Importance of Your Google+ Profle Pic

As 2014 peeks just around the corner and with all the changes that have been implemented on Google+ this past year, you might not think your little profile pic is all that important. You may not even think twice about changing it for the new year because after all, it's working for you right? It has helped get you to where are today. Or maybe your strategy has been to change it many times. Perhaps your profile pic is a cat and you're happy with that. Either way, you may have had some thoughts about getting a shiny new avatar heading into twenty-fourteen

I'll admit it. The thought of changing my own avatar makes me slightly nauseated. It has helped put me on the map. Everything that I have worked for on the platform was done behind the goofy, fun spirited and some even say "iconic" little photo.

But is it time for a change?

Oh Hai! (Yes, I was in the bathroom for this shot!)

I can't answer this question directly and it may take some further thought long beyond the end of this post but I can't help but wonder if I'm finally in a position where it may be holding me back.

Let me explain...

As part of my head first dive back into the Information Technology world, I've been readily exploring as many avenues as possible including Social Media and more recently my Vlog on my YouTube Channel and this website that you are reading now.

If you have been watching my Vlog then you most likey have had your tongue planted firmly in cheek listening to my rambles, beaming to my various characters, or even checking to see who the next #Goaturday Champion will be.

Don't get me wrong, this has all been a blast but my channel is missing a couple of very crucial elements:

Professionalism and Technology.

Going through these transformations brings me back to image and I don't feel that respectable people in the online tech world are going to take me seriously if I don't look like I'm taking myself seriously. So maybe it's time to remove the aviators and the headphones and get a new, more professional photo heading into 2014.

Let's just hope this is not the equivalent of when KISS removed their face paint...

Your Profile Pic

It might be a good idea for you to get a profile picture if you do not already have one. If you want people to get a better sense of who you are then I would recommend making it a pic of yourself. I'm not saying you should or should not do this but it might help you out depending on what you're doing on Google+ in the first place.

When dealing with first impressions on Google+, people don't really have much to go by. They might briefly scan your About Me page or go back through a few of your posts or maybe check to see if you have any other pictures of yourself but for the most part, your avatar will be the primary means of identification. 

People will choose to follow you or not based only on your profile pic. This rings true for most people, I would think. For example, I won't follow anyone without a profile pic or anyone with a pic that condones hate, racism or violence. Everyone will develop their own rules by which they follow but it all starts with the initial profile picture.

When people think about you when they are offline, the first image that pops up is probably your current profile pic. Every relationship that you have ever built online is linked by this image and serves to be your own personal brand.

There isn't really a set of rules as to what makes for a successful profile pic and if there is then I wouldn't buy it for a second. It's ultimately up to the end user to decide if they like it or not and many will say they don't really care however, it's  in our DNA and subconsciousness to decide within seconds if we would like to continue to engage a person.

If this sounds a little shallow, you're probably right but it's an online world after all, where things can be pretty one dimensional. If you wish to go deeper then you certainly may and most do ; but for the masses that may be looking in at you, your avatar is what they see.

As for me, I may turn to a little advice from  +Michael P. Johnson  and this article that was written over the summer from his blog:

http://www.skyword.com/blog/your-google-profile-pic-is-important/

Check it out if you are interested in changing your own avatar into something more professional.

Authorship - Is it really you?

Google's algorithms are increasingly more aware of your face and doesn't really understand things like sunglasses, heavy makeup or anything that makes it hard for you to be identified. Google can validate your content much easier if it can recognize your face. If you're a content creator then you will benefit greatly from having a professional photo. In short, your articles and posts will be found much easier if Google can put a face with the information.

Conclusion 

Your profile pic should ultimately reflect you and what you put up for the public to see will all depend on what your goals are on G+. If it's for fun, throw up a silly head shot. If it's for business, make sure it reflects the professionalism of your company. If it's for friends and light networking, then a simple seflie will suffice. It's up to you but just remember, it really matters-- not only to your peers and potential followers but to Google as well. 

Make it a good one!

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Being Successful On Google Plus: Don't Believe The Hype

If you've been on Google+ for any length of time then you've probably seen a multitude of guides, lists, tips and tricks - all telling you how to be successful on Google+. DO NOT buy into any of this nonsense for a second.

