Featured Blog Posts - JenSocial: Social Web Directory and Ning Tips2024-03-29T14:14:31Zhttp://jensocial.com/profiles/blog/feed?promoted=1&xn_auth=noHi Everyone!tag:jensocial.com,2018-05-08:2154984:BlogPost:5335452018-05-08T01:35:06.000ZJenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/jmarco
<p>Wow, Ning has really stepped up their game in the past year! That makes me smile in a big way! I don't think I could ever not love this platform. Well, it was a challenge during their trials and tribulations. But, don't know if it could have been prevented after the first changing of the guard. From everything I have seen in the past year, it's looking like Ning is back full-speed and maybe better than ever.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Just to let you know why I've neglected JenSocial - - I've been…</p>
<p>Wow, Ning has really stepped up their game in the past year! That makes me smile in a big way! I don't think I could ever not love this platform. Well, it was a challenge during their trials and tribulations. But, don't know if it could have been prevented after the first changing of the guard. From everything I have seen in the past year, it's looking like Ning is back full-speed and maybe better than ever.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Just to let you know why I've neglected JenSocial - - I've been designing websites on other platforms in addition to Ning. Plus, I took a 10 month break for an onsite project. But, I continued to design Ning sites at night and weekends. I'm trying to get my Client base built back, and return to Ning-land like I was in the good old days.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I just wanted to say hello to everyone (hope some of you are still around), and let you know I'm trying to think of the best way to rejuvenate JenSocial, and start kicking up tips again! Any ideas are welcomed! I was hoping to transition over to 3.0 before rebuilding. And, maybe I should just start over on a 3.0 site? But wow, some of the tips on JenSocial, I even use them! I would hate to lose the tips.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Hey, if you have joined the site and not approved (and see this), contact me via <a href="http://www.jencreative.co/contact-us/%C2%A0">http://www.jencreative.co/contact-us/ </a>; or <a href="https://creators.ning.com/members/Jen">https://creators.ning.com/members/Jen</a> and I'll be sure to find your member account and approve. There are several 100 waiting.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Wishing the best to all of you, and hope to hear from you.</p>
<p>Jen</p>Message from Ning CEO - January 4, 2017tag:jensocial.com,2017-01-06:2154984:BlogPost:5252542017-01-06T22:00:00.000ZJenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/jmarco
<p>If you're negative about the Ning platform, I sure can't blame you. You have excellent reasons for feeling this way. But, call me crazy. After the announcement (January 4th, 2017) from the CEO of Ning, <strong>I am 100% convinced that Ning will make a complete and total comeback!</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excerpt from Announcement:</strong></p>
<p><em>I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every Network Creator for your continued support! On behalf of the entire Ning…</em></p>
<p>If you're negative about the Ning platform, I sure can't blame you. You have excellent reasons for feeling this way. But, call me crazy. After the announcement (January 4th, 2017) from the CEO of Ning, <strong>I am 100% convinced that Ning will make a complete and total comeback!</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Excerpt from Announcement:</strong></p>
<p><em>I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every Network Creator for your continued support! On behalf of the entire Ning Interactive team, I can tell you that we’re motivated and inspired by the communities you’ve created and are dedicated to helping you and your networks succeed. </em></p>
<p><em>The past few years have been challenging, both to our employees and more so to you, our Network Creators, but <strong>I can confirm that’s all in the past now. We’re committed to developing our people, strengthening our platform, and reopening the lines of communication while rebuilding our own community here on Creators. We’re excited for the future and the opportunity to work with you, and we hope to exceed your expectations.</strong></em></p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="font-size-5"><em><a href="http://creators.ning.com/announcements-from-ning/a-message-from-our-ceo" target="_blank">Full Story HERE:</a></em></span></strong></p>Never forget....Veterans Daytag:jensocial.com,2011-11-11:2154984:BlogPost:3983602011-11-11T23:23:09.000ZFire-Techhttp://jensocial.com/profile/FireTechnicianSolutions
<p>I would like to thank the men & women I had the pleasure of serving with, the ones I did not, the ones that still do but more importantly the ones who gave their lives so that we may have ours.</p>
<p>Every time you complain that the line at Starbucks is too long; be grateful that you aren't being shot at today. Never forget. Freedom isn't free........</p>
<p> <iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/svh6RyWzw3c?wmode=opaque" height="315" width="420"></iframe>
</p>
<p>I would like to thank the men & women I had the pleasure of serving with, the ones I did not, the ones that still do but more importantly the ones who gave their lives so that we may have ours.</p>
<p>Every time you complain that the line at Starbucks is too long; be grateful that you aren't being shot at today. Never forget. Freedom isn't free........</p>
<p> <iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/svh6RyWzw3c?wmode=opaque" height="315" width="420"></iframe>
</p>Good Riddance Mode Media! Exciting News About Ning + Cyndx LLCtag:jensocial.com,2016-09-17:2154984:BlogPost:5229422016-09-17T05:00:00.000ZJenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/jmarco
<h3><span class="font-size-4">Announcement from Creators.ning.com (Ning):</span></h3>
<h3><a href="http://creators.ning.com/announcements-from-ning/exciting-news-about-ning-cyndx-llc" target="_blank">Exciting News About Ning + Cyndx LLC</a></h3>
<blockquote><p>We are pleased to announce that Cyndx LLC entered into an agreement with Mode Media to take over the operations of Ning Inc from Mode Media immediately. The Ning and Cyndx teams together are bigger, stronger, and better…</p>
</blockquote>
<h3><span class="font-size-4">Announcement from Creators.ning.com (Ning):</span></h3>
<h3><a href="http://creators.ning.com/announcements-from-ning/exciting-news-about-ning-cyndx-llc" target="_blank">Exciting News About Ning + Cyndx LLC</a></h3>
<blockquote>
<p>We are pleased to announce that Cyndx LLC entered into an agreement with Mode Media to take over the operations of Ning Inc from Mode Media immediately. The Ning and Cyndx teams together are bigger, stronger, and better positioned to provide innovative media solutions that will improve our customers social experience.</p>
<p>Our combined organization is committed to maintaining excellence and strong customer relationships (<a href="http://creators.ning.com/announcements-from-ning/exciting-news-about-ning-cyndx-llc" target="_blank">read more...</a>)</p>
</blockquote>
<h3><span class="font-size-4">From Ning's Facebook Page:</span></h3>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401073183?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401073183?profile=original" width="506"></a></span></p>
<h3><span class="font-size-4"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401074555?profile=original"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401074555?profile=original" width="505"></a></span></h3>
<h3><span class="font-size-4">In the News:</span></h3>
<h3><a target="_blank" href="http://venturebeat.com/2016/09/15/mode-media-once-a-1b-valued-company-about-shuts-down-abruptly/">Mode Media, once a $1 billion valued company, shuts down abruptly ...</a></h3>
<h3><a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/what-1-billion-high-flying-mode-media-shuts-down/" target="_blank">What $1 billion? High-flying Mode Media shuts down</a></h3>
<hr>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-5">I say good riddance to the most destructive force this platform has ever had to endure. </span></strong> Of course, I feel badly for the Mode Media employees, and the bloggers left without pay. But, let's not forget the disgraceful treatment of the original mighty, powerful, and talented Ning Team. And what about Ning's Customers? It would take me a week to express that story.</p>
<p><strong>Summary:</strong> Practically since the day Mode Media purchased Ning, they (Management) have ignored the Ning Customer base. They have made it quite clear - - <span style="color: #ff0000;"><em>We don't give a crap about our customers.</em></span> OMG, it feels good to finally speak the truth. There have been few promises met (if any), very little support, and nothing but a regimented team of detached employees. And, according to my inside sources, those employees were given no choice.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-5">The Future:<br></span></strong></p>
<p>I have my fingers crossed that Cyndx will take this bull by the horn, and bring back the creative power of Ning, that we all knew and loved. We can only hope for the best. In my view, just the fact that someone on Ning Creators is speaking like a <em>real person</em> instead of a robot, we're already in better shape. <strong><em>The hostages have been set free!</em></strong> Let's just hope that Cyndx doesn't take the same approach. If they do, I am done. But, I have a good feeling...</p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Let us know how you feel about these recent events.</strong></span></p>Ning RAISING RATES for Ning 2.0 sitestag:jensocial.com,2016-08-31:2154984:BlogPost:5223252016-08-31T20:30:00.000ZJenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/jmarco
<p>Feel free to discuss. I have little to say, so disappointed in this company, on so many levels.</p>
<p><a href="http://creators.ning.com/announcements-from-ning/notice-of-upcoming-price-changes-to-ning-2-0-networks" target="_blank">Announcement on Creators, CLICK HERE.</a> …</p>
<p><a href="http://creators.ning.com/announcements-from-ning/notice-of-upcoming-price-changes-to-ning-2-0-networks" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401073085?profile=original" width="509"></img></a></p>
<p>Feel free to discuss. I have little to say, so disappointed in this company, on so many levels.</p>
<p><a href="http://creators.ning.com/announcements-from-ning/notice-of-upcoming-price-changes-to-ning-2-0-networks" target="_blank">Announcement on Creators, CLICK HERE.</a> </p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://creators.ning.com/announcements-from-ning/notice-of-upcoming-price-changes-to-ning-2-0-networks"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401073085?profile=original" width="509"></a></p>Jamroom CMS - An Alternative to Ningtag:jensocial.com,2015-01-19:2154984:BlogPost:5101032015-01-19T13:30:00.000ZPaul Asherhttp://jensocial.com/profile/PaulAsher
<p><span>Jamroom is a modular </span><span class="index-callout">open source</span><span> Community CMS that is uniquely customizable and powerful. </span><br></br> <span>Running on your own server, you have </span><span class="index-callout">100% privacy and control</span><span> of your own system. </span><br></br> <span>It has been powering </span><span class="index-callout">thousands</span><span> of sites worldwide since 2003.</span></p>
<p><span>A few months ago we were approached by a Ning user,…</span></p>
<p><span>Jamroom is a modular </span><span class="index-callout">open source</span><span> Community CMS that is uniquely customizable and powerful. </span><br/> <span>Running on your own server, you have </span><span class="index-callout">100% privacy and control</span><span> of your own system. </span><br/> <span>It has been powering </span><span class="index-callout">thousands</span><span> of sites worldwide since 2003.</span></p>
<p><span>A few months ago we were approached by a Ning user, unhappy with the way Ning was going and with their their lack of progress, updates and support. He asked if we could import his site from Ning to Jamroom. Investigation showed that this was indeed possible and straightforward to do, and spawned the 'Ning to Jamroom' project and the development of a module to take an exported Ning site archive of all members, their content, items and comments, and import it into a Jamroom site that replicates all Ning functionality (and adds a load more).</span></p>
<p><span>This project has now matured and has been taken up by many more Ning users who are now either running a 'live' version of their Ning site, are making the move, or are using Jamroom for their new sites and ideas. They are also contributing to a lively Jamroom forum helping more potential 'ex-Ningsters' out as well as fielding questions, suggestions and comments to us Jamroom developers (which we appreciate, of course).</span></p>
<p><span>If you think Jamroom might be the way forward for you, please checkout the links below. If you have any questions, please ask - we would look forward to seeing you on the forum.</span></p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Paul Asher - Jamroom Development and Import Specialist.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.jamroom.net" target="_blank">Jamroom</a></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.jamroom.net/ning-to-jamroom" target="_blank">Ning to Jamroom Project</a></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.jamroom.net/the-jamroom-network/forum/ning-to-jamroom" target="_blank">Ning to Jamroom Forum</a></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.jamroom.net/ning-to-jamroom/documentation/contents" target="_blank">Ning to Jamroom Documentation</a></p>
<p></p>Memorial Day - What Does It Mean To You?tag:jensocial.com,2011-05-28:2154984:BlogPost:3418852011-05-28T19:00:00.000ZJenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/jmarco
<div style="padding: 20px; border: 1px solid #c0c0c0;"><p><span class="font-size-3">When I was a child I always thought of Memorial Day as vacation time - - a time for sun, water and fun - - Florida here we come! We'd either pile up in the car and travel as a family, or, if the family didn't have plans to go, once we got old enough we'd cook up our own plans to go with a friend and their family.</span><img align="left" border="1" hspace="20" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401080298?profile=original" style="padding: 15px!important;" vspace="20" width="281"></img></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>There were those special summers that a…</p>
</div>
<div style="padding: 20px; border: 1px solid #c0c0c0;">
