Category Archives: Tech Event

Connecting With The RickiLakeShow

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I have been a fan of Ricki Lake for some time and was excited to see her on Dancing With The Stars. Putting my own fantasies aside of dancing on the show with those fantastic costumes, I was rooting for her to win as a fan and as a fellow working mom. When she made the finals – I was so proud! But I am most excited to announce that I am one of the members of social media community called Friends of Ricki that supports her forthcoming television show: The Ricki Lake Show.   Our first fun event is a #FriendsofRicki Ustream (http://ustream.tv/rickilake) at 5pm PST this Wednesday, February 1. They also shared some social media tips with us – that we can then share with our communities So here it is:

 

How To Connect On Social Media (#1 Tip from @RickLake)

 

Social media has changed the world forever.  In just 140 characters or an update to your Facebook status, you have the potential to connect with a complete stranger in the same town or across the globe.  In an instant, Friendships are being formed.  Business is taking place.  People are connecting.  And the world will never be the same.

But it isn’t that easy…

 

Many people are standing on the sidelines of social media, unsure of how to jump into the conversation and contribute their thoughts.  There is uncertainty about how one can form bonds with people they have never met “face to face.”

 

Are you one of many asking the question, “how?”

 

That is why we are here and you can know one thing for sure… You are in the right place!  We have teamed up with Ricki Lake, one of the most engaged celebrities on social media, to share 5 tips for connecting with people in an instant on social media.

 

Watch this video to hear Ricki Lake’s #1 Tip for Connecting on Social Media:

 

2.  Be Respectful.

Leave judgment at the door and respect that other people on social media have beliefs and opinions that are their own.  This is what makes them unique!  Just as in offline relationships, if you want to make friends, you have to be one first.  If you want people to respect you, start by being respectful of them.

 

3.  Be Inspiring.   

People like social media for many reasons.  Many will share that they feel uplifted and empowered to live their best life by connecting with inspiring and positive people.  If you want to make a lot of friends on social media, be inspiring. Be encouraging.  Be a friend.

 

4.   Be Generous.  

The more you offer to help others in life, the more “likeable” you will be.  When on social media you can help others by supporting their work.  Take the time to mention people, and give them positive feedback.  When  you re-tweet or share the content of others they feel good and are more likely to appreciate and connect with you.  Remember, “it’s not about me, it’s about we”.

 

5.  Find a Fun Community! 

Following a hashtag community on Twitter or joining a group or community on Facebook is a great way to connect with people who are like you and who are usually looking for the same type of connection you are looking for.   Twitter and Facebook are the largest gathering of individuals on the planet.  Communities are simply small groups within.  Think of communities on social media as you would small break-out sessions at a very, very large conference.  The name on the door is the community.   Pick the door that tells you that you share common interests with those on the other side.  Then, open the door, step inside and say hello via a tweet or a post on the Facebook wall.  You will be surprised that many are waiting for… you!

 

 

If you are looking for a community that is based on friendship and connection, please join Ricki Lake and the Friends of Ricki for a very special announcement and a first hand look at social media connection on Ustream at http://ustream.tv/rickilake and using Twitter hashtag #FriendsofRicki at 5pm PST this Wednesday, February 1.  We look forward to seeing you and connecting with you there!

 

Do you have any ideas or questions about making connections on social media?  Please leave your thoughts in the comments and let’s discuss.

 

Disclosure: This is not a paid post.

 

Macworld 2012

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Macworld/iWorld is “ifan” event (not associated with Apple computer) where those that have Apple related products, apps or content gather and share. I went to look for new products to share that are relevant for families -but also bring my 13 year old son (I call techboy) on his first media assignment. I am a Window/PC fan mom but my son uses Apple products – so he is my expert. Here is some of what I shared on Twitter: Continue reading →

 

CES 2012 – Here I Come!

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Today I am heading to CES2012. I will be doing my best to Tweet (using my Twitter ID TechMama) and post about whats up with consumer electronics. My sense is that the hot tickets will be

1. Consumer Electronics that are attachment to Laptop, tablet or smartphone.

2. Consumer Electronics and cars that have app integration.

3. More internet integration into consumer electronics such as TV’s.

I will be posting under the categories CES2012 in the TechEvents and TechPress columns.

 

Fun at the Sony Photo Fun Mom Event And Using The Cyber-Shot WX9

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 When I received the invite from Kimberley Clayton Blaine (TheGoToMom) and Sony Electronics to attend a day of photography and pampering I was excited to enjoy the event and see my fellow bloggers. But my tech obsessed side was looking forward to checking out the new Sony Cyber-Shot WX9. The Sony Photo Fun Mom Event inspiried me to get out of my “work at home” sweats off and get my fashion on. Or – at least – attempt to.

Here is a video from the Event:

Sony Photo Fun Mom Event from Kimberley Blaine on Vimeo.

