Category: Being Digital

Yelp Won’t Save Itself, So Consumers Have To

(This article in an opinion piece on how Yelp or new Yelp users can work to improve Yelp as a service.) Yelp is fledgling. They’re advocating for antitrust action against Google in Europe and the US. They’re even participating in an anti-Google lobby which recently served this author a LinkedIn ad. These regulatory pushes are… Continue reading Yelp Won’t Save Itself, So Consumers Have To

PSA: Don’t Buy a New Car Unless it has this Feature

So you’re about to buy a new or new-to-you car. You have your money saved for a down payment and financing lined up from your local credit union. Now its time to buy that car, truck, or SUV, but wait! Your new car needs this one new feature that has seemingly flown under the radar:… Continue reading PSA: Don’t Buy a New Car Unless it has this Feature

Self Driving Car Companies are Missing One Important Theme for American Adoption

It’s not safety, liability, and availability that will be top of American’s minds when they consider adopting self-driving cars, it’s freedom. It may sound cliche, but it’s why Americans are obsessed with the current one person one vehicle status quo. It’s why Americans are loathe to take buses and trains. They will make exceptions of… Continue reading Self Driving Car Companies are Missing One Important Theme for American Adoption

Google Maps List: My Favorite Restaurants in Portland

When I tell people I’m from Portland, they often ask if it really rains all the time (it’s complicated), if it’s really like the show Portlandia (it is), and where I love to eat. On the last question, there are WAY TOO MANY PLACES IN PORTLAND THAT I LOVE TO EAT. Even if I just… Continue reading Google Maps List: My Favorite Restaurants in Portland

How to Send People Directly to Your Business’s Google Review Page

Are you a business owner or manager of a Google My Business (GMB) listing who wants to send people directly to your review page on Google so they can leave a review? Here’s how: Step 1: Build a link to send folks directly to the GMB ratings page: Put the business’s “place ID” in this… Continue reading How to Send People Directly to Your Business’s Google Review Page

Why I Decided to Use WordPress.com for Oakfive.com

Edit: In January 2019, I switched this site to “self hosting” using hosting provider BlueHost, and wordpress.org as the site structure. This new configuration is dramatically cheaper, and gives me more control. No regrets! Here’s the write up on the switch to a self hosted wordpress site. Original Article On Selecting WordPress.com for this Site:… Continue reading Why I Decided to Use WordPress.com for Oakfive.com

I’m a Google Local Guide and So Can You

I’ve been a Google Local Guide for just over 2 years. It has been a great experience on so many levels. I’ve received perks from Google. From small: like a free trial of YouTube Red; to big: I got selected to the Local Guides Summit (now called Connect Live), in 2017. In addition to perks,… Continue reading I’m a Google Local Guide and So Can You

Three Books To Help You Save Time, Get Inspired, and Be More Efficient

These three books have shaped how I tackle getting things done. From handling work efficiently, to prioritization, to better managing and getting through the administrative duties of every day life, these books have changed how I interact with my precious time. They Did It, So Can You: Rework Rework isn’t so much of a guide,… Continue reading Three Books To Help You Save Time, Get Inspired, and Be More Efficient