<p><span class="font-size-3">When I was a child I always thought of Memorial Day as vacation time - - a time for sun, water and fun - - Florida here we come! We'd either pile up in the car and travel as a family, or, if the family didn't have plans to go, once we got old enough we'd cook up our own plans to go with a friend and their family.</span><img style="padding: 15px!important;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401080298?profile=original" hspace="20" border="1" vspace="20" width="281" align="left"></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>There were those special summers that a big Sister would take us to a local cook-out or the Lake for the weekend. And wow, those lake trips, they had a ski boat! We'd spend the entire weekend piling on sunblock or not, getting sunburned or tanned, eating more than we needed, water skiing, swimming, running, laughing and having fun.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sometimes the locals would light a few fireworks kind of like the 4th of July. And the music blaring throughout the neighboring campgrounds was always great.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Gosh, I remember those days so well. I even remember the guard shack at the entrance of the park, and how the adrenaline would rush once you reached the gate. We're here! Let us in!<img style="padding: 15px!important;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401081399?profile=original" hspace="20" vspace="20" width="250" align="right"></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>As you went about your travels down the highways and back roads, regardless of your destination, you'd see the American flag waving proudly - - in front yards, office buildings, and even along the highways. Families and friends would be gathered in front or back yards, BBQ pit roaring, the smell of Southern BBQ grilling on the open fire, and usually a few corn cobs on the grill, along with watermelon waiting on the tables.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> Kids would be running, screaming, laughing, and having fun. A lot of local Community Centers, Schools, and Churches would throw festivals, BBQ picnics, dances - - you name it. You always heard the blaring yet beautiful sounds of music playing on the stereos where Dads had pulled the big speakers out to the front porches, or maybe Bubba the local 'good old boy' had God Bless America cranked up in his pickup truck, coming out of none less than Bose speakers he'd saved for, and bought at the corner car stereo shop.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> A lot of my friends would visit relatives, and Grandparent's house was a prime destination. Some folks would go fishing, while other went beaching.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>All of those wonderful summers, are memories that will stay with me forever. There was a special feeling in the air, even a special smell. All of the senses were tuned in to those special "Memorial Day" weekend festivities.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-4">I didn't realize what Memorial Day really meant, until days before my Father passed away.</span></p>
<p>Dad was a World War II (WWII) Soldier. He didn't talk about it much, but was very nostalgic about his WWII friends. Throughout my life, he didn't discuss the War much, at all. In fact, he made it pretty clear, it wasn't one of his favorite topics of conversation. He did make big efforts to attend his WWII reunions, and loved seeing his old buddies. Funny thing though - - or sad really, almost every time I went with him to these special reunions, he would get physically ill. I think it was just too much, the horrific memories, yet the excitement and special bond he felt when he reunited with his friends who made it home from the War. He'd be okay after the initial excitement had passed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img style="padding: 15px!important;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401081614?profile=RESIZE_320x320" hspace="20" vspace="20" width="250" align="left"></p>
<p>In those last days in the hospital, I stayed by his side (we all did) as many hours and days as the body could stay there, with little rest, and days of anguish watching him go from this strong healthy man - - "our absolute rock", to the man he had become in his last days - - no choice of his of course. At his side I listened. We all listened, as intently and carefully as we could. He talked a lot. Most of the time I don't think he knew he was talking. The medicine and his condition had played their toll. His life was swirling out of control, all his life's memories flying by, in and out, all over the place, and coming to the surface. He talked about many wonderful memories, the things in his life that meant the most. He talked about his children (at one point looking up at his Nurse, "I <em>was</em> a good Daddy." And goodness, was he an awesome Dad, just the best ever.). He talked so lovingly and passionately about his Sweetheart of over 60 years (even worried about her Birthday gifts) -- our Mother, talked about his work - - how he loved to work and build, his dreams, his happiness, fun, funny stories, then he'd sleep a while.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The evening to "tell all" came. I wasn't expecting it. After 60 years of holding most of it in, he was ready to talk. He started talking about the War. The pain on his face is hard to put into words. I've never seen this kind of fear and frustration, a sort of loathing that he wasn't even capable of expressing - - about what the War had done to his life and so many others. He talked about these days of being away "at War", about missing his family, missing the birth of his first child, the cold nights, days without food, the bunkers, the guns and the smell of death. What a lot of kids today don't realize, these boys, these Men - - didn't have a choice back then, short of going into hiding. When you turned 18, off to War you went.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img style="padding: 15px!important;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401082285?profile=RESIZE_320x320" hspace="20" vspace="20" width="250" align="right"></p>
<p>He talked most of the night that night, about THE War in his life. He talked about friends who were killed next to him, heads blown off, boys killed within 3 inches of his shoulder. He talked about being one of the lucky ones. He talked about having to kill. He cried. No, he wept.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The next day my little Brother came to be with him. Dad started talking again, about this War, World War II. He explained to us what he had to do, what his job was in the Army during the War. He was one of the Soldiers at the Battle of the Bulge. source - <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/bulge/gallery/index.html" target="_blank">pbs.org</a> -- "During the winter of 1944-45, more than 500,000 troops were deployed in the Ardennes. An astonishing number -- 76,000 -- would be wounded or killed. The troops were young men -- some of them barely out of high school." Many were his friends. Some of the stories he shared, I couldn't write. They are beyond horrific, and too painful to repeat. Make no mistake. This War was beyond most of our imaginations.<br> <br> Sources - <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/bulge/gallery/index.html" target="_blank">pbs.org</a> & my Dad -- "Freezing cold, frostbite, death -- these were everyday facts for the soldiers at the Bulge."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Dad was the "Head Gunner' I believe is what he called it. He had to load ammunition into this monstrous killing machine. "We had the Germans cornered", he'd say. "After days and nights towards the end of the Bulge, we begged them to surrender. They were just boys. We even had some of our boys crawl towards the enemy lines to explain, <em>You can't escape. It's impossible. Please surrender.</em>" Dad said some of his friends gave their lives, trying to get the young Soldiers on the opposing side to surrender. He saw many of his friends gunned down. I believe this was my Dad's job, like the photo depicts:<img style="padding: 15px!important;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401083250?profile=original" hspace="20" vspace="20" width="365" align="left"></p>
<p> </p>
<p>He didn't say much more after this. Like I mentioned earlier, he told a lot I won't say here. <span class="font-size-4">This was the day I understood what Memorial Day really meant.</span> My Dad didn't die in the War. But a great part of his Soul did, and many of his friends. After 84 years of a <strong>truly wonderful</strong> and amazing life - - a wife and best friend of 60+ years, 5 children and a ton of grandchildren, many many friends, huge successes, loved by so many, wonderful, brilliant and sweet man - - some of his last thoughts on this Earth, aside from making his absolute and total peace with God, were about the War. His War. The War that was fought for our freedom.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Thank you to all our Soldiers, those who are serving today and the past, and for those who gave your lives for our freedom and future - - or as Andy Rooney so perfectly stated it "those who did not give their lives, but had them taken", thank you for all that you have done to protect our freedom.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><br> God Bless All Soldiers, far and wide, past and present.<br></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Jen</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Our Dad - - Our Hero:</span></p>
<p><img style="padding: 15px!important;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401083901?profile=original" width="350"></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Dad and Jen</strong>: Somewhere around 25 and 12 years ago.</p>
<p><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401084930?profile=original" width="288"></p>
</div>Conversation on Twitter with former Mode Media/CEO, Former CEO of Ningtag:jensocial.com,2016-05-18:2154984:BlogPost:5208872016-05-18T21:30:00.000ZJenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/jmarco
<p>May 18, 2016</p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">For what it's worth, finally "heard" from someone involved with Ning, the former Ning CEO - - and (just found out today, <em>Former</em> of Mode Media/CEO, as well), Samir Arora. It wasn't much, but <strong>great</strong> to hear he is listening. Does this mean Ning will improve their communication dialogue with Ning Creators? Who knows? But, maybe, just maybe, they will start listening, or at least tell Ning Creators their plans for the future…</span></p>
<p>May 18, 2016</p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">For what it's worth, finally "heard" from someone involved with Ning, the former Ning CEO - - and (just found out today, <em>Former</em> of Mode Media/CEO, as well), Samir Arora. It wasn't much, but <strong>great</strong> to hear he is listening. Does this mean Ning will improve their communication dialogue with Ning Creators? Who knows? But, maybe, just maybe, they will start listening, or at least tell Ning Creators their plans for the future of this platform. Honestly, this is the first time in 2 years I have heard one word from this company, other than support calls, "...working on the issues, updates to come..." AND the announcement: <a href="http://creators.ning.com/announcements-from-ning/notice-of-2016-storage-limit-and-pricing-plan-changes">Notice of 2016 Storage Limit and Pricing Plan Changes</a>. I just wanted to share this with you all. If you want to follow on Twitter, click on one of the links, below.</span></p>
<div>
<a title="phpFox - Build Your Own Social Community!" target="_blank" href="https://clients.phpfox.com/aff.php?aff=48"><img style="float: left; padding: 10px; margin-top: 20px;" alt="phpFox - Build Your Own Social Community!" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076363?profile=original" height="159" width="191"></a><br />
<br>
<br> I will continue to
<a title="JenCreative.co" href="http://jencreative.co/" target="_blank">design sites</a> on Ning, help maintain existing sites. BUT, I am about to embrace the new version of phpFox! I love what I'm seeing.<br />
</div>
<div style="overflow:auto; width:500px; height:400px; background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000; padding:1px; text-align:left">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" xml:lang="en" lang="en"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/samirarora">@samirarora</a> Great someone involved <a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/Ning">@Ning</a> listening finally. LOVE <a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ning?src=hash">#Ning</a> but must have reliable platform/open dialogue <a rel="nofollow" href="https://t.co/QHfZbzdxSD">https://t.co/QHfZbzdxSD</a></p> — JenSocial Directory (@jensocial)
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/jensocial/status/733036005444354049">May 18, 2016</a><br />
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" xml:lang="en" lang="en"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/Ning">@Ning</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/samirarora">@samirarora</a> You set up phone intros with several Ning Site Owners, when <a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/ModeMedia">@ModeMedia</a> first purchased <a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ning?src=hash">#Ning</a>. I thought you cared? Show it</p> — JenSocial Directory (@jensocial)
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/jensocial/status/731187558986616832">May 13, 2016</a><br />
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" xml:lang="en" lang="en"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/samirarora">@samirarora</a> Thanks! We all feel lost. Had no idea you were no longer <a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ning?src=hash">#Ning</a> CEO. ZERO communication updates/overall. About to embrace <a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/phpFox">@phpFox</a></p> — JenSocial Directory (@jensocial)
<a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/jensocial/status/733029563937230855">May 18, 2016</a><br />
</blockquote>
</div>
<p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em; padding-top: 10px;"><a target="_blank" href="http://jensocial.com/profiles/blogs/conversation-on-twitter-with-mode-media-ceo-former-ceo-of-ning"><img style="float: left; padding: 0px 15px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076463?profile=original" width="156"></a>This Blog post started out with sharing a very short Twitter response from the former CEO of Ning and Mode Media. It's turned into an active discussion on Ning alternatives. Join the conversation.</p>A Picture May Be Worth 1000 Memberstag:jensocial.com,2014-09-21:2154984:BlogPost:5084712014-09-21T00:51:42.000ZLaura Occhipintihttp://jensocial.com/profile/LauraOcchipinti587
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401078508?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" height="223" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401078508?profile=original" style="padding: 10px;" width="223"></img></a> Take pictures at EVERY event that you host for your group. Do not worry about the quality, just do your best. Why? <strong>Pictures of people at your events will attract more Members (for free), get more opens when you send out a newsletter, attract more viewers on Facebook, and so much more.</strong> In most cases, pictures will cost nothing more than your…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401078508?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401078508?profile=original" width="223" class="align-left" style="padding: 10px;" height="223"></a>Take pictures at EVERY event that you host for your group. Do not worry about the quality, just do your best. Why? <strong>Pictures of people at your events will attract more Members (for free), get more opens when you send out a newsletter, attract more viewers on Facebook, and so much more.</strong> In most cases, pictures will cost nothing more than your time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Quality</b></p>
