My Life Is Content

November 24, 2009 at 10:17am by Kevin Lenard

What needs to be recognized here is the pragmatism that some, very few, actually, of the members of Kutcher’s generation possess. What we’re seeing ad infinitum is not just what he speaks to in saying “…and they say, ‘I’m not worried about monetization yet,’ that scares the shit out of me,” but that this particular guy has always been about the monetization (via fame/personal brand-building). He’s like a Madonna, always chasing the next thing that people are going to pay money for.

That stands in direct contrast to the tail-end “Gen X’ers” and fledgling “Millennials” entering the workforce or just now beginning to enter middle-management. Due to the human failings we’re all prey to, they were brought up being ‘special’ to the point where making money isn’t anywhere near as important as self-fulfillment, or self-aggrandizement (their tendency to believe everyone, including the C-Suite, are entitled to their worldly opinions).

This is a group who is currently touring the world, writing books and speaking to each other at literally THOUSANDS of ‘conferences’ touting “SOCIAL MARKETING,” a discipline that, by its own definition, being ‘social,’ is not a marketing-appropriate medium any more than telemarketing’s intrusion on our personal space via a social medium is. This vast posse of self-back-patting “social media as the second coming” enthusiasts, evangelists and advocates are touting the shift of a VERY significant slice of media mix dollars to a realm that has ZERO demonstrable ROI (not that I’m against experimentation or investing in media that can’t prove ROI — TV never would have survived had demonstrable ROI been demanded of it).

The point is that, by experimenting himself and carefully researching and innovating within not just one tactic, but looking for viable ways to provide advertisers like Nestle, Pepsi and Kellogg with real value (not just impressions, but strategically on-brand-message entertaining content). Katalyst is doing what NO ONE, especially not HULU, has done, create a cross-platform mash-up that is actually working to create “Marketing 3.0,” much more than the mere evolutionary step that was “Marketing 2.0”: the shift from push to pull, from telling to listening and engaging.

This is a very big deal. Kudos to a guy who is visionary enough to keep thinking, working and experimenting until he can make everyone money in the process.

Banging the Drum on a Single Media Tactic Won’t Work post: http://tinyurl.com/yhlllte

Report Content

By Michael Gray on November 24th, 2009
In Featured, SEO  

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 Email Post    ShareThis Stumble Stumble Sphinn It  DeliciousDelicious http://www.wolf-howl.com/seo/twitter-lists-orm/” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>Tweet This

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When twitter lists first came out and I commented about how awesome they are, I also warned they had the potential to become a tool for evil and create reputation management problems. Since no one paid attention, I figured what better way to illustrate the problem than to see it in action?

I wanted show how it could be used but didn’t really want to damage someone’s reputation (no one’s high enough up on my hit list for that), so I created a dummy list with only one person who didn’t actually do what the list says he did. Go ahead and check out my list on people who bought links and its ranking in Google [people who bought links]. To be clear: Matt Cutts never bought links and, according to Google, buying links is against Google guidelines. This list is fictitious and used as an example. It should be used for entertainment and educational purposes only.

So why did I do it? To show you, twitter, and Google how allowing user-generated pages on authority sites that are page rank black holes is an incredibly bad idea. My page was able to rank in less than 2 days with only 2 internal links/followers. A more competitive phrase will take more followers (aka internal links) and some external links, but by practicing parasite SEO you could rank for a lot of mid level terms.

Google wants you to believe they’ve defused “miserable failure” types of google bombs like this. If you are careful about how you construct them–in other words, avoiding negative words while still giving a negative halo–the only out will be a counter campaign or a hand edit.

So what are some takeaways:

• Monitor what lists you are on regularly. If something bad pops up, take steps to correct it before it’s too late.
• If you see this being abused, let a search engine representative know. Don’t expect them to take it down, but the sooner they see it being abused the sooner they will work to combat it.
• If you run a UGC site, be on the lookout for how people can abuse your system. The last thing you want is to end up with a  squidoo spam problem and have the search engines take action against you.

Related posts:

1. Twitter Lists are Teh Awesome Now that twitter lists have been rolled out just about…
2. Using Sponsored Blog Themes For Reputation Management This is the second time I’ve encountered this technique in…
3. Twitter Contests and Incentives – Do they Work A few weeks ago I made the mistake of wondering…

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*I don’t get paid for my opinions in any way; this is just me sharing stuff that I like and I think you will too.

