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Job Openings on my team at McAfee

My group at McAfee is hiring. I have a few different positions I am looking for... If you know of anyone, please send them my way! In my group I have two product lines. McAfee SECURE and Siteadvisor . These products are in a great space - Web Security... As you know, many people today use the web as a way to communicate, shop, pass time, bank, and other things. This business unit within McAfee is focused squarley on web security, and helping consumers stay safe on the web. McAfee SECURE is a SaaS based service that does daily web security scanning, to ensure your site is safe... This has some COOL technology behind it, that is here to make the web safer. Siteadvisor is a browser plugin , responsible for keeping end users safe on the internet ... It will tell you if a site is dangerous - maybe it is a scam, maybe it SPAMs , maybe it has bad downloads. Siteadvisor is there to protect end users, and a true Web security model. I've got a few positions opened. Some ...
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Recent posts

Recent Posts to check out...

Here are some of recent posts that I thought I would highlight Social Controls - Child Safety on Social Networks Cyberbullying Scammers lurking at every corner... Flip Camera - Keeping it Simple (why less is more...) 3 web sites to keep an eye on... Top 8 reasons why APIs fail Disturbing : Man run over, no one helps
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New home, same content

Well, AOL Journals - the home of the previous blog - has closed. So my new home is Blogspot.com. It was an easy transition, because AOL provided some nifty tools to transfer all the old posts. So what is WillSpeaking? It's just me, writing random blog posts. You may find it interesting, you may not. Have fun!
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AOL Journals closing, but fear not!

It's sad when a product you worked on is closing it's door.   AOL Pictures (soon),  and AOL Journals (soon).     But fear not, blogging is not over.    We have a lot of choices out there : onsugar.com - DRob pinged me on twitter about this. Looks promising, and some nice style sheets! twitter.com - really short blogging - but it works. blogger.com - john panzer went to google and he is on this project. so it's in good hands! wordpress.com - old faithful... good thing about wordpress is it has ton's of add'ons and support. Check them out!
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AOL's Running Man gets a new job

Early 2007 I was outraged that the dependable, the excitable, the fun,  the running man was put out to pasture... The poor Running Man had been retired from AOL and AIM's brand.   Poor thing.. The running man has always been associated with AIM, and later on AOL's flagship products. So what is the Running Man up to now? Well, he's got a new job. He got a new color. And is hanging out at football games.  With cheerleaders. Here is the new running man. Tags: running man , aol , aim , the running man , willspeaking , willspeaking.com aoljflickrAdd , aoljflickrAdd_1
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Go shopping with McAfee Secure Shopping. Fun, Safe and good value!

I recently joined McAfee in a new web consumer area. This group launched "secure shopping" about 1 month ago. It's in beta, and you can try it here. What's it about?  Well, it allows you to shop online, finding some great deals.    Very easy to use,  and what's more it's safe and secure. Give it a try. I'd welcome your feedback ! Tags: shopping , ecommerce , e-commerce , secure shopping , secureshopping , safe , mcafee , willspeaking , willspeaking.com aoljflickrAdd , aoljflickrAdd_2
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12seconds.tv - Because anything longer is boring

I'll be attending a Meetup in Santa Cruz tonight .    One of the teams presenting is a startup named " 12seconds.tv ".  12seconds allows you to share video. It's upto 12 seconds long.  Long enough, right? You can share from your mobile phone, or using a webcam. This company was created in the spare time by a few folks in Santa Cruz. It has some fun content on it already and is in beta. Check it out. Tags: meetup , santa cruz , 12seconds.tv , willspeaking , willspeaking.com aoljurlAdd , aoljurlAdd_1
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Laughing, it's good for you. Just don't look at FS!

About 1 1/2 years ago,  I had one of my manager meetings and FS started to laugh.  And that started it.  We both laughed.   For a long time.  Someone dialed in to the meeting room, and we put the phone on mute.    I had to end the meeting because we could not stop laughing.    That was the start. The start of the laughing frenzy. Both he and I could just look at each other and laugh. People thought we were crazy. Here we are, two grown ups.   One smirk from FS , and I cracked up.  We often tried to discuss a myAOL module not working, or how we can deliver all this work, or the state of the time warner share price.  Sometimes we discussed why, oh why did the weather module not work .  Or how come David Liu ran into many problems with the AOL Mail module.    We laughed. Not because it was funny. Just because. The best time was doing a myAOL bug scrub.  It was on a Saturday around ...
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Best iPhone App : Radio ga ga - AOL Radio

I've downloaded a ton of apps on my iPhone and now a little overloaded with them, so started to remove some.   One that stands out is AOL Radio. It turns my iPhone into a little music machine.  I love that it has a local feature, so I can listen to local radio stations as well as the global ones.  It's really easy to use too. One other silly application I like is Mr Shuffle, which I commented on before. But AOL Radio is the best so far! Tags: willspeaking , willspeaking.com , radio ga ga , iphone apps , iphone , aol radio , aol aoljurlAdd , aoljurlAdd_1
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Suzie Austin's touch of class in a leaving note

As I sit here at my Mum's house, looking out the window on a rainy day, I re-read a delightful leaving note that Suzie Austin wrote.   You can read it here .   It is done with a good sense of humor,  a touch of sadness in some ways, but also how many of us feel.  A great tribute to some wonderful years at AOL.   Enjoy, and best wishes to Suzie as she moves to Denver! Tags: willspeaking , willspeaking.com , suzie austin , aol
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I want a business model like this....

