the best show possible, please provide your feedback on the radio show Room 3026 Live. Click here!

    Download Audio
    If you don't have time to listen to the show, take us with you to the gym, work, commute, or while cleaning the house. Download this episode using MP3 or iTunes.

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    CinchCast Drops "Cinch" From User Recordings


    On November 29, 2010, Amy Domestico, the Community Manager for CinchCast and BlogTalkRadio, announced the removal of the lead-in recording that once said, "Cccccccinccccccccch!" As a result of this minor change, Cinch listeners will go directly to the message without a prerecorded sound bite.

    This recent change is just one of many updates made to both CinchCast and BlogTalkRadio. Over the past month or so, the company, led by Alan Levy, has updated the look of its web sites, rolled out an enhanced iPhone app, sought to simplify site navigation, and offered better metrics to its hosts.

    So far, the improvements to CinchCast have returned mostly positive feedback from its users. Although, there have been some pretty harsh criticisms regarding other areas of the site. On November 20, Loren Feldman, an entertainer and videographer, posted a cinch about the issues he sees. Some complaints include the use of an outdated Bill Cosby (and unknown hosts) as featured members, overt use of the Cinch brand on the embed player, and the lack of buy-in from interesting people.

    In my humble opinion, the service has a lot going for it. First of all, it's FREE! Second, users can leave an unlimited amount of audio via the phone, web site, iPhone, or Android mobile app. Third, it is easy to share with friends on Twitter, Facebook, and blog.

    The lack of interesting cinches falls more towards personal taste then it does on the buy-in from celebrities. For the short time that I have used Cinch, I have identified some very interesting and knowledgeable members. Some of my favorites include Robert Scoble, Louis Gray, Justin McCullough, Tim Arthur, Stephanie Calahan, Jesse Stay, Leon Lewis, and Marshall Kirkpatrick, to name only a few.

    So, if you are interested in creating audio updates, similar to what you would do on Twitter or Facebook, why not give CinchCast a try. While you're there, check me out at http://www.cinchcast.com/damondnollan.  

    Are you a CinchCast user? If so, what do you think about the changes? If anything, what else would you like to see done? Leave me a comment in the section below.

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    Movie Review: Eat, Pray, Love

    Last night, I took the opportunity to catch the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" on DVD. I understand it was first a book that later earned its place on the silver screen. In the following cinch, I share a brief review of the movie. Enjoy!


    If you cannot see the Cinch player, click here.

    Have you seen the movie? Read the book? What are your thoughts? Leave me a comment in the section below.

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    Monday, November 29, 2010

    Consolidating Many Blogs Into One

    For quite some time, I had been using Posterous to share many of the links I find interesting with friends on Twitter and Facebook. It was a neat service because I could quickly share stories and images without all the hassle. Additionally, it was easy to measure how many times a particular post had been viewed.

    Then one day, it dawned on me that I was taking traffic away from damondnollan.com and directing them to another site. While my Posterous page received plenty of eyes, it did little to promote my overall activity at home. So, I stopped live streaming.

    Similarly, I had been doing a lot of sharing from Google Reader. By way of Feedburner, I sent all shared feeds to Twitter, which eventually found its way to Facebook. Additionally, all shared feeds in Google Reader go to Google Buzz. Again, I sent a lot of traffic away from my blog.

    Recently, I decided that I need to take a different approach with my blog. Instead of overly protecting it, I need to maximize my space and wear it out. This means centralizing all of my activity into one place and directing traffic back home. It means writing more blogs that talk about the news of the day versus just sharing it. It means bringing in my photos, cinches, and videos together, so visitors can get a better idea of what I'm doing all day.

    At this point, I'm not sure how it will pan out. Will it cause more noise or provide a better resource for others? I guess only time will tell. Although, I am interested in hearing your story. Have you consolidated your blogs into a single place? If so, how did it turn out? Leave me a comment in the section below.

    Are You Ready To Watch TV Through The XBox 360?


    In a recent announcement, Reuters revealed early talks between Microsoft and television networks about the possibility of streaming content via the XBox 360. This could potentially eliminate the need for cable, as users would simply pick and choose the stations they wish to consume.

