Blog Oklahoma

Cleaning The Following

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:15:57 CDT

I'm Free! The spam demons has been exorcised. I can now see Oklahoma in the Twitter feed again.

I'm finally done cleaning up @blogoklahoma's following list over at Twitter. I can't stress how much I regret using an auto follow service. All it did was clutter up the Twitter stream with bots and spammers. It made it near impossible to follow or even carry on a conversation. If you don't understand how much the clutter hurts, watch one of the Bing ads. It's just like that.

It didn't take too long to clean out who @blogoklahoma was following, just a mere 3 hours over the course of two days. Twitter's redesign of their follow pages both helped and hindered at the same time. The improvements they made were much needed and worked well, but there were still quite a few much needed features missing. A following count like you get in the follow notifications would have simplified things. A page count would be great (Take number of followers divide by 20 you'll get the number of pages). And finally sorting.

So how can you determine a Twitter spammer?

Now what I'm calling a Twitter spammer might not match what you would call one. To me a Twitter spammer is someone who mass follows, likely using a bot service, and matches other certain criteria. This does not mean anyone I personally followed, even if they matched the below criteria. I was interest in what ever they were tweeting.

First off their handle should be a dead give away (GetCashNow). How many people are they following? Is there is more than one digit in front of the comma? Did they at anytime tweet: "Get more followers by...", "Earn money by...", or "Meet singles..."? Do they only have one or less tweets? How can you follow 2,0000 people and only post one tweet?

For the most part I only unfollowed the bots and spammers, but I also went ahead unfollowed abandoned twitters (seen a few, "I just don't get Twitter comments").

So let the conversation begin again. Please feel free to @ or DM Blog Oklahoma.

New Member - The Science Classroom

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:15:14 CDT

New to the Blog Oklahoma web ring: The Science Classroom.

My blog is a place for me to journal about teaching, technology integration in my classroom, and general science stuff.

http://pchsfysicstchr.edublogs.org

New Member - Misplaced City Girl

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:19:39 CDT

New to the Blog Oklahoma web ring: Misplaced City Girl.

The writings of an eclectic mom and teacher who likes scrapbooking, Disney World, museums, Sue the T-Rex, blog giveaways, great shopping deals, freebies, and quite a few other things.

http://misplacedcitygirl.blogspot.com

New Member - Suburban Kitsch

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:16:29 CDT

New to the Blog Oklahoma web ring: Suburban Kitsch.

Kitsch, noun: something of tawdry design, appearance, or content created to appeal to popular or undiscriminating taste� Highbrow elitists need not apply

http://suburbankitsch.com/

Blog Oklahoma Podcast 31: Back from Vacation

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:53:30 CDT

I was sitting in the shade with a cool beverage, but the vacation is over. Time for a podcast.

In The News:
Some of the latest headlines from the Oklahoma blog-o-sphere and (Bum Bum Buuuum) the main stream media.

This Week in Oklahoma History:

On June 30, 1834, Congress defined "Indian Country"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Intercourse_Act
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Territory

Links mentioned in this episode:

Music:

New Member - Tulsa Politico

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:25:27 CDT

New to the Blog Oklahoma web ring: Tulsa Politico.

Site on local, state, and some national politics. Stop by and leave your opinion or comment in the forum.

http://www.tulsapolitico.com

Oklahoma News Sidebar Updated

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:09:37 CDT

-- I've updated the Oklahoma News Sidebar I made for ITLnet. I corrected several missing or out dated newspaper links, and added The Elk Citian to the list. For more information on how to use The Oklahoma News Sidebar click here.

New Member - How to Survive Oklahoma

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:20:18 CDT

New to the Blog Oklahoma web ring: How to Survive Oklahoma.

One of the funniest questions that I get is,"how in the world can you live in Oklahoma?" I decided to create a blog to help you with everything from reality to gardening. Living in oklahoma is a fun place and with a little help you can survive Oklahoma!

http://surviving-oklahoma.blogspot.com/

New Member - Sarah Atlee Makes Pictures

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:20:22 CDT

New to the Blog Oklahoma web ring: Sarah Atlee Makes Pictures.

Sarah Atlee is a visual artist living in Oklahoma City. This website showcases Atlee's work, and includes a blog about the practice of contemporary art, particuarly as it pertains to Oklahoma artists.

http://www.sarahatlee.com/wordpress

Twitter hash tags, the weather, and a proposal

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:08:34 CDT

One of the great things about the Twitter community is the adoption of using hash tags to help define topics. Hash tags are those often cryptic looking short words with a # in front of them. During the last winter weather outbreak here in Oklahoma these tags were most useful in tracking where the blizzard has blowing in, and how road conditions were in that area (See: Tracking the Blizzard on Twitter #okice).

