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New & Exclusive Gadgets: The Ultimate Icebreaker for Geeks.

I admit it. I'm guilty.
 
Guilty of asking the person sitting next to me at the bar, on the subway, or even a friend of a friend  - "oh, is that a nexus one?" or "What do you think of the newest release of Android?" or of course, there's always the foursquare reference…
 
Call them geek pickup lines. Call them sheer interest in a device you can't afford, or maybe you just don't want to buy it yet (waiting for second gen). Or maybe you even just want justification for buying or not buying it yourself. 
 
Because in the end we all like to talk about ourselves, and aren't our gadgets just an extention of ourselves?  
 
From the geek pickup line POV, your answer about your gadget is one baseline for which I would judge our compatibility. For Example:
  • Do you know anything about your gadget? (even the real name of it) or do you just think it's pretty/expensive?
  • Are you well up to date on rumors surrounding it's manufacturer (i.e. M&A, Lawsuits, Gadget bloggers who have homes searched)?
  • Do you think I'm weird for being this excited about the gadget?
Sure, I realize it's a risk, but it's one I'm willing to take.
 
graphic via someecards.

Posted via email from lifestream de techyness

April 29, 2010 ame 2 Responses ,

I Love It When My Mom Sends me Tech Articles

 This morning my mom sent me an email – an article forward from NPR – with the following text:
 
"Alana – thought you might enjoy this article and the way it is written."
 
This is hilarious because the article, titled "Stupid Stuff Your Smart Phone Can Do," kicks off describing smartphone apps about farts and poop. MOM!!!
The iFart phenomenon was part of what started the gold rush in the app world," he says. "We had dollar signs in our eyes. We thought there was money to be made.
 
Poop the World. Users can choose from a menu of descriptors regarding the scent and shape of their … product. GPS technology lets them log wherever it is they happen to be.
The article also describes the novelty of these types of apps… because if you end up using Poop the World more often than say, TripIt, Google Maps/Maps, Email or SMS, honey, we've got problems.
 
The bottom line is that apps are that "shiny new toy" that you play with, show off, and forget about until the next semi-gross app your mom wants you to download comes around.
 
Isn't it funny when our parents are right?
 
photo via my Flickr

Posted via email from lifestream de techyness

April 28, 2010 ame 1 Response ,

The Truth about Social Recruiting?

via RandomSarah.com

In watching this video from the #140 conference this past week, I liked this video because it helps to showcase the impact of social media on the job search.

I think that recruiters are starting to look into the best way to find top quality candidates using twitter — i.e. what you say on twitter is your real life resume.

If there’s an open job, and the recruiters are on twitter, there’s a chance you may get approached.

Favorite Quotes:

“We are not your average 18-25  year olds – We are all super users and early adopters.”

“[Social Media] Allows students to be more proactive in going after a job or company you like.”

“I asked for a palm pilot for my 13th birthday” (me too Sarah, me too.)

Re: Digital Footprint — “There are pictures of me in a skirt on Facebook… Rather than try to remove negative things, I try to counteract with the positive.”

“My digital footprint speaks for me as a person… you need to know who you’re dealing with (& who you’re hiring). This is my life. I clearly put all of this out there so you would know who you’re hiring”

“This is your digital portfolio.”

“The resume is dying or is already dead. You already know more about a person before they step into your office for an interview.”

What are your thoughts on this video?

April 22, 2010 ame Leave a response , , , ,

Search Story: The Pursuit of Techyness

Create your Own at Youtube.com/SearchStories

For help on how to create a search story, watch this short video.

I also like this one on potholes (no one likes potholes!!)

April 21, 2010 ame 1 Response , ,

Charettes, Naps, Social Media & A Laser Etched Bamboo USB Drive FTW

Charrette. A charrette (pronounced [shuh-ret], consists of an intense period of design activity [thanks wikipedia]

Combine this with one super awesome laser-etched bamboo USB drive that is now a permanent part of my keychain, 36 students from schools/colleges across Syracuse University, and one amazing collaboration space, and you’re bound for some good stories.

The Topic for this Design Activity? “The Future of Social Media.”

The Charrette took place at the CoLab, a floor designed for collaboration and idea-generation. 36 SU students listened to groups and speakers, researched from this list of resources, and in the end 6 teams presented their thoughts in “Pecha Kucha” style.

One of my favorite parts? The conversation going on in the background — on Twitter (#sucharrette). One of the students wrote on his tag that “Social Media is… Not as scary as bears.” Oh yea, I RT’d that.

The other favorite part? These awesome bean-bag convertible chair-things from sumo that were piled up EVERYWHERE — which led to many TwitPics of people napping :)

In the end, the event just solidified in my mind what can happen when you get talented groups of people not just working — but having fun together.

Additional Links on the Syracuse University Social Media Futures Event:

One of my favorite videos:

    April 20, 2010 ame Leave a response , , , ,

    When Old Meets New: What’s Your Tech Nostalgia?

    Old Technology Shop - Nostalgic PhotoFeelings of nostalgia are ever present in our lives.We remember things about our past and they mean something to us.

    BUT

    What about tech nostalgia? Not only is it hilarious (remember the old school stuff hiding in your digital graveyard or in old movies?) but it also keeps us grounded in how quickly we are learning to adapt to new technologies.

    But the real question is- do we ever long for the “old days” and will we turn into our parents when we tell our kids about the “the way it used to be?” Well, maybe that’s why there’s a flood of “vintage gadgets” entering the market (UrbanOutfitters sells them).

