Image via CrunchBase

I have a thing about ‘To Do Lists’…  I don’t know why.  But, I do.  At least on my computer.

I use WP Editorial Calendar to schedule posts, and ToodleDo to keep track of what posts should be upcoming, along with other tasks.  Without these tools I would be completely lost.  Even with as bad as I am at updating this blog on time, I still produce around 20 blog posts a week.  It needs to be closer to 25.

At any given time, I have 15 or 20 tabs open in my FireFox browser.  The tabs have a variety of things, ranging from website where I am tracking things on a daily basis to articles or posts that I want to blog about.  I also have source articles for things I am researching for blog posts.

And I have a new one that I am really liking…  SpringPad.

Image via Wikipedia

I picked up a Tablet computer a few weeks ago (Toshiba Thrive).  This is in addition to my laptop and my smartphone (T-Mobile G2).  I work on all of them.  And one of the things I was missing was a way to keep information (not just files) synchronized between all of my devices.  There are tools like DropBox, which I love, but it required that I have a way to edit the same filetype on all of my devices… or the devices of others I might share an item with.

SpringPad is a bit different.  There is a website (SpringPadIt.com) as well as device apps for my Tablet and SmartPhone (both are Android).  They also have a suite of apps available through the iTunes Store for Apple devices.

One of the nice things with SpringPad is that it has a built in editor to write notes, build out To Do Lists and even surf.  There is a plug-in for FireFox so that I can clip items while surfing and send them to notes in SpringPad.  I can email items (forwards, especially) to a notebook.  I can also add resources to a note like links, videos or photos.

Image via CrunchBase

Like DropBox, users can share their content with other users… unlike DropBox, notebooks can be sent via email to others that are NOT users of SpringPad.  And while DropBox is better for some file types, especially those that involve a lot of editing (manuscripts, images, etc.), I find that SpringPad is a little better geared towards sharing information.  In fact, I can even share things on FaceBook, Twitter and through RSS via SpringPad.  Content can be organized and tagged, as well. Sync’d content is also available when you are not online (except for the website… but if you don’t have a data connection on your phone or tablet, you can still access and edit notebooks for syncing later).

Right Now…

At this moment I am working on a Winter Pack Trip for our Cub Scout Pack.  In order to do this, I have to keep the input of all of the Pack Leaders in mind… and keep them abreast of what is happening.  I also need to keep track of which resources belong with which venue.  I’m tracking costs, things to do, amenities and timelines.  And I can share as much or as little as I want with as many or as few people as needed.  And there is a Social component to the SpringPad network.  You can share items with your SpringPad friends and use it for collaboration.

Related articles

• DropBox (garydenness.co.uk)
• ToDo or ToodleDo, that is the question ” the trouble with normal (filsalustri.wordpress.com)
• Apple iPad, Day 9: To-Do Lists and Task Managers (pcworld.com)
• GD Quickie: Toshiba Thrive Tablet Gets A “Special” Sneak Peak Unboxing via YouTube (geardiary.com)
• Toshiba Thrive successor leaks suggest an ultraslim Android tablet announced at IFA (geek.com)
• Toshiba Thrive: Tablet dark horse? (zdnet.com)

It is the new shiny object… Google+.  If you are on it, it is really obvious.  Most of the posts still seem to be about how cool it is to be there.  It seems like the majority of the links that are posted or “+1’d” are about using Google+.

And that is fine…

But it leaves me thinking something…  That since Google+ is the shiny new object in the room… the new kid that all the girls think is “mysterious”… is it getting a pass? 

Or, am I just the stodgy old dude that doesn’t like change?

Frankly, I think I do like change, but I also don’t dive on every new toy.  And I like FaceBook.  I never warmed up to Twitter.  FourSquare took me a little while, and it isn’t on the top of my mind.  There are probably 20 social networking options that I have discarded in the last few years because they didn’t thrill me.  In fact, Google Wave and Google Buzz would be two of the platforms I dropped well before they went away.

And don’t think for a minute that I think Google+ is going to go the way of Buzz and Wave.  Google+ is too good for that.

But, personally I don’t think it is the coolest thing ever…  I think we have a case of Social Media Bias.  Right now, Google+ is made up of early adopters.  And early adopters, in general, are people that like the shiny new objects.  And because early adopter love the new stuff, Google+ is in a Honeymoon phase…  it is getting the love and it doesn’t have to prove itself.

The question is this…  What do YOU think?  Is Google+ all that and a bag of chips, or does it need to bake a little longer?  Is it easier to work with that FaceBook, or is it that the users are those that are generally quickest to adapt?