    Personally, I think this is the right idea. For years, I complained about spending over $100 on cable, when I only watched a couple of stations. The idea of choosing HBO and a few other networks is exciting. However, it needs to be affordable.

    The other night, while perusing my video rental options on the XBox, I noticed Microsoft offered Zune. Unfortunately, the cost per movie was incredibly expensive. Why would I pay $6 to $8 for a movie that I can get from Redbox for a $1?

    Another alternative I do like is Netflix. For $7.99 per month, I can watch as many movies and television shows as I can stand. However, when watching via XBox 360, I am paying an additional $60 per year ($5 per month) to have a Gold membership, which is the lowest option available for Netflix on the XBox. 

    Clearly, moving to an a la cart for television is a great idea. However, all of this would be null and void if Netflix had all its DVD movies as a streaming option.

    What do you think about this latest news? Assuming you are still on cable, would television on the XBox change your mind? What other alternative would you like to see?

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    Sunday, November 28, 2010

    Rovio To Release Christmas Edition Of Angry Birds


    Rovio recently announced, via Twitter, that a new Christmas theme installment of Angry Birds would be made available soon. Similar to the Halloween edition, where users gained 45 new levels that included ghosts, pumpkins, and spooky music, the updated version should not disappoint its fans. Some bloggers speculate the Christmas edition will be made available on December 11, 2010, which is the first official Angry Birds Day.

    What do you think? Are you excited about the update? Have any plans to participate in a local Angry Birds Day Meet-up? Let's discuss in the comment section below.

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    Saturday, November 27, 2010

    The Official Release of "Agents of Secret Stuff"



    I just finished watching a new mini-movie on YouTube called, "Agents of Secret Stuff." It stars Ryan Higa, a popular YouTuber with nearly 3 million subscribers, who plays a secret agent tasked with protecting the beautiful Taylor, played by Arden Cho.

    This 35-minute production was created by Ryan Higa and Wong Fu Productions during the course of one week. There were no huge budgets, no support from a major production company, and stars other popular personalities like Dominic Sandoval, from So You Think You Can Dance.

    What I like about this project, outside the obvious entertainment value, is the creativity of its producers. Here we have a bunch of individual YouTubers who decide to work together on a video project. It reminds me of a another project where YouTubers created a music video entitiled, "Magic," a song about the popular photo site, Dailybooth.

    What these projects display are the willingness of a community to engage and support its own work. Furthermore, it is exciting to watch individuals grow and expand their influence right before our eyes.

    For many, YouTube is just a place to post video clips of the mundane. However, if you look closely, you will see a new generation of superstars and major influencers finding their voice. Remember Justin Bieber?  

    So, if you have 35-minutes, I would encourage you to watch this entertaining video produced entirely from the creative minds on YouTube.

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    Lebron Asks, "What Should I Do?" Michael Jordan Responds

    I really like these new commercials from Nike. In the first video, Lebron James asks the question, "What should I do?" In the second video, Michael Jordan responds.


    If you cannot see the YouTube video, click here.


    If you cannot see the YouTube video, click here.

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    Johnston County Schools Want Kids To Suffer From Dry Lips

    An interesting story came across my desk this morning. According to WRAL.com, the Johnston County School system has banned students from bringing lip balm on campus without a note. The reason, they write, is to cut down on sickness through shared use.

    I don't know about you, but I would not have survived a cold winter without my Chapstick. For as long as I can remember, I used to carry a jug of Vaseline, Carmex, or some other lip protection. As a matter of fact, I have one at home, one at the office, and a stick in my briefcase. Shouldn't the student have the same right?

    As I write that, I am reminded of those times when I forgot the Chapstick. It took all I had within me to concentrate on the task at hand and not on my burning lips. To ease the discomfort, I was forced to lick my dehydrated kissers. Now, this wasn't all bad, considering L.L. Cool J made it a fade in my day. However, given enough time, the lips would only dry out faster and eventually bleed.

    As a father of three children, I don't like the idea of sending my kids to school without the necessary tools. Of course, this means pencils, pens, paper, backpack, antibacterial gel, Kleenex, and Chapstick.

