Real Estate Zealot

At Inman Connect it's Brian Boero's Top 50 Sites For Productivity in 2008

Here is a link to the 50 tools-items-sites to make you more productive and successful in 2008

Brian Boero Is a Co-Founder of 1000 Watt Consulting.

50 Tools and Technologies to Help You Win in a Slow Housing Market (give us a post, we will send you the list)

BrokerIPTV  : We are at Inman Connect, New York city, 2008 and I am with Brain Boero. I am talking to Brain just stop giving the one on the key note speeches on 50 things you can do to increase your business, be more productive in 2008 for Real estate brokers, now it is just really concerned or my big question Brian that I want to our viewers is really it comes the 50 items, you went over... mostly were web related and so that is really a crux of it, what can brokers do in 2008 and 2009, really bring to stay in the business to survive?

Brian Boero: Well, you know to Inman Connect this still that largely stand I would say that the trust is that every thing you spend money on right now, in terms of marketing or technology, there is probably a cheaper or free solution out there and you ought to spend the time researching that. Second of all, I did mention some tools were cutting cost as a business person or people, we all know that we can market ourselves of a down market, we cant wish it away, but we do control our cost structure and brokers know this but, they often don't know how to make that happen. So the reality is the paperless transaction this year, there is no reason have a cubicle form office, there is no reason to have a paper based business and there are technologies out there in order to make that happen. So know thats really kind of the bottom line find cost take outs, cut cost. I also mention some blogs that I thought were great and if you do nothing else, you read thats sort of the first step to awareness, just jump in, probably going to understand, thinks it first, but you got to get your mind around this stuff.

BrokerIPTV  : Great Brian. And your company again? Brian Boero: 1000Wattconsulting.com .

BrokerIPTV  : Super, we appreciate your input. Brian Boero: Thank you Mark.

Apple Gets Slim

Apple Gets Slim

Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple announced at this weeks Macworld convention a laptop called the Macbook Air a super slim and light notebook.  Boasting a 13.3 inch screen, a full keyboard and a weight of less than 3 pounds, the Macbook Air is aimed at lightening the burden of Macbook enthusiasts.  This is touted to be the slimmest notebook  in the world, measuring less than an inch at its thickest point and can fit inside a manila envelope.    The Air will be available at the end of January.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/94618

 

BrokerIPTV January-February 2008 NewsReel

IPTV January 2008 NewsReel

 

Denver is 1 of Only 12 of the nations 50 Metropolitan areas have a high risk of price declines, according to the PMI Mortgage Insurance companys Winter 2008 Market Risk index.  This index is based on the 3rd quarter Office of Federal Housing Oversight data, and ranks the 50 largest metropolitan areas according to the likelihood in price declines. 12 of these metropolitan areas have a 1% or less risk of price declines.  Areas that had the highest price run-ups in recent years are at highest risk of price deterioration.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jan/16/metro-area-home-values-likely-hold/

 

If you lost a home to foreclosure last year or paid mortgage insurance premiums, there is some good news.  Congress enacted laws in late 2007 to allow deduction of some mortgage insurance premiums. This could amount to a tax break of up to $350. The foreclosure tax break applies to all taxpayers who were granted forgiveness of mortgage debt.  Previously, this amount was fully taxable and could have run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8U6GH5O0.htm

 

On the subprime mortgage crisis front, Bank of America has announced a deal where they will buy the troubled Countrywide Financial for $4.1 billion dollars.  This will make Bank of America the nations largest mortgage lender and will provide much needed relief to the largest independent mortgage banker.   While this acquisition is a major step in solving the mortgage meltdown, more failures and acquisitions are anticipated in the coming months.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22606833

 

Consumer Confidence showed a slight increase in December, according to the Conference Board.   Consumers also believe that there will be more jobs in the future and that their personal incomes will be higher in the coming months.  While these are bright spots, overall consumer sentiment seems to point to a slowing of the economy.  The Conference Board developed and reports monthly on consumer confidence, as well as the Leading Economic Indicators report, which is expected at the end of January.

http://www.conference-board.org/economics/consumerconfidence.cfm

 