<p>Sure, owning a fancy camera may result in better pictures, but not everyone can afford the newest DSLR. If all you have is a smart phone, start there. If you have a budget for a cheap point and shoot, buy one. If it's not in your budget, don't worry. Pictures will help you gain more Members. More Members mean more profit from dues, events and sponsors which means at some point you can invest in a more professional camera.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Photographer</b></p>
<p>Make sure you designate a photographer at each event. You can be the photographer, you can give your event host the responsibility, or you can hire an amateur (<a href="http://www.growyoursocialgroup.com/blog/2014/5/15/find-out-what-i-pay-my-door-staff-and-photographers-and-where-i-find-them">often on the cheap</a>). </p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Watermarking</b></p>
<p>Do not share the photos until you watermark them. See <a href="http://www.growyoursocialgroup.com/blog/2014/7/5/watermarking-your-photos-is-easier-than-you-think" target="_blank">this blog</a> on how to create quick and easy watermarks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Share the Photos</b></p>
<p>After your event, share the images in multiple places so you can drive traffic back to your website.</p>
<p>- Post the pictures to an album on your website or better yet create a slider. If you have a NING network check out JenSocial's slider, <a href="http://www.jencreative.co/ning-slider/" target="_blank">http://www.jencreative.co/ning-slider/</a></p>
<p>- Post one picture in your newsletter and link it back to the album or slider.</p>
<p>- Post one picture on your Facebook page and link it back to the album or slider.</p>
<p>- Submit a few pictures and a press release to the newspaper.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Marketing Materials</b></p>
<p>Use pictures in your marketing materials. If you ran a dinner party in June and you have another coming up in July, <a href="http://www.growyoursocialgroup.com/blog/2014/6/27/how-to-be-your-own-graphic-designer">be your own graphic designer</a> and use the pictures you took in June to promote the July event!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>What to Photograph</b></p>
<p>Focus on taking pictures of people. For social groups I always prefer group shots, so pull 3-5 people together and have them smile for the camera. If you have extra time, take some candid shots and also take pictures of other things such as the venue, your welcome sign, your door host, a drink being poured, the dog that someone brought on the hike, etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Bottom Line:</b></p>
<p>Pictures will help you gain more Members for FREE. Everyone loves pictures which is why they get so many views and likes on Facebook and why people will open your newsletter. So do not worry about the quality if you do not have a budget for a camera or a photographer, instead focus on the quantity of pictures at every event.</p>
<p></p>
<p><img alt="@GrowYourGroup - Are These 6 Things Missing from Your Website?" style="float: left;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076497?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150"></p>
<p><em><span>I , Laura Occhipinti, founded <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.njyp.org/" target="_blank">New Jersey Young Professionals</a> in 2004. I have 5,000+ dues paying Members on my Ning website and 11,000 Young Professionals on my mailing list. <strong>You can <a rel="nofollow" href="https://groups.leadpages.net/jen-social-my-favorite-tools/">d<i>ownload a copy of My Favorite Tools</i></a></strong></span></em><strong> <i>(Hint: The BEST ones are FREE). </i></strong></p>Membership Dues: Why You Need To Charge Them And When To Starttag:jensocial.com,2014-08-06:2154984:BlogPost:5075662014-08-06T14:09:28.000ZLaura Occhipintihttp://jensocial.com/profile/LauraOcchipinti587
<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401077827?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" height="205" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401077827?profile=original" width="175"></img></a> So you are starting a group (or maybe you already have one going) and you are not sure if you should charge Membership dues or not. I can help. </span> </p>
<p></p>
<p><span>When I first launched my social group, Membership was free. Two years later I moved to a new platform that allowed me to have two Membership levels: Basic (free) and Premium…</span></p>
<p><span><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401077827?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401077827?profile=original" width="175" class="align-left" height="205"></a>So you are starting a group (or maybe you already have one going) and you are not sure if you should charge Membership dues or not. I can help. </span> </p>
<p></p>
<p><span>When I first launched my social group, Membership was free. Two years later I moved to a new platform that allowed me to have two Membership levels: Basic (free) and Premium (yearly dues). Three years later I moved to another platform and decided that everyone needed to pay a one-time free. Currently, I am still on the same platform and to be a Member of my social group, you MUST pay a one-time fee of $19.99. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of each.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Free for All!</strong></p>
<p>Pros: There is really no barrier to join. If you are just starting out, and you have less than 500 Members, this is the way to grow your Membership quickly (read more at the bottom of this posting)!</p>
<p>Cons: Spammers and trolls will join. You’ll have to kick people of your group just to discover that they’ll create a new identity and sign right back up. You will also end up with a lot of inactive Members for whom you’ll be planning events (based on their survey answers). Furthermore, you will be missing out on a revenue stream.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Leveled Membership</strong></p>
<p>Pros: No barrier to join if you have a free option. Dues paying Members will bring in revenue for your group, and will enjoy some perks that the free Members do not receive. Perhaps those paying dues will be offered free entrance into events or discounts on events. Maybe your website will allow them access to certain areas, like forums or Member to Member email.</p>
<p>Cons: Depending on your platform and the perks you provide, those who pay for Memberships may be hard to track. Also, you will want a good platform that notifies people when their Membership is about to expire and ideally auto-charge them when it is time to renew. In addition, depending on access to your website features, you may still run into the same “cons” I listed under “Free for All”.</p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><strong>Membership Dues Required</strong></p>
<p>Pros: Great revenue source. This will most likely keep out spammers, trolls, and undesirable Members. You may also attract high quality Members (those who feel invested in your community and are ready to participate online and attend events).</p>
<p>Cons: Some people may not join because of the dues. You will have to figure out what price Members will pay. With my organization, once I decided to make Membership a one-time fee, I started off at $9.99. After MANY people joined and paid, I increased it to a $19.99 one-time fee. This is ideal because to most, paying $19.99 is a no-brainer (so they don’t bounce off my website), but it also brings in great yearly revenue! In past years I have made anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 per year JUST by collecting Membership Dues.</p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><strong>WHEN to start charging:</strong><br> Do not launch a new group and start off with a Membership fee. No one wants to pay to be in a group that has one other member, or even just five other members. Do yourself a favor and<strong>do not charge membership fees until the group is thriving</strong>. By thriving, I mean: people are joining weekly or even daily, you are hosting events (if you are event based), people are attending events, people are chatting in the forums, etc. The more Members you have, the more valuable your group is from the perspective of non-members. Remember, when I transitioned to a Membership plan that charged dues, I started at a $9.99 one-time fee and I didn’t raise it to $19.99 until I had 2,000 dues paying Members. </p>
<p></p>
<p><br><img alt="@GrowYourGroup - Are These 6 Things Missing from Your Website?" style="float: left;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076497?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150"><em><span>I , Laura Occhipinti, founded <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.njyp.org/" target="_blank">New Jersey Young Professionals</a> in 2004. I have 5,000+ dues paying Members on my Ning website and 11,000 Young Professionals on my mailing list. <strong>You can <a rel="nofollow" href="https://groups.leadpages.net/jen-social-my-favorite-tools/">d<i>ownload a copy of My Favorite Tools</i></a></strong></span></em><strong> <i>(Hint: The BEST ones are FREE). </i></strong></p>Official Release! The Ning 3.0 Slider is here!tag:jensocial.com,2014-08-08:2154984:BlogPost:5075682014-08-08T08:10:12.000ZJenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/jmarco
<div style="line-height: 2.15em!important;"><p style="line-height: 2.15em!important;"><span style="color: #ff7a15; font-size: 29.5px;">Official Release! The Ning 3.0 Slider is here!<br></br><br></br><a href="http://www.jencreative.co/get-ning-slider/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: underline;" title="Buy the Ning Slider!">Click here to get the slider!</a> |…</span></p>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 2.15em!important;">
<p style="line-height: 2.15em!important;"><span style="color: #ff7a15; font-size: 29.5px;">Official Release! The Ning 3.0 Slider is here!<br><br><a style="color: #003366; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.jencreative.co/get-ning-slider/" title="Buy the Ning Slider!">Click here to get the slider!</a> | <a style="color: #003366; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://jendemo.ning.com/ning-slider-for-ning-3-0-text-link-back" title="Ning Slider Demo">See it in Action - DEMO</a></span><br><br></p>
<p style="line-height: 2.15em!important;"><span style="font-size: 29.5px;"><img style="float: left; padding: 5px 40px 25px 0px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1853417?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="370">Featured Blog Slider or Ad Rotation Tool (Ning 3.0)</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 2.15em!important;"><span style="font-size: 17.5px;"><b>Contact <a style="text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.jencreative.co/contact-us/">TJ or Jen</a> for assistance, if needed.</b><br><br>Build a Slider by simply Featuring Blog Posts! To update your slider, all you need to do is "Feature" a post! You can even add external links for slides to access, using the slider as an <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ad rotation app.</span></span><img style="float: right; padding: 20px;" alt="Get the new Ning Slider - Ning 3.0! Create Slider Easy as 1-2-3!" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1853427?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="240"> <span style="font-size: 17.5px;">The Featured Blog Slider is a fully integrated slider for the Ning platform. No more time consuming CSS, editing tedious HTML, or uploading images the tough way. Just a quick install, feature a few Blog Posts with images, and</span> <span style="color: #ff7a15; font-size: 29.5px;">BOOM! A beautiful slider!</span> <span style="font-size: 17.5px;">Ning may offer a built-in slider someday. However, if they do, it's highly unlikely they will offer what we are offering in this Slider code.</span> <span style="font-size: 17.5px;">Our code is quite powerful, and will make it incredibly easy for you to add and update a responsive slider within the Ning 3.0 platform. =)</span></p>
<h2 style="font-style: normal;">After initial installation, <span style="color: #ff7a15; text-decoration: underline;">you never have to code again!</span></h2>
<h2 style="font-style: normal; color: #ff7a15;">Summary:</h2>
<span style="font-size: 17.5px;">The Featured Blog Slider (FBS) makes it super easy to create a <b>responsive slider</b> for your Ning Network. The FBS utilizes a Blog Module and the Blog's “Featured Blog Posts” to create a Slider container and the Slides. You can send slide “clicks” to a Featured Blog Post(s), or to other internal and external web pages. No more messy HTML and adding: Images, links, and titles - - the hard way! <font color="#FF3333">It</font> <font color="#FF3333"><span style="font-weight: normal;">will take you minutes to update your slider!</span></font> <font color="#000000"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Just feature a few Blog Posts that contain one image or a Lead Image - - done!</span></font></span> <br />
<p></p>
<br>
<br>
</div>EVERY Face to Face Event Needs a Hosttag:jensocial.com,2014-07-30:2154984:BlogPost:5075422014-07-30T15:13:10.000ZLaura Occhipintihttp://jensocial.com/profile/LauraOcchipinti587
<p>If you want your Members to feel warm, cozy, and welcomed, make sure you have a designated host at your event. I have been to events where I was not greeted by a host and it always left me asking myself questions such as “Who is part of the group?”, “Are we gathering here for the night or moving to another spot?”, “Can I eat the food over there?”, etc. Unanswered questions leave Members with a sense of feeling unsure. Yet, you want your Members to feel comfortable so they…</p>
<p>If you want your Members to feel warm, cozy, and welcomed, make sure you have a designated host at your event. I have been to events where I was not greeted by a host and it always left me asking myself questions such as “Who is part of the group?”, “Are we gathering here for the night or moving to another spot?”, “Can I eat the food over there?”, etc. Unanswered questions leave Members with a sense of feeling unsure. Yet, you want your Members to feel comfortable so they will be likely to come to more events, talk to strangers, tell their friends about the group, etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>What Types of Face to Face Events Need a Host?</b></p>
<p>- All events types, from house parties to meditation on top of a mountain.</p>
<p>- All sized events, from 5 people to 500 people.</p>
<p>- Events where strangers are coming together to events where everyone will know each other.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Who Can Host?</b></p>
<p>- The person running the event can host as long as the group is small and they are able to welcome everyone AND run the event (assuming they have tasks such as leading meditation).</p>
<p>- You can hire a dedicated host.</p>
<p>- You can find a volunteer host.</p>
<p>- Ideally your hosts should be very friendly, outgoing, happy, welcoming, and non-judgmental</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>What are the Host's Tasks?</b></p>
<p>- The most IMPORTANT TASK for the host is to greet and welcome <b>every</b> single guest as s/he arrives. </p>
