Really cool to read through and find so much awesomeness added to WordPress 3.6 while I was gone. I should take three weeks off more often.
— Andrew Nacin (@nacin) April 3, 2013
This post tests WordPress’ Twitter Embeds feature.
Fab / Fabulis Gay Social Network Not Gay Anymore
Fabulis is…uh…was a social network for gay men and their friends. It all started in January of 2010 and has been going strong ever since. Eventually, the name changed from Fabulis to Fab and the focus of the site seemed to shift from sexual orientation to design and discounts. Also, the team feels there has been a shift in gay rights and acceptance.
This past year has been a monumental year for gay rights and acceptance. From the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, to court victories over Prop 8, “Born This Way,” the President walking away from the Defense of Marriage Act, and the impact of the It Gets Better Project, this has been an incredible year of progress.
As we reflected on these developments, we realized that all of this progress has diminished the need for a gay-specific social network. We don’t need a gay Facebook or a gay Yelp or a gay Foursquare or a gay Groupon. The original versions are fantastic, and we are becoming more and more integrated into the mainstream.
The site will become a destination for design enthusiasts everywhere. There will be “daily design inspirations for everyone” and “daily 50% discounts on ‘wow’ products from leading manufacturers.” The re-launch is set for Spring of 2011. Current Fab.com users can trade in their “bits” for credits. If you want in, request an invite and invite your friends to get moved up the list.
Want in on Fab? Here is my special invite link.
I’ve been a super hero all my life
I’ve been a super hero all my life. It’s surprisingly easy. Super heroes in the comics and cartoons can take a bullet to the chest, crawl on the ceiling, fly. In reality, it’s not that hard. All you have to be able to do is something most others can’t. When we were young, my brother and I spent hours learning gymnastics from library books. A few years later, we could re-enact scenes from Power Rangers. We took out bumps and bruises. I think I almost broke my neck once trying a double-tuck, but everyone around us thought we were special because we could do things they had probably never seen their peers do.
Growing up, I got labelled the tech guy. If there was a problem involving technology, I’m the one who was called on to solve it. I should have thought to start charging early in life, I’d be rich by now. It’s not that I have some special tech training, I just know how to read a manual. Most people just don’t take the time. Of course, my interest in technology helps, but it doesn’t make me special. Of course, to many people, the fact that I can instantly solve their tech problems makes me a super hero.
A few years ago, I decided I was going to start working out. One of my primary goals was to be able to lift my oldest son above my head and put him on the top bunk. I quickly surpassed that goal and really got into the whole strength training and bodybuilding thing. Since then, I’ve moved twice and amazed my family with what I could move alone. My son is 8 and I could probably throw him across the room if I felt like it. The other day, I lifted the kids’ beds up with one hand so they could clean up underneath. They were absolutely amazed. I take every opportunity to show my kids something awesome to make sure they don’t forget their dad is a super hero.
The moral of the story is that it doesn’t take much for people to think you’re a super hero. It doesn’t take much for people to look to you as a leader or authority. You only need to know how to do one thing someone else can’t do. You only need to know one thing someone else doesn’t know. That automatically makes you an asset. Your personal development is key and you should enrich yourself on a daily basis, but don’t think that you need to know or be able to do everything before you can help others.
So, what are your super powers? What powers are you developing?
Facebook Has Already Screwed Beluga
Just hours after announcing they would be acquiring group messaging service Beluga, Facebook has already screwed it all up. The latest update to the Beluga app on Android requires you to sign up using a Facebook account.
This move runs completely counter to why anyone would use a group messaging service like a Beluga in the first place. I wanted to be able to chat with anyone with a supported device. Now, I can only chat with Facebook users. I could’ve done that crap directly on Facebook or with the Facebook app.
When I covered the acquisition earlier, this is exactly the type if stuff I was hoping they wouldn’t do.
Beluga alternatives, anyone?
