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The AP is Changing the Way Their Reporters Use Twitter reports that the Associated Press (AP) is forbidding writers from sharing opinions in Twitter, including opinions of others through retweets. I understand AP wants to ensure its reputation for unbiased reporting remains intact.

My initial reaction was tripping over my jaw that had somehow landed on the floor. But the more I thought about it, the more I understood the concern. Let’s say you read an unbiased AP article about hydraulic fracturing. If the AP writer who wrote the story has a Twitter account and tweeted that the problems surrounding hydraulic fracturing are overblown, how would that affect the article? Future articles?

What if the writer makes no mention of writing for AP in his Twitter bio? When I tweet a link to a story, I often look up the writer for a Twitter ID to credit the person with writing the story. If I do that with the hydraulic fracturing writer and see opinionated tweets on the subject — could that reflect on AP and the writer?

As I think about this, I’m at a loss on the right way to handle this. With so much low quality, biased reporting today — maybe it’s necessary for AP to do it for the sake of integrity.

What do you think of AP’s actions? Are they exempt or should it apply to other publications? What about companies? Can employees be allowed to share opinions about competitors and their industry?

And now for your weekly links.

Brain food …

• Salvage Your Holidays with 15 DIY Christmas Ideas. Of course, good for any holiday. I do the bakin’ thing. Got a favorite recipe you’re willing to share? My top recipe is the chocolate mint cookies … everyone has this recipe, but I make ‘em anyway. I used to make fudge. I’m not sure why I stopped. I think I got wrapped up with raising three kids and didn’t bake for a few holiday seasons. Then, I decided to go the cookie and granola route.
• To Automate or not to Automate Your Personal Productivity System. Another great one from Lifehack that helps you figure out what you can automate and what you shouldn’t. I have templates for some of my clients’ invoices where the activity is the same, I just add in numbers or hours. I also have automated entries for expenses that repeat every month. I do not have automatic credit card bill payment set up, as I want to reconcile the bill before I scheduling payment.
• How to Curb Three Major Stressors in Life. This time of the year is both wonderful and stressful. Three things in my arsenal: Exercise, “no” and skipping something if it’s too much.
• 10 Business Cliches to stay far away from and why. “Content is king / queen” overused, too.
• These 18 Napkin Sketches Will Teach You Everything You Need To Know About Saving Money. Love these business / finance / personal sketches. Tells story in few words.
• Steve Jobs’ Influence on Our World. Nicely done interactive GQ chart …

For fun …

• Future Generations and Screen Names. True! I tried to get a Gmail ID for my son and nothing decent worked except using his unusual middle name, which he prefers not to do.
• Eyebombing. Not as weird or as gross as it sounds: “Humanizing the world, one goggly eye at a time.” Yep.
• 10 Craziest Christmas Tattoos. Ever wonder what Santa looks like when he’s Darwin? Wonder no more.
• Dear blank, please blank. Hilarious letters where users write letters using this format: “Dear … Please … Sincerely …” And now they’ve been turned into prints.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 Meryl Evans

My maternal grandfather died on this date in 1987. My favorite memory of him was siting in his living room and listening to him tell a story about his life in Poland before he came to the U.S. in 1925 at age 18.

A little administration. You may know I have game reviews and news happening in this blog, yet separate. If you’re a subscriber, you have different options for subscribing to the content here. Here are the subscriptions:

• meryl.net: Includes both meryl’s notes blog (this one) and The Game Zen blog entries.
• meryl’s notes blog: Entries from this one only; no games.
• The Game Zen: Entries from the games blog.
• Bionic Ear Blog: Entries from the deaf blog.

Please vote for your top 25 books on writing.

Brain food…

• 25 Brainstorming Techniques: Not your usual suggestions [Link: Steve Borgman].
• The Writer’s Creed: Short, sensible and simple advice [Link: BubbleCow].
• How to Write a Great Query Letter: An Example That Worked
• Ten Things Every Journalist Should Know in 2010
• Is Freelance Writing More Stable than a 9 to 5: I know I’m lucky because I’m married. Hubs has the corporate job with the benefits while I enjoy the benefits of freelancedom [Link: Lori Widmer].

