PLN Update

So far, I have found very interesting data being connected to my PLN.  I have utilized new recipes, caught up to date on worldwide activities (seeing that I don’t get to surf much internet or watch the news because my time is consumed doing homework).  But I’m starting to get more involved. 

There have been a few job postings (not that I’m interested in a new job) that are relevant to my field of experience.  It is very interesting to see the companies that are searching for a Program Scheduler and the qualifications required.  I need to be more diligent and get involved with others in my field to learn from them and expand my horizon. 

I must say that I am still a little hesitant when it comes to LinkedIn.  Part of my hesitation is that I need to learn more about it.  The other part is hearing others speak about the fact that it is “so professional” and that they actually have refused people to join their link.  I’m sure as I get more acclimated with it, I will benefit more from it.

More to come – I will keep you posted.

Networking Online? - Be Smart and Safe About It

This is the part of online social networking that really gets to me.  I know to Tweet or Facebook is an easy way to stay connected to friends and family, but is it really necessary to share your every move with them?  Do you think that your friends care that you just got up?  We all get up everyday – so what’s the big deal?  Then to post your plans for the day or talk about an upcoming vacation giving specific details on when, where and for how long.  You are just opening you and your family up to danger.  Remember – what you post on the Internet is pretty much open for everyone to see.  You might as well be blunt and invite a potential robber to your house.  There are too many stalkers out there in the world.  Why subject your family, especially your kids, and your belongings to these kinds of predators?

But wait – there’s more about being safe and smart online.  How about posting information about your current position or company?  Employers are savvy to the fact that people vent and sometimes put information about their current work status online.  Employers need to be aware of the company’s reputation that is being laid on the line by employees.  Potential employers are even surfing online for information about potential candidates.  Even bigger than this are colleges who are viewing potential students to see if they are academic material.  Do you think an Ivy League school is going to accept someone who brags about being out all night partying?  Sure most of us have probably partied during our college years, but we didn’t put it in writing and post it to the world.

Charles Brant (Brant, 2011) has posted the top 10 things to not post on social networking sites.  There is a lot of value information to read in his article including reasons not to post pictures of your kids.  After educating yourself, be sure to pass this information on your kids.  KidSMART (2009) talks to your kids about smart online rules including telling a parent or caregiver if something doesn’t seem right.

I know that I limit what I say online – do you?

GoAnimate.com: Safe Social Networking by SpikeShelby

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

References

Brant, Charles  2011

      Top 10 Things You Should Not Share on Social Networks

      How Stuff Works Inc., Retrieved 13 March 2011 from

      http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/information/10-things-you-should-not-share-on-social-networks.htm

KidSMART  2009

      Childnet International, Retrieved 13 March 2011 from

      http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/beingsmart/

Email Viruses and Spam



So now that you have entered the world of the Internet and having been emailing all your friends and family with this totally cool new means of communication, there are some things that you need to be aware of – viruses and spam.

  

Courtesy of elisha06.mlblogs.com

Emails can contain computer viruses, worms and spyware.  These are designed to damage your computer.  The sad thing is that the email’s recipient is unaware that his/her machine is being affected.  They open what looks like a legitimate email and Bam! - your computer is affected (Thanks Emeril).  

Courtesy of metrolic.com

Microsoft  warns you to never open an email attachment from someone you don’t know and even if you do know them and are not expecting an attachment, don’t open it (Microsoft, 2011).   Damages include corrupting your files and computer, erasing your hard drive or spreading the virus to all of your email contacts.

Like viruses, spyware can be accessed through email attachments or even from downloads from the Internet (Shelly, 2010).  Spyware differs in that it gathers your personal information and uses it in malicious ways.

Google Forms Survey Results

Google form is an awesome tool to use.  I have turned on many of my coworkers to this feature.  In such a short period, you can already see the time and effort saved because Google summarizes all your results.  You can then custom your results to best suit your needs or you can take the ones that Google has preset for you.  Under “Form” in your toolbar, click on “Show Summary of Responses”.  Take a look at this neat visual.