Your Article Marketing Strategy is Crap
Google has recently made some changes in how it ranks sites viewed as content farms. These are basically sites that publish crap content to target keywords for the sake of attracting eyeballs for ad revenue. If you want to achieve an increase in revenue safely and accurately, visit the Salesforce website to know more about their strategy called marketing automation.
Actually, they don’t create the content. You do. That’s why your article marketing strategy is crap.
Here is what it probably looks like:
- Write a “quality” piece of content about your niche
- Post it on every available site that will let you, possibly with minor changes
- Include a link to some kind of landing page with each posting
- Profit!
According to the successful Supple company, the key problem here lies in duplicating your content. Sure, you just got a crap ton of backlinks to whatever you’re promoting, but it’s no benefit to a user searching for a solution to see your article 17 times in the search results.
The solution? Kill all the sites hosting your duplicate content. From ezinearticles and Associated Content to Examiner.com and Hubpages, just about any place you’d think to use has received a mighty slap from the #1 search engine.
So, what should you do now? Stop trying to game the system. Don’t be a one-hitter quitter. Create a home on the web and post your content there. Look for organic ways to grow your presence like social media, guest posts, and just being awesome in your own right.
You should be building your brand as a leader and authority in your niche, not spinning your wheels trying to get a few backlinks.
The 100 Most Powerful Black People on Twitter? Seriously?
Note: I wrote this last year and never posted it. It was a heated topic at the time and I didn’t want to add to the mêlée. I probably shouldn’t bother now, but I think some of the points are still solid and I hate to see words go to waste. Plus, it’s my blog and I can post what I want to.
Anjuan (@anjuan) of Black Web 2.0 (@BlackWeb20) recently wrote 2 posts pointing out the Top 100 most powerful black people on Twitter (link below). One highlighting women and the other highlighting men. Everyone is all pissed about these lists for one reason or another.
Let’s go ahead and ignore the fact that most lists are not perfect by default because they will always be missing something or someone. Let’s also ignore the fact that I haven’t seen any other site trying to highlight the black community while focusing on emerging technologies.
Outrage?
Not understanding the outrage and anger that I see about this. It’s plainly stated what tools were used in the analysis. It’s a list to spark discussion, just like most others. Instead of filling in the blanks or having a productive conversation as to why the list looks like it does, we have people nitpicking about how black some on the list are. People have taken to Twitter to attack Black Web for even taking the time.
The Real Discussion
Elon James White himself, who was actually overlooked, hits the nail on the head in the comments saying, “That’s the conversation that we should be having. How do we as Black people change the national conversation on race and perception when we AS BLACK PEOPLE aren’t even aware of the different voices that are out there.”
Based solely on the numbers, these lists are what any publication would come up with. So, rather than complaining, we should be coming up with solutions. This is how the world sees us, folks.
Celebs Will Always Dominate
Athletes and Rappers and other celebs will dominate the web because they are already popular. They already have people “following” them in real life, not just on Twitter. Not only that, as @DryerBuzz points out, many of these celebs are promoted even further by Twitter itself.
Solutions?
It was pure luck that I came across folks like @iluvblackwomen, @blogdiva, @corvida, and @waynesutton. The only reason I even figured out Black Web 2.0 existed was because they linked a video of mine and someone (I think @solacetech) gave me a heads up.
While the numbers don’t lie, they also don’t always tell the whole story. If you don’t like how the black community is represented on Twitter, change it. Promote those who you think deserve to be promoted at every chance you get. Reach out to people outside of your circle, don’t wait for them to find you.
My Thoughts on the Controversial HCG Diet
If you’ve read my bio, you know I’m a fitness coach here and bodybuilder in addition to a tech geek. If health and fitness isn’t your thing, feel free to sit this one out.