Image via exceptnothing.com

Related articles

• Google+ : How long will the Craze Last? (aisjournal.com)
• Facebook, Twitter: Doing better than before Google+ (go.theregister.com)
• Brett Greene: Google Plus Fuss Proves They Finally Got Social Networking Right (huffingtonpost.com)
• Google+ One Month Later: What’s Next? (suburbanmen.com)
• Nym Wars: Google+’s real name policy explained using the Joker and Buzz Lightyear (venturebeat.com)
• Regarding Google Plus: A Plea For Patience (By Everyone) (vocecommunications.com)
• Wayback Wednesday… Social Media Breakfast (lanebailey.com)
• Facebook Copies Google+ Sharing, And It Doesn’t Matter (hubspot.com)
• Google Plus Benefits (buzzoodle.com)
• Google+ – Should SMEs embrace or discard it? (questprblog.com)
• Brands Still Not Welcome on Google+ (forbes.com)
• The Google+ Conundrum (customerthink.com)
• Is Google+ All That You Thought It Would Be (wassupblog.com)
• Facebook+: Social Networking Giant Adds Google+ Features (wired.com)
• Public Google+ Posts: the Latest Improvement to Google Social Search (carocomarketing.com)
• Google+ : more a guy’s platform? (comuq.wordpress.com)
• Are you thinking the unthinkable? Unthink – the New Social Network [Mike Turner] (ecademy.com)

via SocialMediaToday.com

What would the world be like without Twitter?

For me it wouldn’t be a whole lot different.  I jump in every once in a while, but not as often as a lot of my social media friends.

What would it be like for you?

Would that mean that FaceBook would be a different environment? Would LinkedIn get some love?  Would people remember MySpace?

How would people get their news?  One of the things that I have found to be quite interesting with Twitter is that news breaks on the network.  Of course, the news breaks differently…

Unlike the TV networks, the news coming through Twitter tends to be heavily skewed towards the small story… what is happening on the ground.  People that are experiencing “the news” post their reactions and tell what they are seeing.

So… what do you think?

Related articles

• Smart Ways of Building Your Brand with Social Media : Make Money Online. (marketersdaily.com)
• What are the different social media platforms today (wiki.answers.com)
• 7 Social Media Concepts Average Users Don’t Really Know About (searchenginepeople.com)

My friend, Ken Cook, has an interesting post on one of his blogs, TheKenCook.com.

Ken and I founded Social Media Breakfast – Atlanta, as well as worked together on reBarCamp Atlanta.  He also happens to be my “GoTo Guy” for mortgages in my real estate business.  The bottom line is that regardless of whether I agree with him or not, I never dismiss his opinion.

In this case he didn’t give much in the way of opinion, but tossed out a question.  So, I would ask the same thing… what do you think?  (Visit the post and vote in the poll)…

FaceBook has some pretty specific rules regarding how people use Profiles on FaceBook.  They are officially NOT supposed to be used for business, but as a Real Estate Agent, I see a LOT of my peers using their Profile as a promotional tool.  I can’t claim innocence, either.  I have been known to “talk shop” on my Profile as well.

But, FaceBook has included another option… one that IS allowed.  The Fan Page. Pages are specifically designed for business usage.  They still have some shortcomings, but they are a safe alternative to trying to use Profiles for business.

One thing to keep in mind regarding personal Profiles is that you can’t change your custom URL.  So, if you connect it to a company, and then leave, sell or close that company, you are stuck with that FaceBook URL.  You can’t change it for a Page, either, but you can always start a new page for the new venture.

So, are YOU using your personal Profile for business?  Just curious…

Related articles

• Nice easy FaceBook Fan Page instructional video to follow (web-workathome.com)
• Facebook Marketing: Ultimate Guide (seomoz.org)
• Why Your Business Should Create a Facebook Profile (colinalsheimer.com)

I have it on shaky authority that there will be an real estate technology event on May 18th, 2011 in the Atlanta area.  It is rumored to be a collaboration between rebarcamp Atlanta (#rebcATL) and REtechSouth (#retso).  The rumors are that it will be a hands on workshop focusing on implementing technology and social marketing plans like those developed during #retso and #rebcATL.

Like I said, this is an early stage rumor…  There is no word yet on cost, venue, presenters or any other details… but keep an eye peeled here and at rebcAtlanta.com for the latest details and rumors.

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• Unwrap Some Cool New Schwag Yesterday? (lanebailey.info)