More of Classroom...

More of Classroom...

In case you haven't heard, you can now use Classroom with a regular Google account and don't need a Google for Education account.

If Classroom is of interest to you this short video gives a great overview.

https://youtu.be/-9rUHxtNUE0
https://youtu.be/-9rUHxtNUE0

Just in case you missed it...!

Just in case you missed it...!

Originally shared by Peggy K

Now anyone can create a class using Google Classroom

That’s why last month we made Google Classroom available to users without G Suite for Education accounts. Now, using a personal Google account, teachers and learners in many different settings can teach or attend classes, manage assignments, and instantly collaborate.

Starting today, users can do more than join classes—they can create them, too. Over the past few weeks, teachers and students have been piloting this new feature, and they’ve already created some great new classes for adult education, hobbies, and after school programs.

What is Google Classroom?

https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/6020279

Google Classroom FAQ

https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/6025224

See the classes people have created on the Google Blog

https://blog.google/topics/education/google-classroom-outside-classroom/
https://blog.google/topics/education/google-classroom-outside-classroom/

Thinking of starting a community?

Thinking of starting a community?
This will get you started off on the right foot

Originally shared by Google+

Community Management Best Practices: using the Ask to Join feature
Post contributed by Community Vanguards member Paul Snedden

Did you know that, as a Community Manager or Owner, you have the ability to change whether members need to be approved before they can join a community? It's called Ask to Join, and can be enabled on any Public community - even after it's been created.

By default, Public Communities are setup with the "anyone can join” option enabled. A great way to make sure you're only getting quality members joining your Community is by enabling the “ask to join” option. What this will do is send an 'application' notification to the Community Owner and Moderators to let you know that you have a request for a new member.

Private Communities don't miss out either. For them, Community Owners and Moderators can now change between “hide it from searches” (invite-only) and “people can find it and ask to join”. One very important point to remember is that this does not allow Communities to change between private and public. That is set at the point of creation of the Community and is not changeable due to privacy restrictions.

To enable Ask to Join, you'll need to open up the Community from the desktop/web interface - click on the gear icon from the Community page, select 'Edit Community', and scroll to the bottom.

Paul owns and moderates a few Communities on Google+, including Sydney: https://plus.google.com/communities/109313133531630502005 and Sydney Local Guides: https://plus.google.com/communities/112376213917229628646

The other shoe drops...in October.

The other shoe drops...in October.
https://chromeunboxed.com/google-chrome-takes-the-next-step-in-connection-security/

Business Hangouts Office hours

Business Hangouts Office hours
https://business-hangouts.com/register-for-friday-office-hours/

Today at 12 noon Eastern time
9am Pacific

FRIDAY - April 28, 2017

FRIDAY - April 28, 2017
JOIN US immediately after Business Hangouts Office-Hours
Approximately 12:00 Noon & 8:00 PM Central
New Link: https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Just a reminder...April 28, 2017

Just a reminder...April 28, 2017
Register for Friday Office Hours
* First 20 minutes: Training on a pre-announced Subject
* Next (up to 40 minutes): Attendees’ technical questions
9:00 am Pacific Time / 12:00 pm Eastern Time / 6:00 pm Central Europe

https://business-hangouts.com/register-for-friday-office-hours/
https://business-hangouts.com/register-for-friday-office-hours/

Here it is! Not a post -A Video!

Here it is! Not a post -A Video!
This is what I was talking about in U2U this morning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky9aNneumIk&feature=share

New Feature on Google+ - Google Topics!

New Feature on Google+ - Google Topics!
https://blog.google./products/google-plus/googleplus-topics/
https://blog.google./products/google-plus/googleplus-topics/

I have GOT to get me one of these!!!

I have GOT to get me one of these!!!

Originally shared by Ely'jah Overby

Well Damn ....😂

LIVE On Line!

LIVE On Line!
JOIN US THURSDAY, 27 April 2017
10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Just a reminder...Thursday

Just a reminder...Thursday
27 April 2017 10AM Pacific - 1PM Eastern
https://business-hangouts.com/biweekly-product-demo/
https://business-hangouts.com/biweekly-product-demo/

G+ Community Page Tip...