I want a business like this: - sing some songs that are catchy - sell lots of LPs and 7inches - sell CDs - sell Videos - sell DVDs - license to everyone That's the success of this group... some very catchy songs that people hum for ever. Who wouldn't want a biz model like this?   Anyone want to make a remake of this video.   I can be in the green outfit. Tags: abba , business , success , catchy , kitchy , willspeaking , willspeaking.com
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Mamma Mia! Why did I ever let you go....

Well, I did not go and see "The Dark Knight" at the weekend. Instead I saw " Mamma Mia" . And now I can't get those ABBA songs out of my head.   Walking in the office today (yes, second week there!)  humming Mamma Mia .   Lots of fun looks.   Anyway, it's a good movie.  Tongue in cheek, fun and some brief appearances from some of ABBA too! Tags: abba , mama mia , mamma mia , movie , music , stockholm , willspeaking , willspeaking.com aoljurlAdd , aoljurlAdd_1
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Picture of the week: Bad Hair Day

Poor little doggy. When I had hair, I often felt like this., Tags: bad hair , bad hair day , doggy , dog , picture of the week , willspeaking , willspeaking.com aoljurlAdd , aoljurlAdd_1
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iPhone apps : Photo fun with Mr Shuffle

I've played just a little bit with the new iPhone apps on my old iPhone.. Some really good ones, including AOL Radio. One that is fun with photos is "Mr Shuffle". This adds fun images to photos, as in the picture below that you can then share.    What else do you like? Tags: iphone , iphone apps , mr shuffle , willspeaking , willspeaking.com aoljflickrAdd , aoljflickrAdd_1
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Techcrunch Elevator Pitches

I have not seen this before (where have I been!), but this is an interesting site that allows startups to pitch - in 60 seconds or less - the startup idea . Check it out.   Lots of ideas on this site, some great videos and great people pitching. Tags: elevator pitches , elevator pitch , techcrunch , web 2.0 , startup , willspeaking , willspeaking.com aoljurlAdd , aoljurlAdd_1
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Webook.com : Fancy writing a book or contributing to one?

Webook.com , based in Maryland and Mountain View, allows you to take your creative spirit to the next level.  Write a book, publish, sell it.   The web site is nice and easy to use.  What's more it has alot of books already written by it's community.      You can also contribute to a book as a community (e.g. " 101 Things Every Man should know how to do " is one). Check it out. Book publishing has been hard to crack, and this may help aspiring authors. Tags: webook , writing , webook.com , publishing , willspeaking , willspeaking.com
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Online Privacy : The debate heats up [Newshour report]

On tonight's News Hour , a special report on Online Privacy.  Companies like Facebook, Google and Yahoo were at Congress today to discuss the concern of cookies being used for tracking purposes.   Interesting debate, that could shape further laws down the road. " Jeffrey Brown speaks with guests about whether individuals should have a right to control what information companies store about their Web-surfing habits ." Listen to the debate here. Tags: privacy , online privacy , news hour , debate , internet , willspeaking , willspeaking.com aoljurlAdd , aoljurlAdd_1
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What do points make? Prizes

Stumbling around after such an odd day (see previous post ), I found this video of Bruce Forsyth and a show from the 1980s named " Play Your Cards Right ". The grand prize is funny to view - it's a brand new car. But it's so small...   I guess I am used too the USA now :-) Yes, this is an oddpost, but this was a primetime show from the UK. We had 4 channels you know, back then! Tags: bruce forsyth , play your cards right , mini , willspeaking.com , willspeaking , what do points make , nice to see you , to see you nice , television
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In Memory: Leo Pot

Today is one of those days that feels "empty" or "numb".    I attended a funeral for Leo Pot, who died on July 4th from Cancer.     Such a nice man, very successful with his businesses, and a great family.  Funny, sharp, witty.   He shared a glass of wine or two with me, and gave me thoughts on life after leaving my last job.    More important, he has a wonderful family.    It's hard seeing his 3 young daughters at the funeral, each dealing with grief.  Live each day to the fullest.  Make sure you get the most out of what you do, and spend time with people you care about. Rest in peace, Leo.   "On July 4, 2008 Leonardus Leo Josephus Pot, loving father and doting husband, left his earthly existence peacefully, at home, in the company of his family. Born in the fall of 1956 in Oegstgeest, The Netherlands to Martin and Joanne Pot, he would go on to complete a Bachelor's deg...
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Picture of the Week: Cat says "Give me 5!"

