180 Degree Media

Putting it on hold

William McPheeters — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:28:00 -0700

Due to certain time constraints, on several large projects we've invested into, this blog will be put on a long term hiatus. Hopefully it will come back, but more than likely it will not. If you would like to get the latest information on McPheeters Group, LLC or any of it's subsidiary partnerships, visit www.mcpheetersgroup.com.

If we re-open the blog, we'll let you know.

Thanks,

McPheeters Group

"Pandora" - The Best Kept Secret on The Web

William McPheeters — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:34:44 -0700

I was recently introduced to Pandora by one of my friends, and I have quickly fallen in love with the service. If you are stuck behind a computer most of the day (like I am), and can listen to music at will . . . toss away the iPod and go check out Pandora.

Pandora is part of the Music Genome Project which was created by a group of musicians and artists "with the idea of creating the most comprehensive analysis of music ever."

The service essentially analyzes the music you like and listen to, and then from it's enormous library, makes recommendations on new artist with similar song structures and overall sounds, tempos, etc.

It's almost like an "artificially intelligent jukebox", that sits on your browser, and plays what you want to hear all day long. But if you don't like a suggestions, give it a thumbs down and then you're on to the next song with the click of a mouse.

This service is way cooler than any iPod I have ever had.

Posted by Bill Marchant - Web & Graphics Designer
McPheeters Group, LLC

"Conference in" a Podcast for Free

William McPheeters — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:12:16 -0700

We use many different types of recorders and software at McPheeters Group to capture audio for the Podcasts we produce. Since we are a 100% Mac Based Operation we use specific add ons and screen recording softwares, that help us capture interviews by coupling them with Skype.

A new tool we have been using lately is FreeConferenceCall.com, which has a new recording feature on their FREE service. So if one of our technical producers is unavailable for a Skype Recording online, some of our less technical talent can simply have the guest call into our Free Conference Call line, and capture the recording, by simply entering a pin. We then call in later with Skype, and copy the recording of the conversation . . . which then can be used as an MP3 file.

I thought it was interesting enough to mention to all business owners. If you need a conferencing option, and don't want to pay a lot . . . you should check out the service and see what you think. The only downfall is that the number they give you is not toll-free, and the service only stores one recording at a time. So if you aren't using a screen capture tool through Skype, then those recordings will go away each time you re-record.

It has been a pretty convenient tool for one of our remote talents, who is not to technical.

- Posted by Sam McPheeters - Managing Partner
McPheeters Group, LLC

Explaining the New Tools of the Web

William McPheeters — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:38:24 -0700

When it comes to explanations about New Media, the Next Web, and the tools we use to achieve Internet Zen, there is no one better than Lee Lefever over at Common Craft.

I've been watching his simple 3 minute paper animations for several years now, and when I first talk to a client (before I teach them anything), I usually refer them to the Common Craft Show for an overall explanation of New Media and the New Web.

The Common Craft videos help YOU understand the reasons, "WHY" you should adapt to the new ways of the web. Mr. Lefever does a much better job with his simple explanations than I could ever do . . . and he is much better than anyone else I've seen out there.

Not to mention, Lee's videos are a huge time saver for myself as a consultant. If Lee's videos can explain to my clients, the "Why To", I can get right down to what we do at McPheeters Group, which is the "How to".

Here are a few of his videos that I like best. Since we mainly do Podcasting and Blogging, I thought I start with those videos first. Check out the rest of his videos when you get a chance. It's amazing what Lee Lefever (and wife) can teach you in 3 minutes or less.

PODCASTING IN PLAIN ENGLISH by Lee Lefever:

BLOGGING IN PLAIN ENGLISH by Lee Lefever:

Is Social Media Technology Frying our Brains?

William McPheeters — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:19:23 -0700

An After thought from my last post:

After reading the Mizzou story on what technology may be doing to our environment . . . I started thinking . . . what is technology doing to our society and the communication process as a whole?

Has the technology and social media uprising improved the way we communicate?

Or is it taking away the need for face to face conversations, and the power of a handshake?

I'm not really sure . . . I am sort of on the fence here. I'm obviously stuck in the generational gap of the baby boomers and the playstation generation.

