SEPTA Strike, Social Media Solution

On election day November 2, 2009, many Philadelphians found themselves in a pickle. SEPTA workers, Transport Workers Union Local 243, had gone on strike. This action created a challenge for nearly half a million public transit riders of buses, subway, and trolley service in the Philadelphia - as well as the Frontier Division buses in Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester counties.

As during previous challenges in America, however, the citizens used technology to aid and inform those in need. Twitter posts were ablaze with the "SEPTA" trending topic. Soon twitter users realized that this time the effects the strike would be different. They now had an open and free medium for communicating transportation needs with one another. Riders did not need to feel abandoned.

Drivers who had an available seat in their vehicle would post on Twitter which area of the city they were coming from, which area they were going to and the time they were traveling to let riders in need gain an opportunity for a ride. If the driver was leaving 52nd & Market Streets at 9:00 a.m. going to Germantown they would simply post "@9:00 a.m., D: 52nd & Market Streets A: Germantown, Seats Available: 2 #havearide". "D" indicating departure and "A" indicating arrival.

Conversely, if a riders needed transportation from Chestnut Hill to Broad and Olney at 10:30 a.m., the rider would post: "@10:30 a.m., D: Broad & Olney A: Chestnut Hill, Seats needed: 1 #needaride"

By connecting those in need of a ride with those who had available seats, Twitter users made the SEPTA workers strike less of a hardship for innocent riders who were left stranded.

Once again, social media brings social solutions.

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Contact staff writer JC Lamkin at @JCLamkin

Review of the DocuPen RC800 Handheld Scanner

Making the Paperless Office a Reality

It is not often that one will find me in my office. While I love a leather executive office chair as much as the next business mogul, I love the great outdoors event more. It is for this reason, I need office equipment that is durable, effective and mobile. Planon's DocuPen Scanner RC800 is one handheld scanner that fits my very active lifestyle.

At first glance, it looks like just another fancy pen. As a matter of fact, while I was working and enjoying a cup of coffee at my local café, one of the customers asked me if he could borrow my pen. When I pointed out that this "pen" was a scanner, he could not believe his eyes, so I showed him how this duplication device works. Slightly larger than a real pen, the DocuPen easily fits into my briefcase. I use it mostly to scan in signed contracts while I am off-site meeting with clients. As an added benefit, using this tool enhances my company's profile as an environmentally conscious company, pending B-Corp status because we use the power of technology to save tree, go paperless and create public benefit. It is unusually easy to use. As a matter of fact, all I have to do is run the flat part of the Docupen over my document and it is saved to the DocuPen's memory. I can connect the the pen to the USB cable and the cable to my laptop, then voilà! I am ready to move my scanned document to my computer.



The most convenient feature is the color mode option. The Mode button allows me to scan in color, black and white or some variation thereof.

The set-up was reasonably easy. I inserted the DocuPen CD, selected PenTwain from the menu to install the software, then selected the DocuPen application to install. Once I connected the USB port to the pen and then to my computer, it found the drivers and installed. Upon set-up, I would recommend allowing the DocuPen to stay connected to your computer for 50 minutes so that the DocuPen can fully charge.

Priced, just under $300.00, this little tool will be a great replacement for the scanner that SOMEONE managed to break in my home office.

Features

The following components are included in the Planon DocuPen scanner RC800 product package:

- The DocuPen RC800 scanning unit

- USB cable for communication with PC (Mac) & recharging.

- Installation CD containing DocuPen PenTwain driver, DocuPen stand-alone application & PaperPort Software

- Quick Start Guide

- Leather Case

As far as tech essentials go, the DocuPen RC800 portable handheld scanner is one of the most useful tools that I have in my mobile arsenal.
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Contact staff writer JC Lamkin at @JCLamkin

Public speaking rider

To ensure that event participants are pleased with the results of your engagement, we request the following provisions:

In preparation of event

• Formal emailed letter of speaker request on organization's letterhead identifying the events exact date, time and location.
• Free parking is provided
• Detailed directions to meeting room provided at least 1 week prior to event
• Speaker is offered advanced participation in all media related interviews
• If tickets are sold or donations are received for the event, immediately after event, speaker receives 50% of donation made with check payable speaker's selected nonprofit*
• Free event admission is given to speaker and speaker's assistants
• Any press releases mentioning event, must include link to speaker's website
• Speaker's assistant is given access to meeting room at least 1 week prior to event to survey setup areas
• Space provided for speakers Banner display
• Space provided for speakers Ad table