Picture of the week : Coal the cat... Tags: picture of the week , willspeaking.com , willspeaking , coal , cat , photos aoljpollCreated , aoljpollCreated_1
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Showdown: Photo Editors - which is best?

The web has loads of photo editors - in the past year many have sprouted up.  But which is best? Which one is easy to use, and can bling up your photos?  You are no longer tied to your desktop to edit photos, as this " Showdown " shows you. Most allow you to upload a photo,  or use one from an existing site like Photobucket or Flickr.   You can then edit the photo, add text, and add fun borders or art.  Links: http://picnik.com http://fotoflexer.com http://picture2life.com http://splashup.com http://pixenate.com Tags: showdown , web 2.0 , web , photo , photo editing , picnik , fotoflexer , picture2life , splashup , pixenate , willspeaking , willspeaking.com
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AddThis.com : 20billion buttons served ! - interesting widget, but is it overwhelming

Addthis.com has filled a niche that does need filling :  how do you allow users to share the content they are on given so many different services?  E.g. say you want to bookmark this post - well you could do that with myAOL, My Yahoo, Google Reader, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and on and on.  Addthis.com solves that, by allowing a small button to be added to your web page or blog post.  When a user clicks the button, they get an option to "share".. Here's the catch, you get another dialog with at least 30 different services...   Isn't that overwhelming? The other feature that AddThis.com offers is stats on who has clicked on the button - useful for aggregating this information. With over 20 billion buttons served ,  they are solving a problem.  Tags: addthis.com , addthis , sharing ,...
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Picture of the Week : Einstein the dog, at the Car Wash

This is Einstein the dog.  He was spotted at a local car wash in Santa Cruz, with his owner.   What a cute little dog.  However, 2 years ago he got into a bit of a mess, and his back legs got burnt.  So from behind, he's a bit bald on his legs and his tail not as bushy as it should be.   But 2 years on, he's a bundle of joy. Tags: dog , einstein , dogs , pets , car wash , willspeaking , willspeaking.com
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Create your niche on Mixx.com

Mixx.com continues to add interesting new features.   Right now, you can create your own "niche".  From the mixx page: " A Mixx Community is the ultimate in personalization, making it easier than ever to energize an audience passionate about your particular interest or cause. With just a few simple steps you'll be up and running with your own sub-domain and content you choose already in place. " It's a great idea, and brings "digg like" features to the masses.   The other twist - they do a 50/50 rev share on the google ad's on your niche.    I guess the idea here is for you to get it going, and drive people towards it. Mixx.com seems to be doing well. It's got a good team behind it, including Kerry Parkins.  Go Mixx! Try out my niche (guess what's it's about...)   or start your own . Tags: ...
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Consulting for Web 2.0

It's been about 4 months since I left AOL, and now it's time to get back into the swing of things.     I'm now consulting and advising for companies, as I continue to talk to companies.   If you have companies (from early stage startups to bigger companies) that need help, let me know.    - Consulting and advising - Strategies and Product - Product feature set - Technology and implemenation options. Tags: web 2.0 , consulting , early stage , startups , willspeaking.com
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Showdown: Which is the best Poll site

Here's a new segment - showdowns.  Quick videos that highlight something we use on the web.  The first one is the Poll Showdown . You know polls, right... Polldaddy.com , Sodahead.com , iPoll and Buzzdash .com are four poll sites.    Which is the best? Enjoy, and let me know what is your fav Poll site.   Here's a quick overview I did for Toby a few months ago on Polls. Tags: polls , web 2.0 , gadgets , polldaddy , sodahead , ipoll , buzzdash , willspeaking , showdown
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Top 8 reasons why API's fail

A couple of people have asked me about building out API's for web services, and what the success of the API's were.       Reflecting on this question, it's been a mixed bag. Some products (mainly enterprise ones) had decent API's - e.g. the LDAP client SDK - though I can't take credit for that - really smart people like Mark Smith and Tim Howes did that.    Development tools I've worked on have done very well but they are all geared towards a certain segment of users anyway (Borland was known for it's super development tools - and quite right too).   But in the consumer space,  it's been a mixed bag of nuts. Here's my list on why they often fail : #1  Too late to market.     The #1 reason they aren't successful is they are too late to market.  Someone else has filled the gap.     Flickr is a good example - an entire eco system of add-on's and photo widgets have been built on the API. #2  Not thou...
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Picture of the week

This photo is a classic... A cute dog named Milou.    Discovered using Tags: picture of the week , photos , willspeaking , willspeaking.com , stumbleupon aoljurlAdd , aoljurlAdd_2
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