First American Corporation, one of the largest national title insurers, announced plans to spin off its financial services business.  It also announced a 4th quarter loss, due mainly to costs from the California wildfires.  They also announced plans to aggressively manage employee costs, and are looking to move processing jobs to counties like India and the Phillipines.  Chief Financial Officer Frank MacMahon said that up to 40% of their workforce may be moved offshore.

http://www.reuters.com/article/bankingFinancial/idUSBNG6641820080115

 

In Technology news, Google has announced plans for expanding its offerings for the IPhone.  Google introduced access to mail, calendars, search, and Google Reader last month and unveiled additional enhancements that allow better navigation and easier user interface, using the iPhone touch screen.  Google gadgets are now available for the iPhone as well.  Google is moving forward with the Android mobile platform, and phones using this platform are expected later this year.

http://www.internetnews.com/wireless/article.php/3721541

 

A 40 hour laptop battery?  Researcher at Stanford Universitys Department of Materials Science and Engineering have found a way to give rechargeable lithium ion batteries  as much as 10 times more charge.  These batteries are used from everything from iPods to laptops.   A patent has been filed for the technology and negotiations

Inman's Real Estate Connect 2008

Broker IPTV and Real Estate Zealot at this year's Inman's Real Estate Connect 2008

Here it is New Years Eve and I am just itching to get to New York at the fantastic  New York Marriott Marquis Times Square.  I'm very excited to report that the Real Estate Zealot and Broker IPTV will be at this year's Inman Real Estate Connect conference this January 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th.  The quote below is out of context, but I feel it applies to the happenings at Inman.  Many of the people, concepts, ideas that are presented this year will trickle down to the uniformed masses at the National Association Conventions 2 to 3 years later!!!!

    "It happens every year, one way or another, and every year it gets weirder.  And wilder and darker         and more intense."

    Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

And so it goes at Inman Connect. So Just What is Inman Real Estate Connect?    

Well Inman Conncect  comes from the founder, Brad Inman. The show is about  education, exhibits, demonstrations and a trade hall within a intimate setting.  More importantly, no jewelry sales in the trade hall and most of the exhibitors are more progressive than typical Real Estate trade shows. While some critical bloggers claim to be too good to go and that it' about gimmicks and real estate suckers,   I feel the most important part are the people and the speakers. The brightest and sharpest in the industry.  Up to date and current topic-driven panels with real world hands on workshops will provide anyone who attends with the tools and techniques they need to compete in a rapidly changing real estate industry.

Why Should A Real Estate Business Person Attend Inman Connect?

 
Well, "birds of a feather flock together".  This is not your Dad's Realtor Convention!   I find that the caliber of attendees falls into the higher level of producers as well as top level leadership CIOs, CTOs, CEOs, etc.  New York Connect 2008 should  draw  1,200 to 1,400 real estate agents, top brokers, mortgage professionals, vendors,technology company CEOs, directors and managers, entrepreneurs, press, bloggers, analysts and investors from throughout the U.S. and around the globe. Broker IPTV will be there getting all the information, interviews and bleeding edge ideas.

People, Speakers, Concepts, Ideas and Strategies at Inman Connect:

So, safe to say you will be with the sharpest minds in the industry as they discuss current and conversational topics: real estate market conditions, real estate trends, market forecasts, interactive marketing, social media, Web 2.0, MLS, mapping technology, lead generation, blogging, user generated content, search engine marketing and search engine optimization, online video, paperless technology and more.

Topic Panelists include the top Bloggers and WEB 2.0 Social Misfits:

Rudy Bachraty, Co-Founder, Sellsius & Founder, Kiosk Realty

Kris Berg, Broker Associate, Prudential California Realty

Jeff Corbett, Author, The XBroker Blog

Dan Green, Chief Blogging Officer, Bring the Blog

Douglas Heddings, Senior Vice President, Prudential Douglas Elliman

Rachel Natalie Klein,  Founder, IntoTheBox.tv

Daniel Rothamel, Realtor, Strong Team REALTORS;  Blogger, RealEstateZebra.com

Mike Price, President, ML Broadcast

Lockhart Steele, Founder and Publisher, Curbed.com

Erik Hersman, Principal, Zungu LLC

Drew Meyers, Community  Relations Specialist, Zillow.com

Reggie Nicolay,  Regional Technology Director, Fidelity National & Author, MyTechOpinion.com

Brian Rothenberg, Product  Manager, Yahoo! Real Estate

Teresa Boardman, Realtor/Broker, Keller Williams Integrity Realty

Jay Thompson, Designated Broker, Thompson’s Realty

Brian Brady, Managing Director, Worldwide Credit Corporation

Dustin Luther, Founder, 4realz.net Consulting

If the above speakers are not enough to get you going in 2008, take a look at the list that Bard Inman has put together this year in New York.

