Owner: Active Brad's Blog URL:http://activerain.com/blogs/bandersohn Join Date: Wed, 30 May 2007 02:22:09 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Real Estate Blogging Stuff you won't find ANYWHERE else on the Internet! Site statistics:Click here
FLOCK - The New "Social Web" Browser 2008-01-26 11:22:23 Microsoft has a great browser that most of you use for touring the Internet called Internet Explorer. Duh! Some of us have had issues with pages loading slowly, letters getting missed or skipped while typing, and screens locking up with no reasonable explanation. Many of us have to use Microsoft IE for MLS applications and other purposes which I totally understand.I have found that Mozilla and the Firefox Browser have eliminated most of the issues I have had interfacing with Active Rain and many other sites and social networks. Pages load faster, no typing glitches (other than my own mis-spellings), and I have never had a page lock up on me. I also like that if the browser is ever closed unexpectedly, it will restore itself and take you right back to where you left off. Also, if you e Read more:Social
A Life Lesson - Don't Give Up 2008-01-12 14:36:42 Well, I'm finally back to update you on the post "Overcoming Adversity, Change, and Life's Challenges" As most of you know, our family started off the New Year with quite a barrage of unfortunate events. When my wife told me that I should write a post on my Blog about the whole 3 day ordeal, being the stubborn Leo and mule that I am, I resisted! I was in too much shock and drowning in self pity to think anyone needed to know or would care. Man, was I wrong!After finishing the post, I did feel a bit better, but when I started reading the comments from a few of you, I totally lost it and just had to walk away! It took me a while to even come back to the post, and start reading them again. Every comment, every word, every response simply made me weep! I'm not ashamed, I've been humble
Overcoming Adversity, Change & Life's Challenges 2008-01-05 23:06:06 How do you deal with adversity? What about change? When are life's challenges enough to stop you in your tracks? When can you honestly say, the whole world has come crashing down on you? Here's a real life story that will hit home for many of you who have had a similar experience and weren't sure that somehow you'd get through it!On January 1st, 2008, A New Year Dawned! We were enjoying the day with our family just as many of you were. My youngest son Brandon asked if he could go to the skateboard park with a friend he hadn't seen in almost a year. My wife and I agreed to let him go as long as the friends mother would be there to supervise. That's when our "New Year" started to take a turn for the unexpected! Read more:Change
2007 Year In Review - By: Brad Andersohn 2007-12-31 13:54:21 WOW, what a year! Certainly one for the History and Record Books. I was asked to write this "Year In Review" by Jennifer Fivelsdal as a combined effort along with a few of our other Active Rain Members. A reflection of a year now past! Jennifer asked that I cover three areas: Title and Escrow, Technology, and my pick for the Top 12 Member Posts in 2007. I'll give it my best shot, but 2007 was one "INCREDIBLE" and life changing year! This will be a challenging task to try
Swicki - The Tag and Keyword Tool 2007-12-26 00:45:17 This past week, I was busy exploring the use of tags and keywords for the Real Estate 411 Directory Network, when I discovered a really powerful tool called a Swicki! When a visitor or member finds your Swicki, they can see the keywords or tag phrases used to find particular posts or videos. A Swicki allows you to add all the "Key Words" or "Tag Lines" you want to use, and that you want your visitors to see! I have copied the one to the left here from the RE 411 Main Dashboard. I love this tool because it allows your visitors, who may be searching for a certain topic, see keywords that may entice them to be interested in something they might not have thought of during their "keyword" or "tag line" search! Do you know wha Read more:Keyword
Making A Point - The Power Point Way! 2008-03-13 10:50:39 Today, I spoke on the phone with Margaret Rome from Baltimore. She shared with me that she was doing a presentation tomorrow for the WCR called "What's A Blog Anyway?" I decided to try something that has not been done yet here on our Active Rain Blogs. Margaret sent me a copy of her PowerPoint Presentation, I told her I would try to upload it to Google or YouTube as a video. Then we could post it in a Blog on Active Rain. Well I found out tonight that it's just not possible. Let me backup just a bit. Margaret actually called me today because I had made a comment in a post earlier that, "Time is precious and priceless, therefore it is the greatest gift we can give!" She was just calling me to say thanks. Little did she know, that phone call made my day! She could have just commented back, b
