ActiveRain Channels - Technology and Tools - It's A "Discovery Channel"
Everyone knows how excited I get about all the new, cool, and useful technology that's available here and out on the web. Turns out, and it's no surprise, that I'm not the only one who loves to share tech tips and tools with others. Many of us create posts on AR, sharing our findings and information with others in hopes that it will be helpful to them in their business. We add them to channel, give them a topic, submit them to our Blog, then we go on about our day.
Today I saw a post by member Jim Lee sharing Wordle, a cloud tagging tool that was very interesting. Then I saw he added his post to the Technology and Tools Channel on ActiveRain. Curiosity always gets the better of me, so I clicked on the Channel and was "Blown Away" at all the members who had written posts about various Technologies and tools they had discovered too. Want some Tech and Tools?
Here's what I discovered, there is a ton of content covering...
Technology | Twitter | Google | Websites | Photography
Video | Facebook | Social Networking | SEO
Each of these links within the Channel will take you even deeper where you'll find even more focused content on each subject matter. There is an alphabetically sorted "Topic" index at the bottom of the Channel that you can search through in detail. There's even a "Most Popular Topics" index on the right hand side of the Channel page. As you click on specific topics, you'll notice a "Top Contributor" section within that Sub-Channel. This Channel Navigation structure applies to EVERY ActiveRain Channel. Did you know this?
Holy Cow! I work here everyday and didn't even realize how much the Channels have grown. It's awesome!!
Just out of curiosity... again, I used the search tool on AR and searched for "TIPS and TOOLS." WOW! More than 800 posts have been written just using these two keywords. For me personally, this will save me a ton of time looking for exactly the kind of stuff I love and that I'm always searching for. Talk about discovering a goldmine, I'm feeling like a 49er today!! lol~
There are so many areas to find great content on ActiveRain: The feature board, the Blogrolls, inside the groups, subscribed bloggers etc., just don't forget to grab your remote control once in a while and skip through some of the ActiveRain Channels. It's just like your television, you never know what you'll discover until you start flipping through some of the channels. Also, make sure that you're adding your content to the proper channels so you'll get additional exposure to those looking for your specific topics.
The Technology and Tools Channel IS My new "Discovery Channel!"
Brad, there is so much here on Active Rain that I miss out on some of it. I have not "learned" to go check out the channels...
Thanks for the post.
I will check out the Technology and Tools Channel.
In fact I forget that there is a drop down menu on the channel selection when I post, and I bet many others do too.
Brad, this is so timely. I got back from REBarCamp on Sunday determined to get with it on Facebook. Need to set up my Fan page... I was planning on reading some of the blogs I had bookmarked about Facebook. Now I can just go to the library at AR and find everything I need!! Yipee. :)
I love AR because it is such a wonderful resource. Thanks for the reminder to check out the channels. I just wish there was more time to read every post.
Judi - there's always something new to learn here. I have been posting to channels since the day they were created, just haven't gone and looked to see what else is there. OMG! Now I'm exploring all the other channels and finding Soooo much great stuff. It's like having individual feature boards scattered all through-out the rain.
Connie - wish I could have been there, hope you'll be sharing some of what you learned in the "Channels!" on AR. :-))
Brad, It's always cool to see the teacher learn something new and be excited about it. I love your enthusiasm and have learned so much from your posts alone. Thanks for being a great embassador! :-)
I should have been going here for additional tips and tricks on how to use the technology that I am already using instead of just guessing. Thank you sir.
Brad, I love active rain. I can't believe how much education it provides. I can't wait to check it out.
Brad, Funk & Wagnells has the encyclopedia to get answers to almost anything known to man, and then there's active rain to get all the answers anybody would want about Real estate and making it work on the Internet. It is a very positive site.
Brad, I didn't know the Tech & Tools Channel was so well organized. I'll have to do some drilling there and see what I hit,LOL
I just "Wordle" my life.. How fun was that. It was quite simplistic as my first attempt. More to come. I have really enjoyed the tips to the technology trade as I can be somewhat of a "dork" when it comes to the computer world. I am so looking forward to SF Rain Camp!
Hi Brad..Great Post, thanks for the suggestion, I'll take a look too.
Cheers
If you're posting to specific channels regularly, you'll notice your posts on the main page of that channel. It's like each channel has it's own Feature Board. If you are posting to one specific channel and topic often, you are probably showing up as the "Top Contributor," something well worth promoting every opportunity possible. This is also a great way to find members you might want to consider subscribing to.
