What does +1 mean?

In addition to finding the Facebook button and a comment's box, I have seen the Google +1 button.  So, I started to look into the function of this +1 button.  Initially, you could only find the +1 button on Google pages.  Now, you can find it all over from newspapers to companies, such as Best Buy.  While surfing the web if you come across something interesting that you want to share with your Google + circle(s), then you click on the +1 button.  By clicking on the +1 button, you indicate to your friends that you either like or dislike something.  Also, you have the opportunity to provide your comments.  If you have a Google + account, then you can track all of your +1 likes/dislikes/comments in one place.

Google provides it's account of the +1 button on it's blog.

Why use the +1 button?  When the people in your Google + circle search for something that you have used the +1 button with, they will see whatever comments you have written about the item.  It is an interesting form of communicating your recommendations for something.

Currently, I am not using the +1 button as I am not sure if I want everyone to know all of my purchase decisions and what I am thinking about articles.  Perhaps, in the future, I will start using the Google +1 button and when I do I will let you know.

How to keep up with the news? And everything else?

Ever wonder if there is a more efficient way to discover what is happening than checking each individual website that you want to follow.  I found that when I went to the different newspapers' websites I would spend a lot of time looking at the advertisements on these websites and then stopped going to them because I was losing too much time.

Thus, I decided to research alternative ways to obtain the same information in a more productive manner.  Through this research, I discovered the beauty of RSS feeds.  The RSS feeds allow me to gain information from a multitude of different sources all in my email client and through an app on my phone.  I am able to read all the news I want without being bothered by advertisements.  Typically, I am able to get through the morning's news within about 20 minutes.  I enjoy being able to read the various news sources without the advertisements as a result I am a better informed individual.

So, how can you use RSS feeds to make your life easier?  By using an RSS feed in your email or through an app, you can keep up with a larger variety of information (both news and otherwise) in one location.

Steps to setup an RSS feed:
1.  Select where you are going to direct your RSS feeds.  You can send it to google reader, the mac mail client, Microsoft Outlook.
2.  Go to the source(s) from where you want to receive the RSS feed.
3.  Find the RSS link/button.  Typically, it is an orange button, such as the one below from the "Wall Street Journal."


4.  Once you have discovered the RSS link/button, click on it and it will provide you with the different options of RSS readers.  Select the RSS reader that you have chosen to use.

If you follow these four simple steps, you should be able to set up your RSS feeds, where you can have all of your news in one location.

Addictive???

Tonight, I started working on the task of making my blog more findable and before I knew it was after 4am.  Thankfully, finals were last week and I am on "vacation".  To me, it is amazing how addictive working on creating an online presence can become unknowingly.

Is this the future where we all are sleep deprived because we become absorbed in our social networking?  For me, this is not a regular occurrence as I highly value my sleep time.  It does make wonder how the connectedness of our time impacts our interpersonal relationships, both personal and professional.  With a cursory Google Scholar search, it appears that some research has been done on the topic of social media and connectedness.

During this past semester, I have attempted to block at least the majority of one day a week from using my computer and only using my iPhone for texting or calls.  In order to be successfully in achieving this goal, I checked my email in the morning as I started my day and then before I went to sleep at night in order to deal with whatever might have come up in terms of group work.  By taking a mini-break from using my computer, I was able to be more productive.  Also, I felt refreshed.  While it is a small step, for me it has become essential to maintain this practice as I finish graduate school and head back into the workforce.

For now, that is all, I am going to try to get some sleep before it is too late to attempt to sleep.

Joining Twitter

Recently, I joined Twitter as it is another way to connect with others who have common interests.  Also, I have thought that if I want to do a PhD related to social media, then I need to become more proficient in various aspects of social media.  Prior to joining Twitter, I had created a Facebook profile that I only use minimally, maintained LinkedIn account, and written two blogs (http://techforchronicdiseases.blogspot.com/ and http://innovativeglobalhealth.blogspot.com/).  So, I am in the process of learning about other tools and aspects of social media.

I have been exploring the different aspects of Twitter.  So, far I have learned how to develop my profile, create a list, follow people, and post tweets.  I am trying to decide if I want to be able to access Twitter from my iPhone as I have a feeling that this might overtake my "free" time if I do not actively manage my Twitter time.

Prior to joining Twitter, I read the book, Twitter for Good, by Claire Diaz-Ortiz.  This book provided insight into how to use Twitter for organizations/individuals that are socially oriented.  Prior to jumping in and starting your Twitter profile, Diaz-Ortiz encourages you to create an objective for creating a profile and metrics by which you would consider the profile a success.

As I continue my adventure deeper into the social media and social networking world, I will share my challenges, successes, and insights along the way.