G+ Community Page Tip...
https://youtu.be/PdghGwD8SvM
https://youtu.be/PdghGwD8SvM

Our very own Michael Daniels is gonna LUV this!

Our very own Michael Daniels is gonna LUV this!
https://chromeunboxed.com/google-home-goes-gourmet/
https://chromeunboxed.com/google-home-goes-gourmet/

If you use Pixlr this may be of interest

If you use Pixlr this may be of interest

Originally shared by Paolo Amoroso

Autodesk sells Pixlr to 123RF
The Pixlr cloud image editor well known to Chrome OS users has been sold by Autodesk to 123RF, a stock photo agency that's part of a company that manages content libraries.

Let's hope the new owner will breath new life into the aging cloud tool
http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/04/26/pixlr-popular-photo-editor-autodesk-sold-123rf/

I would like to send a special Birthday wish to a friend, mentor, and our fearless Community leader.

I would like to send a special Birthday wish to a friend, mentor, and our fearless Community leader. Happy Birthday Andrew Hatchett.

Best Practices per Spencer Wade

Best Practices per Spencer Wade
Should be required reading for all newbies

Originally shared by Spencer Wade

A Few G+ Best Practices

It goes without saying that Google+ is a great platform for social sharing and interaction. While we all may have different reasons for using it, and may find different aspects of its interface more or less to our liking than others, we all can agree that it’s definitely a place worth spending time. So, since we’re going to be using the system for our own ends, and since those ends may be vastly different, it may be helpful to share a few best practices that you can use no matter what your desired outcome.

• Tagging People: While it may seem obvious to many, tagging people is one of the best ways to ensure the people you want to see your posts will and, hopefully, drive interaction with your posts. It’s a great feature, but, and this goes for everything we discuss, there’s good tagging and bad tagging. Your friends and family may love to be tagged on every little thing, yet others may see it as spamming since they’ll get a notification every time you tag them (if they have notifications on that is). When you share something others posted, or shared themselves, you should always tag them to make sure they see it.

• Post Your Best to Communities: When you create something you think is really good, you should find the Communities you feel it would be appreciated in and post to those. Simply making a post public doesn’t mean it’ll be seen unless you have a good deal of followers, so posting content of value to Communities that accept that type of content is the best way to be seen, It’s a great way to start conversations with new people who share your interests and expand your Circles.

• Use G+ to Long Post to Twitter: This is a great way to share long posts to Twitter and communicate your Google+ activity to a broader, and sometimes different, audience. Many people have different groups of followers on different social networks, so this is an excellent way to branch out without directly linking your accounts together. While direct linking is great, it can inundate your friends and connections with daily posts – depending upon how active you are across platforms. G+ allows you to avoid the character limit and introduce your posts to a new venue which is a win-win.

• Fill Out Your Profile: Just as with any online footprint you have, you should ensure that your Google+ profile has all the information you want to share filled out completely and correctly. On Google+, a platform where interaction is key, and eternal, it’s useful for people to know who they’re dealing with, listening to, following, etc. If it’s in your best interest, treat your profile as you would your About Page on a personal website. It’s not too hard to give a bit of “you” without sharing anything you’re uncomfortable with.

• Use Great Titles: G+ isn’t like Twitter or Facebook in the way a post is constructed. G+ gives you the freedom and space to write some powerful things, so make sure you use it to your full advantage. A good title can accomplish a lot for your post – research proves it. So, before you post next, take some time to think up a title for your post that gives impact and a glimpse into what’s in store for readers. It’ll help more than you might think.

• Take Chances: Google+ as a social media community is, as stated previously, different than the rest of the platforms out there. But, it’s more than the visible differences that separate it. The “feeling” is different and makes this a place where things that may ordinarily seem implausible could actually happen. So, take chances with Google+ - and not in a negative sense. Find your heroes, the people you wish you could talk to, and follow them. That’s easy enough, right? So, whenever they post something you find interesting, comment on it in a thoughtful, measured way. Don’t give the usual “nice post” comment, either. Be authentic and insightful and you never know what may happen. You may have a chat, get added to a Circle, who knows? In Google+, anything literally is possible.

