New TuDiabetes.com Online Store... Live!

Today, we've launched, a TuDiabetes.com Online Store with an assortment of very
cool designs for bumper stickers, mugs, magnets PLUS t-shirts (we're
starting with two) and an apron as well.

This comes in response to the request from numerous members, so it is now a reality and one that makes us very happy. Here's the URL:
http://www.zazzle.com/tudiabetes*

and below you can see the items:


We've made a commitment to donate
10% of our profits to the IDF Child Sponsorship Program.

A HUGE thanks to Andreina for her incredible and patient design work and for making such a fun store a reality!

En Un Puerto Miamero Vive Nuestro Amigo Marco

Pocos amigos son como hermanos. Para mi, uno de ellos es Rafa. Hoy le nacio su tercer chamo (si: Rafa y Gina son bien arrechos!!)

Aqui pueden verlo: se llama Marco y llego al mundo casi sin abrir los ojos (espero que se den cuenta de que estoy echando vaina). ;)

Felicitaciones a los padres, abuelos, tios y toda la tropa!!!

Text Rain

I remembered today that we had seen an exhibit in the Dr. Seuss section of the Miami Chidren's Museum, a while back. Here's a video of how it works.

El Moreno Michael en Orlando

Aparte de El Conde del Guacharo, el sabado vimos a El Moreno Michael, quien abrio el show. Fue realmente impresionante. Aqui lo tienen cantando "La Vida es un Carnaval" como Celia Cruz.

Yahoo! Answers: The Answer To The Prayers of Site Owners

Where is your target audience hiding? How can you present yourself to them most efficiently?

Thanks to the multiple internet marketing tactics available, this is not such a difficult question to answer anymore. Enter Yahoo! Answers: since its launched in late 2005, it has grown into one of the most exciting properties of the Yahoo! spectrum: "over 90 million users worldwide with around 18 million users in the United States", according to Search Engine Journal.

With those figures, it's easy to imagine how you can target your message very specifically to the people you want to talk to. In my case, I took it upon myself to give it a shot, as a means to promote TuDiabetes.com, a community for people touched by diabetes that I had founded earlier in 2007. So, how to start?

The depth and breadth of the site is monumental, so there's a very good chance that you will be able to find a niche category that very closely fits your target. That was my case: Home > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Diabetes sounded like a winner to me when I saw it.

Once I spotted the category, I just started looking for questions that I could answer. But I took it upon myself to go beyond a plain "Yes" or "No", when answering questions: I made sure to always give a useful reply, much like I've done in the past with Amazon.com reviews, one that I personally would find useful myself, if I were in the shoes of the person asking the question. When you do a good job, you can get your answer selected as the best one, which earns you 10 points. If you do not earn that award, for answering alone, you earn 2 points. If you just vote for the best answer given to another question, you earn 1 point. And if you only show up, you earn 1 point for doing so, once a day.

So, how does it tie into your business? Answering a question earns you more than just a reputation based on points in the eyes of the community. To the individual getting the (useful) answer, it may make a profound difference. Now, if you can tie in your answer with a link back to your site, which contains even MORE information that will be of value to the person, even better: it's a pretty safe bet that they will follow the link and land on your site.

Provided that you are for real, and not just trying to play "bait and switch" on people (unfortunately, there are more than just a few individuals with no ethics that will try to take advantage of innocent people clicking around on Yahoo! Answers too), you will have earned the person's trust after that visit to your web site: and trust lies at the heart of your ability to earn and retain that person's loyalty and/or business (if you are selling a product/service).

Before you head out and start answering people's questions on Yahoo! Answers, make sure to read this very useful tutorial on how to do this in more detail.

Tu Diabetes: Weekly Video Podcast, Episode #3

Find more videos like this on TuDiabetes.com

Close to 500 members had joined TuDiabetes.com as of July 21, which represents a growth of almost 14% in membership.