Speakers-Moderators-Important Attendees

Rudy Bachraty, Co-Founder, Sellsius &  Founder, Kiosk Realty

Simon  Baker, CEO & Managing Director, REA Group

Jeffrey Bastress, President, Startpoint Realty

Kris Berg, Broker Associate, Prudential  California Realty

Teresa Boardman, Realtor/Broker, Keller Williams Integrity Realty

Kevin  Boer, Founder, 3 Oceans Real Estate Blog

Brian Brady, Managing Director, Worldwide Credit  Corporation

Joleen Brannigan, Chief Operating Officer, Grace  Hill

Frank Breithaupt, VP of Marketing, Affiliates  and Operations, Homescape

Chris Brown, Vice President Product Development,  Apartments.com

Joel  Burslem, Social Media Manager, Inman News

Jonathan Butler, Founder, Brownstoner Media, LLC

Louis Cammarosano, General Manager, HomeGain

David Cardwell, VP of Capital Markets &  Technology, National Multi Housing Council

Martin Carpenter, Broker, RE/MAX Realty Plus;  Chairperson, MLS PAG

David Charron, President & CEO, MRIS, Inc.

Shari Chase, CEO, President  & Founder, Chase International

Sherry  Chris, President & CEO, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate

Walt  Clark, Sr.  Vice President, Transaction Management Solutions, Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions

Renwick Congdon, Chief Executive Officer, IMPREV

Jeff Corbett, Author, The XBroker Blog

Matt Corgan, Director of Technology, HotPads

Marc  Davison, Partner, 1000Watt Consulting

Jason Doyle, Division Vice President, Homes.com

Jim Duncan, Realtor/Real  Estate Consultant, Real Central VA

Thomas  Evans, President & CEO, Bankrate, Inc.

Robert  Eychner, President, Eychner Associates; 2007 President, Manhattan MLS

Richard Ferrari, Senior Vice President,  Prudential Douglas Elliman

Dr. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist, First  American CoreLogic

Pete Flint, Co-Founder & CEO, Trulia

Wendy Forsythe, VP Broker Services & Product  Development, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate

Michael Fortinberry, President, CrossFire Sales  & Marketing Systems

Marty  Frame, Chief Information Officer, Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions

Lloyd  Frink, President, Zillow

Hector Gavilla, President, DiamondHomeVideos.com

Jamie Glenn, Vice President, Product Management, Trulia

Ilyce Glink, President, ThinkGlink, Inc., Syndicated Columnist

Matthew Goldstein, Chief Operating Officer,  LifeAt

Kate Good, Marketing Solutions Expert,  KateGood.com

Dan Green, Chief Blogging Officer, Bring the  Blog

Matthew  Haines, Founder & Chairman, PropertyShark.com

Bob Hale, President & CEO, Houston  Association of Realtors

Matt Heaton, Chief Executive Officer, ActiveRain

Douglas Heddings, Senior Vice President,  Prudential Douglas Elliman

Marc Helm, Chief Operating Officer, Reverse  Mortgage Solutions, Inc.

Dottie  Herman, President & CEO, Prudential Douglas Elliman

Erik Hersman, Principal, Zungu LLC

Edward Herson, Vice President, Halstead  Property, LLC

Glenn Houck, Co-Founder, LeadQual LLC

Bradley  Inman, Publisher, Inman News

Kenneth Jenny, CEO & Managing Director, tranCen.com, Inc.