Above all when using Google+, remember one thing above all others – be nice. This isn’t a YouTube Comments section or some incendiary website full of comment trolls. People here are here because they chose to be. They came to share, to learn, to grow – not to argue. In a perfect world, that type of behavior would never be allowed anywhere. Thankfully, it’s not welcome here, so be nice to everyone you meet. It’s easy, effective, and the only best practice that really matters.

Thanks for reading!

img source: sitepoint

...and it was worth the wait!

...and it was worth the wait!
;)

JOIN US WEDNESDAY, 26 April 2017

JOIN US WEDNESDAY, 26 April 2017
10:30 AM Central
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

There will be no evening session tonight, I'll be celebrating my birthday with family.

https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

My apologies to those who may have tried to attend last evenings Q&A session.

My apologies to those who may have tried to attend last evenings Q&A session. An errand took far longer than expected and I got back home about 11PM.

Thinking about a Chromebook?

Thinking about a Chromebook?
This may be of help

Originally shared by Peter Vogel

What Can You Create On a Chromebook?

List of web services and apps mapped to common tasks.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pDsGwn7_Z38AYrvOtqqHbX_osrxxKIUpV1kRDiPL7bc/edit#

For all you Chromies...

For all you Chromies...

Originally shared by Nelson Garcia

Google updated its list of Chrome OS devices that have or will receive Android apps.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/04/25/google-updates-list-chrome-os-devices-will-receive-android-apps/

An interesting development indeed!

An interesting development indeed!

Originally shared by Mike Rigsby

Interesting, if not possibly a little concerning.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/04/ninth-circuit-sends-message-platforms-use-moderator-go-trial

Apps in HOA problem is fixed -We are back to normal!

Apps in HOA problem is fixed -We are back to normal!
JOIN US TUESDAY, 25 April 2017
10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

The fix for the HOAs is being rolled out now but hasn't gotten to me yet - so we will be using a regular Google HOA...

The fix for the HOAs is being rolled out now but hasn't gotten to me yet - so we will be using a regular Google HOA tonight.

Use this link to start the process- thanks.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/ckg2uhjmjaohosj4gk7u93l82ls
https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/ckg2uhjmjaohosj4gk7u93l82ls

JOIN US 24 April 2017 - 8:00PM CDT

JOIN US 24 April 2017 - 8:00PM CDT
https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/ckg2uhjmjaohosj4gk7u93l82ls
https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/ckg2uhjmjaohosj4gk7u93l82ls

My thanks to Sheila Hensley, Heather Kraafter, Thomas Lengyel, Bill Graham, and Michael Daniels for joining me this...

My thanks to Sheila Hensley, Heather Kraafter, Thomas Lengyel, Bill Graham, and Michael Daniels for joining me this morning.

Latest test of HOA glitch as of 10:05AM CDT

Latest test of HOA glitch as of 10:05AM CDT
https://youtu.be/wsgkb6mySq4
https://youtu.be/wsgkb6mySq4

JOIN US MONDAY, 24 April 2017

JOIN US MONDAY, 24 April 2017
10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Beam | Interactive Livestreaming

Live streaming is now built-in to Windows 10

I just installed the latest updates for Windows 10 called the Windows 10 Creators Update. You can download it from here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/features?ocid=engagement_ema_omc_win_aprnews_mod2

It adds a new built-in live streaming feature as part of the X-Box app. But unfortunately you can only stream to one destination at least for now: https://beam.pro/browse/all

I could stream my desktop very easily by holding down the Win + G keys and by clicking the broadcast button. And it was even easier to start a broadcast by pressing Win + Alt + B. I selected the option to have my broadcast recorded. I was able to download my video quite easily in high quality.

The Beam website is used mostly by gamers but I had no problems broadcasting anything from my desktop along with my webcam.

