With Skype’s last update for Windows version 5.8.0.158 Desktop viewing is no longer free. You now have to pay for Skype Premium in order to view desktops. This “feature” was unannounced by Microsoft. This is not the right way to do business.

There are all a couple of free alternatives. One is Google + Hangouts and the 2nd way is to use Skype in conjunction with another free service called Team Viewer. Team Viewer allows you to host online meetings sharing screens and if you use Skype for the audio and you are all set. These are both FREE alternatives.

What will you now be doing to share your screen for online meetings? Please share your ideas in a comment below.

Besides this factor, social media is the same as being offline in principal. Some one will argue I am wrong but think about it:

1. Respect should always be given online and offline.

2. The way you talk to people online and offline.

3. What you put in to a relationship you will get out of it.

4. Many people I have talked to online are really important in my life as those offline..

5. Relationships online and offline are a two way street.

6. People have as many feelings online as offline.

7. Remember we are all human offline and online.

8. The best part of meeting people either way is I get to learn from them.

This is just a list of 8 reasons Social Media is no different then offline. Why don’t you leave a comment below and add to my list.

The biggest reason to use Google + in my opinion is a new feature called Hangouts To Air. The above screen shot is my friend Scott Mills at The University of Toronto in a Hang Out to Air.

What is a Hang Out To Air? It is a Google Hangout which is a group video chat streamed LIVE to YouTube. No recording software is needed and nothing special is required. All you need is a Google + Account and a YouTube account. Both  are free when you sign up for a Gmail email address.

This takes all the work out of trying to live stream and record an event. It is all done for you:) Amazing when you think about it.

I love being out with people but this is a good alternative if you can not be there.

My good friends Scott Mills has been streaming some of his events lately.

The above has Scott and Judge Carter at a crime stoppers event in Wisconsin. It was stream as a Hangout To Air. We had people on the hangout from all over the world. Think of the power in that. Think about how this can get a message across. This is a very powerful tool.

If you want to learn more about Hangouts To Air and talk about how we can make it work for your business, contact me so we can make a plan for you and your business!

I use a netbook, tablet, laptop and sometimes another computer that is not my own. By storing my current working documents in the cloud I can get at them anywhere I am connected to the Internet. Plus in Windows 7 a copy of the files is stored locally which allows my cloud based backup software to back them up and make another copy of them.

I tend two use two cloud based storage services. One is Skydrive and the other is Dropbox. I use them for different reasons and the best thing of all is the basic accounts are fee.

Skydrive

I am one of the older Skydrive accounts so I have 25GB storage for free. New accounts only get 7GB of free storage now.

I use Skydrive to store all my current working documents. As I work mostly in the Windows world this option works great:)

Dropbox

I have a 4GB free dropbox account due to the number of referrals I have signed up for the service.

I typically use Dropbox for automated web site backups as it works well with BackupBuddy.

At this point I have not really used Google Drive. I will be doing a separate review on it over the next few days. Which  cloud based storage service do you like to use?

1. Try and make sure I get proper sleep.
2. Eat properly – not eating is not good compensation.
3. Get lots of exercise.
4. Make sure I still get some me time.
5. Prioritize when needed. I reorganize my to do list every day.
6. Keep a sense of humor.
7. Delegate when possible.
8. Make sure the people around you are on the same page.
9. Communicate and communicate.
10. Learn to say no or this date is not doable.

Try these 10 things and see if this helps you feeling overwhelmed. How do you deal with being overwhelmed?

1. I store the ideas in Evernote.
2. I will take a picture of the subject with my Iphone.
3. I use a whiteboard in my home office to help sort out ideas.
4. I often will use notepad on Windows to keep track of ideas.
5. I will use a voice recorder to make voice notes about blog ideas.

These are 5 ways I keep track of blogging ideas. How to you track your ideas?

One of the problems about the “I” society is it is all about the person who wants help. They never offer to help you in return and even worse they borrow equipment and then expect you to come get it to pick it up. The proper way is to return the equipment and offer to help in return. These type of people do not get it. They claim they are always busy. They will even say things like “Why do you run around for everyone” but when you stop running around for them they really get upset with you. This is not a good thing at all.

How to eliminate the “I” society is business and your personal life is to give back to those who help you. This is the key and this also includes giving back to the community that you live in. Do not make it all about you.

As the House League Director for a lacrosse league I see it all the time. Parents want the best for their children but when you ask them to help, they tell you that they are way too busy. This is not a good good thing at all. Do these parents not realize without volunteers, amateur sports organizations will not exist.  They do not want to give their time but they want the  best. It is frustrating and actually causes many people to get out of amateur sports. I am actually going to to get out of lacrosse because I am tired of the I mentality. I have given an average of 30 hours a week and people do not really understand. They think it’s easy and not hard to do. After doing this for 7 years, it has worn thing. The sad part is if the I mentality disappeared, I would  be continuing on after this year.

Remember relationships take a lot of work. It does not matter if they are personal, business, for your kids or even amateur sports. The I mentality in relationships does not work out well at all. It does not help to foster relationships. It actually strains them. Think about it. Do you want to build relationships or do you want to be all by yourself in life. The choice is yours.

1. Never Use your true Mom’s maiden name to answer a security question. Fill something else in and note what it is.

2. If people knowing your age is an issue for you, do not post your age or use a fake age.

3. The same as #2 for sex.

4. If you are concerned, never post your relationship status. I have mine posted because I really don’t care

5. Develop a house rule that family problems are never to be aired out over social media.

6. Do not share ANY of your banking information on social media.

7. Never post pictures pictures you do not want others to see.

8. Stay out of the online gossip channel. It is not worth it.

9. Be careful about using Foursquare or Flacebook places. One thing I never to do is check in at home. I use the local Starbucks.

10. Be careful what you say online. It could hurt you in a job search years down the road.

Try and use these 10 tips. They will help you:)