The first session, for the absolute beginner, will answer the questions: Why would I use a computer? What good would it do? How I can keep my identity – and my bank accounts – safe while online? What, how and why Google, Blogs and Facebook?

The first presentation in the series will be simultaneously translated into Spanish. It is described below for any Spanish speakers.

Desmitificar la computadora/Demystifying Computers – Monday, March 21, 2011, 10:30am-12:30PM

Abby Stokes, escritora y profesora de computación, aclarará los mitos de la computadora para principiantes, especialmente aquellos que nunca hayan tocado una. Ella responderá a preguntas tales como:

¿Por qué querría yo usar una computadora? ¿De qué me serviría? ¿Cómo puedo mantener mi identidad– y mis cuentas bancarias– seguras, estando en línea? ¿El qué, cómo y por qué de Google, Blogs y Facebook?

Encuentre la respuesta a estas preguntas y mucho más en esta presentación gratuita.

Presentación simultaneamente traducida al español.

Ubicación: Primer piso, Salón de programas.

What Can I Do Besides Send E-Mail? – Monday, March 21, 2011, 2:30-4:30PM

In my second lecture, we will go “beyond the basics” of computer demystifying and will discuss e-mail attachments, netiquette, and how to get–and stay–organized online.

How to Safely Surf the Internet and Find (Almost) Anything – Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 10:30 am-12:30PM

This lecture will cover how to get the most out of your searches online; safety, shopping and banking; and I’ll recommend websites for travel, health, finance, and more.

Social Networking–What the Heck are Facebook, Twitter, and Blogging??? – Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 2:30-4:30PM

This, the final lecture, will explain what everyone’s talking about when they bring up Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. I’ll also share how you can enjoy the benefits of social media without risking the loss of your privacy.

These programs will take place in the first floor program room at 455 Fifth Avenue between 39th and 40th Streets.

I hope to see you there or that you’ll pass the word onto anyone who might be interested.

I love this list for authors! “50 Things Under $50 To Promote Your Book”:
http://amarketingexpert.com/ameblog/uncategorized/fifty-things-under-50-bucks-to-promote-your-book/comment-page-1/

Brace yourself for some straight talk…Sonia Simone’s “7 Harsh Realities of Social Media Marketing”:
http://www.copyblogger.com/harsh-social-media-marketing/

Here are several links specific to Twitter…

J.S. McDougall’s “10 Tweetable Twitter Tips for Book Publishers”:
http://www.jsmcdougall.com/2009/12/ten-tweetable-twitter-tips-for-book-publishers/

Dan Blank, from Digital Book World, “How To Leverage Twitter When You Have Little Time”:
http://digitalbookworld.com/2010/how-to-leverage-twitter-when-you-have-little-time/

Mashable, as mentioned on the panel. Read about all things twitter and more:
http://mashable.com/category/twitter-lists/

Intended for college students, but helpful to all using Twitter “100 Twitter Tools To Help You Meet Your Goals”:
http://www.onlinebestcolleges.com/blog/2009/100-twitter-tools-to-help-you-achieve-all-your-goals/

Recommended by Kelly Leonard, one of tonight’s panelists, “How To Quantify The Reach Of Your Tweet”:
http://tweetreach.com/

About blogging…

Michael Hyatt’s “Do You Make These 10 Mistakes When You Blog?”:
http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/11/do-you-make-these-10-mistakes-when-you-blog.html

Jason Baer’s “How To Match 10 Key Success Metrics To Your Blogging Strategy”:
http://socialmediatoday.com/SMC/179256?utm_source=smt_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter

Sage advice about what not to so with your blog from Jane Friedman “5 Things That Make Me Stop Reading Websites and Blogs”:
http://writerunboxed.com/2009/12/18/5-things-that-make-me-stop-reading-websites-blogs/

Miscellaneous…

Galley Cat’s “Podcasting Tips for Authors”:
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/web_tech/podcasting_tips_for_authors_153628.asp

Planning your own publicity? This calendar is an amazing resource to make a plan:
http://www.directcontactpr.com/files/files/Publicityplan2010.pdf

Helpful sites mentioned at tonight’s WNBA event…

Yen Cheong’s blog on “news, trends, and tips for book publicists” is a great resource for anyone in the book business:
http://yodiwan.wordpress.com/

Social Network for books. music, movies, and more on the web:
http://getglue.com/

MeetUp “helps groups of people with shared interests plan meetings and form offline clubs in local communities”:
http://www.meetup.com/

Book Movement “serves over 21,000 book clubs”:
http://bookmovement.com/

Good luck to all of you and your book projects!