More resources:
http://www.windowscentral.com/how-broadcast-beam-windows-10-creators-update

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3187609/gaming/windows-10s-native-beam-support-makes-pc-game-streaming-dead-simple.html

https://www.howtogeek.com/302866/how-to-live-stream-your-pc-gameplay-with-windows-10s-beam/
https://beam.pro/browse/all

Google Home grows up!

Google Home grows up!

https://chromeunboxed.com/google-home-just-gained-a-major-edge-over-amazon-echo/

Between the problems BHOA is having with Google, Power Outages in San Francisco, and Thunderstorms/lightening here...

Between the problems BHOA is having with Google, Power Outages in San Francisco, and Thunderstorms/lightening here in Nashvile I'm unable to start tonight's session. Have a good weekend!

FRIDAY - April 21, 2017

FRIDAY - April 21, 2017
JOIN US immediately after Business Hangouts Office-Hours
Approximately 12:00 Noon & 8:00 PM Central
New Link: https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Just a reminder...April 21, 2017

Just a reminder...April 21, 2017
Register for Friday Office Hours
* First 20 minutes: Training on a pre-announced Subject
* Next (up to 40 minutes): Attendees’ technical questions
9:00 am Pacific Time / 12:00 pm Eastern Time / 6:00 pm Central Europe

https://business-hangouts.com/register-for-friday-office-hours/
https://business-hangouts.com/register-for-friday-office-hours/

*Latest tip from Peggy K

*Latest tip from Peggy K
http://www.peggyktc.com/2017/04/add-music-to-your-google-photos-movie.html?spref=gp

Please Note!

Please Note!
Today's morning Q&A will only be 20 minutes as I have an 11 O'clock meeting

THURSDAY April 20, 2017
10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

If you use X-Split...

If you use X-Split...
https://www.xsplit.com/blog/xsplit-broadcaster-ptr

https://www.xsplit.com/blog/xsplit-broadcaster-ptr

Just a reminder..Thursday April 20, 2017.

Just a reminder..Thursday April 20, 2017.
https://business-hangouts.com/biweekly-product-demo/
https://business-hangouts.com/biweekly-product-demo/

THURSDAY April 20, 2017

THURSDAY April 20, 2017
10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Tech problems will delay start of tonight's session. Hopefully will be fixed by 8:30PM Central.

Keyboard Shortcuts - Another great article from Spencer Wade

Keyboard Shortcuts - Another great article from Spencer Wade

Originally shared by Spencer Wade

Google+: Everyone Shortcuts

Most of the people we come in contact with in the forums are computer users with some level of experience. Very few are completely new to keyboards and their hidden secrets, but there may be a few people reading this that are unfamiliar with keyboard shortcuts and their uses. So, I thought we would take a little time to go over the basics. This way, perhaps, someone who’s new won’t have to wait until they stumble across them to utilize them to their benefit. The easiest way to get an overview of the shortcuts available in Google+ is by simply pressing the question mark symbol (?) on their keyboard. This will bring up this panel.

This panel contains all the shortcuts available and their specific purpose. As you can see, the shortcuts are divided into three main categories - Navigation, Action, and Help. The Navigation category is further divided into shortcuts for use in your Stream View and those for use in Full Post View. Simply looking over the Stream View shortcuts, you can clearly see the value in time-savings alone and who doesn’t need that?

One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with these shortcuts is through continuous use. By pushing yourself to only use shortcuts to accomplish the things you already know how to do, you’ll be able to much more quickly master the concept and apply it to your everyday usage of Google+. There’s also the added benefit of taking this newfound familiarity to other platforms for use. You may be surprised to find that keyboard shortcuts are built in to 90% of the software you use every day. All you have to do is identify them.

NATIONAL HANGING OUT DAY!!

NATIONAL HANGING OUT DAY!!
WEDNESDAY April 19, 2017
10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

JOIN US TODAY!

JOIN US TODAY!
TUESDAY April 18, 2017:
10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Quick Facebook LIVE test. Feedback welcome.

Quick Facebook LIVE test. Feedback welcome.
https://youtu.be/qU8--JJa9j0

This may help some members of this community who are experiencing the problem of only seeing 10 posts on their...

This may help some members of this community who are experiencing the problem of only seeing 10 posts on their profile page. It worked for me.