Pat Kitano, Managing Principal, Domus Consulting  Group

Rachel Natalie Klein,  Founder, IntoTheBox.tv

Saul Klein, President & CEO, InternetCrusade

Brendon Kraham, National Sales Manager  Classifieds, Google

Brian N. Larson, Attorney  at Law; President of Larson/Sobotka Business Advisors, LLC

Don Lawby, President, Century 21 Canada

Mark Lefanowicz, President, E-LOAN

Corey Leong, Founder & President, Real Estate Metaverse Association

Mark  Lesswing, Sr. Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, National  Association of REALTORS

Pamela  Liebman, President & CEO, The Corcoran Group

Dustin Luther,  Founder, 4realz.net Consulting

Dave  Marron, Chief Executive Officer, SphereBuilder, LLC

Rob Massey, Jr., CPM, Founder of RentalHouses.com & Vice  President of Industry Development, Rentals.com

Drew Meyers, Community  Relations Specialist, Zillow.com

David Michonski, Chief Executive Officer,  Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy

Jonathan  Miller, EVP, Director of  Research, Radar Logic Inc., Co-Founder, Miller Samuel

Alex Montalenti, Co-founder & CMO,  SubmitYourListings.com

Heidi Mueller, Broker Associate, Prudential  California Realty

Oliver Muoto, Co-Founder & Vice President  Business Development, vFlyer

Carter Murdoch, Senior Vice President, Bank of  America

Vikki  Neil, Vice President, Real Estate, Frontdoor.com

Craig  Newmark, customer service rep & founder, craigslist.org

Reggie Nicolay, Regional Technology Director, Fidelity National &   Author, MyTechOpinion

Martin  Nisenholtz, Sr. VP, Digital Operations, The  New York Times Company

Cameron Paine, Chief Executive Officer,  Connecticut Multiple Listing Service, Inc.

Stan Ponte, President, Previews Marketing  Division, Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy

Mike Price, President, ML Broadcast

John Reinhardt, President & CEO, Fillmore  Real Estate

Barry  Ritholtz, Chief Market Strategist, Ritholtz Research & CEO; Director of  Equity Research, Fusion IQ

Greg Robertson, Executive Vice President, Sales  & Marketing, eNeighborhoods

Alison Rogers, Author & Inman News Columnist

Noah  Rosenblatt, Founder, UrbanDigs.com; Licensed RE Salesperson, Citi-Habitats

Laurence Rosenberg, President, Rent-Direct.com

Dan Rothamel, Realtor, Strong Team REALTORS; Blogger, RealEstateZebra.com

Brian Rothenberg, Product Manager, Yahoo! Real  Estate

Professor Nouriel Roubini, Co-Founder & Chairman of RGE  Monitor; Professor of Economics, New York University’s Stern School of Business

Kaira Sturdivant  Rouda, President, Real Living

Rupi Rupwani, Owner/Broker, Rupwani Associates; Director, Connecticut  MLS

Michael  Santoli, Associate Editor, Barron's, Dow Jones & Company

Sam Sebastian, Director, Classifieds and Local, Google, Inc.

Rick Sharga, Vice President of Marketing, RealtyTrac

Dr.  Michael Shermer, Founding Publisher, Skeptic Magazine & Executive Director, Skeptics Society

John Sherrod, Director of SEO/Emerging Technologies, Rentals.com

Ryan Slack, Chief Executive Officer, PropertyShark.com

Lori Snider, Principal, Creativity for Rent

Andrew Ross Sorkin, Assistant Editor, Business &  Finance, Chief Mergers & Acquisitions Reporter, The New York Times

Steve Sorti, Senior Vice President of Marketing,  Fox & Roach/Trident

Steve  Spinola, President, Real Estate Board of New York

Celeste Starchild, Vice President Broker Sales,  ListHub: Broker Division  of Threewide

Anne St. Dennis, Manager, Industry Relations, Strategic Communications & Legal Affairs, Greater Montreal Real Estate Board

Lockhart  Steele, Founder & Publisher, Curbed.com

Christian Sterner, CEO & Founder,  Wellcomemat

Patrick F. Stone, Chairman, The Stone Group

Jessica Swesey, Vice President of Content, Inman  News

Jay Thompson, Designated Broker, Thompson’s  Realty

Frances Flynn Thorsen, Managing Editor, RealTown.com

Greg Tracy, Founder/Realtor, Blueroof.com

Lisa Trosien, President, Apartmentexpert.com

Carey Tufts, Director of Marketing, Point2

Jon Tull, President, Lead2Lease

Jeff Turner, President, RealEstateShows.com

John H. Vogel Jr., Permanent Adjunct Professor,  Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

Becca Wilson, President, Spherexx.com

Brian Wilson, Founder, Zolve

Marilyn  Wilson, Founding Partner, WAV Group

Michael Wurzer, President & CEO, FBS Data  Systems

Michael  Yang, General Manager, Yahoo! Real Estate

Charlie  Young, Chief Operating Officer, Coldwell Banker Real Estate

See ya there!