What does OMG mean? And, what is Facebook?

OMG is an acronym used in texting, instant messages, and e-mail that stands for “Oh My God.” Visit page 267 in “Is This Thing On?” or peek at the Instant Messaging tutorial on my website (instant-messaging-tutorial#abbrev) to view other abbreviations used when e-mailing and texting.

Facebook is going to require a bit more explaining…get comfortable. As described in my March post, which demystifies Twitter (perhaps worth a re-read: lets-talk-twitter), online social networking isn’t that different than socializing in our three-dimensional world. You invite people, or are invited, to discuss what you’ve been up to, exchange ideas, family photos, whatever comes to mind, but it all happens online, while visiting a website, rather than over afternoon tea in your living room. Facebook is one of the most popular social networking websites with over 300 million users. (300 million. OMG!)

Here’s an example of Facebook page:

What people post on Facebook runs the gamut from innovative ideas, to great life philosophies, to fun self-expression, to tiresome, over exposure to one’s moment-to-moment thought process. Accordingly, you may discover what is posted is truly worthwhile or you may perceive it as a huge waste of time. For me, it’s a delicate balance of both.

How Facebook Works

Facebook is free for the cruising…I mean using. You will need to register with the website, www.facebook.com , by filling out a form:

After you’ve registered, you’re given the opportunity to create a “profile.” You decide how much information you want to reveal about yourself…birth date, school history, photographs, phone number, interests, etc. You may share as much or as little as you want. I err on the side of cautious and don’t reveal my birth date, phone number, or address. Although, if someone is determined to find that information about me, it isn’t hard as it is all public information.

Once you’re happy with your profile, it’s time to start networking. To become someone’s Facebook friend an invitation is received via e-mail and an acceptance of that invitation must happen. There is no obligation to say “yes” to someone if you don’t want them to follow you. You can search for people on Facebook by their name, e-mail address, work place, or school. I’ve found people on Facebook I haven’t seen since my Old Lyme High School graduation in 1980. Sure, we may never meet face-to-face, but it’s fun to catch up on what’s been happening in their lives and see pictures of their family, vacations, artwork, etc. You may want to use Facebook exclusively for your family to view photos and stay in touch. It is all up to you.

To Navigate Facebook

Click on each of the items offered in the tool bar which runs across the top of Facebook’s site. It’s the best way to get a lay of the land.

Home: Brings you to the “wall” where you view the postings of your friends.

Profile: Shows you your profile and your wall. You can edit your profile or post to your wall from here.

Friends: View your existing friends profiles from here or search for friends you want to invite to join you.

Inbox: Any of your friends can see what is on your wall. Your Inbox is where private correspondence is received.

Your Name: Brings you to your wall (the same as Profile).

Settings: Here you can change account and privacy settings. Be sure to take a look at your choices.

Logout: Signs you out of your account.

Search: Type in the name of someone you seek and click the magnifying glass.

Something you must keep in mind…Everything that is posted on Facebook is essentially public – except what you receive in your Inbox. So, assume your employer or wife can see the photos you post. Assume your landlord can read what you post. Do not say or show something that is incriminating or more controversial than you can handle.

I hope that’s enough insight into what this thing is called Facebook for you to decide if you want to dabble. Let me know if you have any trouble navigating the website or online social networking in general. Happy to be your wingman.

If you would like to join me on Facebook, click this link: http://www.facebook.com/abbypstokes. I consider us friends either way…