Originally shared by Eric “Cybermonk808” Philo

PROBLEM ONLY A FEW POSTS LOAD on G+, GOOGLE+
SOLUTION i hope. Problem: only a dozen posts load on profile page and the scroll down does not load more. First i am on a pc.
Try clicking at bottom of screen, in the middle say a half inch from bottom or just below and in between the 2 bottom posts and you will see a load icon i hope appear, it's as if there is a load-MORE button there but you just can't see it. It's working for me and would like to know if works for other PC users- let me know.
I'm new here but it looks like a very active and helpfull community.

10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central

10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
JOIN US TODAY!
MONDAY April 17, 2017:
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Just a reminder...11 AM Pacific

Just a reminder...11 AM Pacific
https://diylivestreamingshow.com/saturday-morning-marketing-smarties-show/smmsmarties-blogs-vlogs-and-podcasts/
https://diylivestreamingshow.com/saturday-morning-marketing-smarties-show/smmsmarties-blogs-vlogs-and-podcasts/

I don't remember if I've shared this previously but...

I don't remember if I've shared this previously but...
Remove your YouTube or Google+ custom URL
h/t Peggy K

Originally shared by Peggy K

Remove your YouTube or Google+ custom URL

You can now remove the Custom URL from your YouTube channel or Google+ Page or Profile.

Note: you may not be able to re-add the old URL, so only remove a URL you are positive you no longer want.

You can remove your URL up to 3 times per year.

Note: if you remove your Google+ URL this will break any links to your posts that use the Custom URL.

Removing the URL

1. Sign in to your Google Account and go to your "About me" page.  http://aboutme.Google.com

2. Select the account with your YouTube channel or Google+ Page at the top right. You may have to click All of your Brand Accounts if your account is not in the list. 

3. Find your current custom URL under "Sites" and click edit 

4. Next to the URL you want to remove, click X.

5. Click OK.

Adding a new URL

If you're eligible, you can claim a new custom URL right away after removal, but it may take a couple of days before the previous custom URL stops directing to your YouTube channel or Page. 

You cannot claim a new custom URL from the “About me” page. If you want to claim a new custom URL, you need to meet the general eligibility requirements and follow the steps on YouTube it Google+.

More details in the YouTube help center:
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2657968

More info about Custom URLs in the Google+ Help Center
https://support.google.com/plus/answer/2676340

Questions? Ask in the YouTube help forum
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/youtube/nWnK2LTogd0

FRIDAY - April 14, 2017

FRIDAY - April 14, 2017
JOIN US immediately after Business Hangouts Office-Hours
Approximately 12:00 Noon & 8:00 PM Central
New Link: https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Just a reminder...

Just a reminder...
Register for Friday Office Hours
* First 20 minutes: Training on a pre-announced Subject
* Next (up to 40 minutes): Attendees’ technical questions
9:00 am Pacific Time / 12:00 pm Eastern Time / 6:00 pm Central Europe

https://business-hangouts.com/register-for-friday-office-hours/
https://business-hangouts.com/register-for-friday-office-hours/

* More on replacing Octane...*

* More on replacing Octane...*

Originally shared by Brent Sullivan

Speedometer?

This is the browser benchmark test that Google mentioned yesterday that they may trust more than Google Octane. The test below was run on an Intel Core i5 Acer 15 with 4GB RAM for comparison's sake. The test seems to take a little longer to run than Google Octane did.

http://browserbench.org/Speedometer/

Goodbye Octane

Goodbye Octane
_If you use it this will interest you
https://arstechnica.com/?post_type=post&p=1076019

Just iin case you didn't know...

Just iin case you didn't know...

Originally shared by Engadget

A 'brand new' Google Earth will arrive April 18th http://engt.co/2otZgXn
http://engt.co/2otZgXn

JOIN US THURSDAY April 13, 2017:

JOIN US THURSDAY April 13, 2017:
10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

WEDNESDAY April 12, 2017:

WEDNESDAY April 12, 2017:
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
Late Start but we are live! :)

https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

If this works, it will be a welcomed solution to a jarring problem.

