Disqus - Latest Comments for GeekMommy

Re: Laura Fitton from Pistachio Consulting

GeekMommy — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:00:15 -0000

Great interview with Laura!
She's a real innovator on how to use Twitter to network and build connection and actual relationships through that medium.

And yes - I got here through her twitter link! :)

Re: Why I’m supporting Barack Obama

GeekMommy — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:25:22 -0000

Thanks for writing this - it gives me some insight into some things I was wondering about with regard to what some folks find so appealing about Obama.

Personally, I'm still trying to figure out where I stand on everything - not the issues, but the candidates themselves.

I find it interesting that we presently have four major candidates still in the running: a woman, a black man, a mormon, and a stereotypical old, white, male with military service and senate experience.

I think it's the most diverse field we've ever had at this point in an election process. That alone, is refreshing.

But thanks for the insight! :)

Re: Personal Branding-Build Your Personal Brand in 5 Days

GeekMommy — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:34:44 -0000

Now where was this when I started doing it the hard way 10 months ago? :)

Seriously, great article. I'll be referring back to it even if I'm waaaaay off the 5 day timeline.

Re: Why Do Communities Attract Rule Makers?

GeekMommy — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:51:22 -0000

@geekmommy I don't tell people how to behave. I think I should tell them how I will disengage if they choose to behave a certain way.

One of the nicer aspects of Twitter is that it seems to appeal more to the intelligent and rational than the stupid and kneejerk reactionaries.
And if the latter show up, we can always just ignore them.

Re: Finding Easter Eggs - StartupWeekend Style

GeekMommy — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:38:40 -0000

I hate the term 'entrepreneur' so it's a relief to read this.

I suppose it's because everyone I know is either labeling themselves an entrepreneur, a consultant, or a maven these days - and all I can think is "but who is doing the work?"

I'm a dilettante and a knowledge junkie... Life is too short for me to not want to learn everything I possibly can and experience as much as I can.
If it were 200 years ago and I were male, I'd be called a 'renaissance man' but it's the 21st century and I'm a woman, so dilettante will have to do.

You make StartUp Weekend sound irresistible. It's this weekend? argh.

Re: April 1 Reminds Me That I Aint No Fool

GeekMommy — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:27:18 -0000

Seriously - you need to take pride in this post.
You need to shout it to the rooftops.
Life-lessons are hard... hard to learn, harder still to incorporate in our day to day existence. Two years? Man, that's something to SING about!!

You seriously rock in my book.

I'm absolutely in awe of the strength and candor it takes to look at yourself in this light and not only decide to change things, but to share it with others, so that maybe those who could benefit from hearing it get that chance.

Way to go. Best post I've read all week. You're definitely no fool.

Re: Why TechStars Non-Selected My Application

GeekMommy — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:13:35 -0000

So - I'm confused a bit as to where the rickrolling actually came in?

That said, I suppose if I were an entrepreneur, I should hang out with you more - to learn how NOT to approach the field! ;)

Seriously tho - when are we having coffee?

Re: The BlogHim Boiz Choir

GeekMommy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:47:02 -0000

At first I was going to whine about not even being a blip on your radar - but then I realized that there are so many freaking blips on the radar from this weekend that it's just a giant blip-blur.
I still can't believe it took you guys nearly 1/2 an hour to get from one end of the hotel lobby where I left you after herding parts of your rebel party out of the elevator to the other. Especially as I had already been in the bar for 25 mins when you guys showed up over there. I suppose trying to get anywhere with Cashmore in a crowd of hundreds of women is rough! lol
Glad that you'll be there next year too.
i wouldn't miss it for the world.

Re: BlogHer Day 1 - I Was Right; I Was Wrong

GeekMommy — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:57:43 -0000

I really like this and I missed it somehow before.
Your posts stopped coming to my inbox - what's up with that?

But I do have to say that I'm reconsidering my earlier position on men speaking there - it's at the point where it wouldn't hurt anything at all, and would probably help further some aspects of it.

I hope they start expanding that soon... but no matter what, it was an excellent experience.

Re: Out Riding Fences: Clash of the Storytellers.

GeekMommy — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:19:28 -0000

Brilliant!
And sadly all too accurate in my experience. The percentage of writers living in the social media world is surprisingly small given their native talents for communication.
A few of my very talented professional writer friends have made it up on the fence where you are - but far fewer than I would expect.

I've actually found that blogging and twitter and the like help me to learn different modes of writing. I can't imagine that it wouldn't be a help to most writers to explore that themselves.

That said, tho, I'm afraid you're barking down a deep well when it comes to getting the soc med folks to look more closely at writing. Most of the internet is flooded with those who write incessantly on blogs, fanfic sites, and posting boards *because* they have little to no talent in that arena and no desire to improve their skills.

The world is short on folks like Chris Brogan et al. who can write well about tech - that's why they're the rock stars of our set.

Still - kudos!!

Re: Out Riding Fences: Clash of the Storytellers.

GeekMommy — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:29:17 -0000

@Chris

I think that's part of what makes your work easy to read. There's a point at which those on the fence are really the only ones capable of navigating either.

You wrote *before* you blogged. You didn't blog because you couldn't write.

There's a divide however where there are writers are overly cautious about adopting new technology (outside of word processing!) and there are those who take their writing skills with them into the new technology arenas and thereby enhance them.

Re: Dear Social Media, Help Me Stop Smoking?

GeekMommy — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:44:27 -0000

Don't do it!!

The secret to quitting smoking is to NOT start again!

You can't just have one.

See - here's the thing, it will pass if you give it time. I used to carry around those little pocket packs of Listerine strips - and whenever I really wanted one, I'd put 4 of those in my mouth at once and believe me, the last thing you want after that is a cigarette.

Quit finding "outs" too - by saying "xxx OR I will smoke" gives you an out. Just don't do it.

6 1/2 yrs smoke free - cold turkey. You CAN do it.

GeekMommy's last blog post..Baby Got Follow-Back

Re: Twitter has Pulver-ized me. Time to move to Plurk?

GeekMommy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:54:51 -0000

You are kidding?
So if I had mass-followed people 3 days ago, my limit would be maybe 3-4k but now, despite my always having maintained a 1-to-1 ratio and been a strong Twitter supporter, I have to CHOOSE between followers?
That's outrageous.
And if it's true - it will only serve to hurt Twitter - because I have no reason to use a service that won't let me interact with people w/o telling them that some of them aren't "as important" as others.

I'm not a big plurk fan tho.
I'll either be on identi.ca or given my preference Kwippy.com - which has given me unlimited invites and let's me thread comments.

Re: 15 People Who Rock On Rejaw

GeekMommy — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:04:55 -0000

Hey... I've been rejawing since day 1 too! :)

It's okay tho - because I agree - but you need to add your own name to the list!

