Two things I’m excited about, and really hope are implemented, is a new multi site Admin, and a configurable Dashboard. This is kind of interesting, because at WordCamp Utah 2010, Matt Mullenweg asked Adam Dunford, “if you had a magic wand, what would you change in WordPress?” His response was a cleaner, configurable dashboard. Spot on Adam.

Looks like the WP team is shooting for a mid December release, with a feature freeze in mid October. That’s not too far off.

If you haven’t already upgraded to WordPress 3, you should do it soon. This is a fantastic release, seems to be very stable, and the further you fall behind the more problems you will encounter.

• SMCSLC WordPress 3.0 Presentation Slides
• BuddyPress And The Missing Admin Bar: Solved!
• Looks Like Fancy Commenting Systems Don’t Rule
• The Basics Of WordPress
• Speaking At WordCamp Utah 2008

For one, you must have iTunes, not everyone uses iTunes. Until there is some type of web interface that allows you to connect with other, this will be a huge barrier. Two, iTunes must be running to even interact with your followers, share music taste, and invite others. Invitation? A service such as Like.fm or Blip.fm allow me to share my music tastes with anyone, regardless of the platform they are on. And that’s where Ping will fail. I could be wrong, and Apple could choose to make major changes to the service, making something usable and accessible by everyone.

I would love to see Amazon come up with something open and web based to compete. Amazon could compete on several fronts, music of course, but also books, games, movies, electronics. That maybe on the roadmap for Apple, but you have to hit some type of home run out of the gate, or you suffer like Wave has.

While I hate to be a nay sayer, I don’t think the Apple engineers thought this through for a first rev. Does it seem like that is becoming a reoccurring theme from Cupertino?

• Oh Yeah I Have Snow Leopard
• WordPress 3.1 Has A Feature List
• Why Microsoft Shouldn’t Aim At Google Or Apple
• The Jedi Rank Of Community Manager
• iOS4 Makes My iPhone 3G Virtually Useless

More and more people are looking for visibility into a company. Customers expect representatives of a company to be in the same places they are. Customers expect some sort of interaction with questions, issues or concerns, and they expect them pretty quickly. CM’s can be a great first line between a company and it’s customers.

I’ve been an admirer of ComcastCares (who has also grown to become a celebrity in his own right) on Twitter, and how the group has grown from a staff of one, to an army of Twitter “agents”, helping as many of their customers as they can. The trend is obviously there. Many of the largest companies in the world have CM’s, and some times several.

But these Jedi usually do more than answer Twitter questions. I had an opportunity to spend some time with Blue Sky Factory’s CM, DJ Waldow, and get a small glimpse of what he does, even for just an hour. A few months ago, DJ sat across from me in a now defunct Co-Working space in Salt Lake City, Utah. He’s a rock star. He’s smooth. He’s fast. He knows his company, his product and his customer. But I’ve also seen DJ interact with the community, and he definitely shares as much as he can. Who else would offer up assistance at 2AM? DJ will. He just had a baby, so yeah he’s probably up on occasion. You can find more on DJ at these digital pads; Blog – Twitter – Blue Sky Factory.

I asked DJ some questions, and he gave some great responses.

Community Management can at times seem like a 24/7 job, what have you done to balance work and life?

Had a baby. Just kidding. Actually, not entirely. Being a new dad has helped to shut off and go offline every now and then. I’m not saying that I’ve figured this out (ask my wife), but it’s help focus me during the day a bit. When I pick my daughter up from daycare, I do my best to make it family time. The same goes for weekends and evenings – that’s my time with my wife and daughter. Don’t get me wrong, I have an iPhone so I’m able to “check in” every so often. Also, I don’t have the typical 9-5 job. Some days, I’m up and rolling with my first cup of french press coffee before 6AM. Other days, I burn the candle late into the evening. Either way, most days are blend of personal and professional. That’s a key to this gig as much of what I do on a personal level helps with my job as the Director of Community at Blue Sky Factory. Much of community management is about building relationships, connecting people, engaging with fans, critics, prospects, clients, and evangelists.