<p>- If the event is ticketed, the host should have a guest list and be able to collect payment if needed.</p>
<p>- Pass out nametags (optional)</p>
<p>- Answer questions, and if the host cannot answer the questions, then s/he should find out the answer from someone who has the information.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>What Else?</b></p>
<p>- Have your host arrive at least 15 minutes early so s/he can get settled and find out the answers to common questions (where is the bathroom, is there an ATM, etc).</p>
<p>- Make sure your host reads over the event description so they know what is going on and what to expect.</p>
<p>- If you are having an event where people do not know each other, consider having your hosts make introductions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Bottom Line:<br></b> Do not underestimate the idea of designating a host for your event. A host will set the tone and make people feel good about their choice to attend your event. Do you have "event block" (EB is when you are unable to come up with new events for your community)? You can <a href="https://groups.leadpages.net/blog-event-based/" target="_blank">download 5</a> of my event ideas/write-ups to use with your group.</p>
<p></p>
<p><img alt="@GrowYourGroup - Are These 6 Things Missing from Your Website?" style="float: left;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076497?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150"></p>
<p><em><span>I , Laura Occhipinti, founded <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.njyp.org/" target="_blank">New Jersey Young Professionals</a> in 2004. I have 5,000+ dues paying Members on my Ning website and 11,000 Young Professionals on my mailing list. <strong>You can <a rel="nofollow" href="https://groups.leadpages.net/jen-social-my-favorite-tools/">d<i>ownload a copy of My Favorite Tools</i></a></strong></span></em><strong> <i>(Hint: The BEST ones are FREE). </i></strong></p>Everyone Should be Using Google Alertstag:jensocial.com,2014-07-21:2154984:BlogPost:5070752014-07-21T16:00:00.000ZLaura Occhipintihttp://jensocial.com/profile/LauraOcchipinti587
<p>I cannot tell you how many times my group was in the news and I was not even notified. Instead I found out via Google Alerts (a totally free, easy, and awesome provided by Google). What is Google Alerts?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Google Alerts as Defined by Google:<br></br></b> “Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your queries. Enter a search query you wish to monitor. You will see a preview of the type of results you'll…</p>
<p>I cannot tell you how many times my group was in the news and I was not even notified. Instead I found out via Google Alerts (a totally free, easy, and awesome provided by Google). What is Google Alerts?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Google Alerts as Defined by Google:<br></b> “Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your queries. Enter a search query you wish to monitor. You will see a preview of the type of results you'll receive.” <a href="https://www.google.com/alerts">https://www.google.com/alerts</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>How to Use Google Alerts:<br></b> Set up multiple Google alerts (it’s free, why not?). I have the following alerts set-up:</p>
<ul>
<li>"Get out. Make friends."</li>
<li>"Laura Occhipinti"</li>
<li>"Members meet at restaurants, bars, in coffee houses, at comedy clubs, and even outdoors"</li>
<li>"New Jersey" "Young Professionals"</li>
<li>NJ "Young Professionals"</li>
<li>NJYP</li>
</ul>
<p>As you can see, not only am I watching out for information about my organization, I am also keeping an eye on whether anyone is using my tag line and copy illegally, talking about me by name, and talking about Young Professionals in NJ. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Bottom Line:<br></b> It will take you less than a minute to set up a few Google Alerts. An alert will keep you updated on who is talking about you and it also may help you figure out who is stealing your stuff.</p>
<p></p>
<p><img alt="@GrowYourGroup - Are These 6 Things Missing from Your Website?" style="float: left;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076497?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150"></p>
<p><em><span>I, Laura Occhipinti, founded <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.njyp.org/" target="_blank">New Jersey Young Professionals</a> in 2004. I have 5,000+ dues paying Members on my Ning website and 11,000 Young Professionals on my mailing list. <strong>You can <a rel="nofollow" href="https://groups.leadpages.net/jen-social-my-favorite-tools/">d<i>ownload a copy of My Favorite Tools</i></a></strong></span></em><strong> <i>(Hint: The BEST ones are FREE). </i></strong></p>The Mistake I Made for 10 Years (It Makes Me Cringe)tag:jensocial.com,2014-07-15:2154984:BlogPost:5067902014-07-15T00:44:43.000ZLaura Occhipintihttp://jensocial.com/profile/LauraOcchipinti587
<p>Only recently did I realize I was making a <b>HUGE mistake</b> with my 5,000 Member social group. I was constantly <a href="http://www.growyoursocialgroup.com/blog/2014/4/5/5-things-you-can-do-to-recruit-members-low-or-no-cost">driving traffic</a> to my website, but I <b>failed to effectively capture the email</b> addresses of those who were not ready to pay dues. Sure, I had a standard sign-up form (generated by Constant…</p>
<p>Only recently did I realize I was making a <b>HUGE mistake</b> with my 5,000 Member social group. I was constantly <a href="http://www.growyoursocialgroup.com/blog/2014/4/5/5-things-you-can-do-to-recruit-members-low-or-no-cost">driving traffic</a> to my website, but I <b>failed to effectively capture the email</b> addresses of those who were not ready to pay dues. Sure, I had a standard sign-up form (generated by Constant <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401080345?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401080345?profile=original" width="129" class="align-right" style="padding: 10px;" height="176"></a>Contact) that appeared on every page, but I didn’t realize there is a <b>FAR better way</b> to capture emails. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>BRIBES! Yup, EVERYONE who has a social group should be offering a bribe in exchange for an email address.</b> A bribe (also known as an ethical bribe) is a freebie that has value. A user will give you their email in exchange for the freebie.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Sample Bribes</b>:</p>
<p>Mom’s Club of NYC – “5 Zoos That You Can Get Into for FREE”</p>
<p>Colorado Newbie Hikers – “10 Must-Haves for Every Hike”</p>
<p>Chicago Foodies – “Where to Find the 7 Best Taco Food Trucks”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Here are the STEPS YOU need to take so you do not make the same mistake I did:</b></p>
<p>- Create a “bribe”. Here are the bribes I created for my social group:</p>
<ul>
<li>“Want to expand your social circle? Laura Occhipinti (founder) shares 5 steps to making friends via NJYP.”</li>
<li>“Get My 4 Must Read Speed Dating Tips”</li>
</ul>
<p>- Now connect the bribe to your email marketing service. Depending on your budget, you can use something like LeadPages.Net (I pay $197 a year) or you can use an auto-responder (assuming you are already paying for an email marketing service like Mailchimp or Constant Contact). Here are the directions on how to do this using MailChimp, <a href="http://eepurl.com/gYZQ">http://eepurl.com/gYZQ</a></p>
<p>- Create an attractive image that users will click to get the bribe. Below are the images I used.</p>
<p> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401081409?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401081409?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center" style="padding: 10px;"></a></p>
<p>- Now that you have all the pieces, put them together.</p>
<ul>
<li>Add your attractive images to your website,</li>
<li>Have it link to the email sign-up form,</li>
<li>Once users add their email to the sign-up form, the auto-responder will send them the bribe.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><b>I still cringe</b> when I think about all of the people who came across my website, checked it out, but then left because they didn’t have time to join, or weren’t ready to join etc. Either way, they most likely forgot about my website and how they found it. Thus, creating a system with a bribe is one of the FIRST things you should do.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Want to see if your bribe is of value? Please comment with your group name and proposed bribe title.</b></p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Pro-Tips<br></b> Place at least one bribe ABOVE the fold on the home page.</p>
<p>Make sure EVERY page of your website has a bribe on it.</p>
<p>Test it out! Pretend you are a user and make sure it works from start to finish.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img alt="@GrowYourGroup - Are These 6 Things Missing from Your Website?" style="float: left;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076497?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150"></p>
<p><em><span>I, Laura Occhipinti, founded <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.njyp.org/" target="_blank">New Jersey Young Professionals</a> in 2004. I have 5,000+ dues paying Members on my Ning website and 11,000 Young Professionals on my mailing list. <strong>You can <a rel="nofollow" href="https://groups.leadpages.net/jen-social-my-favorite-tools/">d<i>ownload a copy of My Favorite Tools</i></a></strong></span></em><strong> <i>(Hint: The BEST ones are FREE). </i></strong></p>
<p> </p>Are These 6 Things Missing from Your Website?tag:jensocial.com,2014-07-07:2154984:BlogPost:5070352014-07-07T15:00:00.000ZLaura Occhipintihttp://jensocial.com/profile/LauraOcchipinti587
<p>Every website should have these 6 things. If anything might be missing, make it your goal to audit your website and put these in place within a month:</p>
<p> </p>
<ol start="1">
<li><b>Contact Information</b> – Do not make it hard for people to contact you. You could potentially miss out on new Members AND potential sponsors (who want to give you money).</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-left: 2em;"><ul>
<li>Make sure the contact email address is EASY to find. Ideally, you…</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>Every website should have these 6 things. If anything might be missing, make it your goal to audit your website and put these in place within a month:</p>
<p> </p>
<ol start="1">
<li><b>Contact Information</b> – Do not make it hard for people to contact you. You could potentially miss out on new Members AND potential sponsors (who want to give you money).</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
<ul>
<li>Make sure the contact email address is EASY to find. Ideally, you will have a tab that says “Contact”.</li>
<li>Have your contact email all over the place! Have it on a tab, in the foot, in the FAQ, etc.</li>
<li>Try not to use a form. Suck up the spam.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p> </p>
<ol start="2">
<li><b>Opt-In</b> (my next blog will provide more detail about this) – You need to do everything you can to capture the email address of EVERYONE who encounters your website. Not everyone is going to “sign-up” right away, and you do not want them to forget about your website. Instead of losing a potential Member, try:</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
<ul>
<li>Offering a bribe in exchange for their email.</li>
<li>Having a newsletter sign-up form (Mailchimp is FREE for up to 2,000 subscribers)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p> </p>
<ol start="3">
<li><b>Pictures</b> (i.e. Sliders) – Everyone loves pictures. No matter what your niche is, have a slider on the home page.</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<ol start="4">
<li><b>Membership Policy</b> – Make it easy for your Members to understand the rules. If you have all the rules in one place, you can send rule violators the link once they break a rule.</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<ol start="5">
<li><b>FAQ</b> – Having an FAQ will greatly cut down on your customer service emails. For example, members who moved out of NJ were constantly asking me how they could remove themselves from my website. I put the answer in my FAQ to cut down on the number of emails with the same question and to have a place to refer people when they continued to ask the question.</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<ol start="6">
<li><b>Social Media Links</b> – Even if you do not yet have time to manage Social Media sites, create the sites and have the links to them on every page of your Ning website. Make sure you include a link to your Facebook page, Twitter, LinkedIN, Instagram, etc. On a whim, I created a LinkedIN group for my organization and by simply putting a link to it on every page of my website, I grew the group to 6,000 Members.</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<p><a target="_blank" title="GrowYourSocialGroup.com" href="http://www.growyoursocialgroup.com/"><img alt="@GrowYourGroup - Are These 6 Things Missing from Your Website?" style="float: left;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076497?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150"></a></p>
<p><b>Bottom Line:</b></p>
<p>None of these items will take much time to add or change, yet they can make a difference in your work load and Membership numbers. If you can only do ONE of these things, pick #2. </p>
<p></p>
<p><em><span>I, Laura Occhipinti, founded <a href="http://www.njyp.org/" target="_blank">New Jersey Young Professionals</a> in 2004. I have 5,000+ dues paying Members on my Ning website and 11,000 Young Professionals on my mailing list. You can <a href="https://groups.leadpages.net/jen-social-my-favorite-tools/">d<i>ownload a copy of My Favorite Tools</i></a></span></em> <i><span>(Hint: The BEST ones are FREE). </span></i></p>Testimonial to Jen and JenSocialtag:jensocial.com,2013-02-01:2154984:BlogPost:4863792013-02-01T21:03:17.000Z7Hhttp://jensocial.com/profile/HollyDilatush
<p><span class="font-size-3">Hello Jen, all, </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">I visited the testimonial page on JenSocial today but didn't see how to reply and add to it. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Wasn't sure where was appropriate, so decided to try a blog post.…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401081622?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401081622?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="431"></img></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Hello Jen, all, </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">I visited the testimonial page on JenSocial today but didn't see how to reply and add to it. </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Wasn't sure where was appropriate, so decided to try a blog post.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401081622?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401081622?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="431" class="align-full"></a></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">The above screenshot shows one slide from a PowerPoint presentation we used during a WizIQ Connecting Online 2013 presentation today:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16.363636016845703px;">"<a href="http://www.wiziq.com/online-class/1074893-co13-in-the-loop-with-lewwwp-by-holly-dilatush-and-joanna-biernat" target="_blank">In the loop with LEWWWP</a>" </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16.363636016845703px;">We mentioned Jen by name and affirmed that our site would not be what it is today without her!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16.363636016845703px;">Thank you, Jen!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16.363636016845703px;">Hope our mention (and link to JenSocial.com) will lead to more VIP members for you.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16.363636016845703px;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16.363636016845703px;">We truly are grateful for you and all you are and do,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16.363636016845703px;">Holly (and Joanna)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 16.363636016845703px;">.</span></p>Is Technology Affecting Today's Children?tag:jensocial.com,2013-01-29:2154984:BlogPost:4860952013-01-29T22:00:00.000ZJoao Fernandeshttp://jensocial.com/profile/3v29ci50vd5e3
