Page Layout and useability: So far like a simplified version of Facebook.

google plus cheat sheet

Navigation: The Navigation seems pretty smooth. They have taken the liberty of giving us quick keys. Check out the google cheat sheet illustration.

Also buttons at the top of the page to toggle between home, photos, profile and circles. Which I am sure more will be added or perhaps they will be apps that can be placed up there.

News Feeds (Streams): The feeds can be maintained which makes it a lot easier to see almost everyone’s feed. The problem that Facebook users were having,

Google Plus Stream

especially those of us who use it for Social Media, networking, advertising and business, was that based on the personalization algorithms that have now become so finely tuned, we were missing what was happening at times, feeds and updates would not get to us based on our particular preferences or habits. Now there is an option in Google Plus where you can choose certain groups feeds (streams) easily. That makes it a bit more funneled down to see what friends are saying opposed to colleagues or family. The choice has been given back to us in a way.

Adding Friends: this is the area that is more like Twitter than anything else. You can add a friend or follow a friend. But they do not have to follow you. Also you put friends in different circles which are like groups. Which if you have already done this yet it is pretty cool, nice little animation going on which gives a sense of accomplishment (nice on that one). When you first set up your account you only have a few circles but you can create more which is great. I’ll get into this next.
ConConis that right now it is darn hard to invite people. If you have a Google account or profile you can someone what have it easier. But many people are

Googles Plus Circles

saying that it is incredibly hard to find people and add/invite them. Even if they do have a Google Account.

Status updates: Just like Facebook. However, you can choose which circles you want to see that status update. This works very well and as you may guess cuts out a whole lot of the clutter that you see on Facebook, and does not leave anyone out, unless you want them to be. There is also a very easy way to do real-time security and privacy features. You can choose to send only one person a status update and only that person will see it, and you can also choose whether or not you want that shared. Much easier than having to redo your security settings every-time some big wig companies wants information so they can sell you a college degree.

Pics and links: Links are added just like Facebook however they have a drag and drop feature. And the framing of pictures when enlarged are pretty damn cool.

Video Messaging: This appears to be their “Big Difference”, Lot’s of people are skyping now days so it would be dumb if they didn’t add that in there. And once again you can share this with circles.

Business side: think about it. Does Google Really need to put advertisements on the site? I really don’t think that will happen in a very large-scale. But we’ll see. It is good that we may have the opportunity to win the grass-roots campaign again. After-all Facebook’s adds and social media-networking seem to be getting out of reach of the ones trying to get a step up in their business ventures.

Overall, I think it is okay, with thumbs up potential. Very clean and streamline, and if they have worked out some of the security issues we may have a winner.

2011 Quote Bee

Quotationals is a wisdom-based approach to learning. The program is comprised of an annual quote bee, student-submitted quote contest, after school club, and social networking components. The Quotationals Quote Bee is the anchor of our program where K-12 students compete in rote memorization similar to a traditional spelling bee. The event is hosted by a local university that provides tours and tutors to bring college life to our families. Quips, our after school club, prepares students for the bee and uses Socratic discussion to develop deeper understanding and articulation of thought. Family Nights extend this discourse in a coffee shop atmosphere that begins in school and continues at home. Our Submit-A-Quote Contest enables students to submit original quotations that we upload to Facebook and archive in our website of over 200,000 quotes.

The goal of Quotationals is simple: To blur the lines between the classroom, college, and community.

Quotationals is the first program that organically and adequately introduces wisdom to all learners. Our content is as old as the graffiti etched on Egyptian pyramids and as comprehensive as to include Plato, Mother Jones, and our own students. Parents move from passive audience to willing participants. Conversations are changing at home. Teachers and administrators from different sites band together to discuss pedagogy and content. College volunteers are inspired to inspire. Children think under pressure and now regularly reflect aloud in class. Quotationals is creating a community of empowered parents, students, and teachers to change how we teach the next generation.

A friend of mine told me about a FREE download called Celtx. I thought free? It’s going to be rittled with ads, product placement and not have any functionality except for a formatted word document. I uploaded it and after about 10 minutes of a learning curve I was writing a script again. Now I don’t write the long scripts that I use to write before but I was in need of some short format scripts.

Celtx Script Main page

I was pleasantly surprised by the functions. Especially the story board function. I hate doing story boards, but this function is pretty cool if you are passing along to a real artist to make it happen for you. And I love the sketch feature.

Celtx Sketch Feature

Now let’s look a bit past the features, there have been many reviews out there that put Celtx and Finaldraft neck and neck. My cool factor points goes to marketing and social awareness. Most of the folks that I have brushed shoulders with that use this software are Social Media type folks. People that are making film for the interent and understand quality over cost. Just because one software is industry standard doesn’t mean that we have to use it, especially if you are not writng for the industry.

The internet and new media video producers have become a D-I-Y industry. One man shows have no need for industry standard because they have become the industry. If you want to know more about this you can check out my other blog “Internet killed the TV star“.

Celtx uses a plug-in form operation, you can have it for free, but there are some cool plug-ins that you can have as well, “make your life a lot easier” sort of deal. And for what they offer for free, I would be more than happy to pick up a plug in every-so-often just to show my appreciation. As is going the way of the consumers these days. It would almost be like getting a free car that looks like everyone else and once in a while driving into the dealer ship to add on a color, a stereo or some 22″s.  People would do it quite often if it meant having a little individuality. Hey I may be on to something!

So onward new companies who just plain get it!

Have a nice day.

Just plain different

Coming soon

HAkim Wilson at Soul Kitchen

LAst night we were at the second installment of the SoulKitchen, put on by Mark A. Benson. If you are into diverse crowds, good music, ethnic food, independent film and art, live music and the kitchen sink then you probably want to check this out.

Soulkitchen happens once a month and was a vision by its creator Mark A Benson to bring folks together to please their ears, eyes and hearts through music, film and food. Every event showcases a new artist, and always ends on a very good note. I was  in love with the atmosphere, reminded me of being in a friend’s well maintained basement, with mom cooking Ethiopian food upstairs, jamming and socializing.

The event was graced by the art of  Hakim Wilson, Short films by JohnOllie, Tracy Grant and Music by Elephants with Guns. With a diverse and eclectic crowed I know some amazing things are going to have to come out of this joint. Because you just can’t have that many cool people in one spot.

It goes on in Culver City at Industry Cafe 6039 Washington Blvd Culver City, CA 90232.  GEt there early for dinner (Ethiopian) and leave late from the fun. We’ll keep you posted to the next gathereing .