FHA Mortgage Limits - A Tool For You 2008-03-12 17:35:25 I want to start off by saying that I know and agree that this topic has literally been beat to death. It has been the topic of discussion across the Country for many months now. The stimulus package, the conforming loan rates and limits, FHA, VA, Nehemiah and yada yada ya! It can be so confusing, especially once you inter-twine the media and press. What are the FHA limits? Is it the same for me as it is for you? What are the guidelines and what do they mean to you, me, the consumer, and anyone else who is interested?Today I came across a site that I'm sure you are all already aware of, but did you know they had this little tool available? When I went to their site, I was thinking, "Ok.. Here we go, another web page that will give me Read more:Mortgage
, Limits
Active Rain "March 2008" Birthdays 2008-03-16 22:22:24 It's time to "Rain" down a little "love" for our Active
Rain Birthday Bloggers! I've wanted to do this on Active Rain for a long time now. "The Active Rain Birthday Party Post!" I got the idea from Neal Bloom starting the Week In Review posts. Last month, I did a post which included BirthdayAlarm.com. I put it on the New Members - Start Here post, in hopes that I'd get more people to sign up. We currently have about 500 people, but if you'd like to celebrate your Birthday "Active Rain Style", then you need to go and ENTER YOUR BIRTHDAY HERE!!This month we want to recognize all the Birthdays
of our fellow friends and members here on Active Rain!! March
Birthday Blogger Babies include:: Hover Your
Passion, It's More Than Just A Word 2008-03-20 11:22:34 When I first joined Active Rain last year, the first thing I read here was the "Mission" Statement: "A FREE Online Network and Community for helping to Promote and Grow Your Business!" Helping promote and grow business is exactly what I had been doing for the clients in my area for many years. This made it a seamless and easy transition to "join" Active Rain as a new member. (then, only 28,000 members) That's when I discovered the power of Blogging. For those of you who have been following my Blog, (and life in general) know what an incredible journey it has been for me and my family this year! It has been absolutely, one of the most challenging and "Life Changing" years we have ever endured. Th Read more:Passion
How to Add a Power Point Presentation to Your Blog 2008-03-21 23:29:38 Do you use Microsoft Power Point for any presentations at all? Here's the instructions for adding a Power Point Presentation to your Blog. We are going to incorporate it into this post and show you how it's done: Today I will use Scribd.com. There are others like , but I have not tested them thoroughly yet.A couple things you'll want to know first: The two most common Internet Browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. Depending on the readers/viewers browser will determine how your presentation will appear. I would suggest always having a quick disclaimer or instructional comment for both platforms. I like to use the following:DISCLAIMER: "Best Viewed with the Mozilla Firefox Browser. Internet Explorer Users, Click on the Magnifying Glass and use the "slide
Real Estate Technology - The RE.Net Update 2008-03-28 17:22:42 This week in the Real EstateTechnology
arena, the Gigabytes have been over-run by the Tera-bytes, and the CPU's and PC's are fighting the good fight with the MacBook Pros. The PC vs MAC commercials just keep getting better and better. But in the Real Estate
Technology side of the "techKnowBabble" world, there are some cool things going on around this place.iHOUSE Web Solutions, one of the leaders in real estate technology, has finally announced the launch of their popular Realius game, “Price Me Now®.” iHOUSE will be hosting their totally free Web-based game at A Real Estate Game? Are you kidding me? More Details All this talk and BUZZ about Video really needs to be put into perspective. Video has moved online in a huge way. Some Read more:Update
Flip Video - Taking It To The Streets 2008-03-31 11:08:13 For those of you from my musical era, do I hear you thinking "Doobie Brothers" right now? LOL!~ I recently received my Flip Video Camera from Bob at ActiveRain. I was asked to demo the camera along with an on-line Video editing and production platform called Mixpo, Video Advertising for small and medium sized businesses. This past week, I had the chance to "Take It To The Streets" and use them both in the field.I was given an opportunity to meet up with a few of the other ActiveRain members, so I wanted to put the camera and Mixpo to the test. This is just one way to use the Flip Video and on-line editing applications to produce many types of Marketing, Advertising, and Educational campaigns. The following is an interview from my new "Flip Video Series" with fellow ActiveRain member Read more:Taking