Shopping at Whole Foods this week I was attracted to this stand-alone cooler in the frozen food section.  It could have been that I was hungry for cookies or the big yellow sale sign got my attention, but I was intrigued enough to stop and read some more.

What I learned is that Immaculate Baking uses no trans fat, no high fructose corn syrup and only all natural ingredients in their cookie dough.   Now, although I am not a big fan of pre-made cookie dough as they all have an “fake” taste to me, and I have yet to find a tasty healthy cookie, I decided to try these cookies at home with my own cookie monsters.  I bought 2 packages for $8: Cranberry Oatmeal White Chocolate and Triple Chocolate.  Each package makes 24 cookies.    The dough is already scored for each individual cookie and therefore easy to bake as many or little as you want at one time.   My family wanted to taste the cookies right away (naturally), so after dinner I made 8 of the Cranberry Oatmeal White Chocolate according to the directions on the package.

14 minutes later (plus cooling time) we were enjoying some really delicious cookies!  No, FOR REALS!   They were fresh and clean-tasting (no nasty “fake” taste), the perfect consistency, and very flavorful; they were as good as (if not better than) freshly made bakery cookies.   Everyone in my family gave the cookies an enthusiastic 2 thumbs up!  I normally do not like oatmeal in my cookies, but I love these; oatmeal, cranberries and white chocolate turned out to be a winning combination.  With the holidays upon us, it is always good to have a quick snack in the freezer like this cookie dough for unexpected guests.  A fresh warm plate of cookies and some hot apple cider (also easy to keep on-hand) makes for a very welcoming house.   We can’t wait to try the Triple Chocolate cookies!

*Update: We tried the Triple Chocolate and they were just as good as the Cranberry White Chocolate–delicious!  I have also found that my oven bakes them best for 13 minutes.  They will look puffy and not all the way done when you take them out, but then they will harden upon cooling.  I transferred mine to a wire rack to cool for 3-5 minutes before eating.

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I’m not a technology expert, but I am a tech lover and a fan of all things geeky. I constantly look for ways to use technology to streamline activities, improve communication and make my work (and life) a bit more fun. I hope you’ll find an idea or two for yourself and/or a loved one this holiday season. This is my tried and true list of the top tech (or tech-related) products for the 2009 holidays. If I didn’t own an item on the list I requested a sample, purchased the item and/or went to test items in stores like Best Buy, Target, Brookstone and Apple. After months of research, I’m excited to share these recommendations with you.

PLEASE share your product recommendations and/or reviews in the comments below.

I’ve ranked all items using a four-star system (four being the best) by:

• Productivity – The item makes my life easier in some way
• Aesthetically pleasing – The item looks good
• Ease of use – “So easy my grandma could use this.”
• Cost – The cost of the item accurately reflects the perceived worth

**There were no paid or otherwise funded endorsements for my review of these products.
The majority of products I received as a sample I was not required to return.**

ScotteVest (4 stars in all categories)
Retails for $100
This is one of my “top finds” for this post. The ScotteVest is going to be my new traveling companion. The women’s vest (there’s a men’s version too) fits all of my favorite tech products and has a whopping 22 pockets. I doubted that so many pockets would work, but it did. From my iPhone to iPod and Flip to Bluetooth devices, there’s a pocket for everything. I also appreciate the “non-bulky” factor. You’d think that so many pockets would look extremely bulky, but it’s not so. Whatever the pocket magic is in the ScotteVest I don’t need to know, just that it works.  (There is an entire line of products in addition to the vests.) On a side note, the ScotteVest catalog comes complete with photos from real customers and the owner interacts with customers via social networks like Twitter and Facebook.

COOL ALERT! Use coupon code “sarah” to save 15% off anything on the site through 12/31.

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Power Mat
Retails for around $100 (depending on which version you purchase)
I’ve tested a few other “power pads” and wasn’t impressed. The Power Mat is great for charging up to three devices at one time (and looks nice, too). The only downside is that may isn’t as easy as drop and charge. You do need to purchase additional accessories. However, once you’re set up, it’s extremely easy to use. You can bet I’ll bring this to conferences with me as a conversation starter and, of course, to convince people to sit next to me and charge their devices. NOTE: Before purchasing make sure the mat accommodates your device(s).

I’m giving away one Power Mat to the first person who tweets “I want a Power Mat” to @PRsarahevans with a link to this post.
UPDATE: Congratulations to @mel_culbertson who won the Power Mat!

