©2012 Jeff McCord's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

This is a FREE and pretty easy way to literally run a FULL VERSION Windows XP on your Macbook and you can literally switch between the two with one click of your Mighty Mouse! It’s truly amazing. I’m still in awe that few people only know about this!

I know this video is a bit longer than most, but trust me… just watch it and I promise you, you’ll be installing this ASAP. The only thing you need to do is have a Windows XP install disc (CD) and you’re ready to go!

Oh yeah, make sure you download Sun’s xVM Virtual Box here (it’s free!)

Watch the video in HD by clicking here or where it says HD on the video below…

Easy Way To Run Windows XP on Mac (HD Version) from Jeff McCord on Vimeo.

©2012 Jeff McCord's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

So from time time I will write a post relating to a new social network or the power of social networks.  Social networking and social media have changed my life, in the last six months, in ways that I never imagined.

Social networking used to be known, simply, as Facebook or MySpace.  Twitter came along in 2007 (but really became a hit this year) and that infrastructure began changing the way I communicate to people.  It also widened my network of “friends” and these past six months, I’ve met some amazing people. The best way for me to explain this is through my own, personal story:

If you recall, I’ve written a few posts on specifically how social networking is changing the foundation in how we connect with others online.  Whether it’s by finding a job with Twitter or interacting daily with people outside of your physical network, social networks are here to stay.  Web 2.0 isn’t 2.0 without the social networking piece embedded into it.  So, this post isn’t about me trying to persuade you that social networks are important; rather, it’s here to show you how it’s helped me in the past 6 months.

I’ve been awarded three part-time jobs thanks to my networking via Twitter, Plurk and blogging.  I’m a guest writer on Culture Feast and PC Authorities.  I’ve also had the opportunity to create corporations’ profiles on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.  Obviously, the extra income has been a pleasant surprise.  I recently was interviewed by Brazen Careerist because I started my company’s first-ever recruiting approach using social networking and microblogs.

I’ve been a guest on The Neal Show and when I wrote about fixing Woopra on a Mac, Geekbrief’s Cali Lewis mentioned me on her show which caused my Woopra post to be one of the highest read posts I’ve ever written.  I still get around 30 to 40 unique hits per day on that post which was written a few months ago!  How did this happen?  Luck had a part of it.  Social networks had the rest.  Twitter has some of the most amazing people I’ve ever had the chance of knowing.  99% of them are educated, interested in what you have to say and they will support you in almost anything you ask.  I don’t find too much on other social networks.  Plurk, Twitter’s first cousin, has that beginning support, but it’s not as strong as Twitter, in my opinion.

I’m also currently working with Tony C. Hall on a podcast that he and I will be publishing very soon.  It’s all about microblogging and I really think it’s going to be a great success.  I wouldn’t have had the chance of meeting Tony if it weren’t for social networking.

So, in my eyes, social networking and social media have changed my life in the last six months.  Those that know me will know this blog post isn’t me bragging.  On the contrary, it’s just showing those who may not “get” social networking’s power to understand how “little ol’ me” has blossomed in this wonderful world of technology.  I may not be a Cali Lewis or a Michael Arrington, but I am Jeff McCord… and well, that’s just moxie to me!

Share your story… how have social networks changed your life or your perspective in 2008?

©2012 Jeff McCord's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

There’s not a major news site or science website that hasn’t covered yesterday’s history making event, but do you know what happens next? How long will Mars Phoenix Lander be working? Did you know that NASA is running against a clock?

Thanks to NASA’s JPL team, here’s a phenomenal video that explains the mission, what will need to happen next, and the challenges that still lie ahead of Mars Phoenix Lander:

Click here to view the embedded video.

©2012 Jeff McCord's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

I can’t think of a greater post to write on this Memorial Day than what just occurred, yesterday, when NASA/JPL realized their Mars Phoenix Lander successfully landed on Mars.  Many congratulations are in order to America as well as SEVERAL other countries (Canada, several European countries) for making this an awesome mission!

As you know from my previous post, it was a “nail biter” yesterday when I was watching NASA and the Mars Phoenix Lander control room with over one thousand other Ustream fans. And I will also say it made me feel very proud to be an American when we got the word that the Mars Phoenix Lander had successfully landed.

This video below shows exactly what it took for this robot/probe to get on to the ground. Check it out:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Pretty amazing stuff, right?

Now comes the reward. Mars Phoenix Lander will be probing the north, icy plains of Mars for weeks if not years to come. Pictures are being digitally sent over to Earth every 7 minutes so in the next few days, check back here for more discoveries.

I’ll leave you with the video below, when American’s NASA control room got the word that their painstaking mission was a success. God Bless America!

Click here to view the embedded video.

©2012 Jeff McCord's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

NASA’s Mars Phoenix Lander successfully landed on the pole of Mars about 40 minutes ago.

Check back here later tonight for a recorded feed into the Mission Control room of the descent to our red neighbor.

God Bless America!

©2012 Jeff McCord's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

For those of you who know me, you know that I’ve been going through a really tough time, personally, in the last few weeks. This isn’t the appropriate forum to divulge my personal dramas, but I came across an awesome post that literally lifted my spirits today. I want to also give credit to The Positivity Blog which promotes positivity in every day life… make sure you check it out!

One of my most favorite quotes of all time comes from Ghandi, in which I’ve dedicated this post. It is this quote in which I will leave you with Ghandi’s Top Ten Fundamentals For Changing the World: “My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes and my talents and I lay them both at his feet.”

(1) Change Yourself.

(2) You are in control.

(3) Forgive and let go.

(4) Without action you aren’t going anywhere.

(5) Take care of this moment.

(6) Everyone is human.

(7) Persist.

(8) See the good in people and help them.

(9) Be authentic and be your true self.

(10) Continue to grow and evolve.

©2012 Jeff McCord's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

Click on the badge below to learn more information. If you’re a blog owner and would like to be a part of this awesome cause, please let me know below so I can make sure to include you in some of my links!

©2012 Jeff McCord's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

I know the title sounds like a catchy, new book that is about to come out but the reality is a dream of mine came true today even though I’m going through one of the hardest trials in my life. Some things will always remain private, but my life has turned upside down (literally) a few days ago and I don’t think I’ve personally felt as much pain and angst as I did since my brother passed away in 2005.

On a much more positive note, Cali Lewis from Geekbrief.tv not only mentioned my name in today’s episode but she also discussed a blog post I wrote regarding getting Woopra installed on a Mac. This has been a dream of mine ever since I began watching Geekbrief.TV back in August 2007.

Thank you, my readers, for keeping me blogging and for subscribing to my blog and continuing to support me. It means the world.

You can watch the Geekbrief episode here.

The post of mine that Geekbrief is referring is here.

©2012 Jeff McCord's Blog. All Rights Reserved.

If you read my blog and if you really know me, you know that two of my favorite people online are Cali Lewis and Neal Campbell. Hello! I was a GUEST on The Neal Show and it doesn’t get any cooler than that.

So with that said, Cali and Neal are taking GeekBrief.tv on a big road trip and they need OUR support. So please make a donation by clicking HERE and help Geekbrief.tv make their dreams come true! I beg you… plus it’s super moxie of you to support them! I will be making a pixel donation by the end of next week, won’t you too?!

©2012 Jeff McCord's Blog. All Rights Reserved.