Personally, I am convinced Technology is making us all have ADD . . . because there are way too many gadgets, services, options, and social media networks available on the web these days. I mean does one person really need 15 different profiles for the web?

Are we really that important, that we have to go as far as doing "twitter on the shitter"?

Whatever happened to focus? One on one conversations? A personal touch in communications?

Have social networks, diluted personal communications so much . . . that all that matters now, is how many "friends" we have on our facebook account? Friends we rarely speak to, I might add.

Think about this for a second.

Ten years ago the only thing you would digg is a hole. A flickr, meant it was time to change the light bulb in the garage. A "Tweet" was the sound that a bird made. And occasionally you'd stumble upon some Magnolias , as the family flocked towards Grandma's house, to taste her delicious blackberry pie.
Back then, I felt linkedin, when myAOL dial up, worked half the time. Life was simple. The only newsvine we had was the actual "paper"; which you'd pass around after you reddit. The only "Myspace" recognized in the entire house, was Grandpa's Recliner . . . and if you'd ask to sit in it, your older brothers would pounce on you good and get away with it.

My point is . . . How much is too much? What happened to simplicity? How many social media services do we actually need?? Personally I don't use digg or reddit . . . I do like delicious, picasa, and newsvine; but I'm only there to use their tools and gather content for my clients . . . not build a community, or increase my contact lists. Does that make me a loser, or someone who is out of touch? Not really. In my opinion, it tells me that I don't really buy into the Web 2.0 Hype; nor do I feel like I need 15 different profiles, to use a bunch of different services that basically do the same thing.

All social media sites have cool technology. All have great communities. But I'd prefer to focus on what I do best (helping my clients communicate more effectively with their core audience). . . and not waste my time trying to get as many friends (or followers) as I possibly can. For those of you who love that kind of stuff, bravo to you. I've tried many times to get involved, but usually find myself going back toward the blogging and podcasting for my clients. Every time I want to implement a social media tactic, there usually isn't a need for it. I do think, for certain political issues and grass roots campaigns, social media is a must. But for the common business owner (and my usual client), it's probably just over-kill.

I am still hoping one day, I will want to do backflips, with Mr. Wong, Jaiku and Xanga, as they Feed Me Links, which may help Multiply my presence on the web, and tie me into the social bookmarking on Propeller, Blinklist and Netvouz.

However, that day is not quite here just yet.

Services I do love and use constantly -
Typepad, Feedburner, Technorati, Brightcove, Bloglines, iGoogle and Hipcast.

Posted By Sam McPheeters - Managing Partner
McPheeters Group, LLC

Too Much Technology Bad for Environment?

William McPheeters — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:18:02 -0700

I read this article today, talking about the increasing concerns of "silver nanoparticles in consumer products" . . . potentially being bad for our water systems and dangerous to the environment.

According to the article:
“Because of the increasing use of silver nanoparticles in consumer products, the risk that this material will be released into sewage lines, wastewater treatment facilities, and, eventually, to rivers, streams and lakes is of concern,” said Zhiqiang Hu, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering in MU’s College of Engineering. “We found that silver nanoparticles are extremely toxic. The nanoparticles destroy the benign species of bacteria that are used for wastewater treatment. It basically halts the reproduction activity of the good bacteria.”

Although I believe this is a very concerning possibility, I doubt I stop buying the latest and greatest tech toys anytime soon (but I might be mindful of passing on the silver products, opting for the black or white). I'm sure it won't matter either way.

Posted By Sam McPheeters - Managing Partner
McPheeters Group, LLC

New Madrid County Works Design

William McPheeters — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:34:26 -0700

McPheeters Group, was recently chosen by the New Madrid County Sheriff's Association, to design and implement a website highlighting their county in Southeast Missouri.

The site will include information about New Madrid County, as well as all of the cities and surrounding areas in the region. One of the main objectives of the site is to attract New Business and Industry to the area.

New Madrid County boast one of the Largest Industry Parks in Missouri (St. Jude Industrial Park), and has access to multiple modes of transportation, with major Interstates (I-55 and I-57) and the Mississippi River running directly through the county.

Below is a screen shot of the new site. It should be up and live within the next couple of weeks at (www.newmadridcountyworks.com).