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/MacBook_white.png/671px-MacBook_white.png?width=420" width="420"></img></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">Do our children benefit from today's Technological world?</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">Are our children's brains being developed correctly by the use of computers, mobile phones and other devices?…</span></strong></span></p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/MacBook_white.png/671px-MacBook_white.png?width=420" width="420"/></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">Do our children benefit from today's Technological world?</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">Are our children's brains being developed correctly by the use of computers, mobile phones and other devices?</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">Are our children growing up being children or being part of a ever changing society that relies on the technological world for it's development?</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;"><span class="font-size-2"> </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">Thinking.</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">The capacity to reflect, reason, and draw conclusions based on our experiences, knowledge, and insights. It’s what makes us human and has enabled us to communicate, create, build, advance, and become civilized. Thinking encompasses so many aspects of who our children are and what they do, from observing, learning, remembering, questioning, and judging to innovating, arguing, deciding, and acting.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">There is also little doubt that all of the new technologies, led by the Internet, are shaping the way we think in ways obvious and subtle, deliberate and unintentional, and advantageous and detrimental The uncertain reality is that, with this new technological frontier in its infancy and developments emerging at a rapid pace, we have neither the benefit of historical hindsight nor the time to ponder or examine the value and cost of these advancements in terms of how it influences our children’s ability to think.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">There is, however, a growing body of research that technology can be both beneficial and harmful to different ways in which children think. Moreover, this influence isn’t just affecting children on the surface of their thinking. Rather, because their brains are still developing and malleable, frequent exposure by so-called digital natives to technology is actually wiring the <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/neuroscience" title="Psychology Today looks at Neuroscience" class="pt-basics-link"><span style="color: #000000;">brain</span></a> in ways very different than in previous generations. What is clear is that, as with advances throughout history, the technology that is available determines how our brains develops. For example, as the technology writer <a href="http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/05/ff_nicholas_carr/all/1." class="ext" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000000;">Nicholas Carr</span></a> has observed, the emergence of reading encouraged our brains to be focused and imaginative. In contrast, the rise of the Internet is strengthening our ability to scan information rapidly and efficiently.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">The effects of technology on children are complicated, with both benefits and costs. Whether technology helps or hurts in the development of your children’s thinking depends on what specific technology is used and how and what frequency it is used. At least early in their lives, the power to dictate your children’s relationship with technology and, as a result, its influence on them, from synaptic activity to conscious thought.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Over the next several weeks, I’m going to focus on the areas in which the latest thinking and research has shown technology to have the greatest influence on how children think: attention, information overload, <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/decision-making" title="Psychology Today looks at Decision-Making" class="pt-basics-link"><span style="color: #000000;">decision making</span></a>, and <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/memory" title="Psychology Today looks at Memory" class="pt-basics-link"><span style="color: #000000;">memory</span></a>/learning. Importantly, all of these areas are ones in which you can have a counteracting influence on how technology affects your children.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;"><strong>Attention</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">You can think of attention as the gateway to thinking. Without it, other aspects of thinking, namely, perception, memory, language, learning,<a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/creativity" title="Psychology Today looks at Creativity" class="pt-basics-link"><span style="color: #000000;">creativity</span></a>, reasoning, problem solving, and decision making are greatly diminished or can’t occur at all. The ability of your children to learn to focus effectively and consistently lays the foundation for almost all aspects of their growth and is fundamental to their development into successful and happy people.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Attention has been found to be a highly malleable quality and most directly influenced by the <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/environmental-psychology" title="Psychology Today looks at Environmental Psychology" class="pt-basics-link"><span style="color: #000000;">environment</span></a> in which it is used. This selective attention can be found in the animal kingdom in which different species develop attentional skills that help them function and survive. For example, wolves, lions, tigers, and other predators have highly tuned visual attention that enables them to spot and track their prey. In contract, their prey, including deer and antelope, have well-developed auditory attention that allows them to hear approaching predators. In both cases, animals’ attentional abilities have developed based on the environment in which they live.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">The same holds true for human development. Whether infant recognition of their parents’ faces or students paying attention in class, children’s immediate environment determines the kind of attention that they develop. In generations past, for example, children directed considerable amounts of their time to reading, an activity that offered few distractions and required intense and sustained attention, imagination, and memory. The advent of television altered that attention by offering children visual stimuli, fragmented attention, and little need for imagination. Then the Internet was invented and children were thrust into a vastly different environment in which, because distraction is the norm, consistent attention is impossible, imagination is unnecessary, and memory is inhibited.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Technology conditions the brain to pay attention to information very differently than reading. The metaphor that Nicholas Carr uses is the difference between scuba diving and jet skiing. Book reading is like scuba diving in which the diver is submerged in a quiet, visually restricted, slow-paced setting with few distractions and, as a result, is required to focus narrowly and think deeply on the limited information that is available to them. In contrast, using the Internet is like jet skiing, in which the jet skier is skimming along the surface of the water at high speed, exposed to a broad vista, surrounded by many distractions, and only able to focus fleetingly on any one thing.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">In fact, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/technology/21brain.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=growing%20up%20digital&st=cse" class="ext" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000000;">studies</span></a> have shown that reading uninterrupted text results in faster completion and better <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/empathy" title="Psychology Today looks at Empathy " class="pt-basics-link"><span style="color: #000000;">understanding</span></a>, recall, and learning than those who read text filled with hyperlinks and ads. Those who read a text-only version of a presentation, as compared to one that included video, found the presentation to be more engaging, informative, and entertaining, a finding contrary to conventional <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/wisdom" title="Psychology Today looks at Wisdom" class="pt-basics-link"><span style="color: #000000;">wisdom</span></a>, to be sure. Additionally, contrary to conventional educational wisdom, students who were allowed Internet access during class didn’t recall the lecture nor did they perform as well on a test of the material as those who weren’t “wired” during class. Finally, reading develops reflection, critical thinking, problem solving, and vocabulary better than visual media.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Exposure to technology isn’t all bad. <a href="http://www.bcs.rochester.edu/people/daphne/VisionPDF/GreenBavelier2007.pdf" class="ext" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000000;">Research</span></a> shows that, for example, video games and other screen media improve visual-spatial capabilities, increase attentional ability, reaction times, and the capacity to identify details among clutter. Also, rather than making children stupid, it may just be making them different. For example, the ubiquitous use of Internet search engines is causing children to become less adept at remembering things and more skilled at remembering where to find things. Given the ease with which information can be find these days, it only stands to reason that knowing where to look is becoming more important for children than actually knowing something. Not having to retain information in our brain may allow it to engage in more “higher-order” processing such as contemplation, critical thinking, and problem solving.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">What does all this mean for raising your children? The bottom line is that too much screen time and not enough other activities, such as reading, playing games, and good old unstructured and imaginative play, will result in your children having their brains wired in ways that may make them less, not more, prepared to thrive in this crazy new world of technology.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Source: <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/"><span style="color: #000000;">www.psychologytoday.com</span></a></span></p>How to publish your Flash to HTML5, the easiest way? Using Flash CS6 + CreateJS toolkit tutorialtag:jensocial.com,2012-05-11:2154984:BlogPost:4520802012-05-11T15:30:00.000ZTips by Alex/JenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/iyoume
<p>1. <a href="http://www.adobe.com/downloads/" target="_blank">Download and Install CS6</a> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401079616?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401079616?profile=original" width="595"></img></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>2. <a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/flash-to-html5.html" target="_blank">Download Toolkit for CreateJS</a> …</p>
<p>1. <a href="http://www.adobe.com/downloads/" target="_blank">Download and Install CS6</a> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401079616?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401079616?profile=original" width="595" class="align-full"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>2. <a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/flash-to-html5.html" target="_blank">Download Toolkit for CreateJS</a> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401079819?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401079819?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>3. Double Click the Toolkit for CreateJS just downloaded. Install it with the Extension Manager. <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401079978?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401079978?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>4. Create a beautiful animation in Flash CS6 <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401080598?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401080598?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>5. Go to Window -> Other Panels -> Toolkit for CreateJS <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401081453?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401081453?profile=original" width="584" class="align-full"></a></p>
<p>6. Click Publish in the panel. <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401082217?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401082217?profile=original" width="397" class="align-full"></a></p>
<p>7. Your Flash becomes to HTML5 already!! </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401083413?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401083413?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>How to Create a Chrome Extension for your Networktag:jensocial.com,2011-08-31:2154984:BlogPost:3740162011-08-31T00:00:00.000ZGirlRidershttp://jensocial.com/profile/KatieMcKay
<p>How to Create a Chrome Extension for your Network</p>
<p><br></br> I really debated with myself on whether or not to share this because I think its amazingly cool, but my site would not be what it is if it wasn't for me sucking up free tips from people willing to share so here it is :). Plus, I'm hoping if you guys think of some cool ways to utilize this, you'll share them with me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you use Google Chrome as your browser, you may be familiar with Extensions. Google describes…</p>
<p>How to Create a Chrome Extension for your Network</p>