Are you gearing up for Gen Y Real Estate Business

Are you gearing up for Gen Y business?  My past experience and what they are up to today, tells me that this is a whole new breed.

I know they are gearing up for me.  I was born at the tail end of  the Baby Boomer age, 1961. Baby boomer's are people born between 1946 and 1963. So I am a pre-xer.  I still use email, go figure.

A good gen "Y" friend of mine Scott Shields with Metro Brokers sent me this post from CNN. Yep a 17 year old and a group of "Y" collaborators from across the world hacked the iPhone.  Take that, Steve jobs, boomer man!

Generation Y.  They're tech savvy, they're confident, they're spenders, they're everywhere! Generation Y — those born from 1982 to 2000.  They are more demanding and more savvy than they feel they're given credit for.  In some instances, they think they know more than the person selling them something.

If you think blogging, myspace, texting and the such is not your bag tea...maybe getting your SRES®, Senior Real Estate Specialist,  is the best move. 

All Media is moving to the palm of your hand and that includes real estate.

If you are interested in Local Real Estate in and around Parker, Colorado, then give Mark a call at 800.598.2083.  If you like his posts and readings, please subscribe to the www.RealEstateZealot.com.  Feel Free to Search homes on Colorado's Number One Map Based Search Portal www.1StopColorado.com

Making Localism Come Alive For Under $100

Web 2.0 Video Cowboy

The new web 2.0 world of real estate and blogging requires having lots of video on posts.  But it seems from most of the real estate broker posts I see, brokers seem to be stuck on writing about the common (all about themselves) real estate things like how great they are, years in the business, the best service  and how many years their company has been around! I think people would like seeing the broker in video participating in local area activities.  Actions speak louder than words. When it comes to blogging, people are starving for video.  They want to see what it's like to live in the areas they have interest in. They want to see schools, resteraunts, streets with pot-holes, kid's baseball games and interviews with local politicians.  How about some video on the real custom features of the home.

Finding The Simple Solution

There is no question that the "must have" tool real estate brokers will have at their side is a small video camcorder. To that end, we have been testing video camcorders and video editing software for use by real estate bloggers.  We had a few simple rules...bullet proof, idiot proof, practicle. The editing software had to be web based and simple to use.  Multitudes of features are nothing if they are not used. Since it is quite common that most tools in the real estate software and hardware world are used at about 10% of their real design capacity, we opted for simple. We want people to use them and get their film on the web. Our total Budget, $100.00 or less.

RCA Small Wonder is the Video Solution

We tested numerous camcorders.  However, keeping our price point at the $100 and below was a challenge.  The RCA EZ101 seemed to rise to the top. This simple, wonderfully easy to use camcorder worked great. With a price-point of  $75.00 on Froogle,  it just can't be beat.  You could also go with the EZ105 priced at $105.00, which is also a great deal and you get a full 60 minutes of video.  Also, coming in May of 2007 is the EZ201, you can look at this RCA Small Wonder link and check out it's features. This unit is priced at  $120.00 .  Same simplicity, but a movable LCD screen and the additional memory card can give you to 5 hours of video!   Regardless of the sub $150.00 price range, the RCA EZ shoot camcorder is one of the most easy-to-use electronic devices I have ever used. With only 6 buttons (on/off, play, delete, zoom in/out, backward/forward, and stop/pause) one is able to digitally record and save events with the greatest of ease. Very little instructional material is packaged with this device because it is simply not needed. Coming complete with batteries, I was able to start recording immediately out-of-the-box. For the price and convenience, this Point and Shoot camcorder simply cannot be beat. There are two drawbacks to the EZ101 device: memory and image quality. With only 512MB of unexpandable memory, the device only stores 30 minutes of footage. However, downloading footage to your PC or laptop is incredibly easy as the device has a built-in USB port that connects directly with no additional cabling needed. After downloading footage to computer, the memory can be cleared from the device and recording can resume. Image quality is decent but not like HD.   The EZ105 has up to 1 hour and the EZ201...5 hours.  By the way, the only software you need is loaded in the camera. It plugs and plays right through any USB port.  Like the camera, the software makes getting your video a brainless, painless procedure!  So, no software to load and we tested it on a vista box..no problem.