- Posted by Bill Marchant - Artist & Web Designer
McPheeters Group, LLC

Social Media: Can Twine tie it all together for ME?

William McPheeters — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:26:10 -0700

Twine is a new semantic web application launched last year by Radar Netwoks. Their tag line reads "Tie it all together". When I first read about the service, I thought to myself, perfect . . . the end all, be all application I've been waiting for when dealing with social media on the web.

The last couple of years, I've kept a watchful eye on social media networks; just in case we ever needed to couple it with our New Media projects. To this date, we've only had one project implement any type of social media into their plan.

Personally, I've never had the time to fully utilize the social networks. I've had a linkedin account for a while now, but I've never been able to stay consistent. (At last count I think I have 15 connections in a year's time - making me a big fat loser - I'm kidding). Furthermore, I feel like I am way too old to have a myspace or facebook account, and won't even go there. Not to mention, I am from the generation, that would rather pick up the phone, to "hook up with my friends" then post something on their wall. (Not that slapping something on somebody's wall, or poking people is a bad thing - just not for me).

I am trying to maintain an open mind on Social Media, and have recently been in talks with another company, who we might start outsourcing, for our social media projects. The CEO is a young fellow who grew up as part of the facebook generation; and he understands the user's behavior models, much better than I do. We currently have one project, which may need a social media twist, so I figured it's best to bring in someone with better skills than myself.

From a client's need . . . I am still trying to figure out "How social media, can benefit businesses around Missouri". Right now, getting my clients to blog, is like trying to pull teeth . . . so half the time I do it for them. So will adding a social media account benefit my clients, or will it be a big waste of time? I really don't know. I can see the benefits of social media, if you are an individual "Sales Rep", but I've not seen an overwhelming presence of decision makers on Facebook lately. At least not around Missouri.

I am determined to figure out how to implement social media applications into our projects. Maybe bringing in this other company can save me the headache, because so far I'm just NOT completely sold on the benefits of Social Media. As a sales and networking tool? YES. As something to sell directly to my clients? At this point . . . NO.

I've enjoyed the linkedin platform, but I really don't have time, or big enough incentive to utilize it daily. We are partnered with several larger clients, so my business has been more about management and less about sales lately. However, I am getting back into the sales game, so I will do my best to improve my online "connectability" going forward.

Who knows . . . Maybe I will enjoy Twine Better than Linkedin?? I just joined their Beta - "Invite Only", so I will at least give it a test run. So far it looks similar to the other social networks, but it does seem to have more "useful content and resources" than any of the others that I've seen. I will keep you posted on the benefits of "Tying everything together".

Posted By Sam McPheeters - Managing Partner
McPheeters Group, LLC

Skype Me Please!

William McPheeters — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:36:10 -0700

Recently we ordered new business cards for the company and I had my Skype ID put on the card. I thought about this for a second, and I didn't know how that would go over in Mid Missouri?? I concluded that it would be a good way to get others to jump on the Skype band wagon.

I love Skype, use it all the time, and it would be real convenient for me, if my clients and others all started using Skype.

If you don't know about Skype, it is a free Internet based calling service. It's extremely easy to use, and it is simple download that you can get at Skype. You can call anybody in the world (Skype to Skype) for FREE. I pay about $35 annually, to have unlimited calling to landlines and cellphones, from my Skype account. I also use Skype to record our phone interviews for some of the Podcasts we produce. Basically Skype is an amazing tool that all business owners should have, use and implement into their daily communicaitons.

I know it won't happen, but putting my account on my card, can't hurt the conversation.

Here's my card:

Posted By Sam McPheeters - Managing Partner
McPheeters Group, LLC

Re-Design of McPheetersGroup.com

William McPheeters — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:09:01 -0700

Recently we created a new design for our main website (mcpheetersgroup.com) to include our Mobile Software, and Generalized PR and Marketing, that we do as a company. We also changed our "New Media" only approach to more of an overall PR and Marketing, where we now do overall management of projects.

We also recently partnered with Mel Redman and Associates, to create the Bentonville Leadership Network. Mel is a former Wal-Mart executive, and brings a wealth of leadership experience as the Headline Speaker of the Institute.

Here is a screen shot of the site, in case you don't click on the links above.