The past year has been crazy for the Nicolay household…to say the least! Reggie started his new job with RPR…and has been passionately reaching out to curious agents and creating a variety of helpful resources that are soon to launch. I, on the other hand, have been extremely focused on my new company.  Agent Evolution was born from our efforts right here on MTO! After all, many of you have regular questions for us…and occasionally ask for help with your blogs. So we answered by mixing my teaching skills with Chad’s blog shop to provide a full service new media company!

In the midst of this professional progression, we’ve definitely let our regular MTO blogging schedule slide. Let’s face it, something had to give! And frankly, as a Mom, I wasn’t willing to give up bike rides to the park, volunteering at school, and bedtime stories. Finding balance in life is far more important and harder to achieve these days. But all in all, I can’t complain…I’m very fortunate to be able to work alongside @ReggieRPR…but also get to go out and play (aka: educate and inspire).

So now, it’s only right that we get back to the heart of what’s propelled our professional lives….and passion for the last 5 years!!! MTO was created with 100% of passion and love for real estate technology. And it should be expected that we will continue to feed that niche. Reggie and Chad will continue to focus more on product and service releases, hardware, and innovative technical know-how! And I’ll stick to listening to the little voice inside that feeds my passion for sharing thoughts, ideas, and strategies for technology and marketing implementation.

Okay, now that you’re up to speed…let’s get back to the title of this article! In the past I’ve suggested creating a content posting plan and shared several blog topic ideas. These tips can really kickstart a new blog or create consistency with existing blogs. But what happens when the plan doesn’t match the voice?! Well, now that I’ve experienced this firsthand…I do have a few suggestions. So here’s my advice when you’re faced with a nasty case of “blogger’s block”.

(1)    Read, read, and read some more. Reading other blogs or a really good book will often inspire your own thoughts and ideas.

(2)    Go to an event, or just have a coffee (or better yet, wine) with a friend. Sometimes a good conversation is all you need to get your creative juices flowing. Plus you may have colleagues or friends that ask REALLY great questions…which make for great articles!

(3)    Make time to write….at the right time. Only you know the best time of day for your inner voice! So listen to it. But if you sit down…and all you can think about is “how do I get this over with” …walk away, go do something active or interesting. You can’t force the inner voice!

(4)    Your best bet, ALWAYS, is to write what you know or write about experiences you’ve had. Take that a step further by relating your expertise and experience to your target audience by giving them a little nugget of advice, a tip, strategy…or “ah-ha moment” that they can benefit from!

I know these suggestions may seem fairly obvious…but that’s because they work. And they are only suggestions until you put them into play! So go now…it’s time to play!

Related Posts

• HomeGain Launches New Agent Blogging Network
• Jott: Voice to Text Service
• “Does my blog REally rock?” An Assessment for Serious Real Estate Bloggers

Yesterday I had the opportunity of being a guest on #RTB on the Radio. Many of you may be familiar with this crew, but if you’re not…you’re really missing out! Really! So jump in and join the conversation. Michael McClure, Todd Waller, and Maya Paveza are hitting the #RTB nail on the head with each and every guest on their show, as well as just by being their uber-professional selves out there in the RE.net. Lead by example folks, woohoo!

I told them this already, but I’ll put it in writing again…I could have spent all day chatting about life, liberty and the pursuit of professionalism. But we all have day jobs (some of us more than one) so we had to keep it to an hour. Anyway, as our conversation unfolded the topic of the noise and particularly signal to noise ratio was raised (thank you Marc Davison). Anyway, we had so much to talk about yesterday, that we didn’t have much time to dive into this issue. And lately…it’s all I can think about…so I thought I’d ring out a few of my own thoughts here.

The REAL Issue as I See It

Real estate professionals are being mis-advised. Broadcasting what you THINK may be relevant information again and again, without pre-screening the source and considering the context is a waste of your time. Sure you might get “a hit” or heck, even a lead. But it won’t work consistently and it won’t be successful over the long haul.

So, while some “experts” may be leading you down their automated paths or filling you up with hope of launching a comprehensive social media marketing plan in 5, 10 or 12 days….my advice is “think for yourself”. There are no quick fixes with social media, it takes work and it takes drive….just like with any successful marketing or business plan. Most importantly, it begins with content. The tools and strategies for sharing good content with your sphere can be learned. But, creating and sharing good content takes skill.

So, what’s next?

Identify, Recognize, & Organize

Identify your role in obtaining good, relevant content. Are you a content creator a content curator? Or perhaps you’re both.

A content creator is someone who identifies the “needs” within their audience and seeks to help by creating original and highly relevant content. This content is most often in the form of articles, videos, or a mixture of media shared usually via your own blog…as well as on social outposts.

A content curator is someone who sifts through the Web to find and deliver the most relevant content for their intended audience. Sort of a Hunter-Gatherer 2.0! I know many of you might be saying, “Yeah, yeah…I’ve been doing this for awhile!” And it’s true, we have! We share links to helpful media in our tweets, status updates and even within our blog posts.  But a thoughtful content curator is more than just a broadcaster of good info.  It’s someone who understands their brand and their audience well enough to identify the relevancy of the content, as well as the best context for sharing.

Recognize the sources that deliver consistently rockin’ content. You probably have your favorite news and resource sites that you visit on a regular basis. If not, you need to recognize both local and national sites that can assist your content delivery efforts.  And if you ROCK a niche, be sure to recognize those sites as well. If you’re not sure where to go to find sites based on relevancy…start at Regator and Alltop and search by category or keywords.

Organize your sources in a dashboard or reader format for easy access. Once you’ve recognized the sites that provide highly relevant content, organize them into a personalized news dashboard. Now I’m lucky because I have a “Reggie”…and “Reggies” are hard to come by. But my Reggie rocks at splicing and dicing feeds which can be displayed in my own personal resource dashboard. If you don’t have a Reggie, other DIY favorites for content organization include: Alltop, Regator, and Google Reader.

Your Challenge

Balance & Frequency

Balance the type of content you share. The content you share represents you, and your brand. So be sure to really check out what you share with your network. If you share an article, read it first. If you share a video, watch it first. Don’t let fancy titles rule your sharing. And don’t let poor tips and products be a reflection on your brand.  Your goal should be to find and share content that REALLY helps your audience…or is REALLY interesting.