Jumpcut: Great Web Based Editing Solution

Shooting the video is the easy and fun part. Just like catching fish is fun, someone's got to clean them.  Video editing is like cleaning fish.   The choice of video editing software is vast.   Most of the  camcorders, including the EZ Shoot camcorder, comes with basic editing or movie making software.  However,  it is very limited .  Our original goal was to stick with a web based editing  solution and keep it all under $100.  So basically, we were looking for free.  Thank God for Yahoo and their gobs of money. Combine that with their wantingness to keep up with Google's YouTube acquisition and you have, Jumpcut!  Jumpcut was a great aquisition for yahoo, and its a great web based, simple to use and powerful video editing and publishing software. The best place to create, remix and share movies and slideshows online. There's nothing else like it. Jumpcut Makes Movies, Simple.  The cost is free and your media can be posted up on Jumpcut  as well as YouTube and embedded your blog post.

The video above was shot, uploaded and edited in a matter of minutes using the EZ101 and Jumpcut.

If you enjoyed this article, please subscribe to my Blog at www.realestatezealot.com or give me a call at 800.598.2083 or skype me at IM: markeibner. If you are interested in Local Real Estate in and around Parker, Colorado, then give mark a call at 800.598.2083. 

If you like his posts and readings, please subscribe to the www.RealEstateZealot.com.  Feel Free to Search homes on Colorado's Number One Map Based Search Portal www.1StopColorado.com

The Bear Is Just Running Too FAST!

Take the time to watch this stream (10 minutes), there's no way I can explain it. This is from the Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) conference last year. It's a demonstration of new computer-interface technology that will be coming your way soon. Remember, this video is ONE YEAR OLD!  (the new screens must be far superior)

I relate the competitiveness of technlogy to the story of a bear chasing a group of hikers.  You do not need to be faster than the bear, you need only be faster than your fellow hikers.  But I am starting to think that running from the bear is at a whole new level. It's almost alien like as to what some people are creating in new technologies.  These are smart people beyond what any normal person can even comprehend. 

The above demonstration was done by thirtysomething Jeff Han, a research scientist For New York University's Courant Institute Of Mathematical Sciences. This was the first public demonstration of a touch-driven computer screen using a 100% intuitive, free form user interface.  The screen responds to multiple levels of fingertip pressure and body heat. 

The simplicity, elegance and  just plain freaky user interface has allowed Han to found Perceptive Pixel to develop his touch screen technology further, and he has already shipped touch screens to the military. 

So what does this mean to people in the real estate industry? I have been saying for quite some time that real estate and our industry will be changed by outsiders.  That I am certain of without any hesitation (it already is).  Unfortunately,  most big Real estate companies do not have R & D departments and great futuristic thinkers.  I watch this stream and then think of the fact that my own Multiple Listing Service won't allow or can't accommodate web service uploads from other databases!  My God, we live in a world of databases.

You cannot ever, ever rest on what you have done in the past in this business anymore. Innovation is now running at a break neck speed and it's time to really asses your entire business plan and business strategic vision.  Now is the time to read more, learn more and take any type of class in regards to business and technology.  Here is the new reality, today's successful real estate broker will now need to really run a business.

In regards to outrunning the bear, another survival trick in a bear attack is to never throw off your backpack.  It protects you from the heavy bite and claws of the bear!  We are being attacked by bears daily in this industry.  Use knowledge, technology, and professionalism as your backpack, and you will surely survive!   

Google Maps On Your Phone-PPC

The coolest thing about technology is that you never, ever know everything.  Well, I thought I knew everything about my Pocket PC, 6700 Smartphone...but I did not know that you could download Google Maps for Mobile devices.  I was not able to get the Microsoft Live  Maps  program to  download to my storage card, so I was unable to compare the two.  This is a great read on MS Live  vs. Google on phones. Google has made some great improvements since this article.

Take a look at some of these features below.  Using my EVDO broadband on my sprint phone provided ultra fast results...in fact, I was blown away.  Short of having a personal GPS....this is the next level.   Once again it's free and it's powerful. This is a very usable and use full tool.

