We’ve Come a Long Way Baby Boomers-Social Media Has Replaced the Water Cooler?

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Has social media replaced the water cooler? Some of you remember the live chats during the breaks in your work day? Many of us are working alone at our computers. When we have to ask questions we will check with an online friend or group. For example, I do Ebay, Amazon, Etsy and working on more. There are groups on Facebook, LinkedIn and others that offer support from others.  For example I have a piece of “possible Jade sculpture” that I picked up at a yard sale I posted a picture of it in one of my groups for feedback before I listed it.

Moments before I created this post I saw a posting on Facebook from an online friend, who I have never met in person, has had quite an influence on my blogging over the years. Her name is Beverly Mahone.  She is a baby boomer who has helped to unite other baby boomer women online. Recently she shared her new book with her online friends and even had a free download.

Now, you have to know that Beverly will not just promote her book but because she shares her skills she will provide information on HOW she promoted it because she is also a extraordinary journalist. She has created online communities for other women to share their expertise.

When I took a break from working this morning I saw an answer from another online couple to a question I had about Pinterest. This generous couple, Wesley N Laurlee saw one of my “pins” to an Ebay listing on Facebook and instant messaged me with some tips.

Now there are many other baby boomers that are “struttin” their stuff online. They are not just doing mindless gossip but sharing tips, expertise, help with caregiving plus more. We have come a long way baby boomers from that water cooler.

What are you doing online that you used to do around the water cooler?

5 Pittsburgh Steeler and 5 Green Bay Packers Blogs for Boomer Bloggers

Are you planning to look at blogs about the two Superbowl giants Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers this week? If yes, I thought you would enjoy looking at some popular blogs dedicated to the teams. So I have listed five (5) blogs for each team and the current post. Perhaps it may give you ideas about doing your own fan blog.

In addition, be sure to post comments to these sites.  Not only does your opinion count but it is what we baby boomer bloggers have in abundance. Right?  In addition, hit that like button on Facebook, Digg it, Tweet it and all the other good social bookmarket and social network things we can do. Enjoy the game this weekend.

5 Pittsburgh Steeler Blogs and Latest Post

1. Behind The Steel Curtain

Is Flozell Adams More of a Steeler Than He Ever Was a Cowboy?

2. DC Steeler Nation

Team Rallying Around Flozell, Of All People

3. Steelers Depot

Flozell Adams Monday Press Conference Transcript Quotes Superbowl XLV

4. Pittsburgh Steelers Fanatic

Why Even Steelers Fans Love Mike McCarthy

5. Steelers Today

Polamalu Named AP Defensive Player of the Year

5 Green Bay Packer Blogs

1.  Packers Gab

Playmate Jaime Edmondson Showing Her Love For The Packers!

2. Acme Packing Blog

Packers Super Bowl Media Day – At Cowboys Stadium

3. Packer Chatters

Super Bowl XLV: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers, The Teams and Their Fans

4. The Packer Backer Blog

Packers: Jclombardi Guest On NY Sports Network

5.  My Official Green Bay Packer Blog

Rodgers vs Roethlisberger

Why And How I Moved My Static Website to a Dynamic Blogging Home Part 1

Yes, I finally moved my static website to a dynamic blogging home. And quoting my wonderful webmaster, “This is a good move. Now it will be easier for you to update your site.”

Static Home To Blog Home Address

Now, it is important to note that I did not make the move until after I started blogging.

What Made My Website Static?

My static site  was written entirely using HTML.  (That’s the code that only the Webmasters and internet understands until you learn it) Each web page  was  a separate document and there were no databases or external files that they drew  upon. This meant that the only way to edit the site was to go into each page and edit the HTML. In my case it was done by the  a web page editor software called Dreamweaver. (Great program with a steep learning curve)

Sure my Webmasters taught me how to update the site. (I had two during the history of the site) But most of the time they updated it when they were available in the midst of their very busy, hectic schedules. Now, because I could not afford to have them dedicate their time to me only I had to quite down my only child syndrome and wait my turn. I was successful at doing some updates but too often ran into potholes and messed up my tires.

In addition I was not able to add new functions to the site quickly. Things like data feeds or a comprehensive site search. Oh, lets not forget optimizing it for the search engines like I have learned to do with blogs.