Re: "Daddy Spa" - Quality Floor-time for Girls and their Dads

GeekMommy — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:56:02 -0000

Brilliant! Passing that one along. Daddy/Daughter bonding time is critical at all stages! :) It's how your daughters form their opinions of men and what they deserve to be treated like... Yours will obviously come out with a good set of standards! :)

Re: 10 people you should follow on Friendfeed « My Thoughts On Social Media

GeekMommy — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:48:58 -0000

Thanks for the recommendations... Now, some day I want to figure out how to make that list! ;)

Seriously tho - glad that you had at least one woman on there - because actually? There are more of us in Social Media than there are of you... so we must be doing something right!

Re: Rest in Peace, Scott Coles

GeekMommy — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:32:07 -0000

I was wondering, when I read his obit this morning through your twitter link if it might be a case like this. He was awfully young and in a field that is incredibly hard-hit just now.

I think one of the best things that ever happened to me growing up was the number of times I had to go through abject failures and horrible losses as a younger person - they taught me that there is NOTHING short of death that can ever really stop me.
But I know so many other people who didn't hit their crises and failures until so late in their lives that they saw no way out other than that solution. Including my closest and dearest cousin.

May he rest in peace knowing that we all make mistakes and we all fail and that his memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him not as "that guy who couldn't find the solution at the end there" but as the sum total of the REST of his life - which was obviously one of love, caring, and giving.

Very nice tribute to your friend.
My sympathies go to his family and friends.

Re: Rest in Peace, Scott Coles

GeekMommy — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:06:49 -0000

So, let me get this straight - Francine is grieving for the loss of her friend, and trying to understand the reasons for his untimely loss - and some folks who aren't even brave enough to put real contact information come here and attack her for that?

Yeah, way to make the loss of an obviously good guy even worse for someone.

Before you come and post something rude? Think twice. You aren't honoring the memory of Mr. Coles - may he rest in peace.

Re: NetParty - Are you nerd enough?

GeekMommy — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:37:16 -0000

You make me wish I were young again, single, and living in Austin!!

Great review - I'm sure it will cause more than one person to RSVP! :)

Re: Proper Twitter Etiquette, What is it?

GeekMommy — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:22:01 -0000

I'm of the opinion that we can only determine the "rules" or etiquette for ourselves - and the most powerful tool we have to create our space in social networking is the follow/unfollow tool.

For me, I love when my friends post links to their new blog posts - because I'm not a feed-reader and I like to know. But if that's ALL you do with Twitter? I'm probably not following you.

Use Twitter howsoever best suits you - and those who agree will follow - those who do not always have the power not to follow.
:)

Re: 1000% Growth Frenzy in Social Media | Andrew Hyde - Humble Yet Bold

GeekMommy — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:56:16 -0000

Oooh...
Well said!

I'm going to try to come back and re-read this tomorrow, when I've had more sleep (in theory) and can process an honest reaction...
But you'll never find me calling myself a "guru" - it's why I like the term "Social Media Advocate" - I'm all for it, I like talking about it, I like participating in the conversation, and I'm fairly certain that sums up the extent of my usefulness! :)

Re: Pitching Guy Kawasaki in an Elevator

GeekMommy — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:17:33 -0000

But does he have the shirt? Or will you give him one just for fun? :)

Thanks for sharing that, it was fun!

Re: He asked me to go on a bike ride…

GeekMommy — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:01:52 -0000

OMG - I *told* you he was a rockin' boyfriend!!! But it turns out I was partially wrong - now he's a ROCKIN' FIANCE!!! :)

That is so majorly cool - you guys are so great together!
I'm all giddy now that I know! yay!!!!!

Re: 2008/05/12/strawpoll-platform/

GeekMommy — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:07:35 -0000

Hm.
It's either a great tool - or going to be one of the more annoying things to pop up in the twitter stream.

I'm already over the Qik video-streaming-come-chat notices, the Bright-kite-says-I'm-at-1234-main-street, and the dozen other add-on autoscripts out there. How long before "X or Y?" polls turn into the 'which power ranger are you?' meme of Twitter?

Re: 2008/05/14/us-summer-tour-2008/

GeekMommy — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:52:21 -0000

Agreed!!!

Put Denver on the Tour!!! :)

Re: 2008/06/04/leo-laporte-stickam/

GeekMommy — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:43:42 -0000

After an exhaustive search for a platform that works well with an actual live-broadcast show with multiple guests, ease of production and technical control, and stability - I can well understand why Leo would choose Stickam.

If you can find a live-video platform that doesn't crash from time-to-time under the weight of users that Leo's show brings to the table, I'd be impressed.

Stickam has had it's image issues in the past - but how else would you suggest they remedy that other than to attract bigger names like Leo and work with them to re-engineer the focus and the type of offerings they have?

If Leo & Stickam make a million dollars a year thru this revenue sharing deal more power to them. I can only hope that this partnership will mean that Stickam gets more resources to bring a greater stability to their platform and to take the lead in the live-streaming market.

Re: 2008/06/04/leo-laporte-stickam/

GeekMommy — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:55:57 -0000

Great! I hope both you and Stickam make much more than $100k a year and can laugh all the way to the bank about it!

If you do - down the road, talk them into implementing some of the stuff those who will eventually want to follow in your footsteps could use? http://tinyurl.com/4w4dah

Meanwhile - I'm hoping that the audience you draw will only increase and it will positively impact Stickam's stability.

Re: 2008/06/27/twitter-death/

GeekMommy — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 02:26:38 -0000

Twitter will survive... it just won't be the "golden child" anymore. Facebook didn't kill MySpace - but you sure have different user bases there.

Re: 2008/06/30/twitter-enhanced-profile/

GeekMommy — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:56:33 -0000

While I admit that @waynesutton's page looks slick, I'm more inclined to go with the "Twitter Landing Page" that folks like @Pistachio have started using. Putting a specific URL to a page that is created only for users coming from Twitter.
That way, all of that information and more can be on there, but also clickable.

Re: 2008/08/06/rejaw/

GeekMommy — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:20:18 -0000

I really like it so far - but unless they figure out the block feature, it has the potential to turn into troll heaven.

I got 4 whispers in a row in my inbox yesterday from someone I don't know. No way to delete, no way to keep from getting.
That's going to be a HUGE Achille's Heel.

Re: 2008/08/15/irony-alert-social-media-introverts/

GeekMommy — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 04:31:12 -0000

Hm.
Now see, I classify myself as an introvert because I regain my energy by isolating. I recharge by going home, being alone, and being around others drains me.
I classify extroverts as those who recharge by being around others - they draw their energy from those around them, and recharge in crowds rather than exhausting themselves.

By that definition, I'm introverted as is my husband - but our daughter is, unfortunately for her, an extrovert. Which makes it tricky when one or both parents is trying to run away to recover and she's pursuing us to do the same.

That said, I'm also extremely gregarious. I loathe crowds, but I do know how to channel that energy through myself so that I can be "social" longer.