To clear the air, I must make it well known that I am not taking a stab at the people who have provided such work. I have waded through much of the information out there and most of it is thorough, well written and extremely helpful.  I have actually learned some things while trying to swallow this wad false hype and promise.

But the thing is...Do you really need this information? Is the information going to be beneficial to you? Is the information worth your time? And do you know/trust the author of this information? These are all very important questions you must ask before you delve into 20 page manual/guide or an hour long YouTube video. Time is always money.

There isn't one standard by which success is measured. What is successful in my eyes may not be successful in your eyes and often times people will change their own standards to reflect the reasoning behind their position in life, as well as G+. If someone is a "success" and they can't make money from it then they will often try to justify it by simply saying things like "It isn't about the money" even though they probably had plans and initial goals of being profitable.

Not one person really knows how to truly be "Successful" on Google+ and is very subjective from user to user. If you come across material that claims it can tell you how to be successful on Google+, it's merely for a personal agenda and may or may not benefit you at all in any way. No one has mastered Social Media and especially not Google+, being that it is relatively new in the overall scope of modern technology.

I think it's best to stick by that certain adage of "If it sounds too good to be true...then it probably is." There are a lot of people on Google+ that look and sound like they know what they are talking about and they might, but their intentions may not  always be to help you.

If you see someone touting their expertise on Google+ with with very little user engagement, that might be a sign for you to stay away. That simply means their influence does not match the expertise level they claim to have.

It's important to gauge who you trust both in an online setting and the real world. People will scam you quicker than a hiccup in an online environment where there is very little empathetic quality. No one can truly tell you how to be successful on Google+ or even YouTube for that matter. There are plenty of strange factors that determine whether someone is successful and most of which we truly do not understand.

I can tell you one thing though. Content is king in a Google world. Whether or not the quality of your content makes you successful is really the equivalent of rolling the dice perfectly every time but not always achieving the desired outcome.

And you will FAIL before you succeed.

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What is a GIF Image?

As part of my plans of building a portfolio on different technology topics, it will be necessary to cover some of the more basic elements in Information Technology. Starting with one of the most basic image standards throughout the computer world; I bring you the GIF image - The oldest graphic format for media delivered on the web.

There has been on ongoing debate over the years about how to pronounce the acronym and is commonly spoken as GIF or JIF. Either way is acceptable and you probably don't need to say it out loud anyways.

GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format and is fully supported by modern web browsers. These kinds of images use a technique called Lossless compression and is actually owned by a company called Unisys .They are better suited for images that have fewer details and will support 256 unique colors. Pictures with solid colors or little variation like cartoons or diagrams will be best suited as a GIF, while pictures of people or scenery are usually too detailed for the image to display in high quality as shown below.

When you think of a GIF, you might think of a bunch of weird, flashy pictures and you would be absolutely right!. These are are a type of GIF that are animated and are all the rage around the internet for better or worse. There are those who love them more than life itself and those that despise them and shun them to the ends of the earth.

An animated GIF, formally called "multi-block" GIFs have multiple blocks of information stored along with the image. When the image is viewed by your browser, these blocks go in sequence to form what you see as an animation. It is very similar to hand drawing an animation in a flip book. Quickly turning each page reveals an object in motion.

When used properly and sparingly, the GIF can be an effective format for quickly displaying a small amount of information. When used too often or out of context, they can really get ugly and annoying as all heck. I'm talking to you, 90's website designers.

Love them or hate them, they are here to stay and you will find yet another uprising of these wildly fascinating moving pictures uploaded by users on Social Media sites like tumblr and Google+ and most other places where people share things.

I've been known to share a few GIFs myself because lets face it - Many of them are just so gosh darn cool!

Animated GIF example uploaded to Give-A-Chromebook

Photo Credits: Sing Along by Mushon Zer-Aviv BY-NC-SA

                        Animated GIF by Michael Chase

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Looking Through Google Glass: A Research Project

 Google Glass Explorer Edition by Tedeytan CC BY-SA

Google Glass seems to be a new, exciting and revolutionary piece of technology. Even if you are a casual internet user, you probably have heard of Google's new augmented-reality wearable eye display. The YouTube concept video “One Day"  announced its coming on April 4, 2012 and has been viewed more than 18 million times. It's generated a very exciting buzz around social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Google's own, Google Plus. 