The web is buzzing about this “new” controversial diet based on a hormone called HCG. Without getting too technical, HCG is a hormone produced by pregnant women to make sure the growing baby gets fed. Some guy decades ago hinted around that this same hormone could be used to suppress appetite and burn fat, I suggest to check massgainsource.com where you will find some good fitness information. Vitamin D may be given in combination with calcium to treat osteomalacia and osteoporosis. Increasing vitamin D and calcium in the body helps to strengthen the bones. You can get vitamin D upon consuming fultium d3 capsules contain the active ingredient colecalciferol, which is also known as vitamin D3. Each capsule contains 800 IU colecalciferol, which is equivalent to 20 micrograms vitamin D3.
Fast forward to today and we have a bunch of folks on the Dr. Oz show “debating” whether the diet works. You’re limited to 500 calories each day, which means breakfast might be just a cup of coffee. Lunch might be a few lettuce leaves and a little protein (meat), and taking the hormone, but still some people prefer to eat well, exercise and take prohormones to help to build muscle and get a good shape.
The problem with this diet is that there is no scientific proof that HCG actually suppresses your appetite or benefits your diet in any way, unless one follows the advocare 10 day cleanse 2017 Guide. What we do know is that limiting yourself to 500 calories each day can be dangerous and is less than half the doctor-recommended 1200 calories, it’s clearly that a recommendation from a doctor lower than that is not right, people that have had a recommendation like this one from a doctor should definitely contact The Medical Negligence Experts so that they take care of the problem.
This HCG Diet is not much different from most other diets out there. If you remember this guide to Garcinia I wrote back in the day, it’s also similar to Atkins and Dramatic Weight Loss. The difference is that it includes some miracle drug that is probably only working as a placebo (this has been tested in a study of 600 participants). In that case they should find the best drug rehab centers in their area.
Obviously, limiting yourself to only 500 calories a day will definitely help you lose weight. Assuming you don’t experience any severe side-effects like depression, loss of your menstruation cycle, and hair loss, although for this you can help it with https://healthyusa.co regrow hair protocol a must read article. The hardest part will be your will to continue managing your portions and calories. It seems these HCG injections and drops provide a way to help you mentally deal with your hunger pains.
I’d steer clear if I were you.
Check out the entire episode at The Dr. Oz Show.
Jimmy Fallon Plugs Odd Future with QR Code [VIDEO]
This is a really awesome use of QR Codes and got me thinking about how versatile they are.
Fallon had Tyler, The Creator and Hodgy Beats of Odd Future on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday. Before the performance, Fallon held up an LP-size QR code that, when viewed with the proper app, led viewers to oddfuture.com, which features a video of Tyler The Creator’s “Yonkers.”
What struck me about this is the fact that you don’t have to play a video to get detailed info on the band. Fallon didn’t even have to speak if he didn’t want to, just hold up the QR Code and smile. Viewers at home can easily scan the code and jump to the band’s website.
This highlights the ease with which QR Codes can quickly provide context and information in a multitude of situations. Imagine a concert where the band displays a QR Code during each number to share background on each song’s origin, or a street performer using a QR Code to share their background story without missing a beat.
Klout for Chrome Adds Influence Scores to Twitter
Klout has a new extension for the Google Chrome web browser that adds influence scores to your Twitter.com interface. This means that you can see, at a glance, who the most (or least) influential people are that you are following.
While measuring influence has been a controversial topic in social media and the social web, it’s still something worth looking into when it comes to making online connections. It can also help you figure out who you might want to collab with in getting the word out about your cause or business.
What would be more useful is for some service to create Twitter lists based on Klout score. For now, you’ll have to do that on your own.
While you’re installing the Klout extension, be sure to check out the my6sense chrome extension as well. Both will help you figure out who to pay attention to and who you’re actually most interested in.
What do you think about sorting people based on influence?
Radiohead Launches King of Limbs – Web Only
If this was a startup product launch, youd have to call it masterful. Which is exactly what Radioheads new album release is. Its like theyve just released a highly anticipated new app. How times have changed in the music industry. No longer are music fans camping outside record stores waiting for the double CD launch of the new Guns n Roses album at exactly midnight. Nowadays the artist can do everything independent of record labels and stores, announce it on Twitter and launch the first video on YouTube.