Don’t ask me to give you a personal to professional ratio…but I will tell you this much…your consumers don’t gain anything from a constant stream of commentless Foursquare checkins…and the same could be said about listing tweets that are not framed in a social context.  If it doesn’t add value or create conversation….don’t share it! Local market trends and charts, interesting events, homeowner tips, niche resources….those add value! And yes, I know that my son changing his spelling test grade doesn’t add value, but it surely creates conversation.

Moderate your frequency level and improve your quality of life. For those of us that love our spouse, and enjoy spending time with our kids, family, and friends…..this is for you! I know I’m not the only one who feels that their attention has been diverted far too many times by the compelling feeling to tweet, post, snap, and share on a regular basis. The feeling is important…you need to be motivated to deliver consistency with social media. That being said, I’m far more concerned with delivering better quality content than quantity. And so should you if your strategy is to become your network’s trusted advisor.

And in order to do that, you need to listen, share, and respond. I see a lot of sharing out there….but far less listening and responding. Social media is about creating opportunities to engage with others.  So rather than auto-posting  20 articles a day….try scheduling 3-5 REALLY GOOD shares…and then focus on listening and responding, as well as interacting with others’ shared content.

Now I have much more to say on this topic…but I gotta run…I’m off to get a mani-pedi with my munchkin! But if you have any thoughts or ideas about content creation and curation, I’d love to hear them!

Related Posts

• Lifestreaming Real Estate Web Content
• Did I Social Mention…
• Does your real estate website provider supply you with prewritten content?

I have to say I’ve been a bit annoyed with some of the recent minor changes made by Facebook, but when it comes to this new overhaul…I’m a fan! Most notably, are the cleaner home page appearance and the removal of the bottom “start” bar. The search bar is now prominently displayed in the top center of the home page, just above the News Feed. And the top blue navigation bar has been simplified to include just a few key quick launch links on the left and right sides.

Now just in case you are a tad turned around by this new layout, I put together a quick list of 10 tips for getting reacquainted with the network you know and love!

(1)   Quick Launch Notifications – Located in the upper left, gain quick access to your most recent notifications.  I’ve been using and enjoying the notifications feature more and more lately. I find it helpful in keeping track of who’s interacting with me, as well as to easily navigate back to conversations I’m participating in.

(2)   Quick Launch Friend Request – Now the old “friend requests” link is still available in the upper right. But this new quick launch button in the upper left provides a drop down menu to scan recent friend requests. You can also click through to your “friend request dashboard” for a full view.

(3)   Quick Launch Messages – The “inbox” link has been removed from the navigation bar. Now you can access your messages 2 ways from the home page. Either select “messages” from the left sidebar navigation or my preferred channel…the new messages quick button in the upper left. A simplified drop down menu will appear, allowing you to scan your recent messages, respond back, and even quickly send a new message.

(4)   Left Sidebar Navigation – The removal of the bottom navigation bar (or start bar) was a good move! I don’t know about you, but I rarely used it. Now, we have a more organized left sidebar to navigate events, photos, friends, games, applications, ads & pages, groups, marketplace, etc.

(5)   Friend Filtering – Upon first glance you might miss noticing where to access and navigate “lists” you created to filter your friends in the New Feed. This is probably one of the most important features Facebook offers as it provides an organized and consistent approach to engaging with key friends in your network. To filter the News Feed via your lists, select the “Friends” link in the left sidebar and the “Friends” dashboard will appear. You will then be able to select from your created friend lists in the left sidebar under the main “Friends” heading.

(6)   Applications & Games Dashboards – You can select and view these new dashboards from the left sidebar. Both provide an overview of your friends’ recent game and/or application activity. This is nice new way to see and connect with other friends playing the same game, or better yet, who is utilizing an app that you may also find helpful.

(7)   Revised Chat – Now moved to the left, similar in functionality and a right bottom bar remains to keep the conversation flowing.

(8)   Simplified News Feed – Well, it’s actually pretty similar to it’s predecessor, but the options have been more clearly stated: “Top News” and “Most Recent”.

(9)   Updated Account Menu – Still a link in the upper right, but the menu of options has been expanded to include “Edit Friends”, “Credits Balance”, and “Logout” in addition to the various privacy, account, and application settings.

(10)   Rebuilt Photo Uploader – Next time you upload a photo, you’ll not only have the option to browse from your computer (which by the way provides a more robust navigation interface) but you’ll also be able to create and use a custom email for uploading (similar to Posterous).

MyTechOpinion – I give the new Facebook layout 2 thumbs up! After playing around with it for a few days, I’m impressed with the quicker speed at which I can interact, message, and share. And, the home page interface is much cleaner without the cluttering of repetitive feature links and bars. But that’s my opinion…what’s yours?

Related Posts

• Kickstart Your Blog Community with Facebook Connect
• Real Estate Bloggers: Increase Your RSS Subscribers with Facebook
• Is My Facebook Profile Complete? FacebookGrader Has the Answer!

What does this mean for you?

It means your real estate blog can now have the functionality of a highly custom site with search engine friendly IDX data. dsIDXPress is released with special introductory pricing of $99.95 setup and $29.95 a month. That is an introductory offer and will go up over time.

And for the most part the plug-in is compliant in all markets they cover with the exception of a couple of the more strict MLSs. If you have any questions or comments about compliance reach out to them here.  Let’s take a look at a few ways to implement dsIDXPress.

Short code

If you’re not already familiar with shortcode, it’s worth taking some time to familiarize yourself with the concept. It was introduced in WordPress 2.5 and allows the blog author to include a small piece of content [shortcode] in a post or page to replicate what would usually be numerous lines of code.  In the case of dsIDXPress the shortcode placed in your posts and pages is replaced with specific listings or groups of listings from your MLS.  That’s right, no frames….actually pages from your site that get indexed by Google and the others. *C’mon deep crawl*.  This also means that your real estate blog can now be sculpted to represent your market area in custom fashion. For example, take a look at a few options:

• Geographic: Create a page for each of the different areas in your market. Break them down into geographic levels that make sense: city, zip, community or tract.  Here are a few different examples of how the shortcode could be displayed in a page:

[idx-listings city="Pleasanton" orderby="Price" orderdir="Price" count="15"]

[idx-listings zip="94566" orderby="Price" orderdir="DateAdded" count="15"]

[idx-listings community="Golden Oak" orderby="Price" orderdir="LastUpdated" count="15"]

[idx-listings tract="Willow Glen" orderby="Price" orderdir="DESC" count="15"]

• Listing Specific: This piece of shortcode uses the MLS number to display a configurable view of a property. Show just the basic property details or all data available.  Included in the property display is a Google map that will also display in your RSS feed for subscribers.
  Example: [idx-listing mlsnumber="AB454834" showall="true"]

Widgets

dsIDXPress comes with 3 widgets: Search, Area List and Property List. Each provides different levels of customization. The property list widget can display a crawl-able list of properties, map, and a detailed array of properties.