During event

• Theme music is played when speaker is being announced (music provided by speaker)
• Speakers provided bio is read
• Announcement is made that books are on sale
• If food is served, take home trays are provided for speaker and speaker's assistants
• Bottled water provided for speaker
• Participants complete provided Speaker Feedback Survey
• Speaker's assistants distribute flyers
• Speaker's assistants may take pics and simulcast event

Post event

• On organization's letterhead, letters of thanks with mention of value of in-kind donation of time and follow-up letters of recommendation provided, if requested
• Any press releases mentioning event, must include link to speaker's website
• Speaker is provided an emailed copy of all pics and videos for event for full unrestricted use

*Speaker may waive this condition

Twitter and Chicken. Birds of a Feather

Image via Wikipedia

When Popeye's Chicken posted their first tweet, there was not much fanfare. As a matter of fact, very few people noticed outside of Joe from SocializedPR.com. Now that Popeye's, KFC and Church's Chicken all have Twitter accounts, maybe things will get interesting. So far, these fast food giants have been online fine feathered friends (oh come on, you KNEW that alliteration was coming) . @kfc_colonel has commended @PopeyesChicken for having such great friends. Meanwhile, @ChurchsChicken shows no shortage of self-appreciation.

With KFC's Unfry Day coming up and its partnership with @oprah to offer free Kentucky Grilled Chicken Two-Piece Meal Coupon, we shall see if the combination of a Twitter presence and free food will boost sales for the Colonel. Is it just

Image via Wikipedia

a coincedence that the very next day, Church's will announce its “Renewed Community Focus” and call to put away gimmicks and get down to the business of “Community”? Now that many consumers are staying home and cooking for themselves, are we in for a kinder gentler fast food war? (I blame Obama and hope.)

But, seriously, I can't help but to wonder how difficult it must have been to convince the key decision makers of these companies to buy into the social media hype.

See what happens when your Marketing Director doesn't recognize genius quickly enough. Your company name goes on sale to the highest bidder. No worries. Somehow, I don't believe any of these Tweet'amis campaigns will compare to Burger King's Subservient Chicken, anyway.

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

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Image via CrunchBase

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Contact staff writer JC Lamkin at 215-843-1039 or jclamkinpmp@gmail.com

It's Twitter. It's not about you.

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Karen Haber-Williams
Public Relations Manager
(215) 843-1039
karen.haber@gltmypc.com

"Twitter. It's Not About You."

Revive Your Business...Be Social!

Hosted by the African American United Fund

Philadelphia, PA, --- The African American United Fund, a 501(c)3 welcomes all to attend the Revive Your Business...Be Social! workshop, on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the African American United Fund Conference Room, 2227 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132. Free will donations to The Fund may be made online, mailed in to African American United Fund, 2227 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132 or presented at the workshop.


This very applicable and relevant workshop will provide easy step-by-step instructions and give real-life scenarios especially for skilled laborers on reaching customers online. Participants will learn how to properly use Twitter and other social media platforms to engage prospective customers. If you can read, write and click, you should attend this workshop.

This social media for beginners workshop will answer the following questions:


* How should you use the internet to find customers who need your services?

* What is mini-blogging? And, why should you care?

* Should you use live web streaming to showcase your storefront business activities?

Participants must RSVP online for the Revive Your Business...Be Social!, http://social-networking-phila.eventbrite.com/ workshop or call AAUF at (215) 236-2100. Don't let your inability to find a babysitter for the children keep you from participating in this pivotal event. An babysitter, who can help your child with his or her homework, will be provided on-site so you may focus on this riveting workshop. Healthy snacks (apples, oranges, etc.) will be provided for the children. Established
in 1982 as a not-for-profit corporation, the African American United Fund is a GPUAC agency. The African American United Fund (The Fund) raises and utilizes funds to support the growth,
development and empowerment of the African American community and in turn, society at
large. The Fund advocates volunteerism, mutual aid, and self-help to collectively support,
strengthen and economically empower African American communities.

This interactive workshop will be facilitated by tech expert, JC Lamkin, PMP, President of Gypsy Lane Technologies (GLT), a professional Internet solutions company headquartered in the Germantown section of Philadelphia with training offices in Philadelpia and King of Prussia, PA. GLT specializes in best-in-class database development, website development, social media strategies, webcasting, online marketing, Flash multimedia and content management solutions. GLT features an integrated team of project managers, web consultants, creative designers, writers, coders and marketing professionals who know how to get online results. Ms. Lamkin will also be available to sign copies of her book, “Fabulous & Tech-Filled, Volume 1” . Listen to the audio from a previous social media workshop or view the video trailer from a previous workshop. Check the GLT Evite page for more information on other upcoming workshops.

