CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-20 19:13:12 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Just another great free business resource!

Apache's OpenOffice suite of open sourced apps rocks, and it's all free. I use it and have no problems collaborating on and exchanging files with clients who use, for example, MS Office apps like Word and Excel.

#business   #resources   #openoffice  

2013-05-20 17:25:52 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

And we're back! The main topic for this Hangout will be new feature demos and Q&A.

Agenda: http://goo.gl/pQ17j

Have questions about Google Docs or Google Drive? Come ask us!

This Hangout will begin at 430pm Central US Time.  See the link below for times across the world.

We will talk about Google Docs and Google Drive topics while addressing any questions from the community.

This Hangout On Air will be hosted by Google Docs and Google Drive Top Contributors.

Once the Hangout On Air link is available we will post it below.

For World Times: http://goo.gl/uB9TX

(Note that you will have to be a follower of the Helpdesk Hangout Page in order to get an invite, since G+ Brand Pages/Hangouts on Air are treated differently from ordinary accounts.)

2013-05-20 17:43:55 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Hangouts, phone calls and Google Voice

Thanks for all of your feedback on last week's Hangouts launch. I wanted to quickly talk about 1) making/receiving phone calls in Gmail, and 2) Google Voice support more generally.

1) Today's version of Hangouts doesn't yet support outbound calls on the web and in the Chrome extension, but we do support inbound calls to your Google Voice number. We're working hard on supporting both, and outbound/inbound calls will soon be available. In the meantime, you can continue using Google Talk in Gmail.

2) Hangouts is designed to be the future of Google Voice, and making/receiving phone calls is just the beginning. Future versions of Hangouts will integrate Google Voice more seamlessly.

2013-05-20 16:26:49 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

New Google Plus Hangouts Sidebar
Examples of what goes on there

Here are a few ideas on how to use the Hangouts Sidebar that just got introduced to our Google Plus interface on May 15, 2013. You open up the Hangout Sidebar by clicking on the Green Quote logo which now represents Google+ Hangouts.

Hangouts can be video calls or messages. The top item says New Hangout... press that to start a new session. Add the people with which you care to 'hangout' and then select if you want to start with a Video Call or a Message.

Below that we have an Active Hangout Video Call... note the green camera icon. If you press that, you will join into an active video call that has multiple people already participating according to the 4 profile pics. I clicked it and found that it was a HOA video call, and decided I did not want to enter at that... more »

2013-05-20 05:24:39 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

OHMYGODS I just watched the Doctor.

2013-05-18 00:45:17 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

Google+ has Launched the Ability for Brands to Offer Coupons to Followers

This is a huge plus for brands! Let's clarify here.. this is NOT Google putting ads into the stream. If you follow brands you like, they now can offer a coupon for you to check out. This is like following a fan page on Faceybook and them making a post about a coupon (just its easier to claim here) THESE ARE NOT the ads you see on the side of Faceybook.

Brands can now directly interact with fans of their product and provide value offers to them.... 

I look forward to seeing more great things from brands here on gplus. Discount tickets to events, free make up samples, or 50% off an item in their store from brands I like and follow? Sounds good to me. 

P.s. to see the offer below click here - https://plus.google.com/u/0/104111246635874032234/posts/PMXjgjR4bNt Below is just asc... more »

2013-05-18 00:36:45 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Meilani MacDonald was in a video call with 4 people. #hangoutsonair

2013-05-17 21:32:05 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

This Friday, May 17th on TGIF we have the unbeatable +win charles joining us to share her story and I tell you now, it is inspirational!   Win has cerebral palsy, but she has not let that stop her from reaching many achievements as a young disabled woman living in a non-disabled world.  

By the time Win was 20 she had already started her own business, selling her artwork online.  Win wanted to bring awareness and understanding of cerebral palsy to the community so she went and wrote and self published a book which has the awesome title, "I, Win: my journey as a disabled woman in a non-disabled world"

Win will tell us her story, and share some insights into how she earns a living using today's tools and technology to run her online business and promote her book.