On this video I look pretty tired. Gotta learn to do the podcasts earlier in the day! :)

ccMixter: A Fabulous Resource for Free Audio Tracks

I was researching for sites that could help me find music that I can license for free to use as part of our weekly podcasts and found ccMixter, a project of Creative Commons.

Today's podcast will feature the hip, nu-jazzy "F.J.C. (Flaneur Jockey Club) (ft. Celio Jones (trumpet))" by TRZ.exp.

Vote for Our Video To Make a Difference Among People with Diabetes and Others

We are a day away from the Debate among Democratic Candidates for US President. I received word today through YouTube that Senator John Edwards announced he will answer the two questions with the most votes on CommunityCounts.us, during a live webcast following the debate.

Our video question on the position of candidates on Stem Cell Research (below) is among the videos opting for this top spot.

To vote for it, visit this page:
http://www.communitycounts.us/?q=demdebate&search=manuelhp42
and click on "ANSWER" (the link with green background).

Let's make it to the TOP 2. Spread the word!! Digg it.


Find more videos like this on Tu Diabetes.com

El Conde del Guacharo en Orlando

Anoche fuimos a ver a El Conde del Guacharo en el Bob Carr, junto a Luis, Michelle, Loly y Edgard. Abrio El Moreno Michael. Los dos estuvieron monumentales.

Aqui tienen un numerito de El Conde, explicando por que los venezolanos no sabemos emigrar.



Tambien pueden disfrutar de un video que puse de El Moreno Michael, cantando como Celia Cruz.

Roman(US): A Transatlantic Ambient Musical Collaboration Comes To Life

The sound of water... drops falling, in a cascade... foggy woods, in a distant land... these are all feelings that the latest project by Roman(US) evokes with ease. Roman(US) is a duo not unlike The Postal Service, in the sense that it was the result of a long distance musical collaboration. Like their Venezuelan colleagues Masseratti 2Lts, ROman(US), is a family project: on one side, there is Jose Duque (also well known for his work with ZumbaTres), who lives in New Hampshire; on the other side, there is Felix Duque, Jose's cousin, who lives in Barcelona Spain.

"The Secret Lives of Trees" came as a surprise. It is a complete departure from Jose's previous (jazz) work, falling more under the category of ambient or electronic. The uniquely high-pitched voice of Felix gives the album a very ethnic feel which, coupled with the layers of synthesizers and programmed (yet highly organic-sounding) rhythms, bring Deep Forest, Enigma and Robert Miles to mind. However, the end result comes close to serving as the score to a very surreal dream than an actual world music album. Think Massive Attack meets Jeff Buckley and maybe you will come close.

In the end, this is an amazing album to play with low lights, at night or when you are in need to have music not get in the way, but rather go along... to let you dream it, almost without thinking. For now, the album is available online at CDBaby and iTunes.

For more information, visit the band's MySpace page at www.myspace.com/romanusmusic or their Virb page at virb.com/romanus.

Budweiser's Swear Jar

Funny commercial... enjoy!

Will TuDiabetes.com Reach 500 Members Today?

Will it not? What will happen? Suspense! Action! Emotion!

Don't miss it for the world... it may be happening today AND you can help: invite others you know that will find the community useful or link to TuDiabetes.

If you have done this already, a warm THANK YOU from all the other 473 members in TuDiabetes!

Jobs of the future, #1: Online Community Organizer

Seth Godin is writing in his blog about the Jobs of the Future. The first one listed is "Online Community Organizer".

Well, that's promising! I guess I have I will always have a job! (although, quite honestly, what I do in TuDiabetes.com doesn't feel much like a job... it's more like a constant dream come true).

A Great Book For Those Interested In Organizing Online Communities
Along the lines of this topic, I recently finished reading a book that constitutes a priceless resource for online and mobile entrepreneurs, called Smart Start-Ups: How Entrepreneurs and Corporations Can Profit by Starting Online Communities

I can't think of a more enlightening book on the topic of entrepreneurship applied to the world of online and mobile communities (can't quite figure out why or how the editors skipped the mention of the mobile component in the title of the book either).

