Tonight, we'll take a break from the normal training and talk about what's on your mind! Most any subject or topic, let's just keep it friendly and clean! http://www.podcastertraining.com

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WordPress MU 2.7 Released – Donncha states that this release is mostly a code sync release but it also contains quite a few bug fixes. The most notable change in WordPress MU is the addition of Viper007bond’s admin bar. Upgrading to the latest release should be as simple as overwriting the old files with the new ones. However, always make a backup copy first before doing anything! – http://ocaoimh.ie/2009/01/28/wordpress-mu-27/

BuddyPress 1.0 Beta 2 Released – Hot on the heels of the recently released WordPress MU 2.7, BuddyPress 1.0 Beta 2 has been released to the public. Andy states that the release fixes hundreds of bugs since Beta 1 with most of those being fixed by the community. Andy states that the project is three days later than expected with this beta. WordPress MU 2.7 was just released and it made much more sense to sync up the release schedules to ensure there were no compatibility problems. The 1.0 release will now be February 12th, exactly two weeks from today. – http://buddypress.org/blog/2009/01/1-0-beta-2/

Thank A Plugin Developer Day – It’s only fitting that WordPress has it’s own series of holidays. After all, just about everyone and (everything) else has holidays. January 28th has officially been declared by Matt Mullenweg “Thank A Plugin Developer Day”. Asides from paying homeage to plugin authors, Matt also lets us know that the plugin repository is called home by over 4,000 different plugins. Another little tidbit is that the average number of plugins installed per self hosted blog is five! – http://wordpress.org/development/2009/01/thank-a-plugin-developer-day/

Plugin Of The Week – Revision Control – Revision Control is a plugin for WordPress which gives the user more control over the Post/Page Revisions.
The plugin allows the user to set a blog-global setting for pages/posts to enable/disable/limit the number of revisions which are saved for the page/post. The user may change this setting on a per-page/post basis from the Revisions Meta box which is displayed within the Post Editor
The plugin also allows the deletion of specific revisions via the Revisions post metabox. – http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/revision-control/

If you’re looking for more information regarding WordPress or just want to be part of a community centered around WordPress, please head on over to WPTavern.com. The site contains news, reviews, editorials and much more on not only WordPress, but all projects under the Automattic umbrella. We also have a forum which has been rocking as of late so stop on by and join the party. The drinks at the tavern are always on the house.

Popularity: 15% [?]

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It is estimated that each day, a fairly large number of individuals make the decision to join a social networking website. Social networking websites are websites that allow internet users to easily connect with other internet users, often from all around the world. While social networking websites are a great way to make online friends or start an online relationship, there are many internet users who are misinformed when it comes to social networking websites. That misinformation is largely centered on who can see their personal information.

Since a social networking website is often compared to a community, you would assume that only other community members would be able to read your personal information, right? In the real world, an unknown individual cannot just decide that they want to move into your neighborhood and live in your front yard, spying on your every move, so why should it happen online? If that is your way of thinking, you are wrong, in most cases. Unfortunately, many internet users are largely unaware of the fact that just about anyone can view their social networking profiles, including non-community members.

As previously mentioned, there are a large number of social networking websites that allow anyone one with internet access to view the profiles or profile pages of their members. In fact, the number is higher than you may have ever imagined. At the current time, just a few popular of the social networking websites that allow any internet user to view your profile include Yahoo! 360, FriendFinder, FriendWise, and MySpace. With a simple click of the mouse, information that you thought was private is no longer. That is why it is important that you examine what is actually posted in your profile or on your personal profile page before publishing it.

Although being cautious may take away from the fun of joining a social networking program, you are advised to be cautious. This cautiousness may help keep you safe. When building your social networking profile or profile page, especially on a website that anyone can view, you are advised to carefully select the pictures that you post. If you post a personal picture of your self, you are advised against posting your full name and, especially, your address. With a picture, your full name, and your address, an internet user with devious thoughts could spell trouble.

If you are one of the many social network users who wants to display your information, you are encouraged to learn more about private profile settings. Private profile settings will limit the number of individuals who can view your website. Although your profile’s private setting may prevent other network members from seeing your profile, it will also prevent anyone else from seeing it. The only catch with doing this is that since other community members cannot see your profile, you will have to be the one to contact with any new friends that you would like to invite to your network.

In addition to joining a social networking website that allows you to set your profile as private, you can join a network that automatically has profiles set as private. These social networking websites include, but are not limited to, Orkut and Facebook. With Orkut and Facebook, your profile will only be seen by other members. In fact, Facebook also limits the members that can see your profile. This is done to help ensure your safety online. However, as with all other social networking websites, it is fairly easy for you to make online connections and friends, but, in away, these private profile networking sites are a safer way to make those connections.