Now with a mainstream audience in place and a cultural backing, Google has recently released the eyewear to a couple thousand people including developers. If the masses buy in to all the hype then Glass will revolutionize the way we think and interact with computers.

Think of Glass as a head-mounted smart phone that can record video, take pictures and perform small tasks via your own voice with a transparent Heads-Up Display (HUD) worn over one eye. Some skeptics are not impressed as they don't believe it's a true augmented reality system, however I am quite impressed as it holds the torch for wearable technology in what could mean yet another massive culture shift.

I personally welcome this new technology and think it marks an exciting time in human history. The stereotypical view of the future seems to be finally falling in place as the streets start to looks more and more like a Sci Fi flick or a George Orwell novel. I'm truly admiring the plethora of #throughglass photos on +Google+ and feel like I'm exploring right along with them.

One in particular I've been following is +Robert Warren who is a vigilant Glass adventurer and family man. He has been on a tireless crusade sharing some of the most beautiful photos through his Google issued display. If you are are not already following Robert then you're missing out on an opportunity to not only explore his world through glass, but also to interact with a wonderful, polite and helpful person. If I were to direct you to a list of top Glass Explorers then Robert would be right at the top of the list.

Avid Glass Explorer +Robert Warren 

Though Glass is very new, there are already questions of personal privacy issue implications. There doesn't seem to be any way of knowing when you are being recorded by the mounted camera so it would be very easy to record data and send it to the highest bidder. I'm not saying that the current foray of Glass Explorers would use them for ill intentions but when the display reaches consumer level, it begins to impose a whole new set of implications.

Google has not yet issued a privacy policy on the product as it is still in early stages and laws have not yet caught up to these privacy concerns. For example, in the United States, law enforcement has the rights to some cellular data even without a search warrant. We have also seen in recent headlines of police ticketing an explorer because they believed her view was obstructed -- which the law already has covered.

If millions are wearing these headsets, then what exactly does Google get to do with this information? All the information will be located in the "cloud" which makes it easy for third party companies to grab and the fact that the data exists in the cloud puts it within the reach of third parties.

Current U.S. statutes allow law enforcement access to e-mail and cell phone records under certain circumstances without a search warrant. Governments in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom are seeking to expand their electronic monitoring powers.

Regardless of these implications Google is ready to press on and unveil a refined consumer version of Glass in 2014 and based on all the hysteria surrounding these eye-glasses, I expect users to jump on board and fork out their hard earned money, even if it means giving up yet a little more privacy in our ever-changing digital world.

I know I will be.

Please note that this is my own personal research project and I do not yet have real hands-on experience with Glass Technology. I hope to acquire these specs in the future so I can enhance my knowledge on the product and further study it's role on how it fits in with humans and the planet.

References

Ackerman, E (2013). Google Gets In Your Face: Google Glass Offers A Slightly Augmented Version Of Reality. Spectrum IEEE (Vol 50 Issue 1) 26-29.

Pedersen, I. & Trueman, D. (2013). "Sergey Brin is Batman": google's project glass and the instigation of computer adoption in popular culture. CHI EA '13  2089-2098.

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Embedded Systems: Computers Everywhere!

We've entered a time in human history where human and computer have merged and the microprocessor has become as common as the wheel. No other time in Earth's existence has this happened. While much of this may be common knowledge now, we must never lose site of the fact that it is a truly phenomenal modern age.

For better or for worse, computers are one of man's greatest achievements. They are the one tool that most people cannot avoid during the span of a lifetime. I could probably go my whole life without using a hammer, a telescope or a sewing machine-- but not the computer.

Information systems are everywhere you turn and go well beyond the scope of PC's, tablets and smartphones -- the things most people think of when the word "computer" is mentioned.

 

Think about when you pull up to a traffic light. It's not some kind of voodoo magic that makes the lights turn at just the right time in fractions of a second. Inside the metal casing of the lights are embedded systems or simply embedded computers.

Many things inside the common household have computer chips that you might not think about are the television, oven, cameras, thermostat, washers and dryers. Anything that uses electricity could be home to a microprocessor of some kind.

These systems are designed to perform very specific tasks, be rugged, long lasting and efficient. In other words, they are never supposed to fail and in some cases should be able to repair themselves. If these systems don't function properly, it could spell disaster for potentially thousands of people depending on the scale of the system.