Hi Brad!
I'm with Judi, I really need to find some more time in my day to dive into more of the channels and wealth of information that is here. Thanks for reminding me and showing me where to start!
Sincerely,
Kathleen
Hmm. OK. I get the channels part a lot more than I did. But I've found posts of my own that were not properly tagged, and I didn't tag them that way. Who decides to just change what we've written when they're obviously not reading the entire post.
Hi Brad: Wow 800 posts on tips and tools - the people here in the Rain sure are helpful!
:)
Hey Lisa - adding posts to topics and channels happens when you're in the edit mode or creating the post. Nobody adds anything to your posts, or tags, only you have the access to do that unless you ask an AR support person to assist you, or you've given your lobin and password to somebody. If you found posts of yours that don't belong in that channel, you can edit the post and simply change the channel.
Let me know if you need any help or if this doesn't make sense to you. :-))
Brad:
Like some of the others who have responed here - I am always learning new and great things from fellow Rainers. I always read your posts, I learn something each time.
Thanks for the heads up on this too.
Blog-N-Roll Brad...
I bet you already know I made my own channels on AR. It's not likely anyone will need my channels. Unless of course they want to borrow my Charmin :)
Now that remark brought on an interesting train of thought. How many rolls of Charmin will my points buy me? :)
TLW...ROAR!
You read my mind - just yesterday I put it on my calender to figure out the channel thing better as I haven't taken the time to do so. What a gold mine - and top it with these ideas from you I'll have it singing in the rain sooner rather than later. Thanks - you saved me a whole bunch of time!
Thank you for this post. It just reminded me what a great resource AR is - for whatever I want to know.
thanks Brad....in one of your post u talk about a Blogroll is on every page in AR to click on for help...i cant find it...i would think it would be at the top of the page but i do not see Blogroll is it somewhere special
thx dana devine
Hey Brad, what an excellent resource and I am going to send a link to several of my coworkers who are F I N A L L Y wanting to dip their toes in the water here at Active Rain! You are such a great teacher, Thanks!
Brad - Wowsa ! That is a lot of content indeed ! And it is all super, very informative content as well. I will have to check it out myself. Pretty much everything I know (which still is not that much) technology related has come from Active Rain ! : ) ~ Chris
Brad - this is a great venue for learning and as always a great forum to keep up with the technology. Very Cool!
Dana - there is a "Blogs" link at the top of every AR page. You will find the main and subscribed Blogroll there. Here's a link so you don't have to scroll back up to the top of this page! :-))
http://activerain.com/bloghome
Chris and Steph - love the new photo! Everything I know HAS come from being here on AR!! :-))
AR the new Discovery Channel. How cool is that. You get to click here to change channels just like on your
TV.
Indeed... one of my favorite sections of AR is the Technology and Tools Channel. It's wonderful to see and share the discoveries!
Brad - Just today I was having tons of trouble finding a past post that I read on mortgages. WOuldn't it have been super helpful to remember about the channels. It would have cut my search time in half. As always, thanks for all you share. I know I'll always walk away from one of your posts learning something and with more homework to do.
This whole selling real estate gig is REALLY cutting into my time on AR! I haven't surfed any of the channels...but now I know what I'll be doing later tonight.
Long ago, I wrote a blog about Wordle and I've used it in some of my marketing materials. It's a fun little web site.
Here's a Wordle of this blog post......
Your post cracked me up, it's like you just got a TV for the first time!! LOL!
Thanks for the post! There is just not enough time in the day! Active Rain is my go to resource whenever I am looking to try something new.
Yes, the Channels have alot to offer. I found my virtual tour provider through the Technology channel. I did not know that there was more to it, or to the other chanels, for that matter. I'll have to take some time to go trolling through them looking for useful stuff. Thanks Brad!
There is certainly one thing I have never found on AR ... TOO LITTLE info.
Hi Brad, I didn't even know that it existed but boy you are sure right. THERE IS A LOT THERE. Sounds like a full Saturdays worth of work just getting familiar with it. Thank you so much . I put the link on my tool bar so I can get right back there when I can.
Brad excellent of course wouldn't you know it I read this at 11:30 at night.
