Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Amazing Handcrafted Birdhouses by Joe Danella
That bird chirping outside my window at 4am may be annoying, but I'm woken from the dead of sleep with a smile on my face, knowing that warm days are finally here. And to thank my little harbinger of sunny days ahead, I'd love to have one of these intricate birdhouses, created with folksy artistry by Rhode Island craftsman Joe Danella.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
16 Facebook Applications to Boost Popularity of Facebook Fan Page
Do you know there are over 20 million people join as fans of Facebook Fan Pages daily? Forget about restricting Facebook as a private network. If you can get 5% of those people to land and join your fan page, the impact will be significant. Time to boost popularity of your fan page with the right Facebook applications.
I setup a fan page for Social @ Blogging Tracker 5 months ago. Since then I witnessed the wonders it did to my blog traffic, proven it’s one heck of a networking site to promote our blogs and online presence. If a Ms. Nobody like me can gain some from it, you definitely can too!
Facebook Applications to Boost Fan Page Popularity
Quit feeling comfortable with the basic fan page layout. You are gathering supporters to form a community. Make your fans proud with a decent fan page and give first-timers something to talk about. Get your coffee ready for we’re going on a Facebook app expedition. Check out what you can do to your Facebook fan page tabs and boxes with:
Media to Enhance Fan’s Participation & Engagement
1. SlideShare
One of the must have applications if you’re into slide presentations. Don’t limit your slides on SlideShare , integrate your account into fan page (limitation of one account per fan page). Import existing or selected presentations based on relevancy and you fans will love you for it.
Suggested Read : How to Design Effective Slides
2. NutshellMail
NutshellMail is originally a management tool to sum up your social network activities and have them sent to you via email. Its integration allows the page owner to update status, reply to comments easily from within the email:
But that’s not all.
NetshellMail has recently provided Facebook Fan Page admin the efficiency to create automated email newsletter for fans to subscribe! Now fans can decide what and when can they receive emails highlighting latest updates based on delivery preferences. A wonderful feature to assist busy fans to follow up and comment on wall posts through email directly. (Note: Does not support Discussion Board updates)
3. Reviews
Reviews are similar to testimonials. Now you can request your fans to review your blog, service or product to build credibility. Give new visitors some ideas about your branding. However, placing the ‘reviews’ tab meaning you are open to all positive and negative comments, kindly be aware of that. Here is an example of the review I did for my blogger friend, Luci on her fan page:
4. Poll
A fun and non-stressful way for all fans to participate. Insert a customized poll and have your fans select their choice of answer(s). Send an update to them about the poll will double the effect (be moderate with messages, not TOO frequent). Tweet about it, anything to get the message out. Fantastic way to collect data and monitor responses. Notify your fans the final results and request opinions. Here’s an example:
Video sharing can never be easier in Facebook fan pages. Say if you’re a blogger, showcasing self-made YouTube tutorial videos on Wordpress customizations can both be helpful to your fans and own reputation. Or, import your favorite videos to share with fans depending on your page niche. Even humor can be an effective ice-breaker sometimes.
Tip: If you intend to upload videos from other video hosting sites, you can copy and paste the given video URL using the Link application. Alternatively, you can record and upload own video straight to Facebook using the Video application.
6. RSS Graffiti
When we talked about autopost from blogs to Facebook Fan Page, integration tools and NetworkedBlogs are among the favorites. Thanks to Hartley’s recommendation, I tried and fell in love with RSS Graffiti immediately – the updating is almost instantaneous! You can even configure a prefix to your latest blog post to be shown with the thumbnail image and post excerpt.
7. Static FBML
Here comes my favorite part of this article. For all bloggers you should be familiar with HTML codes for blog customizations and such. Well, now you can fix up a desired tab in your fan page according to your likings with Static FBML (Facebook Markup Language). This advanced feature allows page admins to modify or add extra info to their fan pages using the HTML or FBML, for example setup a landing page, displaying social media profiles etc.
When you’re in my fan page, clearly you can see some added tabs above the Wall posts. These are just some of the examples you can get out of Static FBML:
i) Landing Page
The reason I setup this tab is to Give Back. Our fan page has started Weekly Post fr Member since launch, but now we will be featuring some really cool members monthly (starting March, 2010) based on their participations in the fan page. I do encourage fellow visitors/ readers to head right over and see how you can take part as well. A free promo tab been setup just for YOU !
Important Note to Embed YouTube Video:
To copy & paste the embedding code straight from YouTube video won’t work in Static FBML. Kindly follow the general FBML coding as shown below with minor adjustments (free to adjust the color, border size at will ; width and height can refer to the dimension for that particular video’s embedded code):
For example, If the Video link :
abcdef (width=”425” ; height=”344“)
The FBML coding for the video will be:
<fb:swf swfbgcolor="000000" imgstyle="border-width:3px; border-color:white;" swfsrc='http://www.youtube.com/v/abcdef' imgsrc=http://img.youtube.com/vi/abcdef/2.jpg;"width='425' height='344' />Ever felt like never been given enough space for your personal, company, service details in fan page? Extended Info solves your problem by providing a wide range of selections you can choose for insertion: videos, images, tags, categories, FBML block, with or without links. Position them in tabs, boxes or even info section to spice up your fan page.