Re: 2008/08/16/the-twitting-point/

GeekMommy — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:45:07 -0000

The picture collage at the top reminds me of this game from the 70's called "Guess Who?" by Milton Bradley

http://tinyurl.com/5af6ms

That said, yeah, I've got one - no, I'm not using it. I'm a rebel. grr.

Re: 2008/08/27/4-questions-for-every-early-adopter/

GeekMommy — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:00:39 -0000

I'm sitting here wondering if my confusion is due to not being "in the Valley" in either body or mindset.
I read the post and it seemed light-hearted and rather amusing up to the part labeled "Some Quick Question(sic) to Help You not be a New Media Douchebag" - then I simply disagreed with some of it and agreed with other parts of it.

Then I read the comments and felt like I must've missed something else here - because I don't quite get why Robert & Louis are offended. Yes, you used their names, but you know - we all follow them hither and yon for a reason. Mostly, it's because they do seem to have a great sense of what will prove fun, interesting, innovative and useful and what is just kind of going to muddle along.
So yeah, saying "Their patron saints are Robert Scoble and increasingly Louis Gray" reflects a bit more on the rest of us wanting to be 'in on the new thing' than it does say anything negative about those guys.

The 'mom' test? I don't use it as a litmus for whether something is 'good for the company' - I use it for whether something is 'good for a particular target market.' Then again, I use my Dad - who has talked with me about my own passion for technology but doesn't share it.

The thing is? If you are looking at tools for technically enabled companies, you'll have a different yardstick than you do for, say, less technically focused companies. I wouldn't recommend the same tools to Home Builders or Law Firms that I'd recommend to Marketing Firms or Retailers.

But I'm getting annoyed by having to keep arrowing down to see what I'm typing... so I'll wrap it up. The first part of this post is amusing if we're being honest with ourselves. The second part I sort of agree, but mostly disagree with.

But I hope that folks seeing themselves in the 'stereotype' can laugh just a bit. Because seriously? Tell me you don't know someone who fits it to a T? I do!! :)

Re: 2008/09/04/cnn-twitter/

GeekMommy — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:07:43 -0000

The number of messages I got on Twitter when Rick Sanchez (@RickSanchezCNN) aired one of my Tweets on CNN during his Hurricane Gustave coverage tells me they're doing something right.

I didn't even catch the coverage myself - but I got to relive it thru the eyes of a number of other people who were glued to the broadcast.

Yeah, they're getting it right for sure.

Re: http://gary.tumblr.com/post/78884958

GeekMommy — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:11:03 -0000

Brilliant. Simple. Obvious. True.

Thanks Gary - you rock!

Re: http://gary.tumblr.com/post/78888436

GeekMommy — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:36:07 -0000

Here's my question for you tho, Gary... How relevant will age be?
All of the rap/hip-hop artists you mentioned were the young kids coming up. More, I would think, they were like Mark Zuckerberg, than most of the names you mentioned.

I think there's a certain level of 'old man on the mountain' that many people are a little afraid of.

Scoble et al have built their brands over the past decade - but who is the next generation of (as Chris Brogan calls them) Social Media Rockstars?

I think you're on target - I'm just not sure who the names will actually *be* 5 years from now.

Re: http://gary.tumblr.com/post/78888659

GeekMommy — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:40:28 -0000

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to make these videos.

Time is a precious commodity - having anyone share theirs with you is huge.

Thanks back.

Re: http://gary.tumblr.com/post/78889102

GeekMommy — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:32:07 -0000

Gary - I don't want to sound like Cassandra - but I hope you mean 'good people in general' and not 'good people and here's a list'...
In my experience, trying to point out 'those who are good' often means forgetting others who are, and making them feel excluded and unvalued.

I would never participate in something that had the potential for me to hurt someone by leaving someone else out who also deserved recognition - but relied upon my memory.

The oscar speech for me is "Thank you to everyone - my friends, my family, and all those who made this possible" - but there would never be a list, lest I forget someone who would be forever hurt by their exclusion.

Re: The Value of Networks

GeekMommy — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:38:11 -0000

I love everything about this - except that first paragraph that had me confused as to where you were going.

I think there's one thing I'd add to about the credit - not just not taking it, but making sure to give it when due. I'm always surprised at people who don't do that... just acknowledging what someone else has said or done sometimes means the world to someone.

Additionally? As we both know, I'm a big fan of saying "I was wrong" when you turn out to be wrong. As in - "I was wrong... the Twitter Packs turned out to be a good thing that wasn't abused." ;)

I kind of wish there were another word outside of "friends/friendlies" we could use - because some of the people in my network I believe have either become real friends or have the potential to - but some are more of the nature you describe... and I don't want to either devalue those relationships, or mistakenly inflate them either.

I'll ruminate more on this and no doubt blog about it myself - once I figure out what I really think about it!

But thanks for having me in your network!

Re: OoVoo- Video Chatting for 2008

GeekMommy — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:26:01 -0000

I really need to get my own review up - but I will say that I think it will be fun for Happy Hour - we can all ooVoo call hop! ;)

Re: OoVoo- Video Chatting for 2008

GeekMommy — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:44:12 -0000

I like Laura's idea too about the sort of ooVoo Think Tank approach...
I'm wondering if there's an idea in doing a compare/contrast between ooVoo and YahooLive. One of the things I like about the ooVoo platform is that you can have a "private"ish chat with 6 people - and not wonder who the 11 other people 'lurking' in the room are... and if recording is happening, you are alerted.

I think there's definitely a niche for it - I just don't know that we've actually found it's full potential just yet. Kind of like Twitter didn't make a lot of sense to some of us as just a status update app, but as a social networking app it is terribly appealing.

Re: Lets Write 100 Conference Sessions WE Want to Attend

GeekMommy — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:51:28 -0000

When to Adopt and When to Wait and See
======================================

How to judge whether a new application or tool will benefit you & your business, or if it will just take time & focus away from the ones that already do.

Re: New Site Design Launched

GeekMommy — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:27:35 -0000

It looks fabulous!
And thanks for the heads up on who did your design etc... many of us are wondering who we should contact for new site designs! :)

Re: A Foul Bastards Tale - RATED PG13

GeekMommy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:26:44 -0000

This is a complex issue - and I'm a little leery of weighing in on it - because it seems as if the "those who aren't with us are against us!" mentality has taken hold during this whole episode.

I've never followed @foulbastard - his cup of tea and mine are not the same, despite the fact that we have a number of folks in common. What he twittered about wasn't an issue for me... I just opted not to follow him.

But the @thebreasts account? That was horse of a different color... a number of my female twitterpals were followed by that and took offense. I don't know that he would or wouldn't have followed me with it - and it doesn't matter to me - I opted to block the account pre-emptively as soon as I heard of it. Please make a note of the fact that I blocked @thebreasts, but not @foulbastard - I think there's a distinction there. One is person - the other is not.

I also tend to block political followbots - because I don't want to provide the illusion that I support what they stand for if I don't.

One of the problems I'm seeing above is that the concept of abuse is being limited to spam.
There are other ways to abuse other users - even unintentionally.