Productivity ***
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ***
Cost ****

Chill Pill Mobile Speakers (4 stars in all categories)
Retails for: $ 49.99
I go EVERYWHERE with these speakers (even the pool). I originally thought I’d use these during presentations when I needed sound. However, these little (but mighty) speakers have been used at all kinds of events as an extension of my iPod and iPhone—including a recent photo shoot to get the models pumped up. They get up to six hours of playing time and can be charged from a computer’s USB port. When you’re done listening, the speakers magnetically click together to reduce space. These come with my full recommendation. Now to get them to make a pair in hot pink…

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Plantronics Discovery 975 (4 stars in all categories)
Retails for $129
I have small ears and have spent countless hours trying to find a comfortable Bluetooth device. I found it! I love the sleek design (minimalist works for me) and it charges easily in its carrying case. Not to mention it has great sound. The Discovery was also selected as CNET’s Editor’s Choice for August 2009. (I’ve added this to my holiday wish list.) NOTE: The pairing set up may differ according to the mobile phone you use. The set up was extremely easy with the iPhone.

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Incipio iPhone Feather Case
Retails for around $19.99
I’m an iPhone user and purchased this case several months ago. It comes in hot pink (a big selling point for me), is lightweight (1mm thin) and protects your phone from the occasional accident(s). It is the thinnest and most durable case I’ve come across. You do have to be careful to not remove the case too often or it can tear (mine did). If I wasn’t as clumsy as I am, this would be the only case I need.

Productivity **
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Otterbox Defender Series for iPhone
Retails for $49.95
I feel like I’m using the Rambo of iPhone cases right now. This sucker is made for people like me (i.e. drop their phones, put them in their purse or pocket, etc). There are three levels of protection, screen cover, Polycarbonate skeleton and a Silicone skin that absorbs bump and shock. While it’s not the prettiest case (I’m rocking the yellow and black), my iPhone is safe.

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing **
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Poken Pulse (4 stars in all categories)
Retails for around $34.95
After trying out the Poken Pulse, I’m a fan of the new and improved version (versus the earlier model). In addition to making networking easier I can upload documents and presentations with the 2GB of memory. I attach my Poken to a key chain or conference badge to easily exchange contact information with other Poken users. Until all mobile phones are able to wirelessly share contact information, this is my favorite way to share information.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR READERS: Go to http://startpoken.com and enter promo code “GiftPoken” and get a Poken Pulse for half off when you purchase one at regular price.

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noice Cancelling Headphones
Retails for: $299.95
On the pricey side, they are worth every penny. If you’re a frequent flier and/or traveler or in noisy situations, these babies will give you the quiet you’re looking for. The Bose QC allow you to enjoy music, movies (and more) comfortably while blocking the outside world. They use AAA batteries and get up to 35-hours of use.

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing ***
Ease of use ****
Cost ***

Jabra SP700 Bluetooth Speakerphone (4 stars in all categories)
Retails for: $99.99
If you’re like me and don’t own a car older than 2002, you probably don’t have the luxury of built-in smartphone accessories (among other depressingly cool features). Enter Jabra and their smartphone, speakerphone, hands-free, music integration in one little device. The speakerphone can be used on its own or to transmit the calls to your car’s audio system with no installation necessary (and it streams music from your phone). Pair it with your phone and attach it to your visor. That’s it.

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Zapi Toothbrush Sanitizer
Retails for $29.95
This gives me peace of mind. The Zapi kills up to 99.9% of germs like E. coli and staphylococcus with UV technology in seven minutes. I learned all about the gross things that grow on a toothbrush from researching this product. It was also selected as O Magazine’s “Best Pick for the Holidays.” There’s a travel version that is great for frequent travelers who want to stay healthy while on the road (like myself).

COOL ALERT! Violight is giving customers a Travel Toothbrush Sanitizer with EVERY order at this Web site: http://free.violight.com.

Productivity **
Aesthetically pleasing ***
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Xentris Universal Windshield Mount
Retails for $24.99
A simple accessory that makes a big difference. The windshield mount fits most wireless, smartphone and GPS devices. Score! I tested this with my iPhone in the Defender case, no case, and several mobile phones. It held them all securely in place. While driving it made accessing my phone easier when paired with my Bluetooth and accessing driving directions. A definite must-have.

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing ***
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Cinemin Swivel Projector for iPod® and iPhone
Retails for: $299.95
I tested this out in a Brookstone store and it was pretty awesome. You literally plug this pocketsize device into your iPhone (or iPod) and get up to 60” of a diagonal screen. It plays movies, slide shows and presentations. (It will also connect to your DVD and gaming stations.) The picture at the store was pretty crisp, but remember that I didn’t test this one at home.

