The Network Writing Mom

Have you heard of the new tool, Google Friend Connect? At first, I didn’t really understand the versatility of this widget. The Google Friend Connect, or GFC, is a widget that creates a mini social network on your blog or website. As visitors find your page, they’ll join and be able to chat with other members of your site.

As the site owner, you can customize the widget to fit your blog or site. It’s very simple to install – Google has a guide to help you choose the correct code. 

Visitors join Google Friend Connect by signing on with a one log-in profile (such as an account through Google, AOL, etc.). Members won’t have to set-up a profile for every site that uses GFC – they’ll be able to join quickly, just by using one main profile that works across the internet. As members join new sites, those places are added to their profile. Members can invite their friends to join sites, thereby creating a growing base of contacts to each site. 

Once you join Google Friend Connect, you can discover new sites by clicking on someone’s “head” or profile photo. You’ll see all the sites they belong to, which connect to GFC, and you can join those sites and blogs. It’s great to find other niche sites or discover blogs you may not otherwise know.

I joined Events Listed’s GFC. I enjoy visiting with friends and having instant connections across any site using GFC. Once I had set-up my profile, I only need to hit ‘join this site’ whenever I find a new site using GFC.  I also enjoy exploring sites off my usual topics, and I’ve found great places through my GFC contacts.

Website owners will enjoy a mini social network on their site.  Their site will grow through their members’ interactions and invitations to others. It’s a simple installation with code that you copy and paste. Non-techie people won’t have a problem adding GFC to their site.

It looks like a win-win situation for both website owners and visitors. Here is a video that explains it in better detail. There is huge value in GFC. 

Google Friend Connect 

Let me know what you think. Are you using it on your site? Do you enjoy it as a member?

My mind’s been juggling a lot of topics lately.  My main focus has been on  Earth Day, April 22nd. I’ve always been an eco-friendly person, but not heavily involved in the past. What’s that mean? I do little things, like I:

• recycle when I can, 
• care about our environment, 
• pick up trash rather than litter the ground, 
• reduce driving to conserve toxins, 
• support companies that use reduced packaging for their products 
• use canvass bags for grocery shopping (trying to remember to bring them on every trip) 

I do not drive a hybrid car, live in sustainable housing, nor talk about Earth on a daily basis. BUT, in doing research for Earth Day, my focus turned into a profound Ah-Ha moment, where I realized not only I could do more but it was my responsibility to do more. 

I joined a socially conscious group, Social Traffic, Inc., which is hosting Earth Day Birthday, a global party uniting events and participants from around the world. I’m meeting friends who are sharing their green tips, and I’m excited about my part in saving the Earth. We only have one Earth, so we can’t continue to misuse and abuse it.

We thought we should bring Mother Earth a gift; after all, she gives us so much every day. Supporters have been saving $10 to donate to their favorite Earth Day organization. I know, we’ve been suffering through a bad economy, so $10 for Earth may be a low priority. Our team members made videos on how easy it is to save $10. I made my first video and uploaded it to YouTube, another first. I had fun making the video.

 Easy Way to Save $10 for Earthday Birthday 

There are so many ways to participate in Earth Day. Individuals can make a difference, but imagine what impact we’ll have when we stand together! Join us, at Earth Day Birthday, for the biggest birthday party that Mother Earth Has Ever Seen.

What would make a world of difference in your life? What could you do to make a difference in the world?

From time to time, it’s good to reflect on the meaning of your life: deciding if your path is congruent to your values and adopting changes, like adding activities that truly will make a difference. One way to meet your goals is to compare your values with your actions. It’s similar to the quote “putting your money where your mouth is”, in the sense that what you talk about should be what you’re actively pursuing. What do you talk about? How do you spend your time?

Those have been my thoughts lately, and I’ve found a group of people who are making a world of difference. The group, Social Traffic, Inc., is a group of passionate people working together toward a common goal. Our first goal is making a difference in our world through a global Earthday Birthday celebration. We’re uniting Earth Day events and activities from all over the world. We’re committed to giving back to our Earth, for all that she provides us. Our current challenge is to find $10 that we’d normally spend on possible non-earth friendly activities and save the money to give back to Earth. Doesn’t that sound fun? We’ve come up with lots of ways to save $10: switching to lower cost personal products, turning off the radio, using natural resources,  showering less, and showering with a friend (yes, a fun alternative).

For those who’d like other ways to get involved with Earth Day Birthday, here’s the link to The Social Traffic, Inc. blog:

Social Traffic, Inc. – It’s Your Party: Care If You Want To

Here are some great videos on our Earth Day activities:

Earth Day Birthday: YouTube Videos

I’m starting lenses on my Earth Day activities, as well as connecting with friends who are passionate about environmental friendly activities. If you’re a ‘go green’ friend, please leave me a note – I’d love to talk to you.

Best,

Jennifer

JMA.EDBD