I finally purchased another web editor software package for quick creations of sales pages. This program, XSitpro eased the compulsiveness to go faster with my online activity. (Note that link is an affiliate and I will make revenue if you click on it but I fully support it for ease of use)

What Makes A Blog Home Dynamic?

In my opinion a blog is a static website on steroids!

I changed to a dynamic blogging platform when I realized the following:

* I  planned to update my website on a regular basis. This could be done because a dynamic site  is controlled by a CMS (content management system). This means that you will potentially be able to make updates without needing any knowledge of HTML or any website software. The blog platform I am using is WordPress.org. It is still using a complex code. (PHP and HTML) but when you mess around in that code then you get help until you learn it.
* I planned to  add more functionality to my site at some time in the future
* It was very important for me to optimize my website for the search engines
Finally, each page of my new blog home is generated from information that is stored in a database or external file. The WordPress.org content management system directly modifies this stored information.

In part 2 I will talk about a few realistic hurdles that had to made with my old apartment building. (host)

Baby Boomer Divas Weekend-You Are Invited

October, 17, 2009 is the Baby Boomer Diva Weekend in Raleigh NC on Social Media. View this special invitation.

You just saw a few of the many awesome baby boomer diva’s in this short video. Can you imagine what it will be like to attend power-packed, information satuated and eye opening weekend? You will not only walk away with life changing information but you will probably have some fun.

Go ahead and read more about the weekend planned for Boomer Diva Social Media event.

Oh, did I mention that they will be talking about blogging by and for baby boomers? Also, cutting edge information on other Social Media goodies.

A Swipe File for Blog Post Ideas?

The term”swipe file”  is often used related  to copywriting and advertising. (At least that is my knowledge of it probably more uses I don’t know about) It is when you see an idea, for example a great design and copy for an ad, you cut it out and file it.

You then refer to that file when you are looking for ideas to create your own design or copy. The idea is nothing is really new these days. The ideas stimulate your own  brain cells into action and you may borrow the colors or wording and add your own special touch.

When it comes to blogging you might see a post  like, “7 Ways To Pump Up Your Blogging” . Now, clearly this is a motivational post so you might say “I’ve got it, I will do a post called, “7 Ways to Put the ” B” Back into Your Blogging.”

Ok, that does it for the introduction, I want to share with you a really great post on using swipe files by signing up to a Google RSS reader.

Please enjoy and not only post a comment on this bloggers site but drop one here also. Remember, the more comments, the more links back to your site.

James Brown Blogging-Which Song Would Your’s Be?

Which song is like your blogging style

Which song is like your blogging style

If you had to pick a song done by James Brown which would reflect your blogging style?

I had a deep reflection on this (about 3 seconds) and determined that mine would be “Get on the Good Foot”.

I broke my leg once and that song motivated me to lean my dance with my cast on while holding on  to a pole in the room. Is that pole dancing? Well, sometimes my blogging gets broken but I need to keep encouraged to work anyway. Now, that is the boomer way, right?

What about you?

Google Labs-Do Blog Content Research With Google Trends

Hi, I am in space now at Google Labs. Today I am exploring Google Trends.

I thought that Wikepedia did a great job providing a summary of this application. Call it my Spock consult which says:

Google Trends shows how often a particular search term is entered relative the total search volume across various regions of the world, and in various languages. The horizontal axis of the main graph represents time (starting from some time in 2004), and the vertical is how often a term is searched for relative to the total number of searches, globally.[1] Below the main graph, popularity is broken down by region, city and language. It is possible to refine the main graph by region and time period.

Google Trends also allows the user to compare the volume of searches between two or more terms. An additional feature of Google Trends is in its ability to show news related to the search term overlaid on the chart showing how new events affect search popularity.

How Did I Use It?

I just started a new site called Baby Boomer Pocket Change. I am learning about coin collection and decided to post information as I learn. So I went to Google Trends to see what has been in the news since 2004. Also, to see which state had more searches for the term.

I posted an article, from on of the citations, on the site on determining the value of the coins. I will return to because I find this to be an invaluable resource for marketing and content research. So, I can’t wait to search for other trends. Give it a try. Key in your niche term or interest and see what happens.

If you don’t have a free google account please get one. Then you will have access to the google labs. If anyone needs a video on this or want me to walk you through in give a shout out.

In addition, someone reading this has been there and done that so please share.

Next Stop will save you money this year!