Check out "I, Win" on amazonat ... more »

2013-05-17 21:15:28 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

One of the beautiful artworks by +win charles, who will be my featured guest today on the TGIF Business Networking Hangout coming up this afternoon at 4pm pst!

Today's TGIF is all about inspiration as we learn how Win, who has cerebral palsy that limits her mobility but not her life, created a successful business selling her artwork online.

Win also does a lot to further cp awareness and education and bridge the world between differently-abled and regularly-abled people. Win wrote and self-published her book, "I, Win: My journey as a disabled woman living in a non-disabled world", and competes as an athlete on Team We Win along with her fully-abled teammate Barbara Ann.  

Please check out the event listing for todays TGIF Business Networking Hangout and leave a comment there if you would like to be invited to... more »

2013-05-16 02:58:31 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Ok.  I like it.  Reminds me of Pinterest.  And I loove Pinterest :)

#NewGooglePlus

2013-05-15 19:50:01 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

The New Google Plus - on its way to you now!

Summary post with explainer videos included. Thanks +Vic Gundotra 
- - - 
#GooglePlusTips   #GooglePlus   #Update2013   #Updates  

2013-05-14 23:44:30 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

I just thought of an amusing tagline:

Strategy consulting puts you on the road to know-where
- that's knowing where you want to go, and how to get there!

What do you think?  Nice play on words or too confusing? 

2013-05-17 22:53:31 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 0 +1s)

This Friday, May 17th on TGIF we have the unbeatable +win charles joining us to share her story and I tell you now, it is inspirational!   Win has cerebral palsy, but she has not let that stop her from reaching many achievements as a young disabled woman living in a non-disabled world.  

By the time Win was 20 she had already started her own business, selling her artwork online.  Win wanted to bring awareness and understanding of cerebral palsy to the community so she went and wrote and self published a book which has the awesome title, "I, Win: my journey as a disabled woman in a non-disabled world"

Win will tell us her story, and share some insights into how she earns a living using today's tools and technology to run her online business and promote her book.

Check out "I, Win" on amazonat ... more »

2013-05-14 19:40:17 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

{ Connecting with Circles }

This is my "Thank You Circle":)

Thank you everyone for all your contributions, shares, and smiles:)))
These G+ friends are so awesome.  Each gifted, talented, sharing with enthusiasm  encouragement and inspiration.

Authors, Photographers, Artists, Google+ Original Thinkers, Google+ Sharers, Amazing People..:)))

They have continuously delivered, great content and are very active on Google+:)
Many have been active since the beginning of Google Plus..

Just want to share, and say "Thank you" for all you do:)

Some very awesome people who have been so encouraging and inspiring..
+Chris Lang +Denis Labelle +Deise Lemos Almeida +Delcour Eric +Daniel Stock +Vincent Dale +Victoria Generao +Tazein Mirza Saad +Gabriel Tanaka +Trever McGhee +AlisonThurston +A... more »

2013-05-14 19:04:21 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

Yay the latest TGIF Tips is here!

This short clip contains some questions and answers on the topic of What is Internet Marketing?  taken from the May 3, 2013 episode of the TGIF Business Networking Hangout.  

That episode featured special guest the lovely +Jo Barnes! Jo is a savvy businesswoman who uses internet marketing techniques to drive traffic to her web site where she has a variety of products for sale, making her a very successful internet marketer. 

This clip gives a little overview of what internet marketing is.  For more information about internet marketing, check out the full episode of the *TGIF Business Networking Hangout* at TGIF Business Networking Hangout - All About Internet Marketing 05.03.2013.

Don't Miss the Next TGIF!
The next episode is this Friday, May 17th at 4pm pst, and features specialguest... more »

2013-05-13 18:15:25 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Is it just me or is "vacation coffee" better?