I see a lot of high tech companies with Community Managers, is this a role only for high tech, or can just about any company use a Community Manager?

A community manager can help any organization, not just high tech. I think of this role as the voice and face of the organization. It’s PR, Marketing, Sales, Support, Client Services, Business Development – you name it. Those teams exist in nearly every company, not just in the tech sector. That being said, not every organization needs a community manager – just like social media is not necessary for every company (http://socialbutterflyguy.com/2009/12/16/social-media-is-not-necessary/).

I know you do interact on Twitter a lot, where else do you interact with your companies community? Which do you find is the most critical?

I spend quite a bit of time on blogs – writing for both the Blue Sky Factory blog (http://blog.blueskyfactory.com/) and commenting on other blogs. I also use Facebook to post and have conversations with our community. Finally, LinkedIn is becoming a more integral piece. The group discussions and LinkedIn Answers provide some good dialogue. Most critical? I find that Twitter still gets the most bang for the buck when it comes to generating new business.

CM’s have been around for a long time, but were typically volunteers who loved a product or service, and wanted to help improve it, and help others get the most for their money. The role of advocate has dramatically changed. The CM is called on to interact the customers on multiple levels, create more opportunity for product or service introduction, and build an even larger army of advocates. You will also find a good CM utilized internally, communicating with all departments, and helping shape the direction of the company based on true customer feedback.

Personally, I think CM’s add enormous value to any company, especially if the focus and direction are parallel to the companies vision and goals. The goal should be more customers buying more products or services, right? It’s hard to be the one running the company, building the product or service, and being the sole CM. It’s a very important job that should have a dedicated resource. I know many of you will try and manage on your own, and that’s very admirable, but you won’t see any significant change until it becomes someones sole focus.

Have you interacted with a Community Manager? What was your experience? If you are a Community Manager, share some of your successes, and trials.

I’m going to follow up with some additional posts on this subject. When someone asks me what I want to do after my current career comes to an end, I’m going to tell them I want to be a Community Manager.

• WordPress 3.1 Has A Feature List
• Why iTunes Ping Will Suffer Like Google Wave
• iOS4 Makes My iPhone 3G Virtually Useless
• SMCSLC WordPress 3.0 Presentation Slides
• BuddyPress And The Missing Admin Bar: Solved!

I’m usually one who stays on the edge of technology, but mobile devices are a little different. For me, the cost of upgrading my iPhone has been dependent on my contract with AT&T. Every time you extend your contract you lose options, or those options become more expensive.

But back to the phone issue. As it stands right now, very few of my applications are stable with iOS4. Especial those that use a lot of memory or network services. I don’t fully blame the app developers because I think this is an incompatibility with the OS and the phone. I’m sure there are some apps that aren’t quite compatible with iOS4, but the apps I’m having problems with are ones have recently been updated, and should be functioning correctly.

This lack of compatibility really drives me crazy. As Scott Lemon stated today, Apple is putting money above quality, similar to Toyota, who put money before quality, and now it has come back to bite both companies.

I like my iPhone, it has changed the way I consume information and communicate. I want to continue using my iPhone, but the complete system failures are very frustrating.

Reviewing options.

[Update] Before I even posted this, my iPhone has crashed, not recognized by iTunes, and I am now restoring from a backup. Incredible.

• KnockingLive Is A Killer iPhone App In 2009
• WordPress 3.1 Has A Feature List
• Why iTunes Ping Will Suffer Like Google Wave
• The Jedi Rank Of Community Manager
• SMCSLC WordPress 3.0 Presentation Slides

It was a great event, the audience was great, the other presenters (Dan Garfield @todaywasawesome) and panelists (Jake Spurlock @whyisjake) were awesome. It was a good WordPress night.