Productivity ***
Aesthetically pleasing ***
Ease of use ****
Cost ***

Xshot Camera Extender
Retails for $29.95
The owner of Xshot gave one to all presenters at Izeafest this past summer and it was my favorite “freebie.” While it’s designed to fit with your digital camera to let YOU get in your photos, I’ve used it a lot with my video camera to get better views. It’s a simple, ingenious idea that has a lot of potential. They even came out with a cover for the iPhone so you can attach the xshot. (Now to figure out how to work the phone from way up there!)

Productivity ***
Aesthetically pleasing ***
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Skinit
Retails for: Varies

While I did not personally create a Skinit I tested out a friend’s and was impressed. She has two young children who constantly touch her electronic equipment and the skins have held up well. This is a fun way to personalize your tech equipment like smart phones, MP3 players, Bluetooth headsets and more. Simply find your product, upload an image (or use a Skinit design) and finalize your order. Create one with your kids, pets or business logo. Right now there’s free shipping on orders $40 or more and you can purchase email gift cards (hint, hint).

I’m giving away one $20 gift certificate to Skinit to the first person who tweets a link to this post and something they’re thankful for to @PRsarahevans.

UPDATE: Congratulations to @JessicaGottlieb who won the gift certificate!

Productivity *
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ***

Apricorn Aegis Padlock
Starts at: $99
When you want to make sure that your information is backed up and secure, this is your go to. I just purchased a new iMac and used the Padlock to transfer a large amount of files. Although I didn’t need the additional password protection, it allowed me to quickly transfer files. However, this is great when I have information I need to bring with me that is sensitive or confidential. There is no software to install  and protects your data, simply.

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing **
Ease of use ***
Cost ****

The Grid-it CPS400 Laptop Case
Retails for: $69.99
The only product I didn’t get a chance to review in person but purchased. I have at least five laptop cases, sleeves and other housing devices lying around. None of them completely met my needs. The main rant I have with cases is that my cords never have a good place and always get tangled. This bag offers housing for my laptop and a Grid-it organization system for my smaller gadgets and cords. Love it!

Productivity <unknown>
Aesthetically pleasing ***
Ease of use <unknown>
Cost ****

Kensington Wireless Presentation Remote (4 stars in all categories)
Retails for $49.99
A gift from my father-in-law when I started Sevans Strategy, this is an accessory I’ll never be without again. If you ever use Power Point presentations, a presentation remote makes moving the slides during your speech a cinch. This simple device allows you to blackout the screen and has a red laser pointer to highlight important parts of slides. It’s literally plug and play.

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Mophie Juice Pack and Mophie Juice Pack Air
Retails for $79.95 and $99.95 respectively
Obviously the mobile phone recommendations are skewed towards iPhone users, since that is what I use. I’m ALWAYS running out of battery life for my iPhone (and the majority of my tech gadgets.) It’s like the battery gods are out to get me. NOT ANYMORE! I consider myself a “super user” so the Air is more my speed. It doubles the battery life of my phone. The downside, I can’t use it with Defender (see Ottberbox review). Oh well, the sacrifices we make.

I’m giving away my Mophie Juice Pack to the first person who tweets a link to this post and “I want a Mophie Juice Pack!” to @PRsarahevans.
UPDATE: Congratulations to @ChrisNalty who won the Juice Pack!

Productivity ***
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Flip Mino HD (60 minutes)
Retails for: $199.99
I’ve been using my Flip for about a year and love it as a quick go to for video needs. No tapes or memory cards, this is the simplest camera I have ever used. A video camera that fits in your pocket. When you’re done filming simply push a button on the side and the USB drive pops out ready to go in your computer. A great investment!

Productivity ***
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ***

Panasonic Digital Camcorder (4 stars in all categories)
Retails for: $399.99
If you’re looking for a bit more out of a video camera, check out this little guy from Panasonic. Another small, but mighty addition to your technology artillery. Love the “non-shaky-hands” feature it offers, along with major zoom and it uploads direct to YouTube. I found this camera via a combination of online reviews, recommendations from knowledgeable sales associates and simply from trying a bunch of cameras. I bought this camera while on the hunt for this post. Don’t say I never did anything for you. During a trip to Best Buy today, I saw the camera on sale for $279.99 (in-store).

