What’s Next Now

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Here’s something that might have gone without saying, and probably goes without saying too often at sites frequented by people who live immersed in all this tech stuff.  After having several conversations in recent days with people I see as being in my target audience, I now know it needs to be said:  Firefox is the equivalent of a gateway drug for Social Media.

If you’re still out there reading this post in Internet Explorer, then, please, click on the icon to the right, download a copy and start using Firefox.

Just do it. Now.

Many with whom I speak with who are not already using Firefox are irrationally fearful of it.  Yes, it represents “change.”  But isn’t it better to undertake this little – and from a simplicity standpoint it is little – change if it will make it easier for you to manage much bigger change challenges that lie ahead?

The folks at Microsoft have tried pretty hard to encourage development of plugins for their flagship Internet browsers, but they have failed miserably.  Now, I don’t expect you to become a Firefox power-user, Web 2.0 guru and Social Media Butterfly overnight.  But you aren’t going to get there at all, or even a little bit of the way, if you don’t use an alternative browser.  Flock and Opera are also nice products too, but Firefox has the keys – add-ons – to the holy grail – understanding how all this stuff works and fits together. Trying to get to the Social Media Party with Internet Explorer is like Cinderella trying to get the the ball without a Fairy Godmother.

After you install Firefox, you’ll need to spend some time, not a lot, looking at the various helper doo-dads.  There is something there for everyone…I kid you not.  Right now, I’m running 38 add-ons.  You probably don’t need so many.  But it’s really helpful to be able to get answers by highlighting text or highlight and click.  I also like to customize my browser tabs with various plug-ins, instantly view thumbnails of all the tabs I have open and, when I must use Internet Explorer, there are plug-ins to make that happen right within Firefox.

Most importantly, there is a plug-in for every good Social Media site.  That’s how Firefox helps you stay connected and share information with the people who matter, whether it’s colleagues, clients, friends, family or other people who share your interests.  I could go on and on about this great tool.  But what I hope you do is use it yourself.  It will help open your eyes and put you on a path to being prepared for dealing with the radical communications changes headed our way.

Oh, and don’t worry about your bookmarks.  Except for the few you have that should be under lock and key, they’re all going to migrate to the web and be shared with your friends anyway.

Trust me.

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