Remark: Extended Info vs. Static FBML
a) Extended Info
- Able to customize both personal account and Facebook Fan Page;
- A wide range of info styles to choose from;
- Unable to rename ‘Extended Info’ tab.
b) Static FBML
- Only works in Facebook Fan Page;
- Flexibility to rename your tab or boxes.
No catch here. It works exactly as #8, enables you to add a clone or an extra Info tab whenever necessary.
Extra Tip: Profile HTML
This application is not grouped within fan page applications, but since we’re here talking about added info, I’m going to encourage you to include Profile HTML to your personal account. Make it a call to action: a sign up box, a display of your popular blog posts etc. For me, I publicize my fan page so friends can join if they like to:
Ever came across this notice when you’re navigate within Facebook?
We do not know when will this happen, as I am currently using an awful lot of box tabs on my fan page, setup a memorable web address seems like a smart thing to do. Why regret later? Don’t forget to make your web address easy to find and memorable. Inform your fans about the new assigned URL for extra info.
11. Discussion Board
Discussion Board is normally ready on your tab when you setup Facebook Fan Page. Discussion Board is a mini forum for you and fans to hang out and help one another. Remind them about this tab frequently, encourage active discussions to build engaging relationship among the fans.
12. Notes
Another well known Facebook application that already placed on your tab when signed in. Most people use Notes to import their blog posts while at the same time using NetworkedBlogs or Social RSS for the same purpose. Actually we can diverse the use of Notes for special announcements instead. Notes has a ’share’ button that can be used to get the message viral. Don’t limit the good news within your fan page. Encourage your fans to share the note if they find it useful.
Applications to Display Social Media Profiles
Information that will help boost your online profile is a must:
Showcase your Twitter account on fan page, at the same time you will able to find out who else on Facebook is currently using this application. Connect him or her to extend the network further in Twitter. Create a Twitter list and monitor them from time to time.
Another bonus given by this application is a Twitter badge for your sidebar:
Social Media Profile on Admin’s Facebook Account
I was feeling puzzled earlier why these applications allowing ‘Add to my Page’ but showing the customized tabs on admin’s personal account? Then it struck me that admin is also an important factor for a page’s popularity. If we can master the communication and community management, our networks will reap from the benefits:
14. LinkedIn profile
LikedIn profile offers you badges with multiple size range. You never know who you might meet and chances are, somebody who appreciate your talent is dying to cooperate with you professionally. Why throw away that chance to get acquainted? You may gain more supporters in your fan page out of a successful collaboration.
15. Skype Me
If you’re into real time conversations, Skype Me is a good option. This application puts a tab on your personal page that allows you to be contacted easily. Talk to your fans or setup a group chat on your network.
16. Web Profiles
If you have more social media profiles to be included, don’t limit yourself. Web profiles app amazes me with hundreds of embedding buttons, all we need to do is type in the username and voila! A link is placed for each social button chosen.
You don’t have to use all 16 but pick the suitable ones that will help instead of burdening your page with distractions. Review and improvise your fan page accordingly, request opinions from your existing fans on what they hope to gain from your fan page. Never stop Promoting your Facebook Fan Page outside the network. Apply Fan Box Widget on your website and make it visible to all visitors.
Now Is Your Turn…
What other Facebook applications you would suggest to be added to the list? How is your experience with Facebook Fan Page so far? If you have yet to start a fan page, what has hindered you from trying? Share your thoughts in the comments, love to hear them!
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Skin
Skinput
March 3, 2010 at 4:03 pm
“Researchers have developed a way for people to use their own skin as a keypad or pull down menu to control MP3 devices, make phone calls or play games.
It’s called Skinput, and here’s how it works: The use wears an armband, which contains a very small projector that projects a menu or keypad onto a person’s hand or forearm. The armband also contains an acoustic sensor. Why? Because when you tap different parts of your body, it makes unique sounds based on the area’s bone density, soft tissue, joints and other factors.” — A.M.
Happy Birthday Chicago: Celebrating 173 Years
On March 4, 1837, the town of Chicago became a city. Among the 11,000-plus images in our Flickr photostream are hundreds of stunning photos of our city taken by Michael Kardas. Celebrate 173 years by revisiting the city through his lens.
via yochicago.com
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Found this painting (actual painting) sitting on the recycle garbage pile today.
I recognize the artist but can't remember the name or find anything online. I'm sure it's someone's reproduction but really cool! Anyone have any ideas?
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Incredible microscopic origami art
Mui-Ling Teh has become a very known paper craft artist for creating tiny origami art. People love her work even if it is only millimeters big and Mui-Ling Teh says that regular paper craft is difficult so she suggests to new beginners to try folding origami with paper that is not smaller than a centimeter. Teh says that she creates these small creatures to calm down and relax, but most people would believe that the opposite will happen.
The origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper craft. This kind of art does not require any kind of gluing or paper cutting and preferably with only one piece of paper. These tiny origami looks very simple and beautiful but are also very difficult to create.
This kind of paper craft can help you to create many of origami such as crane, stars, birds, toys, dragon, rose, cat, flowers and many others .Patience is the virtue in this kind of art because it can take up to a week to create such a tiny creature. Every origami book teaches the basic origami techniques which are enough to construct those creatures in category of basic or intermediate.
Take a look at artist profile and if you liked this images, check out evolution of mankind seen through origami.
Tags: japan, origami, photography