    Banning my child from using lip balm, when necessary, does nothing to teach him about being responsible. When I was young, we were cautioned against sharing combs, brushes, and lip balm. However, if we chose not to listen and caught lice, ring worm, or some other ghastly ailment, we dealt with it and learned our lesson.

    Stop babying the kids and let them learn to to be, or continue to be, responsible. Additionally, I'm sure there are better things the school system can regulate than when my kids can, or cannot, use personal hygiene items.

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    Friday, November 26, 2010

    Not In The Mood For Black Friday


    My friends Marianne and Tim Arthur just finished writing blogs about Black Friday. Specifically, they talk about the opportunity for buying items at a discounted price. Marianne asked the question, "Are you going to or did you tackle the lines at any of the department stores or the Mall today?" Tim asked, "Do you have any tips for sharing time and money this time of year?"

    To be perfectly honest, I do not look forward to shopping days. In fact, the very thought of waiting in line or fighting the crowds for items just seems crazy.

    No, I like the idea of relaxing at home with the family. I enjoy the freedom of eating leftovers all weekend without the hassle of using my ninja techniques on aggravating shoppers.

    What advice would I give someone facing the craziness in stores? I'd simply say it's probably best to shop online. Besides, one can comparison shop without wasting gas. With free shipping and handling, one can have all the benefits with no risk.

    For those of you who really want to get out doors and shop, more power to you. Just make certain you bring your running shoes and pepper spray. Good luck! 

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    How Far Are Your Tweets Going?


    Ever wonder how effective your tweets really are? Are you curious to find which of your Twitter followers are helping to forward your message further? If so, let me introduce you to TweetReach.

    Based on the report I ran this morning (see above), my Twitter username has reached 21,541 people via 33 tweets. The report also lists the top twitterers with the number of related impressions. Clearly, there are some heavy hitters in my followers list. The question I have to ask myself is this, "Am I rewarding those individuals for helping me out?" If not, I should.

    The first thing that comes to mind is Chris Brogan's12:1 ratio. According to Chris' latest blog, he writes, "I promote other people 12 times as much as I promote my own stuff." This means he retweets or brings attention to the projects of others more than he does himself. It's kind of like paying it forward. I like that.

    Whatever the report reveals to you, it should be clear that one of the most successful ways of disseminating information is going to be through others. What are you doing to maximize this fact? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.   

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    Get A Free Windows Phone 7

     
    This morning, Jesse Stay brought to light an announcement from Window's Facebook Page. The post states it will give away the Windows Phone 7 for free. Here is the complete announcement
    Here is a Black Friday sneak peek for our social media fans: Visit your local Microsoft Store this weekend, starting November 26, to pick up Windows Phone 7 for free! Get your choice of the HTC Surround or a LG Quantum for $0 when you renew your two-year AT&T contract. If you can't make it to a store, don't worry. We will have online deals for everyone starting bright and early tomorrow morning.

    While I know very little about the Windows Phone 7, this could be a very good deal for someone. Although, I would be even more excited if there were some similar deal for the Android. What do you think?

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    Soon, You Could Buy Soda Pop With Your Mobile Phone



    Before the end of the year, consumers in Belgium and Luxembourg could buy their next soda pop with just a swipe of a mobile phone.

    According to an article in Mobile Entertainment, PingPing, a payment specialist, seeks to outfit a number of Coca-Cola vending machines with Near Field Communication (NFC) devices. When matched with a PingPing card or tag, a sticker attached to the phone, users will simply wave the device in front of the Coke machine for a no-contact purchase.

    Stijn Vander Plaetse, VP Innovation at Belgacom, made the following comment:
    After the success of contactless payment in the mobility field, this partnership with the major player in the beverage sector again demonstrates the soundness of our innovative strategy which aims to transform the mobile phone into an electronic wallet. We are convinced that PingPing can offer a simple, efficient solution for small, daily purchases.
    This is an exciting time for us guys and gals. Someday, we can stop walking around with large wallets in our pockets and purses on our arms.

    What do you think about this latest announcement? Are you concerned or excited? Let's discuss in the comment section below.

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    Diaspora Is Live For Private Alpha Invitees



    On November 23, 2010, Diaspora announced that it would start sending private alpha invites to its backers, followed by those on the mailing list.