Real-time traffic — See where the congestion is, and estimate delays in over 30 major US metropolitan areas. (Denver is in the 30 Major cities)

Detailed directions — Whether you plan to walk or drive, your route is displayed on the map itself, together with step-by-step directions.

Integrated search results — Local business locations and contact information appear all in one place, integrated on your map.

Easily movable maps — Interactive maps let you zoom in or out, and move in all directions so you can orient yourself visually.

Satellite imagery — Get a bird's eye view of your desired location. (It's like you're there, we swear.)

Favorite places and routes - Save time (and avoid sore thumbs) by keeping a list of residential or business locations, and driving routes.

Just specify a location which can be a city, ZIP code, contact's address, a person’s name or just a spot on a map, then type in a search term: a name, a business category, an activity, or whatever. Choose "pizza," for instance, to find all the pizza joints near your location. Choose one and you can get driving directions, see it on a map, add it to your contacts, send it as an SMS, or even call it directly with a quick click and call.

Combining directions, maps, and satellite imagery, Google Maps is a lets you find local hangouts and businesses across town or across the country right from your phone. Detailed directions! Whether you plan to walk or drive, your route is displayed on the map itself, together with step-by-step directions. Local business locations, search geo-coordinates and contact information appear all in one place. It also has full GPS integration to show where you are on the map!  WOW.  Google has some smart people!

Just go to  http://www.google.com/gmm/   on your mobile device (PPC-TREO-BlackBerry)and download the file.  It's a 556 KB file, so you will have to have a storage card to install the program.

Net Neutrality and Big Brother

Save the Internet | Rock the Vote

Net Neutraily.  Why  am I writing on this now...well, this item will not go away and this time around you can be ready.  Big- Big -Big corperate money has been getting geared up to pay their political friends lots of cash.  Most all other small business people are far more informed than the general Real Estate business people.  So plant this article in your head and do some research as we need your efforts to defeat this.  The above media from foureyedmonstors is a great educational peice to watch.  The two attached links below the vidieo can help you read more about it and provide support.

If you're not familiar with Net neutrality, here's two bit version. Net neutrality according to Tim Wu (in this Wikipedia link) is a "maximally useful public information network [that] aspires to treat all content, sites, and platforms equally."

Legal and regulatory decisions have created the framework for broadband providers to seriously degrade or deny your company’s ability or you as a person to reach your customers over the Internet.

Here's the bottom line, once you establish downstream tollgates or gatekeepers, you instantly create a playing field that favours the network operators (that enforce and collect these fees) and companies that can afford to pay them. What happens to everyone else who can't afford - or refuses - to pay? What happens to innovation?  I don’t want my internet service provider telling me who I can and cannot connect to, or that this content is more important than that content.  So if Real Estate Company A pays a higher teired access fee than Real Estate company B....they recieve better placement or higher speed for their site...or maybe Real Estate Company B is not even allowed in the pipe!

Now, I am in full support of network neutrality. But so far, this has been handled through self-regulation of the Internet, and not government intervention, and in general, I prefer keeping the government out of this.  But on the other hand, they are already involved in every part of our lives. So maybe a "Net Neutral Law" is needed.  The law needs to be geared so that the playing field is LEVEL.

Some people will argue that this whole net neutrality thing is more about prioritizing data packets and QOS over the internet. I say, it's just a cover.  Here's an example.  You have Comcast for your internet access and Vonage for your VOIP phone service. Can Comcast give better quality VOIP phone service to thier customers than the quality of sevice than they give to Vonage VOIP phone service users? What if Vonage is charged " DOWNSTREAM INTERNET ACCESS FEES" by Comcast, so that to use Vonge will cost you more. Hmmmm.

Lack of network neutrality isn’t really a problem today, it’s a proposed problem of the future. Will it become one as broadband providers get more ingrained into homes in the future?   Well, just take look at EVERY OTHER MAJOR FORM OF MEDIA!

http://www.technologyevangelist.com/2006/12/dueling_network_neut.html

The above link is a post from Ed Kohler, Technology Evangelist, it has several vids from both sides and some great words of wisdom, thank you ED!!!

Always get the phone replacement policy....never a down moment! Sprint is excellent