Category Archives: Tech Perspective

Social TV With Friends of Ricki (Lake)

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While I have met a good number of celebrities since I started blogging, the quality I value most when meeting anyone is being authentic. Some celebrities have so many levels of protection around them – that they don’t ever connect directly with their fans to have “authentic” discussions. Social media has created new ways for celebrities (and everyone) to connect online with a wide network of people. But having the courage for engaging in real conversations on social media is the challenge.

 

When Social Media Girlfriends Britt Michaelian and Dabney Porte contacted me to share details about the new community they were leading (Friends of Ricki), I was excited to find out more (and become one of the Founding Members). The Friends of Ricki Community is the first Social TV community of it’s kind with engaging discussions and members that are always a pleasure to connect with. The production team of the Ricki Lake Show are very active in participating throughout the communities various social media channels. I even had the opportunity to ask a question directly to Ricki Lake about her favorite gadget – and received this video response (check out the video to find what Ricki Lake’s favorite gadget was at the time).

 

When I had a chance to attend a live Friends of Ricki meetup at the end of a business trip to Los Angeles, I wondered if that would be the same experience as the online community? Would that feeling of support, connection and sharing of ideas translate well from the online Friends of Ricki community to a live meetup?

 

All I can say is a big BIG YES! I hope everyone has a chance to meet other Friends of Ricki members (all of which had fascinating stories to tell of their own).

 

 

The big reveal to me was meeting the Ricki Lake Show production team and of course Ricki Lake. They were not only excited about the Ricki Lake Show – but also to meet and learn about the Friends of Ricki members in attendance. We shared some food & drinks at the beautiful Montage Beverly Hills (a great spot for a meetup I must say). But when Ricki Lake walked into the meetup, I wondered if she would be connect with us directly as well. The answer to that is another big YES. When Ricki Lake walked into the room, she was authentic from the start. She sat down with a bunch of us and asked “us” questions first (true to her girlfriend reputation). Ricki Lake connected to being single which she was before she recently got married again, to being a mom and to the regular struggles we all go through as women. The whole celebrity label faded away, and it truly felt like I was hanging out with a fabulous group of girlfriends. We also enjoyed when Ricki Lake shared some details about her romantic journey to meeting and marrying her new husband. I connected with that as well – it took me some time to find my soulmate (who I am so happy to be married to).

 

 

Beth Blecherman (left) with Ricki Lake (right) – enjoying talking about her new book Never Say Never.

 

Mushy moments aside, I was thrilled that Social TV also translates to real life connections – ones that I value every day online (and I hope to see live again soon!). I included pictures in this post from the live meetup. I am still gathering names – which I will add. I also gathered below information so everyone can join in the Friends of Rick community fun.

 

 

Bryan Moore from the Ricki Lake Show (production team) interacting with the Friends of Ricki community online using his laptop – and hanging with fellow Friends or Ricki members (in above picture Elisa @30secondmom  ).

 

 

@RaiseTheQueen @DailyDimmick and @TechMama

 

 

@RaiseTheQueen and @TechMama – missing @TheGoToMom (who was not at event because she was keynoting at another fabulous meetup: Disney Social Media Moms conference).

 

 

Friends of Ricki members giving each other hugs goodbye after a fun night!

Information on how you can join in the Friends of Ricki community fun:

 

Friends of Ricki community was created to meet, connect, share stories and news with  friends and connect with Ricki Lake and the Ricki Lake Show production team. Here are some of the social media channels:

 

 

Disclosure: My participation in the Friends of Ricki community is volunteer (not paid). I paid for my own travel expenses to Los Angeles.

 

Media Training: To Time, Jamie Grumet, Mashable and Lemmings Following Along

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In a perfect storm of posts lately, “mommy blogging” and “attachment parenting” have become the hot topics of conversation.  I have not blogged about my own personal stories for some time because I have been focused on helping one of my children through his own “perfect storm” transition in his life. A transition that will not be a part of any of my blog posts. Why? Because it is not related to my social media niche – it is personal.

 

What has snapped me out of my self imposed personal “opinion” writing seclusion? It seems that while everyone embraces the new world of sharing – many keep forgetting some basic media 101. Media 101 are the rules I use to engage in the social media sharing world. I am not saying I have it down to perfection – but my personal “media” rules do help guide me in this new environment where the lines between news and opinion have blurred. So I thought I would my personal opinion to Time Magazine, Jamie Grumet, Mashable and everyone else that should consider developing their own Media 101 rules.