    In case you forgot about Diaspora, or maybe never really knew much about it, Diaspora is supposed to be the great "Facebook Killer." Yeah, remember when people were threatening to leave Facebook over the privacy issue? Well, this product is the outcome of that movement. Four college students from New York University decided to "reinvent social networking online." The idea is that everyone should have total control over their data. This means photos, stories, and the like. With Diaspora, users can decide who gets access to certain information.

    Unlike Facebook, where everything is hosted on Facebook's servers, Diaspora will allow users to download and host its own server.

    If this sounds like something you might be interested in, follow this link and join the Diaspora mailing list.

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    Bloggers Are Not Writing In A Bubble



    This morning, while reviewing my daily RSS feeds, I noticed a number of blog posts talking about reader criticisms. Apparently, Chris Brogan reacted to reader opinions in a way that some disliked. As a result, Danny Brown, for one, wrote a response on his blog. Days later, Chris created the following post. Then, Danny Brown seemed to end the blogging discussion with this post. All this talk back and forth between bloggers got me thinking. Bloggers are not writing in a bubble.

    While this revelation is nowhere near ground breaking, it does offer something to think about. Often, while sitting at my desk, I find myself pulling blog topics from the far corners of my mind. Topics may have no relationship to the previous day's entry or events. In some way, I feel like a blogger that both reads and writes alone on an island.

    After this brief exchange between Chris and Danny, I am reminded that we (that's you and me) are not alone. We may write blogs alone, but we are a part of the larger blogosphere. We read other people's work and often comment on them with friends over lunch. The difference is that I now recognize how responding or reflecting on their work in my space adds depth and promotes community.

    The idea of adding depth to my current blog is exciting. Not only can I write about the news of the day, but I can actually use the opportunity to explore my own thoughts on the subject. It means more variety to the stories coming out of damondnollan.com.

    Community is the other benefit. By responding, or reflecting, on others work, I build a bridge that connects us together. Instead of writing disjointed and unrelated ideas into a string of blogs, I get to write something that unites and builds on the ideas of others. Isn't that exciting?

    Maybe it's just me, but as I mature in this world of blogging, any revelation that helps me grow is welcomed. As is life, we learn, forget, and then learn again.

    Thursday, November 25, 2010

    Kappa Kamp Moves To 15th Place On Pepsi Refresh Project



    Yesterday, I wrote how the Kappa Kamp quickly moved into the 16th place. Well, in just a few short hours, the project has gained enough votes to move yet again. This time, the student focused program is in 15th place. With only five days remaining, we need your help to finish strong.

    How can you help? You ask.

    There are two ways to vote for the Kappa Kamp Pepsi Refrsh Project:
    • Via the Pepsi Refresh Project Website
    • Via a text message
    To successfully vote for this worthy project, please follow the directions listed below.

    Via the web site:

    Via your mobile phone:

    • Text* 104047 to Pepsi (73774)
    • Send a text to your friends and encourage them to do the same
    For those who have already voted, thank you! Do remember that you can vote every day until the end of November.

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    Smithfield Alumni Kappas Celebrate 80 Year Old Member



    On Monday, November 22, 2010, the Smithfield Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. celebrated the 80th birthday of Brother Matthew Sanders.

    Brother Sanders, a 1966 charter member of the Smithfield Alumni Chapter, celebrated the special day with close friends, family, and fraternity brothers. With over 50 years of service to the fraternity and surrounding community, we are thankful for his leadership and on-going support.

    Happy birthday, NUPE! 

    To view more images from the event and Smithfield Alumni, click here.

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    Wednesday, November 24, 2010

    The Final Six Days Of Movember

    The final days of Movember are quickly coming to a close. The mustache is growing, but I still need your help to raise awareness and financial resources for cancer research.

    If you have been following me on Twitter, Facebook, or Dailybooth, you may have noticed this strange looking MO-stache in many of my pictures. Nearly every day, I hear someone ask, "What is that THING on your face?" Well, it is my way to talk about Movember.

    Many of us men, and women, are touched by, or known someone who has been affected by, cancer. Countless dollars are spent on hospital bills, medicine, and other treatments, but what if we could finally find a cure? The cause of Movember is just our way of doing something that brings awareness and funding to such a goal.

