How to: Photo Zoom in the Google+ Stream

Image by Neil Judges

There is a handy little extension for Google Chrome that allows for the easy quick zoom of photos and profile avatars while still working in the Google+ stream. It allows for the easy view of interesting photos. Navigate to here: Google Chrome Photo Zoom Extension.

Naturally you will have to use Chrome as your browser.

After you install the extension it appears here:



To toggle it on and off, all you have to do is click the little icon.This also works when you navigate to the photos section on Google+ as well.

So, this is what it looks like when you hover your mouse over an avatar:

You should go ahead and add Travis to one of your circles

Here is what it looks like when you are in the photo section:

Thanks for reading everyone!

Have you sent feedback to Google about Google+ yet?

So one of the things that irritates me about Google+ is the inability to collapse comments! I really need this functionality. I have tried muting a post, but then the original is now gone from my stream. You can come back and unmute it, but I am slow on the uptake and just can’t remember all the posts I want to check out later if I happen to run out of time and need to focus on something else. Given my ADD tendencies, I am always circling back around to previous posts. I’ll be happy if I can just get this quick blog post complete before I drift off to thinking about something else.

2.5 hours later….

So I thought I would submit feedback to Google and man do I like the way it is implemented. After you click the feedback button located on the bottom right hand side of the screen



You get this nifty little box:



From there you can highlight the screen showing exactly what you are reporting on. Nice! After you enter in a description of the problem and hit preview, you are then taken to this screen that shows you exactly what you are sending in to Google:



I don’t know how you feel about providing feedback, but given the current crowd on G+ (yes I know I am too lazy to type out Google+, or am I?) I imagine Google is getting bombarded with enhancement requests.

Have you submitted feedback to Google yet? What do you think of this little piece of functionality?

Now, back to spending entirely too much time on G+.

The Best "Job" In The World - Being a Dad

Everyone who knows me, knows how passionate I am about agriculture. I am blessed that every day I wake up is another day I get to spend in the profession I love so much. As a matter of fact, agriculture has become so much a part of my life, that I don’t consider it a job. I feel it is my duty and wake up excited for another opportunity to do what I love! Sometimes I can’t believe I get paid to do it!

There is one “job”, however, that is more rewarding and fulfilling. That is being a father. My kids are wonderful. Each day I spend with them is a wonderful experience that just cannot be replaced.

I couldn’t possibly put into words how wonderful my kids are so I thought I would just put together a quick slide show.


                         Why I LOVE Being A Dad!
Enjoy the slide show and be sure to stop by and visit your Dad today. If you can't do that, then get on the phone, send an email, or anything you can to let him know how much you love him. And remember, anyone can make a baby; it takes a special kind of person to be a Dad.

Local Roots Gets Local Foods

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I love agriculture! Everything single thing about it gets me spun up and eager to engage. To do something. Talk, learn, educate, blog, tweet, whatever.

I am fortunate to be involved in a startup that takes me to places through farm country. During one of my recent trips out to Smithville, OH, I had the pleasure of meeting with a then prospect, now a new customer! On the way back home, I thought I would stop by and meet with my friend Brian Gwin who works for the Wayne County Economic Development Council with a focus on agriculture. Brian is a wonderful individual with a family farm in the area. He understands agriculture and economic development. I am glad to know Brian and look forward to working on projects together.

Brian knows I have a strong interest in local food economies. I believe that efforts promoting this are good for farmers and good for the community. As such, he took me over to one such group that was established in 2009, Local Roots Market & Café.

The marketing manager, Jessica Eikleberry was gracious enough to show me around the place and talk to me about the organization, its goals, and ideas on continuing their efforts to strengthen the Wooster area economy and surrounding communities.

Let me just say now, Local Roots gets local foods. I can relate to their mission:

"To establish a year-round market place for the purpose of connecting consumers and producers of locally grown foods and other agricultural products. Our goals are to encourage healthy eating, expand local economic development, promote community involvement, and sustainable living."

I like their approach for producer members in that they set it up to where the producer puts together their own profiles, develop their own prices, and gain access to the marketing services of Local Roots. It is all inclusive. As a grower you can share your story to connect with the consumer.

Another great perk is that each item sold has information the consumer can use to contact the grower enabling an immediate connection to the person growing their food. Awesome!

Why Local Roots gets local foods

During my visit to the store, I noticed all the other non-food items that were in the store. Now, this may seem counter intuitive, but to me Local Roots understands that agriculture is multi-faceted. We in the business of agriculture also produce fiber and other products that require a producer as well. And in their market you will see things like bee based lip balm (go bees – we love you!!!), wool, yarn, and soap products, to name a few.

It is the essence of building a strong agriculture based local economy. Providing access to fresh, local, healthy food as well as the other myriad of products founded in agriculture. Awesome isn’t it?

So, if you are interested in local foods and local economic development, Local Roots is a shining example. Go visit their website and check out the list of participating producers and other great resources!

My thanks again to Jessica for her time and willingness to share the Local Roots story. I wish her and the volunteers who have made Local Roots a success continued prosperity.

Regards,
Nate J. Taylor
(814) 441-1867
natesuetaylor@gmail.com

Photo Credits:
bluhazyjunem on flickr

IntelliCrop–Got Beta?

If you haven’t already, you may want to subscribe to my RSS Feed.

So, if you don’t know, I along with 3 dear friends started a company in November 2010. We are already close to the beta program (April 1st, 2011).

I just could not be more excited. We already have companies on board, with hopefully more soon.

IntelliCrop already has a post about the flagship service here so I am not going to go into much more detail here, but I urge you to go check it out. While you are there, have a look at the products tab. I would love to hear your feedback and answer any questions. Or sign you up for either beta or for the limited commercial release in May. 

But I would like to add these neat videos demonstrating just how far technology has come in relation to computing complex algorithms.

This is a video of a difference engine and it is awesome!


Now we have this handy little “computer” called Watson. Just think of the insane amounts of algorithms getting crunched! Amazing.

Go IBM

Now, we are certainly not close to using the power of Watson at IntelliCrop, but we are fully aware of the technology advancement curve. We are also acutely aware of where computational power is today and are leveraging this as we bring more agronomic model based products and services to the market place.

As the IntelliCrop blog post states, we are in a limited release phase so contact us for more details.

Regards,
NJT
(814) 441-1867
natesuetaylor@gmail.com