MyTechOpinion

It’s no secret that we at MyTechOpinion love WordPress. So much so that we partnered with Brian Gardner of AgentPress because he captured the essence of what a real estate agent require in a WordPress theme.  Now we see the same in Diverse Solutions new dsIDXPress.   We think they really nailed it with their plug-in.  To start, it’s very easy to install and early adopters will likely see amazing results. Overtime it will become more important for real estate bloggers to sculpt their site to increase pagerank and facilitate a deeper index by Google.  If you need help in that department, make sure you reach out to Chad of MyTechOpinion for a quote.

If you’re even slightly interested in learning more about dsIDXPress from this article let me give you the push. Go check it out….tell them Reggie from MyTechOpinion sent you.

Related Posts

• Great Real Estate Plug-In: The Secret Tool For Featuring Listings with WordPress
• The Trick To Adding Local Search To Your Website or Blog
• How Mapping Can Market Your Sales History

On the 11^th day of iPhone apps,

About Yelp:

Search for and receive reviews for local business and service providers while on the go. View nearby restaurants, stores, banks, etc. based on your location. Obtain a quick rating, reviews, contact info and directions. Filter your results via distance from, affordability, and what’s actually open. You can also bookmark your favorites and/or email them to friends. View the feed of real-time results for local reviews, quick tips, and added photos.

Why we like Yelp:

Yelp is clearly a valuable tool for finding and sharing information about local businesses….not only for locals but also when visiting new places. However, when it comes to learning more about your own backyard, Yelp’s monocle view provides you a new perspective via augmented reality. Yelp was actually the very first app to go augmented! And it will definitely be exciting to see how augmented reality will undoubtedly be taking center stage in the real estate industry very soon! So starting get familiar with it now, if you haven’t already!

Cost: FREE!

NOTE: For those of us that would occasionally like to leave our dinner choices to chance and spontaneity…there’s always Urbanspoon!

Related Posts

• 12 Days of iPhone Apps – Day 1: Regator Premium
• Bobbing for iPhone Apps: 15 Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into
• Get Your Own Real Estate iPhone App….for FREE!

On the 9^th Day of iPhone Apps

About the Animoto app:

It should be no surprise to you that we think Animoto rocks! So endorsing the Animoto iPhone app is something we’ve been meaning to do. With it,  you create free 30 second animated slideshows, or a 90 second slideshow for $3. The app also syncs with your Animoto.com account. So all the slideshows you create from your desktop will be accessible. The Animoto app also sports share controls, making it easy to share your slideshow from your iPhone to social networks or via email with a special message to your recipient.

Why we like the Animoto app:

This is a great tool for showcasing your listings with pizzazz! Tech savvy mobile agents can easily snap a few photos, choose a song, and share their listing slideshow to Facebook and/or Twitter…as well as to their client. You can also embed your Animoto slideshows on your blog.

Animoto slideshows don’t just have to be a listing, you could also showcase neighborhoods, a downtown, seasonal events, etc. And being that we are amidst the holiday season, you could easily create a holiday slideshow wishing your clients, friends, or family peace and joy! Today, I selected a few recent photos of my kids throwing snowballs, then selected a holiday song from Animoto’s music collection, and presto…I had slideshow a ready to share with family! Or, go back through the year of photos taken at events and choose favorite photos with colleagues and clients! And for those of you that enjoy sending template holiday greeting cards, Animoto.com even offers a holiday pack of various slideshow greetings for $30, or 30 second single greetings for free! Now that’s one creative last minute greeting!

Cost: FREE

Related Posts

• 12 Days of iPhone Apps – Day 1: Regator Premium
• Bobbing for iPhone Apps: 15 Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into
• Get Your Own Real Estate iPhone App….for FREE!

On the 8th Day of iPhone Apps,

About CitySourced:

I was talking with Dan Mirsky recently about our favorite and “just plain cool” iPhone apps. He directed my attention to a new local app for the city of San Jose that I immediately thought was pretty handy! It’s called CitySourced and it’s available for free to all San Jose residents. The city paid $4500 for the app’s development. With it, city constituents and residents can report graffiti, abandoned vehicles and other neighborhood blight to the proper city departments.

San Jose City officials hosted a “download day”  to teach constituents how to use the app when patrolling their neighborhoods in search of potholes, broken streetlights, and other city maintenance issues. Anyone in the Bay Area can use the app to report issues which are sent via email. But city workers have a special portal which routes complaints to the specific city department.

This type of app is the first of its kind in the Bay Area. Any interested city looking to do the same can visit CitySourced online to learn more and inquire about the development process.

Why we like CitySourced:

With so many foreclosures and vacancies popping up in neighborhoods across the country, crime and suspicious acts like squatting have also risen. Additionally, most of us care a great deal about the our neighborhood’s appeal, and would like to help improve or at least maintain our market value. And as a real estate agent, you also have vested interest in the local markets you work in. This type of app gives power to the people “in your neighborhood”!

I know that when I go to the park with my kids and find gum in the drinking fountains or a broken sprinkler wasting water…I would like to do something about it! And now I can, by taking a picture and reporting the issue directly via the CitySourced iPhone app!

Cost: FREE

A quick video intro about CitySourced:

Related Posts

• 12 Days of iPhone Apps – Day 1: Regator Premium
• Bobbing for iPhone Apps: 15 Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into
• Cyberhomes PDF Report Aids Real Estate Agents with Local Market Statistics

On the 7th Day of iPhone Apps,

About the Webex iPhone app:

Remote meetings just got even easier with the WebEx app. Now, if you have to attend an online meeting but can’t be near a computer you can attend from your iPhone. Log in using the app and it automatically dials into the audio portion of the meeting. You can even see the presenter’s screen on your iPhone. This app really makes WebEx standout from its online meeting competitors.

You should know that although you can start a scheduled meeting from your iPhone and assign another presenter to take over, you cannot present from the iPhone itself. And to attend a Webex meeting via iPhone you will need OS 2.0 or above and a Wifi connection.

