2 The Next LEVEL - Latest Comments

Re: Defining and Measuring Social Media Influence

Nate Moller — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 08:53:47 -0000

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll check out these posts and the ebook.

My feeling on social media is that you have to know what you want to happen with it, you have to have realistic expectations, you have to plan it all out, and then you have to work that plan on a consistent basis. Otherwise, social media can be (and is) a big waste of time.

Just a bunch of self-promotion is NOT effective social media. It's like going to a business conference and, instead of getting to know people by asking questions and talking with them, you just stand on a table and throw out your business cards all over the place. Which was is most effective? We all know the answer - so don't do the same thing with your social media strategy.

Hope this helps Jeff! Go Yanks in 2011!

Re: Love Your Laptop: Lessons From A Burgalary Victim Without A LoJack

Laptop Security — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:53:09 -0000

You missed LaptopSentry in this analysis - it's cheaper and more powerful than either LoJack or LaptopCop. Definitely check it out: http://www.laptopsentry.com

Re: How I Survived Amtrak Train Travel 1.0 And Lived To Tell About It

Adam Fuller — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 23:08:31 -0000

No security sounds like a huge upside to me. It would serve no purpose. The worst you could do on a train is detonate a bomb (you can't exactly hijack something that travels on rails) and detonating a bomb would be bad, but no worse than doing so in a stadium, mall, school, church, or any number of other places where we don't bother with security.

That said, I don't plan on riding Amtrak any time soon. The nearest station is five hours from my hometown, and while there is actually a station where I am now attending school, the Amtrak website is mind-bogglingly impossible to use. The automatic route planner attempts to route me from Alabama to Texas via Virginia and Chicago, and I can't even click on routes or stations on the map to figure out schedules and departures on my own. Add to that prices higher than comparative flights and travel times of several days (though I could deal with that) and I'm just not going to be a customer.

That's a shame though. I'd LIKE to travel by train, if only I could make it work. If we could run passenger rail in the 1800s why can't we do it now?

Re: How I Survived Amtrak Train Travel 1.0 And Lived To Tell About It

Rogueveggie — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:51:22 -0000

Sir, I hope you check your bank statements often. Amtrak is buggy when it comes to security. If you only purchased a train ticket you are likely OK but if you added something such as a rental car or hotel the security of the website breaks. They are aware of the situation but haven't fixed it. Customer support will only tell you "the site is secure" repeatedly and there is no way to speak with a technical person or supervisor.

Re: TED Talk With Cameron Herold: Let’s raise kids to be entrepreneurs

Aleks23 — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:01:28 -0000

He has an eBay store through which he sold over 30,000 products within the last couple years.I have a couple friends that are currently attending college & have the J.O.B. mentality.Usually that happens to people when they see many businessmen fail...obviously because they don't try hard enough.Sad part is, that they'll never a see non-schedule, drama-free life in general.The other weird fact is that many late serial killings were done by COLLEGE STUDENTS :( That makes me think, "what's the mindset of these 'college, my plan, my dream!' students?"

Warm Regards,
Aleks

Re: TED Talk With Cameron Herold: Let’s raise kids to be entrepreneurs

JB — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:14 -0000

Hey Aleks,

I totally agree with you. Having a college degree does not mean success. Matter of fact some times having one can give you more of a J-O-B mentality. Congrats to your uncle for building a 6 figure online enterprise. Please let us know what kind of web presence he has created. It would do our readership good to have him become a role model to all of us who strive to be where he is right now.
Thanks again for the comment.
All the best

Re: TED Talk With Cameron Herold: Let’s raise kids to be entrepreneurs

Aleks_18 — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:52:40 -0000

Very true!Becoming a solopreneur/entrepreneur is NOT easy but guess what?It's possible & what happens many times is people try a business plan/strategy & it doesn't work, they fail...but they just don't want to get up & try again!My uncle, who only has a high-school diploma, is now pushing a 6 figure online enterprise putting 2 hours of his time into his business.He had also said that most entrepreneur WILL fail many times before being successful.I also hate when people say going to college will make you filthy rich.It will NOT generally!An education might give you the knowledge to be financially free.But again you have to build/create something of your own to achieve that!

