Office : Mac 2011 October 29, 2010

Received the Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 today! Going to install it and see if its all what its made out to be.

Source: She’s the Geek

Inside at the MXit API Launch October 29, 2010

This morning we sitting in Stellenbosch at the MXit API Launch. After arriving, registering and having a cup of coffee we were set for the morning. Lots of people were taking photos and I assume they are from the media. There were also the MXit team wearing their T-Shirts with an “M” on it and were all ready to help and make you feel pretty welcome.

Now MXit as we know it has had loads of publicity both good and very bad and others just really bad. The Ceo Herman tells us that publicity is always good for MXit.

I must admit that listening to Herman speak you cant help but be impressed with their vision and values on creating products to service its own community. Users don’t have to leave the MXit world. There is a wealth of apps inside this world that exposes the user to various possibilities that they don’t have access to elsewhere at such a low low or no cost to the user. The only costs the users will have to incur is the data charges attached to their mobile handsets.

Next up will be the explaination of how by opening up its API, MXit is welcoming everyone to join in developing apps or games to enhance the users experience on MXit.

To become a partner with MXit you register on: code.mxit.com

Important to note is that in the process of partnering with MXit:
- Your IP will always be owned by you.
- Your revenue share will will include 70% of Moola generated
- Another way to generate revenue is to run link in with the advertisement

A few basic benefits of MXit:
Free messaging
Instant messaging
Data costs insignificant
Presence and status
Multi-group communication
Muti-media enabled
Location based info is available
Extensive user information available
Viral effect and social networking

The future of Mxit:
Enhance API
Multi-player games
Trading platform
CRM using MXit
Closer TV and radio interaction
New forms of mobile advertising
Create multiple sub-communities on MXit
User pills and market research
Social development in Africa
Location based services (LBS)

Source: She’s the Geek

Accidental Billionaire… October 26, 2010

Last night we had an opportunity to watch The Social Network at Ster Kinekor in Cavendish Square, Claremont. There has been many opinions and comments about this movie since the trailer was released earlier this year. As part of our daily work at RLabs is to tell people about Social Media and introduce them to various social networks, thus it was good to get the background and history of Facebook. Most of the people we train proclaim that Facebook is their favourite social network. We hope that all our trainees will set aside 2hours of their time to go and watch the movie.

RLabs on Memeburn October 26, 2010

Startup nominated for prestigious international social media award as per article published on Memeburm this morning.

When you’re working in a community that has been devastated by drug abuse and ravaged by social problems, then prestigious marketing awards probably seem a million miles away. But that is the strange position that Reconstructed Living Labs (RLabs) finds itself in after being nominated in the category “Best Use of Mobile” in the first annual Bees Awards, which recognises outstanding work in the field of social media. Read more…

Source: Memeburn

Woman of the Week: Jackie Biggs October 25, 2010

Jackie tell our readers a little about yourself and what you do?

My name is Jackie Biggs and I am a 43 year old mother of 2 daughters. I am married for 24 years to a wonderful man. I am a home executive and I love being hands-on and involved in the lives of my family. I am the type of person who loves being of help to whoever is in need of my assistance.

Has technology changed your life in any way?

I started becoming interested in social media when my eldest daughter introduced me to face book that was the time I was down with a broken ankle and not much to do. I then started browsing other sites. Technology changed my life whereby I started connecting with friends from school and even family members whom I very seldom see.

Take us through a typical day in your life

Being alone at home every day I have lots of time to do whatever I wish to do. So first thing in the morning when everybody has left, I go on Face book to update my status and read through the statuses of my friends. I also browse through the other sites I’m connected to. Once I’m done with whatever I need to do in the house, I will go onto Face book and read through.

What are your current projects?

My current project is to finish my Mom3.0 classes and graduate.

Why do you Blog?

I blog because I can share my experiences with the rest of the world. I can put my thoughts in a blog. Writing is sometimes better than talking.

What is the best gadget you ever played with?

Not many, a Laptop but I wish I had gadgets to play with so that I can explore all the options available to me.

What social media tools do you use?

