2008 was a year riddled with change, travel, and big ups and downs. As I start to reflect on this whirlwind year, I have to admit that I had some amazing experiences within this blogosphere bubble, the result being a few great posts that I’m pretty darn proud of. I’ve written some great content on this blog too, but in case you missed my best work from around the web, this should catch you up to speed. Without further ado…
Best of Mashable
I started blogging for Mashable in late November, and now I’m officially an Associate Editor for the big time blog. I’m still learning all the intricacies that go with blogging for such a prominent site, but I think these posts highlight some of my best work thus far.
HOW TO: Make the Most Out of Google Maps
This was just my second post for Mashable, but I put a ton of effort into writing something useful and informative. The post, which got 500+ diggs, covers the Google Maps basics, keyboard shortcuts, advanced tricks, mashups, and mobile maps.
Short Snippet on Keyboard Shortcuts:
You can use your keyboard’s arrow keys to move your view slightly North (up arrow), South (down arrow), East (right arrow), or West (left arrow).
For a bigger jump, use the page up and page down keys to dramatically move North and South. The home key will jump West and the end key will help you navigate further East.
Likewise, the + key will zoom in and the – key will zoom out. You can also zoom in and out with a mouse or the two finger touch (up and down) on a Mac. Simple right?
Not only did I a learn a lot in the process, but I also discovered a new found passion for Augmented Reality, which I believe will become more recognizable in 2009.
5 Reasons to Install Google Desktop Today
With the new release of a Google Docs gadget for Google Desktop, I decided to install Google Desktop and research other ways the download could be useful. I’m guessing that many other people had overlooked Google Desktop as well, because the post got 740 diggs, and inspired a few friends to try it out.
Article highlight:
Take Your Desktop to Your TV
Windows users can install the Google Media Server gadget to harness the power of Google Desktop technology on any UPnP-enabled device like the PlayStation3. Once installed, you can view your PC’s videos, music and photos on your TV, as well as Picasa Web Albums and YouTube videos. A word of warning, however: setup is not always smooth.
There were definitely a few comments from Mac fanatics who aren’t fans of Google Desktop, but I’m still of the opinion that Windows and Linux users can get something out of it.
Top 30 iPhone Apps for Organization and Productivity
This was my second list post and a personal favorite; during the writing process I discovered Mocha VNC Lite (read below for a description) for remotely accessing my Mac from my iPhone. It’s completely free, easy to configure, and pretty darn impressive.
Favorite New App:
Mocha VNC Lite – (App store rating: 3 stars) – Control your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer from your iPhone with this handy app. If you’re like me, you’ll need to use the setup wizard to get started, but once you’re server connection is setup you’re good to go. This app is 100% free, ridiculously cool (just play around with your comp while the app is running, you can watch it update in real-time), useful, and a new personal favorite. The $5.99 version, which doesn’t seem necessary, comes with a few additional keys, as well as support for right-click, hover, and mouse wheel maneuvers.
Even though Jott has mysteriously disappeared from the iTunes store, I still think that this is a really great list with iPhone apps that are not only practical, but also mostly affordable, if not free.
Best of StartupSD
Chuck Longanecker and I started working on StartupSD as a pet project to promote San Diego startups and local web/tech events and groups in early 2008. My contributions usually come in the form of in depth interviews and analysis on San Diego startups. I’m definitely a stickler when it comes to coverage though; I make every CEO, of each startup I write about, sit down with me for an interview. I ask difficult questions, put them on the spot, and don’t promise glowing reviews. In the process, however, I’ve made a number of new connections, and got great information that you just can’t find in a press release. These are few of the posts that make me proud to be a San Diego blogger.
Goowy – The History and the Acquisition
I really love a good story, and this post has two great stories. Of course there’s the untold story of Goowy, a successful San Diego startup acquired by AOL, but there’s also the story of how I got to write this piece. I happen to share office space in the Spreckles building downtown, and before Goowy moved to LA their operation was based just down the hall from my desk. You may not believe this, but I’m actually a really shy person, so the thought of just walking down the hall and asking Alex Bard (CEO) to talk to me was pretty darn nerve wracking. Obviously I wanted the interview, because I sucked up my courage, walked over to his office, and got my story.