###

Hash tags for this event: #AAUF #sm4labors @TechCrusader #sm #philly #phila

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Google Moves to Interest-based Advertising

During our interview with Mike Saxon SVP, Brand and Communications TNS Online TV, Mike explained how many online advertisers are becoming much more interested in personalized preferences of potential customers by using interest based advertising.

Recently, Google, embraced interest based advertising.

If you are currently use Google Adsense, you may have received the below notice via email:

"We're writing to let you know about the upcoming launch of interest-based advertising, which will require you to review and make any necessary changes to your site's privacy policies. You'll also see some new options on your Account Settings page.

Interest-based advertising will allow advertisers to show ads based on a user's previous interactions with them, such as visits to advertiser website and also to reach users based on their interests (e.g. "sports enthusiast"). To develop interest categories, we will recognize the types of web pages users visit throughout the Google content network. As an example, if they visit a number of sports pages, we will add them to the "sports enthusiast" interest category. To learn more about your associated account settings, please visit the AdSense Help Center at http://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/topic.py?topic=20310.

As a result of this announcement, your privacy policy will now need to reflect the use of interest-based advertising. Please review the information at https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/answer.py?answer=100557 to ensure that your site's privacy policies are up-to-date, and make any necessary changes by April 8, 2009. Because publisher sites and laws vary across countries, we're unfortunately unable to suggest specific privacy policy language.

For more information about interest-based advertising, you can also visit the Inside AdSense Blog.

We appreciate your participation and look forward to this upcoming enhancement.

Sincerely,

The Google AdSense Team"

Certainly, this change will cause privacy concerns for many internet users. But, as with most net offerings, one may decide whether or not to participate.

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Contact staff writer JC Lamkin at 215-843-1039 or jclamkinpmp@gmail.com

"How you doin'?!"

We don't usually post about basketball. Let alone sports in general. However, since tomorrow is the Philadelphia 76ers final season game at the Spectrum, we could not help sharing this old school lil' ditty:



It's infectious, right?! It makes me want to pop-lock.

Clap your hands and catch the wave....

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Contact staff writer JC Lamkin at 215-843-1039 or jclamkinpmp@gmail.com

Using Social Media to Sustain Businesses

How can local businesses use the internet to become more profitable?

Hosted by the Greater Germantown Business Association

Philadelphia, PA, --- “The problem is most small business owners do not realize that their customer pool is online looking for them,” says business owner, JC Lamkin, President, Gypsy Lane Technologies (GLT) and member of the Greater Germantown Business Association (GGBA). "A quick drive down the 8200 to 5100 blocks of Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia will result in the realization that our area businesses are quickly folding. But, if you take a cruise on social media websites, you will begin to understand why ... prospective customers are online. These days, it's not just about having a website or the plummeting DJIA. It is about connecting with customers, establishing your brand as a leader in your industry and building relationships online. Additionally, many business owners don't realize that their customers are online discussing their product and service needs. Social media sites are now allowing businesses to develop relationships with customers. Business owners just need to learn how to properly build a strategy and tap into that customer pool."



To address the concerns around closing Philadelphia area businesses, the Greater Germantown Business Association welcomes all to attend the Free Greater Germantown Business Association’s March Program, Social Media for Business Sustainability, on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church in Germantown, 35 West Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144. The Association’s regular monthly meeting is held on the second Tuesday of every month; and, begins at 7:00 p.m. sharp with updates, the workshop immediately follows. Meeting adjourns at 8:00 p.m.

The discussion will answer the following questions:

* How do potential customers use the web to look for your products/services?

* How can neighborhood businesses use the internet to become more profitable?

* Should You Market Your Business on the Internet?

Participants should RSVP for Philadelphia Sustainable Business Social Media program

This interactive workshop will be facilitated by tech expert, JC Lamkin, PMP, president of Gypsy Lane Technologies (GLT), a professional Internet solutions company headquartered in the Germantown section of Philadelphia with training offices in Philadelpia and King of Prussia, PA. GLT specializes in best-in-class database development, website development, social media strategies, webcasting, online marketing, Flash multimedia and content management solutions. GLT features an integrated team of web consultants, creative designers, writers, coders and marketing professionals who know how to get online results. Ms. Lamkin will also be available to sign copies of her book, “Fabulous & Tech-Filled, Volume 1” .