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

Survival of the Hippest – Custom Twitter ID Accessories
Retails for: VARIES
Want to really pimp out your Twitter ID? Here’s the place to do it. The team sent me a #beatcancer (yes you can order IDs for hashtags) necklace which I’ll be wearing. All accessories are handcrafted from 925 Sterling Silver, 10k or 14k Gold (there are diamond options, too!). Think of creative ways to give this as a gift this holiday season. If you purchase a product make sure to send a picture of you wearing the accessory to the SOTH peeps.

If you order a #beatcancer necklace, the SOTH team will donate $10 of every necklace towards a #beatcancer charity (TBD).

Productivity *
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ***

Apple iMac (4 stars in all categories)
Retails for: Begins at $1,199
While it’s darn good timing, I didn’t purchase the new iMac just for this post, however I did purchase the 21″. The 27″ monitor is the cream of the crop, but wasn’t necessary for me. This is the best desktop system I’ve ever used. It was essentially plug and play. Simple design, powerful machine, lots of storage with a beautiful monitor and the new Magic Mouse (which comes standard). Not only is the equipment great, the in-person purchasing experience was enjoyable. Did you know if you buy a Mac in store you get $30 off your Mobile Me subscription (or for next year’s in my case)?  The iMac also meets the low power requirements set by the EPA giving it ENERGY STAR 5.0. For the peace of mind and quality of the product, the price was good for me.

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

The Hipstery! Mystery T-Shirts
Retails for: Approximately $34
A unique way to give a gift to yourself, or someone else. CAUTION: You won’t know what you’re getting until it arrives. There’s a hilarious online survey to take before placing your order among other quirky details that had me hooked. That’s all I can tell you because I that’s all I know. Besides selecting your shirt size and shipping location the fate of your shirt is left to The Hipstery.

Productivity *
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ***

Sleephones
Retails for $54.95
I live in the Midwest where it’s already getting cold. While this headband is marketed for sleeping, I tested it a few other ways. I made my husband take it on a three-mile run in 50-degree weather. He said that it kept his ears warm and provided great sound (he hooked it up to my iPhone 3G). I tested it while lying down and as a passenger in the car and it was not uncomfortable. I did dock them a few points for the cost of the Sleep Phones System. However, the team has been doing Twitter giveaways.

Productivity ***
Aesthetically pleasing ***
Ease of use ****
Cost **

Foursquare
Retails for: FREE
I had to include a freebie on this list. A new(er) social network I’m a fan of. I’ll count this as a tech accessory since you can use it on your mobile smartphone. A location-based, competitive network where you can share your favorite local spots. In addition to a weekly revolving leader board (based on points) you can unlock badges to show off. Many towns are now offering Four Square coupons and discounts to patrons, some even have competitions and rewards for the “mayor” (the top attendee). How is this a gift? Register your favorite locations to give them promotion on the network.

Productivity **
Aesthetically pleasing ***
Ease of use ***
Cost ****

BONUS REVIEW FROM KATHY PARKER (@marianslibrary):

Amazon Kindle Wireless Reading Device (4 stars in all categories)
Retails for: $259.00
Get books delivered wirelessly in less than 60 seconds, the Kindle holds more books than any e-reader on the market. You can read, be read too (text to speech option), highlight text and email right from the device.  If you purchase a Kindle I highly recommend you also get a leather reading case or something close to the feel of a book. Accessibility and the price for books are less expensive than their paperback counterpart. NOTE 1: If a book you would like to read is not in a Kindle edition you may use a contact form through Amazon to make the request to the publisher. NOTE 2: If you are looking to purchase a Kindle for a college student (i.e. download textbooks), the Kindle DX is the recommended choice.

Productivity ****
Aesthetically pleasing ****
Ease of use ****
Cost ****

BONUS! “Favorite iPhone apps and how they use them”
-From journalists and public relations professionals on the go

From Mike Ettlemyer (@MikeEttlemeyer):
(Apps: Things, Google, Jobs, Tweetie, Tweetdeck, reQuall, Simple Soiree)