 

Media Training 101:

 

  1. Dear Time Magazine -  While I really appreciate you including me in your 2011 Time Top 140 Twitter Feeds list (seriously – I do appreciate that). And even though you forgot to include me this year (maybe you left my out by accident), I am still a regular reader of Time magazine and have the online site included in my daily RSS feeds. I also understand that journalism is journalism,  and while it may seem tempting to be provocative with your cover photo and your headline – I suggest in the future you just pick one and not both. It is kind of like accessorizing with fashion – it you are wearing an over-the-top beaded dress that has bright colors, you need to tone down the accessories to let the dress shine. Of course I think every problem can be solved with a fashion metaphor. Another good tips is not to use the term “mommy enough”. All moms that raise their kids in a loving environment are “mommy enough”. Enough said.
  2. Dear Jamie Grumet – You should feel proud that you are raising your kids in a loving way. Don’t ever let anyone judge you for that. It is great to see the parent blogging community come out in support as well (including MomsLA).  But when you talk to journalists, reporters and those in the news business – realize their job is to be provocative and to start conversations. Sometimes they do that in a way that is detrimental to you and your family. It is not personal – it is just the business. I like to consider what my kids will think when they are older before I pose for public pictures with them. But of course – finding that balance is a moving target as they get older. Currently it seems everything embarrasses my 13 year old. Also, the internet likes to make fun of things in something that is called “Internet meme“, which can be a magnifying force.
  3. Dear Mashable- You have enough amazing writers that are moms, so when posting about “mommy blogging” please get input from one of them.   Also – don’t use the color pink and aprons in infographics talking about moms, that is so 1950′s. From a term standpoint, the appropriate one to use is “parent blogging” because Dads are also a big part of the blogging community. The real story is that parenting is challenging and isolating at times;  parents started blogging as a way to share, get information and interact with others. While many parent bloggers have created businesses around their blogging, it started out as a passion and still is so for many others. The parent bloggers that have businesses from their blogging either have a professional background related to their niche or a new found talent that they are taking to the next level.
  4. Dear blog readers – Please don’t become lemmings and take the bait when journalists become provocative, that is their business (i.e. to get people to read their article!). MommyPsychologist brought up the lemmings concept and I agree. We can’t forget that part of journalism is provoking conversations. I think in situations that are offensive, it is important to state our objections by commenting. Or share your perspective with a blog post that creates the image you want. Sabrina Parsons from Forbes shared her version of an attachment parenting picture: her with her baby in a sling. Most of, don’t buy into the mommy ways – parents need to not judge each other (I agree with Christy Matte on that one).  But in many situations, humor is a good way to respond.  For example,  MamaPop blog did a good job of using “humor” to respond to the Time breastfeeding cover controversy. Humor is also another good way to parent (laughing is good for you!). Update: MamaPop also snagged an interesting interview with Dr. Bill Sears!

 

While it may seem that I am being a lemming as well to jump into the controversy discussion, I view this as sharing my opinion on media interaction (and throwing in some of my own humor). I did not take the bait, I feel that every mom who raises their kids in a loving environment is enough. I have to admit – the controversy did bring up some amazing blog posts. But when it comes to using humor,  Jenny Lawson (a.k.a The Bloggess) is the Queen of finding appropriate respones to outrageous media questions.  Next time I will ask her to share her media 101 rules. Or maybe Taxidermy and Media 101 rules.

 

 

 

Exciting Announcement: TechMama is guest columnist at Laptop Mag

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For years, reading online and buying Laptop Magazine has been one of my regular stops to catch up on the latest in mobile tech. Laptop Magazine was (and is) an important part of my daily curation of family technology and social media.

 

Other then my personal blog TechMamas.com ( and as a big fan of CoolMomPicks),  I was thrilled to be part of the team at their sister site CoolMomTech – the top tech shopping site for moms. It was also my dream as a tech blogger to contribute to a mainstream tech site.

 

I am excited to announce that I am a guest columnist at none other then Laptop Magazine (ok, yes I am giddy)! My first column discusses if Augmented Reality toys are bad for your kids. To find out my thoughts – you will need to check out Laptop Magazine online or the May magazine issue. Even better if you do both. As I head out on a business trip next week, I picked up my regular “plane” – shut off your electronics and read a magazine – reading. I must say, buying the recent issue of Laptop Magazine was extra special this time.

