Technology Envy is Not Cool!

I never thought I would suffer Technology Envy until I purchased the first iteration of the Galaxy Tab December 2011. I'm not one to chase technology, because I understand technology will always be a moving target. But I must admit, I do get very excited when I see new gadgets on the market. What has always been important to me (where technology is involved) is purchasing devices that meet my needs, not fads. I purchased the Galaxy Tab a year ago because of its unique size (7 inches or so) and because it fit so nicely in my purse and was fairly light weight. I engaged in a great deal of online research prior to purchasing the Galaxy Tab, and was very pleased with it for the first six months. The Galaxy Tab is a terrific device; however, as an iPhone lover I was frequently frustrated with my inability to use apps from my iPhone on the Android device. I also found I was more impressed with Apple Apps than those in the Android Market.

I appreciate and fully understand propriety, but I grew tired of purchasing separate Android and Apple apps, using cloud based calendars, and other patches because my Apple product (iPhone) and Android (Galaxy Tab) couldn't/wouldn't play nicely together. As a result, I recently purchased the iPad 2. I really like (too early to say I love it) the iPad2, and am pleased to be able to use some of my favorite apps on both the iPad/iPhone. I am happy to have a uniform calendar, and a variety of other newly discovered features. While I still find the iPad somewhat bulky/cumbersome, I look forward to using it as much, if not more than my iPhone4.

I will not be selling my $600, less than one full year old Galaxy Tab. Instead, I will be re-gifting it to my husband (because he doesn't know any better and doesn't care) this Holiday in the hopes he will enjoy it (even though he too is an iPhone user). Technology Envy is not a good trait to have, it can be damaging to one's technology self esteem and pocketbook. I am not proud to say I suffered Technology Envy at the hands of my Galaxy Tab, but tomorrow is a new day.

My One Year Blogging Anniversary

This week marks my one-year anniversary as a Blogger. My first posting
was on Social Work and Technology the week of October 21, 2010. I
began this blog because of my love of writing, technology and social work. I have learned a great deal about myself  this past year through blogging. I learned just how important it is to finish something you start, even when there is no one looking over your shoulder to make sure you do it, and do it well.

Blogging taught me the importance of non-verbal communication with others, even when you don't know if what you are writing is having an impact. Blogging taught me the importance of organization, commitment, and sacrifice. It taught me the importance of establishing annual goals and more importantly the objectives to help me reach them. Writing this blog taught me just how quickly one year in time passes and the importance of doing what you enjoy, while being respectful of others. It taught me the importance of community, taking time for family, engagement with others, and just how big the world really is. Blogging taught me one person can make a difference, no matter how big or small. I am grateful for having had an opportunity to share my thoughts, feelings, dreams and ideas with others who have "happened" across my blog this year.

Thank you for sharing my one year blogging anniversary with me; I wish you well and much success in the next.

- Cyber Social Worker

Got Google? I Do!

Recently, I have found myself acting as an Evangelist for everything Google. Google, a major player in Internet services in several ways has saved my business. Most of us are aware of Google as a search engine; however, I only recently learned within the last year that Google is so much more. Google owns YouTube and a variety of other services. I have owned/operated my own business (an organization offering Social Workers professional employment placement assistance and counseling support) for approximately 6 years.

Recently, due to the poor economy the office building in which I rented space and hired staff to answer my business phone calls closed. As you might imagine, I engaged in a great deal of research and attempted to find a replacement for the staff and office space I lost. I was faced with having to decide if I would remain a bricks and mortar business or move my business online. Google helped make my decision less expensive and less stressful. I learned that Google offered a series of products, one called Google Voice. Google Voice allowed me to select a new (FREE) telephone number unique to my business. Armed with my new phone number I moved my business entirely online, I revised my (FREE) website which is actually a Blogger account also owned by Google.

As a result of Google's services, my business has had very little interruption in service. I recently posted a "Tweet" and asked followers to provide me a  invitation to join Google + while it was still in test phase. Armed with Google + I plan to use the Hangout function in my work with clients, fellow coworkers, and in my research. I have already been using Google Docs for over a year, and it has proven to be a tremendous resource in helping me maintain organization.

I also use Google Alert to track online comments about me and my business, so whenever a comment is posted about me/my business online, I receive an email alert from Google detailing the comments. Google has really been a life preserver for my business, as many of their services are FREE! I would encourage anyone and everyone whether a business person or a layperson to Get Google, I did!

Is Local Television News Too Negative?

