Over A Year Later We Revisit Google+ Google Circles

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Back on August 23, 2011 I wrote that I thought Google Circles and Google plus were probably not going to take off the way some folks were predicting-

GMG Tech Talk- Google Plus, Google Circles

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Joey C

How many of you are actually using these services?

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When they first appeared around what seems like a couple of weeks ago lots of people were signing up and tech media were predicting that it was going to turn Facebook on it’s ear. ahem (Paul Morrison).

The numbers of people were signing up for the services were enormous as there are already a ton of people who use and trust Google products to begin with.   So the growth was probably from people saying sure, what the hell, I’ll give it a try and with the sheer number of Google users to begin with those numbers of new accounts when reported in the media are staggering.

Well Google products have a long history of success and I use many of them daily. Gmail, Google Calendar, Documents, Google Music and Google Listen among a few I use most every day.  There have been a few misses with products that may have been a little ahead of it’s time or too smart to catch on universally.  Among one that comes to mind was the collaborative tool Google Wave which promised real time online collaborations.  I used it once or twice and it was interesting but not enough folks caught on.  Kenny and I edit our podcast shownotes in Google docs sometimes simultaneously and Google Docs seems like it took a lot of things from Google wave and integrated them.

As tech savvy as I consider myself I still can’t get the hang of circles.  It may be just a little too slick and I just don’t have the energy to figure it all out right now.  So my intuition tells me that if I can’t figure it out in a snap that most grandmothers will say fuck it and not bother.  This is a huge difference between Facebook and Google Circles.  Facebook seems just super easy peasy lemon squeazy whereas Google Circles seems like people really need to sort a whole bunch of stuff out to make it manageable.

Google +?  I’ve clicked on that +1 button on a bunch of different sites including this one when there are things that I find interesting and I figure it will share that somewhere but I’ve yet to figure out where that +1 button is visible or who gets to see the post or page that I find interesting enough to click the +1 button for.  Again, I consider myself pretty much a 9.5 on the scale from 1-10 on the tech geek scale so for me not to understand it gives me a strong sense that a good majority of people don’t understand it either.

Maybe once my season slows down and once the winter doldrums set in I’ll have time to get more into it but I’m just not sure the masses will and isn’t that what Google wants to capture with it’s products-  the masses?

Now over a year later I see a few hard core geeks (and I say that in the most complimentary way) ahem Paul Morrison, are using these services and it hasn’t made a tiny nick in the armor that is Facebook from what I can tell. 

It’s rare that I use either of the two, how bout you?  Do you still use Google Circles or Google+?  Do you think it will stay as part of the Google ecosystem?  I imagine they are still adding users but my guess is that the rate at which they are adding subscribers compared to the first couple of months when they were rolling out the service has dropped to a teeny tiny fraction of what it was.  Back a month into the roll out I found it preposterous that analysts were extrapolating the numbers of people signing up in the first month for Google Circles far into the future as if that growth wasn’t simply the shear number of Gmail users that were trying it out for the first time.

When I hear social media pundits like my boy Ryan Pinkham talking about relevant services I never hear them talking about Google+ or Google Circles the way they talk about Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and I find that telling.  Maybe he will chime in here and give his take.

Your thoughts on the service?  Your thought on how you use it compared to the way you use Facebook?  Comment below- 

Social Media Guru Ryan Pinkham adds-

There’s been a lot of talk of Google+ being a ghost town. The way that Google reports on how many people use it is really out of whack, so while they may say they have 100 million+, the level of activity doesn’t match up.

When I have a blog post or find an article I like, I never think “Hey let me share this on Google+” It doesn’t come close to matching the reach of FB, Twitter, or even LinkedIn. Also it doesn’t offer enough of a unique experience to make me put in the effort. I’m a lot less interested in learning about a site that’s trying to be the new Facebook than a site like Pinterest which is offering a unique experience.

I also have never met a business owner who says Google+ has helped their business, would love to hear from anyone who has seen success.

Truthfully I would love to see Google+ takeoff because I think people are getting kinda Facebooked out, but they’re still a long way away.

That all being said, if your a business owner it’s worth it to hop on Google+ and claim your business name now, before someone else takes it. That way, if Google+ takes off in the future, you’ll be ready to go.

Community Photos 10/10/12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Hi Joey-Tonight was a beautiful evening for a row in Gloucester Harbor. From Janet Rice

The Brisket Going In The Oven At Passports

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Community Stuff 10/10/12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
15th Anniversary Party @ La Provence!