To start a scheduled meeting on your iPhone, open the Webex app and enter your Webex account information on the Profile page. At that point you’ll be able to launch and view your meeting. If you’re on the go but arrive back in the office, you can seamlessly handoff the meeting from your iPhone to your desktop computer.

Why we like the Webex iPhone app:

It’s just plain cool! Mobile agents and industry professionals on the go can dial in automatically and participate in meetings. Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today….while you’re standing in the mother of all lines at Starbucks, waiting at the doctor’s office while your child is having a Barbie shoe removed from her nose, or stuck in traffic (with someone else driving of course).

Cost: FREE, if you’re joining as an attendee. But if you plan to start scheduled meetings you’ll need a Webex account.

Related Posts

• 12 Days of iPhone Apps – Day 1: Regator Premium
• Online Meeting Solutions for Real Estate Agents
• How I Stopped Paying For Online Meetings!

On the 6th Day of iPhone Apps,

About WorldCard Mobile:

This little app makes business card readers obsolete. Simply take a photo of a business card and WorldCard Mobile will add that person to your contacts. All you need is an iPhone and a steady hand! Just snap a photo of the business card, then WorldCard Mobile will automatically capture and store the important details (i.e. name, company, phone, email, business address, etc.).

I tried out this handy app with a recently obtained stack of business cards and was surprised with how accurate and easy the process was. A few suggestions for you though: (1) be in a well lit area, (2) hold the card steady, and (3) wait to snap your picture until the iPhone camera has time to focus.

Once you’ve taken a photo of the business card you will be prompted to “recognize” the parsed data. You can then make any changes or corrections. You may receive a minor error in the data from time to time, but that’s usually due to user error (taking a bad photo) or from dark business cards with scripty (yes, that’s a word) text. But even when an error presents itself, the minor edit is much easier than manually entering a business card contact.

Why we like WorldCard Mobile:

I know many of you have left conferences, rebarcamps, and other events with stacks of business cards. And most of us get right to the reconnecting process by finding those new friends on networks, as well as entering our new contacts into our master database. However, if you’ve ever been frustrated or embarrassed by that large stack of cards that just sits there on your desk or the pile you find in your conference swag bag, then you’ll appreciate the WorldCard Mobile app. Point, click, capture…that’s it!

Cost: $3.99

NOTE: We also like the Bump app. Mostly because it’s a free app offering an environmentally friendly business card.  When you encounter someone who is also using the Bump app, you can exchange contact info automatically by shaking (or bumping) hands! No fancy buttons or extra steps! And it’s fun! But the app is only useful when others have also taken the time to setup their Bump Business Card! Still, it’s definitely worth downloading to have on hand when you “bump” into someone who also rocks the Bump app on their iPhone!

Related Posts

• 12 Days of iPhone Apps – Day 1: Regator Premium
• Bobbing for iPhone Apps: 15 Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into
• Calling All Mobile Agents: Synchronize Your Google Calendar With Your Blackberry

On the 5^th Day of iPhone Apps,

Okay, if you know me well…you know I already favor HootSuite as the ultimate real-time drip tweet tool. So  you may be surprised that I’ve chosen to write about Tweetie 2, and not the new HootSuite iPhone app that debuted last week. I’ve had some time to play around with the new HootSuite app and I do like it, and will probably use it occasionally. I also recognize that scheduling tweets and viewing trackable link stats is very helpful.

However, practicality comes into play when dealing with mobile apps vs. desktop apps.  I’m really not sure that I scheduling tweets via mobile phone is practical when doing it from your desktop is so much easier (yet already takes time to set up and plan).  Also, scheduling tweets should be focused more on resourceful shares (like great articles and media), which again seems a bit more work via mobile. When it comes to sharing resources on the go, I like Regator Premium.

All that being said, I still felt HootSuite was worth the $2 just to have the option to schedule tweets if I were stranded somewhere without my laptop and had 4 hours to kill (like at the San Diego airport, thanks a lot Virgin America). But I also love the fact that the app brings over my settings and scheduling from my desktop account, so I can easily view what’s in cue, what’s been sent, and check stats for shared links. Stats rock! Measure what you share and you will know if what you share is even worth the time and effort!

About Tweetie 2:

Okay, on to Tweetie 2! I was already a fan of the original Tweetie app (which is free), but Tweetie 2 brings it home for those looking for a comprehensive Twitter app for iPhone! Let’s start with the interface….ah, it rocks! Simple to manage with obvious feature placement. Other bling I should mention: saved searches, twitter lists, message indicators, live-filtering search, draft manager, landscape mode, rockin’ refresh, translate tweets, short URL preview, threaded direct message view, offline mode, link to address book, nearby tweet search, Safari Bookmarklet, text expander, etc. The list of features is extensive and completely worth $3 for a Twitter app!

Why we like Tweetie 2:

Honestly, what’s not to like with this app! The user interface is simply “AWESOME” and highly intuitive. You don’t have to go searching for obvious features, they are actually where you’d expect them to be. Building Twitter karma is easy with Tweetie 2 because the retweet feature is painless, but also offers “requote” so you can add or modify your retweets. You can also manage multiple accounts with Tweetie 2, for those of you tweetin’ double time! And just when you didn’t think this app could get any better it gives you the option to tweet both photos and video. Yes, video…I know! Happy dance!!! Okay sit back down now! When it comes to sharing your video tweets you can even select your preferred image/video host (i.e. yFrog, TwitVid, MobyPicture, Posterous, Vidly)! Woohoo, I love you Tweetie 2!

Cost: $2.99

Related Posts

• 12 Days of iPhone Apps – Day 1: Regator Premium
• Bobbing for iPhone Apps: 15 Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into
• Get Your Own Real Estate iPhone App….for FREE!

On the 4^th Day of iPhone Apps,

About Ustream Live Broadcaster:

Ustream Live Broadcaster may not be the first official app providing streaming capability from your iPhone, but the features and functionality are absolutely noteworthy! You’ll need the 3G network and wifi, but both 3Gs and 3G iPhone users can download this free app (running OS 3.1 or higher). Shoot and share your live video via Ustream, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube. You could also embed a Ustream player on your blog. Viewers can interact with your live video via chat. You can even launch a yes/no poll and receive real-time results!