There is an important concept to remember.  Your survey is only as valid as openly and honestly as your responders are.  I won’t mention any names but there was one male responder in class who believes he is under 21 (hint – look at the summary above and you will find out who I am talking about).  Information like this will misconstrue your results.

Another thing to keep in mind when posting a survey on the Internet, you have no idea how many responses you may receive.  In this case, I only had two to date (if I get more I will update the results for you).  If I was to email this form to a group of coworkers and it was mandatory that everyone respond, I’m wondering if there is a way that Google will summarize a list of recipients along with the results.  This way it would be clear who you may be waiting for a response from.  Another part of me says that there couldn’t be a list like this because a lot of surveys are confidential.  If you had 90 responses out of 100, you would not be able to tell who responded with what specific answers.  You would only be able to tell that they actually did respond.  But if you had 10 recipients and only 2 responded – one with negative feedback, one would be able to greatly pinpoint who gave the negative responses.  That in turn would not be good practice.  Have you used the Google forms feature and found a summarization of who you sent the form to?

Email Etiquette



Courtesy of flickr.com



Have you noticed how laid back emailing is?  What happened to the day of formal salutation and proper use of language?  Yes email does not always need to be as formal depending on the subject and who the recipient is, but I think that even businesses have come a long way in allowing for such laid back ways. 

Before venturing into emailing for either business or social purposes, take a few tips from experience users.  This list can be a little lengthy but has a lot of value to it.  If that is too long, at least read what Microsoft  has summed up as 12 great tips to get your business started with email.

Google Forms

Google forms may not be new to you, but it is definitely new to me.  If you are out of touch with the latest and greatest that the Internet has to offer, you may be asking yourself what are Google forms.   Google forms can be found under Google docs. 

Don’t think you are limited to just forms to create surveys.  You can also choose documents which is equivalent to Word, spreadsheets which is similar to Excel and presentations which serves the same purpose as PowerPoint.  Learn more from Google.

Google Forms Survey

Here is a quick survey to get us all acquainted with Google forms.

I have figured out how to email a survey to others and obviously how to post one to a blog or website, but does anyone know how to utilize a form like this in training?  Most instructional seminars ask that you fill out a survey before leaving.  How would you handle something like this?  Any insight woiuld be helpful.

Email – the Mail of the Present and Future

Can you remember when there was no email?  In my professional career, I cannot.  What I can remember is that email wasn’t as prevalent as it is today.  I can recall being an Administrative Assistant where all correspondence was handled via telephone and followed up by snail-mail.  These days, I can’t image doing business without email.  I can’t recall the last time I had a piece of hard copy correspondence in my in basket on my desk.  Are you kidding me – most coworkers don’t even have an inbox on their desk.

According to statistics (Brownlow, 2010), the most popular email websites as of December 2010 were AOL, Gmail, Yahoo Mail and Windows Live Hotmail.  Of course there are many more websites that offer email services.

Email definitely has its advantages (Shelly, 2010):

-     Faster delivery which in turns relates to faster responses

-     Reduced costs – what is a stamp these days 44 cents?  With email, as long as you have Internet connection, your emailing is unlimited.

-     You can view your email from anywhere that has Internet access.  No more waiting for the postal man to delivery or for you to get home to see if your mail is there.

-     Less paperwork to file and easier management of your emails (I will get into this in a little bit.

Is LinkedIn For You?

Courtesy of www. reelseo.com

LinkedIn – you couldn’t find a more appropriate name.  LinkedIn is just that – you are linked in.  The only question to be answered is what are you linked in to?  Let’s explore a little more.

  

LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/) is a business-networking site that allows the user to connect to others with similar interests.  LinkedIn differs from other networking sites in that it is geared more towards professional business.

LinkedIn officially launched in 2003 (2011, LinkedIn).  It currently services over 200 countries and has over 90 million members.  It’s amazing to read that it took approximately only 16 months for LinkedIn to achieve 1 million members.  That is a great accomplishment.

According to Jeff Weiner, chief executive of LinkedIn (2011, CNN), the new feature introduced in late 2010 that will allow users to review products and services will benefit others because the commentary is coming from people in their network, people that share common interests and from people they trust.