Two hash tags were suggested during this time, and for the most part used by Oklahomans on Twitter. The first was #okice to help track ice/snow storms. Then came #okstorm to track thunderstorms. Of course these two hash tags weren't universally adopted. As example many would use #oksnow for blizzards instead of #okice, and often people would add s to the end of storm. There were even arguments about it if you could imagine. Still even with the multiple hash tags in use it was very simple to roll them all together to get a picture of Oklahoma severe weather.

I began to think what other hash tags could be developed to help track other Oklahoma weather or events? I'm also thinking, why not put together a useful guide for these.

Here's a list of the ones I've seen and a few I'm suggesting. All include OK at the first to designate Oklahoma. If you would like to use these for your state, just use your postal code. TX, KS, AR...

#okamber - Amber Alert

#okevent - General Oklahoma Event

#okfire - Wildfires

#okflood - Flooding

#okgov - Oklahoma Government

#okhazmat - Hazardous Materials Event

#okheat - Heat Wave

#okice - Ice Storms / Icy Roads

#oknews - General Oklahoma News

#okozone - Ozone Alerts

#oksnow - Snow Storms / Blizzards

#okstorm(s) - Thunder Storms / Tornado

#okwind - High Winds

#okwx - General Oklahoma Weather

So what would be your suggestions? Would love to hear from all of you Oklahoma Emergency Services on Twitter on what you would like to use. Maybe we can get a nice list compiled and make it available as a notecard style download for everyone.

Update 6/25/09:
I put together couple of PDFs for you today. I have both a note card and business card style lists:

note card size | business card size
Hope you find them useful.

New Member - Massahoma, Oklachusetts

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:04:10 CDT

New to the Blog Oklahoma web ring: Massahoma, Oklachusetts.

A man from Oklahoma, a woman from Massachusetts, a boy from Oklachusetts. Where the great plains meets the Cape, where Okie grit meets Yankee resolve, where red and blue make purple, Oklachusetts reflects on parenting, cities, poetry, politics, and life in a new state of mind.

http://www.oklachusetts.blogspot.com

Moving To a Facebook Fan Page

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:58:56 CDT

Over at Facebook we're closing the Group and moving to a Community Fan Page.
Become a fan of Blog Oklahoma today. Quick Link: www.blogoklahoma.com/facebook

New Member - The Maywood Group, LLC

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:56:16 CDT

New to the Blog Oklahoma web ring: The Maywood Group, LLC.

Serving Oklahoman's since 2001, The Maywood Group is Oklahoma's premier computer services provider. Whether you are looking for help with your Mac, PC, iPod, Slingbox or other digital device, our techniciansoffer the knowledge and expertise you need. Our blog features computer tips & tricks plus various technology related post.

http://www.themaywoodgroup.com/site/?cat=6

New Member - mysterri

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:54:59 CDT

New to the Blog Oklahoma web ring: mysterri. (http://mysterritoo.blogspot.com/)

Testing some Ping.fm code

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:25:24 CDT

Testing out some Ping.fm code. Just ignore this. thx.

Ping.fm's Ping This code: http://ping.fm/ref/help/

PodShow Podsafe Music Network Now Mevio's Music Alley

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:34:26 CDT

The PodShow Podsafe Music Network has finally been rebranded under the Mevio banner. So from now on its Mevio's Music Alley. Check it out at music.mevio.com.

The site is still the same, only the name has changed, and that is actually kind of a bummer. They haven't added any improvements to Music Alley in years. I could probably go on and on about using Music Alley, such a great service for podcasters and artists, yet such a pain sometimes to find anything.

You know I don't mind Mevio, but the term "Music Alley" is just going to get lost in search noise.

Well here's to hoping with the rebranding comes some real improvements to a great service.

Father's Day & One More Vacation Day

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:27:50 CDT

Last day of vacation and the family made plans for me on this Dad's day. No podcast today. Back next week for sure. Happy Father's day everyone!

Going On Vacation

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:11:33 CDT

No podcast this week. I should be back next weekend with an all new episode.

Also if you join the web ring this week, it'll be the following weekend before I can process your request.

I'm finally taking a much needed vacation. It's been a few years since the family's and work's schedules meshed. So I'm taking full advantage of this stellar alignment and taking the week off. So what do I have planed? Well maybe this picture will help:

New Member - Arkansas Roots & Oklahoma Wings

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:11:04 CDT

New to the Blog Oklahoma web ring: Arkansas Roots & Oklahoma Wings.

Chronicles of a southern 20 something as I learn how to fly, when to stay grounded, and how to find balance between the two.

http://www.aheart2follow08.blogspot.com

New Member - Literature In Progress

programwitch@itlnet.net (Program Witch) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:09:20 CDT

New to the Blog Oklahoma web ring: Literature In Progress.

A blog about random thoughts. Complaints about school. And reviewing books, movies, games and whatever else I get my hands on.

http://shaunflewellen.blogspot.com/