The programs that run on these systems are technically called firmware and are designed to never be changed or altered. It is quite rare for an average person to ever have to deal with these programs as they are hidden within the system doing behind-the-scenes tasks. Although the firmware will always be apart of a particular system, there are ways in which they can be updated if need be. If you've ever played around with the BIOS on your PC then you might be a little familiar with how these systems work.

 

Computers are everywhere whether we like it or not. They help us tremendously. They can make us terribly frustrated (hopefully not) and they are a fact of life in the modern world. Even when you go out in the wilderness to try and get away from the technology, I bet you at least have your phone with you and you probably drove a vehicle of some kind to get there.

I love technology but am vastly aware of the implications if these systems are not utilized properly. At the end of the day and if the system fails...It's ultimately the human who is responsible, as these machines can only do what they are told.

Look around and list how many things in your immediate line of sight that might contain an embedded system. I'll bet it's not less than three.

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Keep Your Windows Machines Running Efficiently in 2014

I have repaired countless desktop and laptop computers and the majority of the repairs could have been avoided by taking simple preventative measures to keep these systems safe and running efficiently. Of course, I don't expect the average user to be as vigilant as I am when it comes to security but I think everyone should have a standard set of tools on their Windows machines. I will reveal mine here.

Malware including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojan horses are usually the biggest problems that will infect the host machines and usually without the user ever knowing that this is causing the slowdowns, crashes etc.

No matter how well a system is designed, it is always vulnerable to attacks and your data could be compromised without notice so it's very important to stay on top of things in this ever evolving digital planet.

As the world starts utilizing Operating Systems other than Windows, these malware threats are becoming less and less common but that doesn't mean we should stop worrying about security. Just because someone hasn't broken into your house in a while doesn't mean you should stop locking the door!

Use a Current Version

First and foremost, if you are a Windows user like most of the planet then I highly suggest using either Windows 7 or Windows 8. If you are using anything lower than that then it's time to upgrade. You may be satisfied with your old XP machine but it has become an unsafe system and support will end on April 18th 2014.

If you are not fond of Windows 8 then please at least upgrade to 7. Windows 7 is probably the best overall Windows OS of all time so you can't go wrong there!

Don't Pay for An Antivirus Program

Well, you can if you want, but I never have and I have NEVER gotten a virus in all my years of being an avid internet user and computer geek. I have always used either AVG or Windows Security Essentials which is now called Windows Defender. The most important thing is to keep your Antivirus up to date and do regular scans. You can download AVG here OR Windows Security Essentials here . Do not try to install both, just pick one! I am currently using each program just on different machines.

Spyware Removal

Spyware will accumulate and although not very harmful like a virus, spyware is super annoying and it can really slow down your system and  I mean REALLY slow down your system. For this, I recommend downloading Spybot - Search & Destroy . It's an older program and it's not as pretty as some of the new programs out there but it really gets the job done all for free.

It's important to note that when running this tool, you should be "Running as Administrator" as it doesn't run automatically in that mode Also, you will noticed the "Immunize" and "Search for updates" buttons which you should run on a weekly basis.

Advanced System Care 7

I put this tool directly in the bold heading for a reason. It's awesome and has kept my machines running efficiently for years. This is a one stop maintenance shop. While that may not sound very good as usually "do it all" programs don't "do it all" very well, this is program is an exception.

It's super easy to run too. There is essentially only one button that you need to press upon loading it up and that is the Scan button. Of course you can totally customize it so that it only performs the functions you want it to -- most users have no trouble getting started with this one as the simplicity and ease-of-use is top notch.

It's also extremely powerful under the hood. It performs tasks like malware removal, registry defrags, vulnerability fixes, registry fixes, cleans junk files, disk defrag and system optimization and it does all of this very well. I run this program daily and let it do it's thing in the background.

I may go into more detail about this tool in the future but for now, get it on your machines!!

Backup

In the event of a meltdown you shouldn't worry too much because you've recently backed up all your files right? I'm going to keep this one simple and recommend just using the backup utility in Windows. Back it up to an external hard drive at the very least. You can find cheap external drives pretty much anywhere. Do not skip this step!! You'll be sorry if you did.