“Things – an awesome to-do app (paid) that enables the user to group items under different projects. I do this for each of my clients. It’s a huge time saver (even has a Mac desktop sync option). However, it’s a fantastic stand-alone iPhone app that makes me more productive every day. Jobs — a free app that enables time tracking on client projects. Users can assign a budget, it has a timer for your projects, etc. It’s great. I can even export my client projects to a spreadsheet for invoicing purposes. Google App — This is a must for me. I can look up directions, addresses, anything via Google’s search engine (by voice if I choose!) on the run between client appointments. I can also access my Google Docs where I collaborate with client colleagues on important PR docs. Tweetie and TweetDeck — Essential for the PR pro who has an active Twitter stream (you know this!). Tweetie is better for me because it has a simpler interface. I use it to save favorite Tweets that I can look at anywhere (at a Starbucks, waiting for the train, etc.) to keep up on the latest news and trends. reQuall – a great app that enables me to voice record reminders and to-dos that are then emailed to me for filing/action later. I use this in conjunction with Things. Simple Soirée – a party/event planning app that is incredibly useful for me and for would be for other PR pros that need to host panel discussions on a client’s behalf, business roundtables for clients where media are invited…anything that involves menu planning, shopping lists, guest lists and RSVP tracking, etc. A coming update to the app will enable invitations to guests directly from the app. It’s like eVite in your pocket! It works great for me and there isn’t anything else like it available. Once more PR pros find out about it, they’ll be hooked.”

From Lauren Perkins (@laurenperkins):
(Apps: To do, Evernote, Yelp, Urban Spoon, Twitter, Highrise HQ)

“The “to do” app syncs my daily business and personal errands to my computer so I can always be aware of my tasks and stay on top of my game. The Evernote app is an electronic sticky note which shows up directly on my desktop. This ingenious technological tool not only saves paper, but it organizes my workload and enables me to have constant visual reminders of my most important information. Once the meeting is underway, I use my iPhone throughout to take notes in the Evernote application. During a productive brainstorm, I’ll snap a quickphoto of the whiteboard and email it to meeting attendees right from my phone. Yelp and Urban Spoon help me when I am on the road to find restaurants and drink spots to take clients. I can choose a five star restaurant at the touch of a button (on a screen) and confidently go into a meeting knowing my choice is reliable. The Twitter app allows me to stay up to speed and linked in with my personal and client networks. And at networking events, the Highrise HQ app allows me to enter and look up basic contact information which syncs to my computer. The iPhone is my Superman, it saves the day, saves me time in a day that never seems to have enough of it, and mostly it acts as my second hand, my dependable confidant as I run my company in the most efficient, successful way possible.”

From Kady Widrick (@kwidrick):
(Apps: Mashable, Huffington Post, Reuters, Summizer, Tweetdeck, NPR News)

“As a journalist, I rely heavily on my iPhone to stay up to date on projects, deadlines, etc. One of the biggest parts of my job is staying up to the minute on breaking news, trending topics, etc., so we can provide our members and viewers with stories we’ve done that’s timely and relevant. For example, when Michael Jackson died, I first saw the news on my iPhone, through the Tweetdeck app. I confirmed the news with both Reuters and Huffington Post, and was able to very quickly get a related story on the homepage of GrowingBolder.com. It also allowed us to be the first to reach our contacts that knew Jackson personally, allowing us to set up, produce and publish our story not only before the competition, but much more thoroughly. We also host a weekly Twitter chat, and I rely on those apps to determine what stories people are talking about — and bring them into our weekly discussion. I also recruit new members to the chat, and I often find them through Tweetdeck. Summizer also allows me to track our brand across Twitter (and other online portals) so if someone has a question, comment or other feedback, I can respond immediately — whether I’m at a computer or not. But, to be honest…it’s not an app that makes my job easiest. It’s being able to check my mail on the road, at any hour, at the touch of a button. I have done some of my best work on the iPhone, in an airport, riding in a car or after excusing myself from a meeting — all of which have certainly made a difference in my ability to do my job. I also use the Notes app to jot down story ideas, quotes or even start writing articles/stories if I can’t get to my laptop!”

From Julia Roy (@juliaroy):
(App: Evernote)

“This “Remember Everything” application for your desktop and iPhone is an incredible research tool. But what I think is really cool about the iPhone app is that it allows you to record a voice message up to 5 minutes and it creates an mp3 file that you can email or download to your computer using the sync feature with the desktop app.”

About Evernote: http://www.evernote.com/about/learn_more/

About iPhone App: http://www.evernote.com/about/download/iphone/

From Steven Frischling:
(Apps: AP StyleBook, AllCountries, Constitution, Your Rights)

“The new iPhone App ‘AP StyleBook‘ has become as essential as my old collection of tattered print editions of the AP StyleBook.  As I am sure you know the AP StyleBook ois essential for all journalists, as well as PR professionals. While the AP StyleBook App is US$28 it is well worth every penny for the journalism and PR professional on the go. The AllCountries App by Evolens is fantastic for quickly accessing vital information regarding nations around the world. Immediate access to Government, Geographic, Economic and Political data allows a journalist or PR pro to quickly assess information, ask questions or make statements while in remote locations when time is a major factor. The “Constitution” and “Your Rights” Apps are also essential for a variety of reasons for any journalist working in the United States.”