2013-05-12 14:44:31 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Live classical guitar for Mothers' Day 2013....

Starts in one hour at 8:30 AM PDT streaming live at www.DesertVibe.TV!

Join me in celebration of Mothers everywhere with a soft vibe of classical guitar, streaming out of the Southern California desert!



#classicalguitar #livemusic #livestream #mothersday2013  

2013-05-11 20:21:28 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Happy Caturday!

Join me tomorrow morning for a set of classical guitar streaming LIVE for Mothers' Day 2013 at 8:30 AM PDT at www.DesertVibe.TV!




#caturday #livemusic #classicalguitar #livestream  

2013-05-10 21:24:45 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Well this helpful little InDesign answer page is just so wonderful! Now I don't have to copy and paste everything into a whole new document.  Just export to idml and those nasty little mysterious nonexistent 3rd party plugins that came with the indt template go away, as if they never existed.  This page just saved me a bit of cussin' and fussin'!!  Woohoo! 

#indesigntips   #templates  

2013-05-08 22:13:13 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Birds and Flowers, yay

A beautiful pair of Western Tanagers are chillin' in the blooming Jacaranda Tree in my front yard.  Woot!  Aren't they beautiful!!

I love spring! I also see bunnies and rabbits and hawks and owls and quail and snakes and ravens.  I love the desert :)

#birds   #nature   #Tanager   #Californiayards   #spring   #wildlife   #desert  

2013-05-08 21:47:15 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Join us all week for our OPEN HOUSE
Stop by and tour this modern, beautifully remodeled hotel. 

2013-05-07 23:15:26 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Check out the awesome films these K-12th grade students are creating!!

#education   #technologyineducation   #filmmaking   #studentfilms  

2013-05-06 16:23:23 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

HANGOUT MONETIZATION VIA YOUTUBE - $1.99 AT A TIME.
Google to add paid subscription option to YouTube.

As CNN reports, there are a billion people watching 6 billion YouTube videos every month!. That's more than Netflix, Hulu, News Corp and Comcast combined. 

As people choose where to get their information from, as YouTube moves to your living room with the introduction of +Google TV, Roku and others, these paid subscription option can turn Hangout hosts into highly paid experts in their fields.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/05/business/google-subscriptions-youtube-videos/

---------------
#humanmedia   #youtube   #payperview   #youtubesubscribers   #youtubetips   #netflix   #hulu   #comcast  

2013-05-03 21:20:50 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Please join us this Friday, May 3rd, on the TGIF Business Networking Hangout when we discuss Internet Marketing!  Our featured guest will be +Jo Barnes, a  successful internet marketer who will share with us how she uses social media to drive traffic to and stimulate sales at her site, http://jobarnesonline.com/. 

What do internet marketers do?  What kinds of products, services or info do they sell?  How do they sell them?  How do they use social media to drive traffic to their sites? How do they build their audiences?

Especially in today's economy when so many people lost their jobs, internet marketing is a very popular avenue for entrepreneurs who enjoy spending time online and making connections.  Learn how Jo got started and how she builds the momentum to market her products and generate income streams online!

This will be a Hangout on Air (yes I forgot tocheck ... more »

2013-05-01 19:21:53 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Meilani MacDonald hung out with 1 person.

2013-05-01 16:56:14 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Please join us this Friday, May 3rd, on the TGIF Business Networking Hangout when we discuss Internet Marketing!  Our featured guest will be +Jo Barnes, a  successful internet marketer who will share with us how she uses social media to drive traffic to and stimulate sales at her site, http://jobarnesonline.com/. 

What do internet marketers do?  What kinds of products, services or info do they sell?  How do they sell them?  How do they use social media to drive traffic to their sites? How do they build their audiences?

Especially in today's economy when so many people lost their jobs, internet marketing is a very popular avenue for entrepreneurs who enjoy spending time online and making connections.  Learn how Jo got started and how she builds the momentum to market her products and generate income streams online!

