Opinion

Post image for What Has Happened to Continuity?

Was it something I said or did? Why aren’t you talking to me any more? Did I not do everything you asked? No, I’m not talking about dating here, although, in some way I sort of am. I am talking about being “dumped” by a brand. This is particularly painful if you are a blogger or content creator. Breakups are really hard, especially if you worked diligently to maintain the relationship. When it comes to commitment, you need to think about another word as well – continuity.

I have been very lucky. I have worked with a lot of amazing global brands like Sony, Ford, Intel, AT&T, Trend Micro, IBM (see some of the programs by clicking through the links) and plenty of smaller brands and firms. Some of these were longer-term projects and some were much shorter. Some were with other groups of bloggers or content creators like the Cast of Dads and other groups put together by brands or PR firms.

There is also another set of brands and vendors that I have worked with that are slightly different. These are sort of like the “summer time romances” where they are active for a while and then go away until the next project comes out. They provide me with new products to review from time to time or new experiences to participate in. Some of these brands are LG, Belkin, Microsoft, Logitech, D-Link, Jabra, Honeywell, Hyundai, Klutz, Nintendo, Norelco, and even Apple, among many others.

Continuity

Continuity

There is still one thing really irks me though. It’s when these brands go quiet…for a long time. They may come back, but often it is after an extended silence where much of the momentum and excitement that was originally present is lost due to a long period of “inactivity.” Don’t get me wrong though, I place an extremely high value on each and every program that I have participated in (or am currently involved in), regardless of whether they are long or short term.

[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

Post image for 5 Reasons Why Social Media Might Actually Be Good for your Child

WARNING: The repeated use of Social Media can be dangerous to your child’s well-being. Should we have a Surgeon General’s warning label slapped onto each and every social media site out there? What about some sort of age rating system like we have for movies, music and video games? No, of course not. The Internet is all about freedom of speech and expression and is a wealth of knowledge. But we all continue to get the message that social media is dangerous for children. Even I have written a couple of articles to that effect.

Surgeon General's Warning: Social Media can be dangerous to child.

Surgeon General’s Warning: Social Media can be dangerous to child.

But as I reflect on it and watch how my children use social media, I wouldn’t be a balanced parent if I didn’t look at both sides of the argument. Sure, social media can be dangerous to children, but there are lots of caveats to that statement. In fact, the statement needs to be really qualified. “Unmonitored” social media makes that statement much more true than without the descriptor. But I won’t be dissecting that statement. Instead I will offer one that is potentially controversial: Social media might actually be good for your child.

I’d like to preface my reasoning however. I am not saying to just turn your child loose on social media. I am, however, saying that not all aspects are dangerous to them. In fact, I believe that some social media, in moderation, can have a positive influence on a child’s life.

5 Reasons Why Social Media can be Good for a Child

[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

Post image for The Ford Fiesta Movement is Back! And Here’s My Entry! #FiestaMovement

Piggybacking on the success of the previous Ford Fiesta Movement a few years ago, Ford is re-launching the Fiesta Movement (www.fiestamovement.com) to showcase the 2014 Ford Fiesta. Ford is currently looking for “the most vibrant voices and talented storytellers to be agents in the Fiesta Movement.” So, I figured that I would throw my hat into the ring!

HTD_titlepage_Ford-Fiesta-Agenst.fw

I do lots of car reviews and have participated in a few Ford programs in the past so being a Fiesta Agent makes a lot of sense to me. But as I watched some of the promotional materials about this year’s program, I noticed that it seemed to be geared towards a younger audience (20-somethings). So how could I make my voice be heard among the youth out there? I thought about it and realized that I have an even more rounded story (I hope).

I would not only be bringing 1 agent to the mix (me), but 5 others as well (my family). The program should really be about the experience, how a family (or individual) interacts with the Fiesta, and how it solves daily challenges and usage scenarios. So let me introduce you to my family of agents! Here’s the video (available directly on YouTube as well):

[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

Post image for Can You Have a Love Affair with a Gadget?

“I’m in love with the iPad Mini” I proclaimed proudly to my wife.

I didn’t expect the response (well, I did in a way). “You cannot be in love with a gadget.” That was that. End of discussion.

I had been hoping to start a conversation about why I like the iPad Mini so much or why it is better than other gadgets I have played with. I guess that my opening line might work with non-materialistic goods (e.g., “I’m in love with our dog”) – but even that might sound a bit odd. I probably should have said “I love the iPad Mini.”

HTD-in-love-ipad-mini

Being “in love” and “loving” are two distinct things. But people often are accused of being “in love” with inanimate objects like a car or with something intangible like sports. Or perhaps people are just using grammar incorrectly. My wife, however, does make a good point. You can’t be in love with technology. You can be passionate or obsessed with it…but not in love with it.

image

[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

How To Back Up Your WordPress Blog The Hard and Easy Way (DIY vs. blogVault)

January 28, 2013
Thumbnail image for How To Back Up Your WordPress Blog The Hard and Easy Way (DIY vs. blogVault)

If you are a blogger, probably one of the worst things that can happen to you apart from writer’s block is having your blog crash or the server that it is on get corrupted in some way. Technology is imperfect and Murphy’s Law always manages to find us one way or another. If suddenly all [...]

Read the full article →

Holy Crap, I’m 45 Today! And Toasting with a Glass of Water

January 23, 2013
Thumbnail image for Holy Crap, I’m 45 Today! And Toasting with a Glass of Water

I have no qualms about telling my age. In fact, most of the time I can’t remember how old I actually am. I have to plug in my birthdate into some sort of age calculator. Is that a sign of old age? Today I turn…uh…wait, right! 45. I’m five years over the hump. 40 is [...]

Read the full article →

A New Respect for Plumbers, Learning from Trade Professionals and The Zen of Snaking Out a Sewage Line

January 10, 2013
Thumbnail image for A New Respect for Plumbers, Learning from Trade Professionals and The Zen of Snaking Out a Sewage Line

I have a bit of a “crappy” story to tell. Literally. And it doesn’t have to do with technology, it involves sewage. I believe that the house that I own has plumbing possessed by Mother Nature. Ever since we have owned our home, there is an annual tradition (sometimes more than once a year) where [...]

Read the full article →

The Loss of Innocence

December 14, 2012
Thumbnail image for The Loss of Innocence

Innocence was lost today, not just in Connecticut but across the world. Our future was tragically and horrifically gunned down in yet another act of senseless violence. After 9/11, our nation changed. We became paranoid, more careful and we thought, safer. Today’s events prove otherwise. Violence can come from anywhere, from strangers or from people [...]

Read the full article →