I have NO doubt in my mind that FB's interest is simply a healthy appreciation for female anatomy - I don't think there was any ill intent on his part.

The problem is - I've worked with guys who had a "healthy appreciation" for female anatomy. Nothing says "you won't be taken seriously here" in a workplace to a woman like watching an attorney at a major telecomm company try to toss paper clips into the cleavage of his secretary's blouse on the first day at a new job.
Hey - I'm sure he was just appreciating her assets - but it let me know to get the hell out quickly.

The thing is - this project isn't "the breasts of Twitter" it's "the breasts of a few willing friends of FB's on Twitter." But that's not the impression that is being given. Representing it as having something to do with Twitter rather than having something to do w/ FB himself is damaging to the rest of us women who are *not* participating in this project of his. Many women use Twitter for business reasons - perhaps they don't necessarily want to be associated with the concept of "and if you ask me nicely, I'll tell you which photo on the Breasts of Twitter is mine..." when trying to maintain a professional image.

I'm sorry. I think it was wrong that the accounts were suspended. But I also think it's a bit off the mark to pretend that somehow this is all harmless fun that only prudes would object too.

Twitter was well within their TOS to suspend him. Heck, they could suspend me for posting this and it would still be well within the TOS. But I agree that it was handled poorly. Sometimes, there's a learning curve on getting processes in place to handle things like that.

Personally, I think this whole issue has had it's 15 minutes of fame now. I'm sorry it turned into such a tempest in a teapot... but I don't think there were any 'innocent' parties involved.

And that's my long-winded two cents (or more like 72 cents.)

Re: Who is Secretly Pitching You

GeekMommy — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:05:00 -0000

Part of what made me walk away from sales way-back-when was that I really couldn't bring myself to sell things I didn't believe in.

When I do believe in something, I get passionate about it... and it's easy to sell something you're passionate about.

But it's no big surprise to find out that there are people paid to shill... Whether it's the "I used product X to lose 100 lbs!" in a magazine, or the "product X changed my life" on a blog - it's not going to surprise anyone.

But anyone taking the word of just one source w/out doing their own research is an easy target for that sort of thing.

I advocate products and companies I have positive experiences with - but likewise, I don't hesitate to speak out when I have a negative experience. The trick to spotting a shill is that they tend not to do the latter.

Re: Why SOBCon Should Be on Your Calendar

GeekMommy — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:11:11 -0000

*Sigh*

I was already wanting to go to that and not being able to. This just makes me wish I could even more.

Maybe next year.

Re: Being the Same You Always

GeekMommy — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:24:39 -0000

Gary's "80/20" video struck a chord with a lot of people - and yeah, he's totally on fire right now.

But there's something about being both genuine and earnest that appeals to all of us - and he's got both of those qualities in spades.

His enthusiasm is catching too.

Re: Social Media Starter Moves for Freelancers

GeekMommy — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:30:15 -0000

Thank you.
This is something I think many people will find incredibly useful!
(Yeah, me too.)

Re: My Only April Fools Joke

GeekMommy — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:41:37 -0000

Oh you stinker!
That's the only one I've fallen for so far today!! :)

Okay, you'll get double doses from me then... but I've a long memory... just you wait until next year! I'll get you back! heh

Re: What Does Facebook Actually DO for Me

GeekMommy — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:03:22 -0000

Looks like you hit a nerve with this one Chris.

At this point, I have a number of accounts I check weekly-ish because of your last reason... there are some folks who will only play on myspace, livejournal, facebook... and so I check-in every now and then.

But slowly but surely, I'm dragging a few of them to Twitter. :)

Re: Is Your Community For Sale

GeekMommy — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:30:54 -0000

Taking a break from the intellectual property debate on twitter right now to answer this one.

Simply put? No. You can't sell a community.
You can sell a brand. You can sell an account.
But you can't sell loyalty of others.

If you, Chris Brogan, were to sell your twitter account - I'd quit following that account.
It's not the name that's important, it's the value gained from the person behind it.

Just as I stopped reading "Dear Abby" when it stopped being "Abigail Van Buren" and started being her daughter, I would not blindly follow a blog/twitter/whathaveyou just because it was originally founded by someone I admired.

What Baron offered, and what he is selling if he does is an "ACCOUNT" not a community. Communities are made up of people with a reason to have a bond. Accounts are just that.

Re: Is Your Community For Sale

GeekMommy — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 01:12:51 -0000

An interesting point Chris... but here's the thing - why buy it from andrew when Suzie can start her own Twitter account and just add people with an endorsement from someone?

I'd be unlikely to follow someone who 'bought' an account or even took one over because I'd be suspicious of his/her motivations - but I'm also not the average twitter user.

It will be interesting to see what happens... but I don't think you can sell community - only access.
And honestly? it could hurt the brand/trust of the person selling it - would you trust him the next time he creates an account?

Re: Why PodCamp Boston 3 Costs 50 Bucks

GeekMommy — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:04:26 -0000

Honestly? that sounds about right.

I suppose the argument could be made for a $50 refundable space reserve deposit - as in, if you come, we give it back, if you don't come, you lose the deposit because that space would've been used by someone else... but honestly, that would be a headache.

I'd easily pay $50 if I were close enough to go to it. You'd pay that much to attend a seminar through your local parks & rec or thru a 'free university' program.

Makes sense since you clearly aren't trying to profit from it, but are trying to make certain that those RSVPing will actually be vested in attending.

Re: On Managing A Community

GeekMommy — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:15:00 -0000

Loving the comments thread on this one - but my one question is - how do we apply for your Community Manager job? lol...
It sounds like the dream job for Comm Mgrs! :) Working for a company/boss that 'gets it' already.

Seriously - another home run Chris. But I think it's great that your own community stepped up so well to add to the discussion

Re: What Were Your First Steps

GeekMommy — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:18:42 -0000

What were your first steps into social media?

- I have a hard time defining that... yes, I was BBSing back in the 80's, on Usenet in the 90's, blogging & on livejournal in the 00's... but I didn't really identify what I was doing as "social media" until I started spending a lot of time on Twitter.
It's kind of weird, in that I was doing all of those things but never perceived them as anything other than 'playing on the internet.'

Who were your early people you admired and followed?

I've always been horrible about that. I'm too scattered to regularly read blogs. Partly, the reason I spent 7 years on Live Journal was that it's "Friends List" enabled me not to have to think hard about that, or set up RSS feeds or anything.

As for those who I admired & followed on Twitter, that's a different story...
Firstly, Jeremiah Owyang @jowyang - without whom I doubt I'd have stuck around twitter long enough to see it's beauty. After that, @susanreynolds, you, @pistachio, @scobleizer @shelisrael @queenofspain - I could go on a long time.

How did you get started?

I'm still not sure I am "started" - because I don't really know that I've found my footing anywhere outside of twitter.

If you were going to give advice to someone starting out, what would you tell them?