An ActiveRain Video Invitation 2008-03-27 03:59:42 As you may have heard, there's a big "Video Contest" being put on by your TEAM here at ActiveRain. This is a contest that EVERY SINGLE MEMBER should enter. You know that video is coming, and that it will be the next level of technology we MUST incorporate to stay or be competitive. You do know that right? :-) So get your video camera, and have some FUN!! You can't miss an opportunity like this one for sure! Just look at these prizes: 1st Prize 1 ticket to the Day with Seth Godin event in New York City Hotel accommodations for two nights (the proceeds from our ticket purchase have already been donated to The Acumen Fund) Read more:Invitation
How to Use The Flip Video Camera with Your Computer 2008-04-07 21:30:40 I have received many calls and emails with questions and comments regarding the "Flip Video" camera. I decided to create some "How To" posts for both the Video Camera
and the Mixpo.com Editing and Production Console. This post will cover all you need to know about the Flip Video, and how to make it work with your computer. The Mixpo Tutorial will follow shortly. The first thing you need to know is that there is a process you need to complete before you can drag and drop your videos onto your desktop, laptop, or Apple computer. I will cover these steps and try to simplify the process to make it as easy as possible for you to begin using your camera. This only takes about 5-8 minutes, but will save you hours of making phone calls and shedding tears of frustration. :-))The First Steps:A Read more:Computer
ActiveRain & Mixpo - Oh What Fun It Is!!! 2008-04-03 00:54:06 Here's a "Flip Video" interview with Nate Ellis, A California Lender, using "Mixpo" as the on-line editing and Production platform. I will be out of town for the next couple days, and wanted to leave you with a sample of some of the new tools being offered here at ActiveRain. Enjoy!! :-)
A Couple Quick Tips:
Mixpo editing software is the only one I have ever seen that allows you to embed links within your video. You can Create custom links to any Website, Blog, Email or Page on the Internet. Now this is truly cutting edge technology that "ANYONE" can understand and use.
You can click on the little green HD (High Def) on the lower right corner of the video for Higher resolution.
Once the video starts, you can click on the green buttons at the top to:
1. **INQU
ActiveRain "LIVE" on Late Night with TBWS - Are You In? 2008-04-10 19:53:51 TBWS Late Night
will be hosting a "LIVE" video and "Air" broadcast with the ActiveRain TEAM today, Thursday April 11, 2008 at 6:30pm PST, 8:30pm CST, and 9:30pm EST. We will have Bob Stewart, Rich Jacobson and myself "LIVE" and available to take your calls, comments, and questions etc. We may even get Jonathan Washburn to pipe in for a few if enough members respond to this "First Ever" live broadcast with the AR staff. Frank Garay will be the host for the evening. Let's crash the Party!! :-) With your help, I'd like to light up the TBWS switchboard and phone lines like a Christmas Tree. Let's flood the show with calls from members, and show listeners and viewers what the AR spirit is all about. I& Read more:Late Night
10 Tips For Creating Better Quality Videos 2008-04-09 17:02:14 I am in no way the Video expert, but there are some things that I have learned these past few weeks that may be helpful to you when creating Video for your Blogs or Websites. Many of us have to just learn by doing. Shooting a quality Video is the same as writing a quality post for your Blog. Content is king, but there are a few other factors that come into play. Just like a well written Blog, there are some techniques, styles, tricks, and tools that should probably be considered and implemented when creating Video to share with the world. Using A Tripod when recording, is one of the most crucial elements of a "Quality
" video. There is nothing worse than watching a video when the camera is moving and shaking all over the place. Sure, it's OK Read more:Creating
A Night Out With My Dad 2008-04-11 03:39:30 Hi my name is Brandon Andersohn, and I am 11 years old. I want to tell you about a night out with my dad. It was one of the best nights of my life. I went to go see the living legend JOE SATRIANI, he is my idol. Last night, Joe Satriani had a guitar clinic in San Francisco. Now many of you might not know who he is but he is one of the best guitar players in the world!! The drive to San Francisco was about two hours but it was worth it because two reasons, one, I love spending time with my dad, and I got to in the car. Second, it was the best clinic/concert I’ve ever been to in my life. When we got to San Francisco it took so long to find parking. After the relief that we found parking just guess how long the line was. Yeah try more than 400 people and it took forever for the lin Read more:Night
The Real Estate Market - Is Now The Best Time To Buy? 2008-04-12 14:01:09 This post is a Video interview with Jeff Dennis from Coldwell Banker, a 30 year veteran in the Real Estate
Industry, giving his opinion of whether we have hit the bottom of the Real Estate market or not, and if now is the best time to buy or invest in Real Estate. Jeff is the past President of the Solano Association of Realtors, and is also the Author of the book, "To The Letter."