Interesting Tidbit:
Of course some of the more interesting details cannot be disclosed, but essentially AOL’s interest in Goowy is rooted in three core goals. AOL is interested in widgets because they’re desirous, now more than ever, to allow users to spend their time online wherever they choose. Secondly, AOL is focused on driving the AOL brand to areas outside of AOL web properties. And, AOL is extremely interested in using widgets as advertisements (don’t forget about Platform A, AOL’s ad-buying platform). Essentially, AOL wants to leverage Goowy’s expertise around widget tracking to serve widgets as ads in traditional 300×250 ad space. With widgets as ads, the possibilities for creating more engaging content are limitless; widgets can be micro applications that play trailers, or allow users to download ringtones, widgets (as ads) can also be embedded anywhere, making the advertisers return on the investment increase exponentially if the content is good enough that users decide to take the particular ad/widget and share it elsewhere.
Venture Capital in San Diego
I wanted to learn more about the VC landscape in our often forgotten city, so I met Deepu John, of iSherpa Capital, and he clued me into his process for finding startups, and what he looks for before and after the investment. John and I are now contacts, and we continue to exchange thoughts about local startups, and sometimes I even send him a pitch or two from entrepreneurs with great new ideas.
Practical Advice:
Tips for Entrepreneurs and Startups (from Deepu John)
1. Answer the simple questions. Is this really a game changer? Will this change the landscape of the space we’re playing in? Can you monetize the business? What is the realistic growth?
2. Be passionate about you’re doing. “Internal conviction shows through presentations and discussions.” The VC needs to be able to visually see and feel the passion and commitment to the business.
3. Don’t focus on the money, focus on the relationship with the VC. Is this a good match? Will the VC build the business with me?
4. Be honest. Discovering that someone lacks integrity is the surest way to stop all discussions. John would rather be aware of the challenges going into the investment, so that they can work with the entrepreneur to tackle them together.
Notify.Me Offers Near Real-Time Notifications Via SMS, IM, or Email
This post makes the list because I believe Notify.Me is will make it big in 2009. Right now they are a small time operation, staff members have day jobs, and they’re still looking for funding. But, the service, when working (yes there are bugs), is the fastest notification site around and incredibly easy to use. It’s one of the few services I’ve tried in 2008 that’s managed to make its way into my daily routine—I use the IM bot to track a variety of topics including Twitter keywords.
To Watch or Not:
Wieland openly admits that Notify.me’s biggest challenge at the moment is to raise funds. Right now he’s full time on the project, but his CTO Arne Claasen still has a day job at MindTouch; together they just can’t currently afford to staff full-timers or cover additional operational expenses.
Should the company find the $400,000 they’re in search of, I could easily see Notify.me staying afloat. The service itself is incredibly functional, although not mindblowing or revolutionary, and Wieland has a few revenue-producing ideas for a sustainable business model. Plus as a Twitter track hack (although the tutorial could use some work), it’s actually really awesome and faster than Twitterspy—I use Notify.me and my Jabber client to track all Twitter mentions of jbruin, san diego, and sdtweetup to name a few.
Most Memorable Moments
I’m all over the social web, and if you follow me on Twitter then you know I share almost everything. Here is a tiny sampling of memorable things I shared with everyone from life experiences both online and off.
Funniest Blog Post
While I was waiting in line for the brand new iPhone 3G, I felt compelled to write a top 10 list of sorts. Top 10 Signs You’re Brain Washed By Apple. I personally love #4. 
Most Depressing Turn of Events
I dropped my barely used 3G iPhone that I waited 8 freakin’ hours to get. I was not a happy camper.
My iPhone is thrashed?!?!?! Will the Apple store replace it? on 12seconds.tv
Most Humbling Moment
Most of you know that I’m Associate Producer on a web series called Jenn2.0. Shortly after our production crew finished and released the teaser, this tweet popped up. It’s very humbling, but an honest reaction by somehow who probably won’t be our biggest fan.
Biggest Change
I chopped off my long hair. It was a tramatic experience that I shared with the world. I loved the new do at the time, but now I’m anxiously awaiting my hair to grow back.
Before:
Saying a final farewall to my hair on 12seconds.tv
After:
Notice anything different? on 12seconds.tv
Best On Camera Interview
In the past year, Dan Larsen has become a pretty good friend of mine. Since he happens to have an awesome job managing social media efforts inside the enterprise (at Qualcomm), I asked him to give me the scoop. There’s some really great content here, and I’m hoping I can do a follow up piece in 2009.
Coolest Celebrity Meeting
Drew Carey, the host of The Price is Right, just happened to have lunch at the same restaurant of our TPIR group post-taping. We sent him a beer, and he came over for a photo op. Better yet, during the show taping Drew talked up Twitter (our group was #sdtweetup) both on air and off. He doesn’t use the site…yet…but he certainly knows all about it.
Photo Credit: Brookly Hillary on Flickr
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