I wouldn't say just jump in... I'd say read a bit first - see who you like, then figure out why you like what they're doing. Are they specializing? Are they interactive? Are they using multiple services or just one?
Find what appeals to you first, then pursue it.

What will you do in the next few months with social media?

Now that's the big question, isn't it? I'm still trying to answer that for myself.

Re: Develop a Strong Personal Brand Online Part 1

GeekMommy — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:13:18 -0000

This post intrigues me, because as you know Chris, I've been exploring personal brand since about January.

Prior to that, I had a very long-standing "pseudonym brand" that I've had online for 10+ yrs in certain circles. But for reasons that very much made sense due to my career, that pseudonym wasn't tied to my 'real name' in any way. If you googled Lucretia Pruitt, you found a few entries from a class-action suit I was a party to, and a bunch of entries on a woman who died in the 1850s. If you googled the pseudonym, all but 2 of the thousands of entries were mine.

But coming on Twitter and joining in the social media/social networking world consciously made me re-evaluate personal branding.

I gave it a lot of thought before I decided to go with "GeekMommy" as a personal brand, but to tie it to Lucretia Pruitt. However, I also have a company brand that I have yet to reveal... because my intent is to strengthen my personal brand before adding more to the mix.

I'd submit that there are few out there who actually confuse say, Mike Arrington with TechCrunch - but mentioning one always makes you think of the other. But that doesn't mean he's limited to a niche.

So there's personal reputation (when someone says your name what do they think?) and personal brand (when someone says the brand name - whether it's something like GeekMommy or ChrisBrogan.com - do they instantly think of you?) and personal-product brand (when someone says BrandX do they automatically associate it with your reputation, like say Alltop.com and Guy Kawasaki?)

Re: Growing Your Audience- Some Basics

GeekMommy — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:10:37 -0000

Or there's the old "get in a debate with a prominent blogger where you are dead wrong" trick! ;)

Seriously - another great post Chris, thanks again.

Someday I'll put all of these tips together and become a decent blogger, but for now, I'll just send people here. :)

Re: 100 Personal Branding Tactics Using Social Media

GeekMommy — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:15:07 -0000

Bravo!
A perfect post about it... and going on my permanent read-every-couple-of-weeks list.

I'd like to download your brain someday - but until then, thank you for doing it for us like this every so often! :)

Wow.

Re: Letter From God

GeekMommy — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:24:22 -0000

That's really well done.
Things like this always make me wonder if I'm exercising my creativity 'muscles' enough.
:)

Re: WordPress Theme- Thesis is a Winner

GeekMommy — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:35:15 -0000

Wow - that is slick.
And $87 is a STEAL for that kind of user customization and readability.

Re: Cuil Misses Me

GeekMommy — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:16:53 -0000

I think we can all pretty much conclude that Cuil missed the target.

I did a vanity search first off too - because I know what to expect to see on Google, Yahoo, and others to compare it to.
Yeah, I'm nowhere near as present as you Chris, but it couldn't find any of the prominent suspects either.

Then I tried another search on a random term. oy.
Then it crashed.

So much for that little experiment!

Re: Why Twitter Still Wins

GeekMommy — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:31:26 -0000

Agreed. The 2 big draws to Twitter over *every* other similar platform are a)already developed apps to make up for shortcomings and b)networks we spent months building.

I'd go to kwippy.com any day over any of the other Twitter-clones - but some of my favorite people will never be there.

Besides, it's kind of become a love/hate relationship where every week we wait to see what new curve Twitter will throw at us to make us all kvetch about them.

The capping, the disappearing followers, the failwhale parades - it's never really boring, is it?

Re: My Best Advice About Social Media

GeekMommy — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 05:41:51 -0000

I like it when you do these 'compilation' posts - makes it easier to find all of my favorite stuff without too much searching! ;)

Re: On Twitter and Listening

GeekMommy — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:09:55 -0000

Actually, I've had two incidents of this nature recently... just today, I saw someone on my Following List mention issues they had with Comcast - I mentioned that she should try tweeting @comcastcares - very shortly thereafter, @comcastscott let me know that he had pinged her and they were on it... @comcastcares followed up and were working on her behalf. Because they were monitoring their own brand and making sure the were proactive.
On another more personal note - last month I reviewed AwayFind.com http://tinyurl.com/6rxtx4 - which I think is an incredibly useful tool for folks on the go who live for their inboxes but need to manage them.
Because of my current lifestyle, I really wasn't using it after testing it out.
This week, I got an email from its creator Jared:
"It’s been over a month now since you tried out AwayFind. Just curious if I can help at all with ideas (like how I use it in my email signature) or tips? I want to make an impact with this, maybe even help you personally—so if you have any insight to share about your experience (I’m guessing you’re not using it now from the stats?)."

Honestly? Customer service doesn't GET better than that. I expect he & awayfind.com will go really far.

Re: Social Media Events Are Fragmenting

GeekMommy — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:43:56 -0000

Fantastic analysis Chris - although I'm relatively new to the social media events, it reminds me of similar event-based, geographically diverse "circuits" I've been involved in.

There are 2 major points that event organizers have to consider with regard to location:
1) is there enough local draw that it's sustainable if the 'traveling' crowd decides not to show up en masse?
2) is the area appealing enough to draw the 'traveling' crowd so that the local crowd gets the benefit?

There are other points as well - which you touched on tangentially:
- Are there other events that are similar in nature and draw scheduled at the same time?
- Are there other events that are similar in nature and draw scheduled in the same location within a short time-frame?
- Are you priced within reach/reason of your target market? Let's be honest on this one - beginners/novices in this field might pay $200-500 for a 3 day event, but they aren't going to invest a lot more than that for something that isn't making them money. If you're charging more than that, you'd better be catering to an experienced attendee or you won't make your numbers.

The fragmentation is inevitable - because you can't be all things to all markets. As a field grows, those with experience start needing a different level of event than newcomers. As the gap between experienced and novice increases, so does the need to create events around different levels of understanding and knowledge.
So, too, as the tools increase in number and type - because you can realistically only focus on so much in any one time span.

Some events won't make it. Others will find a niche. Still others will become the anchors of annual scheduling.

The process is the same in every field - so yes, to a point, I can tell you the future on this one. I've seen it happen in more than one arena.

But it's good that you've started this discussion, because it's very timely in the Social Media realm.

Re: Cherp is a Twitter-Flavored Agency

GeekMommy — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:07:01 -0000

Well, I think it could be a niche... but that said, not too sure I'd trust a company that when you click on the link that says "Call Us!" and supposedly leads to an "About Us" page goes to the wrong domain.
:\
I had to manually slog about to find http://cherp.us/twitter_branding.html

But while I think there's power in "microblogging" platforms, it's kind of like *only* selling cupcakes rather than having a bakery.

Still, will keep my eye on it.

Re: Cherp is a Twitter-Flavored Agency

GeekMommy — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:32:19 -0000

@Matt - classy responses!
I'll definitely keep my eye on what you are doing...

