Adding Google; Calendars, Profiles Voice and GFC

Hope everyone didn't eat to much turkey and had a fun time over the holidays.

It's been a busy last couple of months:

Did a lot of work with The Travel Calendar. Added 4 events Calendars:

• Travel Industry Events


• Food and Wine Festivals Calendar
  


• Technology Events Calendar
  


• Music Festivals Calendar

Please feel free to leave a comment about any upcoming events or festivals.

These are public calendars, so they can be viewed by anyone and can be imported into any Outlook Calendar, iPhone or Blackberry Calendar.

The events come with a link to the main event site and a Google map so directions can be obtained will on the road with most handheld devices.

Also started adding my photos from Barbados and the Cayman Islands. I have plenty more to go so check it out again in another month.

Added a new background, that is more in tune with American Express to my websites at work: willtrav.com and cruiseandvacationexperts.com

I now have 15 travel photos on Google Earth.

I'm now managing my phone calls with Google Voice. This is a easy way to manage your phone calls. Watch the videos.

Using my Google profile as part of my email signature. Everyone has their own connection on the web, so whither it's Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Flickr they know where they can connect and be friends.

Next month:

I'm currently working with Artisteer on a new design layout so buy the end of December I should have a few new custom Wordpress themes on a couple of my sites.

Redesigning my Flickr account

We all know Flickr is the largest and one of the oldest photo social sites, but I have never been sure how to make the best use of it.

Of course I want more people to see my photos and would like to stretch my social skills. I've started several groups, ClubMed, Riu Resorts, Caribbean Princess, Atlanta Steeplechase and the Bausch & Lomb Tennis Championships. But still feel like I want to get more out of Flickr.

I think I've solved the dilemma: Changing the Copy-Right to Creative Commons, with restrictions. I don't want my photos; changes, sold and attribution. so here are the rules to use my photos.

1. You may not use this work for commercial purposes or sell these images. If you would like to buy one please contact me.
2. You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.
3. You must attribute the photo to me as the author by name (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).

I've started 2 sets of photos with the Copy-Rights set to Creative Commons New Orleans and Barbados. The photos have been resized to work on the web and you have several sizes to choose from. When you see a photo you like just click on the all sizes button at the top to 4 different sizes and pick the one that works for you the best.

I plan on working on the other photos as time permits, but if you see one you must have please let me know and I will change the Copy-Rights.

If you would like some help with your travel web site please let me know.

Travel Blogs and the travel industry

Blogs are changing the Travel Industry
Travel agents are starting to embrace the web with a vengeance. And it's been a long time coming in my humble opinion.

Travel Blogs are popping up every where and in every aspect of the travel industry. Tourism Boards, hoteliers, and travel agencies are taking advantage of the marketing medium. I am seeing more and more travel agent, specially at home agents, Blogs are an easy way to get out information on their expertise, their last trip, and special deals.

The full article on Travel blogs

Week in Review: Networking & Chicklets

This has been a web-busy week, at work and for my own sites.

At Work:
Sent out an email newsletter with links back to Vacation & Getaways. Also added chicklets to this blog and to Business Travel Updates.

Networking:
Started 2 new memberships at:

1. MyBlogLog I really like this site. It's not a big site I think, but there's lots of bloggers and it seems to be very active.

2. LinkedIn: This is a business orinated site for networking.


I was out at the Chattahoochee River last week and took some pics of Trout Unlimited TU and Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper UCR group cleaning up the river.

Welcome to my new Blog

These sets of posts are about my blogs: changes, expectations and what I'm doing to increase viewers.