    Here in the Raleigh/Durham area, a number of us have joined together to create Team RDU. Along with other teams worldwide, we are focusing on raising as much money as we possibly can.

    How can you help?
    To help, simply do the following things:
    • Visit my Movember Profile page: http://us.movember.com/mospace/525360/
    • Click on the "Donate" button and give whatever you feel led to give. It doesn't matter the amount. Anything you can do is GREATLY appreciated. 
    • Share this link with all of your friends through Twitter, Facebook, or email. 
    Even if you cannot afford to donate, please spread the word. That's it!

    Special Thanks
    With that being said, let me send a special thanks out to Danielle Baldwin, Mika Nicole Collins, and Marianne Hartsfield for their very generous donations.


    If you are participating in Movember or have a story to tell, please leave me a comment below.


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    Kappa Kamp Jumps To 16th Place On Pepsi Refresh Project


     The goal is to win a $250,000 grant for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity's Kappa Kamp. Having jumped to the 16th place from a considerably high number, supporters have a good chance to help the organization continue its good work.

    From now until November 30, 2010, supporters can visit the Kappa Kamp profile on the Pepsi Refresh Project web site and vote. Supporters can vote directly from the site or use their mobile device to send an SMS.

    To vote via the web site, do the following things:
    To vote via your mobile phone, do the following:
    • Text* 104047 to Pepsi (73774)
    • Send a text to your friends and encourage them to do the same
    What is Kappa Kamp?
    According to the Pepsi Refresh Project profile page, it reads:
    Kappa Kamp, a partnership between The Piney Woods School and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, teaches students to envision their educational opportunities as stepping stones to positive influence in their decision-making for personal growth and community collaboration. During the two weeks, students are engaged in classroom learning, a variety of simulated laboratories employing the use of technology, field trips, and physical activities to emphasize that a well-rounded student has a better chance of becoming a more sophisticated adult who can then be a productive leader in their respective communities.

    Convening students from all over the US to Piney Woods School provides a measurable opportunity to create a “ripple-effect” of excitement about education and leadership development. Aligning Kappa Kamp with local alumni chapter mentors through national Guide Right programming further ensures that the benefits of the summer program are sustained.

     As a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. I am a supporter of this wonderful program. I encourage you to take this opportunity to quickly vote on something that will change the lives of many deserving students.

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    Room 3026 Live: Episode 147




    On today's episode of Room 3026 Live, we discussed the latest news in technology ranging from WordPress Wednesday to Angry Birds.

    To hear to the entire show, CLICK HERE!

    Listener Blogs
    The following blog posts are from our listeners and hosts.

      Announcements
      The following announcements were mentioned on today's show.

      Fight Cancer Throughout Movember
      Support men's health and cancer awareness by donating to Movember, Team RDU, and Damond Nollan.

      Special Guest: Danielle Baldwin
      The following links were mentioned during Danielle Baldwin's WordPress Wednesday.



      Feed Watch
      The following feeds were mentioned on today's show.
      Rate Today's Episode
      In an effort to provide the best show possible, please provide your feedback on the radio show Room 3026 Live. Click here!

      Download Audio
      If you don't have time to listen to the show, take us with you to the gym, work, commute, or while cleaning the house. Download this episode using MP3 or iTunes.

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      Facebook Pages Get New Usage Report


      This morning, I noticed a new feature on my "Like" page. As seen in the image above, I can now see the number of times this post has been viewed by friends and visitors. According to the information flag that shows up when moused-over, the Impressions are calculated by the number of times it was viewed on my wall or news feed of fans. The Feedback percentage communicates the number of times this post is "Liked" or "Commented On" per impression.

      This, along with the monthly active users report, page owners can better manage their areas by sharing information that interests the community most. For me, it is a welcomed insight into the minds of my readers.

      What do you think about the new Facebook page feature? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. 

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      Was Skyfire Developed For The Desktop?



      Yesterday, I introduced the latest version of Skyfire. With version 3.0, users receive a mobile web browser with deep integration into Facebook and its community. Unfortunately, the browser did not perform as expected.

      While trying to check Gmail, I received the error message shown above. When using the default browser on the Samsung Epic 4G, I am able to visit Gmail with no problems. In fact, I can visit nearly all of Google's popular services with no issues at all.

