Are you an online moderator?

Are you a moderator of a small or giant online group?

Here are some helpful references for you! Moderating can be a fulfilling task or it can be a tiresome chore. We hope these help you make your group site the best it can be!

http://www.10e20.com/blog/2009/04/30/social-networking-101-basic-tips-for-online-and-offline-social-networking/

http://www.theadminzone.com/

http://www.well.com/confteam/hosting.html

http://www.wikihow.com/Moderate-an-Online-Community

http://www.ojr.org/ojr/stories/050623mallasch/

And for fun, may we suggest a very funny book about life as an online moderator (you could replace the word vampire fan with your subculture site and I bet it rings just as true) Will the Vampire People Please Leave the Lobby? (True Adventures in Cult Fandom) (Paperback) from Amazon.com

Powerpoint - yes or no?

Thought you might like this article from the New York Times "We Have Met the Enemy and He Is PowerPoint".

In an article that Cat had to read for class (from the New Yorker "Twilight of the Books - What will life be like if people stop reading?") there was this paragraph:

"In a study published this year, experimenters varied the way that people took in a PowerPoint presentation about the country of Mali. Those who were allowed to read silently were more likely to agree with the statement “The presentation was interesting,” and those who read along with an audiovisual commentary were more likely to agree with the statement “I did not learn anything from this presentation.” The silent readers remembered more, too, a finding in line with a series of British studies in which people who read transcripts of television newscasts, political programs, advertisements, and science shows recalled more information than those who had watched the shows themselves.

Read more...

So the questions is - continue using Powerpoint, yes or no?

At Your Plan B Company we will work with what our clients need us to work with. (However, we would LOVE to stop using Powerpoint and try something new...how about you?)

new WordPress site! ridelawrence.com

WordPress is an easy to use from the design side to the user admin side. Especially for smaller sites (ones without the need of multiple level navigation). RideLawrence.com is just the example.

We worked with the team in Lawrence, KS to put together this site quickly and within their budget just in time for their event. With some additional items like a Facebook badge and Twitter, the fans have a home. And the client has a place to keep all the important information contained and current. The best thing is this site can grow as it needs to. If you are in the area, mark your calendar for next years event!

Do you need an easy to update website? Something that uses a content management system but is a small site? Check out WordPress or give us a call to brainstorm something for you! Call 773-665-2552

Cat's artwork mentioned in the Washington Post!

Lead Designer and artist, Catherine Larson (aka Cat) had a great show in D.C. this June. She was interviewed by the Washington Post! CONGRATS!

Show information: The 2010 International VSA Festival June 6-12, 2010

Here's the write up that includes a mention of her piece:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/21/AR2010062104099.html



And here's another article about the show.

What's next for Cat? We will keep you posted!

Where is JameyB when she isn't in the office?

Thought you might enjoy hearing what another one of us does in our free-time...

JameyB is the current President of the Beloit College Alumni Board. From speaking at Commencement, to event planning to assisting with campus issues and being an active participant at Homecoming/Reunion, she is happiest when working with the 15 member Alumni Board.



JameyB enjoys volunteering with her alma mater and is inspired by the students there today! And loves getting together with alum and parents of alum. There is just something special about Beloiters. On June 26th we celebrated the 3rd Annual International BRAG (Beloit Regional Alumni Gathering). Over 51 cities and 400+ participants got together world-wide. Chicago had 2 events, one in Roscoe Village and another in Wheaton. Chicago is one of the largest Alumni clusters, next to Beloit, WI.



But never fear, JameyB's love of the internet will keep her weaving web sites and learning all things about online marketing.

added functionality to a client site! welcome "the crosslight blog" at mwalliance.org

When we were working on the remodel for the MEEA website and converting it to a CMS (Drupal), ideas were brewing for a blog. Word came down that we could add a blog and whammo - - here it is!



The Crosslight blog features up-to-the-minute SSL updates 1-3x times a week.
It features:
- R&D and technology updates
- Interviews with industry leaders
- Info on activities in the region
- News flashes on any important announcements from DOE or others

And the client can manage posts, images and comments through the admin tool.

If you are interested in adding a blog to your site, give us a call to brainstorm the best route, name and maybe a logo design! Call 773-665-2552

Cat's Nine Year Anniversary with YPBCO

We are so lucky to have Cat on our team!
Her thoughtfulness, attention to detail and creativity is part of the Your Plan B Company success. Lead Designer for the award winning websites (GreatChicagoStories.com, HoosierGroveMuseum.com, ChicagoHistory.org/MyChicago, and KeeptotheCode.com) Not to forget her love of Spongebob (which tells you she has a great sense of humor)!

For fun, here is a photo of Cat back in 2001 as our intern.
(she is third from the left with the red scarf)


In this photo: Matt, Heidi, Cat, John, DavidB and JameyB

Thank you Cat for all that you do!
We look forward to many more projects with you!