 Good Surfing Habits

I'm not here to tell you what you should and should not do on the internet but a rule of thumb I like to keep is "If you wouldn't do it in real life, don't do it on the internet." Now that is a pretty vague statement but I think most will get the gist. 

Also, if you download pornography or illegally obtain copies of software then you WILL catch a bunch of crap that will do a number to your system. Even the stealthiest computer hackers will catch a bug or two now and then but you won't catch them admitting it!

One more important thing to mention here is email. If you don't know the sender, don't open it. It's as simple as that. You should already have a good spam filter in place. People will deploy clever tactics to try and get you to open attachments in emails or they will try to obtain your information by using dubious tricks. Know what's coming to your inbox. If it looks fishy, it probably is!

Update All the Things!

It's vital to keep everything running on your system up to date. This may seem like a chore and is easier to do on other platforms but updating ALL of your software is crucial in keeping a squeaky clean systems. Computer Geeks usually love keeping their systems fresh and clean but the majority of the population don't like to worry about this step too much. Don't get behind on updates!

So that's it! These are the most basic precautions that I use to keep my systems running clean and malware free. There are plenty of other ways to go about doing this and I will deploy a few other tools from time but for the most part, these tips have left me with a lifelong, hassle free computing environment.

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Aviate Homescreen - Invite Only

Having so many ways to customize a phone can be enough to turn the casual user away from an Android device, and while many of us embrace the "freedom" of these options, there are still just so darn many of them!

Personally, when I look at ways to customize my phone, I look for simple styled homescreen apps that have all been pretty much a disappointment up until now.

I would like to introduce to you an app called Aviate, the intelligent homescreen that simplifies your phone. Keep in mind that this is not an advertisement, nor am I affiliated with Aviate. This is merely a tool I use to better my Android experience and am still using  this very day.

In order for you to get your hands on this app, you need an invite. I got mine from a fellow Google Plusser named +Jake Luk . Thanks Jake! I still have 4 invites remaining myself. If you are interested in an invite then please leave a comment leaving me your email address.

After you get your invite, head over to the Play Store and and download away. After a quick and easy install, you might be looking at a screen similar to the one above.

At first glance it may seem a little dull or boring but is very misleading. Swipe the screen to the left and you get the app's options where you can change the skin to either light or dark as well as customize your various Spaces.

Here is where it starts to get pretty cool. Spaces allows the app to change itself to suit you wherever you are going and also changes during different times of the day without you having to keep manually switching back and forth.

That sounds pretty annoying right? I thought so too, but after seeing for myself how well it works, it's nothing less than amazing. The changes are subtle enough for you to thank the app briefly inside your own thoughts and are left with the feeling like this app is working for you and not the other way around.

For example, if you are at the gym, Aviate will display all of your health and fitness apps or your productivity apps while at work.

While these features are pretty awesome and are the driving force behind Aviate, it's not even my favorite part about the sleek little homescreen.

I have my phone customized (shown above) to rock the white and have placed the Appy Geek widget instead of using a photo. This is a phenomenal widget for a geek like me, but you can use your favorite widget, photo or anything else it allows you to put there.

A swipe in the other direction and you are presented with a categorized view of your apps that is completely customizable as well. These are some of the most used apps I have in my phone besides the essentials on my homescreen. I love how Aviate automatically categorizes everything for you so you don't have to spend time creating folders manually.

But where do the rest of the apps go?

One more swipe and you get an A-Z list of all your apps for quick access. It doesn't get much easier than that to find everything you need on your phone and once you get used to using Aviate, it has this way of "growing" on you as it evolves with your life.

I'm not one who likes to do a lot of customization within a piece of technology. I like things to be simple, easy to use, and nice on the eyes. The stock android display is rather dull, feels outdated and can be frustrating to navigate around -- Especially if you are making the jump from iOS. 

Aviate takes care of all of that at first use and I've been so satisfied with it that I've deleted all other app launchers and will be sticking with Aviate into the foreseeable future.

I would like to Invite  you to check it out but keep in mind, I only have 4 left so "first come first serve" as they say!

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Chrome OS: Becoming A Fanboy

Granted, my Linux experience is pretty much on par with everyone else besides the occasional flirt with the Xubuntu operating system and Android of course, but I can't help but find myself admiring and "geeking out" on Google's Chrome OS that comes with the various assortments of Chromebooks on the market.

