Workplace bans on Facebook and other social networking sites aren’t uncommon — just ask our Prime Minister But a new report on a roundtable held by the Future Exploration Network suggests that companies are slowly embracing the social networking concept and getting over access mania: It’s good to read comments like these:
We don’t try to control what people do or where they do it – we have a couple of filters for pornography and games sites. But we don’t get reports on who’s doing what. What if I have one of my best performers spending an hour a day on Facebook – do I really want to stop them? If they are hitting their metrics is it really that bad?
However, it’s a little worrying that all the executives involved have chosen to be anonymous (no comments are attributed, though participants are listed. If social networking strategies are so great, then why the embarrassment at being named?
Enterprise Social Network Strategy Report (PDF)It’s hump day and I was looking for a quick, fun project to try out. So I figured I try something easy I found over at the Make Magazine blog earlier this week—a set of speakers made from paper cups and a pair of earbud headphones originally created by artist Dmitry Zagga (in no small amount of jest). The PaperCup speakers are based on the principle of a megaphone: Energy from sound waves from the earbuds would normally disperse in all directions. Instead, the cups focus the sound waves in a particular direction, making it louder for those in front. While pretty self-explanatory, I figured I’d whip up a how to, especially since the folks at my local coffee shop were happy to provide the materials for free.
Electronic program guide IceTV has added a keyword recording feature, so you can grab every broadcast featuring your favourite actor, host or sport. Of course, choosing a search term like ‘cricket’ could fill your hard drive pretty quickly over summer; there’s also a ‘keyword favourites’ option so you can be alerted to shows of potential interest without automatically setting them to record. Between this and the RSS feeds, there’s really not much excuse for missing a show if you’ve paid up for the service. IceTV
Windows only: If you are looking for ways to merge a bunch of MP3 files into one larger file, and don’t like the command line solution I wrote about earlier this week, try Merge MP3. The application is tiny, the interface familiar, and it will allow you to drag-and-drop MP3 files onto a playlist, change the order, preview the audio, and then mix them all down to a single MP3 files along with APIC images and ID3 meta-data. Perfect for creating a mix or joining files from an audiobook you’ve ripped from multiple CDs. Merge MP3 is a free download for Windows.
Merge MP3Google’s beloved web-based email client has always been ripe for third-party design customisation (we’ve always been partial to the Gmail Redesigned skin in Better Gmail, for example), but now Gmail is officially riding the interface customisation train by offering 30-some new themes to spice up your inbox. Keep reading for a quick look at some of the cool new offerings.
If you’re a power searcher, or other people think you are, and you’re getting tired of constant requests for answers to questions that a quick Google search would provide, try Let me google that for you. Enter a search term, click the Google Search button, and a link appears that you can copy, paste and send to your friend. When they click the link, an animation displays the complicated process of searching Google for information, and then directs the user to the actual search results page from Google. Snarky? Yes. However, the time the user is forced to study the search term you used, they might pick up a trick or two in keyword syntax, search operators, literal strings and the like. After all, give a man an answer, and he’ll come back tomorrow asking for more. Teach a man to search Google, and you’ll have to offer tech support when he ends up downloading malware while cruising shadier purveyors of adult entertainment and file sharing software.
Let me google that for you [via Laughing Squid]Google Sync for BlackBerry updated today, adding support for bi-directional contact sync between your BlackBerry and your Gmail contacts (in addition to the existing calendar sync, which I believe only supports one-way sync). While you’re doing your Google sync dance, check out how to sync Google Calendar with any desktop calendar. [via Official Google Mobile Blog]
Previously mentioned people search engine Pipl has updated with a slightly tweaked look and better, more organized results. In a quick comparison between recently featured 123people and Pipl, the results at Pipl thoroughly outdid 123people on accuracy when I searched for myself, including much more accurate results for real email addresses belonging to me. Just enter anyone’s name and the city where they live and let Pipl dig up their online profiles, email addresses, photos, and more. With the abundance of people search tools available on the internet, it’s easier than ever to track down anyone online. If you’ve already got a favourite place to stalk, let’s hear about it in the comments. Pipl
Windows tip: Whether you use them or not, many applications install superfluous entries to your Windows right-click context menu resulting in a cluttered mess. The How-To Geek weblog details how to clean up your messy Windows context menu using a variety of methods, from manual registry hacks to using the simple, previously mentioned ShellExView. If you steer clear of the right-click because it’s become such a cluttered mess, do yourself a favour by cleaning it and customising it to fit your needs. How to Clean Up Your Messy Windows Context Menu [the How-To Geek]
Zune Insider reports that Microsoft has updated the Zune firmware to 3.1, adding three new free games (Checkers, Sudoku, and Space Battle) and improving the Zune Social feature with better looks and a “like minded listeners” feature that shows you how your taste compares to your friends. Aside from the fun stuff, the update also promises improved stability and performance. To update, just launch the Zune software and go to Settings -> Check for Updates. Zune importers, let’s hear how you like it in the comments.