I picked it up by pure accident at a bookstore one day and now it's become an essential reference as I am working on the development of TuDiabetes.com. Although I am not in complete agreement with some of the strategies presented, overall David Silver provides up and coming entrepreneurs with a chockfull of ideas that will keep you making notes as you go through the chapters.

As a veteran online communiteer, I highly recommend this book for anyone considering venturing into the online (or mobile) world to colonize new spaces as we enter the new era of the internet. Make sure to get your copy.

Phone Salesman Turned Opera Singer

By way of Henkel I learned about this "little lump of coal that turned into a diamond".

His name is Paul Potts and he went on to win the British version of American Idol, called "Britain's Got Talent" last week.

Enjoy...

TuDiabetes Animated Banner

Andreina did it again! She pulled off a real slick animated gif banner to help people link to TuDiabetes.com. Here it is!



If you want the code, here it is:

<a href="http://tudiabetes.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://avanceassociates.com/tudiabetes/tudiabetes_200x220_banner_members.gif" border="0" /></a>

Juan Luis Guerra: La Llave De Mi Corazon

Quien no recuerda "Bachata Rosa", "Si Tu Te Vas" o "Mi PC"? Juan Luis Guerra forma parte integral del haber crecido en Hispanoamerica en los años ochenta y noventa. Desde el cambio de siglo, no se sentia con la misma fuerza (o al menos no lo sentia YO con la misma fuerza), pero "La Llave De Mi Corazon" cambio todo de nuevo.

Aunque el sonido del album recuerda a la mejor epoca del gigante genio de la musica Dominicana, el album refresca el ambiente, recordandole al mundo el nivel de genialidad de Juan Luis Guerra que logra a un mismo tiempo alborotarle a uno las ganas de bailar y de decirle "Te Amo" a la pareja. No hay cancion debil en el album, lo cual equivale a decir que no hay descanso para los fanaticos de Juan Luis a lo largo y ancho de los 13 tracks.

Simplemente, sin lugar a duda, "La Llave De Mi Corazon" es el mejor album latino del año 2007.


P.S. Gracias, Rafa y Gina, por el regalo! :)

Serrat y Sabina: Dos Pajaros De Un Tiro

Joan Manuel Serrat y Joaquin Sabina andan de gira... JUNTOS! Empezaron en Junio, y luego de cubrir toda España, tendran varias fechas en America Latina.

Lastima que no vienen para Estados Unidos... :(

How To Get Rid of Hoax or Competitor Google Ads

Here's a tip for those of you who want to filter out Google Ads from your site, either because they show competitors or because they direct traffic to hoax/scam web sites that you want to protect your visitors from:

1) Go to your Google Adsense account and login;
2) Click on Adsense Setup (second tab);
3) Click on Competitive Ad Filter (last option);
4) Add the domains of as many ads you want to block.

In a few hours, you will no longer see them pop up.

They CAN come back: with a different URL (much like e-mail SPAMmers do), but at least you will have gotten rid of the first ones.

Back from Miami: TuDiabetes Weekly Podcast on the Beach

Si prefieres disfrutar de la version en español, haz click aquí.

Turning 35 and Not Freaking Out

Sunday, I will turn 35. Since I am going to be out of town starting tomorrow, I may not be able to post something, so...

Today I received a musical birthday card from everyone at the office (playing Santana's "Oye Como Va!") and I realized that I am not freaking out about this birthday the way I did when I turned 25 or 30 (somehow those "round number" birthdays did that to me).

Life is good. In spite of the diabetes, I keep myself healthy. I have a great family. I have great friends and colleagues. I have met some of the most incredible and inspiring people in the course of the past two months through the TuD community... I mean, who can ask for more?

God, Life:
Thank you!