Now this app isn’t free of a few glitches, like the fact that you need to change your auto shut-off setting otherwise you’ll be left tapping the screen time and again for long streaming sessions. Also, I tested sharing my videos to various networks which seemed to work just fine…minus a couple that were cut off just after a few seconds. Was planning on blaming that issue on user error, but I wasn’t the only one experiencing that problem.  I am happy to note that I haven’t had any recent streaming problems and still think this app rocks!

Why we like Ustream Live Broadcaster:

To start, 3G users who don’t normally have the option to shoot video (like their 3Gs cohorts), will be able to with the Ustream Live Broadcaster app.  Most importantly, this app turns your iPhone into a mobile TV studio, making it easy to share video from important events, like a fundraiser or even an open house. Even remote showings for relocation clients are a possibility with this little freebie! In fact, shooting and sharing video is so simple that I’m sure we’ll be seeing more and more “on the fly” videos from our friends Michael McClure and Ian Watt!

Cost: FREE

Related Posts

• 12 Days of iPhone Apps – Day 1: Regator Premium
• Bobbing for iPhone Apps: 15 Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into
• Get Your Own Real Estate iPhone App….for FREE!

About Dropbox:

Do you ever email yourself a document, just so you could access it on another computer?  You may want to check out Dropbox, it’s a lightweight app that syncs files between computers and even your iPhone.  To me, it’s become one of those apps that I can’t do without.  I switch between my desktop, laptop and iPhone often. And there are certain files in each of those locations. That’s when I rely on Dropbox.

Getting started with the app is really straightforward. Create your free account, and claim your free 2 GB of space.  Then go to Dropbox.com and install the software on each of your computers. Also visit the App Store and download the DropBox application for your iPhone.  That’s it, now just drop a file into the folder and voila…it will sync to your other Dropbox enabled devices.

Why we like Dropbox:

Dropbox is a simple solution to a real challenge we have with files in multiple locations. For those of you that work in teams, try using Dropbox to share and collaborate key files. Because Dropbox stores a copy of your files on their secure server, you’ll always have the most current version of a document with file recovery for accidental deletion.  If you need more than the 2GB of space, check out their Pro plan s starting at $9.99/month.

Dropbox also features a public folder for sharing files with outside users.  Each file in this public folder will let you link directly to them.

Cost

2GB = Free
50GB = $9.99 /month
100GB = $19.99 /month

Related Posts

• 12 Days of iPhone Apps – Day 1: Regator Premium
• Bobbing for iPhone Apps: 15 Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into
• Get Your Own Real Estate iPhone App….for FREE!

On the 2^nd day of iPhone Apps

About Home Value Pro:

There have been a variety of consumer facing home search apps released and updated over the course of the year. Both Zillow and Trulia provide feature centric apps making mobile home search a fun, easy, and visual experience. BHGRE’s Home Select app is a helpful tool for home buyers and sellers. Instead of focusing on home search, this app is a consumer’s assistant in the home selection process by providing organization tools and information. If I were looking for my next home, I would enjoy chronicling my favorite homes with pictures, comments, and ratings….and then share my experience with friends and family via email or Facebook.

Now when it comes to a agent focused app for local market data, I favor the Home Value Pro app from RealQuest. With it, you can: (1) view estimated home values for pretty much every residential property in the US, (2) identify pre-foreclosures, auctions, bank owned, and REO properties, (3) analyze housing stats at the county and zip code level, (4) view 12-month median home price trends, sales trends, and foreclosure rates.

Why we like Home Value Pro:

I appreciate the rich data Home Value Pro brings to the table, along with a “get to the point” interface. Any real estate professional looking to stay informed with market trends and specific local stats will likely find this app extremely helpful. Additionally, the data can be bookmarked, organized, and shared via email.

Cost: FREE

Related Posts

• 12 Days of iPhone Apps – Day 1: Regator Premium
• Cyberhomes, The FNRES answer to home valuation
• Trulia Sure to Impress Consumers with New iPhone App and More

One the first day of iPhone Apps,
MyTechOpinion blogged to you…
Try Regator Premium
You’ll find great blogs to review!

About Regator Premium:

Regator, one of our favorite relevant info finders, recently released a premium version of their already very resourceful iPhone app. With Regator Premium you can easily search, scan and read articles from the Web’s best blogs on more the 500 different topics. Once you locate articles you like you can share them to Facebook, Twitter or even via email.

Now I already love the free Regator iPhone app, but for a few bucks the premium version provides a more personalized experience. With it, you can save your favorite blogs, posts, and topics for quick access. You can also auto-sync with your Regator.com account if you use the service on your desktop.

Why we like Regator Premium:

One of the best ways you can add value to your network is by sharing relevant resources. Regator makes it easy to find interesting blogs and helpful articles by not only choosing categories, but also by monitoring keywords. So you can use Regator to monitor your online reputation, as well as key topics of interest and expertise. Then simply share your “great finds” with your sphere in Facebook and Twitter.

Make better use of your time when you’re stuck waiting in an endless holiday shopping line. And more importantly, get the latest real-time results for topics you and your network care about. Thanks to Regator you can give the gift of relevant info and work toward your goal of becoming a Trusted Advisor.

Related Posts

• Bobbing for iPhone Apps: 15 Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into
• Get Your Own Real Estate iPhone App….for FREE!
• Trulia Sure to Impress Consumers with New iPhone App and More

Introducing our newest regular author and member of the MTO family, Ryan Ozonian. Ryan is a recent USC communications graduate. He may be young but he’s already making waves! As a licensed REALTOR®, he worked for a top Prudential Broker in Orange County for the last 3 years. He is also the Founder and Chief Creative of BonzoBox, an interactive bookmarking homepage. Reggie brought him onboard at Cyberhomes where they worked on social media strategies together! And we’re excited to announce he is working with us as Director of Business Development!

Ryan enjoys playing golf, spontaneous traveling, spending time with his girlfriend and family, is a little obsessed with Japanese culture and is a fantastically creative writer…as you will see below! Please help me welcome Ryan by leaving him a comment!

T’was the month of Christmas and with a click of your mouse,
You landed on this article, which may help you sell your next house.
Your blackberry has become your life- you bring it with you everywhere,
Constantly checking AppWorld in hopes something new has appeared.
Not sure which Apps to choose, you browse wearily in doubt,
Reading each description, wondering what they’re all about.
App after app, now the frustration’s setting in…
So you close AppWorld down because your temper’s getting thin.
Well worry no more! There’s no need to be confused-
MTO’s here to tell you which applications to choose.
From UberTwitter to Facebook,  and Google tools indeed,
The apps below just may help you convert your next lead.
So with sleigh bells ringing, and Christmas spirit in the air,
We bring to you 12 Blackberry apps to review & compare!