Hi Joey C!
We’re celebrating our 15th Anniversary at La Provence with a Party!  Join us during Rockport’s HarvestFest, Saturday, October 13th to celebrate!
Be sure to stop by and say hello and enjoy some homemade treats & shop specials! 
Merci!
Dawn Noble @ La Provence
4 Main Street
Rockport, Ma 01966
978.546.5868
www.laprov.com

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Eoin Vincent Show AT RAA

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COASTLINE – The New Works of Eoin Vincent

COASTLINE is the newest collection of photographs by Cape Ann Photographer Eoin Vincent. "I have been photographing the New England coast for a long time. This most recent series of images came together as I challenged myself to look deeper at my surroundings.”

After the completion of his EYES OF TANZANIA project, Vincent notes that his camera stayed in its camera bag for a long time. At that point he knew he needed to commit to himself to take a photo everyday. This in turn became his blog CIRCADIAN TRANSPARENCY that can be found at eoinvincent.com. He was able to post 240 photos in 365 days but regretfully soon after the first year his blogs database “blew up” and he had to start all over again.

During the process of trying to shoot every day he noticed that the images brought him back to his home on the coast of Cape Ann and other parts of New England. “The year of photography reminded me of the time in my teens when I shot many photos as I wandered the coast from both sides of the tide.”

Vincent, grew up near Halibut Point and spent many hours hiking around the oceanfront  and sailing. He is the grandson of artists Kenneth and Elizabeth Vincent and the nephew of marine painter Peter Vincent. “I was lucky, I started my artistic career painting and mimicking my family and other great artists in the Cape Ann area, but very early on I started taking photos and working in my grandfathers darkroom. That is where the magic of photography began for me.”
 
COASTLINE, Vincent states, is more than a new series of photographs. “It’s the beginning   of my study of the New England coast that I have been working on for the last 25 years.”

The photography show, COASTLINE – The New Works of Eoin Vincent, will be at the Rockport Art Association from October 14th to 25th, with an opening reception on October 14th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Open to the public.

Poll- Has Political Correctness In This Day and Age Gone Too Far

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Have we as a society gone soft?

Coaches getting punished for making kids run,

Mothers getting arrested for letting kids play outside,

High School Basketball coaches getting fired for swearing in the locker room,

High School Boards Trying to eliminate Football because it’s too dangerous,

High schools banning kids from telling other kids they got into Ivy League colleges so they don’t hurt other people’s feelings,

 Teachers getting fired for writing out of frustration,

Nursury Rhymes being changed to not offend, the list goes on and on and on.

People in everyday life acting as if they were running for office or were in some corporate job 24/7 campaigning for a raise.   Everything is supposed to be vanilla, no one is supposed to raise their voice, we’ve literally handcuffed the poor teachers from disciplining students, everyone gets a trophy, eliminating MVP awards to not make anyone feel inferior. 

For Christs sake when does it end?  Are we creating a nation of weak, dry, humorless politically correct robots?

What would our Grandfathers say about all this?  Probably just shake their heads in disgust.

George Krewson Talks About Navy Ships In Gloucester Harbor in the 1940s

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey!  The Eurodam in Gloucester reminds me of the 1940’s when the Navy would have some pretty large ships stop in the harbor and outside, depending on the size.  My Dad, owner of the Oceanside at Magnolia, would invite the officers over for dinners. 

The guests got to meet them and were glad they could thank them personally for their service.   All windows in the hotel were required to be blacked out at night so as not to provide a background of light for lurking German subs, anxious to sink American ships.

George Krewson

Laurie Strickland Represnts! In Scotland

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,
I was posing to represent on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond when this friendly Scotsman inserted himself in the picture and then took off up the pier without a word!!
Laurie Strickland

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Patti Amaral doing her work

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Most people know Patti and all her hard volunteering to keep this city beautiful and clean of litter. She would like to thank Gloucester garden and Civic Club.  Patti will be on Cape Ann TV at 7:30 Wednesday.  Here she is working hard maintaining a garden on Main Street.  She does an amazing job.  Thank you Patti.

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Chip off the old block

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

You all know Allen Estes, right?  You may not know that he has a tremendously talented son, Dylan, who is performing Saturday at the N9NE on TH1RT3EN show at The Landing in Manchester along with a number of local favorites, including Marina Evans, who just released her new EP called Dogtown.

So we figured this would be the perfect week to reprise the Local Music Seen show on which Dylan appears with his father.  They sing together and Dylan performs some of his own songs, which truly transcend generations.