Dad:
I miss you, but you continue to inspire me every day of my life. This birthday's for you!

'100% of What We Do Is Based on Community'

A while back, I shared with you the news of a book that was written in a collaborative fashion (with the participation of over 4,000 business innovators from around the world), to be titled "We Are Smarter Than Me".

The book will be available in September. Having participated in some of the wikis in the early stages, I highly recommend you pre-order your copy.

In line with this, today I read on the Knowledge@Wharton Newsletter an excerpt of a podcast where one of the book's co-authors speaks with Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist. The title of the excerpt was: "100% of What We Do Is Based on Community". Are you surprised that this is one of the most profitable web outlets out there?

You can download the podcast here.

Where you do you stand on Stem Cell Research?

This was the video question I submitted minutes ago for the Democratic presidential debate next week.



=====
In the US, over 21 million people have diabetes. Worldwide, 246 million people are living with diabetes.

Embryonic stem cell research is seen by many scientists around the world as a promise of a cure for diseases such as diabetes.

Yet, exercising his veto power, President Bush has limited federal funding for this type of research.

If elected for President, will you override the current policy regarding Stem Cell Research?

TuDiabetes Reaches 400 Members!

(pardon me people, because I am very excited about this news)

TuDiabetes.com received today its 400th member. We have been growing about 10% every week for the past month.

Thanks to everyone who has been supporting us throughout the process, inviting other people, linking to the site, etc.

=====

TuDiabetes.com recibio hoy su miembro #400. Hemos estado creciendo a razon de 10% semanal en las ultimas semanas.

Gracias a todos los que nos han apoyado atraves del proceso, invitando otras personas, poniendo links hacia la comunidad, etc.

Incredible Web Site: The Los Angeles Film School

I just landed on the new web site for the Los Angeles Film School: It's incredible... I am truly impressed! (is it my impression, or the sky on the home page gets darker as time evolves? Certainly lights in the offices are getting turned on!)

246 Million People Are Living with Diabetes

Take five minutes and watch this video. They may be the 5 best minutes you could invest.



"In the US, one of three children born in 2000 will develop diabetes at some point in their lives."

These are stats, but behind every stat, there is a story and there is no reason that people should have to have complications due to diabetes. Having diabetes is not a death sentence, but you need to educate yourself and you need to be able to afford the medications and treatment.

If you or someone you know has diabetes, you are not alone... remember that. If you want to connect with other people with diabetes, join TuDiabetes.com.

I Now Pronounce You Man and Wife... Online!

The world is changing. You've heard the expression. But it is going WAY faster than you ever imagined.

Today I got an invite for a wedding from a friend at work. I was very happy for him: I had known him and his bride-to-be since he started working with me four years ago. I didn't have time to view the invitation (it was sent via e-mail, a-la-eVite) so I forwarded it home.

What would be my surprise? I was invited to an Electronic Wedding! How cool is that? I mean... Have you ever attended electronically a wedding? Well, I was! Now I know the world is changing!

You think this is rare? Think again: the Little Chapel of the Flowers in Vegas has a huge queue of weddings: just today (7/9), there were over 15. And that is only one chapel in one city. ;)

Live Earth: A Wasted Event?

Reading a very detailed commentary about the Live Earth concert, written by my friend Mat brought back to mind one that I wrote a while back, called "You are what you choose".

More and more, in such a connected world that will hardly ever loose its memory again thanks to Google, it's going to be important that people (those who lead initiatives like this one and those who choose to be a part of it) "walk the talk".

Otherwise, ideas that could have a great impact could be turned into a lot of waste... that is going to be hard to recycle.

Blooper, while recording the Tu Diabetes podcast...

I had the number of members written on the palm of one hand and the web site URL on the other one. I got them mixed up at the end, when saying: "Don't forget to sign up..."

