What follows is my comment in response to a thought provoking post.

I do love this sexy widget.

My first reaction is to wonder how any of us are ever “discovered” in the overwhelming amount of information being shared in seconds. Certainly keywords for our target market play a major role in search engine results. And yet…

I believe filters and connections are equally – if not more – important.

Personally, I’m led to new information, new insights, new ideas, new businesses, new clients, new friends as a result of my online connections with people such as yourself, James.

I was not in search of a winery, yet I was led to one located in a beautiful setting in North Georgia. The concept of a Social Media Count widget never crossed my mind until I was personally invited to share my comments here.

I’m excited by the cultural revolution of communication inherent in social media as much as I am excited by the social business aspect. If you believe, as I do, consumers do business with those they know and trust; then search is not the primary variable in the equation.

Connection is critical.

Gotta tell you tho’…
If I can’t connect with a business, social network or an individual using my BlackBerry, they are invisible.

Sweet Tea and Straight Talk
How Social Media Information Explosion Counts

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As the name implies, Wicked is a WordPress editor for the BlackBerry that actually compares very well to the Official Wordpress App for BlackBerry.

Sweet Tea and Straight Talk
Wicked WordPress App For BlackBerry

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With the new driving directions gadget from Google Maps, any business can provide step-by-step directions from an exact starting point to easily print.

This simple gadget allows webmasters to add customized Google Maps directions to their business locations.

With the directions gadget, you no longer need to type and update multiple sets of text directions. Let’s face it: customers are only looking for directions from their specific location.

Sweet Tea and Straight Talk
Driving Directions Gadget

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One of the annoying things about my BlackBerry is the inability to edit messages when I reply to them or forward them. Nothing is more aggravating than being forced to include lengthy conversations from prior email.

Thanks to the heads up from RIMarkable, I now have the solution.

Forward, Reply, and Edit is a free BlackBerry download and you can download it OTA to your BlackBerry by pointing your device’s browser to the following link…

Download Forward, Reply, and Edit for BlackBerry

Sweet Tea and Straight Talk
Forward, Reply, and Edit

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YouTube test a stereoscopic player for watching videos in 3D. If you go to this video, you'll notice a drop-down that includes some options for red/cyan and amber/blue 3D glasses and some options that don't require glasses.

h/t Bill Reichart

Posted via email from Orange Blossoms

Sweet Tea and Straight Talk
You Tube 3D

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This is a test post using WordPress for BlackBerry which was released in public beta today.

Download the WordPress for BlackBerry application here.

UPDATE: A great how-to use WordPress for BlackBerry video.

Sweet Tea and Straight Talk
WordPress for BlackBerry

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From the Inbox: 10 Steps to Getting Started on Twitter

Kathy,

I’m not sure how to sign up. Can I sign up from my desktop? Or do I sign up from my cell? I’m not sure how the program works.

Ron

10 Steps to Getting Started on Twitter

1. Create an account. Play around with Profile Settings. You can choose to receive direct messages by text, or not.
2. just ’cause it’s cool and I’m almost famous. But, no where near as famous as @TBoard @TheRealEstateZebra @Miamism @ResPres @Boomerjack @DaleChumbley @SarahWV @KimWood @MikeSimonsen (Altos Research) @leelefever (CommonCraft videos)
3. Type a user id after the Twitter url to see their profile – and all the folks following them.
4. Be sure to click on the little pictures to find out who has similar interests. Follow them.
5. Download Twitterberry for your Blackberry. BB Geeks provides video installation instructions for Twitterberry.
6. Download Twhirl for your desktop. Run the application in the background as an opaque sidebar.
7. Lurk. Read. Discover.
8. To get involved, hover on picture and ‘reply’ to something written in the last 10 minutes.
9. Add value. Tell them you are new to Twitter. Accept the warm welcomes.
10. REMEMBER: It’s all about the relationship.

For more tips on Twitter and other social networking applications:
Sign up to receive our FREE newsletter.

Straight Talk. Delivered.
Name:
E-mail Address:

Sweet Tea and Straight Talk
New to Twitter? 10 Steps to Getting Started

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Sometimes, Twitter just isn’t enough for me. I’m left wanting more from the relationship.

When I’m trying to get a group of folks together for a discussion,

Twitter gives me no satisfaction.

So, I went on a search for conferencing tools.

My requirements are straightforward:

• Simple
• Reliable
• Recording Available
• Free

Three programs I found are Basement Ventures, Talk Shoe, and Free Conference.

BASEMENT VENTURES is an affordable and convenient solution for conference calling, hosting free, on-demand conference calls with a 250-person capacity. Conference call recordings (saved as mp3) are available online within 90 minutes of your conference call and remain available for a minimum of 30 days.

TALK SHOE hosted community calls (up to 250 participants) can be discussions, conversations, talk shows and podcasts. Recorded community calls can be listened to, downloaded, or subscribed to.

FREE CONFERENCE provides fully functional recording and storage capabilities, including both telephone playback and easy to download, play, manage, and store MP3 files. Limited to 150 participants.

I’ve used TalkShoe in the past, as a moderator and as a participant. A feature I like is the ability to enter text for questions and comments during the call.

What about you? What’s your experience with conference calls and discussions. What features do you prefer a moderator offer during a teleseminar?

Photo Credit: wjklos

Sweet Tea and Straight Talk
When Twitter Leaves You Wanting More!

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Twitter is an online real-time messaging system for groups and friends. It is just not obvious why anyone would want to know the answer to “What are you doing?”

This guide will introduce many of the features of Twitter, and help you get started.

What is Twitter?

In the words of Remarkablogger, Michael Martine, “Twitter is like sex… If you’ve never had it, you simply have no idea what it’s like.”

Twitter is designed to work on the web, on your desktop, and with your phone. All Twitter messages are limited to 140 characters, so you can’t say much. And yet, you can write a short story.

Messages on Twitter can be private, so only friends you have authorized can read them. You’ll have more fun if messages are made public, which means anyone who “follows” you can read and subscribe to them.

Why use Twitter?

1. It’s simple.
2. It’s social.
3. It’s mobile.
4. It’s free.

Even basic updates are meaningful to family, friends, or colleagues – especially when they are timely. Once you become familiar with the platform, Twitter can be a more effective tool by determining what you want to achieve.

How to Get Started

Go to Twitter.com and click Get Started – Join! Enter a username, password, and email address to create your account. It’s a simple as that.

The green control panel displays a default image next to your screen name – a pair of eyes on a brown background. Click the default and upload an image to use as an avatar. This image will appear next to your updates (tweets).

From the Control Panel, click Add Device and add your mobile number. Once you’ve registered your device, you’re set to update Twitter from your phone. Simply text your tweet to 40404.

Sending Tweets

Login to your Twitter account (http://twitter.com/username) to update from your computer.

Use the text box to enter your message, and click update. Your tweet will appear in the public timeline.

Setting up the account and learning the basics is simple. You’ll be tweeting in less than 5 minutes.

Keep reading to learn about the social use of Twitter. Learn how to

• personalize your profile
• find friends and colleagues to follow
• send direct (private) messages
• check for replies
• expanding your network.

Follow Me

Sweet Tea and Straight Talk
Twitter Quick Start Guide

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