A computer and my cell phone.

How many hours do you spend on the Internet?

Not more than 4 hours a day. I limit myself because I have a family.

What advice would you give to a newbie starting out?

They must be interested in technology. It is a learning process and fun at the same time. They must not feel intimidated by those who are pro’s because they are there to assist us.

What are your top 5 favourite websites?

Face book, Twitter, Blue world, You Tube, Blogger and I love to Google. I just discovered Skype which I think is so cool.

Where do you look when you need a little inspiration?

At the blog posts of ordinary people in the community. People with day to day experiences and using modern technology to share them with the rest of the world.

So what can we expect from you in 2010 and beyond?

Not sure yet but I would want to learn whatever I can concerning technology. I would like to have my own website one day. The world is my oyster!

Connect with Jackie on Twitter: @JackiemBiggs and Blog: Mom3.0

Source: She’s the Geek

Skype for the MOMS!! October 21, 2010

The latest class for the Mom3.0 Cafe Session covered Skype. The women as usual came expectant and were ready to learn something new.

Monique Ross, our very own She’s the Geek did the presentation and took the women through the history of Skype, its benefits and a step-by-step guide how to sign up to Skype.

All the women signed up to Skype and updated their profiles with pictures. Thereafter, they invited friends and searched for other friends and family on Skype. Jackie Biggs (one of the moms) was brave enough to do a presentation to the rest of the class on how to sign up to Skype. She did a good job of explaining and showing the rest of the class how to sign up. She was so good that she even won a prize!

It’s very exciting to watch how the women are growing more confident with social media and within themselves. Next week we having an international Guest Speaker chatting to the women via Skype. This will be the first time this medium is used for the Mom3.0 Cafe Session to have a guest speaker. Happy calling ladies!!

Source: RLabs

Power the Crowd “Evlydotcom” October 21, 2010

This week the WTF Media Conference one of the speakers, Eran Eyal a co-founder of Springleap spoke about the Power of the Crowd: Crowdsourcing. And he introduced us to Evlydotcom, which is the first crowdsourcing social network of its kind that allows you to connect with a global community to solve anything! Now this was an interesting talk and we are quite excited with its possibilities!

“Evly websites function much like the group or fan-pages on other social media websites, however evly provides users with their own unique website and the ability to grow a network based around their particular interest or need. In addition, evly will provide advanced crowdsourcing and social networking features which will enable website owners to easily manage and grow their own community.” Read more on the Evly Press Release.

#WTF10 – A Bit of History October 20, 2010

This conference is organised by Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Twelve years ago the Media Conference was organised by the studen affairs office of Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), then Cape Technikon. In 2002, the Public Relations Management Department took over the conference. It has evolved from humble beginnings in 1998 into a far bigger conference than they ever imagined back then.
Last years speakers included: Dave Daurte (Nomadic Marketing – GSB); Heidi Schneigansz of Quick eMarketing (Search Engine Optimisation); Justin Hartman of Afrigator; Matthew Buckland of 20Fourlabs (Incubating online innovation); Adriaan Pienaar of Woothemes (The Experience Web); Marlon Parker (Using Social Media for Social Change) and Andrew Rens of Shuttleworth Foundation (Open Source).

Well if you want to know about this years conference and speakers you have to stay tuned to She’s the Geek and RLabs.

Apple iPad Stress Tests October 13, 2010

iPhone was Revolutionary for its time and iPad? It was real hard watching this video, but I was interested to see if it can break and had to watch to the very end!

Caregiver 2.0 Graduation day October 13, 2010

The ladies who work as Home based carers from the YMCA in Athlone did a five week course at RLabs were introduced to various social networking tools like Story telling and New Media, Mobile Blogging, Micro Blogging today received certificates for successfully completing and now know the are well on their way to becoming the next experts from their Mobile devices

YMCA Ladies hard at work during the Social Media Training

The RLabs team would like to congratulate these wonderful ladies for their accomplishment and wish them all the success as they explore the World Wide Web.

Home based carers from YMCA Athlone

Source: RLabs