It is eerily simple to get started. When you open up your Chromebook for the first time, there really isn't a whole lot to behold except the subtle genius that Google has become well known for and that is "simplicity." If you've ever used a Chrome browser then you are going to feel right at home with the OS.

In today's world, most folks simply don't need a full fledged operating system. In fact, many people don't even need a laptop or even a desktop for that matter. But Chrome OS seems to fill a niche - being that most Chromebooks are very inexpensive, lightweight and seemingly fit for the average consumer as well as the education sector.

hp Chromebook 11

It's A Computer Isn't It?

So what about these minimal machines would apply to a tech geek like myself? For one thing, trying out any new piece of equipment for the first time is and always will be a rush. For another thing, there is that feeling of adventure and exhilaration of stepping into the unknown.

Ok, ok...This isn't extreme computing by any means. Heck, there is absolutely nothing extreme about a quaint and curious Chromebook but I assure you -- It is a computer.

Lets examine some of the reasons that this Geek is becoming a fanboy: (Note - I rarely buy into any kind of fanboyism so please don't take it literal...I give all technology a fair shot in end.)

Acer Chromebook C720

Simply Simple

I like Chrome OS because of the simplicity and while (for me) it won't replace a hefty beefed out Windows machine, it still packs quite a punch and if left uncontested, could ultimately turn into the future of laptop OS design.

Quick On

When you press the power button on a Chromebook, it turns on and boots up in less than 10 seconds. That is extremely useful for someone like me who often needs quick access to a computer connected to the internet and especially jotting down notes and ideas.

Beautiful

The OS itself really looks nice and polished. Everything you need to run the computer is right in front of your eyes. At the start, you will have familiar taskbar with Google icons for some of it's web services. This and the Web Store is pretty much all you need as there are tons of apps in the Chrome Web Store that are pretty slick and polished and allow you to get things done like you would on a Windows or Linux machine.

Chrome OS Desktop

Familiarity

If you know how to navigate in a Chrome browser then you already know how to use Chrome OS. It's that easy! The secret is that many of the apps will simply open up the browser such as the Google+ app for example, will simply open up Google+. This is a good thing!

Good Battery Life

When an Operating System take up very little resources, it naturally consumes less battery! That is always a plus!!

It's Google-y

If you use Google's services frequently then you will find all the markings of what makes Google a household name all packed into the Chromebook. The smattering of white space along with the colors red, blue, yellow and green will surely be present on some systems.

It's Not TOO Linux-y

Let's face it -- Android feels VERY "Linux-y" right off the shelf and while that is good for many --It is not so good for others. I enjoy a variety of Linux based systems but surely not all of them and Chrome OS is based off the Linux kernel the same as Android. Some people just don't need all the customization options that Linux systems bring to the table.

It just doesn't have the same feel as many of the Linux systems that I've encountered and for me that is quite alright. If I want a Linux system then I will go for Linux Mint or Xubuntu and I like the fact the Chrome OS doesn't feel the same.

Inexpensive

You won't find very high specs on some of the lower-end Chromebooks but the current generations are certainly worth their price tags. A Chromebook 11 from hp should run you about $280 while a higher end Chromebook 14 will be about $349.

For Power Users Too?

A power user might snicker at these minimal machines but the power user sometimes loses the outlook of what a casual user wants in a computer and we've seen this with our iPhones and Android devices. Most people just don't need a whole lot of power under the hood and these smaller machines can be a greater value to the masses with price tags that more and more people can afford.

They aren't going to replace your enterprise machines or your gaming rigs but they can serve as a nice supplement to your other devices. And if you are a power user, then you're probably a Geek like me and just want to try it out anyways.

In The End

I feel comfortable recommending the current generation of Chromebooks, not as a replacement but supplement to the plethora of devices you may already own. I would also recommend it for someone's first ever computer as the simplicity of it is just stunning. It really starts to make you think about not needing a clunky Windows OS or an expensive Mac system. It all depends on what your needs are.

Am I a Chrome OS fanboy at this point? Nope. But it is surely growing on me!

