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Checking Out the Neer Android App

There’s a new geo-location based service that I just found out about called Neer. I’m already using BrightKite, Foursquare and Gowalla, so not sure if I need this one but it does something that’s kind of nice. I can setup the application to work silently in the background and let an “inner-circle” of people know where I’m at without having to update anything on my phone manually.

For example, Neer can let my wife know that I’ve left the office and I’m heading home. Or, let her know when I’m at home, or a list of other places I setup as being those included in notifications to that circle.

One thing I wish is that new apps would stop getting developed on their own location based solutions, but instead integrate with the other location services I’m already using.

My other search involves a location based reminder service. I don’t need to be reminded to do something at 5pm on Thursday, I need to remember to pick-up that sleeping bag I let my brother borrow the next time I’m near his house on the north side. If you can find me a service that does that reliably, you’ve got a winner.

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Social Media Is NOT The Answer

social-media-icons

There’s been a thread of thought bouncing back and forth in my head lately. It stems from some conversations with a few different people as well as hearing the response from other individuals as they speak of and refer to a variety of social media platforms.

Many of my friends are aware that I’m active on Facebook, flickr, blogging, StumbleUpon, twitter, BrightKite, YouTube, Vimeo and a variety of other social sites. Many of those same friends don’t "get" some of them, while others they can see the value.

Most of the time people don’t get twitter. They think it’s only about updating everyone on the fact you’re waking up, eating a meal or going back to bed. If you’ve been using twitter for very long, you probably know it’s useful for so much more than that. I’ve already written about how it’s been useful for me (although I can’t seem to find the link to that post now).

Here’s the deal though, if you’re the type of person that’s not really interested in having a conversation with someone offline (aka the "real" world), then communicating with people via social media isn’t going to make much sense to you either. Even if you understand the potential, if it’s not your personality, I doubt you’re going to be active. For that reason alone, Social Media will NOT be the answer you’re probably looking for in business or even your own personal endeavors.

Don’t waste your time and ours by setting up accounts that will grow dusty with unuse and being ignored.

Similarly anyone can setup a blog, but not everyone will have the discipline to be a writer and keep that blog updated. It’s really no fault of your own, you’re just not interested in writing and you’re not interested in your voice being heard. I believe you can show someone how to write and what to write, but you can’t make them a writer.

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Twitter and Customer Service – Now THAT’S Comcastic!

I still have conversations regularly with people who don’t understand what the deal is with twitter. Most of the time people make a comment about why in the world someone would care what you’re having for lunch or where you’re at? Although that is a part of what happens on twitter, along with the help of complimentary services like brightkite, it’s not even close to all the benefits twitter can offer the “real world”.

A recent story in the Technology section of the New York Times talks about how Frank Eliason, a digital care manager, uses twitter and the web to take a pro-active assistance role for people who are having less than satisfactory results from Comcast.

Long before I got introduced to twitter, I had a personal interaction with Frank himself from recent comments on my own blog here.

After that contact and I began using twitter, I had a few more interactions with Frank where he took care of my questions, even after I was no longer a Comcast customer. I can tell you this, if for some reason I decide to leave AT&T U-verse, Frank has probably done enough for me to give Comcast another try. Plus, since I’ll be a new customer again I’ll be able to take advantage of their triple-play pricing again.

For anyone wondering, you should really read the NYTimes article, it may help you understand a little more what can be achieved with twitter and how other companies besides Comcast are making it work for them.

Comcast is not the only company trying to reach out to customers online. Using the social messaging service Twitter, Southwest Airlines answers customer questions about ticket prices and flight delays, Whole Foods Market posts details about discounts, and the chief executive of the online shoe store Zappos shares details of his life with 7,200 ?followers.? Many other companies also monitor online discussion groups.

Although I don’t follow Southwest Airlines and Whole Foods, I do follow Zappos, and another company called ChoiceShirts which is making twitter work for them as well.

Frank, if you’re listening (and I know you are) keep up the good work. You are making a difference and more companies should model their customer service meaning and methods after what you’ve achieved so far.