Twitter isn't really designed for sustained conversations, but you see the same problems in many other technologies. In online learning contexts we've found that people are not naturally good at responding meaningfully to what others have to say in most technological environments.

Is the structure of social media tools pushing us to broadcast and receive information without engaging in deeper dialogue? I'll be interested to see /if people respond to this comment…

Is that a conversation, a dialogue or neither? It seems like it's more a question of semantics than anything. Using Twitter as a customer support channel in this way isn't going to solve all of a company's customer service issues, but it can't hurt. The interactions may not be substantive 'conversations' on Twitter, but how many Twitter-borne interactions are substantive? And why do they have to be substantive to count?

I generally agree on the generic '@replies'. Those aren't particularly valuable or interesting.

I think of you so often and beam you good, good vibes for good health and much happiness.

Andrea
xo

What?

Incidentally (and ironically), speaking of projects, we didn't even bother putting up a Facebook page for our book. I just thought the minor benefits didn't outweigh the effort of maintaining the page, and the chance that I'd be flogging our book to friends and supporters who'd already heard about it in three or four other ways.

On the other hand, I'm kind of haphazard about who I 'friend' on Facebook. Happily it doesn't have to be quite so literal on Twitter.

Just wondering your thoughts on mozilla’s raindrop concept and the thunderbird 3 client also from mozilla?

They've admitted there's another huge wave of bans coming, but after presure have at least agreed to provide a reply email, although it doesn't appear there's any way to request a reconsideration of a ban.

Given that Adwords accounts can build up significant Quality Score over the years which can greatly reduce advertising costs, this is both a massive penaly and (for the conspiraccy theorists) a great way for Google to force advertisers to start again from scratch at higher ad costs.

Given their posotions in the marketplace, both Google and Facebook should be ashamed of their shoddy management of services on which many advertisers rely for their income.

Paul

My preferred way create a clean presentation state is to hold down the SHIFT key while booting the Operating System (Win or Mac) – this causes the OS to skip processing any of the entries in the Startup section of the registry or Mac extensions.

Paul.

Paul

This post was mentioned on Twitter by SoMedios: The First Slide in Your PowerPoint/Keynote Presentation – About four years ago while giving a keynote presentation … http://ow.ly/162qk7...

Axel
http://xeesm.com/AxelS

None the less, I haven't even gotten a chance to use any of them because, well, it's just not as accessible to me to use the Twitter website itself, especially when getting alerted to @ replies from people who are not being followed.

So, sadly, I do agree. I love the concept of Twitter, really I do, but, with such a decline of the actual website usage, it really makes it hard to know why I should keep using it through there… unless they finally up the API grabs that can be made. That, I will admit, is slightly an issue. But, I've rambled enough.

This post was mentioned on Twitter by kimbrianm: RT @julien This is How Twitter Will Die http://ow.ly/B7Pr...

If you (not you Tod; the general "you") didn't want your business contacts to see you as anything other than a business entity, why did you add them as friends in Facebook?

I put a garbage basket underneath it and, in about five minutes, it stopped. But still, very odd.

The three most notable insights I find most significant when discussing the "Y" generation are as follows: 1) their Lack of Socialization for the purpose of collective teamwork; 2) their Resistance to Structure/Authority and 3) their constant need for stimulation and immediacy of information.

1) This generation lacks socialization skills. It's a paradox, they may want to "be part of something" or be part of a "team" but they do not have the necessary skills or experience to negotiate themselves as a collective. It is generally understood that this is the first of our generations to grow up in front of the media/television and this has directly influenced the way they interact with people. And studies have proven that this generation lacks the intimacy, desire and want to sustain communicative relationships outside of a technological realm. Let’s take note of a few examples: If you take a look at their socialization prior to the workforce with the school and friends; they don't go to the library and do any kind of group research; they can't give a speech because they don't know how to address people; they don't know how to read body language; they don't engage in group activities like the film festival, music concerts or go to the movies. The result then, is a generation that is individual in thought and autonomous in practice. There is no need for the visceral experience of traditional forms of communication rather, this generation has created for themselves a new means of interacting that is ultimately focused on individual need and interest without taking into account the collective good. Technology has allowed for this self-absorbed and self-directed learning…as the individual reigns supreme in our technological world as the individual does not use or rely upon the traditional forms of communication that once privileged the input of group thinking. Therefore, in my view, to help this generation in the workforce, and if your company requires team work to get the job done, then your organization should develop a training program to address the issues of communication, language exchange, and most importantly, the function and purpose of "team work"—that is much exempt from this generations’ foundational socialization.

2) This generation is resistant to Structure/Authority because they don't understand the concept of a dominant ideology, they are a "ME" generation they don't understand "WE". Again it goes back to a new means of socializing individuality—one that is premised on individual interest and one that is skeptical of structure of any kind. The media essentially, at its core, is a structureless domain. The concept of the internet as a “wild west” forum that knows no bounds or censorship is the best metaphor that encapsulates this generation’s mentality. Without doubt, this generation is highly skilled, highly educated and very independent – yes, yes yes! The internet has no censorship, has no filter, and from an early age, this generation has the power to navigate and engage in all subject matter whether appropriate or not. And this power to do so, accumulates as differentiated knowledges of various subjects. So of course, when they enter the workforce and their computer access is limited they are upset and can't understand why and are left feeling mistrusted. Moreover, when their boss puts rules and regulations and policies in place in light of work practice, this generation is at once ready to question this authority as this structure stifles the ways in which they think and do. We need to perceive of this “me” generation is its own boss and ironically enough, they can own this status as they have the knowledge of technology that previous generations lack. Hence, they make their own rules. They need not listen to instructions, rather, they aim to create their own. They want control over every aspect of their employment. This is where more flexibility in the workforce needs to be introduced: flex time, home options, summer hours etc. to increase productivity.