      Visiting many of my favorite web sites using Skyfire left me dissatisfied. Upon further review, I realized that many of the bookmarked sites I frequent are mobile versions. For some reason, Skyfire does not work well with the mobile sites I visit. Instead, I have to visit Gmail, Google Calendar, and other similar sites as if I were on a desktop machine. This means a lot of scrolling and swiping.

      In an effort to correct the problem, I went under the hood to adjust some of the settings. The first setting I looked at was the "Load Pages As," which only gave me a Default or Desktop option. Since the initial selector was already on "Desktop," I changed it to "Default" instead. Revisiting my mobile bookmarks, nothing changed.

      What's the use of this really neat social browser for the Android if the pages do not load correctly?

      Are you experiencing this issue at all? If so, what did you do to correct it? Leave me a comment in the section below.

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      Angry Birds Heading To The Wii, PS3, and XBox 360


      Rovio, the creators of the popular game Angry Birds, just announced they are working on a new version of Angry Birds for the Wii, PS3, and XBox 360. According to the BBC article, the new game will include more pig involvement. While no release date is mentioned, we should expect to see something in 2011.

      I am a huge fan of the game. When the company released its full version to Android devices, I was quick to jump on it. My concern is that a console version will not live up to its mobile relative. Has there been any other game that successfully transitioned from mobile to console or vice versa?

      What do you think about this latest announcement? Are you excited? If so, let me know in the comment section below.

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      No More Kik Messaging For Blackberry Users



      In a recent article on GigaOMtech, I learned that the popular mobile messaging service, Kik, has been removed from Blackberry's App World. No specific details about the infractions are available at this time; however, RIM did release the following statement.

      RIM became aware of a number of issues and customer concerns regarding the Kik app and service. Following discussions with Kik, the app was removed from BlackBerry App World on November 12. Upon further investigation, RIM concluded that Kik had breached contractual obligations. Based on the broad scope and seriousness of the issues and concerns, RIM terminated its agreements with Kik and withdrew RIM’s support for Kik’s service.
      Clearly, this latest move by RIM will have an effect on the number of Blackberry users who have access to the mobile messaging service. Personally, I was pretty excited about having a single solution for chatting with friends on other devices.  Although, there has been little activity amongst my friends on Kik.

      As of this article, Kik still advertises the apps' availability on the Blackberry, Android, iPhone, and iPod.

      For Blackberry users, does this affect you at all? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

      If you like what you've read, take this opportunity to subscribe to my RSS Feed and Newsletter.  However, don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Buzz, or Friendfeed.

      Facebook Recommends People To Your Group Or List


      This morning, while perusing Facebook, I noticed that friends were being suggested for a list I created. Upon further review, I found this was also true for the new group feature that recently rolled out.

      For Facebook lists, the number of suggestions looks to be around 10. As seen in the image above, suggestions include the add button, friend's image, name, and ignore button. For groups, the number of member suggestions currently shows only one person. It displays the friends' profile picture, name, number of connections with current members, and an add to group button.

      Thanks to the new feature, I have already added a few people I missed during the initial creation. Overall, I like it. It promotes community and involvement with potentially related individuals. The feature helps me manage my thousands of friends into meaningful groups.

      What do you think about the new feature? Have you used it yet? Would you use it? Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

      If you like what you've read, take this opportunity to subscribe to my RSS Feed and Newsletter.  However, don't forget to connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Buzz, or Friendfeed.

      Tuesday, November 23, 2010

      Blogging To Blogger Through Mobile Email


      Earlier today, I decided to test Blogger's e-mail feature. As explained to me, I should be able to send a blog post to Blogger through my mobile e-mail. Yes, it worked, but not as I expected. Let me explain.

      The idea of sending blog posts while away from my computer is appealing. It means that I can capture many of the small things that take place during the day. I kept thinking that many small updates is better than waiting for really large posts. Right?