 

The event gathered a fun group of bloggers together to enjoy San Diego, experience the Cybershot WX9 and get headshots from celebrity photographer Brian Smith.  Brian Smith’s project/book is called “Art and Soul” that has a goal to raise visibility and funding for the arts/art education.

 

While all the event pictures from the day were taken with our Sony Cybershot WX9 cameras, I wanted to also try out some of the special features. The WX-9 has 16.2 megapixels, easy to use HD option, 5x optical zoom, 3.0″ screen, Full HD 1080/60i video and “Exmor R” CMOS sensors and my favorite settings: 3D Sweep Panorama and soft skin setting.

Starting off the Sony Photo Fun Mom Event was a during the first night dinner at Anthology.

Jeannette Kaplun took this picture of (left to right) Heidi Leder, Michele McGraw, Rebecca Levy, Sheila Dowd and Glennia Campbell.  I was excited to see local San Diego bloggers Beth Avant, La Jolla Mom, Bizzie Mommy and Susan Kay Wyatt  from LA.

Glennia enjoyed using the “Sony Cybershot WX9′s Gourmet setting to take photos of food in low light with brilliant effect“. I found the WX9 not only easy to use out of the box, but the settings enable you to take fabulous pictures on the go (with a camera that fits in your back pocket if needed!). Here are a few pictures I took using the Sweep Panarama setting that allowed me to sweep the camera and capture more in one picture. The resulting picture can take a normal picture to the next level with more detail and perspective.

 

In the picture above, Jennifer Martin and the Sony Photo Fun Mom crew giving us a demo of the Sony Cybershot WX9.

 

The beautiful San Diego skyline at dinner.

 

The sweep panaromic picture above is one I took of downtown San Diego from our event the next day at the Hard Rock Hotel. This inspiried me to bring the Cybershot WX-9 on my family vacation and use the Sweep Panorama setting to capture all 10 cousins on bikes riding on a beach boardwalk. Capturing special moments like that are priceless, and now I can do it in one picture instead of many.
We also had a chance to look at accessories such as the Sony Partyshot (hands free photos) and digital photo frames.

 

It was great to see representatives from the Sony social media team including Sukhjit Ghag (picture between Kim and I).

 

Kimberley Clayton Blaine was also a great resource for learning even more about the Cybershot WX9. She showed me the Soft Skin setting – which is now one of my favorite settings.

 

Above is a picture of Kimberley Blaine and Jeannette Kaplun I took using the “soft skin” setting that highlights skin in just the right way. We all decided that we don’t want any more pictures taken of our face unless the soft skin setting was used.

 

This picture is of Sarah Auerswald and Kimberley Clayton Blaine – also using the soft skin setting on the Cybershot WX-9.

 

Jeanutte Kaplun and Heather from the Rookie Moms were the models for a shot Brian Smith helped us frame. He told us to look for unique landmarks to help frame a picture – and this sculpture did the trick.

 

We all had fun trying the different camera features.

 

Here I am with the fabulous  Liz Gumbinner, one of the founders (with Kristen Chase) of my favorite shopping sites Cool Mom Picks and Cool Mom Tech. I am thrilled to be part of the Cool Mom Tech team, so I tried to find a good pose for a picture. I think Liz nailed it – but my pose needed work. Luckily we had Brian Smith Photo to help me and the other moms out with headshots.

 

Brian Smith used the Sony DSLR-A900 for our headshot pictures.

 

Kimberley Clayton Blaine and Britt Michaelian are getting their fashion on for their headshots:

 

The beautiful Sheila Dowd of the Clever Girls Collective had her celebrity pose on.

 

I tried my best to go from Geek to Model Chic (something that does not come naturally for me). Luckily Brian Smith and his wife Fazia (who is a fantastic stylist) helped me find a style and some poses that worked to create my new headshots.

 

Thanks to event host Kimberley Clayton Blaine, Sony and Brian Smith Photo for making this mama feel like a celebrity for a day.

 

I not only have celebrity headshots, but I also learned how to  make my friends look like a celebrity using the features on the Cybershot WX9!

 

Disclosure: Travel expenses to attend the Sony Photo Fun Mom event were covered by Sony. We were given a Cyber-Shot WX9 to capture our memories (and we enjoyed it!). This is not a paid post. As always, my words are my own.

 

First of April – My Favorite Things

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Today is April 1st and here are my favorite links of the day:

Think Geek finally has a tee shirt about the computer overlords, edible gummy iPhone case, Angry Birds Pork Rinds and De-3D glasses. I know Cool Mom Tech agreed with the good finds at Think Geek.

Cool Mom Tech also covered Smart Starterz – learning language in the Womb (darn, why didn’t I do that?).

@JeffElder found a data dock that is also a toaster!

Finally – Google Motion (motion controlled email) is in beta and ready to goooo (as in jump around instead of typing).

And best yet, now my kids can pretend to wait in line at the Apple Store with the Playmobile Apple Store:

Happy April 1st!