If this works, it will be a welcomed solution to a jarring problem. Google Chrome has instituted a "fix" so progressively loaded pages won't radically shift your page view when an ad pops up.:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/google-chromes-latest-leap-forward-stopping-those-jarring-page-load-jumps/?loc=newsletter_featured_related_listing&ftag=TRE17cfd61&bhid=23270796520155570183844379301756

WEDNESDAY April 12, 2017:

WEDNESDAY April 12, 2017:
JOIN US 10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Can't draw but wish you could?...

Can't draw but wish you could?...
*This may prove useful!*
;)

https://youtu.be/sWbEqMC3DQw
https://youtu.be/sWbEqMC3DQw

Just a reminder...

Just a reminder...

Originally shared by LowellAnn Fuglsang

Success Circle April 11th Discussion Topic: Funneling Viewers To Your Live Stream Event - #BYOCApr112017

Techniques will be slightly different, depending what platform you are using -Social Media, E-mail Marketing, Website content, Of-line marketing, Private Groups, Forums. Jay Neill of Magi Studios will share his extensive knowledge with us.

To add this event to your calendar or to request a seat on the Panel - click the form in the comments below.
https://lowellann.com/success-circles/funneling-viewers-live-stream-event-byocapr112017/

JOIN US 10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central

JOIN US 10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
TUESDAY April 11, 2017: https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Just in case you missed it...

Just in case you missed it...

How to Search Google Drive Directly from Chrome’s Address Bar!


Originally shared by Brent Sullivan

How to Search Google Drive Directly from Chrome’s Address Bar!

While Google Drive has an excellent search built into the site, did you know there’s an easier, quicker way to execute a Drive search directly from Chrome’s address bar (the omnibox)? Setting it up is a snap, and using it is even easier.

I have used "custom searches" on Chromebook for years and never thought to use one for a Google Drive search. Pretty nifty!

Learn the simple steps for setting up Google Drive custom search in this How-To-Geek article:

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/32459/how-to-search-google-docs-from-the-chrome-location-bar/

More on Community Management Best Practices from Paul Pavlinovich

More on Community Management Best Practices from Paul Pavlinovich
If you run a community or are thinking of doing so - you need to read this

Originally shared by Google+

Community Management Best Practices: Writing Community Guidelines

(This post was written for the Best Practices series by Community Vanguards member, Paul Pavlinovich.)

Communities are societies, they tend to attract people from all walks of life with a common interest that the community targets. When you first start out possibly with yourself and some of your friends chatting and sharing your topic everything is rosy.

Over time, strange things start to rear their heads: different interests; cliques; politics; and new directions. These things are all ok in their place, but do they belong in your community?

Generally speaking a community has a topic, cause, or common interest in mind when they’re started by the owner. This can drift over time driven by the community members and sometimes even the moderators in ways that the owner didn’t anticipate. This can lead to exciting new adventures, but it can also leave the owner feeling a little left out or it can lead to rifts in the community that ultimately may lead to an unexpected outcome, in the worst case the community becoming lost.

Guidelines help provide direction. The community owner, the moderators and the members need a combined vision of what the community is about and how everyone is expected to behave.

Start with a Vision, an example from one of my communities called COALS is “COALS discusses all aspects of Live Steaming in Australia.” - this immediately sets the scope for everything that goes on. It’s has some key elements - “live steaming”, “Australia”, “discuss” which helps people understand what the community is all about and what it’s for.

Always positive before negative in your guidelines, try to reinforce what you want people to do in your community worded in a positive way. For me, nothing turns me off more than a list of “No” and “Don’t” when I first enter a community. You’ve only got about 10 seconds to intrigue a prospective member. I love to see things like Discuss any aspect of live steaming limited to Australia, and please respect each other and each other’s views. We celebrate difference and robust but polite discussion.

Once you’ve established the positive it’s ok to talk about the things you don’t want people to do which could be things like Please limit your posting to one or two at most each day. Please ensure any material you contribute is your own or that you have permission to share and always attribute the source when it’s not yours. This statement is still a “do” style of wording but it’s clearly giving the reader an understanding of the “don’ts”.

