It’s official. After months of reports that Google would soon announce a new social status feature, today came the big reveal of Google Buzz.

In essence, Google Buzz is an add-on for Gmail that allows you to update your ’status’ – akin to Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites. Since Google Buzz updates can be location-aware, it appears to be gunning for location-based social networking sites like Foursquare, Gowalla, and Brightkite (a fact not lost on Brady from Brightkite, who posted a ‘Google Buzz & Brightkite – separated at birth?‘ image.)

Mashable has a through discussion of Google Buzz’s roll-out. The most interesting part comes in Google’s leveraging of Gmail as a delivery platform . By rolling it out as a part of Gmail, Google can utilize the contacts of Gmail users as a built-in, pre-configured social network. When I update my Google Buzz, people who have me in their Gmail address book can automatically see my status.

It’s a brilliant move – since people interact with their email regularly, they’re more likely to get involved with the Buzz. At the same time, lots of people are beginning to feel wary of consolidating their online identities under Google – as CNET points out, this mistrust might slow its adoption. And given that Google is tying Buzz to Gmail in order to hasten its growth and better compete with already-established tools like Brightkite and Foursquare, it’s tough not to recall Microsoft’s bundling of Internet Explorer with Windows. We all know how that turned out.

Regardless, what this means for internet marketing remains to be seen. But like most of their product announcements, it’s another big step forward for Google.

(Provided their users decide to agree to it.)

Kipp Chambers
Sr. Internet Marketing Specialist

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At the office we’re bombarded with information overload on the regular. Sometimes it’s hard to sift through the emails, blogs, newspapers and business magazines to find the most pertinent- or even just plain old “good” – reads.  At the end of each year, The BtoB Marketing online newspaper helps you cut to the chase. Click here to catch the top 20 most popular stories from the past year in a jiffy.

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The Google, Inc. owned youtube looks to dive in to the world of online video rental service. Youtube will partner with The Sundance Film Festival releasing 5 films which will be available for rent on January 31st of this year. Doesn’t sound like a big huge deal does it? Well, if you are a fan of independent films, you will love it. They will be releasing additional selections shortly after from several independent film makers and they are on the hunt for more. Would expect anything less of Google?

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Microsoft reports that the adoption of Windows 7 is the fastest adoption of an operating system in the history of the company. It’s not clear yet if this is because Windows 7 is that good, or because people were so frustrated with Vista that they are eager to get away from it, but the early reports on Windows 7 are very favorable.

You may be considering an upgrade to Windows 7 soon. If so, here are a few things to consider before you pull the trigger:

1. Clearly determine why you want to upgrade. Are you looking for a specific feature or performance enhancement? You should get clear on your goals before spending the money to make sure you get the correct version of Windows 7 – there are six versions – for different needs. Tip: most small businesses will want to go with Windows 7 Professional.

2. Backup before you upgrade. Some upgrade paths will require a clean install of Windows 7, meaning your computer will have to have the current operating system wiped out before installation of Windows 7. Make sure all of your data is backed up before you start.

3. Consider the age of your computer before upgrading. New computers will come with Windows 7 pre-installed, so if you are within a year of buying a new computer anyway, it probably makes sense to hold off on the upgrade so you don’t double-pay. Your old computer may not have the horsepower for the new operating system either, which will diminish your experience and leave you frustrated.

4. Confirm that the applications you want to use will work with Windows 7. If you are using general office applications, you are probably safe. But if you are using anything custom or specialized, you need to verify compatibility.

5. Prepare for “office envy”. You know…one person in the office gets the cool new technology and suddenly everyone just has to have it.  Windows 7 inspires that kind of response in some people.   You may want to be careful about who you roll this out to and when, or make sure you have the budget to cover an upgrade for everyone!

Many people are calling Windows 7 the best operating system yet. Time will tell, but it definitely has some significant improvements over previous operating systems. Plan your upgrade carefully and you’ll have a better chance at enjoying all of the benefits Windows 7 has to offer.

Mike Cooch

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Going green doesn’t have to be a huge corporate overhaul project. There are plenty of things you can do everyday at work to inch your way to a more green environment. At home you know the rules: Don’t leave the water running when you brush your teeth, recycle, shut lights off when you leave a room…the list goes on. Keep in mind that the list should not end when you leave your house each morning for work! Read on to learn simple ways to go green in the office, too.

1. Choose Pay-Per-Click ads over print advertising campaigns - Although we do a mix of advertising at Everon, we are big Pay-Per-Click fans. Not only is it an earth friendly advertising option, it is also easy for us to run. Once our campaigns are set up, the process is pretty much automated. We edit campaigns and make changes to our bids/budget as we see fit, but besides that we basically monitor our campaigns as they run. Google also sends  daily analytic reports with pretty sweet statistics for our team to review. It’s very measurable.

2. Email your newsletter – While you’re on the Internet train, use it to send your newsletter too! The old fight of electronic vs print. Although marketers deliberate back and forth in regards to which method is more effective two things are for certain: e-marketing is much cheaper and more easily measured.

3. Telecommute if and when possible - More and more companies are offering flex time. Not only does this save employees money on gas, childcare expenses, lunches and more, but it also helps the air we breathe stay more clean. Less cars on the road = less pollution in the air. Even working from home a day of two a week makes a difference. Telecommuting not an option at your work? If you live close to the office, consider biking, walking, or carpooling.

4. Bill your clients by email – Reduce the amount of trees that need to be cut down AND your postage bill by switching to email invoices instead of snail mail. Afraid your old school clients won’t like the switch? Send out a quick letter asking if this is OK, and then use this method for your clients who are OK with this.

5. Invest in a water cooler – Bring back the water cooler! Those plastic water bottles that you and your coworkers buy daily end up spending years and years in a landfill. Not to mention they sneakily add up when it comes to money out of your pocket.

6. Don’t print what doesn’t need to be printed – There are many ways to document and backup files that no longer include needing hard copies. Of course there will always be some things that you must print and file away, but there are definitely many things that can be e-filed away for future reference. Be a little more conscious when you hit the print button, use your judgment and decide whether you really need that file printed out or not. The trees will thank you, and you’ll thank yourself on a summer day 10 years down the road when we still have trees to sit under.

SS

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