Should I Buy or Invest in Real Estate Now?
This video was recorded on 4/7/2008 using Flip Video and the ActiveRain Mixpo editor Read more:Market
, Best Time
How To Customize and Personalize Your ActiveRain Blog 2008-04-15 09:51:57 You may have noticed all the personalized Blogs lately here on ActiveRain. I hope this post will help you join the crowd.
If you need assistance with customizing or personalizing your ActiveRain Blog, feel free to contact me anytime. :-) Read more:Personalize
How To Get Started with Mixpo 2008-04-17 20:06:57 It's FINALLY time to get on with the show! The Mixpo Show!! ActiveRain and Mixpo have officially partnered to bring you a powerful new tool and platform for your video editing and video productions. A simple way to create, edit, and produce Video that can be used on your AR Blogs, Profiles, and Websites. Mixpo is now available for ActiveRain Members!
SEE HOW MIXPO WORKS FOR YOUR BUSINESS!
While we are in the introductory stage of incorporating Mixpo Video, you can still sign up for a monthly subscription at a very low price, or you can save a few bucks by subscribing annually. "You mean there's a fee?" Yes there is, but it's a minimal fee for what you'll get, and it is only to help defray the cost of implementing and supporting the application for all the ActiveRain memb
ActiveRain Reunites Lost Brothers After 41 Years - Unbelievable!! 2008-03-02 14:43:15 Today my wife asked me to take a walk with her in the back roads of Green Valley, CA. Just a peaceful two mile stroll to let off some stress and have some time alone together in the Country. When we returned home, I went upstairs to my office to check my email. When I opened up my Yahoo email, this is what I saw: Now at first glance, I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, but when I saw the name Rick Andersohn (spelled with an "H" ) I just about fell off my chair. I couldn't open it quick enough!! I have not seen or heard from my Brother in over 40 years! He is the only other Andersohn Read more:Reunites
, Brothers
, Years
, Unbelievable
Once Brothers, Now Friends! 2008-04-21 11:29:47 About two months ago, my bother Rick Andersohn found me here on ActiveRain. He used Google to do a name search and the rest became history today! When I was 5 years old, my brother and I were separated from each other due to one of those unfortunate events in life we all hate called divorce. I had looked for my brother Rick for so many years, and at this point in my life, I was ready to give up, throw in the towel, and come to terms with knowing that I'd never see him again! Today, after more than 40 years, two brothers were reunited in one of those special moments that stopped time!! OMG!! Finally, I'd be coming face to face with a complete stranger yet knowing he is my brother. I don't even know who he is, or what he looks like. I wouldn't know where to begin if I had to explain Read more:Brothers
, Friends
Viddler Video Commenting - Is This Vlogging? 2008-04-22 10:34:35 Today I was reviewing one of the Video's I put together for my kids called "The Magic Floating Dollar!" I was explaining to them some ways that a REALTOR® could use this as a demonstration when at a Listing Appointment. Instead of a dollar, the agent could use their business card to perform a memorable and fun presentation.