You can see the show tomorrow (Wednesday 10/10) at 6pm on Cape Ann TV Channel 12 — and again on Friday at 1:30 and Sunday at 6pm.  Check out this video of a song from the show:

(see more videos of Allen Estes here)

It’s really a big week for music on Cape Ann with about 60 artists at well over a dozen venues.  See the complete list of live music in Gloucester and all around Cape Ann here.

One year ago today. You never know.

Posted on by capeannpainter

One year ago today. You never know.

PAUL WITH HIS BEST FRIEND SINCE PRE SCHOOL AND TO THE END,TRACI

One year today we were worried about the Patriots game. My Son Paul called after watching that game at 10pm one year ago tonight to talk to his Brother James about what crazy Star Wars xmas  figures he bought at a Flea Market. 30 minutes later he died protecting two female roomates. You never know what’s going to happen in your life. Enjoy the time you have  Here!

Also I want to thank all the GMG People for the support during this year. It’s been a very tough year losing my son and then my Dad. THANKS!

Here’s a link to a story about Paul; http://nashua.patch.com/articles/accused-accomplice-in-court-on-anniversary-of-victim-s-death

Here’s Pauls Facebook page and memorial Page;

http://www.facebook.com/paul.frontiero.3?ref=ts&fref=ts

http://www.facebook.com/PaulFIII?ref=ts&fref=ts

Before and After Photos

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Willowdale Estate April 2008

In preparing for the lecture I am presenting tomorrow at Long Hill in Beverly, I came across several “before” photo of Willowdale Estate, from the spring of 2008, which was the year I began working on the gardens.

Taming the Wisteria Willowdale Estate Spring 2008

I’ve learned over the years to always take the all-important “before” photos. Clients, and prospective clients, love, love to see the transformation documented!

Five months later, September 2008. We created a “wisteria arbor” that guests could pass through.

Willowdale Estate May 2012

Thank You Seacoast

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Went to visit my dad this morning and Auntie Gerry was there hanging out with him.  It’s always tough to see him with his reduced mental capacity but what gives me so much relief is the care he receives at Seacoast.  Always clean shaven and looked after, they dote on him as well as all the other residents- patiently and thoughtfully. 

It’s such a blessing to have him there with the angels who look after him.

Thank you

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Update: On October 3rd I posted a poll about the local economy. The GDT follows up today

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Poll- U.S. unemployment has remained above 8% for 43 months but do you feel like the local economy is in the crapper?

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Joey C

I don’t have any friends that are without a job.  All of the restaurants we service are having great years and have told me that over the past 5 years things have gotten progressively better.  The malls are always packed.

I don’t see a ton of for sale signs around town on houses like you normally do when housing goes to shit.

So I ask you, do you feel like the economy is horrible based on what you see around you?  I’m not talking about the national 8% number I’m talking you personally?  Do you feel like the economy around you is horrible?

Leave your comment below this post in the comment section.

Results of the October 3rd local economy sentiment poll-

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Today the Gloucester Daily Times has an article fleshing out the actual local numbers-

October 9, 2012

Jobless rate for city dips to 6.1%

By Times Staff Gloucester Daily Times

Gloucester’s unemployment rate, holding steady throughout the summer above the 6-percent mark, inched back down to 6.1 percent in August from a 6.2-percent figure in July, according to the latest city and town jobless statistics from the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

And the tenth-of-a-point decrease this time comes with supporting figures showing that more people landed local jobs in August amid a growing summer workforce — with 250 more people working in August of this year, than had been in August 2011, when the city’s jobless rate was pegged at 7.4 percent.

For the entire article click here

Be Creative, Have Fun & Win Some Cash Money

Posted on by S.D. Kelly

Rockport’s HarvestFest is coming up on Saturday and THIS year Granite Savings Bank has generously furnished some cash prizes for the winning scarecrows in our Scarecrow Stroll Contest. $175 and $150 for first and second place in the 15 & Older Category. Yes, that’s right: $175 and $150! You could do a lot with that money. Teams are encouraged to enter, with nonprofits especially encouraged to enter to raise funds for your organization. The possibilities are endless! There is also an “Under 15” category for groups or individuals with $75 and $50 as the first and second place prizes. Don’t be shy! Make a scarecrow! You can pre-register online (Click HERE and scroll down when you get to the page for online registration) or just show up with your ‘Crow on Saturday, October 13th at 9 o’clock in the Scarecrow Stroll Headquarters in Dock Square!