Recently in Social Media Category

I need to be more active on my blog. But in the interim, you can find me at these three social media sites:

• Facebook
• Google +
• Twitter

When I find interesting articles, I often post them on Facebook and Google +. Although I am not a frequent tweeter, I do post tweets about whatever I find interesting.

Lately, I haven't been commenting much on financial stuff because it has been risk on or risk off, depending upon what was happening in Europe. If, as it appears, that Europe is settling down, then I will begin commenting more.

Until recently, I ignored the whole social media thing. I just didn't want to bother having to keep another site active. Keeping my blog current was and is challenging enough. Much to my surprise, however, I found I enjoy Twitter.

So what's so special about Twitter? My answer is that it's fast and light. When I spot something interesting, I can quickly blast off a tweet, and I'm done. The vast majority of my tweets are simply articles that I have found interesting. Occasionally, I respond to someone else's question or concern. Oddly enough—at least to me—I actually read a substantial number of tweets from those that I follow. When I fire up TweetDeck, I scroll back in time and quickly review everyone's posts.

I follow an eclectic mix people. Most are related in some way to financial markets. Some are related to photography. A few are writers, and the rest are just a general assortment. Now that I am following more people than I can keep up with, I am reluctant to follow more. In fact, I probably should prune my list to reduce the noise level. For those that do want to follow me on Twitter, you can find add me @Stecyk. As mentioned, I am following enough people now, so I am unlikely to reciprocate.

Switching emphasis, I will provide a list of some of the recent articles that I highlighted in my tweets. Please note that Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and Barron's are all paid subscription sites. You might need to be a subscriber to see their articles. The New York Times requires a free registration.

• Financial Times Microsoft in free software assault on Google;
• The New York Times Exxon to Invest Millions to Make Fuel From Algae;
• The New York Times Updates to Google Voice;
• King World News Bill Fleckenstein podcast;
• King World News Jim Rogers podcast;
• The Wall Street Journal One Small Step for Man, One Giant Mess in the Spacecraft (be sure to view the Interactives;
• The New York Times Driven To Distraction: Drivers and Legislators Dismiss Cellphone Risks; and
• Barron's Gold Still Has That Glitter.

On 18 July 2009, I enjoyed a 50 kms (30 mi) bike ride through the Weaselhead Park area and onto Fish Creek Park. I was looking west when I took the picture above from a bridge in the Weaselhead area. If you click on the picture, you will be taken to Flickr where you can see more pictures.