New Social Network That Pays

Alright, so how about this for a concept?

A social network is created and is built around paying its users for the activity they generate on the website. They make money from advertising, and advertisers spend money for all the users they're reaching and the clicking around that they're doing, so why not share that ad revenue with the users at the end of the day? I think they're on to something here.

What company is doing this? Well, it's called Yuwie, and the growth it's experiencing right now is phenomenal, considering it just launched back in May and it's still in beta.

Check out the cool videos explaining how it works, then sign up and try it for yourself. If you sign up after clicking on that link then you will automatically be added as my friend. Visit www.justyuwie.com to check it out.

There is much more to come regarding this social network, and you can only expect good things!

Reactivating the Knoxville Carolina Club

Since I've recently moved to Knoxville, I attempted to contact the acting chair of the Knoxville Carolina Club to get more details. Unfortunately, the local Carolina alumni club for Knoxville has faded and is no longer active.

So, I took it upon myself to reactivate the Knoxville Carolina Club, and hope to make it as successful as ever. We've officially come out of dormancy with myself at the helm, but it may take a little time to build up a strong foundation of members and start planning some nice events in the area. I will post updates here on my/our progress!

"24" will be back!

As the season six finale of Fox's 24 approaches, it's been announced that the show will be back for two more seasons through 2009. To me, and countless others, this is great news. I was having doubts that the show would be back, but now I can relax. Considering this is the only TV show I watch regularly, I'm a pretty happy camper. The 24 website has more if you're interested in the series.

New Company, New City

In the month since my last post, I have started full time with a web hosting company called Slamdot, and, as of this past Monday, I have moved to Knoxville, TN, because of it. I'm excited about the opportunity and the new city.

I hope this new career in technology and the Internet will allow me to post more regularly than I have been. Any ideas on how to get into the habit of consistent posting would be appreciated, as I'm still very new to the scene.

Loyalty Done Right At Sprint-Nextel

When I called recently to take advantage of a special 15% discount on my Sprint-Nextel bill, I also found that I was eligible for an automatic 10% discount on my monthly bill and a $150 credit towards a new phone just for being a loyal customer!

Sweet deal to me. I've had great service and support since I've been with them, and I definitely need a new phone, so now I can keep them for a while longer and get 10% off my regular monthly bill, and finally upgrade from my 2003 phone (yikes!).

Voicemail to Text with SimulScribe

As I was reading the latest print version of Business 2.0, I jumped back in amazement as I read about SimulScribe, which takes voicemails and turns them into text, in "The Next Net 25" feature. Ok, I didn't "jump back" (does anyone literally do that?), but I did have a "HOLY COW!" moment. The reason? I had thought of this idea exactly one year ago; I even remember it was this day, March 10, because I was out watching the ACC basketball tournament that night when I thought about it.

That evening, I had received a hilarous voicemail from a friend of mine, and thought, wouldn't it be cool to save priceless voicemail messages in a text format, as a sort of keepsake? It was more of a B2C idea than B2B. When I got home I jotted it down as one of my [only] "million-dollar ideas." Sure enough, this company is getting $5 million in funding for the idea and the business they've developed around it. Congrats to the founders, James Siminoff and Mark Dillon, as well as Jess Wachtel. Good luck guys!

NCAA March Madness On Demand is Back!

Yep, when I checked my email this morning I had a message from NCAAsports.com with the same title above, "NCAA March Madness On Demand Is Back For 2007!" You can't even guess how excited I was. That means I can watch all the other NCAA basketball tournament games outside of my viewing area again, online, for FREE! If you're bewildered at this point, check out the March Madness On Demand post from last year. It'll explain my hype.

So, now I can get my VIP pass to have faster access to the games. What a great feeling to be "ahead of the game," so to speak - no pun intended. I'm so glad I signed up to receive their email notification. This proves that there are some emails worth opting in for, if the interest is right up your alley.

Go Heels!

Organizing My Life, One File at a Time

A file cabinet. Four drawers, two of which lock, and hanging folder rails. That's what I asked for at Christmas - and I got it! Only I, of all people, would be excited to get a file cabinet for Christmas. Most people were getting new cell phones, iPods and plasma TV's, but I was asking for an upgrade from my two-drawer file cabinet. It was getting so full!

So why the joy? Well, I tend to be very organized and neat, even when I'm not; my messes are organized. That's why I love the show Monk on USA. I don't have all those issues, but definitely the one about certain things being unorganized or out-of-place.

I'm always trying to organize my life better, whether it's files, emails and feeds on my computer, or bills, important documents, or to-do lists in my office. Even clothes in the bedroom, and toiletries in the bathroom. Or food and kitchen items. Thus, the additional filing cabinet will give me much more space to keep my financial and other personal documents organized, one file at a time.

Here's to organization and the neverending journey towards ultimate efficiency. What are ways you stay organized, whether it's at home, in the office or anywhere else in the world?

Back Posting Again

Unfortunately, I've been on a blogging hiatus since October, but have returned in hopes never to abandon it again - at least not for such a long period of time. Heck, we've been through four major holidays since I last posted: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.

Oh well, at least I'm back at it. Cheers!