So I’m just sitting here, doing my job, when I think to myself, What does Twitter have in common with the Playstation Network? So, I go to Twitter to find the answer…it turns out, they have a LOT in common!

Now, I’m new to the whole Twitter scene, but let’s call a spade a spade. If I was running one of the most popular sites in the world, I think I would invest in some good infrastructure, so my site wouldn’t go down when people are simply posting 140 character comments. That’s just me.

But, I guess it was inevitable for Twitter to bite the dust once again. Money can only buy so much you know.

Well, what am I going to do now? Guess I’ll write my first blog post!

Top 7 Things to do While Twitter is Down:

Continue reading “Twitter is Down, But Only Kind Of” »

I’ve always had an affinity for science. At a very young age I owned a microscope and a junior science kit from which I conducted ground breaking research into boogers, dead bugs and saliva. 2nd graders across this country are still reaping the benefiting from my saliva to spit wad ratio theory.

For Christmas one year my prized gift was a telescope, which opened up this young child’s mind to an entirely new and amazing world of planets, stars, solar systems, Uranus jokes, and the dressing (or should I say undressing) habits of the cute girl down the block who I had a serious crush on.

Thinking back, these early forays into science might help to explain my devotion to the movie Weird Science and my serious intention to build my very own Super Model through the use of technology, a little gumption and yep, you guessed it: Science.

Today I still like music of Oingo Boingo and Thomas Dolby, have the Science Channel as a Favorite on the cable remote control, and frequently answer the question, “What dead historical person would you most like to meet?” with Asimov, Einstein, Sagan and Newton.

“Hello, my name is Chris Lister and I’m a science geek.”

Continue reading “20 Takeaways from The Science of Timing Webinar #TimeSci” »

There has been a lot of discussion as of late regarding Facebook and their new “Your Information is not as private as you might have thought it was” privacy policy. While I really don’t have anything new to add directly to this conversation that hasn’t already been said, it does lead to a discussion about the importance of filtering your social media presence for both your personal and professional personas.

By keeping the following simple guidelines in mind you can hopefully avoid those awkward “I can’t believe my Mom now knows I party like that” moments.

Continue reading “3 Social Media Guidelines for Keeping Your Private Parts Private” »

I love you. 

No, scratch that. I hate you. 

Wait, please don’t unfollow me.  I didn’t really mean that.  I’m sorry. I was…drunk, yeah that’s it. I wasn’t thinking straight. Really, it’s not you…it’s me. 

I really do love you…but to be honest, I think I might hate you at the same time.

We have been seeing each other casually now for quite some time, but I have to wonder where this is going?  I remember the early days of our relationship, when you were just an occasional blog post, or we would slum around together on SixDegrees & Friendster. 

Boy, the times sure have changed and you are more popular then ever before.  Everyone is talking about you and seems to want a piece of you.  Maybe it is out of jealousy, but it  hurts to hear my friends and Search colleagues talk about how you “put out” great results when they are with you. 

Personally, I don’t like to tweet and tell.

Continue reading “A Love Hate Letter to Social Media” »

Anyone doubting the power and pull of social media needs look no further then the impromptu gathering last night / this morning at Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square, where through the power of Twitter and Facebook, a crowd of thousands showed up to hang out with the elusive and hilarious Dave Chappelle. Continue reading ““I’m Social, Bi$%ch!”” »

In an effort to get a leg up on Google when it comes to real time search, Bing has started integrating real time Twitter messages into their search results. According to their official blog, Bing will now provide results from a handful of the more “prominent and prolific Twitterers” coming from a wide range of spheres.

Continue reading “Bing and Twitter Sitting in a Tree” »

While Bing might be promoting itself as the decision engine, Twitter could make a play for being known as the “Freedom Engine”. According to an article in the Washington Times, the State Department last weekend asked Twitter to delay it scheduled maintenance this week, which would have cut daytime service to Iran on Tuesday, just as protests against the recent elections continue to gain momentum. Continue reading “Twitter is the Freedom Engine?” »

Continue reading “WebRanking is now on Twitter” »