Steve’s Stuff

Yesterday, August 1, someone pumped 1900+ spam emails to CCIM Designees through our member search system. First, I’d like to apologize to our members for letting that spam through. Second, here’s a bit about how it happened and what we’re going to do about it. Read the rest of this entry »

CCIM chapter websites continue to evolve and will move to an open-source content management system this fall.

The current CCIM chapter websites can be considered Version 3 in a series. The first chapter sites were hosted by LoopNet. In 2002, the sites were moved to Catylist. In January of 2007, we took them in house and into their current configuration.

Our design externally resembled the Version 2 look and feel. The big changes were in the back end tools for administrators and integration of the chapter membership with the CCIM membership database. As a direct result of this process, we’ll be piloting chapter dues billing as part of the national CCIM dues billing this fall.

Since that initial rollout in January, Read the rest of this entry »

Drupal

Before I write the article about how to pick a notebook computer, I thought I’d go through the contents of my computer bag. My premise is that whether the notebook weighs 3.5 pounds or a pound more is largely irrelevant due to all the extra stuff that gets carried along.

• Swiss Army notebook bag
• 6′ extension cord
• 6′ network cable
• 3′ USB/MiniUSB cable (to charge phone)
• 3′ cable for iRiver Clix music player
• Sony VGN-SZ230P computer
• power brick and cord for Sony
• Logitech bluetooth mini-mouse
• 1GB USB flash drive
• Kensington wireless presention remote control
• Apple AirPort Express wireless access point
• Kensington cable lock
• iRiver Clix 2GB music player
• Sennheiser 250 noise canceling headphones

Of course, that doesn’t include the papers that go along when traveling.

Beaudreaux, this is for you. I’m going to add articles to this blog that are directly relevant to CCIM members and their use of technology. I hope that there will be some comments posted that will turn these into a discussion of best practices and useful tips. The planned articles include:

• How to buy a notebook computer
• What to schlep when traveling
• Microsoft Vista
• Microsoft Office

Your comments and suggestions are welcome.