Warm Regards,
Aleks

Re: Make A Phone Call Using Google Gmail

Michael Yublosky, diy coach — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:21:29 -0000

Yes, I saw that too. Looks very interesting. Installed but not tested as of yet.

Re: Make A Phone Call Using Google Gmail

peggyduncan — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:31:21 -0000

I'm using it and digging it. What do you mean by "integrate it with Google Voice"? Tell us how.

Re: Why Is Google Not Afraid To Fail?

JB — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:57:56 -0000

Nofanof,

I am glad you now see my point in all of this and I again appreciate your comment. That picture of Abraham Lincoln has been with me for many years. I even gave one to a good friend of mine to keep at her desk at work. We both look at it from time to time and just think of all the things President Lincoln went through to get to his appointment of leading our country. If he could endure all the trials and tribulations he went through back in the late 1800's who are we to complain about our troubles. We must continue to stay the course.

Thanks again for contributing to this post and thanks for the compliment on the web page.

Re: Why Is Google Not Afraid To Fail?

Nofanof AprilAsasinatns — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:53:44 -0000

Great reply and that is a cool picture. I'm not a critical person I just felt compelled as I initially felt your analogy was absurd but I see your point now. In all actuality when you look at most careers of the majority of American Presidents they are one steady rise to the top. All victorious with successive terms and/or increasing in power and prestige. I guess it depends on how one looks at it. The political climate in Lincoln's time was very tumultuous as well as the nation to say the least.

By the way, very impressive web page!

Re: Why Is Google Not Afraid To Fail?

JB — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:04:38 -0000

Hey Nofanof,

Thank you for that history lesson on Abraham Lincoln. It was very informative but I think you missed my point. I am applauding the tenacity and perseverance of of Abraham Lincoln and comparing it to Google. I have a picture of Abraham Lincoln in my home office. It sits just above my computer and it is titled "Perseverance" Please see the link in question of the Picture. http://bit.ly/d0r8UH. I may have embellished a little when it comes to his political career but his whole life was quite trying, yet he kept going and became one of our greatest Presidents.
I do though, appreciate the time you took to write about Abraham Lincoln's great political accomplishments. Thanks again for adding to the dialog.

All the best

Re: Why Is Google Not Afraid To Fail?

Nofanof AprilAsasinatns — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:30:44 -0000

Abraham Lincoln was one of, if not, the most successful and prolific trial lawyers in central Illinois for years before becoming an Illinois State Legislator then a member of The House. Where his colleagues would gather around drink brandy, smoke cigars and listen to him tell stories. He would even tell jokes about his appearance. One of his favorites being that he was so ugly he didn't know how his wife could stand the sight of himself.

He did lose two bids for the Senate. If you read the history his first run for the Senate, in 1854, was in response to the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act which repealed The Missouri Compromise(which restricted the expansion of slavery west). He wound up endorsing the winner who also was against the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

In1858, he won the popular vote but the Democrat Party won more seats and re-elected Douglas, his opponent. His debates with Douglas earned him national notoriety which led to him becoming President two years later.

My point? 15 years of defeats? Really? Six years maybe, but thats a big maybe. When one thinks of a successful political career Abe Lincolns was pretty darned stellar.

Re: Android Tethering With T-Mobile Using PdaNet

Gerrell Sterling — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:15:00 -0000

Nice post about an awesome use for budget conscious business-folk. I use PdaNet to connect to the web for CC processing when on service calls...very convenient to get paid right away!

Re: TED Talk With Cameron Herold: Let’s raise kids to be entrepreneurs

JB — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:27:44 -0000

Hey Ms. Boss,

Thank you for your words about your dad. The more we remember our dads who inspired to become entrepreneurs us the better. I truly wish we all could help our children become successful entrepreneurs well before we leave this earth as their parents. Thanks again for your comments.