This will be a Hangout on Air (yes I forgot tocheck ... more »

2013-05-01 15:30:04 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Oooooh shiny new Pinterest Board :)  A selection of my all time favorite songs.  

Are you Pinteresting?  Leave a link to your Pinterest boards so we can follow them!

#pinterest   #favesongs  

2013-05-01 15:30:56 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

Wishing you all a bright and beautiful Beltane!

May your life be filled with abundance and the coming summer fill you with warmth and cheer.  Was just looking for a nice pic to post and found these nifty coloring sheets.  So take a break, reflect in gratitude, pull out some crayons or markers and just have a few minutes of creative, coloring fun :)

If you're curious about this 'Beltane' thing you can find out more here: http://twopagans.com/holiday/Beltane.html

2013-04-25 00:55:50 (18 comments, 2 reshares, 16 +1s)

Remember last Friday on the TGIF Business Networking Hangout we were talking about how our hour-long HOAs can be mined for content that can be used for a variety of purposes?  

Well here's an example! This clip was created from bits and pieces of last Friday's TGIF, including the new intro I made for it during that show last Friday.

This brand spanking new TGIF Tip clip is just 2 short minutes packed with a LOT of great tips for mining your videos for content, from planning your clips in advance to how to extract audio from video.

+Domingo Rogers, host of the +Collectors Hangout, also has lots of great advice especially regarding pre-show setup, however that's a whole 'nother clip.  You can catch it all on the full episode though, which is at TGIF Business Networking Hangout - HOs, HOAs, & Video Marketing Tips

In thiscl... more »

2013-04-23 18:47:27 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Happy #starwarstuesday !
This is a bit long but it's also pretty epic :)  
Thanks to +martin shervington for the whole Star Wars Tuesday thing!

2013-04-23 17:05:22 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

We are taking stamps, stamps and more stamps with +Pablo Davidov! Come join us to learn more about the art of stamp collecting, also known as philately. Remember, you are our most important guest so come join us to talk about what you collect, what you've collected in the past, what you might have that other collectors might be interested in, or simply come on the show and learn more about collecting with our other guests!

If you like to join us on the show please go to www.CollectorsHangout.tv and click the Join us LIVE button (this will be active shortly before and during our broadcast)

If you are one of the following, +Collectors Hangout is for you!
- A collector
- A seller of collectibles and antiques
- A picker
- An artisan or creator of collectible items
- An appraiser of collectibles or antiques
- Enjoy watching shows about antiques or what... more »

2013-04-20 19:03:24 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

500 Highly "Relevant" to Full Circle
Group of people and pages that Google+ thinks are most relevant to +Full Circle  (in other words, the first 500 you get if you click on "Your circles" and sort by "Relevance"). 

2013-04-20 18:34:26 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

omgs I don't eat eggs but I know my peeps who do will love this!
And you all can just give the extra avocado bits to me :)
Thanks to +Larry Fournillier in whose stream I found this awesome CookingStoned.tv site!

+Andy Ks 

2013-04-20 03:30:28 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

ouch. My eyes are all dry because I'm afraid if I blink this beautiful cover art will be gone when I open my lids again. ooooouuuuuuch!

2013-04-20 03:19:44 (11 comments, 3 reshares, 11 +1s)

Another GREAT TGIF episode!!

Wow!  Thank you so much to featured guests +Domingo Rogers, host of the awesome +Collectors Hangout show, +Sheila B. DuBois, active Hangout host and participant, and +Jim Ault, owner of LettuceAdoreYou.com, who gave us some really useful tips about how to use your HOA videos after the hangout is done.  Thank you all for the excellent advice and info you shared with us on TGIF today!! 

