Blue Door Consulting: Out of the Blue

I use Carbonite online backup for all my work file...

2012-04-29T13:07:10.553-07:00

I use Carbonite online backup for all my work files. It took a long time to copy all of the files over, but now it's a quick daily update. I didn't realize you could back up Facebook/blog data. Interesting.

It took two hard drives crashing (one, right befor...

2012-04-29T01:09:30.480-07:00

It took two hard drives crashing (one, right before my magazine went to press) to teach me about backing everything up on 3.5 In floppy disks. That measure of data security lasted for a good month, maybe two. Too much trouble. When the Magical Cloud appeared into my world full of data, I was overjoyed. Finally, something, someone, somewhere to watch over my stuff. I could sleep, knowing that my data is secure.

Sigh...thanks for this post...thanks for my insomnia...must backup backup...must backup backup...

Ann, Couldn't help but think of your post when...

2012-02-26T15:22:12.228-08:00

Ann,
Couldn't help but think of your post when I read this article from the New York Times Magazine.

It describes how predictive behavioral modeling might be influencing the delivery of a package like that.

It's a fascinating read: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&hp

Brenda

Becky, thanks for the insight! A data dictionary t...

2012-01-30T09:20:04.199-08:00

Becky, thanks for the insight! A data dictionary to consolidate an organization's data is a great item to create.

Jes, This is a great article, with very pertinent...

2012-01-28T18:34:44.689-08:00

Jes,

This is a great article, with very pertinent questions for businesses that rely heavily on internal spreadsheets, homegrown Access databases and documents built from people's desktops.

Data comparability is another point you could make. I.e., once a business has enough data resources to manage centrally, centralizing the data for storage and backup also moves you toward a data dictionary and the ability to standardize the numbers for comparisons across departments or subject areas. As long as data is created and maintained within separate silos, there is no common understanding of what each department's numbers represent or their origins, let alone how to meaningfully compare them to someone else's numbers!

It's free, not paid, but Flipboard has become ...

2012-01-09T08:25:02.739-08:00

It's free, not paid, but Flipboard has become my favorite tablet app. It pulls in feeds from Facebook, Twitter, Google Reader, etc. and displays them in a magazine style format. Also, staples for me on any mobile device is a remote PC access app (LogMeIn, TeamViewer).

Both are great suggestions Jen - thanks!

2012-01-09T06:15:44.371-08:00

Both are great suggestions Jen - thanks!

I use an app for tracking my grocery list (so I ca...

2012-01-06T16:08:24.014-08:00

I use an app for tracking my grocery list (so I can update it when I come across a new recipe or I'm in the pantry and realize that I need to buy _______). It also lets my husband add things to the list too which is helpful if you're shopping for more than one.

I also bought a "check list" app that I use to make lists. I can even store the list for things that we do more than once (like travel) so I don't have to remember or spend time thinking of all the things I need to pack.

Hi I read this post 2 times. It is very useful. ...

2012-01-02T05:13:40.648-08:00

Hi

I read this post 2 times. It is very useful.

Pls try to keep posting.

Let me show other source that may be good for community.

Source: Staples interview questions

Best regards
Jonathan.

Joy - That's a great tip, too. Give easy acces...

2011-08-09T12:32:54.174-07:00

Joy - That's a great tip, too. Give easy access to accurate information and additional resources to help people make informed decisions. I also agree that good manners go a long way. :) I'd say that keeping the conversation going is great, as long as it's productive. Thanks for the comment!

@anonymous of course. just like cucumbers.

2011-08-09T12:26:28.500-07:00

@anonymous of course. just like cucumbers.

to put it quite frankly, social media is like cris...

2011-08-09T12:25:43.009-07:00

to put it quite frankly, social media is like cristopher reeve's legs. although they are fun to stare at and play with, they ultimately are useless and serve no purpose.

There are several occasions in which people have m...

2011-08-09T11:55:29.982-07:00

There are several occasions in which people have made negative posts on the Northwestern website in response to an article that had ties to the Community Foundation. My approach has been to quickly, and with tons of humility -- graciousness -- put the correct information out there. Every time I have done this, the conversation stops right there. I don't know if this is a good or bad thing?

Joy Wick
Oshkosh Area Community Foundation

Anonymous - I can teach you how to Dougie? Tony -...

2011-08-09T10:43:43.233-07:00

Anonymous - I can teach you how to Dougie?

Tony - I completely agree on the importance of swiftly responding. It shows you care about their feedback and are looking to quickly remedy the problem in order to mitigate potential issues in the future (that may involve even more people). Great feedback from the broadcast news angle!

Being in broadcast news, specifically weather we g...

2011-08-09T10:04:55.677-07:00

Being in broadcast news, specifically weather we get a lot of the sour grapes type comments. The best thing when can do with the negative comments is get at them right away. A friendly response with a helpful answer to their problem seems to help most of the time. If you don't get on them right away one person's comment becomes 35 people agreeing with that person.

jaimy is a bad dancer

2011-08-09T10:03:02.039-07:00

jaimy is a bad dancer

Here's another interesting read, approaching t...

2011-07-15T12:43:02.162-07:00

Here's another interesting read, approaching the study from another perspective: http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_18478827?nclick_check=1

So true Mark! Affect vs. effect. Lie vs. lay. I ha...

2011-04-21T05:47:34.023-07:00

So true Mark! Affect vs. effect. Lie vs. lay. I have a feeling AP Style and the dictionary in general may go the way of the dinosaurs.

Thanks for your story!

Heidi, I have a 19-yr old granddaughter. My prima...

2011-04-20T15:41:31.760-07:00

Heidi, I have a 19-yr old granddaughter. My primary way of staying in touch is through her FB posts. Many of her posts come from her Blackberry and are loaded with various forms of shortcuts. I understand that part; however, I too am concerned. For example, she is sloppy in the proper use their/there and similar words where there's no space advantage in using the wrong form. I think we're doomed.

And don't even get me started on plurals vs. possessives!

Thanks! They were fun to put together. :)

2011-04-19T11:53:16.823-07:00

Thanks! They were fun to put together. :)

Love these!!! Will have to do this next time I'...

2011-04-15T06:35:01.074-07:00

Love these!!! Will have to do this next time I'm stuck with color.

That is very surprising and unexpected. I would&#...

2011-03-11T00:54:10.700-08:00

That is very surprising and unexpected. I would've thought social media had passed email with the rise of the facebook vs. google wars. Granted I do have email sent to my phone, I find it more of an annoyance than a true aid. While I check email more frequently I feel that social media is less intrusive and allows me to reach the information I want, without all of the junk.

No problem! I'm excited as well. Should be a f...

2011-02-21T10:51:48.788-08:00

No problem! I'm excited as well. Should be a fun little Saturday. We might even make it to Bed, Bath & Beyond ... I, I don't know if we'll have enough time.

So am I, Mandy! Nothing better than new/familiar ...

2011-02-21T10:41:31.835-08:00

So am I, Mandy!

Nothing better than new/familiar friends, wine and spinach artichoke dip!

And Jaimy, thanks for organizing this.

Excited!

2011-02-21T10:36:28.655-08:00

Excited!