Why net neutrality is important. Really important.

Right now, you’re reading this bit of opinion on the web. Maybe you’re at home, maybe you’re at school. It’s possible you’re looking at it on an iProduct or a Blackberry. Maybe you have one of those fancy Galaxy tablets or a new color Nook. Point is, this post is accessible. To you. Right where you stand, sit, lie, kneel, swim, what have you.

This is possible because we have an open internet. My information is accessible to you (and anyone else to cares to take a gander) because, this entire infrastructure exists as a tool for information exchange. Me to you. You to me. Us to everyone. Everyone to us. Individuals, businesses, activists, friends, family... Everyone.

This recent ruling with the FCC doesn’t change that. Not for organic internet connections. Not yet, anyway. It does, however, give wireless carrier the ability to monitor our usage (and, yes, I do realise usage is monitored through many, many different methods on the web, already) and decide when and where they’d like to charge extra fees. Maybe it’ll be a couple cents here and there for a per MB usage fee for social networking sites. Maybe it’ll be a flat fee for video service.

I’m not suggesting that everything in the world should just be accessible, without cost. But the profit gained from those charges would be going to the telecommunications carrier. In short, our wide open access to information has just become another moneymaking scheme for the corporate big shots.

And it’s not just about the Almighty Dollar. When rules begin to shift, when the access of information becomes limited, the individual loses their voice.

The future of your internet, our internet, relies on keeping information alive and accessible.

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/12/carriers-net-neutrality-tiers

http://mashable.com/2010/12/21/fcc-passes-net-neutrality/

http://theosdf.org/

Tech Support. I think.

Three free cool iPhone apps that may make the holidays a little easier to manage.

Remember the Milk

It’s a hectic time of year.

Maybe you’re preparing the house for parties or family from out of town. Maybe you’re trying to schedule time for gift shopping between work and themed pageants and school productions. Maybe you’re just so busy you’re not even sure what you need to do.

Remember the Milk is a task management app that allows users to develop task lists, view tasks based on current location, sync and add new tasks via Gmail and Twitter (may be synced with Outlook, Blackberry, and other platforms with a pro-account), and send tasks to others, in the event they need a gentle reminder.

Instagram

There are a handful of very cool photo apps that allow users to enhance their pictures with filters. I’m a big fan of Hipstamatic and the ability to mix and match film, filters, flashes, and lenses, however, it can prove to be a little slow when I just want to snap a photo. Plus, some of the combos are so thick with effects, the images are difficult to see.

Instagram offers a similar end result and applies the filter process after a photo has been taken. This allows users to take a snapshot then decide which effect looks best, without wasting valuable time beforehand. But the element that takes this app a step above the rest (aside from it’s $0.00 price tag) is it’s integration into multiple social networking platforms.

It’s ultimately designed as a photo-sharing application, which is ideal for sending holiday photos to friends and family.

Tango

Gift cards. They’re handy and they’re an easy gift item. But what happens when you use one, then another, then can’t remember just how much you spent or how much was on the card? Tango has taken this into account and created an app that keeps track of all this information for you into an easily manageable interface.

On top of a brilliant organization concept, the Tango website also offers the option of a gift card that’s useable at a variety of different stores (Starbucks, Amazon, Target) as well as providing charitable options for unused gift card balances.

If it’s a professional account, behave like a professional. (But still have fun.)

The concept of using Facebook and Twitter for professional purposes is still a bit foreign, particularly outside of the technology and entertainment worlds. Even companies that may have accounts tend to underuse them. I’m not sure why, though I assume it’s possibly a misconception that no one will read the content. Also, people like my dad for instance, still don’t quite “get” Twitter. And he’s a computer guy.

“Character is a subtle thing.”
(especially when you only have 140 of them)

So, what is Twitter, anyway? It’s, at the core, a microblogging platform. This means, it’s devised to allow users to communicate a thought in 140 characters or less. It’s a challenge. But it’s also a good brain sharpener. Think about it, how do you condense that you’d like to say into a single sentence? What points are most important? What do you want readers to remember? Also, a tweet can be used to link back to a longer article or post. Blogs can be synced through an application like TwitterFeed and every time you make a post, it’ll automatically route a link to your Twitter or Facebook account.

Keep it public and keep it clean.

Now, I’ll get into why you’d even want to blog in a later, more expansive post. For now, we’ll just assume that you have one, with wisdom and tidbits to share about yourself or your business. Let’s also assume that you use Twitter and Facebook on a regular basis, maybe to keep up with family and friends, maybe to play Farmville, maybe both. If that’s the case, run wild, have a good time. But, possibly consider making it friends only, just to keep the juicy stuff off the airwaves.

However, if you’re trying to network professionally, even just to keep up with contacts, keep it public and keep it clean.

I've come across a couple smaller businesses who Tweet on a regular basis, usually about relevant up and coming topics. But, on occasion, I see these accounts used for obvious personal business. Twitter is free. Gmail is free. Set yourself up with separate accounts for work and play. It looks better and is less likely to get you fired in the long run.

This does not equal “keep it boring”.

In fact, a page or feed that regularly posts fun or interesting content will keep people coming back. But, keep in mind that “regularly” doesn’t mean every five minutes. People will begin to feel like it’s spam and, if they’re polite enough not to just remove you from their list, they’ll discreetly hide your feed so they don’t have to look at it. As long as the content is timely and somewhat relevant, though, you’re in the clear. Consider keeping up with other blogs and websites that may be of interest to those who follow you so you’re well versed in the latest and greatest on a specific topic.

Overall, keep things fresh. This is the internet. Information is instantaneous. The more informed you are, the closer you’ll be to the cutting edge.

Further Reading.
(Don’t worry, there will be no discussion questions.)

6 Ways to Score a Job Through Twitter

5 Facebook profile pics that make you look like a tool

The internet's not just for creepers and gamers.

The web has a reputation for fostering some unseemly activity over the years. Granted, with the advent of social media and parent-friendly networking sites such as Facebook, the general population had realized that just about anyone can have a jolly old time on the internet.

Still, however, I've noticed that the average user isn't quite aware of how to maximize the convenience (and overall fun factor) of the web to enhance their day to day lives. And I'm talking both personally and professionally.

How?

Start by checking back in once in a while. I'll be making posts about everything from viral video to Twitter celebrities and explaining how YouTube will help you understand inside jokes in contemporary television.

And, just between us, I could use the motivation to blog on a regular basis. It's good for me.