11 Little-Known Grammatical Errors That Will Shock and Horrify You

Side note: Melbourne has just launched a Social Media Club. Check it out here.

Last week Google released Buzz, their social media solution, integrated into the gmail platform.

Google are essentially the leaders of integrated information, so I don’t blame them for wanting to keep our social media time on their servers too. But really, unless it has something new and amazing I can’t see the point in moving over. Everyone has seen the stats on us being exposed to at least 3,000 marketing messages per day, so who has time for more of the same?

Admittedly, I haven’t played on it yet, but from all the reports I can’t see a justification to fit this into my schedule.

What does everyone else think?

Jeff Jarvis’s book What Would Google Do? (Amazon, Dymocks) looks at this reallocation of control from corporation to consumer and how you can use the same tools and tactics in your business.

While the book’s title suggest following Google’s lead (following the What Would Jesus Do? movement on the 90s) it’s really all about openness and transparency in business and our lives, and how to work with it.

The book details some excellent case studies, such as Dell Computers and Starbucks Coffee. It does fall down in the second part (of three) when the author attempts to “Google-ize” a range of industries, some of which shouldn’t have the level of transparency or user input Jarvis demands. It picks up again in the final part, allowing you to forgive his pontifications.

I totally recommend this for anyone needing to get a handle on the way business has changed or just to get some case studies of where transparency has worked.

Thanks to Davinia Khong for her help with this review. I had to leave my copy of the book in Melbourne, so she is my researcher.

Well, to be honest, most of you knew the secret and I appreciate the lengths you went to so I could still surprise my parents. Especially those who’ve known since May.

So for the one or two in the world who don’t know, I moved from Melbourne, Australia to San Francisco, US last week.

Yep, it’s a big move but I’m loving it so far. I’m living in an apartment near the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, met some awesome people and literally having the time of my life.

There have been a few surprises (like the largest note in an ATM being $20 – WTF?) but on the whole it’s not that much different from Melbourne.

I decided I wouldn’t make any resolutions, but then I already have with all my projects. There’s been a lot going on and even more planned for 2010. In 48 hours I should know the final timing for the secret project I’ve been working on and while I can’t say anymore, it’s pretty exciting.

One project (it is kind of a resolution) I’ve launched for the year is Project365. You’ve all probably heard about it in either a photography or video form. I’ve committed to one photo per day for every day of 2010.

All the photos can be found here, with this one being from January 1 in Port Fairy.

The other vow is to post more on here. I’m planning to cut back on a few other things to create more time. The next book review is nearly done, so stay tuned.

Has anyone else made any resolutions or vows for 2010? What are you all looking forward to? Let me know in the comments.

I was profiled this week and posting about it would be the expected thing to do (plus, I was a little honoured). But, then my secret project wouldn’t be a secret project anymore.

You’ll have to wait until February to find out.

Off to write it now and you should head over to the IABC international and IABC Victoria sites. It’s a great organisation covering ALL of communications.

During a public speaking lecture John Milburn-Clark suggested to practice we read picture story books. I reminded me of reading Cat in the Hat to a three year old and making sure I could keep his attention. Do that with full voices – I dare you.

Then today in the IABC Communication World magazine Carrie Nicholson of Enbridge Pipelines Inc in Canada recommended Oh, the Places You’ll Go for motivation.

Just showing everything is useful.

A few items have already sold (we had a spreadsheet sent around) but this will be the most up to date listing. If you’re interested in anything please email me at Bianca@tapdancingspiders.com.au. Pick up from Melbourne CBD is preferred. Otherwise postage is at cost. Cash payments or bank deposit. This is all below cost already so we can’t afford the PayPal account.

The MCDU t-shirts are very big. An extra small is about a ladies 12 or mens small. They’re a unisex cut.

$5 Goblet of Fire Analogue Watch (needs new battery but in box)

$5 Sirius 4” NECA Series 1 figure from Order of the Phoenix movie

$10 Sirius 7” NECA Series 1 figure from Order of the Phoenix movie

$5 Draco and the Malfoys first album

$2 Gryffindor bag tag (new but not in package)

$5 5 piece pencil case study kit from Chamber of Secrets

$5 Double layer pencil tin from Goblet of Fire

$2 Small Lego Knight Bus (assembled)

$5 MCDU Extra Small Beige T-Shirt

$5 MCDU Small Beige T-Shirt

$5 MCDU Large Beige T-Shirt

$5 MCDU Small Lime T-Shirt

$5 MCDU Medium Lime T-Shirt

$5 MCDU Large Lime T-Shirt

$1 “Hidden Danger in Harry Potter” small book by Steve Wohlberg (religion, anti-Harry Potter)

$5 “The Harry Potter Quiz Book”

$5 “Hogwarts or Hogwash” book by Peter Furst and Craig Heilmann (religion pro-Harry Potter)

$5 “Wizard! Harry Potter’s Brand Magic” marketing book by Stephen Brown

$5 “Magical Worlds of Harry Potter” book by David Colbert

$2 Plastic Brief Case from Chamber of Secrets

$5 A5 Hogwarts notebook

$5 MCDU Extra Small Lime T-Shirt

$10 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Book (US Paperback)