I once looked forward to turning on my local morning news station; it helped me get ready for the day. I learned what I should wear based on the weather report and enjoyed the friendly smiles of the newscasters. I enjoyed hearing stories about my local community, and trusted the individuals bringing me the news. While there was the occasional not so positive story, generally the news was positive and informative. Today, we have 24/7, 365 day news-cycles featuring entertainment and chaos without pause. Our local news must compete for our attention. Consequently, fewer and fewer local news stations share the myriad of stories featuring positive activities and events in the local community, instead many share news of local, regional, nationally and international pain and destruction believing this is what keeps us tuned in. My local news and cable news are becoming one.

I believe it is as easy to research and share interesting and informative news stories that people will want to hear as it is to share negative content. At the risk of sounding as if my head has been stuck in the sand for the last 46 years, I can turn on my television and hear negative news anywhere in the world. It is my hope that local news stations will rise above the muck and mire; resisting the temptation to follow the pack.  I am asking local news to take a chance and be informative and educational as it once was. When I turn on my local news I would love to hear stories of  people in my community making a difference in the neighborhood, how local businesses are giving back to the community, how children are excelling in light of the many obstacles in our world today. I'd like to hear stories about how our local sports and athletics teams are engaged in the community, making a difference in the lives of youth everyday.

I would love to hear stories about men just like my husband who are mentoring boys year-after-year, taking them to ball games and amusement parks (for free). I would love to hear stories like by best friend and her husband who own three charter schools in the community where children are learning and respect each other. I would love to hear stories about places (like where I work) that encourage employees to be actively engaged in the community in a number of community service projects. There is a great deal of positive news to be covered, let's help local news stations across the United States by sharing positive news and asking that they cover these stories for balance. If you know of a positive story, or a person in your community making a difference, however large or small, share it!

Is local television news too negative, yes, but together we all can help change this. Please help share positive and informative news is all our responsibility!

I Love My Detroit (Michigan)!

I was born and raised in the city of Detroit, Michigan. During the 2010 census, the population of Detroit declined as did the population of many urban cities. This decline in population has spurred a great deal of attention locally, nationally, and internationally. I believe this is a wonderful time to be a Detroiter. There is no doubt Detroit is in the midst of a reformation, but this period of transition brings with it a great deal of opportunity for those of us willing to reinvent ourselves, our communities, and our economic base.

I travel across the United States 3-4 times a year, and have had the opportunity to visit many different cities with diverse populations and cultures. When individuals ask me where I am from I always enthusiastically proclaim Detroit, Michigan! I was amazed when I recently learned there are three other cities in the United States that carry Detroit in their name. When I conducted research on the cities name Detroit I learned they are each very unique; the other cities named Detroit are located in the states of Minnesota, Illinois, and Oregon. While I have been to each of these states, I have never been to their Detroit.

I like to share with you my personal experiences growing up in Detroit, Michigan. My Detroit taught me the importance of family, hard work, commitment, and how to have fun and enjoy life. I grew up in Detroit in the 1970s, and my Detroit was marked by incredible experiences I will never forget. I remember pony rides and the Giant Slide on Belle Isle, riding the Boblo Boat on the Detroit River, shopping during Downtown Detroit Days, eating tasty submarine sandwiches at the counter in Kresge, sitting on Santa's lap during Christmas season at Hudson's. I remember the spirit of '76 when everyone in the neighborhoods across the city of Detroit would help clean the city, block by block. I remember go-kart racing with my brother and sister on a go-kart we built by hand. I remember going to the movies downtown and drinking Faygo Red Pop (not soda, in Detroit we call it pop) and eating Better Made potato chips. I remember  my oldest sister taking my younger siblings and me to the Bellaire Drive-In to see our first drive-in movie. I remember when real fruit trucks would drive up from the south and find their way to our neighborhood where my parents would purchase fresh fruit each week–this was the sweetest fruit I have ever had, even as an adult! I remember Detroit Tigers games and being able to see the glow of the Stadium lights and hear the roar of the crowd from my front porch. I remember listening to the Tigers games on the radio on my front porch with my dad, I even remember waiting outside Tiger Stadium following a game to meet Dave Winfield, he was a New York Yankee at the time. I also remember during the summer having the City of Detroit's Swimmobile (an open top giant truck that had an actual swimming pool inside with a lifeguard) in my neighborhood and the Detroit Public Library's Bookmobile (a large truck that would arrive in the neighborhoods biweekly with books that  residents could check-out and return to the neighborhood library or to the Bookmobile). I remember when the Detroit Police Department's Blue Pigs Band would perform at our neighborhood school, I also remember block club parties and playing all day with other neighborhood children until I passed out at night. I remember when all neighborhood children had to be home before the street lights came on, this signified the day was over and it was time for dinner with the family.