I have been spending lot's of time reviewing many different Video hosting platforms: YouTube Yahoo Video MySpace DivX Stage6 CrushedPlanet.com OurStage.com Google Video VeOH Grouper iFilm Caught On Video TinyPic Multiply YouAreTV OverairTV Yourfilehost MetaCafe DiDGU WellcomeMat and I am sure there are many others I may have missed, but Viddler is one that had a feature that really kind of impressed me. Viddler is a Video hosting website Read more:Commenting
How To Use Mixpo Video Online Tools 2008-04-24 19:54:50 Many ActiveRain members have signed up for the Mixpo Video, so I wanted to share a tutorial on using Mixpo for your ActiveRain Blogs. There will be a series of tutorials to follow, and some by other members I'm sure, but this will be a great start to get you up and running with Mixpo Video. If you have never created, edited, or uploaded video onto the internet or into your Blog posts, this will be a great place for you to start. If you haven't signed up, or just want to know more about Mixpo - CLICK HERE! So You Just Shot Your Video - Now What Do You Do With It?Once you have recorded some RAW video either with a Flip Video Camera, a digital camera, a movie camera or just with your cell phone, all you need to do is get it transferred to your compu Read more:Tools
The Blog and The Spouse - In Our House! 2008-04-29 02:07:26 This past weekend, I did a post and found out that there may be some REAL issues with Blogging and Spouse
s! Not mine of course, well... there have been days....LOL! In light of a somewhat humorous post I put up on Saturday, I wanted to follow-up with what really happened this past weekend. When I wrote the post "Mama Says NO BLOGGING," it was somewhat of a joke, but the reality was, my wife wanted me off the work computer, and in the recording studio to finish one of her songs. It's been an ongoing project for the past couple weeks. Music, it's our other "shared" passion! In the past, I have always written the music, and she does a great job writing the lyrics and performing the songs. This time, she has written the entire song herself. She finally got me away from the computer long Read more:House
ActiveRain at Real Estate Connect 2008 2008-05-02 14:44:57 There's a buzz in the Blogosphere about the Inman Real EstateConnect
in San Francisco this year. Have you heard? It's Coming pretty quick. Last year, it was a total blast, and this year promises to be even better. It's going to be at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco again, on July 23-25th, 2008. I just wanted to remind everyone how cool it was last year, and how much bigger and better it will be this year. It's one thing to meet people from all over the Country online, but then meeting them in person is the REAL DEAL! It was so cool getting to learn about Blogging, Industry tools and technologies, Real Estate
challenges and solutions, but the best part for me was meeting and getting to know ALL the people. Too Much Fun!! This year, ActiveRain staff and
7 Unique Mixpo Video Tools 2008-05-11 23:19:55 There are many valuable and powerful tools using Mixpo, these are just some of my favorite that I wanted to share and let you know are available. Comparing these Video Hosting Sites these past few months has been challenging, only because there are so many. Each unique in it's own way. I support ANY video platform that can help your business marketing and advertising. Video in Real Estate Is Viral! ..be sure to read this one.
Here are 7 things about Mixpo for existing users and others who may be interested.
Mixpo is all online. This gives you access to your library of videos from any computer with internet access. No software is needed to upload, edit, produce and publish your video media.
Adding Links in the body of a Video is so new and unique, most viewers don Read more:Tools
ActiveRain Drops in Tennessee 2008-05-10 11:46:28 I've just returned home from an ActiveRain field training in Dyersburg, Tennessee
. Mike Frazier from Carousel Realty coordinated the entire event. This was the first official "ActiveRain Field Training" for myself, AR, and for Tennessee. It was an incredible journey and I was honored to be the "Chosen One" to scatter some "Rain Drops
" across the Country.
I spent many hours in travel for this 4 hour class,it was worth every minute, and I would do it all over again. I was very fortunate to see and experience so much in just 48 hours. Nothing short of awesome! The ActiveRain members in Tennessee are some of the kindest, most generous and hospitable people I have ever met. There are so many things that I could post about this trip. I know other members are Blogging about it too, so t
7 Unique ActiveRain Video Tools 2008-05-12 11:39:01 There are many valuable and powerful tools using ActiveRain Video, these are just some of my favorite that I wanted to share and let you know are available. Comparing these Video Hosting Sites these past few months has been challenging, only because there are so many. Each unique in it's own way. I totally support ANY video platform that can help your business marketing and advertising Read more:Tools
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