Also many thanks to the guests who joined us in the peanut gallery:
+Blair Warner,  +Upgrade My Credit credit repair specialist
+Theresa Delgado, sales coach extraordinaire
+Euro Maestro - everybody's favorite info/tech/news/politics penguin on G+

And also Thank You to +Diane Cobb and +win charles for listening in and joining us in the event listing comments!

Wow what a great episode this was!  I learned a lot, andanyone wh... more »

2013-04-19 22:01:57 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

This episode of TGIF is all about using Hangouts and Hangouts on Air!   We will be discussing the How To and the Why of using Hangouts and Hangouts on Air for business, and also what happens when the HOA is over - how to use those videos in your marketing and outreach efforts!

Special guests for this episode are +Domingo Rogers  and +Sheila B. DuBois,  who are both active Hangout hosts and participants.  Also joining us is +Jim Ault, who will be discussing what we can do after the HOA is done - how the videos can be a powerful component in your business marketing and outreach toolbox.  Woot woot!!

Sheila hosts interview style Hangouts that feature a wide variety of guests, some that are business related and some that are just really fun and interesting. Sheila will add a great perspective for those that are doing Hangouts for fun and love!

Domingo hosts the +CollectorsHango... more »

2013-04-19 20:10:30 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

TGIF TIPS

TGIF Takeaway Tip from an episode featuring +Dan Weisenbach of +Weisenbach Recycled Products sharing where to find out where your business could get connected to a recycled products manufacturing company that might be interested in buying your recyclable waste as source material for their manufacturing process.

UPDATE:  It seems the Earth911.com web site has undergone a big makeover. This awesome info is no longer found there, although it is still an excellent resource for those who want to reduce their waste stream and up their recycling programs!  But don't despair, keep reading!

The +U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  web site has a great list of links for directories of recycled products manufacturers by state.  Businesses can locate and contact manufacturers near them to find out whether those companies would buy their recyclablewaste.... more »

2013-04-19 16:27:49 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

This episode of TGIF is all about using Hangouts and Hangouts on Air!   We will be discussing the How To and the Why of using Hangouts and Hangouts on Air for business, and also what happens when the HOA is over - how to use those videos in your marketing and outreach efforts!

Special guests for this episode are +Domingo Rogers  and +Sheila B. DuBois,  who are both active Hangout hosts and participants.  Also joining us is +Jim Ault, who will be discussing what we can do after the HOA is done - how the videos can be a powerful component in your business marketing and outreach toolbox.  Woot woot!!

Sheila hosts interview style Hangouts that feature a wide variety of guests, some that are business related and some that are just really fun and interesting. Sheila will add a great perspective for those that are doing Hangouts for fun and love!

Domingo hosts the +CollectorsHango... more »

2013-04-19 15:57:09 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Military Memorabilia
+Collectors Hangout shared this Hangout with us earlier today:
http://collectorshangout.tv/episode24/

Retired LTC. Nick Nicholson talks about AND shows off some pretty cool war memorabilia. 

Here's a screen shot from the Hangout...any pieces in there you particularly relate to or recognize? 

2013-04-19 15:26:16 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

CIRCLE SHARE - From the ground UP!
Please add & share!
Starting anything from scratch can be challenging.  I've put a circle together here of users with less that a few thousand followers that are posting good content and hoping to get more interaction here on Google+!  I've personally checked out each included profile and recommend you help them really enjoy what this place has to offer :)
Oh - and to prove this has nothing to do with personal gain I am NOT included in the circle (but +Stu Stu Studio is just to keep an eye on things!)

#sharedcircle   #sharedpubliccircles   #circleshare   #followfriday   #payitforward  

Special shout out & thanks to those who already agreed to share or helped promote or build the circle: +Brian Alberghini +Rosie Nixon +Raven Partida +Alex Lapidus +Eric Raeber +Bette Kauffman +JohanJohansson +Le... more »

2013-04-17 21:37:08 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 3 +1s)

If you’ve done Hangouts, you’ve almost certainly experienced it.  It’s hard to chat over that typing.  Maybe you’ve accidentally been that typist, and didn’t realize it until someone muted you!   That’s why we’ve added automatic muting when you type.  Specifically:

- If someone keeps typing in a Hangout, their mic will be muted until they stop
- They'll see an in-Hangout notification, so they know they're not interrupting the conversation
- We’ll do this for larger Hangouts (4+ people).