1. App World – Your first step to finding and getting great apps easily is to download Blackberry App World.  App World gives you easy access to every application Blackberry has to offer.  Use App World to search and download all of the great apps on this list.  Get it on your Blackberry at www.blackberry.com/appworld/download.
2. Google Mobile – This app offers everything Google: Voice Activated Search, Maps, Docs, Gmail, Youtube, Sync, and more.  Google Maps allows you to search any local address and get quick directions from your current location.  You can also use the application to sync all of your Gmail contacts to your phone, adding them directly to your address book.  Browse millions of Youtube videos, chat with Google Talk, view real time satellite photos of your destination, and more.  Download this app and explore; it will definitely make your life a bit easier.  Get it on your Blackberry at m.google.com/go.
3. Facebook – You can do all things Facebook directly from your Blackberry: Send messages, view feeds, upload photos, and much more.  Stay on top of your social networking life by connecting with friends, family, clients, and sharing content through Facebook.  Your Blackberry device can also connect to Facebook and add the profile pictures of friends to your address book, so when they call, their photo appears on your caller ID.  Get it on your Blackberry at m.facebook.com.
4. UberTwitter – This is the best Blackberry application for keeping yourself up to date on Twitter.  Share updates from your phone and view your friends’ latest tweets.  You can also tweet photos, embed videos, shorten URL’s, and much more directly from this app.  Tweet mobile virtual tours of your listings, share relevant neighborhood articles, or simply tell your followers about your day.  Get it on your Blackberry at http://ubertwitter.com.
5. Bolt –  Tired of the default Blackberry browser?  Download Bolt to get a more trusty browser that is much faster than the original Blackberry browser. Bolt also makes web pages look far better. Get it on your Blackberry at www.boltbrowser.com.
6. Weather Eye- Blackberry’s best free weather app.  Save multiple locations, and Weather Eye will frequently update the weather according to your current location.  You can also view short and long term forecasts.  As a bonus, the app’s icon displays the current weather conditions and temperature in your area. Get it on your Blackberry by searching the Weather category in Blackberry App World.
7. Qik – This app is all about sharing video.  Qik allows you to shoot video from your Blackberry, upload it to your Qik profile, and share it on social networks.  You will find this app useful when you need to send video quickly or share it in real time with a client or friend.  Watch Qik’s video on their homepage to see what it’s all about.  Get it on your Blackberry by visiting Qik.com.
8. Dub Contact Card- Mobile business cards are becoming ever more popular.  Dub is a great app that allows you to exchange contact information with one another with just one click.  There is no need to collect business cards when your phone can store the information itself.  Dub also updates your contacts’ information if they change it, so you’ll always have the correct number.  Get it on your Blackberry dubmenow.com.
9. Real Estate Smarter Agent – See property listings in whichever area you are. This app shows all MLS-listed homes around your geographic location using GPS tracking.  You can also input a specific area to view local homes for sale.  This app includes the capacity to view prices of homes recently sold in any given area.  Get it on your Blackberry by searching “real estate” in Blackberry App World.
10. Pandora- Although it may not help you grow your business, Pandora will help you enjoy your day.  Download Pandora Mobile to create radio stations based on your favorite artists and tunes.  Let Pandora pick your songs for you- I promise you won’t be disappointed.  Get it on your Blackberry Pandora.com.
11. Hippo Mobile – In a simple 3-step process, this app allows you to create mobile postcards using multiple photographs.  This app is perfect for displaying your listings and sending them to potential buyers.  Get it on your Blackberry hippopost.com.
12. Snap 2 Twitter – This app is the best for sharing your photos on Twitter.  The application simply syncs with your Blackberry’s camera, allowing you to instantly share photos on your Twitter account, with an option to add text.  Get it on your Blackberry by searching “snap2twitter” in Blackberry App World.

Related Posts

• Real Estate Agents with Verizon: It’s Time to Upgrade
• Google Mobile Maps Technology Utilizes GPS
• Calling All Mobile Agents: Synchronize Your Google Calendar With Your Blackberry

Let’s start with obvious failures inside Facebook…at the moment!

MyRealEstateListings (there are 2 of them, as well as a few more similarly named cohorts) but they essentially all do the same thing- create a “MyRealEstate” or “MyListings” tab on your profile. You can then click on the tab (when was the last time you clicked on a tab) to view a lack luster interface of your manually entered listings from which you can then decide to click further to obtain details, which lands you on a third party site outside of Facebook. Click for more details, really!?!

My Listings, or Realtor Listing Application, displays your listings on a tab or box on the side of your profile. But again when you click to learn more you are taken to a third party site away from Facebook. Third party site. Really!?!

CenterStage for Real Estate, a failed, failed attempt to charge you $8 for displaying listings inside Facebook. Don’t even get me started! $8, really!?!

Oodle Pro aims to solve the listings inside Facebook issue. The tool can distribute listings to online communities like Facebook Marketplace & MySpace Classifieds. I’m sorry, when was the last time you were on MySpace.  Really!?! Oodle Pro can upload your listings to your Profile and Fan Page, yet they recommend to keep personal and professional identities separate from one another.  Listings on both, or is it one or the other, really!?!  And Oodle Pro will run you $15 a month! Really!?!

I will throw them a small “woot” for displaying links back to social profiles from wherever your listings get posted online.  And I do see great value in listing syndication to numerous online marketplaces and listing aggregators…don’t get me wrong! But the Facebook MarketPlace is not where I’ll be turning to search for my dream home. Really!?! I’ll turn to a reputable source…like the agent, broker, or one of the major real estate portals.

Apparently, the best options…

Posting your listings as status updates on a Fan Page dedicated to your local market, where locals can choose to participate seems like the best choice to me! This strategy is non-invasive, opt-in, and informative. It can even be more friendly and creative since you can add your own take via text in the status bar along with a link to the listing…preferably one that takes you back to the agent/broker blog or site.  Check out the example from Heather Elias.

Now if you don’t host listings on your own domain, the next best option is creating a single property site or posting to Vflyer or Postlets. Once you’ve created a detailed packed site with all the trimmings (local info, pictures, video, etc) you can post the URL to your Fan Page Wall and include a brief message. Some services include an autopost to Facebook feature.