While my Detroit is best know for innovations in the automobile industry, and the incredible Motown sound, many people do not know Detroit was one of the final stops along the Underground Railroad, a historical route slaves took to escape slavery in the southern United States. The Underground Railroad is located in Second Baptist Church (located in Detroit's Greektown area) and the First Congregational Church of Detroit (located in Midtown Detroit). Today, each church offers tours for those interested in African American history and the pursuit of freedom.

I have many incredible memories of my Detroit and know what Detroit can become again. I love my Detroit and I am proud to be a part of its history and future! As you plan your next vacation, consider visiting my Detroit. I am sure you will love it and will return home with fantastic memories of your experiences.

To Tweet or Not to Tweet: Is that Really the Question?

To Tweet or not to Tweet? That is the question a lot of people have been asking lately. The microblogging site, Twitter has been in existence since March 2006; however, in its short tenure individuals have found themselves asking "should I really have shared that"? When posting to Twitter, Blogs, and other social media sites we must always ask ourselves a critical question prior to pressing the "publish" or "send" button. We must ask ourselves if we really should share this content, we should also be asking ourselves what will be the consequences of my behavior if I publish the post? 

 

When using social media, such as Twitter and others, we should always assume that once it's posted, it's always out there for everyone to see. During February 2011, Congressman Chris Lee resigned his prestigious position after posting inappropriate pictures of himself on Craigslist. Congressman, Anthony Weiner resigned his post after sending multiple inappropriate pictures of himself on Twitter. The use of social media is a fairly new phenomenon, and as users of this new technology we must exercise a great deal of restraint, critical thinking, and the ability to project potential outcomes of our behavior.

 

As a user of technology and social media, and as a social worker, I know we ALL make mistakes. But, we must learn from our mis-steps and those of others. We must be patient as we use new technology. We must be willing to use it responsibly and carefully, and when we make mistakes be willing to accept responsibility. As consumers of social media, I hope we all learn to treat others with respect, dignity, and worth. I hope that we will learn to forgive and not punish people forever for their online mistakes.

 

When we make a mistake in the realm of social media, our actions are available for the entire world to see over and over again. This can be incredibly painful. We must remember that we are human and while we may not post pictures as the congressmen did, there are other mistakes to be had. As you think about your next Tweet (Wiki, Blog, post, etc.), please pause and ask yourself , "should I Tweet or should I not Tweet"? That is really the question…

 

Dragon 11: My New Best Friend

Dragon 11  is now my new best friend! I began using Dragon 11 late April 2011. I first attempted using Dragon software last year when I installed version 10 on my desktop computer. Using Dragon 10 I encountered a great deal of difficulty, mainly related to training the system to recognize my voice pattern. Because I experienced a great deal of frustration  and wasted a lot of time attempting to use Dragon 10, I discontinued using the program. When I heard Dragon 11 was available, I was hesitant to purchase the program given my previous experiences with Dragon 10. My full-time job requires a great deal of typing and given my slow typing skills I decided to give Dragon 11 a try (my job was willing to pay for Dragon 11).

I have been using Dragon 11 now for approximately 4 weeks and absolutely love the program! The program has made my life much easier and I am now able to type memos, letters, proposals and other items fairly easily. I am still learning Dragon 11 shortcuts and other tips, but I am much more optimistic about the program. I am a rather slow typist, and never learned my way around the keyboard. As a result it takes me much longer than it probably should to type simple documents. I wish I had Dragon 11 when I was writing my  doctoral dissertation eight years ago. 

In addition to my work life, I also loaded Dragon 11 to my laptop. Having the software loaded on my laptop allows me work from home on personal projects. For example, my family and I are planning our Family Reunion for 2012. I wondered how I would be able to do all the typing needed for mailings, and other correspondence. Over the Memorial Day Holiday weekend I was able to create our first mailing using Dragon 11 and it took me a third of the time it would have if I had typed the information.

I would highly recommend Dragon 11 for anyone who needs to type documents of any kind, it will make your life so much easier and save you time! Even if you are a fast typist, Dragon will improve your productivity tenfold. I also use Dragon for iPhone and use it to write most of my Tweets.

Dragon 11 is my new best friend!