Thanks to Darin ‘Doc’ Berntson (@igobydoc) for putting the event together to coincide with the Eye Care for Kids charity concert after the club meeting. Doc really spends a lot of time promoting and supporting the charity. Take a few minutes to check it out.

• WordPress 3.1 Has A Feature List
• BuddyPress And The Missing Admin Bar: Solved!
• Looks Like Fancy Commenting Systems Don’t Rule
• The Basics Of WordPress
• Speaking At WordCamp Utah 2008

Once I installed the theme and started working on it, I noticed that there was white space at the top of all my pages, enough room for the BuddyPress admin bar. So I knew it had something to be missing code that wasn’t displaying the admin bar. A quick search on the BuddyPress forum site and I found the solution: Make sure the wp_footer() reference is in your template file.

My theme needed a reference to wp_footer(). There was a reference to get_footer(), but that doesn’t help the admin bar. Once I added the reference, the bar shows up as desired. I call this code snippet in the custom theme where the footer should appear.

<?php
function custom_footer() { ?>
    <div id="custom_footer" class="accentBorders">Copyright &#169; 2010 All Rights Reserved.</div>
<?php
    wp_footer();
}
?>

Find more BuddyPress goodness at http://buddypress.org/support/topics/.

By the way, BuddyPress is a set of plug-ins that give your WordPress site the ability to create a community.

• Speaking At WordCamp Utah 2008
• WordPress 3.1 Has A Feature List
• SMCSLC WordPress 3.0 Presentation Slides
• Looks Like Fancy Commenting Systems Don’t Rule
• The Basics Of WordPress

• New web site. Thanks to CrowdVine, we now have a new website for PodCampSLC. This site incorporates many of the social networking features you have grown to appreciate.
• New sponsors on board: PressDev, Mozy.com, eBay, Neumont University and SLUG Magazine. Please take some time to visit these companies, and we really appreciate the support.
• The schedule is really starting to come together. We are covering everything from audio and video recording, live streaming, social media, and a lot more.
• Phil Windley has agreed to hold the March CTO breakfast just before PodCamp.

Again, I really want to thank Tony and team at CrowdVine for the new site. We are working very closely with them to resolve any problems that may come up, so please be patient.

Please visit the new site and register today.

• Podcasting Is A Cinch
• My Business Wish List For 2010
• The Importance Of People Versus Technology
• CouchCast Review Of Accelerando
• CouchCast With UTC CEO Richard Nelson

In previous posts, I thought I would be cool and make some predictions, call out some technologies, and get on the band wagon. But I was wrong. Instead of predicting what MIGHT happen, why not contribute and MAKE things happen. I’d love to see even a tenth of the people making predictions actually build something of value.

One thing I always try and do is see things through rose colored glasses. Why not? I don’t think I’m being naive, no has ever been hurt by encouragement. Through all the blogging, tweeting, facbooking, youtubing and what ever else is going on, I want to see you actually do something.

Several months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting, and talking with Josh Peters. Our discussion was around sharing our knowledge with other in the form of workshops. Guess what; Josh went out and did it. He created the workshop he envisioned, and it was a success. He also wrote a book on the subject he’s passionate about. He also has the coolest tattoo.

You might not know who Jason Alba is (no, he’s not related to Jessica, although he might want to be), but this man has been a real mentor to me. We haven’t created any formal partnerships, or coaching agreements, but he’s shown me how one man, with a passion, and a red hot poker coming towards you at mach ten, can accomplish. He’s always questioning me. Asking me why I am doing something, and why am not doing something else. He’s made his own path, and I like that about Jason.

I kind of got off track there a little. My point in sharing what Jason and Josh have done, is point out what happens when you actually do something. The only thing I can predict about the tech world is it’s ability to be unpredictable. If you’re only creating words, stop it. Create something real, it’s a lot more challenging and believable.