SeeMyListings from Realtor.com is a widget that can be added to your Facebook profile and displays your listings. To view more details you are derailed to a 3^rd party site, but it is a more reputable site (at least in the eyes of consumers) and also displays listings in a much more user friendly manner.  See the example I grabbed from Mariana Wagner’s profile on the left.

Now if you are looking for a more organic way to share listings inside Facebook, I would recommend using photo albums. You can create photo albums of active and sold listings. I have to say, The Rains Team, does a great job of sharing listings via photos on their fan page.  But don’t forget to include a few details about the home, and important contact info.  I also came across Lesley Lambert’s photo of a recent listing via Posterous inside Facebook. She emailed the photo from her phone which was posted to her Posterous site as well as her Posterous photo album inside Facebook.

Last but not least, if you like to have stuff that no one else has you can create a custom tab for your listings with FBML (Facebook Markup Language).  You could brand the landing page with links to your blog or listing sites.  Check out  the Los Gatos Real Estate & Homes Fan Page via Mary Pope Handy. She includes a great deal of area info, market reports and listings with links to her blog. But again, I worry that tabs get looked over. Nonetheless, I know where to look for Los Gatos housing info inside Facebook.

My opinions on all this…really!?!

Personally, if and when I’m ready to move again I wouldn’t go to Facebook to look for listings. I’d go to a resource that rocks…like the agent or broker Website or a national aggregator. I go to Facebook to make connections and build relationships….to chat and find out what’s new in the lives of my friends, family, colleagues and clients! Search listings, really!?!

But if you’re goal is to show everyone the listings you’re currently managing, then go ahead and share them at Facebook too. But consider posting them to a Fan Page dedicated to your market area with links back to you, your site, or your company…not third party sites. Third party sites, really!?!

Don’t fail at implementation! If you post photos about the listing on Facebook don’t forget critical contact info or brief details. No contact info, really!?!

So, what’s your opinion…

• Do you think listings should be posted inside Facebook?
• If so, what’s the best way?
• Where do you post listings ? Profile and/or fan page?

Related Posts

• Is My Facebook Profile Complete? FacebookGrader Has the Answer!
• Mapping: How it’s improved searching for homes online
• Real Estate Bloggers: Increase Your RSS Subscribers with Facebook

What are Twitter Lists?

Twitter Lists are nothing more than groupings of your tweeps based on categories you choose. For example: I have 3 lists thus far, (1) RE Rockstars, (2) Tech Influencers, and (3) Keepin’ It Real. Tweeps can exist in multiple lists, but at this point it looks like you are limited to creating 20 lists.

How to create your Twitter Lists:

(1)   When the feature is available to you, you will know! A happy blue bird will invite you to “create a new list” right on your home page.

(2)   To get started, select the “create a new list” button at the top of your profile. Or check out the right sidebar under Lists, and choose “New List”

(3)   You’ll be prompted to name your list and decide whether you want to make it public or private.

(4)   Once your list has been named, you can then add your chosen tweeps to any of your lists from the drop down on their profile.

How to manage your Twitter Lists:

(1)   If you like to be organized, consider making a list of possible lists prior to going hog wild.

(2)   Identify what is most helpful or relevant to your network. When it comes to real estate, you should “think local”. Lists of local businesses you recommend and/or local tweeps are a great way to connect your community.

(3)   Identify your hobbies and interests (i.e. travel, photography, dance, etc.) and consider making a list or 2 of those.

(4)   Identify topics and tweeps that help you be better at what you do or feed you with relevant content. You may want to create both public and/ privates lists for these categories.

(5)   You should know that once you have created a list, you can re-name.

(6)   Create 3 lists to start so that’s it’s easy to add tweeps in real-time and as you think of them!

Why Twitter Lists ROCK!

(1)   You can better focus on conversation with your target network/locals, similar to the way lists are used in the Facebook Live Feed.

(2)   Stay tuned in to those who influence your business practices or the real estate industry. Get to the good ideas and relevant content faster.

(3)   Connect with your friends and family by filtering them out for easy access!

(4)   If you make good lists, tweeps will share them and look to you as a resource.

Finding Twitter Lists that ROCK:

(1)   Visit your favorite tweeps and scan their lists.

(2)   Go to Listorious, a directory of lists by category where you can scan the most popular Twitter Lists.

(3)   Go to TweetMeme which aggregates the most tweeted Twitter lists.

(4)   Tlists lets you launch, curate and distribute twitter lists. <Coming Soon!>

Promoting your Twitter Lists:

(1)   Write a blog post containing links to your lists.

(2)   Create a badge on your blog that links to a favorite list.

(3)   Create a page on your blog dedicated to your lists.

(4)   Promote a list on your offline marketing.

Twitter Lists – Best Practices:

(1)   Don’t ask people to add you to their list. Unless they’re holding open additions! @Scobleizer did, but I didn’t beg him to be on a list…rather I asked him to be the judge! And I’m quite honored he found a place for me on his Tech Pundits List!

(2)   Don’t create lists that are inappropriate or mean spirited…you won’t make many friends that way!

(3)   Try not to take it personally if someone doesn’t add you to their list.

(4)   Stay focused on building relationships through conversation and offering helpful resources. The better reputation you create, the more influence you will have amongst your peers…and yes, the more lists you will find yourself on.

(5)   Thank those tweeps that add you to their lists. You can view the lists you’ve been added to easily, just look next to your follower count. Select “listed” and reply with a simple DM or perhaps public “thank you”…depending on your level of excitement!

MyTechOpinion

This feature is still in BETA and it will be interesting to see what happens once everyone has it. I have a feeling that being “listed” is going to be of great importance to some…but remember it’s not always about the numbers, it’s the quality of the list created and who’s doing the creating that really matter!

Related Posts

• Twitter Rolls Out “Saved Searches” to the Twitmasses!
• Finding Tweighbors on Twitter
• Why TweetLister, When You Can Just Twitter

Windows 7 seems lighter, faster and cleaner. It has breathed new life into my aging computers.

First Impressions

Microsoft has done a good job of simply refining Vista. At first, I was disappointed that Windows 7 is so much like Vista. After upgrading 2 computers and working with the operating system, I am glad Microsoft didn’t start from scratch.