Why I Decided Against Apple From Jump
It wasn’t so long ago (ok, it was a long time ago) that I was a hardcore Linux haxz0r spending 24 hrs/day on IRC with a bunch of other geeks talking about coding and other random geekery. I remember Slashdot was king and Gmail still needed an invite (which I had). I used Linux exclusively up until a few years ago, even through the software requirements at Georgia Tech. Obviously, I have a different mindset than most consumers and even other so-called geeks.
I’ll start with my Sidekick II. I loved that phone to death. I could text on it like a madman, annoying the heck out of my soon-to-be gf, and even had this slick one-handed-flip-in-the-air move I used to do to open it up. I remember wanting to develop software for it, but the process being difficult. I also remember wanting to hack it somehow, but that was also a challenge.
Next thing I know, I’m on Windows Mobile and me and soon-to-be are an item. I ran through a T-Mobile MDA and two Dashes. It was Windows, but it was flexible. Things weren’t locked down like the Sidekick and I learned a lot of random hackery, tips, and tricks from sites like XDA Developers.
Somewhere in this process, Mac OS became *nix and the iPod/iPhone came along. They were in my peripherals because I already knew what they entailed: Lock In. I’d already experienced the disappointment of having an awesome piece of hardware with severe software limitations and I wasn’t going back. Hell, you can’t even run iTunes on Linux.
These days, I do run Windows, but that’s because I’ve become lazy. The computer I used primarily for years is still operational, but I rarely power it on (abit bp6 with dual celeron 366mhz processors oc’d to 550….it’s very loud). 99% of the time, I’m using my trusty Chrome Web Browser to get stuff done, so the underlying OS has become secondary.
My mobile device of choice is an Android and gf has become wifey. The Evo 4G, to be exact. What a happy coincidence that the OS I grew up with ends up running my mobile device about a decade later. I can pretty much do whatever the hell I want with this thing. If there is something it doesn’t do, I can *make* it do so or find someone else who’s already done the work.
Things are not so with iPhone and iOS. I ran into someone who was switching from Android to a Verizon iPhone the other day. He’s a horrible speller and typist (possibly illiterate) and relied heavily on Google Voice Actions to get things done efficiently. Of course, there is no such thing on iOS because Steve Jobs won’t let you install alternate keyboards or otherwise duplicate any of the default Apple applications. Why? Who the hell knows.
More recently, Apple has instituted a subscription plan for apps residing within its App Store. Basically, Apple wants a 30% cut of any revenue generated when customers sign up for a subscription service like Netflix or Hulu Plus via an iOS app. Apple has even blocked these service providers from offering incentives for customers to sign-up with them directly, saying they must offer the same deals to customers via the app that they offer on their sites. Seems a little overreaching and greedy to me.
Oh, so you want to ditch Apple? Yeah, good luck with that. It’s like breaking up a long-term relationship with a needy person. While you’re trying to move on, they keep popping up. Also, you realize you’ve come away with only a fraction of your movies and music.
Am I an Apple hater? Not really. I think they offer an experience that many consumers need. They make quality hardware and software. While I’ve decided to make a lifetime commitment to my wife, I’m not ready to be tied up technologically and financially to a company. Me and Android are still having fun and feeling each other out. Apple seems more intent on getting access to my bank accounts, telling me how to dress, and redecorating my bachelor pad.
my6sense Still Makes Sense
Last year I talked about why services like my6sense make sense. Nothing has really changed except that my6sense has gotten bigger and badder than before. I still use the Android app on a regular basis to keep up with what’s going on. It automatically figures out what I want to read based on my behavior using a technology called Digital Intuition.
When you create an account with my6sense through Twitter or one of our mobile apps, we start building your personal preference model, your ‘Digital Intuition’. Constructing an accurate graph of your preferences & interests takes time, and your ‘Digital Intuition’ will only start growing after a few interactions with your content. So please be patient – it may take a while to kick in, but we assure you that once it does, the results will be jaw-dropping.