You may just have found a niche that no one else had the foresight to see. In which case we can all look back and say "remember when Brogan posted about it and we all were skeptical? Kudos to Matt!!"

I certainly hope so. I think there's a great deal of utility for companies on Twitter and similar platforms, but not everyone can step up and figure it out well.

Good Luck!

Re: Big Game Hunting

GeekMommy — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:02:43 -0000

I think a love of social media often indicates that kind of mind. Because there's a certain glee from following the interconnectedness of it all and seeing how things domino from one place to another.

Then again, I'm biased. I'm the kid that saved my allowance to buy Games magazine rather than the latest hit record, whose social gatherings at home with friends are never really complete unless some game or other is dragged out... be it something as easy but never the same twice like Apples to Apples or something more complex like Escape From Colditz.

The secret to staying young in life is remembering to play. It's how kids learn and it's how we stay vibrant and alert as we get older. Something my 90 year old Nana attests to.

Jealous of the secret in your brain BUT that makes it all the more fun. Can't wait to see where this goes. :)

Re: Thinking About Trust Agents

GeekMommy — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:36:23 -0000

I think we used to call it "the Human Face of the Company" - and way back when, before it started being the least valued department with the most underpaid people in any company "Customer Service Agent" - but now that just means someone who makes $8/hr and does anything *but* provide actual services to the customer.

Trust Agent? Kinda sounds like someone who works for the Treasury Department to me.

Not that I'm coming up with an alternative - mine all sound like something out of a Gibson novel that are semi-human:
Human Interface
Dynamic Catalyst
Bridge Agent

Hmmm...

Maybe something more along the lines of Unifying Agent? Someone who takes disparate parts and puts them together so that they function well as a whole?

If you're hooked on Trust - maybe Trust Broker? Because in the end, you really brokering the deal to make the two sides connect in such a way that both benefit.

Well now you've got me off playing with words. I know the book will rock no matter what, but ew on Trust Agent.

Re: Thinking About Trust Agents

GeekMommy — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:57:43 -0000

Actually, I'm going to disagree with Mr. Yoskovitz.

Words have power. Ontological maps are well defined. You can't take a word that already has a powerful image associated with it on a societal level and say "well, that's not how *I* am using it - I meant something else..."

Yes, teenagers have a habit of doing it - hence we are left with "bad" meaning good and "phat" meaning really good - but individuals seeking a business audience don't get to take an industry word and try to say "well I've decided that it means something different when applied to me."

Purple Cow may not be defined in a business context but "agent" sure is.

Clearly, the fact that multiple people have negative reactions to the phrase is indication that it needs rethinking. Would you buy an energy drink named "Yuck" just because someone tells you that in *this* context they are redefining it to mean something other than what you think it means? Or if you were the manufacturer of "Yuck" would you refuse to change the name if market research indicated that your target market reacted negatively to it?

Words have power. We know Chris isn't a typist (or simply a typist) but clearly "trust agent" doesn't have the immediate positive impact one hopes for when trying to come up with a pithy description of one's primary role.

Re: Gatekeepers vs Gatejumpers

GeekMommy — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:21:18 -0000

GateKeeper: Encyclopedia Britannica
GateJumper: Wikipedia

That's the first one that jumps to mind.

Re: How Cirque Du Soleil Shows Social Media Love

GeekMommy — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:14:49 -0000

The Cirque folks (Jessica Berlin rocks!) rose to the occasion in a huge way!

I wondered how we hand ended up at Revolution that night - but was very glad to be there. Dan was the nicest guy.

That said - I've been to several traveling CdS shows - including Qidam (my favorite still) and Dralion - but O at the Bellagio is by far my best Vegas experience ever.
I'm suprised you had time to fit Love in, but how cool that you did! :)

Re: The Me Game

GeekMommy — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:44:44 -0000

Excellent post.

And an excellent reminder of why I both adore you and am envious of you in a way that would be mean and petty if I didn't already adore you so much.
You managed to put into words something I've done for years, but never bothered to put into words.

I absolutely love, love, love connecting interesting people to interesting people. I'd rather introduce someone to someone else than to talk about myself... I guess maybe I need to add connector to my self-defined job description.

The thing is? I've found that I learn so much more about myself talking with others about what *they* do then I ever do talking about me. It's like teaching in that way.

Still though - I think there's a line somewhere that I'm still trying to find - that one where I'm not actually providing the other person with enough information about myself.
I mean, if you and I are both busy asking each other questions rather than giving answers, no information is shared either.

But as usual, you've hit another home run Chris! :)

p.s. I met both Liz & Jason at BWE as well and you are spot on! ;) They rock!

Re: The Beauty and Problems of New Presentations

GeekMommy — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:12:48 -0000

Okay, now that I've started, I have to watch the whole thing... but it will have to be later. "Not right now honey, I know it's bedtime, but I'm listening to Chris talk about cows," doesn't cut it with the 5 year old.

That said, the Boston cowpath myth reminds me very much of one about 'organic campus sidewalk design' that I heard back in the 80's... about a college that was redeveloped by an architect who put no paths or sod in for the first term of a redesign - but instead waited until the students had trod paths, then put the sidewalks there and the grass around it. The theory being that students are lazy and will always walk the shortest path from building to building - whether or not there is a sidewalk there - so it's best to wait to pave & sod rather than to have to deal with dead grass and unused sidewalks.

This will be in the back of my mind as I watch the rest of the presentation to see where it goes! :)

Re: 12 Things to Stop Doing in 2009

GeekMommy — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:02:26 -0000

Great lists - both of them. But I can't promise #1... because I like Twitter and from time to time, there are things I want to write about that concern it.

That said? I think there's a difference between writing about Twitter and writing about Twitter Drama.
;)

Re: Social Media is No Place for Robot Behavior

GeekMommy — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:55:59 -0000

I meant to tell you how much I love this post - but I got distracted by non-robotic behavior on Twitter! :)

Adding this to my "oh why bother coming up with a different way of saying it when I can just link to this post so much faster" bookmarks. :)

Re: Welcoming Colin Browning to the Pirate Ship

GeekMommy — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:33:03 -0000

I keep *trying* to get over here to say "woooooot!!" and congrats to all 3 of you - but the internet is about 20 Firefox tabs ahead of me today! :P

Doesn't really seem fair to the rest of us, you guys ganging up like that! ;)

Unstoppable force comes to mind...

Re: Welcoming Colin Browning to the Pirate Ship

GeekMommy — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:34:33 -0000

p.s. Hope to see some solid female pirates joining y'all soon - because there's nothing like the element of surprise... ;)

Re: Be Wary of Creating Pedestals

GeekMommy — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:22:22 -0000

Brilliantly dead on as always... But also the reason that I hear so often "Chris Brogan seems like a really nice guy - normal and down to Earth" after people meet you at a conference. Because when you start believing your own press, or even other people's press, you stop having a conversation and start having a fanversation - and I think those of us who love this space are all about the former, not the latter.

