whatever happened to payphones?

After reading "Always On: libraries in a world of permanent connectivity" by Lorcan Dempsey, a one specific point stuck in my mind.  This was when the author discussed the "net generation."  Here he makes the point after referring to a literature review done by Susan Gibbons that mobile connectivity and always being on provides a safety net for students and children.  Parents are able to "helicopter" around their children due to the ability of being able to reach them whenever and where ever the child is.  This stood out to me primarily because, although this is tremendously helpful to parents, it can also be a huge hindrance to the child.  Who is the safety net for?  The students or the parents?  Parents tend to overstep the boundaries sometimes like when they call or text their child in the middle of the school day expecting their child to respond back.  The high school where I work has a no cell phone policy during the school day.  Cell phones are supposed to be off limits, put away for the duration of the school day.  Parents sign-off on the policies, yet ignore them.  I think many expect their child to be "always on" even when they shouldn't be.  It seems to me that the parents, who grew up without constant connectivity, forget that if they really needed to contact their child at school, they can call the office.  Because of always being on, I fear that kids will have a hard time understanding certain boundaries and common decencies.

The article "Library/Mobile: Tips on Designing and Developing Mobile Web Sites" was an interesting read
and verifies that there is a lot to take into consideration when designing and developing mobile web sites so that the user gets the best experience using the site.  The article mentions that one of the things considered when developing a mobile site was the ease of use for the user.  One of the features of the mobile site was to make phone numbers listed on the site be able to automatically dial the phone number when the user tapped on the link.  I was just talking about this with my husband the other day.  Being that I am a new smartphone user, I am amazed at all the cool things my iPhone does--one being that all the phone numbers on web sites and even in emails are automatic links to the phone. This came in handy when I was looking at directions to a friend's house and was having trouble finding it.  I discovered while looking at the email on my phone that the phone number she listed on the email was a hyperlink.  I tapped it and it automatically called the house.  It was so incredibly handy! 

Finally, the tips Kivi Leroux Miller shares about writing on Facebook and Twitter is sweet and to the point, and may I add, extremely helpful!  Her three words of advice in a nutshell--DO, THINK, FEEL--make so much sense.  I love that she also refers to a quote from Maya Angelou.  It is so true that people may not remember what someone does or says but will remember how they feel as a result of it all.  I read a book last semester titled "30 Minute Social Media Marketing: step by step techniques to spread the word about your business" by Susan Gunelius.  In this book, Gunelius emphasizes the 80/20 rule of social media marketing.  Essentially, this rule is to share knowledge, build relationships, and connect people with others 80% of the time when using social media as a marketing tool and for only 20% of the time promote it.  It really got me thinking differently about social media marketing.  I always figured social media marketing was all about getting the word out about programs, sales, etc.  Now I realize it's more about SOCIALIZING with people interested in your brand.  Miller is essentially saying the same thing but in much fewer words.

By the way, I would recommend Susan Gunelius' book as a quick and easy read for beginners interested in learning or beginning to implement social media marketing in their business.