Search Generation
February 6, 2010 by John Proffitt · Leave a Comment
This ad may not make sense to older viewers. But to Generation X and below, I can assure you this is how we live much of our lives today. Every physical phone book I’ve received in the last 5 years has gone straight into the trash or recycling. And if your business isn’t on the web, it doesn’t exist.
You know what they say: Location, Location, Location!
January 7, 2010 by John Proffitt · Leave a Comment
via youtube.com
I remember talking to IT pals of mine 5 years ago about how location-based information was going to be the Next Big Thing. It took 5 years, but we’re finally here.
Public service media can use location, too. Indeed, as creators, conveners and curators of media that’s focused on communities in specific locations, this stuff will be huge.
If we get out of the studio and get into the community, that is.
Advice: Develop a digital media offense, not defense
November 3, 2009 by John Proffitt · Leave a Comment
Great interview with Ken Auletta on topics covered in his forthcoming book.
“More than a few traditional media executives fervently believe Google aims to conquer the world. By obsessing about Google’s ‘evil’ intentions they spend too much time playing defense and not enough time figuring out their own digital offense.”
Hat tip to @matthewfelling for the find.
Learning Google Wave
October 3, 2009 by John Proffitt · Leave a Comment
Google Wave is all the rage. Not sure what it’s about? Here are the 2 things you can review to become an expert (without actually getting an account):
Google Wave Intro by Epipheo
A quick-and-dirty explanation of what some of Google Wave can be. Very popular video from the last couple of days on the social networks.
Google Wave Intro from Google – May 2009
A very long introduction, but it’s very complete and fully geeky for those that are interested.
Brief update… and a question
May 13, 2008 by John Proffitt · 4 Comments
I’ve been remiss in writing for Gravity Medium lately, due to a bunch of things going on in my paid professional life.
We’re still in the midst of a strategic reconfiguration at the office, yet that seems to be slowing down now, as… well, I can’t really explain it without betraying confidences. Basically the process of reviewing the company’s structure and mission has stalled out and I don’t know when, or if, it will re-engage. I’m hopeful that we can startup again before June, but who knows. It’s been quite the roller coaster and at the moment I just want to get off and find a Sno Cone.
—–
Separately — and way more fun — I’ve been working on moving my company and all its employees over to Google Apps, in the process dumping our Microsoft Exchange e-mail server and Outlook (at least officially).
So here’s the question: Do you have experience with moving your company over to Google Apps, especially away from Exchange and Outlook? If so, I’d like to hear about it either in the comments or via e-mail.
Right now I’m still in the planning and early-adopter transition phase, but in the end I have to migrate about 40 people to the service (which is tiny, I know), moving most of their archived mail to the service. I’ve already run into a couple mail migration glitches and I’m still figuring out how to handle public folders.
In the end, I expect to save anywhere from a few thousand to several thousand dollars per year (electricity, server upkeep, backup management, software licensing, staff time) and get some intangible cultural benefits from pushing the company further online. Instant messaging integrated with the web e-mail client is compelling, as is vast e-mail storage space and the document sharing features of Google Docs.
So let me know if you’re a Google Apps shop. What works? What doesn’t work? Send me your cheers and your jeers for the service. I can share my experiences, too, if that’s helpful.