 

 

 

CES 2012 – Tech Adventure

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International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is a yearly conference held in Las Vegas that focuses on none other then my favorite topic: consumer electronics across all product categories (including emerging tech, hardware, software, gaming, digital health, auto, accessories and telecom). The CES website press release explained: “The 2012 International CES was the largest in the event’s 44 year history, with a record number of more than 3,100 exhibitors across the largest show floor in CES history – 1.861 million net square feet of exhibit space – and drawing a record of more than 153,000 attendees, including more than 34,000 international attendees. More than 20,000 new products were launched at the 2012.”

I just came back after a week of doing video, tweeting, going to fabulous events and trying my best to make it through the 4 exhibit floors to gather the latest and greatest consumer tech for my audience. I will be sharing my finds on TechMamas.com – but also sites I contribute to including the top tech shopping site for moms: CoolMomTech.com. I will gather my links on this post as they are published.

Post: CES 2012: 5 Tech trends that parents should know about

This year was another great conference. CES may be big, but it is well organized and many of the top tech brands and tech journalists/bloggers I like to connect with attend – so it is also a great networking event for all. I am a big fan of live conferences and networking events. But because of my busy life as a mom with three boys – I had to limit the number of out of town conferences I attend. But CES is the one conference my wonderfully supportive husband and family know I NEVER miss. Doesn’t hurt that it is in Las Vegas (even if it always seems that I have my first glass of wine at the end of the conference – after I have finished all of my work). I need to find another time to go back to Las Vegas with my husband and our friends to really enjoy the nightlife… Someday!

 

My Tech New Year’s Resolutions Part 4: Use More Apps

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I’m going shopping – and I am not talking about shoes. My next tech resolution is to start using more apps not only for productivity, social, news but also for fun. I have a smartphone (as well as testing others at the same time) and multiple tablets.  So over the next few months I will be checking out all the latest and greatest apps for all devices (yes – even laptops!).

 

 

 

For now, here are a few app resources I am looking into:

My current app favorites are my social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Google+), Restaurant assistants (such as Urban Spoon), voice dictation like Dragon Dictate, music apps such as Shazam and DoubleTwist to get music from my iTunes account to my Android phone, Photo editing such as Instagram or PicSay, Video apps like Qik and shopping apps such as Decide and Eyeona, Google Reader app for reading blog feeds and more…

 

And more? Please share!

 

 

My Tech New Year’s Resolutions Part 3: New Rules & Tech Faux Pas

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Looking forward to 2012, I can’t help but think about the new tech rules and laugh at some common tech faux pas.

The Bloggess started me off with a tweet last night about someone sitting on the plane next to her who was boldly demonstrating Tech Faux Pas #1: In public places, respect others by managing your electronic volume. Take some time to understand how to use earpphones and volume controls.

While this may sound fuddy duddy, just put yourself in the Bloggess’ place:

image from i1137.photobucket.com

 I went on the USS Nimitz trip with the Bloggess – I know she is not someone to be messed with.

Tech Faux Pas #2 – Your ears want a break: Dear people, give us ears a break and manage the noise level when listenting to technology. Please remember that us “ears” need to be taken care of as well (starting as kids). You’re not a starfish. Hearing does not grow back. Mess us ears up now, and you’ll wind up being one of those people sitting in the movie theater turning to your friend and asking, “WHAT DID THEY SAY?”

Tech Faux Pas #3 - Note to tech companies – please stop with all the patent fighting for things that are common functionality:

Especially as a blogger – I respect the value of patents and copyrights. But common functionality should be something we see across all gadgets. Innovation is enough to make a product stand out on their own. And you KNOW who I’m talking about (fruit baskets, anyone?)

Tech Faux Pas #4 – Note to content companies – a screen is a screen:  New York Times writer David Carr wrote an interesting article on “New Rules For The Way We Watch” where he proclaimed “a screen is a screen”.  Carr explained that the “old dividing line between television, radio, Web and print disappear between the four corners of a tablet“. I think that the dividing line is disappearing between all screens. So content companies – please make it easier to view your content across my screens (I have lots of them). I am happy to pay for content directly as long as I can see it across my screens. And by the way, my tween only watches content through his smartphone, laptop and gaming console. So the future is here. Just check out TheGoToMom’s online video content site for moms – she gets it!

