Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics

Mark Twain made this phrase popular in the United States, originally attributing it to a British Prime Minister. The underlying concept is that there are three types of lies: Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics. This post is going to be full of statistics.

The Pew Research Center dedicates resources to studying internet trends through the Pew Internet & American Life Project. They recently published the latest information on Social Media and Young Adults. All of the information in this post comes directly from this report and all credit should go to the Pew Research Center. Here are ten trends that you might find interesting about Social Media:

1. Blogging among young adults is on the decline. In 2007, 24% of online 18-29 year olds reported blogging, compared with 7% of those 30 and over. By 2009, just 15% of internet users ages 18-29 maintain a blog (compared with 11% of those 30 and over).

2. 73% of wired American teens now use social networking websites, up from 65% in 2008.

3. 47% of online adults use social networking sites, up from 37% in 2008.

4. Facebook is currently the most commonly-used online social network among adults. Among all adults with an on-line profile, 73% have one on Facebook (compared to 14% on LinkedIn).

5. Teens are not using Twitter in large numbers. While teens are bigger users of almost all other online applications, Twitter is an exception.

6. The laptop has replaced the desktop as the computer of choice among those under thirty, due to the affection for wireless internet.

7. 81% of adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are wireless internet users. By comparison, 63% of 30-49 year olds and 34% of those ages 50 and up access the internet wirelessly.

8. 58% of 12 year-olds now own a cell phone, up from just 18% in 2004.

9. 48% of wired teens have bought things online like books, clothing or music.

10. 31% of online teens get health, dieting or physical fitness information from the internet, and 17% of online teens report they use the internet to gather information about health topics that are hard to discuss with others such as drug use and sexual health topics.

There you have it...10 statistics that you can use to bolster your argument or undercut your opposition. Statistics by their nature are interesting, and hopefully some of these can get you thinking about what your future members are going to expect from you and your association.

Your input please....

Our 7 person association is looking for a good, easy to use, project management software. I've done some investigating, but there are so many, I'm wondering if any MSAE members currently use one. I want something that will help with creating and updating publications; communications to members; annual tasks and help me understand how employees are using their time.

Do you have any recommendations, good or bad?!

Bye Bye land-line?

AT &T recently asked the Communications Commission for relief from regulations that require it to maintain an analog wired network. The former Ma Bell said in the filing that land line use had dropped 42% from 2000 to 2008. Just wondering when I will have to give up my land line? My DSL is tied in with it. I would have to switch my internet connection to cable, and I am hesitant about that, since they seem to raise their rates every other day. Does this mean that my cell phone number will be open to solicitation, fund-raising, donation requests?

A Message from the Soapbox

On Tuesday of last week, Google launched a social media style network of its own called, appropriately enough, Buzz. Buzz is sort of an amalgam of all things social, allowing for pictures, video and status updates all from the same portal you would use for Gmail. There is also going to be an application created to allow you access from your Android or iPhone allowing for real-time updates.

Within a few hours, some of the “early adopters” noted a series of privacy concerns embedded in Google Buzz that made the public cry out for changes and call Google names. And Google made changes, and made them quickly. As of the time I am writing this, they have already updated the entire Buzz network twice. Something struck me as odd about this…almost annoying…and for the life of me, I couldn’t put my finger on why.

I’m used to things not working. I have an application on my BlackBerry that allows me to search things by just talking into my phone. Recently, I need to know if Dinah Shore was alive. When using this tool, the search came back with “are dinosaurs alive”. O.K. I recognize that as a fail on all levels, but I didn’t lodge a complaint to the maker of the application.

And then…I started to recognize why I was annoyed. Twitter users frequently complain about the ever-lurking “fail whale” error message, and complain to Twitter about making the service more reliable. I can’t log into Facebook some days without seeing new groups started to complain about the changes to Facebook. And now, a group of people are attacking Google with the same vigor about Buzz.

Why do these things annoy me? Because the services people are rudely demanding changes to are free.

(For examples of some rude types of behavior - with a language warning - you can click here, here or here).

Nobody is forcing you to Twitter your lunch choice, nobody is telling you that you must post all of the different items you need for your Farm and Mafia on Facebook, and Google isn’t forcing you to use their new Buzz program. When was the last time you received something for free anywhere but on-line and then rudely complained when it didn’t fit your needs?

Hey Rainbow Foods, you guys are Fascists because you are giving away free boxes of Cheerios, and I really want Froot Loops.

I know that companies have brands, and brands have value, and that value comes from the user. I also know that by getting feedback, companies who operate on-line are able to make the products they create better. However, let’s refrain from a bit of the hyperbole, and remember that unless you’re planning to build the next, greatest free thing on the internet…maybe you could get your point across using a bit of control and tact.

a few simple ways to streamline emails

Learned at the MSAE breakfast with the experts... a few new standard abbreviations being used when sending emails:

EOM (End of message) Use in subject line if receiver does not have to open email. The subject is the message.

NRN (No response needed) Don't send a thanks for my thanks.

DNF (Do not forward) Please don't send my email to your address book.
Easy. Time Saving. Streamlined. (provided by Audry Thomas)

It's Minnesota...the speakers show will go on. See you on 2/9/10 - Rad Plymouth. #msaespeakersshowcase. The snow will not stop us.

Time Slips Away

When I was a meeting planner back in 1985, someone gave me a 25 year planner. I recall... I thought..."ya right - 25 years, like I will ever use this". Well I have used it, every year for 25 years. What's really amazing is that I have kept track of it for all of this time. Numerous times, I have checked on holiday dates, used it to look the year ahead when setting the calendar for next year. And now, it's time to throw it away. Where oh where did those 25 years go? Thank goodness that someone has provided me with a new (although it's only a 20 year planner) one. So out with old and in with new. I suppose that the I-Phone has an app that will do the same thing. Who knows maybe soon the I-Phone will have an app that slows down time. Hope so.