• My Business Wish List For 2010
• Please Pitch Me A Win Win Venture
• Please Don’t Pitch Me A One Sided Venture
• WordPress 3.1 Has A Feature List
• Why iTunes Ping Will Suffer Like Google Wave

You can create audio casts three ways; an iPhone app, your computer, or dial in number. You have to pre-configure your phone number so Cinch recognizes who is recording, and posts right to your account.

I’ve used Cinch a couple of different ways. One is to record quick notes for myself (sent to a non public folder), as a backup for audio podcasts I’m recording via Skype, and as a quick way to capture podcasts on the go.

Jesse Stay has been using it to record a daily journal. I’m sure there are dozens of unique ways to use Cinch. I would love to know how you are using Cinch.

*Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way for writing this post. U simply think Cinch is a great tool and wanted to share.

• New For PodCampSLC 2010
• CouchCast Review Of Accelerando
• CouchCast With UTC CEO Richard Nelson
• CouchCast With Automattics Joseph Scott
• CouchCast With SocialOptimizes Jesse Stay

There are really only three operation systems on the market people will generally know; Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux. There are a couple of operating systems that are getting some buzz, but most people don’t know they are using them, or don’t recognize the fact they are operating systems. These are mobile or light weight OS’s, like Google’s Chrome OS, Android, Windows Mobile, iPhone, and Palm Pre.

Desktop Operating Systems
Hands down the winner will remain the Windows, specifically, Windows 7. Personally I’ve been using Windows 7 for a few months now, written several blog posts on it, and can say it’s just as stable as Windows XP. Sorry non-windows fan boys, but it is.

Next up will continue to be Apple’s Mc OS X. The real issue most people have with the Mac OS is that it will only run on Apple hardware. Many have tried, some have succeeded, but most fail to run the Mac OS on anything other than an Apple computer. The cost for Apple computers typically keeps the average user from purchasing, and so never get an opportunity to use Mac OS X. Snow Leopard, the latest version, 1.6, is a fantastic operating system. It has all the bells and whistles you could want. But at least in 2010, it will stay behind Windows, and I don’t think Apple cares one bit.

Finally we have Linux. A real geek operating system. This system isn’t for the faint at heart. While distros (that’s what a version of Linux is called, a distro, or distribution package) from Ubuntu and Red Hat slip in consumer features such as a graphical user interface, pre loaded applications, and the ability to manage various hardware features, you still have to have some technical understand of computers, and how to use command line tools.

Personally, I like Linux. I think it’s a solid operating system that stands up to the most rigorous user. But in the coming year for desktop operating systems, Windows 7 will take even a wider market share.

Mobile Operating Systems
As I stated above, several new mobile operating systems will make some waves. I know a lot of geeky friends will want the Google phone to take over the world, it just won’t. There needs to be a lot of baking before that phone will make a huge dent. You will see lot’s of hype, but just as the iPhone hasn’t succeeded in world domination, neither will the Google phone. But it will be cool to see what happens. What I’m hoping Nexus One does, with it’s unlocked phone (meaning it’s not keyed to any service provider) is to push the major manufactures to lower their prices for unlocked phones. People want choices, which is what Nexus One will give them. That will be fun to watch.

The net result of the OS War in 2010 will be negligible. Operating systems have become boring. As long as it’s stable, doesn’t require continual reboots, market shares will remain the same. Companies who produce operating systems make a huge capitol investment, and it takes several years, if ever, to recoup their costs. The average consumer is also averse to change. Updates are considered to be an annoyance, imagine having to upgrade the entire OS every couple of weeks.

I think the next big thing for operating systems will be slimmed down versions built specifically for an application. Linux does this, Chrome could do this. This will be the disruptive play; targeting hardware and applications. It’s happening now I understand, but it will get even more specific over the next year or two.

• Why Microsoft Shouldn’t Aim At Google Or Apple
• Google Offers Mobile Friend Finder With Latitude Service (But Not For The iPhone)
• Ubuntu 8.10 Caters To The Mobile User
• WordPress 3.1 Has A Feature List
• Why iTunes Ping Will Suffer Like Google Wave