    Maybe they’ll make us feel young again?

    For more tech nostalgia, check out the Computer Museum (those of you in SF can visit in real life!)

    Miss Techyness’ Top Feelings of Tech Nostalgia.

    1) Browsers with NO TABS. Seriously, how did we ever survive with SO MANY WINDOWS on our taskbars?

    2) Printers with Perforated Edges. The days of loading paper into a tray were much different when every page was connected to the next.

    3) Zip Disks. People treated these like solid gold bullion. Thank god for flash drives.

    4) Tape/CD Walkman. It’s funny, because I saw a woman run with a discman the other day. Immediate generation of nostalgia.

    5) Microsoft Paint. Oh wait. That still exists. #awesome

    6) Cell Phones. Do I really need to go here? However, the infamous Zac Morris “Brick” has been re-engineered in Gold for a little over $212k USD. BONUS.

    What’s your tech nostalgia?

    April 16, 2010 ame 3 Responses , , ,

    Friday is #4sqday (Foursquare Day)

    Since Friday is International Foursquare Day (Get it — 4/16), I’d like to honor this special day with a few of my favorite YouTube videos on the subject.

    Not up on the action? Luckily, there’s still time to find out if there is a Foursquare day event in YOUR city- check out the full listing here.

    Want to plan something?

    1) Check the list for current events in your city
    2) Review Resources. Interested in planning something last minute? The site has a full list of resources on how to set up a successful event.
    3). Add the event to the 4sqday page
    4). Follow @4sqday and Tweet the event!
    5). Post photos from the event to Flickr (following the hashtag strategy here)

    Not a bad way to promote your business.

    Now onto the fun videos (love).

    Foursquare Cops - via HubSpot

    “Badges Like Us” – via @thenewb and @borismsilver

    April 14, 2010 ame Leave a response , , , ,

    Can Our (Online) Social Lives Really Capture Our Life?

    Alana by the Lake

    Today, we’re all over the place.

    Not just in a busy sense (well, that too), but also in a digital sense. We leave our footprint (Foursquare checkins, Facebook wall posts, Tweets, Blog posts, Comments, Yelp Reviews etc..) all over the ‘net. We share where we’ve been, where we’re going, what we did, ate, thought and felt with our friends, family and even complete strangers whom we’ve never met.

    But, in reviewing a few photos that were posted by @GeorgeGSmithJr from a recent trip up north, all of the tweets and foursquare checkins fall in the shadows of some of the pictures he uploaded from the trip.

    So my question is– we’re sharing our social lives online- but it all seems to fall short when you compare it to a picture.

    I think this one’s my favorite, but check out his Flickr stream here for the rest (if you’re interested).

    April 13, 2010 ame 6 Responses , , , , , , ,

    Oh, You Online Jokesters.

    While looking up the location of a running store, I came across the following driving directions.
     
    Notice anything fun? Call me crazy, but if you know anything about Geography (or how Googlel Maps functions) you'll notice that these jokesters added a few "extras" into their directions, that just had me cracking up at my PC this morning.
     
    But the best part of this whole situation is that I was trying to explain to a non-techy how funny april fool's day is for the techies of the world. He looked at me kindof funny, but at least I tried.
     
    Speaking of jokes, if you missed out on the April Fool's jokes this year, check out the Top Joke Recap via Mashable.
    • UNIXkcd — computer & comic nerds around the world rejoice. (you can still use the interface here)
    • IPhone to iPad Converter — sheer genius. But it's actually not a joke…
    • Google Analytics — decides that, afterall, hits are the best metric for determining your site's influence. "We’ve uncovered that hits (or How Interneters Track Success) is the only metric that actually matters in web analytics. Forget that business about absolute unique visitors, goal completion rate, or even bounce rate. If you want to achieve success, you need to focus on hits." [Bloggers note: I almost fell out of my chair when I read this.]
    • Sharpiner – Remember when you could send stuff back and get it repaired for free? What about sharpening your sharpie? c'mon..
    For a full list of Google's April Fool's day jokes, visit this Wikipedia page for the yearly breakdown.
     
    Oh the Internet makes me laugh.  

    Posted via email from lifestream de techyness

    April 6, 2010 ame 1 Response ,

    bésame mucho & happy easter to all!

    Key West Laptop

    Working from the Porch - The Good Life :)

    Happy Easter Sunday to All!

    Miss Techyness is blogging to you live from sunny Key West, Florida — and so I’d like to share a warm “Happy Easter” greeting to all.

    Regarding techyness levels here on the island, I’d have to say the foursquare use is pretty low, as I am continuously adding new venues — while simultaneously explaining to my 8 family members what exactly foursquare is and why I use it.

    One venue that I added today (with plans to be mayor!) is bésame mucho. This wonderful store embodies everything I’d ever want in a real-life, physical store. And it’s more than just the name, which means “kiss me often” and comes from a 1940′s spanish song.

    The store owner and I had a few techy conversations, first- regarding our love for florence and then regarding my “Keep Calm and Carry On” print purchase from sfgirlbybay on Etsy, and then about our favorite blogs, including sea of shoes and sfgirlbybay’s blog. I’m hoping she takes my advice and starts up a blog!

    If you’re interested in the song that inspired the store name, check out the video below with bocelli singing (love it)

    (a few lines from the song)

    Bésame, bésame mucho,
    Como si fuera esta noche la última vez.
    Bésame, bésame mucho,
    Que tengo miedo a perderte, perderte después.

    (love this).

    April 4, 2010 ame Leave a response , , , , ,