Google+
I joined Google+ this weekend, and so far, it feels like a cleaner version of Facebook with instant access to my gmail and the ability to start throwing people into appropriate groups (Facebook didn't create that feature until I'd already hit the 5,000-friend limit, so it's not practical for me to go through them all now).
There's still a lot I haven't tried on the site, but it seems promising enough. Of course, the site doesn't have nearly as many people on it as Facebook...yet. I'm definitely interested to see how it does over the next year, and I can't wait to figure out more of the tools.
Coming of age
My son Ben turned 10 on Sunday. I don't mind that I'm turning 33 in about a week, but my oldest son reaching double digits makes me feel old. This is nothing new. Ever since I became a parent, I've realized that I no longer mark my own age as much as the ages of my kids--all five of them!
On the way up to Ohio, it also occurred to me that Ben is now within striking distance of being taller than Tammy and is only a few years from equalling my height (if he follows my growth pattern, that is)--not to mention he's only six years from learning how to drive. Where does the time go?
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| 10-year-old Ben with his new Nook. |
e-Readers Hit Close to Home
Beyond that, Ben received a Nook
as one of his birthday gifts. In fact, it was the main gift he wanted and talked about before his birthday. His mother and nana bought it for him. Their main reasoning for a Nook over the Kindle
? The Preble County library system allows visitors to check out digital books--only for the Nook.Ben likes to read, and he represents a generation of young readers who have no problem with moving from printed books to a digital platform. Anyway, I think it's interesting to see how the e-reader revolution is hitting close to home with my double digit son.
His first books to download? Three titles from the Goosebumps series
by R.L. Stine. He's into creepy stuff.*****
Follow me on Twitter @robertleebrewer. Or connect with me on LinkedIn. Plus, you can search for me on Facebook (as "Robert Lee Brewer") or Google+ (as "Robert Brewer"). And feel free to sign up for free e-mail updates from this blog over on the right.
*****
Things related to this blog post:
- Ben 10
(Ben turned 10!)
- Nook
(e-reader Ben received for his birthday)
- Kindle
(e-reader he did not receive)
- The Werewolf of Fever Swamp
, by R.L. Stine (Ben's favorite Goosebumps book)
- The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools, and Strategies for Business Success
, by Lon Safko (for people interested in social media strategy)
5 comments:
They grow up fast don't they? I received an e-reader for Christmas (after being against them for such a long time) and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up liking it (especially since I was leaving for a 2-week trip at the time and didn't have to pack tons of heavy books). The only downside I find: when the battery runs out, or it just plain doesn't work (mine wouldn't turn on last night, even after I charged it) and then you're out of luck! So now I'm on the fence - the e-reader is alright sometimes (like when I'm traveling, but I still prefer a real book in my hand!
I'm about to take on the task of figuring out Google+ and am also looking forward to its development.
Love the aside about your son's e-reader. My how technology has changed the world!
Have a great week, Andrea
I've always said that print books will be popular until the generation that has grown up without them is the majority. Interesting to hear that Ben makes the transition easily! Great post Robert!
Thanks for sharing your experience with an e-reader, Cate!
And thanks for commenting, Andrea and P.I.
Glad your son is into reading, he looks so happy :)
I agree, g+ feels cleaner, we will see how it goes and when the first ads will start popping up.
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