Tu Diabetes: Weekly Video Podcast, Episode #1

Tu Diabetes: Weekly Podcast, Episode #1

TuDiabetes has a MySpace Page

Thanks to Luis for his HUGE help in getting the TuDiabetes MySpace page off the ground in record time yesterday!

If you have a MySpace page, PLEASE add TuDiabetes. We want to spread the word about the site in as many ways as possible.

Our MySpace page is: http://www.myspace.com/tudiabetes

What Would You Ask All the Candidates?

You are invited to a forum where all the candidates (democrats and republicans) for US President are present: what do you ask them? What would you like to hold them accountable for?

Recursos para venezolanos, por venezolanos

Technorati de Venezolanos? Esta Veneblogs, un site con el cual estaba familiarizado hacia tiempo, pero ayer descubri VenExpats, gracias al pana y excelente musico de jazz Jose Roman Duque.

Como el nombre lo implica, es un directorio de venezolanos en el exterior. El site es mantenido por Daniel Rodriguez, quien tambien esta a cargo de La Chuleta Venezolana (imaginen un Urban Dictionary de terminologia criolla venezolana).

Altamente recomendados y recomendables los dos recursos: para venezolanos, por venezolanos.

Gina Bianchini from Ning Matters!

Just a moment to say congratulations to Gina Bianchini, CEO of Ning.com for making it to the Business 2.0 "50 Who Matter Now".

Ning is the platform that TuDiabetes.com runs on... what more can I say but thanks?

Other names listed were these that I was excited about were:
-At #38, Arianna Huffington, Co-founder, Huffington Post - she's one of the people who have turned blogging into an everyday word.

-At #37, the Fake Steve Jobs - check out his blog.

-At #29, Nicholas Negroponte, Chairman, One Laptop Per Child - he's behind the initiative I never thought I'd see his name rise like this again.

-At #13, Jimmy Wales, Founder, Wikipedia; Chairman, Wikia - have you seen the Diabetes Wikia?

-At #12. Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO, Amazon.com - OK, I am a fan of Amazon (and Amazon.com reviewer #74).

-At #1, the Google Trio - after all, they make life online possible... don't they? :) (though the Google ads posted in here could use some help sometimes!) :D

The Amazing Work of a Six Foot Giraffe

I work with a Six Foot Giraffe... well, it's not actually a six-foot tall giraffe, but rather an incredible artist who goes by the monicker Six Foot Giraffe. His name is Kyle Smith and he went to school for Digital Art and Design, here at Full Sail.

Now, he works as an Illustrator in our Publishing Team (the good people that put our Course Materials together). I just LOVE his style: it's got a very raw and urban feel to it.

See what you think. Check out his work at SixFootGiraffe.com

Jose Luis Rodriguez: Amante Eterna, Amante Mia

A agarrarse los viejitos!!! Ahi les va, Jose Luis Rodriguez cantando "Amante Eterna, Amante Mia" en el Festival Viña del Mar (Chile), en 1981.



Aqui lo tienen cantando "Voy a Perder La Cabeza Por Tu Amor" tambien.

I Feel Fine...

This is an attempt to see "We Feel Fine" in action. Check it out: it's pretty amazing. Not unlike the PostSecret Project, but all automated and way cooler!

"Since August 2005, We Feel Fine has been harvesting human feelings from a large number of weblogs. Every few minutes, the system searches the world's newly posted blog entries for occurrences of the phrases "I feel" and "I am feeling". When it finds such a phrase, it records the full sentence, up to the period, and identifies the "feeling" expressed in that sentence (e.g. sad, happy, depressed, etc.). Because blogs are structured in largely standard ways, the age, gender, and geographical location of the author can often be extracted and saved along with the sentence, as can the local weather conditions at the time the sentence was written. All of this information is saved."

I feel tired. I should go to bed.

The world's youngest super-drummer

I know you don't believe me, but my son Santiago (he's turning four in three months) has got a LOT of rhythm. See for yourself. This was this Sunday morning: