Atkinson Advisor » technology

SmartBrief

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:50:45 +0000

SmartBrief produces daily newsletters for 100+ business associations in more than 25 industries, including business, education, health care, and travel. The website makes free subscriptions available to anyone. SmartBrief also produces its own daily newsletters about leadership, workforce, entrepreneurs, social media, technology, and sustainability. Related posts:Social Media ExaminerSocial media suicideSocial media stats for 2011 Related posts:

Text language seeps into other communication

admin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:01:11 +0000

Ctn im @wrk hand

Can you read the “sentence” above? You’ve probably said the same thing yourself, just not in the same way. It’s text-speak for “Can’t talk now. I’m at work. Have a nice day.”

Teenagers are proficient when it comes to learning the new language of text messaging. It certainly has its place when sending phone messages, but it becomes alarming when they start using shortened phrases start in their written essays and homework assignments.

The text language has started to show up in business communications as well. Suddenly, professionals are lacing their e-mails with phrases such as “R U going 2 dinner 2nite?” and signing off with a “thx.”

Now that more businesspeople are using a BlackBerry or an iPhone to send work e-mails, the lines between texting and e-mailing are blurring. We’ve come up with our own handy rule:

If you’re using a full keyboard, type full words and phrases, preferably in full sentences.

If you need to send an e-mail from a phone that has a truncated keyboard, it’s okay to use a few shorthand terms that everyone understands. T2ul8r

BlackBerry Thumb and other technology injuries

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:33:07 +0000

A BlackBerry is one way to stay connected to the world. A “BlackBerry Thumb” is one thing you never want to get.

The American Society of Hand Therapists coined the term several years ago as a catch-all phrase for cases of tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome caused by BlackBerries and other technology.

BlackBerry Thumb and related technology-related injuries have become more common in the workplace. Typing with the wrong hand position, using a mouse incorrectly, and holding a cell phone with your shoulder can cause a series of repetitive-stress injuries that result in insurance claims and missed days at work.

Here are some common problem situations that can be easily prevented:

Elevating the back of the keyboard – The natural position of your hand is that your fingers should be lower than your wrists. If you lift the back of your keyboard up, you are forcing your wrists to bend upwards, unnaturally, and your fingers end up higher than your wrists. Typing like this over extended periods of time can cause painful wrist injuries.
Using BlackBerry to respond to all emails – If you can, only respond to urgent emails on your BlackBerry. Leave non-urgent emails for when you are at your computer.
Fingers above the wrist when using a mouse – Your wrist should be above your fingers to eliminate risks.
Cradling your cell phone with your shoulder – Cervical radiculopathy is disk compression in the neck, often caused by repetitive cradling of a phone on the shoulder.

Read more about preventing injuries at work at about.com

It’s the open network

admin — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 03:51:55 +0000

Verizon Wireless’ ubiquitous commercials proudly proclaim It’s The Network™. To be honest, that claim doesn’t really impress us.

What does impress us is Verizon’s decision to become the first U.S. carrier to open its network to other devices. This move is an enormous PR coup over Verizon’s rivals.

Put simply, an open network will eventually allow us as consumers to use any compatible device and software application on the Verizon network. For example, iPhone users, who are currently limited to only AT&T’s network, will likely be able to switch to Verizon’s service.

Verizon wins in many respects. It’s the first to make the announcement, which earns points with investors, analysts, and others following the business. Verizon’s decision is also consumer friendly, which is a true (and surprising) coup for the telecommunications industry.

Verizon’s competitors are sure to follow suit, and that’s a good thing for everyone.

RIM’s PR Predicament

admin — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 18:46:07 +0000

Research In Motion (RIM), the maker of the BlackBerry PDA, is locked in a colossal battle with NTP, the company that owns the patents behind Blackberry’s e-mail service. RIM thought it had reached a licensing agreement to use NTP’s technology but is now facing a suspension of its entire U.S. e-mail service.

NTP doesn’t have much to lose in this case. The company happens to own the patent (worth $450 million at minimum) to the world’s most popular wireless e-mail service.

By contrast, RIM has much at stake. The company has more than three million users — some would say addicts — who rely on it to receive wireless e-mail every day.

What are RIM’s public relations options in this case?

Play the victim. RIM can blame NTP if the service shuts down. Playing the victim is a risky strategy that rarely works in business, especially for a company as successful as RIM. Steven Covey said it best: “Victimism gives your future away.”
Promise a workaround. The company has alluded to a workaround that will maintain e-mail service even if RIM fails to reach a settlement with NTP. That’s all good, if we as BlackBerry consumers have enough time to install and test the fix. Don’t make us compete with three million fellow addicts to download a patch (an ironic name) on the last night. And, make sure it works, or we’ll all go buy a Treo.
Promise a settlement. RIM’s stance so far has been to fight NTP at every turn in the courts. Changing its tone and promising a settlement would cause us to look up from our collective thumb keys and thank RIM for its newfound wisdom. Analysts have estimated the company can afford to pay the $1 billion they believe it will cost to settle the suit.

RIM has put up a good fight for what it believes are valid reasons. Maybe, it’s time to stop fighting for millions of dollars and start fighting for the millions of loyal users.