Tech Faux Pas #5 – Beware of the fan people: I have seen too many people buy technology because all of their friends and fanboys/girls say “it is the best technology in the world” – but it ends up not being a great fit for them. Or they buy something expensive and fancy when they really just want simple functionality. I suggest everyone make a resolution (new rule) this year to analyze their own workflow, what technology they use already and what features they need. Then pick the technology that matches their needs and workflow instead of listening to the fan people.  My tech new years resolution is to simpifly my life by updating my family technology to fit with our family lifestyle. I started by buying a new TV, but this leads to the next tech faux pas.

Tech Faux Pas #6 – Buying a new piece of technology that is out of date the next day: Ok, maybe not the next day but one new rule we all need to accept is that technology is moving at a faster pace then we can keep up with. As someone who reviews technology, I personally witness on a regular basis testing out a new piece of technology, then hearing the next week of a new product that is even more advanced. Instead, I suggest anyone buying a new piece of technology do their homework and try to “buy forward”.

Thirteen years ago we bought the most advanced TV we could at the time, even though it weighed one million pounds (OK, really it was 104 pounds). That TV lasted 13 years and when we finally decided to replace it, we purchased for the future. Our new TV is Internet/WiFi ready and 3D compatible. For my laptops, I always look for the fastest processors, advanced graphics capabilities, greatest amount of RAM and other key features.

For my smartphone, I waited for the 4G version that had a great camera for video and pictures as well as the ability to have my contacts/calender items updated via the cloud.

I also look for accessories that can extend the technology I have instead of buying new techology. For example, instead of buying a Karaoke machine to entertain my friends on New Years, I bought a Microphone that plugs into my tablet and uses a Karaoke app. Instead of buying a new projector to display presentations, I am looking for a mobile project that plugs into my laptop or tablet.

Other then the general tech blogs such as Ubergizmo and CNET, I recommend my mom tech blogger sites to find out the latest and greatest in family tech. A fellow mom blogger, Michelle McGraw, created a Tech Mom Blogger Skinny Scoop list  (including CoolMomTech) that is a great start. Other valuable resources are tech dads, MomBlogMagazine, Techlicious and tools such as Decide.com and other online shopping sites.

Tech Faux Pas #7 – Quality, not Quantity: I am heading to CES 2012 in a few weeks and hope that companies will focus on creating a few products REALLY well instead of a rainbow of mediocraty.

Tech Faux Pas #8 - We’re not “Neo” in the movie The Matrix: Yes, let’s just accept that being plugged into social networking and the online world is a part of the way we interact in the modern world. However, to balance that, everyone needs to find a way to unplug when “real” people or situations need your attention. And not in the car… the online world can wait until you get out from behind the wheel.

The new rule should be to embrace the new modern tech-based communication, but not at the expense of real life communications. Which leads to my last point…

Tech Faux Pas #9 – Facetime is not only an app: I am the worst offender at this one. While I have an amazing online community, I also enjoy “real” facetime. I still need to hug my loved ones, have people over to my house and make lunch and coffee dates. Skype is great for long distance communication, but nothing is better than real facetime.

To honor that – I head off to a day of calling loved ones and spending time with friends & family. Happy New Year!!!

Do you have any tech resolutions, faux pas or new rules to add?

 

My Tech New Year’s Resolutions Part 2: Teaching My Kid’s Fiscal Responsibility

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Every parent I know is struggling to both connect their child’s allowance to homework and household chores. They are also encouraging their child to manage their allowance wisely, splitting the money between short-term purchases, long-term savings and charity. While my first tech new years resolution is to re-organize my business, my second tech new years resolution is to evaluate all the options to set up a responsible allowance system for my children.

 

1. Find an online system to manage my kids allowance that also teaches fiscal responsibility: I will be looking for a system that exists in the cloud (online) so I can set it up – then have my kids join to manage their budgeting using their laptops and desktops. Of course – then I can set it up and maintain it using my laptop. I want the system to not only keep track of chores and corresponding allowance payments due,  but also allow my kids to save up for higher price items and contribute to charity.

 

2. Evaluate mobile options: I will be looking for an allowance system that also has related apps to manage using my mobile phone or tablet on the go.

 

3. Decide if I can use the same allowance system for Middle School son and Elementary School Twin Boys: My older son has an iPhone so I may choose a different cloud-based system for him that he can manage from an app on his iPhone. I also want my tween to have options for buying items from this allowance. For example, after using the American Express pre-paid card for a business conference, and realizing I can issue up to 3 cards off my account, I am considering issuing a card for some of my tween’s projects. Because I will load the card with only the amount he can spend, it will force him to stick to a budget! For example, my tween son likes producing videos and needs some new equipment. This is a project he needs to save up for and will require a bigger investment that usual. At the same time, he needs a regular allowance to pay for his outings with friends. Budgeting is key.

