my masterpiece, v1.0

Posts to keep you entertained, thinking, sharing, and discussing. I blog across subject areas because there's a lot of interesting stuff out there; why limit our conversation? var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-1828138-2"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {}

[jenbokoff]

CitiBike rides in NYC over 2 days. It's fascinating to watch patterns related to time, place, membership, public transit delays, weather, and pairing. 

[jenbokoff]

Moving my blog to wordpress

Hi Tumblrs,

I'm in the process of moving my blog to wordpress. You can check out the beginnings at jenbokoff.com. I'm always open to feedback; it's a work in process. BUT, I would love to have you follow me over there! Please take a minute to follow me over there if you have an account; I don't want to lose this amazing community!

THANK YOU for your loyal reading!

[jenbokoff]

What Americans will look like in 2050, according to a National Geographic study on trends in marriage and births. 

[jenbokoff]

It's not all-inclusive, but definitely interesting. There were many more takeaways from the researcher's work including demographic trends and budgeting for tips; here are some that weren't included in the chart that I found interesting about other professions:

Apparently no one tips flight attendants, and if you do, you’ll probably receive free drinks thereafter.

Golf caddies say that golfers tip better when they play better, but they always tip the best when it’s happening in front of clients.

Tattoo artists expect $10-20 on a $100 job and $40-60 on a $400 job, but they get nothing from 30% of people.

A massage therapist expects a $15-20 tip and receives one 95% of the time—about half of a massage therapist’s income is tips.

A whitewater rafting guide said he always got the best tips after a raft flipped over or something happened where people felt in danger.

Strippers not only usually receive no salary, they often receive a negative salary—i.e. they need to pay the club a fee in order to work there.

[jenbokoff]

It amazes me how many people think that I’m the president of HP. Anyone who really knows me, after all, knows how much I really, really hate computers. (And don’t get me started on tracked changes. But I digress.) Other people think I work for the Packard Foundation, or for any number of other organizations that have either Hewlett or Packard in the title. When I first told my mom about this job, she couldn’t understand why I would leave the law school to go into the home printer business. To solve this annoying brand confusion problem, we are going to propose a merger with the Packard Foundation, the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, the HP Foundation, and HP itself. The new entity will be named HF-PF-LPCH-HPF-HP.

Larry Kramer, on the Hewlett Foundation's blog devoted to transparency. Learn about other breaking April 1st news in philanthropy through his most excellent post.

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The pneumatic system for transporting mail, active in NYC from 1897-1953. Very neat. Systems like this are still in use at many banks, with trash management, and some research libraries.

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Did you know...

Before WWII, May 1 was moving day for all of New York City. Imagine the chaos! Read more.

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.NGO | .ONG Domain Names Available This Summer

The new .NGO and .ONG domains will be released late Summer 2014. Unlike .ORG, the new domains will only be available to NGOs, charities, and nonprofits, which will form a nice international index of verified NGOs. The new domains will be released on a first come, first serve basis, so fill out an expression of interest form today to help you get your first choice.  Read more about the what and the how.

Thanks to Annie Hernandez for the tip!

[jenbokoff]

I love when companies recognize the power of their sponsorship dollars to make a point, and when they make sure that their values line up with those of the cause they're putting their name on.

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Instead of flowers, Walt would hope that you will do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for some poor unfortunate soul in his name.

An excerpt from Walter George Bruhl Jr.'s self-authored obituary that has gone viral this week.

[jenbokoff]

Muenster is Muenster, no matter how you slice it.

Chuck Schumer

Europe's making a big stink over cheese. The EU wants to ban the use of names like Parmesan, feta, and Gorgonzola on US-made cheeses because ours isn't as good or as original. Our cheese is becoming an international threat to sales and cheese identity. Our cows pale in comparison to theirs.

Getting this The Onion-worthy ban enacted would inevitably mean tough times on American businesses (especially small ones) and confusion in already chaotic supermarket aisles and on restaurant menus everywhere. It can't happen...can it?

Government trade relations, folks!

[jenbokoff]

Photographer Rosie Holtom took pictures of homeless people from London, dressed as they’d like the world to see them. Not only are they beautiful portraits, but there is such light and confidence that comes through in these. As communities, we need to be better about inspiring that in those who are homeless for whatever reason; there are incredible people shrouded in bold asks for money and curled up with a blanket on the streets.

[jenbokoff]

There's a new website in town talking taxes. TaxHelp.org recently launched and has more than 150 free resources about United States taxes. Tis the season to check out resources like their General Guide to Taxes. I used to write my own simple guide to taxes, but I'm less in the know now and happy to share this equally readable and more reliable and up-to-date resource.

With just over a month to file, now's the time to read up and efile if you haven't already.

[jenbokoff]

via a New York Times slideshow and article about yoga in Israel among (un)Orthodox Jews.

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Perfect Soldiers, by Gabriel Cortez.

More incredible youth stories tied to health via TheBiggerPicture.org.

[jenbokoff]

Tips for "Networking" at a Conference

Any of you who read my blog (loyal in my extended blogging absence!) know that the word "networking" is a little dirty to me because the intentions aren't always as pure as "connecting". However, I'm asked all the time how I approach networking at conferences. Here are some pointers I share:

Do your research beforehand. If attendee lists (either specific names or organizations) are available, make sure you know background for 'important' people in the room, and ask colleagues/netsuite about existing relationships.

Dont spew information. Instead, ask people questions about themselves and their work.

Don't make people feel like you're trying to sell them something. Instead, listen to what's on their mind and respond to that.

The best conversations are those that aren't about work at all. Get to know people to really build a relationship. That often means showing a little of your personality; you can maintain privacy, but think about a few topics you could be comfortable talking about outside of work and don't be afraid to do that.

Be careful what you say about other people – you never know who knows who.

The best networking often happens during meals and evening activities, so pace your energy levels to make those times count.

Write something to jog your memory on the back of people's business cards as is helpful.

Make note of what article or website(s) would be helpful to send to someone in followup to your conversation, and then follow up! Within a week is usually a good call, but up to two is fine.

And, in doing all of this, focus still on connecting and not having a transactional interaction!

[jenbokoff]

Innovation can come from anywhere and any age. This braille printer is pretty fantastic, and its inventor is even more fantastic.