Hi Brad -- I have really gotten into photography this past year so I can take exceptional photos and I learned a TON in this sub-channel and also the video. You are so right. The biggest constraint is time.
Brad, it sounds like an easier way to search for material since it is tag-oriented. Thanks for sharing!
Brad, Wordle is FANTASTIC! Here is one I just made from a recent Market Report - how cool is that!
very kewl. For a long time the search tool didn't work very well. It's nice to have it back and working. Thanks for sharing.
Why keep reinventing the wheel? Thank's for the tips on the tools Brad.
It's funny that I don't spend more time here since almost everything I know and do is what I learned from the generous sharing of so many people - it's a catch 22, I get a lot of business from the internet and listing router etc. and then I am too busy to implement some of the things I find here - I don't want to lose (or fall behind) what I have learned here - and keep growing, but then I have to take care of the business I gain. I have a long to do list and bookmarked reads. Thanks for pointing this out.
Betty and John - the fire hydrant? that's my line! lol~
Kate - that's funny! I know you're kidding right? ;-)
Craig - thanks for the wordle, looks great.
Renee - sorry, I just got a little excited there... haha
Larry - isn't that typical here in the rain? Always happens to me too.
Sharon - turned out very nice, be careful, you'll find a ton of this type of stuff in that channel.
Cathy ... I'm still laughing, it's the age old dilema here, one I'm glad that you have.... just keep trying to "Catch That 22!" :-))
I gotta run, headed down to REBarCamp and NAR and I'm not even showered, shaved, or packed. YIKES!!
I gotta run, headed down to REBarCamp and NAR and I'm not even showered, shaved, or packed. YIKES!!
Now that's dedication folks! Brad's gotta get out the door but he still finds time to make comments!
Brad - Thanks for sharing this channel. I never even thought to check there! AR is my one-stop shopping for all topics real-estate related. Usually I do "search" on the topic.....which generates a whole list of posts to explore....but I like the idea of the Technology and Tools channel so I can get a broader overview of what's out there! :)
Have fun at the REBAR/NAR dealio! :)
Brad --- thanks for this great information -- I am going to check out the Technology channel.
Brad there'a so many great things here on AR. I just don't seem to get to it all. Thanks for this post so now I'll know how to use it.
Brad - I too am a tools gal! Love our channel on tech tools and tips... there's so much out there! Every day I feel like we've only touched the tip of the iceberg! Great post and have fun at NAR. I know you'll be sharing lots of info with us in the days to come!
Brad,
There's always so much to learn on AR.
You're coming to REBar tomorrow? I'll look forward to seeing you there.
Christine - I'm getting up at 3:30am just to catch a 6:30am flight down so I can come see ya'll! WooHoo!
Have me some coffee hot and ready to go!! lol~
Brad,
That channel is a gem. It has been right there under our noses and most have just missed it, including me. Nice discovery indeed.
Thanks Brad!!! You definitely "make a difference in the world"! What I have learned from you.
Brad, once again you have taken my breath away. Now I not only have a toolbox, there are more tools than I could have imagined, and DIRECTIONS (LOL)!!!!! Thanks again for great informaion and a great post.
Brad, thank you for taking the time to produce such an in-depth and informative post. For a "newbie" like myself your posts are invaluable.
Thanks you guys, and ladies, I'm glad you're finding some value in these posts! :-))
I've never fully understood the channels. This technology channel sounds quite interesting. I'm going to have to do a search "about channels" to learn more. Thanks for the tip.
Once again thanks for all the links, tips and almost instant knowledge. I don't know how I ever lived without you.
Thanks for the Info. This will be great for a newbie like me! I'll take all the help I can get!
Vickie - I did write a post about channels when we first introduced them, hopefully it will come up when you do your search. If not, let me know and I'll go track it down for you.
Nancy - you're to sweet, and AR couldn't live without members like you too! :-)
Nelson - we're here to give all the help we can give. We want your Blog and experience here to bring nothing but positive results and successes.
I love this section of AR. Some really deep reading here.
Thanks Brad. There's much to learn...appreciate the help, tips and direction. Now this old dog still needs to learn a few new tricks.
Great post Brad - first time I've seen this "wordle." Thanks!
This is really cool. I have been adding my blogs to channels - now I have an understanding of what they do.
I just stumbled on this also. I love tech stuff and five months after first blog post later I'm finding where to locate more tech posts! Cool!