 

On the other hand, my younger twin boys don’t go out with their friends. Their financial goals are more modest and usually have something to do with a new Lego set. A simple financial system, allowing then to save up and also contribute to charity, will be perfect. My twins have access to the family tablet and a desktop, so their system should be able to work with both. In the end, my resolution is to stop allowing them to go over budget when I take them to the store and they plead with me to use part of next weeks allowance to buy a modest toy. Instead, my 8 year olds need to learn the concept of saving. And their mama must help them adhere to limits.

 

Disclosure: This post is in partnership with American Express Prepaid Card.

 

My Tech New Year’s Resolutions Part 1: Re-Organize My Business

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image from i1137.photobucket.com
 
The New Year is almost here- a perfect time to set goals to improve my business. For parents like me working at home and confined to a small work space, being organized is vital. While I have gone through my desk and decluttered over the last few months, the next step is to figure out how I can improve my business workflow and in turn improve my productivity.
 
1. Tame the receipts: Folders on my desktop are great for day to day review of expenses, but scanning and storing receipts either on my computer or in the cloud is a more efficient long-term solution.
 
2. Automate the tax Process: Using an tax accountant is helpful for quarterly and annual filings. As my business grows, so does the volume of data for tax time. Automating my business accounting saves time at the desk, improves day to day workflow, and frees up more time for clients. Next up: figure out what accounting software or apps I should use.
 
3. Create and stick to a business budget: I posted last month about my adventures in budgeting using the American Express Prepaid Card. Next year, my goal is to set and stick to budgets for my projects and conferences by loading up the budget in advance to my American Express Prepaid Card. When I use my regular business charge card for projects or conferences, I don’t always manage to budget. It’s time to curb ad-hoc shopping while on business trips and stick to business. One resolution for 2012 is to create a more thorough suitcase packing list that adapts to different climates. How many of us arrive at a conference without a sweater to keep warm in overly cold air conditioned conference rooms?
 
4. Update my website: I hired a fabulous team of developers to redesign my website – and now it’s time to update the information. Techmamas.com serves 2 important roles: 1) A platform for my voice, and 2) An effecitve visual resume. I have an “about” page, but need to add information on recent press appearances, consulting services and speaking engagements. Word of mouth is effective, but a personal website that clearly communicates press information and services provided is MORE effective.
 
5. Use more business Apps: The first apps loaded onto my new smartphone were the standard apps including Twitter, Facebook and other social apps. Next year, I want to identify and install mobile time saving and productivity enhancing applications that can do things like  increase document travel expenses, hail taxis, figure out tips and easily share videos apps on the road.
 
Disclosure: This post is in partnership with American Express Prepaid Card.

 

MAC vs. PC vs. State Of Confusion

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At one of the Labor Day barbeques I went to this weekend, a friend came up to me and said the words that I live for: “Your tech advice really helped me“. So of course I said “What did I tell you to do?”

My friend, a fellow mom, has an (Apple) iPhone as her smartphone and one family PC for home use. Syncing her iPhone calender to her PC was a challenge, so she asked me for help. I showed her different ways to sync smartphone calenders with her PC desktop and websites on the cloud, but we could not find a solution that worked for her daily routines.  She was confused – even though her husband preferred a PC – should she get a (Apple) MAC for herself?  In the world of PC versus MAC, it is ok for a family to have both in the same household? So I gave her my word of advice:

“stay within the same tech infrastructure – go buy yourself a MAC and the rest of the family can use the family PC”.  She did just that.

My friend told me that having a MAC was helpful for her daily tasks and to use with her iPhone. Her husband and family are happy because they have the PC to use.

This is an issue I can relate to. I prefer Window’s PC’s: I use a PC with a big screen at home and have a separate (smaller and lighter) travel laptop for mobile use. I enjoy using Microsoft Outlook for my calender that syncs with my smartphone and many online services I use as well. My tween wanted a MACBook to use for homework because he was using one at school – so we bought him one. I passed down an old, but in good working order, PC for my 8 year old twins to use and they are thrilled.

My advice to anyone in a state of confusion over the MAC versus PC debate is to ask themselves: “what tech infrastructure do they want to use?” As busy parents, it is important to make our lives easier by using technology that seamlessly works in our daily schedules.