Now that you know exactly how social networking websites work and who can gain access to your personal information, you should know what you should and should not put in your profile or on your profile page. Although you are not required to change your information, you should at least think about it. As the old saying goes, you never know who is watching you.

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I’ll explain several ways of getting writing time. Jot down ideas as you watch the television. Relax in a comfortable place, and let the
ideas run free. Look around the room you’re sitting in. Write about the first person, thing, your eyes land on.

Did you see Aunt Tilly, a pet, or the sofa? Aunt Tilly crossed your path, for example. What writing ideas came to mind?

Take a look at my idea.

Aunt Tilly had a secret recipe passed down to her. She made a note of it due to memory issues. She tucked it away in her closet for
safe keeping. She jotted the location of it in her book of forget-not. Only, the recipe disappeared. Why?

The plot, problem, can twist down any rode. As a matter of fact, the plot should take more than one rode.

Perhaps, you’d prefer to write an essay on elder care.

I mentioned ways of getting writing time, but there are other techniques. Writers must allow their creative flow writing time. Squeeze in, at least, two hours during the day or night for writing.

“None of that helps me get writing time.” You said.

First, take yourself seriously as a writer. You must, first, believe in your talent to succeed.

“What are serious writers?” A few asked.

Serious writers uncover writing time.

Let’s talk about the novel idea you’ve wanted to write. When do you want to start working on it? Pick a date and time. Make a note of it on your calendar. Glance at it everyday. Keep thoughts of it on your mind.

When the day comes to start on your novel, write three to four pages. Stop. Continue tomorrow. Add to it each day. This is how you get writing time.

The serious writer will not make excuses, but prevails.

Handle articles, essays, and poems in the same manner. The serious writer is disciplined. Write at the same time each day.

A novel is too big, hard, to do. It isn’t for the serious writer. Write a little each day until you’ve finished it.

I wrote a novel, Grave Street House, and it was published. You can too.

Simply, break the task up into smaller pieces. Don’t write a chapter a day. Write several pages of it. Before long, three chapters will be written, more, and then a completed book.

The best part is you’re getting, much needed, writing time, and reaching a goal.

Realistically, some days, you will write more than on other days. It’s all right. It’s part of the writing process.

In conclusion, the serious writer finds time to write, even if he/she has to schedule it.

Popularity: 8% [?]

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The goal of most business owners is to make money. This often results with the selling of a particular product or service. However, to sell that product or service business owners need to alert the general public. Customer cannot buy a product or a service if they do not know that it exists. That is why, as a business owner, you need to advertise your business.

When it comes to advertising there are many business owners who literally cringe. Are you doing this now? There is a good chance that you are because many advertising methods cost money. As a business owner you want to make money not spend it, right? Unfortunately, if you believe that all forms of advertising take money, you are sadly mistaken. Although you may have to spend money to make your business what you want it to be, there are ways to promote your business and the products or services that you sell without having to spend any money at all.

Is your curiosity peaked yet? There is a good chance that it is, rightfully so. One of the ways that you can promote your online business, without having to spend a dime, is by using something that is readily available online. That thing is an online social networking website. A large number of internet users, in fact millions of them, belong to at least one social networking website.

When it comes to social networking, there are many individuals who think of online friendships or online relationships. While these types of relationships are the most common, did you know that social networking is also used for businesses? In fact, that was originally how social networking got started. If you are a small business owner, especially one that operates an online business, there is a way that you can use social networking sites to your advantage.

Although social networking websites are traditionally focused on those that would like to make online friends or develop online relationships, there are networking sites that are designed for business owners. These websites will not only allow you to share your business information with other business owners, but it will also allow you to develop close relationships with those that share an interest that is similar to yours. Essentially, this means that you could not only learn valuable business information, but you could also walk away with a new business partner or a new friend.

As previously mentioned, social networking websites with a focus on businesses, are a great way to promote your business. However, this does not mean that you should completely forget about the other online social networking websites, the ones that are designed to make online friendships. Although you may not learn any valuable business tips by joining Yahoo! 360 or MySpace, you may be able to get new customers and new customers is exactly what your business should want and need.

If you are looking to join an online community, you will need to create your own profile or profile page. If you are planning on joining a traditional social networking website, to gain access to millions of potential new customers, you are urged to be careful when making your online webpage or profile. One thing that internet users hate is being solicited for business. This does not mean that you cannot use social networking to your advantage; it just means that you need to be careful with how you do it. Instead of creating a MySpace page or a Yahoo! 360 page for your business, you are advised to make one for yourself, but, of course, you will want to include information on your business.

By joining a social networking website, especially one that is popular and has a large number of members, you should be able to generate interest in your business, including the products or services that you sell. Who knows, but that interest generated could turn into sales; thus making your social networking experience more than worth it.

Popularity: 8% [?]