All the best

Re: TED Talk With Cameron Herold: Let’s raise kids to be entrepreneurs

Ms Boss — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:01:49 -0000

This was a good article. So many people believe that the only way for you to become anything in life is to get a job. My dad was like your dad he had that entrepreneurial spirit, but because of people taking things from his business and shady business partners he had to get a job. When he passed away and I had to go to his home in Vegas I saw that he had that entrepreneurial spirit even when he was so sick. He had ordered the SMC home business kit, but never got a chance to open it. I guess that's where I get my entrepreneurial spirit from.

Re: TED Talk With Cameron Herold: Let’s raise kids to be entrepreneurs

JB — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:34:13 -0000

Hey Peggy,

Thanks for your words of encouragement. Even though I might have to get another JOB myself, I will continue to teach my kids that they should always look to one day become an entrepreneur first.

Re: TED Talk With Cameron Herold: Let’s raise kids to be entrepreneurs

peggyduncan — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:28:32 -0000

JB, This is a great post. It's unfortunate your Dad couldn't live out his dream, but you can. And so can your children if that's what they want. I just saw a TV show where a man's wife was not pleased when he started a business and left a high paying job. He was happy but she wanted to maintain a lifestyle and didn't want to work. He was so miserable that he ended up an alcoholic and died young. Didn't have to happen. If you wake up in the morning and dread starting your day, you know you're not doing something right. I hope you get to live your dream.

Re: Android App (ScanR) Gets Rid Of Business Card Clutter

wamucardscom — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 23:38:52 -0000

I’m sure you’re not alone at all. I mean, when you go to a place like that, hanging out business cards would be a must. This app sounds like it’s going to make life a lot easier for you. That’s great!

Re: Texting While Driving Can Be Fatal

JB — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:53:32 -0000

Hey Lizzie,

Thanks for your comment. I am glad it was just a light accident and I hope that all parties were not injured. I really think we need to do something drastic to prevent any of this from happening as often as it does. I say that all states should ban texting while driving and give those who get caught a stiffer penalty than those who drive without a seat belt.

Thank again for your comment

Re: Texting While Driving Can Be Fatal

Lizzie — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 04:39:24 -0000

I was recently hit by a driver who was texting while driving, fortunately it was at a low speed as she was pulling away from a traffic light but the accident was entirely the fault of her texting and not watching where she was driving.

Re: Google Brings Web TV To Television

JB — Sat, 22 May 2010 00:00:27 -0000

Hey Jacquee,

Thanks for the comment. I am so Googlefied right now (Android Cell Phone, Google Voice and Google Apps) I like you can't wait to see what they have in store for TV. I just hope this Google TV Box is affordable. I also hope Google TV does not end up like Apple TV and Windows TV.

Re: Google Brings Web TV To Television

jacquee Minor — Fri, 21 May 2010 22:14:07 -0000

I recently dumped expanded cable as a cost cutting measure. It annoyed me that I only watched a few channels although I had to pay for all the others I never watch. Was considering Hulu, but this sounds more user friendly. Can't wait to see how it works. I'll be on the look-out for this new Google device.

Re: Are You Google Buzzed OUT Yet?

Chris Lang — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:08:49 -0000

Two things come to mind fast here....

First Google Wave and Google Buzz are totally different mediums. Don't compare the two, we were wrong for thinking Gwave would be a social platform like FB. But it is still to be released to real users this summer. We shall see when Gwave comes to Google Apps business users.

I believe marketing Gwave to social site users was a big mistake. Social site users are fickle bandwagon jumpers that expect to click a button, spam millions and make millions more. Just look at your Facebook inbox or how many are using spam robots on Twitter now to validate that.

But if you want to get the real lowdown on Google Buzz, checkout my 40 page report I just released today. http://www.googlingsocial.c...

Love to know what you think! - Chris

Re: Facebook Intervention: Why I Deleted Over 3000+ Facebook Friends

JB — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:07:41 -0000

Hey Pam,

No you are still on the list...;-) I have some friends who have thrown me pillows and gifts, thank goodness there is a way to turn them off and even block them without having to delete them from your friend list or most of them would have done away with as well. And yes I did enjoy the show with Brent Leary. Keep up the great work.

All the best