Twitter, the popular microblogging site, is not just for individual communication. Businesses, such as Home Depot, Southwest Airlines, and Whole Foods Market use Twitter to promote their products and provide customer service.
At its core, Twitter is simple: type a short message of up to 140 characters to tell people what you are doing. However, it does have its own unique language that can take some time to learn.
To help businesses use Twitter, Twitter has published Twitter 101. This site shows how to create a Twitter account, how to follow other users, and how to create posts. It features a very helpful guide to Twitter best practices, and most importantly, a list of case studies showing how companies actually use Twitter.
In today's business environment, having a presence on social networking sites is becoming just as important as having your own website. Twitter 101 is an excellent tool to get started.
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
August 1, 2009
January 1, 2009
New Year's Resolutions
It's time once again to make resolutions for the new year. Here are some technology-related resolutions you may wish to consider:
Researching businesses and stocks? We subscribe to many comprehensive business databases, including ValueLine, Morningstar, Standard & Poor's Net Advantage, thestreet.com and Mergent Online. Need to find information about a particular industry? Check out Plunkett Research Online. Looking for contact information for a particular business? Try Reference USA. You can access these databases by clicking the "Information on Demand" icon on the Library's homepage.
2. Use research databases available from the Troy Public Library
Everything from full text articles from Consumer Reports, Time, and Newsweek to Environmental Nutrition, Journal of Affordable Housing and Community Development Law, and Mathematics Education Research Journal can be found in databases from the Library (all of these publications can be found in Academic OneFile). You can access these databases by clicking the "Information on Demand" icon on the Library's homepage.
3. Check out an eBook or eAudiobook
The Troy Public Library subscribes to two services (NetLibrary and OverDrive) that provide downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks. You can access these services here. Try them out! (Note: first-time NetLibrary users will need to register for an account in the Library).
4. Use snopes.com
Before sending money to Nigeria, deleting JDBGMGR.exe, using Listerine to kill mosquitoes, or other things that forwarded emails tell you to do, check out snopes.com. Snopes is a site the debunks urban legends and misinformation that often comes in emails. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true in an email, it probably is.
5. Keep your anti-virus software updated
Anti-virus software is only as good as its last update. Make sure your software is current so that your computer is completely protected. Also, be sure to scan your computer on a regular basis.
6. Use an RSS reader
Do you get frustrated when you check out a favorite blog, and there is no new information? Instead of wasting time checking sites to see if they have been updated, have the updates sent to you automatically by using an RSS reader. For more information, check out this video.
7. Recycle or donate old electronic equipment
So you bought a new computer, printer, cell phone, etc...? What are you going to do with the old one? Instead of throwing it away, consider donating or recycling it.
2. Use research databases available from the Troy Public Library
Everything from full text articles from Consumer Reports, Time, and Newsweek to Environmental Nutrition, Journal of Affordable Housing and Community Development Law, and Mathematics Education Research Journal can be found in databases from the Library (all of these publications can be found in Academic OneFile). You can access these databases by clicking the "Information on Demand" icon on the Library's homepage.
3. Check out an eBook or eAudiobook
The Troy Public Library subscribes to two services (NetLibrary and OverDrive) that provide downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks. You can access these services here. Try them out! (Note: first-time NetLibrary users will need to register for an account in the Library).
4. Use snopes.com
Before sending money to Nigeria, deleting JDBGMGR.exe, using Listerine to kill mosquitoes, or other things that forwarded emails tell you to do, check out snopes.com. Snopes is a site the debunks urban legends and misinformation that often comes in emails. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true in an email, it probably is.
5. Keep your anti-virus software updated
Anti-virus software is only as good as its last update. Make sure your software is current so that your computer is completely protected. Also, be sure to scan your computer on a regular basis.
6. Use an RSS reader
Do you get frustrated when you check out a favorite blog, and there is no new information? Instead of wasting time checking sites to see if they have been updated, have the updates sent to you automatically by using an RSS reader. For more information, check out this video.
7. Recycle or donate old electronic equipment
So you bought a new computer, printer, cell phone, etc...? What are you going to do with the old one? Instead of throwing it away, consider donating or recycling it.