A quick review of Google's flagship Chromebook called Pixel can be found here. Warning: This may amaze you! http://cnettv.cnet.com/hands-google-chromebook-pixel/9742-1_53-50141484.html

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How To Get Started On Google+

So if you came here wondering about how to make it in the world of G+, then you have came to the right place. I don't claim to be an expert but am eager and willing to share what has worked for me. You can take the time out to read various G+ references and material  but I just want to speak directly from hands on experience.

Start with Good Character

G+ is truly what you make of it. It is an open canvas for which you can paint your life. Or, you can use it to help others, grow your business and just straight up have fun! The first way to approach G+ is by keeping good character, being nice and behaving in a way you would in real life. This alone can get you quite far in your G+ career but there must be more to it right?

Socialize

Being that it is a social network-- it might be good for you to just get out there and learn the ropes by engaging with fellow plussers. Your circles may be empty and you may not know anyone but this simply means you've entered this new digital realm for the first time. Think about when you enter a place where there is a large gathering. People don't just stand at the front door now do they?

Set Goals

Don't lose site of why you're on G+. Although it may be quite easily to get lost in some of the fun you're about to have-- it may be important for you to maintain sight of your business. If you are here to simply socialize that is perfectly fine and very welcome! There is a little something on G+ for everyone.

Join Communities 

Here's where most people figure out that they are totally in love with G+. Find a community that shares a common interest with you but be particular because often times the communities will fill up with spam and share, listen and engage content! This is how you start building relationships.

Don't be afraid to circle People

It is perfectly acceptable to circle people you don't know. Don't fret if they don't circle you back right away.It may take some time for you to interact with them in order for them to be comfortable enough to follow you back. Sometimes you will never get followed back simply because the person is not interested enough in your content. This is no one's fault because everyone has different and varying interests.

Think of it as a brand new opportunity for you to start fresh and build a solid foundation for which you can share your life's experiences. You are bound to find lots of things in this new world that you absolutely love and people that you can't believe you've lived your whole life without knowing.

The experience really does end up being what you make it. If you are mean and trollish on G+, you won't make it very far and most likely will end up getting the boot. Google really frowns upon spammers and abusive behavior.

Share!

You can share photos, videos, music , links to anyone you feel like sharing to. I would recommend that you start out sharing publicly so others can see your posts as well. Don't start sharing everything privately because this will annoy some and you may get uncircled. If you don't have anythinng in particular you would like to share then find someone else's post you find interesting and simply reshare their post to your own page. This is part of the flow and it's encouraged to do so!

Use  Hashtags    

Hashtags allow your post to get noticed more plus they can be a fun, creative way to express yourself.

Profile Completeness

Filling out your profile completely will get you a lot further than you think. People on G+ like to know that they are interacting and engaging with a real person! That means you should be using your real
name!

Add Photos of yourself

This will also help to identify you. Your avatar will be your first impression so make sure you use a good inviting picture of you. You can always change your profile pic at anytime if need be.

Energy

You will notice that plussers will often have VERY HIGH energy and you would do yourself a favor by letting this rub off on you. You don't have to go the pace of the crowd as long as you keep positive, friendly and genuine. Of course, there will be people that are not to your liking that maybe mean or perhaps having a bad day or even may have spilled all their coffee and they have no more. Plussers love their coffee!

Participate in Strange Phenomena

You will notice some strange things on Google Plus like Caturday and Goaturday but this can be a great way to get your "foot in the door". Caturday takes place on Saturday and happens to be where many people share images, GIFS and videos of cats and Goaturday is much the same but with Goats! This may seem silly but is an extremely effective method of connecting with people as it's nice to have common ground with the crowd.

Quality

I'm not even going to mention quantity here because it's not something you need to be concerned with. It's not about numbers, it's about relationships and connections. This is social networking at it's finest after all!

Conclusion

Google+ is what you make it. Like an artist-- you can think of it as an open canvas in which you have all creative control. Or if you are more of a tech kind of person you can certainly think of it as an uber-geeky tool to stay connected. If you are not either of those things, that is just as well because you have just opened the "doors of perception" and the world you are about to enter could possibly change your life. 

I know it has mine.

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YouTube Comment Curmudgeoning

Everyone seems to be in an uproar about the the newly implemented comment integration between YouTube and Google Plus. Whether you are on either side of the equation -- It's not a big deal really.

