Occasionally we here at CRT mess around with tech that catches our eye because it looks fun. This is the result of one of those investigations.
Behold the CRT RSS screensaver!
Download
*Sorry, only for Windows.
Join Zillow’s COO, Spencer Rascoff, in understanding how the Informed Internet Consumer is always changing, and explore best practices to working with them.
Watch Shannon Williams-King discuss tools and tactics to make your mobile office, more mobile and more productive
I like the Twitter List Widget – EOM
That is CRT making sure the leaders of the YPN are well proTechted. In the following days, we will recap the sessions that were streamed live. All the presentation can be found here:
Business Tech: Office in the Cloud
Defining the Social Me – Dustin Luther (4Realz)
Google Voice – Keith garner (NAR)
Smart Phones Port desai (NAR)
Understanding the Internet Consumer Spencer Rascoff (Zillow)
Real Estate Road Warrior Shannon Williams-King (Tribella)
75 Useful Website Tina Merritt (Long and Foster)
hmmm….why wasn’t CRT listed? Tina?
The history of the Internet is a story of inverse proportion; as technology accelerates, the barriers to it—both monetary and technological—shrink. During one of my CRT presentations (Digitally Expose Yourself), I lead off by asking “Who has been using email since 1971?” Only once has someone raised their hand. And while you may be wondering who would be naive enough to think that they could have been emailing since then, the lore of the Internet traces the first use of email back to the summer of 1971. So now, I ask you, ‘Why weren’t you using email back then, or even in 1991?’
I lead off with that example because it clearly demonstrates what I’m discussing: technically, there was nothing to prevent people from sending email back in 1971. If you look at a timeline of the internet[1] you can see that many of the services that we take for granted today and which we often perceive as only a couple of years old have actually been around for quite some time. Many times, a “new” technology merely refers to an old technology with a new label, a sign that it has reached the mainstream. But because technology takes some time to enter the mainstream, most people either aren’t aware of what’s possible or consider the cost too unreasonable.
Continue reading ‘Technology: Inversely Proportionate to Your Wallet’
The 2009 REALTORS® Conference & Expo is upon us. If you’ll be one of the real estate professionals attending, don’t miss the information packed sessions & tech resources CRT is offering.
CRT WiFi Hotspot
In the Hyatt’s Manchester Foyer
Starting Wednesday evening, November 11 thru Monday 2pm, November 16
Bring your laptop & stay connected to your home and the office. While you are at the CRT WiFi Hotspot, don’t forget to check out the MS Surface. Interacting with a multi-touch system has never been so much fun!
Bloggers’ Lounge
In the San Diego Convention Center, Room 7B, Upper Level.
Stop by with your laptop and catch up on all your social media to-do’s.
Re-Charge Stations
Running low on battery and need to quickly recharge your mobile device?
Re-charge stations are available in the CRT WiFi Hotspot (in the Hyatt) and in the Marriott’s West Lobby Lounge, North Tower.
Peer-to-Peer Skillshops
In Bloggers’ Lounge, Convention Center, Room 7B
This is your chance to hear more about the latest tech trends: from smartphones to web tools to WordPress to social media updates. Join us for these interactive sessions on Friday, Nov 13 from 1:30pm-3pm and Saturday, Nov 14 from 10:30am – Noon.
CRT Ed Sessions
All CRT ed sessions are being held in the Convention Center.
If technology is your passion, don’t miss our CRT sessions. You’ll learn more about digital media, road warrior tips & must-haves, RETS, MLS, VoIP, internet security breaches, social media, and ‘the Cloud’.
Chance to Win the Real Estate Road Warrior Challenge Kit!
Interested in winning a kit that includes an iPod Nano (with video recording feature), a netbook, a digital camera, a hand-size projector, and more? To participate in the Real Estate Road Warrior Challenge 2009, pick up your game piece at the Bloggers’ Lounge, CRT WiFi Hotspot, or download it online at: http://www.crt.realtors.org/cms/promotion/annual/2009/gameboard
Get Conference Info on Your Smartphone
After a quick download, you’ll be able to find the session, speaker, and hotel info you need in San Diego.
CRT is excited to announce the partnership with the Regional MLS of Minnesota and LiveValuation in the creation of a free/open source MLS Appraisal Tool. More details in the press release.
These days, it seems like I can’t go anywhere without hearing about Windows 7. With that in mind, let’s take a brief look at why everyone seems to be completely enamored by the software. For Windows Vista users, the change is pretty gradual. Windows 7 borrows many of the user interface enhancements that were first introduced in Vista. For XP users, however, the change is dramatic. Speaking as a lifelong Windows user, I can say that like many, I avoided Windows Vista due to the negativity surrounding it. Since making the jump from XP way back in January (when the public beta became available) I can’t imagine going back to XP mainly due to the advancements in the user interface.
If you haven’t already heard about the new features and changes in Microsoft’s latest operating system, here’s a brief rundown:
Taskbar
The taskbar in Windows 7 makes a significant leap forward. The main difference is that rather than displaying a long, rectangular box with your open programs, Windows 7 displays program icons. Using icons takes up much less space and allows you to see exactly what you have running at any given time. Additionally, there is a small rectangle at the end of the taskbar that when clicked, will minimize all open programs and display your desktop.
Pins
With pins, you can now add any program to your taskbar. Add your most commonly used programs and you can have easy access to them even when you’re not looking at your desktop. To pin a program to your taskbar, simply drag the desktop icon to your taskbar, or right click and select pin to taskbar.
Jump Lists
From the taskbar, you can now perform multiple tasks within your programs before even opening them. Simply click an icon on your taskbar and drag up to view that program’s jump list. Combine jump lists with pins and you have quick and easy access to functions within your programs. Previously, some of the jump list functions would require you to open a program, wait for it to load, and then dig through the menus to find the correct action.
Aero Peek
Aero peek is one of my favorite features in Windows 7. Simply moving your mouse over any open program on your taskbar will display a preview box above that icon. Within that preview box, you will see a miniaturized display of that program. I have found this to be especially useful when running multiple instances of the same program.
Aero Shake
Aero shake is a quick way to clear away all of the clutter on your screen. When you want to view one program and minimize all the other windows, grab the program title bar with your mouse, and move it quickly left and right. This will automatically minimize all other open programs while leaving your selected window open. Performing the shake action a second time, will restore your other programs.
Aero Snap
Aero snap is another one of my personal favorite functions. It allows you to resize your open applications much more easily than dragging a corner to the size you want. Simply drag the program title bar to the top of the screen and it will automatically maximize the window. Also, you can multitask by dragging the title bar to the side of your screen. This will maximize the open program on exactly half of your screen, allowing easy side by side viewing.
These are just some of the many new features in Windows 7. As you can probably tell, Windows 7 is all about making your computing experience easier. The new features allow you to do what you want to do on your computer, in the way you’re used to doing it (Vista and XP users), only faster. It may take some time to get used to the new features but once you do, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
For more information and in depth reviews of Windows 7 follow these links:
Official Microsoft Windows 7 Page
OK – I know this is upwards of two months out from Part I — There has just been so much amazing things going on with Conference around the corner. However, I am keeping to my word, and giving you the techie details about creating a Selective Tweet feed directly into your Facebook Profile or Page.
Continue reading ‘Feeding the Social Media Beast – Part II: The Setup’