From Jeff Rutherford (@jeffrutherford):
(Apps: Gmail, Birdfeed, Tweetdeck, and Twitterific, Instapaper, DirecTV)

From Anne Carr (@boltbuzz108):
(Apps: Tweetie,  Facebook, Mashable, AP Mobile, USA Today, WSJ, BusinessWeek, Time Mobile,  TMZ, Free Wi-Fi, UrbanSpoon, YPMobile

From Mary Deming Barber:
(Apps: Tweetie, Twitpic, Maps, Google, Dictionary, Things, Public Radio, Feeds)

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TAGS: 2009, 25, gifts, holiday, technology

When I first learned about GoodGuide last March, I was excited at the prospect of a Web site that lets consumers get detailed environmental, health, and social info on more than 50,000 products and companies. Then came the obligatory iPhone app to let people quickly get the scoop on orange juice brands and cleaning supplies while standing in the supermarket. And now GoodGuide has announced its most exciting innovation yet: an updated iPhone app that scans barcodes for health and environmental ratings.

The process is simple. You just hit the scan tab on the app, point the phone at a product’s barcode, and voila, instant product ratings on baby shampoo, yogurt, and everything in between. So even the laziest among us have no excuse to slack on social responsibility. And did I mention that the app is free?

If you don’t have an iPhone, GoodGuide offers a text messaging system. A text to “41411” saying “gguide shampoo,” for example, will tell you that Tom’s of Maine, Burt’s Bees, and Nurture My Body are the top scorers in the category.

GoodGuide’s product rating algorithm may not be foolproof, but it’s pretty reliable—the company takes into account health performance (cancer risks, reproductive hazards, skin and eye irritation), environmental performance (emissions, natural resource impacts), and social performance (diversity, compensation, working conditions). Such ratings are difficult to assess for companies that remain mum on internal practices, but a lack of transparency is usually a bad sign anyway. And until another organization comes along to challenge GoodGuide’s work, the barcode scanning iPhone app might be worth a download.

[GoodGuide]

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Topics: Ethonomics, goodguide, iphone, iphone app, CSR, Apple iPhone, Computer Technology, Science and Technology, Technology, Software

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The Pew Internet & American Life Project has just published the results of a study on distracted driving behavior amongst teenagers which shows that teens are aware of the dangers of texting while driving, but they choose to do it anyway.

After surveying 800 teens in 4 US cities over the summer of 2009, Pew estimates that 26% of all American teens 16-17 have texted while driving, and 43% have talked on a cell phone while driving.

Even more alarming is that 48% of teens 12-17 have witnessed someone else texting while driving, which points to an ambivalence and acceptance of the practice. The findings also indicate that even state laws prohibiting these activities may not be discouraging newly licensed drivers from using their mobile devices while behind the wheel.

Amanda Lenhart, co-author of the report, claims that teens are well aware of the risks associated with texting while driving, “but the desire to stay connected is so strong for teens and their parents that safety sometimes takes a backseat to staying in touch with friends and family.”

The research is also indicative of the fact that children might be picking up the dangerous behaviors from their parents. The report states that, “the frequency of teens reporting parent cell phone use behind the wheel in our focus groups was striking, and suggested that, in many cases, texting while driving is a family affair.”

In a qualitative interview one teen boy even said, “Yeah [my dad] drives like he’s drunk. His phone is just like sitting in front of his face, and he puts his knees on the bottom of the steering wheel and tries to text.”

We’ve included the full research report below, but here are a few additional findings that stand out:

- 75% of all American teens 12-17 own a cell phone

- 82% of teens 16-17 have a cell phone & 76% text.

- Overall, 34% of teens 16-17 say they have texted while driving, which translates to 26% of all American teens 16-17.

- Boys and girls are equally likely to report texting behind the wheel.

- 55% of teens 14-17 report that they have witnessed a driver texting as a passenger (48% for 12-17, and 32% for 12-13).

If this research highlights anything it’s that teens are uber-connected, picking up bad behaviors from their parents, and unabashedly driving dangerously in order to stay connected.

Image from lierne on Flickr (

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Yikes. And to think I have a driver in my house in two years! I must set a better example

Feeling under the weather? Thinking—as you look around your office—that you might be soon? Hone your home remedy skill set with a look at 10 of our favorite DIY cures for illnesses and your body’s annoyances.

