Dads Are Parents, Too – Speaking at the 140conf in NEW YORK

 

dads are parents too

View from the Observatory at the Empire State Building

My “talk” at the #140conf – Dads Are Parents, Too – Video taken by Aaron Sallan

Everyone in the world of Social Media understands the value of networking, the tools of the Internet, the various places to “travel” along the web, and occasionally the value of leaving the comfort of your laptop.  There are many major conferences held annually in the U.S. and internationally, but my recent attendance at the June 15-16, 2011 140conf in New York combined it all to offer this shy, reserved, dad blogger the time of his life — and to provide my 14-year-old son with literally the trip of his life. read more

Computer Addiction, Technology, and Me

computer addictionTechnology has me in its grasp. It won’t let go. It’s got me by the proverbial – what do you call those things you juggle? Is this computer addiction? I didn’t realize that I was its victim until I reflected on my growing use and, yes, dependence on “My Tech!” But, saying I’m its “victim” is a large exaggeration since I’m really its beneficiary and it has changed my life, mostly for the better. My second career is a total result of the opportunities that modern technology and “Social Media” provide.

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Why I Love My Facebook Page

I’ve had my “A Dad’s Point-of-View” Facebook page for about a year.  I LOVE IT.  It’s literally been a life-changer for me.  It’s named after my column and radio show: “A Dad’s Point-of-View.” As of today (2/27/11), it has just shy of 3,500 members, as I like to call them.

Originally, Facebook pages called those who joined pages “fans,” but they changed it to a less clear designation later. Now, instead of becoming a “fan” of a Facebook page, which was the original option, you choose to “like” a page — does that make you a “liker?”  Again, I prefer “member,” especially for my page where “fan” would be insulting given that we’re all on the same page, as parents. read more

New Technology, New Media, and Old Me

I’m a baby-boomer.  I’m a Yuppie.  I’m a man.  I’m a dad. I’m divorced.  I’m re-married. I’m a writer.  And, I’m sometimes a mess.  It’s a confusing world, no doubt, and the evolution of technology in my lifetime has contributed to my confusion.  Let’s consider what has occurred in the past half-century or so, since I was born.

When I was a child, media, and  technology were pretty simple.  Media meant the newspaper, three networks, and going to the movies.  “Live” theatre and concerts were a special treat and the telephone had a dial and a cord.  My family had one television set that residing prominently in the living room and it looked like furniture. Our record player, as they were called before “Stereo” was introduced, was designed to look like a side cupboard and was a complicated device that I was not allowed to touch.

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BoomerTechTalk – Answering Your Tech Fears!

For some of us, “of a certain age/generation,” every new tech thing is yet another time we can get flummoxed and frustrated. How often have you opened that new tech device, camera, digital picture frame, or new “smart” phone, and felt anything but “smart?” I sometimes put the “thing” aside, stare at it a few days, and then finally get the courage to open it up.

What often follows, more often that I’d like to admit, is something doesn’t work right. Even learning the so-called simple things, like attaching and sending a photo via e-mail can sometimes be confusing. My favorite is when the only help you can get is online, but you can’t get online because of some connection problem. Or better, when you take their suggestion to call them for help before you return the darn thing.

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Attending the #140conf AND Speaking!

This past Monday and Tuesday (October 4,5), I attended a fantastic conference oriented to people who use Twitter, work in Social Media, teach, want to learn and grow, and so much more. I also got to speak and my topic was (surprise surprise), “Dads Are Parents, Too.”

There were dozens of incredible speakers and it was all organized and created by Jeff Pulver (@jeffpulver) with assistance from the tireless (mom of three, I might add) Melissa Pierse (@melissapierce).
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The Rabbi’s Message – by Rabbi Bryski

The following was sent to me via an e-mail by the extraordinary Rabbi Bryski of the Chabad of the Conejo.  What a marvelous idea to compare Twitter to bigger meaning in our lives.  Take a read:

Dear Bruce;
Until recently if you asked someone if they “twitter,” they’d probably give you a funny look. They might say, “What, do I look like, a bird?” Or they’d be insulted, because “twitter” meant “babble” – basically to yak nonsense. Come to think of it, maybe the definition still applies. ?

But twitter now has a new meaning. “Twitter” is the name of an online service that allows people to send out short messages called “Tweets.” They have some value – a kind of electronic news bulletin. Flash! Accident on the interstate. But “Tweets” have also upped the interaction level – one can follow a celebrity’s Tweets. Or you can build up your own following. Tweet about your walk from the car to the office. read more