###

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Contact staff writer Karen Haber-Williams at 215-843-1039 or karen.haber-williams@gmail.com.

Offer aims to make computers faster and easier to use -- for less

LARGE SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES PRICE SPECIAL FOR CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASE PC TUNE-UP AND PASSWORD MANAGER TOGETHER

Large Software (www.largesoftware.com), a provider of easy-to-use downloadable consumer software, announced today a price special that will provide customers a discount on the popular PC Tune-Up™ 2.0 software when combined with the purchase of the company’s Password Manager. The special saves customers over $20 with the purchase of both products and will make users computers faster and easier to use.

The PC Tune-Up 2.0 product, which optimizes user’s computers and improves computer speed by up to 55-percent, does the following and more:

· System and Registry Backup – does a complete backup of users’ files and provides a restore point to undo any changes.
· Smart Scan – enables users to do a quick scan of main files or a smart scan of all drives, then provides a list of errors with brief descriptions and recommended fixes.
· Automatic Repairs – fixes all of the problems detected or users can select individual errors for manual repair.
· Complete Defrag – safely removes unnecessary files that slow a user’s computer and reorganizes Windows registry to run more efficiently.
· Magic Button – runs all four critical steps automatically so users can optimize their computers with the click of a single button.
· Optimizing Tools – includes a Startup Wizard and Memory Optimizer to make your computer boot faster.
· ActiveX Protection – ActiveX applications are usually installed through a user’s Web browser and there is no easy way to remove them. By inserting specific word values within the registry called "Compatibility Flags", PC Tune-Up™ blocks any harmful ActiveX programs from installing.

The company’s Password Manager memorizes and securely stores each username and password that is entered into each and every Web site. To secure each password, such as those used for online banking or other Web sites that store credit card or financial information, Password Manager encrypts each saved password. The software also protects the program by offering a master password, keeping all the information stored protected and secure.

Password Manager can be purchased for $29.95 and PC Tune-Up may be added on for $9.95 when bought at the same time.

“We want to show people how easy and pain free computing can be when users take the time to utlize tools out there from Large Software,” said Nick Forcier, CEO of Large Software. “The price break is an incentive and hopefully encourages people to let technology make their lives easier in a time of worry.”

Both products can be bought at www.largesoftware.com.

Social Networking for Businesses Comes to the Mt. Airy Business Association

Philadelphia, PA, --- “Ask the average business owner if a commitment to social networking is a part of their business plan and you may receive a raise of an eye brow in response,” says Kim Miller, MABA President. Many business owners don't realize that their customers are online discussing their business. Social sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are fast becoming an essential aspect of any businesses marketing mix.

Image via CrunchBase

Thursday, February 12, 2009
8:15 - 9:50 a.m.
Carson Valley School
6700 Germantown Avenue
FREE
Participants should RSVP via http://philadelphia-social-networking.eventbrite.com/

Participants should RSVP via http://philadelphia-social-networking.eventbrite.com/

All are welcome to attend the Mt. Airy Business Association’s February
Program, Social Networking for Businesses, on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at
Carson Valley School 6700 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA. 19119. The
Association’s regular monthly meeting is held on the second Thursday of every
month. We begin at 8:15 a.m. with networking and a light breakfast,
at 9:00 the formal program begins with updates from MABA committees and members
and the workshop immediately follows. Meeting adjourns at 9:50 a.m.

This interactive workshop will be facilitated by JC Lamkin, PMP,
president of Gypsy Lane Technologies
(GLT), a professional Internet solutions company. GLT specializes
in best-in-class social media, webcasting, online marketing,
Flash multimedia and content management solutions. GLT features an
integrated team of web consultants, creative designers, writers, coders and
marketing professionals who know how to get online results. Ms.
Lamkin will also be available to sign copies of her book, “Fabulous &
Tech-Filled, Volume 1”.

_____________________________________________________________________________
Contact staff writer Karen Haber at 215-843-1039

Sprint Services Eclipsed by Social Media?

Image via WikipediaOn Wednesday, December 31, 2008, Sprint will discontinue its PCS Mail and PCS Calendar services.

Because social media tools such as Twitter, Plurk and Utterli are making it easier for users to communicate, many legacy communication systems are finding themselves greeting retirement. With the popularity of easy-to-access mobile and free webmail options available, Sprint has found that many customers simply do not need its PCS Mail and PCS Calendar services. Therefore, these services are being discontinued. According to Sprint representative, Brittany W, "Picture mail is not being discontinued."

