Connie - Social networks more popular than email

I found an interesting article on Usatoday.com about social networking and blogging. According to a Nielsen Company report, they are both more popular than e-mailing.

Nielsen Online examined nine global markets. Among these, penetration for social networks and blogs was highest in Brazil where 80% of the online audience visited such sites. That compares to 75% for runner-up Spain and 67% for the USA. As the most popular social network globally, Facebook is visited monthly by three in 10 people across the markets in the report.

To read the article, click on this link:

http://blogs.usatoday.com/technologylive/2009/03/social-networks.html

Kerry- Blogging your way into a Job

I came across this article from Forbes on how blogging could help you get a new job. This article gives you tips on how to become a successful blogger in your profession or industry. If you have the ability to blog it could give you the edge in an interview or in even in your current job. You should keep your blog to about 500 words when commenting on industry news or new trends. It gives you tips on how to get your blog recognized in a search. There are 3 websites that are mentioned in the article to help you start your own blog. The article also gives you tips on how often you should update your blog after you found a new job.


http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/10/blog-jobs-start-leadership-careers-networking.html

Shane - An Apple a day...

I learned from my presentation the other week that very few people in our class do not own an iPod or an iPhone. It's amazing to me that one company could have such an influence on society that they made their product a standard. A visit to any gym would reveal an iPod in almost every gym-goers hand. They have turned a laptop into a "green" attraction by making it earth friendly. Who knew a laptop could be earth friendly! By using recyclable products to produce the laptop and adding a battery that lasts twice as long as its previous version with a life cycle of over 1,000 charges they have managed to come out on top of the market yet again, despite the increasing pressure of caring for the earth. Apple seems to consistently come up with "must-have" gadgets that grab my attention almost every day. I've mentioned before that I am an advertisers dream. If it looks really good on a commercial I can't get it out of my head. My roommate has an iPhone and it amazes me the "apps" he has on his phone. There's an app that he can set to "ring" his phone as if someone is calling that he sets for a certain time should he need an excuse to get out of a situation or conversation. The commercial currently running that turns the phone into a level is a perfect example. Turning a phone into an actual tool. Now that's innovation.

Drew-Despite tough times Apple isn't going anywhere

It would be tough to say that Apple is struggling but with the current economic conditions they aren't doing quite as well as usual. I read a few articles in the WSJ about how they are examining their pricing strategy to stimulate their business. In some respects they do have some good price cuts but for other products it's vastly different experts say. The end of last year for them was not good just like everyone else and it might be a bit tougher because they do charge a premium price and is not so appealing with everyone's wallets hurting. I also read an article that talked about certain speculations of layoffs but is apparently rumors based on a few conclusions drawn. The biggest reason was that according to laws in California they have to report a mass layoff to the state before its done. Both were pretty interesting articles and although they might be hurting a bit, it is evident that Apple isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Check it:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123609470232119461.html
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/03/03/layoffs-at-apple-unlikely/

PS

I still use my GPS when I'm in delivery mode. And I know I sound old-fashioned, but it is a really good thing to put down the apps and explore the world at least for some part of everyday. you'll never be where you are right now again. Or now. Or now.

Amy & Apple

I am proud to say that I had (and still have -- maybe I'll bring it tonight) a mac from the first year it was available; however, after it chewed-up and spit out my 65 page (without end notes) thesis I switched to PCs, and it's been up and down ever since -- but generally not a disaster.

My daughters both use Apple computers and swear by them, but it really wasn't until a friend of mine illuminated the incredible benefits of Apple computers that I started to think about a switch. Wilson built and launched his entire website www.eyedit.tv and he's my age....he composed the animation that serves as my website splash page with his "pretty standard" Apple. www.kissutissue.com

These are all business/professional applications, and for that purpose, I might spend the extra hours trying to learn a new machine; but for regular life applications? Let me explain: I had grown to love my GPS. Then one day, it didn't work and I had to use my faculties to get myself home. At first I was panicked, and then I realized I had become lazy and dependent in a way that allowed -- even built -- distance between me and my environment. So I now view all these apps as enablers. They help make us lazy, we no longer have to explore our world, take chances, and we can have whatever we want when we want it, or so it seems.

All these apps? they just make us lazy. And while iPods seem harmless, ask a person who works with teens if they think iPods are harmless. These kids NEVER have to spend time reflecting, dealing with discomfort, or talking with anyone; they can just plug in their earbuds and they're good to go....

Sue H--Amazon to sell E-books for Apple devices

Amazon.com will soon begin selling e-books for reading on Apple's iPhone and iPod touch. Owners of these Apple devices can dowload a free application,(Kindle) from Apple's App Store which will give them full access to over 240,000 e-books for sale on Amazon. All this has happened just 1 week after Amazon shipped the updated version of its Kindle reading device--a move that may signal a growing interest in becoming a retailer of e-books. Amazon, however, has said they feel readers will use the mobile app for shorter periods, they will more readily adopt the stand-alone reading devices for reading complete novels. Amazon will also create bookmarks so that a user can stop reading a book on one device and pick it up on another device in the same spot. All these recent developments also suggest that Steve Jobs has little interest in the market for digital books. Jobs was quoted as saying "the whole conception is flawed beacause people don't read anymore." May industry analysts view Apple's skipping the e-book market as a significant sign....