And for fun because we’re allowed…

• Map of the U.S.A.: Texas rocks… but then Hugh MacLeod contradicts himself with Marfa, TX. So if it’s all true… USA sucks?
• Why It’s Better to Pretend You Don’t Know Anything about Computers
• Helping J: We have a wonderful discussion about some of our favorite movies — many not smash hits that you may have missed.
• Say No More: The Banned Words of 2010: Disagree with “teachable moment,” but ready to rid of the rest.
• Recipes from a Web Worker Kitchen: Can’t deal with brain food until you fuel up first.
• 25 Cringeworthy Sites We Love to Hate [Link: Andy Hayes]
• Letterheady: Shaun Usher collects real letterheads. I enjoy browsing the collection. He’s also behind Letters of Note.

I started the tradition of sending a holiday letter in 1997 or maybe before, but I have no proof. Originally, I sent cards and write a short note. Since I enjoyed reading letters from others, I thought I’d do the same and the annual letter began.

Took the lazy way out this year and didn’t bother with handwritten notes and printed address labels instead of printing addresses directly on the envelopes. I’ve got to address 200 invitations by the end of the year for a big family event coming in ’07. At least, a non-handwritten letter is better than no letter, right?

After I printed 25 copies of the letter, I found a typo in the first sentence! I just mailed my letters yesterday. I wrote, “In spit of …” instead of “In spite of…” Awful! Instead of wasting paper and ink, I just added the “e.” Hey, I did do a little handwriting after all.

The media has been reporting on annual letters and newsletters whether people like them or get annoyed with the brag-fest. I like receiving them because they tell me what’s going on in my friends’ lives. I try to stick to honesty when writing the letter and make sure the letter doesn’t sound like the showing off or bragging. But I do include photos of the kids in every letter. That won’t go away. So holiday letters… good or bad?

The book is based on Land’s Web site of the same name, spamletters.com, which I discovered a few years ago and submitted a letter. The spam letter in question is about hydrogen peroxide and it’s included in the book (p. 112). The original letter is presented along with Land’s creative and hilarious reply to the spammer.

He takes on the role of lawyer, doctor, pastor, casting director, and woman (Joan). Pastor Land is the proud pastor of Church of Our Mistress of the Perpetual Blonde where he spent the ’80s importing hydrogen peroxide he baptizes his brethren through the blonding process. If anyone knows how he can get 500 gallons of the stuff, contact Pastor Land.

That’s what Land has been doing, replying to spammers, and in some cases, the spammers have written back and those are included in the book. He produces works of fiction (don’t tell anyone) and for once, spam is fun instead of an aggravation.

If the book is based on the Web site, why should we read the book? Here are the reasons:

1. There are many letters; it’s difficult to read more than a few online.
2. It’s great reading material away from the computer and the Internet.
3. Laptops don’t handle beach sand, ocean water, or other exotic locales very well.
4. After a lousy day at work, who wants to get on the computer at home? Get a good laugh with the book instead.
5. The book organizes the letters by topic and you can see which ones have replies from the spammers.
6. A book doesn’t make your legs go numb like a laptop on your lap while in the bathroom.
7. No downloading time involved!

You can try before you buy by going to the Web site and reading the letters. Also, check the table of contents to find out what letters are included in the book. Bet you’ve received over half of them. Take out your spam frustrations by reading Land’s retorts. Those who like reading humor books will enjoy this one, it’s one-of-a-kind.

Oh, if you’re one of the few people who buys books at those stores with bricks around them — you can’t miss this one. It’s bright pink. Odd, eh? At least, it will be harder to lose the book since it sticks out like a sore thumb.

Title: The Spam Letters
Author: Jonathan Land
Publisher: No Starch Press
ISBN: 1593270321
Date: June 2004
Format: Paperback
Pages: 336
Price: USD$14.95
CDN: 19.95
UK: 11.99