With my6sense, I see a lot of content about Android, social media, and technology with a smattering of random postings from people I find interesting. The Android app incorporates a number of RSS feeds and sites as well as Twitter and Facebook.
Of course, when Louis Gray hit me up to try out the my6sense Chrome extension for Twitter beta, I was pretty excited. Twitter is probably the most difficult service to keep up with because I don’t have enough attention to pay to all the people I actually find interesting.
I’m currently following over 3,000 people and my6sense uses their magic Digital Intuition algorithm to dig through them all and pick out the updates I would most like to see. Rather than creating yet another Twitter List to help me keep up, I just let my6sense do the hard work.
There are currently apps for Android, iPhone, Twitter.com in Chrome, and a Firefox add-on on the way. One thing I do wonder is if the my6sense team could implement their Twitter interface as a Twitter List. This way, any Twitter user on just about any Twitter client would be supported.
In any case, the web should be about what you want to see. With many of us interacting in so many different places and sharing so much of ourselves, it’s about time a service started using that information to do something more interesting and useful than serve ads.
Jailbreak iOS 4.2.1 Untethered with Latest GreenPois0n
Chronic Dev Team has released another iOS jailbreak. This one is for iOS 4.2.1 and is untethered, meaning you will be able to reboot your phone without connecting it to your computer first. Right now, this only works on Mac OSX.
If you are looking for a carrier unlock, this is not what you want. Make sure you hack STOCK 4.2.1 on your device before you bother trying this. It looks like the servers are crowded at the moment, so you might also want to wait a while before trying this out. I’ve also heard sprinkling the blood of a freshly killed chicken over your device will improve your chances.
Chronic Dev Team has finally released the much awaited GreenPois0n RC5 which brings full untethered iOS 4.2.1 jailbreak for all iOS devices. Unlike Redsn0w 0.9.7, GreenPois0n RC5 doesn’t require you to have SHSH blobs of 4.2b3 saved on Cydia. You can jailbreak any iOS device out of the box on iOS 4.2.1 using this latest version of GreenPois0n.
via Redmond Pie
Android and iPhone Apps for Bodybuilding.com
If you’re a bodybuilder or life weights as part of your training at all, you’ve probably run into BodyBuilding.com. It has a wealth of information related to lifting weights, nutrition, fitness, and more. They have a community of about 2 million and provide methods for tracking every aspect of your training journey. Now, you can install the Bodybuilding.com app on your mobile device to make reaching your goals even easier.
With the FREE Bodybuilding.com app, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android users have constant access to the world’s largest online health and fitness network (BodySpace) and complete, detailed instruction on all your favorite exercises.
Its BodySpace in the palm of your hand. Its a community of fitness support, on demand. Stay connected, motivated, and inspired with non-stop access to your profile
It’s a great compliment to the JEFit application that I use during my workouts and provides nice graphs and charts for tracking your body and lifting stats. Also it helped me to find this site massgainsource.com/know-nandrolone-steroid/, which now I use like my personal instruction in using bodybuilding supplement.
Of course, if you join or are already a member, make sure you add me: http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/microrahsheen/
via Bodybuilding.com
Android Market Gets Home On The Web, But Can Anyone Login?
Yesterday, during a press event for Android Honeycomb, Google also dropped the bomb that the Android Market would finally get a web interface. This meant you could browse, manage, and actually install apps on your Android from your computer’s web browser. Initially, no one was able to login. The site just gave an error when you clicked “Sign In.”
Now, something different is happening:
If you’re using Google Chrome, you may see this scary message pop up when you try to login to the site. In my case, clicking Proceed Anyway didn’t work until I did a Shift+Reload. After that, I was able to sign in just fine. So, if you run into this, no worries. There is no bite behind this bark.
Firefox and Internet Explorer seem to work just fine, though.