How do you keep yourself in-the-loop with technology and other business need-to-knows? I won't be able to tell you how entrepreneurs that run their business full time do it. We're boot strapping our company, so the process is a bit more restrictive with our other full-time gigs in the way. For us - at Digital Alias, we use a couple of different tools, such as: Podcasts, RSS readers, and various social media tools to stay on the up n' up!

Podcasts

I'll have to say that listening to podcasts have really kept me in the loop with technology. I realized it one day while taking the metro that I've been in the "early adopters" group because I try out the products/services I hear from certain podcasts. If you're a Windows or Mac user iTunes will be your best place to start searching for podcasts. For everyone else you'll kind of have to do a bit of searching.  You're best starting place is to do a Google search for "podcast directory" or any sort of "directory". For instance I'll search for "linux podcast directory" or "atlanta business podcast directory", etc.  Here are a couple of good podcasts I listen to:

• TWiT (This Week in Tech) [rss]- This is the mecca of technology podcasting. Former TechTV host, Leo Laporte, provides a panel of tech experts (in their respective industries) to talk about what's going on right now.
• TWiST (This Week in Startups) [rss] - An awesome podcast for entreprenuers. It's hosted by Mahalo's Jason Calacanis and each week he interviews successful entreprenuers and they go into great detail about business skills and trade secrets.
• Boagworld [rss] - This is an EXCELLENT podcast for web developers and designers. Boagworld focuses on web standards and other web development concepts, from a business perspective. Now if only SitePoint would launch a podcast!
• Diggnation [rss] - In the beginning they used to really be helpful in keeping me in-the-loop, but lately they've turned more into an entertainment podcast than informative.
• FLOSS Weekly [rss] - For us Linux-heads, this is a great show that talks about projects outside of Linux. It's all about free and open software.

I have 13 other feeds, but they are mostly FOSS (free/open source software) or entertainment related. If you really want to know them, comment on this post and I'll list them.

When To Listen?

The answer to this question will vary from person to person. I think the best time to listen to these informative podcasts is while in commute to the office or to the store or wherever. The idea is to be in a situation where you don't have to use a lot of brain power, thus you can process what's being said better.  Through my personal experience, I've come to the conclusion that listening to podcasts while working is not very productive.  Your brain is compiling what's being said so that takes away from the your creative process.

Real Simple Syndication (RSS) Readers

An RSS Reader also known as "RSS Aggregator" is a tool used to collect and sort all your web site feeds into a single place. I'm using Google Reader. Once I'm able to have a single computer, or location, to work on I will probably look into getting a desktop app, but for now, since I'm always on the go - Google Reader works just fine.

The benefit of using an RSS reader is that you don't have to visit 10 or 20 web sites in order to get their latest content.  All their content is delivered to you.  So; find some sites that are consistently feeding their readers good, useful content and add their RSS feed to your reader.  Here are some sites that I read regularly:

• Atlanta Business Chronicle
• Creative Loafing Atlanta
• Digg (World & Business)
• Google News (Top Stories)
• The Motley Fool

Types of Feeds

There are roughly two types of feeds. RSS or ATOM. Since I'm not in a place to research this, I can say that there isn't a big difference between the two. By default I stick with RSS 2.x. If you really want the full understanding of the difference, you can always Wikipedia it.

When to Feed the Need?

Typically; you can read the feeds at any time during the day.  Some may constantly check their feeds for the up-to-the-minute content.  I typically check my feeds in the morning while drinking some coffee and then a couple times throughout the work day.  Again; the point of the RSS reader is for you to have the convenience of reading content when you're ready. So; figure out a best time to check your feeds.

Social Media

Boy, the word "social media" has been the buzz for the year 2009. It's taken on many different names, such as "new media", "social networking", frankly anything with "social" in front of it.  As social media grows, trying to fully realize its potential and firmly establish its identity across many platforms, it's resulted in good things for us. Social media is actually changing how people are delivering and receiving news. Blogs are putting traditional news papers out of business and threatening other paper-focused mediums.  In the world of media some folks no longer check out CNN for the late breaking-news. If you're following the right folks you can get world-wide news as its happening.

For instance, I'm primarily using Twitter and Identica. I have a Facebook account and various other accounts, but I can easily follow my Twitter feed on my mobile phone. I'm still looking for a good native Blackberry app for Identica.  Here are a couple of social media platforms to use to keep yourself up-to-date:

• FriendFeed
• Identica
• LinkedIn
• Mahalo
• Meetup
• Twitter

So; Have I Kept Up!?

So; at the end of the day, it's all about information being delivered to you in a way that you can take advantage of it.  With these three methods of "data collection", you shouldn't have a problem getting what you need. The trick to first filter the nonsense vs the credible/relative data and second what to do with it when you get it.  Unfortunetly; each person is different and you'll have to figure that one out on your own.  It'll take some time before you come up with a rock solid solution. Just keep an open mind about these "buzz" methods.  If I missed anything, please do not hesitate to comment it. I'd love to know what you all use.

This topic may have been talked to death already, but I accidentally learned something the other night and would like to share it.  There were two events being held and I could not attend any of them. I was a bit disgruntled and thought, "If I can't physically be there, maybe some social media freaks (likewise) would tweet the entire event minute-buy-minute." So; I searched for the two hash tags and while the events took I place, I noticed something happening to my feed...

"What was happening!?" you might ask?  What's the one thing all us micro-blogging users want - in regards to following other users? I'll give you a minute to figure it out... Ok; I'll tell - I noticed a pattern emerging as the feeds grew, the folks I monitored were like-minded individuals that were LOCAL!  "What does this mean? Stop baiting us!" Ok; I'll stop.

The two events were IgniteATL and Atlanta PHP Meetup.  While following the search for #igniteatl and #atlantaphp - I realized that I started interacting and thus following (being followed) by like-minded peers.  I could easily make a decision if this was someone I wanted to follow based on how they were interacting with others, what they said, etc.   It was very easy using TweetDeck's column structure. With their grouping option I could subscribe to someone and then put them in a group in a matter of seconds.

What About Hash Tags?

Well, to be honest - Identica (an open source micro-blogging platform) does this very well. It's all integrated into their basic service, but its unfortunate that there aren't a lot of good apps for it. Twitter has gone mainstream and basically took the sail out of their competitors.  I'm a FOSS (free and open source software) enthusiast, so I prefer the Laconica software, but doing business I need to be were everyone else is. Ok; back to HASH TAGS.  You can find like-minded folks to follow using Kevin Rose's WeFollow service, but then you have to go an research their previous posts, maybe their web sites, etc. It's a bit too much work and more importantly - they are probably in another country.

You can use sites like Meetup to find local groups and events. If it's specifically a social media event, you shouldn't have a problem following it live - there's guaranteed to be a few TwitterHeads annotating the event.  In the end - there's just something special about interacting with folks LIVE when they are at an event. It's exhilarating!