Kudos as usual.

Re: You're Doing It Wrong

GeekMommy — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:20:09 -0000

Not me, I always do it... now wait a minute... what was that about following too many people on Twitter? ;)

Seriously, there's only "more likely to achieve your goal" and "less likely to achieve your goal" - but who says our goals have to be the same?

Great post as always Mr. Brogan!

Re: A Crash Course in Comments

GeekMommy — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:43:54 -0000

Only here would a post about commenting receive so many comments! ;)

Now if only I had something interesting to say...

Re: Creators Take Note

GeekMommy — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:23:40 -0000

Good sells more with exposure - Bad sells less... Mad Men is definitely one of the most amazingly written shows to ever hit television. The ensemble cast? Also amazing. You'll enjoy the DVDs.

But we're going to end up in a question about how to monetize things successfully in the days of easily copied & transferred information, aren't we? ;)

Re: Review - 30 Year Old Canadian Club

GeekMommy — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:15:08 -0000

Color me jealous, even tho I'm a Jameson's girl myself... still 30 y.o. anything should be fully appreciated! :)

Re: 10th Year Tele-versary: A Career Is Born

GeekMommy — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:40:12 -0000

This just made me smile hugely while reading it. Congratulations on the journey so far and the aplomb and enthusiasm you've pursued your goals with.
Your successes are no doubt just the first chapters of many to come.

It's really been a pleasure getting to know you through Twitter...

I hope some day I can say congratulations in person! :)

Lucretia

Re: SXSW: too many parties!!!

GeekMommy — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:01:20 -0000

I'm already lamenting all I will miss at SXSW this year - but I'm looking forward to my Twitter feed being deluged from Austin at that time.

SXSW vicariously via Twitter. Yet another party.

Re: Silicon Valley headed for political trouble?

GeekMommy — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:27:48 -0000

As someone who does study politics and has known and interacted with a number of politicians I have a few responses to this.

Firstly, you will be hard pressed to find many politicians in D.C. who actually understand the technology. It's hard to talk passionately to someone who has no idea what you are talking about. Most politicians come from legal backgrounds, not scientific or technological. Those that do come from tech backgrounds? Seek out the information themselves. Those that don't seldom have any desire to understand it - but will legislate based on what sounds good to their constituents.
In that case, it's not the politicians you need to win over, but the old media.

"Andrew started down this path by watching what tech bloggers were reporting on. He very rarely saw us talk about politics. Most bloggers he meets, he tells me, don’t know who the FCC Chairman is. Or, have ever had a conversation with him or his staffs."

Is this supposed to be surprising? Political bloggers blog about politics - tech bloggers blog about tech. It's not that there's a dearth of people blogging politics - it's that we bloggers tend to niche ourselves because that's what garners an audience.

If I want technology & politics cross-talk, I'll go look on slashdot - it's a matter of audience.
You wouldn't go read a bunch of children's literature authors and then complain that they aren't addressing a different audience, would you?

Everything is interconnected - but not every blog needs to be every thing.

I hope you learn what you want to on your trip to D.C. but I think that you (or perhaps Andrew Feinberg?) are a little off base talking about "geeks" as being "non-political" strictly because tech bloggers don't blog about politics.

Re: The Offline Wars about to heat up?

GeekMommy — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:24:52 -0000

Do you prefer sports cars or sedans?
Cats or dogs?
Muffins or bagels?

Which is a round-about way of saying - some people will follow you into the 'everything online and portable' world, and some never will.

I'm of the latter perspective... but that's because of my own preferences. No, I don't want everything online - because that means I need to rely on someone else for my security. I need to believe that having my intellectual property reside on someone else's servers is a good thing.

As long as there are reasons to have 'segregated data' (like law firms, for instance - there are some things that are not supposed to reside on networked computers) there will be a need for 'offline' apps.

It's a matter of preference and usage. It's good that the developers are remembering that not everyone has the same needs or wants.

Re: Audience of Twittering Assholes

GeekMommy — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:50:58 -0000

Well said.

And utterly without the bias so many others have shown, while examining the reasons the bias took the forefront.

Kudos, Robert - MAJOR kudos!

Re: Johnson and Johnson “breaks into jail” with BabyCamp

GeekMommy — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:20:49 -0000

Reading the email that JenB posted just confirms even more what I suspected... J&J doesn't get that you can't separate out the "Mommy" part of "Mommy Blogger" and expect a good response.

If J&J has sponsored BlogHer previously, then they have to know that a major draw there is the fact that the organizers made sure child-care options were available and took no issue with babies in slings accompanying their mothers.

If this is a "Moms-without-kids-along" event, that should've been made abundantly clear at the outset. They still would've ended up alienating some of their target market however - because many moms aren't going to feel empowered by a conference that negates the reason they are part of the community.

Agreeing with @oemperor here that saying "we went 6 over" makes those told "we have no room for you" wonder why they didn't make the 'exception cut' - but it's not terribly surprising to hear.

I took absolutely no offense at not being invited or even hearing about it from J&J - as I doubt I'm really their target market... but I know more than one other Mommy Blogger who felt a bit of sting at not making the list.

You're right on this one Robert - they not only broke into jail - they've also started a prison riot.

Off to read Maryam's take on it.

Re: Not productive enough? Turn off the Internet

GeekMommy — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 03:57:45 -0000

Part of the reason I pretty much only access Twitter thru the web interface is I find it *much* easier to close a browser tab than to ignore an API client clipping along in the background.

Just knowing its there is distracting. But if I navigate away from the page, I can forget sometimes that it's there and GTD.

Re: Twitter blames its users

GeekMommy — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:36:35 -0000

I find it interesting that those condemning Robert for posting this don't really fall in the category "popular user" - I saw more than one "popular user" limiting their tweeting after reading what Alex posted and wasn't that surprised after reading that paragraph.

Notice that there wasn't a line pointed out - what is 'popular' in this context - 100+ follower/ings? 1000+? 10k+? How frequent is 'too frequent'? 3 tweets a day? and hour? 30?
The finger pointing was there - no matter how much I want to defend Twitter because I really want to see them succeed.

There was a brief reference at the end about script adders - but why not blame those folks from the get-go? Why not say "those accounts mass adding/following"? Because we know who someone is referring to by the word "popular", don't we?

The only reason I didn't make Dave Winer's "spewage" list is because he's never followed me (which is perfectly normal) but the %-following math has me right up there, thanks.
So I'm one of the reasons Twitter is having issues? I think not. Long before I had even 1 follower there were folks with 10k plus updates, thousands of followers and "popularity" - so if that was the issue, it should've been addressed last year some time... But it wasn't.

Look, let's be serious here for a minute. Twitter has had stability issues for a long time. They seemed to remedy a LOT of them around early February this year in time for SXSW. Then right about the time Blain leaves, we start seeing more and more issues. I'm not buying it. Suck it up Twitter and admit that the problem isn't coming from the outside, it's internal.

Re: Who should be USA’s CTO?

GeekMommy — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:09:53 -0000

I'm going to be unpopular... if we're going with an actual tech CTO, I want someone under the age of 30.
Yes, at 42 I'm on the other side of the fence.

But the kind of person I'd want for CTO is someone who lives and breathes the future of tech - not someone who has spent the past two plus decades getting jaded by it.

Then again, I don't have any names to posit. Probably because the kind of person I'm talking about is out there living and breathing tech right now, not "established".

Re: Startups: your web site sucks

GeekMommy — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 15:21:23 -0000

Well, I've used Photrade for a couple of months now... don't know what's up with their site not loading, but it's not a bad site normally.

That said - maybe they all had to take their budget for website design and roll it into the $18k fee for Demo?

Who knows how startups get 18k for that anyhow?

Re: Scoble Sucks

GeekMommy — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 03:01:31 -0000

You know, you and I don't always agree on everything Robert - but you always make me think, analyze, and learn... so you won't hear any "Scoble Sucks" posts from me - even if I ever got a "GeekMommy Sucks" post/twitter/whathaveyou from you.

That said, even if you didn't hit the nail on the head 100% with that post? You stirred up the anthill and got people talking... and that's *huge*. Getting people talking is the best way to get them thinking and fixing what is wrong or pointing out what is right.

Re: My fellow Democrats

GeekMommy — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:27:03 -0000

Great post Robert.
I'm not a Democrat - but I think you hit the nail on the head 100%...
When an election devolves to a mud-slinging war, no one votes on the ideas or ideals.

Re: Thanks Mike Arrington for taking us off the rails into Twitter idiot land

GeekMommy — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 05:05:48 -0000

There's a pretty simple argument against their logic: @britneyspears has over 12.5k followers - are we supposed to pretend that this means she's going to tweet something important any day now?

"I love Japan! I think all the tiny cars are so cute! -Britney 3:34 PM Dec 14th from mobile web"

When popularity = authority, we're all doomed... Follower numbers mean NOTHING if those followers were 1 time visitors who signed up, clicked the "follow @scobleizer" or "follow @techcrunch" buttons and never logged on again to twitter.

Are 10,000 never-used-it-but-the-once followers more important than 100 really engaged, very involved followers? Not in my world.

Re: How We Define Publisher Advocacy

GeekMommy — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:58:30 -0000

Now see, after reading that, I get it a lot better.
What I don't know that I understand is the phrase "publisher advocacy" - it seems so abstract.
When I read the 3 reasons, I think "aha!" but the phrase itself draws a big, blank picture.

I don't know - maybe it's the word advocate - I think of someone doing something on someone else's behalf... rather than working in conjunction with them.

Still - Lijit rocks - and I can see where explaining it to this level converts a lot of folks. Because there's nothing worse than driving traffic away from your own site because someone can't instantly find what they know is there *somewhere*.

Great post.

Re: RMBB 5000 Round-up

GeekMommy — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:11:15 -0000

I will TOTALLY make it to these whenever possible - especially if someone nudges me in the ribs over on Twitter about a week ahead of time so I can remember!! ;)

It was wonderful. Amazing people. Amazing sponsors. And I had such a great time!
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Twitter follower problem

GeekMommy — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:15:02 -0000

It never ceases to astound me how unresponsive Twitter is to their community... but fortunately, when they fix things for the "bigger users" it usually also resolves it for the "smaller users" so that the solution works for everyone.

But it's just bizarre that one of the premier 'social' networks is so antisocial.

Re: At The Top

GeekMommy — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:18:51 -0000

Yeah, alltop.com has replace stumbledupon for me when it comes to "I'm bored, what should I look at on the internet?"

Guy's definitely right on with this one! :)

Re: Gimme Mo, Gimme Wii

GeekMommy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:01:20 -0000

Of course I'm twittering it - it's what I do! http://twitter.com/GeekMommy/statuses/853877884

That said, yeah, I ♥ @zappos like the next girl...
But my super sekrit shoe source is one that I almost never talk about - but every time I get a pair of shoes there, people constantly comment on how cute they are...
Ready for the non-shoe store recommendation?
Dress Barn.

Seriously. No really. Dress Barn always has the cutest shoes - some are imported Italian. But people don't think to go there b/c they aren't a 'shoe store'. Still, it's one of those places I'll buy 2 pairs of a shoe I love b/c I know I'll want a second pair when the first wears out! :)

Re: The Stay At Home Mom-Worker

GeekMommy — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:29:47 -0000

I'm a SAHM - but I'm also a highly paid IT Consultant when I can work in taking a paying gig. So since the last several W2's I've had say that I'm a Consultant - I say that I'm a Consultant. :)

Usually, the smarter of those forms have "self-employed" on them - when I feel like it, I check that.

But you know, don't stress out about checking SAHM - those of us who have done it know how much of a job in & of itself that is.
:)

Re: I Can Haz Hoomin Hart-aik

GeekMommy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:15:53 -0000

I hate lolcats. I loathe them. I detest the dumbed down language that accompanies them.
But I LOVE this post.

It's the first time I've ever seen anything of value in lolcats.
Thanks for posting it.

Re: Ode to Single Moms

GeekMommy — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:24:00 -0000

I agree 100% - single Moms amaze me. So do single Dads. I honestly live in awe of those who can take on the monumental task of parenting, along with providing for their kids.

They are inspiring.

:)

(oh, and I'm always flattered to be mistaken for @QueenofSpain - but she might not be as thrilled to take the rap for my agitation! ;))

Re: Media – Running at the “Speed of the Network”

GeekMommy — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:52:56 -0000

Jim I think the phrase is beautiful... and apt.
The deeper we get into connecting all forms of media - old media, new media, social media - the more the possibilities seem to expand before us.
I don't think anything is going to 'replace' established media... any more than television news 'replaced' newspapers... there are reasons we utilize one form of media or another.

This article however, is brilliant, and I know I will be pointing several people to it whom I've been having discussions with over the development of new media who just don't quite get why it's important or relevant.

Thanks again!

P.S. Sir Bob sure has class... thanks for the Qik vid.

Re: Conference to Conference – Putting the “Social” Back in Social Media

GeekMommy — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:30:24 -0000

Gotta agree with Adele here - you are one of those people you set out to meet.

We all have our roles to play in shaping the media of the 21st century - but you are in an excellent position to help transition the 20th century media into it's 21st century existence - and it's posts like this and the videos contained in it that confirm that! :)

Have fun at the Forum!!

Re: Trendspotting – Finding Opportunity in Career Uncertainty

GeekMommy — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:47:02 -0000

Congrats!!! Can't wait to see the site when it's live! :)

Just do me ONE favor and make sure that you don't emulate a certain micro-blogging platform when it comes to dealing with the complaints of your user community! There is *nothing* that kills a community site faster than feeling like no one is listening! :)

You rock Jim - I'm sure the community & platform will too!!