Margie Maddux Newman

Apparently I give off a vibe of approachability. Folks are always calling, texting, emailing, Tweeting, and Facebooking me about random geekery. As an extrovert, I’m more than happy to chat! But it’s not just my desire for near-constant conversation that benefits from this relationship.

They say dog is man’s best friend, but we all know that a dog is also a woman’s soul sister. If you’ve had your pup for a while, think back to all of the elation, heartbreak, embarrassment, and triumph she’s witnessed: crappy first dates, hangovers, boyfriends, wanna-be boyfriends, one-woman fashion shows, wardrobe disasters, your attempts to train for a marathon, and don’t forget the flu.

If I should die before I wake, my Facebook password my husband should take. Oh, and an auto-reply message on my Gmail he should make, but my Twitter, LinkedIn, eBay, and PayPal accounts he may forsake …

Time and again, you loyal Chic Geek-ers email or Facebook-message me with your technology and social media questions instead of leaving public comments on HerNashville.com. You say it’s because you don’t want to post your “dumb question” where the world can see, and I understand. But listen, sister, having an issue, Googling it, and finding the answer from someone who already solved your problem is why the Internet is awesome.

Becca walked into happy hour an energetic college graduate (wisely) eager to connect with established professionals in her field. Armed with a confident smile, positive attitude, and a firm handshake, she was working the room like a champ — until I accidentally smacked her in the face with the networking card swap. 

Nashville-area business owners, managers, and diligent employees: pay special attention to that customer tapping away at her iPhone or thumbing through her BlackBerry. She just might be Twittering about your customer service (or lack thereof), snapping a pic of your cute bartender or barista, or posting a rating of your business on consumer review websites like Yelp! and OpenTable.

Logging into Facebook, you look up a current friend and emote a staccato intake of breath, followed by a tiny whimper. Your head tilts slightly to the left; this can’t be right. You type in the name again just to be sure — uh oh, lady, you’ve been de-friended.

Suddenly, a sinking feeling. Was it someone you poked? Something you said? Maybe you should have thought twice before updating your status with that snarky comment about who you voted for/against/love/hate/just saw at Whole Foods.

I’ve recently taken on a new job and an apartment move all in one month; that’s a lot of change, but as one friend pointed out, when your life is in chaos, that’s the best time to take up a new habit. “Your morning routine is already off kilter anyway, so now is the perfect time to add new stuff you’ve been meaning to do.”

A few weeks ago, long-time friend, foodie and chef, Jim Hagy, posed a fabulous question on my Facebook wall about Internet picture-posting etiquette.
Hagy is not only proprietor of Chef’s Market Café in Goodlettsville, but he’s also an aspiring geek who is doing a great job of using new media and social networking sites to promote his restaurant and catering services.

One of the best things about having a hobby that is both professionally and personally relevant is that no matter where I go, folks want advice on social media and technology. I mean, all kinds of folks: my granny, non-profit execs, even the guy I sold my car to.
    I get a great deal of questions from friends, clients and strangers on all sorts of topics — from Twitter to email etiquette to PowerPoint.