<p><br/> I really debated with myself on whether or not to share this because I think its amazingly cool, but my site would not be what it is if it wasn't for me sucking up free tips from people willing to share so here it is :). Plus, I'm hoping if you guys think of some cool ways to utilize this, you'll share them with me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you use Google Chrome as your browser, you may be familiar with Extensions. Google describes them as<i>"Extensions are extra features and functionality that you can easily add to Google Chrome. By using extensions, you can customize Google Chrome with features you like, while keeping your browser free of things that you don't use."</i><br/> <br/> Here is a video of what I've created (If you can't see it, here's the <a href="http://youtu.be/j8DWbWLcCcg" target="_blank">direct link</a>:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><iframe width="640" height="510" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/j8DWbWLcCcg?rel=0&hd=1&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>
<p> </p>
<p><font size="4"><u>PREPARE</u></font><br/> You will need some preparation before creating your extension. Several graphics related to your Network will be required at different steps during the process. I will try and list the minimum required here. I like .png files, because they look good and can have transparent backgrounds, but .gif and .jpg as well as others could work.<br/> <br/> <br/> <b>16x16</b> (Important, name this one icon.png) this will be used as the image that appears in the browser toolbar.<b><br/></b> <br/> <br/> <b>128x128</b> Use a light background, a simple image and no text. This will show up in a blue box for your extension in the Chrome Web Store. <i>"Upload an icon image that represents the item. The image you provide is used to generate images in other sizes."</i><br/> <br/> <br/> <b>1200x800</b> Screen shot - You'll have to create this one after the draft of the extension has been created.<br/> <i>"Provide at least 1, and preferably 4 or 5 screenshots of your app. If your app supports multiple locales, you can provide locale-specific screenshots. Your screenshot should have square corners and no padding (full bleed)."</i><br/> <br/> <br/> <b>480x240</b> I have not seen where this one appears, Google is requiring it for a new format in the future.<br/> <i>"Fill the entire region, using square corners and no padding (full bleed).<br/> Use a medium or dark background and light text.<br/> Don’t put white elements along the edges of the image; the edges should be well defined."</i><br/> <br/> <br/> <b>20x20</b> Icons for Chat, Latest Activity, Share and a Network mini-logo. - These are only if you want to use the same features in your extension that I created and am demonstrating in this tutorial.</p>
<p><br/> Now, create a new folder on your computer for Extensions. You are going to put three items in the is folder.</p>
<ol type="1">
<li>icon.png (mentioned above)</li>
<li>manifest.json (see below)</li>
<li>popup.html (see below)</li>
</ol>
<p><font size="4"><u>MANIFEST.JSON</u></font><br/> Open Notepad to create a text file and name it manifest.json. Paste the following, replace the CAPS with your information (this text will be seen by the public):</p>
<div class="success">"name": "NAME YOUR EXTENSION",<br/> "version": "1.0",<br/> "description": "WHAT DOES YOUR EXTENSION DO",<br/> "browser_action": {<br/> "default_icon": "icon.png", "default_popup": "popup.html"<br/> },<br/> "permissions": []<br/> }</div>
<p> </p>
<p><font size="4"><u>POPUP.HTML</u></font><br/> You can put whatever you want here, you just need to know how. The extensions available are way beyond my realm of knowledge so I used some tricky little links to Ning pages in a way you may have never considered. If you want to copy mine, as shown in the video, here is the code to paste into a text document and save as popup.html (again replace CAPS with your info)</p>
<div class="success"><html><br/> <body><center><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; font-size:small;"><br/> NAME OF YOUR EXTENSION OR NETWORK<br /><br /><br/> <A HREF="javascript:void(0)"onclick="window.open('http://YOUR NETWORK/chat/index/popOutWindow','linkname','height=600, width=600,scrollbars=yes, resizable=yes')"><img src='http://YOUR CHAT ICON.png' title='Chat with YOUR NETWORK' alt="Chat" width="20"><br /><font color="#be1176">Chat</font></a><br/> <br /><br /><br/> <br/> <A HREF="javascript:void(0)"onclick="window.open('http://YOUR NETWORK/m','linkname','height=700, width=350,scrollbars=yes, resizable=yes')"><img src='http://YOUR ACTIVITY LOGO.png' title='Latest Activity' alt="Activity" width="17"><br /><font color="#be1176">Latest Activity</font></a><br/> <br /><br /><br/> <br/> <A HREF="javascript:void(0)"onclick="window.open('http://YOUR NETWORK/m/forum/topic/new','linkname','height=450, width=350,scrollbars=yes, resizable=yes')"><img src='http://YOUR SHARE ICON.png' title='Share on YOUR NETWORK' alt="Share on YOUR NETWORK" width="20"><br /><font color="#be1176">Share</font></a><br/> <br /><br /><br/> <br/> <a href="http://YOUR NETWORK" target="_blank"><img src='http://YOUR NETWORK LOGO.png' title='Open YOUR NETWORK' alt="Open YOUR NETWORK" width="40"><br />Open YOUR NETWORK</a><br/> </span></center><br/> </body><br/> </html><br/> <br/></div>
<p> </p>
<p><font size="4"><u>LOAD THE EXTENSION LOCALLY</u></font><br/> This is copied from <a target="_blank" href="http://ubuntumanual.org/posts/365/how-to-create-a-google-chrome-extension-for-beginners-basics-part-1">http://ubuntumanual.org/posts/365/how-to-create-a-google-chrome-extension-for-beginners-basics-part-1</a><br/> <em>Bring up the extensions management page by clicking the wrench icon and choosing Tools > Extensions or type chrome://extensions</em><br/> <em>Look for Developer mode option present in the right top corner. Click it if Developer mode has a + by it, to add developer information to the page. The + changes to a -, and more buttons and information appear along with the existing extensions list.</em><br/> <em>Now you see 3 buttons in Developer mode: Load unpacked extension, Pack extension. Update extensions now</em><br/> <em>Click the Load unpacked extension button. A file dialog appears.</em><br/> <em>In the file dialog, navigate to your extension's folder and click OK.</em><br/> <em>If your extension is valid, its icon appears next to the address bar, and information about the extension appears in the extensions page.</em></p>
<p>Now your extension should be running on your computer, test it, try all the links make sure everything looks and acts just the way you want it to before you share it with the world. Now is also the time to make your screen shots.</p>
<p><font size="4"><u>LOAD THE EXTENSION FOR THE WORLD</u></font></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/megndjgmkiipgffpbknnnblcdeagfinc">Here</a> is what my extension looks like in the webstore. Note: Google charges a one time $5.00 fee per extension. <br/> 1. Create a .zip file of the three items in your extensions folder.<br/> 2. Go to <a target="_blank" href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/developer/dashboard">https://chrome.google.com/webstore/developer/dashboard</a> and login with your Google credentials. <br/> Click Add new Item and go to the file you created in zip format and click Upload.<br/> Here's where you'll need the other images I warned you about. Just follow the instructions from Google carefully, there are scroll over tips on most steps and it gives you a chance to preview your work before publishing. It's also fairly easy to comeback to your Developers Dashboard and make edits when needed.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;">I hope that you enjoy this tip, its a labor of love for sure! I've started a wishlist of things I would like to figure out how to add to mine, so if you find anything cool, please let me know!</span></p>Google + Plus v Facebooktag:jensocial.com,2011-11-27:2154984:BlogPost:4029902011-11-27T15:02:49.000ZGeorge Pucketthttp://jensocial.com/profile/GeorgePuckett
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Google + Plus v Facebook</strong></span></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Is Google Plus, sometimes written as <b>g+,</b> a serious challenge to Facebook’s Supremacy as a Social Network?</p>
<p>When Google Plus first arrived on the Social Network scene people were calling it the “Facebook Killer.” I never considered that Google would trounce Facebook. It is not a “Hare & Tortoise” race. Actually, Google is not by any means a Tortoise.</p>
<p>Were this competition…</p>
<p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Google + Plus v Facebook</strong></span></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Is Google Plus, sometimes written as <b>g+,</b> a serious challenge to Facebook’s Supremacy as a Social Network?</p>
<p>When Google Plus first arrived on the Social Network scene people were calling it the “Facebook Killer.” I never considered that Google would trounce Facebook. It is not a “Hare & Tortoise” race. Actually, Google is not by any means a Tortoise.</p>
<p>Were this competition a Social Network 1000 mile auto race, I would say that Facebook had a 500 mile head start. If it were a recruiting race, I would say that Facebook may have had a 500,000,000 member head start on Google. There is no way to stop the growth short of closing the gates or having some entry requirements. Somehow, I don’t think that will happen.</p>
<p>Google had a model when they started <b>g+.</b> They were not re-inventing the wheel but trying to build a better mouse trap. I guess that statement is not entirely logical but you get my drift.</p>
<p>Google set about improving the Facebook model. I don’t believe that anything about g+ was an accident. The techies at Google must have studied Facebook with the idea of improving it. They succeeded.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There are three aspects to Google Plus that I really like over Facebook:</p>
<ol>
<li>The ease of inviting new friends allows you to send out emails to 150 people at a time from your <b>g+</b> Home Page. There’s an icon of a red envelope in the right column. Just click it and a new window will open for email addresses. You may input them one at a time or up to 150 email addresses all at once.</li>
<li>Google allows you to have Circles of Friends. When you sign up, you have 4 Circles. They are Family, Friends, Acquaintances and Following. Of course everyone does not fit into theses Circles. However, you have the ability to create and name more circles. I created one that I call “Google Stuff” and another for the members of my Social Networking Website, Mexico-My Space. You can decide which circles receive your posts. Use your imagination on how these circles can be used.</li>
<li>Again the ease of inviting new friends is apparent through options unique to <b>g+</b>. When you click on the red envelope you are given two choices. You may use the email program, but Google also provides you with a link to send out to one person or a thousand people at the same time. Click on my link to see where you are taken:<strong><a href="https://plus.google.com/i/lYQXU8E1e0k:1M6CwoYcYwU">https://plus.google.com/i/lYQXU8E1e0k:1M6CwoYcYwU</a></strong></li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<p>This brief blog post keeps expanding, but I would be remiss if I did not mention Facebook’s Fanpages for businesses. At this time Google Plus has no equivalent but they will. Google is the number one search engine in the world, and You Tube is number two, When Google does come out with a Fanpage equivalent, “Watch Out Facebook.”</p>
<p>I would like to end by giving you some numbers. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook is in 610,692 Circles and Larry Page, co-founder of Google, is in 752,513. Snoop Dog is in 646,350 circles.</p>
<p>Join me and I will show you how to grow your network by searching the 32 Million Member Google Plus database. You may search by occupation, location, location, gender and many other keywords.</p>
<p>I will also show you how to recruit people from Facebook & Linkedin.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What are you waiting for? Click on my link below and let's help each other win! <strong><a href="https://plus.google.com/i/lYQXU8E1e0k:1M6CwoYcYwU">https://plus.google.com/i/lYQXU8E1e0k:1M6CwoYcYwU</a></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>George Puckett</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mexico-myspace.com/">Mexico-My Space</a> & <b><a href="https://plus.google.com/i/lYQXU8E1e0k:1M6CwoYcYwU" target="_blank">g+.</a></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Do you want to know more about <b>g+</b>? Go to You Tube and search for “Google Plus.” You will find some very excellent tutorials.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>To find out the number of circles other people are in go to, <a href="http://www.googlepluscounter.com/pages/halloffame0">http://www.googlepluscounter.com/pages/halloffame0</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><font size="3"><b><br/></b></font></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>TIPS only in JenSocial: Woopra, the best user friendly free site analyse tool, better than Google analytics and Yahoo! webmaster toolstag:jensocial.com,2011-06-14:2154984:BlogPost:3467052011-06-14T06:30:00.000ZTips by Alex/JenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/iyoume
<p><strong><span class="font-size-6">Better than Google analytics and Yahoo! webmaster tools</span></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>We all know that site analyse is very important. And there are so many analytics tools, also very hard to use. <a href="http://www.woopra.com/" target="_blank">Woopra</a> is most user friendly and powerful analytics tool I've ever seen so far.</p>
<p><span class="font-size-5">You have the Dashboard with multi-language support.…</span></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-6">Better than Google analytics and Yahoo! webmaster tools</span></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>We all know that site analyse is very important. And there are so many analytics tools, also very hard to use. <a href="http://www.woopra.com/" target="_blank">Woopra</a> is most user friendly and powerful analytics tool I've ever seen so far.</p>
