Wouldn’t it be nice to have a set of instructions handy to help you master the use of certain technologies? One of the biggest challenges facing our fraternity is overcoming the barriers of thought that keep us from using modern technologies to spread our message over the internet. There have been a brave few brothers in recent years who have carried the torch and forged new paths for us to follow. I believe we are at a time when we need to put the tools into the hands of all our brothers.
You will notice that I have been adding pictures and comments to this website about events that I have attended over the past few weeks. I’m certainly no expert on blogging but I do have a knack for figuring out technical challenges. We are in a world where there are no experts but everybody is an expert. Yep, you read that right. There is not a single soul who is an expert on all areas of human knowledge. But, each soul alive today is an expert on something. So, the challenge then is to learn to use the tools of communication to share your expertise.
Our own Poet Laureate of Jacksonville, RW Richard Ivy Lanier has been heard to say, “When you’re through learning, you’re through.” If this is true then you owe it to yourself to become more proficient in this relatively new form of communication. I’ve heard many brothers say stuff like, “I don’t need all that fancy stuff. I just need to dial a phone number,” or “I don’t even have a computer. My wife gets my email.” It’s this kind of thinking that limits our ability to communicate and share information within and without the fraternity.
I’ve been adding content to this website and pushing the information out to mailboxes and other social media in the hopes that we will add more and more to the global conversation about Masonry. Speaking of social media, have you signed up for any free accounts that will open your communications world? I’m talking about Facebook, Twitter, LinkIn, Google+, etc. Note the buttons at the bottom of each post. You can use these to share articles and pictures with others in your social circles. And, there is no “right” one. They all have their advantages and disadvantages as well as their specialized audiences. But, to learn this you will have to take the plunge and do like young people do, “play!!!” Don’t worry about how to do it right. Just do it!
Here’s a great overview and if you have a business, it will come in handy. Check out this ebook. While you’re at it, take a look at some of the content on make use of. They have many “how to” and information articles about the internet. Bookmark their site and visit regularly. You can even sign up for their email list and get a notification once or twice a month about new content and some great deals.
The key thing about using your computer and mobile device for communicating with others is to notice what the results are and if you don’t get the result you want, change the communication until you do.
Look for more information on specific topics to appear on this website under the heading, “How Do You…?” You will find it to the left of this article in the sidebar. Check it out.
As always, if you have comments or questions, look for the comment link below and share your expertise or your search for knowledge.
Fraternally,
Pat
