Posts Tagged ‘Social media’

 

What is Reddit?

Wednesday, December 26th, 2012

We’re all very familiar with Facebook, Twitter and even Google+, but even the most savvy social media user may not yet have explored the basics of Reddit–a simple yet powerful force in the social media sphere. After all, Reddit boasts itself as “the front page of the internet.”

What is Reddit?

If you’re new to Reddit and you visit the main page, it probably appears like a random bulletin board at a local library–and that’s basically what it is.

Reddit is an internet bulletin board divided into many categories with a few distinct differences.

How Reddit is Different?

Unlike Facebook, Reddit lets user customize their front page to accomodate whatever interest, niche or topic of their choosing.

+Want to learn how to train your husky? Visit the Dog Training Reddit page.

+Need to connect to other sushi lovers? The sushi Reddit page is for you.

+Like to chat about League of Legends? Set your front page to that sub-Reddit. Some of these sub-bulletin board pages even have guidelines. Here’s the one for League of Legends:

And if your topic of choice isn’t created yet, go ahead and make one. Chances are there are other people just like yourself that want a page to share the secrets of repurposing old picture frames into costume jewelry -or something of the sort.

In allowing users to, in essence, curate the entire internet and also allow users to give a vote on topics of interest, Reddit stays abreast of current trends.

New Reddit Trend

A current popular feature on Reddit is iAmA. Also knows as AMA (Ask Me Anything) or AMAA (Ask Me Almost Anything). At the time of publishing this post, the iAmA page on Reddit that has over 2.4 million subscribers and is growing.

So what is iAmA? It’s a great way for anyone to connect with celebrities, personalites or even the President of the United States.

Additionally, iAmA is a great way to connect with others, do research or be entertained.

Some suggestions recently seen on Reddit:

I was a State Corrections Officer (Prison guard) for 25 years. AMA

IAmA cardiac surgeon AMA

I had half my left foot amputated when I was 14. AMA.

Enjoy!

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If you use Reddit, what is the thing you like most about it? Let us know in the comments!

 

Your Pedometer Gets a Facelift and Goes Social with Fitbit

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

I was recently given a Fitbit as a gift. If you’re not familiar, Fitbit is a small device that is designed to track your daily activity levels including amount of floors climbed, steps taken and even sleep patterns (on some versions).

Here’s what one version looks like in a hand model’s dainty fingers:

Though the gift was nice, I have to admit that my first thought was “that’s very kind of you, but I already have a pedometer on my iPhone. But it’s a cool looking gift.”

To be a good sport, I followed the instructions on syncing it to my laptop:

1. Download Fitbit software.

2. Install software and follow directions on screen.

3. Put the FitBit.

I was up and running in a few minutes. I popped the Fitbit in the little pocket that no one uses in their jeans–the one so small that nothing a cellophane-wrapped mint would fit–and was on my way.

 

Some Fitbit Tidbits

At first, I doubted it’s accuracy. Would it really know when I was climbing stairs? Would it register movement in the car as me actually taking steps? Will it be worth the hassle to wear this around?

Accuracy. I found it to be quite accurate. It didn’t register false movements in the car. Occasionally  you could shake it enough to make it register a handful of steps, but that onus is on you, not the device. While staying at a hotel, I took the elevator up eight floors and it didn’t register that I’d climbed the floors. I then tested walking down the eight floors via the stairwell and, sure enough, it only registers climbing steps, not descending. Wow.

Size. It’s small. Just look at that picture above. I love the size. There are devices that are smaller and that are larger. I’d not want one smaller as I’ve already forgotten about the Fitbit in several pants pockets. Any larger and people may notice it and think you’re on house arrest.

Power. I’ve gone three our four days without charging it and it still has about 25% juice left.

Tracking Tools. The tracking tools floored me. The Fitbit syncs wirelessly when within a few feet of the internet connected base station. You hardly even know it’s happening. Here’s a screenshot of my Saturday tracking this past weekend.

Social. And then a friend on Fitbit found me. I don’t know if it was through Facebook or Twitter but a friend who had a Fitbit requested we share tracking information. I accepted. The race was on. Now I can see who is more active and it’s a very light social peer pressure to keep moving.

Since wearing the Fitbit, I park further away to steal a few more steps and am more conscious of the choices I’m making because I’ve setup my Fitbit so that others may see how active (or inactive) I am.

Nothing like a cool gadget and a little accountability to ward off the consequences of laziness.

Question: Have you tried Fitbit? What do you think?