We hope this feature makes your Hangouts experience even more enjoyable, and we welcome your feedback in the comments!

#googleplusupdate

2013-04-17 19:22:47 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

This episode of TGIF is all about using Hangouts and Hangouts on Air!   We will be discussing the How To and the Why of using Hangouts and Hangouts on Air for business, and also what happens when the HOA is over - how to use those videos in your marketing and outreach efforts!

Special guests for this episode are +Domingo Rogers  and +Sheila B. DuBois,  who are both active Hangout hosts and participants.  Also joining us is +Jim Ault, who will be discussing what we can do after the HOA is done - how the videos can be a powerful component in your business marketing and outreach toolbox.  Woot woot!!

Sheila hosts interview style Hangouts that feature a wide variety of guests, some that are business related and some that are just really fun and interesting. Sheila will add a great perspective for those that are doing Hangouts for fun and love!

Domingo hosts the +CollectorsHango... more »

2013-04-20 00:04:26 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 2 +1s)

This episode of TGIF is all about using Hangouts and Hangouts on Air!   We will be discussing the How To and the Why of using Hangouts and Hangouts on Air for business, and also what happens when the HOA is over - how to use those videos in your marketing and outreach efforts!

Special guests for this episode are +Domingo Rogers  and +Sheila B. DuBois,  who are both active Hangout hosts and participants.  Also joining us is +Jim Ault, who will be discussing what we can do after the HOA is done - how the videos can be a powerful component in your business marketing and outreach toolbox.  Woot woot!!

Sheila hosts interview style Hangouts that feature a wide variety of guests, some that are business related and some that are just really fun and interesting. Sheila will add a great perspective for those that are doing Hangouts for fun and love!

Domingo hosts the +CollectorsHango... more »

2013-04-17 17:44:18 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Happy #williamshatnerwednesday  everyone :)

2013-04-16 22:59:52 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Is it just me that always forgets my darn hashtags and then has to go back and edit my post to add them in?  

#sheesh   #hashtags   #lame  

2013-04-17 17:16:18 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Whoa I just had to take a little break from what I'm working on because I'm so excited about upcoming episodes of the TGIF Business Networking Hangout!  

I have SUCH great guests lined up for upcoming shows, including author +win charles, whose ebook is linked below.  Seriously, how great a title is "I, Win"! She'll be my guest on Friday, May 17th to share her inspirational story AND how at age 19 and with low mobility, Win created her first business, marketed it and built a following, all online.  By the time she was 25 Win was a published author, and her fans and followers continue to grow!  AND she is going to be in a Triathlon next week.  Really Win? Gee you give us all a lot to live up to, lol!  This will be a great episode for anyone considering launching an online business or self publishing an ebook.  

Also coming soon are +DomingoRogers... more »

2013-04-16 22:45:31 (22 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Great example of excellent brand identity and knowing your niche market!

Ok, first let me say I am not affiliated with this.  I just came across this site a while back and it stuck with me, and I like to visit to see what she's doing next. This is such a perfect example of brand identity marketing!  +Ana White really knows her niche market.  She knows exactly what her brand identity is - you see it right there in her logo:  Ana White, homemaker.  In this case, literally!  Next to her logo on her site, up in the header, reinforced again:  "Hello! I'm Ana, a mother and homemaker from Alaska." 

Let's review:
• Graph paper background, sort of pin board / bulletin board style interface - reinforces the whole DIY feel
• icons with a purpose
• user friendly web site
• blog
• lots of photos and videos• how tos & ... more »