Compatibility

As an early adopter of Vista, I dealt with software and hardware compatibility issues. This was frustrating and costly as many programs and peripherals had to be replaced.

Fortunately, everything that worked on my Vista computers is compatible on Windows 7.

Learning Curve

The learning curve is not nearly as steep, as well. When adopting Vista, there was a noticeable decrease in productivity as I learned how to do things the “Vista way”.

After completing the installation of Windows 7, I jumped right in. Nothing slowing me down. Only new features to learn over time.

Installation

I have suffered through upgrading every version of Windows since Windows 3.11 in 1994. Never has a Windows upgrade been so simple.

Upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 is a breeze. Launch the disc, follow the prompts and you are up and running. The installation can be time consuming (4-5 hours for each of my computers), but the process is very straight forward and simple enough to complete.

If you are upgrading from XP and switching from 32-bit Vista to 64-bit Vista, the process is a bit more complex. You will need to wipe your hard drive clean and start from scratch. This is a very long process as you have to reinstall on programs and device drivers. This may be a task best suited for a professional.

Installation Tips

The installation is simple, but there are a few tips that will make for a smooth upgrade.

• Run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to identify if any of programs or hardware isn’t Windows 7 compatible. Address any issues it uncovers.
• Back up your data twice in 2 different locations. The Vista to 7 upgrade shouldn’t cause data loss, but better-safe-than-sorry.
• Unplug all peripherals over than your keyboard and mouse. You can plug those webcams other USB devices after the installation is complete.
• Temporarily disable your anti-virus program.
• De-authorize your computer from within iTunes. You can authorize it again after installing Windows 7.
• During the initial installation procedure, another Windows 7 compatibility test will happen. This one is more detailed than the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. If any issues are listed, quit the installation process, address the issues and start the upgrade again. This usually means removing a program or two.

After the Installation

Once Windows 7 is installed, there are a few activities to perform to ensure that your computer is running at its best.

• Run Windows Update to get any patches or updated drivers.
• Check for hardware driver updates on the manufacturer’s website. Many Windows 7 drivers are already available. If Windows 7 specific drivers aren’t out, the most up-to-date Vista drivers should work.
• Check for software updates. Depending on the program, updates can be found either from within the program or on the manufacturer’s website.
• Go to Microsoft’s website to download free add-ons like the Windows Live Movie Maker or desktop themes.

Overall, Windows 7 is a huge improvement over Vista. Any real estate agent running Vista shouldn’t even hesitate to purchase an upgrade disc. This technology is that good.

Those still working on 2001’s Windows XP, now might be the right time to invest in a new computer.

Check back for a more in-depth look at the best new features of Windows 7 and how they will benefit your real estate business.

Related Posts

• Real Estate Agents: Windows Vista Isn’t a Good View for You, Yet.
• Need a Computer Now, But Can’t Run Windows Vista?
• Service Pack 1 Released For Windows Vista

Now when it comes to selecting a WordPress theme that delivers a clean design, variety of options, highly optimized code, and customer support….the MTO team chooses StudioPress. Which has been a great theme option for us and our Web design clients. But now theme legend, Brian Gardner, is back and has developed AgentPress, specifically for the real estate industry. In fact, we’ve partnered with Brian to offer customization and consultation for AgentPress theme users.

We’re excited about this new theme (yes, because partnering with Brian ROCKS) and because it brings together the best features of StudioPress: sleek appearance, clean code base….but also integrates listings with custom property templates. So now when you’re adding listings to your blog, all you need to do is upload an image once and Brian’s AgentPress theme dynamically auto-sizes it for you. Uploading a listing with Wordpress has never been easier! And if you’ve been looking for a way to archive your sold listings, this theme will take care of that for you too!

We choose to use AgentPress because once customized with your selected features and content, you’ll have a blog that makes an impact with your local market, impresses your clients, delivers relevant resources, and helps you better maintain relationships with your sphere.

We can help you customize your real estate blog with highly relevant content and resources to benefit your local market. Some of the customizations we feel an innovative real estate blog should have, include: IDX search, local market and real estate trend data powered by Cyberhomes ,Walkscore, & others, neighborhood & school score data, Facebook Connect or Fan Box integration, as well as  lifestreaming multiple social profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, etc.)and shares.

Visit AgentPress to learn more and if you’d like assistance with AgentPress customization, contact us at info@mytechopinion.com. Got questions or comments, drop us a line right here!

Related Posts

• Color Generation Technology for your Real Estate Blog
• Real Estate Bloggers Participate In Blog Action Day
• Great Real Estate Plug-In: The Secret Tool For Featuring Listings with WordPress

We are now back to a time of great anticipation. Hopes that Microsoft will redeem itself with the release Windows 7 abound. Will Windows 7 be faster? Will it ask fewer annoying questions? Will it work with all of my current software and hardware? With the Windows 7 release coming October 22, all of our questions will be answered soon enough.

Actually, I hope to answer some of these questions a bit sooner.

Windows 7 Launch Party

Not sure if by sheer luck or stupidity, I am hosting a Windows 7 Launch Party. It is an event that you hold in your home for friends to showcase the new Windows during the products launch week. You supply the food, drink and people; Microsoft provides streamers, cocktail napkins, activities and a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate for the host.

A lot of work to do to help Microsoft pitch a product, but I can’t pass up a techie experience. Plus, it gives me an excuse to throw a fondue and chocolate fountain party. Can’t have enough of those in your life.

Introduction to an Operating System

With my Windows 7 Launch Party Kit in hand, my first step will be to install the operating system.

I’m a bit apprehensive as to what the next few days hold. Will the installation go smoothly? Will all of my hard ware be compatible? Will my software work properly?

Then, once it’s installed how quickly will I acclimate to the new system? After I got Vista, it took awhile before I knew my way around and was as proficient as I was on XP.

Stay Tuned

With a pre-release of Windows 7 in hand, this presents a unique opportunity to share with our MyTechOpinion readership. As I progress in my adoption of Windows 7, I’ll document my trials and tribulations on our blog.

Hopefully, the information shared will help you in your adoption of Windows 7 (or maybe help you decide not to switch).

Wish me luck in my upgrade and check back to see how it went.

Related Posts

• Real Estate Agents: Windows Vista Isn’t a Good View for You, Yet.
• Service Pack 1 Released For Windows Vista
• Zipform (Winforms) Is Fully Windows Vista and Apple Compatible