3) Lastly, this generation constantly needs to be stimulated. So your workforce needs to change and accommodate this. Surely, we can come up with more entertaining ways to get the job done that includes a more multi-media, multi-technological format…one that this generation finds more creative and accessible.

In terms of Facebook and other social media outlets, I have found in my personal experience that many employers are terrified to use (or allow the use of) newer technology & social media outlets because they simply don't understand them. When they employ members of a generation who are significantly more familiar and experienced with these things, I find it silly that they often don't even consider utilizing these methods, especially when it can be to their advantage PR-wise and ER-wise. It almost seems like a waste as often Gen Y's are excited to share their knowledge and educate their older co-workers on the importance of these mediums. When that opportunity is denied, you can feel as though you have little to contribute.

Finally, I completely agree with Trina — you need to have learning objectives! However, employers can't just sit down and create the objectives, then file them away. It's just as important to stay familiar with the skills and tasks your employees are interested in/desire to accomplish and ensure that they are given the opportunities — not just forced to seek them out themselves.

Thanks!

For example, when someone requests something from me, I respond immediately (even if it's a note to say "I'll look into it and get back to you"). My natural instinct is to expect the same of others.. It took me a while to learn that people haven't forgotten about me when I don't get a reply within a few hours or a day.

As a Gen X/Y cusper, I would say one more killer move organizations make is to THINK they are ready for a younger workforce and the energy that comes with it, when in fact the organization lacks the cultural change needed to embrace change. Too many times we see young, keen, eager employees come into an organization, pour their heart and enthusiasm into their work, then be frustrated when their "priority" projects get buried on some exec's desk – as all the while the exec continues to fight the old-school fires, the old-school way.

Progress is important to all employee generations – but with Gen Y, we gotta show 'em fast that we are serious about what they're working on…or they'll find an organization that will pay more than lip service.

When I complained, they agreed to open it up — for my computer only. I still quit. If they're willing to pull that sort of bullshit, god knows what was next?

I think all of these are great. Two other items I would add are related to 1) and 2).

The first would be "You Don't Provide Learning Opportunities". Are there workshops you can send them to that send the message that their growth and development is important? Have you asked what they are interested in learning/improving. A learning plan is one of the first things I do with a new Millennial staff member.

The second is "You Don't Connect Them to the Bigger Picture" (I'm thinking from a nonprofit perspective, but I'm sure this can carry over to all sectors). Even if their position is entry-level with menial tasks, have you imparted the importance of their work to the overall success of the organization? Though work is work, it's nice to be reminded that your work is of value.

There's a nice piece about what Robert Egger learned from Gen Y here: http://www.robertegger.org/blog/?p=391.

After spending 4 years with Gen-Ys in a very technical program, I was surprised by how few of them actually understood the technology they used … and how often they were stymied by tech that was "similar but different" from the tech that they were used to.

As in the generations before them, there is a core group of Gen-Y early adopters who *do* get technology, and they help educate their less tech-savvy friends in its use. But those friends? They're mostly operating by rote. Replace their Microsoft Word with Open Office and they can't make a chart until their techie friend shows them the differences between the two applications.

My point is that employers shouldn't automatically assume that a Gen-Y employee is going to automatically be better equipped to handle technology than anyone other employee. Or rather, they might be able to handle the stuff they grew up with using, but membership in Gen-Y does not guarantee any sort of flexibility when it comes to learning new technologies.

We often hear adults telling youth to be careful online, but we too need to do the same and show by example.

It's so easy to get on the “I'm popular” wagon when people start friending, following and watching what you're doing. It can leave you feeling good about your growing network, but it's still important to be cautious about how much personal information you reveal.

I'll definitely be sharing this article with some friends, coworkers and family.

We used to have options, but they all kind of sucked. Now? It rings. We answer. How hard is that? (Although in others defense, we have 5 employees…)

Then again they're now owned by Bell, which likely means that we'll be dealing with “Emily.”

As such, I just avoided moving 90% of the numbers around as it was just too much work, and they in the end got routed to about 4 call responder groups anyway depending on what product/service was being requested.

The best call system, one that gets you close to the right human. Usually these menu's should look like your high level org chart. if it doesn't you're org chart is broken, or your business is, fix that first and then try to fix your phones.

This is brilliant. Creepy enough to scare the hell out of us – your poor readers – but brilliant.

Thanks!

You may also want to take your name off of your shared iTunes library. It
uses your real name by default. Click Preferences (under the iTunes menu).
The first field on the General tab shows your library name.

For us complete non-techies, say on Macs, how can we find out the name of our computer? I have no idea what I called mine. I might have done this too.

I am going to be placing you’re work on my Facebook profile, so that all of my long lost friends can see for themselves you’re excellent work. The only problem I have Todd is that I am not very computer literate in which I’m embarrassed to say. I would like it very much if you would read what I wrote to you in that comments posting; this way you would know exactly what I am talking about!

I thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide me with.

Best,
Rodney