The New Masonic Site

Many of you may be aware I've been on vacation for a few days, but my partner in crime, Bro. Greg Stewart (aka Masonic Traveler) has been hard at work implementing a project he and I dreamed up and started a few months ago.
As of today you can find my new content posted over at http://freemasoninformation.com Not only will you find me but you will find a cadre of other writers and my weekly masonic podcast Masonic Central.
With the new move I am refocusing my energies on discussing technology and it's uses for masons and their organizations. My new column will be called Masonic Tech. You can link directly to my articles by selecting the Masonic Tech category at the top of the homepage or click here. I should have some fresh content there shortly... I'm still a bit behind from being on vacation. In the meantime make sure you click through and check out my new "web digs".
I'm sure you will find Greg, myself and our team of gifted columnists will keep you reading fresh content regularly. Visit the site today...

Bloggers check your feeds

Please consider this as a public service message.

Recently Feedburner was purchased by Google. 

I know many of us have used Feedburner to push our feeds out more efficiently to the world.

There has been a few changes in the feedburner service and now when you log in you will be asked to move your feed over to the Google Service on your Google Account.  I recently did mine and it is done very easily for you but you should do it before February 28th so you can control the move and/r transfer your service elsewhere.  I'm unclear at this point what happens if you do not move it before the 28th of February.

I didn't get an email telling me about this, so I can only assume you neither did anyone else. Simply log into your Feedburner account and it will pop-up and direct you.

For bloggers who did not use Feedburner previously.  Check out it's new local at http://feedburner.google.com 

The service is the same, from what I read, except it no longer has the analytics incuded.  For that they recommend using Google analytics.  I highly recommend Google Analytics for all websites, not just blogs, anyways.  It is a "must have" for all websites, in my opinion.  And it's free...

Thoughts?

I sit at my desk looking at my blog.  I haven't been active with it in a while.  Too busy with the podcast, young family of three and my various business interests.  I look down at my comments for each post and realize something...

I got a spike in comments every time I discussed Masonry and technology.  My latest example was my discussion on Twitter but there have been others.  Hmmmmm....

And I'm interested in web technology as most of you can tell.  Who else wants to create an online podcast and stay up late on a Sunday talking about Masonry on a computer to other people around the world?  So I'm contemplating the future purpose of this blog and what I should be discussing.

Any comments or suggestions from my readers, who are probably wondering what I've been doing anyway?

I look forward to hearing from you.  And yes you can Twitter me (@dbk) as well, or find me on facebook.

And don't disappoint me OK?  Leave me a comment.  I want to hear from YOU...

Is Twitter the future of Masonry?

As many of you know, I am not only the blogger here but I host Masonic Central with Greg Stewart.  Masonic Central is a weekly podcast focused on Masonic issues and interests.

In our first show of 2009 (click to download) we discussed the plans for the new year and tackled the changes masonry may have to face.  One item that was discussed was the use of technology to reach the new generation of masons.  Fred Milliken, author of the Beehive blog suggested Twitter may be a great tool for this.  Well I don't think it's the solution to our problems but I have been Tweeting lately and want others to try it and be able to find fellow masons on the service.

With that in mind, I have started a Freemason Twitter group.  All you Tweeters can find it at http://tgr.me/g/mason When you get there just ask to join and sign in with your Twitter account. 

Oops... You mean you don't have a Twitter account???  

Head here and find out what it's about.  Don't ask me to explain.  It's free and you will either love it or hate it, but give it a try just so you can tell your "younger hipper" friends that you did it.  I honestly don't think it is the answer to Freemasonry, but it's a great tool to keep in touch and get your message out.

So you signed up for Twitter and hey you even signed up for the group I mentioned above.  Well how about getting some other friends to Twitter with.  You can find me at "dbk" and I have a second account JUST for the masonic podcast "masoniccentral".  One more guy you can follow is "masonictraveler"  I'm sure Greg will not mind me saying so... 

Have fun Twittering with Masons and the world.... Let me know how it works for you.

PS - If you like it, I recommend a third-party software such as tweetdeck to enhance your Tweet'ing experience.  But start with the basics first... Tweetdeck is a Beta.

Outremer

New infants, lots of work and a growing obsession over at Masonic Central (my masonic podcast) = not much time to post.

A few weeks ago we had Stephen Dafoe on the podcast. It was a great interview. Click here to listen

Last night I went back to his website after my show and reserved my Limited Edition copy. Check it out... Only $10 Wow!!!

The Outremer Comic Book looks great! If you have even been curious about the real Templars then it's worth checking out. Of course this is a comic book so it is fiction, but based on some basis of reality.

Just a note: Stephen is not paying me to post this. He actually doesn't even know. I hope he doesn't mind me posting his picture. I just believe in supporting our fellow masonic authors.

Arizona Pioneer Francis A. Shaw Masonic Archive

Here is a whole collection available on eBay for an avid masonic collector.

I'm a bit surprised to find such a large collection such as this and they are not putting it in auction format.  It's a fixed price, Buy It Now item.

Check out the listing and take a look at the letters in the various photos.  They will definately remind you of a bygone era in Masonry and society in general.

Click here for the listing

Masonic Central talks with Brothers Paul Bessel and Jerry Samet

Tonight should be a great show at Masonic Central!

Date: Sun, August 31, 2008
Time: 09:00 PM EDT
Click here to join the call or just listen along

We talk with Paul Bessel and Jerry Samet. Paul is a prolific author and web publisher of the Masonic website www.bessel.org as well as of many papers, and books, and Bro. Jerry is a Past Grand Master of Washington D.C, Past International Gran Master of DeMolay, creator of the Grand Master's class and champion of eliminating bigotry in Masonry.

We look forward to talking about some of the specific topics of masonry today, including past (and present) segregation in Freemasonry and their work in integration and broadening recognition of Prince Hall, the success (or failure) of the of modern Grand Master Classes , infamously known as "One Day Classes", and some discussion on how to make Masonry interesting and more enjoyable to modern membership if it is to survive. It's going to be a great program and one not to be missed!

Looking to talk on our program?
You are welcome to dial in. During our taping you can dial in directly at (724) 444-7444 and when asked use Call ID: 19162.

We are often asked about equipment for Voip. I've included a budget headset below. I've not used this headset but it looks fine.

Plantronics .Audio 50 Headset


We also have many of our active panel calling in via Skype. I recommend spending the $3 a month for the US/Canada Plan. It's a long distance bill killer as I call it. And you can call in to the show with it.



I hope to talk to you soon!