It seems as though, if you were happy with the way the comments were setup before the new integration then you're going to hate it and tell the world how awful and crappy it is and that Google is a big meanie head for doing it.

On the other hand you have the people that couldn't stand the comment system (like me) and thought it was the equivalent of the writing on an old department store bathroom wall where you can also find racial and hateful comments and the always popular "Mike wuz hear."

When I talk about this subject, I admit that I am kind of biased being a Google+ fanboy and all and I am just quite shocked and appalled that so many people are "shocked and appalled" by this  new (and better) form of the way comments are dealt with.

Why is it better? Well, for one thing....ACCOUNTABILITY!

It's now easy to track all the arsenine comments that people have been leaving over the years by forcing them into a Google+ account. Here's the secret... Behave on the internet the same way you would in real life!

And another reason is that it's good for business. Yes, on Google's end, it's easier to sell advertising statistics from people who are real and not named Jackass42069 but I'll talk about that on another day!

I would like to think that the majority of us saw this integration coming from a mile away and then I learn about hundreds of YouTubers not knowing that Google+ and YouTube are owned by the same company! I understand that people may not have this knowledge but some spoke as if Google+ was bulling YouTube into "seeing it their way" in which I am just baffled by.

The move is a great move for not only Google but for the users as well. There needed to be some kind of integration and the old comments needed scrubbing. It's going to be a better, safer community for us all in the long run. You don't have to like it but there is no use getting all in a tizzy about a service that is FREE to you. 

There are alternatives to YouTube but you can kiss your paychecks goodbye if you go that route!

Watch my short vlog on the comment integration!

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Windows 8.1 Review

There is plenty that has already been said about the 8.1st incarnation of Windows and the tech world has deemed it unpopular to give this one any praise. Then again, there are a number of people who simply love the seemingly bi-polar yet very fast and very powerful Operating System.

Let's pretend for a second that you you're not totally against change because if you are, you should exit the tech industry immediately. Anyone still reading? Good. Let's move on.

The most immediate changes you will notice from Windows 8 to 8.1 are three things:

          1. There is a start menu. It makes it look prettier, but it doesn't add much funcionality.

          2. You can now quickly switch between metro apps via the sidebar.

          3. There is a quick access to all your apps on the start screen by pressing the down                         arrow.

These small changes really add to the value of Windows 8 but for a long awaited update, they are quite miniscule and I'm not sure if it's enough to sway people to jump on board, especially for those running Windows 7.

If Windows 8 was free, I would deem it a totally acceptable upgrade being that it is lightning fast and performs very well overall. However it costs more than 100 dollars for those who are looking to make the switch and just simply isn't necessary for those running Windows 7.

If you do make the jump from Windows 7, please bare in mind that it will be frustrating at first to navigate around because your brain is simply used to accessing your programs from Start. The biggest trick in 8 to reveal is that by right clicking on the new start menu, it brings up a nice list of settings such as control panel, task manager, command prompt, network connections, device manager etc.

I have been beating on one of my own Windows 8 machines for months now and it handles my online school work, collaborations, audio and video editing, daily tasks, heavy social networking (On Google Plus, of course), image editing, blogging and just about anything else you use a computer for-- Windows 8 has been a very positive experience overall.

I really want to listen to the higher up technology professionals and agree that it is terrible and a usability nightmare, but I have to strongly disagree with that notion. Microsoft maybe on a proverbial "nosedive" but I don't think Windows 8 should take blame for it.

I've heard the complaints since 8 hit the market and yet I still fail to understand what all the fuss is about. There are so many different answers to that question but if you "just don't like it" then that is totally fine, but as someone who has thoroughly handled this beast with as much real world testing as possible, I just can't make the argument for it being a bad OS. It really does make things simpler once you wrap your head around the fact that it's a little different than previous versions.

I'm not a big fan of many of the apps on the Metro side of the interface but it's quite easy to just ignore altogether if need be. Those apps are aimed more for tablets and phones but are still available to desktop users and some of them are definitely worth checking out but it's probably just going to be a passing phase as you continue to use the tried and true desktop.

Is it a must have "go out and buy it right now" OS? No. And I wouldn't go out of my way to upgrade, Unless you're still running XP or earlier. I would however, purchase a new machine with Windows 8.1 already installed.

What do you think of Windows 8.1?

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