All over IT - Topics and Trends in the Land of Technology

Google says knock Facebook out!

The internet was as all a buzz when news hit that Google was planning to launch a Facebook competitor.  Yep you read that right! Word on the cyber streets is that “Google Me” (in addition to the movie of the same name) , Google’s attempt at competing with the ever popular Facebook, is supposed to launch later this year.

I don’t know about you but we’re excited. If any company can compete with Facebook and pull the favor in their direction, Google would definitely be the one. But don’t get too excited. No details have been released (sad face) and Google hasn’t been so gracious as to confirm or deny it, no surprise there. Even though we have no solid confirmation, this can’t stop us from thinking…what would we like to see “Google Me” do better than Facebook.

• The ability to send/receive email

Since it is Google, it’s almost guaranteed, they will have Gmail directly integrated into “Google Me”

• Do away with those bothersome “like” buttons

Do you like the “LIKE” buttons? When the like button was first introduced, it was met with great criticism for good reason. They were a real headache. Hopefully Google will test and retest all of its functions.

• Decrease the notifications

Facebook gives notifications for everything, EVERYTHING! Lots of stuff no one asked for. This brings me to the fourth gripe.

• SIMPLIFIED PRIVACY OPTIONS

Remember when Facebook was front page news concerning their security options? They’ve launched, re-launched and launched again different configurations to ensure that everyone’s privacy is intact and the details and are still a little fuzzy.

Now that the cat is somewhat out of the bag, about Google’s attempt at competing with Facebook; what does this mean for the future of Diaspora? Can a startup company with a few computer guys really compete with Google and Facebook? We say yes! We’ll keep our eyes and ears on this story and keep you updated if any details are released.  

Going Virtual in a Social Media world

 We all hear the word "VIRTUAL" these days for almost everything we do. We have Virtual offices, Virtual tours, Virtual PC, Virtual Servers, Virtual games and so on. It's getting to the point that we never need to leave our computers to do anything these days. I remember a time when if you wanted to play with your friend you actually had to go outside. Today all you need to do is see if they are online and you can talk and play a game. How do we create balance in our lives where we look people in the face and talk to them instead of through a web cam or a text message. Right now, I am texting my kids and we are all in the house (sad).

How do our kids learn to get along with others, deal with personality differences and build character? I work in the IT support industry and find myself falling into the virtual world by communicating via email and text messages and an occasional voice mail. But I would rather talk to someone face to face. You just seem to get more from a conversation or collaboration when you can see the expression on someone that tells you whether or not they are on the same page as you or if they don't agree with what you are saying.

I am not against any of these social media technologies. I believe that they are good for what they were intended to do. But .... If used to hide behind or to avoid conflict (which a lot of people do) it will create a bigger monster in the long run. I want to know what people look like beyond their Avatar

I would like to hear your opinions on this. Please leave comments below

Google's new SideWiki... Cool Tool or Demon Widget? IT Support Provider Weighs In

Last week Google introduced a new applet called Sidewiki that brings social networking to a whole new (and some say terrifying) new level.

In essence, this new widget allows anyone to post comments for all the world to see - right next to your website!

Yep, that means anyone - ANYONE - can heap praises or throw sticks and stones at you or your products.

If your company has been unwilling to engage in the exciting world of social media - either because you didn't think it really mattered much to you, your industry or your brand, or because out of site (pun intended) meant out of mind.....well social media has now come to you.

Almost every business today has a website. Whether your site is as simple as an electronic brochure or as sophisticated as a fully interactive site,  it is one of the keys ways you communicate with your constituents (clients, prospects, investors, regulators, etc) and market your products. 

And until now - when anyone visited your site - you were the only one talking to them.  Not anymore.

Now when someone visits your site - they can quickly and easily see what others are saying about you as well.

So, just think - it's like having a "Review Me" sign next to every page on your website.

If you have great products and happy customers - this is a wonderful thing!   It's like free advertising!!

But if you've had some bumps in the road  - a mishap with poor customer service, or an employee fired for poor performance, or a competitor who decides to knock you down a notch - then this is a scary thing!  It's like letting other people hijack your website to do you harm!! 

Well, like it or not, two things are true:

1) those people were already talking about you - good and bad, though most likely the bad ones have been more vocal.  It's just that if you haven't been participating in the social media conversations (be they on a blog, Facebook, Twitter or a dozen other social media platforms), you didn't know people were talking about you.

And you know what they say about Ignorance....

"Ignorance is innocence - stupidity comes with experience" 

2)  Your need to manage your brand image via social media has just elevated from "When I can get around to it" to "Right Now!" 

Your IT support company can do a number of things to help you stay abreast of IT technology that impacts your business - like writing articles like this one, and providing tools and managed IT services to ensure your on-line presence is up and running efficiently.  But quality tools and good support don't replace your need to actively manage your on-line image.

From entrepreneurial business owner to corporate brand manager - if you ignore social media - particularly Sidewiki - you do so at your own peril. 

For a step by step on what it is and how to use it read Brian Maka's post.

Have you tried Sidewiki yet?  Any stories to share?  Let us know how it is or isn't (yet) impacting your business.