Photo by Robert Couse-Baker.

10. Honey for rough coughs

When you’ve got a bad cough, it feels like your own body is fighting against you—your throat dries out, your lungs spasm beyond your control, and it all makes a bad illness experience feel even worse. Before reaching for the over-the-counter stuff, consider a spoonful of honey. It did better in studies of children’s coughs than any of the expensive elixers, and it very likely elicits fewer taste complaints. Even better? An Ayurvedic-style honey-lemon-ginger infusion drink, or our readers’ cold and cough remedies from their grandparents. (Original posts: honey, infusion)

9. Toothpaste for bee stings

Slate’s William Brantley tried out all the pharmaceutical and home remedies he could find for bee stings, including the well-regarded sliced onion. Brantley said the onion made his sting feel worse, actually, and pulls for the acid-neutralizing, itch-reducing properties of toothpaste. If that doesn’t seem to work for you, Caladryl with an analgesic is the preferred store-bought solution.

8. Olive oil for children’s earaches

When a tyke has an earache, everybody knows about it. To soothe the pain until you can get to the doctor, a Columbia University Medical Center pediatrician recommends using a syringe or something similar to put 2 to 4 drops of warm oil in a small child’s ear, age 2 and older, or 5 to 10 drops in your own if you’re the one with the aches. Photo by fdecomite.

7. Vick’s VapoRub or thyme oil for toenail fungus

It’s not the most pleasant of afflictions to discuss, but nobody wants to keep dealing with yellowed, brittle toenails if they don’t have to. Vick’s VapoRub has thymol in it, a derivative of the herb that reasearchers have found effective in combating fungus, and it’s much cheaper than the prescription treatments. eHow explains the step by step of applying Vick’s to infected feet, and the Times suggests adding essential oil of thyme, found at health and natural food stores, to a bath is a strong supplement.

6. Vinegar, oatmeal, and others for sunburns

Ever get the feeling that the makers of sunburn treatments kind of have you in a painful price position? If your bottle of the green goopy stuff doesn’t seem to work, or you don’t have any, the Wise Bread blog’s natural recommendations might do the trick: vinegar, crushed-up aspirin, tea, milk, and straight-up aloe vera. We’ve also heard that an oatmeal paste can do the trick. (Original post: remedies, oatmeal)

5. DIY elixers for colds and flu

The Hot Knives blogger loves an excuse to hit the grocery store, and when stricken with a cold (or maybe the flu), he found his muse: a DIY, Southern-Comfort-based elixir to make sleeping, resting, and feeling better much easier. If SoCo’s not your poison of choice, the comments thread is full of formulas that won the day for many formerly ill readers.

4. Duct tape for warts

There’s not a lot we can add to this amazing little mash-up of modern life, other than to say that, while a double-blind, placebo-matched study isn’t available to assuage the uncertainty, many Lifehacker readers swear by the gray stuff’s wart-healing powers.

3. Clear nail polish or hot water for bug bites

Gil Grissom on CSI claims its true, but the crime scene scientist has a lot of fellow believers in the air-blocking, itch-reducing power of a small drop of clear nail polish on especially bad bites. Using Ben Gay can also work, and some commenters suggest close-but-not-direct contact with heat to draw off the need to scratch.

2. Baby or talcum powder for greasy hair

When you’re traveling, pressed for time, or otherwise unable to shower on your regular schedule, your hair can end up looking a bit, well, greasy and unwieldy. The simplest solution we’ve found is running baby powder through it. That link comes from eHow, but the testing is, sadly, rigorously vetted by a certain Lifehacker editor whose morning blogging sometimes leaves him little time to get presentable in a rush. If your baby powder leaves you smelling like a changing station, consider talcum powder, or a little cover-up scent. (Original post)

1. Bacon sandwich for hangovers

The morning after a long night out, your brain is depleted of neurotransmistters, and your stomach is in need of something calm and steady. A bacon sandwich, according to British researchers, is just what the hangover doctor ordered. The bread has the carbohydrates you’re hungry for, while the bacon’s protein (made more appealing by tasty fat) breaks down into amino acids, which your brain has been starving for ever since happy hour started. Photo by amagill. (Original post)

What’s the best home or natural remedy you know of, or that your parents swear by? We want to hear about it in the comments.

Send an email to Kevin Purdy, the author of this post, at kevin@lifehacker.com.