<p><span class="font-size-5">You have the Dashboard with multi-language support.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401073580?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401073580?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-full" width="750"></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5">You can see your online visiters not only members. <br>See what they are doing right now or have a real time chat with these visitors.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401075159?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401075159?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-full" width="750"></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5">You get a world visitors' map. :)</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076414?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076414?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-full" width="750"></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5">Sure you have the analytics from pass 30 days or any duration.<br>And pls don't addicted in it as it's your stocks.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076978?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076978?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-full" width="750"></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5">And countries analytics, you'll be surprised that I'm so international!!! ≧✯◡✯≦<br>And some countries you've never heard. ⊙_☉</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076992?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401076992?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-full" width="750"></a></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5">Browsers, OS system and screen resolutions analytics, so you know what browsers you should test and how many iPhone, iPad and Android users.</span> <br><span class="font-size-5">Are you ready to get your special mobile app for your site?</span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401078458?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401078458?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-full" width="750"></a><span class="font-size-5">Don't forget your top key words!! <br>Then you know what contents get high SEO and how to a<span title="按一下以檢視其他翻譯">ttract more</span> <span title="按一下以檢視其他翻譯">visitors and turn them into members.</span></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><span title="按一下以檢視其他翻譯">I think <a href="http://www.ning.com" target="_blank">NING</a> did a very good SEO job for you already.</span></span></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401079774?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401079774?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-full" width="750"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>And there are so many others need you to experience.</p>
<p>It's also very easy to install the code. Just go to <a href="http://www.woopra.com" target="_blank">www.woopra.com</a>, sign up, follow the steps, get the code. And then copy & paste to the <strong>Custom Code</strong> ( if you use NING ).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you find another amazing analytics tool, pls kindly tell me. Thank you. ≧^◡^≦</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/" target="_blank"><img alt="Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License" src="http://cookbooks.adobe.com/resources/images/license_creative_commons.png"><br></a>This work is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License</a>. Permissions beyond the scope of this license, pertaining to the examples of code included within this work are available at <a href="http://www.iyoume.net" target="_blank">iYouMe.net</a>.</p>Design 101, Too Many Fonts - Good Grief!tag:jensocial.com,2011-04-17:2154984:BlogPost:3286002011-04-17T06:00:00.000ZJenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/jmarco
<p>When it comes to Graphic and Web Design, there's a <strong>ton of room</strong> for all types of artistic and creative levels, styles, etc... However, there isn't room for a <strong>ton of fonts</strong>. Some of the wonderful aspects of the vastness of the Internet are: so much to discover, so much for the eyes to see - - so many different designs, and so many different Designers. But, way too often, there are <strong>too many fonts starring you in the face.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Whether…</p>
<p>When it comes to Graphic and Web Design, there's a <strong>ton of room</strong> for all types of artistic and creative levels, styles, etc... However, there isn't room for a <strong>ton of fonts</strong>. Some of the wonderful aspects of the vastness of the Internet are: so much to discover, so much for the eyes to see - - so many different designs, and so many different Designers. But, way too often, there are <strong>too many fonts starring you in the face.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Whether you have designed your own website, or hired a Designer, here are a couple of Design Tips that you can take to heart - - seriously. There's no written-in-stone rules, just a few good rules-of-thumb. To new or novice Designers these tips may seem simple and unimportant. But, trust me on this. These 2 small bits of advice are critical for the success of your overall Design.</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Don't Use Too Many Font Types.</strong> There is never a need to use more than 2-3 for a logo, header, or special image. And you shouldn't use more than 3-4 for your overall site.</li>
<li><strong>Be Consistent When Using Fonts and Applying Font Attributes</strong>. For example: If you use a different font for every headline, this is confusing, tough on the eyes, and can give your design a busy and unprofessional look. If you apply bold for one type header, apply bold for all headers of the same type. If you use Lucida Grande, and apply bold for a sub-title, do the same for all sub-titles.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Bottom Line:</strong> There will be cases where you really need more fonts. If you need more to communicate better, go for it. But, when possible, try to keep those fonts at a minimum.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Happy Designing!</p>
<p>;-)</p>
<p>Jen</p>God is Kind. - Shamshir Rai Luthratag:jensocial.com,2010-12-25:2154984:BlogPost:2989912010-12-25T19:18:34.000ZShamshir Rai Luthra & Friendshttp://jensocial.com/profile/ShamshirRaiLuthra
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com/files/eqJG*HC0rKSij7k01na7po1bruVLNSSoyq6f7CP1hBFLj3gOQQZCQAijHxmN0CXHjUcLf80b0SnkdKy4aKIPQ*3zeD-i91Q4/school005n1.jpg?width=737&height=491" target="_self"><img class="align-center" height="491" src="http://api.ning.com/files/eqJG*HC0rKSij7k01na7po1bruVLNSSoyq6f7CP1hBFLj3gOQQZCQAijHxmN0CXHjUcLf80b0SnkdKy4aKIPQ*3zeD-i91Q4/school005n1.jpg?width=737&height=491" width="737"></img></a></p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/oYnyohOrXpz6jsLXYV4uIKbxipYmOOozeyekPmNwKUtOMPJyXH*Pp-7pN0Rqw05iizpitROIr5OyDtnv2v0tlbMqQNjOyycY/bubbletopimage.jpg" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/oYnyohOrXpz6jsLXYV4uIKbxipYmOOozeyekPmNwKUtOMPJyXH*Pp-7pN0Rqw05iizpitROIr5OyDtnv2v0tlbMqQNjOyycY/bubbletopimage.jpg" width="690"></img></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">19th December 2010, D.A.V. School,…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://api.ning.com/files/eqJG*HC0rKSij7k01na7po1bruVLNSSoyq6f7CP1hBFLj3gOQQZCQAijHxmN0CXHjUcLf80b0SnkdKy4aKIPQ*3zeD-i91Q4/school005n1.jpg?width=737&height=491" width="737" height="491"><img class="align-center" src="http://api.ning.com/files/eqJG*HC0rKSij7k01na7po1bruVLNSSoyq6f7CP1hBFLj3gOQQZCQAijHxmN0CXHjUcLf80b0SnkdKy4aKIPQ*3zeD-i91Q4/school005n1.jpg?width=737&height=491" width="737" height="491"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/oYnyohOrXpz6jsLXYV4uIKbxipYmOOozeyekPmNwKUtOMPJyXH*Pp-7pN0Rqw05iizpitROIr5OyDtnv2v0tlbMqQNjOyycY/bubbletopimage.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/oYnyohOrXpz6jsLXYV4uIKbxipYmOOozeyekPmNwKUtOMPJyXH*Pp-7pN0Rqw05iizpitROIr5OyDtnv2v0tlbMqQNjOyycY/bubbletopimage.jpg" width="690" class="align-center"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">19th December 2010, D.A.V. School, Pushpanjali, Delhi, India: It was a beautiful sunny sunday afternoon. Hundreds of children busy learning, listening, sharing. God is kind. We're having a good time...</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Sending you loadsa love and blessings through these shiny happy little men and women. Merry Christmas!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">- Shamshir Rai Luthra</p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/oYnyohOrXpxsJIyTrr*rhQbLK1suovW88Vz4O0*YYvgta*GC91VzybB5EHRoi*UG7Jv54XMQbKJ0scJI4QJgEK1QtNaTTJcb/bubblebottomimage.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/oYnyohOrXpxsJIyTrr*rhQbLK1suovW88Vz4O0*YYvgta*GC91VzybB5EHRoi*UG7Jv54XMQbKJ0scJI4QJgEK1QtNaTTJcb/bubblebottomimage.jpg" width="690" class="align-center"></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>4 Steps to fulfilling your dreams instantly....right here on 'Jen social'tag:jensocial.com,2010-12-23:2154984:BlogPost:2985802010-12-23T21:00:00.000ZJenni Parker Brownhttp://jensocial.com/profile/JenniParkerBrown685
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<object height="237" width="360" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="flipbook"><param name="align" value="middle"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never"></param><param name="quality" value="high"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param><param name="src" value="http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1qf1w/RealizezineIssue7/resources/flipbook.swf"></param><param name="name" value="flipbook"></param><embed wmode="opaque" height="237" width="360" name="flipbook" src="http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1qf1w/RealizezineIssue7/resources/flipbook.swf" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="never" align="middle" id="flipbook" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed> </object>Facebook infested with new worm - November 28, 2010tag:jensocial.com,2010-11-29:2154984:BlogPost:2902312010-11-29T23:00:00.000ZJenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/jmarco
<h1 class="h s-1">According to Zack Whittaker of zdnet.com, Facebook infested with new worm; More proof site is insecure?</h1>
<p class="meta s-10">Reported By Zack Whittaker | November 28, 2010, 8:27am PST</p>
<p class="meta s-10"><br></br></p>
<p class="meta s-10"><a href="http://www.zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/facebook-infested-with-new-worm-more-proof-site-is-insecure/6955" style="font-weight: bold;">Full article at ZDNET.com…</a></p>
<p class="meta s-10"><br></br></p>
<h1 class="h s-1">According to Zack Whittaker of zdnet.com, Facebook infested with new worm; More proof site is insecure?</h1>
<p class="meta s-10">Reported By Zack Whittaker | November 28, 2010, 8:27am PST</p>
<p class="meta s-10"><br/></p>
<p class="meta s-10"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/facebook-infested-with-new-worm-more-proof-site-is-insecure/6955">Full article at ZDNET.com</a></p>
<p class="meta s-10"><br/></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;">Summary of Zack's Article:</p>
<p>Facebook is littered with a worm, seemingly the same one under different names, created by randomly generated developers, which is spreading links all over the site.</p>
<p>Applications like <strong>S22BZ5</strong> created by randomly assigned pseudonym ‘Jackson Lasseter’ has nearly 300 people under the grips of the worm. Others, such as replicated application <strong>B5DA8G</strong>, <strong>9IHJ35</strong> and <strong>AU0ZVE</strong> have just under 1,000 people inadvertently spreading the worm.</p>
<p>Just in the last 24 hours, I have seen my own friends’ list infiltrated by these worm applications which set status messages via the application without the knowledge of the profile owner, through a<br/> shortened link service with an infected GIF file.</p>Facebook Messages: A Step Towards an Authentic Internettag:jensocial.com,2010-11-18:2154984:BlogPost:2861382010-11-18T03:05:44.000ZForbeshttp://jensocial.com/profile/Forbes
<img align="left" alt="" hspace="10" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401082051?profile=original" vspace="10"></img><br />
<p></p>
Nearly everybody has pored over the Facebook e-mail announcement and various conclusions have been reached, both positive and negative. Most people have been focusing on the utility it offers, or the privacy we might surrender when using it. <br></br> In my opinion, people have missed the most important point. Facebook Messages really does have the potential to revolutionize Internet communications, but not for any of the reasons already discussed. I think that Facebook's new…
<img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401082051?profile=original" hspace="10" vspace="10" alt="" align="left"><br />
<p></p> Nearly everybody has pored over the Facebook e-mail announcement and various conclusions have been reached, both positive and negative. Most people have been focusing on the utility it offers, or the privacy we might surrender when using it.
<br> In my opinion, people have missed the most important point. Facebook Messages really does have the potential to revolutionize Internet communications, but not for any of the reasons already discussed. I think that Facebook's new e-mail service is the first step towards authentic communication--something that's massively overdue online, and an evolutionary step for the Internet. However, to understand what this means, we need to look at how people communicate online right now.
<br> The Internet is an anonymous place where, essentially, people are identified by many different nicknames. This came about because of the archaic system of usernames, wherein a user is requested to uniquely identify themselves by--usually--12 or fewer characters. This is a relic of the way computers had to work back in the 1970s, but there's absolutely no technical requirement for it nowadays.
<br> It's always struck me as odd that, on sites such as eBay, people carry out business under a nickname. Have you ever thought it odd that you're handing over money to somebody who identifies him or herself as cooldude1972x, or kitten_bite60?
<br> Sure, once the auction has finished, name and address details are automatically shared between parties, but eBay is by no means unusual in allowing its users to hide under a veil. Very few people online identify themselves personally.
<br> I received some e-mail feedback about one of my recent blog postings from somebody who identified himself (herself?) as "Slinky". Have you ever tried having a reasonable conversation with somebody called Slinky? It's challenging. And I'm reasonably sure Slinky wouldn't have been as forthright in his views if I'd known his or her real name.
<br> However, on
<b><a href="http://gbooza.com/group/gadgets/forum/topics/facebook-messages-a-step">Facebook</a></b>, most of us do identify ourselves by our real names. We have to do so in order for others to find us, or know who we are. Additionally, other users vouch for our authenticity too. In other words, powerful user authenticity is built in to the system. To enforce this, Facebook has a strict policy when it comes to changing your name. Should you want to switch to a nickname at a future date, you'll find it's surprisingly difficult to do.<br />
<br> Facebook Messages' main distinguishing feature might be that it adds a layer of trust to Internet communication, built on the fact it knows who we really are. If you receive an e-mail via Facebook Messages from Keir Thomas, then you can be reasonably sure that's who I am and I haven't simply configured my e-mail client to make it seem so.
<br> As such, this could be the start of something important. For some time now I've been arguing that the next evolutionary step in the Internet will a non-anonymous layer.
<br> Why's is authenticating users necessary? Ask your bank, which loses millions of dollars in online fraud every day. As far as their computers are concerned, if a user taps in the correct series of passwords then that's 100 percent proof they're authentic. The banks know this is a ridiculous state of affairs but--outside of issuing each user with special hardware that authenticates them, an extraordinary and expensive arrangement--there's nothing to be done.
<br> As experience has proved, passwords are a pretty poor method of authentication. They can be stolen via various means - everything from keylogger software to an individual simply standing over your shoulder as you type.