      The steps I took were simple:

      1. Create custom e-mail: a secret address that allows authorized persons to post. Since we're talking about me, I am the only one who should know this address.
      2. Create the title: In the subject line of the e-mail, I'm using Gmail, I created my title.
      3. Create post: In the body of the e-mail, I wrote out a simple message. Once submitted, this would later become the meat of my article.
      4. Publish: The final step is to send the message. Based upon the setting in Blogger, I can either publish immediately or save it as a draft. I chose the former.
      Once submitted, the post went live in the matter of seconds. However, the formatting was a little restricted. Instead of flowing across the entire width of the page, the text stopped prematurely. As a result, I had to edit the message and remove the hidden line breaks.

      Additionally, the wanted line breaks between paragraphs were not present. This presented a problem when everything became one huge block of text.

      Looking forward, I'm not certain this, or the SMS feature, are quite up to par. At the very least, it's probably best for capturing ideas as drafts and then editing them later.

      What do you think? Have you had a better experience than me when it comes to Blogging by e-mail? If so, leave me a comment in the section below. 

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      Skyfire 3.0 Is Now Available


      Today, we learn that a new browser for the Android is now available. Skyfire 3.0 does a lot of really interesting things. First, it connects with Facebook. Second, it allows users to watch Flash videos on the mobile device. Third, Skyfire promotes the search for topics, news, and other cool things through sites trusted by Facebook friends.

      If you're interested in checking out Skyfire, head to the Android Market today.

      Monday, November 22, 2010

      Food Review: McAlister's Havarti Sweet Chipotle Chicken Panini



      If you cannot see the YouTube video, click here.

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      Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

      Mike Render, Tim Arthur, and I review the newest installment of the Harry Potter series.



      If you cannot see the YouTube video, click here.

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      Saturday, November 20, 2010

      How Long Should My Audio, Video, Or Blog Be?

      Creating blogs, videos, or audio clips is now both easy and fun to do. However, if you want people to read, watch, or listen to your completed works of art, it may require a little tweaking in places. One area for consideration is the overall length of the final product. How long should it be for optimal usage? For written blogs, how many words or pages is sufficient? For video and audio, how long in minutes?

      In the following cinch, I share some of the known rules of thumb, but also offer my own thoughts on the subject.

      If you have an opinion on the matter, I would love to hear your thoughts as well. Enjoy!



      If you cannot see the Cinch player, click here.

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      What Does A Thanksgiving Meal And Tradition Look Like At Your House?

      On the way home from work, I had a conversation with Anabel Barbosa, a mother of two teenagers and resident North Carolinian, about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. I asked her what she planned to cook and family traditions she values most.

      In the comment section below, I'm curious to know what foods are you anxious to eat/prepare. Also, are there any family traditions that you find important to keep during this time of year?



      If you cannot see the Cinch player, click here.

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      Friday, November 19, 2010

      Experience vs. Degree: Which Is Better For Securing A Job?

      This cinch is in response to Tim Arthur's question on experience vs. formal education in securing a job. With a B.S., M.B.A., and soon to be D.B.A., I have an opinion on this topic. Take a few minutes to hear my response and leave a message of your own. Enjoy!



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      What's Your Content Creation Strategy?

      Creating content for blogs is often a personal process. Some create content on the fly, others may create works of art on a more scheduled approach. In this cinch, I talk about my content creation process and areas needing improvement. At the same time, I'm interested in learning how you achieve a similar outcome. Take a listen and be certain to share your approach below.



      If you cannot see the Cinch player, click here.

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      Thursday, November 18, 2010

      Room 3026 Live: Episode 143




      On today's episode of Room 3026 Live, we discussed the latest news in technology ranging from Twitter Analytics to Video Chat Applications.

      To hear to the entire show, CLICK HERE!

      Listener Blogs
      The following blog posts are from our listeners and hosts.

      No listener blogs at this time.
          Announcements
          The following announcements were mentioned on today's show.

          Fight Cancer Throughout Movember
          Support men's health and cancer awareness by donating to Movember, Team RDU, and Damond Nollan.

          Internet Summit
          November 17-18, 2010
          Raleigh, NC 

          Feed Watch
          The following feeds were mentioned on today's show.



                Rate Today's Episode
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                Download Audio
                If you don't have time to listen to the show, take us with you to the gym, work, commute, or while cleaning the house. Download this episode using MP3 or iTunes.

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                Damond L. Nollan, M.B.A.

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