Although the PCS Mail product is being decommissioned, the outbound SMTP server will remain. Customers will still have the ability to send Outbound PCS Mail via Sprint's SMTP server. This means that not all of Sprint's email accounts will be discontinued. Only PCS Mail email is being decommissioned as of December 31, 2008. Depending on your device, you will have other email options such as Versa mail, Picture Mail, Sprint Mobile Email and other 3rd party providers.

If you are a Sprint Smartphone user (such as a Treo 755p) your Smartphone email client that you downloaded to your device will not be affected. Additionally, the 2 way SMS Text Messaging service will not be impacted and POP email accounts from any of the other 3rd party email providers (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, Microsoft, Thunderbird, etc) will not be affected. Most of these email services are free, but check the POP email provider's agreement information before signing up for a new email account.

If you use PCS Mail as your mailbox (pop.sprintpcs.com and imap.sprintpcs.com), you will need to migrate your mailbox to a new POP/IMAP mailbox provider and reconfigure the client to use the new mailbox. If you use PCS Mail to send email (authenticated SMTP mail server smtp.sprintpcs.com), you may continue to do so without any problem; or, you may reconfigure your client to use a different provider. To get your saved emails and contacts moved to another provider, follow the instructions to create a new account and migrate your emails
and address book to your new email service. Review the Sprint PCS Announcement page for additional information.

Note that although Sprint's PCS Calender services are being decommissioned as of December 31, 2008, Sprint is unable to migrate your calendar to your new provider. If you regularly use the tasks and calendar services on your device, your best option is to sync your device to your computer, then sync to your new provider for these services. For example, Google Calendar supports syncing and has mobile set-up capability.

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Contact staff writer JC Lamkin at 215-843-1039 or jclamkinpmp@gmail.com.

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The New *improved* salesforce.com - Fact or Fiction

Image via CrunchBase, source unknownAs salesforce.com's Success in the Cloud Tour touched down on Philadelphia's Columbus Boulevard earlier this week, Customer Relationship Management (CRM ) gurus, admins and trainers began to wonder if this tour would huff, puff, or blow the CRM house down.

Turns out, it did none of the above. The Success in the Cloud Tour simply reestablished sf.com's position as a "force" to be reckoned with. With over 8 kiosks, salesforce showed off its mobile, training, AppBuilder and foundation products. As heard here, salesforce.com has embraced cloud computing and mashables:



By taking full advantaged of Google Docs, salesforce.com has made certain that non-profit organizations can perform day-to-day operations as efficiently as for-profit entities.

The feature that impressed this reporter the most was the opportunity splits. Having planned CRM implementations, customized salesforce.com and trained sales managers in a previous life, I've noticed that many sales people are very territorial. If they do not get credit for bringing home a sale, things could get ugly fast. With opportunity splits, no one will get hurt. So, salesforce.com in its own way is promoting non-violence in the workplace :-)

Users are always looking for a way to easily organize, access and report on their contacts and projects. salesforce.com is a great way to manage all of these tasks. Don't believe me, try salesforce.com for free, but don't fall in love with it until you have checked out its ticket price. If you are a micro-business owner, take a look at my review of OfficeInteractive. As far as pricing and ease of use goes, it may be more your speed.
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Contact staff writer JC Lamkin at 215-843-1039 or jclamkinpmp@gmail.com.

Employment Opportunity: New Media Coordinator

New Media Coordinator
Kor Hotel Group
Los Angeles, CA

Kor is seeking a New Media Coordinator to assist the marketing team with current online marketing efforts/campaigns. Kor is seeking for an individual who has some knowledge in search engine optimization / marketing, 1-3 of experience in managing pay-per-click campaigns, paid inclusion, or organic search marketing campaign, and strong analytical skills. Kor is seeking those who have experience in blog creations and those who have relationships with key on-line media reps

Desired Skills: Among the main responsibilities include researching and developing Internet Marketing strategies, submitting website content to search engines and directories, writing / modifying meta tags, monitoring online campaigns regularly and making recommendations to improve performance, maintaining relationships with various online partners and teams, collaborating with the SEM team to propose changes and enhancements to search marketing strategies, and keeping current on the latest trends in search marketing space.

Additionally, qualities needed:
- BA from an accredited college or university required
- 1-3 years of on-line/media marketing of the above mentioned experience
- Strong demonstrated writing and research skills

If you are looking to join an expanding company with endless opportunities for growth, please forward your resume to recruiter@thekorgroup.com or fax resume to 323-930-3785. Please visit Kor at www.thekorgroup.com.
EOE

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