<br> Using its privileged knowledge of who people genuinely are, Facebook could feasibly build its service into a fully-fledged user authentication system that other services could make use of. An e-mail from a Facebook Messages account can be trusted. Period.
<br> The knee-jerk reaction from users might be to shy-away from this. This is perhaps why such authentication systems aren't yet being discussed. Facebook want to get you addicted to its mail service before it begins to leverage its power.
<br> Whatever the case, the benefits for both businesses and individuals could easily outweigh any privacy concerns. The potential to drastically cut down on online fraud is a very powerful incentive.
<br> The finer details of such a system have yet to be worked out, of course. The biggest stumbling block will be the degree of trust we afford Facebook, and right now very few of us trust Facebook even one bit. But this was always going to be Facebook's biggest stumbling block when it comes to long-term growth and I'm sure that, right now, various highly intelligent minds at Facebook HQ are working on ways to deal with this.
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<i> Keir Thomas has been writing about computing since the last century, and more recently has written several best-selling books. You can learn more about him at <a href="http://keirthomas.com">http://keirthomas.com</a>.</i>Advantages and disadvantages of a public or private networktag:jensocial.com,2010-09-09:2154984:BlogPost:2675392010-09-09T17:30:00.000Zcelinahttp://jensocial.com/profile/celina
At one point you have decided to start your own network or review your existing network<br></br>Important
is ofcourse to think about what you do or don't want to make public in order to choose the right setting for your network. How do you decide this? To be quite honest there is not a single rule to make this decision easy. So let's take a look at what has to be considered:<br></br><ul>
<li><font size="2">What is the purpose of your network? Is it a commercial site, informative, social…</font></li>
</ul>
At one point you have decided to start your own network or review your existing network<br/>Important
is ofcourse to think about what you do or don't want to make public in order to choose the right setting for your network. How do you decide this? To be quite honest there is not a single rule to make this decision easy. So let's take a look at what has to be considered:<br/><ul>
<li><font size="2">What is the purpose of your network? Is it a commercial site, informative, social etc.</font></li>
<li><font size="2">What is your goal? Do you want to sell products or services? Do you offer information etc.<br/></font></li>
<li><font size="2">Are you aiming at as many members as possible?<br/></font></li>
<li><font size="2">If so does it matter to you whether they are active or is the membercount most important to you? I.e."high quality members" or not<br/></font></li>
<li><font size="2">Is it advisible to have your content and that of your members displayed all over the www?</font></li>
<li><font size="2">Do your members appreciate their content to be public?</font></li>
</ul>
There can be many reasons to why you make your choice. <br/>Here are the most important advantages or disadvantages of the different options<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold;">100% PUBLIC NETWORKS</span><br/><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Advantages:</span><br/><ul>
<li><font size="2">Anyone can see your content. information and products/services</font></li>
<li><font size="2">Your site will be noticed by search engines and you might achieve a high ranking</font></li>
<li><font size="2">Your site will have many hits and probably make you a lot of money (dependable of what you are offering) and reach more potential members and/or clients</font><br/></li>
</ul>
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Disadvantages:</span><br/><ul>
<li><font size="2">Only when potential members wish to purchase something or want to participate they will be triggered to become a member</font></li>
<li><font size="2">So if you are also aiming for a high membercount this might not be the best way. Afterall why become a member of something that is free accessable anyway?</font></li>
<li><font size="2">You are at high risk to be hit by spam and need to apply everthing you can to fight this (member approval, captcha, etc.)</font></li>
</ul>
<br/><span style="font-weight: bold;">ONLY FRONTPAGE PUBLIC</span><br/>In my opinion the best choice if your network doesn't have to be private<br/><br/><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Advantages:</span><br/><ul>
<li><font size="2">You are able to inform potential members about your network, products or services without giving away all content and raise their interest <br/></font></li>
<li><font size="2">If your visitors are interested in what you are offering they will have to become a member in order to read more.<br/></font></li>
<li><font size="2">You will achieve a higher membercount</font></li>
<li><font size="2">You can make your frontpage dynamic to attract more visitors and thus potential members/clients</font></li>
<li><font size="2">Search engines will notice your network and you might achieve a high ranking and thus reach more potential members</font><br/></li>
</ul>
<br/><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Disadvantages:</span><br/><ul>
<li><font size="2">If you want to trigger potential clients to buy your products/services they can't see them without becoming a member first</font></li>
<li><font size="2">Content of your members will end up on the www and might not want this</font></li>
<li><font size="2">Again you are at high risk to be hit by spam and need to apply everthing you can to fight this (member approval, captcha, etc.)</font></li>
</ul>
<br style="font-weight: bold;"/><span style="font-weight: bold;">PRIVATE NETWORKS</span><br/>You should always make your network private if the content of your network and/or members is not to be displayed anywhere on the www. However there might also be other reasons why you would want to do this ofcourse.<br/><br/><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Advantages:</span><br/><ul>
<li><font size="2">Members will feel safe and feel more free to add (personal) content and therefore become more active</font></li>
<li><font size="2">Members are assured that what they contribute won't be public anywhere. This can be an absolute trigger to get more members</font></li>
<li><font size="2">You are less likely to be subject to spam as none off your content can be picked up by malicious sites</font></li>
</ul>
<br/><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Disadvantages:</span><br/><ul>
<li><font size="2">Your network will not be noticed by search engines</font></li>
<li><font size="2">You'll have less hits and therefore less potential members*</font></li>
<li><font size="2">Your content and what you are offering remains hidden*</font></li>
</ul>
Ofcourse as said in the beginning of this article there are many other reasons to base your choice upon. These are merely the most important ones as a guide to help you make your choice. However you have to feel comfortable with your choice and know whether your members don't mind their content to be public as well (very important).<br/><br/>* In my next
article I will inform you of a way to maintain a private network with 100% private content and still get noticed by search engines and attract more potential members<br/><br/><br/><br/>Twitter Introduces a Tweet Button!tag:jensocial.com,2010-08-16:2154984:BlogPost:2593822010-08-16T17:30:00.000ZJenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/jmarco
<div style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Twitter introduces a Tweet Button</span>!
<br></br>In the past, Website Owners had to utilize a 3rd party button/script to add "Tweet This" functionality to their websites. This type of Social Media Button enables site Visitors to "Tweet" the page, video, photo, blog, etc... that the site Visitor wants to share on Twitter. Finally, Twitter comes out with a Tweet Button.
<br></br>
<br></br> Add this button to your website to let people easily…</div>
<div style="font-size: 18px;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Twitter introduces a Tweet Button</span>!<br />
<br>In the past, Website Owners had to utilize a 3rd party button/script to add "Tweet This" functionality to their websites. This type of Social Media Button enables site Visitors to "Tweet" the page, video, photo, blog, etc... that the site Visitor wants to share on Twitter. Finally, Twitter comes out with a Tweet Button.
<br>
<br> Add this button to your website to let people easily share your content on Twitter and follow relevant accounts.
<br>
<br>Below is the script for the largest button (55px by 62px):
<br>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401067484?profile=original" alt=""></p>
<br><a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<a style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 18px;" href="http://twitter.com/goodies/tweetbutton">Go To Twitter.com for more - - New Twitter Button Script</a><br />
<br>
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<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/401068387?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" alt="" width="721"></p>
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</div>Hackers and Scams / Stop Hacker Commerce Video Seriestag:jensocial.com,2010-08-10:2154984:BlogPost:2573822010-08-10T18:30:00.000ZJenSocialhttp://jensocial.com/profile/jmarco
How much do you really know about Online Hackers and Scams? This is an amazing phenomenon and open door of opportunities for Criminals. Educate yourself. Educate your family, friends, and members of your Social Community.<br></br><br></br>As part of a series of educational videos about Hackers and Scams, JenSocial will be adding a new Video Episode each week, for the next month+. You will find the new episodes on the home page (upper left). The videos will also be added to this Blog.<br></br><br></br>Episode…
How much do you really know about Online Hackers and Scams? This is an amazing phenomenon and open door of opportunities for Criminals. Educate yourself. Educate your family, friends, and members of your Social Community.<br/><br/>As part of a series of educational videos about Hackers and Scams, JenSocial will be adding a new Video Episode each week, for the next month+. You will find the new episodes on the home page (upper left). The videos will also be added to this Blog.<br/><br/>Episode #1 - Stop Hacker Commerce:<br/><center><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" id="eplayer" align="middle" height="309" width="498"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="movie" value="http://stophcommerce.com/eplayer.swf?code=01"></param><param name="quality" value="high"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><embed src="http://stophcommerce.com/eplayer.swf?code=01" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" name="eplayer" allowscriptaccess="never" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" height="309" width="498"></embed></object>
</center>
<br/><br/>Episode #2 - The Trap Is Set:<br/><center><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" id="eplayer" align="middle" height="309" width="498"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="movie" value="http://stophcommerce.com/eplayer.swf?code=02"></param><param name="quality" value="high"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><embed src="http://stophcommerce.com/eplayer.swf?code=02" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" name="eplayer" allowscriptaccess="never" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" height="309" width="498"></embed></object>
<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold;">Episode #3 - Caught In The Web:</span><br/><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" id="eplayer" align="middle" height="309" width="498"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="movie" value="http://stophcommerce.com/eplayer.swf?code=03"></param><param name="quality" value="high"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><embed src="http://stophcommerce.com/eplayer.swf?code=03" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" name="eplayer" allowscriptaccess="never" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" height="309" width="498"></embed></object>
</center>
<br/>Find out more about the report of all Scams - - <span style="font-weight: bold;">Offline</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Online</span>. Find out if they are myth or fact.<br/><br/><a target="_blank" href="http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/scams/daily/daily.asp">snopes.com: Scam Report</a><br/><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx">The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)</a><br/><br/>How I created an Event Maptag:jensocial.com,2010-07-29:2154984:BlogPost:2540952010-07-29T12:00:00.000ZGirlRidershttp://jensocial.com/profile/KatieMcKay
<p>Like many of us, I am a learn-as-I-go "Webmaster" and Social Network Creator. Well I am quite pleased with a page I just created with my Network because I used several techniques that I had not attempted up to this point. I pulled tips from here and there and the ingredients came together nicely.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>My network is centered around female motorcycle riders, it started locally, but is growing and I would like to make it more attractive to members around the country. So I…</p>
<p>Like many of us, I am a learn-as-I-go "Webmaster" and Social Network Creator. Well I am quite pleased with a page I just created with my Network because I used several techniques that I had not attempted up to this point. I pulled tips from here and there and the ingredients came together nicely.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>My network is centered around female motorcycle riders, it started locally, but is growing and I would like to make it more attractive to members around the country. So I wanted to add "Search by State" for Events (inspired by Bikerspost.com).</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Here's how the project progressed:</p>
<p></p>
<p>1. In the Language Editor I searched for "Event Type" the words used on the Create New Event page. I changed this to "State". So that the members will place state abbreviations in that info box, I also change the "Filmore" text to explain what was required. <a href="http://girlriders.ning.com/events/event/new">http://girlriders.ning.com/events/event/new</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>2. I used a tip from a Creators to then setup links that would be able to located and isolate according to the "type" or "state" <a href="http://creators.ning.com/video/how-to-you-use-event-types-for">http://creators.ning.com/video/how-to-you-use-event-types-for</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>3. I found an open lisence map on Wikipedia, pre-set with links for each of the states. In my HTML editor I replaced all the links with the ones I created for each state with step #2.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>4. I then tried to paste this directly onto a page, but the links no longer lined up properly with the image. So, for the first time I tried iframe! I uploaded my map to my server site, then found instructions for the iframe code. <a href="http://www.w3schools.com/TAGS/tag_iframe.asp">http://www.w3schools.com/TAGS/tag_iframe.asp</a>. I added some code to remove the frame and it all worked almost perfectly.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>5. The iframe was too large for the center Ning column and created a scroll bar. Not ideal. So I remembered Jen's Social post on removing the right column <a href="http://jensocial.com/group/ningnetworktips/forum/topics/how-to-remove-right-column-for-1">http://jensocial.com/group/ningnetworktips/forum/topics/how-to-remove-right-column-for-1</a>. Worked like a charm!</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>I <3 my new Event Map page :) <a href="http://girlriders.ning.com/page/search-by-state">http://girlriders.ning.com/page/search-by-state</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>