Stay brief and on the member’s level try to keep your guidelines simple and brief, they’ll be much easier to digest and enforce. Write in a way that you would want to receive the information if you were a member. It’s very easy to talk down to people. Have your moderators or someone else read your guidelines before you put them in place.

Establish the moderation process sometimes it is necessary to sanction someone, it’s good to define how that will happen e.g. Members who are unable to abide by the guidelines may be removed from the community after a warning. you may also wish to establish how much power the moderators have e.g. “Moderators may delete posts or comments that do not fit in with the community guidelines. Only the owner may ban an established person from the community. Any moderator can ban an obvious spammer via the spam queue.

(Photo Credit: Paul Pavlinovich, who runs the Photograph Melbourne Community, among others: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116476435425093945441_)

MONDAY - April 10, 2017

MONDAY - April 10, 2017
JOIN US 10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
*New Link:* https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Do you have a WordPress WebSite? - You NEED to see this NOW!

Do you have a WordPress WebSite? - You NEED to see this NOW!
https://www.blogaid.net/fwpso/

https://www.blogaid.net/fwpso/

Apologies- plumbing problem so no show tonight

Apologies- plumbing problem so no show tonight

Just a reminder...

Just a reminder...
Register for Friday Office Hours
* First 20 minutes: Training on a pre-announced Subject
* Next (up to 40 minutes): Attendees’ technical questions
9:00 am Pacific Time / 12:00 pm Eastern Time / 6:00 pm Central Europe

https://business-hangouts.com/register-for-friday-office-hours/
https://business-hangouts.com/register-for-friday-office-hours/

FRIDAY - April 7, 2017

FRIDAY - April 7, 2017
JOIN US 12:00 Noon & 8:00 PM Central
New Link: https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

THURSDAY - April 6, 2017

THURSDAY - April 6, 2017
JOIN US 10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
*New Link:* https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Due to a severe case of gastronomical overload, I'll be unable to host a session tonight.

Due to a severe case of gastronomical overload, I'll be unable to host a session tonight. (i.e. too many chocolate donuts and too much Chinese food )

In case you missed it...

In case you missed it...

Originally shared by Peggy K

Remove your YouTube or Google+ custom URL

You can now remove the Custom URL from your YouTube channel or Google+ Page or Profile.

Note: you may not be able to re-add the old URL, so only remove a URL you are positive you no longer want.

You can remove your URL up to 3 times per year.

Note: if you remove your Google+ URL this will break any links to your posts that use the Custom URL.

Removing the URL

1. Sign in to your Google Account and go to your "About me" page.  http://aboutme.Google.com

2. Select the account with your YouTube channel or Google+ Page at the top right. You may have to click All of your Brand Accounts if your account is not in the list. 

3. Find your current custom URL under "Sites" and click edit 

4. Next to the URL you want to remove, click X.

5. Click OK.

Adding a new URL

If you're eligible, you can claim a new custom URL right away after removal, but it may take a couple of days before the previous custom URL stops directing to your YouTube channel or Page. 

You cannot claim a new custom URL from the “About me” page. If you want to claim a new custom URL, you need to meet the general eligibility requirements and follow the steps on YouTube it Google+.

More details in the YouTube help center:
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2657968

More info about Custom URLs in the Google+ Help Center
https://support.google.com/plus/answer/2676340

Questions? Ask in the YouTube help forum
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/youtube/nWnK2LTogd0

WEDNESDAY - April 5, 2017

WEDNESDAY - April 5, 2017
JOIN US 10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
New Link: https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
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TUESDAY - April 4, 2017

TUESDAY - April 4, 2017
JOIN US 10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
New Link: https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

TUESDAY - April 4, 2017

TUESDAY - April 4, 2017
JOIN US 10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
New Link: https://goo.gl/8kyi1S
https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

Join Me for April OnGoing Event on 2017-04-01 00:00:00

MONDAY - April 3, 2017
JOIN US 10:30 AM & 8:00 PM Central
*New Link:* https://goo.gl/8kyi1S

https://goo.gl/8kyi1S