October 30, 2008
New Database Features at TPL
While attending the Michigan Library Association Annual Conference in Kalamazoo last week, I went to a session that showcased new updates in databases to which the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) subscribes. These databases are provided to the Troy Library free-of-charge, courtesy of the State Library of Michigan. Here are the highlights:
- Kids's Infobits, this youth database now has the ability to read the text of an article to you. This can be helpful for people with dyslexia, or people who use English as a second language. You can play the audio at your computer while looking at the article, or can download it to your computer as an MP3 file to be listened to later.
- MeL Michigana has added more content. This database houses several digital collections relating to Michigan history, including the Civil War Diaries Collection from Western Michigan University, the Archives of Michigan Image Collection, and the Virtual Motor City image collection from Wayne State University.
- Business & Company Resource Center now has enhanced investment reports compiled daily by Reuters Research on Demand.
- LearningExpress Library has added a U.S. Citizenship practice test dealing with history and civics. LearningExpress still continues to offer practice exams for the ACT, SAT, ASVAB, and various civil service exams, as well as practice tests for various school subjects. LearningExpress Library also contains a large library of eBooks to help in test preparation.
September 25, 2008
The Good and the Bad of New Technologies in the Work Place
According to the latest study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 62% of us who work full- or part-time use the internet or email at our work place.
Such "networked workers," as the study calls us, are not only connected while at work, but are also more likely than average Americans to have access to a wide variety of technological gadgets outside of the work place. We are more likely to own cell phones, desktop and laptop computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Is being networked all day a plus or a minus?
According to Pew, a large majority of wired workers note big improvements in our work lives as the result of technologies such as the internet, email, cell phones and instant messaging:
• 80% say these technologies have improved our ability to do the job.
• 73% say these technologies have improved our ability to share ideas with co-workers.
• 58% say these tools have allowed us more flexibility in the hours we work.
At the same time, half of us note various negative impacts of communications technologies:
• 46% say these technologies increase demands that we work more hours.
• 49% say these technologies increase the level of stress in our job.
• 49% say such technologies make it harder for us to disconnect from work when we are at home and on the weekends.
So what do you think: Does technology improve your job performance or hurt your time off the job? Take our poll (to the right) and let us know.
To read the entire Pew report, go to Networked Workers.
Such "networked workers," as the study calls us, are not only connected while at work, but are also more likely than average Americans to have access to a wide variety of technological gadgets outside of the work place. We are more likely to own cell phones, desktop and laptop computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Is being networked all day a plus or a minus?
According to Pew, a large majority of wired workers note big improvements in our work lives as the result of technologies such as the internet, email, cell phones and instant messaging:
• 80% say these technologies have improved our ability to do the job.
• 73% say these technologies have improved our ability to share ideas with co-workers.
• 58% say these tools have allowed us more flexibility in the hours we work.
At the same time, half of us note various negative impacts of communications technologies:
• 46% say these technologies increase demands that we work more hours.
• 49% say these technologies increase the level of stress in our job.
• 49% say such technologies make it harder for us to disconnect from work when we are at home and on the weekends.
So what do you think: Does technology improve your job performance or hurt your time off the job? Take our poll (to the right) and let us know.
To read the entire Pew report, go to Networked Workers.
September 3, 2008
New Resources for Small Business Owners and Self-Employed
If you are a small business owner or self-employed, you probably have trouble finding accurate and timely information on a wide variety of government rules and regulations that affect how you run your business.
Our friends at the IRS have a new web site just for you. Billed as a "Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource," this site has information on, among other topics: starting a small business, applying for employer ID numbers, hiring employees, setting up trusts, and preparing for and paying taxes. There is industry specific information and links to small business resources by state.
If you have never visited an IRS site before, be prepared for a lot of text. But the internal search box and the links make it fairly easy to navigate. Plus, all the information is free and accurate.
Go to www.irs.gov/smallbiz.
Our friends at the IRS have a new web site just for you. Billed as a "Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource," this site has information on, among other topics: starting a small business, applying for employer ID numbers, hiring employees, setting up trusts, and preparing for and paying taxes. There is industry specific information and links to small business resources by state.
If you have never visited an IRS site before, be prepared for a lot of text. But the internal search box and the links make it fairly easy to navigate. Plus, all the information is free and accurate.
Go to www.irs.gov/smallbiz.
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